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Name: Mary Ann
Birthday: 8/23/1955
Gender: Female
Interests: Reading, crafts, cursing bad drivers, scrapbooking, laughing at life's absurdities, watching Law & Order, collecting antique blue willow dishes, learning that it's never too late to learn more.
Expertise: I am an old and sometimes cranky travel nurse, working like a dog, reflecting on life, neglecting my health, the fine art of making do!
Occupation: Medical
Industry: Medical
Message: message meEmail: email me
Website: visit my website
Yahoo:  magalvin1975@yahoo.com
Member Since:
9/17/2001
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| They are killing me at work, I think to myself. I keep getting these crazy schedules. Work one night, one day off. Work 2 nights, one day off. Yesterday, I woke up at 4 a.m. and could not get back to sleep. So, I get up, take care of some correspondence, work on my Covey/bucket list, read some nursing journals, clean the apartment and do some laundry. My thought is: maybe if I get tired enough, I’ll get in a good long nap before I head back to work that evening. At 3 p.m., I am still tossing. I finally get to sleep around 4:00 p.m. & should be up by 5:30 to get to work by 7:00. At 6:00, I realize that I have hit the snooze button several times, get up in a panic, shower, pack a quick lunch & bolt out of the parking garage. It is Monday and the traffic is rough. I sit through 6 red lights on the Key Bridge. Arggh. I get to work 5 minutes late and hoof it down the long corridors. I hear this noise. A sort of soft scraping noise. I look behind me. Nobody there. Weird. It was a busy night. My patients are all 80+ years old with major health problems, and most unable to even turn alone. Plus, two are very specific in their instructions. “Now, pull that blanket up around my shoulders & tuck it in.” “Do you have to wake me up at midnight again? Can’t you people let an old man get a good night’s sleep?” “Put my water cup right there, and put the tissues slightly to the right of the cup. I want cold water, but no ice.” No, I am not kidding, . . . .it was like that all night. There it is again. That noise. It sounds familiar, I have heard this before. Oh well, no time to figure it out just now. There are medicines to give, bloodwork to be drawn, bottoms to be washed, beds to be made. Finally, it is 7:00 a.m. The bright-eyed 20-something nurse comes to receive report. I give her the necessary information, plus a little commentary on my night. “I won’t have time for all that”, she says. Well, I didn’t either, but I am hoping when I am 80+ years in age, someone will have time for my idiosyncrasies. I go to the locker, put up my scope, scissors, penlight, and so on, get my lunch bag, pull on my backpack, and head for the parking garage. They are killing me, I think to myself again. Actually, I am killing myself. I am walking the long hike out with my co-workers, thinking that it always seems farther after a long 12.75 hour night shift. There’s the noise again. It’s louder this time. I look around to see if any of my peers hear it, but they don’t seem to. I give up on keeping their pace all the way to the garage. You guys go on. See you Wednesday night. Yeah, I’m O.K. I realize that I am walking and leaning forward, and make a genuine effort to straighten my spine. I catch a glimpse of myself in a window as I walk by, and look to see if I have improved my posture. At last, I see the source of the noise and it all makes sense now. My ass is dragging. | | |
| It’s early March in Oklahoma and the cattle are cold. They stamp their hooves at the frost-covered hay stacks, and breath comes from their nostrils and mouths in white puffs. They still have their rough winter coats. I am cold, too, . .venturing out from a hotel room with a wet head, fresh from a shower that was moderately successful in washing away yesterday’s fatigue. I am anxious to get on the road at an early hour and thankful that there is breakfast at the hotel. “Continental breakfast” is a loosely applied term, don’t you think? It can mean anything from donuts and coffee, to a full sit-down meal. This one was fair. The hotel had bread & condiments for toasting, juice, various cereals, sweet rolls, and microwavable breakfast sandwiches. The best part about the whole thing was the delightful German couple, eating there as well. They were retired, and touring the country. They were going to New Mexico, they said and I told them I had just left Albuquerque yesterday. They talked about Yellowstone. I recommended Glacier Park for warmer days. Then, they found out I was a nurse, . . .after 33 years of nursing, it is amazing to me that rank strangers feel they can share their bowel habits over a sausage biscuit. (I recommended Miralax, by the way - I wasn’t mean.) I had left the afternoon before at about 2 p.m. After 3 months in New Mexico, I was on a 2 week leave. Of course, it takes 3 days to get home and 3 more to get back. So, that just leaves 1 week in Tennessee. But, it would be good to check out the home place. Also, I was going to stop to see Mom and Dad on the way home. After packing everything in a mid sized sedan, I stopped to get a couple of souvenirs. Most of the tourist trappings, I could get along the way, in those trading post type of stops. But, there was one special gift that I needed to get in downtown Albuquerque for my Dad - I got him a bolo. For those of you that don’t know, a bolo is a small braided leather tie, usually with some inlaid precious