2018 Life Logs, Day 307—Yard Work and Dia de los Muertos
Date: Saturday, November 3, 2018
Weather: Rain Early, Then Windy and Clearing; High 67, Low 38 degrees F
Location: At Home in The Cottage, East Falmouth, MA
Weatherwise, today was a typical fall day. It started with rain. When the rain stopped, the wind started blowing, and eventually the sun came out and it was a delightful afternoon. During the rainy morning, Heather, Ollie, and I ran errands in town. We came back to my house for lunch and then Heather and Ollie decided to become landscapers
and rearrange some of the brush piled out on the water side of the cottage. Actually, the landscapers that do Shirley’s yard had at some point recently dumped a lot of branches right in the path I use to walk down to the water. Ollie started clearing that for me and then Heather pitched in and expanded the project. Ollie found some pieces of flat concrete that look like steps, so they installed those on the downhill part of the path.
It looks great and makes getting down the hill much easier.
Tonight we were all invited to a Dia de los Muertos celebration. This is a Mexican holiday that occurs at the end of October and beginning of November each year. It translates as Day of the Dead and is a time to honor special people in your life that have passed on. The party was at the home of friends of Ollie, twins named Roland and Meadow. Their dad is also Jonah’s electric guitar teacher, so I have been to their home a few times delivering kids. It was a fun and thoughtful affair. Traditional Mexican food was served and then there was dancing in a conga line for the children followed by a lighting of candles for loved ones.
Ollie lit candles for his Granddad, his Papa (Jed’s father), and Ben (Jed’s brother).
And then there was Dia de los Muertes cake for all.
As we started the drive home, Heather said something about spending the night at my house. This morning this is what Ollie had said he wanted to do. Previously, however, he had wanted to pitch a tent in his living room and camp-out with Momma and Oma. So, as we were driving home, he was distraught to find out that wasn’t the plan. I love the ‘selective’ memory of six year olds! We quickly changed plans,
so I am at Heather’s and will sleep on the sofa next to the tent. That is as far as I can take the camping thing right now with this knee. But the knee is much better and continues to improve. The latest health issue, however, is not me, but Justin. His rooster bit him on the arm about a month ago and he has been on antibiotics for an infection due to the bite. Last night he called to tell me he was on the way to the Emergency Room as there is now an abscess. Today he talked with a surgeon and was admitted into the hospital. They need to keep him until they can figure out what is really going on. Naturally, “me worry.” The surgeon was talking about a possible infection in the bone and I have no idea what that means. I just know it sounds scary. I will do some research in the morning to see what I can find out and surely hope that there is better news tomorrow.
