Saturday's Scribbles

 

Good Saturday to you from northern Iowa, where our heat indexes today are supposed to go over 100.This is not OK! Yikes!  Besides people, I expect all of our resident critters will be hunkering down today trying to stay cool.  We had plenty of rain this week.  Even getting flash flood warnings here in town with a few cars stranded on flooded roadways.  Now it's sunshine wind and humidity and heat....

Joel did manage to get up on the scaffolding and take care of most of what he wanted on the sides of the house. He'll have to finish next week or when it eventually stops, as we're looking at hear and rain almost every day in the forecast. Joel went biking with church people on Wednesday ridiig from here to Clear lake, which is about 8 miles, And then having breakfast before returning on their bikes.  Mostly he's been up on scaffolding. He has one hip that's been complaining some, which took us back to when we lived in Zimmerman, Minnesota and the winter  he climbed up on the roof to fix something by the chimney and slid off the roof and landed on this cement below.  Long story short, the clinic did not call him to tell him that he had fractured his hip.  So he walked on it for a couple weeks beford he got help......it healed, but now, 50 years later, it's complaining We celebrated Father's Day with Rhubarb pie, and also Joel's 45th anniversary of his Ordination. Such a special time that occured at his home church in the country, South of Fergus Falls Minnesota. '

On Monday, I went to the second meeting of a  Visually impaired group at a local church. It's very much a bag of mixed emotions for me to be there. BUT overalll it is a good thing!

 Tuesday, I headed to the dentist and Wednesday to the eye clinic here in town. So far the surgery has not changed my pressure. But we're hoping when I go back to Mayo in a month we will hear better news. Second of all my Doctor was quietly affirming that  I do have severe glaucoma  and losing my vision is part of my future,  He told me to keep moving forward in life, eat healthy, exercise. Do what you can let the doctors do what they can with this age-related eye disease.  Okay.  In-between i did some house leaning and walking.  You know,most everything takes effort and work but as my doctor said ....keep moving forward.   

Minnesota has been all over the news this week. So tragic.  So senseless.  And while children mourn the death of their parents, people still say terrible hateful things about those who died or were injured.  Jesus must be so sad.  

 Last night I noticed the movie "Jaws" was on NBC. It took us back to 1975 when we were living in the Philippine Islands...All I could think of was the theme song to that show and Joel saying we're not going to that movie, it's too scary. Too real here.  I never swam in the ocean. When we were there, we did take a trip across it in a bunka boat.  The kids  played on the beach  by the ocean.  But we kept our feet out of the water except for Joel, when he went on a houseboat with his colleagues for work and they swam in the water.  We didn't watch the movie last night either!

Our youngest daughter Sarah turned 39 this week. Happy Birthday girl.  Hope it was a good one. 

Grateful for a cool house in beastly hot weather, grateful for the rain.   Grateful for the rain ending too.  Grateful for the vision group,  good doctors and the ultimate healer Jesus.   Grateful for energy for work....and times to rest.  Grateful for walking,  biking, painting and cleaning.  Grateful for a daughters birthday.   Grateful for Rhubarb pie, and the good father Joel is.  Grateful for texts and phone calls and so much more. 

Enjoy your weekend!

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you in our corner of the world where the skies are hazy from wildfires in Canada.  No bike rides for Joel this week but he did spend a great deal of time outside.  He wasn't sitting on the porch either, he was climbing and standing on scaffolding. He was repairing some of the peaks on our house. And I know I mentioned before we have a tall house.  I found it less than peaceful to watch him. And then seeing just the bottom of his feet from over 20 feet off the ground...... seriously not OK, but he said he was fine.  He has finished the tallest area and he's only about 8 feet off the ground now.  I told him, "Well, that's good. You won't break as many bones if you fall off! 

I've spent most of the week telling my body, it's OK to keep moving.   

To be honest, I'm finding it difficult to write a Saturday scribbles today.  Partly because my voice input microphone is not working, but mostly because my heart is heavy with what has gone on this whole week in our home state of Minnesota, our country,  and the world.

