Many have asked how I got these awesome lunar eclipse photos early morning December 21, 2010. Beyond my "lucky" mode, here are the stats from my camera.
BTW, the film photos came out as large blobs of white except for three that may have been fixable with Photoshop, but Walgreens thought the film was 'nothing' so they didn't save to disk as I asked them to. I'm still working on Walgreens. lol
So for you camera buffs (or professionals), here's what I used on a tripod:
When the moon was full, I had no trouble with point and shoot using my Nikon D80 but near the end, it wouldn't take the picture without 'flash' even on the tripod, so I added my big ole Nikon SB-26 flash WITHOUT the batteries (to 'fool" the hotshoe) and it clicked. I set the camera on the night mode picture setting and used a 80-70 mm 1:3.5-4.5G LENS.
I have some absolutely stunning printed photos that will go in our Christmas cards this year. If anyone else would like to have some, please email your request to BESTNURSE@USA.com Free, of course. Just ask.
Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda
December 22, 2010
December 21, 2010
Save Link for More Eclipse Photos & Share
I'm so happy that the photos of the Lunar Eclipse came out as they did. I still have two rolls of film to get developed, and will post them later depending on what they show.
Feel free to copy and paste or share any of these photos with my credit. (Linda Meikle photo)
My site meter indicates I had almost 300 hits last night and today. My usual is up to 10 on a good day.
Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda
Feel free to copy and paste or share any of these photos with my credit. (Linda Meikle photo)
My site meter indicates I had almost 300 hits last night and today. My usual is up to 10 on a good day.
Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda
More Lunar Eclipse - Linda Meikle photos
It's not that far away... Linda Meikle photo of the lunar eclipse from Denver, Colorado on
December 21, 2010 at 12:50 a.m.
Take Care on the Journey,
~Linda
Lunar Eclipse - Linda Meikle Photo
Taken with my Nikon D80 at 12:50 a.m. 12-21-2010(Linda Meikle photo)
Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda
December 20, 2010
Lunar Eclipse in Denver 12-21-2010 - Part 1
(Linda Meikle photo) Nikon D80 18-70 mm)
This photo taken at 6 p.m. (Mountain Time) in Denver before the unusual combination events of the Autumnal Equinox that occurs annually on December 21 and the solar eclipse that happens in a cycle of about every 19 years. Tonight, they are occurring at the same time. The last time this happened was in December of 1638, 372 years ago.
I hope the skies stay clear during the night as I take photos of the entire event(s). They say the moon should become very red about six hours from now. The color is expected to be more pronounced because of the recent volcanic activity on this earth.
I'll post additional photos during the event if the conditions stay favorable. I'll make each photo series separate, so those of you who get this by email will get all of them. Those who are on the blog, will have to scroll down.
Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda
Lunar Eclipse by Linda Meikle
Linda Meikle photos
11:30 p.m.12-20-2010 through 1 a.m. 12-21-2010
Take Care on the Journey
Take Care on the Journey
Your friend in life,
~Linda
December 14, 2010
A Candle In The Window
I'm posting a few personal fun photos before I write what's on my heart today.
Huh? Which faucets?
My $1 coupon shopping spree! All this cost less than $1.(Saving with coupons doesn't always have to be "big".)
Sidewalk Santa - I think!
My "Santa" on a cold, windy, trip to the mountains!
Sidewalk Santa - I think!My "Santa" on a cold, windy, trip to the mountains! (He enjoys collecting those rocks! :)
Little Boots in his favorite do-not-disturb place.
I thought having a bad day was running out of tape right in the middle of wrapping Christmas presents. Or, a sore throat so bad I can't eat anything hot, and I can't swallow without a gulp of pain. Or, the blinker light going out on the car. Or, the constant mooing of cows in the field next to our home. Or, a really, really, grumpy patient who orders me out of his room without regard for MY feelings.
However, in all fairness, these are minor deviations in time, and life will return to normal without much effort on my part.
