Update, Upbeat!

At my scheduled time to call the hospital, I did. I spoke with the nurse in charge, Gary is progressing, doing well, and very positive. She went on to say that Gary has been a fabulous patient, does everything he is told to do. I hesitated in the conversation - the nurse replied - happens to us all the time. The wives are in disbelief. It was uplifting to hear the news (although it did not place me in the range of bra wearing). The nurse then patched me through to speak with Gary. Honestly, I was not speaking with the same man I did yesterday. He was upbeat, very positive - wondered how all was doing on the home front. Hopefully, today Gary's doctor will pay him a visit - they do not work Friday, Saturday or Sunday. If the doctor is in agreement with the head nurses' recommendation, Gary will be moved to a regular ward.

I heard noises in the night, I awoke with a blast at 3:30 but was too frighten to be moving around. I checked the outside {peeked through the curtain} - nothing. Checked the inside, nothing. My fire had died but I was too afraid to make fire, so I turned on the secondary - baseboard heat. At 4:30 a.m. I made new fire and it went well. At first light, I went to shovel snow and bring in more wood to the stack.

The foxes came to visit, their fur is beautiful. Two dogs paid a visit also - one was full of it - played and jumped in the snow. His pal was nudging me, kind of herding me. I thought of the dog we once had. I sat in the snow, petted my dog buddy, sang a song, and told him about my best buddy. I had to pay them a pet as I was cold - I had to go inside to warm.

I received two telephone calls from neighbors up the road, wondering how was Gary and how was I. Very heart warming.

My Prine friends are now coming down from their own mountain top, all still in a glow of the concert held in Milwaukee last Friday. It is a treasure to read all their posts. How special it is when friends on-line actually get to meet one another. Hell, if I was to do that - I would dawn a bra and get on Oprah! Not really as I do not par-take in Oprah nor have inbreastments in any bra factory.

Prine Friend - Amy C. ~ thank you for your comment, much appreciated.

Progress Last 24 Hours ~

My husband has made excellent progress in the last 24 hours. He was able to get up and walk 3 times, eat some ice chunks, and have a bath. Perhaps later this afternoon they are going to remove him from the step down unit into a permanent ward. Today, when I spoke with the nurse from the step down unit she said; would you like to speak with him - I said sure. Gary and I were able to have a few words. Gary wanted to know how I was doing building fires, snow shovelling, and keeping the heathens at bay. I did not want to elevate his blood pressure so I just told him, I am doing my best, everything was ok.

And, that is what it is - just ok. I am on the curve of learning as Gary is the fire builder. I do shovel much snow and I really should be out there doing it but I would rather be here.

All my Prine friends had a great time in Milwaukee. They bring a big smile to my face, reading their posts. You can read them at www.jpshrine.org . It is such a John Prine family we have, I am so very glad to have found them. It is very heart warming to have such treasures - of course, like the man himself, John Prine.

John Prine Milwaukee - Gary's Progress - My Driving Skills

I was able to speak with Gary this morning. The kind nurse at the hospital patched me through. Gary was able to stand on his own and take a few steps. I was so thankful to hear of that. I told Gary all the little steps are going to add up and before you know it you will be back home. Gary can worry unnecessarily most of the time - he starts talking how he did not think he would be able to chop wood. I replied, no problem I'll do it!

In that regard, everything will work out.

My major step of the day was to drive. I made it down to the general store and back in one piece. I did not go in the ditch but god almighty was I nervous. I thought I could well end up in the hospital with Gary as my heart was pounding, my back muscles were in knots - but I made it! I made it! In speaking with Gary I told him my driving winter skills have improved 100% - yep, Gary I made it to the general store and back. I think Gary was in somewhat disbelief.

So, progress has been made twofold.

My Prine friends should be nearing Milwaukee. What a concert it is going to be. They will be in my thoughts and around 8:00 p.m. (my time) I shall sport my new John Prine Prinzee thing, insert a beverage and toast our Johnny and all the John Prine Family (they're golden).

Gary Is Recovering

Gary is now in the process of recovery. The surgery went as planned.

Everything is cool.

Everything is ok.

Gary - Surgery

Happy Days! They have a bed for Gary, I just received the telephone call. He will be scheduled for surgery this afternoon around 1 p.m. (my time). I am relieved, it is progress - good progress.
I am to call the hospital around 7 p.m. tonight for an update.

Geez, it sure has been days of up and down. I am doing my best on the side of the mountain. Yesterday, I contacted a lady who lives far down the road (she has a telephone). It was nice to speak with her, regained my confidence. I knew the confidence I had was slowly slipping away.

