Thursday, August 7, 2025
Jerry McCloskey plays sheepshead with us every Tuesday, and seems quite laid back.
But today he treated SRS with Irish musicians and Guinness beer in appreciation for being at SRS.
It was a lovely afternoon to be on the piazza, complete with complimentary Happy Hour.
Sunday, August 3, 2025
I've had a nasty irritation in my genital area for years, right at the clitoris. I notice it when I took a shower with a very sharp pain. I saw Dr. Gundamraj about it once, and she gave me a small tube of cream. That seemed to clear it up, but only temporarily.
Whenever it flared up again, I applied Neosporin, that seemed to work. I made an appointment to see a doctor at one time, but it seemed to clear up, so I had nothing to show.
Eventually, it was getting more frequent, and more painful.
Now it is so painful, I can barely walk. When I urinate, I feels like I was getting hit by a blowtorch. I screamed in pain.
I applied Neosporin, an anti-biotic ointment and a cream from a dermatologist; all gave me extreme pain initially, but it seemed to subside. Now I applied petroleum jelly just to keep urine away from the infected area. I see stars when I apply it.
I'm going to see Dr. Gundamraj tomorrow.
Monday, August 4
I had a very sleepless night, with the pain and worried what Dr. G would find. And what could she do in her office with such an extreme condition? I have to check in to Emergency. Should I call Claude? Should I push my button for an ambulance to take me (the ride in an ambulance is impossible.). Should I wait for Claude early in the morning? That seemed to be my best option.
I woke up Claude with my phone call and he managed to be at SRS by about 7:30 a.m. We got taken rather promptly at St. Luke's and I was situated in the Emergency section. What I dreaded most was for anyone to touch my affected area; I could not touch it, and I'd scream if anyone else did. I explained my condition: how long I've had it, what I was doing for it, etc. I implored the nurse to give me something to numb the area. She checked with the doctor and there was a liquid application that she would apply in drops to the affected area. After a period of waiting, it seemed to work and the doctor could determine what I was suffering from. Diagnosis: UTI (Urinary Tract Infection), Vaginitis and vulvovaginitis and Hypertensive urgency (my blood pressure was over 200).
The nurse explained the antbacterial medicine that I would be taking and the various applications that I would be using and did the initial applications. I was definitely not to use Neosporin, A & D or the cream that I use for eczema.
My blood pressure was shooting through the roof: 200+, 199, 240. Pills did not help to lower it. The nurse inserted an IV which was certain to help lower my blood pressure.
I was trembling; I was so cold. Claude stayed with me the entire time, except when I was exposed. He put a blanket over me and kept reporting the readings. A heated blanket helped. Lying on my back is not my normal position, and I asked an attendant if I could lie on my side; he said that I could. I felt more comfortable, and the trembling stopped.
Even with the IV my blood pressure was a big problem. The doctor advised me to stay overnight so that my blood pressure could get under control. It lowered slightly, which was a promising sign, but then shot up. I really wanted to go home and I promised that I would watch my salt intake and avoid salty foods. He said the it was my decision, but I could change my mind. I was determined to go home, but had strict orders to see Dr. Gundamraj as soon as possible.
We waited quite a long time for the final orders to be prepared, when a young 26-year old nurse came with the required documents. A last blood pressure check: 184/79! the lowest it was the entire time. Claude and I were ecstatic. We were on our way out.
Claude picked up a foot-long chicken sub at Subway before taking me home. We split the subway and I was glad that I could offer Claude a can of Riverwest Stein; I had water.
Claude got rid of the program that has been bothering me as a start-up on my computer. It took him a few tries to figure it out, but it would have been really beyond me to do it.
He restarted my TV that had No Signal; it really was simple, but I did not feel like doing it before leaving for the hospital.
Claude also mounted the plant hanger for my rosary plant. It really needed to be hung since it was trailing on the floor.
Before leaving for home, Claude picked up my medications from Walgreen's
What a gem! I am so blessed with this marvelous family.
