Saturday, July 24, 2010
My Frustrating Medical Journey
Right now I am on the verge of tears. I am totally frustrated and want to let some people have it but know it certainly wouldn’t enhance my Christian testimony. Heading toward a month ago Ter and I went on a camping trip. After we got home my skin went absolutely BONKERS! I was pretty sure what was wrong, but gave it a few days to calm down. I called my dermatologist and ended up getting a big runaround. I called my regular office, was told to call the other office in the same building, they told me to call the first office back. I was literally begging for an appointment with the girl on the phone. I even offered to come and sit in the waiting area as a “work in”, where you wait for any crack in time to be seen. I was still refused an appointment for two and a half weeks!!! I went into Ter’s office in tears with all the crap I had just been through. This included listening to ads for new dermatological treatments while I was on hold! They promised me I’d be on a waiting list for any cancellations….I wasn’t going to hold my breath. My dear OB-GYN finally called the dermatologist office to let them know I REALLY needed to get in to see a doctor. She even got the runaround when SHE called. She was NOT impressed. I FINALLY had my appointment last week and my suspicions were confirmed that my psoriasis has flared up as badly as back in 1994. They decided to put me on this ultra expensive medicine, enbrel, which costs 30k per year. This was because it would actually be cheaper for us out of pocket wise. Over a week later we are still in the process of getting this medicine started. First it was certify to the insurance company that I am not a good candidate to go back on the UVA therapy because our insurance company would want a $40 copay every time I walk in the door for a treatment. Tally that up at three treatments a week for a month….almost $500! Then I was told to come back the next day to get a TB test so I would have over the weekend to react if I would. I did that, then was informed I had to get yet more bloodwork to test for things they don’t usually test for during my yearly physical. All right, once again I’ll do what I’m told although I am starting to loose patience with this whole process. After forty eight hours I called the doctors office to see if the results had come through. I was informed yes, they had, but now we’re waiting on approval from the PHARMACY and their delivery to the doctor’s office. For God’s sake, how many approvals do we have to go through so I can get started on my healing!? I’m certainly NOT afraid to give myself the shots they are talking about. I lost my fear of needles many years ago. I’m sick and tired of sleeping on the couch so I won’t wake Ter up with my tossing and turning, not to mention trying to get my feet up to try and at least keep the horrible swelling in my legs and feet half way under control. I’m sick of laying on the couch more than I should because of this condition. My goodness, if this were a life or death situation I would have died days ago with their dragging things out. I was told when I called today pretty much, don’t call us again, we’ll call you when the medicine comes in from the pharmacy. I would NOT give this office as high marks for compassion and efficiency as when I’ve gone in the past. Yes, they gave me a couple of different crèmes which are at least making me half way comfortable. I can walk a little more comfortably and my plaques (areas of psoriasis) are not quite as angry red. I am also more willing to go out in public in shorts, even though I still have the large areas of discoloration which is what the Enbrel will heal. What I really want to do is get started on the actual healing process and quit this lollygagging around. What in the world will things be like when our lovely, forced down our throats, Obamacare really kicks for “health care reform”? I know this is uncharacteristic of me to unload here on my blog, but I would appreciate prayers to get past these roadblocks and get going on this thing. Thank you all
Friday, May 21, 2010
What a week!!!
It has been quite a week. We spent last weekend working at the MayFest Bluegrass music festival at the Lowell Fairgrounds. The only disappointment was we missed a lot of the music with making sure the monies from the sale of t-shirts, hats and other things were turned in to help support the bluegrass association. We did very well with sales as well as the attendance. Attendance was up quite a bit from the past couple of events where we have worked. The bands were absolutely great including my personal favorite, Cats and the Fiddler. The group is comprised of twin brothers and their female cousin and their talent is absolutely phenomenal!! They are only fourteen years old and are about to release their fourth CD, absolutely amazing!! They have already appeared before the International Bluegrass Music Association for their songwriting talent. I feel they look forward to a great future in the field. I did have to leave for a little while Sunday morning to participate in our end of choir season musical which went very well.
