Barcelona airport to hotel

Hello,
In the Zurich airport we passed an ATM, however it seemed prudent to wait until Barcelona to get some Euros. In the Barcelona Airport, on the way to claim luggage we did not see an ATM now that we wanted one. We had to ask for directions twice to make the connection. We seldom use an ATM resulting in a discussion of how much money, as well as how to follow the directions. We grabbed our card and our money before we dashed away to find the baggage claim area. After a two minute walk Leroy asked, "Did you pick up the receipt?"
"No!" I said while visions of someone else finding that, knowing how much money we had, and robbing us, ran around my head.
We scurried back to find it still in the machine, snatched it, turned around and retraced our steps.
At the baggage claim we could not immediately figure out which of the 15 lines had our suitcase. We had not been told that information and did not see a direction sign for that. We went all the way to one end where there were some people but it was not our flight, however we could ask someone who told us where the directory was. When we got to our belt there were only three cases left on it, luckily one was ours. It felt like finding an old friend as we grabbed it off the line and stepped on out the door that indicated buses could be had.
With little difficulty we found the bus we needed. We thought the woman there told us we could buy the ticket from the driver, but that was not correct as he sent us to a machine. While waiting our turn to buy, the bus left. When getting the ticket Leroy first put in the debit card, but we had gotten too much money out at the ATM and it was denied. He pulled out the credit card and used that. Something else was wrong, no big deal, but he had to start over. Finally we had the tickets in hand as another bus pulled up. I handed her the tickets, but one thing was a receipt and not a ticket. We had left the second ticket in the machine. I guess we looked a little desperate because a young man who was also helping raced back to the machine, saw the second ticket on the floor and brought it over.
As we got on the bus, Leroy took the large suitcase, hoisted it into the luggage holding area while I managed two backpacks and a another zipper tote. Unburdened, Leroy moved to the empty seats to the back of the bus. I called his name and added, "take one of the bags."
He turned around looked at me, turned forward again, and moved into an open seat leaving me behind to struggle up, and it was up, the aisle the rest of the bags trying not to let them swing into anyone else. I managed to only hit two people on the way. I apologized, hoping they understood English and it had not been hit to hard. The bus people had given us three maps so we were well supplied, told us we needed the last stop, and took off for the ride to the old town.
I asked Leroy why he did not help me with the bags. He answered, "I thought you were telling to get a seat."
We had quite a good laugh about that misunderstanding. It was wonderful to release some of the tension that had been accumulating since we had landed. Somehow it seemed that everything would now be alright.
Paula

At O'Hare

Hello,
There was plenty of time to get to the international terminal, but we started off right away because we like to be in place before we take a break. The woman at the airline desk gave us the directions to terminal 5. With backpacks on and Leroy carrying one small bag we walked off. The signage was good. We came to a turning point with the sign up there, when I stopped and said, "This is where we should turn."
A woman came up to us and asked, "Are you going to terminal 5?"
To our yes she said, "You do not want to go that way because then you have to go through security again."
I wondered, "Who is this person and why is she telling us this?" Out loud I commented, "The woman at the desk gave us these instructions."
"I am a volunteer. I have done this for years. this will save you a lot of time. At the desk they do not know about this. " she assured us.
She was wearing an official lanyard so we trusted. Her way did not have signage and she walked us to the turning point before heading on her way home. Soon there was signage. At the end point a desk was manned by two people. One of whom took our boarding pass, looked at our passports, kept the pass, handed back the passports, and said she would call us when it was time to get on the shuttle.
I kept thinking more people would show up, but there were just about ten of us. When she called, only Leroy and I got up. They gave us back our passes, escorted us out to the giant bus for only two little people, drove to the back side of terminal five, escorted us up to the proper floor, wished us a good journey, and left us. It took a little bit to figure out where we needed to go. We were quite early so we could relax or get in some walking time. I got 8,000 steps for the day.
The flight was as pleasant as most flights that I have been on. I do not sleep easily, but managed to get a little. My neck complained frequently so I had to shift position. Also a girl about the age of four came past twice, stopped by my seat, and called out, "Daddy!" Creating a wake up call for me, not that I needed one as my neck was doing a good job.
I was happy to get a little sleep from time to time and be fed.
Paula

