Animal Tales Part II

We had only lived in our house on Maxwell Road a few months and I was pregnant with Leah when Vern decided we needed a dog. So one day we went to the dog pound and there was a cute medium sized mixed breed female who had just had a litter and because she was a good size we decided to bring home one of her pups. We chose a male puppy, all black, with brown spots above his eyes and a brown bow tie on his chest, just the cutest little pup. We decided on the name of Sam. Right from the start, Vern said that we had to be strict with him and he had to stay in the kitchen, so he fixed a box by the kitchen table for him to sleep in. We lined the bed with an old bath towel Vern had had at the boarding house - we had not been married long enough to accumulate rags - and settled in for our first night as a "family". The usual sad puppy noises came from the kitchen, and Vern would go in and calm him down and he would be quiet and Vern would come back to bed and then sad puppy noises, Vern would go in and quiet, calm,back to bed over and over - just as all new parents do. Finally Vern became resigned and took his pillow and blanket and laid beside him. And that is how we got Sam to sleep in the kitchen while we were in the bedroom two rooms away. When he would start to wail, Vern would go into the kitchen, pillow and quilt in hand and he slowly moved closer to the kitchen door, and if Sam would moan Vern would reassure him that he was right there. Eventually Vern moved into the living room, always when the yipping started, assuring Sam all was well until finally the dog slept through the night. Vern, the great disciplinarian, did train him to stay in the kitchen and Sam never came past the door into the living room. As the years went by, Sam stayed behind the door sill, then his nose was on th carpet, then his paws, and eventually there was a throw rug in the doorway but he never came off the rug unless he was invited in. Sam,at full growth, was the size of a German Shepherd.

We never kept Sam on a leash, but he stayed pretty close to home. When we moved to the area, we were the first house on our side of the street. There were a couple of houses on Fairview Road, and a farmhouse beyond some trees. Now one of the neighbors on the side street had a female dog and she and Sam played together. Vern got worried because when Sam would urinate, he squatted like the female did. He just didn't think it was right that a male dog would relieve himself that way. So there was a cottonwood tree in the backyard and no neighbors close by, and Vern would go stand next to the tree, raise his leg against it, and pee, and so help me, Sam got the idea and peed the same way. Vern was satisfied that his dog, was totally male.

Our daughter, Leah was born in September, 1957, Lora was born in September, 1958, Alissa, in August of 1959 and Mary in September,1961. I don't remember Sam's reaction to Leah but as each subsequent daughter was born, Vern, would place the new baby down for Sam to see and he would look, sniff and turn his head, as if to say "not another one!" and sigh. By the time Angela and Maureen came along in 1963 and 1965, and Vern showed Sam the new baby, I swear before he turned his head, he rolled his eyes. You see, he believed that those children were his to take care of. Where ever you saw our little girls, there was this huge dog with the wagging tail right along side. When we moved back to Martin Street on Peoria's Southside when Leah was ready for Kindergarten, one of the neighbors said if you wanted to know whose house where the neighborhood kids were playing just look for Sam. Another neighbor told about tying Lora's shoe laces one time, and Sam walked between Him and Lora the whole time, which made it pretty difficult to tie a shoe. But our dog was protecting his kid.

We still had Sam when we moved to the country in rural Washington. That was in August of 1970. That Thanksgiving we went to Missouri to visit Vern's family and Keith and Marge offered to feed him while we were gone. Sam slept on a pallet in the barn. Keith said they came out to feed him and he was gone. We don't know if he came looking for us at the old house or had gone some place to die. We never found his body and all of us felt that some how we had let this great protector, friend, first 'child' down. He was the best.

Animal Tales. Part I

Judy was showing me the Savannah State Park which is just a little in back of us. It is true savannah, lots of high grass and because it's Florida, it is also somewhat swampy. She was discussing that people like to hike into this area in which alligators and snakes thrive. She (or I) have no idea why someone would like to do this, and this led to a discussion on why anyone would like to be around these or any animals. Among my friends and cohorts, I am known as a person who hates animals. I do not hate animals, I just hate them in my house! I did not come upon this decision overnight but through years of animal abuse. Animals - and children - abusing my sensibilities!!!

My first memory of an animal in my life is on either my second or third birthday, I was given a red furry Chow puppy- there's a picture someplace, if I ever find it I will post it - and when I named it, because I was two or three, I named it, what else, but Chow! I don't know what happened to him, but we lived in a house off the alley behind Nevada and Norman Sellar's house on Hurlbert and Cedar Street. Cedar Street is now MacArthur Highway and even for the end of the 1930s, a busy street, so I think maybe Chow was hit by a car. There were no other animal's in our family that I can remember - siblings can add something if they can remember others - until we moved to the house on Howett and we had a big dog named Tippy. I don't recollect what happened to Ole Tip, but probably the same fate as Chow as Howett Street was also Illinois Route 116 and very busy despite WWII, gas rationing and few tires available.