We also decided to try out our new-to-us pop up camping trailer along with seeing how Tippy, the wonder mutt would take to camping. The trailer did fine, Tippy not so well. Tippy made it known she did not like being left shut up in the trailer. She wouldn’t bark, but she would cry and cry. We took her home because we didn’t want her bothering the other campers. I don’t think she’s going along when we take our camping trip up to Charlevoix. She just has to be around people and unfortunately she isn’t welcome everywhere for sightseeing.
Tuesday night was also the end of season District Award dinner for Boy Scouts. I do have to admit I was wondering if something was up because so many people had asked if I was going to be at the event. I wouldn’t allow myself to think about getting anything because it usually only serves to lead to disappointment. We got to the dinner a little late but before the eating had started. After dinner the handing out of awards began. I always enjoy walking in the “Old Crabette” Patrol walk where we welcome in new members. I don’t really understand what is behind it all, but we have a lot of fun. Ter was welcomed as a member of the “Old Crab” Patrol which he has wanted since I was brought into the “Old Crabette” one. Now I can officially call him “Old Crab”, better be ready, dear! As the evening wore on, many deserving people were recognized. Our Troop had around half a dozen people who were recipients of different honors during the dinner. The portion of the evening where the bigger awards are passed out came around. The requirements for the “Chuck Champlin Outstanding Commissioner Award” were read and I kind of heard them tell my dear friend Mary to escort me to the front where they announced I had received this award. All I could do is mouth the words, “Thank You”, a couple of times and walk back to my seat. I sat down and started to cry. I was overwhelmed as I have never thought I would be eligible for any of the bigger Scouter awards because I’m not nearly as active in Scouts as some of the other people. The lady kind of MCing that portion of the award brought up the extremely difficult situation I was handed my first year as Commissioner which made me think of the people who helped get me through that time. Thank you all so much for helping me to this honor. They surely saved me from being a washout in a very short time. I had a hard time settling down to sleep for several reasons that night. Thank you so much Mary Cooper for nominating me for this high honor. The Award will hang on my office wall in great pride.
We also decided to try out our new-to-us pop up camping trailer along with seeing how Tippy, the wonder mutt would take to camping. The trailer did fine, Tippy not so well. Tippy made it known she did not like being left shut up in the trailer. She wouldn’t bark, but she would cry and cry. We took her home because we didn’t want her bothering the other campers. I don’t think she’s going along when we take our camping trip up to Charlevoix. She just has to be around people and unfortunately she isn’t welcome everywhere for sightseeing.
Tuesday night was also the end of season District Award dinner for Boy Scouts. I do have to admit I was wondering if something was up because so many people had asked if I was going to be at the event. I wouldn’t allow myself to think about getting anything because it usually only serves to lead to disappointment. We got to the dinner a little late but before the eating had started. After dinner the handing out of awards began. I always enjoy walking in the “Old Crabette” Patrol walk where we welcome in new members. I don’t really understand what is behind it all, but we have a lot of fun. Ter was welcomed as a member of the “Old Crab” Patrol which he has wanted since I was brought into the “Old Crabette” one. Now I can officially call him “Old Crab”, better be ready, dear! As the evening wore on, many deserving people were recognized. Our Troop had around half a dozen people who were recipients of different honors during the dinner. The portion of the evening where the bigger awards are passed out came around. The requirements for the “Chuck Champlin Outstanding Commissioner Award” were read and I kind of heard them tell my dear friend Mary to escort me to the front where they announced I had received this award. All I could do is mouth the words, “Thank You”, a couple of times and walk back to my seat. I sat down and started to cry. I was overwhelmed as I have never thought I would be eligible for any of the bigger Scouter awards because I’m not nearly as active in Scouts as some of the other people. The lady kind of MCing that portion of the award brought up the extremely difficult situation I was handed my first year as Commissioner which made me think of the people who helped get me through that time. Thank you all so much for helping me to this honor. They surely saved me from being a washout in a very short time. I had a hard time settling down to sleep for several reasons that night. Thank you so much Mary Cooper for nominating me for this high honor. The Award will hang on my office wall in great pride.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Hail farmers who feed us
It has been all too long since I posted a blog. It’s not that there isn’t anything going on…it has been extremely busy. We are getting ready for Relay for Life, Scouts is winding down for the season, and so are choir and AWANA at church. I will be ready for the summer break for sure this year.
