Nature All Around

Hello,

Leroy and I had talked about taking a bike ride on a trail in central Iowa. However, the bike rack does not fit very well on the newer car. We could take the older, but Leroy thought it was a bit cool today to enjoy such an excursion. This is a sentiment from the guy who will ride until the temperatures are 19 degrees Fahrenheit. I stop at 50 degrees. I did not think it was too low at 60 when we first talked about going.

Our alternative plan was to walk in one of the county parks on a trail that we had not yet experienced. We forgot to bring our carry along map and the center was not open on this holiday. So we just used the maps that were provided on two signs. It worked out fairly well, but we mostly did not know where we were.

This park has some wetlands as it main focus. We found the wet path in one area. Striding off with confidence that the trail would go back to higher dry land, we set out only to find after about half a mile of walking on grass that almost held us off the mud that the water was getting higher. We turned around, retraced our steps, and set off in another direction. I saw one frog during that segment, but Leroy, who was in the lead told me he thought he saw about 100 small frogs. By the time I took my eyes off the somewhat perilous spots my feet were landing on, the frogs had leaped away.

On the second and dryer part of the trail we ended up going back twice because we did not want to deal with the mushy places. All in all we traveled a bit more than 6,000 steps. We did have lunch and water in our backpack which Leroy toted the entire time. Luckily when we were ready to eat, a bench was there. Sitting watching the clouds race across the blue sky was uplifting for the soul.

We declared the outing a success.

Paula                                                                                                                                                     

Dodging Rain Drops

Hello,

Leroy and I got up early and took a walk before breakfast. In the past we frequently did this, but that habit has fallen off the cliff of lying in bed talking about the coming day. It was beautiful and sunny while we walked, refreshing our memory of why we liked to get in the early morning walks.

By the time Leroy was ready for riding to work on his bike it had clouded over. For reasons unknown to us the weather prediction was not available on the IPOD. Leroy headed off with distain about any coming rain. With great anticipation of the wonderful smell when we would get in bed tonight, I hung out first one load and then the second load of clothes that included sheets.

I gathered my short shopping list, put on a rain coat, remained optimistic about the clothes, got in the car, inched the rear into the alley, checked for traffic, noted the rain drops coming down on the trunk, pulled the car back into the garage, climbed out, got the clothes basket, and proceeded to take down the clothes which had such a short time in the outdoors that they had not noticed it. I was grateful that I had not left so I could bring these clothes inside to dry there.

Close to noon Leroy called and asked if I would come get him. That seemed like a good idea. On Fridays, he works for the museum in the morning and the church in the afternoon. After my last exciting time getting the rack off the wall, the bike carrier is stored on the floor so I had no trouble putting it in the car. Leroy did have trouble getting it secured on the car. One of the straps cannot easily be tightened. For some strange reason he could not find the hooks under the car. He instructed me, “Don’t drive fast and it should be ok.”

It was ok. As we left the museum parking garage the rain was diminishing. We are grateful for that garage so Leroy can struggle with the rack in a dry place. I had brought a large umbrella which would help Leroy do the hospital calling and come home in comfort. While at the church I loaded up the plants that had been staying in his office and put them outside by the garage in the rain. It was nice to see them again.

I am grateful for a car that does not leak and runs in the rain on streets and not mud. I was also grateful that I could wipe the car windows so I will have a clear view of the world around me as I go to work tomorrow. Those windows had some noticeable spots that needed to be eliminated.

I did get a little wet in the execution of all these activities, but I dried off just fine.

Paula

Life Promoting Greens and Events

Hello,

We have been given some wonderful greens. There are two vigorous raised bed gardens by the library where I work. Tuesday, the person in charge pulled some spinach that was going to seed. She also thinned the beets so the beets greens were quite tender and good. She offered them to me. I have no idea if any of the rest of the staff wanted them or not, but they are a treasure to me. I have felt a little melancholy because we had not gotten any early greens in the ground. Now we have been offered some spinach and lettuce from another source. I said that we could use some more by Sunday, but the donor will not be home. After I talk with Leroy and he agrees that he will become like a rabbit and eat more lettuce, I will get it Thursday evening after work. Garden time of year is the best.

I needed to get yogurt for Leroy and while at the store I saw a bag of apricots that had been marked down. I got those. They were very tender and the trip home did not improve their stamina. I promptly ate three of them who could not be counted on to endure another minute. Delicious indeed. Summer is coming.

This is graduation time. I did not expect to be going to any parties, but there are two on the docket. I will go to one this afternoon. It is within walking distance so I will get a little exercise. Leroy and I will drive together to one on Saturday after I get home from work. Following that we have a 70^th birthday party to attend. Tonight is the end of the year church choir party. Looking at this schedule you might think we are social people, but this is just a lot all at once.

Sometimes I am surprised that we know so many people, but we have been here for five years now and that certainly makes a difference.

Paula

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

Hello,

Leroy came home from having, at two church services, some responsibility. He was ready to have some rest time. We called all our children and connected successfully with one of them. After that we had a snack of one of my “special” made up concoctions of pumpkin, eggs, spices, molasses, cranberries (just a few) and some left over oatmeal. It was much like pumpkin pie without the crust. This was topped with granola, as well as, plain Greek yogurt for me and plain regular yogurt for Leroy. We both thought it was quite fine. I might try this again in the future. It will be close, but have its own distinct appeal. I forgot we also put on some homemade unsweetened applesauce.

