Christmas For Leroy and I

Hello, Leroy and I had talked about not exchanging gifts because we will not be home for Christmas. Well, today we went shopping for some things and ended up buying some clothes for each other. Not much surprise involved, because we tried them on at home to make sure they fit and were what we wanted. We will exchange them after Christmas when we come home. Perhaps we will have forgotten what they are and it will be a surprise. This all started when Leroy saw a shirt he would like, but felt that he did not really need it. I told him I could get it for him for Christmas. He liked that idea. It grew from there to include a pair of pants and then another. I got into it and picked out two shirts and one pair of pants for me. We are a pair, aren’t we? Our downstairs friends have a heated bird bath that is very popular with the birds. It must be hard for birds to find water to get a drink in our frozen world. They are not really doing the bath thing, but drinking is it. Paula

Blooms and Cold November 29, 2024 Hello, There is something so satisfying to me to see the blooms on the flowers when it is quite cold outside. Three of the cacti are blooming. The white one has a large bloom. It had belonged to my sister.

Three violets are blooming. Really just seeing the green of various shades is also good. There are only 26 plants in the house. Seems to me that some years there have been more. Five of them have gone to church to spend the winter. A friend asked if I wanted to go for a walk today. I am glad they did ask. It was cold enough, I might have not done so much walking outside which is my favorite place to walk. It lifts my spirit to be outside. Leroy has started to work on our Christmas letter. We will be gone by the middle of December so we cannot put it off too long. We did go buy some groceries today, but did not participate in the “Black Friday” sales. I, especially, do not appreciate crowds. On line shopping is not really my thing either. I just do not purchase much. Paula

Harvest Time

Hello, Leory and I went to the community garden. He brought a saw so he could cut off the tall brussel sprout stem. We brought it home and will pick the sprouts later. I also picked quite a bit of cilantro. It was close to the ground and still quite nice. Then there was another picking of broccoli along with kale. There is more kale for someone as well as quite a few brussel sprouts. We stopped on the way home and offered some broccoli to a neighbor. He had seen us stopping at his sidewalk, came out and told us to come in and warm up even though we were just a short distance from home. His home looks quite nice outside, but needed a bit of work inside. I figured he did not have much money because he does not have a car. The house was built in 1900. I liked looking at the registers because we had those in the house where I grew up. The fireplace was beautiful tile in need of some repair. He did not want anything but some broccoli. I was certainly glad to share. I also picked a little cilantro at home. It is almost December and we can still get things from the garden. In our garden we have some small cabbage that we may also pick if the predicted low temperatures do not get here. I dropped a donation check off at the place up the street that serves meals five days a week. Soon I will figure out how to volunteer there. Paula

Books to Deliver

Hello, Yesterday, Leroy and I went back to the half price book store and spent the last of the money for books that address racial situations as well as those that deal with gender issues. I asked for help from one store worker. She helped, but even more help came from a customer who heard the inquiry. It was great. We had found quite a few, but it is hard to sort things out if you do not read the description on the books which takes a lot of time. We spent every last dollar on the card and some of our own money. After removing store stickers, I put five or more in our little free library in front of the house. We took a nice long walk and delivered to two of the libraries in the neighborhood across the street from us. There are still sixteen books to get distributed. I am hoping some people find them to use for Christmas presents if money is in short supply at their house. It is a nice excuse for a walk. It feels good to be able to do this. I am now done with the action team possibilities from our insurance company. Leroy needs to do one more this year, but he does not know just what to do. He will think of something, or ask someone else. Our neighbor is putting in a new fence. It will extend the place where the old fence was. Changes the look and the feel. We feel more closed in as we walk around the side of the house. Paula

Looking for Laughs

Hello, I feel a need to find books or movies that help me laugh. Somehow that is not so easy. Smiles, but laugh out loud does not happen so often. Perhaps I am just going to do the fake laugh and hope it turns into the real thing. Real and fake are both beneficial to the body or at least that is what I have read. There were some times I laughed this morning at church. I was a greeter and that involved much smiling. I was by the door that is opened with a button. Some people were surprised when the door opened by magic. We often had a little laugh together. Leory ushered today. It is nice when we both have jobs so we can remember to come early. There were many people who walked into church just about five minutes ahead of time. I had thought I could go sit, but they just kept coming. The service had already started by the time I went in. Hard on my need to be on time. There are talks after the service about the sermon and I like going to those. It is always interesting to hear other opinions. All of my holiday cacti are now blooming. The last ones just have two blooms open all the way. They are beautiful. Paula