Bus to Airport

January 25, 2018
Hello,
Two days ago, although it seems much farther back in history, Leroy and I collected all of our packed items, went down the stairs, up to the far end of the block, and settled in to wait for the bus which we hoped we had not missed. Bus times in this city have some varation in when they come; even though we were ahead of time it feels a little risky to be as close to the possible time as we were. I was just considering our alternative options when the bus came. There were plenty of seats and we settled in as if we belonged. The bus driver then told Leroy he would have to get the suitcase out of the aisle as about 20 people were getting on at the next stop. Usually we have plenty of space on thhe bus. I almost morn the lack of riders because that makes bus service more expensive to upgrade. Leroy had a little bit of a struggle moving the luggage. and we took up three seats as two of the backpacks sat on one seat. Leroy had the large suitcase tucked in close. Later at another stop, with more riders, he had to put it on his lap. He complained about the weight after we got off. While on the bus, I looked around and had an amazing thought, "These are my people." Somehow a feeling that could be described as love for them seemed to fill me. Should I be doing something different with my life?
The man who sat next to me was a bit of a talker and he was sure that I needed to be told many things about riding the bus. Did I look like a newbie?
At the downtown station, Leroy bought a second bus pass so I would have one to use. Because we need the senior pass we have to have their ID which I also could not find.
The second bus we take was not so crowded, but still had a number of riders. I am happy to see that because I believe the more riders the better changes of the them increasing the service. I know that some people depend on it as their only mode of transportation.
We did get to the airport quite early because a later bus would get us there closer to our departure time than we were comfortable with. At least we had plenty of time to do all of the airport tasks of check in and security.
Paula

Lost Passport

Hello,

Leroy and I were busy repacking our bag with the freshly laundered clothes when I noticed Leroy's passport on the dresser along with his bus pass. "Where did I put my passport?" I wondered as I started to look in the most obvious place.

A slight panic hit me as I looked in some of the other pockets of my carry on bag. No passport. I knew I had gotten it out of the file and moved it. Next I moved on to looking in the suitcase, but no passport came to light. Panic was growing as I started to wail a little. Taking everything out of the bag seemed like a good idea, but then decided to look in the file in case I had put it back. I also looked in the spot where I store my bus pass. No pass. "Have I done something stupid, and put them in a weird place?" I said as I held back tears.

All clothes came out of the suitcase, all pockets were searched again and again with more speed and ferocity. In the same timee visions of me staying home and waving good-bye to Leroy as he left alone to go on this wonderful trip, danced in my head. Finally I just stopped and cried, "What could have happened? I know I got the passport out and I know that I had the bus pass when I went to Miriam's in Dec."

The bus pass is a small matter I can just pay for the ticket, but the passport is another bigger concern, no going into the other countries without that document. Finally I went through the carryon bag more carefully and found it nestled down, out of sight hiding behind a little notebook almost its size. Relief rushed in. Later I noticed how tired I was because of all this emotional energy flying out the window. We never did find the bus pass, but I just used money and it worked fine.

Paula

Hot Air Balloon and Travel Issues

Hello,

Yesterday on the way to the car wash we saw a hot air balloon so low that I almost felt I could see the stitching. No people were visible, but the replenishing flames certainly were. Would it be quite a lot colder so high in the air? Even thought the day was clear it was still quite cool. They went over, or we went under them before we moved on and they moved on. It was a little gift that brought smiles to our faces.

Today the temp was 43 which seemed like it should be warm. Indeed many college age people had on sweatshirts without jackets. Leroy and I had on a scarf, coat, hat and gloves. Leroy commented, “I am not hot, but I am not cold. How do they manage dressed as they are?”

Could they be as warm as they appeared or do they just tough it out?

