Hello,
Even in the short time that I was at the new house in DC I met some of the neighbors. They all were very friendly and welcoming. One of the guys has the same first and last name. What is the world coming to? Neighbors talking to neighbors? In the big city?
For my return trip, Sarah and Stephen dropped me off at the Metro stop close to their home. They were on their way to church so it was a bit early, but that did not bother me since I like early better than late especially when catching planes.
The escalator was not working at that spot, but a friendly Metro employee told me I could go across the street and go down there. That worked out just fine. At the level where I paid to get in I asked the attendant which side I needed. I am now into asking if there is the slightest doubt. When I got down there I saw that a train was coming in five minutes, but not the one I wanted. In fact there were none listed that I wanted. Hopefully a time would appear. After a while another train for the line I did not want was listed in 20 minutes. Then it said there was a problem on a track. What to do? No phone to reach anyone, but I still had about 40 minutes extra surely something would work out in that time. Fifteen minutes later it flashed up that my train was due in two minutes. It was there in just two minutes. I hopped on, sat so I could see the map, and settled back for my fairly long ride.
It was going just as it should with no trouble finding my way around the airport. A long walk was nice since I would be waiting quite a while.
Checking in this time was a bit less stress since I was flying NW. I simply went to the elite check-in kiosk and it told that I could check in two bags free. Since I only had one to check in I was in great shape. Someone had left a copy of the Sunday Comics on a seat and I pounce on it happy to read something that might make me laugh.
I had never ridden first class before so it was a treat to experience that. The seat was bigger, there was more food for snacks, and a bottle of water was already at my seat. Maybe I could get used to this.
Paula
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
My Phone
Hello,
Last month when I was in DC two-year-old Lexi wanted to use my phone. That was ok much of the time as she just listened. At one point I told her no and she threw it in the toilet. Sarah yelled and snatched it out, but not before it got quite wet. After some inquires we learned that you can take the sim card out, as well as the battery and put it all in uncooked rice over night. It may have been dry in the morning, but a light only flashed on the screen a few seconds before it went dark again. I was not able to get a new phone before I came home.
It feels so uncomfortable to fly without a phone. How did people manage in the old days? It was necessary to trust Leroy to be at the airport at the appointed time. Hopefully he would not have to wait too long. I picked up my bag and waited outside, no Leroy. Finally I asked a women standing close by if I could have her call Leroy. Luckily I keep all these numbers in my calendar. People are so generous if you just ask, but I keep forgetting that.
Once home I did not go right away to buy another phone since the store had a senior day on Thursday and this was Sunday after all. I do not use the phone much around town so waiting was not a problem. Regretfully I learned on Thursday that the phones were not subject to the 15% off so the wait was not necessary.
The man at the phone company, Tracfone, told me that it could take 72 hours for activation, something to do with the fact that my old phone would not work and that I now lived in a different place.
By Sunday night there was still no service. I hate to call for most anything so excuses came easy, maybe they meant 72 hours of working days. By Wednesday evening there was still no service so further procrastination made no sense even to the phone shy person. The man that day told me that it was because of changing towers, but if I had no service in 24 hours to call back.
No service so I must again make a call. The woman this time told me that I could just keep my service with the same tower since it was not so far away. She then helped me manually get started. It took many codes of about 15 numbers to get this done. Because she gave the numbers as single units and not double digits such as 27 which I could easily make 72 we got the job done. I am not sure why, but they seem not to have a record of how many minutes I had left on my service. I did remember that it was close to 170. I also had the bill from the last time I added time so I knew that I had purchased through August 2010. She then put in the time and somehow it turned into 340 minutes. When I told her about that she said, “That is ok.” After that she said I will give you until 11 on the length of service. I thought she was talking about 11 as the month of November instead I now have service through September 2011. That is so great since I do not use my phone much therefore I will possibly not buy any more minutes before then. What looked like a negative turned into a positive. Plus I like this phone so much better than my former phone.
Paula
Last month when I was in DC two-year-old Lexi wanted to use my phone. That was ok much of the time as she just listened. At one point I told her no and she threw it in the toilet. Sarah yelled and snatched it out, but not before it got quite wet. After some inquires we learned that you can take the sim card out, as well as the battery and put it all in uncooked rice over night. It may have been dry in the morning, but a light only flashed on the screen a few seconds before it went dark again. I was not able to get a new phone before I came home.
It feels so uncomfortable to fly without a phone. How did people manage in the old days? It was necessary to trust Leroy to be at the airport at the appointed time. Hopefully he would not have to wait too long. I picked up my bag and waited outside, no Leroy. Finally I asked a women standing close by if I could have her call Leroy. Luckily I keep all these numbers in my calendar. People are so generous if you just ask, but I keep forgetting that.
Once home I did not go right away to buy another phone since the store had a senior day on Thursday and this was Sunday after all. I do not use the phone much around town so waiting was not a problem. Regretfully I learned on Thursday that the phones were not subject to the 15% off so the wait was not necessary.
The man at the phone company, Tracfone, told me that it could take 72 hours for activation, something to do with the fact that my old phone would not work and that I now lived in a different place.
By Sunday night there was still no service. I hate to call for most anything so excuses came easy, maybe they meant 72 hours of working days. By Wednesday evening there was still no service so further procrastination made no sense even to the phone shy person. The man that day told me that it was because of changing towers, but if I had no service in 24 hours to call back.
