Thanksgiving Blessings

This year, fall has been difficult for me. Since Labor Day I have been on 4 prednisone tapers to get out of rebounding reactions to latex. I've also been painting the outside of my house which seems to be intolerable now unless I wear a mask.

I seem to react now to less latex exposure than I have in the past. The reactions seem worse, or it's just harder to recover from them. I've begun reacting at estate sales. That isn't fun. At least I was able to make some nice purchases each time.

I had a bad reaction to Kilz paint, even using it outside. I've been ok with Dutch Boy until the Kilz reaction. Then one day while I was cleaning a super dusty corner inside, I began reacting. I've really been living in "cottage mode" for too long. I now own 95 particulate masks to filter out the latex proteins. I just have to stop being so stubborn and wear them.

I have found that many of my friends in LAForum have been way more reactive this fall. We've all tried to figure out why. The best answer seems to be so little rain. The other answer could be we are getting worse. But we don't like facing that problem. Well, I don't. For me, it has become a bit depressing with shorter days and heating bills coming in now.

I have been praying more, not just for myself, but others as well. I began knitting preemie caps to go to local hospitals. This is giving me a great outlet to give back to the community again, and I just love to knit. My favorites are the smallest caps.

As I plan for Thanksgiving, I can't help but reflect on my blessings. Since the cold weather set in during my last prednisone taper, I am feeling much better. I've made the decision to stop smoking. I haven't stopped yet, but there are 2 ashtrays left after having 5. I no longer smoke all the times I get up during the night, and there's no smoking in the bathroom. That has been a habit for years while I got ready to go to work or for the day.

Again, I'm cooking all day long on Thanksgiving. I love doing that, and I do it even if I will be alone. I do have a friend coming over. There may be a few more. I love to pick at the leftovers for several days. Then comes turkey soup.

I seem to be spending more time already reflecting on my blessings. Roof and food come first. The companionship of Casey when I'm stuck at home makes such a big difference. I'm paying bills before they are due. I have wonderful family. Even though they all live out of state, we always keep in touch. My friends should be included in my family. They are all very wonderful and supportive people. Then I have all my wonderful friends in LAForum.

It's only Monday. Just think of all the other blessings that may come to mind by Thursday. We are entering into the holiday season when there is kindness to others that should happen all year.

Sal

West Nile Virus and Latex Allergy

I recently spoke with a dear second cousin, finding out what her mom, my cousin, was up to. My dear second cousin, Lucy has a very busy work life in Chicago. Several years ago she was bit by a mosquito at a picnic in a Chicago backyard. She suddenly became so ill that she required hospitalization for two weeks because she had come down with West Nile Virus.

She continues to work now, but has some effects resulting already from West Nile. She has totally lost her hearing in one ear. Her ankle and foot motor skills are lacking in one foot so that she walks with a sloppy gate. That foot has become numb. This woman works in a corporate job.

I spent some time in a west nile support group hoping to learn things that might help her. The most that I learned & shared with her was to join the group. The doctors knew very little about what problems she might have.

This is so much the same with natural rubber latex allergy. I let her know how little the medical community knows about either and how little the medical community will recognize either. She knows that I am there for her, just as I am for any of you with either of these.

You can go to LAForum@yahoo.com or google the support group for west nile. I can't remember the addy, but found them that way. They are an awesome group that don't realise how much in the beginning they are with this. After 15 years or more, we are still having severe difficulties getting natural rubber latex allergy recognized in the medical community, workman's comp, & SSD. We are also finding more medical problems that certainly seem related to the allergy.

Sal

A Deep Look

As I get older, maybe wiser, I know my life gets shorter. I've had some close calls with allergic reactions. My friends have as well. Last week I had a day where I couldn't do anything without having difficulty breathing. I began my steroid taper. A latex allergic friend suggested taking mucinex, too. What an improvement, very slow, but an improvement.

All this got me to thinking more than usual about the last years of someone's life, anyone or mine. I read the obits weekly, but as a nurse, I have always done that. I slowly find more people I know in there. Maybe I should give this up, but many times it reminds me to value every minute I have here.

I was checking estate sales last night, looking through all the pictures for two different sales. Both sales were similar, reminding me of life in the 50's. There were many religeous figures for each, showing a very devout wife. Both had tons of barware and bar memorabelia showing the husband side of their lives. The one I didn't go to also had a collection of Playboy. The old black and white tv in a blonde console with knobs and dials was featured at one.

