Sunday, February 08, 2015

Grass

After several inches of snow the last couple of weeks, we are in a slight warming trend.  I noticed when I came home from church this morning that the lawns on the north side of my street are showing something that looks mysteriously like grass.  Alas, those of us on the South side of the street still have an overabundance of the fluffy white stuff where ever the sun doesn't hit.  But, I do know that Spring is on the way.  I could hear a robin singing when I left the house for church.  I couldn't see him, but I would recognize his cheery song anywhere.
Isn't it sad that when one retires, does little, that he tends to prattle on about the weather.  Well, I don't have much more of interest to write about.
I haven't traveled lately, unless going downtown to the coffee shop, to the library, church, and grocery store can be considered traveling.  Last month I actually got by on only one tank of gas, if that gives you any clue to how far I went and how boring my life has become.
This weekend did bring my daughter for a visit, tho however brief, and we had a chance to get caught up and have a nice breakfast at our local Bob Evans restaurant.  She had plans with her guy for the evening, so she left to go back to the capitol city around noon on Saturday, but it was nice to have her to myself for a few hours.
My son and his family are fine.  The little ones are growing rapidly.  The princess, age 6, has succeeded in losing both upper front teeth this past month.  One just came our Thursday at school, which she proudly carried home for a payout from the tooth fairy.  They have all enjoyed being able to play in the snow, and have been on some "exciting" sledding adventures with Daddy and Mommy.  Even little T.W. is enjoying the snow and being pulled in the sled.  I, on the other hand, am enjoying watching from afar.
Tomorrow, weather permitting (there it is again), my good friend Curley and I are meeting and heading to the city for a day of craft shopping and a quick trip to Costco to stock up on Keurig pods for my coffee maker.  We will stop somewhere pleasant for lunch before trekking home.
I have read numerous novels since 1/1, and the count is now 13 already for this year.  I just, a few minutes ago, finished "A Dangerous Fortune" by Ken Follett.  I loved it!  It is an older one of his, but I haven't read his works too extensively, and have just gotten re-interested in taking them up again.  I have read several by Jonathan Kellerman, too.  I also finished recently "You Don't Cry Out Loud," an autobiography by Lily Isaacs, mother and matriarch of "The Isaacs" gospel singing group.  What a wonderful book.  She has led a life that is unfathomable for me to comprehend.  The daughter of Holocaust survivors, the hardships she endured, along with  illnesses and personal family tragedy, she is certainly to be commended.  Reading it, I was struck by how truly fortunate I am to have lived in America and have had the kind of life I have.  Lily is only 2 years younger than I and has been through so much.  If you get the chance, please read it.  It will inspire you.
Now, I must close.  I am "closet" Downton Abbey fan and it is once again Sunday evening and episode 6 is about to begin.  Until next time...

Peace,
JE

Saturday, January 31, 2015

Where did the time go?

I can't believe that I haven't blogged for so long.  I guess there has been so much going , or not going on that I just haven't thought much about it.  Nor have I had too much that I've wanted to write about.
   We made it through  Christmas without having to cancel or change our plans.  My daughter came to my house the day before Christmas and did all the cooking for our annual Brunch.  I was eternally grateful that she did so because I would have probably either not had the brunch, or we would have had Cheerios, tea and toast!  As it was, she made the wonderful breakfast casseroles that she makes, and also the sour creme coffee cake we always have.  We had a great time opening gifts and oohing and aahing over everything.  The little grands had a ball and even the littlest one had fun playing in the paper and boxes.  We took lots of pictures, and I enjoyed all the hustle and bustle.  The house was sure quiet when everyone finally packed up their cars and went home. 
   Since then, I have been fighting sinus and ear problems and either an ulcer or other digestive problems.  The Dr has me on a very restrictive diet, rather bland and not too appetizing.  But, it seems to be helping and I am in the stage of keeping a food diary and noting how different foods affect me.  BORING!!  And, what bothers me this time might not bother me the next time I eat it.  I can't seem to win.
   There has been some "bad" stuff going within the family, which is too sensitive and private to blog about, but it has completely upset the family as a clan, thus I think it has aggravated my ulcer.  I know stress and anxiety can do that.  I have found that no matter how old a child gets, we never stop being a parent (or grandparent in this case) and the worry continues.  Let me just say that "good thought and prayers" are appreciated.
   So far my section of the country has been pretty lucky when it comes to ugly winter weather.  I think if I added it all up, we probably have had the total of about 14 inches of snow so far.  BUT, we are expecting 7 to 12 inches over the next 24 to 36 hours here in North central Indiana.  I have contracted a snow removal service, so getting scooped out will be no problem.  I told them that I wanted them to do other people on their list who have to get to work or have small children first, and save me to the end of their list because I don't HAVE to get out and go anywhere.  I am not looking forward to all of that snow, and I know many of you who read this have had a lot of snow, but I do think it's beautiful, but confining.  Even getting scooped out, the streets and traveling is hazardous.  Our town is well equipped to handle the snow, but do run out of places to push it.  Last year they actually loaded it into dump trucks and hauled it out of town to a field and piled it.  Though, coming this late in winter, we know that the snow will not last forever.  After all, Spring is just around the corner.  And I am ready!

Peace,
JE