The Eye Has It

When we arrived at breakfast this morning, Dick told us right away that he finally got his new eye.  Lew looked at him and said, "Gee, I hardly recognize you!"  Hahahaha.

I asked Dick if he still had his old eye.  He did, and he pulled it out of his pocket.  It was in a nice little plastic case.  For some reason, I was expecting it to be completely round -- you know, an eye "ball."  But it wasn't.  It was mostly flat on the back, with a little hook-type shape on one edge that kept it in place in the eye socket.

Carole may use the old eye in one of her jewelry creations.  Either a ring or a pendant.  I'm voting for the pendant.  I told her that she wouldn't be able to sell the final piece, though.  She definitely would have to keep it for herself!

Dick had used the old eye for over 50 years.  The new eye is bigger and looks better.  And, of course, I told him that... but then I quickly added, "Not that you were unsightly before!"  Oops... Did I really say that?  No pun was intended.  Really.

Not that Dick would have minded the pun.  After all, his C.B. radio handle was "Dead Eye."

(Postscript:  I probably should give a little background.  Dick lost his left eye due to a childhood accident.  I believe that an arrow was involved.  Ouch!)

Walking With Ellen

My friend Ellen and I go for morning walks together on Wednesdays and Fridays.  I should qualify that:  We go walking when the weather cooperates.  For example, Wednesday was a rainy, dreary day.  So, no walk that day.  Today, however, was beautiful.

Ellen and I have a nifty plan for meeting up.  We leave our houses at the same time, and walk toward the other person.  No, it's not rocket science, but it works.

Today, Ellen asked me if I had gotten my mother anything for Mother's Day.

Nope.  My parents don't really have a lot of place to put stuff.  (Although I do have a card for you, Mom!)

But, after Ellen and I parted, I remembered something that I could do for my mother!  Something that would be very beneficial!  Yes!  As I finished my walk home, I took great care to not step on any cracks....

:)

(Postscript:  For those of you feeling sorry for my mother -- even though she is getting a card -- please rest easy.  She and I are going to go buy an outdoor plant sometime next week.)

Annual ABBA Banquet

Tonight, Lew and I will be attending the annual Community Awareness Banquet for ABBA, A Women's Resource Center.

As I wrote on this blog a year ago:

"ABBA is a crisis pregnancy center in Portland. In a nutshell, ABBA offers life-affirming options and counseling. I was on the board of directors for eight years. This is a ministry that Lew and I wholeheartedly support.

"If there is a Christ-centered, life-affirming crisis pregnancy center in your area, I encourage you to learn how you can help."

There is no life that is too small....

Dad: Unedited XLIII

(Happy Birthday to my cousin Wendy!  Enjoy today's post by Derf, a.k.a. "the lawn caretaker."  -- Tracy)

Derf Here!  From the well-manicured northeastern estate on Pine Point Road in Scarborough, Maine.  Just a little pat on the back to the lawn caretaker of the south 40.

One of my busiest weeks in history has just passed by.  As I look back at the events, I'm surprised I have managed to withstand the pressures (at my age) surrounding the events.  I witnessed 4 (four) live baseball games for Josh (W2 - L2) and 2 (two) live lacrosse games which Zachary played (lost both).  All this while I'm trying to keep up with the progress of the Celtics (not good), Bruins (very good), and the Red Sox (seems to be getting better).  So much for athletics.  The game season is upon us and we'll try to keep up with all the pros and "not so pros."

While all the above was going on, I hear there was a wedding across the pond.  I did my best to avoid all the "hoopla" surrounding this event with great success.  Thanks for the remote.  One would think this was a big "world wide" event.  Not to me.  I will tell you that spouse and Tracy arose at 4:00 a.m. to witness the event live.  Waste of time -- you be the judge!  Tracy's Colby college roommate Suzy was in the live crowd to see a couple cars drive by.  She was a witness to history.  However, I believe she had a better view upon arriving home to observe the whole boring 7 hours of the recording.  That's enough on that event.

Osama Bin Laden is dead!  You need no more on this situation.  Let's just thank the military men and women who serve and protect us and our rights on a daily basis.  Great job, Seals!

Two other events happened this week that probably trump all others.  Birthdays for Tracy (age unknown -- I really know because I was there) and niece Wendy (the family "prayer warrior").  Her age is only known to a few, but I do know she has one year on Tracy's unknown age.  If I'm not mistaken next year is a "big one."  Right, Wendy!  Hopefully both enjoyed their day!!  Actually, Wendy's is today.  If the phone lines aren't tied up, I hope to get through to wish her "Happy Birthday, Wendy!"

I'm writing this post while in the "caah" sitting in the Old Port section of Portland.  Spouse is having a doctor's treatment while I write.  Usually my time here is spent reading but today it's writing.

As you see the Northeast is in Spring mode (was sure cold yesterday at the 2 games I observed), and there are various events to occupy our time.  We're looking forward to summer, visit from our Illinois family, and warmer weather.  Please!!

Until next time (when I'll try to have another tale for you).

Toodle Pip!

Derf!

My Weekly Book Challenge

Have you noticed yet?  Since last Thursday, I have had a new link on the right for "my weekly book challenge" blog!

I only have one post on it so far, but I thought I'd mention it on "Mainely Tracy" today.  That way, I'll have to keep it up -- I don't want to disappoint my faithful readers!

I had originally wanted to read three books per week, but two is much more realistic.  Especially since I am supposed to be writing...ahem...my own novel.  And that takes time.  (Time that I haven't been taking.)

So, as you read "Mainely Tracy," be sure to check out my "book" blog at least once a week or so.  Maybe you'll get some ideas for books you'd like to read.  (Or maybe not.  That would be OK, too!)

And, I'll get cracking on that novel....  :)

"Oh See, Oh Go!"

O CI, O GO.

One Comes In, One Goes Out.

The project for Day 29 of the Organize-a-thon was to adopt the above mindset.

So when my mother gave me a birthday gift yesterday of two pair of athletic slacks (one long pair, one knee length), I knew what I had to do.

Good-bye, light pink sweat pants that I've had for over 20 years!  I will miss your stretched out waistband that I had to safety pin so that you would stay up.

Good-bye, black pair of Matt's old Portland High School gym shorts that had a big hole...and lots of little ones.  Every time I put you in the washing machine, I wondered if you would come out in one piece!

Both of the above "Out" items went into the garbage, which was picked up today.  So it's too late if any of you thought, "Gee, I might like to have those...."

They Say It's My Birthday....

... Happy Birthday TO ME!

I ate a chocolate chip cookie with my breakfast.

My parents took us out for lunch, and I ate an appetizer as my meal.

We had birthday cake when we got home.  (I ate two pieces!)

What a super birthday it has been!  :)