Finally Rising...

   Just like the Amaryllis in the picture, our lives have finally arisen from the rigors of the last three weeks or so.

   One of our families gave us this plant-in-a-box for Christmas, but it too had its problems. Going by the instructions on the box, I planted this guy and waited, and waited and waited, but no action. Not being sure if I did it correctly, I replanted the same bulb in the same medium, and left it be.

   Then, one day, it began to move skyward. Nurturing it along, it continued until, today, it is showing color at the top. Maybe it was the soft voice encouraging, who knows?

   January has been a challenging month for caregiving. It seems as though Walking, speaking and hand coordination has declined, so that there are less and less activities that can be undertaken with any regularity.

   We know we are dealing with a progressive problem, one that has no upside, outside of a miracle, and our job is to do the best that we can each day, and let the future work itself out as in God's will.

   We believe in "the prayer that never fails"...Thy Will Be Done

   And we also believe that God in His perfect Wisdom and Plan will make it for the best. It is our job to be faithful in the task that we are handed, and we try.

   So, like the Amaryllis, we are rising, and we will enjoy that flower as it blooms, for as long as it blooms.

   It did not help a whole lot that I got the flu for a week, but we had the help of neighbors and church to help us get through. Thankfully, it was not as bad as some had, so maybe we are out of the woods on that one.

   I'll try not be be silent so long next time.

   Maybe I get a bloom on this page one day soon.

Christmas in January and Beyond...

   There are several story lines that seem to fit within this post..

   1. You know a lot about your social life when a sandwich at the beach is the highlight of your week, or month.

   2. Little things mean a lot. (I seem to remember a song with this title)

   3. Christmas is not just on December 25th.

   Our daughter, Donna, along with her husband and kids, always send us a small goodie bag for Christmas. She calls it a stocking stuffer, but so far we have not had any stockings. Anyway, this year they sent Granny Lou and Papa a couple of gift cards to be used at...

   As a way to get out of the house yesterday, I decided to take my wife down to this fast food outlet. Regardless of what this says about our social life in general, she was thrilled to go.

   A Chargrilled Chicken wrap (cut in half), a large Cookies and Cream Milk Shake (with extra cup), and we were set to roll.

   The sun was out, but not many folks, at our favorite spot down East Beach. We were treated to unobstructed views of the ocean, the beach, waves, sandbars, all drenched in the welcome warmth of a sunny sky.

   Having taken our latest Mitford book, I read aloud until my wife dozed off. She got a good rest, while I had a quiet time, just thinking.

   As I thought to myself on the way home, "not a bad way to spend a winter noon hour or so".

   And the best part might be the realization that we had two of those gift cards and only used one.

   A Christmas gift for now and another one for later.

   Little things do mean a lot.....(I looked it up and this was a Kitty Kallen song from 1953, but it has nothing to do with chicken).

   Merry Christmas

This is not our Island

   Rain all night..

   Cold Outside..

   And this is what get for weather this morning:

   What we would rather have is this:

   So we can do this:

   And rest peacefully like this:

   But, then I remember, we have been here for around 20 years and have not had this before. Not bad at all. I believe we can tough it out.

   This, too, shall pass...