Little Free Libraries

Hello,

 

I have my big order of books for the little free libraries. I also have some books that were donated by members of my book club at church. I got and requested multicultural books. I have about fifty books to share. This year I stuck with picture books. Because they are paperback they do not weigh so much to haul around the area. Leroy and I put on about 7,000 steps this morning in the task. We were glad that the temperatures had come up from a few days ago. I keep thinking I will do this earlier in the year so I do not have to think about the cold or one year it was snow.

 

I could almost complain because I got too hot, over dressed. I thought Leroy was too lightly dressed, but he was right.

 

We even have one library about three blocks away so that is convenient for delivery. I will probably put more there in a second trip. One of our friends had one, but she moved. We were pleased to see the library still there. She always kept it quite well filled. The new owners are not so into that, at the moment that library was almost empty so we put in more than usual.

 

On our walk we went through a park that has a sculpture that is named the mouse eared bone. Cedar Rapids has a number of Art in the Public Space, but this was the first one that was done.

 

Leroy and I took a ride on the trikes this afternoon. Leroy had thought about going longer, but he got quite tired as did I. Between the wind and muscles that had not done it in a while, we just went home.

 

Paula

Thanks to Brian

Hello,

 

Last night we called Brian and he helped us deal with our internet provider bill. The late charge was dropped and we set up automatic payment. It is a relief to have that done. I am grateful for phones, technology, and Brian’s knowledge and willingness to come forward.

 

Leroy has been quite nervous and edgy the last three days. I believe that wears on me as well. It is not good to have no one in a household thinking at the optimum level. I had thought I was doing well handling things, but this makes me concerned. At least there is some help available. Certainly I am developing a new empathy for others who have to deal with an ill person.

 

We are hoping Leroy will once again have the steroid level reduced. He has been at this level for some time. He had seemed so good, but for some reason not so much now. That is one fierce medicine. It heals, but can make life less than stellar.

 

I am not sure if it is the stress, but I have become more aware that I am hunching over. I wore a winter coat that used to bother me when driving because the hood seems so thick against my back. I wore it yesterday and did not even notice it. I think that is due to less upright posture. I know some moves that could help, but just do not do them. Other things take precedence.

 

At the dental appointment, I learned my teeth should be in good shape for another six months. I like having my teeth clean. My mouth gets tired holding it open so long, but it is a small price to pay for clean.

 

Paula

How Did That Happen

Hello,

 

In terms of importance, this is low on the scale, but I still wonder how did it happen? We missed paying a bill for our new internet provider.

 

Leroy and I both thought we had signed up for automatic payments so we ignored last month’s bill. Well, the company did not ignore such bill and charged us a late fee as well as this month’s fee. I was going to throw myself on their mercy, but it became difficult to figure out how to talk to a live person. The bill is paid because I could do that over the phone with a “caring” voice that gave me precise instructions to accomplish this task. When Leroy comes home I will see if between the two of us we can set up automatic payments. I thought we had set up an online account but it seems not, again a question for Leroy.

 

Our excuses are that we were overwhelmed by the pandemic, derecho, and Leroy’s illness. Until now, I would not have believed that all of those externals could affect our lives and thinking process. Certainly our priorities have changed. Is that for the better?

 

I am grateful that we are healthy, our house is warm and dry, our cars work, our technology works, we can connect with others, and we have the money to pay this bill without care and concern about where to find the money.

 

We have more than we need in many areas of our lives. Blessed indeed!

 

I just moved summer and winter clothes in my closet and dresser, makes me realize I have too much. That includes areas too numerous to mention. How to contribute less waste to the world when I am awash in excess?

 

Paula

Trip to Bike Shop

Hello,

 

Even though I do not like to shop on Sunday, we went to the bike shop because they have hours that make it difficult for both Leroy and I to go there. It is the shop where my prize is. Besides money I got a water bottle, patch, and bike jersey.  The jersey was too large. They did not let people in the shop the last time we were there so I went prepared to have Leroy hold my coat, etc. while I tried on another size. Temperatures were in the 30’s, but I figured I could handle it even though I wore a thin shirt that would be just fine for a few minutes. I was happy to learn that we could enter the shop with masks on, of course.

 

I got a smaller size shirt. It seems a little tight around the hips, but it will do. We told our helper that we would get a bike carrier for the car, but would like to wait until spring because our garage is not yet repaired from the storm. That is ok, but it is nice to think the carrier would not be vulnerable while they are working. The shop was just fine with that idea.

