WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
In case you haven’t heard, Water Festival is happening this week. Thursday through Saturday, June 12 through 14. All the details have been published in this newspaper, so I won’t take the time to bore you with all the details. From the parade Thursday evening to the final firework lighting up the sky Saturday night, Three Rivers will be alive with fun for the entire family.
When I’m not getting Out and About, I enjoy spending time in my own neighborhood. We live right here in town and have some of the best neighbors. If we’re gone for a day or so, they watch the house. If I need some helpful advice, there’s always someone ready to come to my aid. We’re very fortunate. We are not a group of coffee-klatschers, but if I’m out in the yard watering the plants, it sometimes takes me a little longer to accomplish the task, because someone might stop by, and that’s when a pleasant conversation occurs.
I met a new neighbor about a week ago. Gloria was out working on starting a flower/vegetable area. I stopped for a moment to introduce myself. I mentioned that she was making me tired just watching her work. I’ve had my share of gardens in my life, so I’m aware that if you want fresh vegetables or beautiful flowers in your yard, there’s a certain amount of sweat equity that must be invested. From my observation, Gloria will indeed have a bountiful crop, and her yard might even make the cover of Better Homes and Gardens. Our yard, on the other hand, might be lucky to grace the back page of Field and Stream. Anyway, Gloria comes from Amish ancestry, so I’m sure she won’t have a problem with her project. I’m sure she’ll be successful, because she loves working in the yard. I’ll keep my lawn mowed and be happy with that. Becoming acquainted with your neighbors is a good thing. We all have some knowledge worth sharing, and who better to share it with than a neighbor?
As most of you know, I’ve been having a few health issues. I’ve shared my knee problem with you on more than one occasion. The good news is that the pain I’m experiencing will soon end. I’m scheduled for surgery in July. It will be out-patient, so I won’t need to stay overnight at the hospital. I’ve been working with the staff at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. I have never been shown such caring attention as what I have received in the past couple of months. I have never had to wait to be seen and the staff has been very accommodating. I’ve been poked with needles and shocked by electrodes. All this has been done by a nurse or doctor with a smile and kind words.
I have no fear of the upcoming back surgery. I know that I will be taken care of by a staff of dedicated professionals, whose only concern is me. If I do have a concern, it would be that I might hear someone say, “Oooops!” But I’ll be unconscious and won’t care anyway.
I can’t remember where I was, but out of the corner of my eye, I actually saw some clothes hanging out to dry on a clothesline several days ago. This is a common sight if you’re Out and About near Centreville, or anywhere in northern Indiana where the Amish population is dominant. Usually, Monday is laundry day for the Amish. Seeing the wet clothes hanging out, brought back some great childhood memories. My mom would do laundry on Saturday, and she’d hang everything out to dry. One of the highlights for me was that, after my Saturday night bath, my mom would start making my bed with the freshly washed sheets. After the bottom sheet was in place, I’d climb into bed and she’d finish making the bed around me. There’s nothing quite like the smell of sheets that have been dried outside by Mother Nature.
Some advice that we all might take to heart:
Worrying doesn’t take away tomorrow’s TROUBLES; it takes away tomorrow’s PEACE.
See you Out and About!
Submitted by Norm Stutesman
