Care Providers

Ely, IA

Hello,

Last week I got the most important job done, I got a haircut. Personally I find it hard to know where to go. There are two establishments on the main drag in Ely. I gathered up my courage and went into one of them. The girl, at least she looked like a girl to me, was shampooing another woman’s hair.

I asked about her price followed by, “How comfortable are you with curly hair?”

Those of us with curly hair know there seems to be a big margin for error as some are surprised that curly hair shortens in certain places after it is dry. Would anyone admit that they do not do a good job with curly? Or do not like to cut curly?

She assured me that she did do well with curly hair. However, when I asked for an appointment she was not able to take me until 5:00pm the next day. I said, “I would think about it.” As usual I wanted a haircut right away since it was an annoyance. How hair can be ok one day and impossible the next is beyond me, but I know it happens.

I then went to the other place. She was not busy. So I asked her the price and curly question. She was $2 cheaper than the other person. As to the curly issue, she said, “I do know how to cut curly hair. I have curly hair.”

That settled it for me. I thought she did do a very good job. Best haircut I have had in some time. It was surprising to learn that she was a classmate of Miriam’s.

I am glad that task is done. After we are in Cedar Rapids, unless I have a job here, I will probably not drive down for a haircut even though it is only about 10-15 miles.

As to the job, I have heard nothing since I turned in my application. The director was out of town last week, but I thought this would be the week I would hear something about it. I have not given up yet, but if it is not to be, it is not to be.

Paula

Playing House

Ely, IA

Hello,

I feel as if I am playing house. Perhaps it is because so many things around me are not “mine” and this is just a temporary situation. I remember having the same feeling when we went to Slovakia the first time. Would it have felt differently if we had rented an apartment for a month? I do know it would have been harder to manage. We would have had to struggle to get things out of storage because we did not pack things with the idea of taking out just enough to create good living in one bedroom. This is much nicer. We even have a king sized bed, sheets, blankets, towels, a washer, a dryer, dish soap, and toilet paper are provided. Then there are all of the utilities that we did not have to get hooked up and then unhook a short time later. If desired, we have cable TV and the Internet. We have our cell phones that we do not use so much because we can make free calls over the internet. Communication is certainly in a new era. I am happy to be living in these times. Just so you know we are not totally freeloading, but do contribute to the household expenses.

A great thing is that we did not forward our mailing address so no junk mail finds us. Perhaps I feel like I am playing house because I am so unencumbered and free. Someday I will just leave or quit.

Now I am blessed with two large calendars. That may not seem like much to you, but I am pleased. I had brought one back from SLC public library. It is a water stewardship publication from the SLC department of public utilities. I am in agreement with everything they have advocated so far. We will see what the rest of the year provides. I certainly do not want to look at things everyday that I disagree with. Then my hostess brought me a calendar from work. It is also good and filled with beautiful pictures. In addition we have a smaller calendar that has pictures of Sophia and Logan on it. Just think we will have no excuse for not knowing what day it is after we have moved.

Paula

Dripping Possessions

Ely, IA

Hello,

Leroy and I are talented at misplacing possessions; they just seem to slither right off while we aren’t looking. Maybe by the time we get to the end of our lives we will indeed be bare and unencumbered with extras. Who needs this stuff anyway?

It might not be needed, but it is wanted. Then the sheer challenge of finding it becomes engrossing. Leroy cannot find a pair of sweatpants or lounge pants that he purchased at Savers for the grand total of one dollar. That may seem cheap, but these pants are dear. He likes them!

He knows they are not in this living space. He is sure that he has not seen them since we have been living here. He was even convinced of that before we looked in all possible places two times. Then it was on to the other places that we have rested for a time. First it was a call to Miriam to see if it was one of the items that he left at her house. She helpfully shared the contents of two boxes that we left there so we do not have to bother to bring much when we fly there. “Black dress shoes(Leroy’s), why are they here?” she wanted to know.

“They are almost worn out and shoes take a lot of room in a suitcase,” was the response from me.

I have asked my sister to look at her house. I even think Leroy wore them there, but I personally think we did a good job of gathering up all of our things.

We will be at Brian’s house for the weekend, can you imagine weekends off? We have only experienced that for 6 years since Leroy graduated from seminary. You know about weekend work before you graduate, but it is quite a different experience to live it. Anyway the reason we will be at Brian’s house is because they are having a late first birthday celebration for Logan whose birthday is today.

