Flowers

Hello,

The violets are blooming beautifully. I am so impressed, considering that I have not always been successful with violets. It must be the space that they are in which feels just right.

One of our blinds broke so to raise and lower it we have been moving the poinsettias in and out of their space. Perhaps because of that they have been losing more leaves. At Leroy said, “It will be good to plant them outside.”

Two days ago it seemed the weather would soon be warm enough to put those poinsettias out, but today makes a different thought come to mind with the wind, rain and cooler temperatures. Course our neighbors to the north are having snow fall so we are not complaining. Again today Leroy drove rather than rode the bike. He has not been on the bike as much as usual.

The two Christmas cactus are now officially done blooming until in the fall. The anthurium is still blooming, but does not have many blooms. I gather it is supposed to be in a warm to hot room and we do not have that. So the violets out shine the anthurium , but they are in a different room. These flowers can each feel appreciated.

Paula

Leroy Saw the Pictures

Hello,

Sunday, Leroy finally saw the pictures. We had been gone since Friday morning so he can be excused for some of the time. We returned Sunday. He was pleased with how it looks now that it is the focus of his attention.

My plan was to tell him on Wednesday which would have made it a week without noticing them. He does often eat with his focus on his food and his head is lowered over it. We do talk some during the meal. Or perhaps I should say, “I talk some during the meal.”

Leroy has planted some lettuce and a few radishes. However last night he told me that something has been digging in the bed. We both blame our friendly neighborhood squirrel or squirrels. They certainly feel at home anywhere around the territory. It could be that they buried some walnuts in that very spot or they have a vague memory of last fall’s activities. Now they just search in many places hoping to get that nut free from the clutches of the earth. Leroy made it easy to dig in the garden. Surely lettuce and radish seeds are too small for them to consume.

Our winter onions and garlic look quite fine. I just so look forward to things that I can eat in my local area. It satisfies my sense of what is good. Even though I rarely eat meat, I might be persuaded to eat squirrel if that were an acceptable city thing to do.

Paula

Day Off?

Hello,

I am not sure why I call it a day off. First thing, I drove across town to get my glasses adjusted. Earlier, I had gone to a place on this side of town for an adjustment, but it hurt quite a lot behind my ear consequently I kept pulling on the frame and I believe it was not in proper alignment. So I went back to the purchase place. It feels much better, but I am not sure it is in the very best position for my distance vision. Position seems to be critical for focusing on the far away objects. If I press the frame up closer to my face I see better. Maybe another trip will get it.

After that I had three stores to go to for needed supplies. One of the stops was to pick up the family pictures. In the 8x10, Miriam and Olivia have a bit of the side of the face compromised, but I am ignoring that because it will probably be years before we are all together once more. They do both look good in other pictures.

By the time I got home I could start on making granola now that I had all the ingredients.

Continued April 4, 2019

I know that I was busy much of the rest of the day.

Today I worked an extra hour because my coworkers had other obligations. One of the good things about this work experience is that we help each other when someone needs some time off. I am grateful for that so I try to help whenever possible, because I know they will help me.

Leroy did not see the family pictures hanging in the kitchen yesterday or this morning. He was home for lunch by himself so he might have seen them then. Last night after we were in bed, he questioned, “Did you pick up the pictures today?” He knows they are here. Obviously this guy is focused when he is in the kitchen.

Paula

Bike Ready to Ride

Hello,

Leroy worked on his new bike today. He put on toe clips. The only problem was that it was only about 40 degrees outside and his fingers became so cold that he could not get the job done.

I encouraged him to bring the bike up to the kitchen. After coming in and warming up that is what he did. There he put on those toe clips with little difficulty. He had already put on reflectors and tail light. His head light clips to his helmet so he did not lose that on the stolen bike. Another little task was to attach a rear view mirror. The only thing that is lacking is a kick stand which he may or may not put on because he can manage without it.

Tomorrow he will ride to the museum on this bike. He is ready to do that. Leroy was a little disgruntled because the weather was more comfortable for riding, but he just did not want to be on that other too large bike.

I did not ask if he has a computer on this bike. I suspect not since it would not have a holder for it even if he had taken it off for some reason. This bike does not have a rack so he will have to carry whatever on his back in a backpack which is not as comfortable, but workable.

