Call Me Marty

Greetings! 

For those of you who are wondering, no, I'm not bored yet. There is always so much that can be done at the Stress Pool - and oh, so little time! There is catching up with friends and family; organizing the studio; going to Zumba class (which has really helped me with movement in the old limbs); holidays that are still with us in oh -so -many ways. The Christmas tree is down, but DH decided to leave a few things up for another week or so because it just looks so bare without them.

Then, there is the psychological welfare of the cat. I have to play with Simon, who is just having such a hard time adjusting to the changing schedules. And change they have.

Ms. Business took some time off while searching for another dental office - her boss (and our dentist) retired, and she simply didn't want to stay with the corporation that had bought the practice. Since the holidays were upon us, she took time off, therefore spending a goodly amount of time at home. I was leaving for work every day. Simon was thrilled, as Ms. Business is the Favored Human. 

Then came Christmas break, and we were all home for a couple weeks. There was the 'putting up of the tree', which Simon thinks we do just for him. He's never climbed it, but he does like to rub against the bottom branches. All of his humans were around all the time, and life was good for the kitty.

The week after New Year, Ms. Business found a new position - Yay for her! Now, I am home all the time, and she is going out to work. Simon really doesn't know what to do with this, as I am the second Favored Human, and we have found him occasionally moping. So, I play with him, and he often comes in to nap with me in the afternoons (yes, that is a VERY IMPORTANT thing that happens most days!). He'll get used to it, I'm sure. One thing for certain - any time I go down near the studio, he runs to beat me down the steps, only to be disappointed that I haven't gotten out the water for painting. That should start up this week, so he'll be a very happy art cat, indeed!

However, one thing I never expected was to get a new name. Well, new year; new life; new name! Who knew?

As DH and I were leaving a friend's house the other night, we placed a pick-up order of wings at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Washington for our housemates, Ms. Business and Moink. I called it in, because having to try to place an on-line order from my phone just isn't my idea of a pleasant time. The young girl on the other end told me it would be ready by 6:10 - it was 5:45. We arrived by 6:00, and DH said he'd go in, leaving me in the car. The very cold car. Around 6:15 he came out and waved for me to get out and come inside with him.

"Are they running behind?" I asked.

"They don't seem to have an order for us. Did you get a confirmation?"

I looked confused, because I've never gotten a confirmation for a phone order. I shook my head, and we went inside. Well, this poor girl was swamped. She would go back to the kitchen to look for someone's order, and would stay back there for a few minutes. (I think she was hiding.) Meanwhile, even with the people coming in for orders, there remained one bag sitting on the counter behind her. Finally, she got to me.

"Order for Wendy," I said with a smile. 

She glanced at DH, then back to me. They had been through this, going through all of the names DH could think it might be under. "I don't have one for Wendy. Wait. Did you phone it in?" I nodded. She reached for the bag on the counter and read off the order I had placed. With a sigh of relief, she handed us the bag and took DH's credit card. "I thought you said Marty."

And, sure enough, the name Marty was on the order. I know it was noisy in there, but not sure how she got 'Marty' from 'Wendy'. As we left, I said to DH, "My alter ego must have place the call. So, just call me Marty.'

"Wow, what a great title for a story!"

Someone suggested that I should place all take-out orders under the name 'Marty'. I might have to do it, if for no other reason, for kicks and giggles. I've often wished for a nick-name, but Gwen was my choice. I guess we don't really choose our nick-names; they are bestowed on us by others.

Marty it is.

When you're in the neighborhood, stop on by and we'll gaze longingly at the frozen real pool, while perhaps sipping on a nice peppermint hot chocolate - or tea, or coffee, or another beverage of your preference! Stay warm, and good luck on placing your own take-out orders. If you get a new name from someone at your favorite restaurant, we can chat about that on your next visit to the Stress Pool.

My Favorite Things (A.K.A the #1 Thing I Will Miss About Work)

 Greetings to all! Hard to believe that the holidays are just about behind us now, and 2026 is coming in hot. I've had many friends who have asked how it feels to be retired, and I've honestly had to answer that it's hard to say - it is, after all, still winter break. Ask me on Monday, January 5th. 

Darling Hubby (DH) and I are doing the dance - I'm trying to stay out of his way, as he has an already established routine. And, by routine, I mean whatever he feels like doing that moment/day/week - you get my drift. Like, shopping for food for the holiday - I said I would go with him, but I wanted to go early (before noon). He acquiesced, but I don't think he was too happy about it!

