Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you from our corner of the world where warmer fall like weather has returned after some chilly days.   This morning as I lay in bed I heard a squirrel running across our roof which reminded me of the busy little rodent we saw gathering leaves this past week.  We were trying to see where he was making a nest, and discovered it was in the tree we see from our living room window.  Winter is coming and he was getting ready.  

Speaking of winter, we have avoided most of the snow that covered the Midwest, having only a half inch that lasted a couple of days.  Joel has been busy mulching and raking leaves lately~ an endless project in our yard.  He keeps up the job usually until the snow comes because our one Maple drops leaves very late in the season.

It has been a crazy week here.  Joel is still "recovering" from his bike accident which really left just a few scraps and bruises.  Unfortunately it seems that the physical trauma from that has triggered Shingles.  The NP said she felt it was the cause but also a major component can be stress.  The immune system is unable to keep the virus dormant.  She asked if Joel had any added stress lately?  Seriously?  Doesn't everybody?!?!  It was caught early and he is on antivirals to help keep his immune system up to par.  It is a crazy world when I looked at the red pus-filled rash and wondered if it was a Covid rash or Shingles.  In my head I am thinking, I hope it is Shingles.  Now, at any other time in our world I would be worried to hear it was Shingles, right?  But in the world of Covid.......well..........  

Yesterday we were having our morning devotions and I was reading from our Guideposts "All God's Creatures" daily devotional for animal lovers.  A story was shared about Water Buffalo.  It seems you can milk Water Buffalos and the high buttermilk content can be used to make the best gelato!  What a delightful bit of knowledge to learn. Who knew they could be milked! And gelato?  Wow!

 This story had us thinking about our time in The Philippines.  We saw Water Buffalo everywhere and we called them, "Filipino Tractors" because that is what they were.  Big lumbering animals with wide horns that farmers used for planting and carrying.  Sometimes we miss The Philippines. The people we knew, the experiences we had.  We don't miss the heat and humidity, but we have always enjoyed new adventures!  It was not the safest country and still isn't.  We used to go to a Serviceman's Christian Center off the base and talk with missionaries who came there.  One family came to stay awhile because they were warned that guerillas were coming to kill them so they had to flee.  They were called guerillas then, but now we would call them terrorists I expect.  Often at night we would hear gunfire up in the hills and our planes were shot at once in awhile as they left or landed on the base. We were under Marshall Law so we could not leave our homes after 10 pm.  We hired 24/7 guards for the area where we lived off base, and had big yard lights, cement block walls with barbed wire or broken glass on top with steel gates that we locked.  We also had bars on all our windows.   It was the way it was in the 70's.  Living in a third world country shaped the rest of our lives.  So much of the two years we were there gave us experiences and great memories,  including that of the Water Buffalo. 

This past Wednesday was hair cutting day here.  I have been cutting Joel's hair for decades, but with Covid on a big upward climb in our county, I decided not to call my hairdresser who always comes to the house.  She is a gem, but works out in the world so Joel and I cut my hair again and I am still thinking we do a pretty good job considering!!  It is just nice to have hair again....very thin on top and mostly white, but it is hair.

Today is Halloween.  We have decided not to pass out candy due to Covid.  Halloween is not my favorite time of year but we always enjoy when the kids come to the house.  Not this year.  I follow and read the books of Ana Werner and she shared a story this week that made us laugh out loud.  She had taken he 5 year old son to Target and evidently some of the Halloween stuff there scared him.  All of a sudden at the top of his lungs he yelled, "I rebuke you Halloween!"  Funny.........so cute.   Our middle daughter sent us this picture that made us chuckle.......My reply was, "Yes, we will take two please."

I saw a video on Facebook where a nursing home had some kind of contraption created that made it possible for people there to hug their loved ones.  It brought tears to my eyes to see the one woman hold her son and hug and hug on him.  We all need human touch, we need to connect with those we love.  It reminds me of another story I watched about a nurse in Billings MT who was in tears as he shared how his first Covid patient to die, did so alone and he vowed then not to let that happen again.  Twenty three of his patients have died from Covid and he has been holding the hand of everyone as they took their last breath, so they would not die alone.  There are so many beautiful stories of beautiful people out there. 

