What IS that sound?

One of my father's quotes that stuck with me was,
"Experience is a dear  [as in costly] teacher, and fools will learn by no other."
I'm not sure where he got that from...maybe Ben Franklin [who was known to be pretty smart].
This reference must be partly responsible for my willingness to learn from others, along with learning something from my mistakes.
That being said...
Standing at my kitchen counter, I began to prepare dinner... which for me is to get whatever it is ready to 'nuke'.  I removed the eggplant roulettes from the refrigerator and began to cut them into smaller pieces before warming them up in the microwave.
Instantly I became aware of a 'shushing sound' that began when I closed the door.  I decided that it must have been the compressor turning on...or some other explainable routine sound. So I ignored it at first.
When I opened the refrigerator to return the leftovers, there was this enormous mass of white cloudlike substance!  What the hell?
My first thought was 'the Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters' had made a guest appearance !
Actually, the can of ReddiWhip Cream that lived on the door of the frig must have gotten pressed up against something on the edge of a shelf when I closed the refrigerator door ...causing it to pppsssssstttttt!
Had I immediately checked out the strange sound, the Reddi Whip can would not have had the chance to empty its entire contents in every possible direction imagineable.
So....what did I learn?
When in doubt, check it out...sooner rather than later.
My father's other quote that remains steadfast in my thoughts,
'Only a fool runs out of gas!'
Come to think of it, I see a connection there.
  Sooner is better than later.
And for the record, my car has never run out of gas.  I have been a passenger in a car where 'the next gas station' turned out to be quite a long walk.  Lesson learned?  For the drivers ? One can only hope!!
Me?  I already knew that...

It's a Small World...

I went to visit my mom in her new [nursing] home abode, and I brought my 'lil grey dog with me.  Grace [poodle extraordinare!]  has been welcomed by many senior residents as well as staff members in both New Jersey and New York.  Mom was in the community TV room readily identifiable by her favorite 'adopted' navy blue sandals which she wears rain or shine,  in winter, spring, summer, and fall.  Her reclining wheelchair was parked next to her roommate [whose fame is humming tunes on a regular basis] . There were many grey- haired ladies with names like Doris, Dorothy, Eleanor, Agnes, Frances ...names that you just don't hear anymore.  And of course....Florence!!
As fate would have it, Flo's roommate is the grandmother of  one my son's high school marching band favorite friends.  Jer's g'ma was bunking with Kate's g'ma  fifteen years after high school. Far out! Small world.
 I pulled up a chair next to Mom and Fran, and told her that I had spent the day with my friend Margaret. An instant connection was forged because I shared Margaret's hello and excitement!!
" Flo's roommate is Fran??  She is a wonderful person. and she and my mom were best of friends!! "
When I mentioned the last name, Fran nodded in acknowledgement,
"Oh yes!   Jane!" 
Again...small world.
One of the residents asked me what the dog's name was and I answered,
"Grace...Amazing Grace"
And then I suddenly became aware of a quiet 'hum', and recognized the tune.  Since I am well known for my ability to burst into song at any given moment, I joined Fran.  There we were...in the community gathering room, with Poodle Grace  on Flo's lap and desperately trying to lick her face, as Fran and I hummed a verse or two of "Amazing Grace".
It was a moment frozen in time that can be described by one word...

 AMAZING!

Decisions....

It was 5 years ago on April 15th that my mom had the stroke that was to change life as we knew it then.  She has lived with me for four and a half years with the help of some pretty amazing, caring people. Flo's pleasant disposition [most of the time] and the fact that she knew when she needed a ride to the bathroom[ that in itself was majorly important]  made the situation a good one. 

Well, Flo crested that 100 year old hill and has developed a new pattern in life where she is awake for two days [that includes the night hours] and then crashes for a two day sleep [which includes the daytime hours].  I could manage the sleeping part, but the 48 hours of ' awake with an agenda'  were taking their toll on everyone. 
After realizing that this was happening quite regularly, the handwriting was definitely on the wall [and Flo often thought she saw writing on the wall!]  I live by the message of The Serenity Prayer, and after accepting the things that I could not change, and I  changed the things I could.. now I must acknowledge that last part which is...to have the wisdow to know the difference. 

So, tomorrow 'Sweet Flo' as she was known on the third floor during the recent  respit stay at a local nursing home is now checking in as a resident.  Reality is hard to deal with sometimes.  I remind myself that it is a change in arrangements and Gracie [ dog extraordinaire] and I will be visiting often with lots of hugs and kisses. 
And there you have it.
Rip Van Winkle will be checking into a ' room at the inn', and I will be taking my turn at the Rip Van Winkle experience.
More stories to follow, I'm sure. After my long winter's nap.zzzzzz.

Holidaze

Another holiday with all of the ascribed festivities has come and gone.  Family came into town, and we dined on a fine 'guaranteed delicious' meal prepared by a local restaurant in town.  Now it's back to making some big decisions on the homefront and hoping for some good health news about friends and their families. 
I happened upon this quote and liked it. And so I am sharing: