More Adventures

Hello,

We left the camp ground before lunch and headed off to a county park that has a great learning center. I did not sense any real enthusiasm for this next leg of exploration, but I insisted. After getting in the door, it took much time, as well as a major leverage to get people out the door and on the road home. I call that interest in what they were looking at. There are many interactive displays that are for young as well as older people. The one low to me was that we could not go in the bird blind because wasps had taken up residence there. We did not see much outdoor wildlife as we had in the past, but there were only a few mosquitoes around and that was a blessing. This has been an amazingly mosquito free summer. I am grateful for that as well as for the wonderful weather we experienced while those out of town people were visiting.

Everyone was a bit tired after getting home and unpacking the cars. So it was a low key evening, although there was still some energy for bike riding. I had intended to show the kids Brian’s sea shell collection that he had long ago, but forgot about that possibility. Brian started collecting when he was their age, but as an adult considered it something he was no longer interested in. I showed them to Sarah’s children when they were here and they were quite impressed even talking about getting some of them when I was tired of them or was narrowing my life to a smaller space. You know, more downsizing that is still in the future.

Paula

Family Camping Adventures

Hello,

In short order we were on the road for our thirty minute drive to the camp grounds. Leroy had looked at directions, felt he knew the way, distained the GPS, and headed off based on his memory. His memory was good, but we missed the road sign so the turn was lost. We drove two cars because eight people would not fit in one. After stopping and consulting a paper map we realized that we did not know where to go, Miriam or Andy promptly used their phone to be our guide. It took us in a circle to the proper route.

Leroy had checked the camp registrations to learn that there were two sites next to each other. We found two beautiful places that were grassy and almost level. What bliss until the park ranger came and told us that someone had registered on line for the very site we were setting up our tent. Groan! That meant searching for another not so ideal two neighboring places as we were in the very best one. With a little self talk among the group we declared ourselves satisfied with two more sites, loaded most of our gear in the car, parked, and unloaded once more. Leroy and Andy picked up the already assembled tent and carried it cross country to the new site,

It turned out to be a fine site, but we were a little disgruntled that no one showed up for the wonderful site we had vacated.  We worked the point and dampened our spirits by checking on it periodically to see if they had indeed come. Oh well, there are much worse tragedies in life. We had a great time exploring the area. Those cousins just liked being on a camping outing together.

Paula

More Family Adventures

Hello,

We had an impromptu birthday party for the Utah girls since Leroy and I are never/rarely there for their birthdays. It was fun. The plan was to go to the dairy queen up the street for a treat, but those girls had already had ice cream and their mother said, “Later.”

Little did we know that later kept being pushed farther away, finally becoming now on the last day before they left. Some people think we would/could be at the DQ all the time, but it rarely happens.

Figuring out sleeping arrangements took a bit of discussion, but finally it was decided that the girls would all sleep in the office on the floor and Logan, who is the shortest person, would have the entire futon for stretching out. Soon there was just the sound of deep breathing and restless shifting in the night as the sleeping bags on the floor rustled.

We people from central time zone got up before those in mountain time zone, but finally we were all up. Miriam’s family headed off to spend time with one of her friends while we hung out at home with Brian’s children. In the extra hours waiting for Miriam’s family, Leroy had the two kids left behind throw the sticks off the porch roof. Sophia was a bit afraid to go out there, but Logan was more ready although he proceeded with much caution. Leroy was happy to get those branches off as he saw them every time he looked out that window. The children left behind also spent some quality time riding that wonderful two seater tricycle (Thanks downstairs friends!) up and down the alley and around the block.

In the afternoon we started to prepare for our evening camping trip. Both of us older quiet life experience had forgotten what it is like to get ready for something with extra people having input and moving things around. We got it together with only a few things left behind. One person did not have a pad under their sleeping bag. That would not be Leroy and I as we had a firm grip on our pads for the oldest backs in the group. Age does have some advantages. No sharing here. One person did not have a pillow, but I did give up my knee pillow which was a great sacrifice for me, you must know.