Helping at a Funeral Reception

Hello, I volunteered to help at funeral dinners. Today was my first try. It was a small funeral group, so a good place to learn. I helped set up, serve if anything was needed, and clean up. It was quite within my abilities, although I noticed being on my feet for such a long time. That included my walks there and back. It was good to meet some people, now if I can remember names, I will be set. One thing I noticed is that some people are aware of many details of appearance. Luckily, I am not in charge because that is not really my skill. I am better if they tell me to go and do that. This may sound crazy, but I learned how to put a lid on a coffee carafe. Since I do not drink coffee, I knew little about the apparatus. Learned just now how to spell the word, hopefully it is the proper word. Thinking about what should be served at my funeral since I do not eat so much of the things that were there. Luncheon meat, jello salads, and desserts are not on my list of favorites, but it seems to be for many people. Even thought the flowers are gone from around the church someone brought many gourds and two pumpkins. They look quite nice. Again, this is something that I would never think of doing. Some people have good ideas. I find that women also spend a bit of time talking sports and I do not know about any of that. I can listen and say hum from time to time. Guess that works. Leroy commented that next year he will have been ordained and graduated from seminary fifty years ago. Time flies. Paula

Going Too Far?

Hello, It was 37 degrees F. when we hung out sheets and some other things. With wind and patience, they often dry. There was a bit of wind, but the humidity was also present today. When I brought them back in after lunch, they were all damp and some closer to wet. I suspect I have a reputation in the neighborhood as that crazy person who hangs out clothes in weird weather. My next-door neighbor wondered if we have a clothes dryer. We do, but it is seldom used, as clothes are hung on dryer racks instead. I consider that more beneficial to the environment. I like to hang out clothes so that makes it an easy choice for me. The squirrels are busy chewing on walnuts. Sometimes they chase each other trying to get some nut from the neighbor. We enjoy watching them in the yard. They are our entertainment. Are we deprived or blessed? Paula

Strong Wind

Leroy and I walked to church while a strong wind accompanied us coming and going. We tried to get shelter from buildings. Some of the times that worked. Again, today the wind is strong, reportedly gusting up to 40 mph. I have most of my step goal. It will be easy to get it while in the house. There is only one walnut on the tree, perhaps what I see is not a walnut. It is not easy to look at it. I have a suspicious looking spot on the back of a leg. Leroy took a picture of it for me. He also thinks it does not look like a good thing. I called the dermatologist and got their regional scheduler who said that my favored physician had no openings until March. I told him that was unacceptable and if nothing else I would see my general practitioner. Then he gave the phone of the local nurse line. I left a message and they called back to tell me the doctor would see me on December 2. Hopefully it will be nothing, but… Paula

Exciting Morning

Hello, Leroy headed off to bible study at 6:15 am. Minutes later I noticed he had left his phone on the charger. I grabbed it, hurried downstairs, and could not see him by the house. I slipped on some crocs that were handy. Well, this morning I started running after Leroy hoping I could catch him. I could see the flashy light on his arm at least half way or more down the next block. No cars were coming, so I raced, others might say I jogged, across the street and managed to keep up my speed for three fourths of that next block. Heavy breathing convinced me to slow down. At the end of the block, I could see the flashy light at least half a block away. He did not hear me call his name several times. Walking home in defeat I started to notice that I was not wearing a coat, hat or gloves as the cool temperature announced itself. At the house, my landlord called and wanted to know what was happening. He had seen me running and knew that was an unusual sight. When I told him, he said, “Well no one should be without their phone. I will put on warm clothes and we can get in my van out front and give the phone to Leroy.” I protested a little, but he assured me that he would like to do that. “It scared the hell out of me when I saw you running like that. So this is an adventure.” he added. Leroy was surprised when we spotted him on the sidewalk and gave him his phone. He had been prepared to do without it even though no steps would be recorded for that two-mile walk. Paula

Good Times

Hello, Miriam and Olivia spent the weekend with us. We played games, talked and laughed quite a bit. It was great. We did a few tourist things such as climbing Mount Trashmore. People who live among mountains were not impressed. We also walked around and viewed some of the murals downtown.

