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!