No service so I must again make a call. The woman this time told me that I could just keep my service with the same tower since it was not so far away. She then helped me manually get started. It took many codes of about 15 numbers to get this done. Because she gave the numbers as single units and not double digits such as 27 which I could easily make 72 we got the job done. I am not sure why, but they seem not to have a record of how many minutes I had left on my service. I did remember that it was close to 170. I also had the bill from the last time I added time so I knew that I had purchased through August 2010. She then put in the time and somehow it turned into 340 minutes. When I told her about that she said, “That is ok.” After that she said I will give you until 11 on the length of service. I thought she was talking about 11 as the month of November instead I now have service through September 2011. That is so great since I do not use my phone much therefore I will possibly not buy any more minutes before then. What looked like a negative turned into a positive. Plus I like this phone so much better than my former phone.
Paula
Monday, October 26, 2009
That Locksmith
Hello,
When I was in Washington a month ago I had the responsibility of greeting, passing on instructions, inspecting, and paying the locksmith and the electrician.
When the locksmith was finished I checked the locks to be sure that I could indeed open the doors with the keys that he gave me. Then it was time to pay him. Credit card was not an option. My debit card would work, but where was an ATM? The friendly locksmith checks the Internet on his phone and tells me, “There is one about two minutes away.”
“Is that walking or riding?” I want to know.
“Riding,” he said and seeing my hesitation he added, “I can drive you there. It will be no problem.”
Now do you think it is a good idea to leave the house and all the possessions with the electrician?
“Ok,” I said since I could think of no other option to pay this bill.
Before I could get in the car the seat needed to be cleared of assorted items. I got in and noted that it was dirtier than our car has ever been. Mr. Locksmith got in, put the key in the ignition, turned it and nothing happened. He tried again with the same result.
“I left the lights on,” he said, “So sorry.”
He gets out and runs across the street to ask some workmen if they could jump start the car. No luck. Then he tries to stop a car going by. Next it was back into the house and he asks the electrician. Following that he comes back and goes across the street to beg. While he was doing that the electrician came out, opened up the hood of the car, took out a pliers from his belt holder, banged on the battery terminal, tightened something on the battery, closed the hood, got in the car, started it, said to the locksmith as he came back, “You should really pay more attention to that battery connection.”
“It is not my car,” the locksmith says, “It is my boss’s car.”
After a two minute drive we stop at the ATM. I cannot get my door open since there is no handle inside so the locksmith gets out and opens the door for me.
At that point I stand in line for more than fifteen minutes even though there is only one woman ahead of me. She appears to be making a number of transactions or trying to figure out how to get more money from the system than is possible. I am waiting patiently trying not to tap my foot or think about how the house could now be totally devoid of furnishings.
At last it is my turn. I have not used an ATM for some time and ask for fast cash, after all I want it fast. The trouble is that I cannot put in the amount needed so I must do it twice taking more time and doubling the charge for using this machine. (My bank covered all but $1.00 of that so it was not a big deal.)
Finally with money in hand I hop back into the car and we speed back to the house where I pay the bill, get a receipt, get the car door opened for me and my friendly locksmith speeds off on his next assignment. I go in the house and everything appears to be the way I left it complete with a still working electrician.
When Sarah heard about my escapade, she commented, “You rode off with a stranger? You could have been kidnapped!”
Paula
When I was in Washington a month ago I had the responsibility of greeting, passing on instructions, inspecting, and paying the locksmith and the electrician.
When the locksmith was finished I checked the locks to be sure that I could indeed open the doors with the keys that he gave me. Then it was time to pay him. Credit card was not an option. My debit card would work, but where was an ATM? The friendly locksmith checks the Internet on his phone and tells me, “There is one about two minutes away.”
“Is that walking or riding?” I want to know.
“Riding,” he said and seeing my hesitation he added, “I can drive you there. It will be no problem.”
Now do you think it is a good idea to leave the house and all the possessions with the electrician?
“Ok,” I said since I could think of no other option to pay this bill.
Before I could get in the car the seat needed to be cleared of assorted items. I got in and noted that it was dirtier than our car has ever been. Mr. Locksmith got in, put the key in the ignition, turned it and nothing happened. He tried again with the same result.
“I left the lights on,” he said, “So sorry.”
He gets out and runs across the street to ask some workmen if they could jump start the car. No luck. Then he tries to stop a car going by. Next it was back into the house and he asks the electrician. Following that he comes back and goes across the street to beg. While he was doing that the electrician came out, opened up the hood of the car, took out a pliers from his belt holder, banged on the battery terminal, tightened something on the battery, closed the hood, got in the car, started it, said to the locksmith as he came back, “You should really pay more attention to that battery connection.”
“It is not my car,” the locksmith says, “It is my boss’s car.”
After a two minute drive we stop at the ATM. I cannot get my door open since there is no handle inside so the locksmith gets out and opens the door for me.
At that point I stand in line for more than fifteen minutes even though there is only one woman ahead of me. She appears to be making a number of transactions or trying to figure out how to get more money from the system than is possible. I am waiting patiently trying not to tap my foot or think about how the house could now be totally devoid of furnishings.
At last it is my turn. I have not used an ATM for some time and ask for fast cash, after all I want it fast. The trouble is that I cannot put in the amount needed so I must do it twice taking more time and doubling the charge for using this machine. (My bank covered all but $1.00 of that so it was not a big deal.)