Other things that occupy my time (besides the cooking -which I was more than happy to do this year) is reading (3 David Baldacci books -the Amos Decker series - and counting!); cleaning some of those hard -to- get -to spots (has anyone else looked at tips from Southern Living or The Spruce? Highly recommend it!), and reorganizing the studio. One of the things I'm doing in there is making up a Kids Kart - the place where the grandkids know that those are the supplies meant for them. I'll post a picture when I get it all done.

But yes, there will be things I miss about work, like my colleagues; but more importantly - the IT department. One of the things you must remember, is that I "Art" - which does not include technology! It was always comforting to know that Mitch was only an email away, and technology would be fixed in a jiffy!

I went to print something out from my new laptop (an Apple MacAir - love it, but we're still getting used to each other!) which I was able to do this last week, so no problem, right?

Wrong.

Printer out of paper. No biggie - this is within my abilities to remedy.

So I go downstairs to the printer. It isn't out of paper - it claims to have a paper jam. Now I'm sweating.

I take the thing apart (according to directions) and there does not seem to be a jam. So, I try again, and to no avail - my things are not printing.

I went back upstairs, and looking at DH, I said, "I would like to register a complaint with the tech department." I told him what happened, and he said the same thing had happened to him the other day! After a little while, he hauled himself down to his computer to try to correct the issue.

He came back later with several printed things in hand. "I got that message once before, so I asked my friend AI (more on that another time!), and it told me to turn it off, unplug it, remove the paper, turn it upside down, put it right side up, replace the paper, and turn it back on." He handed me the things I had tried to print out. "However, these were in the tray when I went down."

I frowned. "These were the things that wouldn't print for me. I guess the printer was just taking its good old sweet time."

"Oh, so maybe I didn't have to do all those things."

"Probably not. It just doesn't like me."

He nodded in agreement. "It told me it doesn't like you."

A joke we've shared forever about my family talking to inanimate objects made me laugh, "Oh, so you talk to inanimate objects now?"

Scoffing, he started to walk away. "No, but I listen."

Is it any wonder I've started talking to myself?!

So, don't look the IT department (gift horse) in the mouth - that is something I will truly miss!

And, if nothing else, I guess doing calisthenics with the printer might be a change of pace! So, nothing changes at the Stress Pool - but then, I guess we really wouldn't want it to change too much.

Happy New Year from all of us to all of you - and when you're ready to share a cup of peppermint hot chocolate and hear me muttering things under my breath, come on over - there's always an extra pool towel at the Stress Pool!

Nunc Coepi

Holiday Greetings from the Stress Pool, where we look out on the actual pool, which is covered in snow and ice, longing for the days of fun in the sun. Remember those really hot days we had this past summer? I would be happy to go back to those days!

You may be wondering about the title for this blog installment - nunc coepi, a Latin phrase that means I begin. DH had looked it up and told me about it yesterday, and it stuck with me. He's been quite wonderful about this whole retiring thing, but I'll let you know in a couple weeks how he's feeling!)

T.S. Eliot wrote:

What we call the beginning is often the end.

And, to make an end is to make a beginning.

The end is where we start from.

Today marked the end of my teaching career, which lasted twenty-seven and a half years. I have taught more than 10,000 students in that amount of time, made numerous friendships, and truly, just had a lot of fun. There were also some tough times, difficult schedules, tears and frustrations, and things that happened that you would think had been made up! (We've sat it at least one hundred times at meetings and in text threads: you can't make this stuff up!) The kiln breaking down after 100 kids had finished their projects and were waiting to be baked; out of a certain color paint; someone cut their weaving off the loom and now it was coming apart faster than it had been put together. 

I begin.

People ask, "What are you going to do?"

My response, "Whatever I want, whenever I want."

So much that I want to do! No alarms; travel a little; spend time in my studio; spend time with family, not necessarily in that order (except for no alarms!). Drink a mug of coffee without gulping it down. Use the bathroom when I need to, not when someone can watch my class. Decide I really don't need to go out and clear the snow and ice off of my car, because I really don't need to go anywhere. Cook a nice dinner during the week. Read. Spend time with friends. Take Zumba for active seniors (I'm a senior now, you know!).

I begin.

There have been many ends and beginnings in my life, but the anticipation leading up to today has been overwhelming, to say the least. It was bittersweet, with lots of hugs from colleagues and students, a rousing bit of applause from the kids after their volleyball fun this afternoon, followed by more hugs. My name was added to the retirement plaque in the front lobby, with a nice send off from faculty and staff. It has been a wonderful two weeks, filled with well wishes for the future, and it will stay with me for all of my days. But now,

I begin.

