Mesa Nails and all the pretty little toes and fingers!

You should know that I have spent the last 4 years whacking at my toe nails with a machete just to save my socks and not have to buy a size bigger shoes!  I recall a time when I could put my feet behind my neck, but now I need glasses to even see my feet and my feet are firmly planted on the ground and my arms are not nearly as long as they used to be!

Patty Lynn decided it was time for a pedicure the other day, so we popped in to a little shop in the Aspen Square Shopping Center out here in Blende.  The name of the place is Mesa Nails and that is what they do.  We picked up a card and since Marlene moved to Las Vegas and Patty had never been privvy to the experience, we decided that sooner was lots better then later.  So off we went to Mesa Nails that is located at 1714 Santa Fe Drive out here on the Mesa. in the Aspen Square Shopping Center.

 We were greeted by a lady named Tina.  The shop is run by her and her daughter Tracy.  They are both a little camera shy, but then aren't we all?  This is the first stop.  I did not have my camera with me that day so there are no feet in this water, but I can tell you, this is an experience in itself!  The water is very warm and the jets shoot the water right onto all the achy places on your feet giving you a foot massage to die for!

 

 

Then the little gal pulls the plug and away goes the water.  The next thing is the clipping and filing of the toe nails.  Next comes the removal of all the callous stuff that manages to catch on the sheets at night.  A very fine grit is massaged in and then rubbed off, cuticles pushed back and  next comes the foot massage followed by the nail polish.  And this is the end result:

 

This is up closer.

 

 

Now isn't that pretty?  I don't know why I never checked this place out sooner!  I can not wait for my friend, Kay to get back up here from her winter place in Texas.  She is going to be amazed!  Patty got very dark red on her toe nails.  I opted for the soft red, but next time I am going to go wild!  It makes me happy to see my little toes and honey, at my age, if it makes me happy, I am all for it!

 

I want you to know that this place is spotless.  To say it is clean is an understatement.  That is always important to me when I go in a place and take off an item of clothing!  (Not that I do that very often, but...)   And the two ladies that I encountered are so friendly and nice that I at once felt comfortable with them (again something that is important when exposing a body part).  They are experienced in all aspects of the art of making a person feel pretty even if your toenails happen to be 3 inches long!

 

Now, I am a nail biter, but only because I am constantly snagging them on something, so yesterday afternoon I decided to go get the pictures I needed and as long as I was there and they were not busy, I asked for a manicure.  Well, I asked for acrylic nails and Tracy went to work!

 

Before

 

During

 

And after!

 

Almost wish I had gotten red so you could see how nice they look.  Tracy dug out my keys and home again, home again, well almost.  One block from the shop I spotted Mr. Tumbleweed, reminding me that I had chores waiting at home and that I do live in the wilds of Colorado even if I did  have pretty toes and fingernails!

 

Hell!  I may turn out to look like a woman someday!  Mesa Nails is open Monday-Saturday from 10:00 am - 6:30 pm.. Walkins are welcome, but an appointment is suggested to avoid a wait.  They accept VISA  and Mastercard.  Thier phone # is 719-543-1783  and be sure you tell them Lou sent you!

 

Kneading and Wanting or was the Wanting and Kneading?

http://kneadingandwanting.com/menu.html

And just in time to miss the holiday season completely...my step daughter's website for homemade goodies.  The following is only a partial menu, but click on the link and away you go.  Her website is still under construction and the holiday is about over, but we all still need that little bit of home taste that we do not seem to get from the shelves of King Soopers, Safeway, or the markdown shelf at Walmart.

Something about the taste imparted by real butter and stirred in with love in momma's (well, somebody's momma, anyway!) kitchen.

This is what is left of a cinnamon roll.

 

This is what it started out looking like!  I enjoyed this very much.  Just the right amount of cinnamon and sugar.  Moist and not dry.  Baked to perfection. 

Here we have a little loaf of Potato Bread.  Potato Bread has it's own particular taste, which I like very much.

 

 

 

Breads and Rolls-Dozen                        
*Non Dairy   

Potato Rolls                     $ 8.00      

Cinnamon Rolls w/nuts   $18.00   

Cinnamon Rolls plain      $15.00    

 

                                   This is  Peanut Brittle and I am thinking fudge.  Oh, that fudge was some good stuff!  Now you must understand that my daughter was here and there may have been a lot more stuff, but we both wanted to be sure we got our fair share.  Look at the peanut brittle; you can actually see the air bubbles in it as opposed to the store bought stuff.  This tells you there will be a definite crackle when you bite into this.  Not the fudge though.  The fudge was very creamy and not the over powering  sweet that I don't like.     

