Egg Layers:
I don’t know if I told you about getting some chickens last summer. Well, we did. We have a chicken house with a bunch of Rhode Island Red laying hens. They just started laying this spring. They lay those nice brown eggs everyone raves about for flavor and using in baking home made bread and cakes and the like.
Last week I decided I needed boxes out there in the chicken house for those hens to put their eggs in, because they were just laying eggs anywhere on the floor.
I went off to the local hay, grain, feed and hardware store, bought some egg boxes and brought them home. I took my time and figured out where would be the best place to set out these new egg boxes. I tried to place them about where I knew the hens had been laying eggs over the past few days. I figured if they laid eggs there before, they must like that spot and will lay eggs there again.
I was satisfied that I had provided boxes for the girls, at least enough boxes that there shouldn’t be much shoving and pushing by the hens for their turn to lay. Thinking here a minute, I’m not sure if hens do a lot of shoving to get to the where they want to lay an egg. Oh Well.
I was looking forward to seeing how the boxes would be accepted, so the next day, about 4 pm, which is about the time I usually go to gather eggs, I headed to the chicken house.
Proudly, I walked in to check on the success of my addition to the chicken house. You know, those dumb hens didn’t lay one egg in one of those boxes. There sat six perfect good boxes, big enough to hold a dozen eggs each and not one notch had an egg in it. I’m taking the rest of those boxes back to the feed and hardware store tomorrow.
Leroy
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The Follow-up Doctor Visit
I’m not sure if everyone remembers me telling of my buddy Dan and his escapades over the years. He’s lived quite a full life and in his own way is a real character. We're both the same age within a few weeks, but when Dan was in his 4o’s he was dealt a serious blow, he had a stroke. With determination, he has returned to a full productive life. The stroke left Dan with a bit of a problem in reasoning and comprehension. This hasn’t slowed him down much at all, but when interacting with some people, it has been, … well, ... different, Dan doesn’t hold back what is on his mind. I often say, Dan is not responsible for his words or his actions.
This is a story that developed as a result of an earlier surgery, Dan had by the Dermatologist. I was asked, by my good buddy Dan, the other day, to accompany him on a follow-up visit, back to that doctor's office.
It turned out the previous visit was very frustrating for Dan. First off, he was asked to fill out a bunch of papers, which he said were the same thing he had already done on the first visit, then they wanted him to pay his co-pay before he had even seen the doctor. He couldn’t understand the logic behind all this. He went on to say that while he was waiting, there seemed to be a lot of others there too, just waiting. He noticed there were people being called into the office before him that had not been there as long as he was. Things were confusing for him and all he really was sure of was that his appointment was for 1:30pm and he had been there almost an hour already. He said if he hadn’t already given them his co-pay he would have gotten up a left. He was not called in until 2:40pm. Well that was the visit for the surgery.
Now, back to the events of this last visit. At the time, I was thinking I was along for support, should there be additional bad news and to help understand any further instructions the doctor may pass on. I wasn’t quite ready for all that unfolded as we entered the waiting room of the doctors office. I held the door open for Dan and he entered the waiting room, he looked around and in a voice that penetrated into the next room he said, “How many of you people here for a 2 o’clock appointment?” Heads turned and 4 other people indicated that their appointment was at 2 o’clock. My brain is kicking into high gear, wondering what will be the next thing on his mind and how can I head it off before he blurts it out. Too late. Dan say’s, “How do you think he’s going to see all 5 of us at one time?”
We weren’t even half way into the waiting room at this point and already the receptionist had the sliding window open, “May I help you?” she says in a loud voice to get Dan’s attention.
I attempted to guide Dan toward the receptionist at the same time saying, “Come on Dan, their waiting for you over there already.”
Dan took about 2 steps and turned back toward the waiting patients and ask, “How many of you had to pay your co-pay already?” Everyone nodded their head in agreement.
Now it came to me, the reason for my being asked to accompany Dan on this particular visit. He has been fretting over what they had done, making him wait so long the last trip, and all the other frustration associated with that trip. I was there to keep him from getting into big trouble. I’ve been down that road with Dan before. “Come on Dan, let’s get you checked in.”