Friday, July 8, 2025
Throughout the week the pain continues when I sit or bend, but most severely when I urinate. My new seating pad helps somewhat, but I have to sit down gingerly.
I checked the test results that get sent after a visit and everything was abnormal. What bothered me most was my clear urine. I looked it up and the information said it's caused by the kidneys not filtering. That was very alarming. Will I have to have dialysis?
I had my follow-up with Dr. Gundamraj today, with Angel as her nurse. My blood pressure was within range, still higher than normal.
Dr. G looked over my results and said that everything looked good. I asked her about the clear urine. She didn't know what I was referring to. I asked about my kidneys not filtering. She said my kidney is better than people half my age. I was so relieved.
Dr. G also said that I should apply A&D over the other medication to protect the area when I urinate.
Friday, July 31, 2025
Emma did my hair today, since Jacelyn is away tomorrow.
I went to the Kohl's at Point Loomis to return Peter's razor, and bought a couple of tops.
I had a basil BLT at Panera's, but did not find any basil. I took half of the sandwich home to add my own basil. As close as I was to Leon's I overcame the urge.
Next, to Walgreen's to pick up a prescription and photos that I order at half price.
Finished my errands at P & S, buying items for Saturday's breakfast pot luck.
Totally exhausted after putting everything away.
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
We had a heavy rain through the night, but it cleared up by noon.
I drove Cheri Franch to Milwaukee Eye Care on Port Washington and Brown Deer Rds. She is being treated for macular degeneration.
On the way back to SRS, I picked up a prescription and a couple of lemons. I needed the lemons for Janice's salad dressing recipe, with the roasted almond butter.
I made the dressing and poured it into a container that I thought would make a nice salad cruet. I made a large salad with lettuce, red pepper, cherry tomatoes, celery, basil, scallion, and mushrooms. The dressing was so thick that I had to really shake it out of the bottle, but it was delicious.
I arranged a plant rack that I could suspend the bottle from and let the contents drip into a small bowl. It needed some prodding to get started, but it emptied out pretty well. I transferred the dressing into a small wider mouth jar.
I will definitely make it again.
Monday, July 28, 2025
A great day for the six of us to travel to Lake Geneva for a Wildlife Safari; our group included our driver and Program Director Betsy Rowbottom, Mary Jo Stadler, Susan Callopy, Cookie Anderson, Arthur King and myself. The ride put the seat cushions to the test, and if not for the jarring noise of the bus, it would be considered very smooth.
There was a slight glitch finding our name in the reservation list, but it was resolved with no problem.
Our bus got in line with other vehicles along a dirt road through the open area where animals moved about freely. The experience tried to replicate an actual safari, which it accomplished quite well.
We saw many familiar animals, plus some that I'd never seen before. Betsy purchased three cups of animal pellets that she could feed through the bus window. Some of the animals were exceptionally greedy.
https://www.facebook.com/stritasquare/videos/621073957287428/?app=fbl
We went through an enclosed portion which included a petting area and a pool with the largest living rodent, native to South America, called a capybara; here are two sisters.
Saturday/ Sunday, July 26 & 27
After my hair I went to the Goodwill on Capitol Drive, hoping to find a glass baking dish. What luck! I found just what I needed for $3.99; Walmart had them for over $20. I also found a nice butter dish and a very pretty cut glass bowl.
I bought my groceries at the P & S on North Ave. and bought a dozen roses for $8.00. I could not believe the price; the other bunches were $12.00 and up. With the hydrangeas from the side of the building, they made a beautiful arrangement.
Friday, July25, 2025
I had a very good week, determined to attend the fitness programs. I had Osher classes on Monday, but attended the rest of the week. Jerry has attracted a sizeable number of attendees, with no talking, only quiet music.
Brad and Janice are in Eagle River, so lunch was on my own.
Today is Jack Huennekens' 91st Birthday, which we celebrated with cake, ice cream and strawberries, served by his daughters (Sue Evans is behind the cake).