 Joel and I have always tried to  stay very neutral when it comes to politics.  As a pastor it was never his desire or purpose to preach a political viewpoint from the pulpit.  What I feel now is not political.  But because of the climate in our country it's hard to speak about it without appearing to be so.  

But I  woke up today hearing about 2 democratic lawmakers and their spouses being shot and two killed in our home state of Minnesota.  This is how we solve issues ? Im going to stop there.  My heart is too heavy for America.  My words too jumbled.  My emotions too raw.  

Still grateful for the many blessings we have.   Grateful for God being with us always.  Grateful Joel is almost finished with scaffolding.  Grateful for all those who don't believe violence is the answer or response to everything.   Grateful for phone calls,  texts  and so much more.

Monday's Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you on this Monday in June. It's hazy here from the wildfires and kind of chilly today. Joel is out scraping sanding, priming and painting a few areas of the house. Blessed to be using the neighbor's scaffolding. Joel is still enjoying his morning Porch Sitting but We haven't seen too much of nature this week as we've been kind of busy for a change. 

Last Monday I had SLT laser eye surgery at Mayo Clinic. It went well. There were a couple of scary hours with blurry to no vision but it slowly came back by Tuesday night. It's changed a little but it still is good and I'm grateful. The purpose is to lower the pressure in my eye and from what I saw on the report they lasered the tissue of my eye 100 times. It's amazing what they can do. Tuesday was a recovery day and part of Wednesday and then we entertained old friends who spent 30 years of their life here in Mason City. They are full-time RVers with a serving Ministry. They work in shelters and salvation armies sometimes as they travel, with a few winter months spent  volunteering in aTucson Mission. It was great to see them again and they were able to come back on Friday and have lunch with us and an afternoon visit. 

Saturday we drove down to Ames Iowa about an hour and a half away to a family graduation party. It was great to see family and hug on them. Yesterday morning we got up and headed to church. Confirmation Sunday. Also were able to see our friends Keith and Mary Lou again for a short church visit so, needless to say, today I'm now in a rest and recovery mode. I'm very thankful that we had so much fellowship this week with people we love and care about. 

Speaking of that our youngest grandson Jonas turned 17 on Saturday! There's just no more little ones around for sure. He's a fine young man and we're grateful.

It's time to end my Saturday scribbles on Monday with what I'm grateful for. And this week it is much amount people. People we love, family, friends. People we care about. So grateful for the time spent with good friends, grateful for the time spent with family. Grateful to be able to Worship in church. Grateful for having friends that love the Lord and are such a good example of serving him and surrendering to his will! Grateful for laughter and for Tears and for just good old thought-provoking conversation. Grateful for the surgery for my eye going well and the optic nerve holding steady. Grateful for another day to enjoy the flowers and the Beautiful scenery outside. Grateful for a husband who works so hard and loves the Lord so well. Grateful for the power of Prayer to reach out to others and the great power of a hug! It's so important, this thing called human touch. Grateful for hugs! Grateful for all the different kinds of people that God brings into our lives. Grateful for safe travel this week to Rochester Minnesota and to Ames Iowa. Grateful for all the phone calls the text the emails and the prayers. Grateful for all this and so much more.

 Enjoy your week!

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you on this last day of May. It has been wonderful weather, and Joel has enjoyed his Porch Sitting. He said this is his favorite time of year because the birds are all out singing and mating and nesting and the squirrels are having a hay day. The ducks come around, too.    When I was coming downstairs this morning I saw him at the tall landing window peeking out and watching two squirrels play on the tree. Of course he was chuckling as he observed their antics. Earlier he had been watching two rabbits in our little front garden. They were quite indifferent to his presence. Nature has always been a gift for Joel when seeking peace,  distraction, or joy.

Speaking of Joel, it's on his agenda today to begin sanding and painting the peak of our house. We have a very tall house and I do not like it. It is safer because he is using scaffolding which the neighbor helped him put up yesterday  but It's still a long ways up there and I wish I he had help for this project. He rode his bike only a few times this week, and spent most of his time taking care of the lawn. He enjoys any work outside, and it would be hard for him to live somewhere where there was no yard for him to care for.

