Month: October 2023

Sometimes it is fun to share the projects I am busy with.

Lately I’ve knit several sweaters, baby things, and a scarf, painted plaques to give out in Japan, and unearthed all the sewing stuff.

I’ve got several sewing projects to complete: a peasant top, a dress, a few bathrobes, and whatever else I can drum up. Cherie and I are working on multiple things.

I like to make flannel blankies for babies: a square yard of 100% cotton flannel with cotton yarn crocheted around the edge with a sharp hook. They are durable and useful.

I love knitting baby socks, too.

They are so quick!

Lately I’ve used panels that Ed has knit on his knitting machine, edging them for baby sensory mats. They are colorful and soft, and really fun to create.

I’m still working on my Kensington Runestone book for children. The illustrations are about 1/3rd complete.

It’s more involved than I thought it would be.

I’ll publish it over on my Google blog eventually.

When I “Fortress” I make stuff. I’m busy.

As the temps get cool and the fireplaces are lit it is time to welcome the crafts again. My hands itch to make another sweater…

I hope to finish a few more of my little plaques today.

It’s Monday morning and I turned down a job for today to get my mind straightened out for upcoming business.

I’ve been full of negativity lately, but I thought this morning that I could be more encouraging to my readers.

Perhaps it is the message of James, the book written by Jesus’ brother.

Joy. Joy in trouble.

In so many ways I am “winning in life.” Whatever that phrase means, to me it means that I have countless blessings.

I’ve learned much over the years with these “offices” I have held; student, sales-girl, nurse’s aide, farmer, horse woman, dog lover, cat lover

Daughter, sister, wife, mom, grandma (Omi), friend

Army wife (officer’s wife), wife of an electrical engineer, wife of a genius, widow

Teacher, student as middle aged adult (MPA), camp staff, Sunday School teacher, financial advisor/insurance sales, non-profit COO, deli worker, hotel concierge/laundry, home-school mom

Writer, artist, musician, reader, knitter—and all needle arts, language learner (German, Turkish, Spanish, Hebrew, Greek, Chinese)

Missionary

Christian

That is my resume, and I can speak from experience in all these areas. It’s the path I’ve been led on.

Chalk up various unusual life events, too. Travel, mountain climbing, concerts, family things, sorrows and loss.

Ich habe vielen Sachen erlebt.

I’ve experienced much.

I cook and bake, too, now infrequently, but for years I held things together with my thrift in the kitchen.

I’ve qualified for welfare in the past, but I have known richness too.

I know how to handle snow and weather, ski, skate, and play tennis.

I like baseball, soccer, and hockey. I’m a Vikings football fan. I’ve only ever been to one of their games in my life.

I can tow and back a camper-trailer, run a riding lawn mower, and care for an acreage.

I’ve lived in several places, but I know Minnesota the best.

So if I share a “life hack” I’ve learned I am passing on information that has blessed me. I do not claim to be an expert, but life has offered me experience that is tried and true.

Since I’ve dealt with most human experiences, including mental illnesses and cancer, among other things I can offer my counsel in healing and recovery.

I am not claiming authority, only sharing a burden, nudging with an experienced outlook.

Go ahead and laugh at my list! I admit that some things seem funny, but all were learned with blood, sweat, and tears. Trials and fails, trouble and practice.

I am an approachable introvert. I won’t bite you. I like helping.

INFJ to the core, if that says something.

(I actually took the official MB test, so I know)

Recently I have encountered a whole different set of life experiences, some that I’d never imagined I’d deal with in my life. I cannot elaborate, because of difficult circumstances, but trust me, I’m gifted with new capabilities and outlook.

Fragility, vulnerability, and victim-hood are a part of my life. Change.

But God is leading me through this for a purpose and a reason, to give me HOPE and a FUTURE.

I can still bless others through the blessings He has bestowed on me.

I have hope.

I only ask that Jesus comes quickly.
MARANATHA!

This Sunday afternoon it is bright and sunny, a perfect day to romp with the dogs in the hayfield. We romped.

