Saturdays Scribbles

Good Saturday to you on this Sunday morning!  It is another cloudy day but the fog may have left the area.  Temps are in the 30's and most of the snow has melted.  This morning when Joel looked  out the bedroom window he saw a mama deer and two yearlings in our yard, munching away on grass and our bushes.  A few days ago we had 6 deer coming through.  Our neighbor is feeding them corn again and I expect we will have corn growing in the yard come spring!  

Yesterday was a first for Joel and myself.  We went to a hockey game in my home town an hour north of us.  Our son-in-law's youth hockey team from Wisconsin came to SE Minnesota for a tournament and we joined many family members for the noon game. First we met a few for brunch at a familiar eating establishment.  Lots of catching up to do.  

Neither of us had ever been to a hockey game. Observations from me:  Loud, cold, fast moving, exciting, and made all the more enjoyable because we got to hug on two of our daughters and son-in-laws,  and a few grands, plus a couple siblings, SIL, and family member Helen.  She opened her home to everyone after the game where some great snacks and good visiting and laughter made the time pass quickly.  

In all honesty I lasted half the game before heading to the car to snuggle under a blanket on my heated car seat!  How spoiled are we?!  It was so great to be able to go.  The fog made driving a bit more challenging on the way home, but by supper time we were in our pj's and having homemade chicken soup.  It's so nice to come home to a meal that's already waiting for the microwave!  

This week on Facebook I saw a question....what were your favorite books you first remember...For me two came to mind.  The Trixie Beldon series of mysteries (I have been a mystery reader since I was 11).  My second favorite series were  "The Borrowers" and "The Borrowers Afloat:..Loved those books and was young enough to think our apartment walls could be hiding a few borrowers too.  Do you have any favorite books that you enjoyed as a kid?

Going back to yesterday, as I observed family I felt so deeply grateful for everyone who was there.  Each one unique, bringing their own gifts to the table called family.  Some quiet, some loud, some listeners, some talkers.  Each one has something special and important to bring into our family,....Several were teachers some  just retired, two still teaching with one just starting out.  A few were special education teachers.  How many lives have they touched, influenced, educated?  Again, that idea of what each brings to the table....

Needless to say, I am spending this day close to the sofa and Joel is up and running!  He is off to church in person and I am watching online.  It is Sunday after all. A time where we are thankful to be able to worship where and when we can.  A gift not all are offered in this world.  We are blesssed.

Today, on this Sunday morning I am grateful for family. Grateful for each one of us being unique and important to our "tribe".  Grateful for the freedom to worship.  Grateful for the experience of a hockey game.  Grateful for heated car seats!  Grateful for safe travel.   Grateful for the powerful posts/devotionals available on phones and other devices.  Grateful for live stream worship services.  Grateful for laughter and prayer.  Grateful for morning visitors with four legs.  Grateful for phone calls, texts, emails, in person hugs, and so much more.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you from Arctic Iowa where we continue to have below zero temps and bitterly cold wind chills.  We did have a -45 wind chill when the temperature was way low and the winds were way high!  One day our local meteorologist was on Facebook and said "only 148 more hours before we rise above zero again!"  Oh, goodie.....ha  We woke up today to -29 wind chill but by Monday it will be in the thirties for a few days.  January in Iowa.

Speaking of January weather, I remember when the actual temperature was -30+ below the weekend of our middle daughter's wedding.  The guys were up a couple of times in the night to start vehicles, and the evening of the wedding people were bundled up for the event.  The church was full, and the dinner was held at the church after the ceremony.  The dance was held at the college nearby, but fewer ventured out for that. It was bitterly cold!  We still had a good time of course.  

