January 15, 2022, 3:30 am
I know I have mentioned it before, but my grandson is musical. He likes to listen to music. He wants it on in the car. He wants me to turn it on at my house. I even bought a Christmas CD recently after Christmas, because that is the kind of music he prefers. I don't mind listening to Christmas music all year long.
Beyond listening to music, he likes to play with instruments. I "won" a ukelele at at a Christmas party. It is not a good ukelele, but it plays. My grandson loves it. He also likes to play my keyboard. He likes my harmonicas. I bought a recorder and I hope that I can learn how to play it. And then there are the drums and rattles and bells. Oh, the drums!
I suspect that my grandson will be one of those kids who has to play his music all of the time. Earbuds, he will need earbuds. I feel as though I need to get all of my talking to him done before that day arrives. My grandson is into his music.
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January 16, 2022, 4:00 am
Lord,
You love me more than I am able to love. And I can love. You are patient and kind with me. You provide me with all that I need. You listen to my complaints and my rejoicing. Thank You for all of it. Thank You. I praise and bless You.
Amen
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January 17, 2022, 3:30 am
Today we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I think it is a holiday that has looked for a purpose. I have heard advice to do something positive in one's community to honor Dr. King and that sounds about right. While I can't claim any knowledge of Dr. King except what I have read or heard, I suspect that he would smile at that idea. He seemed like a pretty good man.
It is cold and we are in the middle of a pandemic, so I am not sure what I can do for my community, but I will think of something. Just imagine if everybody did a little bit of good. That would be a lot of goodness.
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January 18, 2022, 3:00 am
When I was first a librarian back in the 1970s, I used to put up bulletin boards on the walls of my library. I changed them with the season. After Christmas I would put up a winter bulletin board. I found that following the display "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" we would almost always have a snowstorm that would result in a snow day. I used to love snow days.
Back in Illinois, if one had enough snow days they would be considered "acts of God" and we would not have to make them up. That was fun. By the time I taught in Missouri, we had to take snow days out of summer vacation. We made up every one. I didn't care for snow days instead of a nice day in May or June.
But, now that I am retired and I can stay home by the fire so to speak, I don't mind a snow day. When I don't have to go anywhere, snow is pretty.
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January 19, 2022, 3:30 am
I wonder whether the same is true in every city? When a snowstorm is predicted, everybody and their brother runs to the store to buy bread, milk and eggs. These are the ingredients to the making of French toast. People buy other things too. This time the reporters said that there was a run on snacks, frozen pizzas and wine.
The storm last weekend was predicted to fall Friday night until Saturday morning. The top number of inches was 6, but then it dropped to 2 to 4. All in all I think we may have had 2 inches. The streets may have been a little slick but there was no big snow to drive through. I ran a shovel over my driveway just to avoid icing.
I shopped on Wednesday to avoid the rush. I have plenty of milk and bread and eggs. I wonder if all the people who buy those things even know how to make French toast? It seems to me that a person would need some sausages and cocoa to go with it. And do they have syrup? Inquiring minds want to know.
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January 20, 2022, 4:00 am
I gave my granddaughter sparkly shoes for Christmas. She loves them. She lets me know every time I see her. I can see shoe shopping may become our thing. She likes clothes and shoes and is very particular about what she wears.
Her mommy's birthday was this week. I gave her house slippers. They weren't sparkly. They were warm and comfy. I think she likes them. I don't imagine shoe shopping will become our thing.
But, I did imagine finding a sparkly bow and sewing it onto each of the slippers, just to keep the theme going.
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January 21, 2022, 4:00 am
Last week my sister and I toured a long term care facility. At 100 and a half my mom is getting difficult for my sister to take care of. One of the concerns is that although Mom doesn't talk much and definitely seems to be sinking into senility, she still knows who she is, where she is and who she is talking to. She may not remember it later, but in the moment, she still knows stuff.
