Yesterday I went to the Dentist to get the permanent crowns for my implants. Things went well and I think I am thru with that procedure. Since I am long overdue for a cleaning I made an appointment for three weeks from now. The dentist told me that by then I could tell him how I liked my new teeth. Then he added that if I didn't like them there was nothing he could do. So far, things seems to be OK altho I am so used to chewing on the other side I haven't really tested how my chewing will go on the left side. Anyway, it has been a summer to remember.

I am so tired of this heat and am encouraged that things will imporve if we can just make it to the week-end. I have to fast tomorrow morning and go for a blood draw then next week I will go and get the results. I have lost weight this summer as I was mostly on a soup diet so that might actually be a good thing. I weighed 124 this morning so don't think I need to lose much more.
I am short tho so that is not a bad weight for me.

I have been invited to a kniting bee to learn how to knit. I can sew and quilt but I have never learned to knit. The gals say scarfs would be an easy project to start with so I may just knit everyone a scarf for Christmas. I along with most of my friends are trying to learn new things to keep our mind sharp. We all hear it is the best thing one can do to keep the brain from deteriorating.

Louise and I went to the graduation of the Tarleton State Univ. Dept. of Medical Lab Sciences
which is located off campus near the Ft. Worth's hosital district. The schlorship program there is suponsored by the May Owens Foundation. When the North Ft. Worth Women's club closed due to the loss of membership , we sold the building and donated over $160,000 to the May Owens Foundation. So in gratutude they invite a few of us former members of the NFWWC to the graduation ceremonies - they sit us on the front row and seem to find it necessary to recognize each of us by name. It was quite a large class so we will have a lot of Lab Technicians around.

My son, Joe and his wife Sally are leaving Friday for a week in Oregon. I think they will enjoy a little trip after messing with me and my teeth all summer and her Dad and his little problems.
I hope they come back refreshed. I will miss them but with the cell phone contacts available I never feel they are far away.

Hopefull I will keep my blog up a bit better than I have this summer.

This morning my son, Joe, took me to the dental surgeon for a check on my implants. He said they look good but the gum has grown over one of them. He said I would be ready for the crowns in about 3 weeks and at that time he would use a small lazer to burn the thin layer of gum off. I am then to go straight over to my dentist for impressions and temporary crowns. Looks like it will well into Sept before I am thru with all this. I have been eating mostly soup, yogurt and apple sauce. He told me this morning I could brush the implant area - said I could even use the electric toothbrush in that area. I have been avoiding it when I brushed my teeth. Guess I try to get up nerve and do what he says.

It has been really hot. We are supposed to have rain this afternoon and that will be good as we are behind in rain. I did have a pretty good shower a few days ago but would welcome some more.

I have stumped my little toe. I was in the bedroom which is carpeted so don't know how I did it. It hasn't hurt until this morning. I tried putting on my tennis shoes and I could hardly make it from the bedroom to the den. I taped it to the other toes and put my sandles on but I hobbled to the dentist. Guess I will be going barefoot around the house for a few days.

My son had to leave immediately after he got me home because he and his wife had to take her Dad to the hospital for a check up. He had a kidney procedure last week and this is just for a check up. Maybe they will get all of all folks settle down for awhile.

I talked to Louise and she has been mowing every morning. She called me when she came in and said she had about half of her acreage mowed. She goes out every morning for about an hour or two. I think she has 5 acres to maintain.

I will be staying in today. May try to clean my desk.

Yesterday I had tickets to attend a showing of abstract art from the 1920 to 1950's at the Amon Carter Museum. Louise and I had planned to go as they were going to have someone give a presentation. We decided not to go as it rained all afternoon. THe presentation was at 6pm and we would have probably been out by 7:30pm but even tho we missed it we sure enjoyed the rain.
I went last Tuesday to the regular dentist for him to look at my implants as he will have to make the crowns. He said I only had one implant and I told him I had paid for two. He talked like my gum had grown over one of them which I didn't want to hear. Next Tuesday I go back to the surgeon and I hope nothing bad has happened to the implants. I don't think he will release me as he said it usually took at least six week for them to heal. I will ge glad when it is all over with.
I grocery shopped early this morning, came home and fed the birds. I made zucchini soup but other than that I can't brag about accomplishing anything.

