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COLD GUSTY WIND EVOKES SCARY MEMORY

By OLIVENE GODFREY

Son Barry drove us to Chatsworth for an early lunch this past Sunday. It was a beautiful fall day and we enjoyed looking at the colored leaves along the sides of the roads. The colors aren't at their peak yet but are still gorgeous. We had a craving for Kentucky Fried Chicken which isn't on my diet but is so "finger licken'good". We ate from the buffet at our excellent
KFC place. ( I just heard on TV that KFC is going to take the trans fat out of their chicken. I hope it will still taste good.)

Last week, before we had several heavy frosts, Barry moved the patio plants we wanted to keep into the garage and also the huge Ficus or weeping fig tree into the house. Before he could bring the tree inside, it had to be pruned as it grows so huge during the summers when it is on the patio. It is in front of a window now and gets the morning sun and we hope it will thrive during the winter.

Last weekend, the time changed from Day Light Saving Tine to Standard Time and the change always upsets my internal clock.
I don't care what kind of time we have but I would like for it to stay the same year round.

I've told you before that our house is located in the wind tunnel that comes down from our mountain and we often have strong, gusty winds. On a recent, cold windy day, Barry reminded me of the windy day when I literally had to muster up from somewhere the strength to save our house from possibly burning down and physically harming myself.

My late husband, Ralph, decided a few years after we moved into our house to use a wood stove for heat that winter. I told him that I had "been there, done that" during my childhood and our early married years and wanted no part of it, that I was happy with central heat. But, he won the argument and installed the heater in front of the fireplace in the den. One cold winter day I was alone here and was in the den when a really strong gust of wind came down the wind tunnel and blew the two stove pipes apart, sending smoke into the room. Instinctively, I rushed to the adjoining kitchen and grabbed two large pot lifters and ran to the stove and somehow managed to get the pipes back together. I called Ralph and he hurried home and fitted the pipes together with screws which he admitted he should have done sooner. Before the winter was over, Ralph grew weary
of chopping wood and tending the stove so we went back to central heat the next winter.

See you next time.

DATE SET FOR MY CATARACT SURGERY

By OLIVENE GODFREY

I have known for several years that I have cataracts on both of my eyes, worse on my left eye. My vision is blurred in my left eye and can no longer wait for surgery. So, I spent two stressful hours in my eye doctor's office one day last week
having tests and making arrangements for my surgery which will be in a few weeks. I have written instructions regarding preparing for the surgery a couple of days prior to the surgery date.

The office tests which consist of flashing lights, etc.... showed that I don't have glaucoma which runs in my family. Also, my
diabetes hasn't affected my eyes. My doctor said that I am a good candidate for the surgery since my eyes are healthy except for the cataracts.

After I have surgery, I won't need glasses except to read if all goes well. Some people don't need glasses at all after the surgery. I hope I can be rid of bifocals which I detest.
I have heard a lot of praise for this surgery and hope it will be right for me. I Have only had one surgery and that was thyroid surgery in 1976. So, I am a bit apprehensive about my upcoming surgery and am aware of the risks. But, I will think positive and pray that the surgery will be successful.

See you next time.

WE GOT OUR FLU SHOTS & MONDAY MORNING THOUGHTS

BY OLIVENE GODFREY

As I write this on a cloudy Monday morning, the weather people have forecast rain today through tomorrow. We need the rain very much so I hope we get a good soaking rain minus any storms.
We had a cold snap this past weekend and after seeing my doctor on Friday, I stayed home all weekend in our warm house. The doctor was pleased with my office blood pressure reading. She reviewed the previous blood pressure readings in the memory of my monitor. She thinks the spikes I had been having on some days was caused by my body becoming adjusted to the new medicines she prescribed about a month ago. I don't have to return to see doctor for three months. I hope my blood pressure continues to be stable.

Son Barry and I got our flu shots this weekend which was a relief for us. We were unable to get the shots last year due to a shortage of the vaccine. I stayed home most all of last winter and drank large amounts of orange juice and wasn't sick any, not even a cold.

The doctor examined my ears and all the wax is gone but I am still hard of hearing. I can't afford hearing aids so guess I will stay deaf which is frustrating for me and people who try to talk to me.

