Too tired

I am so exhausted today. I've been out working in the hot sun. 'nuff said.

My Trip to Texas - Day 5

As usual, it’s late here, almost 11:00 pm. Here is the recap of the day. I’m not going to apologize for my lack of “voice” in these entries. It’s always late, I’m always tired, and there’s always too much to cover for me be more than basic in my descriptions of the day. Be patient with me for this lack of “entertainment”; it’s difficult to cover an entire day in 5000 words in 30 minutes. +++++++++++++++++++++ After the morning routine with Dad (cleaning, changing, eating) the nurses arrived at 10:30 to give Dad a bath, which of course he hated. I had good intentions of being productive today, which I was I guess, but not in the way I had planned. I had planned to load plenty of bricks and dump them off in the ditch, but somehow while preparing to do that, I got sidetracked and started thinking about the cemetery and how it needed some proper irrigation. After talking to Mary Ann about this and looking around the house (and barn) for some leftover drip irrigation parts, we decided that we would need to buy more 1/2 inch irrigation hose and some emitters. But before any purchases were made, I drove out to the cemetery -- about 2 miles away -- and took measurements of the length of each fence line and counted the number of emitters I would need (counted the number of trees already planted). I calculated that I would need 650 feet of irrigation hose and 30 emitters, so I went home and called the local soil conservation agency. They had some supplies. By this time it was 12:00 noon, and I had some time before lunch would be ready at 12:30. While my sister prepared lunch, I loaded some broken bricks into the bucket of the front-end loader, thinking that I would dump them later in the day. +++++++++++++++++++++ Just before lunch Mary Ann asked me to run a few errands for her (since I was going into town to buy irrigation supplies) : drop off some canna lilies at my aunts’ homes and purchase some coffee. And so after lunch, I went out to the area of the lawn where the canna lilies were growing, which happened to be where the gray water exits the house, and dug up about 30 cannas/bulbs. Remember how I mentioned that this was where the gray water exited? Well, in the process of removing the cannas and placing them in trashbags, I slopped some of the “dirt/water” on my show --- gross. I ended up removing my shoes, which my sister had to wash for me. I ended up wearing old flip flops that were around the house as I ran my errands in town. +++++++++++++++++++++ I drove into town, but I could only go about 45 miles an hour as the leaves of the cannas began to whip around too violently in the bed of the pickup truck. I first stopped at my Tîa Golla’s house and left the largest of the three bags with her. I had a quick visit, perhaps about 10 minutes, and drove to my other Tia’s house. I left two bags with her. She was in the back enjoying the shade with her son and a grandson and they invited me to share a popsicle. I stayed on the back porch for about 15 minutes as I enjoyed my icy treat. After my pitstop there, I went to the SCS office to buy irrigation hose. This too longer than I imagined it would take -- about 45 minutes as the supplies had to be located and billed. I only had cash with me and they didn’t accept credit cards... oh, and I had to have perfect change, which necessitated my jaunt to Sonic for Route 44 cherry vanilla Dr. Pepper (I HAD to get change!!!). I then drove back to the SCS office, finished my purchase, and drove to Dollar General to buy coffee for my sister. From there, I drove home but had to stop at my brother David’s house to pick up some work boots (remember that mine smelled like sewer). I finally arrived at the house around 4:00 pm! +++++++++++++++++++++ The ACS office only had one roll of 100 feet of hose, so that was not going to be enough to cover the entire cemetery. I proceeded to phone local businesses: farm supply companies, Wal-Mart, the local hardware store, and a few nurseries. I finally located a place in Snyder, Texas, that sold and had enough hose. Unfortunately (I think), my sister Pat arrived at that time (with Madeline and Felicia), and I began to visit with her/them. Having lost track of time, I lost my window of time to drive to Snyder to pick up the hose, but at least I knew where to get it. +++++++++++++++++++++ I was partially in charge of dinner, which consisted of T-bone steaks on the grill. My sister Pat made baked potatoes and my niece Felicia made a salad. Just before diner, my brother Sammy arrived and joined us. As we were finishing dinner, a passing storm caused the electricity to go out. We finished our meals in the semi-dark and Pat et. al. went home. Sammy stayed, and we visited by oil lamp light -- it was neat to sit around the table and watch the light flicker and bounce off the walls and each others’ faces as we laughed and reminisced about our college experiences. The electricity came back on around 10:40 or so, and David, Sammy, and I change Dad one last time before bedtime. +++++++++++++++++++++ Breakfast: oatmeal and coffee Lunch: chicken and gravy, refried beans, and fresh tortillas Dinner: T-bone steak, baked potatoes, baked beans, salad, and sweat tea