I've been getting my walks in every day, doing some baking. doing some cleaning and some of my own Porch Sitting. I spent a bit of time filling out questionnaires for Mayo Clinic again . This started when I went through the second breast cancer and radiation at their Clinic . Every 6 months I receive online forms to fill out asking me questions regarding the aftermath of the radiation . Hopefully it will help others in the future . 

Last Sunday we went to MIller Iowa where Joel preached at Faith Lutheran. He was Interim there 10+ years ago and we enjoy this congregation very much.  On our way home we went to the Buddy Holly Memorial north of Clear Lake IA by a cornfield, as it was our adventure for the month of May with the Scavanger hunt our oldest and her family created for us.  Each month we are sent somewere different to explore in the surrounding area.  Monday we took our devotional books and headed to Clear Lake to sit by the lake, have devotions and people watch.  On our way home we picked up Culver's salads for lunch.  This past week we also watched a good Netflix movie called The Nonna's about Italian grandmothers becoming chefs for a little restaurant on Staten Island. This was based on a true story and it was really quite good. It's really hard to find a movie that doesn't have a lot of swearing, a lot of violence, a few murders...... you get the idea. We have also been watching a few old Magnum PI from the original series of the 1980s. I told Joel they seem so silly sometimes and predictable but still overall enjoyable! Life was simpler and not so dark . That series was on 40 plus years ago already!

Speaking of dark, last night we started watching the Dateline, thinking this one doesn't look so bad. This one doesn't look like it's the wife or the husband who turns into a monster. But again I was wrong! Thejr perfect marriage was anything but perfect . By the time it ended we were both shaking our heads and saying, good grief, and are there really people this evil?! And of course the question we ask ourselves often, why did we watch this? Human curiosity I guess. 

On that note it's time to say what I'm grateful for. The first thing? Grateful for our marriage of nearly 57 years. Grateful for the sunshine this week and warmer weather, for all of nature that comes forth in the spring. Grateful for a movie that made us laugh. Grateful for old TV shows. Grateful for being able to be active and grateful for our nice yard for Joel to work in. Grateful for scaffolding! Grateful for Mayo Clinic. Grateful for Porch Sitting where we can enjoy beautiful flowers and all of nature. Grateful for a Sunday morning at Faith, grateful for an adventure into a cornfield in Iowa, for Memorial Day lake sitting and people watching.  Grateful for the phone calls we get,  for the text and pictures that keep us connected. Grateful for all this and so much more. 

Enjoy your weekend!

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you on this cloudy May Memorial Day weekend. We have been enjoying cooler weather but it's still warm enough for people to take in all the band Festival activities going on here this weekend.

 Speaking of activities , Joel has been enjoying his Porch Sitting and watching the wildlife. We have rabbits, ducks, Cardinals, wrens, robins and more to enjoy. While enjoying his coffee on the porch this morning he counted eight different varieties of birds ! Joel managed to get in a couple of bike rides this week. Last Sunday he preached at a congregation in a small town east of us and this Sunday he preaches in a church in a very small town about 35 mi from us. Whole lot of preaching going on! He met with his colleague group on Thursday and today he's with his Gabby Grandpa's coffee group. Whole lot of socializing going on too! 

i continue to walk each day. I've done some cookie baking for Joel and for myself . I've always made cookies from scratch when the kids were growing up so  they thought I was a really special treat when they got boughten cookies like Oreos ! Last Monday the Iowa services for the blind had a rehab teacher come to the house to assess me and talk about what they provide if you qualify. Tuesday we went clothes shopping which is a rare occurrence for me. I don't really like shopping and especially for clothing. Wednesday we both made a trip to the chiropractor which was helpful. Today we went to a garden center and bought a black-eyed lazy Susan ivy and a beautiful hanging red geranium. My two favorites! Today we went flower shopping and came home with a beautiful hanging red geranium and a black-eyed susan ivy to brighten up our front garden.