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
A cloudy day got oppressively hot when I picked up Annika for dinner with Anton and Aleksei at their parents' home. Aleksei is back from Lake Tahoe where he was finalizing the sale of the hotel; Anton is home from Orlando to take care of citizenship details. This is the first time the family has been together in a number of months.
It would have been nice to eat outdoors, but going outside was like encountering a blast furnace.
Laura prepared a Korean dinner with Korean chicken wings, Korean pancakes and Korean cole slaw. And lemon meringue pie for dessert, Laura's first attempt to replicate her grandmother's. She came mighty close.
Sunday, July 20, 2025
Peter sent me a text with the Croatian Day information; however, he copies it and it loses its clarity in a text.
Peter picked me up at 2:30 p.m. and we drove to Franklin, which seemed like a pretty long ride.
A few cars were parked, nothing resembling a fest. Some men were there for a soccer game. I examined the ad more carefully; it was yesterday! Peter was sure it was always on a Sunday. A man told him, that was 10 years ago!
Now, what to do? Make lemonade out of lemons! How about going to Bass Bay that we'd been talking about? Great idea.
We could have been seated in ten minutes, but Peter wanted a less crowded area in view of the lake. We waited another 30 minutes and got a nice table just where we liked it.
We had gin and tonics and chicken club sandwiches that was one of the day's specials. We both enjoyed our meal. We passed on dessert; we had a better place in mind.
I got in line at Leon's, and would have waited longer, but another window opened and we ordered butter pecan cones. Peter set up two lawn chairs in the extra-lot parking, and we savored our treat. It was a perfect evening, not too hot and humid so the custard didn't melt too fast.
When we got to SRS we looked for information that would help Peter cancel a hose unit that he bought.
Friday, July 18, 2025
Peter and I started our day trip to Beaver Dam on a perfect summer day at 9:00 a.m.
I mapped out our destinations beforehand that would make for an enjoyable time.
We had no trouble finding the Odyssey restaurant in Menomonee Falls where Peter had a veggie omelet and I had a bagel with smoked salmon. We had plenty of coffee.
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake was the setting for our July luncheon that Rita Bruce arranged with Jane Worzalla, June Krueger, Kathy Schlagl, Julia Rice, Terry Harvey and me in attendance; Joy Kilimann and Janice Rochwwerger were unable to attend.
We started with salads and warm rolls before our server brought bowls of mashed potatoes, green beans, carrots, buttered noodles and beef stroganoff and platters of chicken on each side of the table. All the food was in easy reach and delicious.
We sang "Happy Birthday" to Rita and had Birthday cake for dessert.
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
I finished a shawl yesterday, and started another one this morning. After casting on 64 stitches, I did NOT know how to start the four-stitch pattern of k2, k behind, p1; I had to look up the directions after making maybe fifty shawls. Should I be worried?
At 11:30 a.m. there was a Lunch and Learn program on Alzheimer's, the symptoms and early detection. I don't seem to be having any problems, except that I do have difficulty expressing myself, finding the right words.
Fewer people played sheepshead due to vacations.
I did the petitions at the 4:00 p.m. mass
I picked up Annika for our Tuesday dinner at Jay and Laura's where we were able to enjoy a perfect summer dinner on the deck, now that the humidity passed and a light breeze prevailed.
Laura prepared Danish open-faced sandwiches called Smørrebrød with four different toppings: beef, ham, salmon and shrimp, each garnished attractively. It was an adventure in eating.
Monday, July 14, 2025
Diabetes was the topic at Osher.
I picked up a few groceries afterwards.
Betsy drove a group to see the Kids from Wisconsin at Rainbow Summer.
There were colorful fabric sculptures on the grounds.
An energetic, talented group of singers, dancers and musicians performed on a lovely summer's night.
Thursday, July10, 2025
Peter suggested going to the Twisted Fisherman at noon. I'd have to be back before 2:00 p.m. for Dominos; I suggested sometime after 3:00 p.m. Peter said he'd pick me up at 4:30.
