Baby Feet

Just returned from a visit to the FL panhandle where a friend of mine moved from northern WI.  Gee, I wonder why she did that?  We met through my hiking group that meets every Tuesday.  When she moved last year, I told that I would be down.  A few months ago I gathered another member of our group and off we went for a visit. 

We spent a day along the Emerald Coast going from beach to beach. We walked and walked and walked in the white sand.  No shells, no seaweed, no gunk.  Just white sand.  Beautiful.  My feet are now like baby feet.  The sand smoothed out any roughness on the soles of my feet.  Better than any spa!

As we were leaving, we saw two of the Blue Angels (Pensacola) fly overhead.  Great trip!

Anniversary of Sorts

April 1, 1979 was the day I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.  40 years.  Most of the time I don't think about it, but today I did.  The lab techs stopped the test before the end because it was an obvious diagnosis.  Even with a blood sugar of 800+ I had the presence of mind to ask that I not be charged for the entire test.  Driving home I thought that I don't know anything about diabetes except that I needed to limit sugar.  I also thought that ignorance is bliss so I stopped at Grandma Sally's Breakfast House and ordered waffles and a milk shake.  Then I went home and packed a bag for a week's stay at the hospital. 

Why Grandparents are Older

My granddaughter age 5 was sitting in my lap as we were reading a book together.   "What are those?"  She asks with curiosity and partial disgust pointing to the large veins on the back of my hands.  "Oh," I replied.  "Those are veins that carry blood back to my heart."  She raised her eyebrows, shrugged her shoulders and went back to reading.  Old grandparents provide lots of experience for young grandchildren.

Citizenship - At Last

After jumping through many hoops, I am now a citizen.  That excitement is now over, thankfully.  The final piece was to drive to Superior, WI to show my certified birth certificate to the local Social Security office.  Coincidentally, that was the day that Jayme Closs escaped her captor.  Gordon where she was held is in between our house and Superior.  There were squad cars stationed in the area.  That day the Sheriff of Barron County could only report a few details as the 30-40 investigators were going through the house.  Why no details yet - the reporters asked if so many people were on the scene.  There is no cell service in Gordon was the reply.  One of the investigators had to drive to a high elevation spot outside of Gordon to obtain cell service, and they weren't leaving the scene for any reason until they had everything they needed. 

There was a collective sigh of relief when she was found.  The area never gave up hope in finding her alive.  There have been gratitude prayer services all over the northwoods. 

Blood Moon

Last night was a full moon plus a total lunar eclipse that equals a Blood Moon.    We could see it through our east windows but bundled up anyway to go outside.  No clouds.  Quite cold - well below zero - no wind.  The moon was definitely reddish.  Before and after the eclipse you could read a newspaper in the moonlight - it was so bright.  That was the noticeable difference.  With no light pollution the stars were brilliant.  It was a glorious night in the northwoods. 

Winter Wonderland

It is so beautiful here.  Some snows are just stunning in their beauty.  Fun to take photos as well.

This is Morgan Road to Highway 77.  The sun is peaking around the corner.

Wet snow rests on top of all branches.

Little evergreen branches hang heavy with snow.

 

View from our driveway.  I enjoy the shadows on the snow with sunlight peeking through.

 

Feds Declare Jo Not a Citizen

I needed something from Social Security so I went online to request it.  They can mail it to me...or so I thought.  My request was rejected.  I called Social Security asking why.  After matching my answers to hers:  Name, DOB, City and State were born, mother's maiden name, 3rd cousin's shoe size...She agreed that I was Jo; however, she went on to say that I am not a citizen. And that is why my request was rejected.  I am not a citizen. She agreed that I was born in Urbana, Illinois but somehow whoever did data entry didn't click the citizen box. "How can I fix this?" I queried.  "Can't you just fix it now over the phone?"  No, I need to get a certified birth certificate from the Champaign County Clerk, which costs $21.00.  I will not comment on the bureaucracy of the government.  

At least SS is sending me my monthly money, which is actually mine to begin with, but I digress.   After sharing this information with Case, I notice that he is bringing bricks and mortar in the house.  Looks like he is building The Wall.