We don't want to just put her in the nursing home to be unhappy. We are all fatigued of taking care of her because she is 100 and we have been supplying care in one way or another for a long time. And we will keep doing this, but we are trying to also have our own lives.
In the tour of the nursing home I mentioned hospice. I had been wondering if hospice could provide some sort of help for us. My sister really needs a break sometimes. Dressing, laundering, cleaning up, making food for, and entertaining my mom is a lot, not to mention medications and monitoring blood sugar and blood pressure. The tour guide then told us about respite care that the long term care facility provides, sometimes through hospice.
While it is a small thing, the weight of the world fell off of me. If my sister had an emergency, the plan had been for me to drive over and try to care for Mom in my sister's home. There are some back up people that could be called on, but it would mainly fall on me. I feel very nervous about that. I am not a nursing type and I never would have volunteered to take care of my mom in my home.
That one question has opened a door for us to consider in the care of my mother. There may be some help available. It may not be entirely up to us.
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January 22, 2022, 3:30 am
I wasn't able to have my grandson come over last weekend. He had been exposed to Covid and the weather was snowy, so Grandma was not going to see him. I really miss him when he doesn't come. When he comes we play and play and play. There is never enough time to do all the playing that we want to do.
I am just a big kid. I love all the toys which is why I have them. I try to think of anything new and different to add to the supply. My grandson has his favorites. He likes musical instruments. He loves little houses and cars and trucks. He likes the manger scene that plays music. In the basement he has an office set up, an exercise set up, and some other little things that he likes to take out and examine. There just isn't time to do it all.
Play is the work of childhood. I want to keep playing with him as long as I can.
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January 23, 2022, 4:00 am
Lord,
Where will I go someday again? Where will You take me? What places are still part of my journey? I have loved the places I have been. I felt You hold my hand and take me there. Where will You take me again someday?
Amen
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January 24, 2022, 3:30 am
I got a device this fall. It is one of those talk to devices. The main thing I like is that it has photos of the grandchildren on it. They rotate through and I see the things that they have done in their little lives. I can talk to the device and set a timer or ask about the weather. It will also tell me a joke or the animal of the day.
The funny thing to me is that sometimes the device answers the television. I guess it mistakes something on television for a prompt. The answers it gives are ridiculous. It is like having another person who isn't very bright living in my house with me.
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January 25, 2022, 4:00 am
When my grandchildren are bothered by someone they quickly shout, "Go Away!" It isn't the most polite thing to say, but it gets the point across. I have been told to Go Away a few times. As an adult, I have learned not to shout Go Away to people who bother me.
The winter this year hasn't been bad so far. We haven't had much snow. We have had a couple of severe cold snaps. I didn't have to be out in it. I am ready for the days to get longer. They have been slowly moving in that direction, but I want more. Still. this winter hasn't been too bad.
Now that I don't have to get out in it to care for my grandchildren, the snow doesn't really matter that much. I will stay in on the snow days. But, I am tired of winter. I am tired of winter. I know it will get worse before it gets over, but I would like to say to winter--Go Away!
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January 26, 2022, 4:00 am
Four years ago I was in Israel. It was the trip of a lifetime. The photo is one of the gates to old town Jerusalem. This gate was not there at the time of Christ. I think this one might be the Lion Gate. It was built during the time of the Crusades and changed when the Crusades were lost. Earthquakes also change the buildings and landscapes in that part of the world. Things fall down and are changed over time.
But, Jerusalem, Oh Jerusalem! I can't even express the feelings of being there. Being where Jesus walked. And seeing the places where He lived and walked. I just don't have words. Such a place to be. Sometimes I think about going back to Jerusalem, but I don't think it will ever happen. It was a hard journey. Flying to Jerusalem wasn't easy. There were stairs and places where buses and cars couldn't go. And with the virus who knows when it would ever be open again.
If you are young enough, I would say plan to go once in your life, go to the Holy Land.
