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Late summer has a way of bringing out the poetry. Everything that surrounds us is practically perfection, here, at least.

The leaves are full and the sun shines gently, not the harsh of early August.

Fruits are ripened, plants are mature.

The work of the harvest consumes the time and energy of farmers and gardeners, but those of us who simply seek to tame our property have a respite from the wild growth that characterized the first months of summer.

I have had a revisiting of my illness that I experienced aboard my cruise ship. It was Sunday night when I started feeling a little feverish again. My throat was sore the next day and I have been lying low all week in hopes of a good rest being the antidote to it all.

Feeling blue/dark hearted this time of year is also one of my biorhythms. It started in my childhood when I dreaded the end of summer, the beginning of the school year.

Perhaps a tendency toward melancholy nurtured my periodic bouts of depression. Anyway I do experience depression, and I find all sorts of ways to deal with it, not chemically.

Other than caffeine. perhaps.

As I got older I became aware of hayfever, and this year hasn’t been too bad, but I think I’ve had a touch of it.

A trifecta of yuk; being sick, hayfever, depression.

But my mom told me about a conversation she had with her Swedish grandson-in-law. He said there was a monk in Scandinavia that learned how to deal with Seasonal Affect Disorder by embracing the dark—leaning in to it, finding the silver linings of it. It seemed an effective plan, and birthed “Hygge” and candlelight, fika and fellowship.

I will let the pain in my heart have its way today, the grief that visits me unannounced —perhaps not as frequently as before. The loss that I still calculate from time to time.

I am feeling the privilege to be alive today.

Humans are the exact middle of the created universe some physicist once said—between the seemingly endless boundaries of our known existence and the micro string theories that mathematically present themselves—God made us the center of that.

He chose to bring eternal beings into existence in this precious womb of planet earth.

What a great privilege to be His loved creation.

Can we not appreciate His greatness?

He is awesome.

Some chipmunks chose to place perfect acorns in a little angel dish my mom has in her garden. What sentience brought this little act about? Certainly it wasn’t random! There is a sweetness in our animals, both wild and tame. God put it there.

Our gray and red squirrels are so busy. I see them burying acorns all over the place. Deer will feast on the acorns that carpet the ground under my many, many oak trees.

Oak wilt has visited our area, but God has preserved most of ours. Something has pestered the old fashioned lilacs nearby, and they are looking terrible, blooming again in September, which is just wrong. The feeble blossoms are fragrant, blessing the bees, I guess.

I have a dread that these bushes may be beyond recovery.

Everything changes. Death comes to all things on this fallen planet.

That is why I focus on our blessed hope, the glorious appearing.

Too many people do not understand the timeline of what is to come, the whole picture of God’s feasts and His promise to redeem His creation.

There are covenants He made with us, with the animals, with Abraham, with Israel. Too few people understand these monumental promises.

Those of us who seek to know them can see that they are still in play, slowly (to us) unwinding and coming to fruition.

There has never been a time more exciting to live, looking up, waiting and watching for our Lord to come for us.

I understand that death and destruction are also a part of the prophecies.

I choose to put my hope and joy in anticipating God’s great restoration of Heaven and Earth—as He promised. He will make all things new.

Those who believe in Him, in Jesus, have that promise, that covenant to live in hope, not fear.

No fear.

MARANATHA!

I’m sitting on the porch this morning and reflecting on the past weeks of activity. My fall calendar is taking shape, and I’m figuring out what to say no to, what to commit to, what the things are that must be worked in.

The coffee is from my thrift store nespresso machine, the cardamom roll is from the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. It’s a little stale, but delicious. I feel so pampered and Scandinavian today!

Do you want to hear about the fun days just lived?

Let me start with the arrival of my cousin and close friend, S—. She is my tonic, always making me laugh and game to try anything. Mischief is part of the experience every time we’re together.

We conquered the Minnesota State Fair TWO days, she with her recent knee replacement, even. Extreme heat and even a storm, as well.

We visited the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum with my mom, who has been a member there as long as I can remember. We got First Kiss apples at the University of Minnesota Arboretum apple house. Each apple is a work of art. Still life artists would swoon at these apples.

We went to the Karin Larsson exhibit at the American Swedish Institute. This is a sweet story about the life of an influential woman, both in the arts and in lifestyle. I am so glad that the ASI did this exhibit.

The reason for my cousin’s timing of this visit was, of course, the fair (only 12 days in late summer) but also for a celebration.