I'm reminded that so many of my family and friends are going through some of the most painful, gut-wrenching, catastrophic, times at this very moment. And, there's not much I can do except offer a shoulder to cry on, arms to hug with, and a prayer for better days ahead. (And good advice on my blog. LOL)
In Florida, so many are cold from the unusual winter weather there. We were in Tampa and Orlando last week for a couple days, where they were experiencing everything from fruit failure to homeless people without shelter from the cold. We saw young couples, regular people, and frail old people on the street corners with signs and everything they owned in backpacks with them. Below freezing, no coats or warm shoes, and no place to go except to run from the police who try to stop the "panhandling".
Personally, my sister and her husband were without heat due to wiring not prepared for such temperatures (as many, many, Florida families discovered). While my sister is prepared better than most, they had to take action to protect the large fish tanks in their home from getting too cold, and they owned a coveted warming blanket for their bed.
But more than the sore throat or lights out, I know from the Christmas cards that have come in, phone calls, and emails from family and friends, that indicate job losses, poor health, cancer treatments, more job losses, heartbreak, unexpected death of spouse, car accidents, personal injury, infidelity, loss of home(s) due to foreclosure, financial devastation, family fights, and discouragement big time. (I'm not making this up!)
Not just one family, but as I sit here, I can recall at least 20 (twenty) of my family and friends suffering unimaginable fear and grief during this "holiday' season. These are the ones I know about! How many others reading this can be included? My heart goes out to each of you!
If I'm correct (and I usually am), I think the biggest fear is feeling alone in your worries and grief. During the darkest times, we isolate ourselves and feel that there's no one else going down that path.
During the darkest times of our life, we feel like we are on a narrow, rocky, footpath without lights or warmth, or someone to hold our hand!
It seems we are obligated to deal with our grief and trials in solitude. We cry when we are alone. We hurl our anger at the walls. We scream when no one is there to hear us. We see no options for a way out! Yes, I hear all these things from those who suffer. It is a commonality that you do not know exists because you are alone at a time when you most need someone to hold you tight (and offer you a million dollars!)
The truth is, money (ALL of it) will not fix the problem. We can live anywhere, in any conditions and be happy if we learn to live with and love ourselves. This advice isn't much good if you don't believe me, but here it is, for what it's worth. And I believe it to be true because, as many of you know, I've been there and done that.
See my former home photo posted on the left hand side of this blog, as an example of fortitude. My sister and I learned to be happy there although we were often sick, sadly alone, grieved for our family and friends, very cold, quite hungry, and sometimes extremely afraid! We longed for someone to come and love us again!
As an adult, I've walked sleepless night along the St. Joseph River near Berrien Springs, Michigan, when I thought my heart was too broken to ever beat normally again! I thought there were no options because there was no money in my pocket, and no place to go. I lost my integrity, my power, my love, and my capacity to act. I thought my family & friends didn't understand my pain, so I didn't tell them all of it!
Please believe me when I tell you that it can and does change. But not until you can believe in yourself, love yourself, and make choices that will better yourself. All the friends in the world cannot give you this.
As I write, my hubby is still on unemployment (as are several of you who are reading this). I worry that if anything happens to my (somewhat fragile) health, we would quickly loose our 'candle in the window'. (Or at least be able to afford batteries to light them!)
I'm so thankful that we have each other and the strength we get from our relationship, the love and respect of my boys, my sister, our family, and so many friends.
So, I'm keeping all my friends and loved ones close to my heart today and always.
I offer hope as big as my heart, and love as everlasting as the universe.
Please (for me), put a candle in the window (lit or not), and let it be a small glimmer of hope for yourself. Life is what we make it - anytime, anywhere, after we have walked through the dark valley and have survived to find our true path again.
It will take time that you don't think you have; strength that you must borrow from others; and unlimited power always available from the universe.
Don't forget to click on the 'Vibrant Nation" link - for us older women.
Take Care on the Journey,
Little Boots in his favorite do-not-disturb place. I thought having a bad day was running out of tape right in the middle of wrapping Christmas presents. Or, a sore throat so bad I can't eat anything hot, and I can't swallow without a gulp of pain. Or, the blinker light going out on the car. Or, the constant mooing of cows in the field next to our home. Or, a really, really, grumpy patient who orders me out of his room without regard for MY feelings.
However, in all fairness, these are minor deviations in time, and life will return to normal without much effort on my part.