As I looked through all these pictures last night, something began nagging at me. I'm not sure what it was. It could just be taking prednisone for a week. Steroid therapy, even for a week, can change mood and eating patterns.

I have been whittling down some of my stuff, but still have a long way to go.

I went to one sale today, not the Playboy sale. :) :) :) I saw lots of sales on the way that I thought I would stop at on the way home.

The woman who died had outlived her husband, but everything was there. Nothing had ever been thrown away or given to others. The bar was in the basement just like when I was growing up. This one had a wet bar which must have been added later. There were furs and lots of women's clothing in the basement and filling every closet in the house. Some still had sales tags on them.

I found 2 irons and 2 ironing boards. There were 3 tables of costume jewelry in the livingroom, many duplicates that were still on the cards. There was a quart size ziploc filled with women's watches. Halloween decorations filled a folding table in the basement. Christmas decorations had a table in the basement, and every closet had at least 3 boxed iluminating figures. There were Christmas decorations on what had originally been the breezeway, but was now enclosed.

The whole sale was pretty overwhelming for me. I could tell others were having similar feelings. We weren't having fun. It was very quiet. Conversations were going on, but no one was joking like what usually goes on during a sale.

I recognized myself in this woman. I had my days of being a shopaholic and buying at least 2 of everything. I recognized having clothing that never had the sale tag removed before it was passed on to someone else or donated. It's been a long time since I did that, but once in a while I do buy something that I will never wear. I still have my collections and stashes of fabric, yarn, and dolls.

Already, there was a long dumpster sitting in the driveway of this home. When I left, I just couldn't stop at any of the other sales, even though they were garage sales.

When I go, I don't want that. It's time to whittle faster. I need to sew, knit, or give it away to someone who will use it way sooner than I will. If it can go on EBay, it will go there.

I remember hearing if it doesn't get used in 5 years, it's time to get rid of it. I think that needs updating. If I haven't used it in a year, it should go.

I also think I'll take a break from estate sales and just stick to moving sales.

Sal

Popcorn Lung

It's been a wonderful summer, but not without allergic reactions and benadryl. No epi-pens used, so I guess that's a plus.

It seems like more and more we all learn about the usual things becoming detrimental to our health; butter, cigarettes, alcohol, fat, mosquitoes, ticks, sex, ect. The list goes on and on.

Well now it's popcorn, specificly Orville Redenbacher and Act II microwave. I love Act II!!!
Consumers and factory workers are at risk according to an article you can find at http://cbs13.com/health/health_story_247182329.html

The diacetyl in the butter flavoring is approved by the FDA, but needs to be reduced to the extent possible by the manufacturer.

Well, we all know the FDA approves a lot of things they shouldn't, like latex gloves in food service. From my point of view with latex allergy, I don't want to see latex in anything. Sounds like a good reason to write to the FDA again. I would love your help. Karl Klontz, M.D. is the person to write to about your opinion or reactions to foods handled with latex gloves.

Sal

Adventure of the Day

I just love living on the canal. I never know what the day will bring to me here.

Yesterday friends came over to go swimming. It's hotter today, so I hope they come by again. I will be in the pool when I am done here.

Some awesome yachts have been going through today. Wednesdays seem to be the day they usually come through. I haven't been able to catch where any of them are from because the dinghy is usually secured covering the name and location.

Speaking of dinghys, my neighbor down the way went by in one with a motor the other evening. It was obvious that she was very uncomfortable in such a small boat. They looked like newlyweds when they are actually grandparents. And he looks like Paul Newman, so I really do enjoy seeing him. Well I've digressed.

The specialty today was the GoodYear Blimp. I'm not really friendly toward rubber companies, but I always love it when I get to see the blimp. It always seems low enough that I can reach out and touch it. I think it really has more to do with the size of it. I think the last time I saw it was way over 10 years ago. The PGA was holding the Open at Oak Hill Country Club, and it hovered around Rochester for a few days.

Today it had the digital sign reading something about supporting the USO and referring us to USO.org. I haven't checked the site yet, but sure will do so. Until I played with the picture I took, I hadn't noticed the American Flag flying proudly behind. Check it out.

Sal

Balloons!!!!

I held off for 2 weeks to take my vehicle to the dealership for my free oil change and inspection because of all the latex balloons tied to the new and used cars for sale in the lot. I gave myself a good pat on the back for watching out for that.

I drove into the dealership yesterday and all the balloons were on the pavement with most of them totally deflated. I just patted myself on the back again. I was doing a great job keeping myself safe from all those latex proteins. After all these years, I can stay on top of exposures.

