CLAY AND WATTLES

She Cooks

This morning I made banana nut bread, a loaf for Sue S who had back surgery last week; and one for neighbor Joe since it is his pecans I'm using. I cooked an actual supper tonight practically from scratch: chicken breasts, sweet potato casserole, and purple hull peas. I was out between cooking sessions and it was nice to come into the house to the odor of fresh baked bread/cake. What a pretty design the paddle made.

And this cross on the bread...

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Oscar and I walked this afternoon. The Bradford pears down the street are valiantly holding out their bud-tipped branches. They were starting, in fact, just after the Big Freeze in early January. I checked the dogwood in the back yard, and its buds are embryonic, too. Faith's lesson in a tiny bud - hope of spring and new life.

My doctor's appointment at CrossRidge went well; I don't have to have another scan until August and see him afterward. My blood pressure was actually low, like 113/64, or 116/63, anyway, Dr. S thought that was a little too low and wrote it on a scrip sheet for me to get to Dr. B, which I did. I do get tired quicker and the heart skips are more frequent when I'm up doing something. I thought it might be the med, also that I'm up doing more physical things, like trying to reach way back in corner cabinets, and reaching up in the cabinet for measureing cups, raisins, baking powder! We'll see. I haven't taken it (bp) in a while, so will check on it from time to time, and if Dr. B is concerned about it, he'll let me know. The skips are worrisome and if my bp is consistently too low, that probably is the reason. It often takes fine tuning.

I applied online for Social Security benefits; the lady I talked to earlier said they would have the information (it has a case number) when we go to the SS office. It was easy. At the end after submitting, it said I would have to bring my birth certificate, which I already knew, because of the birthdate discrepancy. I was born at 1:00 A.M. on March 6, so I can see how Goobie got the date mixed up. Also - you can have Federal taxes withheld, so hey, why not? I love paying taxes on my Social Security benefits! Well, as Paul says, it's pay now or pay later. Seriously, I'm thankful I can have this now. The big deal with retirees is insurance premiums, most especially before 65. So I'm glad to have this now to pay for my insurance!

Really recommend The Help. Very good book. About 3/4 way through.