February's gone too

I really should get more regular about these.  Somehow, days fly by and then before you know it, four weeks have passed.  Sorry.

For us up here, the past few weeks have been an endless series of days changing plans, filing insurance claims, getting organized, purchasing stuff I think we need, and today, packing.  It won't all fit, so now I have to make decisions.  Do I leave the malaria pills or the mosquito net?  Just kidding, both of those are going, but maybe not the maple syrup and the frying pan.  Wait, they're pretty essential too.  Why am I taking used tennis balls?  Someone said they make great gifts for kids.  Oh well, I still have a few more days to stuff and repack.

In the middle of the month, Mary and I spent a week in DC, helping Joe take care of Thomas, while Leonor was in South Africa, on a long-planned trip with her Portuguese friends.  She did FaceTime every day, and one day, she looked out the window and saw elephants in the game park, so she turned the camera around.  Pretty exciting.  It was almost as exciting in DC with Thomas, taking him to the park, and reading books and wrestling and changing diapers and just plain spoiling him.  I have to say I am a little out of practice, and made a few mistakes (like giving him a roll in the grocery store right before dinner.)  Meal times were interesting as we watched him eat 4 hot dogs one night.  Where does it go?  I don't think I've ever eaten four hot dogs.  Of course, they were without rolls, but still.

While in DC we celebrated a birthday and Valentine's Day.  Annie was in town for the weekend, having scheduled work on the east coast.  So nice.  She filled us in on her ski trips to Lake Tahoe.  

And we caught up with Margaret and Andrew several times.  Andrew continues to be busy with his school research and course work, and Margaret remains busy at work; one of the countries in her portfolio is Venezuela!

Mary continues to convalesce and is careful to follow doctor's orders about driving, lifting, exercising.  But she is slowly on the mend, and next week starts physical and occupational therapy.  She's even gone in the water a few times, and swum 20 laps, more than probably many of us who have not had back surgery.  The back expert in Dundee has called a few times to check in and give reassuring advice.  

While down in DC, we learned that Mary's Aunt Mary passed away.  She had lived a full life, but spent the last three years suffering from dementia.  Very difficult, but her daughter gave her the gift of staying in her home for that time.  We were able to get back fro the funeral which was really a celebration of a full life.  Many of the extended Collins family gathered to pay respects to Mary but also to that generation of brothers and sisters whose life was filled with overcoming hardship, relying on each other and making the most of their close, happy bonds.  It was especially nice to see Patrick Boyle, who came up from Stonington for the funeral.

We've spoken a few times with John and Marilyn who are checking in on Mary's recovery.  John himself has had neck/shoulder issues and is also in recovery mode.  They are off to Arizona this week.  If they had gone this week, they might have seen Timmy, who headed out of the snowy northeast to go south and west and ended up in Flagstaff that we saw on the news had its heaviest snowfall ever, I think.  Last we checked though he was in LA and wearing flip flops.

Speaking of snow, David says Rochester/Fairport is on track for record snowfalls.  We even saw this week that the coldest Dicksons were those who lived in Princeton.   Facebook shows Donald and Everett growing fast, and can't wait to see them in person this summer at the Poconos! 

Today is the first game of spring training, for the Reds anyway.  That's a hopeful sign!  We also saw the daffodils and crocuses poking their heads out in DC, but they have had some snow so not sure if those early sprouts survived.  Still, we passed the official 2/3 of winter and spring is around the corner.

BTW, I had a whole paragraph on the Super Bowl, but Robert Kraft kind of spoiled that one.  I am beginning to get why people don't like the Patriots.

Hope you all are well and thriving.  Love from up here.

 

   

   

Where did January go?

At least there's one thing we can all agree on – it's cold out there.  Did someone mention climate change?  Ooops, I guess we can't agree on it.

Still, it is brrr cold out there.  I walked out of a class yesterday and could barely make it to the parking lot, in the face of a squall of white-out.  And I was the youngest one in the class.  How was everyone else going to get to their cars?  You know you're in trouble when your plow guy gets stuck in your driveway (see photo.)

It's the last day of January, and it's been a lost month, especially for Mary.  Excruciating pain can do that for you.  She had one good week, recovering from the flu, before an inexplicable back pain surfaced, and got worse and worse.  And unimaginably even worse.  She lay on her back for the better part of two weeks, until she couldn't even do that.  Medicines, doctors' appointments, ambulance, MRI, blood test, opioids, and finally surgery.  And then she was smiling.

Thanks to everyone for calls, texts and well wishes.  She has a good support group here of swimmers and high school reconnections who came through. 

