Weather

Hello,

I headed off to work in a balmy 46 degrees. Seven other people came to yoga amid talk of the changes to come. Some commented that they wanted to leave while it was still fine outside. We did all of the things that were to be covered and the weather was still holding.

I have to work until three in the afternoon so I was not too concerned as the prediction was that it would be bad in the morning and then clear up a bit. We did get rain that turned to freezing rain, but not very much before it changed to sleet and then moved on to snow. I am still amazed at how I did not feel very concerned about it. Course it was not deep. My boss called to tell me she was coming in to work and I could leave at any time. She asked that my younger co-worker wait until she arrived to keep the place open with a possible early closure.

I finished what I was working on before I watered the plants which is my volunteer job. My boss got there before I had finished.

I predicted that the hardest job would be cleaning the ice off the windshields. It was a task indeed. I seldom have the car run while I am getting ready to drive, but it was such a struggle to get through that ice now that the temperature was below 20. So I turned the car on to have it help me. Luckily it was not so very thick. Soon I managed to get it all off. The mirrors were a task as well, but the heat seemed to help.

The drive home was uneventful but quite slow. However, I did not put the car in the garage as that incline seemed like it could be a problem. I attacked it with shovel, ice scrapper, and broom before it appeared clear, at least I was not slipping by standing on it. I carefully lined the car up so I would not have to turn the wheel and went right up. Such a relief! I even cleaned off Leroy’s side of the garage entrance as well. Both cars are parked under the shelter and closed in away from the wind.

Paula

Nap, books delivered, walk

Hello,

I have been feeling tired lately. I wonder if I have a small bit of flu. This afternoon I took a nap before I packed my backpack with books to deliver to the little free libraries in the next neighborhood. We do have a library two blocks from our house. I was disappointed to see it lying on the ground. Rather than go home to lighten my load I trudged on to the closest library that is by a church. Unfortunately that library was no longer there. Even thought the books are paperback I had at least 25 five of them weighing me down. I do not know what I looked like, but I felt as if the ground was pulling me down.

Besides the weight of the books I had to pay attention to cracks in the sidewalk as well as some rather large puddles. My shoes were ok with a little water, but an inch was too much so I had to follow the steps in the snow at the side. Sometimes it was a bit icy and required a sharp eye for that safe spot to step. Possibly half an hour later I finally reached a working library. I gave them a generous gift of twelve books in their bare space. Even though I had planned to be done by this time, I headed off to an elementary building that has a library. A church next to it also has a library. I gave each of them a selection and then came home with a lightened load.

I was quite tired when I got home and impressed that I had walked 11,000 steps today. I moved a bit slower folding some clothes and put away the dishes from noon. That seemed to revive me enough to fix supper. Leroy’s throat is not up to singing. I decided to use that as an excuse not to go to choir tonight. We will be gone the next time we sing so it does not feel so crucial that we be there. I do find the singing a lift for my spirits even we do not sing in church I still like to go.

Paula

                                                                                                                             

Shoveling

Hello.

As I was pulling into the garage this morning after Tai Chi, I felt the wheels spin on the short steep incline. A dash light came on in the 2014 car indicating a slipping situation. Next, I could feel the car assert itself, grab hold, and go on into the garage without going from side to side. I was impressed. I am thanking that engineer who figured that trick out. I was saved from hitting the pole between the doors or the other side of the garage.

Shoveling off the snow that the tires had dragged up that incline seemed like a good solution. However after that had come off, I realized that the snow in the alley was clinging to the tires. I cleared off an area about four feet by ten feet, hoping that will be enough to stop my anxiety from getting a grip on me. I have to confess that I mostly concentrated on my side of the garage so Leroy is more on his own. However I know from past experience that he has the less steep side and it is not usually so difficult.

Tomorrow if the weather is good I will get a number of my books delivered to the little free libraries. I have once again gotten a grant so I can put in new books that are aimed at many cultures and about middle reader level. I was able to get almost twice as many books for my money. Sales are good. Now the trick will be to find those libraries. I know where some are, but not all. There is also a new one two blocks from me so that is nice. Hopefully all walks will be shoveled or have melted off. I am so grateful for those who clear their sidewalks. I send them a mental note of thanks, hoping they feel the good vibes in the air around them.

Paula

Warm Day

Hello,

Leroy and I headed off to church with great comfort expectations. Unfortunately it did not feel as warm as the 18 above zero temperature was in my memory. Perhaps it was that wind that kept blowing in our faces. Both of us were so happy to get in the building. A one mile walk was enough. The walk home was much better. The temperature was no doubt warmer and any wind was at our backs.