 

We looked at some other things and found a hat that Leroy can wear when he bikes in cold weather. It has ear flaps. In a former life I would have argued not to get it because of the price, but the new me with prize money in hand just did not consider the price much and Leroy did not even know what it was until we got home. It was a totally new feeling for me to buy without considering all sorts of issues: do we need it, what has he been using, is it worth the cost?

 

Formerly we probably would not have gotten it. I also looked at jackets and shorts for riding, but put that decision aside for a later day.

 

Paula

Fall Garden

Hello,

 

Leroy and I went to the garden this afternoon. We took out all of the tomato cages and walked them to a neighbor’s house where they spend the winter. Because of the big storm in August, some of them had been flattened. Others had been bent. The stakes are now in our garage for the winter. We did not pull up the plants because we did not have the proper receptacle in which to place them. I brought home some of the larger tomatoes, mostly green, but I am not sure that was worth the effort as it got quite cold this morning at 33 degrees.

 

We have some nice plant markers and we took them out of the ground. They went into a small shed that we have at the garden site. I picked up a few pieces of trash that had blown into the garden and brought them home in the plastic bag that blew in. At our block I could not pass a few pieces of trash, but had to add them to the bag. My new year’s resolution was to pick up trash once a month around my block, but circumstances have made that very difficult for me to keep. I have done it a few times, but…

 

Leroy also pulled two radishes of an unknown variety as well as two diminutive beets. I picked a bit of arugula which I will add to my work salad tomorrow.

 

We got rather cold so we came home admiring the few colorful leaves that we saw on that walk.

 

 It is satisfying to get some of these chores done. We could have let others know that we were going, but did not plan very far in advance.

 

Paula

Changes I could not imagine

Hello,

 

The pandemic changed my life and my outlook. I realize now how much I like to see people, introvert that I am, people contact is still important. There are even people who come in the library and I did not know that I missed them. Our library numbers are still much smaller than they used to be. Each day we have instead of 100 people, maybe ten who like to browse. I always smile at them even if they cannot see it behind my mask. We are safer with a smaller number, but I still miss seeing some of the people.

 

We went to another drive by surprise birthday party. It also gave me such a good feeling that we still have a way to connect. The drive by is almost more comfortable for me because in the past before going to something like a party I was a bit uncomfortable wondering if I will see anyone I know, etc.

 

I am quite comfortable with doing Tai chi on zoom. Today on my own, I decided to do the longer form that we do not do online. Shocking! I could not remember what came next at more than one point. I thought the form was engrained in my brain. After some thought and finally looking at the papers I was able to complete it. I will have to confess this to my teacher.

 

Not only the pandemic, but the August 10^th derecho has made a big change in our area. I saw a report this week that the city has picked up 364,000 tons of tree debris. This was just on the first pass through the city. They do not know how much more and how long it will take to finish the job. For comparison, the Empire State Building weighs 365,000 tons. I have always liked the trees, but this adds a new dimension of appreciation.

 

Paula

Friends

Hello,

 

We were happy to have friends from Chariton deliver some quilts that can be used in our community for many people here have lost their homes because of economic reasons and the storm that went through this summer.

 

It was so good to see them and learn about the lives of other friends in their town. We were going to order a meal and eat that at our church here because our apartment is not large enough for us to create much distance between us. The phone number that Leroy found did not work to place the order. So we decided to just eat at the restaurant. It was not very busy, but sitting farther apart was still a bit of an issue. I was a bit uneasy about how close we were, but hoping that it will all be ok. In general they have been careful and not been in any crowded areas and frequently wear their masks.

 

We have a friend here who will distribute the quilts to a homeless shelter. She said they are always looking for more because when people leave they send their quilts with them.

 

I am not sure how it has happened, but I often seem to be serving as a “middle man”. That appears to be a necessary role to play in getting items from one place to another.

 

Leroy again used his phone to take a picture of a receipt and print it. Guess that is the new way to make copies at our house. New learning makes a stronger brain, right?

 

Paula

Eye Exam

Hello,

 

My eyes are healthy with growing cataracts. I am at the point I could have the surgery, but in the meantime I needed a new prescription for my glasses since I do not see so very well. Now the question is when to have these cataracts removed. It could take three weeks for the new glasses to come to me. So the new lens with not be instant fix. I work one night a week and driving at night is not so comfortable for me. The new glasses will help that. Such decisions and fussing around.

