Freezing More

Hello, We like to use our back porch when we cool soup. I made a batch yesterday, put the left overs on the porch, forgot to set the timer and by this morning it was frozen quite solidly. Oops! The enclosed porch is a nice addition to a refrigerator or sometimes to a freezer, but it is good to remember that we have put things out there. I thought of the soup this morning, brough it up, and put it in the refrigerator. Hopefully it will be thawed enough to use for our evening meal. We often used the deck in Slovakia if we needed a bit more refrigerator space. It was not quite as cold there in terms of low temperatures, but it still was prudent to pay attention when putting something out there. It was often very cold when waiting for a bus in Bratislava. Sometimes it seems that it went all the way to my core. I know someone who was from Minnesota, but living in Bratislava. They also commented on how penetrating the cold was. Perhaps the humidity was higher making it more noticeable. We did have -4 degrees F. this morning. The sun is out and it looks lovely out there. I will walk to church this afternoon when it should be a bit warmer. At least now it does not look to be much wind. Paula

Retirement Party

Hello, Yesterday afternoon was my retirement party. Leroy said, “I will come too and leave after half an hour to go to the organ concert.” “It might not be worth it for you to come as there might be no one there.” I cautioned. “I want to support you,” he firmly replied. So off we went in two cars. I got there a bit early and people were setting up this lovely colorful feast of fruits, veggies, crackers, and sweets. They catered to my food tastes! Leroy visited with others as friendly faces started coming in the door. I was surprised and delighted at how much I enjoyed it. I had not been at work for a month. What a pleasure to see these people who had been sprinkled throughout my days at work. Talk was the name of the game and there was plenty of it along with hugs and laughter. What gifts people bring with their presence and some presents! It was joyful for me to say the least. I was astonished at how many people came. It was also great fun to hear from people that they liked my smile and kindness in dealing with them as library patrons and how much they missed me. I feel blessed and uplifted. A lovely plant I received.

Paula

Questions Not Asked

Hello, Recently, I have noticed when I am telling someone about happenings in someone else’s life, they often ask me questions that I cannot answer. In the first place what is gossip and what is ok to tell others? Why does it happen that people have all these questions and I did not? Some I remember thinking and some I had not even considered. Leroy finished the book that had me laughing out loud. He may have smiled but no laughing. The last book series that he read and laughed at, had about that same effect on me. Guess that means we do not really find the same thing funny. Although when we watch the same movie, we often laugh at the same scenes. We do not always like the same movie, but it is satisfying when we find a movie that we both endorse. At least we share many common ideas about the world. Or would it be good if we had differing points of view so we would understand and be more sympathetic to other ideas? Life is full of mysteries and questions which often do not have a clear answer. Now we must learn to live peacefully with that idea. Paula

Tracker Miles

Hello, According to tracker records I have walked 7,900 miles which is equal to walking through the center of the earth. I did not set it up to have my exact miles calculated, but close enough. It also does not record the times that I have not worn it for one reason or another, such as charging, forgetting, and lost. Apparently, I have also walked 10,000 steps for the last 17 days. How is that for the middle of the winter? It might be a tough go today with the cool temperatures and bracing wind. It would be nice to live in someplace where we could comfortably walk some miles without seeing the same walls too often. I got a haircut this morning and only wore one layer under my coat. I managed to do some moaning while walking from the establishment to the car as well as later to the grocery story. Sometimes moaning is a nice release. I talk to myself and sometimes I listen. Leroy commented on how much space there is in the living room without the four large plants. I have seven poinsettias in the house with only four in the living room. One is in the spare bedroom and two are in the office, both of which offer some nice sun times in the course of the day. It is so wonderful to feel the heat from the sun on such cold days. Paula

Not much Cleaning

Hello, Not much more cleaning than usual has been done at my house. It is still on the list for someday. Perhaps it needs a day attached so it would happen. My friend came to pick up her four plants today. It was much warmer than the day she brought them. I felt quite guilty because one of them died while she was gone. I do not think I killed it. It looked a bit odd when she brought it. Within about three days leaves started dropping off. She graciously did not complain, but gave me some fruit for plant sitting. We also shared lunch together and that was quite nice. It is good to have people to talk to. Yesterday I went to a spirituality session. I wish more people would come to this time as there were only four of us and that does not encourage much sharing. The other group is quite large so I thought this might be the better group, but I am not sure. I know more of the people in the larger group and like to hear what they have to say. There is some snow on the ground, but it has mostly melted. I am glad the sidewalks are so clear as it makes walking feel much more secure. On Sunday when we went through the college campus, I complimented the guy working to clear the sidewalk. He was quite pleased and commented that they try to get it done before the students get out. I also like to clear snow before there is too much walking as it packs it down making it hard to remove. Paula

Laughter and More

Hello, I read, Miss Julia Speaks her Mind by Ann B Ross. In the first half of the book I did a lot of smiling and I had to quote some for Leroy. Maybe it was the last half or later, I laughed out loud. When Leroy would glance curiously at me, I just laughed harder. He tells me he likes hearing my laugh. It has been a while since I have laughed at a book. I will have to get some more by this author since she has written a long series. Think I have read some of the titles but certainly not all. Perhaps the first is the funniest. It is nice to have some light, entertaining, reading in the house. We have been watching mysteries on TV. Not much laughter involved there, but certainly curious as to “who done it”. I do feel that there is a bit of sameness among them. This afternoon, and into the evening we will help with clean up at the meals our church serves each Saturday night. It is a satisfying contribution. I am glad people have this opportunity if they need it. We did some grocery shopping yesterday. I go around the store muttering to myself, “How can poor people manage to feed themselves?” It is scary to think about. I also realize that many of them pay much more for rent than I do. I am so blessed and cared for. Paula

Effort Expended

Hello, Leroy and I shoveled snow by the garage before he went to work. I assured him I would have plenty of time to do the front after he was gone. Back out after breakfast was the process that worked for me. That means I was still in the shovel mode. This snow was wet and heavy, but not so much of it. That meant it was important to pay attention to how much snow was on the shovel before pitching it to the side. Out front, I went ahead and cleared a path on the neighbor’s right of way because in the fall he had had back surgery. I have not seen him out shoveling. Not sure if he should be doing such activity, plus, I know he goes to work very early in the morning. It seemed prudent to do a path of the neighbor on the other side because he had also told me of some health issues. He certainly looks thin. What a chore, but so much satisfaction both in seeing the sidewalk come into view and helping some neighbors. It is still wet out there, but the sidewalk is not slippery that I know of. I learned that I could amass over 3000 steps doing this task what a double benefit. Exercise and accomplishments. Last night Leroy and I walked to church in the snow that was really more like rain. We were quite wet when we got there. It did not soak through our coats but our legs were wet. People know we like to walk so no one offered a ride home. Just when I was trying to decide who lived closest to us, a younger woman started talking to us. She told us she would give us a ride and it did not matter what direction she lived. She was not close to us, but we were quite grateful. Leroy already has 10,000 steps and I was close. So, no loss there. I forgot my mittens at church in the excitement of getting that ride and not slowing her down. On his way home from work, Leroy is going to look because he can easily go close to the church. Paula