I was watching the news and fell fast asleep. I don't know why I awoke at 4:45, but Peter was already calling me as I was walking in the hall.
Harley Anniversary is this weekend and they are here in full force, including the Twisted Fisherman, which is very close to the Harley Museum. We changed our plans and headed to Sobermans and sat outdoors at a large barrel.
We had a super waiter. When we each ordered the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, he said that no one has been able to finish an entire sandwich, it is so large. We ordered one to split with two Riverwest Steins. The sandwich was just as described, even larger. The meat extended an inch over the bun on all sides. We ate it mostly with a knife and fork. On second thought, it would be good to order one apiece and take the rest home for a cold sandwich.
We made a good decision not going to the Twisted Fisherman; it was not the most ideal weather to sit beside the river.
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
It started to rain as I was watering my plants this morning.
Kristie's Kleening cleaned my apartment today. We had discussed our cleaning services at breakfast recently when Barbara Todd said that she had to have the same service that we both use come back to rewash her floor. Jackie had been very satisfied with Kristie's Kleening and I decided to give her a try.
Kristy did a marvelous job, leaving my apartment spotless after about 1 1/2 hours, charging $44.00; I paid $85.00 for the other service. Kristie will be coming back in two weeks, instead of the four that I previously had.
We celebrated July Birthdays with pizza on the piazza and apple pie ala mode for dessert. A pianist played some familiar, enjoyable music.
We had two tables of five playing sheepshead; I lost 5 cents playing with Bob Koebert, Annie Hahn, Shirley Bascom and Bob Miller.
I read scripture and Dwight Morgan read the petitions.
Annika was already at Jay and Laura's, so I did not pick her up. The weather became quite sultry, so Jay suggested that we eat indoors. Laura had a Thai dish of grilled flank steak with spring rolls, each with a distinctive sauce, Absolutely delicious, with just enough heat.
Annika showed me a board she made with pressed flowers for Aleksei; he will be delighted.
Aleksei's cat Lavender is staying at Laura's while he is taking care of business in Lake Tahoe.
Monday, July 7, 2025
Laura joined me at Osher today where we learned about pets helping people. We had the largest attendance we've ever had in a long time. The presentation was very well done with a lot of information on how this organization works with their therapy dogs in various ways throughout the community: hospitals, nursing homes, schools, individuals and groups.
July 4, 2025
I did a couple loads of laundry and started a scrubby dish cloth. When Karen joined us at breakfast, I introduced us to her and she remarked how she appreciated the scrubby that I gave her. Madeline Soo said she never received one, and Dwight said that he never got one either. I got behind in making them, so I'll start catching up.
I took the Friendship Cookies that I made on Monday to the pot luck.
Peter and I joined Bob and Barb Farriday at Jay and Laura's along with Annika and her friend Lucas on a very hot day.
We munched on an assortment of appetizers before Laura put burgers and brats on the grill, and then gave them a Sheboygan bath that she served with baked beans, a noodle salad and home made pickles.
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
All of my slides are in the trash. I had not viewed my slides in twenty years, and I don't anticipate renting a projector and screen to view them in the future; I doubt my heirs would have any use for them.
I went to a bee program for young children, when I missed the morning program. Char "Bee" gave such a clear description of the life of bees, better than a textbook.
I was about to do the Petitions at mass when I noticed that the Petitions were the same as the Psalms that Dwight Morgan would be reading. I called Father Tim's attention to it, and after checking it out, he said that he would do the Petitions.
Monday, June 30, 2025
I made Friendship cookies today for Gary Mullarkey's memorial. It was great finding cream of tartar in my newly organized spice drawer.
The recipe made a huge batch that can be shared at the July 4th pot luck.
Saturday, June28, 2025
I got up early to make a peach cobbler for our pot luck breakfast; it was deliciously warm. Dwight Morgan made pancakes on the grill - plenty for all of us, but not the usual large number.
