Unexpected

Hello,

Yesterday there was a beautiful dragon fly resting on our screen. I called Leroy to come see it. He wanted to take a picture so I carefully opened the window. The picture was a lot of screen. That critter was still there when we came home from church about two hours later. Church only took one hour, walking and talking occupied the rest of the time. On the way to church we disturbed two people sitting in the shade on their walkers. I had intended to walk around them, but one noticed us and moved to let us pass.

We attended two high school graduation celebrations. I was pleased at how simple and low key they were. The emphasis was on talking and eating rather than other things.

In the evening we shared some of the best watermelon this year with our downstairs friends. It was a little buggy outside, but not unbearable. I can say that because many of the bugs do not like me.

After that Leroy and I went on a bike ride that was about seven miles. Again Leroy had to wait for me. A deer ambled off the trail as we approached. I liked seeing that. The day before we had seen about three turkeys in a field. Iowa is full of wild life.

This morning, without me, Leroy rode about 12-13 miles in the early hours. He did it as fast as we had the seven the night before. I sadly remember a time when I had to wait for him. I wonder where that strong woman went.

Last night we watched, and enjoyed, the movie Tangled. A woman brought it into the library and reported that it did not work. It worked so well on our player that I forgot that is why we were watching it.

Paula

Adventures

Hello,

Because Leroy was home I felt compelled to go out and work around the house. If I had been alone I might have talked myself out of it. As it was I went out with a pliers that Leroy found for me. I used the pliers to grip the small trees closer to the earth so I could pull up more of the root which was somewhat possible after the recent rains. Some I pulled and some I just used my hands. Most were less than two feet tall. Only one came up with a sudden release so that I sat on the ground. I squat when I do things like this so I was not far from the ground. I pulled them around the garages, house and then moved on to the cracks in the sidewalk. Leroy came out and helped me finish that. He had been trying to repair a hose, but needed different sized ends. Then we moved on the rental house two doors away where Leroy used the ice scraper to get the thicker stuff growing in the cracks of the sidewalk sheared off. All in all it was quite a satisfying result. The work is not so much fun as what I see when I am finished.

In the afternoon we headed to a state park that is quite close. It started to rain before we left town. Since it was just a little rain and the prediction was for scattered showers we forged ahead. By the time we got to the park the rain could be classified as a down pour. We drove all around the park, but did not feel any siren call to get out except at an ice cave where we could park close and go under the overhanging rock. We found a flashlight in the car that did not work very well. With Leroy leading we ventured a short distance into this cave that seemed to be getting colder, lower,  and narrower as we progressed. At least we saw the entire park which was quite picturesque. Perhaps we will return some day. Supposedly there are hiking trails, but we did not spot any entrance to those. We had also talked about taking a long bike ride in the afternoon, I am glad we changed our minds.

Paula

Just a Day Off

Hello,

I have to make a clarification on my report of the bike ride last Saturday. Leroy does not ride 50-60 miles in the morning. That “he” was the guy who organized the ride. Leroy only goes about six miles a day. Leroy is not quite so dedicated.

We were eating breakfast this morning when I gasped, leaped up and went to the window to see a squirrel that had been on top of the second story of the house next door plummet to the ground but manage to run under their deck. Leroy was so relieved to learn that it was a squirrel that had so viciously grabbed my attention. He thought there was so terrible tragedy out there.