My mom is 90 years old now, and we decided to celebrate that during these halcyon days of late summer.

Our Minnesota weddings and funerals held October to May can be risks in and of themselves. Weather is always a factor. This was a birthday, so we could celebrate when we wanted!

Such a perfect party, really. All the right people showed up, the cake was delicious (thanks, Costco!) and the temperatures were perfect, both coffee and outside 😉

We sat on the porch and the little ones (my four grandchildren) ran around outside with Margaret’s two Chesapeake Labs. Yuki and Corwyn stayed home. They watched through the front bay window.

It was an idyllic family gathering, also with some of my mom’s close friends.

Last night mom got word that one of her closest friends passed away. She has been to so many funerals of late. That happens when you are 90.

She is in good spirits, getting around to her various appointments and commitments. I have so much to be grateful for, and I’m always delighted to see how much she enjoys her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

I brought my cousin to the airport on Tuesday, and felt depressed that whole day. She lives in Arizona, so I will try to find a sweet airfare deal to get some vitamin D with her during this school year. I am pretty good at finding flying bargain rates—rarely paying more than $100 round trip!

It can be a blessing to live in a “snowbird” state.

I miss her already.

To alleviate those blues Cheri and I went with my beautiful niece up to see Minnesota blue—the greatest lake, Superior, on Wednesday.

Gitcheegoomee did not disappoint. The waves were crashing in, so no swimming, but the beach was inspiring and the gray sky turned to light blue as we watched. The colors of the water were deepest teals and blues. Seagulls and small sand birds kept us company.

Rolling waves with white foam streaked the surface. I can watch this scene for hours.

We stopped at a few shops, got a delicious bagel with smoked salmon at the Northwest Smoke House on Canal Park. (I recommend!)

Home again that evening, a little bit blue still, but needing a time to recover here at Corgi Hollows.

I have lots of leftover berries from the party to process. I want to make frozen jam and a triple berry pie.

Two of our vehicles needed major repair over the past few days, too. A brake job on the old Ford truck, and new struts on the Ford sedan. Something went awry on the shock absorbers as well.

Cheri starts school at the University of Minnesota Tuesday, so a trusty vehicle is a must. She is a commuter, so the money we would have spent on a dorm is spent on keeping the car working.

We’ve discovered that having a spare vehicle (even old!) is a must when all your vehicles are old. Options. It was nice to have it for a missionary friend to use this summer, too.

There have been storms and rain, but also sunny hours. This has been a wet summer.

I found out that my basement contractors will come in October. They have been overly busy, too. Perhaps I can start to get things back in order downstairs by the new year.

Today I will drink coffee on my stuga, listen to the cranes and birds, squirrel chatter, and of course my precious blue jays. They are always discussing the upcoming cold weather.

I work at the hotel this weekend, but Hitchville is also playing at Lake Minnetonka on Sunday. This will be a nice Labor Day weekend, I believe.

God is good. He is gentle and merciful. He gives and protects, blesses us and helps. I know that I disappoint, but grace covers me!

What a wonderful thing.

As we seek to live lives that are pleasing to God we know that He loves us. Love covers a multitude of sins. I am seeing restoration and repair in the broken aspects of my relationships. I know He is answering prayer.

I have been blessed with a beautiful “wrap-up” of my summer. I have a few days for subbing already booked and I actually look forward to seeing “my kids” again!

Yesterday I was mailing a package to Korea at the post office and the young man helping me there shyly mentioned that he knew me—-He’d graduated back in 2021, but he remembered me. Sweet. I love seeing these wonderful young people!

Impact. Hopefully always light and truth.

Our time is short here on earth. Eternity is long.

Are you praying?

Jesus, come quickly! MARANATHA!

Dear Readers, Corgi is tapped out right now, multiple levels of stuff, juggling time commitments, and fielding many, many blessings.

Basement: waiting for the contractors to appear again. I know that they are also tapped out, as Minnesota had one of the wettest summers ever and everyone is getting their problems fixed. I have my guy lined up to do the finishing of the downstairs family room whenever the water-proofing is complete.

This mess started last December and I have been quietly giving it to God on a daily basis. I’m praying for a habitable haven at Corgi Hollows again soon. It is in God’s hands.

My trip to Alaska was marvelous. I thought the ship, Zaandam, was very elegant and just the right size (1,500 guests, 500 staff) and pleasing to the eye. It had a type of pipe organ in the middle of the ship, so I was thrilled. The seas were incredibly quiet. I never imagined how stable and peaceful the Pacific Ocean on the west coast of North America could be. I barely felt any waves. Maybe I’m a natural seafarer. It’s my Viking blood.

