Over...Over Due, Over Worked, Over It, Over All

Yeah, I'll get around to writing something worth reading, soon.  I promise.  Right now, though, the title 'bout says it all.  Mom is no longer allowed to drive, which means that I am chauffeur for her and for A.  A's schedule is variable week to week and we never know the next week's schedule until the Thursday night prior.  We used to rely on Mom to fill in as needed if I had a tuning appointment or just someplace I needed or wanted to be.  No more.  How do I work full time and do this? 

Add to it that Mom's memory has failed considerably.  Makes me unusually cranky to have to remember stuff for her, check that she eats correctly, takes her medicines, remind her many times each day of appointments, errands, bills to pay, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat.

I know she can't help it.

I tell myself that over and over and over.  It helps for a couple seconds!

So What Is Doing?

Sometimes I think...."Waaayyyyy too much."  I can't seem to stop the doings, though.  They just keep coming!

Overhead at the tuning!

First, back to my last post.  They still haven't paid for the tuning.  I'll be sending a second notice to them as soon as I buy stamps.

Oh yeah...I've got to go to the post office for stamps, including enough for sending Christmas cards (some need airmail Europe) but that won't happen until probably Tuesday.  Monday I've got to drive my mom to and from day surgery.  A shot for pain in her back.  It's nothing serious, they just won't let you drive yourself.  It's an hour drive each way and she will be there for a few hours...

Monday is shot (hahahaha).

Okay, so back to what HAS been going on...

A 'fire road' leading along Waring Field and in to the South Woods

R and I have started our SundaythereisnohuntingonSundays walks in the woods.  They haven't been too exciting.  No great discoveries - rocks and trees.  Just different rocks and trees from previous walks.  We need a change!

'Discovered' rock art near the Tarr Trail

Nothing is happening with the Haskins Park project.  I can't get anyone in charge at the town level to even correspond with me about the project.  I'm now waiting until after the first of the year to re-approach them with the topic.  Hopefully it will still be on their list and they'll be more willing to discuss it as a new year project.

Work has been steady.  More tunings and repairs as the holidays approach and keys still continue to arrive.

Out of the blue I received a call from the SC neighbors to my cousin's property.  I think that I mentioned here, long ago, that there was a big mess over the handling of his estate and the care of my aunt.  Well, evidently things have not been satisfactorily handled at that end (no surprise) and now I feel obligated to involve myself as much as I am able.  So, many phone calls and much online research later, I am trying to locate long lost relatives.  It's not easy, folks!  And even if I find these relatives, it is guaranteed to be a bumpy road to clear everything up at the SC end of things.  I'll do my best to resolve it...but no promises!

This is BIG.  The white areas, seen below at the edge of the marsh, are houses.

We have something new on the horizon.  An extremely large wind turbine is atop Railcut Hill.  While I'm not convinced of its successful supplementation of power for the business where it is located, I do kind of like the looks of it up there! There are to be two more nearby supposedly to be tied to Gloucester's grid.

Lots and lots of supplies for the price.

Yesterday, R and I went to an indoor yard sale at a small auction house.  Mostly, it was a pile of junk.  However, I did make a great buy with a lot of art supplies for only $15!  The lot included many unused tubes of artists oils and a handful of  brand new paint brushes.  There's a large collection of ink pens and nibs that I may use someday, too.  Considering the current price at the store for these items...I got a super deal!

Work, walks, paperwork (I did get my business books up-to-date and balanced the check books), phone calls, Christmas cards written, some shopping, errands, and the Sandy Bay Historical Society meetings...I've been busy!

New-sy

Well, the first thing is trying out the 'new' Blogger.  Not thinking that I like it much, but like most other changes it will become routine after a while.

This week, or so, has been/will be birthday week.  Mom's came first this past Tuesday and A's will be this coming Tuesday.  As normal, and to avoid too much baking and eating out, we combined the two, celebrating on Thursday with a trip to Skip's (they had opened for the season on Wednesday).  We came home for presents and cake. Thursday was the only evening available in A's schedule.  She had an extra load of hours at work this week.  39 hours when she's supposed to be part time.  Her boss claims it was because of another clerk being on vacation.  Weird that everyone else only had between 15 - 20 hours though.