Item                                     

Creamy Chocolate Fudge                       $18.00/lb

English Toffee                                          $18.00/lb
Cashew Brittle                                         $17.00/lb

Peanut Brittle                                           $9.00/lb

Caramel Corn                                         $9.00/7C

Fruit Loaf                                               $18.00/lb

Now I recall eating some Carmel Corn, but I am not seeing a picture of it.  Maybe Kenna should send me some more Carmel Corn and maybe a little more Cashew Brittle so I could be really sure that I thought it was absolutely to die for, or as someone said, "Killer stuff!" 
All I got to say at this point is click on the link and visit her website.  Leave suggestions.  Ask for what you want.  She lives on the Western Slope, but is in Pueblo on a regular basis, so she may drop it off at your door.  If not, there is always the USPS! 

ENJOY!!!!

Milberger Farms better keep the bacon coming!

Ah!  Milberger Farms!  This is out in the county near my house.  I have a friend in town (Bet you didn't even think I had a friend, did you?) who likes to venture out my way a couple times a month and off we go to Milberger Farms for our "Bacon fix."  And I understand she has taken her daughter from Denver there also.  My God!  The BLT is to die for!
Silly me, did not take a camera either time, but let me describe this place to you.  If you can just close your eyes and still read we are good to go. 
When you step inside the door, depending on which one, you take a deep breathe and get ready for the "Milberger Experience".  There is a big open area with tables and chairs, complete with a waitress or two.  At any time of day you can usually find a few farmers taking a break and visiting other farmers.  It is very casual dining so don't bother with your finery when you pop in here.  And I am pretty sure you do not need a reservation!

 

The hot rod theme is prevalent.  There is a television in the corner  that has been known to have a video of hot rods dancing across the screen.  The eating area has a full menu and also specials.  The salad bar is fresh, fresh, fresh!  Well it ought to be since this is a produce stand!

But keep walking.  There is the deli with all kinds of meats and cheeses.  A gift area.  Lots of jarred up hot sauce, peppers, gourmet spices, pasta, beans, and oils ready to take home.  Then you pop into the fresh produce area.  Asparagus in the spring !Fresh peaches and pears in the Fall!   In the summer it is overflowing with fresh anything you can name and the whole building is permeated with the aroma of roasting Pueblo Chile's!  I could die a happy woman!

But then you stumble on to the Bakery!  When the peppers are not roasting, the bread is baking!  Is there anything that can take you back home like a kitchen where baking is actually taking place?  No!  Cookies, cake, brownies, Baklava, breads, fruit breads, cup cakes, Potica, pizzelles, etc.

 

 

 

Need I say more?  Now if you want a peek at the breakfast menu, here it is !  pick me! Pick me!

Or if you are looking for the BLT coose this one.  Gimme a BLT!

Well, kids, that is it for the day.  Milberger Farms is located at 28570 Highway 50 East.  That is the one that runs out through Blende.  Might give them a call and make sure they are open because winter hours change.  That  number is 719-948-3305.  And tell that little Shane Milberger that Lou Mercer sent you.

Bon Appetite!  (Or however the French say it!)



Southwest Grill November 13, 2013

I am inside, looking out the window from our table.  That is my little car parked beside the sign. 

This is my dining companion and guess what is in her hand and against her ear?

But nonetheless, we soon had a cup of hot coffee in front of us served by a very friendly waitress who I did not get her name nor picture. 

I could almost have bought a lottery ticket without leaving my seat, but I chose not to do so.  Aren't you proud of me? 

Our food arrived very quickly which was no surprise since we both ordered Biscuits and Gravy.  I fell to eating and neglected to take a picture of the fare.  I have my own scoring system on food of this nature.  It was not greasy, which is good in my books.  It was tasty.  The gravy was creamy and the sausage was sausage as oppose to some of the stuff I have bit into.  Very shortly my plate and that of my friend looked like this:

As you see, I managed to do justice to it.  The biscuits were just a tad bit on the dry side and the meal was not quite as hot as I would have liked, but it was a cool morning and I was not eating right off the stove, so that is understandable.