I saw orcas, humpbacks, porpoises, sea otters, seals, salmon running, bears…eagles…

Glaciers. Changing blues of the sea and sky, mountains topped in snow, layers and layers of ranges stretching to all sides.

I caught a bad head cold in Glacier Bay. It was really cold! I didn’t have a hat, and my demise was apparent by late that evening.

I spent the day we were supposed to be in Ketchikan in my stateroom sleeping. I’ve experienced being sick on ship now, too. The full cruise experience! I’m actually thankful.

I would definitely consider a cruise in the fjords of Norway someday.

I met many interesting people on the trip, had a wonderful time with my friends and fellow travelers. We really get along well traveling! Such a blessing.

Since I have ONE MORE STATE to visit of all the 50—Hawaii—I’m thinking about my travel plans for there already! Maybe 2025 is the year to visit that state.

Forty-nine down, one to go!

I’ve got my first subbing job lined up in September, two weddings to plan for, a trip to Mexico–maybe? –to meet Rocky, my “person” and musical artist. We texted last week, and I’m excited to meet him in person. I’ve been praying for him, and God opened up a door to meet. You know I’ve been praying for influencers now for three years. God is doing amazing things in my life.

I may slip down to Dallas, Texas to visit the Institute for Creation Research museum. I’ve wanted to go there for years! I love their daily devotional, “Days of Praise.”

God is cracking open the door for interpersonal healing, too. I’m amazed at how he gently leads and works in our lives. Severed relationships are beginning to heal.

Beginning.

My wonderful cousin is here for a week to help celebrate my mom’s 90th birthday. Her birthday is in November, but this is fair time, great weather time, and all in all a perfect chance to celebrate my mom.

My cousin is my mental medicine, too.

I’m so blessed.

Ed loves his new job. Cheri starts classes here in a week — Friends are coming to visit all throughout September.

What a time to give praise to the God who loves us and cares for us!

I could get all poetic about it.

God is good. Jesus is coming SOON!

MARANATHA!!!

I love having a front row seat on some VIPs in my life. My friend was miraculously saved in an accident on Interstate 35 yesterday, but not only her.

Her husband, her niece, five people from India, and several others survived what could have been a terrible accident. Three vehicles were totaled.

God is doing Big Things.

This friend told me an interesting story just the day before and gave me permission to write it here. I was inspired.

Her parents were medical missionaries. When her dad attended school in Chicago back after WWII there were three Japanese students they invited to their home for Bible study. These men were Buddhist.

The landlord of their apartment told them that he wouldn’t allow the Japanese to be in his property, so biased against the Japanese he was, after the war. He gave an ultimatum: move or don’t have them over.

They moved.

The Bible study continued. All three men became believers in Jesus.

One weekend they all trooped up to Minnesota to see the family and experience winter in this state. They went sledding, had a wonderful time.

On the way home they were asked, “What was the most fun thing this weekend?”

One of the Japanese gentlemen replied, “Seeing how your father treated your mother with such reverence and sweetness.”

This man went on to become the top executive of an oil company in Japan. Every single time he spoke at an event he shared about the sweetness of Christian marriage. He shared his faith.

Isn’t that a great story?

You never know what impact you may have on someone that reaches far beyond your own scope.

Your attitude, your character, your comportment matters.

You are watched.

For the KINGDOM!!!

MARANATHA!!!

It’s a political year, an Olympic year, a “last days” year…

It’s a year to cull out the people that drag you down, that have chosen a different path to tread.

I’ve written about this before, but these thoughts are still with me: it’s okay to move on!

Some of us have the personality that clings to people, each encounter with another human. If it doesn’t end in warm fuzzies we feel defeat and even guilt. We want everyone to love everyone.

As believers we strive to love—–everyone. Jesus told us to love our enemies.

That’s hard.

What does that look like, increasingly, in this world of 8 billion humans?

Lots of prayer.

Go ahead and let people go, but follow them with your prayers.

As people began to mock and deride me for my beliefs last election year I was stunned. When Brian died I shut down, a natural breaking point occurred. The dross in my life was skimmed off, and I was freer, let loose from the chains of bad relationships.

I kept the gold, the silver. I pray for those I “lost.”

God filled up my life with more gold.