My Trip to Texas - Day 5

As usual, it’s late here, almost 11:00 pm. Here is the recap of the day. I’m not going to apologize for my lack of “voice” in these entries. It’s always late, I’m always tired, and there’s always too much to cover for me be more than basic in my descriptions of the day. Be patient with me for this lack of “entertainment”; it’s difficult to cover an entire day in 5000 words in 30 minutes. +++++++++++++++++++++ After the morning routine with Dad (cleaning, changing, eating) the nurses arrived at 10:30 to give Dad a bath, which of course he hated. I had good intentions of being productive today, which I was I guess, but not in the way I had planned. I had planned to load plenty of bricks and dump them off in the ditch, but somehow while preparing to do that, I got sidetracked and started thinking about the cemetery and how it needed some proper irrigation. After talking to Mary Ann about this and looking around the house (and barn) for some leftover drip irrigation parts, we decided that we would need to buy more 1/2 inch irrigation hose and some emitters. But before any purchases were made, I drove out to the cemetery -- about 2 miles away -- and took measurements of the length of each fence line and counted the number of emitters I would need (counted the number of trees already planted). I calculated that I would need 650 feet of irrigation hose and 30 emitters, so I went home and called the local soil conservation agency. They had some supplies. By this time it was 12:00 noon, and I had some time before lunch would be ready at 12:30. While my sister prepared lunch, I loaded some broken bricks into the bucket of the front-end loader, thinking that I would dump them later in the day. +++++++++++++++++++++ Just before lunch Mary Ann asked me to run a few errands for her (since I was going into town to buy irrigation supplies) : drop off some canna lilies at my aunts’ homes and purchase some coffee. And so after lunch, I went out to the area of the lawn where the canna lilies were growing, which happened to be where the gray water exits the house, and dug up about 30 cannas/bulbs. Remember how I mentioned that this was where the gray water exited? Well, in the process of removing the cannas and placing them in trashbags, I slopped some of the “dirt/water” on my shoes --- gross. I ended up removing my shoes, which my sister had to wash for me. I ended up wearing old flip flops that were around the house as I ran my errands in town. +++++++++++++++++++++ I drove into town, but I could only go about 45 miles an hour as the leaves of the cannas began to whip around too violently in the bed of the pickup truck. I first stopped at my Tîa Golla’s house and left the largest of the three bags with her. I had a quick visit, perhaps about 10 minutes, and drove to my other Tia’s house. I left two bags with her. She was in the back enjoying the shade with her son and a grandson and they invited me to share a popsicle. I stayed on the back porch for about 15 minutes as I enjoyed my icy treat. After my pitstop there, I went to the SCS office to buy irrigation hose. This took longer than I imagined it would  -- about 45 minutes as the supplies had to be located and billed. I only had cash with me and they didn’t accept credit cards... oh, and I had to have perfect change, which necessitated my jaunt to Sonic for Route 44 cherry vanilla Dr. Pepper (I HAD to get change!!!). I then drove back to the SCS office, finished my purchase, and drove to Dollar General to buy coffee for my sister. From there, I drove home but had to stop at my brother David’s house to pick up some work boots (remember that mine smelled like sewer). I finally arrived at the house around 4:00 pm! +++++++++++++++++++++ The ACS office only had one roll of 100 feet of hose, so that was not going to be enough to cover the entire cemetery. I proceeded to phone local businesses: farm supply companies, Wal-Mart, the local hardware store, and a few nurseries. I finally located a place in Snyder, Texas, that sold and had enough hose. Unfortunately (I think), my sister Pat arrived at that time (with Madeline and Felicia), and I began to visit with her/them. Having lost track of time, I lost my window of time to drive to Snyder to pick up the hose, but at least I knew where to get it. +++++++++++++++++++++ I was partially in charge of dinner, which consisted of T-bone steaks on the grill. My sister Pat made baked potatoes and my niece Felicia made a salad. Just before diner, my brother Sammy arrived and joined us. As we were finishing dinner, a passing storm caused the electricity to go out. We finished our meals in the semi-dark and Pat and Felicia went home. Sammy stayed, and we visited by oil lamp light -- it was neat to sit around the table and watch the light flicker and bounce off the walls and each others’ faces as we laughed and reminisced about our college experiences. The electricity came back on around 10:40 or so, and David, Sammy, and I changed Dad one last time before bedtime. +++++++++++++++++++++ Breakfast: oatmeal and coffee Lunch: chicken and gravy, refried beans, and fresh tortillas Dinner: T-bone steak, baked potatoes, baked beans, salad, and sweat tea

