tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88905867618527030732024-03-11T21:52:54.959-07:00Entering His Rest"In quietness and trust is your strength"
Isaiah 30:15Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.comBlogger1535125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-60604671565005004802024-03-09T09:06:00.000-08:002024-03-09T12:04:21.337-08:00Saturday's Scribbles <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1udv8mEkJkfLOZc-WCCX8wcV8eXZLoMIjOjla0A5wyaeH60tTyaAF42m-uCHiAU4JHwjEeDfCRD_aCfPcC8dwodOaFfqH1ghyfzCIeFJxTF6U_u1OvrACHfLIgmd11O0eYXlXEKDgMkNb0fRadI9dTFqtBivySJDWgajT9VopftpM4xBAIMuQ0JuiWgHj/s400/scribbles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1udv8mEkJkfLOZc-WCCX8wcV8eXZLoMIjOjla0A5wyaeH60tTyaAF42m-uCHiAU4JHwjEeDfCRD_aCfPcC8dwodOaFfqH1ghyfzCIeFJxTF6U_u1OvrACHfLIgmd11O0eYXlXEKDgMkNb0fRadI9dTFqtBivySJDWgajT9VopftpM4xBAIMuQ0JuiWgHj/w400-h171/scribbles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><b>Good Saturday to you once again from an unseasonably warm March in Iowa. At this point it looks like an early Spring minus any Spring thaw. Still have up and down temps. Warm one day, cold the next.</b></p><p><b>This past Monday Joel had eye surgery down in Des Moines. A colleague went along and drove him home. He had a cornea scraping for the second time, but this time they went deeper removing more tissue, and he spent the week recovering with lots of sleeping, lots of recliner time, lots of drawn shades and discomfort. A little familiar. His vision has been so blurry BUT when he got up last night he realized it was improving and today it is around 90% back. Yay! Thank you God!</b></p><p><b>Our oldest daughter turned 54 this week. She is such a gift to the world and we are so proud of the woman she is.</b></p><p><b>A dear friend celebrated a birthday this week and she also had surgery this week. Another journey with cancer. Her journey continues and we continue to pray for her. </b></p><p><b>Sadly a week ago tonight our brother in law Lanny died after a courageous 6 yr battle with lung cancer. He will be greatly missed by not only my sister Jan but all of their families...all of us. Our hearts go out to everyone. </b><b>As Joel, who seldom swears would say...."That damn cancer!" It is a relentless beast. </b></p><p><b>Also..Joel's oldest brother James is receiving hospice at the nursing home where he resides. He does not have cancer, but other health issues. And this week someone we know well learned their divorce became official. Another kind of sadness. For all those mentioned we ask for your prayers. </b></p><p><b>Battles. It does seem that we all in different seasons of our lives are in the midst of a battle of one kind or another. Sometimes we need to stand firm, put on the "full armor of God" and pick up a sword! Other times while wearing the full armor of God we stay calm and quiet and remember "The LORD will fight for you......just stay calm." I guess most importantly we remember that Jesus is always with us. In surgeries, in death, in recoveries, in the mundane, in the misery, in the watching and the waiting. In the joy</b></p><p><b>Speaking of watching and waiting, I have observed something this week. In some ways it is easier for me to be sick that watch the man I love be sick. Now when I mentioned this to Joel he replied in firmness...."I am NOT sick. Im just recovering from a surgery." Yep, My bad. But just the watching....hoping today would bring improvement...the waiting for healing. It gave me insight into how Joel must have felt over the many health challenges faced. And I also pondered Holy's question......Am I praying for healing from a place of fear or faith? Honestly sometimes both......And God loves me enough to remind me to trust Him on the journeys.</b></p><p><b>I am rambling now......it has been a week of rambling, reflecting and pondering, and sadness and much praying, waiting and watching. Grateful Joel's surgery went so well. Grateful Joel is seeing again and recovering so well. Grateful for our daughter Beth who fills our hearts with joy. Grateful for the family and friends of my dear friend who are supporting and loving her on her journey with cancer and recovery. Grateful for the years my sister Jan had with her Lanny and the love and support she has with family and friends....and for her many good memories. Grateful for all this and so much more...</b></p><p><b>Enjoy your weekend.</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-76324977518320285562024-03-02T09:48:00.000-08:002024-03-02T09:48:39.996-08:00Saturday's Scribbles <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiw3ene9D-jnDqehH2kIRODXR9xu3zE0QHIhXGkupq7WWvhKIqXhtZsHMz7pAFSDttX1lrOzZsL9L17LgJqzOx1K973cvHn_QLBTVIn8CAnhon1DfkxDtSHb59XzmHo54KiXdMNAoVgnoLxXPIPSM6HN0CwzBe6HhSS5qnCqmj1qx8uNjGJIBW-gYq0WR/s400/scribbles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiw3ene9D-jnDqehH2kIRODXR9xu3zE0QHIhXGkupq7WWvhKIqXhtZsHMz7pAFSDttX1lrOzZsL9L17LgJqzOx1K973cvHn_QLBTVIn8CAnhon1DfkxDtSHb59XzmHo54KiXdMNAoVgnoLxXPIPSM6HN0CwzBe6HhSS5qnCqmj1qx8uNjGJIBW-gYq0WR/w400-h171/scribbles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Good Saturday to you all from yet another unseasonably warm weekend in Northern iowa. In the 60's today and 70 again tomorrow. Amazing. We just keep breaking records...and the downside? We are in a major drought here...not good. </p><p>Speaking of warm weather, our porch chairs are still out and so are the animals. One day at dusk 6 deer were across the street eating the neighbors corn cobs. Unfortunately the ticks are out early too. Be aware.</p><p>It has been a week of good news in regards to doctor visits. Detmatologist and dentist....good news. Gotta love that! Praying for good news Monday when Joel sees the eye specialist again. Expect they will surgically scrap the cornea again because it is causing blurry vision for Joel. Prayers appreciated. Most of Joel's week was spent in the office finishing his second book. Yay Joel! Not much biking this week as the winds were too strong. </p><p>I was able to connect with my friend Katherine this week. Met her through a Lyme group. She is the woman in Joel's book that suggested we watch a specific teaching on healing.....and Joel was healed! Her life is full with six kids, a prayer ministry starting up and taking Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry college courses. I love talking to her! What a witness of God's healing power and purpose for each of us! I made almond flour pancakes and cookies, and whole wheat bread this past week. I'm still walking 25 minutes most days. I have not given an update on my health for awhile. I continue to have challenges with the trigeminal nerve connected to the whole eye drama. Some days balance is really off, other days its pretty good. Some days there are headaches and head neuropathy from the eye damage. Certain things...like a teeth cleaning seem to trigger it. Energy is better since Holy Spirit blessed me during prayer one morning a couple months ago. Symptoms continue to irritate and attempt to control my daily activities, but as I often say, "I am STILL here". </p><p>Moving on..........</p><p>We discovered the old show "Northern Exposure" on Prime Video. It was on TV from 1990 - 1995. It makes us laugh! It takes place in a fictional town in Alaska. So quirky....but once again I realize some of the words used on the show could not be used in today's world climate. There are new episodes of Death in Paradise and Vera to choose from. And I confess we are once again watching American Idol. We are also reading short devotional stories about dogs before bed and part of our devotions daily is to read aloud Max Lucado's book on Holy Spirit, "Help Is Here". Max's book is good! All his books are.</p><p>Last Saturday we watched two of our granddaughters run in track online of course. They are sisters but attend different colleges. Sunday we went to church. And Saturday nights we watch Lutheran Church of Hope livestream. Listened to Bethel sermons this week too. Sometimes I watch services in our first congregation Medicine Lake MT! Isn't it wonderful how much is available for us online!</p><p>As I end this Scribbles I am grateful for sunrises and sunsets that remind us we are still here! Grateful for old shows that make us laugh and for new shows that distract and entertain us. Grateful for the smell of homemade bread, almond flour cookies, and pancakes. Grateful for walking and audiobooks to walk by, Joel biking. Grateful for deer that make Joel smile. Grateful for good reports. Grateful for all the books and teachings available to us. Grateful for phone calls that keep us connected. Grateful for Katherine. For texts and photos that bless us. Grateful for all this and so much more........</p><p>Enjoy your weekend!</p>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-49813838942958985252024-02-24T10:19:00.000-08:002024-02-24T11:27:29.788-08:00Saturday's Scribbles <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiEGansaInwh-IUg0CPFrxKWEuzcY3RqihgUYDMfau3Uhj60b65npNdk_UHeLkDrssy3303ChQk17X2nFjHZEO_DvOhIPQbSgosOq9uglhWIpqmZSpkwp9uuIVz6Ou4rpIrU4OvgzJvIbDUvsu6m7i2PvMn6tl-Kn_0FagNBlSUhrcjDpQZcKFL047ouk/s400/scribbles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiEGansaInwh-IUg0CPFrxKWEuzcY3RqihgUYDMfau3Uhj60b65npNdk_UHeLkDrssy3303ChQk17X2nFjHZEO_DvOhIPQbSgosOq9uglhWIpqmZSpkwp9uuIVz6Ou4rpIrU4OvgzJvIbDUvsu6m7i2PvMn6tl-Kn_0FagNBlSUhrcjDpQZcKFL047ouk/w400-h171/scribbles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><b>Good Saturday to you from our corner of Iowa where it is hard to define what season we are in. The temperatures continues to stay in the 50's and Monday's forecast is 66 degrees?!? It's great for now but will not help the drought come Spring. </b></p><p><b>Speaking of weather, Joel continues to ride his recumbent and has 90 miles in so far in 2024. So unusual. Joel took a trip to Minnesota on Feb 16 and came home the 18th. His oldest brother is not doing well so he headed north. Drove 15 hrs out of the 52 he was gone....plus visited with a few family members in several areas. He was tired by the time he arrived home. Still, a good trip!</b></p><p><b>Speaking of Feb 16th that was our son Mark's birthday. I enjoy looking back and remembering when birthdays come around and his is no different. We welcomed him home as our son when he was 5 months old. He was a beautiful baby....in fact his birth mom gave him a Filipino middle name that means beautiful. He was and is a gift from God and we are so grateful God chose us as his parents. </b></p><p><b>Going back to Joel's trip, while he was gone my sister Janelle came and stayed with me. We had a great time visiting....talking a lot! Catching up on our lives and families, and watching Dateline together! Ha....One weird thing happened while she was here. I got up to go to the bathroom at 3:00 A.M. the first night and glanced over the upstairs landing to see the living room fireplace going. Say, what?? I was trying to process it of course and thought ...How did that turn on! If there was a burglar in the house they would not turn on the fireplace! Eventually my foggy brain connected and I went downstairs and found the remote (no one had turned it on for days) and turned it off. I checked the doors and headed back to bed. It took a long time for me to fall back to sleep...and I was extra grateful Janelle was here with me. It has never turned on by itself before or since. Of course when Joel was gone..,,right?! Ha</b></p><p><b>Lent began on February 14th with Ash Wednesday. We went to early services and gave thanks too for 57 Valentine's Days together. </b></p><p><b>As I listen to George Winston on Alexa this morning I missed hearing my older girls play the piano. They both took many years of lessons and the oldest has been teaching piano since she was 15. Often on Sunday mornings I go to YouTube and watch live our oldest on Keyboard at her church. We can be "stalker parents" at 3 of our kids churches for services they attend. It was especially comforting when we were in the midst of the pandemic. It makes us feel closer to them to "see" them livestream. </b></p><p><b>Joel and I finished watching the documentary, "You Are What You Eat" on Netflix. Of course it was biased for a plant based diet but the medical information gathered with sets of twins...some who ate a plant based diet in the study and some who ate a carnavore diet were pretty intersting. I think for us it was beneficial to see. When Janelle was here she mentioned how important getting enough protein is and where do we get it? Joel and I did about 3 hours of research so far on own about how much protein the elderly need to sustain muscle mass, etc. It has helped us to see where our protein is coming from daily. Still figuring it all out but hoping the small changes we are making help our energy levels. etc. </b></p><p><b>I am continued to walk most days, and writing a few posts on Facebook. I will be getting a new laptop soon so I can get back to this book I am writing. </b></p><p><b>Speaking of writing, I was thinking about what I do when I feel my day has no real agenda. I write. BUT I also clean. And I like cleaning bathrooms. Crazy, right? I just like making them sparkle and shine. Silly me..........</b></p><p><b>TV this week consisted of a few Murdochs from Acorn, American Idol, NCIS for Joel, Antique Roadshow, and to much HGTV. Our TV is usually off until Jeopardy comes on at 3....I keep thinking I will learn something from that show but I probably forget as much as I hear! Add a few sermons or teaching from our favorite speakers, and an audiobook and time passes!</b></p><p><b>As i said before, it is forecast to be 66 here on Monday. Amazing! Strange. and confusing to nature I am sure. Every once in awhile a day in the 30's shows up but otherwise we are breaking records up here in God's country! </b></p><p><b>Time to close this week's Scribbles. Hope you are all doing okay in youor corner of the world. Grateful for our corner. Grateful for George Winston, son Mark, TV, Ash Wednesday and Lent, Joel's safe travels and time with family. Grateful for so many Valentines with Joel. Grateful for biking, walking, and resting. Grateful for Janelles visit. Grateful for livestream, texting and phone calls. Grateful for all this and more. </b></p><p><b>Enjoy your weekend!</b></p>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-82298328220353012802024-02-10T09:55:00.000-08:002024-02-10T11:59:38.814-08:00Saturday's Scribbles <p><b><br /></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsZu48D87lN-mIuwsYMubRjgUHAqI51AtscwLfVUazM6r4BWTvoWjYUSjSzLz3PZ47TiwCAMdaDxbAwKVleluViRImwSHr3RrZTVM97QjWQZCfnCIwkQQ9FfB-Qchyphenhyphenq1073TeWXd9zFyZUOOQH-1lus6Ot8oTr8MFCx7IfEfgirYbEtoSuZ6IXvzpXAVJ/s400/scribbles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsZu48D87lN-mIuwsYMubRjgUHAqI51AtscwLfVUazM6r4BWTvoWjYUSjSzLz3PZ47TiwCAMdaDxbAwKVleluViRImwSHr3RrZTVM97QjWQZCfnCIwkQQ9FfB-Qchyphenhyphenq1073TeWXd9zFyZUOOQH-1lus6Ot8oTr8MFCx7IfEfgirYbEtoSuZ6IXvzpXAVJ/w400-h171/scribbles.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div><b><br />Good Saturday to you from Iowa where Mother Nature is messing with us! This past week our temperatures were in the 50's...one day 57. That same day south central Wisconsin had a hail storm AND a tornado touched⁶ down in one county. In the Upper Midwest! In February. Seriously messed up. We are back to the high 30's now so a little closer to "normal". The animals continue to be confused. This week we saw our resident duck couple waddling around. Joel told them to go back....they are two months early! The lakes are no longer frozen, the grass is getting green and I heard that some bulb flowers are budding along with a few confused trees....Yikes!</b><p></p><p><b>Speaking of weather, Joel continues to ride his recumbent bike....in February. A first. He has been working in the office alot, attended a pastors conference, the churches Wednesday night gathering and today, Gabby Grandpas. He got all the floors done in the house again, which is no small feat with the size of our house. I have said it many many times...our house is too big for two people and the 1-2 times a year our family gathers here BUT it's comfortable, the neighborhood is good, and moving doesn't seem to be on God's agenda right now. </b></p><p><b>This week the Iowa Services for the Blind called at my request and we discussed their services. They teach people how to live without their sight. They were not sure I would qualify now. ] An assessment would be taken along with an eye exam. Their program takes several months of them coming and going. I decided that it is not for me yet, and hopefully never. It was good to get the information, though. I had been hoping that they could help me with my laptop, lighting, etc. BUT they only deal with services to prepare you for blindness. You practice being blind. My response for now: No thank you.