On Monday, I was picked up by Jim Wilder and we went to Clyde’s for lunch. I had met Jim and his wife, his son, and his mother-in-law at the brunch that Antonia and John Bass had invited me to at the Mayfair, which is a lovely residence next to St. Jane de Chantal church. We just hit it off and our mutual love of Ireland led to this follow up luncheon. He worked in colleges and universities but now that he is retired he is gathering stories of Irish personalities and having stories about this people printed. He is also working on a history of printing in Ireland. I just enjoyed the whole meal and the conversation. I hope we’ll get together again soon.
I had the 5:30pm Mass and spent the evening reading. We had a bad storm and lost electricity but I was already in bed so I really didn’t notice. Fortunately, I don’t set the alarm so I didn’t notice the clock was wrong till Tuesday morning.
Tuesday was a full day. I had the 11am Mass and Ellen, Paul, and Alex attended. They are part of my TEAM in Southern Maryland and were stopping to see me on their way to see Bob and Jane Connolly (more TEAM members). Bob is in Washington Hospital Center with pneumonia. We went to lunch at Clyde’s and as we were walking in, who do I meet but Bob Wallace. It was great to see him and to talk for even a few moments.I asked him to give my love to his wife, Marie. (They were in my first TEAM). Our lunch was a great time to talk and “catch up”.
Then I relaxed and worked in the office till around 4:30, when Maureen Raimo brought her grandchild, Olivia by to visit me. I am going to baptize her on Sunday. Annie, Maureen’s daughter, whom I baptized a long time ago, came by to visit after work. She is a kindergarten teacher in Montgomery County.
The parish council had their supper here around 7pm and I visited for awhile and got something to eat, then came up to my suite and worked on my taxes!
I had to set the alarm for Wednesday because I had a full day scheduled. I took my car over to Danny Veith’s and he put in a new battery. I needed it and now feel more secure.
Then I drove to Union Station. I had two train tickets that I had bought and was unable to use. First, I couldn’t find how to get into the parking garage and when I did, the only spaces open were on the roof in the sun. It was 90 degrees. The escalator was being repaired and so I had to take an elevator to the 2nd level and there take an escalator to the 1st level and there discovered the escalator was not working and so I walked all around that level and walked down a non working escalator to the main floor. I found the ticket counter and learned that my one ticket had run out on June 2nd and the one from November needs to be cashed in “on line”. Only good thing was that the parking fee was only 1 dollar!!
Then I drove to the Archdiocese of the Military near Catholic U to get a baptismal certificate for the groom in the wedding being held in Italy.
Then I decided to get my hair cut and beard trimmed.
I had taken my oxygen with me on the trip and used it each time I got back to the car. It has a plug that can be used in the cigarette lighter.
I had the 5:30pm Mass and then a couple whose marriage I will bless at the end of the month, came to finish the paperwork.
Sr. Kass wrote a while ago that I should be more consciencius of the phone calls and letters I write because I really don’t just do two activities a day. This week that was very true. I had long phone conversations with my cousin, with the Pojes, with Father (Rosenberger), with Fr. T, Pat Horan Granados, my niece MaryAnn, The Favrets, Cindy Richards, Sharon Beall, Keith Morris (oh, James Keith Haven – child of Kathleen and David Haven was born this week – healthy and going to be baptized August 24th)
I also called Fr. Beattie, Joan Beall, Maggie and Marie, Barbara, Dan Curtin, and Lisa (at the Pastoral center – she is going to help me with my Medicare and insurance problems), even tried to call Mark Gribbin as Wednesday was his birthday. I had the wrong number but I sent him an email and he wrote back, so now I have the right info. I also wrote a number of emails. So, I guess I do spend a lot of time on the phone and computer in addition to my 2 activities??!!
Today, we spent the whole day “in fear” of the serious weather. It rained twice – very hard but we seem to have missed the really bad stuff. It was North and South of us and we haven’t really gotten report yet.
As it was my DAY OFF, I had a doctor’s appointment at 10:15. It went well and I had a very good talk with Dr. Lucas about NOT canceling trips, especially cruises in the future. I’m going to try to arrange another cruise soon.
We were suppose to have another group in for supper but they canceled because of the weather. But we still had supper and we just laughed and talked till 7:45. I missed Wheel of Fortune but it was worth it. I do have wonderful housemates!
Well now you’re caught up to date on things. I will work on being more faithful to writing.
Happy to hear you didn’t loose electricity in yesterday’s storms. Spa Creek was also spared. Therapy continues and my knee bending is improving. They are talking about releasing me in 10 days!!!!