Then two weekends after that we will be back at Leroy’s sister’s house in preparation for moving into our new apartment in Cedar Rapids.

While we are at those places we will look into all crevasses where we strewed or stowed our things. Hopefully it will turn up so Leroy can once again enjoy the feel of those pants on his legs.

Paula

Warmth

Ely, IA

Hello,

The sun shone and the temperature climbed along with our spirits. My mother used to talk about how the chickens would sing when the sun shone. Well, we were singing today.

We again walked to church and then in the afternoon walked up the bike trail. It was wonderful. According to my pedometer we walked a little over three miles today. Word was that the trail is used a lot and it would seem to be true as we met four people walking out there. We saw bike riders in town so I would guess that they had used it as well.

I took pictures of our children and grandchildren to church. It was great fun to show them off. So many people remember our children so I thought they might like to see how they turned out as adults.

Late in the afternoon Leroy and I drove to Iowa City for a choir concert that was to have been free. We thought that fit our budget. At the table to the entrance there was a sign listing the ticket cost of $17 per adult and $14 per senior. We probably fit the senior category, but we still turned around and left because we did not want to spend about $30. Perhaps we could pay that after we figure out just how much money will be available after set expenses.

It was a nice day for a drive up through this area that is quite familiar to us. There are just so many new houses around here. It is something to be in an area that is growing so much.

Yesterday we visited some old friends. It is just good to catch up and find out where they are going in life. To talk and to listen is such a satisfying activity. Are we all wired that way?

Leroy is adjusting to the weekends off, but I get the feeling that he does miss being in the church as a worker. Life has adjustments all of the time. It is surprising because I thought when I grew up I would have arrived and life would be just a gentle slide from there to the end.

Paula

Emotional Rollercoaster

Ely IA

Hello,

Yesterday I checked our credit card bill and was shocked at how large it was, but then I realized that we had not yet paid for the windshield wiper repair. So the two car bills made it over $800. There were also two bills that I thought were for towing the car. One was for $35 and the other for $80. How could two places charge us for the one towing job?

I have kept track of what we spend and have done this for years. Well it had been some months since I managed this part of our life. I was appalled at how much we have spent for gas, flying around, and using the bus. Using the credit card does allow one to ignore the flow of money. Leroy and I have always paid our bill in full so that is not a problem. But then I know that we have enjoyed all of these trips and we did have the money to pay for them. By the time afternoon came I had let that go.

Just as Leroy came home I realized that we had bought gas at the one place that I thought had done the towing. So that put all of this angst to rest. What a waste of energy!

All of my recent reading material has been rather serious. Somehow that did not help my frame of mind. One book that I got from the SLC library is not one that I want to finish. I had to grumble about the disappointment and the waste of hauling it around of more than a thousand miles. Last night I finally found something that is just a bit lighter read. That helped me to feel better.

Except for Sundays, I am once again walking two miles a day for Lent. Today I waited until Leroy came home before we walked. It was so cold and windy that we really wanted to be done long before that point. The biggest challenge was that the wind was at our back on the way out and in our face on the return trip. My thighs were chunks of ice and Leroy’s face a bright red. Luckily the house is warm and normalcy returned quickly. Now I feel fine for having met the difficulty head on.

Paula

Missing Sock

Ely IA

Hello,

I washed clothes today, felt successful, discovered a missing sock, checked twice, and felt unsuccessful. How do these things disappear? It is a black sock made out of nylon so it could be sticking to some item of clothing, but I did check a couple of the most likely attracting suspects. There is little room between the bedroom and the washer so I do not suspect that it could have been dropped and disappeared from view. I did my usual pattern of checking the same places at least twice just because I cannot believe it is not there.

Logan got a haircut. Today I saw him on the webcam. I was amazed to see that he might join his sister in the blonde hair club. All of my children were blond as was Leroy. All of my grandchildren have brown hair except for Logan’s sister, Sophia. A year ago when Logan was born he had dark hair. One the reasons that I got to see Logan was that he is sick and could not go to daycare. It is sad that I am so far away, even at four hours it is too far, because I would certainly have the time to take care of him. Oh for that private jet so I could dash from child need to child need with all of my free time. It seems that there is either time or money available, but seldom both. Perhaps that helps us to appreciate what we do have and question the importance of each in our lives.