We are struggling a little with how warm our clothing should be for this upcoming trip. Today we have the suitcase out and we will do a trial run of packing even though some of the clothes we want to take are in the wash which I will do on Monday before I go to work. Leroy also has a sweater at the church that he forgot to bring home. He will pick it up on the way home from work tomorrow. Will today’s experience help for the final assault on the plan? At least now we have the benefit of much technology that can report temps for all destinations in the days ahead. Although from past experience we do not figure that it will be right all of the time.

The suitcase is packed with everything we can think of that we might need/want. It all fits even though we have not weighed it. We are both taking a tablet. I have not done that before and I certainly notice the weight in my backpack.

Also Leroy helped me download a book so I will have that with me. It was a rather frustrating experience to download everything I needed to be able to do that. It exposes my frailties and lack of patience. I wanted it all to go as I thought it should, instead it veered off on unknown trails. I fussed, fumed and foamed. No, I did not foam, but it worked with alliteration and I could have foamed with just a little more annoyance. I have to compliment Leroy who often thinks I am yelling at him when I am upset about something. Instead he took it all in stride and just tried to show me a better way. He uses the program quite often so he is much more familiar with it.

Paula

One Car Washed

Hello,

We went to the car wash when it was still below freezing this morning. It seemed like the streets would not yet be slushy when finished. Other people were there ahead of us so we got to sit and visit for a time. I suppose it did not really take two of us, but I am not comfortable driving through a car wash. I had never even been in one until after I was married. After that we frequently washed the car at home. So it is not really in my skill set although I realize it does not take so much learning as something that I lack.

The streets were really quite clear, but our alley is still part off the winter scene. I had Leroy stop so I could scrape out the junk in the garage that had fallen off the car before he pulled in. After that we dried a bit more even though the wash is supposed to do that. It was not perfectly clean, but much better than it had been. We are not big on the car wash detail so it had been months, but I do not know just when.

I am not sure when the other car will get a bath. It could still be some time before that happens.

I washed bedding today and we hung that out. It was quite cold then, but has warmed up now. The sun is on the clothes line more in the summer, but I am hoping the breeze and the good temps will help.

Leroy and I are making tracks on shredding extraneous papers in the files. That feels so satisfying to me, especially when I think about lifting weight and moving. It is important to get some things done on a regular basis. I also eliminated two books. I realize that is not many, but each one out is good. Now if I could just go through pictures and lower that supply we would be in good shape.

Paula

Melt

Hello,

It amazes me how much and how quickly temperatures can change. It seems that two days ago we were quite stiff and solid with cold. Today snow and ice are disappearing. I gave the packed snow or ice in the alley by the garage quite a lot of assistance to go elsewhere. When I came back from shopping the car once again slipped as I pulled in, once again that feature in the car held it steady and gradually I got up that short steep incline. This is certainly not like driving as it was when I learned. In those days I might have given up in despair or hit the garage.

One of the car salesmen told us that white vehicles do not show the dirt so much. Today there were ample dirty vehicles to check out that theory. It seemed to hold true. I had thought we did not need another white car, but it makes me reconsider a little bit.

I should have gotten the car washed, but did not take the time to do that. I noticed one clean car in the parking lot standing    out in glorious pristine splendor.

I would imagine that it would be good to clean the gunk off the bottom as well. Maybe we can get that done tomorrow, although the lines will no doubt be long.

Our grey car also does not look as dirty as some that were on the road. Apparently gray is the second color to get which also does not show the dirt so much. In spite of this knowledge, I would like a change of color, but it will not be a deciding factor as to which car to buy.

Paula

Healthy

Hello,

The dermatologist checked my skin on my entire body and pronounced it clear. I will have an appointment every six months for the next two years to make sure that the squamous cell carcinoma has not put in an appearance in another spot.

To help my health I walked the mile to the clinic. The temps on the first segment were below zero, however the wind was light or none. That was helpful, but the cold was seeping through my mittens. Oh I want to replace this pair with a like type.

On the walk home the temperature had come up about five degrees and it all felt much better. With some additional walking I have more than 10,000 steps. Leroy and I will walk two more miles to and from choir tonight so that will give me perhaps 3000 more steps.

Steps totaled over 16000. Feeling good about that. I just did not have enough time to get this sent out.

