I'm back

I haven't blogged for a few days because I have been traveling.  This wasn't an exciting 'over the ocean' sort of trip.  Just a pleasant long weekend visit.  Some friends and I drove to Glasgow, KY to visit with other friends in a 'reunion' of fellow travelers to Finland last March.  We had a fun time (in some ways more fun than the trip - at least warmer). That was Saturday.  On Sunday five of us went to Nashville to do some touristy stuff.  The highlight was visiting The Country Music Hall of  Fame and Museum.  I'm not a huge country music fan and I didn't know quite what to expect but it was a really great place to visit. I especially enjoyed the projected video clips that were spaced along the walls between the various exhibits.  I got to hear Roy Rogers and Johnny Cash sing, along with several others.  Also, and this was really quite impressive, I got to see Elvis's gold plated Cadillac.  Actually, only the trim pieces like the door handles and mirrors were gold plated.  Still it was quite impressive.  The whole museum kept hitting me with blasts from my past.  Really fun.

I have a new ceiling.

That's about the most exciting thing that happened to me today.  Actually the process has been going on for a few days.  Last week I noticed that the ceiling in my guest bathroom, right above the toilet, had a water spot.  The position suggested to me that a toilet in the apartment directly above mine might be leaking.  Turns out I was right.  A maintenance man came (they respond quickly to calls about leaks) ran up and down from my apartment to the one above, cut a neat square hole (about 3x3 feet) in my bathroom ceiling, fixed the leaky pipe and sealing ring and then patched the hole.  That's the part that took time.  But after three days of sporadic work on patching, caulking, smoothing, sanding and finally painting, I have a new ceiling.  Well, technically, it's just a new section of ceiling, but it certainly looks better than it did.  Just in time for company tomorrow.

Another interesting scam

I was speaking with a gentleman in the elevator earlier today and he told me that he had recently received a call from the 'social security' scamers.  They startled him a little when they told him they had frozen his account, but when they asked him to give them his checking account routing number or a credit card number, he caught on and hung up.  According to this evening's news this 'social security' scam is one of the newest and very prevelant.  Be warned.  Coincidentally, there was a notice posted in our elevator about another sneaky scam.  Evidently someone is calling renters telling them that, because of their excellent payment history, they will be receiving a $500 rebate.  Then of course they ask for your checking account routing number so they can "make a deposit." Yeah, right.  Like so many friends I know, I am really never exposed to these scams because I don't answer my phone unless I recognize the caller.  Thank goodness for caller ID.  I do think it's funny when the caller ID gives the name of a city.  I really doubt that an entire city wants to talk to me.  A friend made the point earlier today that many people our age find it difficult not to answer the phone.  We learned, early in our lives, to answer after two rings, and to answer politely. How times change.

What a difference a day makes.

Yesterday, and for some days before, the general population, including me, has been sweltering in the summer heat.  But this morning I awoke to a cool breeze blowing in my bedroom window, and all day I have had windows all over my apartment.  I have been enjoying the coolness but, even more, the greatly reduced humidity.  It's nice to feel clean and dry when I towel off after my shower.  Yesterday evening I had dinner at my son's house and we had a bit of excitement when their power went out.  As I was driving home I got caught in some gushing downpours, and had to navigate an unofficial four-way stop at State and Maplecrest since the light was out there, but it was worth it.  That was the beginning of the end of the nasty hot spell.  Now we have entered into what I think of as free weather days.  I don't need to run my airconditioner at all.  Comfort and economic bliss!

It's so quiet.

Last night was the final evening of this year's Three Rivers Festival. There were fireworks and a concert across the river.  It was all very fun and festive but now it's very quiet.  But don't dispair.  If you haven't had your fill of festivals yet there will be another one downtown next weekend, and in the meantime, the Allen County Fair is going on this week.  One of the very nice things about the fair is that it takes place at the fair ground way out north on Carroll Road.  There will be rides to ride and loud music, as well as animals on display, horse racing and the judging of 4H entries.  All very festive and fun and also far, far away.  I am looking forward to a week of peace. 

