Speaking of Aunts

I found out yesterday that my mother's sister-in-law, my Aunt Barbara, passed away. She had been in and out of ill health for a long time. She was a very sweet lady, married to my mother's only brother, Bob.

So now it's just my mother, Aunt Mary, Aunt Mubby (Marilyn), and Uncle Bob of that generation of my family. My father's only brother, Uncle Larry, died a few years ago and Dad has been gone for nearly 30 years now.

In a number of years, Mike and I (and our sibs and in-laws) will be the oldest generation in our families. Mike only has his Uncle Jimmy.

It's a weird thought. I want my Mom to live to 100 but she doesn't want to live that long.

On a happier note, we are off to visit my good friend Virginia, and then we're spending 2 days in Atlantic City. Should be fun!

Aunt Mary

My Aunt Mary is my  mother's older sister. She never married and cared for their mother until Grandma Hoffer died at age 96, in 1996. Aunt Mary moved into her own apartment, but after a number of years she wasn't able to stay there.

She moved into an assisted living place a few years ago. It's a very nice place and probably unbelievably expensive. But while there, she fell and broke her pelvis. So she had to be in another area of the place where she was bedridden for quite a long time. She got through that, but when we went to visit her last year we could see she was a bit out of it. Still sharp-witted and smart when she could hear you, but like with my mother, you have to speak clearly and loudly.

So I got an email from my older sister Susan, who is her power of attorney. Sue is going up there to help with paperwork. She says Aunt Mary's kidneys and other organs are shutting down, and she is in comfort care right now. So it's just a matter of time.

I have too many fond memories of my Aunt to go into now, but if I get a chance I will record them in the future. She is a woman worth remembering.

Pizza Dough

It is incredibly beautiful out today, and there is no need for the A/C so I decided to break out the bread machine and make pizza dough.

I think I cooked the first crust too long, although I did follow directions. I'll have to make a note on the recipe.

I tried a small piece. It's a little crusty but soft inside, so I can use it. I just have to remember not to reheat it for too long.

I took the second crust out 8 minutes earlier than this one, and it looks fine. I made a note to check the crust at 12 minutes even though the recipe says 20.

Mike and Penny

Katherine took this picture of Mike and out guinea pig, Penny. Sometimes I call her Penny Dreadful because she squeals all the time and poops on everyone.