</b></p><p><b>Today would have been my mom's AA birthday. She stopped drinking at age 58 and was sober until she died at age 92. She was courageous in her battle and we are grateful and so proud of her. I'm sure she's celebrating in Heaven. ❤️ </b></p><p><b>Our favorite TV show is found on PBS...."All Creatures Great and Small" base on a true life story of Vet James Harriet. We read the books decades ago and watched the original series. They have redone the series now and it is fantastic in our eyes. Nothing tops it for us and we are always sad the seasons are so short.</b></p><p><b>I did find myself watching "Jesus Revolution" on Netflix this week. We saw the movie a year ago and I found it very interesting. This was our generation....with the Hippies....and then through their seeking, the Jesus revolution. It started in California and spread across the country and into other countires. A good old fashioned revival but with barefoot kids seeking the more we all search for in life. The more that comes from only Jesus. </b></p><p><b>Speaking of Jesus, Ash Wednesday is coming next week. Lent is practiced by our denomination, among others. It begins with Ash Wednesday. Some rituals are worthy of our time and focus. Of course places like New Orleans have taken this time and made it into something more, something else. We'll stick with these 40 days before Jesus death and resurrection. A time of repentence, reflection, and spiritual growth. </b></p><p><b>This week we had a long Facetime visit with friends....nearly three hours to catch up with their lives and ours. It is nice to just use our phone to either use Face time, messenger Skype, or more to see who we are talking to. Still fascinating to me that all this is right there on one small device that keeps us connected. What a blessing!</b></p><p><b>Speaking of blessings, we have much to be grateful for. Grateful for warm weather in February, fresh air mid "winter". Grateful for movies that make us think and focus us on Jesus. Grateful for shows that make us relax and smile. Grateful for biking, walking, cleaning, and shopping. Simple tasks we take for granted. Grateful for a phone that connects us to the world. For all the ways to see the faces of those we care about who are far away. So grateful. Grateful for emails, texts, pictures, Facetime and so much more!</b></p><p><b>Enjoy your weekend!</b></p>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-31235762054683459312024-02-03T10:21:00.000-08:002024-02-03T11:58:53.959-08:00Saturday's Scribbles <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULyswoGqE0WtzJmZSqmBmnSKxGckTpX46-3MBHKj70Rtx8XDTDp2Erc5q3P8fi8llr5gDHuOWnmS1Hv9L0aI97yAMs7bdCNVVnfn3X0zNqsGfRwhJ8bcKh4HfOARphQmN2tuzk6hbHbpgtHQQ1y6pEM3OuL4g-m4np0UCCDtLajWy3NXi1iQV-I2Hw3m-/s400/scribbles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULyswoGqE0WtzJmZSqmBmnSKxGckTpX46-3MBHKj70Rtx8XDTDp2Erc5q3P8fi8llr5gDHuOWnmS1Hv9L0aI97yAMs7bdCNVVnfn3X0zNqsGfRwhJ8bcKh4HfOARphQmN2tuzk6hbHbpgtHQQ1y6pEM3OuL4g-m4np0UCCDtLajWy3NXi1iQV-I2Hw3m-/w400-h171/scribbles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Good Saturday to you from our corner of Iowa where the temperatures continue most days in the 40's with a record breaking 54 degrees on Wednesday. Our snow has vanished! Joel actually got his bike out and rode a couple days. So strange for the end of January and early February. What an unusual year.</span></div><p>I'm thinking the animals might be a bit confused too. We've had a lot of deer in our yard and the squirrels are rambunctious! I wonder if they realize how out of sync nature is..</p><p>Besides biking, Joel has been in his office working most days. Editing his second book....getting ready to preach again....getting tax stuff together. He took a friend to coffee this week and is at Gabby Grandpas this morning. He loves his coffee and he loves to talk! </p><p>I'm still walking indoors 25-30 minutes a day, doing a little cleaning and cooking daily, and staying occupied with my phone! Gotta love how easy it is to text and call...besides Facebook connections. All in all? A pretty normal and yes, boring week except for February 1st when one of our grandsons celebrated his 16th birthday and my sister Jan celebrates her birthday on the same day! Jan is 11 yrs older than me BUT looks younger! A beauty inside and out. We have a history together that runs deep. I took my first steps to her. She provided me with a home at times and nurtured my soul. She makes me laugh. She is a gift from God in my life and the lives of so many others. </p><p>This past week God has been highlighting the parable of the Persistent Widow in Luke 18. We have received the story, the scriptures 3x so far from different sources of our usual devotionals. When God highlights, we pay attention. Persistant prayer......Jesus tells his disciples....Keep praying, don't lose heart. And then he tells the parable of the persistent widow. Yes...Justice will come to His righteous ones. A family member is being greatly challenged and I had been asking God for a verse to stand on......Then this passage came. It tells us justice for the righteous will come. And our part in this? Be obedient by being persistent in prayer. We want to do more, right? But we are called to persist in prayer. We can do that. </p><p>Speaking of that I want to thank you friends and family who have persisted in prayer for us over the years. Prayer is a powerful weapon. It has blessed us more that we can say.</p><p>I have little to share this week so will close with a few things I am grateful for today. Grateful for a good report from the glaucoma check up. Grateful for the prayers of others and the privilege to pray. Grateful for walks, talks, and texts. Grateful for God highlighting passages for us to pay attention to. Grateful for warm temps, good weather, and visiting deer. Grateful for our grandson turning 16, and my sister Jan's birthday too! Grateful for all this and so much more...</p><p>Enjoy your weekend!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-22533012053798310802024-01-28T08:27:00.000-08:002024-01-28T08:46:24.252-08:00Saturdays Scribbles <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QvdnH0qdTOupCqMoL65UhOejScvVpj0W0sq08OrWwgKw3QrHM0K0qV3SPVROx_4ZOc31lmix-faZf9kPH2_t1-bKcO-bQH_iuz9A169t5NEkFl9AbxQfLxP0RmVgiWtdmmfUGf7XQJw03ntYkpMBhs75-goR8eZf0nz6qKP0t0ClkKDZQvphE1jHpFao/s400/scribbles_color-logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QvdnH0qdTOupCqMoL65UhOejScvVpj0W0sq08OrWwgKw3QrHM0K0qV3SPVROx_4ZOc31lmix-faZf9kPH2_t1-bKcO-bQH_iuz9A169t5NEkFl9AbxQfLxP0RmVgiWtdmmfUGf7XQJw03ntYkpMBhs75-goR8eZf0nz6qKP0t0ClkKDZQvphE1jHpFao/w400-h171/scribbles_color-logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Good Saturday to you on this Sunday morning! It is another cloudy day but the fog may have left the area. Temps are in the 30's and most of the snow has melted. This morning when Joel looked out the bedroom window he saw a mama deer and two yearlings in our yard, munching away on grass and our bushes. A few days ago we had 6 deer coming through. Our neighbor is feeding them corn again and I expect we will have corn growing in the yard come spring! </div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday was a first for Joel and myself. We went to a hockey game in my home town an hour north of us. Our son-in-law's youth hockey team from Wisconsin came to SE Minnesota for a tournament and we joined many family members for the noon game. First we met a few for brunch at a familiar eating establishment. Lots of catching up to do. </div><div><br /></div><div>Neither of us had ever been to a hockey game. Observations from me: Loud, cold, fast moving, exciting, and made all the more enjoyable because we got to hug on two of our daughters and son-in-laws, and a few grands, plus a couple siblings, SIL, and family member Helen. She opened her home to everyone after the game where some great snacks and good visiting and laughter made the time pass quickly. </div><div><br /></div><div>In all honesty I lasted half the game before heading to the car to snuggle under a blanket on my heated car seat! How spoiled are we?! It was so great to be able to go. The fog made driving a bit more challenging on the way home, but by supper time we were in our pj's and having homemade chicken soup. It's so nice to come home to a meal that's already waiting for the microwave! </div><div><br /></div><div>This week on Facebook I saw a question....what were your favorite books you first remember...For me two came to mind. The Trixie Beldon series of mysteries (I have been a mystery reader since I was 11). My second favorite series were "The Borrowers" and "The Borrowers Afloat:..Loved those books and was young enough to think our apartment walls could be hiding a few borrowers too. Do you have any favorite books that you enjoyed as a kid?</div><div><br /></div><div>Going back to yesterday, as I observed family I felt so deeply grateful for everyone who was there. Each one unique, bringing their own gifts to the table called family. Some quiet, some loud, some listeners, some talkers. Each one has something special and important to bring into our family,....Several were teachers some just retired, two still teaching with one just starting out. A few were special education teachers. How many lives have they touched, influenced, educated? Again, that idea of what each brings to the table....</div><div><br /></div><div>Needless to say, I am spending this day close to the sofa and Joel is up and running! He is off to church in person and I am watching online. It is Sunday after all. A time where we are thankful to be able to worship where and when we can. A gift not all are offered in this world. We are blesssed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Today, on this Sunday morning I am grateful for family. Grateful for each one of us being unique and important to our "tribe". Grateful for the freedom to worship. Grateful for the experience of a hockey game. Grateful for heated car seats! Grateful for safe travel. Grateful for the powerful posts/devotionals available on phones and other devices. Grateful for live stream worship services. Grateful for laughter and prayer. Grateful for morning visitors with four legs. Grateful for phone calls, texts, emails, in person hugs, and so much more.</div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy your Sunday!<br /><div><br /></div></div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-53339957507654088102024-01-20T11:09:00.000-08:002024-01-21T11:15:54.335-08:00Saturday's Scribbles <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmI7vdl9PFXoXYr0X3uovrkkdn12u059rVnF5yLQETcKUCypvPkGhkrtzFmriuUrJSbPcx3VR0gV1MuzPH8KT2hTMTALb26HGMDUJSaz1iKSHtaDBpQxXplhS1zZv1COxVIrrjD-t3VEd0SmwVyiQBRHc13SY5jXUCqoVxvJddc01gz048tQvoU08K_V4d/s400/scribbles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmI7vdl9PFXoXYr0X3uovrkkdn12u059rVnF5yLQETcKUCypvPkGhkrtzFmriuUrJSbPcx3VR0gV1MuzPH8KT2hTMTALb26HGMDUJSaz1iKSHtaDBpQxXplhS1zZv1COxVIrrjD-t3VEd0SmwVyiQBRHc13SY5jXUCqoVxvJddc01gz048tQvoU08K_V4d/w400-h171/scribbles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>Good Saturday to you from Arctic Iowa where we continue to have below zero temps and bitterly cold wind chills. We did have a -45 wind chill when the temperature was way low and the winds were way high! One day our local meteorologist was on Facebook and said "only 148 more hours before we rise above zero again!" Oh, goodie.....ha We woke up today to -29 wind chill but by Monday it will be in the thirties for a few days. January in Iowa.</b><p></p><p><b>Speaking of January weather, I remember when the actual temperature was -30+ below the weekend of our middle daughter's wedding. The guys were up a couple of times in the night to start vehicles, and the evening of the wedding people were bundled up for the event. The church was full, and the dinner was held at the church after the ceremony. The dance was held at the college nearby, but fewer ventured out for that. It was bitterly cold! We still had a good time of course. </b></p><p><b>We continue to have things happening like glitches with the furnace, the fireplace, tires, battery, etc. Now we have a strange noise in our pipes when you flush a toilet. Yep. You can hear sounds in the wall pipes and Joel has figured out it is a vent for outside that has ice around it. He is not going on the roof to try to fix it for now, but will wait for the ice to melt. We ALSO ordered new curtains for a bedroom from Target. When they arrived we thought we had four panels all the same but after washing them we realized that one panel did not have anywhere to insert the rod! Nothing. It was just a big piece of material which also was NOT sewn right, even lacking stitching.....seriously?! Joel took it back to the Target storen le and we now have reordered one. Let's just hope it comes as a curtain!</b></p><p><b>Speaking of Target, we made the trip across town to get groceries, pick up a prescription, and look for curtains (before ordering them) and ALL the freezers and fridges had STOPPED working due to the new generator being on the roof and freezing up! All the food had to be tossed! SO, no groceries from Target.......</b></p><p><b>We watched Only Murders in the Building Tuesday night. We are less and less impressed with it. A litle too edgy. I really enjoy mysteries, but after tuning in to another old favorite on Prime that has new episodes, I realized that I don't watch the darker more violent stuff anymore. And I like it that way! I'm pretty much sticking with my Hallmark Mysteries.....Lighter, fluffier, and this old body does not react so strongly to them. </b></p><p><b>Speaking of this old body, I saw the retina specialist on Tuesday (all is stable) and the urologist on Wednesday...Kidneys/stones are stable. Insights and answers to some of our questions were helpful. I seem to just be "one of those people" who get recurrent UTI's....and the best news we heard from the retina doctor was that I more than likely will "die before I go blind". We'll take that as good news! I am walking 25-30 minutes a day "in circles" on our main level and grateful I can do so. My eyes rebel against the snow and bright white so when it is a sunny day I am hiding in the house with some of the drapes closed to give my eye a rest. IF you noticed I often speak of my "eyes" even though only one has vision. Hard to change after 75 yeasr.</b></p><p><b>Joel has had "fun" snow blowing in the bitter cold. He also has spent a lot of time in his office rewriting his second book. He will preach in two churches tomorrow since last week both churches were canceled due to the nasty wind chills and blowing snow. He has not been walking due to that same weather challenge. He gets his exercise though as I watch him run or go up and down the stairs here several times a day. Today he made it to Gabby Grandpas Saturday's coffee. He has been going to our church's Wednesday night adult program where they are watching "The Chosen" and discussing the episodes after a neal at the church.</b></p><p><b>Today has given me pause. It was 4 years ago today I finished radiation at Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN. We were so excited to get back home although we definiteley missed the great people we had met. Soon after arriving home the pandemic hit and our world changed! BUT today I give thanks for 4 years of being cancer free. Having had Stage 3A breast cancer, this is a gift! </b></p><p><b>We were able to watch a granddaughter run in track again today live stream. So great to be a tiny part of her college world. Another granddaughter was also to run at her college but an injury has her sidelined this week. A third plays softball so hope to catch some of her games in awhile.</b></p><p><b>So as I close this week's Scribbles I am giving thanks for a warm house, a working furnace, sunshine today, good reports, Hallmark Mysteries, new curtains....well at least three of the four panels needed! Grateful for grocery stores, online shopping, ALL the delivery trucks that bring things to our door. Grateful for our morning devotions and studying book of John. Grateful for 4 years of freedom from cancer. Grateful for texting that keeps up connected to loved ones and friends. Grateful for phone calls...love hearing voices. Grateful for emails............and so much more!</b></p><p><b>Enjoy your weekend!