Puzzlements

Was it the King in "The King and I" that speaks of puzzlements?  I think so.  Yule Brynner, of course, was amazing.  At some point in my life (the eighties?) I saw "The King and I" live in Seattle.  I vaguely recall a group of women making the journey for the show.  I think that's the night that I shared a bed with another women who was just a tad taken aback when I cuddled up with her during the night.  Completely innocent-- I was merely trying to get warm.  Since then for whatever reason, I've developed into an "on the edge of the bed" sleeper.  My husband never accuses me of crashing into him during the night.

So Puzzlements.  There are so many!  But I ran into one again today, that I run into more often than not lately.  And I just don't get it.  Why is it that some women don't flush the toilet when they're done?  Lately, it seems that several times a week I go into a public restroom and discover an unflushed toilet.  Why?  It's not because the toilet is broken.  I know this because I go ahead and flush it!  Kids, perhaps?    I would throw this puzzlement out to the universe, but I doubt anyone would answer.  Yeah, it's not a big deal, but it sure is puzzling as
life goes on.

Oh those aches and pains!

Still in the midst of PT on my shoulder, I somehow have made my hip very angry with me.  Probably slept on it wrong!  Why is it as we get older that our bodies insist on complaining so much?  This is most frustrating. 

Pepper, my dog, has been fascinated with my PT exercises.  Especially the ones that require lying face down on the floor.  At first, she was convinced that this odd position meant playtime.  I have since convinced her that I'm busy and she lies nearby and watches.  Then there are the band stretches, followed by two different neck stretches (on both sides, please).    My constant gazing in one direction, unable to interact with her leads to an amusing array of behavior:  pitiful gazes into my eyes, pawing at my knees to get my attention, and just plain dejection when her antics don't result in any attention.  While writing this, she has "nosed" her leash and is sitting in front of the door with her ears cocked and a hopeful expression on her face.  She has, apparently, recuperated from the grandkids' visit and regained her energy.  The night after they left, she slept like a rock--not even waking up when my husband made a 2 a.m. trip to the bathroom.  She's not getting any younger either!

My husband and I are reading "Horses Never Lie About Love" by Jana Harris.  In the midst of the storytelling we are learning some surprising things about horses.  Today's revelation?  While foals are 'in utero' the hooves are equipped with little slippers--a finger-shaped protoplasm attached to baby's feet to protect the mother!  I've wondered about that (being kicked with hooves from the inside doesn't sound like much fun!). 

Spring flowers, blues skies, slippers on foals...  God is good as
life goes on.

The Grandkids

They are growing fast.  They'll be three in May and are deeply ensconced in that "It's mostly about me" stage of life.  It's a hoot to listen to them, to play with them, and to watch their minds working as you interact with them.  They are definitely 21st century children.  I Phones, DVDs, and televisions are totally familiar to them.  (I was a "bad" grandma for not having "Bugs and Bubbles" on my phone!)  Goodness.

We've been on the run since Thursday.  Up to Spokane for a dental appointment and a stay-over at my step-son's home.  Out to dinner to celebrate a birthday.  Then the kids down to our house on Friday so my husband and his son could attend a funeral.  I got to enjoy the kids while they were gone.  The house is quiet now and I've had a few minutes to catch up on some email and print out some pages for a songbook for the women's retreat.

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday and we heading into Holy Week.  The liturgy I've been reading has a special section for Holy Week and I'm looking forward to a bit of a change of pace.  Though I have been enjoying the Old Testament readings lately.  Pharaoh was a stubborn one!

With a somewhat calm week ahead (two physical therapy appointments, and only one meeting so far) I'm hoping to get back on a schedule of exercise, reading, and writing.  We'll see what happens as
life goes on!

Waiting for the rest of the world

Patience is a virtue.  How often have we heard that?  This virtue is not part of my chemistry, and I've been trying to develop it for years.  And, not to brag, there's been a change in my attitude much of the time.  Ok--so it's taken nearly sixty years and LOTS of conversations....

At any rate, the patience is being tried these days.  Why is it so difficult for people just to give you the information you ask for?   "Please help with this"....but the information highway comes to a complete halt when I ask for the information I need to help!  What's going on?

And--requesting information to make arrangements involving others--I get it a "yes, I've made the plans I'll let you know the details later."  Why not now? 

What's wrong with just responding and making the person asking (me) think that perhaps my need for information is worth the effort of writing a few more sentences on a response!

Twice this morning my husband asks me where something is.  The items are in his hands in moments.  Was I doing something when he asked?  Yes.  Was it important to him to locate the items?  Yes.  Did it place my plans for the day in dire danger by responding to his requests? No. 

So the question.  Wouldn't the world be a kinder, gentler place if all of us concentrated a bit more on being a blessing for others instead of doing the least amount we can get away with when someone asks for something?

