What’s up My Sleeve

Hello, When Leroy and I pick black raspberries, we need to go into some very brushy places. We wear long sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats. Because of ticks or other unwelcome critters, we do use some bug spray, especially in the areas where something might climb aboard. At home we take off our clothes in the stairwell for some privacy, but it is not in the apartment proper. The clothes are thrown out the door into the porch. When decent we hang the clothes on the clothes’ line outside. Usually, they stay out overnight. One day when I put the shirt back on, I noticed a little tickle in the sleeve. Absentmindedly, I rubbed it before ignoring it. However, from time to time I would be aware of the tickle again. With a tank top under it, I finally took it off when it seemed more persistent. Wow, what is this? It turned out to be a rather nice medium sized moth. So much better than something that might sting. So much better than a tick that might give Lyme disease. The cucumbers are weeded. The sun talked loudly after a bit so I came home. There were three different types of kale in my bag for us to enjoy. Someone gave us a cabbage. It is quite large so we can eat it for days. Are we rich or what? Paula

Storms or Smoke

Hello, Even in the middle of the day, it is good to have a light on. It is not storming here, but it could. The smoke from the Canada fires is seriously in the air. What is in smoke? Some people are having difficulty with respiratory issues. Fortunately, we are okay. One good thing about these times is that most are well supplied with masks. There has been some learning during the pandemic. In an hour I will go to the garden. There is still a chance of a strong storm that could get me quite wet. The rain would be quite welcome. It will be good to pull some weeds and put down more newspapers and mulch. Not as many people have helped in the garden so there is more work to do there. For some reason I have not spent so much time there either. Partly it is the daytime heat stopping my enthusiasm. Today is not so hot so I hope to make some progress there. The garden was weedy. The bean row looks quite a lot better. Some weeds did not pull from the roots, but tore off. Later weeding is in the cards. Only managed to get one bucket full. By that time the temperature had started to climb. I was quite sweaty before I got home. It seems that I should go for a short time every day. That would certainly make a difference. It is satisfying to pull weeds and look back at the cleared area. Paula

How much Fruit

Hello, I volunteered to bring a fruit salad that would feed 6-8 people. Yesterday, I learned that there were half the expected salads so a very large salad was needed. The empty container seemed large, but not impossible to fill. Ten apples, one pineapple, four pounds of strawberries, a large bag of grapes, one box of blueberries, four bananas, and one cantaloupe seemed adequate in the grocery. Even last night it looked fine with all the whole items. This morning after ten chopped apples only covered the bottom of the container, tension mounted. The pineapple was only average so it did not add much bulk. An extra apple helped. The strawberries added some more. The grapes seemed to take up a nice amount of space. The cantaloupe contributed as did the blueberries on top. Because bananas turn brown, once open, they went to church in the natural state. I took along some wounded pride as I started to explain that I did not know how much fruit was needed. At that point, I was told it was ok as there were really six more salads coming and this amount was plenty. What a relief. Even though we often cut up produce for our consumption, there was barely enough time to get this done. Deep breaths were needed to create a calm heart and mind and keep my fingers out of the way of the knife blade. I did not stay for serving, but helped to pack it all up to be transported to the serving site. There is much satisfaction in helping. While at church outdoor plants were watered. We had a disappointingly small rainfall this morning. Paula

Time with some family June 27, 2023 Hello, We returned yesterday from a quick trip north. We had a few reasons for that trip besides the appeal of seeing family. Our honey supply was getting low. Brian had some more to part with. Because it was cool, we got a little closer look at the bees. They are such interesting creatures. Bee keeper seems like a fascinating hobby/job. Brian wants quart canning jars and I had some to spare. If I knew what was going to happen in the community garden this year more might be spares for me. Last year there was only two canners of beans. We also got a chance to see Miriam for a short time. She was in town for time to spend with her college friends. She brought us two more bags of oatmeal; did I tell you about the oatmeal adventure and flying? Leroy had a backpack that he had not brought back so she brought that as well.

