Hello,
Finally a list of things that need to be done before I’m gone is created and has the possibility of being added to. Seems there is always one more thing to think about.
I just remembered to check the DC weather. It will be about like it is here, however my arrival day, Friday, has a 40% chance of rain. My rain jacket is out in Utah. An umbrella is packed within easy reach, but the coat would be nice too. I will dry if I need too. Actually there are not such distances to walk that I can not get it done, but it is more difficult dragging a suitcase in the rain. The suitcase will be small, but still my umbrella is small too. All the things that can be damaged by rain will have to be specially packed.
I now have out pj’s for three different temperatures. Only one is going with me, but which one? Such decisions. Day wear is not such an easy choice either when the temperatures can fluxuate. (I could not find this word in the dictionary. Is it not a word? I use it frequently. Or is my dictionary too small? Flux was there.)
Leroy worked quite a few hours yesterday and today on the ceiling at the ministry center in town. This building houses the food pantry. Sometimes he finds it satisfying to work with his hands and finish something. A project with an end can be very appealing.
The largest slum in the world, Kibera in Nairobi is to be eradicated. They expect it to take 2-5 years. One million people live there. The Kenyan government has already started to move some people out to new low rent housing apartments. As might be expected there are people who say they own the land and the government has no right to take it over. Nothing in life seems to be simple. Surprisingly some shacks even have electricity and water. Reports indicated that none were supplied.
Paula
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Bountilful harvest
Hello,
More tomatoes got canned this morning. Now only the solid non-fragile eating ones are left. There are still some left on the vines, but they will be ready while I am gone. Leroy will have to deal with them. Surely he will enjoy that. Leroy has dried basil two times. There will also be three peppers to pick and Leroy can take care of them too.
The worst looking apples made the best tasting crisp. It is not fun to make since there is so much more cutting and work ferreting out the good. Hopefully another pan can be made before I go to DC consequently Leroy will be well supplied.
Today’s batch of bread was good and many buns went in the freezer so Leroy can also have some while I am gone. Then I will freeze some of yesterday’s soup so this guy will not starve. Plus he is really good at taking care of himself.
Besides all that kitchen work I got two thank you notes and one long letter written.
Then I went to church twice for yoga since I have started giving my sessions again. The schedule is the tricky part. Next month I will try another time to see what works best for all.
Sarah sent directions for getting from the airport to her office. There was a time when that would have struck terror in my heart, now I am just a little anxious. I remind myself most people here speak my language so it should all work without a hitch. But it would be nice to have Leroy with me to agree or disagree on any fine points and take some of the responsibility. Or maybe I am just big into the handholding stuff when trying something new.
Paula
More tomatoes got canned this morning. Now only the solid non-fragile eating ones are left. There are still some left on the vines, but they will be ready while I am gone. Leroy will have to deal with them. Surely he will enjoy that. Leroy has dried basil two times. There will also be three peppers to pick and Leroy can take care of them too.
The worst looking apples made the best tasting crisp. It is not fun to make since there is so much more cutting and work ferreting out the good. Hopefully another pan can be made before I go to DC consequently Leroy will be well supplied.
Today’s batch of bread was good and many buns went in the freezer so Leroy can also have some while I am gone. Then I will freeze some of yesterday’s soup so this guy will not starve. Plus he is really good at taking care of himself.
Besides all that kitchen work I got two thank you notes and one long letter written.
Then I went to church twice for yoga since I have started giving my sessions again. The schedule is the tricky part. Next month I will try another time to see what works best for all.
Sarah sent directions for getting from the airport to her office. There was a time when that would have struck terror in my heart, now I am just a little anxious. I remind myself most people here speak my language so it should all work without a hitch. But it would be nice to have Leroy with me to agree or disagree on any fine points and take some of the responsibility. Or maybe I am just big into the handholding stuff when trying something new.
Paula
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Little Fever
Hello,
Friday I woke up with small pain in my intestine. At the end of the day I had a low grade fever that only lasted about six hours. Weird, if you ask me. Because of it I did not pick grapes on Saturday morning. Such disappointment! Leroy went without me. He said, “I had a great time.”