</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-35236675532818810362024-01-13T14:25:00.000-08:002024-01-13T14:25:19.658-08:00Saturday's Scribbles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWdQjX3hZ1RnJA0bgm_xhFGbp5Y7wk3kRoZ3oFdmcq-5ERUq3Y2bwqFie_sxbpldjo9qyvRJBnaaKbWZ6LyZ2c5cAGhfNsOdCOkX5Hr_O2p_5I2pUlCi7wrgXN4ubBk1oQ7C7G8V6OYq1t3UCzlzGyPABQU9wda89mzlM0qWXO6PdQfPcGFO6RAR-RZM2/s400/scribbles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWdQjX3hZ1RnJA0bgm_xhFGbp5Y7wk3kRoZ3oFdmcq-5ERUq3Y2bwqFie_sxbpldjo9qyvRJBnaaKbWZ6LyZ2c5cAGhfNsOdCOkX5Hr_O2p_5I2pUlCi7wrgXN4ubBk1oQ7C7G8V6OYq1t3UCzlzGyPABQU9wda89mzlM0qWXO6PdQfPcGFO6RAR-RZM2/w400-h171/scribbles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Good Saturday to you from our corner of the frozen tundra where wind chills are -30 and getting worse...temps below zero for a high. Oh, yeah, we seem to be paying for those 50's that we enjoyed in December! Snow has arrived, the cold is making itself known and the wind is just adding "fuel to the fire" OR is it ice?!?!?</p><p>Storms have been forecast this past week, but for us most of the snow did not materalize. We have around 5-6 inches if we calculate right....we were forecast for up to 11 inches the first part of the week and another 6-10 for yesterday's storm. Blizzard warnings, bitter cold temps and high winds kept most everyone home..with schools closed. Sometimes you can get frustrated with the meteorologists but bottom line is they can only "Predict" and Mother Nature does not always cooperate but throws in a glitch or two. We are happy to have less snow for sure! </p><p>Speaking of meteorology, when Joel was forecasting weather at the Duluth MN Air Force Base which was located on the "top of the hill" he would call at times calll to ask me what was happening "down the hill" where we lived. The weather would be completely different the closer you got to Lake Superior. </p><p>The weather is so much like life. You can chart it, make plans for it, and get all your "Ducks in a row" BUT just like the weather, things can suddenly change. Clouds appear, storms gather and even tornadoes shake things up. Yep. Just like the weather. So we do our best to stay informed, making plans, charting the path ahead...........and then we hang on tight yet try to be flexible for what comes!</p><p>In the last few weeks we have had a few things need "fixing". Our car battery died....costly but easy fix. Our headlight went out...NOT an easy fix but very costly. Ha We heard from the car shop Thursday night that our vehicle was not ready because the mechanics couldn't figure out how to put the new headlight in! The next morning they called and it seems they had gotten the wrong replacement! Our little Enclave SUV is now looking good....except for the tires which keep losing air! That is another story.... Yesterday Joel opened our basement bathroom medicine cabinet (it has three glass doors that open). When he opened the one door it came off in his hands! Luckily he caught it so there was no broken glass. AND after a bit of "fixing" Joel got it all put back together. A few days ago the furnace decided not to ignite, making a very strange noise. Joel checked things out but we decided with the age of the furnace and the way things were going we better get it checked. They couldn;t come until this coming Monday. We are giving thanks though cuz even with this bitterly cold weather it is working well! And we are hoping that there will be no more things to fix!'</p><p>Joel is supposed to preach at two churches several miles south of here tomorrow morning but with the winds, blowing snow, and frigid temps they canceled. Better to be safe. He has been out walking when weather permitted, doing more office work, and there was the one day of Spring cleaning! Im walking 25-30 minutes inside and getting some cleaning done myself. The tree is down and all the decorations are put away. I was going to pare down this year....and ummmm it did ot happen. There were only two things I wanted to let go of. Okay, then,</p><p>We have been watching Only Murders In The Building with some pretty famous actors in in the series. It is on ABC and we are glad because they beep out the foul language. So far, so good. We are watching a couple of British shows too, and we enjoy Finding Your Roots on PBS also. Most every family has a few hidden surprises!</p><p>Speaking of family, we were able to watch one of our granddaughter's run her race today at a college track and field event indoors, And she not only one the race but improved her time, Isn;t it wonderful we can just click on our phone or laptop and live stream these things!?! With three grands in college sports it is great to get to see them participate once in awhile from our living room, </p><p>Not much to share this week, but hope the last seven days have been calm and uneventftul for you. Today I am grateful for a warm cozy home with a working furnace. Grateful for the snow blower that makes it easier for Joel to clear the driveway. Grateful for things getting "fixed" like the SUV and mirror. Grateful for being able to watch live events on our devices. Grateful for a new living room arrangement, Christmas put way, and a clean house. Gratefufl for new TV shows to watch and a new TV to watch it on, Grateful for phone calls with family this week, catching up with each other's lives. Grateful for texts, photos by text and emails. And so much more,</p><p>Enjoy the weekend!</p><p><br /></p>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-9033071636609809922024-01-06T09:52:00.000-08:002024-01-06T10:16:54.616-08:00Saturday's Scribbles<p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXai_z_bKvYMq-KJpE1i8qUESMcp9Ol7FaGNcOYcnCcjndCOMDBJ1iyTTiPiNE0RMauHdtWe7weaxVYu5Jp9RgdkijUgKFglx4LurXqniyr6PcZIl2kQe12TqsVGb4NaNcM2o89e7uAAzqS5vE9Is2PgV87Iqyxp6IuzCI6i0v6oDtHPLQFYG4H70TBH3/s400/scribbles_color-logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXai_z_bKvYMq-KJpE1i8qUESMcp9Ol7FaGNcOYcnCcjndCOMDBJ1iyTTiPiNE0RMauHdtWe7weaxVYu5Jp9RgdkijUgKFglx4LurXqniyr6PcZIl2kQe12TqsVGb4NaNcM2o89e7uAAzqS5vE9Is2PgV87Iqyxp6IuzCI6i0v6oDtHPLQFYG4H70TBH3/w400-h171/scribbles_color-logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Good Saturday to you on this first weekend of January, 2024! It is a new year....a new beginning...filled with new hope. And God is doing a "new thing"....<p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><i>"Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing; now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."</i></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><i> Isaiah 43:18, 19</i></p></blockquote><p>Last Sunday Joel and I headed to church. That evening, New Year's Eve, we ate nachos and watched a comedy...My Big Fat Greek Wedding #3. It was okay....made us laugh and that is not a bad way to end the year.....although we were both asleep well before midnight. I can't remember the last time we stayed up to actually bring in the new year. Staying up til 10 is close enough for me! Ha</p><p>Looking back over the past year was in many ways sobering...so many losses,. BUT it also reminded us of how often God intervened. How often prayers held us up. How often the love and encouragement from others blessed us. Now we look forward. A new year. A new thing.</p><p>Regarding that, I was hoping to get through 2 whole months without a doctor appointment but yesterday I cut my finger while cutting up fresh broccoli. It seems I don't see so well looking down anymore. Duh.. So with a deep enough cut and the fact that I had literally not had a tetnus shot for close to 30 years we decided I better cover all my bases. Especially with this body. AND no shot without a doctor seeing me first. Really?!?! I woke today with no real side effects to the shot so that is all good. </p><p>Yesterday morning I "bit the bullet" and went looking for new tennis shoes. This has been a 2+ year journey. I prayed for a pair to show up quickly....AND we found a pair within an hour....Sketcher slip-ons that fit surprisingly well, and do not make my balance worse. Mission accomplished and it only took 2 plus years! My old walking tennies? They are 12 years old now and put to rest!</p><p>Joel took down the outdoor lights yesterday. He has been walking some outside and working a lot in the office on end of year stuff. We have started gathering all the Christmas decorations too. Our plan is to go through everything to pare down what we keep. AND sort the storage area too which will take awhile. Just have too much stuff! </p><p>Joel is off to Gabby Grandpas this morning. This group was started by John Skipper who worked for the local newspaper and wrote several books. He helped Joel edit his book. The group consists of mostly men from John's church and a couple of stragglers....like Joel. John went home to Heaven just over a year ago, but his group lives on along with his legacy. I am sure he is smiling today as he watches the guys gather and visit. Joel also is part of a colleague group that has been meeting once a month for longer than the 25 years Joel has been a part of it. It is a small group that connect and share and encourage. All good.</p><p>The last couple of days have overflowed with a flood of things that need prayer.. The terrrible school shooting in Perry Iowa....resulting in the death of a sixth grader and the 17 yr old suspect. I have four high school friends who are dealing with health problems and viruses, we have family dealing with sickness, cancer, procedures, surgeries. and so many and so much more. A person could spend all their time on their knees. 2024 has started off with a "boatload of crap"....excuse my language, Yet GOD. Yet God is in the midst of it all and we know out of the "dung heap" He will do a "new thing". Our prayers are many but today after we bowed our heads to pray, when I looked up I "saw" a bit of a sunrise just over a hill and if I just stood on my tip toes I could see a new thing coming! God's promises are coming for us all. Hang on....You've got whatever is burdening you,,,,cuz GOD has it in the palm of His hands, You make a good team.</p><p>I am listenng to Kenny G this morning while I write. He has been on my playlist long before there were such things. I find his music soothing.<br /><br />Speaking of a long time..........Joel and I were exploring the Roku channel this week and came across a very old show....like 50 years ago old.."The Rockford Files" with James Gardner, We watched a couple of episodes and then discussed the changes from today's TV content, We were surprised at how violent it was and also some of the language used that would be offensive today...not swear words but words used to describe a gay person for one example. Also how sexist the show was in how women were portrayed and treated. Somethings have improved. Lindsey Wagner was in the first episode and she went on to be "The Bionic Woman". Blows my mind when I think these shows were on 50 years ago. Yikes!<br /></p><p>It is time to shut down this week's Scribbles and I always like to end with things I am grateful for,. Today I am grateful for the memories of a wonderful family gathering. Grateful for a new TV to "explore". Grateful for shots that protect and medicine that heals. Grateful for walks and new shoes to walk in! Grateful for Kenny G music. Grateful for all the texts, emails, and phone calls that brighten our days. Grateful for all the nice Christmas gifts we received, For the Christmas cards that catch us up on old friends. Grateful for the prayers of others and the privilege to pray. And so much more........</p><p>Enjoy your weekend!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-11268875053542120762023-12-30T08:44:00.000-08:002023-12-30T09:11:37.316-08:00Saturday"s Scribbles <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6ct_EgNLDVJZ8YsUwNib9ipws3n2iGXJVd84KlSJp2y4CXudX6F7LGGlnWPN1AeYY-L_Hfad0YDv4hHTMyYZlxnp8AoujqJwLyj16IOCNOF4qeCxOygH0CcWBMn6Q1ZooQKPv1P9k53YxaSpytexyLBvZnjJ_LMAPet42V-o7Vkblsr7roCPdgz9dOUY/s400/scribbles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6ct_EgNLDVJZ8YsUwNib9ipws3n2iGXJVd84KlSJp2y4CXudX6F7LGGlnWPN1AeYY-L_Hfad0YDv4hHTMyYZlxnp8AoujqJwLyj16IOCNOF4qeCxOygH0CcWBMn6Q1ZooQKPv1P9k53YxaSpytexyLBvZnjJ_LMAPet42V-o7Vkblsr7roCPdgz9dOUY/w400-h171/scribbles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Good Saturday to you as we say good-bye to 2023 tomorrow. Weather wise. It is a strange ending. Yesterday Joel was mulching leaves again. It's chilly but it's the end of December! The animals seem a bit confused by our lack of winter, for sure many of us humans do! Today the sun is shining for the first time in many days. Good to have her back!</p><p>Speaking of being back, we were able to have our family gather this past week. So good to have them back and our house be full of people, food, laughter, and conversation. We savor those rare times and give thanks for each one who enters in to stay awhile. Family came from Wisconsin, Minnesota, NW Iowa, and South central Iowa.....They started arriving Tuesday afternoon and were all here by Wednesday morning. Wednesday was our "Christmas Day" with a big meal, pie and cake, plenty of cookies, gifts, and good conversation. We also can add in a walk by the river for Papa and a few grands, setting up a new TV by our tech grand after the oldest mechanical engineer grand helped Papa create a top for the TV stand so the new TV would fit! The gals do most of the cooking and organizing and the guys do most of the clean up and dishes. AND lets not forget there were plenty of hugs....boy do I love the hugs!</p><p>It fascinates me and makes me proud to see our grands doing so well in life. To watch them embrace each other with great love and acceptance. It blesses us to watch their relationships fine tune and grow as we welcome newbies into the family. We ache for them all when they are gone, but oh how blessed we are to have them all in our lives. Our hearts are bursting as we sit now in our quiet house, give thanks.....and hold tight to our memories. We. are. blessed.</p><p>It was a busy week preparing for the gathering, and our own Christmas. On Christmas Eve we watched Lutheran Church of Hope and another service before heading to our local church at 5:30 pm. We saved our "Christmas" meals for when family would be here, but ended our meals with homemade pies....Joel's pumpkin and mine sweet potato pie with almond flour crust. So good..</p><p>Speaking of so good, my energy has been better the last 2 1/2 weeks.....balance still wonky or more wonky....but improvements are being experienced and for that we are grateful. I'm walking indoors....Joel outside on nice brisk days. </p><p>Well, people, 2023 is coming to an end and I confess, we are ready for a fresh start....praying that 2024 is filled with more abundant life and less difficulties. Besides our own dramas, we have family and friends who are fighting cancer, reconvering from surgery, going through tests, hospitalized with heart issues, dealing with issues of body, soul, and spirit. There is no lack of suffering in our broken world. BUT there is always hope. We have seen HOPE show up in the manger, on the cross, within each of us. The HOPE that passes all understanding. We hold on to it tightly, believing God and his Word. In that we do rejoice and give thanks. </p><p>Speaking of giving thanks, we have so much we are grateful for this week...Grateful for our home being FILLED to capacity ( 25 for dinner) with our big family. Grateful for laughter, insights, our amazing family, gifts received. Grateful for texts, phone calls, prayers....Grateul for worship services. GRATEFUL for in person hugs, the sounds of laughter, the gift of love. So so grateful for all this and so much more.........\</p><p>Enjoy your weekend!</p>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-6136142490959372242023-12-23T11:42:00.000-08:002023-12-23T11:56:54.688-08:00Saturday's Scribbles<p> </p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b> </b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGg_VjNLk1t_RIdKXph1zk0r7suhD6z6C3LtqAlSBSvvnNY7NAMEa4PqGJ2te7KfcpabCZR74sNEl_20LO9tRRCJ5h-6aiG0KhN9T1bknd8_CyvM4qWB330Dp2o4A5g_JJHfYrTjcgSHtyxsrooVKy3iU85cNIpL2Ir-NHvung7nfxUqgzgmFn9Z9UZNyD/s400/scribbles_color-logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGg_VjNLk1t_RIdKXph1zk0r7suhD6z6C3LtqAlSBSvvnNY7NAMEa4PqGJ2te7KfcpabCZR74sNEl_20LO9tRRCJ5h-6aiG0KhN9T1bknd8_CyvM4qWB330Dp2o4A5g_JJHfYrTjcgSHtyxsrooVKy3iU85cNIpL2Ir-NHvung7nfxUqgzgmFn9Z9UZNyD/w400-h171/scribbles_color-logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div><b> </b><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b> A Church In The Foothills</b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Every year about this time I reflect on
a special Christmas service our family attended in 1978. I have
shared this before, but thought I would write it from a story I wrote
for our local newspaper several years ago.</b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>When my husband was in the seminary we
spent his Internship year in North Central Montana. Malta’s Parish
consisted of four main Lutheran churches, a hot springs resort
chapel, and a tiny church in Zortman, Mt. ~ a historic mining town
nestled in the foothills of the Little Rocky Mountains. Joel and his
internship pastor ministered to all of these areas.
