Catherine and Johns Saga Ch 4_____The Big Day

             John was awakened by the rapping on his door. He looked at the clock and it was 7:00 o’clock. He got out of bed, put on his robe, and went to open the door. It was the custodian of the apartment building. He wanted to get busy and put the tables out on the lawn. John says he will call his nephew Ben to come over. He doesn’t live too far away.

            With the maintenance man, custodian, John and his nephew they would have enough help getting tables set up. They soon had the tables out on the grass. John’s leg was beginning to bother him. 

            Catherine and Lois came at 8 o’clock. They were having their tables set up in the club house. The weather looked like it would be a nice sun shiny day.

“ Temps in the low 70’s let’s put the table cloths on the tables. The teen agers can decorate with the balloons.” Catherine stated.

The custodian and maintenance man brought potted plants to put by the club house and on the edge of the patio. Things were shaping up nicely.

            Dick came to see that his grill got set up and that they worked. They were having trouble with the third grill. We finally came to the conclusion that it needed a new tank of gas. Dick had to do a lot of brushing on the grills. Who ever used them didn’t clean them very well.

            The teen agers came at 9:30. They were happy to see decorate with the balloons. There were a few children here already and they were going to throw the Frisbee.

            Some of the adult residents were early and wanted their flu shots and blood pressure reading early. They wanted to beat the crowd. Catherine didn’t have a problem with that. She had a lady that felt light headed as she had her sit to the side till she felt better. One young man had extreme high blood pressure. He told her that it’s been extremely high for the past three years; he also said he takes medicine.

            Dick had started to put hamburgers, brats, and wieners on the grill. He didn’t like rushing the meat. He did it slow with the CD player going, with the big band music turned down low. The boys were throwing stones and sticks at the ducks in the pond. There were six girls that were dancing to the music of the Les Brown and his band of renounce Grandma and Grandpa must have had something to do with that.

            The tables were starting to fill up with people. The main table was filled with food, which they had brought. Some of the residents had their dish in a bowl of ice. They couldn’t be too careful about food spoiling. When everyone has eaten they will take the remaining food back to their apartments.

            Catherine and Lois had attended to 43 people. They had enough serum for seven more people. They were pleased with themselves. Residents were happy that they didn’t have to go to the doctor as well. Now we can get to the games and some serious dancing. The people needed to burn off some of their dinner. There were some brats and wieners left, now anyone could have them to take home.

             The Frisbee contest was a huge success, with 3 winners, two boys and one girl. The prizes were white elephants from the residents. One of the prizes was a stuffed elephant. The volley ball games were close. It was the boys against the girls. Its good that the girls could hold there own. The girls won the contest by two points. The horse shoe tournament didn’t go too good. Most of the men couldn’t throw the shoe far enough. The younger men never played it before. It’s a dying art.

            The dancing was a huge success as well. Some of the older couples can still get out there and dance. John was debating weather he wanted to call Catherine. It’s been two and a half weeks since the cook out party. He liked her but didn’t know how much. He decided to call and ask her if she wanted to go out for tea at the coffee and tea house on Saturday. She said it sounded good to her.

            On Saturday they met and had tea and a sandwich. They talked about the cook out and how they were pleased with the results. The manager said they had three couples waiting to fill the vacancies.

            Catherine talked about her family that lived only an hour away from her. She has three older brothers. They build houses for a living. Her mother is still living as well. She’s in her own apartment and is in good health. Her father is living who knows where with whom ever. He had left when she was fifteen years old.

            John told Catherine that he has a father living a couple hundred miles away. He is a farmer growing avocados. His mother helps out on the farm. He has a younger brother. John doesn’t care for the farm. So his younger brother will take over the farm when his dad retires, John likes his job of social work. He doesn’t have to use his leg too much.

            Another week went by before they got together again. He was still doing therapy on the bike. Catherine wanted to see how he was doing. The leg seemed to be loosening up a little.