Well I am back feeding the birds. It is so hot that the water in the bird bath seems to go fast so have to make sure they all have water. The birds are fickle as they disappear if I don;t feed them. They will hang around for a couple of days but guess they have to find food somewhere so they leave. I also noticed the black and white cat that I thought was long gone showed up with one kitten. When my son Joe was here taking care of me after my surgery he left Tuna in the refrigerator so I put that out with a bowl of water for her. I wouldn;t have fed her except she had that kitten and I am a softy. She doesn't belong to anybody and I really don't want her around because I'm afraid she will get the birds.

My tooth surgery is coming along quite well with only a fleeting pain now and then - especially if I yawn. I'm still eating soft foods as I don't want to mess anything up. I'm back to using my electric tooth brush but am being very careful to avoid the implant area. I heard from my insurance today and I have overpaid the doctor about $600 so hope they will send a reimbursement check so I won't have to bring it up on my check-up trip.

Today I went to the skin doctor for a routine check but I have had little bump on the side on my nose and since Dr. Oz said the triangle from the top of your nose down to each corner of your mouth is the "death" triangle I have been slightly concerned. He said it was noting to worry about and removed it along with another little bump on my forehead. He really checked he over today - my back, my head, my stomach and my legs and he has never done that before unless I complained about something. He mentioned how hot it was and it is not even summer. Said he got married on the 21st of June 1980 and they went to Colorado up in the moutains so they didn't even realize it was so hot. He said when they started home they heard that it was 115 degrees in Dallas. I told him I well remembered that 39 days of record heat. Hope we are not going to have a repeat of that summer.

Louise Brogoitti came by yesterday afternoon. She often stops by for a cup of coffee and a snack as I am on her way home. She comes from Aledo to Fort Worth most days as she doesn't cook and eats out every day. She occasionally goes to lunch in Weatherford but mostly comes to Ft. Worth as the traffic is worse in Weatherford than in Ft. Worth. She knows every resturant in town and I think they all know her.

Doris Peterson's called and her roommate got thru the pacemaker surgery OK and has been moved to a rehab on Trail Lake. He had quit eating and lost so much weight that they are going to try and build him up. I feel sure he will go back to Doris' when he is released.

The mail brought my Bank Statement so I balanced my checkbook. I was a penny off so I just posted .18 instead of the big .19 of interest they paid me. I had bought two zucinni the other day so I made soup for lunch. Saved enough so will have another bowl for supper. Probably have yogurt and applesauce too. Have been watching Congress drill the CEO of BP. That has been on all day. He has only been in the job three years. Said he didn't make the decisions that led to the trouble. It is hot outside so I pray the electricity doesn't go off.

I am finally back to posting after having dental surgery for two extractions and two implants with bone grafts. I'm coming along good but an being very careful. Hope to be through with all this about September.

Yesterday I got up a 5, took meds, had coffee and muffin. Showered at 7, dessed, teeth , hair and make-up. Had another cup of coffee while watching bird clean-up at the coast. Takes an hour or more per bird. Left at 9am to pick up Betty for AARP. Mike at AARP told me that Jo Grimes was in the hospital. The program was Benbrook Policeman on Scams and Idenity Theft. Got home around 12:30 after stopping for gasoline. We had a good lunch but I didn't eat much due to my tooth problem. I called Mary Beard to see if she knew about Jo and she didn't. I then called Jo's house and her son David answered and said Jo was home and got her on the phone. She said she became dizzy at Target while checking out and couldn't focus so called Care Keepers and Amy came and took her to hospital - then called David who lives in Longview.
They ran tests and couldn't find anything and said it could be a TIA. She stayed overnight. My land line was not working. I called Betty and Mary to report about Jo. Called Louise Brogoitti to tell her to call my cell phone so she came by. We had coffee and cookies. I ate yogurt and went to bed. My phone came on around 7pm.