A crabby day.  Things will look a little better as
life goes on.

Winnie, etc.

A good friend does dog rescue.  Mostly border collies, but others as the need arises.  I journeyed with her to Pendleton, Oregon yesterday to pick up Winnie--a female akita coming up from Baker City.  Hadn't been to Pendleton for awhile and, not surprisingly, things had changed.  The restaurant designated the meeting place no longer existed!  But there was a new DQ nearby.  The DQ was quite nicely decorated with the typical Pendleton theme--wild west, coyote, etc.  It was very nice and blizzards were buy one, get one for 99 cents.  Guess how we used up some of our waiting time?

Winnie.  She turned up at an animal shelter with buckshot wounds to her mouth and chest.  Owners were found but they declined to pick her up, surrenduring her instead.  Given treatment (including sewing her tongue back together) a rescue group found a foster home for her in Spokane.  Hence the "railroad" to get her up north.  One segment from Baker City to Pendleton, then Pendleton to Pasco, finally Pasco to Spokane.  There are an amazing number of people involved in dog rescue--transporters, foster parents, organizers.  I admire their passion and the results they can achieve.  (I can't keep track of how many dogs my friend has fostered, transported, and found home for!)

Winnie was a gentle, well-behaved, and affectionate girl of about 5 years.  How anyone could shoot her in the face is  beyond me.  Even worse, my friend told me of a cocker spaniel that had been dumped by its owners.  Tossed in a black garbage bag and thrown out of a car onto the freeway.  Someone noticed the garbage bag moving and stopped to check it out.  Severely matted, the cocker is now shaved and in foster.

I have no issue with people deciding that dog owner ship is not for them.  Caring responsibly for a dog isn't easy.  But take them to a shelter for Pete's sake.  Try to find another home.  Cruelty is a coward's way of problem solving. 

The sermon today was on grace.  I'm trying to muster some up for people who mistreat animals.  In the meantime, thank God for people who try to help as
life goes on.

The View Out My Window

From my "upstairs room" (really a space overlooking an atrium) I can look out and see the sky  and a view including the city of Kennewick on the southern side of the river and Pasco on the north side.  And yes--if I'm in just the right spot I can see the river as well!  The view is even better from the roof of the house.  I know this from having helped with roofing of the house a few years ago.  That was a fun and interesting project--but I don't plan on doing it ever again.  It's a good activity for younger folks!

At any rate, there is a pinkish tinge this evening with clouds spread over the sky.  We are often treated to beautiful sunrises and sunsets here.  A blessing!

Spring is rushing forward.  Forsythia are bright yellow, the neighbor's almond tree is in full bloom, the willows are showing their delightful spring green immersion, and color is around every corner.  WOW.  God spreads a glorious palette for us this time of year and I savor every sight and aroma.

In the midst of so much renewal and life, a friend of my husband passed away in his sleep yesterday morning.  I found myself humming Harry Chapin's song "All My Life's a Circle" several times over the past day.    Isn't music just amazing?

Feeling very blessed.  My husband took the time to go to one of his least favorite shopping locations (the mall) to pick out a turtle charm for my bracelet.  (I did so enjoy the sea turtles in Hawaii).  Isn't that just sweet?  And then he treated me to sweet potato tots with dinner.  Since he can't stand sweet potatoes himself, this is especially touching. 

Some days are very, very good. 

And I am especially grateful this evening that

life goes on.

Home from warm and sunny Maui

The trip was wonderful.  Sunshine, mild temps, relaxation, and fun.  Snorkeling was incredible.  Colorful fish, an octopus waving its arms around, and sea turtles.  The turtles were especially awesome.  Especially the one that swam by me unexpectedly.  That moment is permanently engraved in my brain.  :)

The sprained shoulder that my physician diagnosed a few months ago has been examined by a physical therapist who now informs me that I've a small tear.  Good Grief.  Her hope is that PT and time will be sufficient to "heal" it; although it is likely I'll be noticing the effects for the rest of my life.  Interestingly, Ann told me that the "bad" move I made this fall (picking up my granddaughter) didn't really cause the injury--only made it happen sooner than later.  Isn't getting old grand?!?  At any rate, I am now experiencing that wonderful thing called Physical Therapy and/or Pain and Torture.  I've been amazingly good at following instructions though:  icing the shoulder 3 to 5 times daily, doing my exercises three times a day, and taking an anti-inflammatory.

After arriving home we traveled to Spokane to pick up our dog, Pepper.  My stepson and his family took care of her while we were gone.  What fun  to see the twins.  And good to see Pepper as well.  The twins will miss her being at their home, but we assured them that a visit will be in the plans--definitely before their 3rd birthday in May.  Gads--time sure flies as
life goes on.