Happenings

Hello, We are leaving tomorrow for Utah for the high school graduation of our oldest grandchild and a niece’s daughter. We leave in the afternoon. It seems like a long wait as usually we fly in the morning. But we can manage to find some patience. Yesterday just after putting some new children’s books in the little free library, a couple walked by with their toddler. I got their attention and told them I had just put in some board books. With the first one the kid’s eye lit up and there was a big grin on his face. He was pleased with two more. His mother told me, “We have found books in here before. It is so nice. We will read this when we get home.” I was happy to hear that. What a good thing when people can find books that work for them. A large tree about four blocks from our house had died. It was taken down this week. It is really an art to take down such a tall tree in a city. We think the tree was perhaps 80 feet tall as it was much taller than the two-story house it was next to. The trunk was easily three feet in diameter. It did not have a single leaf on it, but I remember walking and enjoying its shade. Paula

Life Changes

Hello, When we had kids at home, we were not financially able to manage trips that much more than a few day’s drive. Now our grandchildren have been many places, some around the world. They can never really know what it was like to grow up like I did when at 4:00 pm we had to be home because the cows would need to be milked. It was years before I was comfortable staying somewhere after four as it seemed to be time to leave. There was no arguing this point the cows were important. When growing up it was rare to have a death of someone that I knew very well. That has changed now. I am not always close to the person, but I certainly know many who die and I have even laughed with them. It seems to me that laughter is a more intimate connection. As a young person, people my age only rarely had bodily aches and pains. Now it is a matter of course as people have both mental and physical issues to deal with. I notice some changes in myself. Generally, they are not such a big deal, but some are rather annoying. I could work to regain any strength that I have lost, but the truth is I only talk about it and do not lift weights. So far that has not achieved any positive results. Can you imagine that just thinking something does not make it happen? Paula

Seminary Graduation 50 Years Ago

Hello, Wow, it has been fifty years since Leroy graduated from seminary. That meant a move to his first parish in Missouri Valley, Iowa. He had to learn how to be a pastor and I had to learn the role of pastor’s wife. Actually, the learning went on for many years as each place is a bit different. Even in one place people come and go changing the dynamic. Leroy and I went back to the seminary for a celebration of this event. It produced less positives than we wanted. When Leroy graduated there were two seminaries that have now merged. His was the smaller of the two schools. There was only one couple there that we knew from days past.

It was good to see them again, even if we travel with them and had been together in April. We did have some interesting conversations with people we just met. Too bad we did not know them from the past.

We stayed with Brian the night before the event. That was nice to spend a bit of time with his family. They were a busy with work and school so there was not much time together except for being with Brian who is done for the summer since he works for a college. We drove in rain most of the way there and back. I now know how to use the windshield wipers on Leroy’s car. We were happy to have purchased tires that stop a bit better in the rain. We had one sudden stop and they did a good job. Paula

Second Bike ride of the year

Hello, Our church had a bike ride to promote Church World Service. We participated in that. I was happy that they had the start in such a place that it was three miles one way. It was a beautiful day with gentle breezes, sunshine, and ice cream at the half way point. Leroy commented on the number of people he had never seen at a CROP walk. Hopefully this will help them realize that their support of that event is needed as well. It was good to see so many families out enjoying the day. It was an added bonus to have crossing guards at the major roads. Usually, I have to come to a stop to evaluate the safety before crossing. Part of it was a beautiful mile ride under a canape of trees. Helps me think I must get out and ride some more. This is a nice trail. My seat would be more hardened for this if I did it more often. Legs would be stronger too. Paula

The Type of Weather

Hello, This type of weather dictates that I have three different weights of pjs at the ready. Cool, medium weight, and warm for those cool nights. There are also shorts, capris, long pants and sweatpants handy for whatever the day brings. Layers on the top keep me comfortable. This is all a first world problem because I have so many choices and do not need to put up with what comes. Comfort is a possibility. How rich I am. There was talk of a storm this morning, but it did not come. Now this afternoon the wind is blowing strongly and the sky is getting dark, but it might just blow over. We could use a nice rain. Leroy has new tires on his car so it is ready for the road. Neither of our cars have many miles on them. We walk and ride our bikes when we can and that does make a difference. Paula

Gardens Visited

Hello, On our trip east we visited three gardens. I enjoyed all of them. The first was at the Biltmore Estate. The house was the picture of amazing opulence and space. But the garden was beautiful and restful with ponds, fountains, and conservatory.