            She massaged it and said “I think we can make some progress here.”

            They make a date for him to make spaghetti and meat balls. He left the salad for her to make, and the garlic bread he could make.

            They have a good meal of spaghetti and meat balls. The sauce was a recipe John had made himself. In his spare time he likes to cook. When you cook for anyone there is always too much left over.

            They got talking about his nephew Ben and said Ben was wondering about them two. Catherine said she would like him for a friend. He said he would like her for a friend also. This went on for a few weeks and then John asked her out to a nice restaurant for a candle light dinner. She wore a new dress. It was white with large red flowers on it. Hot and short, but still looked good on her. They had lobster and steak with a huge salad. Everything went excellent in the food department. John thought he would tell her how he really felt about her. He was thinking she wouldn’t want him with his gimpy leg. She says she wants him more than being a friend.

By G &G  Mar 2013

            

Catherine and Johns Saga Ch 3______ Preparing

             Dick was lying in bed thinking of the things he had to do today. It was his day off/ he had had a though week cooking. Think ill lay here for a while longer. He couldn’t decide where he was going to go for donations of meat for the party. The more he thought about it, he would go to the meat packing plant.

             He got out of bed and took a shower and dressed casual - Jeans and a t shirt. He then put the pot on for some tea, and toast. He couldn’t eat right away in the morning. He looked outside. It was a bright sun shining day. I think ill take the motorcycle out to the plant. The weather has been very good for riding my bike. He finished his tea and toast.

            Vahroom, vahroom, goes the bike. It’s almost four miles to the meat plant. When I arrive I go to see the head honcho. Stan we haven’t seen each other for a while. All our meat from the restaurant comes from this place. They exchange greetings and then Dick gets his chance for Stan to give him some meat for the party. Stan says he would be happy to... “How about I put some hamburger in with the brats and wieners?”

Dick says “That would be great. I’ll pick it up on the Friday before Labor Day. Then ill bring my truck. We’ll put your name on the flyers we will be putting out.  Thanks for every thing your meat has been extra good at the restaurant. Now I can run some errands.”

            John is in charge of the music and getting tables set out. I have to check and see if and where the extra tables are stored. He’s looking for the manager. I see him in his office talking on the phone. I’ll go in and wait for him to get off the phone.

            “Good afternoon Ethel. How are you?” She’s a neighbor of his. Yes the weather’s has been wonderful this summer.

            John says “Have you heard about the cook out on Labor Day?” Ethel says “My son and his family are coming that weekend.  Do you suppose I could bring them to the party?” 

“Yes you can. It’s pot loch. You bring a dish of food. The meat will be finished. Bring your own beverage no tobacco or liquor. That means you can’t bring your pipe.” John said.

“Oh John you’re always joking.” Ethel says. John says to Ethel that she could go ahead of him to talk to the manager.

            Now it was John’s turn to talk. The manager thinks the party is a good idea. “We have several apartments that are empty. Maybe we can get them filled. The tables are in the boiler room. You’ll need help putting them out. Maybe the custodian will help you.”

 John says “I’m having my nephew who 6ft2inches is helping me with the tables with two custodians and my nephew makes 4 people. Thank you for help. I’m going to get the CD’s picked out for dancing. Need slow waltzes for the elderly people. Then some of the rock n roll for the younger people.

            Lois was laying in bed thinking about her mini date with Dick. They had met each other at the local coffee shop. They had tea and scones. they both ordered blue heavy seconds and spice tea. A favorite for both of them

            Lois was talking to her supervisor about the flu shots. They were going to have a free will offering for serum. She thinks there will be a large crowd for the shots. They would put an order in for 50 shots of serum. Lois was satisfied with the out come of the meeting. Now all she had to do was go to Catherine and the both of them were to find some donors for the paper products. They mustn’t forget the table cloths.

