How Long Is Too Long?

I had an appointment with my doctor today at 1:30. I left work plenty early because I knew that this doctor triple books every appointment. I raced home, changed clothes, and hurried off to my appointment. The person who set the appointment told me that 1:30 was the first appointment after lunch so there shouldn't be a long wait. Still I knew about the triple booking and that the first one there for each appointment was the first one seen. Unfortunately I ran into some delays because of road work on the 2 lane highway I had to take. But still, I signed in at 1:29. On time but probably not the first of three people with 1:30 appointments. After not too long, I was called back, weighed, my blood pressure was taken, and I was told that it shouldn't be too long. At 2:45 the doctor finally walked in. By that time, I was cold and disgruntled. I had put my coat back on and was contemplating at what point it was time to find a different doctor. Prior to this one, I had gone to the same doctor for twenty years or so and we completely understood each other. Occasionally I would have to wait for extended periods of time to be seen but not often.

This doctor just didn't seem to care about me as a person or even a patient. I felt like he cared about me as a source of income.

As I sat in that little, chilly waiting room waiting for the doctor to come in, strange and unwelcome thoughts started to wander through my mind. Was I the least important of all the people he was going to see? Was I the most easy going so that he could count on me to not be angry? Or does age come into play? Maybe it was more important to keep young people healthy. After all, at 62 I'm probably on the downhill slide no matter what we do. I knew better, but as I said, unreasonable, unbidden thoughts entered my mind. The appointment was completed. The doctor gave me the time I needed and I was satisfied with the decisions that we made together about my healthcare. But I have to ask. How long really is too long to wait for the doctor?

41 Years And Still Counting

Today Mr. Right and I sort of celebrated 41 years as a married couple. We've had our ups and we've had our downs but the rewards of 'hanging in there' are many. I don't want to sound like it's been an endurance run or anything like that. But I suspect that there are rough spots in every marriage and some get through them and some don't. I'm so glad we got through ours. I have a Mr. Right that does almost everything right. He's unfailingly kind, tolerant of my shortcomings, and loving.

But what are the rewards of being together for 41 years?

Nobody, and I do mean nobody, knows me better than he does. And he's still here!!!! And there's nobody, and I do mean nobody, that I can count on when I need reassurance and support, more than I can count on him. He's my best friend and my most loyal ally.

I don't feel that it's always been like this. Our relationship has evolved over the years. We've always cared about each other but it hasn't always been this easy. At some point I quit worrying about the things that newer marrieds worry about. At some point, I finally became comfortable and fairly confident that I was the one that he really wanted to be with. And at some point, I realized that he would still love me despite my extra 20 pounds and wrinkles (oh the wrinkles!)

So it's a very special day for me. I say that we 'sort of' celebrated because he's at work right now. I worked days and he worked evenings. But if he liked the card I gave him, half as much as I loved the card he gave me, then he's still feeling a warm glow and very real happiness that we've shared 41 years as a married couple.

Do I Dare?

I can't help it. It's on my mind all the time. It drives my emotions and my moods. So I have to tempt fate (or Old Man Winter) one more time. I have to write about Spring. Because I still think its coming. Only this time I have proof. I believe its what we all wait for at the end of every winter. And when I tell people that I saw this sign, they're very happy and a little incredulous. A customer was standing at her door the other day watching a yellow bellied sapsucker. She was enraptured by it and says she watches it every year but when I told her about my sign, she was thrilled. Another customer pointed to a cardinal in the tall tree across the street. It was singing happily and so was my customer. And when I told her what Mr. Right and I had seen, she too was excited. Three days ago a co-worker told me he'd seen a kildeer and a cardinal. He was very proud but when I came in the next day and told him what we'd seen, he was truly impressed.