Course I felt great all day Saturday. Consequently I could clean the kitchen floor, sweep down outside cobwebs, read a book, think about what I was missing, and sweep out the carport.
With a total turn around we are now ready for rain. The ground is dry and cracking in places. The seasons are all mixed up. August was almost totally green. September usually brings rain, but it has not yet rained in this month.
Friday I will go to Washington D.C. to help Sarah and Stephen get settled into their new home. I was to be there ahead of their things, but I am not sure that will happen. Last Wednesday Miriam called to say, “The movers are here picking up Padres’ things. The mover told me they expect to be in D.C. on Monday.”
Oops. Plane tickets cost much money to change. Surely there will still be things to be done. Because of all my flights to Kenya I have a Silver Elite status so I can take check-in luggage. Plus there are other perks such as getting on the plane first, but why do I want to get in there early? Waiting areas are larger than planes.
Sunday should be a day of rest, however when Leroy brings home two big boxes of very ripe tomatoes rest takes a back seat. Is this comparable to pulling the ox out of a hole? Some of these tomatoes would have rotted by Monday. Seven jars are done. Some are cooking in the crockpot. No matter what the weather is like there will be bean/tomato soup tomorrow complete with basil from our plant and bay leaves from the store. What blessings again. Just when that seems to be the last more comes. Someone told Leroy they have apples and will give us some of them. Pushed down and running over.
Paula
Friday I woke up with small pain in my intestine. At the end of the day I had a low grade fever that only lasted about six hours. Weird, if you ask me. Because of it I did not pick grapes on Saturday morning. Such disappointment! Leroy went without me. He said, “I had a great time.”
Course I felt great all day Saturday. Consequently I could clean the kitchen floor, sweep down outside cobwebs, read a book, think about what I was missing, and sweep out the carport.
With a total turn around we are now ready for rain. The ground is dry and cracking in places. The seasons are all mixed up. August was almost totally green. September usually brings rain, but it has not yet rained in this month.
Friday I will go to Washington D.C. to help Sarah and Stephen get settled into their new home. I was to be there ahead of their things, but I am not sure that will happen. Last Wednesday Miriam called to say, “The movers are here picking up Padres’ things. The mover told me they expect to be in D.C. on Monday.”
Oops. Plane tickets cost much money to change. Surely there will still be things to be done. Because of all my flights to Kenya I have a Silver Elite status so I can take check-in luggage. Plus there are other perks such as getting on the plane first, but why do I want to get in there early? Waiting areas are larger than planes.
Sunday should be a day of rest, however when Leroy brings home two big boxes of very ripe tomatoes rest takes a back seat. Is this comparable to pulling the ox out of a hole? Some of these tomatoes would have rotted by Monday. Seven jars are done. Some are cooking in the crockpot. No matter what the weather is like there will be bean/tomato soup tomorrow complete with basil from our plant and bay leaves from the store. What blessings again. Just when that seems to be the last more comes. Someone told Leroy they have apples and will give us some of them. Pushed down and running over.
Paula
Friday, September 11, 2009
Great Night
Hello,
Kary suggested that we have a mini retreat for the women in our church. Even against a certain amount of negative response she kept at it. We were organized as to the spot in the park and the food required. I said, “I will ask a woman I know if she would be the guest speaker on the subject of friendship.” That was all arranged without a hitch.
Thursday morning I was a little nervous when I realized that some of these women would not be there. You know that pre-party jitters of “what if no one comes”?
My cell phone had a voice mail message. It was our speaker saying she had a family medical emergency and could not come. From the hospital she could email her general outline, bible verses, and closing prayer. “Yes do that. I will give the program.” I confidently said.
I did not spend too much time preparing, I think I like winging it and not planning. I did final preparation for my mixers thinking that 16 was a lot of people, but having the possibility for more that could be created on the spot.
It was a beautiful night in the park. Two cars were already there when I arrived. Soon more cars came. The grand total was 28. All were astonished and amazed at the size of the group. There is such energy from people. Always people notice those missing as a lack of energy. Over all it went well. Many said, “You should do this again next year.”
People who think I am quiet got to see another side of me. I like performing. Who knew I should have been in the spotlight when I was looking at career possibilities.
