Technology--"It's Really Simple"

Jim and I have heard that phrase too often in the last weeks.  I would like to think that we are reasonably intelligent, somewhat tech savvy, and able to follow directions.  But we have been frustrated as we ventured into newer items of an electronic sort.

First, there is our new furnace and air conditioning system--run by a digital thermostat.  We let the fan run continuously and just change the temperature at night.  One of these days we will hold our breath and change it to the heat mode.  Apparently we can even regulate it when we are away from home by adding an app.  We are not quite ready for that yet.

Then there was the new TV for the basement purchased from Best Buy at a real bargain.  We set it up trusting that we did not need the Geek Squad because we were told "It's really easy."  We did get it set up but found it would not connect to Comcast.  So we contacted Xfinity, they came out, and not only hooked up our basement TV but also set us up with a new box and a remote that is voice activated.  Wow!  We say "CNN" or "PBS" and it finds the channel for us.  We're not sure if there will be a $60 charge on the next bill--but if there is, it was worth it.  I do mourn the password we had for years--the Fibonacci sequence--but Jim couldn't remember how it went and chose an Ethiopic word which was more his style.

Then there were the problems with our four year old iphones.  Jim's was charged at night and dead by morning; mine refused to text until I turned it off and back on again.  Jim has been saying for a while it was time we traded them in and yesterday he convinced me.  We spent well over an hour at Verizon buying our new phones, getting all the gear that the young lady convinced us we needed, and listening to her say "It's really simple to transfer everything from the old phones to the new ones.  Just follow the directions."

We tried.  We really tried.  Jim managed to get everything but email on his.  I could not even get that far because it said I had not backed up the old stuff when my settings clearly said that I had.  So we headed to the Apple store and despaired of a 1 1/2 hour wait.  We went back to the Verizon store which was not busy at all.  Jacob (who said he really went by Hank!) helped us with great skill and patience.  It was clear to me that even he had to do some problem solving but he was not discouraged or dismayed.  All my favorite apps (Dark Sky, Fitbit, NPR, Hilton) are there now and I haven't lost any photos or videos.

I feel as if I am a password generating machine.  I know it is not advised but sometimes I'd like to change them all to one easy to remember code.

Time to clear out all information from the old iphones and mail them in for a refund.  Hope we can do that with ease.

Cataracts, Part 2

I really dreaded going back to Unity Hospital for the second try for cataract removal on my right eye.  I would lie awake thinking how I was going to be assertive and refuse any medication or eye drops until I was reassured that they had the right implant for me. I was embarrassed that I was as angry and confused as I was after the aborted surgery.

I prayed about it but did not have much peace about the whole procedure.  Yet I felt I had to go through with it again and didn't want to start over with anyone else.   On the night before surgery Jim called me into the three season room, set me down and said he had something to say--that he would be the one to tell the staff not to proceed with anything until we had reassurance.  I figured that was my answer to prayer--that Jim took over for me.

And he did the next morning.  Supposedly the error had never happened before and the protocol at the hospital has been changed.  The doctor reassured us, the staff all knew what had happened, (everyone said, "So you were the one") and we went ahead with the surgery.  The preparation was easy enough.  During surgery I was aware of lights and shapes in my vision, but I really don't remember much of it or the recovery counseling.

Once again, Jim got us Krispy Kreme donuts and coffee on the way home.  I was expecting to be able to see out of my eye afterwards because Jim was able to do so and so was my sister.  But I could see nothing but tan and brown blobs--no vision at all. After a while I thought I could see light at the windows.  A few hours later I thought I could see my hand in front of my face.  This frightened me so I called the office and was told it was because of the antibiotic shot I was given.  No one had warned of this side effect and if they had done so, it could have saved me some real concern. 

The doctor called that evening and said some folks could see right away and for others it took 24 hours because of where the medication ended up in the eye.  At least that is the way I understood it.  I have a follow-up appointment with a doctor Jim has seen often and really appreciates--I am going to clarify that with him tomorrow.

My eye sight is good enough now although there are still auras around light.  The floaters are almost gone and the pain is gone--it wasn't severe but I was aware that eye movement caused pain.