“I think plastic will be best. Balloons are next on the list of things to get. The paper products are going to be given to us by sunrise seniors housing. They liked the idea of the party for, it’s good for business. They would furnish the plates, cups, napkins and plastic silver wear. We will pick it up on the Friday before Labor Day.” Lois Said.

Catherine suggested that they go to Party Land and see about the table cloths and balloons. They said they wouldn’t donate them but would give us a big discount. Lois and Catherine thought about it and told them to figure out the price and they would decide upon that the girls figured that the four of them could pay for the balloons and table cloths. If Dick and John didn’t want to chip in they would pay for it themselves.

Maybe the teen agers can put the flyers out. They can put one each out by their apartment doors. Catherine and Lois did a nice job on the flyer. They will set everything up on Sunday. That way there won’t be too much to do on Monday.

Dick has 2 missionary men helping him. One of the men was a nurse so maybe he could help Lois with the flu shots. The teen agers were working out really well. The people will eat after their shot and blood pressure readings.

John was watching Catherine. She happened to be looking at him, and he gave her a big smile. She gave him one also. She got all Goose bumps.

Lois and Dick were whispering to each other by the swings. It would be nice if they could have a relationship. Neither one had had a boy friend or girl friend for a long time.

They were all going to a movie tonight and pizza afterwards. The movie was “War Home”.   It was supposed to be good.

Lois said “I’m going to wear my new outfit. It’s a short black skirt and a polka dot top.”

It looked very nice on her. Catherine was saving her new outfit for the Labor Day picnic.

By  G & G --- GDI

Catherine and Johns Saga_Ch2 ________Cook Out

            Catherine was in a thinking mood. She’s been mulling something over in her mind for a couple of weeks. Maybe she should talk to John. He should be up. It’s 10 o’clock. She walks over to the phone and punches in his number. Being it’s 4^th of July week-end. I wonder if he’s home. John answers the phone; he gets a smile on his face when he talks to her. She says “Can you meet me down on the patio? I’ll bring along some sodas to drink.” John brought some power bars.

            Catherine was on a lounge chair when he arrived. John says “What are you so happy about?”  Catherine was wearing white shorts and a pretty red print blouse. On her feet her white sandals.

             I think we should have a block party on the patio and in case it rains we can go into the clubhouse. It’s going to be a big under taking. We would need more people to help organize it. The more John thought about it the more he liked the idea.  What kind of party would it be? We could have brats and wieners to grill. Some games such as cards, Frisbee, volley ball, and some music for dancing. It’s a good thing that the apartment has a large area for such things, maybe we could do some blood pressure readings. It’s almost time for our flu shots. Maybe we could get those too. There are a lot of elderly people in the building that don’t get out and they have a hard time getting to the doctor. It would be nice for them.

John says “ I have some very good CD’s  with dance music on them. I can set up things for the dancing.

Catherine says she can get her friend from the clinic to give the shots; Catherine would do the blood pressure readings. “Do you have anything planned for today?” John said “No”.

They take out their cell phones and punch in the numbers for their friends. Catherine got the answering machine, so she left a message for her friends to call her.

John rang up his friend. He had been taking a nap, but said he would come over in an hour or so. John says he will go to his apartment to get some bread, peanut butter and juice. He knows he has a bag of chips, but can’t find it. He searched the cupboard again. There it is, behind the juice jars. He needed paper plates, wipes and knife for spreading the peanut butter and jelly.

When John is gone Catherine’s friend Lois calls back. She says she will be over in just a bit. Lois had bakes last week so she would bring along some frozen cookies. When Lois gets to the patio she sees everyone in there already. Catherine introduces Lois to John’s friend Dick. He says he is a chef and Lois says she is a nurse. She works at the clinic where Catherine works.

They make them selves a sandwich, and help themselves to some chips. The only thing missing were the pickles. Good thing Dick brought some soda with him. The day was quite warm after eating their cookies they paired off and starts planning their duties.