We continue to have things happening like glitches with the furnace, the fireplace, tires, battery, etc.  Now we have a strange noise in our pipes when you flush a toilet.  Yep.  You can hear sounds in the wall pipes and Joel has figured out it is a vent for outside that has ice around it.  He is not going on the roof to try to fix it for now, but will wait for the ice to melt.  We ALSO ordered new curtains for a bedroom from Target.  When they arrived we thought we had four panels all the same but after washing them we realized that one panel did not have anywhere to insert the rod!  Nothing.  It was just a big piece of material which also was NOT sewn right, even lacking stitching.....seriously?!  Joel took it back to the Target storen le and we now have reordered one.  Let's just hope it comes as a curtain!

Speaking of Target, we made the trip across town to get groceries, pick up a prescription, and look for curtains (before ordering them) and ALL the freezers and fridges had STOPPED working due to the new generator being on the roof and freezing up!  All the food had to be tossed!  SO, no groceries from Target.......

We watched Only Murders in the Building Tuesday night.  We are less and less impressed with it.  A litle too edgy.  I really enjoy mysteries, but after tuning in to another old favorite on Prime that has new episodes, I realized that I don't watch the darker more violent stuff anymore.  And I like it that way!  I'm pretty much sticking with my Hallmark Mysteries.....Lighter, fluffier, and this old body does not react so strongly to them.  

Speaking of this old body, I saw the retina specialist on Tuesday (all is stable) and the urologist on Wednesday...Kidneys/stones are stable.  Insights and answers to some of our questions were helpful.  I seem to just be "one of those people" who get recurrent UTI's....and the best news we heard from the retina doctor was that I more than likely will "die before I go blind".  We'll take that as good news!  I am walking 25-30 minutes a day "in circles" on our main level and grateful I can do so. My eyes rebel against the snow and bright white so when it is a sunny day I am hiding in the house with some of the drapes closed to give my eye a rest.  IF you noticed I often speak of my "eyes" even though only one has vision.  Hard to change after 75 yeasr.

Joel has had "fun" snow blowing in the bitter cold.  He also has spent a lot of time in his office rewriting his second book.  He will preach in two churches tomorrow since last week both churches were canceled due to the nasty wind chills and blowing snow.  He has not been walking due to that same weather challenge.  He gets his exercise though as I watch him run or go up and down the stairs here several times a day.  Today he made it to Gabby Grandpas Saturday's coffee.  He has been going to our church's Wednesday night adult program where they are watching "The Chosen" and discussing the episodes after a neal at the church.

Today has given me pause.  It was 4 years ago today I finished radiation at Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN.  We were so excited to get back home although we definiteley missed the great people we had met.  Soon after arriving home the pandemic hit and our world changed!  BUT today I give thanks for 4 years of being cancer free.  Having had Stage 3A breast cancer, this is a gift!  

We were able to watch a granddaughter run in track again today live stream.  So great to be a tiny part of her college world.  Another granddaughter was also to run at her college but an injury has her sidelined this week.  A third plays softball so hope to catch some of her games in awhile.

So as I close this week's Scribbles I am giving thanks for a warm house, a working furnace, sunshine today, good reports, Hallmark Mysteries, new curtains....well at least three of the four panels needed!  Grateful for grocery stores, online shopping, ALL the delivery trucks that bring things to our door.  Grateful for our morning devotions and studying book of John.  Grateful for 4 years of freedom from cancer.  Grateful for texting that keeps up connected to loved ones and friends.  Grateful for phone calls...love hearing voices.  Grateful for emails............and so much more!

Enjoy your weekend!

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you from our corner of the frozen tundra where wind chills are -30 and getting worse...temps below zero for a high.  Oh, yeah, we seem to be paying for those 50's that we enjoyed in December!  Snow has arrived, the cold is making itself known and the wind is just adding "fuel to the fire"  OR is it ice?!?!?

Storms have been forecast this past week, but for us most of the snow did not materalize.  We have around 5-6 inches if we calculate right....we were forecast for up to 11 inches the first part of the week and another 6-10 for yesterday's storm.  Blizzard warnings, bitter cold temps and high winds kept most everyone home..with schools closed.  Sometimes you can get frustrated with the meteorologists but bottom line is they can only "Predict" and Mother Nature does not always cooperate but throws in a glitch or two.  We are happy to have less snow for sure!  