When we walked up to the receptionist window, I looked back into that office area and could see everyone in there had been listening to the conversation in the waiting room and now were looking to see just who was the source of it all. “Hello Dan, would you please sign in?” was the greeting from the receptionist. “Now, if we can have your co-pay, then you can have a seat and we will call you back in a little bit.”
This was the moment of truth, I just knew was coming. In a very firm voice and a hand slap to the counter top, Dan says, “NO, you will get the co-pay when you call me to go into see the doctor and not before!”
The receptionist was totally caught off guard, a look of disbelief and wonderment came over her. I looked where the other staff members had been in that room, and they were all gone. They deserted this defenseless young receptionist to fend for herself.
I took Dan by the elbow and turned him toward a couple chairs along the wall there in the waiting room and said as we walked away form the receptionist window, “OK, Dan, you’ve made your point, now lets settle down here and wait our turn.” In my mind I’m thinking, well wait and see what develops out of this last 3 minutes.
As we sat down, the receptionist was sliding the glass window shut. She had already gotten up from her chair, and now was walking toward the back of the room where the other staff members were earlier.
The waiting room was an odd quiet for the next few minutes. I sensed the others were hesitant to even cough for fear of retribution of some sort from Dan.
We didn’t have to wait very long, a nurse opened the side door, which lead to the back of the office area. She looked our direction and nodded, “If you will follow me Dan, I’ll show you to the examination room.” As we got up to follow her, I looked over to the receptionist desk, but there wasn’t anyone there. It was as though that part of the office had closed for the rest of the day. I wondered who we will give the co-pay to now. The nurse must have seen me looking for the receptionist. She said “You can settle up the account on the way out.”
In a while the doctor walked into the room, and at the same time, trying to ease some tension, said to Dan, “I understand you have been busy out there, putting my staff on notice.” Dan’s reply was brief, “Well, Doc, They needed it!” Dan said it in a way to indicate there wouldn’t be any further discussion on the subject.
The doctor gave Dan a clean bill of health, and saw us out to the hallway leading to the appointment desk, which is also the last link to the accounts payable office. As there were no follow up appointments necessary all was left was settling the bill. Dan wrote out a check for the co-pay, not a word was exchanged.
As we walked out and through the waiting room, I glanced back to the receptionist window, still no one was there, but I could see the figures of some of the staff further in the back of the office. As for the others in the waiting room, they were all new faces there now. They weren’t witness to the lessons of Dan in dealing with an over booked doctors office.
This is a story that developed as a result of an earlier surgery, Dan had by the Dermatologist. I was asked, by my good buddy Dan, the other day, to accompany him on a follow-up visit, back to that doctor's office.
It turned out the previous visit was very frustrating for Dan. First off, he was asked to fill out a bunch of papers, which he said were the same thing he had already done on the first visit, then they wanted him to pay his co-pay before he had even seen the doctor. He couldn’t understand the logic behind all this. He went on to say that while he was waiting, there seemed to be a lot of others there too, just waiting. He noticed there were people being called into the office before him that had not been there as long as he was. Things were confusing for him and all he really was sure of was that his appointment was for 1:30pm and he had been there almost an hour already. He said if he hadn’t already given them his co-pay he would have gotten up a left. He was not called in until 2:40pm. Well that was the visit for the surgery.
Now, back to the events of this last visit. At the time, I was thinking I was along for support, should there be additional bad news and to help understand any further instructions the doctor may pass on. I wasn’t quite ready for all that unfolded as we entered the waiting room of the doctors office. I held the door open for Dan and he entered the waiting room, he looked around and in a voice that penetrated into the next room he said, “How many of you people here for a 2 o’clock appointment?” Heads turned and 4 other people indicated that their appointment was at 2 o’clock. My brain is kicking into high gear, wondering what will be the next thing on his mind and how can I head it off before he blurts it out. Too late. Dan say’s, “How do you think he’s going to see all 5 of us at one time?”
We weren’t even half way into the waiting room at this point and already the receptionist had the sliding window open, “May I help you?” she says in a loud voice to get Dan’s attention.
I attempted to guide Dan toward the receptionist at the same time saying, “Come on Dan, their waiting for you over there already.”
Dan took about 2 steps and turned back toward the waiting patients and ask, “How many of you had to pay your co-pay already?” Everyone nodded their head in agreement.
