I just got back from a week of sun bathing at my family’s place in Arizona.

Sun and laughter, my cousin is my medicine which I regularly take at my age.

The unheated pool was a little nippy, but I swam about an hour each day.
It was wonderful.

I processed.

I grieved, I thought, I soaked up the sun. I drank coffee and ate delicious food.

So, now I feel I understand normal grief.

It is far gentler and easier to process normal grief than traumatic grief. God has given me a gift in knowing what that is like.

You may ask why I didn’t have normal grief when my dad passed away. I was still in the throes of trauma, and exhausted from the nights of caring for him. I was a zombie after he passed.

I miss my mom and dad. I still have things to tell them.

Thankful that I KNOW I will see them again, as I believe what the Word of God promises.

We are believers. We have hope.

Let’s take a gander at the world today: Europe’s old cities destroyed, war in Iran, heads of state peeping out at things like prairie dogs—wondering what will become of the USA, Canada, China, Russia, Ukraine…

Election season is upon us. The Democratic Socialists are poised to retake power across the board.

God raises up the winners. It’s supernatural for His purposes. He says so, in Scripture.

We must still vote in this “matrix” of existence, citizens of this world.

I am finding solace in my loved ones and all that they mean to me. I am blessed. I have five wonderful children, supportive in-laws, and sweet grandchildren.

God is taking care of me.

The house next door will be up for sale here, soon.

Do you want to be my neighbor? You may have seen the beautiful fields and forests around Corgi Hollows. It is peaceful and sweet here. I do pray for a good neighbor. Pray with me?

Two weeks ago my sweet friends, Carl and Leanne Teichrib came with their lovely friend from Manitoba, and we went to the Ren Fest here together. A fun day, seeing the sights and rubbing shoulders with the pagans. We all wore costumes.

What a privilege to be with them, as they are the quintessential folk to attend such gatherings with…

Carl wrote the book “Game of Gods,” and I sure hope you have a copy and have read it. He is currently just through attending a council on world religion, and at the Ren Fest he had recently returned from “Burning Man.” In the damp and cold Minnesota spring he ventures to Paganicon here in Minnesota. That is how we became friends. Brian and I had first met him at a prophecy conference in Moorhead, MN.

We didn’t have time to chat much this past Ren Fest weekend, but he is writing up his experiences on substack. Please check him out! Subscribe! I am shamelessly promoting him because he is someone I trust and is so worth learning from. He is a wonderful brother in Christ. Leanne and I are two peas in a pod when it comes to having fun…! Love having her come.

I flew home to a pretty bad headache, so I missed church and my Chinese Bible Study yesterday. I didn’t feel up to subbing today, either, but I plan to sub tomorrow….getting back in the saddle.

Actually I have been subbing so much already this school year that I haven’t had much time for anything else.

Ed has the Japanese garden’s pond almost finished and needs to get it in shape for the cold of winter. The Farmer’s Almanac predicts a mild and dry winter for this area. El Nino is a player.

Leaves are still falling, but the glorious color is past. I am looking out at a new neighbor’s new house, now. Before this structure was built I couldn’t see any other homes from my windows, even Corgi Hollows North was obscured from view. I feel like I am seeing change on so many levels.

Change.

I never have liked it. It’s something I must accept.

I do like to travel, so I hope to be off again sometime soon.

Pet News: Yuki and Rosie are still figuring each other out, but Rosie is such a wonderful little personality! Topi needs to lose 4 pounds, and that is difficult. Alex is living his best life. Blessings.

So much good. I am comforted.

God is good!

MARANATHA!

I feel inspired to list some very beautiful music today. Check it out:

Handel Concertos, No. 2, F major, Largo, and all of No. 7

R Vaughan Williams: Prelude on the Hymn Tune ‘Rhosymedre’

Brahms: Six Piano Pieces, Opus 118, No. 2 Intermezzo

Jeremy Sans: Persuasion, Italian Aria

Egil Hovland: Stay With Us

Josef Rheinberger: Abendlied

J S Bach: Sleepers Awake

Ola Gjeilo: The Lake Isle

That is enough to feed your soul today.

I love Jeremiah 29:11. It’s that verse that I recite in my mind regularly, if not constantly. But just a couple chapters later, in chapter 31, verse 3, there is a statement: I have loved you with an everlasting love.

A few years ago I purchased a little book for all of my children, a copy for each. It’s called “Just Decrees for Your Life,” by Sebastien Richard.