Brian and Jen have a rental house. Leroy and I had a look at the inside of it while there were no renters. It is nice, but we are still hesitant to move. The new renters will be there two years so that decision is still some time in the future. As always it was just nice for us to connect with some of our children. Sophia was not home and we saw Logan for a short while. Paula

No Bugs for Breakfast

Hello, Leroy and I went out before breakfast to pick black raspberries. The big deal with going so early was to beat the heat. We did well, but there were not as many berries as in the past days. That was ok because we were both tired and ready to come home. Before we left, I insisted that Leroy eat a bit because he gets low. He was again hungry by the time we got home. This time we cleaned the berries with an extra eye on the bugs. Hopefully we got them all. We did the usual trek to church to water there. On the way home stopped at the garden and watered just some of it. We are concerned about the seeds that have not sprouted yet. Leroy did go out one more time to get the last of the newsletters delivered. No more hot walks today. I did wash and hang a load of clothes, that was hot enough. I need to pick up a filled prescription at the drug store, but that will be my walk tomorrow. Leroy is going to walk to work so I can pick him up when he is done. I will try to remember to deadhead some flowers around here and to water the home garden. Tonight, we go to a bell concert at a church that is fairly close to us. We did go out in the car this afternoon to take advantage of a six hour sale at a gas station that is close. It was great, the cheapest gas we have seen in a long time. Paula

Unsettling Meal

Hello, This morning we had started to enjoy our breakfast of oatmeal topped with granola, apple, banana, and black raspberries. I had had several mouthfuls when I looked down to see a moving spot which became a black bug. I grabbed the hard-shelled critter with my hand, yelled “a bug”, dashed downstairs (we live on the second floor), unlocked the door at the bottom, ran out of the porch and flung that unwelcome guest away. When I came back Leroy commented, “You are certainly lively this morning.” I sat there and looked at my bowl searching for more visitors, finding none I did eat, but with not much joy and a bit of trepidation. To think, we put our berries through three waters before we declare them clean. This bug so closely looked like the berries and it could have hidden in the hole that is there from detaching it from the vine. We will pick again tomorrow morning when it is not so hot. Certainly, there will be more careful looking as we clean these berries. I not like the idea of pesticides on my food, but I am also not ready to welcome bugs. Some issues are hard arrive at a peaceful solution. Paula

Serious Books

Hello, It is the longest day of the year in our hemisphere. Now days will start to have less daylight. One nice thing it will not be noticeable at first. Usually, it is a month before it is obvious to me. I have been aware of the shifting sun when I pull curtains up and down. In the past, I have read many serious fiction books. Serious enough, that Leroy would wonder how I could do that. He reads for escape and those feel-good feelings. I have learned a lot this way. But now I find that I cannot read these books that can be disturbing, late in the day or I have trouble sleeping or unsettling dreams. Right now, I have two books that are not calming books. The third book is nonfiction and it is just fine because it is more philosophical. It shows the better side of human nature than the worse that a person can be. I have also been reading more books that help me laugh. I do not have any of those in the house right now. Consequently, I am playing more games on the computer. Guess that is my escape. I remember one of my Slovak students told me that his mother used to read serious books, just as he did, but now she was reading mostly romance which he found a little disturbing. As if she had crossed into something less edifying. I have not quite gotten to romance, but humorous is very nice. This was an intellectual guy who preferred English books and would get in trouble in the Slovak classes because he was reading them when he should have been paying attention to science or math. I have not kept contact with the guy so I do not know what he is doing as an adult. Paula

Berry Picking

Hello, Leroy had checked out the wild blackberries and announced that we should go pick this morning. It was cool, but a bit damp from the wonderful ½ inch of rain yesterday. We headed out anyway. I would guess that it is over one mile away. We have to fight feeling a little tired by the time we get there. These black raspberry vines are in a steep, brambly, hillside. The city has cut it back some, but the steep hill stops them from getting all of them. We could not figure out how to safely get to part of it so we left them for the birds, insects, or other animals that might like them. We got scratches, weed seed passengers on clothes, and almost two quarts of berries. I was quite pleased. They were sweet and good with many more to follow. It is challenging to consider going back, but in two days we will have renewed stamina. On the walk home we saw, a younger guy who stopped to pick some blackberries growing along the trail. He was walking his dog and wearing shorts and short sleeved. He was not ready to head into the rough no nonsense briars. He did know about the place we had just been. He also recommended another spot, but I am not sure where it is. Usually, we see other older people eating the berries by the trail, I asked, “How do you know about picking berries?” “I grew up in the Amanas.” He replied. He had gone to college in this area and just now moved back for a job. He also picked mulberries. Nice to have some conversation about nature. There are younger people who will carry on the tradition. Paula

Day Off?