I checked in with a new person working in the service department. He had no idea about latex allergy, but my account stated no latex gloves. I told him I was waiting for my vehicle.

While walking past the parts department & cashier with the half wall exposing the mechanics bays, I noticed new rubber floor runners. I almost made it to the waiting room when I saw all the latex balloons waiting to be tied to the vehicles for sale. They had been blown up, were up at the ceiling, and had their ribbons, or whatever, hanging from them to attch them to the vehicles.

Oops, time to go outside for an hour or so waiting for my vehicle and pray that I wouldn't have a reaction. I did try to accomplish a couple of errands after that. My mistake, I'm now homebound on benadryl again.

Life is truely a challenging experience with natural rubber latex allergy.

Sal

Woodchuck War

I come here often just to check the miracle that I'm here. I haven't had much to write about. Been busy weeding and mulching my flower gardens. I'm finding that some of my flowers aren't coming up any more. I have had moles in the past which could explain this.

This year, my problem is a darn woodchuck who has decided to live under my house. He's using the bunny entrance from last winter. I bought a used Havahart trap at a garage sale, just the right size for him. I didn't know how to set it, so I just placed it over the hole. All that did was make him dig under it leaving me with a bigger hole in the lawn. This was after I'd placed rocks in the hole. Well of course he dug around those.

I sprayed with an animal deterrent. That didn't stop him. Casey is now very aware that he is around. One afternoon, she was jumping out of her skin while watching for him. She knew he was somewhere in the lily clump near his hole.

I made a call to Farmer Mark to help me set the trap. He brought dried corn on the cob for bait. I told him I was ready to dynamite the entrance. The night before, I heard him under the opposite side of the house trying to make a second entrance. It sounded like he was going to break down the bathroom wall. He couldn't make it through the flashing lining the foundation on that side.

The Havahart does work. I caught my neighbor's cat in it. I've reset it with lots of peanutbutter on crackers. He knows I'm out to get him. He's still avoiding the trap. It's beginning to feel like a war zone here.

He showed up in the backyard yesterday. When I went out, he headed for the canal. I told him to go over to Sue's house. Didn't he head right over there. I'm begining to think his IQ is higher than mine. It's that, or Mother Nature didn't like something I did.

Sal

Another Reaction

Sitting here homebound, I am working hard to stay positive.

The last couple of days I've been in too many places. The pollen count has been high for quite a while, which in turn means the rubber dust is high. I have been going to 2 places each day to run errands. I guess I will need to cut back to only 1 a day for a while.

Yesterday I was in Wal*Mart for ink cartridges. Then I was off to the grocery store with my computer list of items in geographic order. I'm sure I was in there longer than my 15 minute limit. I began having symptoms before I was finished shopping, so I really moved to finish and get out of there.

By the time I got to the cash register I knew for sure. The mind fog had set in. I let the cashier know I"d been in there too long, & she helped me pack my bags quickly. I have learned to make a point of letting someone know when I'm beginning to react, if I remember to do it. That's how bad the mind can get with a reaction.

I'm also slowly understanding calling it rubber and rubber dust gives a much better picture to others of what my "problem" is than if I call it latex. Others see rubber all over. They have no idea when it's called latex just how many items in every day life have latex in them. Over 40,000. There is no way to escape natural rubber latex exposure totally. And yet the prime treatment is avoidance, along with inhalers, Benadryl, epi-pens, and steroids. The worst place to go to get the highest exposure is the hospital and the ER.

When reactions occur, it is so easy to belittle ourselves. We think we should have seen it coming. But none of us can forsee the future. We talk about an exposure glass, like a glass of water. When it becomes full from exposures, it overflows, meaning reactions just start happening. There is a cumulative effect from exposures.

This has given me a brilliant idea, even loaded up on Benadryl. Diabetics can test their sugar level. A thermometer is used to check for a fever. How about something to measure mast cell count or histamine release to check on how full our glasses are?

Toothpick Dilema

It's getting into corn on the cob season here. Right now it is still shipped in. The way the weather is going, our fresh farm market corn may be late coming in.

With corn season comes the need for a very important table accessory, the toothpick. These were a very important tool when I was growing up. They were so important, they were kept in a special holder. They were never put away in the cupboard after every dinner, but maintained their rightful spot on the picnic table. We only ate at the picnic table through the summer.