On Sunday Leroy and I stayed at church for a lesson in how to play Bunco. Leroy was one of the big losers so he got a consolation price of a game of Bunco. We were quite happy to get that as we are not hauling any games around with us. This game set includes nine dice so we played the game of zilch with the dice last night. It was fun especially because I won one game and Leroy won one. It seemed smart not to have a play off.

Paula

Two Cars

Ely, IA

Hello,

We now have two cars cluttering up the street in front of the house here. It is good to have taken care of this matter as I think it has been in the back of our minds for almost a month. Leroy wondered if this 1999 model was worth fixing, but I figure that we could not have bought another for the price of repairs. Also at this point it is nice, but not really necessary to have two cars. However if I have a job too, then I need a way to get there; unfortunately in this country my options are fairly limited. What we need is more people living closer together so public transportation becomes more feasible. It does not look so attractive when it is worded that way. An easy answer is not coming to mind.

The Fastnachts were a hit this morning. Only half of the batch went into donuts with the rest becoming cinnamon rolls. It all tasted good.

More good news, we saw Rex. He looks quite different than he did the last time we saw him. He is ready to go home tomorrow. He certainly talked with more vigor than he had in the recent past. Hope this is indeed the path to wellness.

We found the newest pictures of our grandchildren. I have them out so I can enjoy them. That is a treat.

Paula

Church

Ely, IA

Hello,

Last Sunday Leroy went to the first service at the church where he was pastor for 15-16 years. This Sunday we went to the second service because my hair was still wet and I did not want to walk in the cool air with wetness. Once again we can walk to church.

It was wonderful to see some of the people that I had not seen in years. In many ways it feels like coming home. I even think of that as I drive down the road. There has been quite a lot of development in the intervening years, but it still feels familiar, restful, and comfortable to my eyes.

We had thought we should not go to the church here, at least not on a regular basis because there is an unwritten rule that former pastors should not interfere with the new pastor’s situation. Because we will only be here in town another month and gone one of those Sundays we will simply go here and attend alternating services so we will not look so familiar. The many new people in the church will not recognize us so that makes it not so much of a problem.

Leroy and I are both astonished that Lent starts this week. That truly points out the fact that he is not in the parish where he had to be on top of all such Christian holidays.

I am making fastnachts/donuts for the family here. They were talking about and remembering them last week so I just plunged ahead and the batch is rising for the morning cooking and consumption. The traditional day is to have them on Shrove Tuesday, but it will not work so we are just moving it ahead.

It will be a bit lumpy with potatoes because I had thought they were more thoroughly mashed than they were. I noticed pieces as I was kneading. Oh well, it will not hurt us just be a lump of potato. Cooking and baking is always a mystery and adventure with me.

Paula

Lease Signed, Car Woes

Ely, Iowa

Hello,

We signed the lease this morning. It is good to have a decision reached. Because it is just for six months we could move. But I suspect, knowing Leroy and I, we will just stay put for the term unless something terrible were to happen that would force a move. Can you imagine if we moved every six months what our life would be like? At least junk mail would not find us.

The car that we had sitting at Leroy’s sister’s house would not start. Leroy tried to “jump it with the other car”. Luckily he knew that the battery was in the trunk in that other car having looked for it previously. But he could not get the cables off. He then talked with Rex (brother-in-law) who was in the hospital. He did have a battery jumper that plugged in. Leroy looked for that and could not find it. I went out and helped him look. Unfortunately it did not do the job even when found. Leroy struggled some more with the cables on the working car and finally succeeded in getting it ready to do the work. Nothing happened. Next he took out the old battery and had it tested. The prognosis was it had died; probably death was a gradual fading away. A new battery was purchased.

This battery was slightly larger than the old one making it difficult to put in. The cables did not reach. I thought Leroy should turn the battery around and then they would reach. The cables were not labeled with their polarization, but Leroy thought it was the way he had put it in. He then proceeded to “adjust” position of wires to make it work. When the cable touched one side sparks flew. One of the cables did not fit very well, but Leroy tried to start the car anyway, nothing. One of Rex’s neighbor’s came over in the morning and told Leroy, “The cables are wrong. You have blown a fuse and maybe burned some wires.”