Paula

Family Adventures Continued

Hello,

Miriam’s family was not coming until the evening. I worked in the morning, partly because of yoga. Leroy worked in the afternoon. So childcare and interaction was covered. Leroy and the kids did come to the library where they checked out numerous books many of which did not get read, but it upped the library circulation.

In the afternoon the kids and I went shopping. We were looking for some gifts for Miriam’s kids. Sophia was quite happy to look for a top for each of them, but Logan kept floating off. I was happy to make a purchase and go on the next store where we looked for some books. Books were found, but Logan found something he requested for his birthday, however since that is not until next February I declined. We then moved on to another store looking for a sketch book. I did not let them ride in the shopping cart that has seats for children as I thought they were too old. With an effort I managed to keep them moving and back out of the store. At the next store, when my internal time schedule was out of sync with reality, I thought maybe the cart for kids was a good idea so I gave into their pleas. It took a bit of strength to control it, but once rolling I did not slow down. Those kids called me a reckless driver although I managed to hit nothing. We made much better progress than had happened to date. I was getting anxious to get home and get a meal prepared for Miriam’s family as well as us. We headed on to the grocery store where I gave into more junk food requests because I just wanted to keep moving and get out. In my opinion these things are not real food. But my mission was to get out of the store in short order. I managed. When we got to the car I gave my purse to Logan to put on the seat which he did. We loaded the groceries and then turned to take the cart back. “Get my purse,” I commanded.

Logan retrieved my purse and I locked the doors with the door lock. Logan with a concerned look, asked, “Did you lock the doors? The keys are in there.”

After returning the cart I looked in my purse for the odd skinny spare key for this car, but did not find it. I thought I would call Leroy as he could come with another key. He did not answer. I searched a little more for that elusive key, found it where it belonged, but it was so deep in the pocket that I could not get it out. The kids tried to help too. Before I tore my wallet apart, we finally got it out, unlocked the door, piled in the car, and went home  where we learned that Miriam would be two hours late. They would eat on the road. All that hurrying for nothing!  At least we got the key out.

Paula

Family Adventures

Hello,

Miriam’s family was coming for a visit. We had not yet gone camping with Brian’s kids this summer so we asked if they would like to come at the same time and we could all go camping together. All agreed it would be a good thing.

Leroy and I met Brian in Rochester so we could get the kids and have them included in all the fun. We connected without incident. However we stopped on the way home to get something to eat. It was starting to sprinkle as we got out of the car. “Do you want to take an umbrella in?” I asked Leroy.

Shortly after the food was served the clouds released a large load of water. By the time we were finished, rain was still bouncing heartily off the pavement creating low visibility. We just stayed inside for a longer time than was originally planned. Finally we all raced out to the car even though Leroy had gallantly offered to pull up closer to the door. What is a little rain in life?

The rest of the drive home was uneventful except for the questions from the children, “Are we there yet?” They had not realized that we would go for a longer ride than they had in meeting us.

They were happy to race into the house and explore a little carrying just a few things while Leroy and I brought in the rest. These children had not been in our apartment for a long time.

Sophia slept on the spare bed while Logan settled in on the futon. In the morning he pronounced it a great place to sleep. Course there was a night light in the hall. Which is lighter then I like, but darker than they like.

Leroy and I sighed with relief as we closed our eyes and drifted off.

Paula

Strange Malady

Hello,

Leroy is a master of mysterious illnesses and recovery. Yesterday, after lunch, he declared, “I have a headache.”

I gave my favorite response, “Have you been drinking enough? Drink some water.”

He dutifully drank some water, but it did not seem to help so he took a nap. After the nap he claimed to feel quite sluggish and despondent. However he gamely set off with me to deliver neighborhood newsletters. It was not an entire block covered before he said, “My head still hurts and I feel so tired, I cannot walk so far,” as he turned around and went home.

He spent the afternoon on the couch sprawled out while he read a book. That great sleeper Leroy also took another nap. At supper time he was not sure that he should eat since his stomach was quite unsettled.

At 8:00 in the evening he seemed to feel better as he even sat up. He exhibited some energy and mobility as he moved around the house with a spring in his step. Tired seemed to be Leroy friend, but the headache was gone along with the upset stomach. In fact he was wondering what he could eat.