Paula
Kary suggested that we have a mini retreat for the women in our church. Even against a certain amount of negative response she kept at it. We were organized as to the spot in the park and the food required. I said, “I will ask a woman I know if she would be the guest speaker on the subject of friendship.” That was all arranged without a hitch.
Thursday morning I was a little nervous when I realized that some of these women would not be there. You know that pre-party jitters of “what if no one comes”?
My cell phone had a voice mail message. It was our speaker saying she had a family medical emergency and could not come. From the hospital she could email her general outline, bible verses, and closing prayer. “Yes do that. I will give the program.” I confidently said.
I did not spend too much time preparing, I think I like winging it and not planning. I did final preparation for my mixers thinking that 16 was a lot of people, but having the possibility for more that could be created on the spot.
It was a beautiful night in the park. Two cars were already there when I arrived. Soon more cars came. The grand total was 28. All were astonished and amazed at the size of the group. There is such energy from people. Always people notice those missing as a lack of energy. Over all it went well. Many said, “You should do this again next year.”
People who think I am quiet got to see another side of me. I like performing. Who knew I should have been in the spotlight when I was looking at career possibilities.
Paula
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
More on the Weekend
Hello,
I went to church at the smaller congregation which means that we ate later since I had nothing fixed by the time we got home. I need a wife!
In the afternoon we again headed off to the bike trail to ride with friends. I had a great ride going along on the recumbent tandem. A recumbent makes sense for a more serious bike ride. My neck did not hurt, my hands felt fine, and my bottom was not tired. Maybe someday we/I will make the switch. For now I manage just fine on my bike for errands around town since the trip is never longer than four miles one way. The weather was good, the sun kind, and the wind was low.
Monday Leroy and I could not sit around. We made a batch of applesauce. Those tough gnarly apples take the fun out of the work. The discard pile was almost as large as the keep pile when we got done. We also made a large apple crisp. There are not so many apples left so there will be no more applesauce, just crisp. The apples do not even invite eating as it requires cutting off various spots. The pears are delicious. I wish that I had picked many more of them. They are in great shape.
Today I did something I have never done before. I talked to my neighbor about what I put in my devotion log. Generally I never mention my faith when I am visiting with people. It somehow just seemed to fit in the conversation and the words came out of my mouth with minimal thought. I told her that I have lately been writing that I will trust God for today. The future is too far away, but I can deal with today. I also talked about the list of six things I am grateful for. She told me that she thought I had been sent as she was praying for some answers for her life. She said, “I can also let God know that I will trust today. I feel so much better.”
God can use us in ways and times that we do not even anticipate.
Paula
I went to church at the smaller congregation which means that we ate later since I had nothing fixed by the time we got home. I need a wife!
In the afternoon we again headed off to the bike trail to ride with friends. I had a great ride going along on the recumbent tandem. A recumbent makes sense for a more serious bike ride. My neck did not hurt, my hands felt fine, and my bottom was not tired. Maybe someday we/I will make the switch. For now I manage just fine on my bike for errands around town since the trip is never longer than four miles one way. The weather was good, the sun kind, and the wind was low.
Monday Leroy and I could not sit around. We made a batch of applesauce. Those tough gnarly apples take the fun out of the work. The discard pile was almost as large as the keep pile when we got done. We also made a large apple crisp. There are not so many apples left so there will be no more applesauce, just crisp. The apples do not even invite eating as it requires cutting off various spots. The pears are delicious. I wish that I had picked many more of them. They are in great shape.
Today I did something I have never done before. I talked to my neighbor about what I put in my devotion log. Generally I never mention my faith when I am visiting with people. It somehow just seemed to fit in the conversation and the words came out of my mouth with minimal thought. I told her that I have lately been writing that I will trust God for today. The future is too far away, but I can deal with today. I also talked about the list of six things I am grateful for. She told me that she thought I had been sent as she was praying for some answers for her life. She said, “I can also let God know that I will trust today. I feel so much better.”
God can use us in ways and times that we do not even anticipate.