Wishing you all the most joyous Christmas and New Year - may they be filled with brightness, good health, and love. And, if you're in the mood, stop by the Stress Pool - I am now at my leisure!

A Summer of Books and Biopsies

 Greetings from the Stress Pool, where everyday is an adventure of enormous proportions! (Not really that big, but adventure certainly awaits!) And, I will apologize up front - this may seem like a quick update, especially since it's been forever since I last posted, but I think you'll understand by the time you get to the end. There's enough here to digest. 

You may be wondering about the title of this diatribe, so allow me to explain.

Most of you know that I had a hip replacement last March - which, BTW, is doing quite well! Now, the other one is a story for another day. Just a few weeks before the surgery, I noticed something odd...a spot on my bra. I thought maybe I had leaned into some paint on the counter in the art room - and since I often wear shirts with busy prints, it seemed feasible that I didn't see some paint before tossing everything into the washer. However, when it happened again - and it was fresh - I freaked out. I called my PCP and asked, "Is this something I have to worry about right now, or can it wait until after the surgery?"

I had a mammogram scheduled for the next day.

A doctor had to be present in order to look at the results, which included dilated milk ducts that had some residue inside. "Did you nurse?"

I nearly fell off the table. "Five children, yes."

Sent me for an MRI, which was an interesting experience in itself. Lie down on your stomach, make sure the thing your chest is on is in the center, and the girls are on either side of this divide. Put your arms so they are above your head (resting on the table, of course!), and oh, by the way, you'll have to hold this position for 20 minutes, okay?

Well, after all that, and a visit with the breast specialist (Raye Budway, if you ever need someone - she was absolutely wonderful!), it was decided that the leakage was blood, and I would need a biopsy. However, she did a procedure that didn't involve cutting - amazing what they can do now! In the end, I'm cancer-free, but will need a mammogram with exam next year, and the date is already set. 

I know two others who had biopsies recently, and don't want to say who to further protect their identities, but one was benign and will undergo a lumpectomy in order to eliminate problems in the future, and the other is malignant and will be undergoing surgery soon. Please keep both of these ladies in your thoughts and prayers. And make sure you are diligent about checking! Guys, too - nobody is exempt from lumps and cancers.

Of course, there was time to be pool side this summer - it's been hot enough! That means a lot of reading has been done, too. But, I wasn't into it as much this year as usual, and I didn't write down some of the books I read, so I can only tell you about the 14 for which I can account. Here goes:

1. The Latecomer by Jean Hanff Korelitz  EXCELLENT read - I highly recommend!

2. Her First Mistake by Kendra Elliott - what would a summer be without one of her books?

3. The Librarian of Crooked Lane by C.J. Archer

4. The Watchmaker's Daughter by C.J. Archer  both were good - number four should have been read first, and it is part of a series, followed by the next related series, the first of which is my #3 read. Light reading, and enjoyable.

5. Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto. She wrote the Aunties books, which I really liked, and this one was just as good!

6. Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. Interesting read about Korean and Japanese cultures. I couldn't put it down and learned so much.

7. Here One Moment by Lianne Moriarty. She never disappoints!

8. The Birthday Mystery by Faith Martin. Fun read about a traveling chef in England.

9. The Winter Mystery by Faith Martin. Same traveling chef. Same country. Fun read!

10 The Boomerang by Robert Bailey. What if you were the president, and knew there was a cure for cancer? What if you were told you weren't allowed to share that information? What would you do? (Bailey is also one of my favorite authors!)

11. On a Quiet Street by Serafina Nova Glass. This was one of our book club picks - it had quite a twist at the end, which I never saw coming! Also a good read.

12. My Friends by Fredrik Backman. Also a book club pick. I laughed. I cried. I want to read it again.

13. An Occupied Grave by A.G. Barnett. Good old-fashioned who-done-it, first in the series of Brock and Poole mysteries.

14. A Staged Death by A.G. Barnett. Second in before-said series.

Like I said earlier, I feel like there were a couple more - definitely a couple I started but haven't finished, either. Well, we all know there will be more books read soon. 

Right now, though, it's time to put on the old bathing suit and head out to the actual pool - those PT exercises are much more fun in the water. So, if you're out and about in the next few days, stop on by the Stress Pool - it's open rain or shine. Until next time!

Oxymorons

 Greetings, fellow swimmers! 

You may be wondering about the title of this post. Of course, you all know what an oxymoron is, but just in case you've forgotten, it combines two contradictory words to create a paradoxical or ironic effect, used for emphasis, humor, or to provoke thought. One of the biggest oxymorons I've encountered is - are you ready for this? 