Now it came to me, the reason for my being asked to accompany Dan on this particular visit. He has been fretting over what they had done, making him wait so long the last trip, and all the other frustration associated with that trip. I was there to keep him from getting into big trouble. I’ve been down that road with Dan before. “Come on Dan, let’s get you checked in.”
When we walked up to the receptionist window, I looked back into that office area and could see everyone in there had been listening to the conversation in the waiting room and now were looking to see just who was the source of it all. “Hello Dan, would you please sign in?” was the greeting from the receptionist. “Now, if we can have your co-pay, then you can have a seat and we will call you back in a little bit.”
This was the moment of truth, I just knew was coming. In a very firm voice and a hand slap to the counter top, Dan says, “NO, you will get the co-pay when you call me to go into see the doctor and not before!”
The receptionist was totally caught off guard, a look of disbelief and wonderment came over her. I looked where the other staff members had been in that room, and they were all gone. They deserted this defenseless young receptionist to fend for herself.
I took Dan by the elbow and turned him toward a couple chairs along the wall there in the waiting room and said as we walked away form the receptionist window, “OK, Dan, you’ve made your point, now lets settle down here and wait our turn.” In my mind I’m thinking, well wait and see what develops out of this last 3 minutes.
As we sat down, the receptionist was sliding the glass window shut. She had already gotten up from her chair, and now was walking toward the back of the room where the other staff members were earlier.
The waiting room was an odd quiet for the next few minutes. I sensed the others were hesitant to even cough for fear of retribution of some sort from Dan.
We didn’t have to wait very long, a nurse opened the side door, which lead to the back of the office area. She looked our direction and nodded, “If you will follow me Dan, I’ll show you to the examination room.” As we got up to follow her, I looked over to the receptionist desk, but there wasn’t anyone there. It was as though that part of the office had closed for the rest of the day. I wondered who we will give the co-pay to now. The nurse must have seen me looking for the receptionist. She said “You can settle up the account on the way out.”
In a while the doctor walked into the room, and at the same time, trying to ease some tension, said to Dan, “I understand you have been busy out there, putting my staff on notice.” Dan’s reply was brief, “Well, Doc, They needed it!” Dan said it in a way to indicate there wouldn’t be any further discussion on the subject.
The doctor gave Dan a clean bill of health, and saw us out to the hallway leading to the appointment desk, which is also the last link to the accounts payable office. As there were no follow up appointments necessary all was left was settling the bill. Dan wrote out a check for the co-pay, not a word was exchanged.
As we walked out and through the waiting room, I glanced back to the receptionist window, still no one was there, but I could see the figures of some of the staff further in the back of the office. As for the others in the waiting room, they were all new faces there now. They weren’t witness to the lessons of Dan in dealing with an over booked doctors office.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Ole Friend,
I received the letter you wrote following the election. I was going to write back right away, but thought I would wait until things settled down a bit.
I remember in there you made reference to the word “Friends”. More specifically, I think you use the word “Liberal” to describe some of those “friends”. I started to
thinking about an e-mail I received several months ago from an old high school-mate and neighbor, back home. She was to me and many others identified, affectionately, “Sister Shara”. She was the girl in school, very quiet, studious, and came from a staunch Christian home. Shara was the one we would go to for help with English or Math assignments, you know the type, and the ground she stood on was solid. Well, we had been exchanging thoughts on knowing our friends and how we evaluate friendship’s.
Shara’s comments have stuck in my mind, I’d like to share them with you, I think they are worth repeating;
“Many years ago, I realized my life seemed to have a
swinging door on both ends and a constant parade of
people going through those doors. I asked the Lord why
people have cradle to grave friendships, and I have a constant
turnover. I didn’t hear any voices or see visions or anything,
but I came to realize over the next few weeks that my Lord sent
two kinds of people into my life; there were those to encourage
and guide me and those He sent to me to mentor and nurture.
When that job was finished, He moved them on to others for
the next chapter in their lives. Everyone I meet is a special and
divine appointment for a time known only to God. Nobody
leaves angry, it seems they just move on in their lives. Most
likely, I move on too, I’m just not aware of it. With Jesus, we are
never alone, and that friendship is eternal.”