Barry hasn't been able to bring the patio plants inside because of a pulled muscle or maybe arthritis in his upper back. The plants don't seem to have been damaged during the cold snap
and they have grown so large that it is hard to transport them to the garage. Barry will need to prune the plants before they are moved inside. We would like to have a small greenhouse and maybe one day!

Recently, my long time friend, Julia, called and we had a bad phone connection so we didn't talk very long. I was so glad to hear from her as she has been diagnosed with Parkinson's which is what my late husband had in his last days and I know firsthand what a terrible disease it is. She was once so vibrant and creative as a poet and songwriter. Before Julia and I ended our conversation, we both agreed that we hate old age.
Some call old age the Golden Years, but I say that is hogwash!

My friend and neighbor, Geneevelyn, also called one day
and we had a nice chat. She is concerned about my health and I appreciate that. She has done a lot to help me over the years and its comforting to know that she is nearby if I need to call on her again.
See you next time.

UPDATE ON INCREDIBLE POINSETTIA & OTHER STUFF

By OLIVENE GODFREY

Last November,(2005) I purchased a large,healthy poinsettia plant and placed it on the den's sunken floor, in front of a large picture window. The plant apparently got just the right amount of sunshine and being on the floor, it has stayed cool all year round. Son Barry waters the plant with a small Dixie cup every day. And then we have left it alone. The original red leaves have been replaced with large green leaves and it has grown to be a huge plant. The plant is now in the period when it needs to have uninterrupted, dark nights. This will last from about October first to last of November.

We are hoping the plant will re flower in time for Christmas. The research Barry has done indicates that this is difficult to achieve. The "flowers" are actually large bunches of colored leaves. It is the most popular flowering plant in he U.S.
even though its sales are just about six weeks.

When I recently had wax removed from my ears, I seem to be able to hear better. Now, my hearing is worse than ever and I am going to discuss this with my doctor when I see her later this week. She will also check my high blood pressure which isn't
as high as it was for a while, but is still too high.

WE are having pretty fall weather now and I haven't felt like getting out in several weeks. But, I was determined to have some kind of outing on Sunday. So, I got dressed up in my
pretty red blazer outfit. WE ate early lunch in Chatsworth and then came home and I rested a while. Then, Barry drove us to the Dalton mall and we got good haircuts at MasterCuts. I bought my sister, Jeanette, a humorous, mildly insulting birthday card.
If she received a "sweet" card from me she would be worried about me and maybe herself. My December birthday is coming up and she said this past weekend that she was going to start looking for a card to send me.

See you next time.

HEALTH REPORT & NOTES FROM MEMO PAD

By OLIVENE GODFREY

I am pleased to report that I feel somewhat better now than I have for several weeks when I was having blood pressure problems. I go back to the doctor in a couple of weeks and hope I will be completely recovered by then.

Son Barry had a physical a couple of months ago and his lab work was perfect except for his cholesterol being too high.
The doctor started him on a cholesterol lowering drug and told him to have lab work again in two months which he recently did.
The doctor was astonished that Barry's cholesterol had dropped so dramatically. He doesn't have to go back to doctor for six months. He seems to be in really good health now except for his arthritis which he says he is controlling with fish oil.
And that is good news for him and for me.

We are having great weather now--warm sunny days with cool or cold nights with a few rain showers scattered around. October is such a gorgeous month with the kind of weather and blue sky that has longed inspired poets and adds a zing to our steps.

I recently read in USA Weekend that if you floss your teeth 4 to 6 times a week, you can add about three years to your life. Since I have a fortune invested in my teeth, I floss often, so I wonder if I may add three years to my life, or, have I already lived the extra three years?

I keep reading that coffee is being hailed now for its wide range health benefits. And, tea is also supposed to be a good health drink. I've never been a great coffee lover but do like a cup with my breakfast in the mornings. My late mother loved her coffee and often had her first cup of the day in her bed when she woke up in the mornings. Since I have been having high blood pressure problems I have been drinking caffeine free coffee in the mornings.

I love iced tea, preferably sweet, with a dash of lemon and plenty of ice. I sweeten my tea now with Splenda and it still taste good. I use caffeine free tea as we drink iced tea for supper every night. When I was diagnosed with diabetes a couple years ago I gave up my beloved Classic Coke for Diet Coke and
like it a lot now. I haven't switched to caffeine free Coke as I feel I need a little caffeine to perk me up at times.

See you next time.