Even though it was not on my chore list I decided to vacuum the window sills or that space between the window and the screen. It did not require much insight to realize that was not creating the effect I wanted. Next I moved on to wash that area after I had gathered rags, bucket, water, and cleaner. The next thing was realizing that I would get a better clean result if I took out the screens. Once the screens were out there was nothing for it but to wash them too so I gathered more rags and an additional bucket. We only have ten windows in this apartment. I should say we have ten sparkling sills and screens. Do you think Leroy will notice when he comes home? I am not holding my breath, but if he opens a window he will surely see it. I will, one day soon, wash the windows. Now that should not be such a big job because all I have to deal with is the glass. Love these windows that flip in so I can do both sides without breaking my neck. My mother used to wash off the window then use clean water with ammonia in it before drying them. When Leroy was in the seminary, we got a lower rent rate because we were to help with maintance around the house. One of those chores was washing windows. I learned to wash the windows with plain water, second wash the window with ammonia, and finally use a purchased window washing product. Drying was the hard part because our landlady looked at the window from many angles and sometimes there was quite a lot to redo. No hurrying and slacking on that job.

Paula

Summer and Reading

Hello,

Summer has come while I was concentrating on the cold. I now have to close curtains and windows on the sunny side of the house. Amazing development! Our deck and front have been decorated with beautiful flowers that will please all summer and some of the fall. What a gift that is! I have not worn a jacket in the last two days. I still take something to work because I never know how cold it will be there. I am one of the people who likes a little more heat in the summer, when inside buildings. Many places are much to cold for me.

I have been reading a book that fits in the young adult category. It was highly recommended by one of my co-workers. It is Code Name verity by Elizabeth Wein. The setting is England and France during WWII. For some reason I have had a difficult time figuring out just what is happening. Now that I am close to the end I like it, but it has been a struggle. It has to do with spies and fooling the Germans. Perhaps it is my German background, but I was fooled completely. Or perhaps it is because I am not so very good at spying and espionage. Good thing that last word was close enough to be caught by spell check. I was floundering.

I kept reading this book mostly because I did not want to admit that I was too dumb to get it. And because I see my colleague three days a week and I did not want to admit that I did not like it. Now I have passed the hurtle and I can honestly report liking it quite a lot. Rereading might make it even more enjoyable, but I have two book clubs coming up and I want to read a book for each of them. Rereading is not generally my style. There are far too many good books out there that call my name. Almost every day at work someone will recommend something that grabs my attention for a minute. I store the title in my brain for a bit and then can never find it again until the book crosses the desk once more. I never used to read more than one book at a time. Right now I am reading five books and two that I have not started, plus I have five magazines in my book basket. Am I out of control or what?

Paula

Parking Cars

Hello,

Our garage is a two car garage that is divided into two spaces with a pole between and separate doors. Because it is only about two feet from the alley, it takes a bit of skill to make the curve and go up a little incline. Over the four years both Leroy and I have managed to master this art and be quite proficient.

A week or so ago our neighbor across the alley had a dumpster in their parking area. This was an area that either Leroy or I felt compelled to use in order to make this garage park work. I did talk to our neighbors once apologizing for using some of their gravel ground. The man said, “I don’t think you can get in if you do not have this space too.”

We could get in, but it takes much more backing and turning. I was feeling quite proud of my ability to get in the garage with that dumpster there as it seriously cut into my turning room. Then I drove the new car. I will have to confess that I almost think about getting a newer car for me because it does handle better, has better gas mileage, and the radio sounds better. But we think when we retire we do not need two cars so I do not want to buy one only to get rid of one in the near future. Well putting this new car in the garage was trickier than I realized. I cannot see the front end so I do not really know where it is. The mirror on the right side of the car was less than an inch from the center garage support when I glanced that direction. I gulped and inched on. The car was in, but as I straightened it I gave Leroy a compliment in my mind for managing all this without complaining. I did not know how the car would ever get out of the garage, but hoped Leroy could manage. He did not drive the car, but I did yesterday. I folded the side mirror into the car and backed out carefully without problem. Thanks and praises to the person who invented that mirror moving possibility.