 

Leroy also goes to this eye doctor. He asked how Leroy was. When I told him about Leroy’s condition he was shaken and amazed that he could see again with his right eye. The only patient he has seen with this went blind in one eye and he felt they were lucky to save the sight in the other. I almost wish Leroy had had another visit with him because he asked many of the symptom questions that I feel the family physician should have been noticing. But then it is always easier when you know the diagnosis.

 

I am having the lens put in an older frame that I have, but it is still quite expensive. However, I am not complaining. We have the money and I absolutely need these to be able to see. I am grateful that I this way to see available. He also told me that I could probably wait about a year, but next visit it would be a necessity to remove the cataracts because soon he will not be able to correct my vision enough.

 

For a person who does not like to make decisions, I have had to wend my way through a maze of possibilities this year.

 

Paula

Voted

Hello,

 

Leroy and I have now turned in our ballots. We got them in the mail, but waited a while to check on an Iowa Constitution question. We had heard nothing about it so it took a little time to check that out. There was still plenty of time so I just put it aside. Last weekend Leroy filled his out and sealed it up. I decided I should also get it done since he had. I filled out my ballot and put it in the envelope. A signature is required on the envelop for it to be valid. As I was signing, I noticed that the envelop had Leroy’s name on it. Oh no, when I checked I saw that he had used my envelop.

 

I grumped around in my mind for a while before I called the county office. The response was that Leroy should cross out his name and initial it. Then I could sign the proper envelop. I had to do the same because I had started to sign his. We both felt very uncomfortable with this so we went to the office to drop it off to a person.

 

She said, “Do not worry your vote will count, it is valid. You have done the correct thing. Many married couples have done this.”

 

She then stamped the envelops with an official stamp and put them in the proper container.

 

I was almost afraid to talk about this since I know some of my Republican friends feel that mail in ballots are the venue of voter fraud. But I feel this will be ok and our votes will count without question. We have not tried to commit voter fraud, but we want to be safe in the voting process.

 

Lesson learned: Do not let the ballots near each other in this house.

 

Paula

 

Seeing Family

October 18, 2020

 

Hello,

 

Miriam’s family is spending a bit of time in Minnesota with Brian’s family. We had also planned to be there some of the time, but because of the pandemic we just met in a state park that is mid way between our homes. That allowed us to be outside. It was a comfortable temperature, but the wind was rather fierce. Brian found a place where we could eat our picnic lunch. It was somewhat sheltered from the wind with two picnic tables. The younger people all sat at one table while Leroy and I sat at an adjacent table. That worked just fine for a sense of safety. Otherwise we all wore masks. We did take them off briefly to take a group picture. But we tried to hold our breath during that time. For other pictures we left them on. I think the wind was strong enough to ship away almost any germs before they could land on anyone else.

 

It was good to spend time with these people. Sorry that our daughter-in-law had to work so she could not be there. I managed to give the kids some of the things that are hanging around my house. It was great to pass on some treasures. If they do not keep them, I will never know. Now if I could just stop more things from coming into the house, I would be in good shape.

 

Brian did give us a picture puzzle that they did not need. More importantly he gave us some honey from his two hives. He had warned me that we probably would not get any honey this first year because it seemed there was not much honey. He was surprised to learn how much it was. It was quite good honey. Leroy and I were pleased to get it. We use quite a lot of honey. It, besides fruit is our main source of sweet.

 

Paula

 

Clearing the bike/walking trail

October 16, 2020

 

Hello,

 

Last night we took a long loop around the bike trail. At one point we came across a young man raking the broken twigs and branches off the trail. We stopped and thanked him for doing such a good job. He also had a broom so when he was done raking he swept it. From time to time Leroy and I have stopped and thrown small branches off or even kicked them with our feet. If Leroy had his walking sticks he would use them to lift and pitch. But this guy was serious about getting it clean. He said, “I run in the mornings. It is now dark enough that the debris is dangerous to me if I don’t see it and I step on it.”

 

Today, just past that place where he swept the trial clean, we saw a young woman hauling large branches across the trail. When we stopped to talk to her she said, “These branches are so close to the road that when two cars meet there is no room. I have scraped my car against these branches too many times.”

 

We stayed and gave her quite a bit of help as the pile was still quite large. Some branches required two people to lift them. When we were almost done I told her about the guy last night who had a rake and a broom because he runs. She then went over to her car which was parked across the street and brought over a rake and got much more of the smaller things off the trail. We helped with that effort as well. It is so fine to meet such good people out taking care of public spaces.