Finally with money in hand I hop back into the car and we speed back to the house where I pay the bill, get a receipt, get the car door opened for me and my friendly locksmith speeds off on his next assignment. I go in the house and everything appears to be the way I left it complete with a still working electrician.
When Sarah heard about my escapade, she commented, “You rode off with a stranger? You could have been kidnapped!”
Paula
Friday, October 16, 2009
More time in DC
Hello,
When I finally did get to the new house I managed to get the door open without difficulty. I was loaded with keys, three for the apartment and two for the house. I was happy to pass any challenge at this point. These keys need to be persuaded to open the door.
I spent a bit of time pulling weeds. I also tried to get the weed eater put together, but the holes would not line up just right and I was afraid that I would break one plastic piece or the other so I set that aside. Then I moved on to washing out the kitchen cupboards. Next it was on to washing the dishes, glasses, and etc. that I found. When they were dry I put the in the cupboards any which way since I did not really know the best place. Unpacking a few more things completed the day and tired me out.
Tuesday I managed the bus like a pro, but I kept my schedule in hand and the map readily available. On almost all of the bus rides I was the only white person. Most of the people were black with a few Hispanics.
Today I was to let in the locksmith and the electrician. The locksmith came first. He looked to be late 20’s or early 30’s. When I explained that I did not own the house he wondered where I was from. I told him a small town in Iowa. He thought he might know it because he had family in Ridgeway which is close to Decorah where I went to college. Small world?
I will continue this story later, but now I am tired as tomorrow we will get up very early to drive to Omaha to catch a plane to SLC to visit Miriam and family.
Paula
When I finally did get to the new house I managed to get the door open without difficulty. I was loaded with keys, three for the apartment and two for the house. I was happy to pass any challenge at this point. These keys need to be persuaded to open the door.
I spent a bit of time pulling weeds. I also tried to get the weed eater put together, but the holes would not line up just right and I was afraid that I would break one plastic piece or the other so I set that aside. Then I moved on to washing out the kitchen cupboards. Next it was on to washing the dishes, glasses, and etc. that I found. When they were dry I put the in the cupboards any which way since I did not really know the best place. Unpacking a few more things completed the day and tired me out.
Tuesday I managed the bus like a pro, but I kept my schedule in hand and the map readily available. On almost all of the bus rides I was the only white person. Most of the people were black with a few Hispanics.
Today I was to let in the locksmith and the electrician. The locksmith came first. He looked to be late 20’s or early 30’s. When I explained that I did not own the house he wondered where I was from. I told him a small town in Iowa. He thought he might know it because he had family in Ridgeway which is close to Decorah where I went to college. Small world?
I will continue this story later, but now I am tired as tomorrow we will get up very early to drive to Omaha to catch a plane to SLC to visit Miriam and family.
Paula
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Sunday and Monday in DC
Hello,
Sunday morning it was off to the National Cathedral for church. I even remembered it from a visit 12 years ago. At that time after church we took a tour of the facility. Today we had other things on the agenda.
The organ seemed so muddy with the melody of hymns well hidden in the rolling sound. It is a very live building. Good thing some hymns were familiar or that I can read some music.
In the afternoon it was off to the new house to unpack, and assemble some items. Lexi even took a nap in her new surroundings.
Monday morning I rode the bus to make the trip back to the house because the rest went to work and daycare. Sarah had talked me through the bus basics and armed me with a city map as well as the bus schedule. I marched down to the stop, saw the bus number 8 and hopped on. My paper metro card would not work on the bus. The driver informed me, “It is only for the metro. Instead you need the plastic one here.”
He had already started up. “Oh no what do I do?” I wondered.
He mentioned, “It costs $1.35 to ride.” And after a beat he added, “Sixty cents for seniors.”
“I have money. Am I a senior?” I asked.
He just shrugged his shoulders.
“You do not have to know everything.” I laughed and said, “I am 62, does that make me a senior?” (Later I remembered that I am only 61, but I will be 62 in three months.)
“Yes,” he grinned. I found my money, put it in the slot, and went back to sit down.
I pulled out my bus schedule and saw some of the streets that I thought should be there. Schedules here are not as precise as those I was accustomed to in Slovakia. After a while I could not see any more streets that I expected. I asked the woman ahead of me if I was on the right bus. She looked at my schedule and said, “You’re on the wrong bus.”
Immediately she pulled the stop request line even though the bus was stopped at a traffic light. She the called out to the driver, “Wait, she is on the wrong bus.”
I went up and told him where I wanted to go, he thought a minute and said, “You cross the street and go to the bus stop down there. 4F will stop and he will help you.”
With my heart pumping a bit I hurried across the street to wait for the proper bus. After about 20 minutes it came. I got on but before I put my money in the slot I asked the driver if he could help me get where I wanted to go since I had gotten on the wrong bus. He considered a bit and he said, “Yes, I can do that. You should get off at a stop and you can catch the right bus.” I had gotten on 8G and I should have been on 8H. “Because you have already paid you do not have to pay again.”
The second bus driver told me which was my stop and pointed out the proper bus stop since it was around to the side. It took quite a while, but I got there. What a gift to be able to speak to the bus drivers. They could understand me and I could understand them. No Slovak here.
Helpful people are everywhere.
Paula
Sunday morning it was off to the National Cathedral for church. I even remembered it from a visit 12 years ago. At that time after church we took a tour of the facility. Today we had other things on the agenda.