Today I didn't get up until 6am. I really slept good. Took meds, ate muffin and coffee. Already hot and humid out. I went to the bank, then bought June S. a birthday card. Had to come home to check address then went to mail box to insure arrival by Tuesday. Headed for grocery store and got a parking place close. Bought stuff to make lemon cheesecake pie but couldn't find a gram cracker crust so will have to make one. Bought zuccinii to make soup - my favorite. On to Brams for yogurt, milk and always buy more than on my list. As I drove in the AT&T guy came over and said he would have my phone working in a few minutes. It was dead again this morning. He came back about an hour later and said it was fixed. He said the wire - somewhere - was braely together and was hard to see the problem but he pulled on it and saw that it barely connected. Good we have cell phones. I talked to Doris Peterson and her roommate - Van - is in the hospital. Had emergency surgery for a pacemaker last night. Doing OK. His pulse was down to 25. Ate a few chicken nuggets for lunch. I'm trying to remember to drink more water. Had pears and cottage cheese for supper. Will probably eat yogurt before going to bed. Not much to watch on TV.

I celebrated Mother's Day yesterday - Saturday - because rain was forcasted for today and my son didn't want to face the crowds that would be out today. My one and only grandchild came in from Denton but she got stuck in traffic on I35W. She was supposed to be here by 10am but finally arrived about 11:30. My son and his wife gave me beautiful pink roses - huge roses - and my granddaughter sent me beautiful lillies. The lillies came from Calif. and arrived here on Friday. We all went to I-Hop and it was crowded. Got waited on pretty fast tho. My granddaughter had to get back in Denton as she was to be in a program inducting her in the National Honor Society. She is finishing her first year at NTU.

This afternoon - Sunday - my son ,his wife and I are going to tour 7 Victorian houses in the Fairmount Addition which is South of downtown Fort Worth. They have torn down so many beautiful old houses in Fort Worth that belonged to the Cattle Barons. People are buying up the old houses in the Fairmount Addition and refurbishing them and some are just beautiful. It is good to see that we don't just tear down or throw away everything. I told someone the other day that this country will never have old buildings like they have in Europe as we are a throw away society.

Speaking of throw away again I need to spend this summer when it is too hot to be out, cleaning closets, drawers and cabinets. This house is too big for one person but as I told my friend, Louise, the other day that my stuff just expands to fill the available space. Everyone I talk to is in the same posiion. We don't even know what all we have but we all seem to need our "stuff".

I am still keeping an eye on the birds hoping to see the baby woodpeckers when they come out. Should be today or tomorrow according to the bird book. They hatched last Monday as that is when I noticed the parents feeding them. They should leave the nest 6 to 10 days later. It has been six days today so I will keep watching.

Yesterday was a fun day as about 12 of us met at Pat Shannon's for lunch. Pat really does a bang up job of entertaining. Fine China - the works. Louise took pictures and she stopped by today to show them to me. They all came out real good. I took the Texas Hot Fudge cake - it was big and a couple of slices were left so she and I had cake and coffee this afternoon.

I went to Carswell this morning early to get a prescription filled and on the way home I bought gasoline. I was shocked as it cost me over $17 to fill up and I wasn't even down to the 1/2 full mark. I checked my mileage and I'm getting 26 MPG but gas is now $3 a gallon. Summer isn't even here yet.

When I got home from Carswell I noticed a big package on my front porch. It was flowers, vase and all from my one and only grandchild. She is 18 and is finishing her first year at NTU. She called about 10am and wanted to know if I got the flowers because she ordered them from California. She had a wonderful note attached which made me feel great. She said everyone is meeting at my house at 10am tomorrow and we are all going to I-HOP for breakfast. My one and only son, Joe, said he wanted to celebrate Mother's Day a day early because he didn't want to fight the crowds on Sunday. I'm all for that as it is supposed to rain on Sunday .