I am no prosperity gospel proponent, as you already know, but this book is Scripture to be read out loud, declared, and thought of in our daily lives.

There is no magic, just truth.

Growing up I dealt with a poor self image. Those of you who know me (in person) see a short, stocky, plain gal. I look like a northern European peasant.

But in my family I was an anomaly. I have tall, slender relatives. I never felt my appearance was okay, and that is sad, because God made me. I let the beauty standards of the 70’s and 80’s fix my mindset.

But beauty isn’t everything about a person. I was always told “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised.”

I believe that. It is Scripture, after all.

But over time I felt unloved and unworthy by the world’s standards. It sort of seeped into my core.

Age did me no favors!

God doesn’t give up on us, though, and I kept asking Him why He loved me. What was there to love? I’m just a selfish sinner, homely and worth little.

I could see His amazing care for me, but I didn’t understand it.

When tragedies hit my life (I can truly relate to JOB) I wondered if it was punishment or discipline, persecution or God’s rejection.

Tragedies are part of life. Some of us deal with more of them than others.

But this season of quiet grief and loss I have been “declaring” Jeremiah 31:3 out loud.

Everlasting love. God loves me with an everlasting love. ME.

Unworthy me.

What in the world does He see fit to love in me? I certainly see nothing.

But HE HAS declared His love for me.

And I start to believe it.

That I am saved by Christ’s sacrifice is something my belief has accepted for my life. I put my faith in Christ. I am declared righteous by His atonement. My salvation is solid. Christ alone.

But the worthiness of God’s love still comes hard for me to fathom.

I don’t understand it at all.

Why in the world??—

Would He love me?

A light seeps in the dark room, though, lately. It is like a matter of faith for me. Perhaps it is for you, too?

He loves me. He declares His love for even me. I need to believe it, and perhaps, just perhaps, I start to, even in my old age.

I don’t see myself as God sees me. He created me. I am His handiwork, certainly affected by this fallen, sinful world. God sees something lovable.

My heart is being softened. I see progress.

We are loved.

Now we see through a glass darkly. It’s only a part of the picture. We will see HIM, face to face, and that is all we need. We need to be looking at HIM, and not ourselves.

God is love.

MARANATHA!

Whenever life gives a major change it is wise to trim the sails.

The gales of change can be hard to manage, and life must take a slower, but steady, path forward. Smaller sails are sufficient for progress.

For me, trimming the sails means streamlining my calendar. Fewer moments to spend with friends and family, but more time for mental clarity and health.

It’s a bit selfish, but it protects the body and the mind.

Also, grief has a way of rising up and overwhelming everything. It sabotages like a breaking wave on the shore.

I find my feet mired in the unexpected surge.

As we navigate my mother’s passing and subsequent settlement of her affairs, I have tried to keep up with the commitments of normal life: teaching, swimming, church, and housekeeping.

I must go through my mom’s things, and it is a blessing to see so many interesting and sweet memories surface. This huge task will soon be complete and life can resume its hum.

Perhaps.

We don’t know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future.

Ed came out for a work break to chat about Artificial Intelligence when I got home from school today. Watching global trends can be concerning. I try to trim my sails regarding information, but we all cannot help keeping current with the obvious change.

Politics, tech, spirituality; all these things fascinate and affect.

They contribute to the currents.

Perhaps this isn’t a storm in my life, as has been the case in past losses, but the gale is significant. It’s nothing to ignore, or I will be on a sinking ship.

Better to be steady and cautious.

Come soon, Lord Jesus!

MARANATHA!

I subbed my first day yesterday, and thankfully, it was quite nice. It was fun to greet the kids from the elementary school at the Middle School.

I’m practically a grandma to all of them, so it’s reassuring for them to see me again. Sweet smiles.

I have a thing for strawberries, and the kids know it. I got about 20 drawn pictures of strawberries yesterday.

My mom liked strawberries in decor, too, and I am gleaning some of those things from her home.

Corgi Hollows North is going up for sale.

New neighbors for us here at Corgi Hollows…and close ones, at that.

These two homes have always shared many things, including a driveway and a mailbox stand, but of course multiple other things as well.

I pray that the right people get that lovely piece of land.

Our new neighbors to the south (also a home that was once a part of the original land) got a lovely little chestnut horse over the weekend.

It likes to canter around the pasture, and it calls to its people regularly. It seems a sweet personality. I think it needs a buddy, but perhaps in time.