Paula

Plans Change

Hello,

No longer car trip for us today. We biked to Ely with a group this morning. The message about it talked about people setting their own pace. Somehow that sounded slower to me. However, I was the slow one of the group. The organizer did stay behind us, but I felt a bit guilty for that because Leroy and I can easily ride on our own. Plus he talked about riding in April till now and he often goes 50 or 60 miles. I have to tell you that many of those people ahead of us looked to be about my age. I was puffing to keep up. Leroy and I took ourselves home alone. Leroy almost had to drag me. My legs would have been happy just to coast along, unfortunately there was a moderate wind which felt like a gale if I paid much attention to it. There is also a bit of uphill on the return trip requiring gearing down. I just forced myself to keep the legs going round. Leroy waited for me from time to time. Can you believe that at one time I would outpace him consistently? That is a dim dream these days. This almost daily commute certainly puts him on the up side of all this. I at least made it home and I can still walk around.

We are considering going on a hike this evening. I suspect we can get that done. It will be at our or perhaps my pace. It is a good outdoor day. In fact Leroy, now that his nap is finished, is going to read outside. For some reason I have never really liked to do that. I squint too much because of the bright sun light.

I found the ravioli from Christmas still in the freezer. Yesterday I cooked it and invited, at the last minute, our friends below us to come and share. We had a nice visit. Now we will finish the ravioli as left over. Leroy is happy about that because this is his family special meal and he relishes it. I only make it once a year so I do not spoil him.

Paula

Life's Challenges and Gifts

Hello,

Leroy planted in the community garden both Monday and Tuesday evenings. I joined him Tuesday. Another woman helped both nights and one other person was there Monday and another on Tuesday. This garden is quite a large space. We always hope for a greater response than we seem to get. I often wish the garden were right next door to my house so that I could more easily go out and spend ten minutes here and ten minutes there. I have to believe that it will all get planted as it has in the past. This year one guy who supplies most of our tomato plants said that most of his green house plants died in one of the last cold spells. That is disappointing because he gave us unusual varieties, many of which were heirloom. It was always fun to taste something new, or perhaps I should say old.

Two of my yoga participants gave me a gift certificate at a local coffee shop. I have now learned that the shop will be closing at the end of the month. I had deliberately saved that certificate so Leroy and I could go there when we rode our bikes to Ely. Tomorrow we are planning a little car trip so we will swing down that way and use it then. Somehow that does not fit my idea of the ideal time to use it.

Leroy set the timer on the microwave, walked off, and did his thing. I came in as the timer was going off, opened the oven, to find nothing in there except the spatter cover that looked quite bubbly odd upside down on the glass tray. I could not get it to come off. When I told Leroy about it he said he had set the timer, but must have turned on the oven instead. When things cooled I could remove the cover. I contacted the company. They informed me that it was ok to use as long as there was still the center hole. I am now using this unique spatter cover.

Lightening bugs are flashing for the warm weather. I like looking at them. For some reason I especially remember them when we would go to the fireworks on the fourth of July. That is just a nice little gift.

Paula

Yesterday's Day

Hello,

Leroy took the afternoon off yesterday because he realized that he was putting in more hours than the church wants to pay for. That is one good thing about working by the hour. Instead he worked for me. 

We cleaned out the closet in the living room discovering one thing that I will give away when I feel a little less attached. I should read that tidying up book again to get the right sequence of events.

In the morning, I had visited with a guy who was dumpster diving across the alley. Our neighbors are moving and have brought in a dumpster. They had a number of clothing items that still had store tags on them. This guy said he was going to take some sweat shirts and would I want anything. I told him I have a friend who works with refugees and she would be able to use much of it. He put two large boxes and one big bag by our back steps. I did look in there and was able to use one sweat shirt the rest my friend took and was happy to get.

I had such a hard time with the idea that clothes that have not even been worn would be sent to the dump. There is certainly something wrong with how we treat things in this country. There are so many places to give things away if you do not like the philosophy of this or that place you can select another. Certainly putting them in the dump does not help the earth. I suppose it could be argued that it helps the economy because people buy so much and keep money moving.

