The World of Grandpa Don
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Back to grandkid .
A work in progress - complete but not finished |
What's New In the world of Grandpa Don On this page I have recorded what I found significant during the past week as well as my thoughts about those events and other reflections. I started doing this before the practice became popular on the internet This is my diary, written a little each day and published weekly. At times I may seem to pontificate on a subject that comes to mind during the week. I do not intend it as a demand or even a suggestion that everyone should think or act as I do. It is rather, intended to let you know what goes on in my mind ... how I am motivated to live as I do. If The World of Grandpa Don appeals to you, you are free to join me in it. Be warned, however, it is not always what some would call "The Real World". |
Week Ending Saturday |
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Or to learn more of Grandpa Don and his remarkable family ...
Many of the quotes found on this page are from the daily messages I receive from Covenant House  |
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We celebrated Dominic's Birthday an Saturday. His mom and dad were at Dominick and Sarah's for the occasion along with our three dogs. Hunter, their big lab, immediately tried to initiate a game of tag with my more elderly Mikey but a vicious snarl, put him at his distance. Mikey is not bashful in keeping larger dogs at a distance. The afternoon was occupied in the usual chatter and a more unusual occupation of trying to capture a mother snake and her offspring from the window well in the basement. The attempt was a failure when they retreated into the drain. .That aside, the steaks and big baked potatoes were delicious. Sarah provided doggie ice cream as a desert treat to our canine friends. When Hunter finished his and came to see how Mikey was doing he was treated to another snarl and diplomatically retreated. In spite of Mikey's assertiveness we had a great visit.
Sunday Dick and Jan came for dinner and cards. We went to Frankie's, an new Italian place in Tinley Park. It had been recommended to me by Dan and Karen. What the establishment lacks in size is made up for in elegance, tastefully decorated and with very pleasant Italian background music. After our before dinner drinks arrived I ordered two of their appetizer dishes. One consisted of plump little Italian sausages prepared with peppers and greens in a delightful sauce. The other was an assortment of Italian cold meats and cheese, served with an assortment of greens with an Italian dressing. Both were extraordinary. There was only one steak on the menu, a huge 16 oz strip, too much for Dick so he opted for lasagna, a huge portion which although he said was wonderful, he managed to consume about a third. Jan had a chicken dish and I enjoyed the veal Marcella. All the meals were excellent and we all took generous portions home. Jan was reluctant but I insisted on viewing the desert menu. Jan is a sucker for chocolate and ordered the chocolate mousse. Dick and I had the Crème brûlée. Now you have to know that some time ago, Rocco spoiled me by preparing a fresh Crème brûlée for me, warm from the broiler and absolutely fantastic, with bits of peaches in the cream. This was almost as good, which would put it far above the desert served in some restaurants who try to pass off a frozen imitation as the real thing. It was garnish with delectable little berries and was excellent. Dick and I helped Jan finish her mousse ... heavenly! In addition to food which was far above average. in quality as well as their generous portions, the wait staff was pleasant, competent and attentive without being oppressive. The manager stopped on a couple occasions to inquire as to our satisfaction and in all it was a great dinning experience. I give Frankie's 4 stars. It would have been five if the white cloth table clothes were not covered with paper but one must bow to practicality. By the way, this establishment is so attentive to detail that they write the name of the entree and the date on the container for the "doggie" bag. (Monday's dinner was delicious as well.)
Our thanks go to Dan and Karen for the recommending Frankie's. We returned to my house, first touring the garden to see what has grown and what is blooming, then for several hands of cards and some mature conversation. No, mature doesn't mean sex. That is immature in my book. We talk about family, doctor's visits, medications, roof repairs and the Russian incursion into Georgia. In cards, Jan and I shut out Dick, always good for some good natured ribbing. After they left I did a cursory cleanup, leaving the bulk of it for Monday, and soon was in bed, well satisfied with the day, and my friends, into a deep sleep.
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If you judge people you have no time to love them. |
Monday was another glorious day. I alternated between the gazebo and the computer, busy with a project for our Peace and Justice ministry. Mary wanted a "teaser" placed on the web site for an upcoming project, "Joining Hands". At first I planned to just send it to Liz for her to include it as one of the "spotlight" items but on my first visit to the Gazebo, Inspiration struck ... as it often does. I have a flash movie heading up that section of the page and since this "teaser" would not have a page to which it is linked as all the other "Spotlight" items do, why not use the flash movie. And besides, this is special. I could easily do it and have it upload to the page without touching the page itself. I worked on it in bits and spurts during the day and every time I went out to the gazebo for a break, the Holy Spirit popped another idea in my head. I like the results. Check out the page at www.stjulie.org .The flash movies are a challenge and for me that is fun. Some people spend a lot of time playing challenging computer games but I prefer investing my time in something that is constructive and which results in promoting a worthwhile cause. I had upgraded my SwishMax flash movie software recently so I had to get acquainted with the new interface. It wasn't that difficult and once I found my way around, I found it to be an improvement over the older version. With the software one establishes a "Stage", defining its size with its background color or image. Objects which may be photos, graphics, shapes or blocks of text are placed on the stage. Using the "time line" you control when, where and the manner in which the objects appear. Once in place, they can be moved or changed in a number of ways and then removed from the stage in a number of different ways. One is in complete control of the show and you are script writer, artist, stage manager, producer and director. The ego is unleashed in a creative way. WOW ... no wonder I like playing with these things.