Paula
Monday, September 7, 2009
Busy weekend
Hello,
Friday, Leroy and I headed off to Ely to visit friends for the evening. Because we came to their house before they got home we visited our former neighbors. It was great to see them. I even stole some seeds from the four o’clocks planted at “our” house. Sixteen years gives a feeling of ownership even if it is not true. I had gotten the original seeds from Leroy’s mother.
We went out to eat in the area of Cedar Rapids that had been so damaged by the flood last year. The food was tasty in this Czech restaurant and somewhat reminiscent of Slovakia.
The next morning we left to meet my brother and sister-in-law in a park that we had not seen in a long time. The deer were out as well as turkey buzzards. The walking was hilly and good for us. The water had gone over the spillway last year and we wanted to see the results. We did see some fossils.
The next stop was a mall where we had intended to spend no money, but parted with a lot, by my standards. I got a pair of expensive sandals that were on a good sale. I am hoping that I can walk for a long distance in these sandals. A new paring knife caught Leroy’s eye. Our children keep complaining when they use our knives. This was also expensive, but at a good sale price.
Sunday I tried once more and was able to put on my diamond ring. It is the first time since June 5. It only came off with a bit of lotion persuasion. Later is time enough to try again. Seems the knuckle is still big. There is still pain if I grip tightly. For a long time the only solution that came to mind was having the rings stretched. Now I have hope that it will be ok.
Paula
Friday, Leroy and I headed off to Ely to visit friends for the evening. Because we came to their house before they got home we visited our former neighbors. It was great to see them. I even stole some seeds from the four o’clocks planted at “our” house. Sixteen years gives a feeling of ownership even if it is not true. I had gotten the original seeds from Leroy’s mother.
We went out to eat in the area of Cedar Rapids that had been so damaged by the flood last year. The food was tasty in this Czech restaurant and somewhat reminiscent of Slovakia.
The next morning we left to meet my brother and sister-in-law in a park that we had not seen in a long time. The deer were out as well as turkey buzzards. The walking was hilly and good for us. The water had gone over the spillway last year and we wanted to see the results. We did see some fossils.
The next stop was a mall where we had intended to spend no money, but parted with a lot, by my standards. I got a pair of expensive sandals that were on a good sale. I am hoping that I can walk for a long distance in these sandals. A new paring knife caught Leroy’s eye. Our children keep complaining when they use our knives. This was also expensive, but at a good sale price.
Sunday I tried once more and was able to put on my diamond ring. It is the first time since June 5. It only came off with a bit of lotion persuasion. Later is time enough to try again. Seems the knuckle is still big. There is still pain if I grip tightly. For a long time the only solution that came to mind was having the rings stretched. Now I have hope that it will be ok.
Paula
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Generous people
Hello,
Again food just keeps coming. There are several zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers, apples, and pears in this house just because of generous people. What blessings. I am so happy to see all of the color at our meals.
In the apple orchard it was a sad sight to look at these 100 plus hobby trees that had almost no leaves and almost no apples. Last year every tree seemed to loaded and each more delicious than the last. We picked as many as we could. Wandering in a different area I spotted two types of pears that were not quite ripe, but should ripen here as they do when purchased green and hard. Finally I saw a tree that has leaves and huge apples reminiscent of last year. I picked two and ran back to show Martha. She is the one who knows the guy that loves to plant trees. Too bad I found it after we had almost completely filled our buckets. Many rotten apples lay on the ground. Often I would grab a perfect looking apple only to have my fingers ooze into mush. Gross. I still brought home some half rotten ones because I figured I could get a lot of good apple pulp from it.
The apple crisp was delicious. More apples could have been piled in because I had forgotten how much they shrink when they cook. Those half rotten apples were not a good bet because there was more rot inside than expected. But still I probably have two bushels of apples here. But what is a bushel? Leroy and I can not really remember.
I must work on those apples because I leave for Washington D.C. on Friday the 18th when I go to help Sarah and Stephen move. It is much harder to tackle these apples because they are not so nice. Instead they are lumpy and some even have worms.
Paula
Again food just keeps coming. There are several zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers, apples, and pears in this house just because of generous people. What blessings. I am so happy to see all of the color at our meals.
