Friday, May 29, 2015

Lilacs and Stuff

The fragrance of lilacs fills the air.  Especially in areas where there are many lilacs.  It is a overwhelming fragrance.  Far Guy  said "I am so glad we have one small struggling to have two blooms lilac bush in our yard."

These are from the white house with the blue shutters, they never get to see the lilacs bloom.
It was a busy week.  Windows Live Writer is still incompatible with blogger...Google changed a setting on Tuesday and they won't change it back....so I am stuck with regular blogger blog software and that sucks.

I mowed lawn again yesterday, we got another 1 1/2 inches of rain that Far Guy dumped out of the rain gauge.

I worked on "stuff" upstairs.  Far Guy worked on the old tiller and a push lawn mower and I sold them both locally online.

One day we went to the Clinic because Far Guy needed another blood test before he begins his infusions...we are waiting on the results...there is a 33% chance that he will be allergic to the infusion and we need to know that before proceeding.  He has two support people now one from Alpha 1 and another from Baxter ( the infusion).  I cannot keep them all straight.  Far Guy visited with his Uncle Archie who related that many of Grandma Tracie's siblings had "lung troubles."  I will be tested for Alpha 1 Deficiency in June.
 We got news this week that a dear old friend died.  Mary Lou was 87 years old...we met her back in 1975.  She and her husband Ray had a lake cottage just down the road...they were good neighbors here just for the summers after they retired from the hardware business in Prairie City Iowa. She would often walk over and bring something baked for coffee.  When Trica got married in 1994 Ray and Mary Lou helped roast turkeys and peeled fifty pounds of potatoes for me to make potato salad for the wedding dinner. Ray could fix just about anything and carried a tool box in his Cadillac...payment was always a cup of coffee!   We visited with Mary Lou just two years ago before Alzheimers took her away. (Her husband Ray died a number of years ago.)  She leaves behind four daughters and three grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.

I am not sure about the "comes in threes" old saying...but this is the third death in as many weeks. I hope we are done for awhile .


18 comments:

Linda Kay said...

Sorry for the loss of your friend, they sounded like a wonderful couple to have for friends. Alzheimers can be so devastating for everyone concerned. Good luck with the test for the infusion. And those lilacs...awesome!

DJan said...

Your lilac pictures are beautiful, and I"m sorry for having lost three in such quick succession. Our lilacs have been gone for weeks now. That means I can enjoy yours even more! :-)

Gail said...

Lilacs are strong and beautiful. I was afraid I had killed Granny's/Mom's lilacs but they bloomed this year.

Mom always said deaths came in threes. I guess that would depend on how big an area you were covering.

I could use a mechanic here!! My weed eater only idles and when I try the trigger it dies. Den has worked on it and throwing it three times did not stop the problem. I may wait for the frost to kill the trimming I need to do.

Have a blessed weekend.

Tired Teacher said...

Lilacs are one of my favorite Spring flowers: I love the blooms and the fragrance. They've already bloomed, but their showing was somewhat wimpy this year.

Anonymous said...

I like that you pick out the best of folks you write about when mentioning their passing. I'm sorry youare going through so much heavy stuff these days. I wish I lived closer. I'd bring you something baked to share with coffee. best wishes from "the cities."

Primitive Stars said...

Oh that wonderful smell of Lilacs in the air, love it.Blessings Francine.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. I don't know where that saying came from but I have believed it all my life because I have seen it happen over and over. I love the smell of lilacs, but have never grown any myself. I think it's high time I do!

Anonymous said...

Keep us posted about FG and the testing. I know these are trying and stressful times for you both.
I love lilacs. A previous owner had planted one at Nalley Valley that mother sure enjoyed. Also, our cat Kaboodle rubbed on it like catnip!
Sorry about the death of your friend; they were mighty good neighbors to you and likewise, I'm sure.
Lillie Mae called me last night. She was in Dad's graduating class 1940. She says there are only 3 left now. It surprises me that she can keep up with my phone # and still remembers as well as she does.

L. D. said...

I hope all the new stuff will work for him. It would be nice to halt some of those reactions to the smell. I put a new garbage bag on the trash can and wow it was all pretty smelling. I thought of Far Guy when I did it. Our little bit older friend that we moved to Des Moines from Minneapolis starts chemo on Wednesday. A once thought mild cancer situation has now become more extensive. We will be sure she makes all of her visits and become her only family now.

Muffie said...

Do the lilacs bother Far Guy? I would think that the cloying scent might be an irritant. I hope he finds relief in this ongoing problem!

Intense Guy said...

I hope the things comes in three actually is the Truth. You need a break from the sadness.

Cynthia said...

I'm sorry to hear about your neighbor passing away. Nice that you have fond memories to hold on to. I missed the lilacs this year as mine were just buds when I left Minnesota. The smell is like nothing else.

Sam I Am...... said...

I love lilacs and I have none here. There's a bush across the street but the neighbors aren't friendly so I dare not ask them for any. I can't even get close enough for a good whiff. Sorry for your losses, it's hard to let go and know we aren't that far behind them! There's nothing like the people in the Midwest....I found that out after moving here!

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

I've killed two lilacs and the third did not bloom this year. I'm thinking I need to try a new spot. But as Far Guy said, I'm always glad to only have a small shrub because the beautiful smell can trigger my allergies. Hope all your tests lead to positive outcomes!

Red said...

Mary Lou lived a long and active life. You were fortunate to have her in your life. Send some of your rain this way. we are very dry.

Linda W. said...

Pretty lilac photos! So sorry about your friend's passing.

Linda Reeder said...

Mary Lou sounds like a lovely person. Her passing is a loss, but then Alzheimers apparently created that loss several years ago.
My thoughts are with you two as you deal with these health issues.

Jacqi Stevens said...

I guess it is just as well that you don't have any super-achiever lilac bushes around your house! My mother loved lilacs and planted enough of them to serve as hedges around our first home--pruned them for perfect blooms. The perfume was intoxicating! You and Far Guy couldn't stand to be anywhere near there!

Sorry to hear your sad news. You have so many really neat friends. It is so hard to say goodbye to such special friendships over the years. Having to do so in quick succession makes it more difficult. Bet you'll be thinking of Mary Lou a lot when you have your coffee...