They would finish the wieners and brats. The people coming to the party could bring pot lock. There would be plenty of food. The party would be on Labor Day. Starting at 11 o’clock, with ice for the food. No alcohol or tobacco. Bring your own beverage that takes care of the food. Now for the blood pressure reading and flu shot. The flu serum would come from the clinic. The machine for the blood pressure reading would come from the clinic also. We will need paper and for writing down reading. Dick and John were planning activities. Dick would be the grill master. John was getting the music for dancing. Catherine says she will see if there are any teenagers who can help carry the plates for those that can’t handle it themselves, they can help clean also. The table cloths can be put on and we will have balloons in the center if the table

Dick and Lois will see if they can get donations from merchants. We will need some small prizes for bingo. Something for the best dancing couple. Everyone agrees that things are going smoothly. Catherine says “Thank you all for helping me planning this party.” Dick says “Lets get together for a night out in the town.”

Lois asked Catherine if she would like to go clothes shopping this after noon. Catherine says she would be glad to go. So they said their good byes and left.

            Dick wanted information on Lois. He was curious about Catherine also. John says hands off Catherine. She’s spoken for.

By G & G  GDI 2011-12

Catherine and Johns Saga Ch 1________Rainy Morning

            I am looking out the door of my patio. There is a soft rain falling outside. I had a restful sleep last night. Dreaming and waking up in a cold sweat is my usual. I turn on the light of the stove as I can put on the water for the tea. I don’t like too much light early in the morning. I went to the bathroom, turned on the lights and looked at myself in the mirror. I thought I didn’t look too bad for 55 years of age. My skin tone was fine and my smile was my best feature. Enough about me. My water will be boiling soon. I turn on the faucet and get my toothbrush out, putting some toothpaste on it and to brushed my teeth. I get a fresh wash cloth out of the drawer and turn on hot water to clean my face. I thought I would take a shower late in the day. I put my contact lenses in. I could still see enough without them. It was wiser to wear them. I turn off the light and go to the kitchen. I take the cup and saucer with the blue violets on it out of cupboard and put tea leaves in my tea pot. It was a light blue with orange blossoms on it. It had belonged to my grandma. I remember her every time I use the tea pot.

            John my next door neighbor must be taking a shower for the hot water pipe is making a clanging noise. I could hear him flush the toilet, cough, sneeze and hear his phone ring. I’m finished my toast and tea.

            I walked to my patio window and I noticed it was still raining.

            I hear a door closing and turning of the key in the lock. It must be John from next door. He has a special walk. I can hear he’s going down the stairs. I hear the click, click sound of the steps. He limps due to a past accident. I watch each day to make sure he is okay. He goes down outside steps. There was a heavy mist coming down. He thought about his umbrella in the trunk of his car. John thought it would stop soon. The birds were singing. So glad spring has come early. He limps slowly out to his car. Damn arthritis. He needs to go to a warm, dry climate. In trying to step around a puddle he stepped into a large one. He cursed at the person who designed this parking lot. Never gave one thought about water collecting in a huge puddle. John leans on the car as he walks around it. I see he is searching for key in pants pocket. He has many keys on key ring. He is looking for trunk keys. There it is. He opens trunk and finds old beach towel. He slowly walks around the car patiently wiping each window. He lifts each wipe blade and wiper under them. Can’t forget the head lights and the rear lights. He rings out the water in towel. Then lays towel out flat in trunk. He slowly closes trunk lid. He slowly unlatches car door and gets in car. He closes door and outs keys in ignition and starts car. He sets for a few minutes. He starts thinking about his car. He’s quiet proud of his 1977 brown Cadillac coup Deville. It was the interior that caught ever ones eyes. It was tan in color. The seats were genuine leather, and very comfortable and roomy. You didn’t get any of that in a car now days. The trunk was huge, looking around one more time he sees the pretty lady from the 2^nd floor. She was walking towards him. She has an open umbrella. It’s a Very colorful one. It was red white and blue stripped with flowers on it.