Even though I did not think three bikes could fit in our garage they do, but one will be leaving soon. As we have no need of it. Sometimes getting rid of something in a responsible manner can be a challenge. Leroy tells me he can donate it to the second hand shop where he just bought his. When and how to get it there is another issue, but solvable.

Paula

New Bike

Hello,

Today Leroy replaced his stolen bike. The bike that a friend had given him did not fit him. It was too big and he felt he had trouble reaching the brakes causing him to feel insecure or out of control while riding.

He went to a used bike shop looking or hoping to spend about $100. He only spent about $160 more, but he is quite pleased with it. Before buying he called asking for my permission or blessing, however he meant that. I was just happy that it was quite a lot less than a thousand. Hopefully it will stay in his possession for a longer time. Leroy still wants to get a recumbent, one that will fold up so he can transport it in the car when needed. Not sure when he will get that, but right now our garage is a bit small to accommodate three bikes. For the time being this will be his commuter bike. I like the idea of his sitting up a little higher when he is on the city streets. Hopefully that will give him more visibility.

I was out sweeping the garage when he came home with his bike crammed in the car. He asked for help getting it out. The handle bars were wedged in securely by the car radio speakers. I doubted that we would manage to free it without causing damage to the bike or the speaker. After taking off the front wheel he forced it free to our great relief. He has the wheels back on, but they will have ti be adjusted a little.

It is nice to have one thing squared away for a while. Now he can move on to the next concern, whatever that is.

We signed our tax papers so that is out of the way.

Paula

Concerts

Hello,

Last night Leroy and I went to a symphony concert. It was in conjunction with a ballet company from Davenport. It included Peter and the Wolf. That Leroy enjoyed because the narrated story helped him know what was going on. During some of the first fairy tales we were on our own or if we had read the program ahead of time we tried to remember what was happening. Some of those were quiet so Leroy had a little nap. I have tried to get over feeling embarrassed when he does that. After all, I do not think badly of others who might nap I just think they are tired. So I kept telling myself it was ok and I was not responsible for his napping behavior.

Today we walked to the nearby college where we attended a faculty recital. It was short so perhaps that is why Leroy stayed awake for it, or perhaps it was because he had a nap just before we walked there. This one had only three pieces. The first was a viola solo. I do not know that I have ever heard a viola play just by itself. It was quite beautiful. I was surprised that some of the notes were so high. The other two pieces were jazz. I am not a big fan of jazz, but I am becoming more in tune with it as I have been to more than one jazz concert. Soon, I might even say I like it.

The battery on my Fitbit needed charging so my steps to church and to this afternoon concert did not get counted. At least I know that it was likely to be the 10,000 steps that I want to do each day. It just will not add to my total steps. It is charging now. The irony is that tomorrow I work and will not have many steps.

Today at a church meeting we turned from important business to sing Happy Birthday to a man who will turn 103 this week. He looks to be in great shape. How much do you think he walks? Or what does he do to have such robust health?

Paula

Spring Outside

Hello,

I hung out all of the washed clothes today, not just the sheets. I like that smell as I bring them into the house. It will be refreshing to slip into bed and have that smell wrapped around me. It was a bit cool when I hung things out. My fingers were happy to come back inside and warm up. However, the sun and the breeze did their work and chased out the wet. As usual any thicker places took a little longer.

One good thing about living on the second floor is that I get a lot of stair climbing exercise. I feel that I have had a work out because I go up and down several times, both to hang the clothes as well as to check on the amount of dryness that has been achieved.

I took an abbreviated walk in the afternoon. Abbreviated because I had to come home and use the bathroom. However in the evening I walked to the grocery store. I was happy to feel the buzz on my wrist telling me that I had made my 10,000^th step. I knew I was close, but resisted looking because then I get hung up on them. A little surprise jolted me when I felt the vibration on my arm. It seems to take a nanosecond to figure out what is going on.

For some reason at the grocery store my credit card chip could not be accessed. After inserting the chip end, I tried sliding it, than the message was, “Please insert.”

When I inserted it again it informed me that the chip was bad even though I had used it in the morning without incident. Luckily I had enough dollar bills and four cents so I could make my purchases. When I walk to the store, I only carry one credit card. I did not want to put any purchases back, but that would have been the next step had I not found enough money.

Paula