Grandbaby Update

We have some good news this evening! An ultrasound confirmed today that our mother-to-be is doing well, and baby is, too. The due date is September 14th-ish, as Sarah puts it.

I continue to be amazed at how prenatal care has progressed over the last 30 years. It doesn’t seem that long ago, but so much has happened in that short period of time. Today Sarah and Mark were able to see the baby move it’s arms and fingers. The organs are developing as expected. Just a whole bunch of wonderful information that tells us all to relax and enjoy the ride.

And to answer the burning question… the one that says go forth and shop… the answer that Willi repeated with great voice and ferver after I gave him the good news long distance… to all within earshot… “We’re having a boy!” Yipee!

Ah, ah! Oh, no

When it rains, it pours. And sometimes it comes in through the roof. Last weekend I had the occasion, don’t ask me why, to look up at the ceiling high above our stairs down to the family room. What I saw were two areas about 18 inches in diameter that were obviously water soaked, but still intact. There were no drips, just ugly messes in the plaster ceiling that we so lovingly patched after the last problem. Which had been fixed about nine years ago. It’s so high up we have to rig a scaffold just to get to it, so I haven’t actually got my hands on it yet. Actually I don’t know that either of us will this time. We’re not quite as fearless as we were back then. So in addition to the roofer, we will probably require the services of another to tear out the wet spots and repair them. Glad we got our vacation in, otherwise we might have called it off.

It’s funny what you think of when something like this happens. The kind receptionist at the roofing company assured me that no-one needed to be at home when their representative came to measure. I told her I assumed the leak was where the two portions of the roof were joined, at the rear of the house. I didn’t tell her this, but I also fully realize that it may be time for a new roof in general. As I laid in bed last night thinking about the cost of college tuition for two kiddos, combined with the cost of a roof, my mind drifted to someone planting a ladder in the back of the house. I immediately began to worry about the Trillium that have tripled in number on the ground directly beneath the culprit sheets of roofing. I’m sure that is where I would set my ladder if I had to climb up, so it only goes to figure he will do the same. This morning before I left for work, I made a makeshift sign warding off any trampling of the Trillium. Hope he sees it.

My mom would have appreciated my concern for her old roof, but more importantly, our precious Trillium. After all, she was the one who first brought them to my attention. As I drove off to work, I found myself singing an old song we used to sing together. I figure the Serendipity Singers would forgive my changing the words as little.

Ah, ah! Oh, no, don’t let the rain come down
My roof’s got a hole in it and I might drown
Oh, yes, my roof’s got a hole in it and I might drown

There was a crooked man and he had a crooked smile
Had a crooked sixpence and he walked a crooked mile
Had a crooked dog and he had a crooked spouse
They all lived together in a crooked little house

Well, this crooked little man and his crooked little spouse
Saved their crooked sixpence for roofer for the house
He’ll bring some crooked nails and a crooked little bat
And try to fix this roof with a rat-tat-tat-tat-tat

So this crooked little man and his crooked dog and spouse
Will all live together in a crooked little house
That has a crooked door with a crooked little latch
And a crooked little roof with a crooked little patch

Ah, ah! Oh, no, don’t let the rain come down
Ah, ah! Oh, no, don’t let the rain come down
Ah, ah! Oh, no, don’t let the rain come down
My roof’s got a hole in it, my roof’s got a hole in it
My roof’s got a hole in it and I might drown

Actors and Politicians

It’s been an event filled month or so here in Northwest Indiana. First we did the Hollywood thing as Johnny Depp filmed scenes from his upcoming movie in the town Dillinger put on the map. Although there are some that shun that connotation, everyone was crazed for an entire week. Even in our office, where the average age is 50+, the gals were anxious to post the mail or take a trip to the bank. The weather was cool but clear and lunch hours were the perfect time to stroll down to the square in hopes of seeing some action. Many locals made it a family affair since the kids were out of school for spring break. Hundreds lined the streets in front of the old jail house, and were rewarded on more than one occasion for their efforts. It was an exciting rite of spring.

