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Tuesday, April 10, 2007 12:37 AM CDT
Freedom of time changes after 'the fall'
By MARY JANE COARTNEY
It is a busy world. Many of you are chased by the clock from the time you begin a day until you go to bed.
Even a person like me, sitting by the window most of my day, find that I am controlled by a time schedule. This started when I upset the walker just after the New Year.
For more than a quarter of a century, I have come and gone as I pleased. Suddenly things changed. Having caregivers ‘round the clock makes a big difference in the pattern of one’s days.
I’m not good at giving orders, or taking them, for that matter. Trying to tell where something is may not be easy either when it has been moved even a few feet from where I last saw it.
When several of the family were here I said, “Look where I’m pointing!” Wouldn’t you know, I pointed with a crooked arthritic finger and even that was way off.
At least we all got a big laugh out of my direction. One thing about being injured or ill is that it sure helps to have a sense of humor.
I have a friend who has just one serious problem after another. When he has company or a phone visit, the visitor is the one who gets cheered up. He can get a chuckle out of a calamity. That makes the pain easier.
“A little big of sugar makes the medicine go down; In the most delightful way.” Perhaps you are old enough to remember that song. It is about the same vintage as “How Much is That Doggie in the Window” and “A Lonely Little Petunia in an Onion Patch.”
The therapists came to put me through a series of exercises, so my mobility is coming back. Sitting with my feet up while others fetched and carried had made walking with my cane almost nil.
On Sunday Martha came early to take me back to Sunday School and church for the first time since Thanksgiving supper. It took the walker to get inside. The cane and an arm made the rest possible. And we went on for a meal away from my chair. Another first.
There had already been a trip to see my favorite doctor, a trip for a hair cut, and another ride, as Ron took me to do errands. The last time I had been for a haircut, I had made it on my own four days before THE FALL.
The green grass, the daffodils and narcissus along the road frontage here are so pretty. The white magnolia had only swelling buds one day. A day later, several buds were already popping open.
The robin was back checking his nest in one corner to see if it was ready for his missus. The other three nests on the opposite corner had been checked out by some blackbirds with long, sharp beaks. A pretty red-headed finch asked about the rest. The strong wind tumbled one of the nests to the ground.
By now the white star blossoms have bloomed and shattered into the grass. Two-inch-long leaves cover the branches.
The maple leaves on the two ancient maples are already as big as squirrel ears. That is supposed to be a sign that corn can be planted. The young sugar maple tree leaves are just beginning to unfold. Guess you can pick and choose.
Old wives tales said to plant sweet peas with an ax (cold hard ground). And potatoes should be planted on Good Friday, according to old farmers planting by when the sign is right.
I used to go to Covalt’s Drug Store for an almanac each year. I paid no attention to signs but got calls from others who knew that I remembered all those old saws.
Just last week a caller looked at my one African violet and thought it looked great. No wonder. Friends gave me the artificial plant about 10 years ago and it has done remarkably well. And for my readers, so have I. So much for my green thumb.
Green Thumb
My neighbor has a green thumb
Her flowers are in the pink
The only time my thumb is green
Is when I use green ink.
Mary Jane Coartney of rural Ashmore is a writer and poet. She has lived in Coles County for 93 years.
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