My Prine friends should be flocking into Milwaukee soon. The big event is tomorrow. Although I have been wrapped up in a trap of Gary; I have been thinking about them. I give them all my little wave tomorrow evening.

Thanks everyone - I appreciate your caring support, you all thinking of me - it warms my heart.

Yikes, I Am Scared.

Unsettling this is to me. I was on the computer doing Prine time - the computer room I cannot see out. I moved my ass out only to find the wood shed door is wide opened. The woodshed door does not opened on itself. A human has to open it.

I contacted our local Citizens on Patrol, explained about my situation with Gary - and I am scared. Good grief, it is broad daylight.

I received instructions for what I must do and I will follow them to the tee. I will not putter. The lady I spoke with is a widow, her husband died recently.

We have guns, and yes - I will use them.

Damn, I just wish I was more secure. I am not. I am afraid.

The News Is Not Good

After extensive testing, the doctors in charge of Gary have said that his kidneys are out of place, probably he was born that way. His doctor has requested immediate surgery, god I hope it is tonight or tomorrow, but there are no beds available at present. The doctor went to the Chief Administrator pleading for a bed, for Gary.

Keeping my fingers crossed. Wishin' and Hopin'.

Long Days and Nights/Milwaukee

Geez, it is quiet here - I cannot believe how much noise Gary made. I did speak with the nurse in charge today and also to Gary. The surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning - however, there is no guarantee that it will happen. I cannot understand this damn system, I am only trying to work with it. The surgery itself is common and for Gary, right now, the safest place for him is in the hospital. If the aneurysmn (sp) burst - well, even in the hospital his chance of survival is 50%. Makes you sit and ponder how precious life is.

Milwaukee on Friday for my John Prine friends. That brings a big smile to my face. I cannot believe they are all going to meet each other and I too, wish I could meet them all. They are very special folks. All Priners/Prinettes are very special folks.

Charlene, Crusher, and Rumbleshorts will all be there. Charlene will be swinging her newest pendant - Illegal Smiles. I anticipate there will be a few Illegal Smiles (not the pendant type) in the audience on Friday night. They are all meeting up at Rudy's prior to the concert for beverages and snacks. One heck of a concert it is going to be. I'll be thinking about them and in my heart, Prining Peacefully. I'll do my wave.

Hopefully, tomorrow Gary will have his surgery - god, I hope and I hope he does not die on me. I still need him.

Thank you everyone for your wishes and thoughts - I appreciate them all.

Cheers, Beers, and Hugs.

My Friends, Thank You.

Six letter word -

Thanks!

John Prine Pendant - Long Monday ~ Milwaukee

Long Monday
Created and Made by Charlene Stevenson
Madison, Wisconsin
Inspired by Long Monday - John Prine

Too funny, I have to had email Charlene four or five times, please send me what this is in relation to a John Prine song. I just kept drawing blanks, she replied. I even wrote it down on a paper, lost the paper.

Long Monday - I got it - twofold - today. My husband and his son just left for the hospital. I hope all goes well and Gary will be admitted, have the surgery, and come back home. I have had some folks inquire why I did not go. When you live rural - you have to keep the fire going. I am keeping the fire going.

This Friday, John Prine concerts in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Of course, Charlene will be there swinging her John Prine pendants, new boots on her feet, and some sort of a new t-shirt. Crusher will be there. I think he has reservations or such for near 45 folks. Rumbleshorts will be in attendance. It is a very exciting time for Prine Fans. I will be there also joining my Canadian polecat, Skunkeye. We will be there in spirit and mind.

"You and me
Sitting in the back of my memory
Like a honeybee
Buzzin' 'round a glass of sweet Chablis...

It's gonna be a long Monday
Sittin' all alone on a mountain
By a river (creek) that has no end
It's gonna be a long Monday
Stuck like the tick of a clock
That's come unwound again"
~John Prine~

Pardon me, folks - in my little realm of only thinking about the problems of our home, I neglected to mention what a day/morning it was for my community, Sunday - March 1st.

Our Global TV newscast has a segment, titled - small Town BC. About two weeks ago, I suggested to the Weather Lady, the place to which I live. She returned email, to say, our small community would be featured, today.

Being as I was the one to put for our community, my name was mentioned - our community was mentioned several times and also the surrounding communities. It brings the community, somewhat, together to have the acknowledgement of the provincial tv news broadcast.

Tomorrow, Gary travels to Kamloops - it is with hope, surgery will be performed.

I will be fine - I keep telling myself this - I am strong. Trust me, if the lunatics of small community come forth and want to pay my land a visit, they will have a fight on their hands. Geez, I do very well in chasing cows, but can I chase a prowler, a stalker, or a thief?

You bet I can.