My Trip to Texas - Day 4

It’s bedtime here now and it was a seemingly quiet day around here. +++++++++++++ I got up around 8:30 am this morning and folded some laundry. Mary Ann woke up soon after I had finished and we changed Dad. This was an exceptionally difficult change as we had to change all the sheets. We attempted to do this with him in bed, but we then decided that it would be easier to move him to a chair. In the process of changing him, I didn’t maintain my attention on Dad and he swiped at Mary Ann’s face and gave her a good scratch. Even though Dad is not all there, he felt bad about hurting her, saying “pobrecita” and crying for a bit. ++++++++++++++ I spent the rest of the morning up until 12:45 picking up the rest of the tree limbs that I had cut the day before. In the process of carrying a rather cumbersome and exceptionally scratchy limb, I got some battle “wounds.” This particular limb, which I was carrying on my right shoulder, began to fall and instead of letting it fall, I tried to keep it balanced. In the process, I not only dropped the limb off my shoulder, but it took some flesh from my neck. It didn’t look too bad, but the salty sweat running into it provided a nice burn for a few minutes. ++++++++++++++ During and just after lunch, Mary Ann and I had an emotional visit. We revisited our last days and hours with my brother Jimmy -- laughing and crying, but mostly crying. We were both feeling melancholic, but it was a healthy 1 hour visit. ++++++++++++++ After our long “lonche,” Mary Ann and I changed Dad. And after changing Dad, I retrieved the tractor with the front-end loader and brought it around the side of the house. Tomorrow, I am going to move a pile of broken bricks that had been dumped under some trees and to create some “burms” in a water way that cuts through one of the cotton fields. When it rains, it makes the small ditch deeper and steeper, so I’m going to drop them in to flatten out the water’s pathway. ++++++++++++++ Moving the tractor only took about 5 minutes. Mary Ann mowed the lawn and I went around taking cuttings from some of the roses around the house to take to the cemetery. I then took one of David’s work trucks to the cemetery to leave the flowers there. It was hot and windy, which is the norm around here. I didn’t get to visit much at Jimmy’s and Mom’s gravesides as I spent the majority of the time watering a few newly planted trees (Mike planted them last week) and some of the other ones that I could reach. I had to return home so that Mary Ann could go to a church council meeting at 6:00. ++++++++++++++ By the time I got home at 5:00, Mary Ann was making squash with corn. I was put in charge of making refried beans, which I did. Mary Ann left around 5:45 and I was home alone with Dad for about 40 minutes, during which time I sat and visited with him as we watched “El Capo,” which is a pretty intense/dramatic show (on one of the Spanish channels). David arrived around 6:30 and we change Dad again. He was cooperative; perhaps he was feeling bad about hurting Mary Ann earlier. We made short work, and David hurried off for a school board meeting; apparently, they were hiring a new superintendent. I stayed home alone with Dad for another 45 minutes and Pat and her family (Madeline, Felicia, and Brandon) arrived for a quick visit. I fed Dad during this time and visited with Pat briefly. They left at 7:30 for Alco’s; their new kitten needed some flea medication and the store closed at 8:00. I went inside and washed dishes. ++++++++++++++ I ended my evening with Mary Ann falling asleep in the bed in Dad’s room while Charlie and I watched the Phoenix Suns defeat the Los Angeles Lakers. By the end of the game, it was 10:35 and it was time for Dad to have his last change of the day. Charlie and I changed him, and just as were finishing, Mary Ann woke up and went to bed. ++++++++++++++ So, now it’s just before midnight and Dad is dozing off. So am I. ++++++++++++++ Breakfast: Oatmeal Lunch: Baked Potatoes, chips Dinner: Refried beans and squash w/corn & cheese