Our view from our car.  The parking lot was near capacity.

Our timing for Skip's was good, arriving before it got too busy.  As you might notice by the picture, by the time we were nearly ready to leave, the line was out the door.  I'll add that the line started inside, to the far right, about where it says Skip's.  Tradition dictates that we eat in the car.  The weather was beautiful.  In the mid 70's.

Which does bring today's weather to mind.  It's now in the mid 40's...and raining.  It's going to rain tomorrow, as well.  A real Nor'easter, they claim.  We do need the rain.  We're somewhere in the neighborhood of 7 - 8 inches shy of norm this year.  Beats getting a late season snow like upstate New York and western Pennsylvania (hi Norma!).  The bad weather has brought a halt to a search for a little girl missing from Long Beach since Thursday noon.  A tragic story that can be best read through the Gloucester newspaper.

It's been a bit over a week since I got a copy of the book that's new in my sidebar.  Mark Carlotto had written "The Dogtown Guide".  "The Island Woods" is his newest book.  Guess who got an acknowledgement?  Guess who also wrote a 'blurb' for the back cover?  Did you guess?  Did ya?  Yep, me!  And you can bet I got my copy autographed by Mark. Why my presence?  Well, through the historic society I was able to read the proof of the book.  When I emailed Mark with some comments (mostly praise), he asked if I would contribute the back cover blurb.  I had no idea that my comment about an additional D.T. Sq. boulder would earn me the acknowledgement.  I'm very pleased.

In other news...things are looking pretty favorable for a contract on a Mason & Hamlin reed organ rebuild for a Boston church.  Tomorrow I will be pricing out some movers for them and sending along the contract for the work.  Fingers crossed.

This morning, as I looked out my kitchen window, sipping the first of my coffee, I spotted this rather large bunny hopping down the front walk.  He (or she, I guess) sat at the end of the walk for a couple minutes looking around before hopping on into my mother's front garden.

Bart the bunny

Indoors, we started our vegetable seeds a few weeks ago.  Tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans and pumpkins. It's been about a 50/50 success rate and I've planted more seeds...just in case.  We've been carrying the tray of seedlings outdoors on sunny warm days and they do look better for it.  At worst, the garden will be mediocre.  At best, we will also have a second crop later in the summer. 

I'm still working on my web site.  I wrote the text and R is doing the editing.  I've accumulated a few more pictures and I've picked a template on a web hosting site.  As soon as a large, uninterrupted block of time is available I'll be getting it done.  Yay!

Today was the day to take artwork out of the Rockport Art Association Contributing Member's  Show.  R and I went down at noon to retrieve the painting and the photograph that I had exhibited.  No sale this year.  At least it keeps my name in circulation.

Haskins Hospital depicted on an early Rockport postcard

In a couple weeks, I'll be running a PowerPoint presentation on the former Leander M. Haskins Hospital of Rockport.  Another SBHS member will be doing the talking.  I'll be doing a bit of explaining about what remains of the property...now a town park.  Getting all the photos scanned and also exploring and taking current photos, not to mention a heck of a lot of research has kept me busy for weeks.  I am happy with the photos and hope that the entire presentation is a good one. It should be.

So, there you have it...I think.  Pretty much what has been going on around here recently.

She Loved Flowers

Here's an email I received Wednesday morning. Changes I made to eliminate names are indicated in a different color.

Hi Deb:

 

This is a difficult e-mail for me.  Sorry to have to bring you the news that your aunt passed away this morning.  "Caregiver lady" specifically asked that we NOT let you know.  I am going against her  wishes since I think it appropriate that you and your mother are aware of your aunt's passing.  I would appreciate it if you would try to not get me in trouble for letting you know.