Let go of the weights that press on you. Soar with the Holy Spirit and His breathtaking power in prayer.

God answers prayer. Jesus is coming soon. See the signs.

MARANATHA!

Corgi Hollows is buzzing with activity. I’m changing sheets for new guests daily, practically. The beautiful weather continues.

I ordered some mosquito repellent things recommended by one of my Chinese friends. I hope they are effective. I’m going to have to hand them out to my visitors. I’m still covered in bites.

The little pests are not going away! I stepped out at 3 am last night with Yuki and came in with feet covered with bites!! This is a memorable year for mosquitoes.

I wonder if they are as bad “up north.”

God is healing my heart.

Our pastor just completed a series on James. I said he should start over again—because it was so profound, so much more to learn! He laughed and agreed. Yesterday he introduced a series on the Holy Spirit.

The thought of this Person and His interaction with me —-not Jesus, not God the Father, yet God, hit me differently as my pastor spoke of Him.

The Spirit, and the verses quoted about the Holy Spirit, surprised me yesterday. Nothing I haven’t heard before, just a different take, a different time, a different conviction.

As my heart has been dark for quite awhile, trauma cut off my spiritual antennae, I have relied on my foundation of faith. I’ve relied on hope.

But I am starting to feel the love, too.

And that is a delicious feeling after a drought.

No number of words will convince anyone to be patient and wait for such a subjective experience—it happens individually, in God’s timing, in His way.

I can imagine Elijah’s wait for rain.

God knew he would answer prayer. I know God answers prayer. The waiting time can be dark and lonely, frustrating, wearing, discouraging, full of pain and even anguish.

Uff da.

I’m feeling a bit of rain, though. The dry, cracked ground of my heart is feeling a sprinkle.

It pays to have a grounded faith.

As I’ve said hundreds of times (literally): worldview matters. Faith matters. Theology matters, even. I stand on a foundation which embodies HOPE.

Faith, Hope, and Love.

How desirable and fresh, beautiful and sweet that third thing is—

LOVE.

MARANATHA!

We get to be together forever. That is love. (And we are all PERFECT there. Wow.)

The weather is perfect: cool, breezy, sunny, green warmth. Not sizzling hot, but Minnesota perfect.

Next week Cherie and I have tickets for a concert in Uptown and a tour in south Minneapolis. Two evening events. I’m excited for both of them. Always enjoy seeing my fellow fans at the concerts of Asian pop groups.

My son Jim and his wife came over with my grandson on Sunday. We were privileged to have one of my Chinese students also with us—touring the Landscape Arboretum and the Chinese and Japanese gardens in particular.

Sunday was quite the day! Precious worship times, interesting sermons (I got to hear two ;)) and sweet fellowship. Aforementioned garden visits. The hybrid rose garden was also in full glory. I had to recover from all the activity on Monday!

This week I’m trying to paint the infamous bathroom downstairs. As I age my eyesight isn’t what it was, and it’s hard to do the same degree of painting that I did when I was younger.

Excited to get the basement back in order before I leave on the cruise to Alaska in August. I still would like to visit the last two states I haven’t been to in the 50 United States: Alaska and Hawaii.

Alaska in August—perhaps Hawaii this winter?

When Joe and his wife moved out to Washington state I was able to tick off Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Oregon. I loved taking Amtrak out there on the James J Hill line.

Our trip to see our daughter Margaret in New Hampshire got me to Maine, but that trip ended tragically.

Since I lived down south I’ve visited all the southern states. I’ve also been out west several times. Colorado—-how I love you! I’ve climbed your highest peak–Mt. Elbert!

God has allowed me a full life. I am grateful.

Today I count my blessings. I have had a few disappointments lately, but God is still good. Look at how HE has blessed me!

I have a goal this summer of “doing art” every single day. So far goals have been met! Whether it is a quick drawing, making a blanket, a sweater or just a dish rag—sitting at the piano and playing through Handel’s Water Music or something else beautiful—

There is an art show at my church in September. I want to get my acrylics out again after quite sometime. There is a theme from the book of Jeremiah. I am excited to get my thoughts out about it. I may use my largest canvas! It’s been waiting for something like this.

Painting skills will have waned, but that is aging. It can be more impressionistic. Realism has always been my forte. This will be an experiment.

Beautiful summer. Thank you God!

Tastes of heaven to come…

MARANATHA!!!

I’m not good at uploading photos to this site. I manage every once in awhile, but it always takes more time than I want to give. I should do it often and make it second nature.