The organ seemed so muddy with the melody of hymns well hidden in the rolling sound. It is a very live building. Good thing some hymns were familiar or that I can read some music.
In the afternoon it was off to the new house to unpack, and assemble some items. Lexi even took a nap in her new surroundings.
Monday morning I rode the bus to make the trip back to the house because the rest went to work and daycare. Sarah had talked me through the bus basics and armed me with a city map as well as the bus schedule. I marched down to the stop, saw the bus number 8 and hopped on. My paper metro card would not work on the bus. The driver informed me, “It is only for the metro. Instead you need the plastic one here.”
He had already started up. “Oh no what do I do?” I wondered.
He mentioned, “It costs $1.35 to ride.” And after a beat he added, “Sixty cents for seniors.”
“I have money. Am I a senior?” I asked.
He just shrugged his shoulders.
“You do not have to know everything.” I laughed and said, “I am 62, does that make me a senior?” (Later I remembered that I am only 61, but I will be 62 in three months.)
“Yes,” he grinned. I found my money, put it in the slot, and went back to sit down.
I pulled out my bus schedule and saw some of the streets that I thought should be there. Schedules here are not as precise as those I was accustomed to in Slovakia. After a while I could not see any more streets that I expected. I asked the woman ahead of me if I was on the right bus. She looked at my schedule and said, “You’re on the wrong bus.”
Immediately she pulled the stop request line even though the bus was stopped at a traffic light. She the called out to the driver, “Wait, she is on the wrong bus.”
I went up and told him where I wanted to go, he thought a minute and said, “You cross the street and go to the bus stop down there. 4F will stop and he will help you.”
With my heart pumping a bit I hurried across the street to wait for the proper bus. After about 20 minutes it came. I got on but before I put my money in the slot I asked the driver if he could help me get where I wanted to go since I had gotten on the wrong bus. He considered a bit and he said, “Yes, I can do that. You should get off at a stop and you can catch the right bus.” I had gotten on 8G and I should have been on 8H. “Because you have already paid you do not have to pay again.”
The second bus driver told me which was my stop and pointed out the proper bus stop since it was around to the side. It took quite a while, but I got there. What a gift to be able to speak to the bus drivers. They could understand me and I could understand them. No Slovak here.
Helpful people are everywhere.
Paula
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Old and Narrow
Hello,
Because the stairs to the basement, in Sarah and Stephen’s DC row house, were a bit shallow the appointed couch would not go down instead it had to go in the living room on the main floor. The smaller couch went to the basement. Lexi’s tall dresser could not make the turn to go upstairs so it when to the downstairs bedroom.
The large looking house shrunk rapidly as more furniture, more boxes, and more curios kept coming in the door.
In the afternoon Sarah and Stephen left to get the shipment from Geneva. They had hired two guys to help with the truck loading and unloading. Unfortunately the movers had a flat tire so they had almost loaded the truck without help. There was hardly an inch to spare by the time the load was on. They learned that the movers were deaf. As Stephen said, “How can you tell the guy on the other end of the load that you need to stop if your hands are seriously occupied?”
Somehow these guys managed to unload very quickly. There were a lot of hand signals. We might tap them on the shoulder to get their attention and use body language. Because of the signing time that they do with Lexi they were able to ask if they needed more water to drink and to say thank you. Clapping and thumbs up worked too. These two guys helped do the impossible by getting the queen sized box springs to the second floor. One of them stood on the ground and passed it up to his partner standing on the porch railing who in turn passed it up to Sarah and Stephen standing on the balcony above. It was exciting to watch. The mattress was bendable enough to be persuaded to go up the small narrow turn in the stairway.
Finally all things were in the house except for a few things back in the apartment.
Paula
Because the stairs to the basement, in Sarah and Stephen’s DC row house, were a bit shallow the appointed couch would not go down instead it had to go in the living room on the main floor. The smaller couch went to the basement. Lexi’s tall dresser could not make the turn to go upstairs so it when to the downstairs bedroom.
The large looking house shrunk rapidly as more furniture, more boxes, and more curios kept coming in the door.
In the afternoon Sarah and Stephen left to get the shipment from Geneva. They had hired two guys to help with the truck loading and unloading. Unfortunately the movers had a flat tire so they had almost loaded the truck without help. There was hardly an inch to spare by the time the load was on. They learned that the movers were deaf. As Stephen said, “How can you tell the guy on the other end of the load that you need to stop if your hands are seriously occupied?”
Somehow these guys managed to unload very quickly. There were a lot of hand signals. We might tap them on the shoulder to get their attention and use body language. Because of the signing time that they do with Lexi they were able to ask if they needed more water to drink and to say thank you. Clapping and thumbs up worked too. These two guys helped do the impossible by getting the queen sized box springs to the second floor. One of them stood on the ground and passed it up to his partner standing on the porch railing who in turn passed it up to Sarah and Stephen standing on the balcony above. It was exciting to watch. The mattress was bendable enough to be persuaded to go up the small narrow turn in the stairway.
Finally all things were in the house except for a few things back in the apartment.
Paula
Monday, October 12, 2009
Back in DC
Hello,
Before I go back to DC, I have to correct a name in my last missive. It is Joel Hoger rather than Josh. Can you imagine that I might forget a name?
