Good Saturday to you from our corner of the world where we are "having a heat wave....a tropical heat wave". It has been bitterly cold here this week, but I am NOT complaining. After watching what has unfolded in Texas and other southern states, we have nothing to complain about. I sit in my cozy house and enjoy my fireplace, access to water, and a full tummy. I travel in a vehicle with heated seats. Yep. I cannot complain. Today the temperatures are rising and by early next week we will be close to 40 degrees....a heat wave!
Speaking of weather, Texas has been slammed, hasn't it. Yikes. Our niece lives in one of the hardest hit areas. She finally has power but still no water. With a broken shoulder to deal with, and no water, she has moved herself to a hotel where she can rest well and have what she needs. I also saw on Facebook the husband of someone we know who had gone to Texas for some sunshine and ended up in the midst of the storm. He has been helping rescue sea turtles that are washing up on the gulf shore....stunned sea turtles who can't function in the cold. There is a place trying to save them. And the people who are suffering? Oh, my. We may have dealt with -40 wind chills here this week, BUT it is Iowa. Our homes are build to handle it. Our pipes are buried deep enough they seldom freeze. Our power grid works well. Grateful.
Speaking of grateful, I have not done an update on my cancer journey for a very long time, mostly because it is not necessary and mostly because I don't like to look back. But here goes. Things are going well. I have exams every three months and watching for signs of its return are part of the routine now. I did have the two fractured ribs from radiation but they are nearly healed. My toe nails are almost back to normal from the chemo which ended 15 months ago. My hair has come in everywhere but is sparse up front. But I have hair! Neuropathy comes and goes and energy could be better. I take arimidex, which has its own cross to bear with side effects, but it is necessary so I do it. Fear raises it's ugly head at times if I look over my shoulder too much, but mostly I give thanks for the day. Right now. I stand on God's promises and believe for healing to continue.
Speaking of God, a friend since 5th grade has inspired me to read my Bible cover to cover. Inspiration is good, right? We are still part of a class online on healing ministries. Also watched a Bible study on Hebrews this week...and podcasts for Lent along with services on Wed night. I've added another puzzle to the dining room table, am writing for my maybe book, and am walking 20 minutes a day. Joel is writing almost daily, did get taxes ready this week, and is working on a very short wood project today for a neighbor. He loves anything to do with wood. I saw a T-shirt that I plan to get him......it says, "I build things from wood, what is your superpower?" hahaha
It has been interesting to see the journey people are taking to get their vaccinations. Out of necessity people have searched out vaccine hunters to help. My sister was able to get appointments just that way and so were some of her friends. It was much faster than being put on a lottery for vaccinations! Joel and I were scheduled to have our second shot 42 days from the first one which bothered me. I went to the CDC site and read that they prefer it be close to 28 days, but out to 42 is ok. I just did not feel good about it so called our local public health twice....speaking the last time to someone who could check the availability of secure vaccines. We were able to move our appointments up.
We have been watching The Crown on Netflix. The episode we watched last night had a very vulgar beginning which really upset us. I just don't understand the need to add in crap to the screen. Disappointing for sure. Right now they are in the middle of Princess Diana and Prince Charles story and it is interesting to say the least..........sad too. I can remember when they were married of course. The world was infatuated with Diana and her wedding. And now her son has walked away from his royal legacy, partly because he wanted to, partly because the Queen has given him consequences for his choices. Interesting.
Interesting. That is a word I have been using or hearing a lot lately. I find it can be a word that has a hidden meaning. Say, someone shares a story and the receiver of that story is skeptical....their response can be.......well that is "interesting".....in other words, I don't agree, or I just don't buy it, or I am skeptical on whether this really happened or not......It also can mean that something IS fascinating, interesting information you want to delve into. Yeah.........so many hidden meanings in our words. Maybe it is how we say them, Our tone, our body language.........? Hmmmmm food for thought. Food you may find "interesting" ?!
Speaking of food it was a week of homemade chicken soup for cold weather days and also pancakes for "Fat Tuesday". Any excuse for pancakes I say. Fat Tuesday being the day before Ash Wednesday of course. We watched a service online to begin the Lenten Season. Communion followed and it is nice to have a pastor in the family who has access to the wafers, wine, and juice. You can use anything though.......crackers, bread, juice, even water. God is with us in the sacrament.
Joel has been taking the snow blower and clearing the walking path we have where we live. He has managed a few walks outside~ one day when it was below zero he went 3 miles. I walked around our cul-de-sac half way.........maybe four minutes and headed back to the house. Too cold! That fresh air is so important but not at the expense of my fingertips?!?!?
My Scribbles feel about as blah as this winter season, so I will close by adding my gratitude for warmer weather on the way, homemade soup, pancakes for Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday communion, vaccine hunters, walks in the fresh air, a warm house, running water, and a fireplace, good health reports, God's promises, the healing school teachings, podcasts, phone visits with friends and family, laughter, tears, and lets not forget those things in life that have us saying...."interesting"!!!
Enjoy your weekend!
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