Hello, I assured Leroy that there was not so much to do today and he could have the day off. Somehow it did not work that way. Early I started making yogurt. He did help a little with that. Then it was on to washing bedding. He helped hang out much of the two loads. He feels guilty if he does not help. I appreciated the help. After that we went to the store where he got a part to repair a garden hose. Then we stopped at another because he needs a new watch band. Followed by a stop at a hardware to learn if they recycled a particular type lightbulb, they did not. Now it was on to the grocery store. Then when home there is the unloading and putting away chores. Leroy was totally involved in all of that. He got together an action team request for money from our insurance company. Followed by ordering two books. Now he has finished reading a book and is watching TV. Does this look like a day off? Later we are going to walk where black raspberries grow to check the progress. I plan to plant more lettuce and Leroy wants to plant snap dragons. Not too much sitting around today. I also made granola, but did not let Leroy help with that because he was starting to sigh. Paula

Walking tour

Hello, Today we discussed going on a walking tour that takes place tonight or tomorrow. The place to buy tickets is not listing any hours or a phone number. We rode our bikes there this afternoon to find that it was not open. The real problem is that if you buy a ticket at the start of the tour, it is 150% more. Leroy and I are not the type to do that. I guess we will not go. I am a little disgusted that we did not look into getting the tickets sooner. We even emailed a woman who might know, but did not get an answer from her. I am sure it will be a great tour. We have gone on others with this guy and he is very good. That reminder slip of paper is going off the desk and helps me to like the clear space. There is an excellent deal on gas in the entire city for six hours at one of the stores. Neither of our cars need gas. Gas prices do seem to be a lottery. Mostly I do not pay too much attention. I just get gas when I need it and grump a little at the lower price just down the street when I see it with my full tank. I watered at church while Leroy watered the community garden. That garden is starting to look quite fine. We need to figure out what to do with our home garden as it is struggling. The plan was to put on some manure, but it did not work. Maybe next year. Paula

When is a phone old

Hello, An article stated that phones should/could be replaced when they are four years old. That seems rather limiting to me. Our phones are almost three years old so it is coming. I did check the battery and it is no longer able to get back full power or at least it is at 89% whatever that means. I suppose it is nice to upgrade, but would we use much of the additional capabilities? I often think there are hidden treasures in the phone that I cannot access, because I do not know about them or even think to check into it. I now often use voice commands to write texts and just recently decided to put the person’s name in the same way. It certainly helps if my hands are occupied or dirty. Just now I figured out how not to include the word send in the message. I suppose one advancement that I might notice with a new phone is that the camera is better than the one we have. Perhaps there is some other trick that I would discover by accident or possibly someone might tell me about something that is just what I am waiting for. In all my growing up years we only had two different phones in the house. A wooden wall phone that cranked was the first and the second was a dial phone. It certainly is a different time when the new becomes old as I turn around. Paula

New learning

Hello, Today I helped at the noon meal site. I gathered there were not so many people, but still it had to add up to 100 or more. Outside as I was leaving, I met a woman who was pushing what appeared to be a wheel chair loaded with several bags. She also had a dog on a leash. She asked, “Is this the place to get a meal?” “It is, but they closed at 1:00.” I said, “I am sorry.” “It is not after 1:00 is it?” she questioned. It was about 1:30. I became aware how a watch is really a luxury. How many other things do I not even really think about owning? I am privileged. I was working in the dinning area. Basically, I supplied water for people or carried trays for the small kids. It was easy work, but I was tired when finished. I walked to this church which is closer to my home than the one I usually go to. I also delivered some neighborhood newsletters in the morning cool. I now have over 9000 steps. 10,000 should be easy to finish today. I have gone 75 days with 10,000 steps. There is a certain amount of pressure to continue. Self-imposed pressure. It is very dry in western Iowa. Leroy wonders what is going to happen. He remembers when we lived there that people/farmers were taking out the wind breaks which would hold back the dust or soil. A farmer we knew was complaining about that. It could well be a problem in the near future. Would that windbreak have helped to hold moisture in the soil? Paula