</b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>The services at Zortman were held once
a month, with most people driving around 75 miles across</b> <b>gravel roads
to attend church and worship together. The small Catholic church sat
on the top of a high hill and was one of only a few buildings in this
small town. I believe at that time there were 9 full time residents
in the place. People from the surrounding area often came to enjoy
what the Little Rockies had to offer, and the small café/bar
provided nourishment when they visited. We had the privilege of being
a part of the Christmas service the year we were there, and it is tucked away in our memories forever.
</b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Our family drove the long distance
through snow and freezing temperatures that December, arriving</b> <b>with
many others shortly before the service started. Everyone gathered at the
local cafe/bar beforehand, with all of us dressed for the bitter cold in
snowmobile suits, snowsuits, insulated underwear, heavy boots,
scarves, and warm mittens. When it was time for the services to
begin, everything in the little town closed up. It was dark outside,
and as we left the cafe many of us were given lanterns to carry up
the long hill to the church. We were one of the last families to
leave, and in doing so we were able to watch the glowing lights move
up the steep winding path as the people walked the trail to the
church on the hill. </b> <b>As each person carrying a lantern entered the sanctuary, the
church filled up with light. What a beautiful sight to see!
</b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Once we arrived in the sanctuary, we
all huddled together on benches to keep warm. The wood burning
potbelly stove, which stood in the corner of the room, gave off a
warm glow and provided the only heat in the church. Our hymns of
Christmas joy were especially meaningful as we sang along to the old</b>
<b>pump organ. Joel's breath was visible as he preached the Christmas
message. For many reasons, the Christmas story of Jesus being born
in a humble stable held special meaning for us that night.</b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>When services were over, we all walked
back down the hill guided by the lanterns and moonlit sky. All those
who attended went into the local bar/café for coffee, dessert, and
more fellowship together, before</b> <b>heading back out into the cold and
traveling home.</b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>The service in the Little Rockies is
forever a beautiful memory etched on our minds. Across the world
people were coming together to worship our Lord and Savior and
celebrate His birth. It did not matter whether we were worshiping in
a big cathedral in New York City, or a tiny “borrowed” Catholic
church in a small historic mining town in Montana. The focus was the
same ~ giving glory to God for the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord!</b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><a name="_GoBack"></a>MERRY CHRISTMAS
FRIENDS</b></p>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-72217181630722111532023-12-16T11:13:00.000-08:002023-12-16T11:25:17.272-08:00Saturday's Scribbles<h3 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ejIjxelReC6LzJtBFjQCZ47ZesSsGu3SQ4Ext6YIAtUdp7s098ufmP3IBKeqYns7CgNhsZ25_gt7cLRchTsJd82LJO_E4d_ceqzA9LxDmSkEjMuMDRsmDimwXGiJUuRivgrCg02saJLQoD48fRJ1vyoHuqvyeZJt646icShOnOqGTDZzKu66wKsNn5Mo/s400/scribbles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ejIjxelReC6LzJtBFjQCZ47ZesSsGu3SQ4Ext6YIAtUdp7s098ufmP3IBKeqYns7CgNhsZ25_gt7cLRchTsJd82LJO_E4d_ceqzA9LxDmSkEjMuMDRsmDimwXGiJUuRivgrCg02saJLQoD48fRJ1vyoHuqvyeZJt646icShOnOqGTDZzKu66wKsNn5Mo/w400-h171/scribbles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">Good Saturday to you all on this cool, gray rainy day in mid December! Strange...no snow, but rain forecast for the day. The geese are making quite a bit of noise lately.....they probably can't believe this is December in Iowa either! Joel has been walking down by the river, usually around 4 or so and the geese are active then, getting ready to go feed. I told Joel that a lot of us elderly eat supper around 5pm (we do not) just like the geese! </span></h3><div><b>It has been a quiet week here again in "Lake Woebegon". A fictional place that Garrison Keillor has spoken and written about for decades. Lake Woebegone is a place where the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and the children are above average!?!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>So, quiet here.....mostly a week spent finishing up shopping, getting Christmas cards and newsletters off, and getting gift cards purchased for our Christmas gathering ....right after Christmas. </b></div><div><b> </b></div><div><b>Last Sunday Joel preached at two different churches south of Mason City and I watched live stream. He continues to fill in one Sunday a month so they can have communion, baptisms, etc. So many churches are lacking called pastors in our area....in the whole midwest. Sad state of affairs. Joel is filling in at two churches where he was an Interim....twice over the years! He knows the people, good people, and enjoys what he is doing. </b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Speaking of Sunday, tomorrow will be the third one in Advent. Joy! Joy at remmebering the Savior's birth. Joy in knowing that Jesus will come again. Joy.....remembering that the JOY of the Lord is our strength. </b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Speaking of Joy, Joel and I watched a movie Thursday night on Hallmark called "Heaven Down Here". It really was quite good....faith based, comical...had us laughing a lot....I'm planning to watch it again to take in some of the great statements made. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I was telling my friend L. about the movie this morning. We have been friends since I was 11 years old. Her faith is strong and most of our conversations revolve around faith, who and what we need to pray for, and how Holy Spirit is working in our lives. We both have dealt with the good, the bad, and the ugly in our lives, but we have never walked alone. God walks with us....with us all. </b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Speaking of life's journey, I read an article today written by George Jerjian regarding retirement. He was 52 when we was told he had six months to live. That turned out to be a wrong diagnosis but he retired due to his challenging journey back to health. What he discovered in his sixties was that he was bored, discouraged and felt like he had no purpose...so he unretired and started his own business. He has written 10 books to encourage others on their own journey through what I call the good, the bad, and the ugly. Gratitude was something he learned to practice and embrace along the way. Very intersting...</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>With that, I am closing this week's scribbles by giving thanks for the much needed rain....little as it is....Grateful for taking a couple trips to stores this week...Grateful for articles that make me think and movies that make me laugh and cry. Grateful for the Christmas shopping getting done and Christmas cards getting out. Grateful for Joel's walks by the river and my walks inside. Grateful for geese, deer, birds, and more. Grateful Joel is still preaching. Grateful for L. in my life. Grateful for phone calls, prayers, texts, and emails. Grateful for each sunrise and so much more.</b></div><div><b><br />Enjoy your weekend!</b></div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-48315101443376191492023-12-09T14:10:00.000-08:002023-12-09T14:28:51.625-08:00Saturday's Scribbles<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoyETKx9TR4R493yLIg_B8yQv-SWKg9E_DIhNDbjMSBj_GwJ_uaaSuC09-W5sapmL85d8Q-42w2KkbXmLN5dhKbJsBLGle5fZkPihDOWgiOyNSL-IGn9AAae79a_dQMNqAtw0Wxh0k4b1pyTWZHo-LX66adSM0hcPb4z0TIXKEPgaSoB1Lz4C10F62jNM/s400/scribbles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoyETKx9TR4R493yLIg_B8yQv-SWKg9E_DIhNDbjMSBj_GwJ_uaaSuC09-W5sapmL85d8Q-42w2KkbXmLN5dhKbJsBLGle5fZkPihDOWgiOyNSL-IGn9AAae79a_dQMNqAtw0Wxh0k4b1pyTWZHo-LX66adSM0hcPb4z0TIXKEPgaSoB1Lz4C10F62jNM/w400-h171/scribbles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>Good Saturday to you on this cold, blustery day in Iowa. A few snowflakes are swirling around in the air but nothing much is sticking to the groud yet. Our "warm" December seems to be over....we'll see! Next week we are heading for highs in the 40's again. </b><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Joel was able to catch a sunrise yesterday morning and then he sat on a chair in the dining room and watched three deer grazing in the yard. They seemed to enjoy the Lilac bushes a lot! </b><p></p><p><b>Speaking of December, we have the house decorated, the tree up and filled with ornaments, and the Christmas cards getting addressed. Getting the newsletter ready was a challenge for a number of reasons. In all honestly, looking back on the last year has been difficult. Too much medical</b> <b>drama....too many days of little energy for me....too little travel, or other activities. Putting that aside, we also had trouble with printing....Joel put a new colored ink cartridge in the printer, but it did not work at all. We cleaned the cartridge heads, etc. but nothing but blue or yellow showed up in the photo. Eventually he went back to Target, told them the problem, returned and exchanged the cartridge and yippee! It now works! </b></p><p><b>I got out the old CD/cassette player and we have been listening to some Christmas CD favorites like James Taylor, Alabama, Vince Gill, Kenny G., and YoYo Ma. We have an Alexa, Bose speaker, and our</b> phones, <b>but there is just something about the CD player and old familiar songs......</b></p><p><b>It has been a quiet week here. We did head to church Sunday morning. The temperature was close to 60 on Wednesday and in mid 50's on Thursday so Joel was working on a wood project outside and also cleaning up the yard one more time. We even had the back deck door open to bring fresh air into the house.....but alas....those days are over I expect. We headed to the Dollar Tree this morning to start picking up the cards for the family. Then over to HyVee to get a few groceries. My big outing of the week. Just 2, 3/4 full bags cost $108 today. This took me back to the summer everyone was home and we were feeding a family of ten. Our biggest bill of the month was for groceries! I also was washing a lot of laundry with kids working for the summer and needing clean uniforms or work clothes. One week I did 20+ loads. Not kidding. Those days are long gone for sure. </b></p><p><b>It is a quiet house now, with fewer groceries to buy, and less clothes to wash. When everyone comes to visit it usually takes us a few hours to adjust to the noise level...and it is delightful! The laughter, the stories, the hustle and bustle in the kitchen, the games being played on the dining room table, Yeah....it's all good. </b></p><p><b>Last night we watched the Norman Lear special. I had forgotten some of the shows he created. He was an interesting man for sure. Thinking about old shows, we have been catching M.A.S.H late in the afternoons again. I remember when we came back to the states after living in the Philippines and Joel felt that M.A.S.H was not descent for us to watch. Years later it became one of his favorite shows. Three's Company also was off limits by us. And now? The ads on TV are worse than the shows we used to think were so bad. </b></p><p><b>I have little to say this week, so am giving thanks for warmer weather, a festive house, decorated tree, and newsletter printed. Grateful for Advent.....Grateful for a quiet house with no medical drama this week. Grateful for our old CD player...and Kenny G playing as I type. Grateful for money to buy groceries, gas, and everything else we need. Grateful for TV shows, movies and specials to entertain. Grateful for texts and phone calls. Grateful for so much more...</b></p><p><b>Enjoy your weekend!</b></p></div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-39500042481950418362023-12-02T08:53:00.000-08:002023-12-02T08:53:15.670-08:00Saturday's Scribbles<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gGMh4YD3MFwBtI8BCxxFuj8h4GXIzxvPVP-B8SHk1ry-rf80zTd6nXfgBi7cQXJ3zwWabk0kstUAy7nJXpLGXG-1UtsqV01hdHFkdt298VZmhgRHeWOIeWLoxuz0X1nyte77M8W0bfTsz6DgLqUb7huRJHfqhbOz2i4jLq6f_NmJ5DyyTVPQvJBST6p3/s400/scribbles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gGMh4YD3MFwBtI8BCxxFuj8h4GXIzxvPVP-B8SHk1ry-rf80zTd6nXfgBi7cQXJ3zwWabk0kstUAy7nJXpLGXG-1UtsqV01hdHFkdt298VZmhgRHeWOIeWLoxuz0X1nyte77M8W0bfTsz6DgLqUb7huRJHfqhbOz2i4jLq6f_NmJ5DyyTVPQvJBST6p3/w400-h171/scribbles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>Good Saturday to you on this first weekend of December 2023. It is chilly but most of our snow melted the past couple of days and I am good with that. Yesterday three deer came into our neighbor's yard to graze, get rid of bodily fluids (yuk) and take their time looking around. Later in the day Joel and I went for a drive to look at Christmas lights and we saw 5 more deer in our association heading to their home in a nearby woods. Two nights ago Joel heard a coyote "talking" in the night. Nature has been busy this week. Wish we could have seen the NorthernLights, but we were too far south. Our daughter and family saw them Friday night....happy for them and a little jealous. </b><p></p><p><b>Speaking of Northern Lights we got a phone call from a long time friend who at age 91 is still busy serving God. She plays piano in the memory care section of her Senior Living fcacility and also has a morning Bible study. We have known Marge since 1971 when we were living in Salt Lake City, Utah. She and her husband Dick went to the church we were attending. They were older than us and took us under their wing. We have remained friends over the years as we moved and they moved and we eventually ended up in MN at the same time for many years. Dick has gone home to Heaven now. They were and are the most gracious, generous, and caring people who blessed us richly over the years. The reason I connect this story to the Northern Lights? When we told her our daughter and family had gotten to see them she said, "OH how wonderful! It is on my bucket list to see them myself!" Pretty cool to have a "bucket list" at age 91. Pretty cool to be blessed with a friend like Marge too!