IN Carmel

 Today felt like an old Thursday.  For many years I worked at our church soup kitchen on Thursdays.  At some point I moved to Saturday because of a staffing need.  Today I was a Thursday person, doing much the same as I would on Saturday.  There are a lot of jobs that need to be completed to meet the 11:00 deadline when our guests are invited to take a lunch or two home with them..  Once again we met the deadline.  Such a great feeling.  During little breaks in the morning's work I also completed a few other things that had to do with the Sunday worship service.  It was a busy morning.   On the way home I used my Meijer coupons at their store and picked up a friend and delivered her to her place of work.  Then home for lunch and a nap.  Later this afternoon I made a quick trop to JoAnn's for a couple of things.   Tonight is choir practice.  Will I go or will I stay home.  Yet to be determined.  Tue...

 So far today, mid-afternoon.  Knitted on the next hat...black with white here and there.   And the next big thing that took hours this morning was the Pet Scan ordered as a follow-up after surgery and radiation by ENT Surgeon Dr. Moore.  It's one of those radioactive scans with a dye added during the scan.  It will find any tissue abnormalities anywhere in my body.  It doesn't include the brain which most of my friends know have abnormalities just like everyone else...I hope!   So at some point soon I should have those results.   After surgery in March during the challenge of trying to find where cancer originated, I had a Breast MRI.  And that follow-up procedure happened last Thursday.  The results of that second scan proved that the two scans didn't match.  That little bit of news now has attached a breast cancer doctor to my name.   The pathology report after surgery suggested a possibility of breast ti...

 Today I made my first soup of the fall season.  We're salad eaters in the summer and soup eaters in the cooler weather.  And the house was full of garlic and onion smells.  It's time to change the menu.  Doug calls the aroma cruel and inhumane.  So it's chicken vegetable soup most of the time.  We're a little boring with our menu.  Easy with not much work.  I shared some with neighbor Judy.  Stella also is being share with my neighbor.  She will enjoy her walks with Judy after her surgery.  Stella is such a great friend.  Did a bank run and a postoffice stop and that's about all the running around that happened.   My order is in the mail for 3 doz jonquils and a few doz. crocus.  Something fun to watch emerge next spring along side the patio.  The deer do not eat these, so plant, plant, plant more..  Deer cannot get enough tulip flowers.  That's a wasted money purchase.   Another gr...

 Today I moved a few things off the to-do list.  The first at 9:AM...pre-registering for my Wed. Pet Scan.      I U Hospitals make it so easy for procedures with pre-registration.  I miss a whole step necessary when doing something at the hospital.  I registered both Doug and I for Covid Booster shots.  The first appointment I found was on Oct 6.  That's good enough for me.  Just happy to have figured out how to do that online.  I picked up two large Moravian Stars from my best buddy Sarah Ellen with the hope we can hang them at church in the west entrance during Advent and Christmas season.  That's the hope.  And it was the last time to visit at their house with tomorrow's moving date to Hoosier Village in their new two-bedroom house.  A big change but one they are looking forward to.  So many good things have happened in the big house.  But there will be more to come at their Hoosier Village home.  I ...

 This must be tomorrow when the sun comes up.  You know that song, the sun will come up tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow ...  It's another beautiful autumn day.  A church day so off to church we went.  It's just so wonderful to be back in a place that feels like home, worshiping.  Dear Virginia Meline 97 years old at this birthday played a Brahms Intermezzo No. 2 in D Minor.  Beautifully done as she always has.  Stunning.  And then 3 of our 4 soloists just outdid themselves with  Ouoniam from the Mass in C Minor by Mozart.  Another stunning piece of music offered to glorify God.  Our tenor Nate Hein has resigned to be more available to his mother whose health is in decline.  I'm sure there will be many trips to Cleveland on weekends for him to care for her.   The choir's anthem was Like a River in My Soul...adding peace like a river, love like an ocean, and joy like a fountain in my soul.  Simp...

 That means football or something like that.  Early this morning after the rain was over I grabbed the clippers and out to the yard I went to gather a few things for altar arrangements.   It's blooming grass, hosta leaves, autumn joy flowers, and some Lenten Rose leaves.  I love those leaves.  They are so tough and nothing can hurt them.  Then off to church and putting together two altar flower arrangements. I added 4 hydrangeas blooms from the courtyard.  The arrangements look great and I think the worshipers will enjoy them as well.  This is the first time this summer there have been no persons reserving altar flowers.  I do the fill-in time. So far only once...bummer.   Wintertime is a bit more difficult to do the fill-in part.  I'll take pictures and when I get this picture hiccup fixed I'll show you the results.   Did some refreshing of zinnias in the house.  I decided to see if I could figure out ...

