This has been quite a week. Last Sunday, I had to take hubby to the hospital because he was having chest pains. Brandon and Jordan were here. We were all going out to dinner, I got hubby settled at the hospital and they assured me it would be hours before anything was known. They advised I go to dinner with the boys and hubby agreed.
I came home but the boys didn't want to go to dinner without Grandpa, so I fed them and took them home, then went back to the hospital. I couldn't find hubby anywhere and finally asked where he was. They took me to this little room and told me to have a seat, that someone would be with me shortly.
I had visions of them telling me hubby had died, but what they did tell me was that he'd been transferred to the hospital in Hamilton.
It was a rainy, foggy and windy night. You know, like something out of a novel, (It was a dark and rainy night.) I left for Hamilton even though I am not a great night driver. I couldn't find anyone that could go with me, so I headed out alone. I got to the hospital, went into emergency and was told that hubby was in CCU. (Cardiac Care Unit)
I finally found him and he looked terrible. They had given him morphine and six blood thinners. Before I left, they had also connected and IV with blood thinners. I told them I didn't think that was a good idea. He's had too many, but they insisted it was fine and he was apparently part of a Research Study.
Monday morning hubby had a little more color and was feeling better. Tuesday morning I got there and his throat was swollen on the right side. It looked like he had the mumps. His tongue was black because it had been bleeding in the night. Apparently the meds he was getting by IV caused him to bleed. They weren't sure if he was bleeding internally but were going to do tests to find out. That was a long day.
They had taken him off the blood thinner drip and then I found a sheaf of papers in his hospital table drawer. He had signed a waiver for an experimental drug. I began reading it and was horrified. It stated the drugs could cause a brain bleed, a stomach bleed, cause kidney failure or congestive heart failure. It said, "These symptoms can be fatal," under every one of them.
I freaked and asked him what he'd been thinking to sign such a thing. He said that he hadn't read it because he didn't have his glasses. I called for the Study Nurse and asked he what she was thinking, allowing him to sign it without reading. She said he did read it. He told her he didn't because he had no glasses. She said her colleague had lent him her glasses and hubby said no, she hadn't.
I was really angry that they would do that. She said she didn't want to take him off the meds but wanted to see the final results. I really hit the roof.
But God was good and we were blessed because both hubby and his floor nurse insisted the drug be taken away.
He is home now, but really tired after having an angiogram and having stents put in. They didn't get great blood flow through the stents, but he is to see his family doctor, his cardiologist and the hospital doctor all within the next few weeks. We will see how it goes.
Monday, November 19
Thursday, November 8
Memories of Christmas Preparation
Lady Di, commented that I hadn't written a story for my readers in a while. I'm not sure how long it's been, but a long time. It's been a crazy year here.
It is almost mid-November and this was the time that Grandma begin to prepare for Christmas. She would go into town and shop for all the ingredients for her fruit cake. She would bring them home, flour the fruit and begin making the cakes early in the morning.
Grandma made a three-tiered Christmas fruit cake. She had square cake pans with drop out bottoms that made them easy to remove from the pan.
Flour, sugar, molasses, raisins and fruit all went into Grandma's cakes. She would let us kids stir until the batter was so thick that our arms ached from stirring. Once the cake batter was complete, she would use a large spoon to ladle the batter into the pans. Just before this point, she would add extra wood to the old wood stove to ensure that the oven would be just the right temperature. Once the oven was the perfect heat and the batter was in the pans, she would slip them into the oven.
After about 40 minutes, Grandma's kitchen would fill with the most wonderful aroma. After a couple hours of baking, Grandma would insert a straw from a new broom into the cakes to be sure they were fully baked. She would take them out of the oven, using her apron as a hot pad, and place them on a cooling rack. Once the cakes had cooled she would wrap them in wax paper and put them into a five gallon metal lard pail and slip on the lid. The reason she used the metal lard pail was to keep them moist. The tin also safeguarded against rodents or insects.
