bullet thoughts

As some years end, we hope the new year will be better. For us, this year contained both good and bad, some momentous things, many mundane, and many reasons to give thanks. We welcome this new year as we, in a sense, enter the unknown. The Gardener officially retires tomorrow and we begin to walk a new road.  Now to some random thoughts organized in bullet points:

1. One of my favorite things about this time of year are the Christmas cards or greetings that arrive in the mail (or, more and more, by email). But either way, it's just great to catch up with distant family and old friends. A wonderful tradition. I love to brew a cup of tea and sit down and digest the news and study the family photos.

2. I came upon a batch of old books from the early 1900s that belonged to my grandmother and one to her sister, Annie. About the same time I learned about a second cousin once-removed, who is great-granddaughter to Annie. She wanted Annie's book and I happily mailed it to her. As I continue to work ever so slowly on cleaning out our house, I find great pleasure in passing things on to people who want them. My nieces wanted the rest of the books, albeit mainly because they love old books.

3. It's always bittersweet to take down the tree. Sweet memories of good times, along with a desire to unclutter and begin a new year. And so down it comes today.

4. There was so much joy in receiving this mini painting from my five-year old granddaughter who gave with as much joy and excitement as I received it. I'm sure she'll smile when she sees the place of honor it has. There is more joy in giving than receiving, but I'd say this gift was about equal on both counts.

5. Above are some highlights of this past year. Each one represents a special time, a special trip, or a simple every day moment. But each one brings a reason to feel gratitude.

Friday Four

1. We won't forget autumn in 2018. Two hurricanes in two weeks. We cleaned up from Florence the best we could before leaving for two weeks down south. Florence had been anticipated blow by blow for over a week but didn't amount to as much as expected, thankfully.
While in FL I visited a new market with my sister that is full of 

fresh produce to the extent that it's truly "eye candy." 

2. We visited with old friends and went out for lunch to a place E. chose because it reminded her of me.   

Blue and white everywhere! Another delight for the eyes, and so thoughtful of her. 

I think my love for blue and white is well known!

3. Back home in time for Hurricane Michael, this one not nearly as well

planned for as it seemed to come up suddenly. 

And caused more damage than the long anticipated Florence.

A leak sprung around an upstairs dormer window, decorating our dining room ceiling.

The good news on this was that when the guys came to repair the roof

––since they were all over the roof top with such agility––

I asked if they would clean mildew off the high gutters and siding,

a job we wondered how we'd get it done. And they did. So grateful.

 4. Things were busy once we arrived home, besides the storm. 

Bookclub, delayed by the first hurricane, 

met for a lovely British tea at Rhondi's house. 

We had a lively discussion on Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey

Then a birthday lunch at my house ...

  

my numbers are falling

At a funeral recently, the Gardener nudged me and pointed to some scripture written in the 

program. "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the 

ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 

Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." He's always the 

encourager and I knew he was trying to remind me God has every hair on my 

head numbered and knows what's going on with each one, 

whether it's falling out, growing longer, or turning white.

Years ago I read about a beautiful woman with long dark hair who was in the throes of chemo. 

She told about her hair falling out and used this same scripture. 

She called her story, "My Numbers are Falling."

I'm not sure why my hair is falling out--more than ever before. 

I've always been proud of my very thick hair. 

There's still plenty there, but if this falling continues, there may not be.

It's been an unusual summer. Lots of travel interspersed with two surgeries to remove cataracts. 

With each surgery I became allergic to the post-operative drops, but not until two weeks after. 

What followed was concerning: very blurred vision (after wonderful 20/20), and with one eye, 

a lot of pain and itching. All is well now.

I could have titled this post "The Great Thirst." For indeed I had a thirst to end all thirsts 

earlier in the summer.  I ignored it for weeks as we were traveling. Deep inside I knew 

what it meant but was in denial, hoping it was something else. 

It was unquenchable, and I marveled at it's depth and insatiability. 

I hadn't noticed I'd lost weight until a friend asked about it. Sure enough, almost 15#.

Once home I began to panic. I couldn't get in to my doctor for several weeks so the 

Gardener gave me his appointment. The doctor didn't even come in to 

see me until his nurse had pricked my finger. Sure enough my blood sugar was "sky high." 

I wonder how long it had been that way. He came in the room with an insulin syringe.

Type 2 Diabetes. It is a hard diagnosis to accept. It took me awhile--I think 

I was a little in shock. Maybe what was hardest was to know this is forever 

(though I have a goal of getting off my medication through diet and exercise.) 

I remember the first time the Gardener and I went shopping for new food for me, 

reading all the labels. 

So discouraging as the primary concern is very low or no carbs. 

But I am adjusting well. My blood sugar is down to normal range 

and I've lost more weight. God's grace has been abundant--my appetite has decreased 

and I rarely am tempted by old favorite foods. Friends have been encouraging and helpful 

and I even had a "keto recipe" cooking class with a friend. I feel better than I've felt in years.

I find a lot of people don't talk about their diabetes, as if it might be something to hide. 

I've decided not to keep quiet about it, because if I can encourage one diabetic to eat properly 

or one "pre diabetic" to watch his or her diet, it will be worth it.

As far as my hair falling out, I suspect it could be related. 

A major stress in my life ... possibly the weight loss. 

I'm just trusting it stops soon.

Not a Lincoln Continental

My husband shares my father's love of corny jokes, and often uses the 

same jokes. When the subject of cataracts is brought up, I often hear, 

"I want a Lincoln Continental, not a Cataract." Silliness.