50 years ago

Not only is today the 50th anniversary of the first moon walk. it's also my youngest brother's birthday.  He's 64 today. I did say youngest, not young, but I must admit, 64 sounds young to me.  It's all relative I guess (no pun intended).  So happy birthday brother dear and happy moon-walk anniversary.  It has been fun this week to be reminded of all the tension and excitement of that time.

salute to velcor

Today is the date, fifty years ago, that the astronauts were orbiting the moon, preparing for the landing and moon walk - 50 years ago tomorrow. As part of the report covering this on the morning news it was mentioned that velcro was invented to help tje astronauts in weightlessness.  I have certainly appreciated the uses of velcro over the years but now, thanks to that report, I have visions of astronauts' equipment hanging all over the space capsule.  The report mentioned that they used it to secure  everything from books and tablets (the paper kind back then) to shoes and socks and parts of space suits.  Kind of changes your image of the interior of a space shuttle, doesn't it? 

a small addiction

I must admit I am somewhat addicted to the TV show "Master Chef."  There's something very appealing about sitting here, relaxing with my feet up, and watching aspiring cooks hustle to get their cooking assignments done in limited time with judges and other competitors looking over their shoulders.  Try to imagine cooking a lavish Thanksgiving dinner with an audience of critics yelling suggestions and timing you.  I enjoy cooking but not with that kind of pressure.  On this evening's show each aspiring chef was grilling steak and sides outside on very fancy grills.  They were all doing pretty well time wise so, just for fun, when they had 30 minutes left they were told to add a dessert cooked on the grill.  They all managed to finish on time[ some results looked much better than others, and of course one person was sent home.
 The only down side to this show is that it's hard to watch without getting hungry.  I guess I'll go get a snack.  

salute to the general

General "Mad Anthony" Wayne that is.  I was so busy remembering the moon walk of 50 years ago yesterday, that I completely overlooked a new holiday.  Yesterday was General "Mad" Anthony Wayne Day here in Fort Wayne.  They chose July 16 for this special day because it was the date when Wayne won some important battle.  Sorry, I didn't catch the details.  I think the celebration was overshadowed by the Three Rivers Festival.  As I understand it, the DAR had a brief ceremony at the statue of Anthony and his horse in Freiman Square and there was a small protest from (I guess) some local Native Americans.  It turns out that the DAR also dedicated the statue when it was new in 1917.  I must say it has held up pretty well.  I'll be interested to see what  the celebration looks like next year. 

Apollo 11

I'm writing this as I watch the CBS special "Man on the Moon." It is a fascinating look back at the first moon walk (Neil Armstrong's "one small step") and the flight on Apollo 11 that got them there and back. They actually blasted off on this date in 1969.  I think I mentioned in an earlier blog that my husband and I celebrated this momentous event, and our first anniversary, by buying our first color TV.  I must say the color is so much better on the TV I'm watching this evening.  It was fun to remember the tension I felt while we watched the count down and blast off.  The special this evening mentioned several problems that happened during the flight that I don't remember hearing about at the time.  It's just as well.  One thing I had completely forgotten was the reentry. Splashing down and bobbing around in the ocean until they got picked up.  That reminded me of how wonderful I though it was when, some years later, the space program started using the space shuttle that could land like a plane.  Now, they say, NASA is planning to send another flight to the moon in 2024.  Wouldn't it be fun to go along?

the next installment

I did not go to Junk Food Alley today.  After some thought, and a few schedule changes, my brother and I decided it was too hot and muggy.  We are going to go to an air conditioned restaurant later this week.  I know, we're wimps, but there it is.  On the other hand, while digging through a drawer full of tee-shirts, I came across a genuine TRF relic.  It's actually one of my favorite around the house, every day tee-shirts.  It's a beautiful turquoise color with a picture on the front of an ear of corn wearing sunglasses and tipping his/her (it's hard to tell with corn) cap.  The slogan says "Salute to the Home Team" and in small print it says Three Rivers Festival 27, July 8-16, 1995 - Fort Wayne, IN.  You'll notice that that date proves that this year is the 51st TRF.  I mentioned in an earlier post that this was the 53rd year but more recently I've heard 51st which is what I though all along.  It all started in 1968, the  same year I was married.  So now you know, and that's enough history for tonight.  

TRF again

Well, I've 'dipped my toe' in the Three Rivers Festival activities.  A friend convinced me that we should really visit the 'art in the park' areas of the festival, which are within easy walking distance of my place.  We got around the visitor parking ban in my lot by leaving her car at the church after service this morning.  In case you didn't notice, it was pretty hot out today.  We wandered around admiring the chalk drawings (many of which got washed away in the big rain last night).  We got to watch artists busily redoing their creations.  We also browsed among the artists' booths.  I saw a gorgeous silver necklace but I resisted.  The $125 price tag helped me stiffen my resolve.  True confession - we did slip into the bakery on Main Street and enjoyed a light lunch in blissful airconditioning.  Now that's the way to enjoy the festival.  Tomorrow, my brother wants to visit Junk Food Alley.  I will admit some special lemonade does sound good.