When Vern and I married, we moved into a brand new house on Maxwell Road, out by the Airport on our first anniversary in January. That April we obtained Sam, the Last Great Dog in America, from the pound, but that is another story or Part II.

TRAINS

On the other side of the fairway behind the house is a railroad track (this makes me think of one of Vern's old jokes. How do you know if a train just went by. you can see his tracks). - I didn't say it was a good joke, just one of his old ones. In the morning,shortly after dawn, a train whistle bales it's mournful sound as it comes to a crossing somewhere along the route behind us. I love that sound. It makes me think of places to see and somewhere deep inside I get this feeling, I 'd like to hop on board and start a new adventure.

I grew up in a time when trains were the best way to travel - so glamourous! In movies of the time, a lot of action took place on trains. In dining cars, the hero and heroine traded 'snappy' dialogue to move the action along. And, of course, there usually was the obligatory scene in a stateroom or a made up bed in the Pullman car. Even my favorite genre of movies - Westerns - had train scenes usually involving a hold up or the villain in his luxurious private car.

When we were In Europe last spring, we took the train from Rome to Panicale and back and Mary and I took the train in London. I wish our government would invest more money in Rail Travel. The high speed trains we took, were clean, fun and fast.

The first "train" journey, I remember, was taking the Interurban between Peoria and Decatur. The Interurban was a series of trolleys that ran between our Hometown and other downstate cities. Judy and I don't remember who we went to see but only that Mom took us to get a permanent wave. Judy says all that she can remember is that the perm turned her hair blonde for several weeks. I recollect a trip that several friends took on The Peoria Rocket to Chicago to see a matinee and lunch at Berghoff's Restaurant. Vern's Uncle Bob was a Conductor on that train. One time I asked another conductor if he knew him. He answered yes and asked me if I knew Bob was a Nudist.....but, that's another story.

I love traveling by train. Vern and I traveled that way several times. The first time we went West, we went by Coach. After that, we got a roomette. The thing about seeing the Country this way is that there are places where the tracks go that are inaccessible by auto. Some tracks were laid before roads were built. Another thing we like about trains is that on most Routes, someone from a local Historical Society will get on board and tell the happenings in a certain area. We have heard about the Donner Party as we traveled through snow melting mountains one Spring in Northern California. We heard about The Louis and Clark Expedition twice, each guide telling their versions. On a ride down the coast of California, a Magician Was on board to entertain.

Love, love, love traveling by train. I am looking forward to my next Rail adventure which, by the way, has already been set in (loco) motion!

Sisters

It's just breaking dawn here in Fort pierce, Judy has gone for her morning walk to the Clubhouse to get a newspaper. I am sitting on the sun porch listening to the early morning sounds of birds and bugs. Behind me is a box hedge and beyond that is the seventh fairway of a golf course. The edge of the course itself is lined with mature palm trees that are close enough to each other that the palm fronds are touching. Quite a nice view and different than the one in my small backyard in Illinois.

This my third day here in Sunny Florida. It rained the first two days, and the same forecast today. This afternoon we are driving up to Orlando to say good bye to our sister, Carol. Her health is at a point where right now she needs to have someone with her. Her daughter, Angela - one of Vern and my favorite people - is taking her back to live with her in Virginia. Her D-I-L, Kelly has come down from Connecticut to follow them in Carol's car. So tonight will be a "Sisters Night Out" with a couple of nieces thrown in for good measure. The four of us don't get together too often so be on your toes, Orlando, the Scovil girls are in town.

Can Certainly

     Earlier this evening, I went over to Church to spend some time  in front of the Blessed Sacrament to say thank you for nephew, Chris's good test results.  They removed 28 lymph nodes and he is cancer free.   I took some reading material along, specifically my copy of Daily Word, a little booklet I have a subscription for.
      There was a story written by a man named Don Rogers, who was diagnosed with male breast cancer.  He went through surgery and chemo.  he writes: "I knew that cancer was not a death sentence, but simply the mention of cancer strikes fear into almost everyone.  I began", he continues, "to search for a word to replace the ugly and terrifying word cancer.  Through prayer and meditation the answer came:  Cancer is an abbreviation, a contraction.  The complete phrase is CAN CERTAINLY!"
     "I can certainly be the child of God I am meant to be.  With God's help, I can certainly  overcome any health challenge.  I can certainly experience absolute good!"
      He talks a little about the side effects of cancer treatment and finishes the article with this paragraph: "Side effects are temporary but spirit endures.......... I can certainly say my prognosis is absolute good.  I may not be the man I used to be, but I am more of the spiritual self I am meant to be".