I think I will enjoy going without glasses--especially when I can use some make-up again around my eyes.  I've tried on reading glasses at CVS and they seem to work fine.  I chuckled to see that there were cheap ones in packs of three.  I know it will be easy to lose them.

It is strange to go without glasses. I've worn glasses or contacts since 5th grade.  I am used to taking my glasses off to relax or sleep and that signal is gone.  When I drive I wear glasses with the right lens poked out.

For a few days, I was not myself.  Food and drink had no appeal the day of surgery.  I haven't felt much like reading or writing a blog or in my journals.  I can't do yard work or much house work because I shouldn't bend over.  But all of this is getting better and so I am writing tonight.

I have been thankful for my children's concern expressed through texts and phone calls.  My friends have been very supportive--friends from church and even my Goodreads pen pal from the state of Washington.  Jim has been very kind even when I have to ask him to pick up stuff from the floor or from the dishwasher or dryer.

One more week and we go through all of this again.  I will be very glad to have all of this behind me and ready to leave on our October trip.

Moonflowers

Several years ago I noticed a plant with spectacular white flowers while walking to the boardwalk at night in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. The next morning I looked for the flowers again but could not find them.  This seemed very strange to me until I learned that they were moonflowers which bloomed only at night--and only for one night.

 Since then I have tried to grow my own moonflower plants with greater or lesser success.  I learned that one has to start with seeds because seedlings don't seem to be available around here.  This year many of my seeds germinated.  I was able to give plants away to friends.

 The three seeds I planted have done better than ever before.  Maybe it's the compost I have used.  Or maybe just good luck!  I planted two seeds under the mailbox and they are threatening to block our mail.  I planted just one seed by the garage and bought a trellis for the vine to climb.  The plant got so large that the trellis fell over.

Last night I counted 13 large white blossoms on each plant.  I went out to take a photo this morning and it was too late.  They were already curling in on themselves.  I will pluck them off later.

Once the first blossom appeared--and you have to wait until late August-- I posted a photo on Facebook.  A friend posted a recommendation of a favorite book  The Moonflower Vine by Jetta Carleton.  The book was out of print but I got a used copy from Better World Books.

 What an absolutely lovely book!  It's the story of a family in Missouri around the turn of the century.  However it begins in the 1950s with the daughters of the family coming home for their annual two week stay with their elderly parents.  The first chapter is a happy and almost sentimental account.  So it is not a spoiler to say the book has a happy ending but as you go through the rest of the sections, each one featuring another member of the family, you see that there were times of rebellion, lust, alienation, anger and a tragic death.

The moonflower is definitely a theme in the book as the family hurries to get home to see it bloom at sunset.

"She looked around at the good thing she was granted-green fields, good pasture, shining weather. The air was fresh, the birds sang, and she had seen a white heron. Matthew was waiting for her. The children were coming home. And they would watch the moonflowers bloom. Oh, if she never got to heaven, this was enough..." 

Cataract Surgery Aborted

I have had trouble with auras around lights at night for quite a while.  This summer I began to struggle more with seeing the scores when playing the organ.  And I always take my glasses off for computer work and reading.  So it seemed time to start the process for cataract surgery.

First step--seeing an optometrist who referred me to Laser and Cataract Institute--a place Jim has visited for years for his eye problems.  It was a long and involved appointment there lasting almost three hours and ended with scheduling my surgeries and paying a down payment for their laser guided process.

This morning after fasting since midnight we checked in at Unity Hospital for my first surgery.  The whole process went surprisingly smoothly and easily compared to the more involved one for Jim last year at St. Joseph Medical Center.  I was given some anesthetic for "conscious sedation" and many drops for numbing and dilation.  But once I was rolled into surgery, the crisis began.  Apparently someone ordered the wrong lens for me and the surgery had to be aborted.

I was confused and angry and frustrated. I was partially sedated and very hungry and thirsty.  The doctor went to the waiting area and told Jim we had an issue.  Jim was concerned about what an "issue" could possibly be fearing the worst!  The doctor explained it to both of us and was very apologetic.  The director of the surgical area was also very apologetic and gave Jim a $25 Walmart gift card for our gas, she said, which I really just find insulting.   One assistant said this was the first time this had happened since the hospital opened.  I said I wasn't sure I wanted to reschedule and would have to think about it.