While snacking I convinced Leroy to play just three games of boggle with me. I pride myself on my ability to play this game, but Leroy has increased talent or I have lost talent. He beat me two out of the three games. In one of them he found a seven letter word which he did not need to win. In other words I was trounced. It seems to me since his eye problem he has done much better at this game.

We also spent some time figuring out just what we are giving to our church for the renewal of the building. Along with that we noted the amount that we give to church each month as well as the other special gifts we like to make in the course of the year. Many of these are somewhat church related such as world hunger, and the seminary as well as church camp. It was important to me to have some idea of all the places we want to give and how much we will contribute to each.

Leroy did take a nap and now he is reading. So he cannot complain that I worked him too much. I read while he was napping. Even though I believe he can sleep through a brass band I like to keep the noise to a minimum. I figure that turning pages is so quiet that there is no chance he would notice.

Paula

Habits Run Deep

Hello,

Leroy was gone this morning, but I still prepared enough warm water to make two cups of vinegar and honey. The honey was in the cup before I remembered that I only needed to make one cup. Because the water was not yet in there I left it on the table to show Leroy how serious I am about just going by rote. After I laughed at myself I continued to make oatmeal for two people. That did not cross my consciousness until after it was cooking so there was no turning back. That extra serving of oatmeal is sitting in the frig waiting for me to have a creative thought about using it in some other manner.

I also spent a little time thinking about how life would change if Leroy had died instead of just going out of town. Is that one of the real difficulties of having a person die who lives in the house with you? Are you constantly doing old actions only to find that they do not fit the new reality?

I have another habit that I am trying to change. I have read recently that we should wait thirty minutes before rinsing our mouths or putting something else in there. This allows the ingredients in the toothpaste to continue their beneficial work. I have, for years, wet my toothbrush after brushing and made another pass to get the paste out of my mouth. Only about one in ten times do I remember not to do that. It is amazing because I might have thought about it while brushing, but proceed to do it anyway and catch myself in the act.

Is it any wonder that people have such trouble stopping any sort of addiction? Besides the attraction of whatever has a hold, just having the habit of doing or taking it would be part of the difficulty. I must give people who actually do change a higher regard that they have been able to change their lives.

Paula

Church Convention

Hello,

Today and tomorrow is the church convention in Des Moines which is a bit more than two hours away depending on the driving speed and where in the city one needs to be. Leroy was being picked up at 6:20 in the morning. We are almost always up at that time, but not fed, shaved, and dressed. Leroy did prepare a bit the night before by getting packed, clothes selected to wear, and breakfast decision made. We set an alarm even though we are often up by the time it was set, however “that Leroy guy” got up almost half an hour earlier. I was awake so I knew it, but pretended to be asleep, hoping that sleep would become reality. That did not happen even though I managed to stay in bed somewhat longer enjoying the warmth.

Leroy tells me that he no longer knows so many people when he goes to these events. Perhaps that is because he is really past retirement age since he is 68 years old. Because I have only rarely gone to these meetings I would know even fewer people.

I am used to being alone on Fridays, but not so much on Saturday. If it were warmer I might go for a longish bike ride, but right now I do not feel like getting out. It is not raining, but it quite cool. I suppose a walk should be on the agenda. I did get a long walk in spite of a few sprinkles. It was brisk and invigorating. I had expected to spend about a half hour and it was closer to an hour before I came home.

It will be fun to have Leroy tell all about the things he learned and the people he connected with. There is usually something that sparks some interest. I am not seeing so many people, but I am sending mental messages to the squirrels to stay away from plants that I care about.

Paula

Violets and Geese

Hello,

Leroy came home and was quite excited to show me a violet that someone had brought to the church to give away because they were downsizing. He took it knowing that I would like it a lot. It is quite a large plant. I have had varying luck with violets. Generally I say it is the place that they do not like rather than my fault. I just love blaming something else.

I was expressing concern about it living with someone else who might take better care. Their advice was “just don’t worry about it, enjoy it while you have it. You are giving it a home and that is what is needed at this moment.”

This violet is in a special violet pot which I had never heard of before. Perhaps that is why my violets sometimes had rather short lives. At least this one is still alive and looks good after being in my house for a week. I take that as a sign of hope for a longer relationship. I have taken several plants outside for the summer, but only one large one. The back yard should be more shaded before that happens. The walnut tree and the catalpa tree are just getting their leaves now. In one more week it should be good.

I transferred the pictures from the camera to the computer so I can share them with you. I did not get rid of any of the geese pictures since I am sure that Leroy has a proprietorship feeling about them. Perhaps you can just move quickly through them. Leroy was trying to get a good picture of the difference of the baby geese’s sizes.

Two of those pictures are of deer eating. It was fun to watch a goose head pop up from time to time. Amazing what can be hiding in the grass. Is that true of all of life? There are hidden things that we could enjoy if we just knew about them?

Here is the link so you can see the pictures.

https://goo.gl/photos/yLpbtgASnFBjWaaJA

Paula