My first Saturday in DC Sarah and I headed out for a tour of the White House. Stephen kindly gave up his spot to me. It was quite interesting to see some of the rooms that were slightly familiar from publications. The guide’s talk was informative. For instance he said that Taft was the heaviest president at 300 plus pounds. When we visited Belle Meade Plantation they told us that they had invented a forerunner of the modern shower because Taft was to visit and he had a history of getting stuck in bathtubs. The shower was three or four upright pipes with two or three pipes that circles around on those supports. The pipes had holes in them so water would spray out. It seems that necessity is the mother of invention. Taft liked it so well that he had one made for the White House, but this was not mentioned in our tour. Is my memory correct?
But what is the correct pronunciation of library? The guide kept saying the berry sound on the end. Two weeks ago at Luther College someone on the phone also said that.
Following the tour we went to the new house where Stephen and Lexi was in the middle of the furniture and boxes that was coming off the truck which had come from Seattle, Stephen had things stored at his parent’s house, and Salt Lake, where they had stored things when they first went to Geneva. This looked like a big truck, but Miriam said when the truck was at her house it was a bigger one. The movers told her they would change trucks outside of Washington because they could not take that large truck into the city. Leroy who at one time worked for a moving company said, “That is a terrible job. I have done that in the past.” They were fortunate because everything was checked off by the time the movers were done.
Paula
Before I go back to DC, I have to correct a name in my last missive. It is Joel Hoger rather than Josh. Can you imagine that I might forget a name?
My first Saturday in DC Sarah and I headed out for a tour of the White House. Stephen kindly gave up his spot to me. It was quite interesting to see some of the rooms that were slightly familiar from publications. The guide’s talk was informative. For instance he said that Taft was the heaviest president at 300 plus pounds. When we visited Belle Meade Plantation they told us that they had invented a forerunner of the modern shower because Taft was to visit and he had a history of getting stuck in bathtubs. The shower was three or four upright pipes with two or three pipes that circles around on those supports. The pipes had holes in them so water would spray out. It seems that necessity is the mother of invention. Taft liked it so well that he had one made for the White House, but this was not mentioned in our tour. Is my memory correct?
But what is the correct pronunciation of library? The guide kept saying the berry sound on the end. Two weeks ago at Luther College someone on the phone also said that.
Following the tour we went to the new house where Stephen and Lexi was in the middle of the furniture and boxes that was coming off the truck which had come from Seattle, Stephen had things stored at his parent’s house, and Salt Lake, where they had stored things when they first went to Geneva. This looked like a big truck, but Miriam said when the truck was at her house it was a bigger one. The movers told her they would change trucks outside of Washington because they could not take that large truck into the city. Leroy who at one time worked for a moving company said, “That is a terrible job. I have done that in the past.” They were fortunate because everything was checked off by the time the movers were done.
Paula
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Church Anniversary
Hello,
The church here celebrated their 140th anniversary. Leroy and I both had thought we would be gone by now. I also had the idea that it would be better for the new pastor to get settled and to participate in this event. Basically I stayed away from the preparations for it.
Surprise for me, I enjoyed it thoroughly. There was some good music, good sermon by the bishop, a nice meal, good talks, and a great bell ringing.
We invited former pastors and their families to “tour” the parsonage. I went over with one young woman who had lived here when she was growing up. She asked, “Are you related to Sarah Bradway, are you her mother? She looks a lot like you. I did not know that her father was also a Lutheran pastor.”
“Yes, how do you know her?” I wanted to know.
“I went to Central College with her,” she said. By the way Sarah her name was Amy Hoger.
Later in the church her brother, Josh Hoger turned to me and said, “Do you know Brian Bradway? I went to Simpson College with him and we were in the same fraternity. I think we were the only two Lutherans. My wife Megan took a lot of classes with him.”
I was totally amazed that this could happen. Why I should be amazed I do not know. I frequently meet people who have a connection with someone I know. Life is full of ties.
The bell had not been rung in 20 years and it now works again. It had a beautiful clear tone. I was happy to take a turn ringing it.
Paula
The church here celebrated their 140th anniversary. Leroy and I both had thought we would be gone by now. I also had the idea that it would be better for the new pastor to get settled and to participate in this event. Basically I stayed away from the preparations for it.
Surprise for me, I enjoyed it thoroughly. There was some good music, good sermon by the bishop, a nice meal, good talks, and a great bell ringing.
We invited former pastors and their families to “tour” the parsonage. I went over with one young woman who had lived here when she was growing up. She asked, “Are you related to Sarah Bradway, are you her mother? She looks a lot like you. I did not know that her father was also a Lutheran pastor.”
“Yes, how do you know her?” I wanted to know.
“I went to Central College with her,” she said. By the way Sarah her name was Amy Hoger.
Later in the church her brother, Josh Hoger turned to me and said, “Do you know Brian Bradway? I went to Simpson College with him and we were in the same fraternity. I think we were the only two Lutherans. My wife Megan took a lot of classes with him.”
I was totally amazed that this could happen. Why I should be amazed I do not know. I frequently meet people who have a connection with someone I know. Life is full of ties.
The bell had not been rung in 20 years and it now works again. It had a beautiful clear tone. I was happy to take a turn ringing it.
Paula
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Walking the mall
Hello,
Stephen, Sarah, and I had lunch together. Their offices are within walking distance of each other. Smashed pea soup sounds abused, but it was tasty. They chose pizza.