Reality Television.

Really?

Can anyone out there tell me anyplace on the thousands of television channels and streaming services out there where anything is real? Television was never real, not since the very first program aired.

I don't even believe anything in the news is real anymore, but let's not go there!

Being retired now for several years, DH has found many interesting things to do with his time. He has volunteered for the Pittsburgh Literacy Council, working with adults, which he really enjoyed. He just didn't enjoy riding into the city every week, especially through the winter, so he finished that and moved on to helping with the food bank once a month. He does still do that. He was learning Spanish, more to keep the brain juices flowing. (He also once said that he felt it important to be able to ask why he was being taken to jail? but I don't think I want to know why. I felt it more important to find out what time the train is expected, and where is the bathroom!) But, this is also on hold for awhile - although he has taken the name of a Spanish tutor from the library. And now?

Now, he's all about reality television! He looked at me just the other day and said, "I think it's a sickness." I didn't disagree.

One of the shows is called 'Traitors' - and if you've never watched one, they can be highly entertaining. Our first was a season hosted by Allan Cumming, who is fascinating. If you really like it, then you can watch the other two seasons. It takes place in a 'castle' in Scotland, and features mostly American celebrities from American reality shows, like Real Housewives and Survivor. There is also a version from Australia. And the UK. And New Zealand. Yes, he's watched them all.

Then came Trust; Alone; some other survival show; and now, he's jumped into Squid Games.

Sometimes I'll watch an episode with him, or part of one, just to spend a little time together - but I draw the line at Squid Games. Those people with the creepy outfits with one goggle eye who don't speak - no thank you. Not even remotely interested! While I realize that nobody actually gets hurt, I just don't like the premise. Not my idea of entertainment.

Think about it: where is the reality in any of these shows? Many of them certainly are experiments in social behavior - you kind of wonder if they were thought up by some doctoral student of sociology, working hard on that PhD. Truly, though - how can you call a reality show 'real' anything? Who came up with the term 'reality television' anyway? And, why are people so addicted to them? What is lacking in our lives that we have to watch other people's misfortunes? Or, shallow loves gained and lost? Is this giving our youth a normal picture of what love actually is?

I'm not judging people who watch reality television - after all, sometimes you just want to watch something mindless. I watch Survivor - only because there is a group of us who put down $10, pick a name out of a hat, and the winner takes all. If I wasn't playing, I probably wouldn't watch.

No, my reality is here in the Stress Pool, where staying afloat can be problematic enough. And, I'm happy to report that the real pool is also open for the summer. I know it's the real deal, because the water is freezing, and the days really aren't hot enough yet to warm the water. It is much nicer, though, to come home and see the pretty sparkling blue water than that ugly gray-green cover full of leaves. 

So, if you're in the neighborhood, stop by for a refreshing dip and we'll talk about reality - whether it's in real life, or a television show! 

Are You a Turtle?

 Hello, fellow swimmers, and welcome to the Stress Pool!

You're probably wondering about the title of today's blog. I joined a service sorority when I was in college - nicest group of young women you'd ever want to meet, and we participated in a lot of service projects. Of course, we also liked to socialize. In the early part of being a member, I quickly learned that if one sister looked at you and asked, "Are you a turtle?", the appropriate response was "You bet your sweet a** I am!"

Now, I have no idea how it started, or what it meant, but DH thought that was the most amusing thing he's ever heard. Every so often he'll ask me the question, and of course, I provide the appropriate response.

But, am I?

Now that the hip is on it's way to better healing, it's time to look at all the other things that start going or wearing out once you've hit your sixties. I go see the breast specialist soon (no, I don't really think there's anything serious, but one wants to rule out the junk). The sonogram had shown dilated milk ducts. The question asked of me that day was, "Did you nurse?"

5 times. Yup, so who's surprised? Nobody.

Then, there is the blood test that my PCP wants me to have done for inflammation, which apparently is high. When the technician from the office called to ask some questions, it was before the hip surgery. "Do you have pain or swelling in your joints?"

"I have arthritis in my feet, knees, hips, back and hands, so yes, I have joint pain. But, no swelling," I told her. I needed a new hip, for crying out loud! I recently learned that you can get arthritis in your head - I'm sure that isn't too far off for me! So, they sent me a script to have some blood work done to check on the inflammation. The surgeon's PA said not to get it yet, because the surgery will mess with the numbers. Made sense to me. I decided to take a closer look at foods that reduce inflammation.

This is where turtles come into play.