Things are busy on the farm, too. Unlike the past couple of years they have been able to get on the fields early for planting. Here’s hoping we don’t get a late freeze or a sudden influx of rain to drown things. It is good to see life going on for another season on “Belly Acres”, as my husband calls the place. It amazes me how the place has been very productive for almost 120 years. My great grandparents bought the place in 1891. Even though it has been downsized fairly drastically the part we own is still very productive. I heartily disagree with those who criticize farmers from every direction. You’re ruining the earth with your farming practices whether you use chemical or “au naturel” (manure) type fertilizers. You are mistreating your animals if you have a beef,pork, or chicken operation. At times you wonder how much about farming some of these people actually know and understand who are making the rules. It is no wonder more and more farmers are selling out and the big what they want to call “factory farms” or CAFO’s (concentrated animal feeding operations) are becoming prevalent. With all the government regulations, poor prices for the crops or whatever is produced, and other factors family farms can no longer remain viable. Or they do with great difficulty. It is like the “mom and pop” type stores which can’t compete with the big chains. It is a shame what is happening and there are people who don’t want to admit the government interference as a factor. Here in Michigan we recently had the Governor declare a “Meat Free Day” through out the entire state. Don’t eat meat at all on this particular Saturday. It did not go over well with the population, particularly the farmers. They saw it as a slap in the face to the second or third largest industry in this badly hurting state. The howls of protest did reach the Governors ears and she changed the proclamation to “Agriculture Appreciation Day.” In California the irrigation water to one of the richest agricultural valleys in the state was shut off by the federal government because of a smelt type fish they said was endangered. Protests to Washington officials were ignored even when the Governor of California protested the move. The unemployment rate for the region quickly jumped to about 50 %! Pennsylvania had a very short lived law which stated no one under the age of eighteen could drive farm equipment on the road…not even the farmer’s children. Not even to cross the road if interpreted strictly. They couldn’t even drive a pick up truck to help with the work along with having to keep a log of the time they were driving in fields much like a truck driver keeps. Thank God this was quickly amended to not include farming.
There are times you wonder if people think the food at the grocery store just magically appears for them to buy. They don’t realize the work and expense behind how the food makes its journey from the field or barn to the store. Many farmers are carrying a lot of debt trying to stay in operation. The big buildings , equipment, and everything exist but how much of it is being paid for over many years? I know of a farming operation which had a manure spill. They reported themselves to the state which resulted in a $15,000 fine plus they had to build a new containment system which cost over $300,000. Not a small amount of money!! I know my opinion is biased with growing up on a farm and I will never be ashamed of being a farmer’s daughter. My family was never rich, but we had pride in what we did and what we produced. We were proud of the quality of milk we sent to the processor and the corn and wheat we sold at the elevator. Things have changed drastically since I was a kid with much more foreign competition in many markets. I pray each year as the growing season starts that our renters will have a good crop and no disease will go through their dairy herd. God bless our farmers!!!
Things are busy on the farm, too. Unlike the past couple of years they have been able to get on the fields early for planting. Here’s hoping we don’t get a late freeze or a sudden influx of rain to drown things. It is good to see life going on for another season on “Belly Acres”, as my husband calls the place. It amazes me how the place has been very productive for almost 120 years. My great grandparents bought the place in 1891. Even though it has been downsized fairly drastically the part we own is still very productive. I heartily disagree with those who criticize farmers from every direction. You’re ruining the earth with your farming practices whether you use chemical or “au naturel” (manure) type fertilizers. You are mistreating your animals if you have a beef,pork, or chicken operation. At times you wonder how much about farming some of these people actually know and understand who are making the rules. It is no wonder more and more farmers are selling out and the big what they want to call “factory farms” or CAFO’s (concentrated animal feeding operations) are becoming prevalent. With all the government regulations, poor prices for the crops or whatever is produced, and other factors family farms can no longer remain viable. Or they do with great difficulty. It is like the “mom and pop” type stores which can’t compete with the big chains. It is a shame what is happening and there are people who don’t want to admit the government interference as a factor. Here in Michigan we recently had the Governor declare a “Meat Free Day” through out the entire state. Don’t eat meat at all on this particular Saturday. It did not go over well with the population, particularly the farmers. They saw it as a slap in the face to the second or third largest industry in this badly hurting state. The howls of protest did reach the Governors ears and she changed the proclamation to “Agriculture Appreciation Day.” In California the irrigation water to one of the richest agricultural valleys in the state was shut off by the federal government because of a smelt type fish they said was endangered. Protests to Washington officials were ignored even when the Governor of California protested the move. The unemployment rate for the region quickly jumped to about 50 %! Pennsylvania had a very short lived law which stated no one under the age of eighteen could drive farm equipment on the road…not even the farmer’s children. Not even to cross the road if interpreted strictly. They couldn’t even drive a pick up truck to help with the work along with having to keep a log of the time they were driving in fields much like a truck driver keeps. Thank God this was quickly amended to not include farming.