Cucumber Tom Collins
and Tacos

On the way home Jim got me a Krispy Kreme donut and some coffee which definitely helped!  I called the Institute to cancel a follow-up appointment and found that they already knew about the situation.  That eased my anger somewhat because I knew they were upset as well.

Meanwhile the dilation is slow to disappear from my eye and I felt a bit dizzy from the sedation or the eye strain.   We did enjoy Happy Hour at Granite City however!

 My blood pressure has been high all month and was really high today so I am going to see Dr. Blechl tomorrow.  I probably will reschedule the surgery--the office gave me my choice of times under the circumstances.  I feel like I should apologize to the doctor because it wasn't his fault.  I hope he can excuse me realizing that I was functioning under "conscious sedation."

It has been a very frustrating day.

Cottage Week

A few cottages from us--no beach at all!

Tuesday:  Maybe it will be our last week renting this "historic"  cottage right on Lake Michigan north of Tunnel Park.  We didn't rent last year and if we move East next summer, we may not rent again!

Riley Woods

It's a beautiful day right now but Jim and John had to give up golf when the weather was so wet overnight that the course couldn't open this morning. We have had one very cold day and night and then the last two nights were very hot--and no air conditioning.  The breeze off the lake helps a lot but 80 degrees inside at 11 pm is still warm.

Cobb Salad--Boatwerks

We have had three good walks--to Tunnel Park, in Riley Woods, and on the boardwalk at Ottawa Beach. We ate on the patio overlooking Lake Macatawa at Boatwerks twice--with Jim's sisters and spouses on Monday and with Lois and John after a happy hour on our deck today.

We've been here five nights without a spectacular Michigan sunset.  It's been so cloudy that the sun slips quietly away.

Wednesday:  Last night it rained so hard during the night that I woke up feeling rain on my face in bed.  It rained much of the day.  When it cleared in the late afternoon, we walked the trail and climbed the 239 steps to Mt. Pisgah and enjoyed a great view of Ottawa Beach and Lake Macatawa.

At last tonight the sunset was glorious and kept getting better and better over the next 45 minutes.

Thursday morning:  The changing weather has been a factor all week.  Last night was so cold that I put a sweater on and used an extra quilt.  This morning it was 52 degrees outside!

We have adapted to our surroundings when it comes to doing crossword puzzles together.  Without a daily New York Times in print, we go to the archives and do a puzzle together but each on our own laptop.  It certainly is neater when you make a mistake to delete a letter or two.  It is also easier when you are giving up to ask for "reveal" or "check" for a letter or word.

I've missed watching the Cubs which we have been unable to get televised after last Saturday.  I listened to a bit by radio but Jim does not enjoy that.  He gets updates and enjoys (usually) the recap on his phone.  They  won seven in a row but lost yesterday.  A new pitcher (Hamels) and a new infielder (Murphy) have been sparks for them.

Jim finally got on a golf course today.   Meanwhile I met a friend from my childhood, Judy Spanninga Schickel, at Ottawa Beach Inn for lunch.  We had not seen each other in 50 years and had a great time catching up and looking at old photos.  I wish I had asked someone to take a photo of us.  The waiter was very patient with us and said we could stay until closing at 9 pm if we wished!

Friday morning:  The sheets are in the dryer; we'll make up the bed when they are ready. We are drinking our coffee and almost ready to pack up and go home.
It's about a two hour ride and then I jump into my activities--practicing the organ for the service on Sunday, getting ready to tutor a new student on Tuesday, checking out the yard for issues, planning meals, getting groceries, and back to my purging of our stuff.

It's been a good week.  It was good to be out of our usual routines and now it will be good to be back into them.

Digging into Jim's Stuff

Bluebooks from student
days in the 70s

I have gone through most of my stuff.  I am hesitant to tackle my journals because I tended to write in them as therapy.  They may be depressing.  The photo albums look overwhelming so I'll postpone them until later too.  I can't get rid of everything.  Just yesterday I received a request to tutor another adult at Hope Ministries so I'm glad I saved some of my teaching materials.