Next step, turn the battery around and get a fuse. At least the fuse was cheap, getting it in was not. It was tucked in an inaccessible spot. Leroy’s nephew, Robert, helped Leroy. They had to remove some things, dropped a blot, removed more things, managed to retrieve the bolt, worked cautiously to get it back on the proper spot, and turned the car on to hear just a faint hum. There was an hour and more spent fruitlessly.

 We had the car towed to our favorite repair person who learned that the problem was the alternator. Monday Leroy does not have to work so we will pick up the car that day. Who is in control here, humans or machines?

Paula

Leroy did tell me that I could relate this story to you. He would like to think he can fix cars, but I am not quite sure why since he has had no particular training or much experience in that area.

Also Rex is still fighting pneumonia and is now in a nursing home for a short additional recuperation.

Leasing an Apartment

Ely, Iowa

Hello,

Yesterday the man who wants to rent the property called us offering to lower the rent as well as our share of the utilities and they would give us a six month lease. Leroy’s job only lasts for 1.5 years.  I had asked about a garden. They do not have one, but they mentioned that the side of the house might work, but really the front lawn was the best for the sun. The phone message stated that in addition, I could make a garden anywhere I wanted. Wow! Now I will have to put out some plants out for sure.

We called them back and told them we were ready to sign. Tomorrow morning we will get that done. They would like a notice of 45 days before we leave, but we can handle that or so we think at this point. We will have to stay in our current home (We find we quickly use the word home for anywhere we are staying more than a week.) until the middle of March. The other people will now move out on the 11^th of March, but we do not believe that we can move in on the same day so will wait for the following weekend.

If you know of anyone who wants a piano in this area, let me know. I have asked Brian if they would like it so he would get first chance at it. He did not sound so very excited; consequently, I am putting out other feelers so this piano can find a good home. We would be willing to leave it in Burlington or move it to CR and if needed keep it in the garage a few days so someone else could pick it up. It is the piano that my parents got when I was in first grade so you can figure out the approximate age. It is a spinet in good condition, not excellent condition.

It has been quite fine to stay in this place, but Leroy and I are both ready to move immediately or sooner. We are used to and like living more independently. Homelessness is not a desired way to be even if we have been living in warm and welcoming homes all of this time. We have been living this life style since the middle of September. That is long enough. I know that we are not the only people doing this. One of the people who taught a class at the gym told me that she had gotten divorced and was now, along with her two children, sharing one bedroom at her parent’s house. From personality studies, I know that I do not easily emphasize with people who are in a situation I have not experienced. Perhaps this is all part of my education for being compassionate.

Paula

The Duplex

Ely, IA

Hello,

We certainly liked the people who have this place to rent. They will be living downstairs. If it were just about them we would be signing on the line.

Inside the house, it is not so visually appealing with a warren of halls and rooms. It has old carpeting everywhere, but in the kitchen and bathroom. It does not have big windows. We probably could not get the piano upstairs or maybe with a bit more expense that we do not need. One desk might not go up the stairs, but that we do not care about. Leroy was paid for the first two weeks. Between the rent and utilities that check will be gone.

The house is in a better neighborhood than the previous house. It is less expensive by $100. It has a two car garage with a little storage space in the front. It has attic storage space. It has three bedrooms. It would have free wi-fi. The utilities are expected to be less than the first house, based on the monthly average for the past year. It has adequate small closet space. It has a washer and dryer. It has a clothes line.

We will probably take it because the positives outweigh the negatives and Leroy is tired of looking. He wants to be done with this phase of life and settle down.

He was a bit dismayed when he saw the size of his first check. One difference is that taxes have been taken out. Working for the church we always had to put money aside to pay quarterly as a supposedly self employed person. It still might come out better than he realizes because here the employer pays some of the social security instead of him paying all of it.

He apologized last night for putting me through all of this. I said, “That is ok because I know you do not want this for yourself either. You are not seeking it out.”

After all it is great that my life is so exciting. What would I have to write about if it were just ordinary? I might get in trouble just to liven it up a bit.