In the apple orchard it was a sad sight to look at these 100 plus hobby trees that had almost no leaves and almost no apples. Last year every tree seemed to loaded and each more delicious than the last. We picked as many as we could. Wandering in a different area I spotted two types of pears that were not quite ripe, but should ripen here as they do when purchased green and hard. Finally I saw a tree that has leaves and huge apples reminiscent of last year. I picked two and ran back to show Martha. She is the one who knows the guy that loves to plant trees. Too bad I found it after we had almost completely filled our buckets. Many rotten apples lay on the ground. Often I would grab a perfect looking apple only to have my fingers ooze into mush. Gross. I still brought home some half rotten ones because I figured I could get a lot of good apple pulp from it.
The apple crisp was delicious. More apples could have been piled in because I had forgotten how much they shrink when they cook. Those half rotten apples were not a good bet because there was more rot inside than expected. But still I probably have two bushels of apples here. But what is a bushel? Leroy and I can not really remember.
I must work on those apples because I leave for Washington D.C. on Friday the 18th when I go to help Sarah and Stephen move. It is much harder to tackle these apples because they are not so nice. Instead they are lumpy and some even have worms.
Paula
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Evening fire
Hello,
It was a beautiful cool evening in the park. It was so peaceful to look across the mirror reflection of trees in the water. The back yard yielded up a few fallen sticks, the basement had a couple unwanted small boards, and a fireplace had two abandoned sticks. Along with the help of egg cartons and a few newspapers a cheery fire was soon burning nicely. The popcorn was almost perfect and the tea was refreshing even if quite hot from the thermos.
There were four deer grazing at the park entrance and two herons winging across the water as we watched the sun go down. There is a four mile trail around the lake and we have yet to walk it. I am not sure what we are waiting for, perhaps a personal invitation?
Two weeks ago I bought a Parcheesi game for 25 cents at a garage sale. I have gotten much enjoyment from it, but I am not sure about Leroy. I beat him most of the time. We used to play this game a lot when I was growing up and I have many strategies. Leroy is floundering around the board. I think he has won only twice. Tonight he came close but was unable to shake out the number he needed to get home ahead of me even though he sat at the end for some time. We do have the rules and are following them meticulously. So no creating my own rules as we used to do when I was at home.
Leroy decided to fix up the laundry area. He put on some new drywall where there was water damage, covered the nails, and painted. It looks so much better even though this is just one small part of a wall. He is also going to give it a second coat. He will ask the youth group to see if they will come and paint the cement blocks. That would be wonderful. If they do not want to do it, we will just proceed and see what we can get done. I do not spend hours down there, but I would like a more pleasant area to be in. Paint is great for lifting spirits. Besides it is fun to paint in an area where you do not have to be so careful not to drip.
Paula
It was a beautiful cool evening in the park. It was so peaceful to look across the mirror reflection of trees in the water. The back yard yielded up a few fallen sticks, the basement had a couple unwanted small boards, and a fireplace had two abandoned sticks. Along with the help of egg cartons and a few newspapers a cheery fire was soon burning nicely. The popcorn was almost perfect and the tea was refreshing even if quite hot from the thermos.
There were four deer grazing at the park entrance and two herons winging across the water as we watched the sun go down. There is a four mile trail around the lake and we have yet to walk it. I am not sure what we are waiting for, perhaps a personal invitation?
Two weeks ago I bought a Parcheesi game for 25 cents at a garage sale. I have gotten much enjoyment from it, but I am not sure about Leroy. I beat him most of the time. We used to play this game a lot when I was growing up and I have many strategies. Leroy is floundering around the board. I think he has won only twice. Tonight he came close but was unable to shake out the number he needed to get home ahead of me even though he sat at the end for some time. We do have the rules and are following them meticulously. So no creating my own rules as we used to do when I was at home.
Leroy decided to fix up the laundry area. He put on some new drywall where there was water damage, covered the nails, and painted. It looks so much better even though this is just one small part of a wall. He is also going to give it a second coat. He will ask the youth group to see if they will come and paint the cement blocks. That would be wonderful. If they do not want to do it, we will just proceed and see what we can get done. I do not spend hours down there, but I would like a more pleasant area to be in. Paint is great for lifting spirits. Besides it is fun to paint in an area where you do not have to be so careful not to drip.
Paula
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