I'm reminded that so many of my family and friends are going through some of the most painful, gut-wrenching, catastrophic, times at this very moment. And, there's not much I can do except offer a shoulder to cry on, arms to hug with, and a prayer for better days ahead. (And good advice on my blog. LOL)
In Florida, so many are cold from the unusual winter weather there. We were in Tampa and Orlando last week for a couple days, where they were experiencing everything from fruit failure to homeless people without shelter from the cold. We saw young couples, regular people, and frail old people on the street corners with signs and everything they owned in backpacks with them. Below freezing, no coats or warm shoes, and no place to go except to run from the police who try to stop the "panhandling".
Personally, my sister and her husband were without heat due to wiring not prepared for such temperatures (as many, many, Florida families discovered). While my sister is prepared better than most, they had to take action to protect the large fish tanks in their home from getting too cold, and they owned a coveted warming blanket for their bed.
But more than the sore throat or lights out, I know from the Christmas cards that have come in, phone calls, and emails from family and friends, that indicate job losses, poor health, cancer treatments, more job losses, heartbreak, unexpected death of spouse, car accidents, personal injury, infidelity, loss of home(s) due to foreclosure, financial devastation, family fights, and discouragement big time. (I'm not making this up!)
Not just one family, but as I sit here, I can recall at least 20 (twenty) of my family and friends suffering unimaginable fear and grief during this "holiday' season. These are the ones I know about! How many others reading this can be included? My heart goes out to each of you!
If I'm correct (and I usually am), I think the biggest fear is feeling alone in your worries and grief. During the darkest times, we isolate ourselves and feel that there's no one else going down that path.
During the darkest times of our life, we feel like we are on a narrow, rocky, footpath without lights or warmth, or someone to hold our hand!
It seems we are obligated to deal with our grief and trials in solitude. We cry when we are alone. We hurl our anger at the walls. We scream when no one is there to hear us. We see no options for a way out! Yes, I hear all these things from those who suffer. It is a commonality that you do not know exists because you are alone at a time when you most need someone to hold you tight (and offer you a million dollars!)
The truth is, money (ALL of it) will not fix the problem. We can live anywhere, in any conditions and be happy if we learn to live with and love ourselves. This advice isn't much good if you don't believe me, but here it is, for what it's worth. And I believe it to be true because, as many of you know, I've been there and done that.
See my former home photo posted on the left hand side of this blog, as an example of fortitude. My sister and I learned to be happy there although we were often sick, sadly alone, grieved for our family and friends, very cold, quite hungry, and sometimes extremely afraid! We longed for someone to come and love us again!
As an adult, I've walked sleepless night along the St. Joseph River near Berrien Springs, Michigan, when I thought my heart was too broken to ever beat normally again! I thought there were no options because there was no money in my pocket, and no place to go. I lost my integrity, my power, my love, and my capacity to act. I thought my family & friends didn't understand my pain, so I didn't tell them all of it!
Please believe me when I tell you that it can and does change. But not until you can believe in yourself, love yourself, and make choices that will better yourself. All the friends in the world cannot give you this.
As I write, my hubby is still on unemployment (as are several of you who are reading this). I worry that if anything happens to my (somewhat fragile) health, we would quickly loose our 'candle in the window'. (Or at least be able to afford batteries to light them!)
I'm so thankful that we have each other and the strength we get from our relationship, the love and respect of my boys, my sister, our family, and so many friends.
So, I'm keeping all my friends and loved ones close to my heart today and always.
I offer hope as big as my heart, and love as everlasting as the universe.
Please (for me), put a candle in the window (lit or not), and let it be a small glimmer of hope for yourself. Life is what we make it - anytime, anywhere, after we have walked through the dark valley and have survived to find our true path again.
It will take time that you don't think you have; strength that you must borrow from others; and unlimited power always available from the universe.
Don't forget to click on the 'Vibrant Nation" link - for us older women.
Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
`Linda
December 3, 2010
Linda's December Song
I enjoy sharing my poetry with my family and friends.
This one just bubbled up and out today. Enjoy.
Linda’s December Song
A call from a friend who is tired and spent
“I haven’t got a cent,” she sadly laments.