</b></p><p><b>As I sit in the corner of my living room typing I am looking out on a big mess of red and green tubs scattered around the dining room....Christmas decorations are in the process of being put out. Some date back to 1968.....it is like unwrapping old friends when we take out the tubs and start recalling the memories that come up with each item. Of course while I decorate I listen to James Taylor or Kenny G's Christmas music. I really prefer the familiar this time of year. </b></p><p><b>Speaking of familiar, has anyone else noticed that so many of the Hallmark Christsmas movies have a "familiar" plot line....over and over.......As I age I have also noticed that the main characters are usually young so I find it more interesting when plots include someone over 50! woohooo! Still, with the slim choices we have to choose from on TV, we turn to the Hallmark channel a few nights a week. I do prefer the slower pace and happy endings! </b></p><p><b>Joel was actually out mulching yesterday with the lawn mower...in December. Just getting rid of the pesky leaves. The mower is now put away and the snow blower is primed and ready, Joel's eye is doing great! My follow up was okay....STILL needing more fluids and salt. Seems like I am putting salt on everything now. Well, not my daily yogurt yet! haha Joel got in a few extra miles on his bike too, so got in 1075 this year...and hit 10,500 miles on this bike odometer. I think a total of close to 20,000 miles in past 20 years with this bike.</b></p><p><b>Advent is a special time of year as we celebrate the birth of Jesus and as we now wait and prepare for the second coming of Jesus. There is much speculation on that, but the bottom line is...we don't know when....but we know how to be "ready". Believe....Tomorrow is the first Sunday of Advent. HOPE. So much to hope for....and can we even have faith without hope? Hope for what is promised....faith in what we cannot yet see?!</b></p><p><b>Today I am thankful for HOPE. Grateful for Advent, devotions that give us focus. Grateful for Christmas tubs to unpack, decorations to display. Grateful for good reports, melting snow, Christmas music, deer that made us stand motionless in awe and laugh at their antics. Grateful for a phone call from an old dear friend and the memories of so long ago. Grateful for Northern Lights (on our bucket list too!). Grateful for Hallmark Christmas movies. Grateful for pictures, texts, emails, and phone calls. And soooooo much more!</b></p><p><b>Enjoy your weekend!</b></p>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-77120700088164159442023-11-25T08:59:00.000-08:002023-11-25T09:25:45.825-08:00Saturday's Scribbles<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9AMsA37rodfHpv1Q5EEeizFLedEHdvDSKNJ4kWqKvgkoe1BETVBeD6JooawUkV2t-ujNiCtCEgOMTcjSeHSXaNbTOdCEvZrXzAoEeWFYmmfn1M3hGay6XDHjMLLMuDxjQuRb0A6N7Wfb-Oofa-mVKa9nKQ7helR-sMCf5r6KuJ8SVonwKKQpHwNNv26x/s400/scribbles_color-logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9AMsA37rodfHpv1Q5EEeizFLedEHdvDSKNJ4kWqKvgkoe1BETVBeD6JooawUkV2t-ujNiCtCEgOMTcjSeHSXaNbTOdCEvZrXzAoEeWFYmmfn1M3hGay6XDHjMLLMuDxjQuRb0A6N7Wfb-Oofa-mVKa9nKQ7helR-sMCf5r6KuJ8SVonwKKQpHwNNv26x/w400-h171/scribbles_color-logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>Good Saturday to you on this last weekend of November. The cold has settled in here with a high of 30 forecast for today. Joel put the outdoor lights up late yesterday....there were warmer days for it earlier in the week but a trip to the cornea specialist in Des Moines had him getting his cornea scraped on Monday and a few days of rest to follow. Life is full of surprises. We are grateful it could be done and that our brother-in-law was able and willing to drive our vehicle. I was unable to go because I had a follow up appointment with my urologist six days after my overnight hospital stay for a kidney infection and passing a small stone. Pumped full of antibiotics and saline for dehydration and low sodium I was sent home the next day. Again, life is full of surprises. </b><p></p><p><b>Medical drama aside, we had a nice Thanksgiving for two. It was a quiet day, but we enjoyed good traditional food, and feel very blessed to have spent so many Thanksgivings together. Loneliness can set in when it is just the two of us, so my heart goes goes out to those who are alone for the Holidays. </b></p><p><b>Looking back on Thanksgivings over the years I think of the first one after we were married......we were separated by "Uncle Sam" and talked briefly on the phone since each phone call was costly "back in the days" before cell phones. Another one that stands out is our 2nd holiday together when I made my first turkey and had no clue there was a "bag" of goodies in the cavity OR that I should uncover the bird to brown it~ Haha And of course our often told story of our Thanksgiving in the Philippines where we were in the middle of a typhoon....ran out of gas for the stove and the electricity was shut off. We had jello, chips, pie, and a little half cooked turkey. We had candles for light for 4 days if I remember correctly. During that typhoon ( went throough 7 in 2 1/2 weeks) our maid Amphy stood at one door with a broom pushing water back out under the door and I did the same in the livng room at the main door. Joel was off at work as a meteorologist in the Air Force. Quite the experience! Another year my whole family gathered here and we took over the chuch fellowship hall and kitchen, cooking a BIG dinner for the many many who gathered. Good memories......</b></p><p><b>Speaking of memories, as I write this today I am listening to Christmas music, and a few songs from my favorite oldest Alabama Christmas "record"/CD is playing. It oridinally came out in 1985 and in CD form in 1998. It brings up old memories of when we decorated the tree as a family while listening to this music. It is the kind of memory that can make you smile while shedding tears at the same time. </b></p><p><b>My sister Jan's phone "broke" over Thanksgiving week and I have to say, I have really missed her texts or replies to mine. It is really a gift to be able to stay connected so easily, She and I still like to talk to each other......voices are so important. Texts are good, phone calls are better.....in person is the best! I like to share a story about when we were in the Philippines and phone calls were out of the question, cells nonexistent. We decided to send tape cassette recordings to each other. One day she got lonely and decided to listen to one of our cassettes. As she heard me talk she started to cry but then as it went on she realized it was HER talking about her family! We sounded so much alike that she was crying at the sound of her own voice. </b></p><p><b>Lots of reminiscing this week.....lots of memories......lots of wishing that wishes could come true......smiles....and tears......and so much to be grateful for during this Thanksgiving weekend.</b></p><p><b>I am so grateful for Joel's continual love and support. So grateful his cornea scraping is over and he's doing well today. Grateful my hospital stay was brief. Grateful for good food and of course pie and whipped cream for dessert! Grateful for memories that make us smile and even those who bring tears. Grateful our life story continues on....Grateful for Alabama Christmas songs, the outdoor lights up, and the tree will be next. Grateful for a warm home, a fireplace, phone calls, texts, emails, and photos that bring family close....and so much more!</b></p><p><b>Enjoy your weekend!</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-38023474941870066522023-11-11T11:20:00.002-08:002023-11-11T11:47:03.633-08:00Saturday's Scribbles<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOnR9NjS-DLAtJH2mCxlu75r7QtWNkDcx_J6bfcnWdBWusLCek6crpSytyMXVg3Hz7XVcJ0m-rDJQZ02bPh19x68gc7w7WKoz8Nb6dDGf3N-_GiA4oghme10Tgh9oaOklquV4KUwOy8Q2d02eFntsb7KijNRM1bM9AvKZCORpIpGglEL1XKDQS4XTf7F3/s400/scribbles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOnR9NjS-DLAtJH2mCxlu75r7QtWNkDcx_J6bfcnWdBWusLCek6crpSytyMXVg3Hz7XVcJ0m-rDJQZ02bPh19x68gc7w7WKoz8Nb6dDGf3N-_GiA4oghme10Tgh9oaOklquV4KUwOy8Q2d02eFntsb7KijNRM1bM9AvKZCORpIpGglEL1XKDQS4XTf7F3/w400-h171/scribbles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>Good Saturday to you on this Veteran's Day. It is a day to remember and honor our veterans that serve or have served our country. We live in the land of the free because of the brave who protect and serve.</b><p></p><p><b>Speaking of that, I am giving thanks today for the eight years Joel served in the Air Force. He was drafted into the Army in July of 1968, but knew he did not want to serve "on the ground" so enlisted into the Air Force. He spent half of his eight years in training or in college (paid for by the government) and then served 4 years as a meteorologist, forecasting weather for pilots. We were stationed in The Philippines when Saigon fell to the "enemy". Quite an experience. We are grateful for the years he served and I am proud of Joel for his service. Thank you to all who have or are serving our country.</b></p><p><b>Speaking of Joel, he is still riding his bike, although not as much. He has 1,050 miles and looking ahead as long as the weather holds. He spent time raking and bagging leaves this week plus working on a sermon for tomorrow's two services. He drove me to Mayo Clinc and the chiropractor this week too. The time change is limiting outdoor work for sure.</b></p><p><b>Speaking of time change, is anyone else finding it more than a little challenging? The first three nights I woke at 4:30 am for the day. Not cool. Two more days at 5am and finally this morning I awoke after 9 hours of sleep. I just wish the country would listen to the people on this ....MOST want it to stop. I am</b><b> one of the "most". </b></p><p><b>Speaking of time.....our grandmother clock stopped working this week when Joel was setting it for he time change on Sat. night. We have had this clock since 1975. When we lived in The Philippines we took a picture of an Ethan Allen clock down to a small Filipino business and asked them to make the clock they saw in the picture. They did! We were able to get the insides from a pilot who flew to Taiwan...the clockworks came from Germany but were put together in Taiwan and he brought it back for us! That worked for years....then stopped so we bought a different kind of clockworks that worked for nearly 20 years. Now we just reordered again a new replacement and Joel will put that together too. We feel pretty lost without hearing our clock bong on the hour. After gracing our home for nearly 44 years, this grandmother clock is like a family member! Ha Looking forward to hearing the chimes again soon...</b></p><p><b>My Mayo lymphedema check up went well and we received some good dinformation regarding the chest wall cartilage...the sudden knee issue....the low energy....and how the arm is doing, which is okay. We have been so blessed by the Mayo Lymphedema Clinc and especially my PT, Jenny. A real gift! Speaking of gifts, I walked down along the river again yesterday which was nice. VERY COLD but nice! Fresh air and nature......what's not to like? This morning my sweet hairdresser came to the house in the midst of her busy schedule and cut my hair. She has been doing it for so many years and I am so grateful for her willingness to do so. Her faith is strong, we are grateful for each other's prayers and the history we have. She and her family were members of the church Joel served from 1996-2006. </b></p><p><b>We were able to get to Trader Joe's while in Rochester. We save soooooo much money going there and buy in quantity...almonds, cashews, almond butter, almond flour, almond torillas, etc. Plain organic yogurt is over $2 cheaper per carton. That is serious savings that add up. </b></p><p><b>We have given in to the Hallmark Channel's Christmas marathon of movies....and watched a couple. Options are slim at night for decent TV. Speaking of TV....we have a nice one that was a gift around 5 years ago..so in today's world that is old. Sometimes it turns on, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it gets stuck on a channel....the solution to ALL issues? Just shut it off, unplug it and wait 5 minutes...then plug it back in, turn it back on and we are good to go! Kinda like our phones and computers, right? I sometimes think as we age we need one of those options. Shut it down, reboot and restart and we are good to go! hahaha </b></p><p><b>Today I am grateul for quick fixes....and for Joel's willingness to "figure things out" when fixes are not quick. Grateful for the many years our grandmother clock has served us well. Grateful for Joel's 8 years of military service and for ALL who have served. Grateful for my Lymphedema PT. Grateful for safe travel, for a walk by the river again. Grateful for Trader Joe's and being able to go and buy in bulk. Grateful for our family, friends, and all the phone calls,texts, and emails. Grateful for a hair cut! Grateful for the love and prayers that sustain us. Grateful for all this and so much more...........</b></p><p><b>Enjoy your weekend!</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-88354074498386201122023-11-04T10:15:00.003-07:002023-11-04T10:26:10.210-07:00Saturday's Scribbles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZylwyBhtuxL-EuxiERjPk4DOmMH9LGsMljx9bNgPT4dTzksqfyf6A_hpTAQ1LbunwBVmw4ZPO561WK8GtVlohBuQEzTs1jz_9hXAluB_pbcypU9h617hCazjs5np5QVpU29_Wg-1ffQLLYCm9wkaXHvCezG6mqCHZsSyW2sqCGeswRU56rCI2SJZzWfT/s400/scribbles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZylwyBhtuxL-EuxiERjPk4DOmMH9LGsMljx9bNgPT4dTzksqfyf6A_hpTAQ1LbunwBVmw4ZPO561WK8GtVlohBuQEzTs1jz_9hXAluB_pbcypU9h617hCazjs5np5QVpU29_Wg-1ffQLLYCm9wkaXHvCezG6mqCHZsSyW2sqCGeswRU56rCI2SJZzWfT/w400-h171/scribbles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><b>Good Saturday to you on this first weekend in November. The weather has been up and down but in the low 50's now. Joel has been busy raking, mulching, and bagging leaves, cleaning eaves and eavestroughs and getting ready for winter in Iowa. The squirrels seem to be busy doing the same. Joel is soooooo close to his 1,000 mile goal for biking this year. The weather has been cooperating too, so he should hit 1,000 today. Yay!</b></p><p><b>Yesterday Joel drove me down to the "river road" below our cul-de-sac, and I went for a short walk along the river. I can't climb the hill for now due to my knee/back issue and wanted to get out and get some fresh air in a familiar place. We have walked the river road for years, and I hope to again. Mostly I walk indoors for now. </b></p><p><b>Last Sunday Joel and I made him some apple crisp. He had picked the fallen apples from the college campus ....they go to rot each year! It was a lot of work, but he enjoyed it all week! He did say that next year he was going to make an apple pie...much easier! Of course that would be with a boughten crust! We also made homemade chicken soup again. Just that time of year.....</b></p><p><b>Last night we watched a 20/20 episode on ABC. We don't ever watch that or Dateline unless it peaks our interest. This one did, but what hit me was hearing that there are an estimated 14,000 unidentifed bodies in unmarked graves in our country. 