I had a return visit with my dermatologist this morning. I was so pleased that I got in without waiting so long. During his exam under strong lights and perhaps a magnifier he declared that I have three places that still need treatment. I have to put the crème on just these three spots. He felt that it would take care of it and I would not have to return for a year. I was hoping for that to be the case now. At least I did not throw away the cream. I put some on right after I came home. Hoping for the redness and crusty to come soon because it means it is working.

Paula

Good Things

Hello,

I had planned to write yesterday because I was home all day, but I just ended up living life. On my way home Monday evening the gas gauge on the car was registering empty even though the light had not come on. For some reason in this town gas is always cheaper on the west side. I took an alternate route home so I could go past a station that is usually cheaper. Instead of cheaper it was 15 cents higher per gallon. If I had a smart phone I could have checked there, but I was doing it the old fashioned way of just looking. I continued up this street because there are more stations. The next two stations also had that higher gas price. Had my world changed? The next station was cheaper, but only about five cents less than the stations in my neighborhood, however this was a good bit below the pricier ones so it now looked like a great price. At that point I called Leroy and said, “I am driving all over town and looking for cheap gas.”

He just laughed. I told him where I was so he could have some idea when I would be home. It took longer than I had expected because when I scanned my credit card it asked if I had a plus card. I had no idea so I scanned again hoping for a different prompt. Then I could not find a yes or no button to push. In disgust, I went into the station to ask for help. The person ahead of me in line was buying quite a number of items and visiting with the clerk. That took some time indeed. When it was my turn I learned that I needed to push the no button. I went back out to search for it only to see on the display that I should choose my gas type and fuel the car. Finally I got the job done. I had thought this car held 10 galleons, but I watched the numbers go past ten and eleven. I was impressed that I made it to the station before running out of gas.

When I got out of bed Tuesday morning I looked out and saw that all of the giveaway mugs in front of the house were gone. Happiness reigns.

Paula

That Leroy

Hello,

That Leroy has much of the energy in this house. I think of things to do, but if they are not on a list they do not get done. Even on a list I might not get around to it. It seems I just mention something to Leroy once and he is on it. For instance he delivered most of the neighborhood newsletters this month. I feel guilty about that because he is going to work in the community garden Monday and Tuesday evenings this week. Today, we, along with another neighbor, went seed and plant shopping for the community garden. There will be garden work to do. Leroy also contacted another couple in the neighborhood who have not worked on the garden before, but expressed interest. They are going to come help tomorrow night. That is progress.

Tonight we planted some more lettuce seed in our garden hoping that this will grow. We also planted one cabbage, one brussel sprout, and one kale plant. Then Leroy worked at getting some sticks and stakes so we could put netting around it hoping to keep out the large rabbit that seems to have taken up residency in our yard. It was a struggle, but we got something together for the short term.

In my neighborhood, apparently you must have the desired item to give away. People do not take just any old thing. I am proud of my neighbors.  Six mugs were presented to me as something I might put out for people to take. I set them out with a free sign on Thursday night. Only one of them has been selected. One more day and I will have to find another place to donate.

I am planning to dig up and put out some of my healthy vigorously taking over everything oregano. This is the second year for it and it has thrived. The Cuban oregano is struggling to hang onto the thread of life that it has. The cold and the squirrel were both hard on it. It is sending out many leaves on one of the broken stems so I have hope that it will make it. I do like that delicate plant.

Paula

Leroy Wanted a Ride

Hello,

Leroy said I can tell you what a wimp he is. Earlier he called asking me to pick him up in the car at church which is only a mile away, he had ridden the bike. It was not raining very much here. I had just come home from the grocery store, a little more than four blocks. It did not make me noticeably wet. During the call, I looked out and noted that the sidewalk was still dry under the trees. He said, “I still need to go to one of the hospitals. The umbrella here has a broken spine. ”

“Do that. Call me if you still think you need a ride when you get there.” I told him.

Leroy could tell I really did not want to come get him so he walked to the hospital and back then continued on home. He was not really very wet, except for the bottom of his pant legs. But he commented when he got here, “So you could not imagine that it might be raining more a mile away?”