Life Changes

Hello, Leroy had the day off yesterday, but he complained that he wants a full day off. I keep thinking of things to do, hence it does not feel like a day off to him. He feels guilty if he does not help. Course he also thought of a job or two himself. He cleaned off some shelving in the garage. That was a big chore. He was happy when it was done. Some things are out the door and some just have a new home. My sister-in-law just called to let me know that my brother is ok. There was some concern that he might have had a heart attack. It just shakes me up. I do not want to be the only one of us left. I know that will eventually happen to one or the other of us, but not so soon. I am so fortunate to be mostly healthy, as is Leroy. He is medicine free now. He does take some calcium and a multi vitamin. I take two pills a day. At the doctor’s office I complained a little about that. But the nurse told me that she sees people who are in their thirties and have a big list of medications. Guess I am better than I know. Paula

Friends Visiting

Hello, Yesterday some friends visited. We have not seen these people in about five years when we saw them briefly at a seminary reunion. I was so happy they let us know they were in the area. The men were at the seminary at the same time. We spouses managed to find each other and form some relationships. That was a magical time as one looks back on it. Newly married, new city, new jobs, new school, and new friends. It seemed easy to make friends as we new people all wanted to connect with someone. The quickest way was to find some other couples at the seminary. We have kept contact with many of these people. This couple has lived in Texas much of the time. They now live in Arkansas. They are not close geographically. But newer technology makes visits easier to put together. We had a great visit, but I was saddened by the signs of forgetfulness for the woman. At least we have seen her now. Sometimes I think Leroy is on that road too, but perhaps not. He just forgets things. Maybe he has always forgotten things. When he was younger it was just that we assumed he was focused on something else. On a different tack, I was at the gynecologist this morning. As I waited to me seen a young woman and man came out, sat and looked at some ultra sound pictures. Then she started taking photos with her phone. It was so different when I was pregnant so many years ago. We just knew there was a baby in there, but nothing much more. Paula

Rain or not

Hello, We have a prediction of rain. I do not expect it to happen. It is cloudy; however, we have seen that before without results. Somedays, I have even hung out clothes with no results except dry, dry, dry. I am becoming pessimistic about the possibility of rain. Water still comes out of the faucet and we expect that to continue for some time to come. We water gardens so they can still produce. We can also be clean in many ways. We/I have been rather lax about cleaning. Today, because we are expecting company tomorrow, we got a good job done. Leroy really contributed a lot of work. He washed the bare floors and vacuumed the others. I dusted and put some things away that I do not feel need to be out. I am ready to get rid of more knickknacks. They are just dust catchers without contributing much to the scene. The real question is what to do with those unwanted extra items. For some reason I would be happy to give them to someone who would like them, but I am not ready to just put them out of the door without a use in mind. I do not remember having these feelings before. Did they come with age? Perhaps it is because we have had some of these things for many years. Does that make them seem like an extension of me? Someday, we will have to downsize again. I must get myself in a good mood for such a task. Paula

Another Mural Walk

Hello, I went on another murals of Cedar Rapids walk. This time it was with just two people. Different people put a different perspective on the viewing. I am glad I did it again. It seems to take about an hour and a half because of spending so much time looking at each. One of them wanted to know if it would be good to do with her children and grandchildren. One thing is that her grandchildren have a big age spread. I figure that my grandchildren would like it. I would be happy to guide them around.

While I was doing some fun stuff, Leroy was at the garden hauling mulch. He got quite a bit moved, but there is still more to do. We will do some of that tomorrow. Today he is taking a break for the rest of the time. We did go to the post office, returned a hose repair piece and stopped at the grocery store. We brought home a lot of food. Or at least more than just the two of us will eat. We are visiting with some seminary friends Sunday afternoon/evening. We have not seen these people in almost 50 years. It will be good to connect again. They are staying in a town close to us so will come over for a visit. Leroy is taking a nap, but it is getting close to the time to make supper, but I do not know what to do. Now that we have all this food, do I have too many choices? Paula