TRF and July 13

I heard on TV this morning that this is the 53rd year for the Three Rivers Festival so I guess it's been going on a little longer than I remembered.  I thought it was 51 years.  My husband and I were married on this date 51 years ago and I tend to relate the festival week to our anniversary.  I must say though, I think this is the noisiest TRF I remember, and I haven't even been out in it yet.  All day helicopters have been flying over; boats full of talking, laughing people have been going up and down the river; and music has been wafting through the air all afternoon and evening.  It's a great festival from a distance.  

Three Rivers Festival

It's Three Rivers Festival time.  This festival has been going on for 51 years. It started the year my husband and I were married and always happens around our anniversary date, July 13.  I heard on TV that it is the second largest festival event in Indiana based on attendance.  They didn't say which event was first but I'm guessing it's the State Fair. This year there is something new for me to enjoy from the distance of my balcony.  In past years the rides have been set up near the coliseum but this year the Ferris Wheel and other rides are right down town.  So, while I don't have any great desire to ride anything, it is fun to see their bright lights.  The only frustration I'm feeling this year is that our apartment complex is not allowing any non-residents to park here.  In past years I was able to get a visitor's pass for friends.  But not this year.  I think it's because the apartments are full.  More TRF reports will follow.  

the waiting game

I had a 3:45pm appointment today with the surgeon who did my hip replacement surgery four weeks ago.  My daughter went with me since she was my recovery coach and wanted to hear what the doctor had to say.  It was just a post-op check up and it went very well once I got in to actually see the doctor.  The part that bothered me was the wait time.  My appointment was at 3:45 and I actually got called in to see the doctor at 4:30.  Now I am not a stranger to waiting in doctors' offices.  I know delays happen, but today, thanks to new technology, we were kept up to date on how long the delay would be.  With signs similar to airport postings of flight times, we were told that my doctor was 25 minutes behind schedule, then 15 minutes, then on time, then 25 minutes behind again, then 35 minutes behind.  I can't decide if I liked knowing how long I had to wait or if I would have prefered to just wait in ignorance.  By the way, if you did the math, you'll see that I actually got in 45 minutes after my appointment time (and yes, I was there early).  After my appointment, as I checked out and scheduled my next appointment, I was asked to rate the service today.  I was told that I could give them a '5' (the highest score) for outstanding service.  I told the sweet young thing that I was pleased with everything except the long delay in getting in to see the doctor.  She excused it by saying he had an emergency surgery earlier in the day.  Now I don't doubt her story but I am wondering what kind of surgery he performed in 25 minutes.  I did not give them a 5. 

old dog, new trick

Well I don't really consider myself an old dog, an old dame maybe, but I have learned a new trick.  First, the computer problem I was concerned about last night turned out not to be a problem.  It was legitimate.  I was able to pay the bill with no problem this evening.  But the new trick I've learned has to do with my new phone.  With this phone I can get emails and with emails come special offers.  I was shopping at Kohl's and was able to get a 20 percent discount on my purchase using a coupon that showed up on my phone.  So now I know that I should look at those offers that pop up before I just carelessly delete them.  So that's my new trick.  Give me another ten years or so and I'll probably be able to use all sorts of features on this phone.  I am trainable but I never claimed to be quick about it.  

maybe I'm too suspicious.

For the most part I know how to avoid phone scams.  The easiest way is to just not answer the phone if caller ID doesn't give me a name I recognize.  I'm pretty sure whole cities aren't calling me.  A new one surprised me this week.  I looked at the caller ID on my phone and it was my name.  Well I knew I wasn't calling me, besides I talk to myself all the time without using the phone, so I didn't answer me.  I heard later that this is a new scam.  But I'm not always so sure about scams on my computer.  This evening, for instance, I was attempting to pay a bill on line that I pay every month on line without any problem and suddenly I was being asked to agree to terms and conditions that have never shown up before.  Being suspicious by nature (and tired of paying bills) I logged off and decided to try again tomorrow.  Or I might call the company directly.  Stay tuned.  

As a person who rode school buses for almost all of my grade school and high school career and then watched my children and grandchildren ride the buses, I applaud the decision I just heard about which allows extendable stop arms on school buses.  I'm not sure how far out these stop signs will extend but I like to imagine them stretching all across the next lane of traffic (and being steel reinforced). That's probably not exactly what they have in mind but it might get some drivers' attention, maybe after they smack into the stop sign.  I know that some buses now have cameras so they have proof of who blew past the bus.  These measures may encourage more drivers to stop for school buses.  Unless of course they're texting while they drive.  

