Happy Mothers Day mom.   I so wish you were here so I could tell you that and give you a big hug and kiss.

Here in SC the trees are leafing out almost as you watch.   I saw the first azaleas blooming and temps in the 70-80 range.   However there is a downside.   The tree pollen count is incredible high and everything is covered in greenish yellow pollen.  Cars, furniture, siding, cats.   It’s not a pretty sight.  I’m sure it will go on for another week or so.   All the windows are shut and you try to stay indoors as much as possible.  Looking forward to being able to spray everything off.   Rain forecasted tonight so that will help.

I’m still coughing and stuffed up but not as bad as last weekend.   I think I had some kind of 72 bug because it was more than just being stuffed up.   Over the counter medication helps quite a bit and I am back sleeping in my own bed again, although I do like the guest room bed.

Dana Rae was a book editor and was also updating a book she wrote years ago about being a caregiver for a cancer survivor.   She helped her first husband through that.  She wanted to do this new edition as a print on demand book as well as an e book and she has been a HUGE help to me in learning about how to do my book revision.  We talked a lot, not only about the new book but about many other things.  Her ailing mother, her dogs, her garden, her clients books, etc.

Since the end of February she has been battling a bad cough and hasn’t been at the pool lately.   I have been in email contact with her a couple times and left her a couple voice mail messages.   She lives close by and I have an Easter lily I wanted to bring her this week.   I had not heard from her.

Her husband called an hour or so ago and told me she died this morning from advanced lung cancer.    I’m having a very hard time getting my brain and heart around this.   Her family isn’t having any newspaper announcement or service here in Greenville so there is no way like that to say goodbye.  I feel bad.

The last two years it has been a modern day play but this year it is called “The Shadow of the Cross” and is about the three very dark days from when Christ died to when he was resurrected.  Sounds like an interesting story.

Here is the description from Bob Jones University.

Have you ever seen a work of art that looked so real that the characters almost seem to breathe? In Living Gallery this is no longer just your imagination—the people in the larger-than-life paintings, sculptures and stained glass are real.

The unique Living Gallery program combines original drama, special choral and orchestral arrangements, and breathtaking live portrayals of classic works of art to celebrate the story of Christ’s Resurrection.

We are invited out on Easter for dinner so looking forward to that also. Enjoy the season.

Pretty Place, yes that is what it is called.   Well named don’t you think?  This is about 45 minutes from our house.   The photo doesn’t do it justice.   It is really a very spiritual place.

Second photo is the view from Pretty Place

Third photo is spring in the mountains

Fourth photo is Falls Park in downtown Greenville SC

At the Riley Institute at Furman we heard a presentation from JAG, Judge Advocate General, Dana Chipman, a 3 star general and parent of a Furman Student.   He spoke about the challenges the army faces with the recent decision to allow women in the infantry, sexual assault issues, repeal of “don’t ask don’t tell” and the one I didn’t think about, the problems with grooming and dress codes.    In a half hour presentation he clearly explained these topics as well as answered some very interesting questions from students, Furman president and even one from Bob.    Definitely worth an hour of our time.

An OLLI Bonus class was a lecture from a Furman chemistry professor on Molecular Gastronomy.   This is a topic you foodies have to start to learn about.   I had heard of it but now understand more about what the possibilities are for really cool new taste pleasures.   It’s not so much a new food but eating a familiar food in a form it has never been before like a foam, crystal, etc.   Start checking around your town to see if there are any places who are preparing food like this.   They also are doing some interesting things to beverages so check out the high end bars.  I don’t think Greenville is there yet but will keep my eyes open.

So I went to the Wild Bird store and bought 500 worms in oat bran in a little plastic container.   I knew to put them in the refrigerator and that they would be dormant.  I accidentally covered the container which had tiny holes in it and I was afraid I smothered them.  I put a few out in the feeder but they didn’t move nor have they been eaten but it’s only 50 outside.   The store told me to feed them some apples or potatoes or carrots so after a week I decided to try that.  I put in some chunks of potato and left the container at room temperature for 24 hours so they could eat.   Well, much to my pleasure, when I went to check on the food I saw that my worms were VERY MUCH ALIVE.   I think this week it is too cold for the birds to come for worms.   I’m going to get some other food they like and try to attract them that way.

