new technology

Today I took my brother for his every-four-year colonoscopy.  We are both very faithful about this since our mother died of colon cancer.  Everything was just fine today, he got a clean bill of health. My job was to wait around while he went through the procedure and be ready to drive him home after.  This I did with no problem. 
The new technology I refered to in the title came into play during the waiting time.  Before I was taken to the correct waiting room, and it's a good thing I had a guide or I might still be wandering around Parkview, I was given an informational brochure.  In this brochure was a color coded list and instructions to watch the TV screen in the waiting room.  The brochure also contained a code number for my brother.  When I got there I saw the TV and found the rectangle (one of several) with my brother's code number in it. Then, as the morning wore on, I could watch the colors change.  And it did.  I saw it go from 'in surgery' (they seem to call everything surgery) which was blue, to 'in recovery' pink.  Then a nurse came and guided me toward the exit so I could go get the car. All in all, it was a very smooth system. Good job, Parkview Randallia.  

this might work

Every month or so, my Old Farmer's Almanac calendar shares a couple of ideas for curing headaches.  I don't suffer from headaches much but I always read these just in case.  The first suggestion today is "Ask a seventh child to blow in your ear."  Unfortunately, I don't know a seventh child so I will have to pass on that on.  My mother-in-law was one of 12 children but you just don't see families of that size much any more.  
However the seconnd one has promise: "Soak your feet in hot water for 15 minutes.  Pur on warm cotton socks and lie down for 15 minutes."  No idea if this will cure anything but it certainly sounds relaxing and it doesn't seem like it would do any harm.  Maybe some of those 'old wives' knew what they were talking about, or maybe they just needed a break from all those kids.  

Calendar highlights

Well, here we are in December, and I bet you thought you knew all of the December holidays - Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, Kwanza and Hanukkah.  But here are some you may want to add to you celebration list.  For example, today is 'International Ninja Day.'  Since I don't know any Ninjas (international or otherwise) this one doesn't interest me too much, actually not at all.  However, December 13 (in addition to being St. Lucy's day - see last Sunday's blog) is 'Hot Cocoa Day.'  Now there's a day I can warm up to.  But that's not all.  December 16 is 'Chocolate Covered Anything Day.'  Aren't you glad it's December?

I love simple solutions

Last year I was at the mall with my grandson. We were browsing in the bookstore when we came across a book I wanted.  When I suggested to him that he tell his mom about the book as a possible Christmas gift for me, he quickly took his phone out and took a picture of the cover.  You've probably been doing this for years but for me it was an 'ah hah!' moment.  What a simple way to remember.  Later in the day he pointed out a game he might like to have and, when he wandered off down another aisle, I took a quick picture with my phone.  I may be old but I can learn new tricks.  Since then, I frequently find myself using my cell phone to take pictures of things I want to remember.  Obvious things of course like pictures of people and places, but also book covers to remember authors' names, medicine bottles, and, this evening, pictures of gift suggestions emailed to me by a niece in Spokane.  Who ever imagined that telephones, once tethered to the wall by cords, and usable only for making phone calls, could evolve into such nifty, multi-use gadgets. And mine is only a semi-smart phone. 

I did not know this...

but now we all do, thanks to my nifty calendar.  Here's a fact that might make you feel a little  better about Indiana winters.  The largest reported snowflake measured 15 inches wide and 8 inches thick.  It was discovered by a rancher in Montana in 1887. How long do you suppose it bounced around in the atmosphere?  Too bad that rancher didn't have a cell phone handy to record this phenomenon.  I'm sure it would have gone viral. No idea what that monster snowflake weighed but I wouldn't want it landing on my head.  So the next time you see a snowflake or feel a bit of winter chill, be glad you're not a rancher in Montana.  

Now I'm ready.

No, I haven't finished my Christmas to-do list that I outlined yesterday but I am ready to tackle it.  This evening I attend the annual Candlelight / St. Lucie service at Trinity English Lutheran Church.  This is an amazing program that I have seen three times now and it absolutely fills me with the Christmas spirit.  According to their printed information, this is the 76th Candlelight Service and the 38th anniversary of the Santa Lucia (or St. Lucie) observance.  I've been intrigued by the legend of St. Lucie, since discovering, when required to write a report on a Christmas related person in highschool, that her saint's day (also her birthday) is my birthday, December 13.  Since my first name is Luci I think my interest is understandable.  I don't know what life was like in the third century AD (or CE if you prefer) but I can't imagine being driven to the extreme of gouging my own eyes out to avoid marriage.  While my first name is Luci, my middle name is not Grace, and I proved once again this evening why I should NEVER be the one to wear that crown of candles.  As I was leaving the balcony after this beautiful service, somewhat blinded by the light of my candle (consider the irony) I missed a step and excuted a magnificent fall.  Only one step down, thank goodness, on to a landing, but there I was flat on my back, and slightly stunned because the back of my head was the first part to hit the floor.  Everyone was very solitious.  Nothing broken.  I was OK within a few minutes, just shaken.  It will be interesting to see where I have bruises tomorrow.  

almost finished

Well really, not even close.  I'm feeling content because my tree is up and most of my other decorations are in place.  However, my pre-Christmas to do list is still quite lengthy. Some items are easy, like buying flannel sheets for my guest bed, but others take a little more time.  I'm making six of my family gifts this year and only have  4 1/2 finished.  Also, I like to write a Christmas poem each year and I haven't started that yet, not to mention addressing the envelopes.  I did buy stamps today, so that's one thing done. Also, I'm expecting two, maybe three sets of overnight visitors this month and am hosting one carry-in dinner for a group I belong to.  And, of course, there's the gift shopping for all those people I'm not making things for.  OK, that's enough to think about for now.  I'm going to bed.  Perhaps some poetic inspiration will strike while I'm dreaming. If it does, I'll try it out on you tomorrow.