So I started in on Jim's stuff!   Rather than asking him to do it on his own, I have been bringing up several folders each day from desk drawers in the basement.  He has recycled almost everything I bring to his attention.  In fact, I am the one who says we need to save this or that.

 I saved the letters of employment from North Carolina State University--the first one offering him a tenure track position as an assistant professor for $13,000.  This was 1976 and we thought that would do very well for us.  Each year there was another complimentary letter from Bob Bryan, the department head, with a nice raise.  There were letters recommending Jim for a teaching award and a research award.  They were worth keeping too. We did throw out  rejection letters and there were a few of those as well.  We don't need to be reminded of the tension of job searches.

There were lots of Dead Sea Scrolls clippings.   For several years, the release and publication of the scrolls was quite controversial with accusations of bias and withholding information.  Jim was quoted in our local papers as well as some national papers.  I kept single copies of some of the articles, but we did have in one case, at least four of the same thing!

Today's pile includes Jim's seminary and Harvard notes.  Yesterday's was the notes from his years of teaching undergraduates at NCSU.  Tomorrow's may be the pile of sermons he delivered as a guest preacher.

When Jim retired, he gave so many books to graduate students and donated others to the Theological Network which meant some ended up in an Ethiopian seminary.  But there are so many more.  Downsizing from really two rooms at home with books along the walls and an office surrounded by books is going to be painful and difficult for him.  Good thing we have plenty of time to do this with no date for a move set yet.

Memories

Boxes seem to be muliplying.  I thought I was finished with boxes of cards and letters and programs and clippings and then another one shows up.  Once again, the trash and recyclable bins are getting full.  Many items are hard to throw out.  Maybe when the moving time gets closer, I'll get more disciplined.

I took apart a scrapbook I made at age 15 when my family took a trip to Quebec and upstate New York.  I have a friend who collects postcards so she got all of those.  I remember parts of that trip well.  My dad who may have been leery of driving on steep Quebec streets hired a driver to give us a tour.  That driver offered me and my sister cigarettes and I was thrilled to be treated like a grown-up.  He also brought us to a convent, rang a bell in this dark entryway, and a nun came out of the darkness with a skull in a jar--supposedly some explorer from early times.  No wonder that sight has stuck in my mind all these years!

I found clippings of the 1956 Hudsonville tornado that killed several in the area and devastated many homes and businesses.  I remember being in our basement and wondering if our relatives were OK and Jim who lived much closer remembers seeing it.  Our high school Latin teacher was a woman who went back to college after the tornado killed her husband and child.

There was a touching photo of my Dad smiling from his hospital bed in a veteran's hospital in Detroit where he spent a year recovering from back surgery in 1950.  For me that stay was an adventure; for my mother and him it must have been so difficult.  They wondered if he would ever walk again.  But in later years of his life he was known as the walking man as he walked miles to get his morning donut with his buddies.

And then there was the album of high school graduation photos.  As I pulled them out, I tried to remember names.  I quizzed Jim on them.  Long forgotten folks came to mind--especially when we looked at the back for identification!  With some reluctance, I threw most of them out.  We have yearbooks that will preserve those names and photos.

There was an autograph album from 8th grade full of silly rhymes like "By hook or by crook I'll be the last to write in your book."    "1 car 2 kisses 3 weeks later Mr. and Mrs."  It made me smile and I decided to save it--for now.

So many people have come and gone in our lives.  There were lovely notes from my 6th grade students, letters from Scotland friends, letters from graduate student days at Harvard,  and  letters from North Carolina friends.  There were letters from family members mailed to the many places we have lived over the years.  It's hard to think how important all those people were in our lives and now some of them are gone and most of them have disappeared from our lives. 
At the same time I am feeling grateful for new friends here in South Bend.  Emails from two of them brought tears of gratitude to my eyes yet yesterday.  Texts from Dan and Laura and Jeff were also received happily yesterday as was a phone call from Dan.   But of those there are no records for me to peruse, Lord willing, ten years from now.