Even though my hair was not so long I got a cut today because it seemed that two weeks would be too long. This was in a sense an expensive cut since so little was taken off.

Leroy is putting contacts phone numbers in his new phone. Every once in a while I hear him say a name and “who is this?” Do you have people listed in your phone, but cannot come up with an idea of who they might be? I have not looked lately, but I suspect it is true for me too, although Leroy has many more names in his list.

Paula

More Shoveling

Hello,

I was surprised to look out and see that the sidewalk was not visible except for the indentation in the snow. I put on appropriate clothing, grabbed a broom, and swept off the deck path. Cold is great for giving snow lightness. Because of that dryness the snow on the sidewalk leading to the garage was easy to move. At the garage I opened the doors and swept off the bit right by the doors. The shovel completed the job, but I considered it necessary to sweep it off as there was still a fine dusting there.

Leroy tackled the front walks including some of the neighbors’. It looked good. Leroy decided that he wanted to clean out the alley a bit beyond the garage so we would not get hung up out there.

Now it is still snowing so I will have to do a little work before I drive out of the garage. Hope I leave enough time. Guess I could pay more attention to the weather forecasts. I found all of this snow rather surprising.

I am grateful for shovels that work, are light, or metal for scraping if needed. Those brooms are also a useful tool. Kudos to the inventors of such. I hope they benefited by their good thinking.

On a computer issue, I got one of those pesky notices that looked very official, about a virus on my computer. There was a phone number to call for Microsoft Tech Help. I was able to get rid of this notice on the laptop, but it was hanging around on the tablet. Leroy suggested we go online on the laptop to find some help. We put in those tech help words, got to a website where someone popper right up to help me. When they wanted to know my name, email, and something else that I cannot now remember, I declined and shut them down. Now if they had asked for my bank account number I would have known for sure they were trouble. Leroy and I both felt it was a scam. After a bit more effort I got rid of the notice on the tablet in basically the same manner that I removed it on the laptop. We then ran our virus protections and nothing was found. What I want to know is how do you distingusih “real” tech support from fake?

Paula

Snow and Ice

Hello,

Yesterday when Leroy and I were out test driving the car, Leroy backed up to a snow bank using the backup camera. The salesman had him back up farther than we would ever have done, but it was all ok. He was showing us the features of the camera. At that point Leroy and I changed seats so I could drive. As I stepped out I noticed the ice by the passenger side of the car. I circled in front of the car and went on to the back so I could see just how close that snow was. It was amazing because we still had about a foot to go before hitting it, just as we had been told. I then went to the driver’s door and started to get in the car. I noticed that Leroy and the salesman were both outside of the car. I wondered what that was about, especially when I heard the salesman ask, “Are you alright?”

To which Leroy replied, “I am ok. I did not fall very hard.”

“You fell down?” I asked in astonishment.

“Yes, I slipped on the ice.” Leroy told me.

It still mystifies me to know that drama was happening close to me and I had no idea.

This morning the thermometer registered 5 above when we were ready to leave for church. Leroy knew of a little free library close to the church so I had packed quite a few books in two backpacks with a supply for a friend’s little free library as well as some soap to be used for new born kits.

What we quickly realized was that we were weighted down and heading into a wind that was quite uncomfortable. Weighted down means we do not move as fast as when free. Also the surface was not good on my sidewalks so we spent time walking on the grass instead or even in the street once in a while. Fortunately we did not have to go far out of the way to get to that library. Leroy was happy to drop off part of his load. Both of us were pleased to get into the building with all body parts still feeling pain and not numb.

The walk home two hours later was much more pleasant as the wind was often at our backs. Also the temp was now at 20. Still not so wonderful, but much better than it had been. If we could just find ways to block the wind we would be happy. We do watch out for buildings that help us and zigzag to keep the wind in two directions rather than one for a long time.

