Good Saturday to you from Autumn in Iowa, although today it is supposed to get up to 66 degrees! One last hurrah after a week of below freezing temps at night and highs in the 40's and 50's. We lost a few of our plants this past week due to a hard freeze, but it is the end of the first week of November so it is to be expected. Our sturdy mum plant is still gracing us with it's beautiful blooms, and one geranium is hanging in!
Speaking of the first week of November, we ended October by going to church in the morning to help celebrate Trinity's 150th Anniversary, and then welcomed trick or treaters Sunday evening. I think we had around 80 kids come through our neighborhood. Joel likes to sit on the porch and greet them. I expect his mask looked like part of his "costume" since he was wearing his usual attire.....a denim vest, jeans, shirt, cowboy hat and boots. Fall has definitely arrived when he pulls out his boots and vests!
On the first day of November we headed to the Mayo Lymphedema Clinic for a consultation that lasted nearly 2 hours, We were given so much good information and Joel was taught how to wrap my arm in bandages, which he does two times a day ~ morning and evening. We are seeing the fluid go down some so that is good news.
On Wednesday afternoon we went to a local drug store for Moderna booster shots. I have to say I was very concerned that the nurse who administered the shots did NOT wear a mask. Most who were there were in the 80's ~ vulnerable to not only CoVid-19 but also flu and pneumonia. Every medical facility we go to has a mask policy, so in my opinion so should the nurses giving shots at local pharmacies.
Joel and I felt fine Wed night, in fact we went to the pre-sale for the Bazaar at the church thinking Thursday may bring a few side effects..........which did happen. I spent Thursday on the sofa in pj's and Joel took extra naps. Early bed and a fitful night's sleep....then the fever broke and I felt better. Joel was back to normal Friday and I am feeling good now too. Worth the challenge to be protected.
Joel has been busy mulching and bagging leaves. A few days ago the hard frost had the trees raining leaves. It did not take long until we had a thick layer of leaves on the front lawn, driveway and street. It definitely tells us winter is on its way. There are many times I wish we were spending winters in Arizona or some place not so cold, but we are grateful for our warm house, cozy fireplace, and the beauty winter brings..........at least the first month or so until it "gets old". I like having four seasons every year. It is kind of like life. We all have winter seasons that blanket us with "cold" challenges, but there is always hope and the knowledge that Spring WILL come. Summer WILL follow. H.O.P.E. rises....
Fall is my favorite season. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. As a Pastor, pastor's wife and family we were always sooooooooooo busy at Christmas and Joel was always at the church so Thanksgiving was more of a family time for me. No pressure. Just turkey with all the rest, a time to be together. We spend every other Thanksgiving with our family gathered here now, except for last year when Covid made that impossible. So once again this year it will be the two of us for the holidays, with the hope of gathering after Christmas Day. Not always fun, but it is really what we make of it, right? Well, mostly.
So today I am grateful for the memories of Thanksgivings with family, for the Thanksgiving to come as each one is a gift, for Fall, for a couple warm days before the temps dip, for the Mayo Lymphedema Clinic and specialist Jenny, for Joel patiently bandaging my arm 2x a day, for getting our booster shots over, for lefse in the freezer, for trick or treaters, walking, Joel's bike riding, devotions with my hubby, phone calls from family and friends, texting, the prayers of others, keeping in touch with friends via Facebook. And then there is laughter, that healing medicine........and so much more.
Enjoy the weekend!
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