There are times you wonder if people think the food at the grocery store just magically appears for them to buy. They don’t realize the work and expense behind how the food makes its journey from the field or barn to the store. Many farmers are carrying a lot of debt trying to stay in operation. The big buildings , equipment, and everything exist but how much of it is being paid for over many years? I know of a farming operation which had a manure spill. They reported themselves to the state which resulted in a $15,000 fine plus they had to build a new containment system which cost over $300,000. Not a small amount of money!! I know my opinion is biased with growing up on a farm and I will never be ashamed of being a farmer’s daughter. My family was never rich, but we had pride in what we did and what we produced. We were proud of the quality of milk we sent to the processor and the corn and wheat we sold at the elevator. Things have changed drastically since I was a kid with much more foreign competition in many markets. I pray each year as the growing season starts that our renters will have a good crop and no disease will go through their dairy herd. God bless our farmers!!!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Meeting A Long Lost Relative
A few weeks ago I had a very emotional moment. I heard the voice of my namesake Aunt for the first time. December 8, 1951 was not a good time for my mother’s side of my family. My Aunt and four other young people from the area were coming home from a high school basketball game when a horrific accident occurred and all five lost their lives. The accident sent shock waves through this, at the time, small farming community. I was born about two and a half years later and was given her name for my middle name. I never knew of the tragic event until my middle school years when I noticed Mom would get very emotional around the date of the anniversary of the crash. This is when I found out about what had happened and where my middle name came from. Of course this opened up many questions in my mind. What was she like? Did I look like her? Did she sing like my Mom did? Some of my questions have been answered over the years by people who knew her and that has meant a lot. Mom didn’t talk about her very much and now I can kind of understand why. The pain of my Aunts loss devastated Mom and the rest of the family.
Years ago I found some home recording discs which were made by my Uncle before he left for the Air Force in the 19 40’s, or while he was home on leave. They sat around here for years as I thought, “There is no way these are going to play as they are so old.” It was after a cousin of the family passed away last September things began to happen. It was specifically mentioned in her obituary how she and my Aunt would go around the area with their guitars and sing for various functions. I knew this cousin, whom I called “Aunt”, played guitar. The accident devastated her and it was many, many years before she would pick up her instrument again. She played and sang in church a few times before I pretty much left home,got married, and began attending other churches.
At the visitation for my “Aunt” my cousin, her daughter, and I were talking and I told her about the old recording discs. We both wondered if there were any with her Mom and my Aunt. We discussed whether they could be restored or not with my cousin saying she knew of someone who might be able to do it. I still have not found any recordings of the two of them, but will continue to look around and hopefully God will provide in that way. Both my cousin and I would surely like to hear them from that time.
One night I walked into my husband’s office and there were the recording discs. He then said he was going to try and see if he could restore the recording of my Aunt. He had researched what speed was used to play the discs and other information and would give it a try using a program on his computer. I came home the next night from choir practice and he was putting the song into an Mp3 file on his computer. He finished and said, "Let’s hear what it sounds like." Oh my, it was awful!! There was a lot of sizzling, crackling, and popping and you could hear just a few notes of the singer every now and then. He was still working on it when I went to bed. I really didn’t know what to pray for, whether it be that he could restore it or if he wouldn’t get too frustrated trying.
The next day I had a doctor’s appointment and some errands to run. It was lunchtime when I got home and he asked me to come into his office. He started a Mp3 file and I heard this voice. I looked at him and said, “Am I hearing my Aunt?” He said, “Yes, you are.” I wanted to cry. There was some doubt for a little bit because of something said at the end of the recording. After some quick research, we determined absolutely it was my Aunt!!! My emotions ran high as finally I had this small connection to my past. I know now my Aunt had a beautiful voice and music runs through this entire side of the family. God has allowed me have this small glimpse into my long lost Aunt and I praise Him for it. I’ll see you on the other side, Auntie!!!