 

Today the large walnut trunk piece across the alley was picked up. A large truck with two back ends came. This piece was probably twice as big as any of the other pieces they had.

 

Here is a picture so you get a feeling for the diameter of this beautiful tree.

 

Paula

Printer Ups and Downs

Hello,

 

A friend gave us a printer. It worked for a while, but then it seemed to get fainter and fainter. Leroy decided he really wanted a laser printer rather than put money into new ink. I thought we could just live without a printer because it seemed to me we did not use it very often. We can get copies at work for either of us. It is not as instant as in the home, but ok with me. Finally he convinced me we needed this item.

 

I let him do all of the research, comparing, and ordering. He did ask me before he ordered if it was good. We did not get the most expensive or even one with color. We seldom need color. I glanced and just said, “Yes.”

 

The printer came. Leroy set it up. Sometime after it was here he realized that he cannot copy with this printer. Both of us just assumed that all printers could do this. It will print wirelessly and so we can print things from our phone.

 

I needed copies that were for two different photo IDs in order to get my bike prize money taxes taken off. Leroy thought I should come to his work place today and get that done. I suggested, “Take a picture with your phone, print it and see how it looks.”

 

It worked just great! Saved a bit of running around in my day and we both learned something. I do not know if it would have worked as well with something like a page of paper, but for these small things it was all we needed. Hurrah!

 

Paula

Crop Walk and Trees

Hello,

 

This afternoon we finished the virtual CROP Walk. We met our goal of the total ten miles, just not in one day, but in four. It feels good to be able to do that. Leroy again walked right along at a good speed. Hopefully this will help people in many parts of the world. I remember when my father gave corn as a donation for the Crop organization. Hence the name CROP since originally it was literally food contribution. Now I know that this organization tries to purchase everything they can in the local area that they want to assist, thus helping the local economy.

 

We heard the buzz of a chain saw close by. That has become quite a familiar sound. This time it was across the alley. A guy was up in a cherry picker with a saw, taking branches off the large walnut tree that was seriously stripped in the derecho storm that went through here on August 10, 2020. I suspect this tree is close to 100 feet tall and had about 90% of it taken away by the storm.

 

Earlier this week a truck came to some trees on the street and trimmed some dead branches. It is still a very big job. I am amazed and impressed at how these skilled workers manage to take these things down without damaging things below. It certainly takes someone who is comfortable with heights and a good sense of space.

 

Paula

 

The Bradway Walk

Hello,

 

Last night, Leroy and I went for a walk. It turned into a Bradway Walk. That means I was walking at almost top speed to keep up with Leroy. Leroy had his walking sticks tapping away. After a while, I kept saying, “We do not have to walk this fast. If you need to rest we could pause for a while.”

 

Leroy just smirked at me and kept up the pace. In the last stretch, he did take a short break and then slowed down. I do not know how many steps I had before the walk, but it was over 10,000 by the time we were done. We did a fairly long loop. He even rode his bike to work today. At least on Saturday he does not have much traffic to pay attention to. I take all this as an indication that he is feeling much better. I am grateful.

 

For one of my book clubs, we are reading Elderhood : redefining aging, transforming medicine, reimagining life by Louise Aronson. I recommend it for anyone who is lucky enough to reach this venerable stage of life. It gives some hints about how to navigate. I liked Women Rowing North by Mary Pipher better than this one. Both are good and have different points to make. The former is a doctor and the later a clinical psychologist, but each values the people populating this demographic. I guess I am getting old at the right time to benefit from changing attitudes.

 

Paula

I Won?

Hello,

 

Yesterday while out shopping my phone rang. Since it was Leroy’s ring tone, I thought I better answer. Much of the time I do not answer if I am shopping. But these days I do not ignore Leroy. I said, “Hello Leroy?”

                                                               

A male voice replied, “This is not Leroy.”

 

I thought in a bit of a panic, “What has happened to Leroy, why is someone else using his phone?”

 

The voice proceeded, “Everything is fine. I am Jim. I work with Leroy.”

 

My heart rate slowed down. As he proceeded to tell me that I had won second place in the raffle, my heart rate accelerated a bit. Wow! That is amazing. I got to chose between a nice amount to spend at a bike shop or a hot tub. Because we like bikes and have no place for a hot tub, it was an easy choice.

 

When Leroy bought the raffle tickets he, who does not usually buy such, said to me, “I don’t expect to win, but I want to support the museum.” He had to put my name on the ticket as employees could not win. I suspect he will get a new bike. He told me I could, but he has been talking about getting a foldable trike for some time now. That would be a bike that we could store even in the back seat of the smaller cars that we drive. That type of trike should fit in the garage. What a gift for us to enjoy spending. Someone had donated money and the bike shop added more for accessory purchases.