I had my hair done.
The forecast for Sunday is for hot weather, so I suggested going to Estebrook Park with a lunch that I would assemble. I had cheese crackers and a salad with breadsticks. We found a table to be as far away as possible from the loud polka band. We each had a beer.
It was a pleasant afternoon.
Friday, June 27, 2025
Janice did not come with lunch today because she was in Seattle meeting her Australian pen pal.
I took the opportunity to go with SRS to the Kinship Cafe for lunch. The seat cushions that I ordered with my UHC plan arrived yesterday and Enrichment Director Betsy Rollbottom put them in the bus. I could not believe how comfortable the ride to Kinship was, even over bumpy roads. I might be taking more trips on the bus if the cushions provide a better ride.
I've eaten at Kinship before, and looked foreword to their chicken breast sandwich, which I ordered. We put tables together so that our large group could sit together. But the orders were slow in coming. Someone would call out our names, which most of us couldn't hear. Finally, Fr. Gene Pocernich brought two orders and said one was mine. My sandwich was not a chicken breast, but something rather mushy. But Gene said he was really enjoying his sandwich; naturally, it was solid, and a chicken breast.
Peter and I left for Jay and Laura's bike race party at 5:15 p.m. and had to find a round-about way to get to the neighbor's driveway to avoid blocked streets.
I did not give Peter very good directions; he figured it out better by going through Estebrook Park on Capitol and ending up on Hampton. We got there eventually and had ideal parking in the driveway across Laura's alley.
The table was set near the road with plenty of appetizers where we sat, also Annika and her four friends.
We helped ourselves to pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad and cole slaw on the porch.
We cheered as the bikers passed us.
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipMOKbVie3arbOLj2b5mDb2WLmg5mjQYezbZ6YMY
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
My apartment got cleaned this morning while I had breakfast. I felt rather isolated with private conversations around me, but not with me.
I lectored and read the petitions on the feast of the Baptism of John the Baptist. I have to make a special trip to the church to practice from the book of readings; the reading on my phone did not match the reading in the book. Fortunately, I was able to look over the reading before mass. I also read the petitions.
I picked up Annika for dinner with Jay, Laura and Aleksei. Aleksei is at home for just a few days before flying to Lake Tahoe to close the sale on the hotel. He will come again when his business is completed before leaving for Atlanta.
We sat on the patio on a lovely evening until Laura's feast of beef tenderloin filets on the grill with baked potatoes with trimmings and a salad was served, fork tender and delicious. We had cookies for dessert.
The evening turned chilly when a cool breeze came through.
Sunday, June 22, 2025
It was a big mistake going to von Rothenberg on this extremely hot 99-degree day. You could fry an egg on the pavement. We found a shady table and Peter got our beers. We took a couple of sips and decided to take our steins to the indoor bar. That was a smart idea. The stained glass windows during the day are lovely, with delicate detail.
We would have liked to have another beer with some food. There was some kind of food service in the beer garden, but we didn't want to go outdoors to get it, and the tavern didn't serve food, only pretzels.
I Googled "restaurants" and Bandera's Wood Grill came up, not too far away. It was a huge, Western style restaurant, with separate rooms dividing the place. We got seated, ordered Riverwest Steins and looked over the large menu. I ordered a boneless rib sandwich, Peter a burger. The restaurant had a lot of people, and was relatively quiet. The food was very good, as was the service. We'll keep this one in mind.
When we got back to SRS, we looked for chargers for Peter's shaver to replace the one I'm returning. I noticed that all chargers do not fit certain models, so Peter will have to give me the model number. I also gave him the razor he kept at my house that he forgot he had.
Saturday, June 21, 2025
I stayed indoors the entire day, just to water the plants on the balcony. There was a strong wind that didn't help. The impatiens looked droopy, but some watering seemed to revive. them.
I watched a lot of Endeavor, did a load of laundry and some knitting.
