Fresh Oil

Within the last seven months I have had three hospital stays and two surgeries, with weeks of recovery following each visit.  My last surgery was in late January, in which I had a complete thyroidectomy.  Having a thyroidectomy requires that one take hormone therapy for the rest of their lives.  Since early February to date, I have been on three different dose levels of hormone replacement therapy. Yes, that's right, in less than eight weeks I have had my meds changed three times. I have gone through every emotion and physical anomaly you can imagine during the last eight weeks:  sleeping fifteen to twenty hours, not sleeping for twenty-four hours, crying, irritated, isolation, happy, energetic, sad....you name it I have been through it.  My husband normally helps me to acknowledge the mood I am in with laughter, for instance one night we were talking, well, I was talking and suddenly he burst out in laughter.  I looked at him and said, "why are you la...

Recently my son (whose almost forty), and I were reminiscing about his grandmother My mother played a tremendous part in his upbringing.  For the first five years of his life she was basically his mother, they had a very endearing relationship.  She and my Father called him Rooster because he was born bald headed, with the exception of a two inch patch of hair in the top of his head that stood straight up.  My son was a mild mannered child, never did anything to get him into too much trouble, in fact I can't remember ever having to physically punish him.  He was obedient, never had to ask him twice to do anything, seldom had to ask him if he did his homework, however, he had this thing about food that my mom found quit amusing; he had to have his food fixed and/or placed on his plate in a certain way: for instance if he had a plate with chicken, the chicken had to be fried and it had to be a drumstick, greens and beans had to be put on a separate plate because they ...

Drinking From My Saucer I’ve never made a fortune and it’s probably too late now. But I don’t worry about that much, I’m happy anyhow. And as I go along life’s way, I’m reaping better than I sowed. I’m drinking from my saucer, ‘Cause my cup has overflowed. I don’t have a lot of riches, and sometimes the going’s tough. But I’ve got loved ones around me, and that makes me rich enough. I thank God for his blessings, and the mercies He’s bestowed. I’m drinking from my saucer, ’cause my cup has overflowed. I remember times when things went wrong, My faith wore somewhat thin. But all at once the dark clouds broke, and the sun peeped through again. So God, help me not to gripe about the tough rows that I’ve hoed. I’m drinking from my saucer, ‘Cause my cup has overflowed. If God gives me strength and courage, when the way grows steep and rough. I’ll not ask for other blessings, I’m already blessed enough. And may I never be too busy, to help others bear their loads. Then I’l...

Recently I spent all day with my fifteen year old at a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Robotics competition kickoff at the Space and Rocket Center.   Hundreds of kids were there representing high schools all over the area. As we gathered in the auditorium to get instructions for this year’s competition I was delighted to see the energy and enthusiasm the kids exhibited.   They were geared up with excitement and hanging on every word the presenters uttered.   The kickoff was titled, “Recharge,”   I don’t know exactly why, but I thought it an appropriate title, since this competition only happens once a year and it requires a lot of time and talent.    After the presentations at the Space and Rocket Center, which took half a day, we parents herded the kids in our cars and drove them to a local STEM meeting room, where they spent the other half of the day going over their game plan.   I sat in on some of this meeting but unfortunate...