“Work and sleep, dishes piled deep, and clothes in a heap!
We’ve all got the flu and no medical breakthrough.
Feeling like a dork who’s in need of a cork!"
Another call from a friend whose voice is a cheer!
“How are you my friend?” A favorite dear!
Boys washing dishes, mom making a pie
The world is blight, but we will fight
For family and friends and that far distant light
Of rainbows and glow from everything white.
We won’t stay down. Let go of that frown!
Although it seems we just spent out last dime
On Christmas cranberries and seasoning thyme."
The difference between then and now. Time has changed us all somehow.
We email, or text or ding this and that. Post it, twitter or Internet Chat!
Our faces have morphed into a Facebook dwarf
It’s not a checkbook, hymnbook, or textbook new.
It’s a babbling brook, used as a fishhook to catch a few!
Remember when a blackberry was something to eat as a treat.
And, a bluebird was something that loved to tweet!
MySpace was where the astronauts worked and lived.
Google was something a turkey said - just before he lost his head.
“Networking” stood for a group of neurons back when I went to school
Now, job hunting just got better with this Internet pool.
A Bookmark pretty to find your place. Now it’s used as an Internet trace.
I remember when Amazon was a river deep. Known better now for its prices cheap.
A Vulture is more than a bird with an ugly face.
Linda’s December Song
A call from a friend who is tired and spent
“I haven’t got a cent,” she sadly laments.
“Work and sleep, dishes piled deep, and clothes in a heap!
We’ve all got the flu and no medical breakthrough.
Feeling like a dork who’s in need of a cork!"
Another call from a friend whose voice is a cheer!
“How are you my friend?” A favorite dear!
Boys washing dishes, mom making a pie
The world is blight, but we will fight
For family and friends and that far distant light
Of rainbows and glow from everything white.
We won’t stay down. Let go of that frown!
Although it seems we just spent out last dime
On Christmas cranberries and seasoning thyme."
The difference between then and now. Time has changed us all somehow.
We email, or text or ding this and that. Post it, twitter or Internet Chat!
Our faces have morphed into a Facebook dwarf
It’s not a checkbook, hymnbook, or textbook new.
It’s a babbling brook, used as a fishhook to catch a few!
Remember when a blackberry was something to eat as a treat.
And, a bluebird was something that loved to tweet!
MySpace was where the astronauts worked and lived.
Google was something a turkey said - just before he lost his head.
“Networking” stood for a group of neurons back when I went to school
Now, job hunting just got better with this Internet pool.
A Bookmark pretty to find your place. Now it’s used as an Internet trace.
I remember when Amazon was a river deep. Known better now for its prices cheap.
A Vulture is more than a bird with an ugly face.
It’s someone circling for a parking space.
A Blog is where we love to blab. It used to mean a servant boy in a college lab.
A “favorite” used to be one of my kids. Today, it keeps a log of my Internet grids.
When Farmville was where the cows were milked:
A Blog is where we love to blab. It used to mean a servant boy in a college lab.
A “favorite” used to be one of my kids. Today, it keeps a log of my Internet grids.
When Farmville was where the cows were milked:
Now our pigs share truffles to the hilt.
Today families must fight or flight. No longer need to hold each other tight.
The difference between God and church is now a bunch of mad research.
Unemployment lines are long and thin. No one knows when there’ll be jobs again.
Soldiers go off to war – and leave the same. No one knows who’s to blame.
It can look so very bad. One digs real deep to find some GLAD.
It’s starts with me, and next is YOU - to find the strength to turn off sad.
Turn on that smile and go the second mile! Help others as I’ve helped you.
Do something nice and help a few. Live and love as I love you.
By Linda J. Meikle
12-03-2010
Today families must fight or flight. No longer need to hold each other tight.
The difference between God and church is now a bunch of mad research.
Unemployment lines are long and thin. No one knows when there’ll be jobs again.
Soldiers go off to war – and leave the same. No one knows who’s to blame.
It can look so very bad. One digs real deep to find some GLAD.
It’s starts with me, and next is YOU - to find the strength to turn off sad.
Turn on that smile and go the second mile! Help others as I’ve helped you.
Do something nice and help a few. Live and love as I love you.
