Walking in the Cold

Hello,

This morning Leroy had mostly a froggy voice along with a cough. I convinced him, with little effort, to stay home. He wondered, “I did not know if I could handle the walk to church.”

I did go out about an hour before my leaving time to shovel the bit of snow that had fallen since we last shoveled yesterday. This was to test my ability to handle the walk in the sub zero temperatures. It was a low wind day and the sun was starting to come out so I thought it would be fine.

I will admit that when it is so cold I would like company just in case. The main streets with a few open gas stations seemed like a good choice. It was a fast walk even though many people had not gotten up that last bit of snow. Because of the cold it was not slippery.

I was warmly dressed with a t-neck shirt, sweater, wool socks, wind breaker pants over my fairly warm slacks, a hat, three scarves along with a warm coat and gloves. My face was the only exposed part of my body. I was even so warm that when I got to church I had to remove my sweater which I might have normally worn indoors.

We are pleased with our weather station even if we have not figured out how to connect to our mobile devices. The directions stated that we could include family and friends. Our downstairs friends also could not get it connected for themselves. Maybe on a business day we can finish the job with assistance from a human being. As it is it seems to be connected to some unknown network because it is giving us the forecast, we just do not know what network it found. I like being able to see the outdoor temperature while indoors. Yeah for technology!

Paula

Traveling to Salt Lake

Traveling to Salt Lake

December 30, 2017

Hello,

Our travels to SLC started off smoothly. I encouraged Leroy to go to the bus stop earlier than needed because I did not want to miss it. We were there at least 15 minutes ahead of time which was nice to wait in the fine weather. I thought it was interesting that almost everyone on the bus had a smart phone. We are seriously getting behind the cultural norm. Leroy corrected that by buying an older IPhone. Hopefully this phone will be the perfect one just for him.

I was pleased to see the bus had a number of people on it. That helps to keep the routes up and the cost down. The transfer bus to the airport was not so populated. The bus driver had asked Leroy, who had a suitcase, if he were going to the bus station or the airport. There was another woman who asked if she was getting on the bus to the airport. When we got to the airport I talked about pulling the bell to alert the driver that we wanted to get off. Leroy did not think that was necessary. In a bit the driver had gone past the stop. I pulled the bell and he exclaimed, “I forgot!” as he pulled up to another door at the airport.

On the plane we were set to get started when the pilot said something was not functioning and he needed to restart some part of the equipment as he thought it was the computer that needed a little encouragement. Then after that was good we went out to the runway to take off when the pilot again came on and told us there was no place to park at Denver since we did not leave on time so we had to wait for another open gate. I was pleased that we did not wait very long and we were able to catch our connecting flight by walking rapidly, using the airport tram, and walking rapidly once more.

At SLC we called Miriam to let her know that we were on the ground and we would get on the train there. She told us she was doing a job only about five minutes away and she would pick us up. It all worked out just fine.

Paula

Traveling Day

Hello,

I do not know about you, but I am always just a little on edge the night before we travel, wondering if it will all go as planned. At midnight when I had finally managed to put aside anxieties about how the next day would go, I got a text message startling me awake. Oh no, the text was from the airline informing me that our flight was delayed for four hours. If I was remembering times correctly, I suspected that meant we would miss our connecting flight in Denver. After a bit I just thought that if we had to spend the night there, I would contact my friend to see if she was available so we could visit. Sleep was much more elusive after that. In the morning I was sleeping deeply when Miriam came rushing in to tell me that I should get up.

I explained the situation. Leroy, also having sleep issues, was up reading. We tried to check the website, but could not learn anything there. Andy and Miriam said, “You must call.”

We found a number that led to an automation answer that told us, “You will fly on another flight that was leaving two hours earlier than your delayed flight.”

That meant that we had some time, and we could catch our connecting flight. We got ready ahead of time so the girls played a card game with us. That was good for me as it helped calm me down. I was quite surprised that we even had seats together on the first flight where we had not been previously scheduled. Happy, happy me! We did not sit together on the second flight because we had gotten an economy fare and we were both in middle seats. That was fine as we each had reading material.

Going later meant that Miriam could take us to the train station so we did not have to drive one of their cars there and leave the keys in it. I did not feel so comfortable about doing that.

Temperatures were 30-40 F when we left Salt Lake and about 5 F when we got to Cedar Rapids. We stayed in the airport looking for the bus out the window and just ran out at the last minute. Later, waiting in the bus station for our connecting bus, one of the congregants walked though and offered us a ride home as it was on her way. Traveling was smooth and easy. Why do I waste any time or energy fussing in my mind when it often turns out well, maybe even better than planned?

