Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you on this last weekend of October.  The temperatures have dropped dramatically.....Thursday it was 65 and Friday 's high was in the morning..dropping throughout the day.  Today's high is supposed to be 33.  The snow showers have gone north of us so far, but definitely the cold front is giving us a taste of what is to come.  Winter.  

This past week Joel was able to bike more...somtimes twice a day as he gets closer and closer to his personal goal of 1,000 miles this year.  He'll make it before long.  He has spent a bit of time raking leaves too, after high winds and heavy rain this week.  The groud is blanketed for sure.  He'll preach tomorrow at the church in town where he served for 10 years.  

We had our Covid boosters on Tuesday.  We both felt fine but I woke before midnight that night with aching, chills, and just plain feeling funky.  Wednesday I was sofa bound covered in blankets.  I napped three times and got 9 hrs of sleep.....I was actually quite surprised by how the booster hit me this time, but it is only temporary.  Today I feel my usual "normal".  Of course my normal could be someone else's wack-a-doodle!  haha

Speaking of wack-a-doodle, the last two weeks have us shaking our head again.  A week ago our youngest daughter was in a bad car accident, totaling the car.  She ended up having surgery to put a steel rod and screws in her arm.  She is pretty much covered in bruises and has a few hairline fractures, but she is going to be okay.  Praise God!   Thursday one of our grandsons was in a bad car accident after a semi crossed over into his lane, caught the bumper of his car, spun him around and sent him into a cement barrier.  He came out of it okay even with the car being totaled.  Yikes!  Praise God he is okay.  A couple weeks before that his oldest sister was T-boned by a car, but not injured and the car fixable.  Praise God again!  Adding Joel's little fender bender to the mix gives me pause.  Enough with the car accidents already.  Bottom line, life is so unpredictable..

Speaking of unpredictable, this last massacre in Maine is so heartbreaking, so senseless, so frustrating.  Sadly the when and where of these events may be unpredictable but we can predict that they will continue until we all decide enough is enough.  Back in 1985 we became aware of a priest and two others being murdered  in their church in Wisconsin.  This was really rare then.  It was around that time that Joel's life was threatened by a church member.  Credible enough that our home was filled with armed police and we were escorted out of town.   Very long story short, we lived with this man's threats, stalking, phone calls, etc. the whole 6 years we continued to live in that Minnesota town.  It made us aware of how unpredictable people could be.  How violent.  Is hard to fathom that we have had over 560 mass shootings just.  this.  year.  With the continued war in the middle east, the massacre in Maine, and the thousands who solve their frustrations with violence.  It has us petitioning....."Lord have mercy".  

I have been looking at the pictures I have on my phone sent in a quick second from across the miles or the country....or ocean.  It is such a gift.  My mom would have loved it!  We sure do.  When our kids go on a trip they "take us along" with photos they send.  We have received them from Europe, the UK, Utah, Nashville, and more.....cell phone photos connect us in great ways.  When we miss an event, there it is in a picture.  If they just want to say hi......It is all so good!  

Speaking of good,  our middle daughter had a birthday this week.  She is a pure joy and we are so thankful for her.   Happy Birthday N.  

Thursday and Friday I felt the urge to "sort" and "purge" and "organize"  I had little energy to spare but used it to clean out two cupboards and one large lazy susan cupboard with Joel's help.  I sorted through my favorite large basket that has held devotionals, etc. for years.  I have a narrow wicker basket in the kitchen that holds all my essential oils....purged.  Vitamins checked and if outdated...purged.  Old shampoos, etc. purged!  I just could not get enough sorting done.  Spring cleaning in the Fall!?!  I cannot connect this urge to anything specific but it is a bit comical.  Can anyone relate?  I still have this urge to sort and purge so I expect it will continue!

Time to end this with a generous dose of gratitude.  SOoooooooo thankful Sarah is recovering from the car accident and the others are okay.  Praise God.  Grateful another Covid booster is done and the side effects are gone.  Grateful that we had some beautiful Fall weather and enjoyed viewing some tree foliage before the cold arrived.  Grateful for a hubby that helps so much.  Grateful for the power of prayer.  Grateful for bike rides and walking, laughter, tears, phone calls with family and friends, texts, emails, and pictures.  So many pictures to make us smile~  Yes, grateful for all this and so much more.

