Tuesday April 12 216 WHAT AN ODYSSY

The last few days have been quite interesting to say the least. Visions of Poetry had a guest blogger yesterday for the very first time. I think he did an excellent job. If you read it you will know that my husband was like my knight in shining armor by coming to my rescue by writing my blog.

Sunday evening I ate some chicken that I believe was left off the ice for a bit too long. As soon as I ate it I could tell that it did not sit well within the confines of my stomach. I was sick most of Sunday night and by Monday morning I was in full bloom food poisoning. I have experienced that only one other time in my life and I recognized the symptoms immediately. At first I felt fortunate that I did not experience all the experiences that can foist itself upon the pain ravaged body. I just hadn’t waited quite long enough. Before all was said and done I experienced every symptom possible…except death. I won’t go into the gory details but I will say that I was not able to function, except in the bathroom.

Dave and I stayed at an Airbnb Sunday night. It was awesome. It had a beautiful bedroom, a great bathroom (thank goodness), and an excellent host. Nate was 26 years old and the General Manager of a Target Store. His place was impeccable and he was master to one of the most delightful black retrievers, Bella. We planned to leave bright and early on Monday morning but I could not go anywhere. I have not experienced such pain in a long while. It was pretty bad!

This morning I was a bit steadier and we decided to make a break for it. We had already stayed an extra night at the Airbnb.

We had planned to spend part of the day in Charleston SC. enjoying the sights. I knew I would not be able to get up so early and expend as much energy as I would need to last the full day if I went in to Charleston. When I ate a bite of yogurt and was able to hold it down we decided to head to Columbia SC and take a tour of the State Capitol building. It was so worth it. Capitol building tours are always so interesting to me and we try to see as many capitols as we can when in close proximity.

It was interesting to hear the history of how the Capitol building was built and how long it took to complete. The building was started in 1853 and through was not completed until 1903. If you are interested in reading about its history click on this website: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/studentpage/Explore/history.shtml

It is too lengthy for me to read completely to fill you in on all that happened during the course of its building.

From Columbia SC we drove up to Taylorsville NC to visit our friends. The is the place we planned to stay last night as well. This morning at 5:54 a.m. Sandra received a phone call from the county sheriff. Sandra’s mother had fallen and called life alert and they needed Sandra to meet them there so they could get into her 80 year old mother’s house. They arrived first and since there was a front window unlocked they were able to gain access through the window. Sandra’s mother had fallen and received a serious head gash and had lost a lot of blood. To make a long story short, her mother has been stitched up, her arm in a sling due to breaking her clavicle and is now safely in a rehab center. Needless to say it has been a difficult day for Sandra.

Sandra and Scott are friends we met 38 years ago when we were both pregnant. No matter how long the time between our visits, we just pick up as if we were together yesterday. That’s the good thing about certain friends. And Sandra is that friend. Sandra returned home after we arrived. We all went out to dinner (at a Mexican Restaurant). I had a few bites of fresh avocado and two sips of chicken broth and I have been paying for it ever since.

It is late, I forgot to write my blog in the car, and Sandra hasn’t stopped talking to me all evening so I haven’t written much. Honest, it really was HER doing the talking! Don’t believe everything Dave may write in a poem. I did think it was a great poem however.

WHAT GOOD FRIENDS ARE FOR
By Kathleen Martens
April 12, 2016

It’s polite to listen
When others talk
And Sandra likes
To do it a lot.

Perhaps that’s why
I am so sweet
And listen to all
Her little mouth tweets.

But my blog
Will be cut short
So that I too
Can give retort

So goodnight friends.
Lord, today I am so thankful that I am on the road to recovery.
Thank you God for your protection through this day.
Thank You God for all the wonderful dogs I have met on this trip

GOD BLESS YOU!