Good Saturday to you from our place in Iowa where rain has been in abundance, and none too soon! We were about 5 inches behind for this year so getting a couple days of rain has been a good thing, The moisture has brought with it high dew points and humidity, but alas it is after all, Spring in Iowa!
Speaking of Spring, after worshiping livestream last Sunday we then headed out to Lime Creek Nature Center again for a mile walk outside. It is becoming a bit of a ritual to worship online and then worship in nature. So many birds singing their praises, and everything is so green.
Speaking of green, we decided earlier this week to head over to at least one of a few Mennonite Nurseries about an hour east of here. We went north to Hwy 9 and as we traveled on a familiar road we both glanced over at a country place and could not help but notice that there was a life-size elephant in the front yard. Seriously. I don't have pictures to prove it, but there it was....we think it must have been a rubber balloon? We had a good laugh over it and were kicking ourselves for not taking pictures. I still wonder what the story was behind that elephant!
So back to the nursery ~ we got within a half mile using GPS when we ran into a road closing! We went east and ended up in a dead end, so we went back west again and then south and then ended up at a T in the road. After a few twists and turns we ended up on the right road, but thought we must have missed it until we saw a very small sign on top of the mailbox letting us know we were in the right place! It was worth it all as the plants were huge, beautiful, and inexpensive compared to what we paid in town. WOW! Here are two of the hanging baskets we brought home..........
On Monday Joel's Bible College roommate came by with his wife. We had a short but very good visit on our porch. So fun to see them. Joel and John and I have known each other since 1966 when the two guys roomed together at the Lutheran Bible Institute in Golden Valley MN. So many good memories.
Over two years ago our youngest daughter and her fiancé bought us a Smart TV. They helped set it up for us, but we forgot to hook up the DVD player. (YES we still have and use one). Joel attempted to do it himself but struggled with it so we figured we would try again "later". This week, after two years, I suggested we attempt to connect it again. So.........Joel pulled the TV out from the wall and went to work. No DVD connection. He decided to try one more time and found a connection site he had not seen with his trusty 75 yr old eyes and just like that we have a working DVD player in the living room. Yay! We put a DVD in to see if it worked and it happened to be the movie "The Shack" based on Paul Young's book "The Shack". Loved the book..........loved the movie. Guess how I spent my afternoon? Watching The Shack for a third time. It is just so fascinating! And aren't we proud of ourselves.....Joel figured out the DVD player connection without help from the kids! (hahaha)
This week was filled with biking, walking, baking, cooking, cleaning, picking out new glasses, a haircut, shopping, resting for me, and napping of course. Joel picked up several coleus on our trip to the nursery, to plant a coleus garden this year after admiring our neighbor's. He is re-edging around the small area and then will plant colorful coleus that share their beauty through fall. We laid sod in one area in front of the porch last year but it did not work so well, so plan B will be happening there.....we just haven't decided what plan B will be yet!
Last year we were going to have our bathroom redone...way past due.....and COVID hit. Now we decided to go ahead and take the plunge and it is proving to be difficult to find anyone with free time to work on it since everyone waited last year. Who wanted people in and out of their homes? I read that the cost of lumber went up nearly 50% so I am thinking anyone we hire to work? Costs of supplies will be higher than normal.....we may be postponing a much needed reno once again! Can anyone relate? Speaking of postponing, My doctor wanted me to have a couple of procedures due to low iron (ruling out) and the soonest I could get in was the first week of September!! People waited.............now there is a wait list!
Speaking of COVID, we are slowly adding more activity to our schedule and not being as cautious with our mask wearing, although when we are in closed areas out in public? We are choosing to still put them on. Last Saturday we were able to finally gather with my siblings to plan Gr. Jo's service and celebration of life. It was great to get together and actually visit one on one, and hug, hug, hug, after so long.
So this week I am thankful for seeing a life size elephant in a farmyard ( truth!), a trip to a Mennonite nursey with beautiful plants, laughter, tears, a haircut, phone calls, texts, walking at the nature center, worshiping online, Coleus, DVD success, picking out new glasses, "The Shack", visiting with John and Joan on our porch, rain and more rain, hugs from family, and so much more.
Enjoy your weekend!
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