It is bittersweet going through my (very organized) mom’s home. I find little things from my childhood and wonder at my memories.

I can’t get rid of stuff yet, I must sit with things for awhile and refresh those olden days. Soon it will go all away.

We are waiting for the grand-kids to come and claim their things from Grandma.

The house still teems with life, and my brother is in and out and the interim pastor is living there for now. It makes the transition from my mom living there to what is next easier!

There was a hint of fall in the air this morning. Our porch, a summer spot, where I do my morning Bible reading, will soon be shut up for the winter.

There is a healing feeling about that space, screened in from mosquitoes. I spent the summer there, in the fresh air, but protected space. It was a sweet spot to grieve and contemplate losses of the season.

We need spaces to grieve.

I like to read promises and declarations from the Bible out loud at times. There is a privacy in the porch, despite being “outside.”

I will truly miss it this winter, and look forward to next spring.

Fall is such a beautiful season, yet there is much to get done, this year in particular.

Ed’s Japanese garden progresses some. I like the pond very much. This morning I greeted a small frog, who quickly swam to the bottom.

Water is simply an attraction.

There was a banner crop of acorns this year. The squirrels will certainly survive. They are probably fat from all their snacking right now. You cannot drive into the driveway without the fanfare of crushing acorns under the wheels. No one can sneak in!

They also ricochet off the roof, and it sounds like gunshot. Kind of stressful. Cheri is researching things to do with acorns, like dyeing, or grinding into flour.

Hum-drum goings-on, but the days are filled with sunshine and healing.

I hope the new neighbor likes peace and quiet. I hope he or she is a handy person. (I am not!) I hope that we have a great neighborly friendship.

My son-in-law’s daughter gave birth a month ago, so now I am a step-great-grandma! Pray with me for that little one.

God is always good, and I really think Jesus is coming back to get us in the air soon.

MARANATHA!!!

These golden days of late summer just continue to drip like pearls.

Ed filled the new fish pond with water from the well last evening. It’s pretty deep, and I hope it won’t be a problem. I’m praying over it, that it is a source of joy.

I took Yukichan on a walk down the road to the south. Looking back, our fat Topi cat was plodding along behind. Yuki and I walked only a bit further and then had to turn around. Topi walks in the middle of the road!

Picked him up and took him behind the house. There we met Alex, Ed’s cat. Yuki and I tried to escape to the north, to head up the (gravel) road that way.

Alex is extremely vocal, and he was yowling at us as we skitted away. We thought we would out pace him. Not even a few tenths of a mile we looked back, and you guessed it: Alex was following us IN THE ROAD!

Turned around and headed toward the newly mowed hay field. Alex followed, yowling. Little Rosie Runabout, our tiny sprite of a white kitty, showed up in the hay field, a little spot of purity in the green surroundings. She loves to run fast and leap up on things.

I let Yuki off the leash to run around the big cylindrical hay bales, scattered around the field. She finds all sorts of interesting things to smell in the newly shorn grasses. It was very hard to lure her back to the house.

I headed in the door, and all three cats converged. Yuki was promised a treat as a lure. All pets are now inside, but I do not blame them for wanting to be soaking up this summer beauty, sweet air, sunshine, and freshly cut hay.

Alex and Rosie hunt every morning and there is always something on the sidewalk for us to admire. Cats really do feed on recognition. If you acknowledge their prey (mice, moles, shrews, gophers, and chipmunks) they tend to stop meowing about it and go off to find another. Such interesting creatures.

I have a few more things to get ready at Corgi Hollows North, for the interim pastor and his wife. I need to bring over a microwave and a couple of kitchen items.

While working at the hotel I noticed what appointed the kitchenettes in our king-suites. The cupboards and drawers were mostly bare, but the basic necessities were there. You really don’t need much to furnish a short-term kitchen!

It’s nice to have a microwave, though, even if there is a stove and finicky oven in this little “mother-in-law” apartment.

It’s fun to set up a little place for comfort.

Remember the woman who built a “prophet’s chamber” for Elisha? That always fascinated my mom, and I like to think I have one in my home, too.

I have always wanted to have a room for guests.

I gave Ed the option of having the guest room for an office as he moves back “home.” He said no—he wants us to have that space for our friends and family to stay whenever they can.

That warms my heart. We will find the space we need for Cheri, Ed, and me to live and work, and have a prophet chamber!