Speaking of meteorology, when Joel was forecasting weather at the Duluth MN Air Force Base which was located on the "top of the hill" he would call at times calll to ask me what was happening "down the hill" where we lived.  The weather would be completely different the closer you got to Lake Superior.  

The weather is so much like life.  You can chart it, make plans for it, and get all your "Ducks in a row" BUT  just like the weather, things can suddenly change.  Clouds appear, storms gather and even tornadoes shake things up.   Yep.  Just like the weather. So we do our best to stay informed, making plans, charting the path ahead...........and then we hang on tight yet try to be flexible for what comes!

In the last few weeks we have had a few things need "fixing".  Our car battery died....costly but easy fix.  Our headlight went out...NOT an easy fix but very costly.  Ha  We heard from the car shop Thursday night that our vehicle was not ready because the mechanics couldn't figure out how to put the new headlight in!  The next morning they called and it seems they had gotten the wrong replacement!  Our little Enclave SUV is now looking good....except for the tires which keep losing air!  That is another story.... Yesterday Joel opened our basement bathroom medicine cabinet (it has three glass doors that open).  When he opened the one door it came off in his hands!  Luckily he caught it so there was no broken glass.  AND after a bit of "fixing" Joel got it all put back together.  A few days ago the furnace decided not to ignite, making a very strange noise.  Joel checked things out but we decided with the age of the furnace and the way things were going we better get it checked.  They couldn;t come until this coming Monday.  We are giving thanks though cuz even with this bitterly cold weather it is working well!  And we are hoping that there will be no more things to fix!'

Joel is supposed to preach at two churches several miles south of here  tomorrow morning but with the winds, blowing snow, and frigid temps they canceled.  Better to be safe.  He has been out walking when weather permitted, doing more office work, and there was the one day of Spring cleaning!  Im walking 25-30 minutes inside and getting some cleaning done myself.  The tree is down and all the decorations are put away.  I was going to pare down this year....and ummmm  it did ot happen.  There were only two things I wanted to let go of.  Okay, then,

We have been watching Only Murders In The Building with some pretty famous actors in in the series.  It is on ABC and we are glad because they beep out the foul language.  So far, so good.  We are watching a couple of British shows too, and we enjoy Finding Your Roots on PBS also.  Most every family has a few hidden surprises!

Speaking of family, we were able to watch one of our granddaughter's run her race today at a college track and field event indoors,  And she not only one the race but improved her time,  Isn;t it wonderful we can just click on our phone or laptop and live stream these things!?!  With three grands in college sports it is great to get to see them participate once in awhile from our living room, 

Not much to share this week, but hope the last seven days have been calm and uneventftul for you.  Today I am grateful for a warm cozy home with a working furnace.  Grateful for the snow blower that makes it easier for Joel to clear the driveway.  Grateful for things getting "fixed" like the SUV and mirror.   Grateful for being able to watch live events on our devices.  Grateful for a new living room arrangement, Christmas put way, and a clean house.  Gratefufl for new TV shows to watch and a new TV to watch it on,  Grateful for phone calls with family this week, catching up with each other's lives.  Grateful for texts, photos by text and emails.  And so much more,

Enjoy the weekend!

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you on this first weekend of January, 2024!  It is a new year....a new beginning...filled with new hope.  And God is doing a "new thing"....

"Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing; now it springs up, do you not perceive it?  I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

                                  Isaiah 43:18, 19

Last Sunday Joel and I headed to church.  That evening, New Year's Eve, we ate nachos and watched a comedy...My Big Fat Greek Wedding #3.  It was okay....made us laugh and that is not a bad way to end the year.....although we were both asleep well before midnight.  I can't remember the last time we stayed up to actually bring in the new year.  Staying up til 10 is close enough for me!  Ha

Looking back over the past year was in many ways sobering...so many losses,.  BUT it also reminded us of how often God intervened.  How often prayers held us up.  How often the love and encouragement from others blessed us.  Now we look forward.  A new year.  A new thing.