Paula

Pounding Ice

Hello,

After lunch Leroy went out and pounded on the ice and I followed with a shovel to remove the debris. It is nice to look out and see that the way is clear even if not yet totally clean. Where we worked yesterday looks quite fine in spite of temps well below freezing. Either the sun worked or evaporation finished the job. Last night when I looked out, it still looked like a dusting on the sidewalk in those shoveled places, but this morning it was clean. I am hoping the night will once again work its magic during sub zero temps.

Leroy and I are looking for a car to replace the one that is from 2004. One dealer told us it was low miles at 139,000. I consider it high, but I suppose if I factored in the age that would make a difference.

I was quite impressed with the safety features of the one we tried today. We had test driven it in UT, but the salesman was not really interested in dealing with us. Perhaps it was because we did not intend to buy, but just to look. Consequently, I took it off my list. However I had read some good reviews of it and thought I should give it another chance. Even though Leroy will not be driving it the most, he also was quite impressed with it.

The guy today was quite good. With his personalized care of us, he could move to the head of the salesperson class. Just now I realized that each new car we look at is so much better than our old one that I want to buy them all. The other car that is at the top of our possible list does not handle so well in the snow. The good snow car does not get such great gas mileage. Seems to me there are too many choices. I have started to make a list of what is not on each car so we can maybe come more easily to a decision.

Leroy and I organized our tax papers this morning. I am hoping that we have gotten it all together to give to our tax preparer. We do not yet have all the forms we need from companies, but that will surely come soon. I am happy to have the papers more organized and less unsightly. I do not do well with clutter. My brain starts to get cluttered.

Paula

Fewer Steps

Hello,

Lower temperatures, lower step number. Could there be a correlation? I have managed to get more than 5,000, but not a lot more today. Leroy and I did go out and work on the front walk with shovel and ice scraper. I am hoping that the sun will do some work and make it much better. It was tiring work so we only did a path rather than the width of the sidewalk. Maybe tomorrow will give us an opportunity to do some more. It is interesting to me that the step recorder does not know that I am working hard when I pound on ice as long as my feet aren’t moving it ignores any effort.

Leroy came home a little early today. I was impressed. He sat right down and started to gather our tax papers. After a while he got tired and took a break. Perhaps I can work with him tomorrow going over our medicals expenses. We are fortunate that we do not have so many expenses, but somehow much paper seems to be involved.

I washed bedding today and mourned the inability to hang it outside for drying which would have given me a number of steps. On the positive side my hands appreciated being inside and not struggling with sheets. My mother still hung them out even if the temps were quite low. Just how low, I am not sure. She was grateful for those clothes racks, a wood furnace, and registers on the floor so the racks could be placed over them for the most efficient indoor drying. I remember seeing the lighter items blowing in the breeze from the heat below. Oh the ironing that was done. Our sheets were ironed along with many other items. My iron hardly sees the light of day. I am glad that Leroy wears a sweater over most shirts or many of them look fairly good as they come from the dryer.

If you call me on the phone I will walk as I am talking so I can get more steps that way, otherwise I sit down to do many other tasks.

Paula

Weather

Hello,

I headed off to work in a balmy 46 degrees. Seven other people came to yoga amid talk of the changes to come. Some commented that they wanted to leave while it was still fine outside. We did all of the things that were to be covered and the weather was still holding.

I have to work until three in the afternoon so I was not too concerned as the prediction was that it would be bad in the morning and then clear up a bit. We did get rain that turned to freezing rain, but not very much before it changed to sleet and then moved on to snow. I am still amazed at how I did not feel very concerned about it. Course it was not deep. My boss called to tell me she was coming in to work and I could leave at any time. She asked that my younger co-worker wait until she arrived to keep the place open with a possible early closure.

I finished what I was working on before I watered the plants which is my volunteer job. My boss got there before I had finished.

I predicted that the hardest job would be cleaning the ice off the windshields. It was a task indeed. I seldom have the car run while I am getting ready to drive, but it was such a struggle to get through that ice now that the temperature was below 20. So I turned the car on to have it help me. Luckily it was not so very thick. Soon I managed to get it all off. The mirrors were a task as well, but the heat seemed to help.