 

 

Easter

...is late this year and I can hardly remember what has happened to the month of April!  All of us have been extremely busy.  'A' has had more hours at work, I've been swamped with work, Mom has started her springtime gardening and 'R' is getting settled in to residency in Massachusetts.  'R' has also been an enormous help with my piano work and is fun to travel around with or just hang out with when we are not slaving away over piano keys.
This is also birthday week.  Mom's last Sunday and 'A's tomorrow, Easter Sunday.  With all the stuff going on and work to finish it would be easy to keep on working throughout it all.  However...I have made a conscious decision that I WILL NOT WORK TOMORROW.   (mostly)

And while life has been rather hectic, we have taken time to have some fun touring around...up to Newburyport, Skip's for birthdays lunch, and several walks about town.  The photograph at the top of this post was taken in Union Cemetery and I thought it fine for my Easter post.

It Just Goes to Show Ya...

You can't believe everything you read.

The new issue of Cape Ann Magazine is out and, yes, they put in some photographs of the Opening Reception of the Contributing Members Show at the RAA.
This kind of thing evidently gets put in their Party People section.

Hardly.  While I do enjoy getting together with friends, small social gatherings, or even meeting up with colleagues at a 'convention', I would not consider myself a party person.  Mom definitely isn't.

(Photo credit: Brianna Moore)

So...there I am on the left, next to my painting.  That's mom on the right.  'A' didn't want to be in the photograph.  Of course and as you may recall, Mom and I weren't too keen on participating, either. 

Free publicity wins over hating to be photographed.

When Even Memories Are Gone...Part One

I wasn't going to start this story tonight as I am far too tired.  But then an email arrived and, after reading it, I thought if I didn't start writing the story I would forget some of the details.  I'll tell you right now, some names have been changed.  I'll also add that I'm not going to delve into details of family history...the who, what, and whys of the characters of the story.

Part One...

When I arrived home from volunteer work at the historical society on December first, my mom had some startling news.  She had received a phone call from the coroner in Remote County, South Carolina.  My 65 year old cousin, Paul, had been found dead in his bedroom.  While of itself shocking news, for me it began an exploration in to probate law and elder care that continues one month later.

When my uncle died, about 15 years ago, Paul had moved from Connecticut to Florida to help out his mother, my Aunt Marion.  Several years later, Cousin Paul and Aunt Marion decided to have a house built in Remote County, South Carolina and moved there from Florida.  My aunt and my dad (sister and brother) were quite close and even though there was then some miles between them, my folks would stop to visit twice each year when they traveled the cyclical follow-the-sun of 'snowbirds'.  Additionally, my cousin and my aunt would visit my parents here in the north or spend the Christmas holidays at my house in Florida.

In recent years, as my aunt aged...she's going to be 94 in February...Paul had to find 'day care' for his mother while he was at work.  A few years back she had suffered a stroke and that, plus other conditions, have meant that Marion is unable to care for herself.  She needs someone to do the cooking, to help her with bathing and dressing, and to help her get in and out of bed and up out of a chair.  She uses a walker to get about once she's on her feet. There are some other details of care needed, as well.  With limited funds, Paul hired the wife of a co-worker to provide that care while he was at work. Her name is Ann.  

So now, just a month ago, Paul dropped dead of an apparent heart attack leaving his 93 year old mother.  A situation he never expected would happen.  Who would?  From my phone conversations with him over the past couple of years, he was trying to get everything sorted out legally.  And while his mother was primary beneficiary in his will, he asked for all legally necessary information making me secondary beneficiary.  Two years later and all of that became irrelevant.  More irrelevant than I could have imagined, and it has led me to a new level of understanding on what is needed to see that your wishes are indeed carried out after death.

This is not a story of inheritance.  It is a story of the failure of at least two systems.  The legal system and  Adult Protective Services.

More to come in the following days....

Life with Sad News

Which of course is much different from My Sad Life.  I was out doing some major piano work on Friday.  The job was far more involved than I anticipated, so I called home and asked my mom to drive a sandwich over to me for my lunch.  She did.  And she commented that the daughter of a long time friend had left a message on the answering machine requesting that my mother call her.  My mom couldn't figure out the number left to return the call.  Evidently when 'A' got home from work, she couldn't figure it out either.
I got back home at about 4:30 to find that the numbers they had been trying weren't correct.  I listened to the message...carefully...and jotted down  D's phone number.  My mom gave her a call while I went upstairs to change into comfy clothes.  Within a couple minutes my mom was calling me downstairs to take the phone.  She was very upset, shaking.  I talked to D and found out that her mom had died suddenly.