 

I cannot say I have never won anything. I did once win $100 at the grocery store which was great since we had all three children at home at the time and $100 went farther than it does now.

 

The phone named the caller Leroy because I have his work number in the phone under his name.

 

Paula

Good Day

Hello,

 

This morning Leroy and I walked to church and back. I had a book that needed to be returned. Leroy joined me with his walking sticks and moved at almost a pre illness pace. Before we got home he was feeling the need to slow down, but I was happy that he make it on this two mile trek. We did stop at the community garden on the way home so that gave him a little down time.

 

All of the tomato cages are lying on the ground or they have been blown away. There are some tomatoes, but not very many. Leroy pulled two things that he thought were radishes, but we think they are really turnips.

 

I also picked some arugula and red Russian kale. I will have those as my salad. Can you imagine? I am using leaves that I had never heard of as a child. I like them quite a lot. It is great with the addition of some carrots, radish, cucumber, mushroom, cooked red lentils, sauerkraut and a bit of olive oil.

 

I work today from 1-8 PM.  I will have to see how it is to work the evening hours once more. It has been over six months since I have done that. I am happy to see the schedule only includes one evening for me. Before, I was there both Monday and Tuesday. Day time hours are nice, although I find I do not get as much done at home when I am there in the evening. When I am home, somehow evening seems like time off and morning is work time.

 

Paula

Hard Things

Hello,

 

I did some hard things today. I realize that my hard things are not your hard things.

 

I signed up for the CROP Walk which we will do virtually this year. All of the sign up, etc. is on line. I have had the letter for some time, but just put off doing that step. I cannot even say why it is hard for me to do these types of things. When sign up was in person at church it was no difficulty for me. I just walked up to the table and did it. Back in the day when we first did this we walked ten miles in one afternoon. Leroy and I are going to walk ten miles, but not in one day. I do not believe either of us is ready for that. Instead we will take three or five days to get the job done. This is an organization I believe in. Twenty-five percent of the money raised is used in this country and the rest goes overseas. They use local items as much as they can which is good for the local economy. If you would like to donate, let me know.

 

The other hard thing was filling out the Action team form on line again, so I could get an action team kit from my nonprofit insurance company to put multicultural books in the Little Free Libraries in my neighborhood. I have done this other years, but I still put off doing it. I want to get it done before it is too cold to comfortably deliver these books. Again if you would like to donate books let me know. I mostly want new books, but would accept some that might still be in good condition. In my neighborhood and the next neighborhood there are 31 little free libraries. Course with all the trees that fell in the storm that went through here in August some of them might have been damaged. It could be a search and find mission to get to them.

 

Why is this hard? Such things do not bother Leroy, but I am another story.

 

Paula

Out and About

Hello,

 

Leroy is feeling better most days. We have been walking quite a bit more and riding those trikes frequently. Today we rode down to the lake that is close to our home. I am not sure of the distance, but I would guess that for sure it is a three mile round trip with some small hills that challenge a bit. It certainly is harder to go uphill with these trikes. Guess when we are on a bike we use our weight without realizing the help it gives. Also with this sitting angle we are using different muscles. Today we saw a heron fly up and settle back down a bit farther away from us. It was cool outside so the trial was not so busy, but as usual there are always some others there. I was happy to see a young boy and his dad out riding.

 

Earlier this week, we went up a different part of the trail and saw two red foxes. The week before, we had seen five of them at this spot. This time I tried to get a photo as one of them stood on a gray cement pipe. Unfortunately, it did not wait around from me to get my phone out of my pocket.

 

We have also seen a groundhog by the trail. I definitely like seeing them in these spots where no one lives close. I do not feel friendly towards the one that lives under our porch. At least we have some fencing to keep it out of the garden. We have picked three butternut squash and will also pick an acorn squash as well as quite a bit of broccoli. There are two immature butternut squash and I am hoping that they will make it to maturity. The prediction is for October to be warmer and drier than usual.

 

Not an outdoor activity, but we had a person come to our zoom yoga class and put obscenities in the chat line. I did not see them, but someone else did, so we just stopped the class since it was almost time to be done anyway. I felt violated and a bit angry that anyone would do that. I have heard of such happening to others, but felt we were too small for anyone to find us. Naïve?

 

Paula