Years ago I found some home recording discs which were made by my Uncle before he left for the Air Force in the 19 40’s, or while he was home on leave. They sat around here for years as I thought, “There is no way these are going to play as they are so old.” It was after a cousin of the family passed away last September things began to happen. It was specifically mentioned in her obituary how she and my Aunt would go around the area with their guitars and sing for various functions. I knew this cousin, whom I called “Aunt”, played guitar. The accident devastated her and it was many, many years before she would pick up her instrument again. She played and sang in church a few times before I pretty much left home,got married, and began attending other churches.
At the visitation for my “Aunt” my cousin, her daughter, and I were talking and I told her about the old recording discs. We both wondered if there were any with her Mom and my Aunt. We discussed whether they could be restored or not with my cousin saying she knew of someone who might be able to do it. I still have not found any recordings of the two of them, but will continue to look around and hopefully God will provide in that way. Both my cousin and I would surely like to hear them from that time.
One night I walked into my husband’s office and there were the recording discs. He then said he was going to try and see if he could restore the recording of my Aunt. He had researched what speed was used to play the discs and other information and would give it a try using a program on his computer. I came home the next night from choir practice and he was putting the song into an Mp3 file on his computer. He finished and said, "Let’s hear what it sounds like." Oh my, it was awful!! There was a lot of sizzling, crackling, and popping and you could hear just a few notes of the singer every now and then. He was still working on it when I went to bed. I really didn’t know what to pray for, whether it be that he could restore it or if he wouldn’t get too frustrated trying.
The next day I had a doctor’s appointment and some errands to run. It was lunchtime when I got home and he asked me to come into his office. He started a Mp3 file and I heard this voice. I looked at him and said, “Am I hearing my Aunt?” He said, “Yes, you are.” I wanted to cry. There was some doubt for a little bit because of something said at the end of the recording. After some quick research, we determined absolutely it was my Aunt!!! My emotions ran high as finally I had this small connection to my past. I know now my Aunt had a beautiful voice and music runs through this entire side of the family. God has allowed me have this small glimpse into my long lost Aunt and I praise Him for it. I’ll see you on the other side, Auntie!!!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Our Southern Christmas-part two
We all got up Sunday morning and had a nice visit to the breakfast buffet at a near by Shoney’s. It was a nice variety of things. After arriving back at the house, we finished loading the TrailBlazer for the trip home. After lingering good-bye hugs we pulled out of the driveway and headed out of Smyrna. The trip was really quite uneventful until we got near Louisville, Kentucky and snow started. It wasn’t bad, nothing we hadn’t handled in Michigan so we crossed the border into Indiana. There the adventure began in earnest. The snow fell harder and faster and the roads became fairly treacherous the farther north we went . As we progressed toward our planned stop over in Anderson, Indiana we saw more and more cars off the road. Let’s face it, the wreckers were really doing a business. The road trucks simply could not keep up with the pace of the falling snow.
I began to feel the effects of not having eaten since we left Tennessee. It was sugar crash time! I was looking for anything we had in the car to get some sugar in me. I finally remembered some animal crackers I had bought at the hotel on the way south. When we got gas Ter got the crackers out of my suitcase and after having some I was doing better. In a little while we spotted a McDonald’s and pulled over to get some actual food down me, not to mention getting off the road for a little bit. We were at the McDonald’s about half an hour but it turned out to be worth it, both for the food and the break from the stress of the driving conditions. We finally made it to our hotel about eight hours after leaving Smyrna. The trip is normally about four or five hours. We were both very thankful to have made it safely after checking into our room. Luckily one of my favorite movies, “The Sound of Music”, was playing on TV and made for a relaxing end to the day.
We had breakfast the next morning at Cracker Barrel, fueling up for the trip home. While on the road we decided to make a stop in Shipshewana, Indiana, to visit the Amish community there. The meat and cheese store we really wanted to “raid” surprisingly was closed, which was kind of disappointing. We walked around some of the other shops. I saw a tin of herbal tea I would have loved to purchased but I couldn’t justify ten dollars for it. We had lunch at one of the restaurants, my Amish chicken noodle soup was delicious, and then continued our trek north. We got home around four in the afternoon and began to get back into “normal” life again.