Paula

In Utah

Hello

Yesterday afternoon it started to snow. After the evening meal there was enough that had not melted. It had been quite warm and the ground was still temperate when it started coming. It enticed the children to come play in it. Leroy and Andy’s dad spent some time shoveling. Since I did not want to be left out I went out to help shovel, but I did not bring boots so stayed strictly on the sidewalk. Because they were done here, I went across the street with the kids and shoveled over there. It was an interesting phenomenon. On the sidewalk area the snow packed together and was even a bit heavy to get off the shovel. However, over the grassy areas it was quite a bit drier and did not pack well enough to make a snow animal except for the smallest variety.

This family had books due at the library so Leroy, the girls and I walked to the library. In the middle of the night I had remembered that Leroy had brought his hiking boots which are water proof as well as some boots. I wore his boots and he wore the hiking shoes when we walked the blocks to the library. The girls were quite excited about the wonderful, large, pristine expanse of snow in the front and in the back of the library. Leroy and I just walked on some dry sidewalk while they played in the snow. We did not give them too much time as I had to go to the bathroom and Leroy was getting quite hungry.

On the walk home there was much talk about how wonderful the snow is and what a great thing that we were here for it. Blessed indeed. Both Leroy and I grew up in places that had an abundance of great sledding hills. Even though the mountains are close, here in the valley it is flat, flat, flat. But it did not stop good times as they created their own idea of what to do.

I must recapture the art of playing in the snow. Snow angels and fox and geese games along with building snow creatures should do the trick.

Paula

My Haircut

My Haircut

December 17, 2017

Hello,

Some of you asked to see my haircut. This morning Leroy took two pictures one of which I posted on FB. I did not post the second picture because it was mostly a duplicate, but it was closer to me and showed more wrinkles and cords in my neck.  I chose the vanity shot because of course, I look better. Here is the picture so you can also check it out.

I decided to include both because if you were to see me in person you could note all details, so no hiding.

Two more people complimented me on my hair this morning in church. One of them talked at length about how lucky I was to get a haircut and just have almost the same look because of my curly hair. I did not tell her about how few times I comb my hair. Also a hairdresser once told me that if I forgot a comb I could just bend over, run my fingers through my hair, stand up and it would almost fall into place. I have been known to do that more than one time in my life and I bless that woman for her good advice.

The adult choir sang quite a lot in church this morning. There were only six sopranos and the two strongest voices were missing. We had a hard time singing over the 25-30 others who were all singing enthusiastically.

This afternoon Leroy and I will once again walk to church, easy 10,000 step day, to sing with the children for their program. This will be the first time we have been to the children’s program since we have joined this church. I guess both of us have enjoyed not needing to go to all church activities which was not the case for the 30 years Leroy was the solo pastor. Generally we did like attending everything, We probably would have been there anyway, but once in a while it would have been nice to stay home or do something else.

Paula

Tourists or Not

Hello,

Leroy and I had planned to go to a town about an hour or hour and a half drive away to go to an art exhibit. Leroy was not so peppy when we got up, complaining a little about his voice. The drive had not seemed so interesting to me. I suggested that we might like to stay home and go some other time in January.

I had a time set up to help another person apply for an action grant from that insurance company. She came and we got the job done. Hopefully her application will be approved.

After that Leroy and our downstairs responsible guy, set about changing the nonfunctioning outlet in the kitchen. It all took a few trips up and down stairs to make sure that the proper wires were no longer live and capable of causing shocks. At one point Leroy thought it was all done only to discover that the kitchen light could not be turned off. A second attempt locked it all down in the proper place. I was happy that both guys were unscathed from this experience.

When lunch was over we went out to do a little shopping. One purchase was a thermometer which as near as I can tell, records only wrong temperatures. Sigh, a return is in the future. From there we took some things to Goodwill. I was looking for some glass contains were lids that sealed. No luck on that score, but Leroy found a bike rack for the great low price of less than four dollars. The rational was that if it did not work on our car it was not much money gone. Leroy reported that it took some thought and figuring, but it works. Our old one which we bought years ago for much, much more money no longer works because one of the cords broke. Replacement is good.

Now if we could just find the right thermometer for our lives we would be all set.

Paula

Haircut

Hello,

I got a hair cut on Wednesday. When the stylist was finished, she had me look in the mirror to see if it was good. “I would like a little more off, especially at the back and bottom.” I rather flippantly replied.

She got to work and took off some more length. When I looked, all I could think was, “It does not look like me.”

I feel the same every time I see me in the mirror; consequently I am not looking in the mirror very much.

I had spoken with Nora before my haircut. She said, “Don’t get you nice curls cut off.”

With great assurance I stated, “I would not do that.”

Well, they are almost gone.

When I have gone out, many people have noticed my haircut and said it is good. But in my head I am thinking, “What else would they say when they cannot miss the fact that I have a haircut. At least I have never said, What a terrible haircut to anyone else.”

However today someone I had not met before complimented me on my hair, so perhaps it is better than I realize. I will admit that it does not frizz, course some of that is because of the lack of humidity, so not much curl either.