 

I have been to the Southwest Grill before and enjoy thier food.  Will I return?  Most definitely!  The atmosphere is casual, the staff friendly, the resturaunt clean, the food good and reasonably priced.  Lots of parking.  All kinds of good things to say about the place!

If you pop in, tell them "Lou sent you!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just tell me what you think!

Please leave a comment below and help me design my new blog page.

 

I am currently on vacation!

Having spent a full year writing Long Ago and Not Very Far Away and publishing it online weekly, I was disheartened when I offered the ending to the story for $5.00 and only had one taker.  That does not amount to a very big paycheck for what I thought was a very entertaining and heart breaking story.   My paypal button is still laughing at me!

I will be back on this site at some point in time, but I think it is going to be as some sort of product or restaurant review.  Maybe I will share a few recipes with you.  I am working on another book, but I shall keep it under wraps and I am not going to either do it for free or invest another $4,000 .00 and not get a return on my investment.

I see a few of you check in here occasionally, so I guess  somebody actually read me.  Until I come up with something, hang in there. 

Long Ago and Not Very Far Away is still available.

This button will only be available until October 1.  At that time you will not be able to buy this at any price.  When you pay I will send you the installments in 7 consecutive emails so as not to overload your computer.  If you prefer a pdf. of the entire script let me know and I will go that way.

Rating

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You are paying securely through paypal, so not to worry.

Lou Mercer

Installment #50 Whoops! Where is it?

You could now be reading Installment #50    "And things fall into place"  like Alice, Debbie and Jeffery are.    All you need to do is click on the Buy Now button and donate $5.00 to the cause of Lou Mercer (although it probably goes through the "My Site" account).  This is my little way of validating my year of writing for your enjoyment.

This button will only be available until October 1.  At that time you will not be able to buy this at any price.  When you pay I will send you the installments in 7 consecutive emails so as not to overload your computer.  If you prefer a pdf. of the entire script let me know and I will go that way.
 

Rating

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You are paying securely through paypal, so not to worry.

Lou Mercer

Installment #49 Surprise!

     When Cynthia brought Tucker home the next morning they were surprised to see the pickup and trailer in the driveway.  When they opened the door the aroma of fresh coffee greeted them.  Cynthia had made coffee at home, but this was different.  This was Tucker’s home and the coffee smelled really good.  Mark greeted them both with a smile.  Then he hugged Tucker and turned to Cynthia.  “You guys get a cup of coffee and set on the porch.  I have a surprise in the trailer.”  With that he opened the door and went outside.

     Cynthia fixed two cups of coffee and started to the porch.  Tucker followed.  They sat in the lawn chairs and listened to thumping inside the trailer.  What was going on?  The  loading door was out of sight on the other side of the trailer, so they could see nothing.  And then they heard the roar of an engine.  Tucker leaned forward.  The big green Norton motorcycle that was in the picture on the mantle emerged from the back of the trailer.  Mark gunned the motor, slipped the clutch and shot off down the street.  Tucker laughed out loud.  “Oh, my God!  He got it running!  Look at it!  It is beautiful! “  He stood up and walked to the side walk.  Mark drove up to him.  The two men looked at each other and Mark revved the engine.

     “Well, Tucker, what do you think?  Does this bring back memories?”

     “How did you manage this?  Last time I seen that it was in a basket up on the shelf.”

     “Yep.  I stole it and this is what I have been doing for the last month.  I could not get the Norton insignia, so I hired a guy to paint it.  Now we are going to take a picture of you with this just like the one you gave Cyndi.  This will be 30 years later.  See if you have changed.”

     Tucker reached down and ran his hand over the gas tank.  “I loved this bike.  This was always my favorite.  I am very glad you did this.  This bike should live forever.”

     “Well, Tucker, that is the best part.   We are working on  putting the motorcycle museum right next door to the  photography museum.  Going to take a few years, but I think we can swing it. This bike is going to be the first exhibit.”  With that bit of news, Tucker could no longer hold back the tears.  He grasped Mark by the shoulder and the two men shared a brief hug.  Mark smiled at Cynthia over Tucker’s shoulder.

     With that Cynthia took her leave of the two men.  She knew they had a lot to talk about and she had things to do at home.  She kissed Tucker lightly on top of the head and started for the door.  There she stopped and turned.

     “I almost forgot.  We have to do something about Cleo.  Hospice was supposed to find her a home, but it does not seem to be happening.  Got any idea’s Mark?”  Mark looked at her studiously.