That was the heart of Jane’s message to me, but out of it I have developed a better understanding of “My Friends”.
There are people I interact with, some more frequently than others, but there is a similar thread among us all, we share similar needs, and ideas. Our “Core Values” are basically all the same. These are the people we feel comfortable around.
They are our support group. Should we begin to get too much negativity from one of these people, we have the choice to continue to interact with that person, or to realize this friendship is not in line with the direction we am going. The contact can remain in our loop, but only at a distance, and in some cases we may have to break all ties with that person, because they are just too incompatible with where we want to be.
I once heard the comment, “If you claim to have a lot of friends there is a flaw in you selection of who you call a friend.”
We have “friends”, and then we have “Friends”. We have to be able to know the difference.
Select wisely "My Friend",
Leroy
I received the letter you wrote following the election. I was going to write back right away, but thought I would wait until things settled down a bit.
I remember in there you made reference to the word “Friends”. More specifically, I think you use the word “Liberal” to describe some of those “friends”. I started to
thinking about an e-mail I received several months ago from an old high school-mate and neighbor, back home. She was to me and many others identified, affectionately, “Sister Shara”. She was the girl in school, very quiet, studious, and came from a staunch Christian home. Shara was the one we would go to for help with English or Math assignments, you know the type, and the ground she stood on was solid. Well, we had been exchanging thoughts on knowing our friends and how we evaluate friendship’s.
Shara’s comments have stuck in my mind, I’d like to share them with you, I think they are worth repeating;
“Many years ago, I realized my life seemed to have a
swinging door on both ends and a constant parade of
people going through those doors. I asked the Lord why
people have cradle to grave friendships, and I have a constant
turnover. I didn’t hear any voices or see visions or anything,
but I came to realize over the next few weeks that my Lord sent
two kinds of people into my life; there were those to encourage
and guide me and those He sent to me to mentor and nurture.
When that job was finished, He moved them on to others for
the next chapter in their lives. Everyone I meet is a special and
divine appointment for a time known only to God. Nobody
leaves angry, it seems they just move on in their lives. Most
likely, I move on too, I’m just not aware of it. With Jesus, we are
never alone, and that friendship is eternal.”
That was the heart of Jane’s message to me, but out of it I have developed a better understanding of “My Friends”.
There are people I interact with, some more frequently than others, but there is a similar thread among us all, we share similar needs, and ideas. Our “Core Values” are basically all the same. These are the people we feel comfortable around.
They are our support group. Should we begin to get too much negativity from one of these people, we have the choice to continue to interact with that person, or to realize this friendship is not in line with the direction we am going. The contact can remain in our loop, but only at a distance, and in some cases we may have to break all ties with that person, because they are just too incompatible with where we want to be.
I once heard the comment, “If you claim to have a lot of friends there is a flaw in you selection of who you call a friend.”
We have “friends”, and then we have “Friends”. We have to be able to know the difference.
Select wisely "My Friend",
Leroy
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Phase Three
There seems to be increase awareness in the senior community and on the internet regarding the “Colonoscopy”. I’ve read several accounts lately on the subject. I even wrote a personal, lite hearted account many years ago. With many of us, the colonoscopy is a necessary evil.
While at breakfast a few weeks ago, one of our friends, “Jim” informed us he wouldn’t be meeting us for breakfast the following Wednesday. Of course we were wondering Why!, when Jim proceeded to tell us he was scheduled for the colonoscopy on Thursday and he would be going through the preparation stage on Wednesday. OK, we all know about the “Preparation” stage, but Jim proceeds to explain that this time there has been some changes to the process. The solution is in a “Gator-aide” form. This new idea is to make this stage a bit less uncomfortable. I was mildly interested in this whole subject, as it always brings back those memories of my first experience with the “Preparation Stage” of the Colonoscopy. But, at the table that morning was “Bob”, another friend who joins us from time to time for breakfast, and he was taking this entire conversation in with great interest. Bob is a detail kind of guy and in a conversation, really gets down to the nuts and bolts of most any subject which might be the topic for discussion. Jim on the other hand finds a certain amount of enjoyment in tweaking the curiosity of Bob, to the point I have been known to totally lose awareness of the original subject. Actually, I have been know to just get up and leave.
