Life Goes On

Hello,

I had been afraid that I would step on the “clutch” when driving the automatic car in Utah. For those of you who are not into any of this that means that you might slam on the brakes because you use both feet on it. That did not happen. What has happened is that I have not been able to start the car here because I did not put in the clutch twice when turning the key. I do have to confess that I did not put the UT car in park two times when turning off the car, but I did remember before leaving it. Habits are strong.

Leroy worked on the one old bike that he was given. He got it to move and the brakes to work as well as air in the tires. Unfortunately he then knew that it was much too small. Because the owner of that bike does not want it back Leroy will put it out at the curb with a free sign.

Friends loaded another bike that only needed air in the tires. It was a closer fit. Leroy rode it to work yesterday, but told me that his knees hurt before he got there. So we will return that bike. Today he rode my bike which is not the greatest fit either, but he has managed with it before. I will hear about how it felt when he gets home.

Today I went to the dentist and got my teeth cleaned. It is great to have all the extra stuff scraped off. I do not know why, but my teeth seem to stain quite a bit in recent years. I even decided to go back before six months are up just so I can look better. Perhaps I need to stop drinking green tea. No fair, it does not bother Leroy.

On a side note, I do not know how long it has been since I dusted. It must be done soon or we will be coated.

Paula

Home is Great

Hello,

I was happy to walk in the door at home. It was a treat to find a note from Leroy informing me that he had hidden ten compliments around the apartment. So far I have found seven of them leaving delights for other days. Each was a lift of the spirits. It was a wonderful greeting, especially because he could not be here in person.

When I called Leroy to let him know that I had made it in the door, he told me, “That is a bright spot in my day.”

“Oh?” I asked.

“My bike was stolen this morning,” he lamented, “while I was at the church. Someone came and cut the lock.”

He lost not only his bike, but a front bag, back bag, small tool set, spare tire, back rack, headlight, and taillight. At least those are the things that we have talked about. He was sad indeed. Leroy did turn this information into the police.

His boss at the museum was quite upset and he immediately started looking on line for some replacement possibilities and found a couple that look promising. Also a member of the congregation has an old, old bike that Leroy can use in the meantime. Rather Leroy tells me he will have to do about a week’s worth of work on it before he can use it. He will use my bike some, but he does not like to because it is a bit small for him.  He also learned that he can put his bike inside when he is at the church. Somehow I think no one would be interested in stealing my bike given the nature of it.

Paula

Still writing about the trip home

Hello,

I must have been a little excited or nervous or forgetful when I got to the Salt Lake airport. I looked at the first departure board I found for Cedar Rapids. Instead of that city I found Cedar City as a destination. I just grumbled some about that and went on my way to the right terminal. When I looked again I still found only Cedar City. My stomach clenched a little as I scanned the list more carefully. All at once it came to my mind that I had to go to Minneapolis first. Sure enough there was my flight at the right time. Now I just had to find the gate.

At the MN airport I still had to make a big trip from one part to another, but I had enough time so it was not a problem. Not much extra time, but enough to use the restroom. I did not bother to look for the gate myself but asked the agent who also told me how to get there. It is so nice to be able to speak the language. It is trickier when in other places and needing directions.

It is so great to fly over many lakes in MN. I drive past some on the way to see Brian, but many more are missed because of trees and hills. Why does MN have all those lakes?

At the Cedar Rapids airport I trotted right out to the bus stop, but there was no bus there. I called Leroy and asked him what time the bus came. “Ten minutes after you expected arrival,” he said.

Now I did not know if that meant I had missed it or not. As we were discussing that possibility I saw a bus coming so I said good bye and hopped on.

There were only four people on this bus for the entire trip to the downtown stop. I was the only one who had gotten on at the airport. When downtown, I went in to look at the schedules as the bus that comes within half a block of my home was not there, but one that stops about four blocks away was there. I could not figure out the schedule as all stops are not listed, so I asked a guy who was also looking at it. He did not know anything either as it was his first time riding.

Outside the building I spotted a young guy who looked to be quite comfortably waiting by the bus that I thought I should take. He did not know for sure, but he thought that was the one I should get on. At that point I figured I would ask the driver before I got on. The driver came out and zipped on the bus before I could question him. Two women came up to the bus so I asked them about it. One of them told me that it was the right bus and in fact she was getting off at the same stop.