Enjoy your weekend~

Saturday's Scribbles

Welcome,  as we enjoy another beautiful October Saturday in our corner of the world where Fall is showing off it's peak colors.  Yesterday Joel took me for a drive around town where we were able to enjoy seeing many trees decked out in vibrant red, yellow, and orange colors.  I am able to view one tree from my living room window that is so lovely, especially when the sun reflects off of it's gold and orange leaves. The weather has been great, cooperating with some biking for Joel and porch sitting for the two of us.  

It has been a quiet week in Lake Woebegone, except for the need to replace the upstairs toilet.  When we renovated the upstairs bathrooom last year we did not replace the toilet as Joel liked it and it was working well.....move ahead a year and it stopped working and could not be fixed.  Of course it did.  So Joel drove to Home Depot in MN and picked up a toilet like the one on the main level, then asked a fellow handyman/colleague if he would come help him install it.  Of course it took some effort to get the old one out and new one in, and then  a couple of trips to a hardware store for parts , but after a few hours it was up and running...well running only when we flush it instead of 24/7!  Yay for my handyman and his volunteer helpers!

Thinking about the toilet pulled up in my memories the Thanksgiving the main floor toilet ran over ...and over....and over.  No one noticed until I walked towards the front door in my wool slippers and found myself sloshing through water....toilet water! I tried to lift the bulb inside to stop the water from running but it kept pouring out onto the floor.  I yelled for help but the men were all watching football .....so it took awhile to get their attention.  The ladies came to help, but Joel was upstairs and I finally pounded on that bathroom door telling him what was happening.  As quickly as he could he came running dowstairs.....our son in law tried to turn off the water to that toilet but the valve was rusted open!  Joel went down and turned off the main water valve but not before water was coming through the upstairs vent and down through the furnace vents in the basement!  Water water everywhere.......Joel and the guys got it unplugged and cleaned out the furnace vents, etc.  Our oldest went and got a bucket and mop to wash the main entry floor and bathroom floor but as she was washing she noticed that water was coming out the side of the bucket~  She had not noticed that on the side it said....."BUCKET LEAKS".  She got it outside as she commented..."WHO keeps a leaky bucket? "  Well that would be her dad.  And to this day he still has that bucket!  I haven't asked him what he would use it for!?!?!  Somewhere in the middle of this water drama our oldest daughter and son got the giggles.  It was all comical!  Joel and I still chuckle when we bring this story to light.  

I can hear the winds outside today.  Sunshine but strong winds.  I expect our trees will loose more leaves.  Just a few years ago we had snow on the ground on the 21st.....but today it will be 60 degrees and sunny.....and windy.  I'm not eeady for snow.  Hold on tight Autumn, please don't leave us let~

I have been listening to a few podcasts and teachings this week by Barry Bennett, Bill Johnson, Lutheran Church of Hope and Lisa Harper.  We are into Jeremiah in the OT and James in the NT.  The last time I studied Jeremiah was in BIble College in 1967.  Professor Fageberg taught us and I confess after decades I don't remember what he taught, but I think Joel STILL has his notes on the class.  Neither of us are particularly enjoying the Old Testament but it seems more relevant right now with what is going on in Israel and the Middle East.  I am not sure much has changed.  

Speaking of change, I want to apologize for mistakes I make while writing.  My vision is challenging, especially while on the computer so I don't always catch my errors.  It is what it is! 

Speaking of change, last night as I sat on the sofa towards dark I looked out to see the moon shining brightly in the sky. With it's glow in the background of a tall pine tree it was beautiful to behold.  A bit later I looked up and it was covered by the tree and shortly after it showed up on the other side of the pine.  I was surprised by how quickly the earth moves and we don't even realize it.  I guess life goes by the same way, so quickly at times we don't even feel or notice it.  Anyway, I so enjoyed that view of the moon.

Today I am grateful for that view of the moon at dusk and the view of the vividly bright orange/yellow tree during the day.  Two different views from out the same window!  Grateful for a new toilet, and a volunteer willing to help Joel.  Grateful for stories of another time with toilets!  Grateful for Joel getting some biking in, the walking I do.  Grateful for a quiet week in "Lake Woebegone".  Grateful for podcasts, sermons, and teachings at our fingertips.  Grateful for Alexa that plays George Winston on command.  Grateful for audiobooks to pass the time.  Grateful for friends and family who pray, call, text, and email.  Grateful for all this and so much more........

Enjoy your weekend!

