Pears Canned

Hello,

I canned more pears today. As with those done before they do not look beautiful, but the taste is wonderful. Because there are not so many ripe at a time I have only done 5 or 4 quarts at a time. Now we have a total of 14. I suspect there will be two more batches with four or five quarts in each. I will do one tomorrow and one Monday if they appear to need more time to ripen. It was so nice to cut those today as they were much riper than the precious loads. I miss Leroy’s help, but I can manage by myself. I just get tired and have to keep convincing myself to carry on. We will appreciate these offerings this winter. Does that mean that summers work makes a lazy winter? I do not can nearly as much as my mother did. I remember much labor almost every day once the garden was ready for harvesting. Carolyn and I would help mom and Robert helped daddy. Seems to me we just knew that is what we had to do and there was not much arguing or complaining about it. Perhaps it was helpful that we were, in a sense, isolated on the farm without other children who wanted to play.

I am disgusted with myself because I did not watch one pan of pears close enough and it scorched. Also I guess it could be said that I did not put in enough water and it boiled dry. It just created more work to clean it up. The internet site had some excellent advice which I followed so the pan looks good once again.

Paula

Pears

Hello,

I finally got up the courage to ask a woman about pears or apples that, in the past, she has to given away because there has been more than she can use. She was pleased that I asked. Her daughter was even more pleased when she found out about our plan.

When I called to ask about picking pears yesterday, since I did not know exactly when they would be ripe, I asked, “Could we come and look at the pears today?”

The reply was, “You should do more than look! They are ready right now. I have canned some, but I do not need any more.”

Leroy and I gathered a number of buckets and went out to pick the bounty. Most of them were green, but some felt soft. Leroy wore out his arms using the “apple” picker. We got several buckets picked before Leroy decided that he could not reach any higher fruits. The ones at the top always look the best. After a nice visit with the owner of this tall old tree we came home, rested a while, but then started preparing the pears for canning pear sauce which is just like apple sauce, but pears instead. We picked out the very ripe or bruised fruit to use first. There were only four quarts, but we/I will do more another day. It is great to have all the summer bounty.

It almost gives me the feeling that I am helping out by taking them. I know that when I have an abundance of something it is nice to find a home for it. I do not like to throw something away if someone else can use it.

Paula

That Inner Voice

Hello,

I set off shopping this morning with my Fitbit zip in my pocket rather than clipped to my waist where I usually wear it. At the first stop I realized that I had put it in my favorite pocket for stashing my car keys. “This could fall out when I get out the keys,” I thought without moving the keys or the zip.

Well at the second to last store that I visited I realized that I no longer had that zip. Somehow it seemed like much too small an item to retrace my steps since I was not totally sure where I last remember having it. Why do I not listen to that wise inner voice more often than I do? When I do not regard it and in hindsight I know that I should have paid attention, I make fresh resolves to do better in the future. However I have done this for years without making marked improvement.

I am sad to no longer have that item. Now the question for me is do I replace it, or do I upgrade? One thing about upgrading is that many of the other devices have rechargeable batteries which I suspect would be a cost saving in the long run. Also maybe there would be a little less pollution for the earth.

One of my stops was to buy a book with birthday money. Leroy and I both feel it is a good choice even though we have not read it yet, but we read about it in the church magazine. It is called “I’m Still Here”. I will take it to the library and donate it before checking it out and reading it. Leroy does not read much nonfiction if he does not have to, but he sounds like he might read this one.

Paula

Getting Gas

Hello,

I knew the car was low on gas, but that I could get to work and come home one more time. On the way home, the low gas light came on reminding me that I could not go very far next time. I altered my route home a little so I would go past a gas station. No one else was at the pumps so I could pick my spot. Grateful for the roof over the pumps, I chose an interior one so the wind would not force rain on me. I grabbed my credit card, ran through the steps as I had done many times, but no fuel came out of the hose. I jiggled the release lever, jiggled the handle of the spout, tapped again the gas that I wanted to get, and groaned as there was no positive result. I put everything back and started over with the same result. Then I was asked if I wanted a receipt. I took it glad that it listed the sale was zero dollars.