When I fed the birds this morning I got chewed out by the woodpeckers. One feeder is close to the back fence and now that the babies are here they don't want me close. I tried sitting on the front porch this afternoon when Louise was here and the Robins fussed at me. In filling the bird bath I noticed that the Bluejays have a nest in the Mulberry tree in back. I also think I have Cardinal nesting in a big shrub at the corner of the house in front. I don't think I have ever had so many birds nesting around my house. At one feeder I have a lot of Doves but I don't think they are nesting anywhere close. I really spend too much money on bird feed but I enjoy them so why not?

Everything is just beautiful this year. I think I am going to have a really good pecan crop.
I haven't had a really good year for the last three years so guess all the rain has helped.

For every mother that might read this blog I wish you a wonderful Mother's Day.

Yesterday I went to the Scott Theatre Guild luncheon. We get together once a month for lunch and we take turns as hostess. The men in attendance never decide where we will go so it is up to us gals. Yesterday we went to a Chinese place on South Hulen. Even if one did not like Chinese food it would be worth going just to see the beautiful cut glass doors and the beautiful candelabrum which is about 6 feet or more wide. It is a buffet and was quite good. We have been there a couple of times. Next month we are planning to go to the lunchroom at the Benbrook Antique Mall. We have never been there so if we don't like it we will not go back.

Today I am going to make a Texas Hot Fudge Cake to take to the lunch of former members of the North Fort Worth Womens Club. We also get together once a month for lunch. This month Pat Shannon has invited us to bring a dish and have lunch at her house. Pat provides the meat and we bring whatever. Normally we go to a different resturant every month and like the Scott group take turns being hostess.

I watch Channel 5 news every evening and I get disgusted with Brian Williams as he praises Dallas and indicates that Channel 5 is a Dallas station. NBC News thinks that everything is in Dallas. The Cowboys, Alliance Airport, DFW Airport, Texas Motor Speedway are all in Dallas according to NBC. Guess it is OK tho as Fort Worth is the best kept secret in Texas.

I have letters to mail, shopping to do and a cake to bake so had best get with it.

Today I started off my social week by going to the Avid Readers Club this afternoon at 1PM. I reviewed the book I have been reading about the San Francisco earthquake and fire. The book was published in 1906 and needs a new binding, however the pages, print and pictures are in real good condition. Everyone knows about the fire but no one, including me, seems to ever had read about the details of what happened. One of our members, Susan, told me after the meeting that her mother lives in Weatherford and knew someone who does book binding and restoration as a business. So she called me and gave the name, address and phone number of Gail Young who lives out in the country between Weatherford and Mineral Wells. Susan was raised in Weatherford, in fact, next door to Chandlor Gardens. We had a good group today and had a lot of different books since this month was a free read. Out Librarian makes a schedule for us for the year - July thru September - as we don't meet in August. Next month is Travel and she had about two dozen books from which we could choose. She also said we could read our own Travel books if we choose to do so. I then went to the Bank and then to Greenwood Cemetery
to sign the Book for Col Brenkman. He was my boss at Carswell AFB and he and his wife Lois always came to our retirements get-to-gathers twice a year. We have the same doctor so I was always running into them in the docs waiting room.

A storm moved in this afternoon. My friend, Louise Brogoitti, went to Sulphur Springs to a funeral and I talked to her about 3pm as she was on the road home. Louise worked with Charles who has a Blog which we read every day. Louise has a computer but it doesn't work so she depends on me to keep her informed. I told her a storm was coming but it wasn't severe. She called when she got home and I told her about Charles' Blog today and how I had a big laugh because he spent an hour trying to get his tractor to work and finally figured out that when he put it in park and turned the key it started right up. Louise cuts her grass with a tractor as she lives on about 5 acres out of Aledo. All of her property is covered with wild flowers. Really pretty. She weedeats around the house but doesn't mow until after the flowers go to seed.