So we see the most stubborn ice slowly melting away and we hear rumbles of thunder and get lots of rain driven by March winds. These are all wonderful and not so wonderful signs of Spring but they're signs of Spring nevertheless and always appreciated. But there's one sure and certain sign that brings lightness to every heart when it's spotted. And here it is. Its not a great picture because he was so far away but it's a wonderful picture because of the subject:

My bearer of good news. Mr. Robin Redbreast. He seemed a little wary. Maybe on guard knowing that Old Man Winter might still have some tricks up his sleeve but he was here and I know he's not going back...at least until next Fall. So now I'm satisfied. It's true. It's coming. Spring is in the air.

I GOT LUCKY at the Casino!!!!!

We went to the casino the other night. We were having a pretty good time but after a while it seemed like my funds were dwindling so I thought it would be a good time for a bathroom break. I'd been to this casino before and knew right where the bathrooms were. I did my business (you know) and then carefully washed my hands as I always do. I happen to think casinos are a great place to pick up germs so I was extra thorough. I dried my hands, checked my face in the mirror, and turned around to walk out. As I started out the door, I saw them. A whole wall full of urinals. I had walked confidently into the wrong bathroom. And not once did I encounter a man. Now that's what I call luck!

You Capture Wednesday - Perspectives

Well, it's Photo Capture Wednesday. The day that Beth at Ishouldbefoldinglaundry sponsors a carnival of pictures featuring her assignment of photographing different perspectives. These are my submissions:

Who's Out of Hot Water..Who's in Hot Water?

About a month and a half ago our wonderful, faithful, hard-working water heater gave up the ghost. There was a lot going on that weekend and, as everybody knows, not having hot water is very difficult. So Mr. Right set out to buy a new one. Before he left, I admonished him to not get the cheapest one. Not that that would be his priority but he is pretty practical. The night before he had told me that they ranged from about $320 to $360. When he brought this one home, I asked how much it was and he replied $320. But he reassured me that "the guy" said they sold a lot of those. We had some guys install it and that cost about $160. But the good news is that we had hot water for the birthday party that day. What a relief!

I just took a shower. That was after washing a load of clothes and doing a few dishes. I love a hot shower but in order to get one tonight, I had to keep adjusting the water temperature and that's how it's been since the new water heater came to stay.

My first thought is a criticism of Mr. Right. Sometimes being practical isn't all that practical.

My second thought is a criticism of me. How was I too busy to help pick out something that important to me? Had I gone, we might have picked the exact same water heater BUT the difference would have been that as I continually adjust the temperature in my shower, I would have been piqued at the salesman or at myself but not at Mr. right who treats me like a queen.

So I asked Mr. Right to read this because I didn't want to post it if it's a problem for him. And he said, "I need to get out the book and see if there are some adjustments I can make". So you see, sometimes it's better to mention these difficulties than to keep them to yourself.

I thought I was being stoic but I was really being kind of unfair.

Life sure gets complicated in the sixties.

What Was I Thinking???!!!

I should have known better than to write the post that I wrote yesterday. Obviously Old Man Winter thought I was taunting him. Laughing in his face at the fact that I thought he would soon be gone. I wasn't. He took it all wrong. He fought the good fight and I respected him for it. I vowed never to work outside another winter. I whined and cried from the beginning until what I thought was the end. But then I wrote that post and offended him. I should have known that someone with his determination and tenacity wouldn't take my post lightly. Well...it's too late now. It's done.

I just went outside. There were no birds singing. All those birds are probably hightailing it back to the South right now. I couldn't see any cranes flying overhead. There was no mild, happy feeling in the air. And my dafs. Just look what happened now. They're still brave but they don't look nearly as hopeful as they did yesterday.

And if all this mess was in the forecast, I didn't know it. Or I never would have written what I wrote.

Tomorrow the wind chill at 9 a.m. is predicted to be about 4 degrees. What a dreary forecast! And, that's about the time I'll start working outside.

I was wrong. This winter will never end.

And more importantly, please visit Thea and leave a comment. She is beautifully, graciously and generously donating $1 for every comment left on her blog before 8 o'clock tonight up to $250. This money will be donated to Team James and Jake in the March of Dimes walk for babies.