One change since 1997, my last trip to DC was the WWII memorial. It was attractively done, simple but majestic. My thoughts went rather serious after that. Most of the memorials in this area have to do with war. Even Washington and Lincoln are related to wars. An hour passed as various ideas came and went. Why do we pay so much attention and tribute to an exercise resulting in so many deaths on both sides? Why don’t we spend more effort on things that advance civilization? Even if it is for peace it still seems that the method applied is if you do not agree with me I will kill you. How does this help anyone? Is war necessary just to keep the population under control? What are better alternatives? What are good ways to solve problems and why don’t we spend more time, energy, and money looking into those ways? No good answers came to mind just more questions.
It was good to spend a little time in the Smithsonian before I headed back to Stephen’s office where I would catch a ride home with him. City blocks must be longer here than in Chariton. It finally became clear that I would have to run some to make it on time. He had also made a plan to pick Sarah up on the street. There would be no real chance of parking so it was all scheduled to the minute. I made it with sweat streaming down my body. I don’t run much any more, no buses to chase in Chariton.
Lexi was at daycare and we picked her up on the way home. She seemed to know who I was, but took just a little time to reconnect. That is the story of my life reconnecting with granddaughters.
Paula
Stephen, Sarah, and I had lunch together. Their offices are within walking distance of each other. Smashed pea soup sounds abused, but it was tasty. They chose pizza.
One change since 1997, my last trip to DC was the WWII memorial. It was attractively done, simple but majestic. My thoughts went rather serious after that. Most of the memorials in this area have to do with war. Even Washington and Lincoln are related to wars. An hour passed as various ideas came and went. Why do we pay so much attention and tribute to an exercise resulting in so many deaths on both sides? Why don’t we spend more effort on things that advance civilization? Even if it is for peace it still seems that the method applied is if you do not agree with me I will kill you. How does this help anyone? Is war necessary just to keep the population under control? What are better alternatives? What are good ways to solve problems and why don’t we spend more time, energy, and money looking into those ways? No good answers came to mind just more questions.
It was good to spend a little time in the Smithsonian before I headed back to Stephen’s office where I would catch a ride home with him. City blocks must be longer here than in Chariton. It finally became clear that I would have to run some to make it on time. He had also made a plan to pick Sarah up on the street. There would be no real chance of parking so it was all scheduled to the minute. I made it with sweat streaming down my body. I don’t run much any more, no buses to chase in Chariton.
Lexi was at daycare and we picked her up on the way home. She seemed to know who I was, but took just a little time to reconnect. That is the story of my life reconnecting with granddaughters.
Paula
Thursday, October 8, 2009
On the metro
Hello,
Sarah gave me many good instructions for getting on the metro and going to her office. Waiting for the baggage no sign for the metro was visible, but I soon spotted it as I headed for ground transportation. I walked through and bought a $10 pass. Then it was a question of where to go after I got through the turnstile. The large map on the wall looked like a good source of information. As I was looking at it a woman came and started muttering about which line went where.
“Are you new here too?” I asked.
“No I live here,” she replied, “where do you want to go?”
I then told her the lines I needed.
“We are going on both of those so you stick with us,” she said as a man joined her.
After that I just followed along. My guides did point out the stop names and the map inside the metro train. It is all quite clear, but so nice to have some reinforcement.
“What street do you want when you get off?” they asked. Instructions were given so I would be headed in the right direction.
Once on the street I looked at my directions again and a guy immediately asked if I needed help. He sent me off. I did not spot Sarah’s office address right away. As I was checking my sheet another guy stopped, before he got done looking an additional guy stopped to make sure the first was doing a good job. The second guy delivered me to the door.
Was I cared for! Pressed down and running over. Is DC a friendly helpful place? Yes! There are good people everywhere.
Paula
Sarah gave me many good instructions for getting on the metro and going to her office. Waiting for the baggage no sign for the metro was visible, but I soon spotted it as I headed for ground transportation. I walked through and bought a $10 pass. Then it was a question of where to go after I got through the turnstile. The large map on the wall looked like a good source of information. As I was looking at it a woman came and started muttering about which line went where.
“Are you new here too?” I asked.
“No I live here,” she replied, “where do you want to go?”
I then told her the lines I needed.
“We are going on both of those so you stick with us,” she said as a man joined her.
After that I just followed along. My guides did point out the stop names and the map inside the metro train. It is all quite clear, but so nice to have some reinforcement.
“What street do you want when you get off?” they asked. Instructions were given so I would be headed in the right direction.
Once on the street I looked at my directions again and a guy immediately asked if I needed help. He sent me off. I did not spot Sarah’s office address right away. As I was checking my sheet another guy stopped, before he got done looking an additional guy stopped to make sure the first was doing a good job. The second guy delivered me to the door.
Was I cared for! Pressed down and running over. Is DC a friendly helpful place? Yes! There are good people everywhere.
Paula
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
On the plane and down again
Hello,
My plan was to embark more towards the end of the line because I do not necessarily see it as an advantage to get in the small space any sooner than I have to, however when they said all elite passengers could board, I got on. No one else was moving and it seemed that someone should get this going. We had to walk down stairs and then back up steps into the plane. How did that one person in a wheelchair manage? Since no one was ahead of me I thought I should check to make sure I made the right selection between the two choices. The attendant did not check my ticket so I asked, “Washington?”
“As soon as we are loaded we are leaving.” She replied.
Happily I sat by myself on this uneventful direct flight.
