MY HOME RUN

March 30, 2015

By Olivene Godfrey

When Tam arrived for the day recently, she asked me how I felt.  I told her I had an "interesting" dream the previous night.  I don't have an "athletic" bone in my body, but in my vivid dream, I was playing baseball with a professional team and had knocked a home run clean out of the park.  Tam laughed so hard I was afraid she would bust a gut.  Now, when Tam arrives in the morning, she will ask if I've knocked any more home runs and that thought brings on another laughing spell.

Tam drove me to Dalton to see my eye doctor last week.  I had to have my eyes dilated which I detest as I feel so helpless until it wears off.  My eyes are in good condition and free of diseases, but my vision at a distance isn't very good.  Since I don't drive any more the doctor didn't think I needed any changes with my glasses.

The trip to Dalton on the "scenic drive" was a delight as so many trees and plants are in full bloom and is a treat for the eyes.

Sunday afternoon:  When we woke up this morning the temperature outside was 24 degrees.  Now at 4 pm the temperature is 61 degrees with bright sunshine.

Barry examined our pear tree and it doesn't appear to be damaged.  He thinks we'll have a "bumper crop" of pears which he will give to co-workers.  I'm not able to eat them due to my IBS, and Barry doesn't care much for them.

See you next time.  Comments welcome.  (As told to Tam)

SPRING IS HERE

March 23, 2015

By Olivene Godfrey

Our friend, Kym, has been counting the days until spring arrives here in Georgia's mountain country.  On the first day of spring, she sent Barry a text message that spring had arrived.  Our pear tree is covered with snow white blooms and the forsythia bushes are a brilliant yellow.  The grass is green and soon the trees will be "leafed out", and I will be thanking our Creator for our pretty country.

I was busy this past week with a doctor visit and an appointment with my hair stylist, Carrie Jackson, in Dalton.  I consider Carrie an artist when she cuts and styles my hair.  Her mother, Tam, my caregiver and much more, shampoos and sets my hair with a curling iron every week.  Her late mother was a hair stylist, too, so it seems to be a family talent.

One day last week, Tam, drove me to my doctor in Chatsworth for a check-up.  Everything tested okay.  I discussed my arthritic knees with my doctor.  On the previous visit several months ago, she gave me shots in my knees, but it didn't stop the almost unbearable pain.  The doctor suggested that I alternate aleve and tylenol arthritis for my pain.  I am starting that program today.  I am unable to take prescription pain medicine as it causes me to have severe nausea.

This week, I have a routine appointment with my eye doctor in Dalton.  And then, I think I'll be free for awhile, Lord willing.

Monday morning:  I had a restless, painful night with a bad IBS attack.  I pray I'll feel better soon.

See you next time.  Comments welcome.  (As told to Tam)

THE REACH IT ROD

March 16, 2015

By Olivene Godfrey

Son, Barry and I are having problems adjusting to the daylight saving time change.  It usually takes us about two weeks to start feeling "normal" again.

Spring is almost here.  The heavy rains we've had lately has plants and trees budding out, and is beginning to send the dreadful pollen in the air.  We like living in an area that has four distinct seasons.  Despite the pollen and my past spring bouts with pneumonia for a couple of years, I guess spring is our favorite season here in Georgia's high country.

Last night (Friday), Barry cooked us a delicious supper.  He sauteed catfish fillets in his electric skillet.  I can't eat fried food any more.  Barry's fish fillets were just as delicious as fried fish.  He also baked potatoes, wrapped in foil, in the oven and they melted in our mouths.

Barry is becoming a good cook.  He says at first he started cooking because I'm no longer able to.  He has learned how to have all the foods he is cooking to be ready to eat all at the same time.  He chills our large tea glasses, and just before we eat, he pours freshly brewed tea over ice filled glasses.  Barry is a perfectionist so he will continue to cook new foods, I predict.

I want to pay tribute to a gadget that Barry and I call "The Reach It Rod".  I use it several times a day when I want some item I can't reach from my recliner.  I am unable to walk without a walker which is frustrating.

See you next time.  Comments welcome.  (As told to Tam)

HOUSE OF CLOCKS

March 9, 2015

By Olivene Godfrey

When I woke up this morning, I felt a sense of euphoria and remembered that spring is almost here. It is a Saturday, I remember, and Barry brewed a large cup of Starbucks, house blend ground coffee for me. It's loaded with flavor, the blend of fine Latin American beans roasted to a dark chestnut color, balancing tastes of nut and cocoa.  Yum!

For several years, Barry has been buying clocks that could be called weather stations.  They show the time, the temperature outside and inside, with the date and some show the day of the week. All of the clocks except for two or three automatically sets to daylight saving time. I don't care which time zone we're in, I just wish it would remain the same all year. It takes me about two weeks to adjust to the changed time.

See you next time.  Comments welcome.  (As told to Tam)

AM I LOSING MY MIND?

March 2, 2015

By Olivene Godfrey

I'm 87 years old and sometimes I hear music in my head.  So, I found a column by Marilyn vos Savant in a Parade magazine Sunday (3/1/2015) of interest.  A person in their 90's asked Marilyn if she could explain why they sometimes heard music.

Marilyn said some seniors who sometimes experience this phenomenon often keep it to themselves, afraid they're losing their minds.  They are harmless.  Author Neil Bauman, who wrote a book about the subject, named the phenomenon "musical ear" to get rid of the term "hallucination" with its scary connotations.  He suggested that a primary cause is living in an environment that is too quiet, causing the brain to replay sounds from its memory.

I spend quite a bit of time by myself and our house is very quiet, but I don't know if that explains why I hear music or not.

Recently, when I've watched the evening news on TV, I hear dramatic symphonies while the reporter gives the news.  I thought it was the real thing.  I told Barry I wasn't going to watch the news as long as they played that music.  Barry informed me that there was NO music in the background.

Several nights I have awakened in the night with the sound of a full orchestra playing music in our long hallway.  When Barry was a child, I took him to performances of the Chattanooga Symphony and also the Atlanta Symphony.  Barry was impressed by all the instruments and the music.  I know all those instruments couldn't fit in our hall but I've still heard the "symphony" performing several times late at night.  It's reassuring to know that it's "harmless".

See you next time.  Comments welcome.  (As told to Tam)