This is place of quiet and industry. That isn’t a conundrum. We get a lot done here in the midst of all this beauty.

Since I’ve already been accused of being “harsh” I guess I will address a couple of issues that sit in my craw uncomfortably, namely the three sins mentioned.

Sin is sin. It separates us from holiness, and even though our sins are covered by the blood of Christ’s sacrifice, sin is something the Bible teaches us to avoid.

I wrote about my 2026 word “truth” in the last post. Another of my 2026 words is “discipline.”

Discipline is really a character quality needed to fight sin. We can ask the Holy Spirit for help in conquering a sinful stronghold in our lives, but it boils down to self-discipline and a continual thought process that brings thoughts “captive” to righteousness.

As an observer and a participant in modern Christian culture, I see two things in particular that grieve my spirit, plus another that over-arches most sinful behavior.

Are you seeing the sin of gluttony? We can mask it in all sorts of health problems: personally, my thyroid has been abnormal, and thyroids really affect weight loss and gain. It’s my excuse.

Fornication, sex outside of marriage, seems to be implied with every person “living together” with someone….either sex these days! Lust is desiring what is forbidden, and fornication is the fruit of lust.

How dare you say that, Corgi?!

These are the days of Noah, would you not agree? Appearances matter, and the Bible instructs us to avoid all APPEARANCES of evil.

How close-minded! It is harder to do that in today’s culture than ever, so many just ignore that part.

But what if we were more concerned with discipline and holiness?

What would that look like to others?

Instead of pointing the finger outward, why not point it inward and test the spirit of your own actions.

Could someone think….?

We all make calls or judgments on people. We can’t help it. Appearance matters. I personally like to dress in thrift-store finds, and sometimes it borders on crazy. I don’t care. I love color and comfort. My appearance gives a vibe and I think I am okay with that, but if it is distracting and someone says something mean I take that into account!

But is my action glorifying to Christ? Am I modest? Am I deferring to others? Am I looking outward? Am I being kind? (another of my 2026 words)

I see a poster in a lot of my classrooms where I sub, it has several questions.

“Is it true?”

“Is it kind?”

“Is it helpful?”

These are good reminders to think about when saying or doing something. I approve.

As I think about how I judge people who may be having an issue with gluttony or fornication I need to always be kind in my words.

Selfishly, I may be assuming they know better!

Most likely they do not.

Lord, forgive the selfishness in my heart, and help me to see people as you see them.

But help me also to live a life that reflects your holiness. When possible, help me help others to understand your Word and what you desire from us.

I read the first chapter of Romans, and it is pretty harsh. Pointing to Scripture is a wonderful way to teach truth.

Ed and I discussed several belief systems this morning: Seventh Day Adventists, Scientology, and Christian Science. We looked up the founders, we read the Wiki version of their beliefs. It was an interesting discussion.

All of these veer off of the Bible in some way or another, either Old Testament or New. There is danger in veering off of Scripture, all of Scripture, and starting your own religion.

Does your religion allow gluttony and fornication? Selfishness?

Jesus commands us to repent. We shouldn’t justify our sins. When we repent we will find greater joy in following Christ.

His yoke is easy, and his burden is light. The peace and joy that comes from Jesus is not to be found anywhere else. He is the truth.

Christians may appear to be brainwashed by their strong faith, but it’s simply the out-working of true religion. Jesus really is wonderful. People who encounter Him really are changed.

Empowered.

Come, Lord Jesus!

MARANATHA!

I’m on a roll, here. My 2026 words were Truth, Kindness, and Discipline.

Wow. The power of suggestion!

It’s August, and I am seeing these themes all year.

As a conservative, I’m thrilled to see fraud addressed, health matters and the truth about vaccines coming to light. Truth matters.

As a believer I am thrilled to see this. Confusion is really a problem. I am memorizing Psalm 71 and the first verse states: Let me NOT be put to confusion! Let us all not be put to confusion!

Globally we are seeing change. I wonder about the great Reset that the Canadian prime minister hints at. Poor Canada! They are facing human rights issues that one could never have foreseen! Dear neighbors to my north—I feel for you!

What will happen economically this fall?

Will we have a reset and lose all of our assets?

If a “democratic socialist” ideology takes hold that will certainly be the case.

Are you prepared to LOSE IT ALL?

It has been predicted, so it is coming.

Confusion reigns about what America really represents. The Scandinavian flags all bear the Christian cross, a sign of their historical switch to following Christian law and principles.