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January 27, 2022, 4:00 am
When my son was little, I made a lot of his clothing. I made shirts that buttoned up and overalls. It was fun and less expensive than clothes that I could buy in Japan at the time. I really enjoyed sewing little boy clothing. But, I had a dream that I would love to make little girl dresses. I never had a little girl.
But, now I have a granddaughter. She loves to dress up. I think the time has come for me to make some little girl dresses. I have some sweet light blue daisy fabric that is becoming a sundress. It is easy and fun. I think she might like it.
But, knowing my granddaughter, I am planning to get some dinosaur or firetruck fabric. My granddaughter is a force to be reckoned with and I believe she would like some power clothing. Having a little girl to sew for is a gift.
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January 28, 2022, 3:00 am
My phone blocks spam several times a day. Spam comes in the middle of the night, in the middle of the day and at all other times. I don't answer numbers that I do not recognize. My G---gle assistant ask most of them to state their reason for calling and most spammers hang up. The text versions come through and some go directly to spam awaiting my decision as to whether to block it or not. I block it.
What I wonder is--why all of this spam? Do people respond to it? Do they think that abusive substances and media doctors are things to get via texts? It is annoying even though it is blocked. But, why can't there be a stop to it? What can't there be fines? Can't the phone company do something? Can't the government?
I don't know the answer to these questions or what to do about the spam, if there is anything to do. But, I don't exaggerate, I get multiple spams every day. Spam, spam go away, don't come back, ever!
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January 29, 2022, 4:00 am
I packed away most of my Christmas decorations a few weeks ago. I even took everything downstairs. But, as per usual, there were a few things I over looked and one thing I left out intentionally. The wreath on the front door still needs to go down stairs. The fake poinsettia is also still out. The only other thing is the lava lamp snowman lantern, that is more winter than Christmas. I left that out intentionally.
I still have Christmas music in the CD player. I am an old grandma with a CD player. My grandson calls it the radio. My grandson loves Christmas music. We listen to it all year round. So, when my grandson came over last Saturday, we listened to Christmas.
My grandson observed, "It is still Christmas at Grandma's house." Why, yes, Grandson, it is Christmas at Grandma's house. And maybe it will be Christmas all year long.
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January 30, 2022, 4:00 am
Jesus,
You chose to live in Capernum. It was a city with many, many people. Simon Peter lived there. It was a busy place on the banks of the sea of Galilee. It was Your place. I imagine it felt like home.
I am happy to have a home base. I understand and share that feeling of home and of passing through life. Things don't stay the same. Life isn't permanent.
Help me to go through life and enjoy the blessings of home, but appreciate that I am borrowing my time in life. Help me to listen to You. Help me to carry out the reason you made me. Help me to remember that I am loved.
Amen
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January 31, 2022, 3:00 am
So, January is finishing up. It has been a challenging couple of years. The challenges aren't over, but maybe they will be someday. I am declaring this day as I new start, a new year. Pandemics, recede into the past. Pandemics, go away!
I have hopes for the rest of this year. I plan to get healthy. I plan to travel. I plan some home improvements. I plan with hope.
But, whatever the year brings, I will get through it. I will pray. I will celebrate with joy. January, I have high hopes for the rest of the year.
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February 1, 2022, 3:30 am
I am an old lady. My hair is going gray. I am retired and I couldn't imagine working these days. I am a grandma. I ask for help with technology and fixing things. I have arthritis. There is no doubt, I am an old lady. But, in my mind, I still am young. My body lets me down when it won't do the things I picture in my mind. But, the worst part to me is that people treat me like an old lady.
And the old lady that they treat me like is one who doesn't understand things. Is one who doesn't matter. Is one who doesn't think or do anything important. I often feel that I am treated as though I were invisible. I often feel as though the things I have to say are just noise that nobody hears or understands.