     “I can’t take her.  I would if I could.  Liz would kill me if I brought home a dog.  Hey!  Have you talked to the bike club?  Those guys might come up with someone in the club.”  Mark smiled.

     “Great idea!”  Tucker chimed in.  “I will call Dana tonight.  I need to talk to him anyway.  I want him to see the Norton.”

     And Cynthia was a little more light hearted as she drove home.  Why had she not thought of the motorcycle club?  It made perfect sense.  The club was a band of brothers.  Brothers through thick and thin.  She said a silent prayer to her God as she pulled into the car port.

     And back on Howard Street Mark and Tucker were busy making plans.  First call Dana about Cleo.  “I dunno’, buddy.  Let me ask around.  Send out an email.  Get back to you as soon as I know something.  Cleo is a damn good dog and she needs a damn good home.  Chin up, Tucker, I am on it.”

     As Mark busied himself in the kitchen throwing together a barbeque that he was sure Tucker would not turn away from, Tucker called Marge.

     “Marge, it is time.  I fell at Cynthia’s the last time I spent the night and I just can not do that to her.  I have to go into the nursing home.  It is the only solution.”  Marge sighed.  She had known this day was coming, but she was not sure she was ready for it.  Oh, she had checked out the ones Tucker thought he might like.  They had agreed on a very cozy one that seemed to be staffed with caring people and was priced in Tucker’s range, but still, a nursing home was a nursing home and it was where he would go to die.  It was so final.  She thought quickly.

     “OK Tucker.  Let me make a few phone calls.  Did Mark get there?”

     “Yes, he came this morning and he has the Norton running, if you can believe.  Call me back when you are ready.”  With that they broke the connection.  Tucker turned toward the kitchen and Margie dropped her head in her hands and collapsed in a sobbing heap on the settee.  That is where David found her later when he came in from town.

     “Oh, Marge what is it!”  He was not used to seeing her out of control and it rather frightened him, so he just held her as she told him about the conversation with Tucker.

     “He is ready to die, David.  He has already quit eating for the most part.  He wants to go into the nursing home and then quit eating and drinking altogether.  He has studied this and this is his way of hurrying things along. He is committing suicide in a very calm and rational manner.  I can’t stop him.  Why should I stop him?  It is his life.  He has been very clear from the beginning.  I wonder how Cynthia is going to handle this?  I have to go to Florida and she is going to be alone until I get back.”  Her voice trailed off and she shrugged her shoulders. 

     David, ever the stalwart one,   stared into space as he held his wife.  He knew it would fall to him when she flew to Florida.  Tucker was his friend and while he hoped Cynthia would be up to the task, he knew he would be there.  He was going to miss Tucker, no doubt about that, but life would go on for all of them. 

     “You know, Marge, it amazes me how Tucker is making this easy for us.  I am not sure I could do what he is doing.  Course he has been alone most of his life.  Never relied on anyone for anything, so why should now be any different?”  As he let her go and headed for the door, he added an afterthought, “I am not hungry tonight.  Want to just have the wine and forget the supper?  And what kind of wine goes with no upper?”

     Marge dried her eyes and followed him into the kitchen to open the refrigerator and stare sadly at a salad.  “Better make it white.”

******************************************************************

Rating

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This is the last installment I am publishing online free of charge.  If you want to finish the story you will need to click on the "Buy Now" button which will take you to paypal.  I have spent over a year on this book and this afternoon the last installment will be finished.  When you donate to me in the amount of $5.00 -15.00 you will receive a pdf. attachment of the complete book.
Bear in mind that this is not professionally edited and it is my first attempt at anything like this so I may need to work out some kinks.
Enjoy!    Lou Mercer

Installment #48 ....and time marches on

Installment #48

… and time marches on.

     Tucker watched the rental car as it backed out the drive and pulled on to Pearl.  Anton would be back.  He knew that.  He had tried to tell Anton goodbye and make it final, but his little brother was not making it easy.  And then there was Albert.  Tucker had not talked with him.  They were not estranged, just did not seem to have much in common.  Anton would no doubt fill Albert in on how bad Tucker was, but he would not call.  That was just how it was.  Tucker knew that.

     He smiled at Cynthia.  “Well, I guess I will be going home with you tonight.  My baby sitter just left.”