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you from northern Iowa where we have lived for 27 years.  We are in the midst of a beautiful Fall season where the colors, smells, and sounds of  Autumn are making us smile!  We got nearly 2 inches of rain this week too!  So needed.  Joel is still doing his morning porch meditation....just listening to nature and having his coffee.  Our home is near the edge of town and with so much green space and its proximity to the river, we see plent of nature...mostly squirrels, birds, a raccoon or two and deer.  Once in awhile a coyote makes itself heard at night.  We are blessed by our surroundings.

Speaking of Joel, after a full weekend, and Monday with me for testing, he took a day to. rest up and then got back in to Wed. nights at the church, a pastor's conference on Thursday, and Gabby Grandpas this morning before attending an ordination this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon he'll go on a church bike ride.  Love how healthy and active he is.  I would love to be half as active as him, and it is still a goal and a prayer.

Speaking of myself, I am grateful to have the CT's and contrasts over and done with AND a very good report.  Nothing found.  It has not solved my lack of energy and other symptoms,  but it has, as best we can, ruled out cancer. I told a family member, "I am STILL here" and since she is soon to be 82 and has her own challenges, we agreed..YES, we are still here and God is still God.  

I look around the area where I spend my waking hours and all the signs of Fall make me smile.  Last Sunday we drove to a small market in town and purchased pumpkins, gourds, and squash.  Mini pumpkiins and gourds are decorating our living spaces, and pumpkins welcome guests onto our porch steps.....so fun.  We did not purchase mums this year as our pansies brought us color until this past week when we had to say good-bye.  We definitely will go to the same small garden center next year and pay too much again because this one pansey plant lasted over 4 months!  

Today is an old friend's birthday.  We met Corrinne when Joel was pastor at her church starting in late 1989.  We have been gone from there over 27 yrs yet she still sends us cards and words of encouragement....keeping us in prayer.   What a blessing!  Happy Birthday Blessings to a special lady!

The past week has been filled with the horrers of war once again.  This time the atrocities have sickened me in my spirit.  I had to quit watching and listening as it was so stressful.....so I cannot imagine living in it.  What do we do?  We pray.  As people of God we KNOW the power of prayer and we pray...we pray for Israel.  We pray for Palestine.  For the innocents. Lord, hear our prayers.  

This takes me back to one of granddaughter's confirmation statement where she spoke about something that happened to her.  She has a severe allergy and was exposed to that food....things started to go "south" and Joel and I prayed for her..  We laid hands on her and prayed as we waited for her medicine to arrive.  She shared this personal story in her statement of faith.  The power and importance of prayer.  I remember on our trip out East in 2013 we ended up in a hotel that smelled strong of chemicals.  My tongue started to swell and I had air hunger.  Joel laid hands on me and we prayed....we prayed and declared the promises of God that had been told to me regarding the trip and my healing from chemical reactions.  Immediately the air fully filled my lungs and my tongue was back to normal.  It never occurred again.  Yes, there is power in prayer.  We don't always have immediate responses to our prayers but we know God hears them.  I am so grateful for those who pray.....family, a sibling texting group, our family texting group, our prayer warrior friends that are one text away.  And it is also such a privilege to pray for others.  Prayer is a powerful gift from God, our first line of defense AND offense.  

A funny story (have I shared it before?).  Joel decided to grow out his beard the past couple of months.  As we were sitting at the table eating nearly 4 weeks into his decision I looked at him and asked, "Are you growing your beard out?"  He laughed.  Yep.....for the past 3 1/2 weeks!  I could blame it on me being a one-eyed wonder now, but chances are I would not have noticed for awhile.....Now if he shaved it all off, that I would have noticed.  When I had only l one eye most people did not notice that either, unless they looked at me for a period of time.  Makes me wonder how tuned in we are to each other!  Haha

Speaking of tuned in, I am thinking you may be ready for me to end these scribbles today so will sign off by sharing some things I am grateful for.  Would love to hear about some of yours too.......Grateful for nothing found on the scans.  Grateful for prayer and the gift it is from a God who hears us!  Grateful for the Fall colors, smells, and sounds.  Grateful for the mini pumpkins and gourds that decorate the house....and the pumpkins on the deck steps.  Grateful for the animals and birds that live around us.  Grateful for a granddaughter's statement of faith regarding prayer.  Grateful for the prayers of family, friends, and acquaintances.  Grateful for all the rain this week.  Grateful for texts, emails, and phone calls.....and so much more.