America became a united nation through the pilgrims that came over on the Mayflower, then the founding fathers who were mostly Bible scholars and believers in Jesus Christ. Even Jefferson, and Franklin, the famous “deists” acknowledged the need for a sovereign God whom Americans must account to.

This is the basis of our law.

Christianity is lax. Over the centuries of Christian rule in western Europe and now, North America, we have seen the accountability and the moral fascia decay. Consequences are in play: Communism and Islam, both extremely authoritarian and cruel systems which violate personal freedom and choice.

Having a moral compass, Christian, is the most freeing policy that exists! Being accountable to the Creator, having a moral boundary that includes the Ten Commandments, is the most logical and benevolent system ever.

But the world is blind to this, and Satan is the ruler of this current realm.

Excited for the day when he is bound for 1,000 years!

My professor at my masters program, at the state university here in Minnesota, pointed out that any colonized country in the world is far more successful politically and economically than any country that WAS NOT COLONIZED.

This does not excuse the abuses that occurred, the “rape” of the natural resources, the mistakes made, and the power hungry politicians. Of course that happened. Human nature is wicked. All hearts are desperately wicked. (Jeremiah 17:9) All. (Yours and mine. No excuses. Stop lying to yourselves!)

But the point was made: Look at the nations formally colonized. Study their GDP. Study their forms of government. They learned much from Christian Western Culture and they profited from it, and the Protestant Work Ethic.

Talk to my professor. Yes, he taught at a secular state University. He was a realist, not apparently a believer in Christ, and a minority ethnically. I learned so much from him.

I had a class with him and one other student. She was from Nepal, and her father was a political figure there. The three of us met weekly for intense discussions after reading copious numbers of articles and texts on NGO’s. What interesting days, for me.

Back to the Truth stuff: The human race will strive for the solution. I have a copy of Lester Brown’s “The Twenty-Ninth Day” here. My mom kept my copy for years, and I found it on her book shelf. His solution to eliminate population is rather stark and unkind, but it IS a solution, and I believe there are puppet masters who really adhere to his ideas even now. Planned Parenthood, for one.

Just dig a little deeper. The horrors of occult power are right below the veneer.

The heart is desperately wicked.

Because Christianity, Western Christianity, like we have in Europe and Canada, wishy-washy stuff that winks at immorality, is more humane than Communism and Islam, the Anti-Christ will be a shoe-in as a world leader.

He will come promising everything good.

I think he is coming soon, and that means TRUE believers are disappearing from this realm.

Truth. Do you know it?

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except by Him.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.”

His words. Direct quote.

So many take issue with this. So prideful! They will not bend the knee to this King of Kings, and they insist on living a life that is self-ordered. They know better than God, after all, right?

It boils down to believing the Bible, though, really. These words are in the Bible. Scripture is either true, or not.

My faith dictates that it is Truth.

I read today in Romans 9 that God hardened hearts for His purposes. That is a hard truth.

But I don’t have to like it to believe it. I don’t have to like hard truths. I must believe them.

I choose to follow the benevolent king, Jesus Christ. Isa Messiah! Yesu! He is called by different languages, yet HE IS KING JESUS!

He is king of my life, and I want desperately for Him to be King of YOURS.

You are on my snatch list, dear reader! Jude 23. Read it today.

I pray that you are saved, you and “your brethren!” (Luke 22:32)

In a recent conversation I was called harsh. This blog was called “harsh.”

I guess that there is a harsh reality: some people go to heaven, choose heaven. Everyone else goes to hell. That is harsh. I am concerned about this. Being wishy-washy isn’t my thing.

I don’t believe the Bible is wishy-washy. It’s clear. I don’t cross things out of Scripture that I don’t particularly like, nor do I try to explain them in kinder terms. Truth is simply truth, as Ed declared to me earlier this summer in a long morning coffee conversation.

Yes, truth is truth. It isn’t “my truth” nor “your truth.”

It’s simply truth.

Jesus is coming again to get us, believers. Soon and very soon we are going to see the King.

No compromise.

MARANATHA

This season of perfection continues. The stinging insects have been the only blight on this lovely month of August, and I do sense a bit of allergy oncoming. Ragweed.

But it’s so beautifully perfect each day, rosy clouds, sunshine, green trees and grass, blue skies.

How can we complain?

I battle the dark in my own soul, as I grieve, but the weather helps me refocus on the blessings.