Interesting to me, but this bus was almost full. Well worth it to run. We stopped to pick up a person in a wheelchair. I had to move as I was in that spot. The driver came back folded up the seats, put down the ramp, had the passenger wheel onto the bus, get in position, and locked or strapped all of the wheels securely before we could move on. Then before I got off someone attached their bike to the front of the bus.

I am certainly glad to see so many people be able to use the bus. I did have to walk the four blocks home, but it was really not a big deal even if my suitcase was a little heavy, but then it has wheels. I am so grateful for the invention of wheels. They make my life easier.

Paula

Traveling Tales

Hello,

I am happy to be back in my own space. Getting there did have some interesting moments.

The train is my method of getting to the airport if the times work and they did. I needed to be at the TRAX station at 6:30 am. Miriam set an alarm so she could get up at 6:10, but I needed more time to take a shower, etc. Well I did not set the alarm in my room because I remembered having some difficulty turning it off. Also I did not use the alarm on my phone because it is set at quite a loud sound.  I was too lazy to do something about that and again I did not want to wake the whole house. Consequently I woke frequently during the night to check the time with the result that I spent little time dreaming. Because Miriam and Andy had just gone through 12 time zones they were awake when I got out of the shower as were the girls. I was able to catch the train without problem.

It is a long walk between the train stop and the airport terminal that I was flying from this time. So I got to the airport much too early, but it was not bad. I decided to stand around rather than sit because as you know most of the time spent on a plane is sitting.

Before standing around I went through security. This time I got no special treatment and had to take off shoes, empty pockets, and look innocent. There was a grey haired, but spry man ahead of me who seemed to be struggling with something. A young sophisticated woman asked if she could help. “Yes, help me get my boots off,” he said as he turned his back and thrust his bent leg in her direction.

She valiantly grabbed hold, pulling, and tugging with much effort. Finally she said, “I think a man will have to do this.”

Another gray haired guy that I had earlier seen with him came over from another line, yanked off first one boot, took a deep and then grabbed the other. Grinning at the man behind me, I commented that these were not airport boots. To which the now bootless man interjected that in Texas all airports have boot jacks in the security lines.

Later when the man was out of hearing range, the young woman asked me, “What is a boot jack?”

I explained to the best of my ability as we enjoyed another laugh.

Paula

Parents will be home tomorrow

Hello,

Miriam and Andy are on the plane. Andy gave up his first class upgrade for her. Miriam was hoping he would do that. Because their tickets were not connected they cannot both enjoy the luxury of lying down and sleeping for some of this 15 hour flight. They will arrive in SLC mid-morning tomorrow. Isn’t it amazing that we can do this sort of thing when our ancestors took a week to travel maybe a hundred miles.

I decided I should do some more serious cleaning before they arrive. Isn’t that the way? To let some of the mess go until it will be seen by others. I have been sweeping the kitchen every couple days, but decided to include the hall, laundry room and half bath. There was a bit of dirt to be picked up. I also vacuumed the girls’ bedrooms since they picked them up for me last night. It looks quite a lot better.

I forgot to mention something I learned. There is a sunken living room here. One of the first days I stepped off and jarred to a stop a few inches below the expectation. I have not done that since so I must have learned.

I watered the flowers in front of the house because it had not rained since I have been here. It just rained a while ago, but I am not sure that it was enough to water anything.

I have read two books since I have been here. That does not happen often for me. I love to read, but seem to spend little time at it. I also watched three movies as well as part of a TV series. That is also a rare happening for me to watch so much on the screen. I am enjoying the series called “No job for a lady”. It is British. I do not pay much attention to politics here and even less there. Some of the illusions go right past me. There is laughter, but I do not know why. Some of that could be cultural differences. Other points are quite clear.

Paula

Learning Situations

Hello,

In the kitchen there is a granite countertop. The best thing about it is that you cannot see the dirt or debris. The worst thing about it is that you cannot see the dirt or debris. I think I have cleaned it only to put my hand in something sticky or small solid and totally attached to the surface.

The girls are almost old enough to take a shower on their own. Somehow I did not do it like mom does and that caused Olivia to feel sad. Maybe tonight will be better. I might have learned something.

 Cheesy scrambled eggs were enthusiastically eaten by Nora. I thought one good success deserves another. So four days later I offered scrambled eggs to both girls. For some reason they were not acceptable the second time around and I ate more of them than I really wanted. I dislike throwing out food and I dislike left over scrambled eggs. I get caught in my own principles.

