Old Habits.

 Old Habits.

 

My grandmother once said that saying thank you was easy and should be done more often. And if it was worth saying in person, it was worth saying in writing. So, some of us of a certain generation learned to write thank you notes. Oh, and at the Academy of Mary Immaculate, the sisters taught us to write all kinds of other types of notes: invitations, requests, announcements, and assorted types of formal notes that meant much back then to those receiving or sending them. It was a different way of thinking than we currently consider. Now baby announcements are sent via email or some other kind of electronic note, but graduation announcements cost a small fortune, and only grandparents get one for that reason. Yours truly no longer has a book containing all the birth announcements or graduation cards sent to us. Sorry. Certain things just have not survived house renovations and other such changes. And all the pictures have pretty much gone into storage somewhere along the way. Ah, well. They should have been labeled at some point, but we said the same thing when our great-grandfather’s pictures were tossed because no one recognized the folks in them. Such is life. But one thing has NOT changed. Saying thank you should be done quickly and in writing as well as audibly to those who have given you either the gift of time, lodging, food, or whatever else might have been helpful to you. Which reminds me that a letter needs to be sent to my cousin Betty to give her the story of how her brother introduced me to his friend Lewis—the man who married me in spite of my dumping a cup of hot coffee in his lap—accidentally, by the way. All kinds of things need to be written down for others, but especially for our children.

 

Today has been another goof off day. Have done absolutely nothing at all. In my head—which is a good place to get messy—my new Christmas cacti have been repotted in a container that will adapt to all four of them and still leave a bit of room for the lavender plant and maybe even the African violet. Not sure that the watering routine would be good for such an adaptation, but if wishes were fishes . . . But at this point, the container to hold these plants has not surfaced beyond my imagination. That is probably about all the work that will get done today. Deep sigh. Does this tell you how lazy an old woman can get?

 

My niece and her family stopped by on their way back to Denver to pick up some eggs. She said she would think of me every time she had one for breakfast. Wanted to ask her why she thought eggs were only good for breakfast, but didn’t want to keep her. Her boys are really growing! And each one spoke to me sweetly. Some parents do a good job of having children respond to adults.

 

Sylvia and Thompson are lying side by side looking out the front window. Not sure what they think they will see—or hear—but ears are perked up and bodies are fully propped up against the back of the couch. Sylvia has the last of the newer toys to chew on. She has not quite got all the squeakers out of it yet. But she is dutifully working on it. She behaves as if it is her job.

 

Will get busy in the morning and see what the different roofing companies can tell me about their services. The insurance company did not mess around about getting the check here, so the sooner this roof is repaired, the better. Just hoping that the Yelp reviews are accurate. Jenn told me to not just trust one set of reviews. So, we will see what is up with each company before actually accepting a proposal. Here is hoping that this is the right way to do this.

 

Have been watching the sparrows out front that have been taking things and sticking them in a bird box on the front porch. Not sure if any of them intend to get in there for any actual reason, but they keep sticking things in there as if making a soft nest. Strange bird activity. But then, the nandinas bushes at the corner of the porch wiggle every so often when all the sparrows take off out of there. They seem to shelter there pretty often. Saw a small snake in there last year that was undoubtedly going for a sparrow luncheon. Just had to remind myself to watch when it was time to clean the dryer vent out that comes out right there next to the bushes. Not too happy to share my space with a snake no matter how small it is.

 

Believe it or not, we have only two more days of November. Doesn’t seem like this year had hardly begun when it was nearly over! But then, remembering when the children were in school, it felt like the school year lasted forever! It may seem that way to my grands now, but somehow don’t think so. Life is so very different for them. Well, truly life is so very different for ALL of us now. Not better, not worse. Just different.

 

Ok, will ask for prayers for some folks: Carole, friend of Keith Mattson, is going through rehab for stuff relating to various illnesses. She is going to go to her son’s home to stay until they can build her a place on their property. It sounds as if she is going to need almost daily medical care for a long time. Anyway, whatever the prognosis may be, let us ask God to bless her and her family. It can’t be easy for any of them. And we can thank God that Keith has been there for her to keep her spirits up. Will ask again for prayers for Kathy Jarlsberg—leukemia. Have not see a post from her husband this week, but know that both she and her daughter have ongoing health problems. My friend Vicky J. and another friend or two have RA. This crap is like waking up and having hot pokers in hands, feet, back, and neck. Yes, there are medications for the pain and symptoms, but the medications can cause almost as many problems as the rheumatoid arthritis. A lady I knew from online, Ardie, died recently. She had pictures of her hands and feet posted online—totally warped. Not sure if she just got sick or if something else was the problem, but know that the RA was making her suffer horribly. Let’s pray for those with such illnesses. Our world is messed up pretty badly, but when our bodies hurt, it is much harder to take joy in life than when we can feel half way decent.

 

Every time someone tells me, “We just can’t get things like that right now,” it makes me wonder if the supply chain is truly broken or if folks are just not sending things out because of prices. The longer we go without things, the sooner we can figure out what we can do without. Just another way of looking at things. May have to learn to dig for earthworms to feed these hens!

 

Just went outside to check the water for the hens and found some very disappointed chickens who followed me around waiting for some goodies. Not today, kiddos! No more heads of cabbage left in the house for them. Will have to send a request to some boys who come visit every so often. Maybe they will come up with some squash or lettuce or something. These hens are not the least bit spoiled!

 

May you all rest well and find joy in your lives. We have plenty of reasons to be thankful to God for the many blessings. But love is the biggest gift of all. You are loved.