That was so true.

When out shopping today I was walking to the car looking at what I had purchased and vaguely watching where I was going when I walked back of a pickup that was so close I could touch it. I realized it was backing at me. I yelped and stepped back just as the driver slammed on his brakes. I went to the side of his truck so he could see me and pull out. He rolled the window down and apologized profusely. “I was looking at my back up screen when I saw you come into view.”

Those cameras are good, but probably in parking lots especially, it pays to look to the sides before going back. Although as the driver of a smaller vehicle it is often difficult if not impossible to see around the SUV or truck parked next to me. We agreed it was a lucky day for both of us and we wished each other a good day.

Paula

Fussing

Hello,

Today I do not work so it is the perfect opportunity to do some jobs around the house. I did wash and hang out the kitchen towels, etc. They are now dry, but barely. Because it is my day off I had expected to deliver many of the neighborhood newsletters, however with a chance of rain becoming very real in the evening I did not want to have them get all wet or have them blow away. I put them on porches, under small rocks, or between doors if I can. It is against the law for us to put them in mailboxes so that sheltered place is not available.

My Christmas cactus needs to be repotted. For some reason I cannot get my energy worked up to tackle that job so it is still to be attended to. I am afraid of disturbing it so much that it might die altogether.  Oddly enough, I noticed that one of the dead looking stubs is growing leaves. Does that mean that more life is there than I have any idea? My clivia has put up five babies. It is also time to repot it, but what am I going to do with all those offspring? The Internet site states that it likes crowded conditions. The bromeliad also has a pup. Supposedly the center was to die and the young repotted. For some reason the parent has not yet died so I dislike encouraging that process because it still looks nice.

My oldest granddaughter has not been feeling well and finds it difficult to eat. Even though she is eight and does not weigh a lot she has lost seven pounds. All terrible possibilities that the pediatrician looked for have been ruled out, but they do not know for sure what is causing the distress. The gastroenterologist is prescribing some meds which we hope help her.

It seems to me that much fussing and emotional energy expenditure goes for things that I cannot control. Will I ever learn to be calm in all circumstances?

Paula

Community Garden

Hello,

Leroy was unable to find a tiller that he could borrow, so he rented one from a home store. He asked for a large model. It did fit in the borrowed van, but the price almost took his breath away. The rental cost was not so large, but the cost if it were not returned was over $5,000. That is some tiller. I did see them working in the garden. In the rather large space it did not look so enormous. It was thankfully easy to handle. They did have to rent ramps to get it in the van as Leroy declared there was no possibility of the two of them lifting it. The garden looked well tended in the places that they had already plowed under. I did not wait to see the entire thing ready for planting.

I can still see my mother fighting with her small tiller. It seemed to win the struggle half the time as it appeared ready to dig a hole all the way to China. Can you imagine their surprise when the tiller would come up followed by my mother?

The pile of compost that must have looked large in the pickup looks small when piled by the garden. This garden could use about six more loads. There is another person who offered to get a load, but they did not respond when Leroy sent out the email plea. Perhaps he can make contact with them another way. If rains come in a timely manner, perhaps this will be the best garden ever.

I put our Cuban oregano pot outside to get used the climate. A squirrel found it and tipped it over twice. It broke several branches. I have planted it in the front garden bed with a sprinkling of hot pepper around it hoping squirrels do not like hot pepper. Hot pepper will probably grow there. The squirrels have also eliminated four coleus sprigs that I kept over the winter. The ones in the pot which have not been transferred are still alive, but I am not sure they will be ignored by that four legged wonder.

Paula

Nice Day

Hello,

My day started with a 6:30 morning call from Brian. I was a little anxious before I heard his normal sounding voice. He called so early because he thought he might not call for Mother’s Day once the rest of the family got started. It did not wake us up because we had been awake since 6:00. Both of the girls called at more usual times of day.