We did not spend much of the rest of the day outside. I went out twice to put things in the compost bin. Leroy just stayed in. He was quite tired and took a long nap after we ate lunch. He has not walked so much since he got that cold or flu. Yesterday he felt quite fine and got many things done around the house and shopping wise. Today he was not quite so peppy.

This afternoon I worked on getting our late Christmas letter in envelops. When Leroy woke up he joined me and now we have them done. I feel fine to have met this goal. It means I can get some things finished even if late. Leroy will drop them in the mail tomorrow on his walk to work.

Those of you who are friends with me on social media, saw the video that Miriam posted of Nora and me playing a piano duet in church. I can tell you that was the absolute best job that we did playing that piece. It is such good timing to do that in front of your audience.  We were even in the same spot so it sounded good which was a miracle.

Paula

Miracle Mittens

Hello,

Many years ago I bought, at Target, some leather mittens that had fingers inside. They, almost immediately, became my favorite ever. When that first pair got a rip or whatever that showed extreme wear I searched long for a replacement. One day I happened to be at Target and there were my mittens. I promptly bought them, grateful for having spotted them. They were even on sale so just under $20. What a bargain as it is now about ten years, or more from that purchase date. This well loved and appreciated pair is becoming thin.

Sometimes I talk about and show my lovely mittens. No one else on the planet with whom I interact seems to have heard of such an item. Today I thought to wear these mittens to Target with the purpose of learning more about getting another replacement pair. The young women who helped me had never seen such a thing. One of them thought it a wonderful idea.

I just checked the internet and no such mittens are offered on the Target website. I did, however, find them on another company website. These mittens look almost identical to the pair I have. The only issue is that they cost $60. There was another pair that I would like to see in person because they seemed to be about the same with the additional ability to use my nonexistent smart phone, but they cost $89. If I would like these mittens and have them for as long as I have had this pair the cost per year would not be so bad. What to do?

I believe that, originally, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time twice and three times is too much to hope for. I am grateful for the wonderful companionship I have had with these mittens.

Paula

Adapting

Hello,

Our weather station is working well recording the temperatures. When it gets warmer we will put out the rain gauge and the wind recorder. Later we will also figure out how to attach to a mobile device. Leroy got an IPhone, but has not been able to make it function yet as he will be part of Miriam’s phone plan and we need her signature. So, for now that is a wait. In the meantime he can still be reached on his current phone. Soon I will be the only one in the family to be hopelessly behind the times in the phone department. That does not bother me in particular. I figure when I get that smart phone I will, like everyone I know, feel that my life is totally lacking if it is not working or attached to me in one way or another.

This morning I used the water kettle, discovering one lack. Our former broken one would heat to the low temperature of 109. I considered that perfect temp for dissolving yeast. This new pot heats between 160 and 212, adjustable by five degree increments. Much too hot for my yeast to tolerate! I suppose I can stand there meditating as it shows much lower temps while it goes past. I just have to catch it at the right time, turn it off, and put it in the bowl. The real question is how far can my mind wander as it is waiting for this to happen? Perhaps that is a good challenge for me to be in the moment.

Leroy has gone to work this morning, stopping on the way to get some cough medicine as he has consumed most of the cough drops. They are to be doing some moving of books. I hope he is up to the task. This week he will be spending the week at the museum and next week he will spend the week at the church. It is so nice that both of his employers are fairly flexible so that sometimes he can work where the need is greatest.

Paula

Happy New Year

Hello,

May the coming year be full of new surprises and opportunities. Be open to the possibilities that God has for you.

Leroy and I are spending a quiet day at home partly because of the cold and partly because he is still coughing. Leroy thought to watch some of the rose parade on TV. It never came across my mind. Somehow I never got so very interested in the parades on Thanksgiving or New Year’s Day. I remember going to my aunt’s house because they had a TV long before we had one in our home. After we did have a TV they probably had color while ours was back and white, so again the festivities needed to be at her house. It was not just because of the parades, but also because of the football games. I am not interested in the games at all. I only have been to one game and I left at half time, as that was enough experience for me. Not very USA type, am I?

Sometimes I resist being called an “American” because I feel that the people in the rest of the Americas should be included in that title. Just how did people in the USA take over that title as if it belonged exclusively? If we are not called Americans what could we be called?

Yesterday, when I walked to church I noticed the entire sidewalk that had that new dusting of overnight snow had footprints. There weren’t many cars on the road, but some walkers were out early. On the way home I noticed a family ahead of me. All of them had grocery bags. Even in the cold some still need to venture out for supplies.

Have a good day and joyful days to come. I just realized I put the date as 2017. Guess I have not made it to the new year yet.

Paula