      I am constantly amazed that The Lone Arranger, puts the right people, or the right words for us when we need them.  Don Rogers' article was in between the Daily Word readings for January and February.  Tonight was the first time I had picked the book up this month.  His prognosis was perfect for the gratefulness we all feel for Chris's good news and also, gives me something to ponder these next few weeks as I decide what's next in my cancer battle.  But most of all it reminds me that I, with God's help,  can certainly overcome any challenge!

Masterpiece Theatre

     Back in the early 70s, I got hooked on a show called Upstairs, Downstairs, a story about a wealthy London family and their servants.  Oh, my Gosh,  the kids were in bed or at least put in their cages so I could have the quiet time to watch every Sunday night at 8:00.  This was before DVRs.  I fell in love with Captain James Bellamy and Rose, the upstairs parlor maid.  And that started me on a Sunday night television quest.  I took command of the TV from 8 to 10 on that night.  Now some of the series they presented, I didn't watch,  shows about war or mysteries, not for me, I'm too much of a whoops, woos, wuss - one of those words - I'm a scardy cat, don't like scary shows.  But it did make me in love with all things English.  I would pick up a magazine about Britain and day dream about going there.  I was thrilled when daughter, Angela, got an opportunity to study a semester in Brighton.  (actually it was cheaper for us than her living in the Chi O house at ISU)
      Then in 1993, Angela and I were able to go to England with some of her friends and I got to actually see Eaton Place  - where my favorite show took place - and other sights around  London and Great Britain.  We even crossed the English Channel  and I visited Ireland for the first time.....but that's another story.
       Last year they brought a new version of Upstairs, Downstairs back to Masterpiece and when Jean Marsh who portrays Rose came back to Eaton Place this time as Housekeeper, as she walked through those rooms again, again I was ver klempt.
       Also last year, a new upstairs, downstairs type show started, Downton Abbey.  Here I go again getting involved in the goings on of an English family and their servants.  Love Maggie Smith, as the dowager.  She has the best lines.  And those of you,  who are watchers, did you notice the gleam in Lord Crowley's eye when he saw the new maid, his wife has been pretty busy lately, hmmmmm!  new storyline there?
      I read recently that Shirley MacLaine is going to join the show next year as Lady Cora's American mother.  Oh my gosh, can you imagine the dialogue between she and Maggie?  It almost makes me want to do chemo again, if they could assure me, I'd be around for year three. 
     Love, love love television and especially Masterpiece Theatre.

      It was bound to happen.  For the last year, every time I would have a meeting with the doctor,  the diagnosis was always the same: a little more activity in the plura (lining) of the lung but nothing to be concerned about at this time.  Because I wanted to talk to him about maybe not coming out to see him anymore - I felt that I was wasting his time and it's a long way out to Route 91 - I decided to go to my appointment alone.
      Well, so much for making plans.  I had had a PET Scan on the 17th of the month and when he began to talk to me this time, I stopped him and asked if he would tell all of this to Maureen - the only daughter who has a Peoria phone line.  He dialed and when she answered he put her on the speaker phone.  The three of us discussed options and other things.  She wrote about our conversation in an e-mail to her sisters.  It follows:

I just spoke with Mom and Dr. Gerstner.
 There is some thickening of the pleural lining and increased activity compared to the PET scan she had a year ago.  The thickening is significant.  But according to Dr. Gerstner, the cancer "is not going gangbusters and it hasn't spread outside the lung."

Her option is more chemo.  They're looking into the tablet chemo, which allows her a little more freedom to travel.  Side effects are minimal (acne, diarrhea).  She can also do IV chemo again, but she didn't like the side effects (lethargy and weakness) from that.  He's suggesting a different IV cocktail, and thinks it's a good option because she had such great success with the first round.  He feels her "slow-growing variety of cancer"  is a good thing that allows us to fight it.

      So now I have to decide what to do.  I really hated the lethargy with the chemo treatment.  I missed concert dates and going out with friends, I just had no energy.  But I have had a year of good times.  Trips to the West Coast, Hawaii, Italy and getting more active in the Church Community here at St. Thomas.  I love traveling and being involved in Parish life.  If I go back to the treatments, I will have to depend on family and friends again.  The daughters were so wonderful through everything in 2010.  They took time out from their lives to be here with me.  As did my sister, Judy.  I really don't feel comfortable asking for all that time again. Yes, as they read this they are protesting, that they would do it again gladly, but all of them have other people in their lives to think about and they all have careers to consider.
      I am so blessed, I've had a wonderful life.  I cannot believe the opportunities I've had, the things I've seen and done.  And the people God has put in my life have been amazing.  I told the doctor I would let him know what I plan to do March 6.  Right now, I'm thinking to just do nothing and spend what time I have easing out with dignity. I'm much more concerned with my sister, Carol, who is having a biopsy this week because they have found a mass in her pelvis and in nephew, Chris, who had surgery earlier this week for cancer.  Chris has two darling daughters, is 45 and a firefighter and has a lot to do.  There should be our focus right now.