The drive home was uneventful but quite slow. However, I did not put the car in the garage as that incline seemed like it could be a problem. I attacked it with shovel, ice scrapper, and broom before it appeared clear, at least I was not slipping by standing on it. I carefully lined the car up so I would not have to turn the wheel and went right up. Such a relief! I even cleaned off Leroy’s side of the garage entrance as well. Both cars are parked under the shelter and closed in away from the wind.

Paula

Nap, books delivered, walk

Hello,

I have been feeling tired lately. I wonder if I have a small bit of flu. This afternoon I took a nap before I packed my backpack with books to deliver to the little free libraries in the next neighborhood. We do have a library two blocks from our house. I was disappointed to see it lying on the ground. Rather than go home to lighten my load I trudged on to the closest library that is by a church. Unfortunately that library was no longer there. Even thought the books are paperback I had at least 25 five of them weighing me down. I do not know what I looked like, but I felt as if the ground was pulling me down.

Besides the weight of the books I had to pay attention to cracks in the sidewalk as well as some rather large puddles. My shoes were ok with a little water, but an inch was too much so I had to follow the steps in the snow at the side. Sometimes it was a bit icy and required a sharp eye for that safe spot to step. Possibly half an hour later I finally reached a working library. I gave them a generous gift of twelve books in their bare space. Even though I had planned to be done by this time, I headed off to an elementary building that has a library. A church next to it also has a library. I gave each of them a selection and then came home with a lightened load.

I was quite tired when I got home and impressed that I had walked 11,000 steps today. I moved a bit slower folding some clothes and put away the dishes from noon. That seemed to revive me enough to fix supper. Leroy’s throat is not up to singing. I decided to use that as an excuse not to go to choir tonight. We will be gone the next time we sing so it does not feel so crucial that we be there. I do find the singing a lift for my spirits even we do not sing in church I still like to go.

Paula

                                                                                                                             

Shoveling

Hello.

As I was pulling into the garage this morning after Tai Chi, I felt the wheels spin on the short steep incline. A dash light came on in the 2014 car indicating a slipping situation. Next, I could feel the car assert itself, grab hold, and go on into the garage without going from side to side. I was impressed. I am thanking that engineer who figured that trick out. I was saved from hitting the pole between the doors or the other side of the garage.

Shoveling off the snow that the tires had dragged up that incline seemed like a good solution. However after that had come off, I realized that the snow in the alley was clinging to the tires. I cleared off an area about four feet by ten feet, hoping that will be enough to stop my anxiety from getting a grip on me. I have to confess that I mostly concentrated on my side of the garage so Leroy is more on his own. However I know from past experience that he has the less steep side and it is not usually so difficult.

Tomorrow if the weather is good I will get a number of my books delivered to the little free libraries. I have once again gotten a grant so I can put in new books that are aimed at many cultures and about middle reader level. I was able to get almost twice as many books for my money. Sales are good. Now the trick will be to find those libraries. I know where some are, but not all. There is also a new one two blocks from me so that is nice. Hopefully all walks will be shoveled or have melted off. I am so grateful for those who clear their sidewalks. I send them a mental note of thanks, hoping they feel the good vibes in the air around them.

Paula

Warm Day

Hello,

Leroy and I headed off to church with great comfort expectations. Unfortunately it did not feel as warm as the 18 above zero temperature was in my memory. Perhaps it was that wind that kept blowing in our faces. Both of us were so happy to get in the building. A one mile walk was enough. The walk home was much better. The temperature was no doubt warmer and any wind was at our backs.

We did not spend much of the rest of the day outside. I went out twice to put things in the compost bin. Leroy just stayed in. He was quite tired and took a long nap after we ate lunch. He has not walked so much since he got that cold or flu. Yesterday he felt quite fine and got many things done around the house and shopping wise. Today he was not quite so peppy.

This afternoon I worked on getting our late Christmas letter in envelops. When Leroy woke up he joined me and now we have them done. I feel fine to have met this goal. It means I can get some things finished even if late. Leroy will drop them in the mail tomorrow on his walk to work.