Speaking of beautiful people, this past week our middle daughter had a birthday and we were able to visit with her on the phone the day before for two hours.  It was wonderful!  We treasure the time spent with our children, and sure do miss seeing them.  We enjoy texting of course and love the pictures that come across our phones, but hearing the voices of those we love makes such a difference to us.  I have shared this before, but I used to call my mom once a week for many years and it would cost us for every minute spent on the phone.  It was expensive!  Just to call on our cells anytime and nearly any place is really a gift!  

There are lots of gifts to be thankful for this week.  The Shingles not being Covid, the antivirals to help the Shingles, the hair cuts, sunshine for Joel and cloudy days for me, laughter, the antics of animals, Joel's book soon in our hands, texting, phone calls, pictures, people helping people, homemade cookies, an online Bible Study, walks in the park and our association, the "full armor of God"!

Enjoy your weekend, people!

Good Saturday to you from chilly Iowa where we woke up to 18 degrees!  Already?!  Tomorrow we are expecting a bit of snow but nothing like what has been falling in Minnesota or even southern Iowa!  It is too soon, but alas Mother Nature has ideas of her own!  

Even with the chilly weather we have been walking some days at the park here in town.  It has been nice to get outside and breathe in some fresh crisp air.  When we walk at the park we need to watch where we are putting our feet because there are a lot of geese...and a lot of geese means a lot of droppings to avoid!  Still, it is worth it to enjoy the scenery.  I can't resist the analogy here.  Seems like right now the ads in Iowa are a lot like the geese droppings!  And I am always watching for them so I can change the channel or mute them!  Ha  ha........You know, we already voted, so shouldn't all the ads leave after that?

Speaking of getting outside, Joel decided to ride his bike on Wednesday since the winds were down somewhat but he came home soon after leaving as his bike had "thrown him" and he ended up walking home, injured along with an injured recumbent bike.  Something happened to the seat and it took down the bike. At least on a recumbent there is not far to fall.  He was "only" going 5-7 mph but ended up at the chiropractor yesterday with leg, hip and lower back pain.  The Dr. told him that the inflammation, pain, etc. usually show up 2 days after a fall in those who are older.  Of course who wants to hear that word, "older"?  Not my Joel! But he is resting a bit as his body needs that to heal.  It was a minor accident and for that we are very grateful!

Speaking of grateful, my sister Jo is doing amazingly well!  Starting taking steps this week with a walker and working hard with her PT.  They told her she could be home by Thanksgiving!!  She is determined to get out of there and home to her cozy apartment.  One step at a time.  Thanks for praying!  

This week I wrote a long post about preaching politics from the pulpit.  It is a pet peeve of mine to see or hear pastors in their position of power preach politics. In other words, telling their congregation members how to vote.   It is also very disturbing to read or hear all the rhetoric ~ hate verbally expressed ~ judgements and executions thrown out if you are a democrat or if you are a republican. It also bothers me that Christianity is now often presented as only one color.  Red.   No grace, no love, no place within that is open to hearing what someone else has to say, wherever you come down on the political scale.   There is a song I heard recently entitled, "I Speak Jesus" and that is what I believe we are to do.  Jesus never spoke hate.  Ever.  I won't go on because now I am starting to put out my own opinions.....I will say that my faith guides my political leaning and for me it needs to, but I refuse to think I have all the answers and can judge others by how they vote............red or blue........purple or green.............

This week I had a runny nose and a cough started.  It got my attention.  Covid is high around Iowa and I go to the Rehab center and doctors way too often.  Careful always, but it is out there and I keep being told by doctors to be careful.  Anyway, it was gone in a couple of days, but it used to be when you had a runny nose, it was just that....a runny nose.  A cough was just a cough.  Our world has changed and I, for one, think it will be a long time before I think of a cough as just a cough again.  A mask is a great protector just like a seat belt is, but we also must remember that our True Shield is Jesus.  We do what we can and we turn to Jesus for His protection and guidance in all circumstances in life.  