God is teaching me some things lately. I am a slow learner, so things are gradually applied in my life. I am headstrong, stubborn, and I often think my way is the best—hence I acquire and lose friends often.

Today I found out something about my grief process, my new beginning in life and my outlook. Church was pretty effective today.

Our pastor is preaching on James, and I think that he wrote his sermon for me.

Two things: God isn’t finished with me, and pain brings joy.

That is not in a weird way, but in a profitable way. The trouble I experience can ultimately bring God’s bigger plan to fruition, as He allowed it for my good.

I won’t see that good here on earth, probably, but I can still have hope.

It’s all about hope.

I understand that the way I had been before all my trouble didn’t work well ultimately, but the trouble has led me to a new place of growth, so completely different from where I was. My faith, though still intact, went through a transformation along with my life.

I still have hope.

I can still “hear” the Spirit’s promptings, though I feel so distant in my pain most of the time.

God is still at work.

He does not abandon His children, but it may seem like it for a season.

Yes, I am stronger now. I can stand with God’s help. I am not as lonely, more capable, and prepared to finish life on my own.

A new path has opened up for me.

Grief is now woven into my life. It comes unasked for, unexpectedly, whenever. It is part of my new pattern.

I have hope.

MARANATHA!

Why are you downcast, oh my soul?

Everything about this latest news from the Middle East is disheartening.

When you love a country and a people, and they are dear to you and God, you cannot help but be affected by their pain and trial.

I am reminded of the Scriptures that affirm God’s love for His people Israel.

He made an eternal covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Yes there are worldly powers that tweak and twitch, the puppet masters, and Puppet Master Lucifer pull the strings. No one human can fully explain the centuries-old conflict and the players that rise in every era.

God watches over Israel, and He doesn’t slumber or sleep.

I am irritated by anyone who tries to minimize the important things to God. Therefore I prefer to keep quiet (except for here!)

God has not forgotten His people. Israel and the church are two different entities in Scripture. We should never have abandoned Israel, yet The Church did veer off the prescribed teachings of the Old Testament. I’m not talking about the Law, per se, but the significance and symbolism of the feasts and the fulfillment of OT prophesy.

By losing the thread of significance we have gone astray.

Augustine made some major boo-boos.

Back to the future, however. Israel is still under the umbrella of God’s protection. Many of perished, but the bigger picture is fulfillment of prophecy, and that is expected.

Things prophesied will come to fulfillment.

WE are witness to this great time in history, and we can be assured that God keeps His promises.

He said He was coming again, so I believe it.

How long, Oh Lord, How long?

MARANATHA, Lord Jesus.

WE had a nice Corgi Hollows History Day on Saturday. Several auspicious characters showed up, among them Martin and Kitty Luther.

Helen Keller, Mother Theresa, Pretty Boy Floyd, JRR Tolkien, Sacagawea showed up also, with a few other notables.

We roasted hot dogs and ate chips. The rain came, though not harshly, and Martin and Kitty’s Skit was brought indoors. They told their story, and brought history to life.

Rain and chill literally dampened the event, but I am still happy we had such sweet fellowship around the campfire. S’mores didn’t happen YET.

Let’s have a campfire night and make S’mores. The marshmallows don’t last long.

I have started attending a Chinese/International fellowship that meets in our neck of the woods. It has been sweet to meet these lovely people and try to understand more Chinese language for me.

Chinese is hard.

It’s fun to learn it, though. I’m not tied down to making a grade (although Duolingo puts in some pressure innately) so I really go at my own 60 year old pace. After studying for over a year I can definitely see my progress.

But along with the language I have been studying the trends in East Asia. This part fascinates me.

Billions of people are pretty conformist, yet there are stark delineations and human concerns, political waves and economic trends.

Everything affects everything.

And God watches.

I am in awe.

This is a road ahead for me, I’m already on it.

I am also in awe of October beauty today. The rain has left a shining golden world that must be a bit heaven-like today.