Even with the adventure coming home, I really wouldn’t have changed anything. It was a good time, especially with seeing the loved ones in Tennessee, Kentucky, and the Michigan branch of my family before we left. Much has happened in the family the past year but we have all managed to make it through. May 2010 be a blessed and great year for all of us along with you and yours.
I began to feel the effects of not having eaten since we left Tennessee. It was sugar crash time! I was looking for anything we had in the car to get some sugar in me. I finally remembered some animal crackers I had bought at the hotel on the way south. When we got gas Ter got the crackers out of my suitcase and after having some I was doing better. In a little while we spotted a McDonald’s and pulled over to get some actual food down me, not to mention getting off the road for a little bit. We were at the McDonald’s about half an hour but it turned out to be worth it, both for the food and the break from the stress of the driving conditions. We finally made it to our hotel about eight hours after leaving Smyrna. The trip is normally about four or five hours. We were both very thankful to have made it safely after checking into our room. Luckily one of my favorite movies, “The Sound of Music”, was playing on TV and made for a relaxing end to the day.
We had breakfast the next morning at Cracker Barrel, fueling up for the trip home. While on the road we decided to make a stop in Shipshewana, Indiana, to visit the Amish community there. The meat and cheese store we really wanted to “raid” surprisingly was closed, which was kind of disappointing. We walked around some of the other shops. I saw a tin of herbal tea I would have loved to purchased but I couldn’t justify ten dollars for it. We had lunch at one of the restaurants, my Amish chicken noodle soup was delicious, and then continued our trek north. We got home around four in the afternoon and began to get back into “normal” life again.
Even with the adventure coming home, I really wouldn’t have changed anything. It was a good time, especially with seeing the loved ones in Tennessee, Kentucky, and the Michigan branch of my family before we left. Much has happened in the family the past year but we have all managed to make it through. May 2010 be a blessed and great year for all of us along with you and yours.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Our Southern Christmas
Christmas is over and it is time to reflect. We broke tradition in several ways this year. The biggest was we were out of state…we went to Tennessee to be with our son and daughter in law for the Holiday. We left and came home to snowstorms, but not bad for Michigan. We also gave my stepmom a ride down to Kentucky to see that part of the family. We left on Tuesday, the twenty second, with only a quick stop at Ter’s office to take care of some business. Then it was south through Indiana stopping in Anderson for the night. After an early start we met up with the Kentucky branch of the family to have lunch and put my stepmom safely in their care. Then it was off for the last leg of the trip to Smyrna and the “kids” house. We thought about pulling over at Opry Mills Mall to see the lights, but quickly decided that was a bad idea when we saw the crowds and traffic. We finished up our Christmas shopping at other stores . One of the best parts was we had been able to abandon our winter coats by the time we got to Kentucky. The temperatures were in the fifties, not the twenties! We all went out for a quick supper and came home to relax.
The next morning, Christmas Eve, we were able to go to a local park and take a walk. That wouldn’t be as easy in Michigan. Later on Pat and Myla went to church while we stayed home and watched an old classic movie, “The Bells of St. Mary’s” and then “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” It was a fairly early bedtime, which was OK after the hectic times of the days before we left.
Christmas morning we all got up, had a delicious breakfast, and then opened our gifts. I got a personalized coat for our Wood Badge Course, “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch ( a great book which my first copy was passed on to someone else at our Wood Badge Patrol Christmas party), a new LL Bean Fleece, some hand crème (sorely needed with the way my hands dry out from washing) and all were greatly appreciated. We had a great dinner and relaxed. We did go to the Opryland Hotel and Convention Center to see the light display. I had heard it was really great. It definitely met expectations and I managed to get some good pictures, even with my phone camera. I didn’t like having to go through the crowds, but it was worth it. We all stopped at an Irish style pub which had a small Irish band entertaining. They were really good and our meals were good, but PRICEY!! Ah, not to be unexpected when you are in a “tourist trap” type place and there is a college bowl game in a couple of days.