I have been watching a documentary called "The Social Dilemma" that our son-in-law recommended.  Very interesting.  Of course, any info presented is always in need of sifting, but it is quite powerful on how social media subtly influences us.  I am on Facebook more than I want to admit.  I am very careful what I read, and belong to pages that are inspirational or connected to friends and family.  I don't read what I consider political rhetoric, etc. nor do I follow news feeds, but I can't help but scroll past much of that info with the titles in bold print getting my attention.  This documentary has me asking myself how much time I need to put into Facebook, and why.  ( I understand the irony as I put my blog posts on here for others to read!!)  It is thought provoking, for sure.

This week Joel has been raking and mulching, one bike ride cut short, grocery shopping, and going through the long process of getting his book self published. He was able to meet with his colleague group, social distancing with masks at a local church.  I have seen doctors and the OT, did a lot of cooking and some cleaning, walked 30 minutes a day, and started a new puzzle with such small pieces my eyes are rebelling!  TV has consisted of a fun series called "New Tricks" on Prime, and Building Designs , The Great British Baking Show, and Repair Shop on Netflix.  What are you watching?

So this week I am grateful for walks outside in the crisp fall air, geese (but not their droppings), improvements in OT, a "normal" chest wall exam,  British Baking Shows, the mute button on the TV, a warm cozy home, Joel's bike accident not being serious, Dr. Hirota's help for him, the power of prayer, the power of sunshine, the power held in the name of Jesus,  documentaries that make us think, shows that make us laugh, friends and family.  

This week as politics ramp up, Covid, ramps up, and winter ramps up, lets stand firm in the Presence of the One who has this!  Recently Joel was disturbed by all that was going on in our lives and in the country and had a "good talk" with God.  He quietly heard, "I've got this under control, Joel".  Joel continued to vent to God and he heard, "I have this FIRMLY under control".  We are hanging on to that each day......it may not always look like it, but we are not alone.  

Enjoy your weekend, people.  This is the day that the Lord has made............... 

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you from our windy corner of Iowa.  The temperature has been in the 50's but today we are supposed to reach a balmy 66 degrees before we drop to a high of 40 tomorrow.  The winds and cooler temps have not taken away any of our joy of basking in Autumn.  We managed a couple of walks this week at our local park and drove out to Lime Creek preserve one day. We brought home a "leaf bouquet" of bright oranges and reds from the park.   Last night Joel saw 4 deer in our yard when he went out at ten to whisk our flowers out of the "maybe we will have frost" weather.  

Speaking of weather, Joel has been mulching and raking this week and getting things outside ready for the winter ahead.  We have not had the snow flurries predicted, but Minnesota and Wisconsin have.  The National weather tells us we will have more of the white stuff this year but it won't be as cold.  We would love to be heading south, but after much prayer and discussion we have said no to traveling right now.  Ugh.

Last Tuesday we filled out our absentee ballots and took them to the court house to hand them in.  There were a few people in line to vote.  My sister and her hubby had gone in the morning to vote and said there were quite a few in line doing the same thing.  Voting is so important.  We also headed out to Target for groceries before going to the eye clinic for my appointment with the Retina specialist.  Eye shot time!  The Dr. told me he wanted me to "be very careful with Covid around" and shared a personal story with me.  When I hear the emotional stories shared by those who fight this war as medical professionals?  I cannot help but be forewarned and take precautions.  