By Linda J. Meikle
12-03-2010
Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda
November 25, 2010
Thinking of You at Thanksgiving
I was going to list so many friends and family that I'm thankful for, but a nasty case of the GI flu-bug took over any plans I had for the holiday!
I'm finally able to keep down nourishment and think of planning a (late) Thanksgiving/Anniversary dinner, although that may not be until Friday.
Jim brought me roses on our 14th wedding anniversary in between helping me to the bathroom to be sick! (No kidding!)
Although we love Denver and the Colorado Mountains, we sure do miss the family and friends we have in Columbus (Ohio) and all over the U.S. You are always close in mind and spirit.
And, at this time of year, we miss so much being close enough to visit all those we love so dearly.
Just know that we love you, and wish happiness and good blessings today and always.
Finally, I'm wishing a farewell RIP to Thomas Sigwaldsen, my uncle who passed away on Monday, November 22, on Staten Island. He was the husband of my mother's sister, Edna. It was through Edna that I located my brother, TJ, and sister, Allison, and later found our long-lost mother and five other siblings we had never met.
Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda
I'm finally able to keep down nourishment and think of planning a (late) Thanksgiving/Anniversary dinner, although that may not be until Friday.
Jim brought me roses on our 14th wedding anniversary in between helping me to the bathroom to be sick! (No kidding!)
Although we love Denver and the Colorado Mountains, we sure do miss the family and friends we have in Columbus (Ohio) and all over the U.S. You are always close in mind and spirit.
And, at this time of year, we miss so much being close enough to visit all those we love so dearly.
Just know that we love you, and wish happiness and good blessings today and always.
Finally, I'm wishing a farewell RIP to Thomas Sigwaldsen, my uncle who passed away on Monday, November 22, on Staten Island. He was the husband of my mother's sister, Edna. It was through Edna that I located my brother, TJ, and sister, Allison, and later found our long-lost mother and five other siblings we had never met.
Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda
November 15, 2010
It's In The Little Things
You may have noticed a blog I've linked to under 'Family, Friends, and Others" listed on the left-hand side of my Linda's Notebook blog. It's titled RN Blog in Portland, OR. I discovered his blog and enjoy his style of writing so much that I've added the link.
Today he wrote about little things at work making a big difference. From one nurse to another, you can tell he has 'been there done that". Although he works in a more critical unit than I do now, I can identify with his experiences.
I'm finding that I really appreciate Monday mornings now that my work schedule is the Baylor shift. That is to say I work double 8-hour shifts (16 hours) on Saturday and Sunday (32+ hours in two days), get paid for 40, and I'm off the rest of the week. (I actually "work" about 40-hours in those two days before it's all said and done anyway!)
I suspect that deep down inside, my church-going family and friends cringe a little because there's no chance of church-going on Sabbath (Saturday, for me). Well, I wasn't attending a specific church anyway, so please (continue to) remember me in your prayers as you've always done, and have faith that I'm still 'keeping the faith'.
Back to Mondays and little things...
The phone rang about 6 a.m. this morning causing the cats to jump off the bed and hubby to murmur "What's wrong? What's wrong?".
Now that we have added a new cat to our family, I've discovered that cats have a night language and a day language. During the night, they have this soft little purr-talk back and forth. Only cat-lovers can appreciate this 'little thing', but I think it's so cute. It lets me know that all is well with the 'night world'.
There's a chill on the kitchen floor this morning, and as I pull back the kitchen curtains, I see a very fine, misty, snow creating a white carpet over the parking lot, the cars, and the branches of the small trees. Darn, I wanted to drive up into the 'Golden Mountains" this afternoon. Maybe it will just be a 'little snow'. LOL
I can make a "to-do" list for the week.
Water all my plants as I forgot last Thursday's watering.
Get a new electric water dish for the cats.
Put the PUR water pitcher in the dishwasher and add a new filter.
Get my new scrubs I ordered all pressed and ready for next weekend.
Make an updated "shift notes' for when I have to take the cart at work.
Get my nails done in French today. (It's a nursing home for crying out loud.)
Put some lemon/bleach in the smelly garbage disposal.
Hang some pictures in the study. (They are still behind the couch since our move to Denver.)
