Monday - August 16, 2010

Another week has gone and I am feeling somewhat better. The stint in my throat seems to be working but it is still somewhat difficult to swallow. However, I am having an easier time than I did last week. The best news is that my esophagus is staying open and everything that I can get down, stays down.

Terry came back from New York on Wednesday and it is good to have her back. She has been cooking for me and trying to make sure I eat enough of the right things every day. I'm not eating 6 small meals per day but I have been eating at least 3 plus fruit and other snacks. She thinks that I need more protein so I am trying to eat more smoothies with protein powder added.

We finally got some rain during the last few days and we really needed it. I was getting tired of watering my yard and garden. Not much is blooming at the moment but I do have some plants that should bloom later this fall.

It is hard to believe that summer is almost over and the kids are starting school already. We haven't had much let-up in the heat but I am sure ready for things to cool down.

I have also started going to meetings at some of the organizations I belong to. On Sunday, I attended the Orchid Society meeting here Columbia and actually won 3 orchids at our monthly auction. One of the plants (a Cattleya) is in bloom and the other two are small Dendrobiuma that join the other small Dendrobium that I have had for some time. However, now I actually have four plants in my house and I plan to visit my friend from the Orchid Society who has been keeping and caring for about 130 of my orchids since last spring. I don't think I will be able to take these orchids until next spring at the earliest but I may bring a few back to keep in the house. My greenhouse is a mess and I am not really up to the task of making it ready for plants this year. Fortunately, my friend, Stan, has room for my plants in his greenhouse and doesn't mind keeping them for me. Some people really are saints!

Today, I went to the caucus session of the SC Silver Haired Legislature. I am one of the Representatives but I have only attended one other meeting this year. I also plan to attend a meeting of the Gills Creek Watershed Association on Thursday. I am on the Board of Directors but have done very little this year.

Terry and I plan to attend my High School Reunion in September. This will be a reunion of the classes of the 1950's and it should be fun.

Finally, my son Scott is visiting us this coming weekend. He will only be here for a few days but we are looking forward to seeing him. He hasn't been home since Christmas.

I'll enclose a few pictures including one of the Cattleya, my pet spider, cats and plants. Thanks for the comments to my last blog.