As it turns out Bob is scheduled for the same procedure in another two weeks and is very interested in hearing all about this “Gator-Aide” formula. Jim is ever so obliging in providing Bob with the details, beginning with step one and going through each step in fairly explicit detail.
Jim went through the colonoscopy with the usually discomforts, but when it was all over he was given a good report of no problems. This was a relief for Jim.
Two weeks have passed and it is now Bob turn, “Preparation” day has arrived.
I really don’t know the activities leading up to this part of the story, but as reported by Jim, he received a phone call the evening Bob was beginning his “Preparation phases”.
It was Bob’s wife, Sally. “Would you mind explaining to Bob about taking this solution for the colonoscopy preparation?” she ask Jim.
It kind of caught Jim by surprise, but he said, “Sure, I’ll be glad to.”
Sally passed the phone over to Bob, who abruptly ask Jim, “Would you explain again those phases you were talking about for this clean out I’m suppose to be doing?”
“Well, what is it you want to know?” ask Jim
Bob began, “ I did phase one, and mixed the Gator-aide solution up, put it in the refrigerator,
for 2 hours like the instructions said.”
“You followed the mixing instructions, and you have your jug of stuff to drink, that’s good. It should be a lite green, clear liquid, right?” said Jim, as he began to “tweak” at Bob.
Bob replies, “Yeh, I have that part all done and I’ve been drinking the stuff like it says in phase two, but I’m wondering, nothing seems to be happening.”
“Well, what time did you start drinking the solution?” ask Jim, knowing he was going to get a chance to stir up Bob on this one.
“Oh, about quarter past 6, I’m kind of concerned, nothing seems to be happening, except my insides are all churning and rumbling.” said Bob.
Jim looked at the clock hanging on the wall there in the kitchen, it read 5 minutes to 7. He could hear the anxiety in Bob’s voice, and knowing how Bob is a sticker for detail, Jim said, in his demented way, “Ah, Bob, you still there?” A weak reply came back from Bob, not really recognizable as a full word. “Look Bob, I think you’re ready for Phase Three!!!” With that Jim heard the phone drop and could hear Sally in the back-ground as voices trailed off away from the phone.
Sally returned to the phone to inform Jim that phase three had started and to thank him for explaining things, again, to Bob.
While at breakfast a few weeks ago, one of our friends, “Jim” informed us he wouldn’t be meeting us for breakfast the following Wednesday. Of course we were wondering Why!, when Jim proceeded to tell us he was scheduled for the colonoscopy on Thursday and he would be going through the preparation stage on Wednesday. OK, we all know about the “Preparation” stage, but Jim proceeds to explain that this time there has been some changes to the process. The solution is in a “Gator-aide” form. This new idea is to make this stage a bit less uncomfortable. I was mildly interested in this whole subject, as it always brings back those memories of my first experience with the “Preparation Stage” of the Colonoscopy. But, at the table that morning was “Bob”, another friend who joins us from time to time for breakfast, and he was taking this entire conversation in with great interest. Bob is a detail kind of guy and in a conversation, really gets down to the nuts and bolts of most any subject which might be the topic for discussion. Jim on the other hand finds a certain amount of enjoyment in tweaking the curiosity of Bob, to the point I have been known to totally lose awareness of the original subject. Actually, I have been know to just get up and leave.
As it turns out Bob is scheduled for the same procedure in another two weeks and is very interested in hearing all about this “Gator-Aide” formula. Jim is ever so obliging in providing Bob with the details, beginning with step one and going through each step in fairly explicit detail.
Jim went through the colonoscopy with the usually discomforts, but when it was all over he was given a good report of no problems. This was a relief for Jim.
Two weeks have passed and it is now Bob turn, “Preparation” day has arrived.
I really don’t know the activities leading up to this part of the story, but as reported by Jim, he received a phone call the evening Bob was beginning his “Preparation phases”.
It was Bob’s wife, Sally. “Would you mind explaining to Bob about taking this solution for the colonoscopy preparation?” she ask Jim.
It kind of caught Jim by surprise, but he said, “Sure, I’ll be glad to.”
Sally passed the phone over to Bob, who abruptly ask Jim, “Would you explain again those phases you were talking about for this clean out I’m suppose to be doing?”