Check out his week's coupons and compare with store sales.
Clean out and organize my nursing bag. Toss all the peanut-butter crackers!
Put my files back in the filing cabinet.
Upload new pictures to my picture frame on the piano.
Re-design my Linda's Notebook blog (but keep the piano).
Speaking of the piano, I got out the headphones and played on my keyboard a couple days ago. I'm ashamed to say it's been many months since I sat down and played the piano. Usually, my back starts hurting after just a few minutes, but that morning I was able to enjoy "Beautiful Ohio" all the way through! (Little things...)
I got an unexpected package in the mail the other day from an old friend. My boys will remember, Lydie Regazzi? She sent me a little pillow that says, "Nurses Call the Shots". How SPECIAL! We haven't actually talked to each other in, what?, 15-years? She is the best piano teacher EVER in Berrien Springs, MI. I can still remember that little smile and sparkle in her eyes when any of her students were on stage playing in a recital (my boys included). Thanks Lydie, although I don't think she knows about this blog.
I'm so glad to see I have a couple more "Followers" here on my blog. Hi Dee and Ashley's Mom. Hope this brings some sunshine to your day. Thanks for joining! I always enjoy your writings too.
Back to "Portland Nurse" (lostonthefloor.wordpress.com), I'm sure he's posted more than once about the awful effects of poor nursing management and not paying attention to the little things. He's right. Sometimes it's just a bad day, and sometimes it's because certain nurses never learn the imporatnce of paying attention to the little things.
Yesterday was a good example at my job. One nurse started out 'bad' with a skin tear that wouldn't stop bleeding and had to be sent out. Then, a frail little lady crashed and had to get an IV started. (She's almost 100-years old and kept screaming, "I don't want that. Just let me die in peace.")
An unexpected admission hit the door that NO ONE was expecting. (How can that happen?) Bedside tables were full to overflowing. Personal wheelchairs came up missing. No one passed ice. We ran out of temp covers, and CS isn't open on Sunday! Someone didn't put the pulse-ox meter back, and no one could find it. Pharmacy didn't spell a patient's name right and insisted we didn't have that patient. An air mattress bed was delivered that wouldn't fit through the door. Two patients' blood sugars crashed at the same time after a meal of unlimited spaghetti. The shower room was ice cold. Well, you get the picture about crescendoing 'little things'.
Oh yes, that 6 a.m. phone call. My iPhone indicated it was youngest son. I don't believe he has ever called that early.
His first words, "It's nothing major, mom." He knows I'm happy for the little newies of life anytime I can get it from my sons. He is taking the day off from work (teaching), and just wanted to share.
"I know you're always up early," he offered.
Funny, most people think of me as
1) always working, and
2) always up early
Hey guys, I have only one job these days, and sometimes I actually sleep in.
This morning, I curled up on the couch as Philip and I talked about many 'little things' of his life. Hubby stumbled out of the bedroom with a worried look on his face. I smiled and mouthed "Philip" to which he completely understood and turned back to bed.
Okay, this was going to be a 'little posting' before I started my day. I hope we get a 'little snow', and I get the 'little' t0-do list done quickly.
The Golden Mountain beckons.
Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda
Today he wrote about little things at work making a big difference. From one nurse to another, you can tell he has 'been there done that". Although he works in a more critical unit than I do now, I can identify with his experiences.
I'm finding that I really appreciate Monday mornings now that my work schedule is the Baylor shift. That is to say I work double 8-hour shifts (16 hours) on Saturday and Sunday (32+ hours in two days), get paid for 40, and I'm off the rest of the week. (I actually "work" about 40-hours in those two days before it's all said and done anyway!)
I suspect that deep down inside, my church-going family and friends cringe a little because there's no chance of church-going on Sabbath (Saturday, for me). Well, I wasn't attending a specific church anyway, so please (continue to) remember me in your prayers as you've always done, and have faith that I'm still 'keeping the faith'.
Back to Mondays and little things...
The phone rang about 6 a.m. this morning causing the cats to jump off the bed and hubby to murmur "What's wrong? What's wrong?".