Our visitors complained quite a bit about the cold. Their 40 degrees F. is warmer than our 40 degrees F. Because of our copious humidity it feels much brisker with a strong wind. Today Leory and I drove to church and brought home more of the mums that will be put in the compost. We also did some more pruning. We will go back soon and get some more done as it is supposed to be colder in the next few days. There is something satisfying about getting some of these jobs done. I had a mammogram this morning. As always, they are noticing the number of breast cancer people in my family on the maternal side. And as often happens, they wondered if I have had genetic testing. The oncologist told me that it is most revealing if someone who has had breast cancer and survived gets the test. Since I have not experienced that I am not going to get to that point. Paula

What is Normal

Hello, We had gotten quite a lot of fermented honey from Brian. The granola seemed just fine with it in there. That honey has run out so I used regular honey today. The dry ingredients and the liquids blended together more than they had been doing. The granola browned much more quickly than with the other honey. Somehow the former conditions had started to seem normal. Is that how injustice works? At first it is noticeable, but after a while, especially to the people who benefit from this circumstance, people cease to notice it and it becomes normal. Such scary thoughts. Doing the right thing can be very difficult when a person notices the sacrifices that would be made. I pray for discernment and courage. Paula

Visitors Coming

Hello, It has been a long time since any of our children have visited. The last time was in the midst of Covid, as derecho, and Leroy’s illness. Then we did not clean so much we were just hanging on. We are cleaning now. Leroy is even cleaning out the bowls under the ceiling lights as well as the fan blades. My tasks are more weekly or at least regular cleaning chores. We should be clean by Friday night when Miriam and her daughter arrive. Now we are also discussing food as others in our family eat very differently than we do. Then there is the question of where we will all sleep. What will we do while they are here for this weekend visit. We are excited and looking forward to this. We took a lot of trips this year, but did not spend much time with family. I often wish I could just have all the kids move close to us so visiting would not be such an issue. Paula

First Thanksgiving Cactus Bloom opens

Hello, We were pleased yesterday to see the first bud open to a nice flower. It is a different color than we have had before. It belonged to my daughter-in-law’s mother. I had thought I would put it out for someone else to take, but it was in need of a little care, so I kept it. It might have a more permanent home here now.

As you can tell I like my houseplants. Three blooming violets are adding joy to my days.

The nasturtiums are struggling. It seems to me they are getting too leggy. I suspect they would much prefer to be out in the ground, but we will see how long they can live in the small pot that came with them.

Yesterday, when delivering neighborhood newsletters, we spotted a doe and a buck bounding across the street about two blocks from our house. They quickly ran around a house and out of sight. We have never spotted deer by our house, but did know they were in the neighborhood. Plants and animals really contribute so much to our lives. Paula

Books Going

Hello, Four books went into our little free library. Three of them are gone along with three other books that someone gave me for the library. More of the books I got are out there now too. We took three books to a library that is almost on our walk to church, we just had to add about two blocks. There were only two thin books in there so we could have put in some more. It is close to a homeless shelter so I like to put books there. Soon I will have to go buy more books. I am not sure who likes all the books, but many of them are taken at night. Often, we can tell that someone has looked at them because they are moved around. I am happy to know there are readers in the neighborhood and they have a source of books. Now it would be nice if all the old, old children’s books would be gone. I may have to move them to another library.

I just finished a book and did not have time to get the public library. In searching the catalogue, I found two I would like to read so I put them on hold. Hopefully they will be there tomorrow since they were on the shelf. I can stop tomorrow on my way home from Tai Chi. For me a day without books is like a day without sunshine. The public library is a great source, but it is far enough away from our neighborhood that it is great to have the little libraries. Paula

Things Done

Hello, This morning, I finally managed to put together a small list of books that I might find at the half price book store. It was a lengthy visit for this non-shopper. I managed to find a few books that were on my list, and quite a few that were not on the list, but looked like they should fit the plan. I have some money to buy books for the little free libraries in my neighborhood. The themes of the books will have a look at racism, sexual orientation and people with disabilities who don’t often find themselves in books. Hopefully that will help young people to see their place in the world and how they can be the best they can be. Yesterday, Leroy and I went to church expecting to spend just a couple hours there. We helped unload and put away items for the meals our church serves to others. we also planned to sweep under the chairs in the choir loft. I had picked up some papers under the chairs on Sunday and noticed a bit of dust under them. We volunteered. I had put my bag there and did not want it to bring out dust. Well, that turned out to be a bigger job than expected. We had to move a lot of chairs. Then I noticed that there was dust on the woodwork below the organ pipes. And a few other places. We also helped to wash about fifty bags of cranberries. Sorting some plastic cutlery that was to be handed out with some give away meals, and putting two cookies in many bags took up the rest of the time. We did eat lunch there was well as a snack in the morning. We were fed. Leroy was not feeling at the top of his game. He had gotten his flu and covid vaccines the day before. After we came home, he took a very long nap and managed to feel better. Paula

Plant Care

Hello, Leroy and I both spent some time working with plants. I transplanted three plants that had rooted, in pots for the winter. One has two coleuses in it.