I live in a paradise of earthly beauty. There aren’t mountains or oceans here in the middle of North America, but there is everything else. The beauty is gentle and touches the heart.

Blue skies and golden paths. The stuff of the old “Ideals” magazines. Remember those? I grab them up at thrift stores.

That era was so ostensibly innocent.

I have an interesting week ahead: a concert with my new friends, more sorting of books, (because of rain my book sale didn’t happen) business junk (I still HATE opening up my email in the morning—-Number One Dread around here) and more preparation for our upcoming trip to Japan.

Apples. It’s apple season, and I found an orchard west of Corgi Hollows that grows Fireside apples. They are my favorite. I bought a bag of a new variety called “Triumph” there, too. It’s very good.

There is a golden apple tree across the road in the ditch from the house. I think I threw an apple core there from my bike decades ago. The fruit is mottled, but there were no worms and the flesh is delicious! I tried one on Saturday, and I couldn’t believe how perfect the flavor was. What a blessing!

In Japan one of my goals to find and try one of the largest apples that is grown in the world. Japan holds the record for largest apple.

I mentioned that our goal is gardens, Japanese gardens, (Ha ha!) and along with that a visit to a historical/cultural museum, perhaps a bit of daily life in Tokyo, and connecting with a few people.

I know absolutely NADA about Japanese food. I don’t eat Sushi, which is the only thing I do know about, but surely they eat more than that.

I have heard they have nice desserts, so I can eat dessert for a week. OH, yes, ramen. I can eat ramen.

Our hotel is in downtown Koto Tokyo, so I am happy with just a few walks around Koto. I’m easy to please.

The yen is weak right now, so a great advantage to us Americans. I don’t intend to do much shopping, however.

I’m excited to travel again. I’ve always had a wandering foot, as you know. Life has dealt me some tying-down circumstances and I am crawling out of those bonds little by little. I have been rebuilding my engine, so to speak.

The fireplace feels good this morning. I’m actually drinking pumpkin spice coffee and writing here. I feel so fall-ish.

Yukichan and Corwyn don’t know whether to be in or out. Thank the Lord someone came forward to watch them for the week we go to Japan, a nice young married couple. The dogs can be demanding when the weather is turning. It’s like they have expectation of change, too.

School and my shifts at the hotel keep my schedule in check. I have been lazy with my CrossFit and swimming. Our YMCA is having trouble finding life guards again, so the pool is rarely open. One must really make an effort to get swimming time.

My mom’s 90th birthday approaches, and all who can will gather. She attended an old friend’s 90th birthday celebration this fall and just loved seeing everyone there, including some she had babysat back in her teenage days! (They were older than I, of course)

Nice things ahead, and my engines have been checked. They’ve started smoothly, and I am looking forward to the road before me.

One day at a time.

It was four years ago today that my brother was killed by a drunk driver.

Four years.

I woke up with a heaviness in my heart today. Circadian rhythms?

These past four years have been dark for me. It is still a daily battle with grief and sadness, a tightness in my chest that signals heartache.

I go outside and breathe the sunlight.

The beauty of October in Minnesota often tugs at my heart, too.

I struggle.

So I am focusing on what is coming: Japan.

Thanks to a weak yen and ridiculously low airfare, Ed, Cherie, and I are heading to Japan.

Ed has been studying Japanese for the past few years. Cherie has language abilities that amaze me. I am studying Chinese—so we feel sort of prepared for East Asia.

I know that I should have no expectations and seek to quietly observe everything while there, only a week’s length of exploration.

Our focus is gardens, of course, but we’d like to just take in the culture.

I have a few contacts, so we hope to make connections.

Yes, it’s exciting, and that is exactly what I need right now to make it through difficult anniversaries.

Corgi Hollows History Day approaches. We are having a major book sale that day in concurrence. My home-schooling days are OVER.

I am grateful.

It was a good run.

My five kids are all adults, all pretty good humans.

Thanks be to God!

He gets all the glory, in all things.

My heart is lifted by sunlight and gratefulness.

And I look for His coming.

MARANATHA!