JULY 4TH - AMERICA'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED & AFTERMATH OF MY SURGERY

June 28, 2013
By Olivene Godfrey

On July 4th, America's birthday celebration, brings back memories.  My late mother's birthday was July 4th.  For a number of years before she passed away, at the age of 92, as many family members would come celebrate her birthday with a cookout at our house.  Afterwards, mother opened her gifts and we always enjoyed the day.

Barry and I haven't entertained since then.  Our family circle has been broken and only my sister, Jeanette and I are left.  Barry and I will cook supper on the grill and just take it easy.

I still have some bruises beneath my eyes, even after 4 weeks since my eye-lid surgery.  Barry said the doctor told him and Tam that the skin beneath my eyes is very thin and bruises easily.

I am tired of looking like I've been in a bad fight and I'm ready for the bruises to fade away.

I haven't worn any makeup since the surgery except for lipstick.  I didn't wear much makeup before the surgery but I seem to have more time in the mornings now and I may just give up makeup except for special occasions.

I hope each of you have a happy July 4th.  See you next time.  (As told to Tam)

PREPARING E-BOOK FOR PUBLICATION

June 21, 2013

By Olivene Godfrey

Since Tam is working in the final stages of having my novel, Seasons, ready for publication as an e-book, people who know I write fiction have asked if I've been influenced by one or more author's writing style.

I admire several authors work.  But, the first author's work to impress me as a girl were novels of the late Kathleen Norris.  She wrote many popular romance novels that some considered sentimental and honest in their prose.  She was the highest paid female writer of her time, and many of her novels are held in high regard today.  She was born in 1880 and died in 1966 in San Francisco, California.  She began her career as a newspaper writer in her home city.

My novel, Seasons, could be described as a "coming of age story,"although the characters are older.  I asked Tam to describe the novel and she said, "It's a sweet love story," and each of my novels have featured a "love story" no matter the theme.  I'm hoping to have Seasons published in printed books also, soon.

I'm still enjoying the portable refrigerator Barry bought me recently.  When I was a girl, my best friend and I would put Mounds candy bars in the refrigerator until they were almost frozen and they were delicious.  Barry has been keeping some Mounds in my refrigerator and I sure am enjoying the treat.

See you next time.  (As told to Tam)

EYE DOCTOR PLEASED WITH MY CONTINUED RECOVERY OF EYE-LID SURGERY

June 12, 2013

By Olivene Godfrey

Yesterday, son, Barry drove Tam and myself to the surgeon's clinic to have an exam and stitches removed from the blepharoplasty (eye-lid surgery) that I had last week.

The eye doctor was well pleased with the aftermath recovery I am having.  While I think I still look awful he said I "look great," to my relief.  He thinks the discoloration will be about gone in a couple of weeks.  The removal of the stitches was painful but didn't take long , thank goodness!  I return to the clinic in six weeks.  I am having some difficulty reading the paper but that is supposed to clear up soon.

When we returned home, the Home Health Nurse was waiting for us.  So, she took my vital signs, which were perfect.  After lunch, my former neighbor, Genevelyn, and her friend, Troy came to visit awhile with me.  Troy recently had the eye-lid surgery and we compared notes.  Genevelyn brought me a bouquet of flowers from her garden.  She is loving her new home but we miss having her across the road.

Last week, Barry bought a compact portable refrigerator for my bedroom suite which I'm keeping drinks in.  Genevelyn kids me that I am "spoiled rotten" which I agree and I'm loving it!

See you next time.  (As told to Tam)

I MAY LOOK LIKE A MUSKRAT BUT I HAVE MY BIG BLUE EYES BACK

June 7, 2013

By Olivene Godfrey

I had my eye-lid surgery a couple of days ago; and, so far, I've done well.  When I look at my face in a mirror, I'm startled and then I'm horrified.  I look like a have a bloody muskrat's face.  I used eye ice packs on my eyes continuously for the first two days and some of the swelling has gone down.

Barry and Tam are taking good care of me, for which I'm grateful.

Tam will drive me to the eye doctor's clinic the first of next week to have stitches removed and to see how I'm healing.  For a number of years, my droopy eye lids left me seeing through small eye slits.  Now my big blue eyes are back.  A bonus is that the surgery has improved my appearance as well as my vision.

See you next time.  (As told to Tam)