When leaving the car in a parking lot it is good to note the spot where parked as it sometimes takes a few seconds to remember the appearance of the outside of the car that I drove there. You know, make, color, shape, or style.

This washer must not eat socks.  When I spun the empty washer to check for things left in it I heard small tings. Inspection showed small rubber bands that the girls use in their hair. These are no bigger around than a dime and quite thin. Gently spinning the washer liner revealed ten of these little things. While hanging the clothes five more fell out. Who would have believed it?

Paula

Riding Bikes

Hello,

Before Miriam left she got down Andy’s bike for me. Yesterday the girls and I rode our bikes to the park. What Miriam does not realize is that I almost sit up on my home bike since I modified it. Here, I felt like I was going to pitch forward over the handle bars. It was also difficult for me to see as I have to tilt my head up enough to get my vision through the right place on my glasses to see in front of me. Adjusting my bike has made my neck much more comfortable and my vision clear. I know I do not look cool on my bike, but I am in better shape than I was. Getting to the park and back was accomplished, but I refused to ride around the paved playground with the girls as I was quite uncomfortable.

They wanted to see me jump rope, which was easy in comparison. I cannot just so many times in a row, but it was more than they could do.

I did spend some time pushing them on the swings and helping them get connected to the sliding bar that I cannot name.

Today, the girls and I got to church on time, even ahead of time. That felt good to get the trip accomplished. I even remembered the route. It was good to worship and to go to the adult class afterwards.

Tomorrow it will be off to school once more. I am out of green peppers and mushrooms. That is almost a crisis. I had to make a pizza with only onions, cauliflower (wasn’t too bad) and avocados (Nora suggested that and it was not so bad either).

I am not even working today except for child care, fixing meals, and doing dishes. The girls are playing with different neighbor children today so it is easy. I forget that there is no real day of rest for parents unless they create it in some way. I used to dream of having my parents closer so they could do that occasional babysitting job, however, it was not to be and I did survive and enjoyed most of the time.

Paula

Living in someone else’s house

Hello,

Having spent so much time in my children’s homes without them present, it would seem that I am good at it.  I am more comfortable than I have been in the past, but it is still a learning experience.

I mowed the front lawn yesterday. I think it has been at least four years since I have mown anywhere, let alone with a strange, strong mower. I wrestled a bit with that thing. Miriam did have me practice starting it and how to proceed through the grass, but we did not discuss turning corners. The most difficult part was the turning. In the end I think I needed to make some type of big circle to get it going in another direction. Instead I, at first, physically wrenched it around. It might weigh more than I do. This is not a riding mower which I would not have even approached.

I feel comfortable with the washer, dryer, and dishwasher.  The vacuum is also familiar. Olivia used it this morning and I was in a quandary about discussing places that she failed to cover. I mentioned some and ignored others.

Nora cleaned the bathrooms. Her speed and enthusiasm picked up when the neighbor girls came over and wanted to play. I said, “They have to finish their chores first.” Suddenly everything moved into high gear.

I did the dusting in the living room as well as the TV room. My speed and intensity stayed more static.

The girls polished my fingernails yesterday. I have two or three colors on each hand. Some are already starting to chip. Chipping is my one objection to fingernail polish. I think I have my hands in water too much. At least the polishing was easy as I just kept my hands still for a short time.

Paula

Babysitting

Hello,

Babysitting is a different thing when the children are older. For instance, yesterday, from 10:00am the girls were next door. I sat and galloped through a library book. The book was I’ll be seeing you by Suzanne Hayes. I thought it was quite good. It is the letters of two women, pen pals, during WWII. One lived in Iowa City so I felt quite at home.

The grandmother of the girl these girls were visiting came and spoke with me about them going to Wheeler farm. She had talked about them coming home at 5:00 pm, but she also talked about milking the cows so I was not too surprised they had not yet arrived at 5:00. I was a little anxious by 6:00. I was strongly considering calling when the girls came home at 6:50. Some people just have a different idea of time. I did remember Miriam talking about that before. Hence no call made since I do not like making calls.

The hard part was that the girls were hungry even though they told me they had eaten, course I have no idea when they ate. I made veggies and fruit for them as I feel that is what diets typically lack and they just gobbled it up. Generally, they go to bed at 7:00 pm. We did not make it until 7:30. Olivia who needs a lot of sleep was still in bed at 6:55 am.