Friday, June 20, 2025
Janice came brought a quinoa patty with a creamy chive sauce, peas, and watermelon for lunch, and then served a sorbet in a frozen lemon shell for dessert. Wonderful and refreshing.
June 19, 2025
I felt proud of all that I did today. I did a load of laundry and put it away. Laura gave me some nice storage bins that I used to re-arrange kitchen items. I moved my spices in alphabetical order to my drawer, and stored less used items in the closet.
We celebrated June Birthdays today instead of Friday with a pizza party and a keyboard player. We started outdoors, but sprinkles brought us in followed by a heavy rain.
We gathered on the balcony of the 6th floor balcony in the B Tower to watch fireworks, with snacks that included a mound of shrimp furnished by our Enrichment Directory, Betsy Rowbottom.
Tuesday, June17, 2025
Our new Enrichment Coordinator, Betsy Rowbottom drove four of us to the zoo on a very warm day; the warmest so far. I thought the zoo trip would be a ride on the zoo-mobile, but after a very bumpy ride on rough roads, it was an independent stroll through the zoo (shuttles were available @ $4.00; I walked). I would not have made it without my walker.
My first encounter was with the beautiful flamingos.
Sunday, June 15, 2025
I lectored at the 10:30 mass.
Peter and I went to the Bavarian Bierhaus where Peter got two half-liters of beer for Father's day. We found a table near the Alte Kamaraden band, and I was beginning to call Claude to give him our location, when he walked in. He had his beer, but not free; he said he wasn't a father. I was comfortable with my light windbreaker; Claude wore only a shirt. Part of the band is the
Alpine horn group.
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Terry Wiggins is on her way to the No Kings demonstration riding the IHop, as were many from SRS.
Friday, June 6, 2025
Uber took Marilyn Minor, Cecile Langford and me to the MSO in a luxury Lincoln that could have accommodated eight.
The concert was lovely, with an interview of Aaron Jay Kernis, the composer of Colored Field (Concerto for Cello and Orchestra) beforehand. The piece was inspired by the composer's visit to Auschwitz and Birkenau. An excellent description can be found here. https://www.wisemusicclassical.com/work/29520/Colored-Field-Cello-Concerto--Aaron-Jay-Kernis/
MSO's principal cellist, Susan Babini was the featured artist and received abundant applause.
We were delighted to see Aaron Jay Kernis sitting behind us and had a nice chat with Cecile and Marilyn.
Thursday, June 5, 2025
All the washing, including bedding and the bed pad, got washed and put away. I had been missing a pillow case for months and couldn't imagine how it got lost it. I found it under the bed pad.
I picked up some meds at Walgreen's
Sue Cotrell joined Joan Squires, Eve Sylvester, Mike Bruske and me at dominoes.
Our new Program Manager, Betsy Rowbottom, served ginger beer with rum at cocktail hour.
I was able to do a lot today because I felt hardly any pain.
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
One of my coleuses died and I could use something taller in my planters, like snapdragons. I also wanted roasted almond butter to make the salad dressing that Janice made. I found it at Fresh Thyme ($15.99!), also some salad ingredients.
The ramp to I43 on North Ave. was closed. I drove to Stein's in Wauwatosa. Watertown Plank Rd. was one lane. I managed to find a coleus, but no snapdragons. I settled for Angelonia, that I think would provide the height that I wanted.
I drove back to SRS via Burleigh.
Jackie gave a presentation on the martyrs of Uganda, where she gave a presentation in 2007.
https://catholicsaints.info/martyrs-of-uganda/
I read at the 4:30 p.m. mass, which was the celebration of the martyrs.
We had a heavy downpour mid-afternoon.
I picked up Annika for dinner at Jay and Laura's. Annika is thrilled with her hydroponic garden; I also gave her a purple scarf. Their yard is completely tilled and fertile for planting: dahlias and more dahlias.
Laura made a delicious chicken stir-fry with a cucumber salad.