Getting back to the Iowa services for the blind. I wrote about it on Facebook because it was totally a God thing. And so is this. It turns out that they go by the visual acuity report your doctor sends on whether you qualify or not. After assessing me the rehab teacher believes I qualify for services but my report says I still see 20/20 in that right eye. I do see 20/20 on a chart but I cannot see faces clearly anymore. I cannot see the correct depth perception when I look down. I cannot distinguish cracks and bumps ahead of me when I'm walking. So there are things that would qualify me but the 20/20 vision is the issue for now. Or maybe it's not an issue? I have had three eye doctors tell me they cannot believe that I see 20/20 in that eye with all that's wrong with my eyes! So it sounds to me like I need to be grateful that I can still see the chart 20/20 visually! It was a reminder from God . One doctor said its amazing. At the same time The rehabilitation teacher wants to have me be an exception to the rule and still get services, but we're leaving that in God's hands. Enough of the eye drama. Mostly why I shared it's because it shows how often God shows up in our lives, in the details in the big and in the small. 

This weekend we remember those that we love and care about that are no longer here with us.  And we're so grateful for the time we had with all our loved ones. Blessings on your Memorial Day weekend.

With that I share my gratitude for the cooler temperature,for all of nature showing up. Thankful for Joel's bike rides and my walks, homemade cookies, and a chiropractor who does such a good job.  Grateful for a rehabilitation teacher going to bat for me. Grateful for a black-eyed Susan Ivy and red geranium to brighten the front Garden. Grateful for homemade cookies and new clothes.  And grateful for the phone calls that brighten our days, the text that keep us so connected. 

Enjoy your weekend!

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you from our corner of Iowa where it is cloudy and windy. The temperatures have ranged from anywhere between 53 and 87 this week.  Our resident ducks are busy moving around getting ready to nest. The deer are out and busy eating delicacies like my pansies! We forgot to put them on the porch one night and they were all gone but one flower the next morning. They've already been nibbling on the hostas and on the neighbor's geraniums. When you love nature it is part of the package deal ~

Speaking of nature, Joel has been busy working outside trying to save our grass that looks so tough this year. He's been pulling weeds and dandelions, too. It's time to get some flower shopping done too. He's been biking some but it's been so windy. Next week he plans to use the neighbors scaffolding to paint areas of the house. Hopefully the weather will comply.

I think the influenza B is finally gone. I'm back to walking 20 minutes and made it out to a couple of stores this week and a doctor's appointment. Everything looked good with the kidneys but it was disturbing to hear that my doctor is one of more than a few that are leaving Mason City. All kinds of inner turmoil I guess. I well really miss his good care. he's helped me through several surgical procedures with stones. The good news is everything looks good now and he said I probably won't need to come back until or if I have problems again. I find it interesting that we have our own Cancer Center here and yet the PAs and nurse practitioners that deal with us report back to doctors in places like New Jersey! There is no skin in the game when you're oncologist lives in New Jersey and never ever sees you. It's a whole different world now.

 Last Sunday was Mother's Day and Joel preached in another town. We decided just to have pancakes and bacon for lunch which turned out to be a lot more work than if we had fixed something else for Mother's Day! I enjoyed phone calls with our kids. Joel and I spend some time talking about our own mothers and the memories we have of them. 

We have continued to leak money as more and more things come up regarding the house. We are enjoying a new dishwasher that was already installed. In fact on Monday morning we had a Windows man here, a handyman putting in the dishwasher, and my hairdresser giving me a haircut all at the same time! We had to chuckle. When we were younger multitasking didn't seem like it was hard at all but it's a little more difficult now! But like I said, we have a new dishwasher and we are enjoying it. Our old one lasted 25 years and in a good job. This one is a lot quieter though.

 Speaking of quiet we have been enjoying some porch time on these gentle warm dry days and evenings without mosquitoes. It has been enjoyable to visit with neighbors and catch up after winter. On that note I'm ready to close by saying I am very grateful for this neighborhood. Grateful for a porch to enjoy and the birds that are singing everyday now. Grateful for a good report on my kidneys. Grateful for walking and biking and exercising when we can. Grateful for audio books. Grateful for podcasts and music on my Alexa. Grateful for a new dishwasher that's so quiet and work so well . Grateful for a haircut again and for a hairdresser that's willing to come to my home . Grateful for the two new windows that we can get. Grateful for phone calls especially for Mother's Day. Grateful for emails texts and cards that brighten my days.. and so much more. 

Enjoy your weekend!