I was one of the first at the baggage pick up. It seems that many people no longer check a big but take quite a lot of carry on items. Bags started coming on the next carrousel and most people around me moved over there.
I asked a guy who had retrieved a bag where he had come from and with his reply of New York I moved back to the original spot. After waiting another 15 minutes the woman next to me said, “This is taking a long time.”
We then conversed about many things. I learned that she is a veterinarian who had just come back from the ISU Vet School. She works for the government and tracks contagious diseases in animals. She travels a lot with her job.
I talked about the fact that my daughter’s family had lived in Kenya for a time. I had visited and described how it felt to be almost the only white person around. “Now you know something about how we African-Americans feel sometimes. Usually there is a mix, but not always. I went to Tuskegee so I know something about seeing many black people and almost no whites.”
I thought it was too bad that we lived so far apart. I think we connected. It certainly made the half hour wait pass more quickly.
Paula
My plan was to embark more towards the end of the line because I do not necessarily see it as an advantage to get in the small space any sooner than I have to, however when they said all elite passengers could board, I got on. No one else was moving and it seemed that someone should get this going. We had to walk down stairs and then back up steps into the plane. How did that one person in a wheelchair manage? Since no one was ahead of me I thought I should check to make sure I made the right selection between the two choices. The attendant did not check my ticket so I asked, “Washington?”
“As soon as we are loaded we are leaving.” She replied.
Happily I sat by myself on this uneventful direct flight.
I was one of the first at the baggage pick up. It seems that many people no longer check a big but take quite a lot of carry on items. Bags started coming on the next carrousel and most people around me moved over there.
I asked a guy who had retrieved a bag where he had come from and with his reply of New York I moved back to the original spot. After waiting another 15 minutes the woman next to me said, “This is taking a long time.”
We then conversed about many things. I learned that she is a veterinarian who had just come back from the ISU Vet School. She works for the government and tracks contagious diseases in animals. She travels a lot with her job.
I talked about the fact that my daughter’s family had lived in Kenya for a time. I had visited and described how it felt to be almost the only white person around. “Now you know something about how we African-Americans feel sometimes. Usually there is a mix, but not always. I went to Tuskegee so I know something about seeing many black people and almost no whites.”
I thought it was too bad that we lived so far apart. I think we connected. It certainly made the half hour wait pass more quickly.
Paula
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Going to DC
Hello,
The alarm was set for 4:00 am. Our eyes popped open at 3:30. After touching shoulders and bases getting up seemed the smart thing to do. The flight leaves at 7:00 so it seemed that 6:00 was plenty early to get to the airport. The “older” women declared “It takes an hour and 10 minutes to get the airport not the hour you think.” Now Leroy and I were both a little nervous about an hour’s drive. Perhaps that is why we woke up earlier than planned.
Leroy raced downstairs to start oatmeal while I took my osteo pill. Not a champion pill swallower, I try to remain calm when taking this medium sized tablet as water is all that is allowed. In fact there is to be no eating for half an hour after swallowing. My usual pill taking method is to eat a cracker and hide the pill in the mashed up cracker as I swallow. Mental, huh? There is to be no lying down for half an hour after taking this pill, but that is not a problem in the shower, I am not even tempted.
Leroy is fussing “Did you pack your toothbrush? Should I take your bag out? Stop walking around and eat.” We are ready at 4:45.
Through the darkness and occasional ribbon of fog there were hardly any cars and just a few trucks. We almost make the intimate acquaintance of one skunk. There was just a brief hi to a lumbering raccoon.
One hour and five minutes later we pulled into the drop off lane at the airport. Good timing!
At the self check in kiosk $20 was charged for my check-in bag. Because of my Silver Elite status I should be able to have two free bags. The woman at the desk said, “You will have to call the 800 #, I am not able to change that.” She then gave me instructions for next time. Personally I am inclined to use the ticket agent as I think she was saying I should indicate I had no bags to check. I like taking to a person who is more flexible than a machine.
Paula
The alarm was set for 4:00 am. Our eyes popped open at 3:30. After touching shoulders and bases getting up seemed the smart thing to do. The flight leaves at 7:00 so it seemed that 6:00 was plenty early to get to the airport. The “older” women declared “It takes an hour and 10 minutes to get the airport not the hour you think.” Now Leroy and I were both a little nervous about an hour’s drive. Perhaps that is why we woke up earlier than planned.
Leroy raced downstairs to start oatmeal while I took my osteo pill. Not a champion pill swallower, I try to remain calm when taking this medium sized tablet as water is all that is allowed. In fact there is to be no eating for half an hour after swallowing. My usual pill taking method is to eat a cracker and hide the pill in the mashed up cracker as I swallow. Mental, huh? There is to be no lying down for half an hour after taking this pill, but that is not a problem in the shower, I am not even tempted.
Leroy is fussing “Did you pack your toothbrush? Should I take your bag out? Stop walking around and eat.” We are ready at 4:45.
Through the darkness and occasional ribbon of fog there were hardly any cars and just a few trucks. We almost make the intimate acquaintance of one skunk. There was just a brief hi to a lumbering raccoon.
One hour and five minutes later we pulled into the drop off lane at the airport. Good timing!
At the self check in kiosk $20 was charged for my check-in bag. Because of my Silver Elite status I should be able to have two free bags. The woman at the desk said, “You will have to call the 800 #, I am not able to change that.” She then gave me instructions for next time. Personally I am inclined to use the ticket agent as I think she was saying I should indicate I had no bags to check. I like taking to a person who is more flexible than a machine.