A happy binge...

A friend stopped by this afternoon and in the course of a pleasant visit we decided to go out and get some supper.  After some discussion we decided to walk across the street to Hall's Gas House, one of my favorite restaurants.  We tried the Deck (their outside dining area) first.  As we stood there feeling the humidity and learned that there was a 30 minute wait, we decided it would be wise to eat inside.  Hooray! No waiting in the bar and we got to watch highlights of the women's soccer team big win today.  
I ordered and thouroughly enjoyed a really excellent meal and a glass of wine. This was the best meal I've had since my surgery three weeks ago.  In case you're wondering, I had one of their excellent filets, medium rare, topped with butter, a side of mushrooms and (instead of an oh so healthy salad) a second side of sweet potato casserole.  It all tasted sooo good.  

another sentimental journey

They are tearing down the old Sears building at Glenbrook Mall.  As I understand it, the space will be taken over by small shops and one or two new restaurants.  That all sound fine but ir does seem like the end of an era.  Glenbrook Mall opened in 1966 (two years before I was married) 53 years ago!!  When I married my husband I married into a family of shoppers.  Tom had several aunts and cousins who loved to come over from their small town in northers Ohio and spend a day or two browsing through all the stores in the mall.  I don't remember them buying very much but they could certainly spend time.  Interestingly the shopping genes seem to have been passed down in the family.  A while  back one of my granddaughters expressed an interest in going to an antique mall.  Five and a half hours later, after having looked at everything in the place, she made two small purchases and we went home.  Her grandpa's family would have been so proud.  

looking forward

Last night I wrote a blog about the fireworks but before I could finish it my google connection froze up.  So, quickly, the fireworks were lovely as usual, but tonight I'm looking forward to other things.  Specifically, based on recent news reports, at 85 I can try pole vaulting, at 95 I can think about running across the country, and at 103 I may run the 100 yard dash.  Great things to look forward to.  I do have a rich fantasy life.  

It raine and it rained...

and it rained, and as I write this it's still raining.  My friend Al and I went to the Philharmonic Patriotic Pops concert at the ball field this evening.  It seemed like a good idea.  Music outdoors, followed by fireworks.  Lots of people there.  We had a little trouble finding seats.  We arrived about 8:15; the concert was scheduled to begin at 8:30 followed by fireworks.  At 8:29 it started to rain, just a drizzle at first, but it built enough that Al deciced to open the umbrella.  Many others were doing the same.  The orchestra rapidly covered instruments with blue plastic sheets and an announcement was made that there would be a slight delay before the concert started.  I didn't notice anyone building an ark, but the downpour did become pretty impressive.  By 9:00pm, we admitted defeat and headed for the car.  It's very hard to keep two people dry under one umbrella and we were pretty thoroughly soaked by the time we got to his car.  I will say my new hip performed well through all the walking and dodging raindrops.  According to my Fitbit I walked 2.29 miles, my most so far since surgery.  Ah well, perhaps I'll see some fireworks tomorrow.  

Hummm...

A few days ago I shared an elevator ride with a lady who lives on the 14th floor of my building.  In conversation she said that they have some flowers on their balcony that are attracting hummingbirds.  I was surprised.  I think of hummingbirds as very busy and fun to watch but my experience with them has been watching them flit about patios and other ground level areas. But this morning, while sitting very quietly on my balcony finishing my breakfast tea, I saw a hummingbird fly upward past my balcony.  I must assume that she was on her way to the 14th floor.  Who knew?

not quite so special

As I'm writing this, I can hear a few fireworks being set off somewhere near here.  I love fireworks but I must admit they don't seem as special as they used to.  Yes, this is another one of those "when I was young" stories.  When I was young, it was a big deal to go to Woodburn (our nearest town) take a picnic supper or snacks, toss a ball around or just sit on a blanket and talk and wait for it to get dark.  Then finally, finally we were treated to 25 minutes of, to our eyes, fabulous fire works.  And that was it, except for a few sparklers twirled around at my aunt's house. One glorious night a year to celebrate our independence.  Now. it seems, people start setting off fireworks in late June and keep it up through most of July.  There are fireworks on the 4th, of course, and also at the end of Three Rivers Festival and after every home baseball game.  It's all very beautiful but sometimes I feel like it's just too much of a good thing.  Will I be warching on the 4th?  Of course.