A few days before Christmas, Grandma would take the cakes out of the pail and stack them on her glass cake server. Three tiers for each cake. Then she would prepare almond icing and dress them up pretty with her artistic touch. Scrolls, angels or flowers adorned the cake each year. She then set a Log Cabin chocolate on the corners of each tier. The cake was then set on the table on Christmas morning for everyone to enjoy.
Grandma baked goodies the week before Christmas. Shortbread, oatmeal and date, peanut butter and chocolate chunk cookies were all served in the week between Christmas and New Years and of course the Christmas dessert table groaned under the weight of all the good things to eat. There would be pumpkin, raisin, cherry, apple and a broad spectrum of different flavored pies to choose from.
Christmas at Grandma's was always a busy time. She had a large family to feed and no one could ever say they left the table hungry, no matter what time of year, but at Christmas, Grandma outdid herself, making sure that everyone enjoyed their favorite foods.
I would love to hear your memories of the preparations for Christmas dinner. Please share in the comment section.
It is almost mid-November and this was the time that Grandma begin to prepare for Christmas. She would go into town and shop for all the ingredients for her fruit cake. She would bring them home, flour the fruit and begin making the cakes early in the morning.
Grandma made a three-tiered Christmas fruit cake. She had square cake pans with drop out bottoms that made them easy to remove from the pan.
Flour, sugar, molasses, raisins and fruit all went into Grandma's cakes. She would let us kids stir until the batter was so thick that our arms ached from stirring. Once the cake batter was complete, she would use a large spoon to ladle the batter into the pans. Just before this point, she would add extra wood to the old wood stove to ensure that the oven would be just the right temperature. Once the oven was the perfect heat and the batter was in the pans, she would slip them into the oven.
After about 40 minutes, Grandma's kitchen would fill with the most wonderful aroma. After a couple hours of baking, Grandma would insert a straw from a new broom into the cakes to be sure they were fully baked. She would take them out of the oven, using her apron as a hot pad, and place them on a cooling rack. Once the cakes had cooled she would wrap them in wax paper and put them into a five gallon metal lard pail and slip on the lid. The reason she used the metal lard pail was to keep them moist. The tin also safeguarded against rodents or insects.
A few days before Christmas, Grandma would take the cakes out of the pail and stack them on her glass cake server. Three tiers for each cake. Then she would prepare almond icing and dress them up pretty with her artistic touch. Scrolls, angels or flowers adorned the cake each year. She then set a Log Cabin chocolate on the corners of each tier. The cake was then set on the table on Christmas morning for everyone to enjoy.
Grandma baked goodies the week before Christmas. Shortbread, oatmeal and date, peanut butter and chocolate chunk cookies were all served in the week between Christmas and New Years and of course the Christmas dessert table groaned under the weight of all the good things to eat. There would be pumpkin, raisin, cherry, apple and a broad spectrum of different flavored pies to choose from.
Christmas at Grandma's was always a busy time. She had a large family to feed and no one could ever say they left the table hungry, no matter what time of year, but at Christmas, Grandma outdid herself, making sure that everyone enjoyed their favorite foods.
I would love to hear your memories of the preparations for Christmas dinner. Please share in the comment section.
Monday, November 5
Just dropping in to say hi to all of my Blogger friends. It's been a while since I've posted and I thought I'd drop in for a few minutes and let everyone know what's going on.
Hubby was in hospital for a day in September. He has to go for another angiogram to see if he has blocked arteries again. I'm sure a lot of you will remember that he had bypass surgery in 2001. For the last few months, he's been having chest pain and so the doctors want to investigate further to see what's going on.
Brandon made the Honor Roll for grade 11 and received a Science Award. He's been on the Honor Roll every year since he started high school. Once again he's taking horticulture, but has decided that will not be his career. He loves it and plans to make it a hobby. Of course he can always go back to it if he wants to. He's applied for a job and is waiting to hear something. He has his food handler's degree, so is looking to work in a diner while he continues his education.