Remember! We are going to see the Lord soon! No reason to grieve deeply!

MARANATHA!

I just feel it. That isn’t Biblical, nor scientific, but as I look outward I see the proximity to Christ’s return.

Ed and I went to a St. Paul Saints game last night. It was fun, but we didn’t stay for the whole game. It’s quite the drive to that side of the cities, and the game goes WAY past my bedtime. (ha, ha!)

It was a work outing for Ed, and we got dinner included, so very nice. I really enjoyed meeting some of his coworkers.

I’m still slogging through some old projects that needed completion. Getting a great sense of satisfaction with each one being finished.

There is a latch hook rug that has been in the works for at least a decade, different kids working on it. I am so close to getting it done, and it is quite large! I think it will go in the guest room on the floor. The colors match the painting in there. The print is an Edgar Payne print of a mesa scene, turquoise and rust. The latch hook is a cactus scene.

It’s not my favorite design, but it MUST be finished!

I’m working on preparing Corgi Hollows North for a brief stay by the interim pastor for our church.

Also, ongoing, is the looming task of settling my mom’s things. She had 12 grandchildren, and we want to make sure that everyone gets the chance to have cherished items from her home. Estate stuff is a burden.

Cast your burdens on the Lord! In Him we can put our trust! His yoke is easy, and His burden is LIGHT!

Still being quiet. I need quiet. I need my mind to process everything with quiet days.

These sunny days are just perfect for that.

How thankful I am!

Ed named my habit of making lists, constantly. He called it “bullet journaling.”

Today I’m going to bullet journal some things, sharing thoughts with my readers. So much has happened to me over the past year, that I can only think in ideas.

So, fasten your seat belt….(ha, ha!)

I’m listening to Color Theory at the moment, “Glory Days.” It’s a great song. Find it and be inspired.

Music is such a part of my whole day. I started the day with a gorgeous sunrise, and a “chat” with my favorite artist/influencer (who I pray for daily!) –who is currently in Khazakstan giving a concert. It’s always fun to chat with someone on the other side of the world. I’m getting up, while they are shutting down for the night.

Ed and I had devotions this morning, and true to form–the Scripture just TOTALLY MATCHED our day! I always love this!

I’m memorizing Psalm 71. I’m putting my old brain through the paces.

After Mom’s death I spent time organizing stuff that had been moved around from the basement water project. It was quiet and therapeutic work, a job that I had no energy for during these past years. It loomed over me.

Things that had been neglected or need deep cleaning have been addressed.

Had a house guest, Carl Teichrib, author of “Game of Gods,” and a good brother in Christ! Ed, Cheri and I had GREAT conversation (like always!) when he and his wonderful wife visit Corgi Hollows. Over the years I feel like they have become family. He is headed to “Burning Man,” with a strong presentation for helping people find TRUTH.

He keeps his hand on the pulse of cultural trends.

The truck needed a new transmission seal, second time in a year. Sad face. Something isn’t right with that design. $$$

Keeping our fleet running is so expensive.

We have thoughts about my mom’s house and how to deal with it. Lots of thoughts. My brother is (thankfully) in charge. I hate making decisions!

Of course, I do make decisions. I must.

Cheri, back from Alaska, is planning her future after college. This is big stuff.

Ed is moving back to Corgi Hollows, and this is joyous news! We are back in the mode of changing rooms around to accommodate his living needs. Always something! Busy.

Rosie, our new kitty, is a welcome addition to the mousing team. She is just a little sprite, pure white, with yellow eyes. She loves Corgi Hollows, and she’s already explored our “neighborhood.” Alex, Ed’s cat, has taken her on hunting lessons. It’s pretty cute. Topi is gaining weight and we are all concerned about him. He just hangs around on the front step, mostly. Such a wonderful cat!

Corgi Hollows, in the country, has a mouse issue. They love to come in and run rampant. Old houses, especially ones like mine with odd lay-out, have nooks and crannies where they get inside. My cats keep me sane. I HATE catching mice. Please, cats! Do it for me!

Thinking a lot about the Rapture. When I see the fraud in Minnesota, abortion, the trend toward socialism nationwide, the wars that abound, the anti-Semitic hatred that seems to grow by the day—I can easily feel discouraged.

My hope is in Christ alone! When things seem spinning out of control I run to the One who controls everything and remind myself that He works all things together for good, His purposes.