Paula

Looking a Duplex

Ely, IA

Hello,

Tonight Leroy will pick me up for a trip back to Cedar Rapids where we will look at a duplex that is the second floor of a house with the owner living below. One big plus is the two car garage that comes with it. It is also lower rent than the house we looked at previously. The owner was quite happy that Leroy called back. Interesting that in housing our age makes us appear like good renters where as in the job world it makes us too expensive. “Did he ask your age?” I wanted to know.

“Not quite, but he commented that my voice sounded older,” Leroy replied.

“I did not tell him my age, but agreed that we were older,” Leroy added.

If we understand the particulars it looks like a good possibility for us. It also has air conditioning. Part of me believes that we can live without it, but on the hottest days especially when sleeping upstairs, it is a blessing. If we are reading it correctly there is also a washer and dryer, two items that are often not included. We are praying that we are in the right place at the right time.

I am applying for a library job in Ely where we are now living. It is part time and not so well paid in dollars, but has the benefit of being something I would truly enjoy doing and it will contribute a bit to our standard of living. It is hard to fill out the forms because I do not have a permanent address. Do you get the feeling that is the story of my life? I mostly do not know where to say I am living. Just where am I anyway? Can anyone tell me? Is this trusting in God?

Someone of you asked where we are living for this temporary time. We are in the basement of a former member of the church in Ely where Leroy worked for 15 years. Can you imagine we lived in one place for 15 years? At this moment it is the longest in one place since we have been married.

When we lived here we worked some to have a bike path put in. It did not happen, but it is here now. This afternoon I walked a long way on the paved path and was grateful that the seed came to fruition. People have told us that it is used quite a lot.

Paula

The Real Bus Ride

Ely, IA

Hello,

You know that bus ride went ok because I am now writing from my new abode. First of all I should wish you a Happy Valentine’s day. Brian was born on this day, but we did not talk much about that because he took me to bus station at 6:20 am. He was surprised at the amount of traffic that was already on the road. It was not so much to slow us down, but we certainly were not the only cars out there. There was still twenty minutes before the scheduled departure time of the bus by the time we arrived at the station. After I found the exit door for my bus I learned that it had not yet appeared.

Loading seemed to go fast. I had my ticket and required photo ID in hand even though he did not seem to look at my photo ID. At least he did not say of my new driver’s license photo, “You look like death warmed over.” It still bothers me to go from my best license photo to my worst. Even my passport photo looks better.

We left the station seven minutes late. That was not really a problem for me as I was expecting a 30 minute lay over before the next bus. At the only other stop the driver turned right instead of left as I was expecting. Then he turned left across streams of traffic in two lanes so that took some time. As he got back in the stream of traffic going the way I had first anticipated cars were so plentiful that it was slower moving. Up ahead there were flashing lights. Consequently we arrived at that stop almost 30 minutes late. He said not to worry about our connections. I stopped worrying because after all what could I do about missing a bus especially before that had happened.

We pulled into the stop just on the minute. I could see the next bus waiting as well as a van. The two other drivers were standing there asking where we wanted to go and hustling us along to the proper conveyance.

As she came on my driver commented, “The bus is cold and it will not warm up until we get on the Interstate.” She then started the bus, counted people, filled out some paperwork, looked over the controls, and called someone. Following that conversation, she got up tried to adjust something behind me, got more advice on the phone, went outside the bus, turned off the bus, called again, tried her routine again, and then announced that something was wrong with the wheel chair lift and she could not put the bus in gear until something was fixed. She recommended that we go into the building, especially the infant on board, and she would let us know when we could leave.

By the time we were able to head out we were forty minutes late. That was not a problem for me as I had a 55 minute layover coming up. Again she told us not to worry about our connections. Indeed we got in 20 minutes ahead of my departure time.

The last bus driver said, “A photo ID is required.” So he spent some time looking at it, perhaps checking to make sure that I really was deserving of the senior discount. This bus was on time, but there was a high pitched whine that went along with us and caused my ears to ring. The bus was going to the CR airport, but it did not go to the terminal. So I had to call Leroy to give him some clues about where I was. He had seen a sign about the bus stop so found it easily.

None of the buses were full so I could easily have my two carryon bags with me in the seat. One bus only had nine passengers.

It is so great to have this available so that Leroy did not have to drive four hours up and four hours back.