Regarding that, I was hoping to get through 2 whole months without a doctor appointment but yesterday I cut my finger while cutting up fresh broccoli.  It seems I don't see so well looking down anymore.  Duh.. So with a deep enough cut and the fact that I had literally not had a tetnus shot for close to 30 years we decided I better cover all my bases.  Especially with this body.  AND no shot without a doctor seeing me first.  Really?!?!  I woke today with no real side effects to the shot so that is all good.  

Yesterday morning I "bit the bullet" and went looking for new tennis shoes.  This has been a 2+ year journey.  I prayed for a pair to show up quickly....AND we found a pair within an hour....Sketcher slip-ons that fit surprisingly well, and do not make my balance worse.  Mission accomplished and it only took 2 plus years!  My old walking tennies?  They are 12 years old now and put to rest!

Joel took down the outdoor lights yesterday.  He has been walking some outside and working a lot in the office on end of year stuff.  We have started gathering all the Christmas decorations too.  Our plan is to go through everything to pare down what we keep.  AND sort the storage area too which will take awhile.  Just have too much stuff!  

Joel is off to Gabby Grandpas this morning.  This group was started by John Skipper who worked for the local newspaper and wrote several books. He helped Joel edit his book.  The group consists of mostly men from John's church and a couple of stragglers....like Joel.  John went home to Heaven just over a year ago, but his group lives on along with his legacy.  I am sure he is smiling today as he watches the guys gather and visit.  Joel also is part of a colleague group that has been meeting once a month for longer than the 25 years Joel has been a part of it.  It is a small group that connect and share and encourage.  All good.

The last couple of days have overflowed with a flood of things that need prayer..  The terrrible school shooting in Perry Iowa....resulting in the death of a sixth grader and  the 17 yr old suspect.  I have four high school friends who are dealing with health problems and viruses, we have family dealing with sickness, cancer, procedures, surgeries.  and so many and so much more.  A person could spend all their time on their knees.  2024 has started off with a "boatload of crap"....excuse my language,  Yet GOD.  Yet God is in the midst of it all and we know out of the "dung heap" He will do a "new thing".  Our prayers are many but today after we bowed our heads to pray, when I looked up I  "saw" a bit of a sunrise just over a hill and if I just stood on my tip toes I could see a new thing coming! God's promises are coming for us all.   Hang on....You've got whatever is burdening you,,,,cuz GOD has it in the palm of His hands,  You make a good team.

I am listenng to Kenny G this morning while I write.  He has been on my playlist long before there were such things.  I find his music soothing.

Speaking of a long time..........Joel and I were exploring the Roku channel this week and came across a very old show....like 50 years ago old.."The Rockford Files" with James Gardner,  We watched a couple of episodes and then discussed the changes from today's TV content,  We were surprised at how violent it was and also some of the language used that would be offensive today...not swear words but words used to describe a gay person for one example.  Also how sexist the show was in how women were portrayed and treated.  Somethings have improved.  Lindsey Wagner was in the first episode and she went on to be "The Bionic Woman".  Blows my mind when I think these shows were on 50 years ago.  Yikes!

It is time to shut down this week's Scribbles and I always like to end with things I am grateful for,. Today I am grateful for the memories of a wonderful family gathering.  Grateful for a new TV to "explore".  Grateful for shots that protect and medicine that heals.  Grateful for walks and new shoes to walk in!  Grateful for Kenny G music.  Grateful for all the texts, emails, and phone calls that brighten our days.  Grateful for all the nice Christmas gifts we received,  For the Christmas cards that catch us up on old friends.  Grateful for the prayers of others and the privilege to pray.  And so much more........

Enjoy your weekend!