Leroy and I had gone to church Saturday night because the choir sang. We were free in the morning with plans to take a long, long bike ride, however rain put a damper on that plan. We did go when the sky cleared. Eight miles was the extent of that trip. A few baby geese were seen as well as many smaller birds along with some ducks. We could hear many birds singing in the trees along with some loud croaking frogs. It was quite a fine trek. I think Leroy and I have passed into an older age group when riding the bike. Many people passed us, course they were often much, much younger looking. I felt like explaining to them as they zoomed by, “I have only been out five times this spring so I am not up to full speed.”

Leroy tells me that his young co-worker rides at 15 mph for greater distances. We only go about 10 mph. I know that Leroy slowed down several times so I could catch up. I will have to get out and increase my power. It has to be more of a priority than it is now because I do not often find the time when by myself.

Leroy and I looked over his schedule and my schedule. There are just four days in May when we are both not working for the full day. Three of those days are for Memorial Day weekend. We have made some plans so we can do something a little more than just be around the house or the garden. I have to confess that I do not really want to do a lot of traveling on that busy weekend. It seems there are always so many others on the road that it is not safe.

Paula

Lonely

Hello,

I was feeling rather lonely. Missing my sister because I called her frequently especially when I just needed to talk to someone. Earlier in the week, I was talking to someone about a recipe and wanted to check with her about Mom making a similar item. I suppose I could have called my brother, but I do not think he would have had the answer.

After feeling a bit sorry for me, the phone rang. It was someone that I know by name only. She has been working with Leroy about getting a pickup load of compost from the city compost pile. She had planned to keep it in her pickup until Sunday afternoon when Leroy would have time to help her unload it. She mostly unloaded it by herself because it was so heavy that she was afraid to leave it in the truck. One of the near neighbors saw her and helped as did her husband at the end. We talked garden for a while. By the time the conversation was over I felt uplifted and gratified with the generosity of others. What a wonderful place the world can be. She had not worked in the garden before or taken anything from it. It sounds like especially after this huge contribution she might feel like being more active. New people are always just around the corner.

One thing that contributed to my lonely feeling was going shopping. I would like to get another pair of black dress pants. It would have been helpful to have some good shopping eye and advice from a trusted person who could tell me what is in style, what looks good, and what type of shoes I need to wear with it. I still cannot imagine anyone enjoying shopping. It all seems like an uphill climb to me without the distracting great views of walking up the mountain.

Paula

Rubarb

Hello,

I went to the community garden because Leroy had noticed no one had picked any rhubarb. I got a nice amount, enough to make a crisp. The oatmeal supply was slim indeed so the crisp turned into a new invention with much more flour in it than is the usual case. I will know later if it is good to eat or not. I expect Leroy and I will figure out some way to make it good. Or will we just convince ourselves that it is good and eat it anyway? I had a banana that I added to it as well as some strawberries. Seems to me that ought to sweeten it along with the molasses I generously drizzled over the top of the rhubarb before adding the rest of the experimental topping.

The dandelions looked so good that I picked some more greens. I’m even wondering if I should freeze some for later. In less than a week Leroy is going to get the garden tilled so I cannot get more from there. I also picked some cilantro. It was quite fragrant. We had thought the oregano was growing in the community garden, but I now wonder if it is thyme instead. I wish I knew more about both of them. We do have oregano by the house and the garden plant looks different. Looking at the ground up herbs in a jar does not give a clue as to their normal appearance. I planted one celery plant by the house and I will plant the other in the garden after it is tilled. I produced these celery plants by cutting off the top of a stalk and putting the bottom in water. They start sending up shots almost immediately. We like the garden celery for cooking. It tends to be a bit strong and stringy so I do not like to eat it raw. But then I am not a big fan of raw celery even from the store.

I am reading a children’s book which is about youth who opposed Hitler. I had not heard of this movement before. It is called; We will not be Silent by Russell Freedman. Just in case any of you might like to read it too.

