Family Pictures

Hello,

I took family photo prints into the framer today. We are just replacing the old photos with the new ones. From the framer I learned that other people do this sort of thing. For some reason I thought we might be the only ones.

We had these taken at Christmas time, but I have put off getting them framed. The 8X10 almost cut off the side of Miriam’s face. It is apparently because the zoom was not at the right setting. I felt quite badly about it. The framer told me that they would have to come in 1/8 of an inch more so it will go just alongside her face. She also checked to see if we could put in a larger print instead. Because I have 8 5x7s in there, it will not work. This woman did comment that we have more than one good picture of Miriam there. Somehow that helped me feel much better. The top of Brian’s head is also compromised in the picture with just guys. Again she commented on how there are some other good pictures of him.

After that I decided to just go ahead with what we have. It will hang in our kitchen. I like having the faces of people I love best in the world in my daily space where I can think about them. We do not easily get back together to redo any of this. We will still enjoy having them close to us. Now there is just a big empty expanse on the wall where the 23 x 27 inch frame hangs. Another good thing is that this is quite inexpensive to have them switch the pictures. Last time it was a bit more, but then I bought new matting and better glass put in. That was all good this time.

It is a nice spring with plenty of sunshine.

Paula

Where are You?

Hello,

Leroy went on a bike ride this afternoon. I left sometime later for a walk. About two blocks from home I met him ending his ride. I asked if he wanted to walk. He said, “Yes, you just keep going and I will catch up or call you.”

I had told him briefly where I planned to go. I kept thinking I would see him, but nothing. Finally, I put my glove in my pocket and felt my phone vibrate. He did ask that question, “Where are you?”

After we got together I learned that he had thought to intercept me not realizing that I would walk quite a lot in the park close to us, before I headed off on the street part of the bike trail.

Seems to me our phones are most useful for that “where are you” question. At least we seem to use it from time to time. How did we manage before we had this assist? We had to be more precise in our talk and plans if we wanted to make connections.

At least I managed to get in my 10,000 steps. I am always pleased when that happens.

Today we got rid of our old laptop and phones along with cords and instructions. What a good feeling. We also got out our printer that has not printed for some time. Leroy found someone who wanted to use the scanning function on it. I have a few more things that I intend to take to a second hand store. I am hoping to get that done tomorrow.

Paula

Concert

Hello,

Last night Leroy and I went to a USAF band concert. I was impressed that Leroy stayed awake the entire time. When we go to the orchestra concerts he sleeps through a bit of it even though he assures me that he likes to go. Perhaps it is more soothing music. Certainly much of the sound last night was boisterous, even though much more in the classical bent than some band music that I have heard.

We both commented on how full the hall was. There was hardly an empty seat. Someone we sat next to told us that when they had gotten there at 6:30 the lower seats were already taken. It was not assigned seats so the best went first.

As usual, the majority of the audience was gray haired. Are younger people just not interested in this type of music? Or are they just too occupied with other things?

On our walk to the concert hall we cut through an alley only to disturb a urinating young man. Apparently he was expecting privacy because he kind of yelped when we saw us drawing my eye. I had not noticed him before that. He then apologized, but did not stop his activity. The real question is where does one look? I kept my eyes averted to my path. Somehow I think Leroy did as well.

After the concert, our walk was quite uneventful. We both noticed that people seemed to be parking in totally different places than when there is an orchestra concert. Even thought the crowd was large we got home in record time. We were grateful for that since we are not late night people.

Paula

Snow Again

Hello,

I woke up last night to go to the bathroom. The light between the blinds seemed to be more than usual. The air was white. Without glasses I pronounced, to myself, that it was fog. This morning when I opened the blinds while wearing glasses. I could tell that it had snowed. Quite a different picture than what I thought was out there. Never make assumptions when one cannot see.

This was the type of snow that is beautiful. The trees and fences had a nice amount sitting on them. There was little or no wind. The sidewalks were not covered unless they were in deep shade. Our walk to church was quite pleasant. I did not even wear boots, but had on some good walking shoes. By the time we left church, most of the snow was off the trees and very much gone from the sidewalk. Now you would not know that it had snowed.