Leroy said it looks more like the cuts I used to get. Definitely shorter than I am used to now.

Paula

500 Miles

Hello,

At the library I answer the phone, “Ely Public Library, Paula speaking.” On Monday the response from the caller was, “Send Malinda out. I am out front waiting for her.”

I glanced at the three people in the library at that moment. No one called Malinda seemed to be there. I hesitated before telling him that, as one of the people is not well known to me, so she could use a middle name Malinda that I had not heard before. I told him, “No one here has that name, but perhaps Bernice is the one you are looking for?”

He sighed and said, “I am in front of the Ely Nevada Library waiting for Malinda.”

I laughed and said, “I am in Ely, Iowa Library.”

He did not laugh, but commented, “It is only about 500 miles away.”

Looking up phone numbers on the internet puts Ely Public Library in Iowa at the head of the list for Ely, MN and Ely, NV. Technology is both a help and an interesting side trip for the unwary.

Now if I could just get my Christmas letter written, the maelstrom in my head would calm down. Maybe I should contact one of the other Ely Public Libraries to see if they have brilliant ideas about finishing the job. Some of you people are so good and I do not understand how you get the job done on time every year, but good for you. At least Leroy is not ahead of me although he is also talking about it.

Paula

Not a Drying Day

Hello,

I was excited when Leroy said that temps were in the 30’s and it was to be in the 40’s. Sounded like a great day to hang out clothes. I quickly got our sheets in the washer along with some other whites. They were on the line before the sun was fully up.

The sun put in an appearance for a short time before it hid behind the clouds. With almost no wind and dampness in the air, the clothes made little progress toward a sense of dryness. Because I am working this afternoon/evening, I realized I had to change plans. I brought in those partially dry things and hung them up on the racks. The note to Leroy hopefully will make sense so we have some dry bedding to get into when we are ready for it.

I am not sure why, but often my note or instruction to Leroy makes perfect sense to me, but he finds it totally baffling. How that can be I do not understand as I am surely numbered among the most logical, clear thinking people on earth. Does that mean that Leroy’s mind is a total muddle? Certainly that must be the case rather then that I am not precise.

For some reason I kept thinking we were returning from UT on the 26^th while Leroy thought it was on the 27^th. We had the info in our email and did not print it off. This morning we checked, Leroy was correct and I was a day early. I suppose it helped him to be more accurate because he was the one who booked the tickets. Or could my mind be a muddle? I was happy to read that the airline has gathered pilots for all but a few hundred flights during this season. Should I be hoping our flight is one with a pilot or not?

Paula

Singing

Hello,

I do like all of the singing that we do in choir, especially close to Christmas. It keeps me focused and breathing. Always after practice I feel lifted up and energized. This afternoon we did a lessons and carols service with another church. Leroy and I were almost late because we got half there and realized that we did not have our music. At least it was not miles and miles, but it still took some time to retrace our distance and come back once more. Someone asked if we had walked. We did not because it probably would have been about two and a half miles. I did not see anyone come in after we arrived. At least we did not miss the entire practice.

The service was very nice. I was happy to be there. Leroy seemed to like it as well, but we had to leave almost immediately after it was over because he wanted to eat something before he headed off for his night meeting. It is the last session so his Sunday night will be free until something else comes along to require that time.

I am fortunate I have the night off. I got the dishes washed as well as cleaning up some lettuce that I have over purchased the amount we need. We have been eating it a short step ahead of spoilage.

For lunch, I came home and cleaned up the rest of the broccoli that I had picked as well as some of the kale leaves. There is still quite a lot of that kale on the steps that lead up to the cool/cold attic. For now that is our root cellar. I am pleased to have produce from the garden at almost the middle of December. At this time the bugs have ceased to be a problem. Guess I should learn to grow more things in the winter time. One of my friends told me today that he has started lettuces and other greens in his cold frame. He expects to harvest in March. I do not want to plant yet, but it seems to me a cold frame would be a nice move to get some early greens. When we have more leisure we will work on that.

Paula

Old, Who Me?

Hello,

Today at work, a book salesman was showing his children’s book samples to those who will make the choices to buy or not to buy, when he took a break to get something letting the deciders confer. As he came past the desk where I was working he told a story that involved an elderly librarian of at least 65 or 70 years old. I was astonished that he was telling this to me in this way. But then I wondered, “Perhaps he has no idea that I will be 70 in just two and a half weeks.”

That is possibly the way it is even though people have generally thought that I am older than I actually am.

I also felt a twinge at labeling people who are 65 or old as elderly. I do not consider myself elderly even though I consider myself older. Interesting how it all changes and the term used makes a difference. In my view finder, people in their late 60’s or early 70’s used to be quite elderly, but now they are in the prime of life.

