A RATHER UNTRADITIONAL JULY 4TH CELEBRATION

Well, our traditional 4th of July celebration began as usual, with the Knights and Dragons gathering at Neena and Ron's house.  Snacks were laid out, beers, and sissy girly drinks opened, and we assumed our usual opposite corners of the screened-porch to enjoy each other and, best of all, laugh!  In the back of our minds we all greatly anticipated the eating of the "low country boil"!

Not two libations into my Fourth, the sisters began calling my name.  At first I was irritated that they would interrupt me mid-conversation, but as I turned and looked in their direction I saw Judy's head bobbling and her sisters trying to attend to her!

My first thought was stroke..."oh please God...no"...and I rushed to her side.  Gary swooped in beside me and we tried helping her up, but it was obvious she couldn't stand...let alone walk. 

 

Gary and I then lifted her, with Gary (blue shirt nearest the camera) holding most of the weight, and we made it to the couch.  Gary hoisted her up over the back and dropped her on the couch.

The other sisters came running with cold wet cloths and an icepack from the freezer.  She would respond with "yeah" and shake her head, but nothing was flowing from her easily or clearly.  Finally after someone asked her where she was she said "Tokyo"!

This was the first time we all breathed easier, but we collectively decided to call 911.  She had gotten weak and had to be helped before, but this was really the first time she had gone completely out.  So, we called and the Roane County EMTs came in short order.

In the meantime we rubbed her with the cold cloth and icepack, and took her blood pressure. Her pressure was 53/40...although her pressure normally runs low, this was extremely low for her.

The EMTs came and they took her vitals and her blood sugar which was 93...fine.

Judy still didn't think she could stand, so they brought in the gurney and out the door they went with her.  I followed in our car, praying just about the whole time.  I lost them at a red light and so I made it to the hospital in Knoxville a few minutes after the ambulance.

Outside one of the EMTs said she was fine and inside being checked out.  The other EMT met me at registration and reassured me that she was fine.

I did the normal paperwork, using her Medicare card for the first time since we hit the magic age in May, and was then allowed in the back to see her.

Judy was fine...talking and making jokes about being a party pooper, and that we couldn't run with the big dogs anymore!  I was so relieved!

Her vital signs, the x-rays, the CT, and all the 6 vials of blood all checked out negative for anything.  The doctor said he could tell us what went wrong...just what wasn't wrong.  He released her and we made our way home.

We have both lost weight recently and our bodies haven't adjusted to it.  Therefore, the blood pressure medications we take are apparently pushing the pressure too low.  Like me, she will have to start monitoring her pressure and decide then whether or not she needs medication for the day.

The doctor said her pressure was probably low and the heat and laughter, which are both stressers he said, pushed it too low and she went out.  She had also had two teeth pulled last week and had been on pain meds.  All in all, it was just a combination of things, but she needs more tests.

By then it was nearly 10PM, so we stopped at Steak & Shake for a bite to eat.  It was the first we had since breakfast, besides a chip or two at the earlier gathering.

I just returned from meeting Ron in Kingston, about half way between our homes, and picking up our share of the "boil" from yesterday.  Judy is sleeping well, but when she wakes up I will heat up the food and we will celebrate the 4th quietly at home...thanking God that everything is okay again!

Come tomorrow...I will insist she go see our family doctor and try and make sure this doesn't happen again anytime soon.

Love you all...Mushy!

BREAKING THE LOW COUNTRY BOIL JINX!

Three times before, my family has planned and had "low country boils". Each of them, from what I heard, was a great success and delicious. Once I even got to sample some leftover shrimp, but I had never been to one.

Each time one was planned I got sick on that day and had to send Judy on without me.

I've written before about "one less set of feet" being under the table and about what it would be like after one of us had passed on. It's not a happy thought, but there are things that remind you, once in a while, about that inevitability - things like when someone gets sick and has to pass on a family gathering.

My wife has four sisters and a brother (he lives in Atlanta and is not always able to come) and we are always together on holidays - it's tradition! Judy and I will be married 30 years this coming June 12th, and family gatherings have been a given on holidays from the beginning. Actually, it started long before I came along, but for me it's been 30 years of pure enjoyment and something I anticipate like Christmas itself!

We get together more often than on holidays too. Sometimes we just can't wait and someone schedules an evening out, or a weekend or vacation retreat together. It just makes life more enjoyable when you can share it with family. Friends are okay, but family is just special!

The times I've missed, and I've missed more than anyone, was an event I sulked over for days afterward. So, you can imagine how thankful and how wonderful it felt when I realized I was not going to miss this Memorial Day's "low country boil"!

The family loves being together, even though the boys and girls always segregate themselves, each finding their own corner. It has to be that way, especially for us guys, if we intend to communicate with each other. You see, we can hardly hear each other over the voices and laughter of the women folk! If you want a sample, just scroll down my sidebar until you see "Dragons Cackling"...click if you dare. This is not an unusual clip...it's typical...believe me!

So, I broke the jinx, finally, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I even drank more than one beer and had two cigars! First cigars in almost a year!

There are specific and timed steps to a "low country boil", as you know if you've ever had the pleasure, so there was a lot of yelling, "Is it boiling yet?!" Then there is the long awaited, "Start the timer!" Each question is followed by multiple people shouting an echo and more laughter!

It seems after each of the 7 steps (see large numbered photo) there is a 15-minute length of time before proceeding to the next step. So, after a couple of drinks, the yelling gets louder, and the comments get funnier! I could see exactly what I'd missed by being puny on the previous occasions.

Once I almost rolled in the yard when Gary, who's basically retired, told us about a day he had relaxed with one too many Miller Lites and went to the dog lot (he trains Labs) to pick up the day's dog business! He didn't think it too strange he didn't find any droppings until he got back to the house and looked down at the mess on his shoes! You had to be there to hear Gary tell it!

Let me tell you...the food was super great, but the company was beyond compare, as it always is. I was very glad all our shoes were still under the table once again.