I have decided that I do not accept that reality. I am a person. I deserve to be treated with respect. I am not a confrontational person, but I have decided to hold my head up and be more than an old lady. So, I remind people to listen to me. I take my business elsewhere when I feel disrespected. I speak up. I recommend this course of action to all the old ladies out there. Old ladies, unite.
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February 2, 2022, 3:26 pm
If there were ever a silly holiday, it is Ground Hogs Day. The ground hog sees his shadow and we have 6 more weeks of winter. Who invented such a day? It appears to be some of my ancestors, the Dutch people in America. They looked at the ground hog (or badger in Europe) and if the weather was clear on Candlemas then there would be 6 more weeks of winter.
You don't hear a lot about Candlemas on Ground Hogs Day. Candlemas is the celebration of the presentation of Jesus at the temple and the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I remember being at Mass once and receiving candles that were blessed for my home. It seems a big reach to think about ground hogs and weather.
Still, this is Ground Hogs Day and I will be looking to see if the skies are clear today. And maybe I will light a candle when I pray this morning.
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February 3, 2022, 3:30 am
It my youth, on the closest Sunday to February 3, the priest would have us come up at the end of Mass for the blessing of the throat. He held two candles over the throat and said a prayer. I once belonged to a parish named for St. Blaise, bishop and martyr. We always celebrated St. Blaise there.
I haven't experienced the throat blessings in recent years. My current parish is named for a long ago pope, not the bishop who blesses throats. But, this Covid variant that is going around starts with a sore throat. Maybe it is time to find some parish that celebrates St Blaise with a throat blessing today.
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February 4, 2022, 4:00 am
I have been lied to and tricked into looking completely stupid from time to time. I am gullible. I am sometimes an easy mark. I am not as suspicious as perhaps I should be. But, I can tell you one thing, when I have been lied to or tricked by a person, I no longer trust that person. I might forgive them, but I no longer trust them.
I do not believe that the end justifies the means. Honesty is honesty. Crooks and thieves are crooks and thieves. And liars are the worst of all.
Right now things are going well and this does not reflect my life at the moment, but something came up about something in the past and I reflected upon this. The end does not justify the means. The means, the way something is done, matters. To me it matters.
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February 5, 2022, 3:00 am
A while ago when I would pick up my grandson to come to my house to play we would have a long silent car ride to my house unless I sang something or put on a CD in the car. These days we have conversations. Having conversations is fun. My grandson is just learning about the world. He asks me what things are called. He makes observations about things he sees.
He calls the Missouri River Bridge "The Tunnel." I pointed out the river underneath and now he points out the river too. We drive past a small airport and he observes the planes. Sometimes we see tractors in the truck garden fields. We notice things together.
It is fun for me to see the wonder in things through younger smaller eyes. My grandson continually asks me--What is this called? He is learning about the world. One thing at a time.
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February 6, 2022, 4:00 am
Dear Lord,
You brought me to this place I am today. I might have regrets, might wish I could go way back and do things differently. But, You brought me here to this place and time for a reason. I went through all of that to be here today. Today is a blessing. Today I walk with You. Be with me. Be with me always.
Amen
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February 7, 2022, 3:30 am
I know a woman a bit older than I am, in her 70s who is a self proclaimed "old hippy." She is in pretty good health. She lives alone. She is very opposed to the COVID vaccine. She has been isolating for the entire pandemic. She wears a mask when in public. She has been safe thus far.
But, I wonder what the end game is for her? At some point it is hoped that the virus will become endemic instead of pandemic. But, that still leaves her in the same place she was at the start of the pandemic. There is a disease out there for which she has no immunity. She is in one of the major groups that is severely effected by the virus due to her age and lack of exposure. Will she isolate for the rest of her life? Will she wear a mask for the rest of her life?
Will she get the virus and die? I really like this woman. I worry for her. I pray for her.
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February 8, 2022, 4:00 am
I am taking a little bloggy break. I am not sure when I will be back. I find blogging to be a chore lately and find that I have nothing I want to say. So, until next time. So long.
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