The next day we took a ride around the area while the “kids” started their shopping for NEXT Christmas. There were some good deals out there. We ended up in the town of Franklin, about twenty miles from Smyrna, while looking at houses and property. We saw a sign for Carnton Plantation and that they were open for tours. It is a very interesting historical place. It was used as a hospital for the Confederate wounded in the battle of Franklin, which only lasted four or five hours. It was short, but several thousand were wounded or killed including four Confederate generals. When walking through the house, especially by any windows, you can still see the blood stains in the wood flooring from the wounded who were treated there. The McGavocks, owners of the plantation, gave much besides the use of their home for literally months while the soldiers recovered. They tore up their clothes to use as bandages, fed the wounded, but also donated acres of land to be used as a burial ground. It is still the biggest privately owned military cemetery in the nation. People are still coming to find their ancestors who are buried there. When the person could be identified, the McGavocks kept meticulous records which are still being used today. But the thing which affected me the most was to walk into the one slave quarters which is still in existence. The difference between the opulence of the house and the quarters could not have been more stark. According to the information, the quarters we walked through was one of the better ones used by the house slaves. They were given higher esteem than the ones who worked in the fields who lived in log cabins, not the brick type building we walked through. It was something to hear the history of the Civil War from the Southern perspective, which was different then what I heard in school. I also thought about that time of brother fighting brother and people being treated as less than human.
After getting “home”, we had a dinner of delicious left overs and spent the evening playing Yahtzee. It was a good time and good conversation. I even surprised myself by coming in second place. A big surprise after not playing the game is such a long time.
I’ll finish the story of our trip in my next post……
The next morning, Christmas Eve, we were able to go to a local park and take a walk. That wouldn’t be as easy in Michigan. Later on Pat and Myla went to church while we stayed home and watched an old classic movie, “The Bells of St. Mary’s” and then “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” It was a fairly early bedtime, which was OK after the hectic times of the days before we left.
Christmas morning we all got up, had a delicious breakfast, and then opened our gifts. I got a personalized coat for our Wood Badge Course, “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch ( a great book which my first copy was passed on to someone else at our Wood Badge Patrol Christmas party), a new LL Bean Fleece, some hand crème (sorely needed with the way my hands dry out from washing) and all were greatly appreciated. We had a great dinner and relaxed. We did go to the Opryland Hotel and Convention Center to see the light display. I had heard it was really great. It definitely met expectations and I managed to get some good pictures, even with my phone camera. I didn’t like having to go through the crowds, but it was worth it. We all stopped at an Irish style pub which had a small Irish band entertaining. They were really good and our meals were good, but PRICEY!! Ah, not to be unexpected when you are in a “tourist trap” type place and there is a college bowl game in a couple of days.
The next day we took a ride around the area while the “kids” started their shopping for NEXT Christmas. There were some good deals out there. We ended up in the town of Franklin, about twenty miles from Smyrna, while looking at houses and property. We saw a sign for Carnton Plantation and that they were open for tours. It is a very interesting historical place. It was used as a hospital for the Confederate wounded in the battle of Franklin, which only lasted four or five hours. It was short, but several thousand were wounded or killed including four Confederate generals. When walking through the house, especially by any windows, you can still see the blood stains in the wood flooring from the wounded who were treated there. The McGavocks, owners of the plantation, gave much besides the use of their home for literally months while the soldiers recovered. They tore up their clothes to use as bandages, fed the wounded, but also donated acres of land to be used as a burial ground. It is still the biggest privately owned military cemetery in the nation. People are still coming to find their ancestors who are buried there. When the person could be identified, the McGavocks kept meticulous records which are still being used today. But the thing which affected me the most was to walk into the one slave quarters which is still in existence. The difference between the opulence of the house and the quarters could not have been more stark. According to the information, the quarters we walked through was one of the better ones used by the house slaves. They were given higher esteem than the ones who worked in the fields who lived in log cabins, not the brick type building we walked through. It was something to hear the history of the Civil War from the Southern perspective, which was different then what I heard in school. I also thought about that time of brother fighting brother and people being treated as less than human.
After getting “home”, we had a dinner of delicious left overs and spent the evening playing Yahtzee. It was a good time and good conversation. I even surprised myself by coming in second place. A big surprise after not playing the game is such a long time.