The RCIA process for becoming a Catholic is one of several steps and for the completely uninitiated can take a year or more. This would apply to a non-Christians and those who have been baptized, (Catholics included) but have never had any other Christian experience. The period of the Candidate is often shortened somewhat for those with Christian training depending on their "readiness".
Tuesday evening I joined Sarah Albano at an RCIA session. It would be more properly be called a service or rite of passage. It was the occasion of her transition from being an Inquirer to that of being a Candidate. Her period of Inquiry was very short, there being no doubt of her intention to join the church. At this point I became her "Sponsor", her guide (as if she needed one) and for me, an honor and a privilege. Next Sunday at the 9:00 AM Mass Sarah will be officially welcomed as a candidate and her Christian Baptism will be acknowledged as she is invited to join the community for a period of "study" prior to acceptance in full communion. Normally, a candidate, along with catechumens (un-baptized) would be dismissed from the congregation after the scripture readings and homily for further scripture study. I was surprised to learn that this will not be the case for Sarah and her fellow candidate. They will remain in their pew to participate in the remainder of the Mass except for the reception of Communion. The two of them are that close to being one with us.
This change from Lutheran to Catholic for Sarah does not mean that she leaves something behind to take up something new, She leaves nothing behind. It is evident to those who have come to know her that she brings a deep and solid faith, one that has been planted and cultivated by her parents, teachers, pastors and fellow Lutherans. They have done well in instilling in Sarah her love of God and the values Jesus taught. She brings a creed, common to both denominations and core beliefs that are identical. The differences which exist are small compared to the common beliefs and practices. There is no need for conversion here as Sarah will enhance our community with what she brings with her.
Her "Catholic experience" is for her to judge but I do know (she told me) that she will gain one thing that her marriage lacks and that is unity of a common communion of faith with her husband. To be able to receive the Lord in Communion with Dominick is her greatest wish and to bring this unity to their child as she herself grows in a closeness to God is her goal. The duration of Sarah's experience as a "candidate" will be, I am assured, brief and more symbolic than would be required by one without her present state of faith. This application of the RCIA process will be exceptional as is Sarah and the parents who have raised her to be the person she is. I am indeed privileged to be her sponsor and her "grandpa".
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Whate’er we leave to God, |
My prescriptions are filled through Walgreens mail service and they do a great job. I request refills on their web site by bringing up my prescription history and clicking on the ones I need. New prescriptions are placed by having the doctor's office fax them in. At the end of the year I go to their website and print a report of my cost for tax deduction purposes. Nothing could be more simple or convenient. Recently I have seen their adds on TV for glucose testing supplies and I wondered why they didn't contact me about them. Well, I got the call and I let the young lady go through her sales pitch, essentially the same service I now get from a different company. When I told her that, she quickly offered to send a new glucose meter at no extra charge in addition to a 90 day supply of test strips for the old meter so I could try the new one and then decide which I wanted to use. Since I had been having minor problems with the old system, I agreed. Dollar-wise there is no difference. They are both free to me, the cost paid by Medicare and my supplemental insurance. She already had the name of my doctor and the rest of the information needed. I guess that comes under the category of unifying service providers.
Wednesday my neighbors had company and there was a bevy of little girls in the pool ... giggling ... screaming ... little girls! But isn't that what little girls do in a pool? There was a time when I would have been irritated that the peace and quiet of my little bit of paradise was being disturbed by this "noise". But ... I have mellowed. It is no longer "noise" to me but the joyful play of little girls. It is what they do and if they weren't doing it it would be unnatural and wrong. The giggling and screaming were happy, playful sounds and so I took joy in hearing it. The choice to enjoy their joy is so much better than choosing to be the neighborhood grouch and adds to my feeling of well-being and contentment. I have become so friendly that I wave back at the people outside the window of the news broadcasts on TV. Especially to the pretty ladies and the little kids. They wave back! That is REALLY being more kind than you need to be. If that is crazy, so be it. It is what I want to do and I can do anything I want ... within reason that is.
Attendance at Wednesday's Community Life Board meeting at the parish was sparse but since all the ministries are doing their jobs, and doing them well, we should not complain. The schedule of meetings is always in the parish bulletin and since we are all adults, reminders have not been made by mail or phone. One of the members who was there volunteered to make reminder calls before the next meeting. But then ... Thursday morning we resumed Bible Study. I forgot to go! There were other things on my mind. I took Mikey to Touch of Class and on the way home I did my grocery shopping since I knew I could not do it on Friday. Then, having some additional information from the Parish Peace & Justice Ministry, I made some changes to the parish web site. I also sent out a notice of a parishioner's death the the "Include-Me" members. It was also time to "pay myself" so I went on line and moved some cash from my IRA to my checking account. Sure beats running around to banks or messing with mailing checks. Now I have enough cash in my checking account so they can use it to cover the payments due using the "bill pay" service.