14,000 Jane Does or John Does who somewhere have family that wonders what happened to them. How very sad. It also took me back to our son Kevin who died of congestive heart failure in Colorado. We wanted to bring his remains back here but did not have the authority for that. We went to visit his grave in 2015 and it took us a long time in an enormous cemetary to find his "unmarked" grave. There was a record of his buriel and who he was buried next to, but no stone. After talking with the man in charge of the cemetery we discovered we could legally get him a gravestone. We went right "across the street" and found the perfect stone for him, ordered and paid for it and within a few weeks it was in place. It gave us such peace. Everyone deserves to be "known" in life and in death. I go back to those 14,000 unidentified bodies and unmarked graves across our country and how sad it is. Someone is missing each of them. Someone cared. </b></p><p><b>It was Halloween this past Tuesday and so cold here we were not sure how many kids we would have. Turns out....many! We gave out 7 bags of mini candy bars, mostly to older kids. Joel enjoys handing it out. He had two guys come for candy and they both had beards. NOT kidding! Joel asked them how old they were and they said, "20". What???? Yep. they were 20 and trick or treating~ Joel got a good laugh out of that. He said they were polite and nice, but a "little old" to be trick or treating! Maybe from the nearby college?~ <br /></b></p><p><b>Our two older girls will be coming home tomorrow from a week long adventure in Scotland. It has brightened our days to "see" through their eyes the fun they are having and the places they are exploring. What a precious time for them. </b></p><p><b>So with that I give thanks for their new adventure. Give thanks for a walk by the river, for Joel reaching his goal this weekend! Giving thanks for Halloween and the good laugh Joel got over the "older" boys trick or treating. Grateful for the leaves getting taken care of....for my husband's strength and mindset he has of "work is a privilege". Grateful for homemade soup and apple crisp for Joel. Grateful for all things Fall. Grateful for all the pictures, texts, and phone calls. And so much more...............</b></p><p><b>Enjoy your weekend!</b></p>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-1744740413482671012023-10-28T11:32:00.002-07:002023-10-28T11:57:36.816-07:00Saturday's Scribbles<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimj9GnVZ-DlApHDKMwk51-CJwJRdLJFHNVoNBYzxyVh6jMOOdfEMmi4DAhoF1cvTirypHpKOHl9CVK7oUoRWCotzGcUFjDBMBVmJL6KJ4mg82Ed6cM7ryXUdbb86BjTaIfuNQpO-TcTBk6Z8ePAatT5whhocuIXZ6PjLT4DOx0WLZpUydNpdKG4K_sFZXC/s400/scribbles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimj9GnVZ-DlApHDKMwk51-CJwJRdLJFHNVoNBYzxyVh6jMOOdfEMmi4DAhoF1cvTirypHpKOHl9CVK7oUoRWCotzGcUFjDBMBVmJL6KJ4mg82Ed6cM7ryXUdbb86BjTaIfuNQpO-TcTBk6Z8ePAatT5whhocuIXZ6PjLT4DOx0WLZpUydNpdKG4K_sFZXC/w400-h171/scribbles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>Good Saturday to you on this last weekend of October. The temperatures have dropped dramatically.....Thursday it was 65 and Friday 's high was in the morning..dropping throughout the day. Today's high is supposed to be 33. The snow showers have gone north of us so far, but definitely the cold front is giving us a taste of what is to come. Winter. </b><p></p><p><b>This past week Joel was able to bike more...somtimes twice a day as he gets closer and closer to his personal goal of 1,000 miles this year. He'll make it before long. He has spent a bit of time raking leaves too, after high winds and heavy rain this week. The groud is blanketed for sure. He'll preach tomorrow at the church in town where he served for 10 years. </b></p><p><b>We had our Covid boosters on Tuesday. We both felt fine but I woke before midnight that night with aching, chills, and just plain feeling funky. Wednesday I was sofa bound covered in blankets. I napped three times and got 9 hrs of sleep.....I was actually quite surprised </b><b>by how the booster hit me this time, but it is only temporary. Today I feel my usual "normal". Of course my normal could be someone else's wack-a-doodle! haha</b></p><p><b>Speaking of wack-a-doodle, the last two weeks have us shaking our head again. A week ago our youngest daughter was in a bad car accident, totaling the car. She ended up having surgery to put a steel rod and screws in her arm. She is pretty much covered in bruises and has a few hairline fractures, but she is going to be okay. Praise God! Thursday one of our grandsons was in a bad car accident after a semi crossed over into his lane, caught the bumper of his car, spun him around and sent him into a cement barrier. He came out of it okay even with the car being totaled. Yikes! Praise God he is okay. A couple weeks before that his oldest sister was T-boned by a car, but not injured and the car fixable. Praise God again! Adding Joel's little fender bender to the mix gives me pause. Enough with the car accidents already. Bottom line, life is so unpredictable..</b></p><p><b>Speaking of unpredictable, this last massacre in Maine is so heartbreaking, so senseless, so frustrating. Sadly the when and where of these events may be unpredictable but we can predict that they will continue until we all decide enough is enough. Back in 1985 we became aware of a priest and two others being murdered in their church in Wisconsin. This was really rare then. It was around that time that Joel's life was threatened by a church member. Credible enough that our home was filled with armed police and we were escorted out of town. Very long story short, we lived with this man's threats, stalking, phone calls, etc. the whole 6 years we continued to live in that Minnesota town. It made us aware of how unpredictable people could be. How violent. Is hard to fathom that we have had over 560 mass shootings just. this. year. With the continued war in the middle east, the massacre in Maine, and the thousands who solve their frustrations with violence. It has us petitioning....."Lord have mercy". </b></p><p><b>I have been looking at the pictures I have on my phone sent in a quick second from across the miles or the country....or ocean. It is such a gift. My mom would have loved it! We sure do. When our kids go on a trip they "take us along" with photos they send. We have received them from Europe, the UK, Utah, Nashville, and more.....cell phone photos connect us in great ways. When we miss an event, there it is in a picture. If they just want to say hi......It is all so good! </b></p><p><b>Speaking of good, our middle daughter had a birthday this week. She is a pure joy and we are so thankful for her. Happy Birthday N. </b></p><p><b>Thursday and Friday I felt the urge to "sort" and "purge" and "organize" I had little energy to spare but used it to clean out two cupboards and one large lazy susan cupboard with Joel's help. I sorted through my favorite large basket that has held devotionals, etc. for years. I have a narrow wicker basket in the kitchen that holds all my essential oils....purged. Vitamins checked and if outdated...purged. Old shampoos, etc. purged! I just could not get enough sorting done. Spring cleaning in the Fall!?! I cannot connect this urge to anything specific but it is a bit comical. Can anyone relate? I still have this urge to sort and purge so I expect it will continue!</b></p><p><b>Time to end this with a generous dose of gratitude. SOoooooooo thankful Sarah is recovering from the car accident and the others are okay. Praise God. Grateful another Covid booster is done and the side effects are gone. Grateful that we had some beautiful Fall weather and enjoyed viewing some tree foliage before the cold arrived. Grateful for a hubby that helps so much. Grateful for the power of prayer. Grateful for bike rides and walking, laughter, tears, phone calls with family and friends, texts, emails, and pictures. So many pictures to make us smile~ Yes, grateful for all this and so much more.</b></p><p><b>Enjoy your weekend~</b></p>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-14349863986963113472023-10-21T09:44:00.001-07:002023-10-21T09:56:16.844-07:00Saturday's Scribbles<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9jOya7BmuIpPodRcsF5BmTpW3EiqUpCL0NH7Gyn0IzzLaR5HBkj7FzJX_Z7BK34TZfUUYeAXSi0_leA-Moy5r57Fpo-mdNjLOxEI421bbNZI3zV5370oc2TOh20hi5QQIJDUs6BJ5Sf3aKab1852Elo81Vx-A73UD9OvT9fg-SD9L-CNri-01SppAPup/s400/scribbles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9jOya7BmuIpPodRcsF5BmTpW3EiqUpCL0NH7Gyn0IzzLaR5HBkj7FzJX_Z7BK34TZfUUYeAXSi0_leA-Moy5r57Fpo-mdNjLOxEI421bbNZI3zV5370oc2TOh20hi5QQIJDUs6BJ5Sf3aKab1852Elo81Vx-A73UD9OvT9fg-SD9L-CNri-01SppAPup/w400-h171/scribbles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>Welcome, as we enjoy another beautiful October Saturday in our corner of the world where Fall is showing off it's peak colors. Yesterday Joel took me for a drive around town where we were able to enjoy seeing many trees decked out in vibrant red, yellow, and orange colors. I am able to view one tree from my living room window that is so lovely, especially when the sun reflects off of it's gold and orange leaves. The weather has been great, cooperating with some biking for Joel and porch sitting for the two of us. </b><p></p><p><b>It has been a quiet week in Lake Woebegone, except for the need to replace the upstairs toilet. When we renovated the upstairs bathrooom last year we did not replace the toilet as Joel liked it and it was working well.....move ahead a year and it stopped working and could not be fixed. Of course it did. So Joel drove to Home Depot in MN and picked up a toilet like the one on the main level, then asked a fellow handyman/colleague if he would come help him install it. Of course it took some effort to get the old one out and new one in, and then a couple of trips to a hardware store for parts , but after a few hours it was up and running...well running only when we flush it instead of 24/7! Yay for my handyman and his volunteer helpers!</b></p><p><b>Thinking about the toilet pulled up in my memories the Thanksgiving the main floor toilet ran over ...and over....and over. No one noticed until I walked towards the front door in my wool slippers and found myself sloshing through water....toilet water! I tried to lift the bulb inside to stop the water from running but it kept pouring out onto the floor. I yelled for help but the men were all watching football .....so it took awhile to get their attention. The ladies came to help, but Joel was upstairs and I finally pounded on that bathroom door telling him what was happening. As quickly as he could he came running dowstairs.....our son in law tried to turn off the water to that toilet but the valve was rusted open! Joel went down and turned off the main water valve but not before water was coming through the upstairs vent and down through the furnace vents in the basement! Water water everywhere.......Joel and the guys got it unplugged and cleaned out the furnace vents, etc. Our oldest went and got a bucket and mop to wash the main entry floor and bathroom floor but as she was washing she noticed that water was coming out the side of the bucket~ She had not noticed that on the side it said....."BUCKET LEAKS". She got it outside as she commented..."WHO keeps a leaky bucket? " Well that would be her dad. And to this day he still has that bucket! I haven't asked him what he would use it for!?!?! Somewhere in the middle of this water drama our oldest daughter and son got the giggles. It was all comical! Joel and I still chuckle when we bring this story to light. <br /></b></p><p><b>I can hear the winds outside today. Sunshine but strong winds. I expect our trees will loose more leaves. Just a few years ago we had snow on the ground on the 21st.....but today it will be 60 degrees and sunny.....and windy. I'm not eeady for snow. Hold on tight Autumn, please don't leave us let~</b></p><p><b>I have been listening to a few podcasts and teachings this week by Barry Bennett, Bill Johnson, Lutheran Church of Hope and Lisa Harper. We are into Jeremiah in the OT and James in the NT. The last time I studied Jeremiah was in BIble College in 1967. Professor Fageberg taught us and I confess after decades I don't remember what he taught, but I think Joel STILL has his notes on the class. Neither of us are particularly enjoying the Old Testament but it seems more relevant right now with what is going on in Israel and the Middle East. I am not sure much has changed. </b></p><p><b>Speaking of change, I want to apologize for mistakes I make while writing. My vision is challenging, especially while on the computer so I don't always catch my errors. It is what it is! </b></p><p><b>Speaking of change, last night as I sat on the sofa towards dark I looked out to see the moon shining brightly in the sky. With it's glow in the background of a tall pine tree it was beautiful to behold. A bit later I looked up and it was covered by the tree and shortly after it showed up on the other side of the pine. I was surprised by how quickly the earth moves and we don't even realize it. I guess life goes by the same way, so quickly at times we don't even feel or notice it. Anyway, I so enjoyed that view of the moon.</b></p><p><b>Today I am grateful for that view of the moon at dusk and the view of the vividly bright orange/yellow tree during the day. Two different views from out the same window! Grateful for a new toilet, and a volunteer willing to help Joel. Grateful for stories of another time with toilets! Grateful for Joel getting some biking in, the walking I do. Grateful for a quiet week in "Lake Woebegone". Grateful for podcasts, sermons, and teachings at our fingertips. Grateful for Alexa that plays George Winston on command. Grateful for audiobooks to pass the time. Grateful for friends and family who pray, call, text, and email. Grateful for all this and so much more........</b></p><p><b>Enjoy your weekend!</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-91865226098618650742023-10-14T11:10:00.003-07:002023-10-14T12:32:31.571-07:00Saturday's Scribbles<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-ZXvJzIJx5fZOVBzv_yNFhBcrNrhCWs8GTZajsQsSmtStjlJ3D4DItkISYF4P1UHIRM-4iBEElU1edv6LDv73rPFnEH3wtLiH3nn3vH1-T6Cia2CjFAw9yOplbfXPPnluDTgoUqxPrahEiTe0NAQKWox1bfYIXbVeRNZDKMqG2wMCyQQiwauIJqgQOfY/s400/scribbles_color-logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-ZXvJzIJx5fZOVBzv_yNFhBcrNrhCWs8GTZajsQsSmtStjlJ3D4DItkISYF4P1UHIRM-4iBEElU1edv6LDv73rPFnEH3wtLiH3nn3vH1-T6Cia2CjFAw9yOplbfXPPnluDTgoUqxPrahEiTe0NAQKWox1bfYIXbVeRNZDKMqG2wMCyQQiwauIJqgQOfY/w400-h171/scribbles_color-logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>Good Saturday to you from northern Iowa where we have lived for 27 years. We are in the midst of a beautiful Fall season where the colors, smells, and sounds of Autumn are making us smile! We got nearly 2 inches of rain this week too! So needed. Joel is still doing his morning porch meditation....just listening to nature and having his coffee. Our home is near the edge of town and with so much green space and its proximity to the river, we see plent of nature...mostly squirrels, birds, a raccoon or two and deer. Once in awhile a coyote makes itself heard at night. We are blessed by our surroundings.</b><p></p><p><b>Speaking of Joel, after a full weekend, and Monday with me for testing, he took a day to. rest up and then got back in to Wed. nights at the church, a pastor's conference on Thursday, and Gabby Grandpas this morning before attending an ordination this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon he'll go on a church bike ride. Love how healthy and active he is. I would love to be half as active as him, and it is still a goal and a prayer.