We always had a separate plate of oleo to roll our corn in. That was placed next to the toothpicks before each dinner. Dad even taught us the proper way to roll our corn through the oleo. We couldn't run it through with it's full weight, but had to roll it with just the lightest touch so we wouldn't waste the oleo, and it would last longer. Life was so simple then.

Becoming an adult is not an easy task. Then we have to face the toothpicks that were always just there.

Do I buy flat or round? Mom and Dad didn't teach me this important stuff. Well, I began with flat. That was a big mistake. They would break between my teeth with part of the pick stuck there. I had 500 of them, so I just had to deal with 500 before I could change to round. I couldn't just throw them all out.

Then the flavored toothpicks came out. oooo, cinnamin was great. The taste was so good, but not after a meal. These toothpicks were made for chewing on half a day. Well, it sure didn't look good for a girl, even a tomboy, to be chewing a toothpick.

Toothpicks came out in multiple colors. I bought some before I even thought, compulsive shopping. Who wants to use those and have their teeth become blue, or green? Those did make it into the garbage.

Ok, so I only use round toothpicks. You know how difficult it is to open a box of toothpicks. For the first time in a very long time I opened a box of 800 being ever so careful. I remembered with dread everytime I opened one of those boxes. This time would be different. I'm old enough now to have complete control over the toothpicks. Really!!!

I opened the box ever so carefully on the side. I couldn't find an easy opening. There was an easy open that came apart after I opened the side of the box. Jeez Louise, it happened again. There were toothpicks everywhere.

There were toothpicks all over the floor in no easy order to pick them up all together.

What fell all over the counter was in the same dissarray as those on the floor.

None of what was still in the box were lined up.

What was on the floor hit the garbage after numerous attempts to get them all at once. What was on the counter was put into the holder til it was full. This was a time consuming process. Then there were the picks that were still left on the counter.

Have you ever noticed how what ever is left of those toothpicks will not fit into the box? I gave up to the toothpicks. They went into a ziploc bag instead.

The whole time I was cleaning up this mess, all I could think of was how important it was that, as a child, I learned how to play pick up sticks.

Memories-Indy

Whew, busy time. Here I am taking time out because the race is on rain delay. I have always loved the Indy 500, even before I really was exposed to racing. Every Memorial Day Weekend, it was the sign for me that summer was going into full swing. Jim Nabors sang "Back Home in Indiana", someone announced "gentlemen, start your engines", and then there was the exciting sound of the engines running, the race, the crashes, the winner, and the milk. Mario Andretti always seemed to be the favorite choice. At least, that is the name I remember.

My first real experiences with racing were with go-karts. I learned quickly how to help in the pit, just from watching. This is the least expensive racing, but still costly. It has changed a lot since I was there in the 80's. My favorite races were on dirt, not asphault. I was able to watch stocks and sprints. I loved going to the fairgrounds in Canadaigua on Saturday nights to watch the stocks on dirt. The fried dough was great, but better with each lap as the dirt flew into the bleachers and onto the fried dough. I could never tell if I was crunching on sugar or dirt.

I was very fortunate to be able to go to "the Brickyard". It was way back in 1990 for pole day, the first day of qualifying. Another nurse I worked with got my excitement going even more before I went because she had been there.

The track is actually in Speedway, not Indianapolis. There are small homes there all around the track. I can remember my anticipation in Speedway as we drove bumper to bumper and still most of the time. The other drivers were cordial, and we would joke, asking, "where is the race track?" We had the radio going with reports of what was happening in the pits. I really was hoping to see Paul Newman, but he walked through the pits while we were stuck in traffic.

Entrance was cheap back then, and you could sit where ever you wanted. Parking was on the infield, not outside the track. We could walk through the pits, we could walk into the garage. All the mechanics were dressed in very clean white overhauls.

The trophy is just awesome with each winner's head molded into it. I have no idea, but it seems like they never run out of room filling up that grand trophy. I did get to see Rick Mears, this was the year after his ankles were injured in a crash the previous racing season. I could also see the change in his nose from after burns in another accident. He's still just as handsome.

We left after everyone else because we cooked dinner on a camping stove while waiting for the heavy traffic to dwindle. On the way out, I was able to get a security guard to sell me his shirt, maybe for way more than he paid for it, but I still get to wear it every year during the race.

It's so exciting this year because there are 3 lady drivers. Milka is out now. I'm really rooting for Danicka. She's in 3rd while they are still drying the track. I want to see the race continue.