I do not know just how old this man is, but I thought he would be late 50’s or possibly even into his 60’s.

Maybe with age, I just look younger and younger. I do not believe that, and it does not matter. What is, is. I am just happy to be alive and well. I expect to be working for a bit of time yet.

Although Leroy commented last night after we went to bed and he was so tired, “I am getting ready to retire soon; at least one of my jobs is enough.”

If he only retires from one job and we stay longer, I will probably keep working as long as I feel like am doing a good job.

Paula

Bargains

Hello,

At a garage sale, last summer, Leroy found some sports/ski goggles. He got them to see if that would help him to ride the bike in cold weather without steaming up his glasses. He wore them this morning. He was so excited about it he had to call me when he got to work. “They worked! I could see just fine with no fog on my glasses. I should have had on warmer gloves, and warmer socks, but the rest was all good.”

Those functioning goggles are a bargain indeed as he paid just a small fraction of the original cost. On that same garage sale trip around the community, I found some glass storage containers that I have been using at least every week if not every day. The price differential is not as great, but the amount of use makes it all worth it.

On that trip we also got the water kettle which I have not really liked, but have used since then. It has been a good teacher showing me the features that I liked about my former water kettle. I consider it a cheap education. So am happy with my new water kettle even though we have not yet opened it. I am pleased with all that I see on the box although I do wonder about how far the lid opens.

It is all about that idea of one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Now if we could just figure out how to make the match all of the time there would be a lot less in our trash bins in this country.

Paula

No Dusting Here

Hello,

There was a time when I cleaned every Saturday because that is what mom did or rather mom had my sister and I do it when we became old enough. I still remember feeling a bit insulted that I was not considered good enough to clean downstairs. My sister was three years older and she got that prestigious position. My bother did not have to do any house work which also seemed unfair, but I do know that he did plenty of work outside even helping to milk cows before and after school while I was more of a free bird. Carolyn and I did have to feed the chickens, pick up eggs, and run the separator. However, I do not remember doing those chores all of the time.

For some reason I find Saturday cleaning much less demanding than I used to. Perhaps I can blame it on the mentality that occurs when we only stayed in a place for a year so it seemed much less important.

This weekend I had a great excuse for ignoring any dust bunnies, how did they get that name anyway?

Saturday, we headed off to the museum for their old world Christmas market. Not as old world as Leroy and I have seen, but still nice. It was nice to visit with anyone that we knew as we met them. I do like that about living longer in one place. The number of strangers tends to decrease, even though there were plenty of people that I did not know. From there we rode the trolley over to the area across the river where we inspected more buying options. Leroy wanted to buy some tea for a co-worker which he did. When ready to head back to the car, the trolley was not there so we walked back across the river which was quite fine.

In the afternoon we went to a band concert at the closest college. This included performance by the percussion ensemble. They played a selection that I quite liked. This was followed by a jazz band that played four pieces. I do not always like jazz, but I liked this as well. This school has a good music department. In the evening we went back for the orchestra concert. I consider it an added bonus that we can walk to these venues. Health, beauty, and entertainment all in one package is great.

Paula

Christmas Shopping for Leroy

Hello,

Leroy and I must have few wants because neither of us can be of much help for the other in terms of what to get for gifts. Leroy told me last week, when he was wearing a sweater, “I would like to replace this sweater because it is looking shabby and it is too big for me. I want about this same color as I do not have much that is this color.”

I was out shopping today. I was in one big box store, but they did not have piles of sweaters. In fact, the only ones I saw were on display hangers over shirts. No one was around to ask so I just considered that I would look elsewhere. In the second big box store, there were no sweaters to be seen. “Do you have men’s sweaters?” I asked a person stocking a shelf.

She took a while to think and then she said, “No or we only have the rather ugly Christmas sweaters.”

“Have men’s sweaters gone out of style?” I then wondered out loud.

“Perhaps,” she replied, “we did not have any last year either.”

I will look at some other stores because I know have seen them. While in the first store I serendipitously found a water kettle on sale. It had many of the features that I like. Leroy also likes the water kettle and I thought I could buy it for him. I bought it, but later asked Leroy, “Are you still planning to get the water kettle repaired?”

“Yes, but I just have not done it,” he sighed.

He then called the repair shop in our neighborhood. They told him that they did not do that and they did not know anyone who would.

After that Leroy started looking for water kettles on the internet. He found one he really liked. At that point I thought I had better confess that I had already bought one before he purchased another. I revealed my thought to give it to him for Christmas. He laughed while owning up to the fact that he had planned to get it for me. I extracted that box from its hiding place, gave it to Leroy, and with a big grin said, “Merry Christmas.” We agreed that the one in hand had an additional feature that we liked, it not only had variable temperatures, but it looks like we can set it exactly to our desires. What more could one want? Now should we wrap it and put it under the tree addressed to both of us?

Paula