More Questions of Trash or Not

Hello, Today, I went to pick up our hand vacuum. It is quite old, but the motor seems to run quite well. I think we bought it in 1993. A piece broke where the hose attaches to the vacuum. I took it to the repair shop. I can walk there so that is a savings. Today I picked it up and paid the bill. I could have bought a new machine for the cost of repairs. Hopefully this one will run another 30 years which should be all I will need it. At least we are keeping it out of the landfill for a while longer. When I picked up the vacuum, the woman told me that it is no longer made and she thinks it is the best one there is. She lost hers in the flood and has not been able to replace it. She also said more people are getting things repaired including fans and mixers along with vacuums. It is always a question about what to do. These days the repairs often cost more than it would to get a new item. That certainly encourages contributing it to the dump. The orange and the yellow lilies are blooming. I just love to see the colors emerge. It lifts my spirits. Leroy just came home. We do believe in repairing Leroy. He saw the eye doctor who commented that the prism in his glasses is as low as it can go. That was many years ago that need first appeared. The doctor was surprised that it is still improving. Leroy also went to the dermatologist. He had a spot on his leg that was growing. The nurse commented on it and the doctor took it off for a biopsy. Leroy should be in good shape now for a while. His insurance covered his tooth extraction so that Oral surgeon sent him a check for what he had paid. Nice to know there are honest people in the world. Paula

Waste or not

Hello, This morning after Tai Chi at the Ely library, our friend was going through all the produce at the food pantry. It is great that she does that because otherwise things spoil. When I worked there, I also kept an eye on the progress, after something started to smell and splashed on my foot when picked it up, being proactive was the best course. She had found quite a number of items that were not going to last more than a day. She encouraged members of the group to take things, otherwise they were going in the compost. I gathered a bag of items that we like, went to the library to visit, return a book, and find seeds in the seed library. Those seeds will be used in the community garden. I was all the way back in Cedar Rapids, before I realized I had left the bags of food there. Now the question is it better for the earth if I drive back eleven miles to save food from going in the compost or just leave it there and save gas? I do not really know the answer, but I drove back and questioned it for quite a while. These things are not simple black and white issues. They seem to have many parts to them. I think I have lived with Leroy too long. I used to be more of a black and white thinker. Leroy is always fussing around in the gray area. Paula

Anniversary Day

Hello, Well, Leroy remembered first, and wished me a Happy Anniversary this morning. We are not so very good at making this day different from the rest of the week. I consider it a plus that we are still together and mostly enjoy each other. Sometimes Leroy irritates me, can you imagine that? He is a very helpful person and he likes to do things that will make me happy. So there are some pluses. This morning he had his stamp volunteer time at the library. They did decide to take the summer off. He sounded rather pleased. That means he will have Monday’s more open for other things. While he was doing that I went to church and planted the rest of the vincas that someone had donated. There were 96 of them in all. We planted about a third of them the other day. Today, I finished the job along with watering all of the plants. I will admit I was happy to be done. They should look just fine in time, but now I feel that some gifts have responsibility attached to them. I am trying to water the plants at the church about five days of the week. Unfortunately, the community garden also needs the same attention. It is a nice to spend some of our anniversary, anticipating beauty to come. We will spend much of the rest of the day relaxing. I am baking bread now since it is a little cooler than it has been. Paula

Steps, Leroy, Ugh

Hello, I am not sure how it happens, but on the days when Leroy and I have been together much of the time and walked on the same long walks, Leroy comes out a thousand steps or more ahead of me. I do not like it. When he is at work it is not an issue because who knows how we compare to each other? This morning we went shopping, spending most of the rest of the time together. He spent some time reading and I did my written devotions. Otherwise, I thought I moved more as I was working at this and that. He had 2000 more steps than I do. Grrrr! I had thought of walking from the church to the library, but it is so hot, in the 90’s that we drove instead. I will have to work to get to 10,000 steps. I am on a 65-day step streak according to my tracker. Not sure if that means I have completed 63 days or if at the end of today it will be 63 days. I do need to walk to the drug store, but I did not invite Leroy to come along. In fact, I said, “You are not invited.” At least that is not so far, but four blocks and I can be in a cool place for a short time before coming back home. That should help my step total quite a lot. There has been rain in our area but not where we are. It is so sad. Watering is quite a chore and it is never as good as what comes from the sky. Paula