I thought I had missed two weeks of Blog, but it looks more like
three weeks.  In any case, here I am again.  And for all friends
and family please note that FINALLY I'm loose from the medical
system until the end of May.  I done, done, done with heart
problems.  That is when the day comes that it just stops.  I feel
well and have my energy back.  The arthritis keeps me from walking
except on the treadmill where I can take the weight off of my bad
leg when it gets too bad.

I have been going to the Wellness center two times a week, but
have decided that five times would be much better.  In any case,
I'll aim for three and then four and then five.

Mostly, the last three weeks have been pretty routine.  I did
order a MedicAlert bracelet which describes all the things that
have been done to me in the last year, as well as the medications
that would be significant.  I wear it 24/7.

I bought a cane and am struggling to learn to use it effectively,
such that it takes some of the weight off my right leg when I
walk.


Victoria did our taxes this month and they are off.  We pretty
much broke even which impresses me with her ability to estimate
how much we will take in, etc.  With the medical expenses we have
had, we itemized for the first time in a very long time.

Connie and I have lunch every week at a restaurant either in
Louisville or Boulder depending upon whether either of us
need/want something in Boulder.  That is fun; I really enjoy her
company.  She often brings lunch for Robert, which he enjoys,
too.

The weekend of March 29-30, we took the Van to Nebraska.  Viki
had said she was going to see the Sand Hill Cranes so we thought
it would be fun to join her.  We stayed in an RV park near
Oglalla Lake.  At dusk we went to a site that Viki had found very
near the Platte River.  The Cranes roosted on an island in the
middle of the river.

Pretty soon they started coming in and they came and came by the
hundreds and then the thousands.  What a spectacle they make and a
noisy one at that.  It was a fantastic display. It is difficult
for me to describe the sight and my feelings.  I do know I had
two thoughts, the first..how that many birds, at one time, can
find enough to eat and the island must really be crowded.  And on
they came.  Because it is dusk they show as silhouettes.  It
would be lovely to seem them with more light.  We assumed there
would be more light at daylight when they all leave to head for
the corn fields.  But, I was in enough pain that I didn't want to
walk any more.  I suggested we drive to the meeting place and I
would stay in the Van and he and Viki could walk to the sighting
place.  But, Robert said no, that we'll just go home.  I called
Viki to let her know what was happening.  I'm sure it is more
fun if you are with someone so you can share the experience.


The next day was Gabby's birthday. We had dinner with the local
Cowley's at Spice China, to celebrate Gabby's 15th birthday.  How
time does fly.  She'll be off on her own before we know what
happened. 



During dinner Smart Phones were discussed and I said that I had
decided that I couldn't ignore new technology for ever.  That I was
intrigued with what I was hearing.  It was arranged they would pick
me up in the morning, early, and we would be at the Verizon store
when they opened.  And we did that.  I now am the slightly
confused owner of and Samson Galaxy S4 with the Android
operating system.  I am gradually learning to use some parts of
it.  Answering the phone part was a challenge.  You can't just pick
up the phone, turn it on and say "hello."  You have to swipe
through pages and then swipe the phone icon.  I have yet to
get it out of my purse and do all things before the phone stops
ringing!!!  That is a pain..makes me want my old phone back,
sometimes, but most of the time I am happy with it.  I seem
to be spending excessive amounts of time playing scrabble.
That is fun.



On Tuesday morning, April 8th I met my friend Susan Wayland for
coffee at Starbucks and 80th and Wadsworth.  It is a good place
to meet because it is about half way for both of us and I can
easily avoid the construction on the turnpike!

And here we are now, April 12th, Jeanne's birthday.  Jay arranged
a trip to Washington, DC for her birthday.  I'll be interested to
hear where they went and what they saw.  I know Jeanne was intent
on seeing the FDR Memorial and that is certainly a wonderful one.
It's full of quotes from FDR which say a lot, just by themselves,
about his Presidency and the state of the World at that time.