Paula

Zooming Along

Hello,

Zooming along home after Tai Chi, I approached the ramp to get on the interstate. Many cars were coming down the ramp to either get on the highway I was on or to stay in place and get on the interstate. I saw an open place, decided I needed to speed up to about 65 (I have no sure knowledge of the speed limit here because I get on without seeing a sign.) to get in the open spot ahead of a car coming down slightly ahead of me. They did not have on a turn signal so I thought they were staying in place. As I approached their bumper, within seconds they were in my lane directly in front of me going about 35-40 mph. I used my brakes hoping the person behind me was also paying attention to what had happened. I was grateful for brakes that work, that I had not been distracted, and that I could still get onto the ramp. I know that some people would have blown their horn. I have to confess that I never use the horn. I actually think it is rather impolite considering the manner in which many people use them. It seems to me they want to make a statement of disgust rather than warn people of danger. I would have to search to find it even, or at least give it some serious thought as to the location.

As I merged onto the interstate I have my own lane and a semi pulled up just beside me. The car behind me wanted to exceed the speed limit. I am reading body language. They pulled up almost on my bumper. I was going the speed limit and because I was in the far right lane thought I have to have at least one lane in which is it fine to obey the law. After a bit the car dropped back went in back of the truck and then moved on over to the far left lane.

I am grateful to be home and safe. I will make the trip again this afternoon when I go to work. I will pray for myself and the people around me.

Paula

Walking

Hello,

Yesterday Leroy stopped at our local grocery store and noticed that they had put on clearance vacuum cleaner belts and bags. He did not get any because he did not know the bag type/size for sure. This morning, I checked on the information and went off to the store. When I got there I did not trust my memory and I agreed with Leroy that the bags we use did not look like that. After asking if I could return the wrong one if I did not open the bag, I got one bag of two different styles. When I checked at home I learned that I should have gone with my memory of the style number, however my memory of the appearance of the bag was not accurate. So I turned right around and walked back to the store, exchanged the incorrect  bag of bags and even bought an additional bag because it was such a good deal. On the walk home I was sorry that it took so much time, but glad that I could get some good walking time in. I suspect that I walked about a mile and a half.

I do think about getting one of the more serious things to check steps but I am not sure that I want to deal with that. I do not believe that I need to have my sleep checked or other possibilities. Besides I do not have a smart phone for it to relate to.

I hung out some clothes this morning so that gave me some step work. There are spaces in the day to get a bit of walking in without making it a workout. I have also started to just walk around when I am talking on the phone, course I almost never talk on the phone.

Paula

Old Geezers

Hello,

It is hard to know whether to espouse the idea of being an old geezer or try to deny that idea.

On the radio, it was stated that certain young people are drawn to old people so it was good to tell them stories of your past. That is easy for me to do as I seem to remember quite a bit about it and my grandchildren like to listen to such tales. They frequently ask for more, often more than I can remember at that moment.

This comment on the radio also talked about the appearance of old geezers. One should either be impeccably dressed in up to the minute style or look as if you have not had new clothes in forty years. Oh dear, I do not fit either scenario. I have some old clothes that are still hanging around, things that might be almost 20 years old, but the impeccably dressed part eludes me completely.

Today, in spite of it being Sunday, Leroy and I cleaned the computer room. It is the smallest room in the house so it seemed that it should be a snap to get this job done. I thought we could get done by 2:00 but Leroy, when questioned said, “I thought we would be done at 3:00.”

Neither of us was correct. We finished at 2:30 in the afternoon. “I am tired,” I said, “are we old?”

“Yes,” Leroy stated emphatically.

Guess that puts us in the old geezer category without the style.

By the way, the reason we did this job on Sunday afternoon is because it is the first time in several days/weeks that we were home together in the afternoon. Leroy was off yesterday as well, but I worked.

Paula