Enjoy your weekend!

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you from a crisp Fall day in Iowa.  It has been really windy the past two days so the ground is scattered with leaves that continue to rain down.  The temp. has gone from the high 80's to 50 yesterday.  It smells like Fall.  I have always loved this season best.  Not only for colors and smells, but that first frost that kills off the gnats, mosquitoes, and ticks.  We hardly saw a mosquito here this year while porch sitting.  Too dry I expect.  

Speaking of Fall, Joel is off to Rendezvous Days in Southern MN today.  The one day a year he puts aside for himself. He'll be home later tonight and smell like woodsmoke and grilled pork on a stick!  He managed one bike ride this week ~ yesterday, even with winds in the 20's.  He has been in the office more as he prepares for two services tomorrow.  

Last weekend we were in northern Minnesota spending time with three of our grands and their folks.  We were able to pick one grand up from college, and see another from yet a differennt family. who goes to the same school.  After arriving at the farm, nother grand came home from yet another school so we were able to see the whole family.  Visiting was the only thing on my agenda, while Joel went to see his oldest brother in a nursing home Sat. and then attended his home church and his middle brother's 80th birthday Sunday.  I rested and visited with kids while the parents took one back to school Sunday.  A grandson made Joel and him homemade pizza for supper and we did some porch sitting.  Nothing like a good view of the country to enjoy on a warm evening.  We left for home Monday.

My energy was fair on our trip, and remains a mystery to solve.   I have been walking daily though except when gone.   The chiro is still working on my knee and wants me walking on it. 

  This past Tuesday as I went up to bed I turned on the bedroom light switch.  As I went over to the bed I heard a strange popping/scratching noise.  At first I thouht it could be a bat.  Terrifed of bats.  I headed over to the bedroom door and the noise got louder.  I bent down to look at the light switch and listen closer.  Just then sparks shot out of the light switch and I let out a short scream.....which in turn brought Joel running upstairs,  I told him what happened, he turned off the switch and we monitored awhile for heat in the wall.  Nothing.  The next day he drove to Menards and bought a new switch.  He was able to find the cause and replace it.   It has been working perfectly since.  It is nice to live with a handyman! He has fixed our old clothes dryer many time before it completely gave out.  He fixed the garage door into the house just a while ago.  He made steps for the back deck this summer.  Like I said, it is good to be married to a handyman.  

Speaking of bats, in 1976 we bought a big old house in St. Paul, MN while Joel was attending Luther Seminary. This house had an apartment upstairs which brought in some extra income.  We soon came to realize that the house attic held over 200 bats as the inspector told us.  They were protected and we did not exterminate them......so over the 2 years we lived there Joel killed 25 bats that came into the house through cracks and the basement.  Joel sat down the basement a few evenings with a BB gun and shot them as they came out of the walls.  Seriously.  When he figured where they were coming out he stuffed the areas with insulation.  One in our bedroom was as big as a squirrel and Joel said wen he killed it with a tennis racket his knees buckled.  When we decided to take an Internship in Montana we sold that house and I walked out of there never looking back.  No regrets at leaving~ 

True story:  our niece was visiting us one time.  We had 4 kids ages 2-6 and one day a bat swooped down into the living room and I screamed BAT and ran out the front door....leaving all my kids behind!  She was so upset with me and scolded me for leaving my kids behind.  Nothing I was proud of......just a gut reaction!

Speaking of kids, adults now with kids of their own.....Our granddaughter A. had a birthday this week.  She is all grown up, has her college teaching degree,  and is now teaching children with special education needs.  She has been volunteering with kids for many years so it was not a surprise to us she wanted to be a teacher.  She will be amazing. 

So ending this Scribbles today with all things Fall that I am grateful for....the colors, the smells, the sounds, the cooler weather.  All so nice!  Grateful for a trip up "North" into Minnesota to see family.  And grateful Joel could see his brothers and other family.  Grateful for my knee getting better.  Grateful for meds when needed.  Grateful for houses without bats!  Grateful for phone calls with family, grateful for Joel's day to step back into the past of fur traders, muzzle loading, outdoor cooking, and more.  Grateful for the family farm porch sitting and visiting, seeing 4 of our grands last week. Grateful for photos, texts, and emails.....and so much more...

Enjoy your weekend!