Well, the woodpeckers have hatched. I kept watching this morning and both the Mom and Dad kept flying in and out every few minutes so I know they were getting bugs to feed the new brood. I have read that all birds have to feed their young protein for the first few days so they all look for bugs. The daddy woodpecker is a good guy because he helps around the house. Not so with the Robins. I found out yesterday while sitting on my front porch that a Robin has a nest in my big pecan tree. The nest is real visable from my front bedroom window so I know they have young also. I watched as the Mom Robin kept flying in and out of the nest. It started to rain so Daddy Robin showed up and just sat in the tree under a leafy umbrella and did nothing.
Mom Robin kept looking for food to feed those babies.

I do live an exciting life. Time to go watch Dancing With the Stars.

My brother Joe who lives is Weatherford sent me a recipe for Angel Biscuits and he has asked me every day if I have made them yet. He made them and said they are the best he has ever eaten. So this morning I had the biscuit dough together by 8:30. You use yeast and after combining all the ingredients the dough must be refrigerated overnight. So I sent him an E-mail to say I had accomplished the task thus far. Tomorrow morning I shall roll out the dough and cut the biscuits and cook for 15 minutes. Makes about a dozen he said. Yesterday I shopped so today I have stayed in to clean and catch up on chores. James came to mow the lawn. It is growing so fast that I had to call him back again in less than a week. My brother Joe has insisted that I go organic so I have and I think it is working as my yard looks pretty. You might have figured out that my brother is older than I by about 6 years. He is married but they have no children as their daughter was killed in an accident years ago. I must tell you that I have been watching a pair of woodpeckers building a nest in a dead tree in my neighbors back yard. They took turns pecking the hole in the tree and it took them about 2 days. I watch them out of my kitchen window. I read the bird book which says they lay 2 to 7 eggs and they hatch in 14 days and leave the nest in 20 to 24 days. I love the birds and have several feeders up. Next week is my social week so I am trying to get everything done so I can run and play. I belong to the Avid Readers Club at the Ridglea Library and it starts the week off next Monday at 1pm. I have been reading a book published in 1906 about the San Francisco fire. I have been there and traveled the street where the fire started but altho I have had this book for years I have never really read the details. San Francisco at that time was about 25 square miles and 15 square miles were burning for three days. Not only that but the people had no water, food or shelter. The water and gas pipes broke and the rich along with the poor were sleeping on the ground in the park. Nob Hill, the elite part of town, went up in smoke along with all the business district. The binding on this book is not in real good shape but the pages and the print are in good condition. I should really have it re-bound.

Today is my first post to this blog. My son established this blog for me and named it Viv's Ponderings. I found it necessary to go directly to the dictionary to check out the word Ponder. Ponder is to be deep in thought according to Webster. I really don't think that applies to me as I have not had an in=depth conversation with anyone in years. I find that in-depth conversations can get one in trouble with friends, especially if they don't agree with your thoughts. Anyway, today was rather slow. I spent a lot of time this morning reading the paper and enjoying my coffee. My friend Ann called around noon to tell me of all her exciting adventures - especially at the Ft. Worth Art Fair which she has never missed. I talked to her about an hour. Then I checked my E-mail to find my brother had sent a beautiful picture of his roses. They were huge and he thinks it is due to all the rain we've had. Louise Brogoitti stopped by and we drank coffee and she had been down to check out the map that was in the Ft. Worth paper showing the planned changes to the Botanical Gardens. She thinks the Antique Mall on the corner of Montgomery and I30 belongs to the Gardens and it will be torn down. Looking at the map I rather agree with her. They certainally have big plans to extend the Gardens with new pools and gardens. I sat on the porch after Louise left and watched the Mockening Birds across the street either building a nest or feeding their young as they made numerous trips back and forth to a big shrub in the front of that house.

something new

new stuff

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