                                                                  

\We were saddened Friday night to hear about the death of a long time friend Allen.  We met him in a small town north of the of Twin Cities where he was pastor at the Methodist church and Joel was pastor at the Lutheran church.  They became friends and Joel ended up being his best man at their wedding.  Allen was the kindest, most gentle man with a great compassion for others.  He loved the Lord and wanted to serve Him wherever God led him.  Joel and he discussed race at times, but what I remember him saying is that he did not define himself first as a black man but as a man who loved the Lord and was black.  He did not see Joel as a white man either, but as a man who loved the Lord and happened to be white.  Once Joel asked him what was the difference between his culture in the deep South where he was from, and ours in the Midwest.  After a long pause he said, "Well, you like to eat pumpkin pie and we like to eat sweet potato pie!"  He did always encourage us to eat his sweet potato pies he made, although we stuck to pumpkin.  Now I make a sweet potato pie gluten free pie for myself at Thanksgiving and Christmas!  He was 92 years old and had lived a long good life.  We know Jesus welcomed Him home with open arms.  We are so grateful to have known him.  Our prayers are with Susan and the family.

Speaking of family we were able to Skype with our oldest daughter and her family this past Sunday night.  They were at their cabin and each of the two kids were at their colleges.  We get pretty darn lonely for our family so just being able to see them on a screen was great!  Phone calls and texts with our family are like warm hugs.  We get quite a few pictures via text and it is awesome to catch up on what everyone is doing.  Yes, we all need hugs, don't we, even through texts!  And I have been talking more to my sister Jo as she progresses into longer conversations, taking her first steps, and now ending her quarantine so she can have Janelle visit.  Thank you for praying!

Speaking of hugs, have any of you seen the animal videos where humans and animals are hugging each other.  It is amazing to me how much love and emotions animals express to those they love and care about.  I expect it from some animals but when you see an ostrich hugging?  Come on!  Can't say I would want to hug on a lion or bear...........but those videos are a sure way to put a smile on your face.

Giving thanks this week for walks in the park, leaf bouquets, good medical care, October days, sweet potato and pumpkin pies, long time friends, Skyping, texting, and phone calls, puzzles,  Jo's improvements, animal videos, pictures of grands, and the gift of togetherness.  Blessings.......

Enjoy your weekend!

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you from our corner the of the Midwest where I am blessed to say, "My favorite color is October".  The weather has been perfect with sunshine, low humidity, and temperatures mostly in the 50's and 60's with one 85 thrown in for good measure.  Our yard was full of birds yesterday, robins, nuthatches, and one red headed woodpecker, all who were enjoying the latest hatch of no-see-ums.  The only negative to invade the outdoors in Autumn.  

Speaking of outdoors, on Friday Joel and I went for a drive to look at local trees changing color, and then headed to our large city park where we walked on the paths and enjoyed the great array of colors.  Here are a few pictures I took along the way.

park creek

pink prairie grasses

unique tree in the park

This past week we drove to Rochester MN for a final check up at the breast clinic there.  All my oncology aftercare at this point will be here in our little city.  If my health status changes we will head back to Mayo.  It was a bit hard to say good-bye to the excellent care I had there.  I felt sad and yes, a bit a apprehensive leaving.  I realized that they made we feel "safe" there.  A good thing, but I must always remember to put my trust in God.  He walks before me, beside me, and behind me...always.  There is a Bible verse that I hold on to.  Psalm 4:8 "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone are my place of safety."  He alone.............

While in Rochester we went to a Trader Joe's to stock up for a few months on the staples we get there such as almond butter, organic unsweetened applesauce, and almonds.  We have our own little grocery store in the basement where we keep ample supplies of what we use the most.......including toilet paper! Ha!!  2020

Speaking of 2020, I find there is a fine line between being cautious and being fearful regarding Covid-19.  Sometimes when we make decisions about the virus and it's impact on our lives, the two lines can blend into one.  Taking the politics out of this virus is necessary.  I watch people I know who regard or disregard the available science on this virus.  Those who live life as before, those who do some social distancing and others who follow the guidelines to a "T".  Each has their own reasons for the decisions they make.  