Family matters.  And it matters when there are medical people in the family.  Heather, John and Marilyn's daughter works in ER at Albany Medical, and she was instrumental in getting Mary an appointment and an early surgery date.  Thank you, Heather.

In the long hours of sitting around, my thoughts wandered to brother Andrew who has gone through this four times; to prehistoric people who must have just sat down with this kind of pain while the clan moved on; to people who live with chronic pain and become addicted to these meds; to caregivers who do this for years, and I was only on call for two weeks. 

We had meant to stay close to home for a month, but this was not how we planned to do it.  We started off cancelling short trips to Boston and to Ottawa, and then cancelled Mary's participation in our Gabon project this year (luckily we got travel insurance).  We are still determined to head to DC for a week of caregiving in February.

We were able to catch up on family matters as well.  Andrew and Lur braved the cold to go to a taping of Wait Wait Don't tell Me in Chicago.  They remain busy taking care of Lur's parents and watching Bill and Jen's children every now and then.  David and Paula are busy with their church activities, Paula working on church missions and David on a housing project for senior.  They see Everett and Donald quite a bit, and, oh yea, did you hear the cheering for Oliver and his acceptance at the University of Rochester!  Also, we also heard from Sean who, with Erin, is in the midst of honeymoon plans for South Africa.  I understand he is working on an arson case right now.  And where would I be were it not for Johanna's Twitter feed, which keeps me up to date on all things politics?  

Football is on everyone's mind, and I have to say I've been shocked at some of the family comments about the Patriots.  Can't we all just get along and root for the Patriots?  (I'm kidding.)  I got a book on the NFL for Christmas, and it ain't pretty.

Speaking of not pretty, how can I not mention the shutdown.  Margaret had to work and not get paid; Joe had to stay home and not get paid.  Not sure what happened to Jeffrey. 

Forgot to send out birthday wishes to Margaret and Jeffrey, last time around.  Hope you were glowing and laughing on your special days!

So, the weather is supposed to break, by April I hear.  The days are getting longer but not long enough.

Stay warm, and love from up here. 

 

News from Dundee

How do you describe -5 degrees? Bitter, awful, wicked? No, just ours. And I know through recent communications, my brothers are not sympathetic, because they have it worse. And it is supposed to get worse. No outdoor grilling for now.

We have had the pleasure to see a few concerts, one old band, Marshall Tucker, and one recent, the very talented guitarist Jesse Cook. It is fun to go to concerts where the audience is our age. Everyone knows where the bathrooms are.

Last night we had the fun pleasure to see a taping of Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me for NPR. What a hoot (courtesy of Claire from Christmas)! Great to see Chicago legend Bill Kurtis, and the cast was very funny. Before the show, got to visit Daniel's new digs in downtown Chicago. Quite the set up, with a salon and custom clothier in same location. Above my pay grade. All conveniently located to the show and parking, but each block was windy and cold. 

Talked with Claire this week, who is hunkered down in Michigan. So far no big snows, but Lake Michigan never disappoints. Hoping to see a concert or two in March, weather permitting. 

Came home from Chicago with a cold. No Nyquil, dammit! Every year I try to remember Jeffrey's little Nyquil jingle and can't remember. Something about falling face first on the floor. Jeffrey, if you are listening, release those emails!

It is too bad the refs decided the super bowl teams (is that a dig?). But it is great that it gives some Dickson households the opportunity to get together. The Packer and Giants fans will just have to find a good movie.

Lur is plugging along at the hospital, where the winter season gets busier. We are looking forward to spending more time in the city, as we won a public radio contest that gives us tickets to all kinds of stuff, like the symphony, aquarium, cruises and fireworks. 

"Andrew ended up with the lion's share". Yes I did. We have the pleasure of having Mom's hand knit hats and mittens, which are super for days like today. Are you jealous yet? BAM!

Hope you are having winter fun! We are trying to send this stuff your way. Sorry 

On the 12th day of Christmas

We watched football. But also on the 3rd, 5th and 8th days of Christmas. And maybe even a few more days as well. I think a new song is in order.

How was your Christmas? Ours was best epitomized by the photo below. In the spirit of giving, we gave each other colds and fevers. No one exempted. We went out and bought CVS stock. Mary has a home remedy of garlic and ginger cut up and washed down with juice. That really seemed to work as well as all those medicines in the basket where the cookies used to sit.

Still, we were undeterred in enjoying each other's company and the spirit of the season. Joe and Leonor arrived first, with Thomas, by plane. Annie had flown east for work and came home next, while Margaret arrived after a few days in NYC with Andrew. Our highlights included Thomas' first sled, Christmas Eve mass, Christmas jigsaw puzzle, getting the oven fixed in time for Christmas, Christmas lights at Naumkeg (historic home), hiking and slipping on the ice, hot chocolate and duck rice and prime rib and chili and much much more. Tim joined us for Christmas Eve dinner and brunch the next day.