At that point I decided I would move to the pump on the opposite side of this one. I got in the car started up and just listened to the fasten seat belt ding as I moved the car going backward and forward, parked the car got out, and realized I was too far from the pump. Again I was regaled with the seat belt ding warning as I maneuvered into a better position. The digital display on this pump was much better. It even worked as the gas poured into the tank. I responded that I would like a receipt; however even after waiting a while nothing happened. I like to keep tract of expenditures so I drove as close to the door of the small building as I could get. In spite of that I got a bit wet.

Apparently I must have looked a bit disgruntled because the woman in there told me it was just a little water. I then smiled and told her that I needed a receipt. As she was getting that I told her that I had been unable to get gas at the other pump. “No one has said that all day today,” she told me.

“I guess I am just talented,” I said.

At that we could both laugh. I left feeling grateful that at least the second pump worked, I could get a receipt, and I did have money to pay for the gas. I was dry most of the time and there was plenty of light so I could see what I was doing.

Paula

Walking and Picking Up

Hello,

Last night while Leroy was working, I took a short walk and picked up trash. Two plastic grocery bags seemed like plenty. Leroy and I had just recently picked up our block so I went one block over. At first there was not much to be had, but when I turned the corner it was a different story. The first bag was rather quickly topped off with the second trying hard to catch up. On the home ward trip I was happy to see another bag floating around. I snagged it and finished filling the second before starting on that third bag. It was great to have found it as I filled it as well. Perhaps more would have fit if the fillings were pushed down, but I did not do that. As Leroy said the last time we did this, it is a good feeling to have gotten this worthwhile job done. The last time we did it a walker and a driver both paused to thank us for doing such a job.

Last night I did find a toy that belonged to a boy who was out front playing. I suspect he had forgotten where he had put it. His mom did tell me that they had picked up everything they saw that belonged to them, but somehow had missed that.

Yeah, for a cleaner neighborhood! In September there will be a cleanup that involves neighbors as well as the students from both of the close colleges. That way a very large amount of space can be covered with so many more people involved. When picking up I try to gather up all the cigarette butts, but when alone I do not get such a thorough job done as I want to get the big stuff for sure. Even though one of the college students talked to me at length about the damage to the earth that those small butts do, it is so time consuming to pick them up that I start slacking off. The city has some bags that they hand out for a clean city. My bag is now full and I must get another. I like that sense of accomplishment as well. I also wear gloves that were provided by the city. They are trying to make if easy.

Paula

The Perfect Car

Hello,

Leroy and I did some more car shopping to no avail. We want a car that gets great gas mileage, is great for safety, drives well on snow, and is comfortable for Leroy’s back. One car we test drove got great gas mileage, but did not have some of the safety measures unless we would add a lot more money. The other car that we test drove had all the safety features, but Leroy said his back did not feel quite right in it. Since we only drove it a few miles a long trip would not be good we both figured. The second car also had great gas mileage.

We thought we were all ready to get a car, but now we are back to the thinking and considering stage. Leroy wonders if we should wait until next year’s models are out with more safety features on the lower end models.

It seems to us that the car companies should just get together and make the car that we want with things from several different brands.

At least we are not pushed to get a new car now since both of our cars work. One is getting a bit old. It is 14 years old and has about 140,000 on it. However it does not seem ready to quit, but we think it might be time to move before it does quit. Right now Leroy is driving it around town rather than on longer trips. I am taking the newer car to work as I have the longer drive.

I read all these articles on cars for seniors or older drivers. Most of them assume that we cannot get in and out of a low car. That is not the issue here, but we like to put them in the garage and some of the larger cars might not easily fit in the garage, plus the gas mileage would not be so good. Decisions, decisions! Just what is most important?

Paula

On the Road

Hello,

Earlier this week I saw a car turn in front of me the wrong way on a one way street. Usually I do not know where the horn is because I never use it. However, I found it and blew to no avail. She had her phone in hand. I wonder if she were texting. When relating this to a coworker, she brought up the idea of road rage if you honk at someone. This woman seemed to pay no attention.