Paula
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Still in Chariton
Hello,
On the walk to church there was a whooshing sound right above my head. I looked up to see fire going into the opening of the colorful hot air balloon. It was not long and they had moved off. About two blocks later their support truck came around the corner as it followed them.
The phone was ringing as I walked in the door. It was Miriam wanting to know the weather in some place in Nevada. They were driving on their way to California. At the moment it was snowing around them.
“It is on the road, but not terrible,” Miriam said. “However trucks coming from the direction we are going were knocking snow off of the front when they were at the rest area. The ground is covered.”
By that time the computer was up and I could tell her the weather in the towns they were approaching. It said above freezing and cloudy with no participation. Technology is wonderful.
The phone rang again about half an hour later. Miriam reported, “We are now out of the snow. It was terrible over the top as it was glare ice. We only slid once. They were not letting people go over the pass, but we were from the other direction. That is the highest place on the road in Nevada so I think it should be ok now.”
Earlier last week Miriam had reported snow in SLC, but it did not stick.
Today Leroy and I walk in the CROP walk to raise money to assist people who are hungry. We feel this is the right thing to do, but neither of us is very good at going out to solicit funds. People at church do contribute, but I have tried only three neighbors. Mostly we just give ourselves.
Paula
On the walk to church there was a whooshing sound right above my head. I looked up to see fire going into the opening of the colorful hot air balloon. It was not long and they had moved off. About two blocks later their support truck came around the corner as it followed them.
The phone was ringing as I walked in the door. It was Miriam wanting to know the weather in some place in Nevada. They were driving on their way to California. At the moment it was snowing around them.
“It is on the road, but not terrible,” Miriam said. “However trucks coming from the direction we are going were knocking snow off of the front when they were at the rest area. The ground is covered.”
By that time the computer was up and I could tell her the weather in the towns they were approaching. It said above freezing and cloudy with no participation. Technology is wonderful.
The phone rang again about half an hour later. Miriam reported, “We are now out of the snow. It was terrible over the top as it was glare ice. We only slid once. They were not letting people go over the pass, but we were from the other direction. That is the highest place on the road in Nevada so I think it should be ok now.”
Earlier last week Miriam had reported snow in SLC, but it did not stick.
Today Leroy and I walk in the CROP walk to raise money to assist people who are hungry. We feel this is the right thing to do, but neither of us is very good at going out to solicit funds. People at church do contribute, but I have tried only three neighbors. Mostly we just give ourselves.
Paula
Friday, October 2, 2009
At Home in Chariton
Hello,
I flew into Des Moines Sunday night, saw Leroy briefly, shared a meal with friends, was driven home, and went to bed. Settling back into the house was easier when I was by myself, but the house seemed very quiet with Leroy at a meeting until Tuesday.
Later I will give you trip details, but in chronological order.
This weekend is homecoming in Chariton. The school close to our house often gets tepeed, or however you spell that word when toilet paper is decorating your trees in the morning.
Last night the bedroom light was just turned out when people could be heard coming past the house. After a bit voices seemed to be right outside the window, but it took too much energy to get up and see what was happening.
The morning revealed the truth as the bare front walnut tree now had a draping of toilet paper. The tree in the back had much more as did the linden. There were even some paper towels in the mix. We are not sure if this is a negative or a positive thing, but we are going to treat it as a mark of distinction. In the past we have had this happen, but only when we had kids living in the house. Seemed to me it was the popular kids that got it. Makes for a happier outlook to think it is positive since we may never really know.
It is rainy and cold. I thought that I could wait until October to turn on the heat, but 62 degrees became too cold. But it was only two days ahead so it is a small matter.
The highest two track train trestle in North America opened yesterday in Boone, IA. I would like to go see this new Kate Shelly Bridge. The old Kate Shelly Bridge was built in 1900 and only had one track with a maximum train speed of 25 mph. Now two trains can use the new bridge at the same time and at a speed of 70 mph.
Paula
I flew into Des Moines Sunday night, saw Leroy briefly, shared a meal with friends, was driven home, and went to bed. Settling back into the house was easier when I was by myself, but the house seemed very quiet with Leroy at a meeting until Tuesday.
Later I will give you trip details, but in chronological order.
This weekend is homecoming in Chariton. The school close to our house often gets tepeed, or however you spell that word when toilet paper is decorating your trees in the morning.
Last night the bedroom light was just turned out when people could be heard coming past the house. After a bit voices seemed to be right outside the window, but it took too much energy to get up and see what was happening.
The morning revealed the truth as the bare front walnut tree now had a draping of toilet paper. The tree in the back had much more as did the linden. There were even some paper towels in the mix. We are not sure if this is a negative or a positive thing, but we are going to treat it as a mark of distinction. In the past we have had this happen, but only when we had kids living in the house. Seemed to me it was the popular kids that got it. Makes for a happier outlook to think it is positive since we may never really know.
It is rainy and cold. I thought that I could wait until October to turn on the heat, but 62 degrees became too cold. But it was only two days ahead so it is a small matter.
The highest two track train trestle in North America opened yesterday in Boone, IA. I would like to go see this new Kate Shelly Bridge. The old Kate Shelly Bridge was built in 1900 and only had one track with a maximum train speed of 25 mph. Now two trains can use the new bridge at the same time and at a speed of 70 mph.
Paula
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