Jordan changed all of his subjects this year. He is in grade 10. He's got 90% in manufacturing and 74 in math. That's excellent for him. He finds school a struggle, where Brandon finds it much easier. I think Jordan is working a little harder this year because he really likes the tech subjects. I hope he is able to make something along that line his career. He likes car mechanics and welding.
I hope that all those who were affected by Sandy are doing well. I know many are without food, water, gasoline and other necessities of life. Some are without homes. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Well, guess I will get off here and go back to bed. Some of you have been on my mind and in my prayers. Glad I had time to stop by.
Hubby was in hospital for a day in September. He has to go for another angiogram to see if he has blocked arteries again. I'm sure a lot of you will remember that he had bypass surgery in 2001. For the last few months, he's been having chest pain and so the doctors want to investigate further to see what's going on.
Brandon made the Honor Roll for grade 11 and received a Science Award. He's been on the Honor Roll every year since he started high school. Once again he's taking horticulture, but has decided that will not be his career. He loves it and plans to make it a hobby. Of course he can always go back to it if he wants to. He's applied for a job and is waiting to hear something. He has his food handler's degree, so is looking to work in a diner while he continues his education.
Jordan changed all of his subjects this year. He is in grade 10. He's got 90% in manufacturing and 74 in math. That's excellent for him. He finds school a struggle, where Brandon finds it much easier. I think Jordan is working a little harder this year because he really likes the tech subjects. I hope he is able to make something along that line his career. He likes car mechanics and welding.
I hope that all those who were affected by Sandy are doing well. I know many are without food, water, gasoline and other necessities of life. Some are without homes. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Well, guess I will get off here and go back to bed. Some of you have been on my mind and in my prayers. Glad I had time to stop by.
Saturday, August 18
A Magnificent Beast
This gorgeous buffalo was grazing beside the road. Isn't he a magnificent beast? I've always loved seeing buffalo. Not far from here you can see them grazing in a field, but not usually grazing beside the highway. We were lucky to have seen this when the camera was handy. Notice the brand on his flank. North American Aboriginals used every part of a buffalo that they killed, unlike the Europeans who slaughtered them and were encouraged to do so by the government. Here are a few things that buffalo contributed to the Natives.
Horns: | Arrow Points Utensils (cups, ladles, spoons) Powder horns Decorative headdresses Medication | Bones: | Knives, Pipes Arrowheads Splints Shovels War clubs |
Fat: | Candle Tallow Lubricant Soap | Tails: | Ornamental Decoration Fly brush Whip |
Hair: | Decorative headdresses Ropes Pad and pillow filler Moccasin lining | Muscles: | Glue Thread Arrow ties |
Stomach Liner: | Water container | Gall and Blood: | Decorative Paint |
Skull: | Rituals | Beard and Teeth: | Ornamentation |
Bladder: | Medicine Bag | Hooves: | Glue |
Scrotum: | Ceremonial rattle | Liver: | Hide Tanning |
Manure Chips: | Fuel | Tendons: | Sewing Bowstrings |
Hide: | Moccasins Buckets Drums Splints Ropes Saddles and Stirrups Snow shoes |
Today, meat is the primary revenue generator for the bison industry. In addition, businesses that make use of other parts of the animal have flourished as well.
For Instance:
Skulls are bleached and used for decorative purposes.
Horns are made into decorative polished costume jewelry and buttons.
Hair is manufactured into sweaters, coats and robes.
Hides are used for the manufacture of leather furniture. (Everything from foot stools to full size sofas are available.)
Bison leather is also used for the manufacture of hats, coats, vests, handbags, shoes and boots.
You can even purchase a Tanned Hide Teepee in today's market.
In my part of the country, buffalo are bred with beef and we can purchase beefalo. Some places also sell buffalo meat.
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