Today I was riding my bike to work for a team meeting. This time an extended van type vehicle that might give rides to others was coming towards me on the one way street that I was preparing to turn onto. This time there was no horn to warn them of danger so I just watched them go.

I got a little over three miles from home when I met a couple on the bike trail who told me that the trail was closed. “How will I get to Ely?” I wondered out loud.

The woman told me, “They let us walk through.”

After consideration, I decided that I had enough time to ride back home and switch to the car for my trip to the library. I did not know what they were doing to the trail and I would have to cross that spot again on the way home. I had seen the trail closed signs but ignored them because I have seen the signs before and it meant nothing.

Maybe another day I can ride that far. At least I got in a good six mile ride.

Paula

Who is she?

Hello

We left Sarah’s house early to catch the train. It seemed like it would be an early arrival at the airport. Because the train we needed did not come to their stop on Saturday we had to make a transfer. That is also no big deal, but for some reason there was a delay that lasted at least ten minutes before the train was scheduled. Now we were both grateful for those extra minutes. We had not printed our boarding passes so that also took a little extra time. However once again we had the pre board check which speeds us along much faster.

In DC they kept asking for people to check their carryon bag through to the final destination. Finally just as we were boarding I gave them my bag. It was nice not to have to deal with that extra bag; however, there would have been plenty of room for it in the overhead bins. In Cedar Rapids, I was sorry that I had not kept it as the city bus, if on schedule, came and went while we were waiting to pick up that bag. Unfortunately the bus only comes once an hour. We settled in for a long wait.

After a bit we went outside to wait in the warm breezy air when a young woman drove up to drop someone off. Then she came over and asked if we wanted a ride home. Immediately in my mind I started sorting through people from church and people from the library so I could put a name to this person who did look familiar. Leroy asked, “Where do you live in Cedar Rapids?”

He must know her, so it must be someone from church. I was working on church people when Leroy told her, “Yes we would like a ride home since you live fairly close.”

We were seated in her car, Leroy in front and me in the back when Leroy asked, “What is your name?”

“Oops, he does not know her! But she does look familiar.” I thought while she burst out laughing.

She is the kid’s choir director at church. In our defense she had her hair in a ponytail and had on sunglasses. We do know her, but have not talked with her a great deal.

She could not get over the fact that we would get in a car with someone if we did not know who they were. As I said she looked familiar, but I could not place her enough to come up with a name so it did not really feel like a stranger.

Paula

More Museums

Hello,

It was great to spend one more day going to those wonderful free museums of DC. I am pleased that these treasures are so available to all. It was great to have Sarah with us as she knows her way around so well. We do ok on our own, but I am always a little on edge until we find our destination. However, when Sarah or Stephen is with us I just let them do the guiding.

Natalie is quite used to going to museums and is a great attendee. We went to the National Woman’s Rights House. I cannot remember the exact name. Some of the history I heard there I knew and some was new. It is so easy to take for granted the privileges that we have, especially if they have been in place since before we were born. Many women protested risking rejection, jail, beatings, and ridicule so that I can vote. Some of the women I had heard of and some were strangers. I did know that Pres. Wilson did not support women having the right to vote until it became political risky to ignore or squash the idea. When his career was in jeopardy he joined the movement. Protesting is still an effective way to make your situation known even though it, to this day, has some negative consequences associated with it.

We also stopped at the Postal Museum since that was right by the metro stop. Also we had not been there before. Stamp collector Leroy especially enjoyed this stop and wants to go back since our time was somewhat limited. Natalie found many buttons to push. Next trip, maybe we can give that museum more time. I thought we had seen about everything in the nine years that the family has lived in DC, but there are probably more hidden in plain sight treasures.

Paula

My Phone

Hello,

Yesterday I rode my bike to work. In the morning, Leroy rode half way with me before he turned around since he had some errands to run.

I enjoyed the rest of the ride by myself. It was great to be out in the early morning coolness with a few riders and walkers on the trail. I had gotten to work early enough that getting my clothes changed and ready for patrons was no problem. I have happy to have remembered to bring underpants.

During the day people started to talk about the heat outside. In the meantime, I kept drinking more and more water, which means that I had to make quite a few trips to the restroom. I do not like to leave the main room so much when I am the sole person in charge, but I thought my health on the trip home was more important.

