Penguins, Pot & Other Stuff

Was in downtown Hamilton yesterday picking up a few things at Jackson Square.  On my way home, who do I bump into-Nurse Bea.  Bea was the very first nurse I met up at Chedoke Holbrook when I started my rehab after my accident in 1972.  She’s a big, proud Jamaican woman who always dresses super fancy.  Great person & great nurse.  Funny thing was, I was thinking about her just last week-wondering how she was doing!  Talk about coincidence.

 

Bea told me she’s doing well but is slowing down a little bit.  Also dealing with severe diabetes; lost her left leg to it just last year.  Still looks good though!  And, of course, still dressing like a movie star.  The first time I met Bea was a bit of a scare for me though.  She had come into my room to help, well, let’s just say she was going to have to do things with her fingers to help Mother Nature along for me!  And Bea had the longest fingernails I had ever seen!  She saw the look of horror on my face and said "don’t worry honey, you won’t feel a thing".  She was right!  Bea must have put on 4 or 5 pairs of rubber gloves but everything went smooth as silk.

 

So nice to see you Bea!

Yesterday was such a lovely day, Brother Mike & I made plans to head out to Waterford again for some fishing.  This time, Herb tagged along.  An early start and off we went.  Within the first half-hour Brother Mike hooked into a small pike & bass.  Herb caught the first decent size fish-a nice little bass.  Lots of panfish.  Brother Mike also pulled in a nice little bass.  Was a great day with lovely weather and some biting fish.

 

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It was a couple of weeks ago but I had to hold off on posting until a picture or two were available (thanks Heather & Janet).  Got together with Janet & Heather and Bernice for some lunch at Acclamation, a lovely little restaurant on James Street North.  Unfortunately, another coworker-Rita was a little under the weather and could not make it.

 

Was nice to catch up on how everyone is doing.  Heather & Janet have started their own businesses while Bernice continues to be with the Employment Supports Program of the Provincial Government.  It’s nice to be able to keep in touch.  And having some good food certainly adds to it!

 

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While I was dealing with that kidney situation back in December, x-rays showed I had a kidney stone that had to come out.  Today was the day.  Off to St. Joe’s Day Surgery Department for 8:30 a.m..  Got all the paperwork done and I was on a stretcher with IV in place by 9:30 a.m..  11 o’clock saw me in surgery.  Wasn’t long before the old sleep medicine did it’s trick.  I have to admit, I kind of enjoy going under.  Try to fight it for as long as I can but, in the end, I always end up in La La Land.

 

Next thing I know, it’s 12:15 PM and I’m waking up in Recovery.  Everything went well.  My blood pressure was a little elevated but once that settled, I was ready to go home.  Brother Mike arrived just as I was getting put back in my wheelchair.  Instead of going straight home, we drove by McMaster and he showed me the Ron Joyce Stadium that is now the McMaster Marauders playing field.  Quite a setup!  The Hamilton Tiger Cats are using it as their training facility.  Brother Mike & I might head out there this Saturday to watch the Black & Gold scrimmage.  Oskee wee wee!

 

Then, back home.  Needless to say, with fasting from midnight, I was ready to eat & drink.  I did get a head start as I had asked the information girl at St. Joe’s to have a coffee ready for me around 2 PM.  As I was leaving, lo and behold-she saw me and ran up with not only a coffee but a cookie too!  I will have to figure out a way to thank her for her good deed; maybe some flowers!  If she plays her cards right, dinner could be included.  Anyway, the cookie & coffee held me over until dinnertime when I chowed down on one of Lady Kathryn’s offerings that Brother Joseph had brought over.  All in all, a good day.  The surgery went well, I got coffee & a cookie from the info girl and then enjoyed some delicious chicken & rice.  Still, thank goodness it’s over!

Kaleb got another haircut yesterday.  Man, he likes to keep it short!  Reminds me of my younger days when they brush cut was the way to go.  No soccer ball designed on Kaleb’s head this time though.  Apparently it hurt too much to put it on last time!

Got an invitation from Liz & Charles (I will refrain from his real name in this post because he provided free food).  They wanted myself, the lovely Trish, Paulo, Jeannine & Kaleb to come over for a barbecue.  So yesterday, an absolutely perfect barbecue day, off we went.  The lovely Jenny (daughter of the one whose real name I will not use) and her friend Hannah were also there.  Before we sat down to eat, it was off to the Dundas Driving Park.

 

That used to be one of the favorite places for Mom & Dad to bring the family when we were younger.  When we got there yesterday, the memories came flooding back even though the park has changed quite a bit.  I recently put some old family movies on DVD for everyone and it was nice to match the scenes from the DVD to the current real-life scenario.  Gone are the old roundabout, teeter totter and slides.  Still though, a very nice park.

 

Then, back we went to chow down.  Charles took care of the cooking and he managed to get by without burning anything.  A lovely selection to choose from: burgers, sausages & chicken.  Some delicious salads and everyone was happy.  Unfortunately, desert proved too traumatic for Kaleb as the ice cream Charles brought out was not nut free!  We would have stayed longer but Trish was dying to get back home to watch the hockey game.  Since she did such a great job taking pictures, we said our goodbyes and went home.  A great day.  Thank you Liz & Jenny.  Yes, and I guess you too Charles!

 

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Very interesting reading http://www.thespec.com/Wire/News_Wire/Science/article/575685

It was a spur of the moment decision but I headed out fishing with Brother Mike and the lovely Trish.  Once again, it was out to the Binbrook Conservation Area.  A little cool but more than bearable.  The first hour or so saw both of them pull in several little ones: sunfish, perch & a baby bass.  Then, Trish hit the mother lode!  She pulled in a lovely smallmouth bass that had to be around 3 pounds!  Talk about a proud fisherwoman.  Certainly showed the boys up!

 

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Brother Mike and I went down to Ivor Wynne Stadium on Sunday to pick up our seasons tickets. The club was hosting a party for seasons ticket holders. Quite a nice event.  Free food from Swiss Chalet: chicken, perogies & salad.  The playing field was open to people.  Checked out the visitors locker room.  What a hellhole!  Also talked football with Auggie Barrenechea, starting middle linebacker.  That guarantees a better season!  All in all, a nice way to spend an hour on a Sunday afternoon.

 

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