Fourth of July 2005, my dad and D's mom and dad watching the Rockport parade    Gloucester Times photo     

My mom and D's mom have been best friends since childhood.  My mom and dad and D's mom and dad had double-dated, traveled together, and shared a home briefly.  My dad and D's spent their careers working for the same company.  Our extended family.  Services will be next week.  Our thoughts and prayers are extended to D's dad and to the rest of their family.

Contrasts

It shaping up to be a nasty week, yet in the midst of it all work has picked up. I can't enjoy it though. Because of the rest. On Monday at work, I got at call from my mom. She wasn't feeling well and wanted me to take her to the doctor. She had canceled her appointment with the back specialist - another problem she/we are dealing with - sort of. Anyway, I got out of work, juggled picking 'A' up from her work during the doctor visit, got mom home, went back to work. All in all I missed 2.5 hours! Doctor couldn't find anything wrong. She has rescheduled her back doctor for Thursday and I'll have to drive her there. That'll do in an entire morning!

As I said, work has picked up. I had a set of keys arrive on Saturday from New Orleans. I worked extra long hours and they will get shipped back tomorrow. I had two jobs today. One was a minor adjustment and some troubleshooting. No charge as this is a good customer. The other was one of 'my' church pianos. I do those as tithe. A new customer tuning tomorrow. That's in the morning. A meeting at Friendly's in the mid-afternoon to pick up a set of keys for a big job. Another tuning booked for Friday morning when we are to have a big snowstorm. I guess we're due. We got nothing of the mess of ice storm that the rest of northern New England had last week. At least the tuning is nearby. I could walk to it if the driving were to be too treacherous.

I've forgotten to mention Saturday's holiday fair. I didn't make much money, but at least I didn't lose any on the table rental. Five necklaces and one package of notecards sold. I'd do it there again. People are starting to remember I've been doing them and that helps the word-of-mouth business. Several people said that either I should be an exhibiting member of the art association or have a gallery in town. I'll admit to enjoying the ego boost! Guess that was worth the small profit.

But the worst of the week. Today my uncle died. Yes, he was 92. I'm pretty sure he was ready. The rest of us not so much. He'll be buried at the Bourne National Cemetery. He'll join my aunt. My dad is there, as well. I guess we won't be at the funeral. We should be. Mom's back pain and her illness are the major reasons we won't be there.

I hope tomorrow is a better day.

In the Thick of It and Sick of It

or...the nasty side of insurance, Medicare, and a tale of stolen money.

Oh yes, here we go...

This is not as much griping as it is relating a series of events. Y'all already know how annoyed I am!

So let me begin the second week of January. This is at a time when I didn't write down names, dates, or number of calls actually made. This is when we first found out that there was a screw-up 'somewhere' in the system that resulted in my mom's prescription drug coverage being denied. At that point, I thought it could be solved with a few phone calls. I was naive.

From that first call to her new drug insurance company to ask, "What's up with this?", here is the list of idiots (I'm sorry, is that too rude? Naw.) that I have spoken to, through Wednesday, February 27th.

At Alcatel-Lucent, the company that my dad retired from and which controlled the benefit plan, I have spoken to Vashawn 6 times. Oh, Vashawn, you never should have been so demeaning. You shouldn't have implied that I was lying. You shouldn't have spewed out the canned response, "I understand your frustration, ma'am", a half dozen times in a row. In response to your poor public relations attitude your boss will be receiving a letter from me as soon as this matter is settled. Trust me, it won't be good for you.

At Humana, the company my mom enrolled in, I've spoken to Jason and to Tina. They have tried their best but their hands are tied by Medicare.

At Medco, the company that will not appropriately disenroll my mom, I've spoken to Debra, Linon, Nosa, and Marquanei. They are very talented at passing the buck. I get a different story each time I call Medco. It's beginning to seem like the company enrolled my mother without authorization. Now they tell Medicare that they have resolved the issue with my mom. Problem, folks. THEY HAVEN'T!