We saw on Facebook a little bit about some other Christmases around the family. Looks strikingly similar in terms of joy and color and family time.

Illness delayed a visit by our Maine friends a week, thankfully, as Mary spent most of a few days there in bed. We had to miss our usual New Years party but heard that everyone was home by 9:30 anyway - ours wasn't the only household with illness. Ironically, we did stay up til midnight binge-watching the show "Bodyguard". Recommended. Our Maine friends came this weekend and left just a short while ago, and it was more fun not being sick.

Did you make a New Years resolution? Ours had nothing to do with eating or dieting. So far so good, but I've only been tested once so far. What is it? Helping out at the free meal at church once a week. But I have a few others as well, that I haven't kept yet.

Can't avoid a political comment. With two children as federal employees, this shutdown is hitting home. Joe has been furloughed, and Margaret has had to keep working. Neither of them are getting paid. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm sure I could not have afforded a missed paycheck when I was working. And all over a wall that has nothing to do with migrants and everything to do with distraction. Don't get me going. You already did.

But today was Epiphany, the festival of light and hope. Let's hope this passes quickly.

Love from up here and happy new year.

News from Dundee!

Do all roads lead to Illinois? They did this week.  What do you get when you have a holiday in Dundee? Food, and more food. Cookies, and more cookies. Kids, and more kids. Presents, and more presents. Getting the idea. A lot of fun.

Claire came home and has treated us to a veggie chili made with yellow squash and all kinds of stuff. Then, Christmas morning, homemade spinach and cheese quiche with rolls, then chocolate covered pretzels and cookies. A rib roast, mahi mahi fillet and racks of lamb, with Billy's signature creamed spinach, and roasted beans and asparagus. Livin' the dream. And, of course, leftovers.

Daniel treated Mom and Dad and Grandma to super haircuts. Quite the treat for Grandma. Daniel is starting to get back on the guitar so we are waiting for some homemade music, too. Claire had a successful December school concert, which she said went well. We know a lot of work goes into those things, even with other teachers involved. Quite a feat when it is only her. 

Had Billy and Jen and clan for Christmas eve bash. Brought back memories of long ago with small children. Lots of laughter, drama, excitement and singing! Auden got a karioke player. Lots of singing. Even Elliot chimed in. 

Lur was in charge of home decorations, and she did a great job. A wonderful tree and many Santas all over. Kids were in heaven. 

It is 50 degrees here. The weather outside is not frightful. Great dog walks and outdoor activities. But we know it is coming. What did Pop say? Winter is good, because spring is not far behind. Time to order the seeds!

Hope all is well! Hugs from Dundee!

I am a Rock

♪♪A winter's day, in a deep and dark December...... ♪♪   Except it's not winter; it's still fall, dagnabbit.  I have been waiting for Indian summer since September, and it's just not coming.  (Am I even allowed to say Indian summer anymore?)

Winter followed us down to Washington where we had another wonderful Thanksgiving.  Annie flew in from California, where she had taken to wearing face masks because of the smoke.  So, which would you rather have - cold weather or smoke?  Cold weather doesn't look so bad.

Anyway, she was able to join us at Margaret and Andrew's house for the big meal, that is getting smoother every year.  Andrew cooked a perfect turkey, and the table was full of all the side dishes and even rolls (my contribution, with a little help from a fellow called Pillsbury.)  Andrew's parents were there, as were Leonor, Joe and Thomas, his second Thanksgiving.   Do any of you remember your second Thanksgiving?

We saw a few photos of other family days, with the Peter Dicksons at Janet's cousin's house, and John and Marilyn in short-sleeves and short pants down in Florida.  They incidentally are off on a cruise to Panama, more sunny weather.  Any others?  

While in Washington, we stayed with Leonor and Joe which meant we enjoyed the good fortune to watch Thomas for an afternoon. Joe and I watched a college football game, and Mary, Margaret and Annie went to a movie called Boy Erased.  We saw our Peace Corps friends, Bob and Monette, and the days flew by.  On the way home, we stopped in and had a diner brunch with Peter and Janet but missed Johanna because of our early start, to beat the traffic.  And we did, beat the traffic, luckily as the Delaware Memorial Bridge shut down  later in the day.  Completely, in both directions.  Busiest travel day of the year.  I think there are still people waiting to get across the bridge,

What else?  We had a swim team Christmas party here yesterday, and they are a pretty rowdy bunch for such healthy people. Not really, but it was fun.  Our summertime neighbors, the Locherys, have packed up and headed back to Wales having had enough of the Berkshires winter to suit them.  And, Timmy has been nice to check in on the kitty while we're gone.