My Trip to Texas - Day 3

Before I begin, I noticed that the formatting (line spacing mostly) is not showing up properly after I export to my iPhone and upload from there. Sorry. ++++++++++++++++++++ I had a better night’s sleep last night. Dad was not as restless, or I was just sleeping more soundly. Either way, I feel more rested today. My sister Mary Ann came into the room that I am sharing with Dad around 8:30 am, and we changed him. Dad was especially feisty this morning. It’s usual that he will try to bite, punch, scratch, curse, yell, or cry when he is changed. On the other days, while he is combative, he is not as strong; today, he was pushing us around and I had to use all my strength to keep him from hurting himself or us while Mary Ann changed him. After being changed, he felt better. The kids called from Kentucky to say hello and we visited for about twenty minutes until Mary Ann, who had made some oatmeal with raisins and prunes for Dad, came into the room. I hung up with the kids and fed Dad, which took about 15 minutes. He took a nap while I ate my serving of oatmeal. The nurses arrived around 10:20 and gave Dad a shower. While they were showering Dad, I worked on a report for my department head (Unit Productivity Report for those who know what it is). After this, I spent the remainder of the day trimming large, low-hanging tree branches around the house. All in all, I think I trimmed 6 trees and cut another 20 foot tree down to its trunk. Mary Ann and I hauled most of the large branches away and made / added to another large pile of branches. The cutting and hauling took about 5 hours of work; it was nice exercise and I can tell that I will be sore in the morning. There were other smaller events throughout the day, but honestly, I’m so physically tired right now that I’m doing all I can to keep from falling asleep in the recliner. Briefly: Dad had 4 changes today; Ricky stopped by around dinnertime to help with Dad; I visited with my kids and wife briefly twice (once this morning and again around 8:30 pm). Breakfast today: oatmeal with sugar and cinnamon Lunch today: mixed salad topped with chicken and walnuts Dinner/Supper: refried beans, rice, tamales, and fresh flour tortillas

My Trip to Texas - Day 2

It’s just before midnight on Sunday, May 23, and it’s been a good two days since I arrived on the farm. Please excuse my brevity as I skim the past day and a half. My brother Mike picked me up at the airport, and on the way home, we stopped at Dairy Queen in Weatherford, Texas, where he treated me to a Hunger Buster meal -- basic hamburger, fries, and a coke. After having this nostalgic meal, we continued our drive home, sharing sunflower seeds and good conversation about life, death, and a bit of politics (but just a bit and it was quite civil). After arriving home around 4:00, we visited with my brother Charlie (another brother). After saying hi to Dad and visiting for about an hour, we left for church in Colorado City, Texas. Mass lasted just over an hour after which we enjoyed a nice meal at Hidalgo’s Mexican restaurant with a perfect stranger. A man who had shown up in town/church stayed afterward and was asking for some money for food; apparently, he was making his way from somewhere in Colorado to San Angelo, Texas. My brother picked up the bill (again) for us; he is so kind-hearted and I never knew how much until this weekend. in addition to sharing this tasty meal (I had chile relleno), I ran into my 4th grade teacher Janet Moore and her husband Stan. She looked wonderful and it was nice to -- while only briefly -- to say hello and snap a picture of them together. My sister Mary Ann, who had spent the previous day in San Angelo for a Relay for Life event, picked me up at the restaurant on her way back to Loraine. After arriving home and unpacking the truck (Mary Ann had made trip to the Home Depot), I went inside and helped her change Dad. It’s hard work and I don’t know how she and my brothers do it each day. I spent the night in the room with him but didn’t get much sleep. He was restless, muttering quite a bit throughout the night, and I was easily awakened by that. I got up at 9:30 or so this morning and my brother Mike, Mary Ann, and I changed Dad again. From what I’ve learned, they change him about 3 to 4 times daily and each time it takes anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes to do so. It’s a labor of love, and as difficult as it is -- on so many levels -- I’m glad that I am able to do my small part this week. We ate a late lunch -- tacos, tamales, rice, and beans. My brothers Anastacio, David, and Ricky joined us. After eating, we customarily sat around the table and visited and debated and visited and laughed. Our conversation moved from less serious issues to a discussion about what to do with the estate in the following years. It’s hard to figure out with so many invested parties. We made good progress and I was able to put down some of the language that will be the framework for how we will proceed in the next several years. After this conversation, which lasted about three hours, I took Charlie back to his house in town. I came home and Mary Ann and I walked around the house to see what work she wanted me to do around the house. Tomorrow, I will be cutting down large branches. For the past two hours or so, I sat with Dad and watched the Suns and Lakers play. After that game was over, I helped Mary Ann change Dad before bed, and I’ve been watching Dallas Cowboys highlights while Dad fades into and out of sleep. I’m tired now; my eyes ache. I’m going to bed.

My Trip to Texas

This is my first entry in a series of entries of my time visiting family in Texas. I don’t know how all of this will upload as I have no internet access here on the farm (about five miles north of Loraine, Texas). I have to download a companion iPhone application (MacJournal iPhone App) and sync it to these entries which I am typing on my MacBook Pro. I hope it works. I’m going to download the application now and see if it uploads. Time will pass and you won’t know it, but I started this entry at 2:41. I’ll drop a few lines and let fill you in on how long it took to figure all of this out. .... after downloading the application, it took me about 5 minutes to sync the information on my computer to my iPhone. It took another minute or so to adjust the settings on my iphone and another minute to upload it (slow iPhone connection on the farm).