</b></p><p><b>Speaking of myself, I am grateful to have the CT's and contrasts over and done with AND a very good report. Nothing found. It has not solved my lack of energy and other symptoms, but it has, as best we can, ruled out cancer. I told a family member, "I am STILL here" and since she is soon to be 82 and has her own challenges, we agreed..YES, we are still here and God is still God. </b></p><p><b>I look around the area where I spend my waking hours and all the signs of Fall make me smile. Last Sunday we drove to a small market in town and purchased pumpkins, gourds, and squash. Mini pumpkiins and gourds are decorating our living spaces, and pumpkins welcome guests onto our porch steps.....so fun. We did not purchase mums this year as our pansies brought us color until this past week when we had to say good-bye. We definitely will go to the same small garden center next year and pay too much again because this one pansey plant lasted over 4 months! </b></p><p><b>Today is an old friend's birthday. We met Corrinne when Joel was pastor at her church starting in late 1989. We have been gone from there over 27 yrs yet she still sends us cards and words of encouragement....keeping us in prayer. What a blessing! Happy Birthday Blessings to a special lady!</b></p><p><b>The past week has been filled with the horrers of war once again. This time the atrocities have sickened me in my spirit. I had to quit watching and listening as it was so stressful.....so I cannot imagine living in it. What do we do? We pray. As people of God we KNOW the power of prayer and we pray...we pray for Israel. We pray for Palestine. For the innocents. Lord, hear our prayers. </b></p><p><b>This takes me back to one of granddaughter's confirmation statement where she spoke about something that happened to her. She has a severe allergy and was exposed to that food....things started to go "south" and Joel and I prayed for her.. We laid hands on her and prayed as we waited for her medicine to arrive. She shared this personal story in her statement of faith. The power and importance of prayer. I remember on our trip out East in 2013 we ended up in a hotel that smelled strong of chemicals. My tongue started to swell and I had air hunger. Joel laid hands on me and we prayed....we prayed and declared the promises of God that had been told to me regarding the trip and my healing from chemical reactions. Immediately the air fully filled my lungs and my tongue was back to normal. It never occurred again. Yes, there is power in prayer. We don't always have immediate responses to our prayers but we know God hears them. I am so grateful for those who pray.....family, a sibling texting group, our family texting group, our prayer warrior friends that are one text away. And it is also such a privilege to pray for others. Prayer is a powerful gift from God, our first line of defense AND offense. </b></p><p><b>A funny story (have I shared it before?). Joel decided to grow out his beard the past couple of months. As we were sitting at the table eating nearly 4 weeks into his decision I looked at him and asked, "Are you growing your beard out?" He laughed. Yep.....for the past 3 1/2 weeks! I could blame it on me being a one-eyed wonder now, but chances are I would not have noticed for awhile.....Now if he shaved it all off, that I would have noticed. When I had only l one eye most people did not notice that either, unless they looked at me for a period of time. Makes me wonder how tuned in we are to each other! Haha</b></p><p><b>Speaking of tuned in, I am thinking you may be ready for me to end these scribbles today so will sign off by sharing some things I am grateful for. Would love to hear about some of yours too.......Grateful for nothing found on the scans. Grateful for prayer and the gift it is from a God who hears us! Grateful for the Fall colors, smells, and sounds. Grateful for the mini pumpkins and gourds that decorate the house....and the pumpkins on the deck steps. Grateful for the animals and birds that live around us. Grateful for a granddaughter's statement of faith regarding prayer. Grateful for the prayers of family, friends, and acquaintances. Grateful for all the rain this week. Grateful for texts, emails, and phone calls.....and so much more.</b></p><p><b>Enjoy your weekend!</b></p><p><br /></p>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-48127085807076728862023-10-07T11:42:00.002-07:002023-10-07T11:42:51.125-07:00Saturday's Scribbles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNThS5GyC-THeQz-pJSH9MvoIZe46y3B2kDiR_q4urPRy9_lbwGjW0tkPVvanRIIKxg6oiMtwtvRGj9DAklFlYKLSBvvwZenitpDJDddM6pBbZLMq0PFMGMWgTSmDSO9x5w9GuQprzYEcABbEcMWn4KMmN3m1CzQYHPEu_EumwKVL8JQQhSt8FV5F-OoFb/s400/scribbles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNThS5GyC-THeQz-pJSH9MvoIZe46y3B2kDiR_q4urPRy9_lbwGjW0tkPVvanRIIKxg6oiMtwtvRGj9DAklFlYKLSBvvwZenitpDJDddM6pBbZLMq0PFMGMWgTSmDSO9x5w9GuQprzYEcABbEcMWn4KMmN3m1CzQYHPEu_EumwKVL8JQQhSt8FV5F-OoFb/w400-h171/scribbles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Good Saturday to you from a crisp Fall day in Iowa. It has been really windy the past two days so the ground is scattered with leaves that continue to rain down. The temp. has gone from the high 80's to 50 yesterday. It smells like Fall. I have always loved this season best. Not only for colors and smells, but that first frost that kills off the gnats, mosquitoes, and ticks. We hardly saw a mosquito here this year while porch sitting. Too dry I expect. </p><p>Speaking of Fall, Joel is off to Rendezvous Days in Southern MN today. The one day a year he puts aside for himself. He'll be home later tonight and smell like woodsmoke and grilled pork on a stick! He managed one bike ride this week ~ yesterday, even with winds in the 20's. He has been in the office more as he prepares for two services tomorrow. </p><p>Last weekend we were in northern Minnesota spending time with three of our grands and their folks. We were able to pick one grand up from college, and see another from yet a differennt family. who goes to the same school. After arriving at the farm, nother grand came home from yet another school so we were able to see the whole family. Visiting was the only thing on my agenda, while Joel went to see his oldest brother in a nursing home Sat. and then attended his home church and his middle brother's 80th birthday Sunday. I rested and visited with kids while the parents took one back to school Sunday. A grandson made Joel and him homemade pizza for supper and we did some porch sitting. Nothing like a good view of the country to enjoy on a warm evening. We left for home Monday.</p><p>My energy was fair on our trip, and remains a mystery to solve. I have been walking daily though except when gone. The chiro is still working on my knee and wants me walking on it. </p><p> This past Tuesday as I went up to bed I turned on the bedroom light switch. As I went over to the bed I heard a strange popping/scratching noise. At first I thouht it could be a bat. Terrifed of bats. I headed over to the bedroom door and the noise got louder. I bent down to look at the light switch and listen closer. Just then sparks shot out of the light switch and I let out a short scream.....which in turn brought Joel running upstairs, I told him what happened, he turned off the switch and we monitored awhile for heat in the wall. Nothing. The next day he drove to Menards and bought a new switch. He was able to find the cause and replace it. It has been working perfectly since. It is nice to live with a handyman! He has fixed our old clothes dryer many time before it completely gave out. He fixed the garage door into the house just a while ago. He made steps for the back deck this summer. Like I said, it is good to be married to a handyman. </p><p>Speaking of bats, in 1976 we bought a big old house in St. Paul, MN while Joel was attending Luther Seminary. This house had an apartment upstairs which brought in some extra income. We soon came to realize that the house attic held over 200 bats as the inspector told us. They were protected and we did not exterminate them......so over the 2 years we lived there Joel killed 25 bats that came into the house through cracks and the basement. Joel sat down the basement a few evenings with a BB gun and shot them as they came out of the walls. Seriously. When he figured where they were coming out he stuffed the areas with insulation. One in our bedroom was as big as a squirrel and Joel said wen he killed it with a tennis racket his knees buckled. When we decided to take an Internship in Montana we sold that house and I walked out of there never looking back. No regrets at leaving~ </p><p>True story: our niece was visiting us one time. We had 4 kids ages 2-6 and one day a bat swooped down into the living room and I screamed BAT and ran out the front door....leaving all my kids behind! She was so upset with me and scolded me for leaving my kids behind. Nothing I was proud of......just a gut reaction!</p><p>Speaking of kids, adults now with kids of their own.....Our granddaughter A. had a birthday this week. She is all grown up, has her college teaching degree, and is now teaching children with special education needs. She has been volunteering with kids for many years so it was not a surprise to us she wanted to be a teacher. She will be amazing. </p><p>So ending this Scribbles today with all things Fall that I am grateful for....the colors, the smells, the sounds, the cooler weather. All so nice! Grateful for a trip up "North" into Minnesota to see family. And grateful Joel could see his brothers and other family. Grateful for my knee getting better. Grateful for meds when needed. Grateful for houses without bats! Grateful for phone calls with family, grateful for Joel's day to step back into the past of fur traders, muzzle loading, outdoor cooking, and more. Grateful for the family farm porch sitting and visiting, seeing 4 of our grands last week. Grateful for photos, texts, and emails.....and so much more...</p><p>Enjoy your weekend!</p>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-53590676361552029442023-09-23T11:55:00.001-07:002023-09-23T12:53:21.282-07:00Saturday's Scribbles <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwINZEV_CUxvC864k8b6SYtBplQtolvFljDRdJGejihDC1TacR_W18f-aKcx3dAiY9_WZQ1jzk0NvDWFbl5QgvQIkaxBxsuoMj62m5rMfwG4xpdn4o2b5uf36qYU9eYVeTh-YTZEkvRsfYHI3QwotpYcMta9z3zV1ikIsZEx1GnGdTucsj40fsGgzsd0v8/s400/scribbles_color-logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwINZEV_CUxvC864k8b6SYtBplQtolvFljDRdJGejihDC1TacR_W18f-aKcx3dAiY9_WZQ1jzk0NvDWFbl5QgvQIkaxBxsuoMj62m5rMfwG4xpdn4o2b5uf36qYU9eYVeTh-YTZEkvRsfYHI3QwotpYcMta9z3zV1ikIsZEx1GnGdTucsj40fsGgzsd0v8/w400-h171/scribbles_color-logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Good Saturday to you from our corner of Iowa where much needed rain arrived yesterday! More is expected for tonight. Fall is officially here now and I'm loving it. It is a time to gather and harvest. </p><p>Speaking of loving it, Joel has gotten some good bike rides in this week including one 30 mile ride on the wapsi trail up to the Minnesota border. A beautiful ride! He has done some woodworking and office work. He went to Wednesday Night Alive at church and went to his coffee group, Gabby Grandpas, this morning. Last Sunday we went to church, 1st time for me in weeks. We watch Lutheran Church of Hope Saturdays at 5 also. We are still doing their Bible in a Year program which includes podcasts at noon on Wednesdays and their Sunday services which connect with where we are at in scriptures. Just finishing up the first 40 books of Isaiah and the book of Philemon in the NT. Still hold the view that the OT is d.a.r.k. for the most part.</p><p>Wednesday I saw my oncologist for a check up. All was good including blood work. Will have a CT soon rule out anything else though. She IS thorough...I have been walking daily and today made Joel some oatmeal cookies. I called a family member who has Covid and we had a nice little visit. She is doing better finally. Yay! There is just a lot of Covid going around again. Ugh. </p><p>This past week we pulled up a series we started this past winter, Darby and Joan on Acorn TV. It is pretty good I guess. One of my favorites, although dark, is Vera on Britbox. We are still hanging in there with America's Got Talent although I mute most of the screaming that goes on. Good grief. I think we watched a couple of Hallmark Movies too that we hadn't seen. They are usually about a B- rating in our eyes, BUT they are relaxing and calming before bed. A good thing. </p><p>Speaking of relaxing, that is the best way to describe our porch sitting. Joel goes out first thing in the morning, and then we sit out later in the day or early evening. We are so thankful we added this porch on to our house in 2008. It was Joel's outdoor space when we had Lyme and it was a comfy place to enjoy nature. It still is.</p><p>Today is our oldest granddaughter's birthday. She graduated from Pharmacy school thi Spring and has a job as a Pharmacy manager in Iowa. Lots of new exciting adventures for her. I still remember laying with her on the loveseat reading a book to her when she was just a little thing. And now, all grown up with a career that helps others. Nice. Our son-in-law had a birthday this past week also. He just turned 54 and I think back to where we were when I was 54...just 21 years ago~ Yikes! Or even our grands...one turned 25 and another 24 in September. When I was that age............. yeah.........I was married with 2 kids and soon 2 more on the way. We were in the military living overseas. None of our grands are married or close to thinking about it. It is a different time...</p><p>Thinking I will close this Scribbles today. Grateful for Joel getting in that long and fun bike ride this week. Grateful for much needed rain. Grateful for FALL and all it's beauty. Grateful for a good Oncology report. Grateful for being able to make Joel cookies. Grateful for phone calls with a daughter and a sibling. Grateful for texts, pictures, and emails and phone calls that keep us connected to each other. Grateful for birthdays to celebrate. Grateful for all this and so much more........</p><p>Enjoy your weekend!</p>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-64353324662912682672023-09-16T09:54:00.002-07:002023-09-16T10:04:32.449-07:00Saturday's Scribbles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpdHom3KNwuEpYkDWWOU0QcdXQp48l2BRotdzc0lWkMp8xgZkBv4ktMXKjrbakjAlmO4MCSV2GxH1rMhHEaHTcAXWk-YVi-y_Bjmtx0qCyKMtf49PuJv4UgcpC_XRvd2M19LAWojl47fNNMIg6QbrJfuUGTCRCtuEb3f9jaBNk4qPcrTLFkpHhiRJpdnk/s400/scribbles_color-logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpdHom3KNwuEpYkDWWOU0QcdXQp48l2BRotdzc0lWkMp8xgZkBv4ktMXKjrbakjAlmO4MCSV2GxH1rMhHEaHTcAXWk-YVi-y_Bjmtx0qCyKMtf49PuJv4UgcpC_XRvd2M19LAWojl47fNNMIg6QbrJfuUGTCRCtuEb3f9jaBNk4qPcrTLFkpHhiRJpdnk/w400-h171/scribbles_color-logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><b>Good Saturday to you on this typical September weekend. Temps in the 60's to low 70's during the day and 40's to 50's at night. We turn the furnace on each morning to take the chill off. It is Fall! We live just across the river from the High School so we get to "hear" the games and band playing on Friday nights. It is kinda nice......We noticed this week that the flowers are starting to fade out....especially our pansies that have graced us with beauty so long. We still have 1 hummingbird hanging around, trying to get nectar from our petunias, </b></p><p><b>Last Sunday Joel preached at two churches south of here. He leaves before 8 and gets home around 12:30. So many churches are without pastors....our synod has something like 38 churches without pastors and one of our daughter's synods has 40. It is the same most places. Joel has 700 miles on his bike so far this summer/fall. He managed a few 10 mile rides this past week. Thursday he went to his pastors conference meeting which was less than two miles from here. He has been going to those gatherings around the area for 26 years. He spent time outside doing woodworking...building a few more boxes. He is trying to finish 3 for the fill-in postman who liked them. I look at his energy and shake my head. He is so active and I am so grateful that he is!