stones. Men in the southwest, and many cowboys wear these in place of neck ties. The one I picked for Dad was not flashy. It had a small mother of pearl slide with a Zuni sun god made with turquoise, coral, and silver. The bolo tips had engraved silver, as well. My Dad had a horse when he was a young man, and sold it when he married. I sense some longings from him at times, that he misses that part of his life, but he would never complain. I thought he might like this. Coming down the road, I saw a curious sight,. A few dozen sheep were standing in a perfectly straight line. I didn’t see a fence. How were they doing this? Was Babe the pig out there lining these sheep up? Finally, I got close enough to see a very low feeding trough on the ground obscured by the roadside. Man, did I feel dumb. I think I am more gullible early in the morning. There is nothing on the radio this early except country or mariachi music. So, I plug in a few Cds. Singing along with The Mamas and the Papas, and jamming with Stevie Ray Vaughn, helps me to stay awake and focused. I stop every 100-150 miles or so and stretch my legs. I stop at one Cherokee Indian trading post that has machines that engrave pennies. My grandson collects these, so I make him a couple. I get a few postcards that show the maps of the Trail of Tears, and the Indian territories assigned to the various tribes after their trek from the southeast U.S. If ever there was a chapter of American history of which we should be ashamed, it is this one. Most tribes’ population were cut by at least ¼, more likely in half. They were dumped in harsh lands, to which they were not accustomed, forced to be dependent on the U.S. for things like blankets, food, farm tools, and so on. The night before, I had driven the 205 miles or so from Albuquerque, NM to the Texas border, 177 miles across the Texas panhandle, and about 30 miles into Oklahoma. Not bad, considering I started out after 2 p.m. Today, I have to cross 300 miles of Oklahoma, 150 miles of northwest Arkansas, and 120 miles of southeast Arkansas. It is quite a haul, and I determine to take my time so I don’t arrive absolutely exhausted. However, I have time against me. Not only have I crossed one time zone, but it is March 9th, and the time has “sprung forward”. So, I am already two hours behind, or at least it feels that way to my body and head. After I stopped at the trading post, I check out a Route 66 museum, but it is closed on Sundays. It does have a lot of interesting old road signs and gas pumps in the surrounding grounds. I get out, stretch my legs, and refill my diet pepsi. On the road again. The west Oklahoma landscape is dotted with huge white wind farms. The windmills are stories high, and have 3 huge blades. They seem to turn very slowly, not like traditional windmills. They are appealing and oddly out of place, at the same time. I do like the idea of capturing the energy of the sun and the wind, and using less gas, coal, nuclear fuels, etc. And, Oklahoma has wind to spare. Most of the trees in western Oklahoma appear to grow leaning towards the north. Every now and then, you really have to fight the steering wheel just to stay in the road. I start to breathe more easily, and realize that there is new green grass, creeks, rivers and fewer rocks again. Yes, I did miss some degree of humidity, while in New Mexico. The hills are rolling, and there are cattle, horse and sheep ranches, farms, pecan groves, and orchards along the roadsides. Some people are busy, out cleaning their yards. Spring is right around the corner, and it looks like they are happy to see it. I begin to see signs for a catfish kitchen “voted Oklahoma’s best catfish”, and arrive at the “turn here” sign at about 11 a.m. Why not, I thought, so I stopped. Ya know, I don’t know about Oklahoma’s best, but it was very good. Their speciality was hot rolls, and hot apple fritters. I tried to restrain myself, and only had 1 of each, but they were great. Coleslaw, mildly spicy fish, mashed potatoes, and hushpuppies were excellent. While waiting on the food to arrive, I observed the locals. It was clear that this was a local hotspot, and I was there with the first tricklings of the after-church crowd. Most were dressed in their Sunday best. I wondered what they thought of me, in jeans, sweat jacket, and Route 66 backpack. At the next table, I noted had 2 young couples of a particular religion. I won’t guess, since I don’t know enough about the different denominations. But, the girls had beautiful, innocent, fresh-scrubbed faces with white organza caps. The boys were in jeans and plaid shirts, with short haircuts and clean shaven faces. I think they were dating, they seemed to be a little nervous and chatted amiably. Their excited conversations covered their farm animals, church services, and everyday activities. I truly enjoyed the experience of sitting next to them and knowing that there is that level of purity still out there in this world. I plan to get to southeast Arkansas by dark:30 or so. I can never give my mother a time when I think I will arrive, because she tends to worry if you are 5 minutes late. Usually, I pick a time 2-3 hours later than I think I will get there, so when I show up “early”, she is really happy. The games we play, even as adults are so odd I cross into Arkansas early afternoon, and remember college trips to the Ozarks. I remember those days very fondly, and how my love of mountains began. I see signs pointing to the Fort Smith National Park, and make a mental note to check