Those girls are once again today across the street. Their mom called. Luckily they can make a free call over the computer so we hung up while I fetched the girls. Olivia was quite impressed with the idea that it was 11:30 here and 9:30 at night where her mom is. Miriam did say the heat is quite intense there, while I am wondering about turning on the furnace here. We certainly live in a multi-faceted world.

Paula

Small Victories

Hello,

Life is full of small victories if we just savor them. I am always happy to travel safely. I was glad to get on the light rail in a timely manner. Miriam wanted to pick me up at a different stop than usual. She was giving a street number and my schedule only had names, but she was able to match her numbers with one of my names. I got to the stop first. It was great to have a light jacket with a hood in the brisk wind. I could have used a warmer coat, but I did not have to wait more than ten minutes so I was not truly uncomfortable.

This morning, I managed to walk with the girls, get the girls breakfast, and urge them to brush their teeth before we left the house. I thought we were getting a bit behind, but we were at school in plenty of time. I now know that route and do not have to be so concerned about what I am doing. Even though I do not mind driving a shift car it is a breeze to drive an automatic.

Miriam texted she is in Dubai. I no longer text very often so I sent her two empty messages before I got a reply done, but it is done and we talked back and forth. Texting at this point is much, much cheaper than talking. It can be done. If I had brought the IPod we could have used face time free.

Another victory, the dishwasher started. That may not sound like much but their dishwasher has a lock on it that I cannot always get off. Apparently it does not like my fingers. Course I could just wash as we bought me a nice pair of rubber gloves.

The wind is blowing strongly. Miriam mentioned that if it were such I might have to put the cover back on the Mustang. I did indeed have to do that. Luckily it was not off completely and blowing away. So it was not much of a struggle to get the three corners covered once more.

Paula

Hanging out Amidst Mountains

Hello,

I made it to Utah in great time. I was a little concerned when I saw that my first plane was going to leave 15 minutes late. There was only about 40 minutes between flights. I remembered Leroy talking about it taking quite a while to get from one gate to the other. My seat mate, who flies every weekend, told me it would indeed be close. We did make up time in the air and it was only about ten minutes late leaving so we were right on time.

The only problem was sitting in the very last seat of the plane makes it difficult to get off quickly. I was able to get ahead of the people sitting closest to me who knew I needed to move a bit faster. I also slipped between the people as soon as I saw my bag at the plane side area. Then I did not hesitate to ask an agent where I could find the plane to Salt Lake. She slipped on her glasses and looked at a board that I could have found. But I was happy to have her do that for me so I could ask her how to get to gate G. It only took a bit of walking, a tram ride and more walking. As I came up to the gate I could see a few people in line. I asked someone if they were going to Salt Lake the answer was yes and they are loading zone 2, well that was my zone so I walked right on the plane.

This time I was seated between a pilot and a woman who slept a good bit of the time. After a while the pilot started talking to me and I learned a good deal about his job. He lives in MN, but is based in Detroit so he sometimes has to commute to work. For instance he was commuting to SLC so he could fly to Paris. I had no idea. He also commented that he was flying with people he has not met before and would spend up to ten hours with them in a small space. He added, “You often become instant friends, but you might never see them again.”

Interesting to think about. Especially for someone who sees their coworkers every day. He did say that he often sees the same people again and again, even from other airlines because some places they all tend to stay in the same hotels.

I learned a lot. It certainly helped the time slip away.

Paula

Being Quiet

Hello,

I’m trying to be quiet or at least not move around too much today. That is not my skill level. I do not like to sit still. I did sort the laundry and put one load in the machine, but Leroy put in the detergent and got it started. He also hung it up. He also took care of the second load. I suggested he put all his shirts in the dryer so he would not have to iron them. He did that, but I took many of them out as he did not notice the dryer had stopped. About half way done, I asked him if he would like to help and he promptly came.

Leroy made breakfast. I made my own snack because he was out. I did not go to the community garden with him. He tells me that the soybeans are not ready as there are still some green parts to them.

Since then I have read a book, Wonder, that was recommended by my friend. It was quite good. Now I am not sure what I will read for the rest of the day.