March 15 I guess the hummingbird scouts can start to come to SC so I have my hummingbird feeder out.   So far I haven’t seen any but again, it’s a little colder than normal.   I took down the suet feeder to make room for the hummingbird feeder so definitely have some birds not happy about that.    Hope it warms up soon.  Wish me luck.

At 9 a.m. I left for the Newcomer monthly coffee and annual book sale.  Always a popular event.   We collect books, cd’s, DVD’s, from members and sell them for $1 – $3.   We made $700 for our club.   I also got $50 in donations for the Wounded Warrior Project.   This is a great program to help our veterans.  At this meeting we also approved some substantial donations to three charities.   I can’t wait to tell them!

Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP)  serves veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound, co-incident to their military service on or after September 11, 2001 and their families. On that date, America watched in horror as approximately 3,000 people died including hundreds of firefighters and rescue workers. Many warriors note a sense of duty to volunteer for the military following these tragic events.

After that I got a very quick lunch and headed to my two OLLI classes that were just starting this term.   Here is the descriptions of them.

 Psychology 101 FOR THE AGING ADULT

The field of psychology has expanded and experienced major breakthroughs in its knowledge since you first took Psych 101 in College. We now have a much greater understanding of why we behave the way we do, what motivates us, how to be happier and more loving, ways to improve our relationships, how to feel better about ourselves and others, methods for developing meaning and purpose in our lives, and how we might grow to achieve our unique potential in the world. This class will blow your mind with all that you never learned in school – Neuropsychology, Evolutionary Psychology, Positive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Transpersonal Psychology. We will discuss the expansion of Consciousness and Multiple Intelligences, Psycho-Spiritual Development, Self-Actualization and Enlightenment, and more. Join us for this multi-media, fun, and interactive look at why we are the way we are.

 The other one is Appalachian History: Post Civil War to the Present.  Both Bob and I are taking that one.

Appalachia evokes many images–beauty, serenity, landscape, humor, values and great literature on the one hand–and poverty, violence, ignorance and destruction, on the other. The region’s history, post-Civil War to the present includes all of these, from the beauty of an Appalachian forest to the demise of the American Chestnut to feudists such as the Hatfield and McCoys and to Appalachia as a mineral colony. This class will explore the real history in contrast to stereotypical Appalachia found in the local-colorist school of literature beginning after the Civil War.

After that a drive over to Loaves and Fishes to learn about what is needed for Newcomers to sell tickets to their big fund raiser Taste of the Upstate.  Here is information on the event and this great non profit organization.

49 percent of the 68,989 children attending Greenville County schools (34,032 children) are eligible for free or reduced price meals at school.

Taste of the Upstate brings together the finest chefs and restaurants in the Upstate, top corporations and individuals who help to raise critical funds needed to end hunger in our community.

This year, our goal is to raise $50,000 to benefit our community.
Poverty is complex; feeding someone in need is not. Please join us with a donation or sponsorship in this incredible opportunity and let’s work together to ensure no one goes hungry in the Upstate.

I got home at 7 p.m. exhausted and hungry and with a brain very full of the days events.  Today is a much quieter day although we are going to an event at Furman tonight.  “Combat Boots and Benefits: Equality in an Era of Change”
Don’t miss the chance to hear the army’s top attorney, Lt. Gen Dana Chipman, Judge Advocate General of the US Army, speak on “Combat Boots and Benefits: Equality in an Era of Change” This fascinating talk will focus on how the military is on the front lines of social change as it begins to allow women in combat, equal benefits for gays, religious exceptions to grooming, and also seeks an environment free from sexual harassment.

You sure can’t say I don’t have any variety in my life.   I am busy but very happy and love it that I am continuing to learn new things and help others.  I highly recommend retirement!

Bob wouldn’t let me dress up Smoky and Sabrina so I found some pictures that look like them but with some St. Patrick’s Day decorations.

This really looks like Sabrina down to the little white speck on her face.

The would be what Smoky looks like.  He doesn’t look to happy, does he?

Happy St. Pat’s day!