Paula

Thinning Hair

New Brighton, MN

Hello,

Does stress or luck of the genes cause hair to thin? I have noticed that mine has definitely changed. When Miriam looked for those head lice in my hair she commented that there was not much place for them to hide. Just a couple days ago Brian commented on my thinning hair. It is a fact, but I dislike having it confirmed. Seems to me that hidden would be much nicer. Do I trust God to handle hair loss? I suspect it is low on the priority list and should be as it fits in the vanity category.

I will be on the bus tomorrow morning heading back to Iowa. Brian went to the physical therapist this morning. He was pleasantly surprised to experience no additional pain during this visit. He has been given a few exercises to do, suggestions of ways to move, and will return next week. His knee is bending more each day.

The good things that are the result of this loose and free life that Leroy and I have been living are: We have visited all of our children and grandchildren which seldom has happened so much in one year. We even got to spend more time than just a day or two so we get to experience them at their present ages. We are acutely aware of the help that others give us often just when we need it. We know that a job and a permanent home are not everything that makes life good. Trust is easier and more solid when visible supports have been cut away. Good people are everywhere. We have too much stuff in our lives and we do not know how to pare it down to turtle size. Laughter is free and good. Sunsets are free for all to enjoy. We will find the right place for us to be.

Just think I have not seen Leroy in a week. He will pick me up at the bus stop and take me to our new temporary abode. Apartment/house hunting will have to begin in earnest when I have free time to do it.

Paula

Bus Ride Coming

New Brighton, MN

Hello,

I will be leaving Tuesday on the bus. When Brian checked into the possibility of traveling between Minneapolis and Cedar Rapids we found it to be possible in a six-hour trip. In the car it takes four to four and a half hours. I had looked when we lived in Burlington and at that time it was an overnight connection. Now the bus leaves here an hour earlier in the morning. It is not so much more that I am quite content to do this. I do have to change buses three times, but that should not be hard. I figure that if I can change planes in some big airports with little time between connections this should be easy because I surely do not have to change buildings.

Now I will have to borrow a bag from Brian, as I cannot get all of the shoes that I kept with me in my suitcase. Perhaps I have a few extra clothes as well. Brian and Jen are not planning to travel soon; consequently they will not notice the absence of one small bag. Logan’s birthday celebration will be the first weekend in March. Because we are a mere four hours away and Leroy does not have a Sunday job, we are planning to come for that.

Our oldest grandchild, Olivia, just celebrated her fifth birthday, but ironically we were not there. The timing was fine, however it would have been nice to have been there for a birthday since we had stayed with them for almost two or three months.

Brian once again feels more leg pain in the last two days although his knee is flexing much more than it had been. It is probably good that I have been here for the weekend as well as for tomorrow when he goes to physical therapy. He is hoping this will make a different, but he is also a little anxious about the possibility of pain involved in this procedure.

It was again warm enough this afternoon that we took Logan out in the yard where he went a down a short slide in the sun and jiggled on the small trampoline.

Paula

Cold and Healing

New Brighton, MN

Hello,

Brian has recovered much. He slept with little pain for the first time since this journey began on January 30. He tells me that he is a side sleeper and has found it difficult to sleep on his back. There is now the ability to bend his knee much farther than before. Driving the car was not painful as it has been in the past days. Today he even said he sat in class and did not have pain, however his leg is still sticking out in the aisle and he walks with a decided limp. But there is hope in the air for healing.

Because it was eight degrees F. with a biting damp wind in the morning, I went with Brian to drop him off closer to the door He would not have to hobble so long and far as he made his way to the building. Because today’s class was not so late in the morning I was able to park only two lots away instead of three. I will admit that I was glad to get to the shelter of the school building.

I had brought a book to read as well as some puzzles. At some point I realized that there were no clocks around so I tried to pull out my phone to check. Oops, it was not with me. Brian would not be able to call me when he was done. He had suggested that I go get the vehicle just before his class ended and wait at the sidewalk. I also did not have on my watch. After noticing that more students were coming in the building following a lengthy lull, I asked someone with a phone and learned that it would be only about ten minutes before I needed to be at the pick up point. It took a while to get out of the parking lot as there was a lot of activity there. Brian was waiting as I pulled up so it was good timing even without a watch and a phone.

Just how did people survive in the old days?

Paula