</b></p><p><b>My week has been spent close to home. The trigeminal is acting up which affects my balance more. It is an ebb and flow problem out of my control. I have managed to clean some and write a little. I still walk 20-25 minutes a day. God continues to give me the verse, "Those who hope in the Lord will soar on wings like eagles...They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31. I continue to stand firm, believing...What choice do we have? Believe what the world says, or believe what God says? The God who created the universe...the galaxies....the stars.....the earth we walk on. HE wants to have a relationship with us...little us. AND He makes promises we can hang on to. Do we see them all come to pass? Not in our lifetime. BUT that does not take away the promises in His Word that are for us.</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQtjw2ykJ2kNFyEPat02KBKTHRoLu-3Dgbq37EC7tGI0Di34dSMkAknuwsOr0MdwnpPsJ5pnmfEBouNptybV8HquwutZfrEyfIhs0_tVWm-ToOd8VFIpNQEahyrFHXiIQPwabjml_8U1EGnTuk1NBo7onRY-wgCNhsvm7vwmrZIZ8RdIEfhYrP-92o1c3/s960/on%20His%20wings.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQtjw2ykJ2kNFyEPat02KBKTHRoLu-3Dgbq37EC7tGI0Di34dSMkAknuwsOr0MdwnpPsJ5pnmfEBouNptybV8HquwutZfrEyfIhs0_tVWm-ToOd8VFIpNQEahyrFHXiIQPwabjml_8U1EGnTuk1NBo7onRY-wgCNhsvm7vwmrZIZ8RdIEfhYrP-92o1c3/w266-h400/on%20His%20wings.jpg" width="266" /></b></a></div><b><br /></b><p><b>I have been listening to George Winston play piano this morning on Alexa. Piano music reminds me so much of our two older girls and their years of piano playing at home. Both went to the McPhail Center of the Arts in downtown Mpls. MN. What a special time it was.............The oldest plays piano and flute at her church and accompanies for the local High School competitions. She teaches piano and has since high school. Do I play? Only in my dreams! My mom was very musical and played piano, though.</b></p><p><b>We finished watching a 4 part documentary on Netflix, "Live to be 100: Blue Zones" the other night. It really was interesting as it showed how America has turned to the fast food world and in doing so become the most obese unfit country in the world. More importantly it revealed some of the "secrets" to longer lives...good food choices, exercise and activity, friends and family, rest, and attitude. I don't plan to live to 100 but Joel certainly has it in his genes and body to do so. His two aunts on his mom's side lived to be 108 and 109. It wasn't the goal of most of the people in the Blue Zones to live a long life, it just happened because of how they lived. </b></p><p><b>We enjoyed phone calls this week from two of our grands who are off at different colleges, and also a daughter. Such FUN to talk to all three of them. It makes our day when the phone rings and family is on the line. Having a cell phone makes all the difference in the world, doesn't it. Wayyyyy back when.....it cost so much to call "long distance" so calls were few and far between and after 7 at night when it was cheaper. Now, we can call anywhere, anytime and yet it seems to us that calling becomes less and less as people text more. We miss hearing voices......so when we do? We celebrate! Cell phones also make it easier for kids to be away at college or jobs. They can connect so easily with those they miss......a good thing!</b></p><p><b>Speaking of good things, so grateful today for cell phones, phone calls, voices of loved ones. Grateful for Fall weather, a lone hummingbird hanging around, flowers still sharing theiir beauty. Grateful for porch sitting, naps, good food, and the ability to walk and ride. Grateful for Bible verses that come from God is threes. Grateful for texts, photos, prayers, piano music, and so much more. </b></p><p><b>Enjoy your weekend!</b></p>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-13086019700050041542023-09-09T11:40:00.001-07:002023-09-09T12:08:02.857-07:00Saturday's Scribbles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY341mSgzRhXaEJY6FesU5PTndVvlUv1iG9hropz6ZWfjE245Xwajd66mGJh_WTRsbCtY46baoHPW1oigFjW-0pl4YzbGk6YIOu-nwKfRBoIVcn4ZmsrU1FwXW26mqENtba0XjpqhBu0RyN9pbZCaE96aqxe1ctGgiBVc1phQGd7Ym3OK6NJdT_niQJio6/s400/scribbles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY341mSgzRhXaEJY6FesU5PTndVvlUv1iG9hropz6ZWfjE245Xwajd66mGJh_WTRsbCtY46baoHPW1oigFjW-0pl4YzbGk6YIOu-nwKfRBoIVcn4ZmsrU1FwXW26mqENtba0XjpqhBu0RyN9pbZCaE96aqxe1ctGgiBVc1phQGd7Ym3OK6NJdT_niQJio6/w400-h171/scribbles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Good Saturday to you on this beautiful Fall day in Iowa. Yes, it is early Fall, but it is FALL and I am loving the cooler temps we have had the last few days. Nice! The squirrels are busy storing their acorns, etc. and one decided to store them in our purple pansies on the back deck. He dug them up so much they died. Not cool! The yellow ones up front are still going. We'll have to add some mums to the landscape soon. </p><p>Once the cooler temps came back Joel was able to do more biking. He gets in a minimum of ten miles each ride. He sticks to a route that avoids roads. In fact, our river road has been paved and baracaded so that only bikers and walkers can use it now. So great! He continues to do some woodworking and this week he did our windows on the main level, Our house does not have any roof overhangs so they seem to get more dirty. They look good now, although of course he went out to do them when the heat index was 96. Really? Hmmmm</p><p>I headed back to the chiropractor this past Tuesday and then the grocery store Friday. In between I was in the house and not accomplishing as much as I would like. The trigeminal nerve is acting up which means the balance is off too. Are we having fun yet? I have listened to a couple podcasts, livestream, and audiobooks. I finished Laura Bush's book and am looking for another memoir to enjoy, Any ideas? I have written on my book a tiny bit, and am reading The Way Out a little at a time. I have started doing Lymph Massage for the ears and sinuses. It seems to be helping! Joel brought me home a surprise decoration for fall this week. What a sweet thing to do! It even says "Welcome Fall!" </p><p>Yesterday our youngest stopped for a visit and this morning our granddaughter L. called us from college to chat. We had a great visit, leaving both Joel and I smiling! Just love hearing from our grands.....our two youngest are both sophomores this year. How did that happen?</p><p>Speaking of time going by, I was talking with L. and told her that her grandpa grew up in a solid home and community like the Waltons........or Lake Woebegone. Me? Not so much. She had never heard of either. Yeah. I am that old! </p><p>Speaking of old, I heard Joel say he plans to live to 110. Two of his Aunts lived until 108 and 109 but he plans to live over that to 110. I do not think that way. If this body continues to cjomplain so loudly I am thinking 110 is too old. Give me Heaven and a NEW body by then.....ha</p><p>Speaking of age, we have been watching a documentary on the Blue Zones and what keeps people in certain areas living past 100. For sure, healthy eating....we in America consume 220 lbs of meat yearly but in these areas they eat only 20 lbs of meat a year. That is kinda a big difference. Lots of grains, freshly cooked veggies, beans, some fish, tofu, etc. About a year ago we cut out eating meat twice a day......but I am thinking we need to add protein. I do eat a lot of yogurt, plain, with fruits and nuts or oatmeal at night. Whole grain cereals and oatmeal for Joel for supper. Sometimes eggs and cheese. We tried recently to go back to meat meals twice a day and it just doesn't feel right now. Interesting. I read an article this week written by a woman who moved to Ireland and said she is so much healthier now...lots of walking and biking there and fresh healthy foods available. That was another key in the blue zones....staying fit. AND fellowship with friends and family. It is an interesting documentary on Netflix. We can all do some small thing to live healthier and hopefully longer lives. </p><p>We watched another silly movie this week. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2. It had us laughing and that is a good thing, We have managed some good porch sitting. A hummingbird has been visiting our petunias and that has been fun to see...and of course the pesky squirrels trying to store up food for winter. We always enjoy people watching....as they use our street to get to the river road from our association. Mostly we like to watch their dogs! They each have their own personality which comes out as they walk. Big or small they are each unique. Just like people!</p><p>Time to stop this rambling scribble. So I am grateful for my old laptop that keeps working....an old IPad that does the same. Grateful for dryer, cooler weather that makes porch sitting so enjoyable. Grateful that we had have very few mosquitos this year! Grateful for silly movies that make us laugh. Grateful for lymph massage that helps drain our bodies, grateful for a granddaughter reaching out to call us. Grateful for a Wordle connection, texts that keep us communicating, phone calls, surprise gifts from my hubby, colorful pansies, a hummingbird's visits, the beginning of my favorite season, open doors and windows and fresh air, clean windows, documentaries that make us think, a daughter's visit, Amazon deliveries! Grateful for all this and soooooo much more.</p><p>Enjoy your weekend~</p>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890586761852703073.post-68560747208186928602023-09-02T10:14:00.003-07:002023-09-02T11:01:15.348-07:00Saturday's Scribbles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5Qm8Rorh-zFhEaIbPVoQrkh-TnXijp5QqU2_9kD5VUXXj65E4LXjcMqHd6icsZ6s9n_LnGWHRjRegRf8pwNLQFltZJ85goh1mifg38LXDZHP04oomELNtWQMYisbZtEWIFFz-gjsJcdAhCjt400wEC1aEc9SBixvim2OByGWb8bPrhO4cutZ22FEzzIv/s400/scribbles_color-logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5Qm8Rorh-zFhEaIbPVoQrkh-TnXijp5QqU2_9kD5VUXXj65E4LXjcMqHd6icsZ6s9n_LnGWHRjRegRf8pwNLQFltZJ85goh1mifg38LXDZHP04oomELNtWQMYisbZtEWIFFz-gjsJcdAhCjt400wEC1aEc9SBixvim2OByGWb8bPrhO4cutZ22FEzzIv/w400-h171/scribbles_color-logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Good Saturday to you on this first weekend in September. I think we need a reminder that it IS Sepember since the temps this weekend are supposed to be in the high nineties. What? Or as our oldest questioned....Why?!?! The animals may be a bit confused too....I am happy to report that my yellow pansies are STILL blooming and that has never happened. They always die out by mid summer so it is fun to have them around. Our red geranium is blooming too. Nice! </p><p>Speaking of nice, it has been a week to seek out with gratitude all things good, cuz things have been off. Monday we went to our chiropractor with my back out. By Monday evening Joel was feeling funky. Tuesday was a day of 3 one hour naps and alot of Castle reruns for him. By Wednesday he was up and running! I took over his spot on Thursday evening and Friday. A bit better today. Yesterday I listened to books or read on the IPad. It is all getting old.... like us!</p><p>Speaking of getting old, I used to bee able to read several books at a time, switching back an forth......or listen to two conversations at the same time, etc. Not any more. I am reading 4 different books right now....two on audio and 1 on an old IPad and 1 in my hands. It's too much. I am enjoying Laura Bush's audio book, "Spoken From The Heart". It is written from her journals I expect. As a teacher and librarian she is quite orderly and detailed. I do like getting the perspectives of first ladies on their times in the White House. </p><p>Joel spent a couple days riding, doing woodworking, and doing our floors. When it is floor time? THIS is when we say we need a smaller house! He went to Gabby Grandpas this morning to coffee and chat with some guys. He just helped me get a large tray full of veggies and chicken thighs ready to roast in the oven. It should last us 4 meals.....we like leftovers so it works for us!</p><p>A dear friend sent me a text and shared she had been praying over my/our lives while outside and a shadow came over her. She looked up and two eagles were flying over. Later she shared a few words with me and I felt so touched by God. You see, without her knowledge...only God's, He had given me 2-3 times this week, Isaiah 40:31 that says "Those who wait upon the Lord with soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." God connected the dots for me through this friend. It happens often.....and I am richly blessed by it. He hears.....He cares.....He is so good. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBwA1LisT_9xXMj9EiifbjQpXQgIr_twn56vxeXHRSgr7HsTI9ecX7peXpLxvfBB4kwCwAz8dNwY03_qH4Jv-SYGEujPA-G4vScT2hqQ4yU6exaUrxAdvSXU7CWCzSdU2i1goxJ_O_6EkDpgjjbII8NoU-nXAzUTGrwPIFw1mRCPjwvkKblF94ANbVRUi/s1080/Eagles%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1058" data-original-width="1080" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBwA1LisT_9xXMj9EiifbjQpXQgIr_twn56vxeXHRSgr7HsTI9ecX7peXpLxvfBB4kwCwAz8dNwY03_qH4Jv-SYGEujPA-G4vScT2hqQ4yU6exaUrxAdvSXU7CWCzSdU2i1goxJ_O_6EkDpgjjbII8NoU-nXAzUTGrwPIFw1mRCPjwvkKblF94ANbVRUi/w400-h391/Eagles%20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Joel and I were talking about past Labor Day weekends. We spend them mostly alone but when the kids were young we spent them getting ready for school and doing work, like clearning the garage, etc. Not exactly fun times! Looking back, Joel and I were good at working and overworking but not so goot at the fun stuff. It brings us joy to see our kids do things differently. Life is just too short to not throw fun into the mix~</p><p>Today I am grateful for some porch sitting and blooming pansies to gaze at. Grateful for sofas when necessary, reruns of Castle, walking and riding, and cleaning and woodworking. Grateful for clean floors and veggies roasting in the oven. Grateful for reminders from God through eagles and friends. Grateful for phone calls, texts, and emails. Grateful for all this and so much more.</p><p>Enjoy your weekend. </p><p><br /></p>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07089685282700680525noreply@blogger.com0