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Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love, |
The surgical nurse had called Thursday morning and my surgery was moved up from Noon to 10:30 on Friday so I made the call to Dan to let him know we need to be there at 9:30 so they can prep me. I had my instructions, ... what to wear, fast from midnight, what medications I can take (with a small amount of water) and what I should not take. I had already been off Aspirin for a week. I have decided to hold the completion of this page until after the procedure, hopefully sometime Friday afternoon or evening. A couple people have wished me "good luck" but my standard reply is that I am counting on luck having nothing to do with it. It isn't a crap shoot, it is skilled surgery done by competent practitioners. I pray that they have a very good day.
For those of you who would rather not read the details, skip down to End of Details.
The big day arrived and Dan had me at the Doctors office at the appointed 9:30 time. It was in the lower level of the office building and I (affectionately) dubbed it "Boiler room Surgery Center, Inc." We waited ... and waited ... and finally I was called in to get prepped. The wait was a little irritating, especially for Dan, I think, but in retrospect, it is important for them to be completely prepared and at ease. After I was in my very undignified gown, the nurse explained the procedure and had me sign several papers. Then another nurse came in identified with "Mobile Anesthesiologists, Inc," inserted the IV and did a little more explaining, followed by the anesthesiologist herself who checked my weight, asked about my snoring and said she may need to insert a breathing tube, but would do so only if needed. I signed another paper. I was then escorted into the room with a very uncomfortable looking table and was told that when I felt that I was going to slide off I would be in the proper position. They then raised the supports for my feet and I knew I would not slide off. All the while they were fiddling with my IV and putting a blood pleasure cuff on my other arm and ...
The next thin I knew, I was on a different table, more like a bed, and the nurse asked how I felt. It was over. A catheter had been inserted and after I was as awake as I was going to get she told me how to empty it and what to do when I get home ... like, nothing, ... but drink a lot of water. My clothes were brought in and I dressed. Dan came in as did the doctor. They had given all the instructions to Dan because they didn't expect me to remember them. Dan got the car and the nurse wheeled me out to it. We were home about 1:30
A bowl of Tomato soup went down well and Dan went to get two prescriptions ... An antibiotic and, if I needed, something for pain. (I never felt anything but a bit of discomfort) Dan also went home for his stuff so he could stay overnight. Totally unnecessary ... but appreciated none-the-less. I took a two hour nap in the afternoon and when I awoke I noticed I had a little swelling on my upper lip and my throat was raw. They did indeed insert a breathing tube. Thanks, it is good to be able to breathe. After a salad for dinner we watched some TV, and I went to bed about 9:30. I couldn't find a comfortable position in which to sleep, being unduly concerned about my catheter and damage that I may do to it . I was up several times to empty it and to drink more water to sooth my throat ... a vicious cycle. Finally at about 2:30 AM I turned on to my stomach ... I had feared to do so ... but it is my usual sleeping position ... all was well and I was gone to slumber land. I awoke briefly at 6:00 but closed my eyes and slept 'till 7:00. Good grief I needed to empty the bag. When I dressed and went downstairs, I found Dan on the patio. He had ventured out to Starbucks for his coffee and had a big blueberry muffin waiting for me. When he saw that I was in good shape (for the shape I'm in) he went home to his family.
Oh yes, the procedure consisted of using a laser to enlarge the passage through the Prostate, reducing it in sixe from the inside. The doctor tells me that while it it healing, as any wound needs to do, my symptoms will remain or possibly seem worse for a little while but after about a month or so I will no longer need my Prostate medication and should have a very noticeable improvement.
End of Details. Today, Saturday, I am coming to terms with my temporary device and am 100% confident that I will be able to go to Church on Sunday with absolutely no problem at all. Monday morning I will go the the office and the nurse will remove it. It is my friend for bow, but a friend I will not miss.
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The most satisfying thing in life is to have been able
to give a large part of oneself to others. |
I have invested part of this day relaxing on the patio and being grateful to God, ... for the day, for the doctors and their helpers ... for the family who cares for me Tom come to see me Thursday Evening, Dan was there taking care of his dad, Anne Marie and Tom has been on the phone and she will come by later today. Even my next door neighbor offered to help. I am blessed. Thank you all, including God and all those who have touched my life and left me better for the touch. If any have left scars, they have healed and are no longer remembered.
Look for next week's update to be on time ... God willin' and the creek don't rise.
Grandpa Don Plefka
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Anne wanted everyone to be 'Nice'. This button was in one of her dresser drawers I cleaned out in August of 2004
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