The darker one came from church and the other I have had for at least two years. The other pot has a plant that had come from a funeral several years ago. It had outgrown its place. It was nice the family asked Leroy if his wife would like cut flowers or the plant and he made the right choice. Hopefully I can enjoy this plant for some more years.

The nasturtiums are now five, just as they should be.

Together we worked in our raised bed garden in the front yard. There were winter onions that had threatened to take over the place so we eliminated all of them except for the few that I had already planted at the back by the garage. I got one plant from a neighbor in Chariton in 2010 and have managed to keep it going and flourishing for all these years. There is something so satisfying about that. It was also calming and peaceful to work in the soil and find earth worms. It puts a better frame of heart and mind to know the earth is still growing and producing. I am grateful. Paula

Voting Done

Hello, Even though many told us they were voting by absentee or early we decided to vote on the day. We heard about lines for early voting that were so long people stood there for 1.5 hours. We can see our polling place from our windows. Cars were there early, but we went to tai chi and then to the library to pick up a book I had on hold. It had been raining all morning, but we went to vote when the rain was not so intense. There were people voting, but we did not have to stand in line. It seems that business has been steady rather than crammed. We even saw some of our neighbors. By the time we were finished, the rain was more serious business. We waited at the entrance until it became a bit lighter so we could more comfortably make the two blocks home. The wind was up so we did change our shoes, socks, and long pants. The umbrellas helped only the upper part of our bodies. We are praying that all goes peacefully with this election. Some of the talk by a candidate has been unsettling. All five of the nasturtiums have sprouted. Happy, happy! Paula

Coats Away November 3, 2024 Hello, Someone at church talked about needing help on Saturday night to hand out coats. Leroy and I were free so we volunteered to help with that. It almost seemed as if we would be the only workers, but it sounded like more than we, who don’t like confrontation, could handle. Only one coat was to be for each. With more of the smaller coats available and people wanting the larger sizes we were to steer smaller men to the smaller coats. Leroy did call the recruiter back and say we would like help as it turned out there were be two experienced other helpers there. What a relief! On Friday when we came to help with another task, we learned that it was coat sorting and displaying time. It took almost an hour to get it all done. It was not always easy to decide if it was a man’s or woman’s coat. Also, many of them did not have a size. There were a lot of women’s coats, but we were told that few women would come to get one.

Saturday afternoon, we got started in plenty of time. people were just let in the room by groups of four. We also had bins with hats, gloves, scarves, and socks. Not a lot of socks had been donated, and by the end only two pair were left. Gloves were very popular, not mittens. Hats were sought after, but scarves were a bit of a hard sell. All of the people expressed thanks, some said it over and over again. Two women cried and some people came back to say how glad they were to get warm things for the coming winter. It was very satisfying from our side of the giveaway. Paula

Growth November 1, 2024 Hello, The nasturtium seeds that I received at a retreat have sprouted, at least three of them have. There should be five, but there could be some slow starters.

All of the thanksgiving cacti in the house of buds. Some of them are definitely faster than others. The fastest is the one our downstairs friends were keeping for a friend. It was outside and apparently that was the right place for it to be. Two of the vases of cuttings from coleus are getting roots. It is great to see all this growth. Today Leroy and I went in and sorted adult sized coats for a give-away tomorrow afternoon, evening. There were many scarves, gloves, hats and a few socks. Leroy had money to get some gloves and he asked the choir to contribute if they could. Tomorrow, Leroy and I will be there for the distribution of these items. Hopefully this will warm people in the coming months. I also asked for some money from our nonprofit insurance company. My money will go to buy books for the little free libraries in my neighborhood. Again, I am concentrating on books that include people of color or people who have “differences” from the majority of the people in Iowa. These people need to know they are welcomed and cared for. Paula