by Judy Handley | Jan 4, 2019 | 2019 Life Logs |
2019 Life Logs, Day 4: Nashville Music
Date: Friday, January 4, 2019
Weather: Mostly Overcast; High 51, Low 36 degrees F
Location: At Home with Patsy and Joe Kerwood in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
A visit in the Nashville area just isn’t complete without taking in a little Nashville music. Tonight my niece Janet and her partner Monica took me into the Music City to hear Fireball Mail at The Station Inn. According to Trip Advisor, “The Station Inn is a concert venue in Nashville, Tennessee, hosting the greatest bluegrass, blues, roots and Americana in the world. The Station Inn is the last true music venue in the Gulch area who has held true to the Nashville classic music scene.” I smiled when I read that last sentence as that is just a nice way of saying that the bar has not changed one little bit in the past 45 years of its existence. It has a well-worn look with an unfinished plywood floor and a hodge-podge of tables and chairs, but the music was world-class bluegrass. The Fireball Mail band
played a mixture of original, progressive, and traditional songs and invited a few guest singers to join them at times during the evening. One guest tonight was Jet Jurgensmeyer, a fourteen year-old actor and bluegrass singer who plays the guitar. 
This band won the 2016 Telluride Bluegrass Festival and each of the five members of the band have won individual awards of excellence in guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, and fiddle. I thoroughly enjoyed the music. The head of the group is the husband of a friend of Janet’s who greeted us, bought us beer, had her husband take the time to come by to chat with us, and gave us complimentary copies of the band’s latest CD. When she brought a pitcher of beer to our table, I said something about her being an angel to which she replied, “I like that. A beer angel!” It was a fun evening in Nashville.
by Judy Handley | Jan 3, 2019 | 2019 Life Logs |
2019 Life Logs, Day 3: Dreary Weather
Date: Thursday, January 3, 2019
Weather: Overcast; High 43, Low 41 degrees F
Location: At Home with Patsy and Joe Kerwood in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
What dreary weather we are having here this week. It is warm enough, but no hint of sunshine. But I guess that is what comes with January. Otherwise, things are progressing here. Today the home health care nurse visited and outlined the level of home care for my brother-in-law Joe for the next couple of months. He has multiple issues, including the early stages of dementia, so health care is complicated. After the home health nurse left, my niece Janet stayed with Joe while I took Patsy to Costco. Joe seems to really enjoy his time with Janet. Today he got to open some belated Christmas presents which actually got him to smile.
Patsy has been homebound with Joe for a few months and has very little chance to get out. And she loves going to Costco. So off we went. Our day tomorrow will be spent dealing with in-home occupational and physical therapists. Then tomorrow night, Janet is stealing me away to go see a Nashville musician that she and Monica really like. That should be fun.
by Judy Handley | Jan 2, 2019 | 2019 Life Logs |
2019 Life Logs, Day 2: Joe Home from the Hospital
Date: Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Weather: Overcast with Rain Late; High 46, Low 38 degrees F
Location: At Home with Patsy and Joe Kerwood in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
My brother-in-law Joe got home from the hospital today. But unfortunately, coming home means the beginning of the long process of helping Joe get used to life using a walker. We have miles to go on that end of things, but at least Joe is here and Patsy doesn’t have to make the daily commute to the hospital. My time here is passing quickly and there is very little time to write. It is much more important to spend time with my sister right now. So, logs will be short while I am here. I return home next Monday.
by Judy Handley | Jan 1, 2019 | 2019 Life Logs |
2019 Life Logs, Day 1: First Day of 2019
Date: Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Weather: Overcast; High 57, Low 46 degrees F
Location: At Home with My Sister in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
My dad always believed that the way you live New Year’s Day is the way you will live each day of the year. That is ingrained in my very being, so on New Year’s morning, I get up and get dressed immediately as that was another of my dad’s ‘rules’–out of bed and ready for the day. And so I was this morning. I made a healthy smoothie for breakfast and then started researching the solutions to some of my brother-in-law’s issues. He has been in the hospital and rehab for three weeks and is still quite weak and has to use a walker anytime he is up and about. In order for him to be safe and comfortable when he comes home from the hospital tomorrow, there are many adjustments that need to be made. We knew Joe’s physical and occupational therapy sessions today allowed us to visit from 11:00 to 1:00, so we planned our visit for today during that time. We got to meet one of his physical therapists who gave up more tips on the best ways for him to get in and out of chairs. My sister is very tiny and really can’t assist him physically, so he needs to be able to do things on his own and in a way that will prevent future falls.
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After the hospital visit, we attempted to go see a movie but that didn’t work out. We drove all the way to south Nashville to see Mary Queen of Scots, but it was sold out. Then we drove back to Mt. Juliet to see a different movie and it was sold out as well. So we went home and did some cooking and watched football games. I roasted a chicken so I can make chicken magic mineral broth tomorrow and roasted a spaghetti squash. Joe has requested spaghetti for his first night home and since I avoid eating pasta, I’ll have my sauce over spaghetti squash. My only resolution this year is to continue to try and eat as healthy as possible and ridding my diet of gluten is one of my ‘rules’ for healthy living. I thought I’d have time today to reflect on the past year, but that didn’t happen. I did get to talk with good friends Kevin and Claire and had a Skype video call with Justin and family in Puerto Rico. My first day of the year was spent eating healthy food, connecting with friends and family, and helping others. I think that is a good way to start 2019.