     “Looks like it.  What shall we have for supper?”  She asked the question, but she knew the answer.  The Cream of Wheat was the only thing he ate and he drank very little water.  He was so thin that it hurt her to look at him.  He was wasting away before her eyes and there was nothing she could do to stop it from happening.  So she filled Cleo’s bowl with food and gave her fresh water.  Soon they would need to find her a new home.  She could not take her to her house because she had geese that would suffer the fate of a big dog playing with them.  And the cat.  Cleo was part grey hound and did not like cats at all.  She sighed and decided to tackle the new home idea tomorrow for sure.

     Tucker snapped his fingers.  “I almost forgot!  Mark called today and he will be here this weekend.  He has a surprise for me.  Wonder what it is?”

     “Oh, I am so glad!  I know how much he means to you.  A surprise?  I have no clue what it could be.  Is he flying?”

     “No, he is bringing the pickup and a trailer.  I want to send some stuff back with him.  I am pretty sure I am not going to be staying here in the house much longer and I want to get everything of value into the right hands.”  He stopped and gazed out the window.  “Funny how I worked all my life for this and now it is just something to get rid of.  I did not think I would live long enough to get to this point.  I just don’t care about any of it anymore.  I did talk to Mark about taking me to the nursing home before he leaves.”  Cynthia caught her breathe.

     “What do you mean?  Nursing home?  I thought you would be here with me until, until, you know?”  She could not bring herself to use the word “died”.  That made it too real.  That was final.  She knew how Tucker did not like to be touched, but this time she put her arms around him and told him, “Tucker!  Just hold me because pretty soon you will not be here to do it.  I need you to hold me!”  And he did.  And he stroked her hair, and a plan began to form in his mind.  It was a plan that just might work!

     Little did she know how time was about to fast forward.

 

Buy final installments with the buy now button.

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Installment #47 Anton Comes to Call

So began the daily routine of Tucker being at home in the day and sleeping at Cynthia’s every night.  Cleo was home alone, but that was how it had to be.  Tucker rather enjoyed being in Cynthia’s home.  He had always felt comfortable there.  He liked her dogs and he liked the cat.  Apparently the cat liked him too, since she always leapt on his lap as soon as he set down.  The recliner was hard for him to get out of, so he was dependent on Cyndi to push the foot rest down.  Tucker had always been independent and never needed anyone, but now he let Cyndi do things for him.  He even ate a little Cream of Wheat every night and every morning.  He had the upstairs bedroom and she slept downstairs.  Once he even thought about how nice it would have been to share the bed. 

     On the third night of the new routine, Anton called.  Tucker had finally admitted that he was not well and it would be alright if Anton wanted to come for a few days.  So this phone call was to work out the details concerning the visit.  He would be coming on Amtrac since he was afraid to fly and did not want to drive.  He would arrive at noon on Monday and Cyndi could take 3 days off since that is how long he would be there.  Tucker thought not.  He was used to her.  He needed her.  Anton was his brother, but she was his what ever she was. Fiancee, he wished.  He liked the sound of it. Maybe he would tell her some day, but for now, just get the brother visit over.

     So, on Monday, Tucker and Cyndi were on the porch when Anton drove up in the rental car.  It was awkward to say the least.  Anton was shocked at the big brother who was now a very thin, pale big brother and it showed.

     Cynthia watched the body language of the brothers as they greeted each other.  It seemed very strained, but then this had to be hard on Anton especially.  He was 15 years younger than Tucker, but he would be without a brother very soon.  Surely he could see that.  There were 3 brothers and Anton was the only one that had married.  He had two sons and those were Tucker’s only nephews.  If the family name was to be carried on, it was all on Anton’s shoulders.

     Cynthia smiled as she saw Tucker smile at Anton and grab him in a bear hug.  Anton was taken aback and this made Cynthia laugh.  She knew Tucker was not a touchy feely kind of guy and she assumed from the look on his face that Anton did not expect this at all.  A simple hand shake was all he was used to having from his brother, but here he stood wrapped in his arms.  Anton had a lot to learn and Cynthia could only hope he was a fast learner.

     When the brothers broke apart, Cynthia took her leave and headed home.  Tucker knew she was as close as the phone and she assured him that she would be there if he needed her, or if he just wanted her there.  She looked in the rear view mirror and said a silent prayer that the visit would go well and they could say their goodbyes.