 Just had a hard time getting started today so I decided to do some Goodwill shopping.  It's a place that occupies my mind and I needed that.  I found a pair of pants.  Good deal.  6.99.  Got home and decided to go through my drawers.  Two pairs of pants worn out are gone so the loss is not so great.  Since the radiation outcome is a loss of 20 pounds my pants are not fitting so well.  So going a size smaller is working.  Jello still is my favorite food!  Other options are slowly emerging.   This afternoon I had a follow-up MRI breast scan.  Something I don't like to think about.  It's not so much what might be there because I don't stress about that. I would be OK no matter what.   I think but I'm not sure the problem could be that I would just like to have a body that doesn't need to be messed with.   I had the same problems with the dentist.  Just leave me alone medically.  So I n...

 The first thing is answering the question posed by the phantom and other guy. I can find the picture needed  from IPhone and then it won't go to where my post is.  Grr.  I messed it up.  I'm such a futz!   And now the more part.   Today seemed more like one of those old days as far as being busy.  Since we are a one car family we've got to be organized.  So today's plan.  Doug got up with me and took me to work at our church soup kitchen.  Becky could not be there.  So that was my morning's entertainment.  In the mean time Doug went on to the dentist.  Now that is just a gum visit since Doug has two plates in his mouth.  Not the dinner plate kind but the other kind.  Then he was back to church to get me.  And after depositing me at home he's off now to get his monthly iron shot. Hopefully he will arrive home with the answer to the question....when can we get our third vaccination booster...

 There haven't been very many of these yet, but today is another one of them.  It's weather to alert one again to the fall season.  Lots of rain and cool temperatures with the wind.  Woo...I went from shorts this morning to long pants and a jacket mid-morning.  But I must admit that some windows still are cracked open.  Started knitting another hat with black yarn.  That's really hard, especially at the beginning.  One needs to remember knit/purl and keep it going.  I finished sewing buttons.  I think there are enough.    I spent some time at Aldi's in the middle of the rainstorm getting really creative I think getting my groceries to the car.  I left my groceries at the door...Drove the car to the door.  Loaded the groceries and pushed the cart back to where it was stored not getting a drop of rain for that job.   Back home and working on this post which I'm a little crazy because for some reason I can't po...

 Today my mind must have been somewhere else than the blog.  That happens.  I finished up with my goal of can filling.  I'm at ease with how the garden looks and what still needs to be completed.  The weekly cans are at the street for pick up and slowly but surely the garden is getting ready for winter.  Today I saw Peter out in the garden, now with all the hiding places gone.  He still is around but safety from the hawks now could be a factor.  He has grown some which will make him a heavier pickup.  Doug spotted two Monarch's today.  I told them to get moving.  It's time to start the trip to Mexico.  But the zinnias are still doing well and they continue to bounce from flower to flower.   I can safely say that all the black-eyed Susan's are now out of the garden.  In that group also are the False Solomon Seal plants.  This morning I spotted tiny deer tracks in the garden.  I thought they had eaten tom...

 Yes.  It rained last night.  Another hit of which there haven't been many.  And the itch to get back in the garden was just to much to ignore.  So clippers in hand I went to meet the next job.  Decision was made to tackle the artimessia.  It's white color adds so much to the garden in the summer.    But fall and rain just turns it a mucky gray.  Time to go.  So head stands once again and the two cans are mostly full with two good smells since I added the basil.  I'm not quite ready for Wednesday's pickup but it's won't take much more clipping.   I'll get there for sure.  The somewhat muted colors are turning out to be the star of the garden.   The Autumn Joy and Lantana are continue to spread their beauty in many places in the garden.  They both are such great "work horses" in the garden working through lack of watering  and neglect.  They are winners in my gardening book.   La...

 The Sunday after Easter is often called low Sunday.  Today's Sunday is for sure a Slow Sunday. It's one of those take-it-easy Sundays.  Just let things come to you.  We headed to church this morning.  Both of us...We!  It's been a while for we.  Doug is feeling good again.  Someone asked us if we were both good for the next 100,000 miles.  I said the tires are new and we'll give it a try.  The Colts are having a slow Sunday as well but now there could be a chance of a win.  Just a chance but perhaps with renewed tires they might carry on.   The brass vases made their entry back into worship with stunning flower arrangements given to glorify God by the Cames.  They were beautiful.   So Sunday is just moseying along as most fall Sundays do with church, football, and of course a nap here and there.  No pressure.  