I’ll finish the story of our trip in my next post……
Monday, December 14, 2009
Choices, Choices
I’m sitting here at the keyboard on a snowy, December Saturday morning thinking about how to fit everything in. There is much to do with decorating, various Christmas celebrations, along with other things. A week ago last Friday is an example. There were at least two places we could have been with our church Christmas banquet and a Court of Honor celebrating a young man from our Troop earning his Eagle Scout rank. We did settle on the Court of Honor. It is always a great time seeing these young men come to the end of a long journey to earn this coveted rank. You enjoy it as they bring family into the celebration and other people who have meant much to them.
Now it is time to make another choice… there are three places I could have been one day this past weekend and the choice was not easy. First there was a luncheon meeting of my dwarfism support group. These are a great bunch of ladies and I don’t really get to see much of them because of other commitments. I enjoy the camaraderie with them as we discuss the triumphs and challenges of living with our condition. The next is a meeting of my Wood Badge patrol for a Christmas celebration and time of encouragement. I decided on these two events as I still had to make cookies to serve after the children’s program at church. The third was our annual time of helping a family member decorate their house for the season. I could have tried for all three but it would be an incredible strain on time and effort. I’m not getting any younger and my body won’t take what it used to along with it seems there are more and more demands on time. The choices were made easier when the time of decorating was moved up a day. I still had another demand on that day!
It is all too easy to make these decisions very difficult by turning them every which way and worrying about people’s reactions. I have been guilty of this for most of my life. I don’t want to upset people so I try to please. The problem with this is you can not possibly please everyone. There is always someone who will disagree with what you decide. I am slowly and painfully coming to the conclusion you just have to make a decision and go with it. There are times people will just have to understand it is your life and you have to live it. This may sound kind of harsh, but you will drive yourself insane trying to go along with everyone’s wishes. I will try to start working on this concept, and it will most likely take awhile!!
Another choice made is we are heading for Tennessee for Christmas. This decision was a little easier as we are heading for Pat and Myla’s house. I am eager to see what Nashville looks like all dolled up for Christmas and if the street corners will still have people playing and singing their hearts out with their instrument cases open for any donations. It will certainly be warmer down there. We will have seen Tennessee in all four seasons. Best of all we will be spending some time with our dear loved ones. It will certainly add to the season being so different this year. Life keeps changing as the years go by and therefore the choices we make. It will be hard being away from the family here, for sure. I am relating more and more to my brothers decision to move closer to his family. God help all of us with our decisions!!
Now it is time to make another choice… there are three places I could have been one day this past weekend and the choice was not easy. First there was a luncheon meeting of my dwarfism support group. These are a great bunch of ladies and I don’t really get to see much of them because of other commitments. I enjoy the camaraderie with them as we discuss the triumphs and challenges of living with our condition. The next is a meeting of my Wood Badge patrol for a Christmas celebration and time of encouragement. I decided on these two events as I still had to make cookies to serve after the children’s program at church. The third was our annual time of helping a family member decorate their house for the season. I could have tried for all three but it would be an incredible strain on time and effort. I’m not getting any younger and my body won’t take what it used to along with it seems there are more and more demands on time. The choices were made easier when the time of decorating was moved up a day. I still had another demand on that day!
It is all too easy to make these decisions very difficult by turning them every which way and worrying about people’s reactions. I have been guilty of this for most of my life. I don’t want to upset people so I try to please. The problem with this is you can not possibly please everyone. There is always someone who will disagree with what you decide. I am slowly and painfully coming to the conclusion you just have to make a decision and go with it. There are times people will just have to understand it is your life and you have to live it. This may sound kind of harsh, but you will drive yourself insane trying to go along with everyone’s wishes. I will try to start working on this concept, and it will most likely take awhile!!
Another choice made is we are heading for Tennessee for Christmas. This decision was a little easier as we are heading for Pat and Myla’s house. I am eager to see what Nashville looks like all dolled up for Christmas and if the street corners will still have people playing and singing their hearts out with their instrument cases open for any donations. It will certainly be warmer down there. We will have seen Tennessee in all four seasons. Best of all we will be spending some time with our dear loved ones. It will certainly add to the season being so different this year. Life keeps changing as the years go by and therefore the choices we make. It will be hard being away from the family here, for sure. I am relating more and more to my brothers decision to move closer to his family. God help all of us with our decisions!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)