And finally, Medicare. The government agency that is so screwed up they will believe anybody but the Medicare recipient. At Medicare I have spoken to Dwayne, Karen, Jessica, David, Jacqueline, Marcus, Alana, Kim, Pammy, and Timothy. Nearly every one of these individuals has told me that they have taken care of the problem and that within 48 hours I will receive a confirmation call. Hasn't happened. Three filed complaints, Pammy disconnected me and I shall never forgive her for having to redial and wait an extra 15 minutes for an available representative. Which brings me to the last, Timothy, who had the audacity to suggest that my mother try to reinstate Medco (who finally, incorrectly agreed to terminate her coverage 2/29/08, rather than retro-actively) and pay their premium for an additional year. Yes, the company that has been unbelievably incompetent.

I think not. And I told Timothy a definite NO. Timothy has now re-enrolled my mother in the Humana plan, effective today, March 1. I asked what would happen about the prescriptions paid through the temporary coverage of two weeks that Humana had provided assuming that all would be made retro-active. Timothy didn't know. I asked who should pay for the medicines that my mother had paid full price for in Feb. He said Medco. But, she didn't make any monthly insurance premium payments to them. He didn't know what would happen.

Strange that Medco would insist that they were her insurance plan yet they never billed her for the coverage. Strange that they would say that she enrolled on 12/12/07 when she was already on that plan. (She requested termination effective 12/31/07). Why would anyone enroll in a plan that they already belonged to?

This is more than screw-y. Next, we get to wait and see if she does indeed get the letter of acceptance and the membership card from Humana.

Now for me. I try very hard to give the benefit of the doubt. I also try very hard not to exactly identify, in public, individuals with whom I have a gripe. I'm very close to making an exception. I won't, but a few of you may know of whom I write.

At the close of November 2007, I phoned an order to a small company that I have done business with for probably 10 years. Obviously, I'd never had a problem. After the first few orders which the total costs were charged to my credit card, I changed to being billed upon shipment and I would pay immediately by check. When I say immediately, I mean the check is in the mail the next day. Really. So when I received the shipment I knew the bill would be enclosed. When I opened the box and examined the merchandise, I was astounded to find that it was defective. I put the merchandise back in it's original box along with the bill, wrote a note explaining why I had returned it, and shipped it back. A couple days later the company owner called me to apologize for the defective cloth (pinholes in a bellows cloth that should be airtight). He had no other stock to send as a replacement. I thought that was the end of the tale.

Until I looked at my credit card bill that arrived two weeks later! He had charged the amount for the cloth to my credit card without my permission! (Had the cloth been usable I would have sent payment...I would have double paid.) Since it is hard to actually catch him 'in', I decided to send an email stating that I was dismayed that he charged my card without permission, and since the merchandise had been returned, to please remove the charge from my card. I heard nothing back. I waited. My January credit card bill arrived and the amount had not been removed. I called the credit card company.

Yeah, more phone calling. Their representative said to give the supplier a call and ask one more time. I called and got voice mail. I left a detailed message. I never heard back. A few days before my February bill was due to arrive, I called the credit card company to see if the charge had been removed.

Nope. So, the credit card company has temporarily removed the charge and filed a dispute with the company. They give them up to 65 days to respond. In the meantime, I have heard that another piano tech has been unable to reach this guy. I wonder how much money he's holding on to that isn't his?

And now for the good news...
I've almost finished doing all our income tax returns. A total of 21 pages!

52 Gone By

Thank goodness my birthday is over. I wasn't going to post about it until dickiebo, my birthday "twin", blogged his botched birthday. Then I just couldn't resist a little one-up-manship (in the broader sense of the word man, please).

Shall I begin by saying that the last birthday that I remember as being truly okay was sixteen years ago? I know this because it was okay enough that I don't really remember anything about it in particular. Doc and I were still married, Amanda was nine. We lived in Florida. My mom and dad lived about 2 miles from us and although they summered in Rockport, they always waited to leave for the north until after my birthday. We were normal. Well, whatever normal really is, we were close to it even with our unique style. Life was pretty good.