 Today started with a bang.  Rise and Shine...no time to waste. The apple pie went in the oven at 5:30 am.  We needed that pie for an afternoon event.  Then on to the soup kitchen at 8 am with soup and noodles to add to other things to make casseroles for the noon meal for those who came by for food.  The morning was busy with food preparation done by the Butler Basketball team.  They were busy and once again the 11:00 deadline was met.  Another good group of workers.  This afternoon we had a wonderful visit with Bill and Penny Shared, Kimmy Russell's parents. They were at an event in Kokoma and dropped by for a visit And that's where the apple pie entered the picture.   Four trays of green beans, carrots, cream of chicken soup noodles and cheese.  That's the recipe.  It was well-received.   Another great group of Butler Basketball guys Cutting pies into five pieces, placing them on plates, and then bagging them....

 So far it's been a different one so I suppose the word interesting fits if it goes with bathroom cleaning.  Not so sure of that.  It was a big-time bulb changing on the stepladder with a light fixture wash.  Good thing that doesn't happen too often.  A great bathtub scrub.  That doesn't happen too often as well.   Did a very short road trip with neighbor Judy.  And then shopped for a hepa filter.  I know four stores that don't carry them.  So it's an online try.  I think that will work.  The flowers continue to do their best.  Fresh arrangements are in the house.  The asters are starting to bloom.  I think there are three colors in the garden.  Only one is blooming now.  I learned that they close up at night.  Interesting.  Something new in the garden.  The last of the Susan's are moving out.  Just a few left.   The interesting something for the rest of the day....kni...

This morning I felt like working on the jacket with the hole burned in the back from our campfire spark.  The button box came out and now I sure you don't have a clue where that hole could be.  More buttons will be coming.  But the hole is covered.   Later in the morning the vases were delivered to church.    I visited with the Thurday Soup Kitchen folks added fabric to the altar, delivered Brandon's hats and  then left for home.  It was one of those rare quick trips.  I am  thinking about the Penny/Bill visit,  Kimmy's parents, and made a grocery trip for  Granny Smiths for a pie. Bill loves apple pie.  Well, we all do.  Pie curst making told me the oil was gone.  So another trip  to the grocery.  Dah.  For some reason oatmeal cookies sounded good so now we have a few. of those.  My spirt of energy is gone!!!   It's been short nap time and alittle TV watching.  Another int...

 We had wonderful rain during the night.  I would say wonderful although I slept through it.  There was about an inch of rain in the barrel and the ground is marvelously wet.  That's a renewal worth shouting about.  So I once again have a garden picture.  The ground has been "fluffed".  The basil got a trim and the flowers again return to spreading cheer to those who visit.   Another renewal.  My two front teeth have been renewed.  Yes, the dentist visit happened and before we got started I shared my anxieties about the year..    It was a better visit.  The retirement of a dentist of 40 years and starting with a new dentist and given the history of this year has been a mile to far.  Conversations were well received by office folks and this writer.  I think we heard each other in the best sense of the word.  I'm wondering if I have a touch of PTSD.    I will add that a fall a few years ago whil...

 This morning I had my usual walk around the garden and discovered that a bunch of Becky Daisies were ignored.  So the clippers allowed that to be a gift to the garbage can.  And by afternoon Doug has moved the  3 cans to the road.  It's a liberal offering for today.  The last time I worked at church with visuals I promised myself to finish the clean up put away job at some point.  This morning was the morning to do that. We have three rooms where things are stored.  One is in the attic but two are easier to access.  This morning it was the banner closet that got some attention.  That area is once again in order.  I brought some brass vases home to polish.  They might need to be refaced.  But I'll keep working on them.  I'm started a second knitted cap in gold and black.  It's a gift for our church friend Brandon who is an avid Pittsburg Steelers Fan.  A few years ago I knitted him some Steeler slippers....

 This morning I made another trek to the garden with the clippers.  It was another attempt to get it done.  And then the big yahoo exploded when I realized that all the big beds of Susans were now in the garbage cans.  The Susans remaining are still bursting out with bloom so they got to stay.  It's a splash of yellow in just a few places.  The big beds are cleared of Susans.  Yahoo.  Such a good feeling.  That doesn't mean that in the weeks to come would see no more clipping.  Not at all.   It will continue perhaps at a slower pace.  We moving on is the current feeling.  Later in the morning, I made a trip to JoAnn's to look for yarn.  I'm thinking winter and more hats. .   I also shopped for buttons.  While camping this summer a spark from the campfire landed on my back.  I was sitting in a chair.  How that happened is a mystery.  I have a good-sized hole in a much loved warm jacke...