“Well, what is it you want to know?” ask Jim
Bob began, “ I did phase one, and mixed the Gator-aide solution up, put it in the refrigerator,
for 2 hours like the instructions said.”
“You followed the mixing instructions, and you have your jug of stuff to drink, that’s good. It should be a lite green, clear liquid, right?” said Jim, as he began to “tweak” at Bob.
Bob replies, “Yeh, I have that part all done and I’ve been drinking the stuff like it says in phase two, but I’m wondering, nothing seems to be happening.”
“Well, what time did you start drinking the solution?” ask Jim, knowing he was going to get a chance to stir up Bob on this one.
“Oh, about quarter past 6, I’m kind of concerned, nothing seems to be happening, except my insides are all churning and rumbling.” said Bob.
Jim looked at the clock hanging on the wall there in the kitchen, it read 5 minutes to 7. He could hear the anxiety in Bob’s voice, and knowing how Bob is a sticker for detail, Jim said, in his demented way, “Ah, Bob, you still there?” A weak reply came back from Bob, not really recognizable as a full word. “Look Bob, I think you’re ready for Phase Three!!!” With that Jim heard the phone drop and could hear Sally in the back-ground as voices trailed off away from the phone.
Sally returned to the phone to inform Jim that phase three had started and to thank him for explaining things, again, to Bob.
Monday, September 22, 2008
A Joy From The Garden
A Joy From The Garden:
Yesterday afternoon, while heading back to the
house, I walked past what is left of my vegetable
garden, a couple tomato plants with several very
ripe tomatoes hanging on the vines.
It’s been a while since I ate a whole tomato, while
standing next to the vine it was just picked from.
A small bright red tomato caught my eye. It was
about the size of a tennis ball. I reached through
the vines to pull the small tomato. I took hold of
that little tomato and could feel it was warm from
the afternoon sun.
I could smell the fresh odor of the vine on my hand
as I began to eat the tomato. I had to laugh to my
self, The words from the Guy Clarke song came
rushing through my mind:
Ain't nothin' in the world that I like better
Than bacon & lettuce & homegrown tomatoes
Up in the mornin' out in the garden
Get you a ripe one don't get a hard one
Plant `em in the spring eat `em in the summer
All winter with out `em's a culinary bummer
I forget all about the sweatin' & diggin'
Everytime I go out & pick me a big one
Homegrown tomatoes homegrown tomatoes
What'd life be without homegrown tomatoes
Only two things that money can't buy
That's true love & homegrown tomatoes
You can go out to eat & that's for sure
But it's nothin' a homegrown tomato won't cure
(And it goes on . . . . . . . )
I ate the tomato right down to the little green cap
that held it to the vine. It was soooo gooood, I
picked another and ate that one too.
And that folks, was the high-lite of my day, but you
know, I sleep good at night.
Leroy
Yesterday afternoon, while heading back to the
house, I walked past what is left of my vegetable
garden, a couple tomato plants with several very
ripe tomatoes hanging on the vines.
It’s been a while since I ate a whole tomato, while
standing next to the vine it was just picked from.
A small bright red tomato caught my eye. It was
about the size of a tennis ball. I reached through
the vines to pull the small tomato. I took hold of
that little tomato and could feel it was warm from
the afternoon sun.
I could smell the fresh odor of the vine on my hand
as I began to eat the tomato. I had to laugh to my
self, The words from the Guy Clarke song came
rushing through my mind:
Ain't nothin' in the world that I like better
Than bacon & lettuce & homegrown tomatoes
Up in the mornin' out in the garden
Get you a ripe one don't get a hard one
Plant `em in the spring eat `em in the summer
All winter with out `em's a culinary bummer
I forget all about the sweatin' & diggin'
Everytime I go out & pick me a big one
Homegrown tomatoes homegrown tomatoes
What'd life be without homegrown tomatoes
Only two things that money can't buy
That's true love & homegrown tomatoes
You can go out to eat & that's for sure
But it's nothin' a homegrown tomato won't cure
(And it goes on . . . . . . . )
I ate the tomato right down to the little green cap
that held it to the vine. It was soooo gooood, I
picked another and ate that one too.
And that folks, was the high-lite of my day, but you
know, I sleep good at night.
Leroy
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