Those of you who are friends with me on social media, saw the video that Miriam posted of Nora and me playing a piano duet in church. I can tell you that was the absolute best job that we did playing that piece. It is such good timing to do that in front of your audience.  We were even in the same spot so it sounded good which was a miracle.

Paula

Miracle Mittens

Hello,

Many years ago I bought, at Target, some leather mittens that had fingers inside. They, almost immediately, became my favorite ever. When that first pair got a rip or whatever that showed extreme wear I searched long for a replacement. One day I happened to be at Target and there were my mittens. I promptly bought them, grateful for having spotted them. They were even on sale so just under $20. What a bargain as it is now about ten years, or more from that purchase date. This well loved and appreciated pair is becoming thin.

Sometimes I talk about and show my lovely mittens. No one else on the planet with whom I interact seems to have heard of such an item. Today I thought to wear these mittens to Target with the purpose of learning more about getting another replacement pair. The young women who helped me had never seen such a thing. One of them thought it a wonderful idea.

I just checked the internet and no such mittens are offered on the Target website. I did, however, find them on another company website. These mittens look almost identical to the pair I have. The only issue is that they cost $60. There was another pair that I would like to see in person because they seemed to be about the same with the additional ability to use my nonexistent smart phone, but they cost $89. If I would like these mittens and have them for as long as I have had this pair the cost per year would not be so bad. What to do?

I believe that, originally, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time twice and three times is too much to hope for. I am grateful for the wonderful companionship I have had with these mittens.

Paula

Adapting

Hello,

Our weather station is working well recording the temperatures. When it gets warmer we will put out the rain gauge and the wind recorder. Later we will also figure out how to attach to a mobile device. Leroy got an IPhone, but has not been able to make it function yet as he will be part of Miriam’s phone plan and we need her signature. So, for now that is a wait. In the meantime he can still be reached on his current phone. Soon I will be the only one in the family to be hopelessly behind the times in the phone department. That does not bother me in particular. I figure when I get that smart phone I will, like everyone I know, feel that my life is totally lacking if it is not working or attached to me in one way or another.

This morning I used the water kettle, discovering one lack. Our former broken one would heat to the low temperature of 109. I considered that perfect temp for dissolving yeast. This new pot heats between 160 and 212, adjustable by five degree increments. Much too hot for my yeast to tolerate! I suppose I can stand there meditating as it shows much lower temps while it goes past. I just have to catch it at the right time, turn it off, and put it in the bowl. The real question is how far can my mind wander as it is waiting for this to happen? Perhaps that is a good challenge for me to be in the moment.

Leroy has gone to work this morning, stopping on the way to get some cough medicine as he has consumed most of the cough drops. They are to be doing some moving of books. I hope he is up to the task. This week he will be spending the week at the museum and next week he will spend the week at the church. It is so nice that both of his employers are fairly flexible so that sometimes he can work where the need is greatest.

Paula

Happy New Year

Hello,

May the coming year be full of new surprises and opportunities. Be open to the possibilities that God has for you.

Leroy and I are spending a quiet day at home partly because of the cold and partly because he is still coughing. Leroy thought to watch some of the rose parade on TV. It never came across my mind. Somehow I never got so very interested in the parades on Thanksgiving or New Year’s Day. I remember going to my aunt’s house because they had a TV long before we had one in our home. After we did have a TV they probably had color while ours was back and white, so again the festivities needed to be at her house. It was not just because of the parades, but also because of the football games. I am not interested in the games at all. I only have been to one game and I left at half time, as that was enough experience for me. Not very USA type, am I?

Sometimes I resist being called an “American” because I feel that the people in the rest of the Americas should be included in that title. Just how did people in the USA take over that title as if it belonged exclusively? If we are not called Americans what could we be called?

Yesterday, when I walked to church I noticed the entire sidewalk that had that new dusting of overnight snow had footprints. There weren’t many cars on the road, but some walkers were out early. On the way home I noticed a family ahead of me. All of them had grocery bags. Even in the cold some still need to venture out for supplies.

Have a good day and joyful days to come. I just realized I put the date as 2017. Guess I have not made it to the new year yet.

Paula