This morning Joel and I went for a drive, since neither of us have been out and about our fair city. I do get out for walks and Joel now has 130 miles on his bike. It felt good to go for a drive, but the streets were mostly empty except for dog walkers. So strange. We stopped at a place in the park that has a locomotive on display that is surrounded by a high fence. My thoughts............this is the only kind of traveling we will be doing for a long time! On a train to nowhere............
Selfie of us with a bit of the train and fence in the background
Speaking of biking, yesterday Joel got a flat tire on his way home. He walked the bike past our neighbors who were outside. Since this whole family are competitive bikers, Joel asked S. if he would check out his bike and see what the tire needed. S. asked Joel if he had jumper cables he could borrow because their cute VW 1979 convertible would not start. We had them so Joel took them down and told them to keep them since he never uses them. Meanwhile S. actually drove to the bike store, bought a new tube and put it on the bike! No cost. So nice!!! His kind gesture is at the top of our gratitude list. Along with the Facebook message I received from another neighbor K. who wanted us to know that if we needed anything they were willing to help us. She sent her phone number we certainly tucked it away for future use. Another kind gesture we are grateful for! Last night a friend who is from a former congregation and has done a lot of work on our house for us called and wanted to know how we were doing and see if we needed anything. Yet again, another gesture of kindness! So grateful.
As I said, Joel is getting in quite a bit of biking and we walk 1/2 mile outside for my exercise when we can. Otherwise I walk around our main level 15-20 times since one time around takes a minutes. We do what we can, right?! Last time we were walking a woman came with her dog and I quietly said to Joel, "Ok, what we do now because we will be right next to each other". Soon after that she moved off the path and self distanced from us til we passed. It is the right thing for all of us to do.
So how are we filling our days besides biking, cooking, and walking? We cleaned the whole house in two days and thought, okay, now what? Ha.....I'm still trying to talk Joel into purging and cleaning closets! (giggle) Joel is editing his book again and adding another chapter. I am writing here and reading a fiction book.....and attempting "chair Yoga" from a site an old friend sent me. Also talking more on the phone. Joel and his colleague group got together via Zoom this week. It was not the same as being together face to face of course, but they had a good chat for a couple of hours. I know some of my siblings are face-timing and using Zoom to connect with their kids and grandkids. Isn't technology great?!!!
Joel will venture out into the world on Monday to grocery shop for us, hoping to pick up what is now getting to be a long list, but realizing some things will not be on the shelves. I will need medications filled so he will head out to Target after getting an early early start at HyVee. We have done well executing a plan to shop every two weeks but we run out of bananas and that is something we like to eat every single day. Sacrifices are being made.....ha......but we still have blueberries! Really, just grateful we are able to put food in the fridge and freezer with no worries of how to pay for it.
As our world continues to unravel, it is more important than ever to reach out to others we love and care about. Today as we went for our drive we went by my sister and brother-in-law's house. I called her to tell her we were driving by and we honked and waved at each other....she from her living room window and us from the car window. It brought tears to my eyes, yet I am grateful I could see her face and connect from a distance.
As the numbers rise our praises can rise too. Worshiping God and giving thanks for each and every blessing. One of my blessings is to connect with friends and family here. Enjoy your weekend!
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