Some sad news, in fact, too much sad news.  They say news like this comes in threes, and this time that was true.  One of her swim team mates lost her husband recently, a high school friend of Mary's passed after a long illness, and her cousin Pat died after a short illness.  Too many funerals.

Filling out the routines include doctors and dentists and winterizing the place, hanging wreaths and greens for the flower pots and moving porch furniture this year in the snow.  We still haven't gotten around to getting a tree, and the paper today warns us that it may be harder to find a good tree.  We do see a tree up at Thomas' house, though.  He's so mesmerized he can't even turn around for the camera.  That's one sign of hope and joy for the dark and dreary days.

Love to all of you from up here.    

 

The Calm

Need a break?  I know I do.  I thought it best to write the weekly letter, when I did not know the results of the mid-term elections.  That way, I could still dream, or pretend.  Last night I told Mary that it felt a little like Christmas, the anticipation, the waiting, the nervousness.  She scoffed and looked at me like I was sick.  That may be true, but when we watched the News Hour later, Amy Walter of the Cook Political report said, and I quote, "It feels like Christmas."  Amy may be sick too, but at least we're sick together.

So, on to the really important stuff.  Here's a poll.  Who's seen A Star is Born?  Put your hands down.  Who did a little internet research to see the old versions of the movie?  Okay, hands down.  Who bought the soundtrack and is listening to it right now?  Just me?  As you can tell, we loved it, and I've heard from a few of you that you did too.

A lot has happened since the last letter, since Erin and Sean's wedding.  Like Halloween.  Another poll.  Who buys Halloween candy, even if you know you won't get any trick-or-treaters?  Just me, again?  Hope springs eternal, or maybe I just need an excuse to buy candy.  I did get a Halloween costume this year.  They sure are complicated now, battery operated blow-up costume so that it looks like I was riding a chicken, or quite possibly an ostrich.  Anyway, from Facebook, it looked like the next generation in Rochester and in Washington and in Illinois was fully on board.  Wonderful.

We did go down to Washington recently, and are headed back that way this weekend.  We won the lottery and were able to do some babysitting while Joe and Leonor had a weekend away.  Thomas was on his best behavior: we went to a gala, we went to a park a couple of times, we played with Legos, we took naps, we read books, or at least individual pages of books.  We had a lot of fun, and the best part was that he survived, and he doesn't have enough language to tell his parents what really happened.  Joe and Leonor went to Lexington Virginia for a break from the city in the rural mountains during fall foliage.  We saw Margaret and Andrew a few times over the weekend, including for dinner at an Afghan restaurant with our Maine friends, Cliff and Sheila.  

The big news from California happened today, as Annie let us know that GE had sold her division, and it will remain intact, at least for a while.  That's good news, I think, as she can keep working as long as she wants and doesn't have to find a job right away.  

Some sad news from Dundee.  The Pomfret Ford Taurus station wagon is no more.  Claire had been driving it, but it needed a major repair, so she got a new car.  When she returned it to Dundee, Andrew took it to a mechanic who said it had rusted so much it was too dangerous to drive.  Lots of stories with that car.

We had a car story too.  An embarrassing one.  We had gone over to the other side of the state to see a museum, Fruitlands, joining Foreign Service friends at kind of a half way point from their home in New Hampshire.  On the way home, on the Mass Pike, we had a flat tire.  Fortunately, we were near one of only a handful of pull-in breakdown areas. I looked in the rear, and did not see a spare or even one of those little do-nut tires. I assumed that because it was a hybrid there was no room for a spare, as was true with our old Saturn.  (Are you bored yet?  It gets better.)   The state does not allow AAA on the Mass Pike, so we had to call the police and they sent out a registered tow truck, to tow us all the way home.  After a hefty bill for the tow, and another one for the new tire, I drove the car home and looked more closely in the rear of the car, lifted up a second tray and found a spare tire.  AAAAAGGGGHHHH.  

We see Timmy quite a bit, as he has moved back here and found an apartment.  It's nice that he offers to come over to watch kitty while we are away, and he has even made us dinner.  We went out to brunch for his birthday (November 2) and can recommend Otto's, a new (for us) restaurant on Park Square.

One more poll:  Anyone watch the World Series?  Anyone watch the Packers-Patriots?  Anyone sick of Boston winning all the time?  Not me.

So, happy November, happy end of daylight savings, and love to you all.