I took an hour nap this afternoon. For some reason I felt extremely tired in church and on the walk home. My lower back hurt and I felt a bit achy. Now I feel quite fine with no explanation for that short down turn.

Tonight Leroy and I are going to a concert of the USAF band. It should be good. We do like this small community and all of the opportunities that appeal to us. One plus is that we do not have to travel very far to enjoy. This one is probably only 2-3 miles from our house. We will drive, but not far.

Seven years ago today we moved into this house. We thought we were only staying 1.5 years. Shows we do not know much about the future.

Paula

Hang Clothes Outside?

Hello,

All at once it seems that it might be nice to hang clothes outside. There is no snow under the clothes line which is amazing. Would they dry when it is only 40 degrees? The wind blowing might do the job. I suspect that my mother would not have even questioned the situation and just hung them out. I know she hung out clothes when they would freeze on the line. Course the remainder of the job had to be done inside.

Right now Leroy is napping, but we are going to take a walk a bit later. I want to see what the progress is on a building that is being renovated and repurposed in our neighborhood. Seems to me there have been many changes in the seven years we have lived here. I see most of them as being positive.

It is so nice to see more people out and about. The dairy queen is even getting a bit more business. When they opened it was so cold that I did not see anyone stop there.

When it is drier I will go around the block and pick up all of the clutter that has blown in and been covered by the snow. Right now I do not want to touch it. I always wear gloves, but they are not much good at keeping my hands dry.

Leroy has not ridden his bike to work lately. Mostly because he has done a combination of church and museum work on many days which requires more driving time.

I am not ready to get on my bike, but I am going to hang some of the clothes. Only the larger items will go out so that I do not have to get cold hands.

Paula

Easy Come, Easy Go

Hello,

Ice and snow come and go without our control. Sometimes I forget that nature is indeed a strong force that I have no power over. Just two days ago there was still quite a bit of ice or snow on the ground. Today 80 or perhaps 90 percent of it has melted and caused many creeks and rivers to swell and go beyond their usual place. Our backyard still has a bit of snow and ice because the sun does not get to it so easily. That is certainly nice when we have a hot summer day. At least the sidewalk back there is clear making it easy to walk to the garage.

Material possessions do not come and go quite as easily. Certainly I am a player in that process. After getting a new laptop there was the question of what to do with the old. Finally this week, I called an organization to learn if they would like to take it. The organization does not need it, but they will put it out for some of the clients to take if they would like. I also asked about Leroy’s old phone and they will take that too. I hope that keeps two items out of the landfill for a time. Hopefully someone can figure out Leroy’s phone because he tossed the papers that go with it. At least it will be out of our house. Easy come, but not so easy to go.

Paula

Walking in the Rain?

Hello,

We have church tonight. I planned to walk as usual, however it is now raining. Unfortunately I can hear it hitting the windows. I do not mind walking in the rain, but not when there is a wind behind it. It can be quite uncomfortable ending with wet clothes, especially in the lower leg area. I do not consider it such a deal when I am walking home as then when home I can change clothes, discarding the wet feeling along with the clinging clothes.

I spent some time this afternoon walking around the block testing out the over shoe boots that we have. Leroy wears them quite often. They are a little big for me and they slipped slightly off the heel with each step. They stayed on my foot, but it made walking a bit more challenging as there was a constant movement where there should be none. I was planning to leave ten minutes early, but now I am thinking about driving and leaving quite a bit later. Leroy will be coming from the museum where he already has a car. People at church will be amazed that we would come to church in two cars when we typically walk. For a while some people even wondered if we owned a car. Not only do we own a car, but we own two of them.

Driving also means I will not get many steps today as I was planning on that two mile round trip to add quite a good amount of exercise. There is not so much positive about driving.  When walking, I like being outdoors enjoying the sounds around as well as the sights. When I drive I just try to pay attention to other cars and street signs, etc. which is not such interesting stuff as squirrels, twigs, and leaves. With the rain and the warm melting we are creating large puddles. Flooding is being talked about quite a bit. One weather condition creates another.

Paula*