that out on the way back to NM. I find a radio station playing oldies from the 60s, 70s, and 80s and groove along I-40. Little Rock always surprises me with its’ size. I always think of small towns when I think of "home", but Little Rock is getting bigger - 180,000+. More exits and less rural land between exits. Populated areas are all the way between Conway and Pine Bluff. When I was in college, there were spaces where you were in trouble if you had to make a quick pitstop. The Ozarks slowly change to rolling hills, and then to sandy, loamy swells. In southeast Arkansas, this changes to pine forests, small farms and ranches. I call Mom & Dad in Pine Bluff, because that’s where my phone signal stops, and give them the estimated time of arrival plus 30 minutes or so. The road between Pine Bluff and my childhood home has very little light, and many eyes flashing in the roadside. I drive slower, not wanting to hit a deer after getting this far today. Passing the university branch in Monticello, my brain hauls out a forgotten memory. Regional conventions there for high school library clubs, and FHA. Riding a bus there, for the whole 35 miles, felt like entering a new grown-up world. No parents, no packed lunches. A $5 bill to buy lunch, felt like a fortune. I remember one local band, who was mimicking Rare Earth, and performed “Big Brother”. I was addicted to rock and roll from that point on. I smile to myself in the dark,. Then I grit my teeth and brace for the last 40 minutes of the trip through absolutely nothing along the road. I end up arriving at about 8:30 or so. Not too bad for a 570 mile day, driving alone with swollen knees. Yes, I am tired. Yes, I saw a lot of stuff today. Yes, it is good to be here. Haven’t seen you guys since November, how are you - really, how are you? | | |
| Yes, I am a lousy correspondent. It has been a busy, busy year. But, soon I will have to change my webpage. This is my last travel assignment. I am currently in Washington, D.C. I spent 5 months total in Albuquerque. I saw lots of great places and enjoyed the different atmosphere. After that , I had a 8 week assignment in northwest Tennessee. I saw some civil war forts there. After 8 weeks there, I remembered why I left Arkansas. Geez, I do not miss those summers! D.C. is not much better, but the humidity is not QUITE as intense. So, what will I be doing at home, you ask? There is lots to be done. The youngest daughter decided not to travel with me, and the house & yard is the worse for it. Besides, I have 2 grandsons clamoring for me to stay home and spend some time with them. By golly, I think I will. It will be crazy, but it will also be fun. I already have my job lined up, benefits, etc. I don't know that I can stay put there until I retire, but it will be OK for at least a few years. I do tend to get bored easily, and in an ER, . . there is always something interesting coming in, or more like some nutcase coming in. LOL. My last assignment did not have internet access available. And, I have been concentrating on other things my first 5 weeks here. But, I do have some travel notes saved, and hope to do a travelogue soon. I miss you guys. Hoping everyone is well. Take care. Till next time. | | |
| and I don't have the energy to do much. But, I need to catch with you good folks a little bit. Been here in Albuquerque since mid November. Worked 10 weeks with one hospital, that shall go un-named. Let's just say that 10 weeks was enough. The work wasn't that hard, but the atmosphere was tense. So, now I have the opposite fortune of a hard physical job with a cooperative climate. I do prefer the latter, but days off are often spent recuperating and resting up for the next workdays. Plus a bout of bronchitis last week was not helpful. Whine, whine, whine, . . I know. Trying to be positive about my choices is helpful. What other job lets you work at home when you want, be at the beach in the summer, in the desert in the winter and make decent money? I cannot complain too much. My timing seems to be off at times. One daughter just had minor surgery Monday, & I was not there to help out with the kids. But, they seemed to do fairly well. I have been to alot of Pueblo Indian ruins & some old Spanish mission ruins & a few museums. Finally catching up on bills enough to do some sightseeing on my assignments. Albuquerque has been quite interesting, . . . where else can you see a Santa with a red velvet sombrero at Christmas? And boxes of Valentine's candy with spanish endearments? I guess you can see these things about anywhere in the southwest, but not in Tennessee, for sure. The ruins I have visited are rich with years of hard labor and spiritualism. The amount of work that went into these structures often built on mesas with no trees nearby, and the nearest large ones for roof supports up to 20 miles away, . . this is staggering. No carts, no horses, just brute strength. Men cutting & hauling stones & logs, and women & children applying the stucco. Aligned perfectly with the winter solstice without use of compasses or other sophisticated tools. They took from the earth just what they needed and no more. They grew vegatables & cotton with little water and killed only the animals needed for survival. These things are just amazing to me. And these structures have survived for over 1000 years. Well, more on this later. I look forward to catching up with all of you. Happy President's Day! | | |
| I got a laptop!! More news later!! | | |
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