The season was more advanced in the south so there were beautiful flowers outdoors as well. It would be fun to go in more seasons to see the changes. Not sure that we made it to all areas of the garden. One thing about being on a bus tour, there are time constraints. But I like having someone drive us to the entrance, get the tickets and meet us at the exit. South Carolina had Brookgreen Gardens which is quite fine with flowers and statues. In the past it was created and owned by a couple. The woman, Anna Hyatt Huntington, was a sculptress. Many of her pieces are in the garden. They are beautiful. They also worked to preserve native eastern plants and animals. Thus, preserving the local feeling. It was beautiful and informative.

The last garden toured was The Elizabethan Gardens in NC. It was also beautiful and interesting. It was designed to be like a garden in the time of Queen Elizabeth I. It was also fun to see and soak up the ambience. Again, the flowers were much ahead of those around here. Trees were totally in their leafed out in summer finery.

Paula

Flapping Plastic Bags

Hello, Flapping Plastic Bags may not sound like much, but when it is one hour and forty-five minutes worth, it is a long time to flap. I volunteered this morning at the site where they serve meals and hand out food to people in need. Several other volunteers were there. They had many plastic bags donated. They were mostly in larger bags. My job was to separate them, spread them out and put one inside the other to make them stronger. I did manage to record a lot of steps doing this. It helped me when three elementary age kids helped and visited making the time pass more quickly. Another adult came a bit later. We managed to make the bag storing area neat and ready for use. While it was a tedious job, I am happy that these bags get a second use. I have to say if you donate plastic store bags here are some ideas about what is good. Do not have any trash in them or receipts. If they have large holes, they are not usable. Although this place knows someone who will take the torn ones and make a mat out of them that the homeless can use so they do not sleep on the ground. Clean bags are also appreciated. Each day at this place they have some things that will be available for people to take home. Odd sized bags went on that table. The other double bags were for use when people come in for a food supply. Leroy learned today that our tire in not repairable. After some consideration we decided to buy tires from the local guy who does our car repair. They were a little more expensive, but we hope this helps keep him in business. He has certainly been good to us. Paula

Where Does Time Go

Hello, It seems days and years go by faster than I can keep track. How does it happen that days in retirement can be so filled I do not know where they went? Last evening along with another couple we planted some flowers at church. I thought we could do it in an hour, but not quite. After that, Leroy and I had clean-up time at the Saturday evening meals. A couple helped with that. They had never done it before, but they stepped right up and were a big assist. It helped that we only served about 140. So, it was a bit slower than usual. We were quite tired when we got home. Not much productive was done after that. This morning, we went in early and watered plants again. I certainly notice the heat. It slows me down. Paula

Miles Traveled

Hello, On that 13-day bus trip to the Carolinas we moved around a lot. There were 3,880 bus miles, 30 ocean miles (on the ferry with the bus), and 20 river miles (on a tour in Savanah, GA). Leroy and I also put on 740 car miles to get to and from the starting point. We went through ten states plus our stating state so we could add one more for a total of eleven states. We have enjoyed our experiences with the company. It was a lot of sitting, but very interesting stops generally. When we were on the bus, we always heard information about the state we were entering. Our guide also gave much information about the places that we were close to, but not stopping. At least two times there were traffic problems with an accident or some such event. It was nice to know that I did not have to deal with any issues, but just relaxed and waited to move on. It was good to know there was a toilet in the bus if needed. It only rained when we were on the bus or at a motel for the night. It was generally sunny and beautiful. In future writings you will get to learn about the places we went. Paula

Home For a While

We got home yesterday afternoon. Lots of unpacking, sorting, and putting away occupied a bit of time. It was plant moving time as they were in the kitchen for watering ease when we were gone. We also looked at the mail that had been held at the post office. Surprise, surprise this included three Christmas cards. It was fun to get mail out of season. The grocery store was an important stop. There was very little in the refrigerator. I like to clean out much of it when the trip lasts more than a week. Leroy and I drive about six hours to get to the bus leaving place. It is quite a bit, but this company is good. They store the cars in a building so they are not subject to any weather incidents. We did find that we had a tire low on air pressure. It is low again today. It will be attended to on Monday. I thought you might like to see a picture of the bus as well as the driver and the guide.

The guide and the driver are very capable. It is so nice to have someone else take care of details. Paula