 Up early as usual with the quiet time of the morning all mine.  Coffee and the Star on Sunday mornings on the patio are not bad.  I spent a few minutes in the garden taking out the Becky Daisies.  They are in the can and it will be back to the Susans again tomorrow.  It's turtle work.  Went to church and saw friends and heard great music from the organ as well as the choir.  Just a blessing to hear it live and not through the computer.  The P A system wasn't working and I moved seats and then my hearing aid battery went out.  What a bummer.  But I persevered.  There was a quick trip to the grocery and some not-so-hot football this afternoon..   I finished knitting the slouch hat.  Strange name for a hat but it does slouch.  I might try another one or two.  It's not a real tight fit and I think I like it better than the tight ones.   The black color is really a dark navy blue.  Pacer Colors....

 This morning was one of two Saturday's a month when I work at our church Bread and Bowl feeding program.  September usually brings something a little bit different for those Saturdays.  The Butler Basketball team divides into two groups each filling one of the Saturdays.  Today was the first of two, the second being next Saturday.  And it was a busy morning once again calling on all of those organizational skills I once used when teaching.  I told them they are like second graders just a bit taller, also adding that any group that is to complete a project successfully needs some degree of organization.  They understood.  There were seven players with their two coaches.  And they were busy as well as the regular workers who provided the organization help.  It was a fun morning.  One of our neighborhood guys is at the table getting something to take home for a meal or two while the guys visit with him.  For some it was their fir...

 For some reason...maybe Labor Day...I've been off a whole day this week.  I was so surprised that there was football on Friday night.  Well, it was Thurs at that point.  So I've had a whole extra day this week.  You think? Today felt like that extra day.  Slow and easy.  Between last night and this noon, I filled another can with Susans.  A few more to go but just taking it easy and it's paying off.  I rummaged through my shelves looking for large bowls to use for All Saints Sunday celebration at church.  As I rummaged I found some Pacer color yarn that was to be knitted into a hat for the All-Star weekend earlier this year. .  I think that Indy project went the way of so many projects supported by the city during this long season of Covid.  I'm saying hundreds of hats skipped the celebration.  They didn't happen at all.     This little guy will never make it into the choir.  I have yet to meet a woodp...

 That seems to be the case for now.  A three-month checkup which was to happen Monday the 13th with the surgeon, Dr. Moore has run into a snag, not of my making.  So it's the waiting part that became apparent today with the rescheduling of a couple of things.   I was looking forward to a Pet Scan Monday to determine the cancer health of the surgery site.  It was scheduled at I U North.  Yesterday I was informed that I U North doesn't do that kind of scan.  So...the next available date at Methodist Hospital is Sept 29th.  Then I needed to reschedule Dr. Moore's visit which was also on the 13th.  The first available date for the Dr. visit is  Nov. 2nd. .  Woo...that's really a stretch.  These original appointments were scheduled 3 months ago.  So I guess the hurry-up part is really gone and the wait is front and center.  Health appointments are really interesting these days.  So as of today, I'm assuming that ...

 Yes, the beat goes on.  I think one more week and I'll have Susans taken care of.  The sad thing is that now the Finch are loving them.  They attack the black center of Susan and just ride up and down in the process.  Their playground isn't completely gone yet and here's the proof.  The hard lesson of living with a sore body has stayed with me.  The clippers work for a while but then stops clipping.  My back and arm are in charge and that's a very good feeling.  The flower beds will get cleaned all in good time.  No one is holding my hands to the fire.   Today there was good patio time watching Peter as well as the hummingbird chase the Monarch.  Yes, one butterfly is still here. The garden is looking a bit sad with no delightful yellow in places it once was.  But it will return again next year.  The other good news is that both kinds of lettuce are now above ground.   Woo, woo.   I've stolen...

 Rest it is...It would seem that yesterday I could have done a better job of pacing.  It was a busy morning and today I'm continuing the recuperation part.  The mind and the body have got to do a better job of working together. That is not a new problem. Since surgery, there are additional consequences to an overworked body..  The muscle that was taken from my back was used to repair my head. Today it's rest for the weary back.  It's just full of aches extending into my arm.  It has my attention.  My prayer is to remember that.  You can join me anytime.  So I'm sending flowers to you, my loyal encouraging readers.   Zinnias of course.  The fall temperatures and rain seem to create vivid colors.   This morning the hummingbirds were enjoying them.  There are still more flowers in the garden so no need to feel sorry for the birds.   So flowers for you.  It would seem that the Monarchs have left t...