Did you know that turtles love kale? Did you know that kale is an anti-inflammatory food? Do you know who despises kale? This girl, that's who. I once had some in a salad that someone had made - and it was really good! I asked her what the secret was.

"You have to massage it," she explained.

I would love a massage - but I'll be dog-gonned if I'm going to massage my leafy greens! However, spinach is on the list, and I do like spinach. In fact, I like most of the foods that are on the charts - except chick-peas, and I can't do seeds because of gastro issues. (aging isn't for sissies...) 

The question remains: Am I a turtle?

Stop by the Stress Pool anytime. I'm also happy to report that the pool people will be here in the middle of May to open up the real pool, so feel free to stop by then, too! Bring your favorite beverage and a towel, and we can talk about anything that's on your mind - and yes, you can ask me the above question, to which I will automatically reply,

"You bet your sweet a** I am!" Just please, don't give me any kale!

Will you still need me, will you still feed me...

 For those of you who know us, you'll remember that DH is around eight years older than I am. One day he said to me, "You know, when I married a younger woman, I figured you would be in much better health at this age!"

Well, we all do what we can with what we have, right? There have been a few health issues in the last couple of years - the latest being the hip. I never knew what a friend I had in Celebrex until I couldn't take any the week before surgery. Now that the new hip is in place, yes, I still have to take the Celebrex (which helps all those other arthritic areas, too!), but the leg and back pain are gone. Yippee!

But, just so you all don't think that this has been a walk in the park, let me catch you up to speed.

There are morning exercises. There is getting washed. There is icing the hip after exercises and a few other times during the day. There is a repeat of the exercises sometime in the late afternoon/early evening. There is walking laps around the first floor every hour or so. There is taking the steps once, but not more than twice a day (we just added that!) There is sleeping - or trying to, anyway. I'm not a back sleeper, so this has been the biggest challenge. I've gone from recliner to love seat to the bed, sometimes all in the course of one night. I've eliminated the love seat, but usually end up in the recliner by morning. DH joked with Ms. Business and Moink the other night, and asked if they wanted to put bets on "Where will mom wake up in the morning?"

There is the putting on of the 'special stockings' that are supposed to keep me from getting blood clots. DH has to help me put them on because I can't bend that way yet- it's like trying to put a sock on a tree stump. One day I said, "Why don't you put them on the way you did yesterday? That worked out great."

He stood back and scowled. "I'm seventy-two years old. I don't remember how I did it yesterday!" Between you and me, he doesn't always put them on the same way from one leg to the other!

He is precious to me, you know. And, what a trooper he's been! The first few days he was so attentive, just waiting for me to show the first sign of independence. Then, with relief, he was able to back off. He's still attentive and caring - but glad not to have to be at my side every moment of the day! I asked for scrambled eggs the first morning - you would have thought I'd asked for eggs benedict! (he made them perfectly, by the way, but he was not overly confident in cooking them!)

This entire experience has been difficult for Simon, the cat who, when I came home from surgery, avoided me like the plague! It was almost like he could tell something wasn't quite right, and he wanted no part of it. Several days passed before he finally crawled up into my lap, careful to avoid stepping on the wound, but laid down on top of it and just purred and purred. I think he was trying to heal me! While Simon wouldn't let me touch him, he followed me around those first few days and nights, like my little sentinel - I just don't know what he would have done if something had happened! Sat in the hallway and sing the song of his people, more than likely!

Now, I'm just chopped liver. Sometimes he wants me, but mostly he wants Ms. Business (the favored human). Par for the course, I think.

With each day comes more healing, feeling better. A friend asked if I had walked down the street yet. Laughingly I said no, because I would have to cross the street first to get to the sidewalk, and I'm not fast enough - it would be like playing real live Frogger! (I don't want to be the crushed frog in the road.) I have, however, enjoyed watching Spring slowly make her way in. The forsythia and the daffodils are blooming, and the lawns are getting greener. The mourning doves are back, as are the crows. Getting fresh air whenever I want - and using the bathroom whenever I need to - now, that has been heavenly!

Hopefully I've given you a slightly humorous glance into the early days of healing from a hip replacement. After all, humor is the best medicine! Have you ever heard of or watched Gabriel Iglesias (a.k.a. Fluffy)? He's one funny dude, and great for a laugh!

On behalf of the crew here at the Stress Pool, I would also like to take a moment to thank everyone who has sent well-wishes - you've truly made this easier on all of us!

Get ready for summer in the Stress Pool - and the real pool - water aerobics for all! We'll talk about what ails us, and what doesn't ail us, and what we'd like to do with our time. Can't wait to see you!