If I could upload a photo, or several, I would show you the little flower garden that lines the front side walk. I would snap a picture of the hummingbirds that visit my kitchen garden and the feeder I manage to fill once a week.

Orioles and finches are eating my grape jelly.

Yukichan and Corwyn are enjoying the grass, freshly mowed, and doing zoomies.

Downstairs progress is happening on the ongoing basement renewal. One of my friends from my Bible Study has a brother-in-law who does finishing work. I’m so thankful! He had time today from other jobs to start on my bathroom. Drywall, tile, and Cherie and I will probably paint.

The bathroom has not been used since the whole system underwent replacement last winter. Since we are expecting more international guests we are so glad to see a light at the end of the tunnel regarding our facilities!

The basement waterproofing project is scheduled for late July. With all the rain I was worried about more issues in the part not yet done. Thankfully the new sump pump handled it all wonderfully.

As the buckling walls get reinforced, the waterproofing completed, I’ll ask our friend who is here today to come back and finish the rest of the basement. Drywall, studs, tile….

It’s such a big project and I’ve been at it since December. Who knew?

It was sad to see my finished basement go back to bare bones. The cupboards and built-ins are “toast.”

Since I was working steadily for about 3 months at school I let some housework slide. Cherie and I have tackled different projects inside and outside the house gradually. So much work! Especially with all the rain we’ve been getting! You would not believe how many young trees need to be cut down. Weeds are epic, too.

Brian’s family all live in the Spencer, Iowa area. They had a terrible flood last weekend. My heart just breaks at all the loss, material, they’ve had! Both of my brothers-in-law had significant water in their basements. Thankfully my mother and father-in-law’s house was dry. Still, they were cut off from part of town. The Little Sioux River came up higher than ever before there, or at least in decades. Rain to the west just poured into that river basin.

——

I just love sitting on the porch in summer. This summer the porch seems more inviting than usual. I’m thrilled with how cozy it is.

There have been workers installing some sort of cable out on the road. Thankfully they did not touch my Korean lilacs! I saw this big digging contraption bungle down into the ditch rather monstrously and thought my lilacs were going to be lost —but they managed to fine tune that machine and the direction it went. I’m amazed at modern day equipment and tech! Some lilies and echinacea did meet their demise. I hope they can recover next year.

Mosquitoes have been beyond anything I can remember. All this water!

I hear other’s gardens are doing well. Ours is not. Perhaps not enough sun. The oaks of Corgi Hollows are magnificent, but they make a good sunny garden spot challenging. Still, we’ve gotten some produce over the six years we’ve had this little kitchen garden.

Next year we plan to re-do the raised beds and “start” again.

I hope Ed will be able to help with that.

In the past week and a half I’ve been able to reconnect with several old friends. This was a treat for me. Some I hadn’t seen in years! Special friendships. It was good to see everyone.

This was an “upload” of activity at Corgi Hollows! So much going on. Cherie and I are happy to have quiet summer days, a bike ride, a horseback ride, a walk with the pups. Coffee or tea on the porch.

Cleaning, organizing, reading, learning. Sewing, mending, knitting, and crochet—

Some artsy activity too…

There is an upcoming art show at my church, Village, and I am excited to enter it! The theme is a verse based in Jeremiah about the tree planted by rivers. It’s going to be fun! I haven’t decided my medium yet, but I’m leaning toward acrylic on canvas. I rarely get those materials out, and this is the perfect excuse!

Ongoing music, too. So much. Rehearsal tonight…

Thankful heart.

Come Lord Jesus! MARANATHA!

These past few days have been full of meetings with friends. Now that school is out I have a schedule that has been open to seeing people again. It’s been a joy to reconnect with them.

God works in our friendships.

Several of my friends do not know Christ, so I am praying for them. Some of my family are needing Christ transformations too. I pray.

Praying for my friends and family is something I can do 24/7.

It isn’t “just praying,” either. Prayer is so powerful, and I am seeing the fruit of prayer!

My friends are surely benefiting from prayer!

I know that I am blessed by my praying friends. There is this sense of peace that fills your soul when you know that someone is praying, even right now. God is hearing. God is working. God has not left you alone!

It may seem like that at times.

The truth prevails. God is at work, and prayer is a helpful reminder of how HE WORKS.

Hearts are healing. God is in control.

What a privilege to be loved by Him. His love never changes! My perceptions may be all over the board—but God doesn’t change. He is at work.

MARANATHA!