Then divorce came for Doc and me. Our final date in court was just 6 days after my birthday (and 1 day after our 15th anniversary). Doc was still living in the home, that as custodial parent, I would stay in with Amanda. My mom and dad came over for dinner, cake, and gifts. For Amanda, we all smiled at one another and feigned cordial behavior.

For the next 10 birthdays it was just Amanda and me. Oh we celebrated my birthday, but in April along with Amanda's and my mom's. My folks had moved north and were only wintering in Florida. As Amanda got a bit older, the two of us would just go out for a special dinner on THE day.

My birthday of 2002 was spent in court. My divorce from a short marriage to a Brit was finalized on that day. (The judge asked and I told him..."best gift I have ever gotten")

Now that we all live in Rockport, you'd think birthdays might be fun once again. My mom and I plan my dad's, I plan my mom's and Amanda's. When it comes to my birthday they all want me to plan that, too. Really bugs me that I have to act as referee between the rest of the gang. It's usually weeks of grandma says this or that, Amanda wants this or that, what do you want to eat, what kind of cake, lunch or dinner.....on and on. Gee folks, it's too much work having a birthday. Just do what you want and it'll be fine at this point. Really, really, REALLY! I give up.

So year 52 is finished. Did I get some stuff I wanted? You bet. Mom and dad bought me a lot of the 1X4s that I need to finish the woodwork in our new home. Yes, I actually had that on my list! Amanda got me the most luxurious set of bed sheets that I have ever owned. I love them. She also got me a watering can. Sort of a fun gift as it replaces the one she broke last year. And of course, Jayne sent Squirt. Mary remembered, and other than Amanda who got up super early to wish me a Happy Birthday, was the first local to wish me a HB. I got some great cards. Some with beautiful flowers and words and the "whipped cream card" from Sue. I got this card from the contractor that built our house. His birthday is today. A day after mine. It's become a "thing" to exchange cards. On the inside it says, "In honor of your birthday kitty wanted to make a special drink just for you". I love the determined look on that cat's face! Such purpose. LOL

The down side...I still had to play referee. A position I dread each year. We didn't go to Skip's for lunch as my dad is too ill. I told my mom not to even mention it to him. They had me up at 3:30 a.m. to pick him up off the floor. My dad didn't remember it was my birthday. It's all right, but it's hard to see him so changed. My mom thought I turned 53 instead of 52. I still didn't get a homemade, chocolate whipped cream roll for my birthday cake. My mom has only indulged me once in 15 years. I know it was too hard to do it this year with so much time devoted to caring for my dad. But somehow, I don't know, I guess if it had been a few more times during the past 15 years, I wouldn't want it so much!

So, all in all, I'm very relieved to have it all over with for another year.

Now I start on 53. I was thinking that day one was a good Karma day. Amanda and I went out for the afternoon. She bought a new bed that will be delivered in about four weeks. It's super cool. We stopped to get non tourist priced gas on the way home. I asked for $20 regular. The woman pumping the gas was ditsy and spoke English with a heavy Portuguese accent. She looked to be in her early 20's. When I looked back at the pump it was rounding the $21.50 mark and she had wandered off to talk to some friends. I yelled back to her that I had asked for only $20 worth. She sauntered over and stopped the pump at $24.87 and asked for $20. Okay by me. Good Karma, nearly $5 of free gas! Called my folks to let them know we would be back in about a half hour.

And mom says....

"Oh thank goodness. You won't believe what I've done." (Ohhhh, no, now what?)
"I just went to get dad his pain pills, forgot what I was doing, and took them thinking they were Tylenol for me."

So much for good Karma. So short lived.
Mom's fine. A tad draggy and loopy after 30 mg. of oxycodone!

Year 53 is heralded in!