            John came out of the car. He said good morning. She was in a hurry. She couldn’t find her car keys. She was running late this morning. He asks her where she is going. She said to park and ride. Its three miles down the road. John said he would be glad to drop her off at the park and ride as he was going that way. “My name is John.” She said “My name is Catherine.” John opened her car door. When they were in the car she said “My what a lovely Deville.” He decided to take her to work as she was missing her bus. She worked only six miles from the bus. He felt comfortable with her. Traffic was slow moving. At least she wasn’t a chatter box. Catherine wasn’t too happy about working in wet shoes all day. Then she remembered she had an old pair that was at work. She would use them. She said that she was a physical therapist at the big clinic on Dayton Avenue. She asked about his leg. He said he got hurt on the job site. “They trained me to be a social worker. I’ve had therapy on it but it didn’t do too much good. I have arthritis in it also. So on days like this it really bothers me. I’m  a social worker for the county.”

            She says “Take your first right and then go till you see sign that says Physical Therapeutic clinic. Then stop at the second side door.” He gets out and opens the door for her. She thanks him. “Let’s get together sometime.” They exchange phone numbers. “Maybe we can get together in the club house. You know they have physical fitness equipment. I can see if we can strengthen your muscles in leg. I’ll call you.”

             Three weeks passed before he decides to call Catherine. He got the answering machine. So he left a message asking her to call him back. She returns his call and they decide to meet in club house the next evening at 7:00. John decided to get new work out clothes. He had an athletes build. Looking in the mirror he thought he looked pretty goof for a man of 33. His leg was badly scarred from the accident. He decided to wear his black long pants, and a black and white shirt. With his black hair and his tanned body he thought he looked quite dashing. When he arrives at the service room he arrives that Catherine isn’t there yet. He’s been too busy to work out so he was a little out of shape.

            Oh here she comes now; she has on a pink shirt and gray long pants, with pink stripes on the pant leg. She’s prettier than he remembered. He walked over to the door. “I’m so glad to see you”, he says. “How have you been?” she asks. That put a twinkle in his eyes. “Let’s get you up on stationary like so I can see what you can do.” She helps him by guiding his bad leg over the bike seat. She is selecting the speed on the bike. On the bike is a heart note monitor, and speed meter. He starts peddling with his right good leg. After five minutes he is breathing too hard, so she says “Let’s break for ten minutes. I have bottled water so have a couple swings.” She asked him how he got his accident. John says He was walking in a machine shop and tripped and a heavy piece of metal fell on his leg and broke it.

            “You have some good muscle in your leg.” He is still breathing hard when he tells the story of his accident. He gets emotional about it. She tells him that we should stop for another time. Catherine’s cell phone rings. Her mother calls and she needs Catherine’s assistance. I have to go to my mother. Give me a call and we will set up a date for another day on the bicycle.

GDI Catherine and Johns Saga Chepter-1
By G&G   2011-12,  

WHEN I W AS ONE AND TWENTY

When I was one and twenty

On that exact birthday

I was a very pregnant woman

Birth just thirteen days away.

Delivery of our firstborn

Was a monumental

Task for me

But his father’s chest

Grew broader

Showing off our baby

For the neighborhood

To see.

Young and eager, every morning

Off to work for stuffy bankers.

Lithe and slender, walking briskly

High heels tapping, hips a-swaying

Hair ablaze with morning sunlight.

Add a husband and an infant

Each brought challenges

And delight

Yet, sometimes

I sorely missed

The laughing, happy

Friendliness I’d left behind.

When I was one and twenty

I set my course to be

A steadfast wife

And mother

For the entire world to see.

In love, in truth, in trust

A foundation was

Being laid

To see me though

The later trials

Life would send my way. 

                                Rachel Nemitz, March 2013

Welcome to our New Blog!