 It took less than a half-day to use up all the energy deposits I seem to have. .  But that deposit made a lot of difference in the garden.  It's the garbage can season and two are filled with Blackeyed Susans among other things.  And what you see in this picture is the first bed that was delivered to the can.   Peter's hiding place is gone.  The fly-over spot for the monarchs is gone but the two cans are full and a good feeling is here knowing that I am on track to complete the job come October.  It's just a  little each week chugging along like the little engine. The afternoon has been full of naps and just some recuperation sitting. Woo... This body I have got a workout in less than a half-day.  I made a trip around the house with the clippers so things are looking tended for a bit.     There is plenty of color left and today the hummingbird just couldn't seem to visit enough flowers.  What a busy bird.  ...

 Friday I had that before surgery feeling of motivation.  Woo...that was a very nice feeling.  The feeling of adding something that wasn't a necessity.  Chocolate Chip Cookies and you saw the results.  And today after yesterday's gift of rain I decided to move a plant that needed moving for a couple of years.  Every spring I look through the garden to see what needs moving and what needs to stay.  This poor Hukara needed moving but every spring I say..."Plenty of Room".  That always turns out to be not the case later in the summer.  So this afternoon I dug a hole and lifted the Hukara and motivation moved it to the backyard.  This same plant has beautiful orange leaves in the spring and now it's totally green.  Our home is in Holiday Hills and Dales.  Holiday's owned farmland where we now live.  In fact the barn was located where our house is.  They did not take out building foundations so it's really important to dig...

 Just what the garden needs.  It's RAIN day.  We've had more than a couple of 5-minute bursts of rain that are quite heavy and the garden and gardener are very, very happy.  The earth gets a drink.  My little rake has been busy as well as the clippers and there are a few piles of weeds and clippings to gather at some point.  The ground is no longer white and hard and full of wide cracks.  The Lake Superior rocks are wet!!!  There is oregano, thyme, and lavender in this picture that got clipped and weeded between rain storms.  I know what a rain-soaked back feels like.   This day really feels like fall has arrived. The doors and windows are closed because the outside air is a bit chilly.  The college football game is on and the big mug is filled with hot tea.  I would say those elements of fall have arrived.  How long it will stay with a sure bet that Indian Summer will arrive at some point is expected.   So ...

 These fall temperatures are just wonderful.  I guess it took HOT August to make one aware of what's happening in these first Sept days.  First...the mug...It's a product of our friend Dennis, our Copper Harbor friend.  The cupboard is full of his achievements.  All loved reminding us of our summer vacations.   Now isn't that just beautiful  Well not the green plastic I see are there.  I cannot say I need more so the pottery Jared and Kimmy are making are few and far between but that's O K.  I have a couple mugs and a set of bowls.  That's good enough for me although I see many more I like on their web site.    During the night on one of my wake-ups, I decided that I would tackle a dirty job today that I have been putting off for more than a few months.  That's cleaning the steps going into the lower level from the outside of the house.  It just a collection sticks, dirt, leaves, and stuff and I DID IT.  So ...

 That's the second day of Sept.  BUT...it's the second day of great weather.  Woo, woo.  Two in a row.  And I once again, this time longer kept a chair on the patio occupied.  I really feel disconnected from work and responsibilities.  Guess that's a retirement. feeling...you think?  More friends to share with you.  It's my feathered friends this time.   T Downey Woodpeckers have been with us all summer...Lots of them.  They are such suet eaters morning, noon and night.  I think the one pictured is a female.  And then there is the Gold Finch.  They are early birds in the spring, disappearing then back again.  They love the seeds of the Black Eyed Susans using them as elevators from time to time.  Their color is so bright this time of year and I would imagine this one is a male bird.   For all the complaining I've done about no rain, lawn guy killing the zinnias, and more the garden is beautifu...

 The whole month of August was stinkin' hot.  The whole month.  And today Sept 1 felt like a fall day, low humidity and temperature just plain pleasant.  I spent a lot of time this morning on the patio just enjoying the day and guess what...my buddy checked in and here is the proof.   This little guy has no fear.  He just walks up and takes a look less than 3 feet from me.  Such a cute little thing with the spot on his forehead and a white ring around his neck.  It is such fun to be surprised when he sneaks by quietly.   For real I made hibiscus tea today.  I took two blossoms and dried them in the oven and then steeped them in hot water.  It's a flavor I can drink.  Sort of mild and not overpowering.  So I did something new.   This afternoon Doug had a check-up with the doctor, a change in medication and that led me to an interesting evening at the drugstore.  Woo...we are all set now.  That'...