Fast forward a week or two, and you find a hotbed of political pandering as Indiana prepares for the first primary in my remembering where anyone considered our votes important in the Presidential arena. At least where the Democrats are concerned. Both candidates have set up local offices. And both have made visits to surrounding towns. You probably saw the pictures of Hillary sipping a shot and a beer at Bronko’s, formerly known for their outstanding pizzas. Hillary and Johnny, both in less than a month. Will Crown Point ever be the same?

My former journalism teacher in high school, who is now a columnist for the local paper said, ” I hope a beer at Bronko’s doesn’t fool anyone. When Hillary Clinton stopped for a shot and a beer Saturday night, she was doing little more than pandering to the working class. Anyone wearing a blue collar should have been offended.” He went on to say, “Obama is right. People are bitter. Those who once had jobs in Northwest Indiana steel mills are bitter because foreign nations are dumping steel here and our government is doing nothing about it. I wonder how many unemployed steelworkers have sat on that Bronko’s bar stool used by Hillary. Think about it.”

Another columnist ran a piece about how people responded to the question, “If your Democrat loses, will you vote for McCain?” One Clinton supporter said, “Not only will I vote for McCain, but I will donate money, I will canvas, I will phone bank, I will fight against Obama.” And from the other side of the fence, “If Obama fails to clinch the nomination, I’ll vote for McCain. McCain scares me, but Clinton scares me more.”

Huh?

Last evening Michelle Obama filled the gym at a local intermediate school, and Chelsea Clinton has been around, too. Barack Obama spoke to a packed house in Gary, all the while the mayor extended and withdrew an invitation for debate in less than a days time. Which is probably a good thing given the sad state of the last debate.

It’s been interesting, to say the least. The actors have been replaced by politicians, but the theatrics remain. It’s funny how their visits so closely resemble each other.

On the more enlightening side, last Monday I sat in on a discussion group at the local Barnes and Noble bookstore. I have to admit that my curiosity got the better of me, given that the topic was a sermon by Reverend Wright. As it turned out, the entire sermon was provided in text which led to a genuine exchange of ideas and information. What a novel idea.

Could it be?

We’re home and settled. It seems like we’ve been gone for ages, although it’s only been a week. The weather today is far better than what we had on vacation. Funny how it works that way sometimes. We’ve been out inspecting the yard for signs of spring. I fully expected that we would miss some of the blooming beauties while we were gone, but they are pretty much the same as when we left. Not quite there yet.

I did find something interesting this morning, though. About eight years ago, we planted a Dogwood tree in the back yard in hopes that we would have blossoms the next year. Each spring we wait with great anticipation, and nothing happens. There are beautiful green leaves, but that’s about it. From the house the tree looks exactly like it did all winter long. But on closer examination, I found a whole bunch of these little guys on the tips of several of the branches…

I don’t want to get my hopes up too high, but I visited a couple sites, here and here, and found these pictures of Dogwood buds.

Wouldn’t that be something? Guess we’ll find out in a few weeks. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

Springtime in Nashville

We have yet another rainy day today, so here is a picture of what we found on sunny Wednesday. We set out for Cheekwood Arboretum in search of the illusive Dogwood bloom. Although we found almost the entire Dogwood garden in bud, there were no blooms. There were however, many other spring beauties in flower and tree. In one section the Mock Oranges were so fragrant it was breathtaking. Here is the beautiful sight we first had when walking into the park. We spent the entire day walking the park. Although there was a stiff cool wind, the sun was bright and glorious.

Thursday we visited the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum to see the Williams Family display. We had been to the museum a few years ago, and not much had changed. We did enjoy seeing it once more, and the story of Hank Williams and his family was well worth the admission.

The show last night was so good, today we headed over to Grimey’s to see an in-store performance of the Felice Brothers before they pulled out on the road. These guys are the best. I know that in time I will be saying, “I heard them when they were first getting started.”

Over the last ten years, Willi and I have found every nook and cranny that contains a Dogwood tree. We always take the paths that lead past them just to get a glimpse. And look what we found amidst the raindrops today! Although not yet fully in bloom, it was a glorious sight!

The big decision now is, do we hold out and leave Sunday morning in hopes that tomorrow’s warm and sunny forecast brings on the blooms? Or do we head home tomorrow and have a day to recoup? Geez.