Because of my latex allergy, I am no longer able to go to these races. I was angery when I first realized this. It was another big loss in my life. I've overcome that now. I can be just as excited watching, listening, and having the wonderfull memories that I have. I can still smell the gas fumes. My neighbors always seem to go away on this great day, so I can turn the volume up to the top and feel like I'm right there.

Sounds like the race may get underway again. I sure hope so for Danicka. I just heard, 45 minutes to go, drying the track. Sure hope that gives a good amount of time with some daylight.

Sal

Canal Open

Haven't been here in a while. The weather has been so grand that I've been working hard in the yard cleaning up and doing new plantings. I'm not as fast as I was a few years ago, but it certainly doesn't stop my dreams for my yard and gardens. The pollen count must be high which would also indicate that the latex dust in the air is high. The eyes wear tearing so badly today, I had to take the benadryl which really slows me down. But I push on doing what I can.
The bird population has increased with more of them arriving for the summer. It's time to get the hummingbird feeders out before they show up and buzz us for food. The canal is full now, and the boat traffic from the locals has been heavy. One of the lockmaster cruise boats went thru yesterday. The out of state boats should be going thru any time now. It is such a welcome sight. One of the skulling teams has already been thru. They just amaze me with their concentration and coordination.
The walkers, joggers, and bikers have picked up tremendously along the towpath in the last few weeks. This is another very welcome sight. I need to brush up on how far it is to the next marina and the next lock. Occasionally I get asked that from walkers and boaters. Wow, I've become a travel agent. :)
I haven't taken time to fish yet because of heavy duty yard work, but I have been checking my bait trap. I haven't caught anything yet. That's ok. There are worms in the fridge. This is just such a glorious place to live. I am very lucky to be here where I am.
Sal

The water still hasn't risen to regular level yet. It has in all other parts of the canal. It's still down from the Pittsford to Macedon lock to help with flood control. With all the rain, the land is really oversaturated. It may be up within another week. It usually is in time for opening day of pike and walleye on the first Saturday in May.

One of my neighbors just couldn't wait for the water level to come up. I took a picture of him with his daughter and his two grand nephews rowing along and having a super time. I just loved seeing them out there. When a person lives in 315 area code, just about anything is ok. We're just a bunch of rednecks. But that's for another time.

If I get the energy level up, I'll do the same with the kayak. The canal has been calling to me for a couple of weeks to get something in that water and paddle, row, or electric motor thru the water. My boat is right side up now. I've bailed several times due to rains. This is pretty funny in itself. Bailing by hand or pump doesn't come frequently enough for my little 12 footer with some of the boat wakes and rain. Why last year it actually sank twice. Seriously hoping not to do that again this year.

Sal

Virginia Tech

I suppose I have a lot to say about the tragedy that happened. I am so sorry for the young people lost and their families. I'm praying for them along with all those who were wounded.

I can't listen or watch the tv. I've seen enough tragedy. It sickens me that people still kill each other for whatever reason in schools, on the streets, and in war. Life is difficult, but it shouldn't be this way.

Sal

My Latex Allergy

Pardon me already. I can't figure out how to publish from my drafts yet. I wrote this on the 11th.

Well this sure is an issue all the time for me and countless others. It reeks havoc for us, or we can just let it roll off our backs. That is easier said than done.

Sometimes it just has to do with how severe the problem can be.

So many of us with natural rubber latex allergy have so little control over our lives. With over 40,000 items in every day life containing natural rubber latex, we have no way to control exposures. We have no way to control reactions. There really is no where we can go without an exposure and usually a reaction.

Many times we will appear to others as anxious, crazy is a more explicit description. Many people including doctors have told us we are stressed out or it's all in our heads.

Some symptoms include hives, swollen eyes and/or lips, difficulty breathing, constant coughing, mental confusion, wheezing, visual changes, no breathing. There are so many more. My brain is lacking at the moment. Don't worry, I'll probably list some others in a different post.

These reactions can not be conjured up in our minds. A rash does not occur from in your mind. A rash does not occur from being stressed out from Christmas shopping for gifts for 2 people.

If you had any of these symptoms, your body would alert you to fight to survive, just as ours do. The fight to survive comes from the feeling of imminent death.

Anxiety is an important warning signal. Wouldn't you get a bit anxious if death was right there for you?

The sad part is that doctors don't always understand this. I guess it's just up to all of us to educate them. It's the only way to change it.

Sal

The Estate Sale

I am tired from today, but for me it was productive and so much fun. An estate sale and a household sale in one day. Wasn't sure I was going to make it to the second one, but I did.