Leroy is picking up some black walnuts. He did crack one from our tree and we both thought it tasted good. For some reason when they fall this year much of the outer hull has come off. The hard part will be cracking them and then picking out the nut meats. Perhaps we will do that on some slow winter day.

Thursday Leroy come home and told me his tale of woe finding a house on a small street in town here. He was in the wrong lane on a larger thoroughfare and could not get off at the right time. When he came back something else happened, I do not remember all of these details. Then he ended up on another street that was not the one he wanted. Finally he stopped and asked for directions. All I could say was, “You need a GPS.”

He agreed and has been researching, asking questions, and wondering which one to get. If you have any pointers, let us know. Leroy’s sense of direction is limited. Now he is visiting all the people over 80 in the congregation and some of them live on the road less traveled. Not so terrific for Leroy to find them. He does not think that he wants or knows how to use an app on his phone so he is going to go with the additional device.

Paula

Sick and Well

Hello,

Leroy is feeling much better and I am going the other direction. I did do quite a bit today. Washed two loads of clothes, hung them out got most of them back in (Leroy helped a little.), went shopping washed dishes, prepared breakfast, lunch (Leroy help some with that.), and prepared supper (Leroy helped again.).

I got gas this morning and washed the windshield. The wiper blade would not lie flat against the window when I was done so I jiggled it around some and it fell off in my hand. Bought new blades and Leroy put them on this evening. It was it was quite a simple fix. It is our other car that is complicated for some reason.

I just took my temperature now and I have a fever of 100.02 F. Tomorrow I will not get at my list of jobs, but just try to be a little quieter, but I must pack as I leave very early Sunday morning. I will take some fever reducer so they let me on the plane, or I might be better by then, course I have not been out of the country so it should be no problem. Leroy will just have to tackle some jobs even though he is working tomorrow as well. He will not be working all day.  He did say he was quite tired today and took a nap. He will have to extract my suitcase from the closet and I will fill it. I could not feel comfortable if he packed. I might not have the right things. At least with Miriam gone I can raid her closet at will, but then I do a certain amount of that anyway.

I just hope I am past the contagious stage at that point so I do not pass these germs on so someone else. Or perhaps it is from the flu shot that I got on Wednesday. I have had some reactions in the past even though we are not supposed to have that happen. My body has not read the book.

Our landlords came back from an extended vacation. It will be good to have them here looking after things. Leroy will not feel so responsible. Also there was the most beautiful sunset tonight. Best I have seen in a long time.

Paula

This and That

Hello,

Leroy is getting better. He even worked all day today, and it was a long day for the first one back. He left early in the morning and did not return until about 6:00 pm. On his return he was unfortunately livelier than I am now. I have been dragging some today, but the sore throat that I had last night is gone. Surely I will be fine for traveling on Sunday. I figure that I will fake wellness if I have to get on that plane. At least I am not coming from a different country.

The other day at work my co-worker was standing talking before she left work an hour ahead of me and closing time. There was a small boy standing by the desk sobbing. After a bit he moved over to the chair by the door and put his face down crying even harder. He was with his mom and his sister. I assumed that his mother had stopped him from doing something. However at that point his mother said, “He is afraid that you are all going to leave and we will be left in here alone.”

I smiled, but did not laugh as I told him that I was staying until 8:00 and that would give him more time to find what he would like to take home.

Today for the first time in months my desk was empty of work and I was not sure what to do next. My boss and I discussed some possibilities then she said, “We are getting a book order this afternoon so you will have more to do. The sad thing was that the order came just 40 minutes before the end of my day. I was able to unpack the books, check the invoice and catalogue about ten books. I worked first on the ones that were on hold. I am a bit sorry to leave the rest on my desk for the next two weeks.

Life is full of interesting timing.

Paula

Plants to School

Hello,

My three large plants are going to school today. They will spend the winter there. Will they learn a lot? I hope so. It is a trick to get all of this done. I do not like to make an extra trip so I will drop them off on my way to work. It is tricky to figure out the time as I do not really know how much time I need. Then I have been asked to be to work almost an hour early so that really plays with my sense of time needed.

I will have to eat lunch quite early as I do not want to pack two lunches.

Leroy is home today because he is not feeling well. He already got a flu shot this fall so what does this mean? Probably a cold as the shot does not protect from that.

I have not yet gotten the flu shot because I got it rather late in the year last year and thought I should wait. Perhaps I should get that shot this week. Sunday, I am planning to go to Miriam’s to interact with children while she travels to Dubai with Andy who is working there for a couple weeks. She will not be there quite so long, but I need to be watching over the girls for a week and a half.

