Conversation Club Chatter

Thank God Holly seems to be recovering from Hepititis. When Donna’s dog, got it, several years ago, she didn’t make it through the week. Holly was at the vet for three days, hooked up to an IV that flushed out some of the infection. She is on three different pills and seems to be getting better every day. Sunday she really wasn’t herself. When I walked her she didn’t bark at the cars, dogs or bikes, like she usually did. She seems more energetic each day and today she jumped up on the bed like her old self. I work next Thursday but I’m off Thursday, Nove. 16th. I can have CC then. If anyone wants to have it next Thursday let me know and I will call BArb and Raquel.

Background on the story: After we were at Edisto Beach in 97, my sister in law gave us all a sand dollar pin with a card that told the legend of the sand dollar. Basically the holes in the sand dollar symbolize the wounds Christ received on the cross. There is also an Easter lily on it and a Christmas poinsettia.

Since our trip to Sanibel coincided near the anniversary of my Mom’s death and since she enjoyed beaches and shell collecting, I took some ashes to sprinkle in the water.

Dave and I stood in the water and I said a prayer: Water gives us life. You have found new life with God. Help us as we continue to find new life without you.

I then waded out further to sprinkle the ashes. On my way, I looked down and there was a living sand dollar. This one was the first I had ever found in all my trips to the beach.

The moment began sadly and then with the finding of the sand dollar I felt a peace, joy, hope, and a connection to my Mom.

Steve told me you called tonight Susan - left you a phone message when I got home. Went to Clowes Hall to hear the poet Mary Oliver. She was fantastic. There is something special about hearing the poet recite her own works. (she has won the Pulitzer prize) Anyway, I got a phone call from Raquel a week ago and she said she was having CC tonight so I told her I wouldn’t be there. So did she have it or not?

We have seen many movies this weekend - and managed to do the mini marathon at Ft. Ben (mile 10 was all up hill!), out to dinner at Dunaways, and the POPS concert. There are so many good Heartland movies. Ultimate Gift had it all … comedy, sadness, lessons. Shooting Dogs … if you have seen Hotel Rwands, it is just as powerful and horrifying. And as good as it is … I don’t know that I would recommend it. Outlaw Trail was light, fun in the Butch Cassidy style. The Secret of the Cave was ok. Mother of Mine was also very good.

As a Conversation Club we should have scheduled to see a Man Named Pearl - about a man who has a garden dedicated, and he won garden of the year award or something. We won’t be able to fit that one in.

We are going to see Wayward Son and Expiration Date tonight.

We are leaving Tues. night for Sanibel.

I took off Thursday and Friday, Elliott’s Fall Break. Yesterday was EWlliott’s day for Dr. appointments. I went to High Tea at the Cantebury and had a great time. There was supposed to be four of us but only Donna and I went. Carol, you were right. We stayed almost two hours. First was finger sandwiches, then the Petifours and last the scones. I enjoyed everything and loved having the tea with ,crean rock sugar and honey. Jam and whipped cream was served with the scones. Today Elliott took Holly to the Dr. to have her teeth cleaned and we had the carpets cleaned. Tonight I went with Elliott and Bobby to the NC football game. It’s sectionals. Tomorrow Elliott and I are going to a wedding reception from two to five. It’s at the Bella Vita Ristorante. Sunday I am going with Kitzi to see the movie Prestige. I enjoy magic and really like the Illusionist. This is a totally sdifferent story but it think it will also have some twists and turns like the Illusionist. I will let you know.

I shopped at Meiijer yesterday pm(got off at 12:00) and Kara and Al came for supper. Today we went to Cincinatti for lunch. tommorrow I go for a massage. I am not going to go to work until Monday. To heck with the paperwork. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday the state server was messed up and we couldn’t complete our paperwork. somewhat annoying but it was not my fault or ineptitude so I went with the flow. Today I finished reading: She got up off the couch and other adventures from Mooreland IN. A fun read. It is by the same author as A Girl named Zippy.

Did Raquel say when she wanted to have the next CC? This Thursday? I have no recollection of how we/she left it.

Our church is doing Women in Design a little differently this year. It will be Dec. 16th from 10 till noon. I don’t know what the program is, there may just be a speaker and brunch, but I’ll try to find out. The only catch is they are asking ladies to sponsor tables, which includes doing the table settings and centerpiece, etc. Anyone want to help me? Anyone interested in going?

Kathy, I guess you didn’t really want our opinion about bringing a wedding gift since you didn’t give us very much notice. I’d say … gift.

We didn’t make it past the ticket gate at the airport on Friday. 2 flights to Charlotte ended up being full at the last minute. If we had taken later flights we would have missed connections to Roanoke. It would have been a beautiful weekend. Next time, I’ll just take a vacation day or 2!

Syzzgy is when the earth, moon, and sun are lined up - as life was for me this weekend! Along with God taking care of things!

Besides the perfect weather for camping - maybe a little chilly at night (the moon was so bright it was as if we had a night light on in the tent) it was also Family Festival Weekend at the camp ground(Caesar Creek near Cincinnati). We didn’t even know about that when we made the reservation! My brother John and his daughter met us Friday night.

Sack races, crafts (I made a dream catcher),trick or treating and square dancing left us no time for hiking! Rachel and Sean joined us in time for the trick or treaters, fossil hunting and the square dance and of course s’mores. Search isn’t the word to use - you couldn’t move without stepping on a fossil. John and Brianne went to the ecumenical service on Sunday which they said was more of a Blue Grass concert - Amazing Grace on the mandolin - than preaching.

We went to church when we got home. Saturday was our anniversary and the readings this weekend was the one about man should not be alone and God made him a helpmate.

I also ended up talking to the daughter of my Dad’s cousin Sunday night - so mission accomplished.

And my sister left a message that it looks as if Thanksgiving will be in Chicago and not Akron which makes me more inclined to go.

So … life could not have lined up better this weekend! Hope everyone else had a great weekend!

Some of my mother’s favorites. And then one of my favorites: shopping. Thank you for your gift. I am warmed by your friendship. Kara had her massage on Saturday and loved it so much she turned around and bought me a massage for Saturday afternoon. I think I am doing well but relaxing is still a real challenge. See you at Barb’s.