At the end of the day I got ready to ride home. It was about 20 minutes after closing time. I was out getting on my bike when I remembered that I should call Leroy to let him know I had started home. If I were very late then he could worry and maybe do something if needed. I dug out my phone only to have it give me a message that the call had failed. I tried again with the home number. Then I got a message that if the signal was low I should sign up to do WI-FI calling. It wanted an address and I did not know which address so I just decided to try again when I was almost half way home. On this phone, I have been getting text messages that are sent to Leroy. We have been trying unsuccessfully to eliminate that possibility. I figured either Leroy or I had turned off one too many things.

At that shelter I got the same messages. Grumble, Grumble. I stopped once again but still no luck, this time I sent him a text. I was carrying my phone in the back pocket of my bike shirt so I could hear the ding. I hoped that was an answer from Leroy. At home I looked at my phone to see that the message had not been delivered.

“I was beginning to worry about you,” Leroy said when I came in the door.

I started grousing about my phone difficulties, but I wanted to eat first since I was so hungry. Stopping to call him had added many minutes to my trip. Leroy looked at my phone and he also was totally mystified. I could text, why it did not go that first time I do not know. I could receive calls, but I could not make them.

Google was the next step which had the answer as (many) others have had this problem. Various solutions were offered. Luckily, the first one I chose worked. I reset the time and date before I completely turned off the phone. Great! I could once again call people, I did check it this morning and it still worked.

Paula

Lexi's Camp Ends

Hello,

On the Thursday before the end of Lexi’s summer music and performing arts camp, there was a performance in the morning and a play in the afternoon. I was impressed with the amount the students learned and with how well coordinated it all was. Once the concert started there was very little down time as they shifted from one group to another. This included a variety of ages as well as instruments along with voice and dance.

The play in the afternoon went off without a hitch as well. I could understand the words in songs. I expect the notes to be correct, but sometimes it is harder to hear or comprehend the words. This came across very well.

Between the morning and afternoon session we ate a picnic lunch in Rock Creek Park which was close. There was a mill there that we could see from the outside.

Fortunately for us the rain did not come until after the play was over. Sarah had parked closer to the building in the afternoon so that was good too. She was the martyr as she raced down in the pouring rain to get the umbrellas that we had not thought to bring up. We all got a bit wet as puddles were everywhere. It was also a trick to get in the car and fold the umbrellas.

In the evening Sarah, Natalie, and I went to family movie night at their church. We saw Early Man. I found it to be quite funny at times. I believe Leroy would have liked it as well, but he wanted to work on those cacti.

Paula

A Day At Home

Hello,

Tuesday evening Natalie declared that she did not want to go to anymore museums. Leroy and I were ready to take a day off as well. We hung around the house except for going to the little free library about a ten or fifteen minute walk away. We added two books to the collection. In the afternoon we walked to the city library because Leroy had finished one of his books. We had read several of Natalie’s books so they were returned. She also checked out some new reads. I was still working my way through the only book I had checked out. I liked it, but I must not be a fast reader because I cannot keep up with Leroy. On the way home we stopped at a park for Natalie to enjoy the equipment.

I should mention that it often rained at night while we were visiting. That helped Leroy and I to pull weeds along the side walk and along the fence above the short rock wall. We consistently tackled that every morning with great satisfying results. Sarah declared it to be one of the best birthday presents as it is such a big job to keep the weeds under control on their corner lot.

The next day we got some heavy duty gloves so Leroy could cut/pull out that short cactus spreading with abandon along the fence. I did not pull weeds where those cacti were residing as I have gotten the thin painful spines in my hands before. Leroy managed to fill a large garbage can with the pieces he removed. He left only one clump. The sad thing is that we both feel they will grow back with without regard to human wishes. Leroy was not really able to get out the roots. Until that is accomplished I suspect they will return fiercely. I have heard of putting vinegar on some plants to kill them, but we did not try it here.

All it all it was very satisfying to see, even if only temporarily, the weed free, cacti free area.