I have wanted a cataract removed for a long time, but it wasn't until recently

that Insurance said my eyes were bad enough for them to pay.

Meanwhile I've suffered with dark images against a sunny window, glaring

headlights at night, unbearable sunshine, and fuzzy vision.

I was a little apprehensive about it all, but it was as close to a "piece of cake"

as surgery can be, IMHO. Granted not all cataract removals go

smoothly, but I'm thankful mine did. I am enjoying a new world of clear

20/20 vision and enhanced color. If I cover my "new" eye, I see what

things used to look like––as if in photo editing, I beefed up the "warm" tones.

I am looking forward to having the second one done soon.

My sister had hers done the day after I did and it is fun to compare notes. 

Our docs were very different in their approach. 

The two little ladies above are not us, but our great-grandmothers 63 years ago.

I only remember the one on the right.

I'm just wondering how well they could see as they aged.

When I was a young nurse, cataract surgery was far different.

People would lie very still in dark rooms with sandbags around their faces. I'm sure

they stayed in the hospital for several days.

I'm certainly glad for medical advances! 

a surprising rest

We've been on the road a lot in recent months, driving here and there and some in-between. 

The purpose for our trip to KY was a week of meetings for the Gardener's work.

I went along to help with logistics for those meetings, and simply 

because the Gardener and I enjoy being together.

Midweek in those meetings we took the afternoon off to visit 

the nearby Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill.

It was a warm afternoon and we were tired.

I expected to do a lot of walking and looking at this historical place--

which, to my surprise, had eventually turned into a busy street with gas stations and shops, 

and then, in more recent years, restored back to the original village it had been, 

or as close as possible.

 The original buildings had remained through the changes, 

and are slowly being repaired as needed, but, as with the

Shaker beliefs, certainly in a minimalist way. Some of them have guest rooms that

can be used by tourists for overnight visits.

It certainly would be a lovely place to spend a day or two.

And thats' what the surprise was for me. It was so serene and restful.

We didn't feel the pressure to go see everything, rather we soaked up the atmosphere of

the place, trying to wrap our head around a group of people who lived in such

a different way from what we may consider as the norm. Guides had time to talk and tell stories;

and we enjoyed sitting on benches, cooled by the soft breeze, relishing the shade of old trees.

We came away so refreshed and rested. 

I Never Expected ...

I never expected to enjoy Kentucky so much.

We have driven through the state before, spent time in Louisville, 

but on our recent trip there, I soaked in its beauty like never before.

The stately horse farms and beautiful fences,

the deep green of Kentucky bluegrass ...

So much feasting for the eyes.

We stayed in a very small town, and I may just have

enjoyed that most of all.

I loved being able to walk everywhere.  I loved the sound of the

train coming through town, and the old fashioned drug store

where time has stood still.

On the way there, we spent a few hours at the ark.

Truly amazing.

And yes, big!

tradition

 It seems we've developed an end-of-school-year

milk shake tradition.

It's quite nice--cool and refreshing whether
during a sultry sunny day or a downpour, as we've been having lately.

Strawberry, chocolate m&m, and double chocolate.
Good conversation too on a wide variety of things ...
including the possible ban on straws in England.
Did you know metal straws can come with tiny bottle brushes for cleaning?

Big sis was a different day at a different place.

It was our fifth year of the tradition at this diner.

The owner even came up to congratulate another year.

He remembers us.

Recently

On a recent visit to my younger sister we popped into the lobby store 

and had to stop and gaze at all this pink.

We enjoyed more pink in her granddaughters' little lego village.

And then watched their TV cooking show.

(Doesn't this make you want to go back to childhood and make a mud pie or two?)

Their dad gave them sawdust for sugar, grated cheese, breadcrumbs ... whatever ...)

Blueberry picking--and actually bringing them home this time.

So, so good.

Never, ever tire of a scene like this or the blue shades of the sea.

Arrived home just in time for our last mentor gathering of the year.

A casual, fun dinner--chicken curry with toppings. 

My mom called it "Daffa Duka."

We gifted the girls with journals, oh so pretty

all dressed up!

Our sons built their dad new garden beds and a fence to keep

the deer and rabbits out. It looks promising!

And our hydrangea, who has been out of sorts for a couple of years,

is blooming in all her finery! 

pageant of dessert

Elaborate ... colorful ... public ... display of beauty ... yes, all these words bring pageant to mind, 

so I think "pageant of dessert" would be a good title for this post.

In an obscure building, tucked away on the second floor, is some

amazing food, and ...

a dessert display to make you wish you hadn't eaten dinner.

Those who have been there before are known to have just soup and a salad, 

to save room for the sweets!

I managed to choose,

enjoy a few bites, and bring the rest home.

fleeting april

I was looking forward to a quiet April, but it turned into a busy month that sped by.

Spring came slowly because of cold weather and was as lovely as ever.

The month included a book club meeting. The book: A Gentleman in Moscow.

Our hostess had been to Russia several times so graced her table with

beautiful Russian china, mementos, and special treats.

It was not my most favorite book, but I read it in a scattered manner so

didn't give it the time it needed. It was full of worthwhile quotes, such as:

"No matter how much time passes, 

those we have loved never slip away from us entirely."

Towards the end of the month we enjoyed having the grands with us

for four days. Here's a few snippets:

Playing in Grandpa's newly rebuilt garden.

And with Grandma's Ginny and Jill dolls!

A visit to the Highland Games to see friends play their bagpipes.

Amazing to hear 15 bands play Amazing Grace!