Our decisions have left us lonely.  With no family close by, with our friends far from where we live, we have each other.  Grateful beyond measure for our togetherness, but there are times we cannot help but think...........what if we had lived in one place instead of moving 23 times.  Would our kids be close by?  Would 50 years of roots make a difference in our relationships before and after Covid?  (Before or after Lyme?) Before or after anything ? The answer is a resounding yes!  Sometimes in the wee hours of the morning I find myself in another kind of mourning.....mourning the losses, the never will happen do overs.  Sometimes I go through that valley, but it is important not to live there.  And we cannot live in the valley of Covid forever either.  This too shall pass.

We picked up a couple of pumpkins at Trader Joe's this week.  They are sitting on our porch to enjoy.  Our porch sitting has been limited due to those nasty little no-see-ums that are so hard to see but pack a powerful punch.  Looking forward to the first bug killing frost! Joel stained our back deck and it looks great.  He has ridden his bike and managed a few other projects.  I have finished another puzzle, am now walking 30-35 minutes a day, and have enjoyed talking with Gr. Jo on the phone a few minutes at a time.  She is doing well, making progress and is getting stronger and stronger.  Yay!!! 

So as I enjoy the crisp fall weather I share my gratitude with each of you for those we love, for pumpkins, stocked shelves, a walk in the park, morning and mourning, good health care, a Healing Physician, Jesus, my favorite color....October, the power of prayer, our newly stained deck, and our togetherness.  

Enjoy your weekend!

Good Saturday to you from our small corner of the world here in north Iowa.  Fall has graced us with some chilly weather this week.  We woke to frost yesterday morning with the temperature around 30 degrees.  By next week we will see the high sixties, but as anyone who experiences all four seasons would agree, 65 degrees in the Fall is different than 65 in the heat of summer!  Our large planter of geraniums is blooming wildly right now and I am loving that!

Speaking of loving that, we are also loving all the squash.  So tasty.  Will soon be time to put a couple of pumpkins on the porch although this year trick or treating seems questionable.  All the kids and all the candy handed out and all the possible exposures have us saying no to Halloween here.  It has been one of Joel's favorite things to do...hand out candy and chat with kids and parents.  He has also put aside his favorite thing to attend ~ Rendezvous Days in a town about 45 minutes from here.  He enjoys everything about it, but made the decision to not go because of Covid.  Difficult decision like so many others we are having to make regarding "taking the risk or not taking the risk to ourselves and others".  

I finished reading the book, "The Nightingale" by Kristin Hannah this week.  It is such a powerful fiction read about two sisters during World War II when the Nazis took over France.  It is based on the history of the roles women took on during the war.  After I finished reading it I began googling some of the women during World War II who helped rescue or hide Jewish children, risking their lives and the lives of their own children.  Such courage they had to put aside their fear and do what they felt was right.  Powerful.  

It has been cold, windy, and at times rainy, so Joel has only gotten in one bike ride.  He has been putting the finishing touches on his book for self publishing and doing some fall yard work.  I have been reading, walking mostly inside, texting regarding Gr. Jo's recovery journey, and attempting to avoid most of the news whether on TV or Facebook.  Too much going on in my corner of Iowa to add in the political and religious rhetoric. We have enjoyed a few more episodes of "Repair Shop" on Netflix and have added a new show, "Grand Design" which is about people in England building their own homes.  Very interesting.........and definitely low key.  We are all about low key right now!

I saw a video last night on TV that showed a little toddler who had just taken a bath and was talking none stop about the experience ( I think) waving his arms and chatting away...........the only problem is that no one could understand one word of his gibberish.  I think you may know where I am going here......Anyone else feel like so many are speaking gibberish?  Gibberish with a spin?  It sooooooooooo reminded me of our country right now.  Sometimes I look at others waving their arms, ranting or talking but it is all like it is in another language.....and you want to say........WHAT????  Can we just all go to bed and wake up in 2021?  I am all for that!

Speaking of being all for that, lets think about what we are grateful for this week.  I am grateful for crisp Fall weather that has brought with it squash and pumpkins.  I am grateful for texting, phone calls, prayers, blooming flowers, fiction and history that opens my mind, laughter, love and light.  

Enjoy your weekend!