Paula

The Aquatic Center

Hello,

Sarah took off a day for her birthday. We visited the aquatic center within driving distance of their home. I did not know quite what to expect. It was a delightful experience in spite of the heat and humidity. The museum building was small, but packed with all sorts of information that I could forgot with ease even though I wanted to remember everything.

There were lotus flowers that were beyond anything I had seen before, both in height and in size of flower. It was great to see the seed pods forming. Some other plants were to have a plate like flower that could be six feet across floating on the water. We saw some of that type with flowers about one to two feet across. Perhaps we were there at the wrong season. Taking care of this place seemed overwhelming to me. I cannot image how they do it.

I was saddened to see bottles and cans in the water in some places. They are also troubled by the fertilizer and weed killer that is used in so many places in this country. Saving the earth is posed against economic gain or a sense of local beauty without regard for the consequences. How can such divergent goals reach compromise?

We were fortunate to see some egrets and a blue heron. There were small turtles that signs cautioned us to not step on. We did not see a single one even though it was on our hope to see list. Here there was not as much for Natalie to touch, but at least we were outdoors much of the time.

Paula

I was saddened to see bottles and cans in the water in some places. They are also troubled by the fertilizer and weed killer that is used in so many places in this country. Saving the earth is posed against economic gain or a sense of local beauty without regard for the consequences. How can such divergent goals reach compromise?

We were fortunate to see some egrets and a blue heron. The heron is in the middle of the photo below. There were small turtles that signs cautioned us to not step on. We did not see a single one even though it was on our hope to see list. Here there was not as much for Natalie to touch, but at least we were outdoors much of the time.

It was a good place to visit.

Paula

At the Bible Museum

Hello,

Monday morning the local adults headed off to work while Lexi when to the last week of a daily music camp. Natalie, Leroy and I hung around for a short time before heading off to the Bible Museum. We all had some books to read because almost immediately after our arrival on Saturday afternoon we went and got books as it is never fun to be without a book to read. At the Bible Museum we were the first ones there so we did not have to wait in the line that Sarah had warned us about. When we reported such at the end of the day Sarah could hardly believe that had happened as she had waited 30 minutes as had Stephen on the day he had gone.

I was a little unsure as to whether I would like this excursion, but was surprised and pleased to find it very interesting. There was a lot of history displayed about many different Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths. Most of it was about Christian background. There were plenty of things that seven year old Natalie could do involving some hands on activities, consequently she did not get bored. Although, when asked by her parents at the end of the day, she declared it to have been very boring. We managed to spend about five hours there and not see it all. There did come a point when we all were at the saturation point. Home was the place to be.

I am always impressed by how many kind and helpful people there are in the world. As we came out of the metro and were getting our bearings, a sidewalk sweeper asked if we needed help. He then proceeded to give us great, easy to follow directions. I did use my phone map as well and it was perfect.

Paula

Swiss Party and More

Hello,

After having lived in Switzerland, for a time, the Padres feel a close connection so they have joined the Swiss club. We all went to the lawn party which included swimming, games, speeches, music, food, lounging on the lawn, lighting lanterns, a parade, and a bonfire.

Leroy forgot his swim trunks so he did not go in the pool. I was glad to cool off there even though I do not swim, I just hang out. Later, it was wonderful to sit out under the spreading trees on the lawn. The lanterns were for children only. I was a little concerned about safety, but it all seemed to work quite well even though it was a lengthy process to pass out the lanterns, extend the accordion sides of the lantern and light the candle. Then children and adults went in a loose parade pattern to the bonfire area.

Sarah had sent us a song so we could practice and then sing in church.

Partly because we have no piano and partly because we have been quite busy, we did not practice. It became clear that it was not going to go well. We then switched to a song that we do know. This was much more comfortable. After practicing a few times at church we were ready. It went well.

Sunday afternoon, Sarah, Natalie, Leroy and I visited a village created during the FDR years. It was quite interesting. Certainly some of the ideas have great appeal, such as everyone being able to walk to everything in the village. It was a wonderful idea which is now talked about as something that should be in this age.

In the evening Stephen and I went to an organ recital at the Basilica. I was impressed both by the grandeur of the building and the music. The organ was also quite fine.

Paula