snow drifts

On a cloudy Saturday morning, we began our trek to Rockford, Illinois. Bleary-eyed, I stumbled to the car, and Mark drove us out of the city. Our trip was mostly uneventful; no crazy drivers dampened our mood. Somewhere near Champaign, Illinois, we were greeted by icy limbs that bowed low to the ground in homage to us. Our bright red Scion passed between them like royalty on a red carpet. I was even wearing purple like a true queen. By the time we got to Rockford, the snow had thickened on the ground and was nearly waist high. Well, okay, I guess probably just about calf high. But still very gorgeous. About 2 hours after we arrived, a light snow began to fall. By bed time, the snow had covered the roads again, mocking the hard work of the snow plows earlier in the morning.

This morning, we awoke to temperatures below zero. But we, the hardy souls we are, decided to risk life and limb and go out for pancakes at the local Swedish pancake restaurant. I would have to say that it was worth it. We were so well fortified by the victuals that we decided to go buy new shoes. Fun times at Kohl's the weekend before Christmas!

Now its time for hot cocoa and eggnog. And maybe a Christmas movie or two.

Gregory Sylvester a.k.a. Big Greg

Thanksgiving was a remarkable day for many reasons. Unfortunately, it also marked the beginning of Grandpa H's unknown malady. From November 27 through December 4, he began to manifest symptoms including dizziness, slurred speech, and skin rash. As we watched in bewilderment and tried to decide how serious his condition could be, he became increasily unsteady as he walked and even began to talk in his sleep, very loudly I might add. At times we thought Grandpa H was talking on the phone with someone; it was as if he was carrying on a distinctly one-sided conversation with amazing lucidity in spite of the fact that his eyes were closed and he was obviously asleep.

Upon further investigation during an appointment with his cardiologist on Tuesday, it was discovered that Grandpa has been taking Benadryl for his itching. Let it be known that an 88-year-old should never take Benadryl because it can cause vertigo and delerium.

Tuesday, at his regular dialysis session, he was fairly unresponsive, in the nurse's opinion, after finishing his treatment. The nurse advised Greg & Nancy to take him to the ER and, thankfully, with her assistance, Grandpa's admittance was expedited. Grandpa is now resting comfortably in The Christ Hospital, having blood drawn and tested, and a CT scan performed. Grandpa's ammonia level is too high and his liver function is out of range. The CT scan is not specific enough to show if he had a stroke.

As of Thursday evening, Grandpa H had been moved to the Rehab Unit and will have physical therapy on a regular basis.  We don't know yet when he will come home.

In the meantime, Grandpa would enjoy cards, visitors, Hershey's chocolate, or a pastry or tea ring from St. Lawrence Bakery.

no news

I was examining the blog today for answers to all of life's troubles. Instead, what I discovered is that I look abnormally short next to my family. I think most of my insecurities stem from being required to look up to everyone. Literally, not figuratively. I may buy some stilts for Christmas so that I can experience looking down on people. Again, literally, not figuratively. Although I can't deny that I have looked down on people in my dodgy past.

Today I experienced another drawback of being petite. I'm in a foreign country, the land of Madisonville, sitting on a tall chair. As I sat down, I discovered that I was considerably lower than the desk, which can be very disconcerting. It took me several minutes to figure out how to raise the seat up. Now that I am properly level with the desk, I feel like a normal person.

But now the sun is shining through the sky light above me, and I feel illuminated like a Christmas tree. Or like King Arthur was illuminated when he pulled the sword from the stone.