"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

Hello Friends!

Friends, Romans, countrymen...y'all. Foodies, gardeners, artists and collectors - let's gather together to share and possibly learn a thing or two in the mix.

Donna Baker

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Favorite Things


Well, after much gnashing of teeth, I have finished the goldfish pond at the city house.  I'm going out for some koi today to put in it.  It was filled with a million billion mosquito larvae and I had to move quickly and this time I didn't swallow the swill nor larvae.  The pump is hooked up to the fountain, so that should keep the pesky mosquitoes out till the fish arrive.

I have had this old fish bowl with observant children for quite some time though no fish.  Too many animals to take care of, but I lugged it to the city house and got the little black boogley-eyed goldfish.  Sadly, it didn't last long.  I'm going for a betta today.  I'd like to get two, just because, but I won't.  I've bought and sold several of these goldfish bowls and wish I had them back. One was a black cat looking down and another a Cheshire cat.  Another was terra cotta with two children that had a fountain hookup on it.  I love this kind of thing.  I think I payed the most for this one.  A whopping $35.00.  The younger generation just don't appreciate old things these days, a win for me, but wait, I'm still trying to get rid of stuff, so never mind.

Saturday, April 15, 2017

A Patch Of Blue


Life throws curves from time to time.  And, out of the blue.

We've turned the corner and my middle daughter's sight is returning.  From white and lined, to total darkness in the blink of an eye.  Well, two weeks actually and it seems like much longer.  Poor girl was scared, frustrated and literally could not do much of anything.  Even eating was hard until she figured out that a sandwich or something like it was easier than using utensils.  

After hospitalizations and many doctor visits, IV steroids, MRI's and the like, color is returning and she can now read in one eye and see shadows in the other.  Her neurologist said he has only seen one other patient in his career, that lost sight in both eyes at once with her condition.  Very rare, but it always seems to be unless you're the one with it.

She has struggled so, but has made it to the other side; a real trooper.  Neurologist will follow up with her every six months and if no other symptoms after 5 years, he will say it is not MS.

We are over the moon.  This has been a trial for all of us.  Blue skies shining down on us.


Thanks to all of you.

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Sight


Over a period of four days, my middle daughter has gone blind, in both eyes.  I've never even heard of such a thing.  Sat all day Saturday with her in the ER.  The GP sent her to an ophthalmologist and he says it is Optic Neuritis.  I researched it all afternoon into the night.

It has gotten worse daily.  She said last night, all she can do is sit and hold her new baby girl.  She can't even get the kids uniforms ready for school, or anything else.  She is devastated - bereft.  I'm not sharing any of my research with her, but taking notes.  I'm trying to not catastrophize it, but it's impossible for mothers not to.  Or this mother anyway.

We are going for a contrast MRI today to see what is causing it.  I just hope they can figure out what  is happening. If any of you have known of this or experienced it, please help.