***************************************************

 OK, kids, push has come to shove.  This installment and #48 and #49 will be published here for you, but after that, I am on strike.  You like to read and I like to write so in exchange for a paltry $5.00 donation you will receive Installment #50 and all other installments in your email box.  So cough up using the Buy Now button below and we will all be happy.  This is my position...I like to know that I have readers who actually like my work.  This is my way of validating.  So far I have collected $5.00.  I will keep a tally going so you know just how rich I am going to wind up.  So, lets get that button to popping and make me a happy woman!

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Installment #46 And Time passed

     Cynthia spoke with Tucker every morning at 6:00.  He called her right on the dot.  She thought maybe he watched the time so he would not wake her before 6:00 and not a minute after so she would not worry.  Sleep seemed to elude him after he woke up sometime in the night to empty his bladder.  He used to turn on the television and watch the Fox channel, but he saw no reason to do that anymore.  He just waited for time to call Cynthia.

     His hospice volunteer had come at some point in time and seemed like a nice enough fellow.  Chas something or other.  Chas was short for Charles.  Usually Charles was shortened to Chuck or Charlie or something like that.  Chas was an unusual name for an unusual man.  He sure was a good cook and in a different time and place Tucker would have reveled in the meals placed before him, but not now.  Eating was pointless and the sooner Chas agreed the better they would get along.  So Chas cooked and created and Tucker moved it around his plate until Chas took his plate away.  He had researched this and knew that if he ate and kept his strength up, it would prolong the dying process.  He could see no reason to do that.  It was hopeless.  He would never be any better and death was inevitable.  He had thought briefly about suicide, but he thought that through and knew that Cynthia would be the one to find him.  She was the only one with a key and he could not put her through that.  By the time he was comfortable enough with Chas to think of suicide again, Margie has taken all the guns away.  So he just quit eating.

     So Cynthia came every morning and hospice sent workers to bathe him and help him shave and do the many things that they did.  Cynthia went home in the afternoon and Chas came by for several hours.  He and Cynthia had not met, but both asked about the other.  He guessed that was just another form of civility that was necessary to get through this ordeal.  Friends drove down from Denver and one flew in from California.  One friend helped him catalog his Japanese sword collection and mail it to a dealer in St. Louis. The house was getting emptied out and Marge was banking money.  He would need it when he needed more care.

     Cynthia went home every evening when he went to bed.  It was just him and Cleo.  He began to discover that he had a sensitive side he had not known existed.  Tears came easily.  That was not something he had ever done before, but now he noticed when the little Ford pulled away and the brake light flickered at the corner, that he was very sad.  Sad and afraid.  Afraid?  He had never been afraid in his life, but now he heard sounds and woke up shaking.  The second night this happened he decided to tell Cynthia.

     “Cyn, I know this is going to sound crazy, but I am afraid of the dark.  I get really scared when you leave me.”  He looked at Cynthia so sadly that she could only reach for his hand and with a tear in her own voice she comforted him.

     “Tucker, this is not unusual at all.  I have been studying this and it is very normal.  Let me talk to Marge and see what we can do.  I am pretty sure hospice does not send people out at night.  I have the dogs and my geese and ducks that need me at home, so I can’t stay.  Maybe you can come stay with me.  Marge will be here this afternoon and we will work this out.  Right now I am going to make you some tea and toss in a load of laundry.”

     Tucker smiled at her and she smiled back.  She would be there for him.  He knew that.  He did not know why.  He had told Anton several times about how she would wait when he wasn’t ready and never scold him.  She would pull weeds while he talked on the phone.  She would walk the dog when he was tinkering in the garage.  Was it because she cared?  He knew she had other things to do so it wasn’t because she had time on her hands.  She must care.  He tried not to think about it.  It confused him.  She knew he was dying.  No future there.  Maybe she was just a good person.  Who knew.  

     Marge listened as Cynthia and Tucker told her about the fear Tucker felt when he was alone.  Marge was not surprised.  Fear and dying often went hand in hand.  She was pleased that Cynthia would take Tucker home at night and bring him back in the morning.  That way he would still have the comfort of his own home all day and hospice would take care of him there.  She was pleased that Tucker felt comfortable enough with Cynthia to sleep there.  She had never known him to spend a night anywhere except his own house.  And she had certainly never seen the gentle air about Tucker that now was always there.  Tucker had always been rather selfish, but now he was giving.  Giving and kind.  He said nice things for no reason.  And it was not an act.  His whole countenance was one of a caring person.  Must be the dying process.

     So she returned to Denver, promising to return in a week.  She knew she was going to need to fly to Florida and spend some time with her friend Jean, who was dealing with health problems, but for now Tucker was her prime concern.