This morning he was mostly in a normal state, however he drove the car as rain was predicted and he was concerned about how he would feel after a bike ride.

Is this a short lived disease or what?

Paula

Guests Come and Go

Hello,

We had an enjoyable visit. With catch up talk and laughter filling in the spaces, it was quite refreshing. Yesterday evening we stayed around the house with a museum trip this morning. Leroy led that tour and he commented later that his voice felt a little stressed. “That is what happens when the mostly silent guy talks a lot,” I told him with a laugh.

“I had something to say!” replied this man who does not much believe in idle chit chat.

It was fun for Leroy and I to make a visit to the museum displays as neither of us had seen it in some time. Leroy thinks it had been two years since he as seen the main large, long term display. I do not know my time line, but I think it was a shorter time period since I have seen it. There is always something new to see because unlike some people I know, I do not read every sign as I go through. My method if much more “hit the highlights” and move on.

We have been so blessed with such pleasant weather. I am pleased to have that when there are guests so they can talk about how pleasant their time in Iowa was. It was also quiet in the neighborhood last night. Mostly that is true, but some people do stay up later than we do and sometimes there can be some noise.

If you are in the area, please let us know we would be delighted to see you.

Paula

Expecting Company

Hello,

We are waiting for company to come. Well, Leroy came home a bit early, but he feels it is time to take a nap. Wish I could nap so easily. Some days I am tired, but being awake seems to be the rule for me. On a rare occasion, I do lie down and rest.

Today I have been shopping, cleaning the place, and wondering what to do next. Even if guests were to come right now it would be ok. After all I got a hair cut yesterday. It was one of those deals were three days earlier my hair was not obeying the brush’s command. Consequently, it seemed time to cut off any unruliness. However, yesterday my hair looked just about perfect before I went. Next week I will be happy that I do not have to get that task done.

Brian’s kids are coming on Wednesday and Miriam’s family is coming on Thursday. We will all go camping Friday night. I am excited to have this happening.

Last night Leroy helped me vacuum. He decided to change the bag on the vac. When he opened it, he discovered that the bag had come unattached from the connection spot. Dust and debris were almost filling the outer bag. This dust sensitive guy did not put on a mask, but seemed to have no ill effects from all of the dust that was blowing around as he worked out the larger tangles and then brushed off the other stuff. I am grateful that we had a back yard that was available for such a demanding, but doable task.

One good thing about having guests, besides the fun of the visit, is that Leroy cleaned off two dressers that seem to put away these items to attract all odds and ends that he does not have a specific spot for storing. I am happy to see the cleaned off surface.

Paula

Ways to Move

Hello,

The garden in front of the house needed watering. It is not such a deal, in fact quite easy to get the hose on it. The problem is what to do, while waiting for enough water to get on the ground. It was a beautiful morning with abundant shade. It seemed like doing tai chi just as the Chinese people do outside might be a good idea. I started in and it did feel good. While turning in one direction, a neighbor could be seen standing there watching. They were far enough away that I could not see their expression, but what do you think it might have been? Turning the other way, another much closer watching neighbor come into view. This guy was clearly embarrassed to be caught spying? It did not bother me, but my concentration was a bit fragile at that moment, however the end of the sequence was close so it was done soon.

Note to self, do not bring in any more edible weeds that are growing between sidewalk segments. There are much too many grass fragments entwined in it all.

I walked to the community garden, pulled a bucket of weeds, put down newspaper, filled three bucket loads with mulch that I coaxed into the bucket with a small hand trowel rather than a shovel, carted the bucket to the waiting newspaper, dumped it, and spread it around. It does not look as good as another worker makes it look, but it will stop weeds. Happy to know that it is almost time for the Japanese beetles to be gone as they have had a hearty meal of green bean leaves as well as rhubarb leaves.

I picked a number of large marble sized tomatoes. They have an excellent flavor. For whatever reason, the tomatoes have been quite late this year.