Now that we have added a new cat to our family, I've discovered that cats have a night language and a day language. During the night, they have this soft little purr-talk back and forth. Only cat-lovers can appreciate this 'little thing', but I think it's so cute. It lets me know that all is well with the 'night world'.
There's a chill on the kitchen floor this morning, and as I pull back the kitchen curtains, I see a very fine, misty, snow creating a white carpet over the parking lot, the cars, and the branches of the small trees. Darn, I wanted to drive up into the 'Golden Mountains" this afternoon. Maybe it will just be a 'little snow'. LOL
I can make a "to-do" list for the week.
Water all my plants as I forgot last Thursday's watering.
Get a new electric water dish for the cats.
Put the PUR water pitcher in the dishwasher and add a new filter.
Get my new scrubs I ordered all pressed and ready for next weekend.
Make an updated "shift notes' for when I have to take the cart at work.
Get my nails done in French today. (It's a nursing home for crying out loud.)
Put some lemon/bleach in the smelly garbage disposal.
Hang some pictures in the study. (They are still behind the couch since our move to Denver.)
Check out his week's coupons and compare with store sales.
Clean out and organize my nursing bag. Toss all the peanut-butter crackers!
Put my files back in the filing cabinet.
Upload new pictures to my picture frame on the piano.
Re-design my Linda's Notebook blog (but keep the piano).
Speaking of the piano, I got out the headphones and played on my keyboard a couple days ago. I'm ashamed to say it's been many months since I sat down and played the piano. Usually, my back starts hurting after just a few minutes, but that morning I was able to enjoy "Beautiful Ohio" all the way through! (Little things...)
I got an unexpected package in the mail the other day from an old friend. My boys will remember, Lydie Regazzi? She sent me a little pillow that says, "Nurses Call the Shots". How SPECIAL! We haven't actually talked to each other in, what?, 15-years? She is the best piano teacher EVER in Berrien Springs, MI. I can still remember that little smile and sparkle in her eyes when any of her students were on stage playing in a recital (my boys included). Thanks Lydie, although I don't think she knows about this blog.
I'm so glad to see I have a couple more "Followers" here on my blog. Hi Dee and Ashley's Mom. Hope this brings some sunshine to your day. Thanks for joining! I always enjoy your writings too.
Back to "Portland Nurse" (lostonthefloor.wordpress.com), I'm sure he's posted more than once about the awful effects of poor nursing management and not paying attention to the little things. He's right. Sometimes it's just a bad day, and sometimes it's because certain nurses never learn the imporatnce of paying attention to the little things.
Yesterday was a good example at my job. One nurse started out 'bad' with a skin tear that wouldn't stop bleeding and had to be sent out. Then, a frail little lady crashed and had to get an IV started. (She's almost 100-years old and kept screaming, "I don't want that. Just let me die in peace.")
An unexpected admission hit the door that NO ONE was expecting. (How can that happen?) Bedside tables were full to overflowing. Personal wheelchairs came up missing. No one passed ice. We ran out of temp covers, and CS isn't open on Sunday! Someone didn't put the pulse-ox meter back, and no one could find it. Pharmacy didn't spell a patient's name right and insisted we didn't have that patient. An air mattress bed was delivered that wouldn't fit through the door. Two patients' blood sugars crashed at the same time after a meal of unlimited spaghetti. The shower room was ice cold. Well, you get the picture about crescendoing 'little things'.
Oh yes, that 6 a.m. phone call. My iPhone indicated it was youngest son. I don't believe he has ever called that early.
His first words, "It's nothing major, mom." He knows I'm happy for the little newies of life anytime I can get it from my sons. He is taking the day off from work (teaching), and just wanted to share.
"I know you're always up early," he offered.
Funny, most people think of me as
1) always working, and
2) always up early
Hey guys, I have only one job these days, and sometimes I actually sleep in.
This morning, I curled up on the couch as Philip and I talked about many 'little things' of his life. Hubby stumbled out of the bedroom with a worried look on his face. I smiled and mouthed "Philip" to which he completely understood and turned back to bed.
Okay, this was going to be a 'little posting' before I started my day. I hope we get a 'little snow', and I get the 'little' t0-do list done quickly.
The Golden Mountain beckons.
Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda
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