In the meantime I am going to put all of my houseplants in the house instead of leaving them outside. It feels like an uncomfortable time to be leaving because of having so many plants left in the garden. Can Leroy really take charge of all these things without me around? I do hope to pick soybeans before I leave. The last time I checked on them a few were rattling in the pods. For some reason that makes me think they are about ready.

Then there will be a lot of greens left in the garden, greens that even like the cold.

Paula

the Smoke Alarm

Hello,

Yesterday morning the smoke alarm started a gentle beep followed by a long rest. When Leroy came home for lunch I told him about it. He checked all three alarms by pushing on the buttons. All seemed to be in good working order. After that I no longer heard any beeps. That was good because I did not want to be awake at some crazy hour listening to that persistent alarm.

At 2:30 am I heard that gentle beep. Only now it was not taking such a long break and it came about every ten minutes. It no longer seemed gentle to me, but rudely demanding attention. Leroy was sleeping soundly. I could change the batteries, but had not done that here so I did not know precisely what to do. In desperation I woke Leroy and played the poor helpless female role. I was grateful that he was willing to rescue me. But then he also wanted to get back to sleep. He tried first that hall alarm I thought I was hearing, but that was not it. He located the noisy one in the spare bedroom, just disconnected the battery, stubbed his toe, and flopped wearily back in bed. About an hour later I could tell he had not gotten back to sleep. We then had a rather lengthy middle of the night talk. Finally he went back to sleep and I took a little longer.

In the morning he work first, but stayed very quiet and I actually slept until 7:00. Something that almost never happens. I was glad that I got a bit more sleep.

So much for trying to get ahead of the alarm in the middle of the night. At least it was not a real emergency, just a sleep disturber not a life disturber. Tonight sleep will be better.

Paula

Plants in

Hello,

It was pleasant temperatures when we woke this morning, but Leroy had warned me that it was to get colder. Tonight he is working at the museum for a major event. Much of it was to be outdoors. However as much as could be moved indoors was and the rest is in a heated tent. Leroy will be in that heated tent. I remember sometimes he has ridden a bike, but not this year. Is he getting older?

The wind started blowing as I was shopping this morning. My hair looked good when I left home, but every time I saw it later I wished that no mirror or reflector glass had been available. The wind is not my best stylist. I was happy to have a warm jacket on as the temperatures were indeed dropping.

My plants seemed to be hanging on to their existence by their roots so I knew if I wanted to keep them I had to do something. Leroy came home for lunch. He had a few hours off and volunteered to help me get these plants and pots cleaned up and at least on the porch. It is easy to clean the pots even if they are dirty and some were. The plants are a bit harder as I try to track down and extract spiders. I also like to keep them on the porch and check later for more spiders.

I will take the three largest of my plants to the school library and at least one to the library that I work in. As I told Leroy, “This apartment is big enough for the two of us, but it is hard to fit in all of my plants.”

Leroy wondered if we should switch the computer room and our bedroom so our bedroom would be smaller and there would be more room for the plants with the computers. Are plants taking over?

Paula

Lost Squash

Hello,

The other day I was looking for the acorn squash that Brian had given me when we visited. I looked in the most obvious places in the kitchen then I started digging deeper and looked in more esoteric places after that the search was on to almost impossible places. At least my kitchen is not extra large consequently this did not take so very long. Later I went through the process once more in case I had simply over looked this green critter. How could I not remember what I had done with it?

The next mental lapse leaped strongly in my mind. He had given me three things. One was a turnip that we had eaten and enjoyed. The second was the unfindable squash and the third was a total mystery. Why could I not remember that item even though I clearly remember that there were three things?

A third check of the kitchen still did not reveal the two lost souls. After that I started looking in the places where I secret my canning jars because there is not enough room in the kitchen. No luck!

When Leroy came home I put him on the search. He too was unable to find them in the kitchen nor could he remember the other item. Sometime later he was in the living room and exclaimed, “Your squash in here!”

On the coffee table, I had made this artful arrangement in a basket including the small pumpkin, oh it was a pumpkin, and colorful corn. Somehow I guess it was now art and not food, hence I could not see it. Perception does make a difference!

I was happy to learn that my mind is almost intact.

Paula