I have signed up to be more active with the church worship team, and guess what? I will be playing the double bass.

I have one, and though I only had a few viola lessons in the past, I think I can manage learning the bass. I replaced my old and decrepit guitar with a lovely Yamaha, and I really want to learn “Arial Boundaries,” by Michael Hedges. I PLAN to take guitar lessons just to learn this piece.

I am healthy again, although my YMCA pool has been closed for two weeks and I just couldn’t bring myself to swim in the lake. (I fear the pike and the muskies). I sat on the beach, and I plan to go to the beach this afternoon. One of the lakes nearby has ecoli right now. Won’t go there. I love that lake. It’s my favorite. I learned to sail on that lake. They used to rent out little catamarans and my mom and I sailed around that lake all summer.

I wish they still did that.

Changes.

I will go to the other neighborhood lake instead. This is Minnesota. I have multiple choices.

Ed is on a “Mom, eat more protein!” kick.

Since I don’t cook much, this is a challenge. I need to open up a can of tuna, cook a chicken breast, fry up some hamburger more often. It takes time.

Apparently it is a current trend to get more protein.

My body continues to heal from my cancer experience last fall. I am not the same. Changes. I take kelp most days, vitamins, ivermectin, sour-sop leaf tea, and barley tea. I am loving the barley tea that I drank in Japan. I ordered Japanese, Korean, and Chinese barley tea. I prefer the Japanese type best. We are all drinking it now.

For breakfast this morning I am eating that zucchini pancake we tried and liked in Japan. It’s satisfying. I want to try more of an Israeli breakfast this fall. I think the added vegetable first thing in the morning is good.

It’s been a joy to get garden produce from family and friends. (Thank you!)

The beauty of this mild summer has been conducive to exercise and health.

I have also finished about 10 projects that have been festering in partial completion; baby blankets, hook rugs, crochet and knitting things. What a great feeling!

Also percolating in my mind is our mentorship program. I still have not completed some of the basic steps to starting this up. Ed has been encouraging me, as have many others! Our team is fired up.

We have all been traveling, or up north at the cabin this summer, so it’s been tough to launch our interviews with the team.

Everything in its time! Everything that the LORD starts is happening on His schedule.

The acorns are ricocheting off the roof. It sounds like shots fired. It happens constantly, so it’s unnerving. The pets shy at the sounds, too. The sounds of late summer.

The blue Jays fight in the treetops.

My garden was a complete disaster this year. My buttercup squash flowered but did not have time to produce a fruit. The herbs are doing okay, but the tomatoes were pathetic. Even my cucumber and zucchini suffered!

My pumpkin looks pretty. We will see if that works out.

Ed is digging a fish pond for my 3 fish. I named them Xiao Zhan, Wang Yibo, and Yang Yang. They have been healthy and happy in their urn, but they will love the pond next year. The Japanese garden is really happening!

I missed all the weddings I had this summer because of my mom’s cancer and death. I still cannot believe she was gone less than four weeks after her diagnosis!

I have said over and over how grateful I am, that she did not have to live with the knowledge of cancer for months—-she found out, she accepted it, she gracefully passed into eternity with Jesus. I cannot regret that!

I do still think she’s next door, and I get a pang when I remember she isn’t.

I have so much gratefulness to God for being so merciful and kind.

I miss my cousin who lives in Arizona. She was here for the funeral, a balm to my grieving soul. I’m thinking about a quick trip down there if I can find a cheap flight.

Travel is always on my mind. I love it.

Margaret is expecting baby number 3 in February. I am so blessed to be able to zip over there and watch her two boys while she goes to doctor appointments or errands. Living close by is a blessing!

I have 7 grandchildren, one step granddaughter! My family grows! God is so good!

School is starting soon. I check the website often to see if any teachers know of days they need off. The days will come, probably more toward the middle of September. I was at school last September when my tumor took over my life. Can that be a whole year ago?

Yes. Time just flies by.

There. I unloaded my brain on you, reader! The bullets caught myself up, and filled in the gaps of anyone wondering how my “quiet” days are going.

I do miss you, friends, but I need this time to reset. I need to process loss and organize my new changes.

Mom was such huge part of my life. It is weird to plan my day without taking her time into consideration!

I do get a lot done. This is compensation.

State Fair time starts NEXT WEEK!

What a summer.

The Feast of Trumpets is approaching. Will this be the year? Perhaps TODAY!

MARANATHA!