IN Carmel

 It was full of stuff and loved just being out and about...BUT.  I burned my bridges having fun.  So much to do and such interesting stuff to do.  So today I'm home and I think the rain and cold should keep me out of the flowerbeds and in the house.  At least that's my hope.  No bridges left to burn.   Yesterday started with getting ready for Easter at church with garden shop visits. First, back to Marvin's on the way to Dayton for the Easter surprise added to the Visual Arts supplies..  Flower shop and  big box visits  mean visiting flower places to see what is there to buy for the altar knowing that it's a bit early in the week and I'll visit again when it's ready to buy time.  Goodwill got a donation.  The oriole feeder got loaded with grape jelly meaning a stop to buy jelly at Kroger's. Fresh oranges on the wires for the orioles  The blue bird house got a keep out squirrel chicken wire protector...I hope. My neigh...

 The habit of writing in the morning is one that has helped the day begin.  So even though I wrote last night about the weekend, it would seem that the morning habit is hard to break.  So...once again, the weekend was a gift in ways to many to count.   The house is very quiet.  It's time to reflect but more importantly begin again. Today will see a trip back to Marvn's to deliver to church a wonderful addition to the visuals we are using for Easter.  I'm not saying what because I hope to keep this quiet from my visual arts friends who will be Eastering the sanctuary Saturday morning..  Surprises coming.  Friend Ray H. made this happen.  In the mean time Holy Week with the Last Supper service Thurs. evening and then a video message retelling and reminding us again of the Good Friday events.  We must walk through Holy Week to get to the third day, Easter.  I would imagine there will be walks through our back yard today, looking f...

Family gone for now.  It was a wonderful Sat. Sun and Monday The house was a buzzing with all 5 grandsons and for the most part both sets of parents around most of the time.  Lots of words.  Lots of card playing.  Lots of outdoor work on a very cold Sunday.  Trees trimmed, flowerbeds raked and just doing and then doing some more.  This cook prepared well and the food was great and lasted for the whole three days with a little extra that now will fill a few more meals. Once again the freezer is empty.   Sat. night included a sleep over with all 5 grandsons finding a place in the living room.  I went to bed early.   Sunday the adult Russell's took a field trip to the Pottery Shop in Broadripple.  Potter Karen made our communion wear at church.   Karen and I have become great friends.   Potter Jared and Kimmy Russell spent a lot of time talking clay, glazes, shop space, firing processes and more.  It was s...

Temperatures.  They continue to make it possible to be outside.  That's my favorite place.  So...once around the yard and then another time and more times  I choose not to count.  Surprises everywhere and my jobs for the family diminished a bit. Staying out of the flowerbeds was a struggle I didn't deal with entirely well. But there is still trimming and raking and lifting and more to do.     I messed in the garage, blew it out again and the garbage bin got some contributions and now more space for garden things.  We'll be cutting branches from a few trees.   That always seems to be what Russell's do.    I did a last minute clean proving to myself and to the FAMILY that I still "have it".  Mostly me probably which keeps me moving along.  Last night was the second great sleep night.  Doing that "read" before bed seems to really be working.  I'm learning but better yet...I'm remembering.  I think!!...

 Remember this from  some time ago?   Don't worry, THINGS take the time they take. Don't worry.  How many roads did St. Augustine follow before  he became St. Augustine.    Yesterday morning  a part of these words  starting with THINGS take the time they take, came to mind.  I hadn't thought often of St. Augustine in the days since surgery but yesterday those words seemed to be right in front of me.  Why did my thinking bring that message to me for a yesterday message? I think I know...So now some THINGS.  So the road  toward healing is called radiation with chemo possibilities to still be determined.  Unless there is a real change in my body, it probably won't happen.. But it has not been completely ruled out.  A visit to my dentist, since it will be radiation of the head and neck will happen on the 29th at 12..  Teeth among other necessary above the shoulder THINGS are important to monitor and pr...

 Living with hope makes life livable.  Gardeners are great hope holders.  Hope that it rains at the right time.  Hope that the weeds don't over take.  Hope that the newest plant makes it through the summer.  .  Hope that the deer once again will not eat the beans...Hope that there will be a harvest of great tomatoes.  Life's  experiences can be filled with hope.  The hope that there would be enough flour happened.  There was enough.  I thought of the Children of the Promise Land filled with hope that the oil in their lamp would last 8 days..  Hope brings more than enough.   Yesterday the flower beds received a few touches.  Still more to do but this year spring is here early. Time is on our side.   Raking and pulling and finding surprises filled some of the day.  Baking was finished and there is enough food in the freezer for all.  Stella went with me once again on an evening walk.  ...

 Life gives us many opportunities  to start over.  It could be called grace.  The getting started part might be the biggest stumbling block to over come.  But when the getting over part is finished light comes once again.  Monday there was a stumbling block but one that was pushed aside with the help of a friend bringing light. The block was removed but not forgotten if one is to remember and learn.   Yesterday...yes...getting ready for a family visit meant that a trip to Aldi's was necessary.  This time I hopped in the car and off to the grocery.  My first trip solo not really thinking through the process.  I shopped and shopped and then to the check out station not remembering that I had been to the drugstore, using my credit card and then leaving it in the car, not in my purse. I call that surgery fog I was warned about.  So  off to the car to get the card.  In the parking lot I heard a voice call my name...