After the garden I walked off to deliver neighborhood monthly newsletters. I have gotten plenty of steps today. Two loads of clothes were washed, hung out and retrieved.

We are planning to go on a bike ride tonight. There are indeed many ways to move in a day.

Paula

Leroy Shopping

Hello,

Stores were having sales for back to school which coordinate with the tax free weekend for clothes and shoes. Leroy wanted a pair of shoes so it seemed like a good time to take that coupon as well.

As we were departing, not really sure why I went along, I learned that Leroy also wanted to look for a pair of dress pants. Also when I go along, I urge him to get things so I do not have to pick out or guess what might suit him when I shop alone. Sometimes he has a hard time deciding.

In the first store he did not find dress pants, but found a pair of zip off pants that he is pleased about. The dress pants were either too tight or too large. Shoes in this store were also not a good fit, nor were the tools that he looked at.

At the next stop, he again tried on pants, but they were not right, however I had spent some time looking of a white dress shirt. He did not find white, but selected one that is just a cream color beyond white as well as a very intense yellow. With the coupon and the mark downs it all came to $5.40 total for the two shirts.

At the shoe store he tried on this and that. I have no patience for that so I wandered off to check about shoes for me, not that I need any, but it was buy one and get the second half off. I was unsuccessful, but Leroy found a second pair. One is clearly causal and the other is dress, but with a walking sole.

When we got home Leroy put away the dress shoes to wait until the current pair is no longer serviceable. He then checked through his shirts to see about getting rid of some. He managed to eliminate seven long sleeved, two short sleeved, and two t-shirts. I am impressed. I do not manage to do so much about my things. I will have to take lessons from Leroy.

Paula

Summer Mysteries

Hello,

How does the temperature change so quickly in just two or three days? Most days I am trying to figure out how to strip down the most without being indecent. Today it was a question of how much to add without overdoing the equation.

Why do I like sleeping with a cover on year round, even when it is quite hot? There is something about the feel of a cover that convinces me I am safe and secure. It was wonderful sleeping last night with open windows in other rooms to let in some of the cool breezy air which wafted into our territory so I could sleep under more than just the sheet.

Why is there so much wonderful produce in the summer that begs to be eaten and I cannot eat it all? In my house I have bananas and apples that are in residence year round. I am grateful for the storage and shipping ability of stores. Now I also have peaches, watermelon, cantaloupe, grapes, and cherries. Because I am concerned about our ability to eat it all I passed by on plums, and nectarines.

I also have lots of green leaves of one kind or another that are easily available to me. Those include kale, rainbow chard, collards, along with lamb’s quarters, lettuce, arugula, and oriental greens. To flavor we have winter onions, both bulbs and stems, garlic chives, chives, oregano, and basil. Cilantro should be re-growing soon. Peppers are also there for the picking.

Why does it all come in summer to delight the senses? And winter has things from a can or jar to sustain our memory?

Why has the Internet connection been working without a hitch since Sunday when Leroy plugged everything in once more?

Paula

Internet, garden, voting

Hello,

Our internet connection is flying along, giving the impression that it has a new lease on life. Does Leroy know what he is doing even though he confesses to be ignorant of why anything is better? Repair appointment is cancelled; router and modem are going to be returned. Hopefully life will be good now as far as the thread to other life on the planet is concerned. We will not be totally in the dark about daily happenings.

Watching that movie yesterday once again pointed out that we need to keep our focus on what is important about life and where God wants us to go and how to be. The Internet, or things, should not have such a front row seat all of the time.

Leroy worked in the community garden last night. I will work there tomorrow. We will both work on Saturday. I have posted this in two places. We are counting on some additional help, however if that does not happen we will just keep plodding along.

There is a special election today on one county issue. When Leroy and I got to the polls we learned that we were only voter number two and three. I realize it is not something that many people see making much difference in their lives so there is not a lot of emotions attached to it. Somehow I do not really find it front and center either, but I have this strong notion that I should vote on any issue that is presented. I like expressing my opinion when I do not have to say it out loud. Perhaps that is because I do not often want to defend my ideas again the stronger voices that are out there.

Paula