Jul 10, 2016
Katie’s first trip to a casino upon turning 21 and the Horseshoe in New Albany was the destination. There was only one winner…
When I looked at this iPhone photo from our weekend night of fun, I could barely believe my eyes. Did both these women shrink? The 3 of us have been about the same height ever since Katie was in high school, but I’ve had a recent growth spurt as evidenced in the picture below:
I sure am grateful to have these 2 awesome (albeit short) women in my life.
Jun 22, 2016
I snickered to myself when my son, Ben, shared a story pertaining to my favorite granddaughter. Yesterday, she told her Mom that the roof at her house had caught on fire. Her Mom believed the story. Of course, there wasn’t a fire… if there had been a fire, her Mom would’ve certainly been informed. But when Ben confronted Coco, now 6 years-old, and asked why she told the lie she had the perfect response. The story she told wasn’t really a lie — it was just her imagination.
I guess that’s why my own Mom feels ok about her response when she’s asked about her age. It’s not really a LIE if it’s just your imagination. Happy **insert imaginary year here** birthday, Mom. You are awesome no matter how old you claim to be.
Apr 27, 2016
Today, I had a funny memory of something that happened when I was in the 5th grade…
I know I was disappointed to learn that I would have Mrs. Hall as my teacher because everyone knew she was tough. (I still wonder if my Mom requested I be placed in her class.) She was round and oh, so grumpy looking. Sort of like a bull dog, Mrs. Hall wore a permanent frown, stomped instead of walking, and she was SCARY!! At some point over the years, she earned the nickname “Pouncy.” The name fit.
Mrs. Hall wielded a ruler… a wooden one, and she wasn’t afraid to use it, you guys. Unlike now, she was allowed to. And that’s not all she used. I had this one classmate who was always a bit of a trouble-maker. We all had one of those, right? He was a great guy but was known for pushing the limits of about every authority figure with his smart mouth and burly attitude.
This kid also had a nervous twitch. Everyone that knew him was aware that oftentimes his eyes would squint causing the corners of his mouth to curl just a bit.
No one told ole’ Pouncy Hall about the twitch because just as she was reprimanding him for some little infraction, that nervous twitch thing happened. She open-handed slapped him across the face and said (in what my 5th grade mind sounded exactly like a big, hairy monster), “Don’t you smile like a o’possum at me, young man.”
I was… I was… TERRIFIED.
Funny, the kid she slapped stopped misbehaving in her class — and I learned a lot in the 5th grade because I listened very attentively to every single word that came from that woman’s mouth. I’m not saying I condone my teacher’s actions from so long ago — I would be the first to admit there better not be ANYONE slap my kid in the face — but someplace in the middle between then and now might be an improvement.
Here’s something from the way… WAY back machine — Crothersville High School in 1931:
Apr 12, 2016
My uncle Max (my Dad’s youngest brother) woke on his birthday and baked himself a birthday cake and a cherry pie. He didn’t know his two daughters had a surprise party planned for him that afternoon at his granddaughter’s house. I’m pretty happy he didn’t know anything about the gathering because that cherry pie was amazing!
I was late (typical Shelley) and had to park 100 miles from the house. So many family and friends took time from their busy Sunday to celebrate Max’s life, it was more like a football game at Seymour High School than the 82nd birthday of some old dude.
My Dad was from a large family and I was reminded of that fact as I looked around at all my cousins and their kids. Our get-togethers were a LOT more frequent when my parent’s generation was in charge — but when we DO gather, it’s always a treat.
Here’s hoping my Uncle Max has many more birthdays — he is the last of the McKain 13.
Mar 22, 2016
The last two visits I’ve made to the Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, those I accompanied saw a nurse practitioner rather than a doctor. Both times we were told a physician was “on call” but not in the facility. Just this past weekend, my Mom experienced the same exact thing. I guess I’m old fashioned enough to feel that if you go to an emergency room, you should see a doctor.
I understand there is a shortage of primary care physicians and that NPs (Nurse Practitioners) and PAs (Physician Assistants) are trained to provide excellent care. If I need to visit urgent care I don’t mind seeing a PA or a NP, but if I go to the emergency room — I WANT TO SEE A DOCTOR. Just as I understand a paralegal can answer my questions at my favorite attorney’s office, I expect my attorney would represent me in court. Isn’t my health more important?
That office or ER visit costs the same in our state no matter who sees you, and I don’t really agree with that either. I figure if the average salary is around $45 bucks an hour for a PA or NP, my cost should be adjusted accordingly if I don’t physically see the doctor or if consultation between the physician and PA/NP isn’t required. And, I wonder how this impacts the overall cost of insurance rates and more.
So tell me… am I just old fashioned or do you feel the same?
I guess these thoughts were spurred by the fact that I had a birthday last week and feel older than dirt. Because I am. But birthdays generate flowers and gifts and certainly beat the alternative…