A Past in Art, More Estey, The Answer

Strange thing happened the other day. I had some spare time (okay that's not the only strange thing) and I decided to do some "googling". I checked out some names from my past. I started with a couple of professors that I had when I attended Massachusetts College of Art. Didn't find too much. A couple exhibits mentioned and my former painting instructor is evidently big into the global warming issue. Anyway, I just kept poking around for a bit. Then I thought of the woman that I had taken painting lessons from yeeeaaars ago. I was twelve years old when I start semi private lessons and stopped when I left for college. She had helped me gain membership to the Haverhill Arts Association. I was the youngest member (traditionally adults only). Her name - Barbara Baldwin. I was surprised at what I found.

She had just died. May 5, 2007. She was 93 years old. There's a nice obit here. Scroll down the page to find her.

It got me looking through my old scrap album from when I used to exhibit. How things change.

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I got an email, today, from a couple interested in taking a look at the Estey organ that I went to see just over a week ago. I've arranged to meet them at a local restaurant on Wednesday afternoon. From there they will follow me out to the Norton Farm. I'm looking forward to going back there and hope I can take some pictures as I am driving in. I am also hoping that if I do manage the pictures, that they will illustrate the feeling for the place.

So....yippee for the freebie job on Wednesday. Friday, I tune once again for the Rockport Art Association, and Saturday I'll be heading for Marblehead to remove the upper innards from a Hardman Duo player piano for rebuilding. The melodeon is almost complete and I'll take some pictures of that soon. The biggest hassle in the restoration has been reveneering the top with rosewood and getting it to match the "worn" finish of the rest of the instrument. Thank goodness some big jobs are finishing (pay off) and starting (deposit money)....trying to finish paying my property taxes!

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Remember this picture? Well, it isn't circus elephant graves! I do like that answer though.

While I was having dinner at Ellen's Harborside, Dan came in with his sister and sat at the table next to me. We were just catching up on news and the thought came to me to ask him about the mounds. Well.....Dan knows just about everything.....really. He's a very perceptive guy. So, "Hey Dan, I've got a question for you. At the top of Summit Avenue there are these weird stone mounds. What are they?"

And Dan told me.



Want to know?

Are you sure?

Remember, there used to be a hospital, years and years ago.

They are mass graves.

From an influenza epidemic in the late 1800's.

A's Day

I feel verrryyy old. Today was Amanda's 25th birthday. I won't write all the standard "has it been that........" comments. I took a couple pictures but she would hate me for blogging them! You'll have to take my word for it that they came out nice. Soooo, here's just a nice "summer is coming" picture that I took many summers ago. Gee, many, many summers ago. Amanda was 10!

What does one buy for a 25 year old? She has more money banked than I think I ever have had (at one time). She buys pretty much anything she *wants*. She didn't write a birthday list. Her grandma and grandpa bought her some cool glassware...clear tumblers with turquoise fish on them. Perfect for the girl that longs to live in Florida once again. They also gave her a $50 certificate towards some furniture she needs. I got her a new fan for her room. She griped and fussed about the one she used last summer....too low to the floor so it just blew air against the side of the bed, and a control knob that kept falling off and getting lost. So now she has a nice pedestal model that swings back and forth 180 degrees (or not if you chose). Fans are a lot more expensive than I thought they'd be. At least good ones are! As a little extra I took her out to dinner. She got cards from Aunt M and Paul, Aunt E and Uncle N, me, grandma and grandpa, and of course one from "the other". Per norm now (since she turned 18) nothing from her dad. I guess at this point that is not even worth the comment that I would like to make. So I won't.

My daughter's a quarter of a century old...........YIKES!!

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Tomorrow I have a tuning job in Magnolia. Should be a fun place with a great view to watch while I listen. When the lady gave me the directions they were...."the first drive on the left after Hammond Castle. Go all the way to the end." Weird thing is that while I've been anticipating the fantastic ocean views, I can't remember the make piano! I think it's a Yamaha grand, but then the guy that booked a tuning today, for next week, said he has a Yamaha grand. Oh well. Maybe they both do. In the meantime, check out Mr. Hammond, his "castle", and his life and inventions HERE.

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BTW, the surprise is finished and ready to send. I've got to wait a bit, though. The date that I wanted it to arrive isn't going to work out as she will be out of town. I'm now planning on the surprise arriving the latter of the first week in May. Then you'll see the surprise (sort of) here.