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Now you should know, that I have put over a year into writing this.  This is time I could have spent making things and selling them for real money.  So here is the deal...I write, you read and I am now asking for monetary compensation so I can continue to write instead of working.  If you like what you read and want more of it, there is a paypal button following this.  I have given you choices on how much you enjoy my writing and they are all three a mere pittance so I leave it in your hands now.  You will not receive anything, but I will receive money.  Money will enable me to keep writing.  No money will send me to the basement to sew. 
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Installment #45 Sister Nancy comes to call.

     Tucker had gone up to his room to rest after breakfast and Cynthia was putting the last of the dishes in the cupboard when the doorbell rang.  She hurried to the door and pulled it open.  Sister Nancy stood on the porch smiling.  Cynthia reached out and embraced the dear woman.  This woman was truly a gift from God.  Cynthia could not help being humbled every time she encountered her.  Today was no exception.

     “Well, Cynthia, here I am.  I told you I would come and where is our dear Tucker?”

     “He went up to lay down a little bit, but I heard him walking around, so he is not asleep.” 

     Sister Nancy smiled and stepped to the bottom of the stairs.  “Tucker Fuhrman!  This is Sister Nancy down here to see you.  I am in my full habit and you better get down here right now.”  Cynthia smiled at the nun who stood there in a pair of blue jeans, tennis shoes and a cotton blouse.  She was smiling and her whole face beamed.  To Cynthia’s surprise, Tuckers face appeared at the head of the stairs.  He looked like a naughty school boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar.  As he started slowly down the stairs Cynthia was suddenly filled with happiness.  This was going to be alright.  She knew it!  She reached for the leash and Cleo ran to her side.

     “OK, Sister, you are on your own.  I will be back in an hour or so and if you are gone I will catch up with you later.”  With that she and the dog stepped outside, pulling the door shut behind them and when she came back later, Sister Nancy was gone and nothing was said about the visit.  Tucker did make the remark that “Sister Nancy was not at all like I expected her to be.”  And Tucker seemed to have a more relaxed air about him.  For that Cynthia was grateful.

     And Tucker did have more news.  “Some guy called today from hospice.  He is a volunteer.  I forgot his name, but he is going to come and visit later this afternoon and he says he is a cook.  Well, he actually said he was a chef.  He will fix me something to eat so you do not need to stay unless you just want to meet him.”

     Cynthia smiled.  She knew this would be the “buddy” that hospice had promised.  “I think I will just let you two get acquainted.  I have plenty to do at home.  What time is he coming?”

     Tucker looked confused.  “I don’t know.  He said later, so I guess it will be later.  But you can leave whenever because I think I am going to take a nap!”  He smiled.  Cynthia smiled back.

     “Well, then I am going to leave you to your nap and trust that you will call me later?”

     “Yes, I will.”  He stood and kissed her on the forehead as she stood in the opened door.  Then he closed it behind her, turned the key and started up the staircase toward his bed.  He needed this time alone to think back on his visit with Sister Nancy. 

     As he lay on his bed being very careful not to disturb the covers, he reflected on his visit.  He was glad that Cynthia had taken the dog and left him alone.  At first he had known a moment of panic.  A Catholic Sister in his front room!  He had carefully avoided all things Catholic for many years and now there was one standing right before him.

     She did not have a habit on at all!  She was dressed in blue jeans.  And she was short!  Very short.  Shorter than Cynthia.  And heavier.  And her face was round and her smile was wide and very friendly.  If he had to pick a mother figure out of the women in the whole world, he would have picked her.  He longed to fall in her arms and let her hold him and soothe all his fears.  If only… 

     And then to his surprise, Sister Nancy opened her arms and the 6’2” German from St. Louis who needed no one to make his life complete was suddenly clinging to this tiny woman and pouring out his heart; his needs, his wants, his frustrations, and his terror at the prospect of leaving this world.  And she patted him softly and crooned to him.  Yes! He was home with the beloved Catholic Church that he had left so many years ago.  And Father Pat would come to see him and Father Pat would prepare his soul for it’s journey.

     And as he closed his eyes he could see the beloved Blessed Mary with her arms open wide and behind her was Momma and Poppa.  Oh! And Grandma.  As he drifted in the blessed arms he slept the first peaceful sleep he had known in 50 years.  Thank you, my dear Sister Nancy!