Saturday's Scribbles

 

 

Good Saturday to you on this first day of July 2023.  It is another hazy, cloudy, humid day here in north Iowa.  The flowers seem to like the weather though, especially the rain we had last week....4 inches or more here.  Our resident wren is singing away and of course we were visited by two cardinals this past week too.  I wrote about them on my Facebook page.  Only God. 

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our wedding June 1968

Speaking of "only God", yesterday we celebrated our 55th Wedding Anniversary.  With thanksgiving we enjoyed a special meal, a drive to Clear Lake (in Ventura IA) and a Jesse Stone movie, besides a few texts from family.  We are so very thankful for having so many years together.........longer than anyone on either side of our families (due to divorce or death).  At one time we had talked of going to Norway.........Joel's choice....or Hawaii........My choice.  But then life interrupted and we are just thankful we could go for a drive, enjoy a lake view, and be together still.  We have always said, we were prayed together and will stay together!

Joel keeps busy with yard work, woodworking projects, and biking.  The other day he opened the garage door while I was laying on sofa and said as he walked in through the kitchen..."Hi, I am taking the mailman downstairs to look at the small boxes I made, he might want a couple."  I looked up to see the mailman walk through and down the stairs with Joel, saying "Hello Ma'am. " as they walked by.  Okay then.  Seriously?  He led a stranger through the kitchen and living area and down the stairs past a bedroom to the family room to show him boxes?  We definitely have different ideas on what being safe at home means.  For me there is a high level of security to feel "safe".  For Joel, not so much.  It was "just" our fill in mailman, so no big deal.....In the end I was chuckling at what Joel will do to have another project to work on!  He likes keeping busy for sure.  Like recently when he carted home a bunch of wood scraps from the local college dumpster and then had to build a large box on wheels to store it in!  He is not good at doing "nothing" that is for sure.  

As I write this I am listening to George Winston piano music.  I remember back when we bought a piano in 1981...money was scarce so we had to choose between a new bed ( a spring was poking out) or a piano for Bethany.  We were told when she was 7 that she was "gifted" musically.  So, we chose the piano and as was common in those days, got a big discount in the purchase because Joel was a pastor.  It wasn't long after that we had to use a saving bond to purchase a mattress....it sat on the floor until the church bought us a frame and a dresser for Christmas.  And the piano?  Our oldest has that at her home and gives students piano lessons on it.  The piano teacher was right, she is very gifted musically and plays for schools and also keyboard for her church on Sundays.  All of our kids took piano lessons and more than one is gifted musically.  Two still play.  One of the best purchases we ever made!  I still miss listening to them....

I am walking daily, mostly inside....probably wearing out the living room wool rug!  I have been working on the book I keep feeling nudged to write.  I am using an app called "Curable" to manage and shift pain and it's patterns.  I have actually seen some shifts, subtle but noteworthy.  Each day is different here, so we enjoy the hours of freedom that comes with symptom relief, no matter how long it lasts.  Next week I head to Mayo for an MRI to see what that nerve damage really looks like.  

It is 4th of July weekend.  We have no plans but a little grilling and porch sitting.  I hope your long weekend brings a smile to your face as we celebrate this country we call America.  

Giving thanks today for America, for fireworks, for biking, walking, celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries.  Grateful for 55 years of marriage with Joel.  Grateful for rain, for lakes, for grilling, for Jesse Stone movies, for Curable App education, for flowers, for neighbors, for worship services live stream and in person...a freedom here in America!  Grateful for texts, emails, and photos that make family seem closer.  Grateful for Joel and our life together....and so much more.

Enjoy your weekend!!