It's spring, and the sales are just begining in spite of snow flurries a few times today. Here I am weeding out my own extra stuff, but I'm getting more from other people's stuff.

The background at the first house was that the woman who died was 100 years old and died in her sleep. I believe that she and her husband came over from Checkoslavakia or Russia. The husband must have worked at Kodak. There were very old brownie cameras there that were before I had mine.

I don't think they came from Russia. That was a time when people couldn't leave the country. You can jump in here at any time. I do believe if people tried to leave Russia, they were quickly moved to Siberia.

I could almost see this woman's life story in front of my eyes. She took great care of all her posessions. There were some old large paperdolls in such excellent condition. All of her old dolls were there, porcelain I think.

Her doll house was there, very old, but in such great condition. I couldn't afford it, but just seeing it brought joy. It had been hand made from wood, complete with all the furniture. Tiny china plates and silverware were set on the round dining room table. All the tiny porcelain dolls were there, including the baby in a stroller. As I looked and touched I could feel what a delight these things brought to her as a child because I was experiencing delight just seeing them.

There were framed photos of ladys probably in their twenties. I found myself fantasizing about her life. She must have been very well read from all the books in several rooms on a very wide variety of subjects.

She was a cultured lady in Rochester. There were several lovely evening gowns in one of the bedrooms that she could have worn for concerts at The Eastman Theater, social functions, and charity events. She and her husband could easily have gone to social events at George Eastman's home(a mansion) on East Avenue.

Although their home was in Brighton(not low or middle class), they were probably in the upper crust of Rochester society. She could easily be in the social circles of Susan B. Anthony and Kate Gleason. She may have attended lunches at the Linsey's mansion(part owner of Sibley's) on East Blvd.

I did have the privledge of caring for Mrs. Linsey in her home for several days. There was the impressive stairway where the hostess could make a grand entrance with a small library at the top of the stairs. There was also a back stairway with an elevator for the servants use. Several bedrooms were in the back and upstairs for live-in help. I did hear of a ballroom in the basement, but I wasn't comfortable trying to find that.

I've just gone off on a tangent, but this is my site, so I can do that. I'm sure I will again and again. I love to ramble, and I'm having fun.

Sal

I Made It

What a special gift to be here and share my thoughts and feelings with anyone who wants to hear them. I have always had a lot to say. Just ask anybody. Ask me a question and my answer will always be at least 10 minutes long. Now I will make up for all the years growing up when I was told to shut up. Such fun!!!
I plan to share so much here. I will talk about latex allergy(natural rubber latex allergy or NRLA) and how it has and is affecting my life. To be here now in this place is really a miracle. There were times I really expected my life would finish out as a bag lady, now they are called homeless. Here I am living in a safe home on the Erie Canal where there is always something cool to see every day. The best place to sit in my home is at the kitchen table in front of the picture window that faces the canal. I have a bird feeder out there close to the window where, if I sit still, I can really see the birds up close. A downy woodpecker has been visiting daily for over a month now. She's pretty bold and will let me move a little while she's out there, so I've named her Miss Whoopee. She probably doesn't hear me, but I do talk to her and tell her how beautiful she is. Guess what! She's not a miss. A couple of weeks after she arrived, hubby showed up. He's Mr. Whoopee, and he's pretty much a wimp. She can chase him off the feeder in a heartbeat, and she doesn't hesitate to do so.
There is a blue bird house in the back yard that is occuppied by different sparrow families every summer. New York is known for it's blue birds. They are the state bird. But they seem to be living somewhere else. There are blue bird houses all over the state to get them back here, but we never see them. Two weeks ago, I saw my first one ever. He was checking out the house. Unfortunately, the very next day a sparrow couple moved in. I had no idea that the bird realestate can be just as competitive as people realestate.
The hikers and joggers have started along the towpath, so spring really is here. It's so good to see them again. The canal was supposed to be filled by April 1. The week before, we flipped the boat. I store it on the beach when the canal drops for the winter. I'm still waiting patiently for the water to rise. I watch every day so that I know when I need to go out and tighten up the lines on the boat. I still can't find the oars. They may have floated off the last time the boat sank, and I just didn't realize it. But then if I cleaned out the garage, they could be there, a task I'm not jumping to do. Once the canal is up, boats will be coming thru from everywhere. I've seen them from as far away as Washington State.
Life here is beautiful and oh so social for someone whose socially isolated like me. I am truely blessed.
sal