collecting rent

       "...if we don't take the meaning of these stories literally, 

if we treat these tales as simply entertainment, we miss the deepest, 

most life-changing aspects of ... stories. We miss the entire reason they exist. 

... They carry messages that are older than the words themselves, 

messages that reach beyond the page."

At first I joined in reading The Rent Collector because it was the book 

we were reading for book club. I wasn't so keen on reading about about 

life on a Cambodian municipal dump.

From my cross cultural experiences I knew that a lot of life would be lived out even in a dump, 

and indeed it was, in all of its complexity. 

It didn't take long to get totally engaged in the story, 

and to fall in love with the characters.

It's a story much beyond life in the dump; it is filled with redemption, 

the power of the written word, and knowing how to read it.

I won't say more, but I do recommend the book. 

We had a smaller group for this gathering, but it was due to busy women, not the book. 

Our fare was simpler, and we took delight in our discussion.

"Whether we like it or not, hope is written so deeply into our hearts 

that we just can't help ourselves, no matter how hard we try otherwise."

All quotes from The Rent Collector.

because of a sweater

I may be the only female who has nodded off watching the newly-released Downton Abbey.

And it's all because of a sweater. 

In spite of the blistering heat we still are enduring 

(yes, that's the best word--enduring), the contrasting air conditioning inside 

buildings can actually feel too cold for me. Thus a sweater comes along to church, 

movies, and other places where I may sit awhile. 

We viewed the film with a group of my sister's and her hubby's friends while 

we were visiting them.  I never dreamed I'd fall asleep, as I often am known to do, 

since I was sitting next to people I don't know that well. 

And certainly not at the long-awaited Downton Abbey.

I tried leaning forward in my seat. But eventually I sat back for more comfort 

and tossed my sweater over my front like a blanket since I was cold. 

I started to get warm and cozy. That's all it took.

I don't think I missed much, but I did miss the royals' arrival. 

I can't believe it.  (I hope I'll see it again.)

It was so enjoyable, for the most part. And, my, "how the children have grown." 

It nicely tidied up a few story lines, but left us with some new questions.  

So maybe ....

Note to self: next time leave sweater home and plan to chill.

(Photo: Jefferson Davis' last home.)

a perfect setting

Our summer book club was simple: a children's classic that

some of us had read to our children:  The Wind in the Willows.

I wasn't crazy about the book the first time I tried to read it, but this time

I enjoyed it more and gained a new appreciation for it, though it is still

not my favorite book by any means.

But we had a wonderful "picnic" breakfast down in 

Bonnie's "Little Book Room."

The treats were carefully chosen to go along with the story

and we enjoyed such tastiness while we discussed.

Bonnie's daughter had just returned from Malaysia where she bought her 

mom a beautiful copy of the book (centerpiece top photo.)

It was lovely to visit B's private children's library--the perfect setting to discuss such a book.

Some of us had contributed volumes to it, some of us had watched it become a book room.

A beautiful morning with good friends. 

So inviting to linger in the coolness of the library on such a hot day.

Bonus:

A posse of good friends celebrated birthdays this summer with a day in the mountains.

We got more than a few looks, and mostly smiles, 

as we--older, hatted women--sailed into a parking spot in downtown Blowing Rock! 

recently rediscovered

  I'm so thankful my parents encouraged me to start working at a young age. 
First it was babysitting jobs, and only one of my regular jobs was easy.

 The others involved cooking supper, cleaning up the kitchen, reading stories, and Saturday night baths. Often I cared for large families. But I am so grateful for all the experiences and the training I received from such work. 

And then came the day when I took my SS card and went down to the local nursing home to apply for a job as a nurse's aid. Then the experiences really began. Caring for elderly patients in ways I never anticipated was tough, but stood me in good stead in life experiences and for nursing school. 

(I see so many young people today who don't work in the summers 

and think of all they are missing that might help them as they mature in life.)

But I digress. The main point is to share a poem I recently rediscovered. A good friend showed me a journal I had given her a few years ago, and inside I had copied this poem. The poet is approaching 90 now but still so active and just signed with a publisher for her next poetry volume. She is the connection to the babysitting discourse above. I babysat often for her five kids and it was one of those all encompassing jobs. Wow, a lot of responsibility and I was only 14.  

I sure learned a lot and am grateful. 

Wrong Turn

by Luci Shaw

I took a wrong turn the other day.

A mistake, but it led me to the shop where I found

the very thing I'd been searching for.

With my brother I opened a packet of old letters from my mother and saw a side of her

that sweetened what had been deeply sour.

Later that day the radio sang a song from

a time when I was discovering love,

and it folded me into itself again.

from What the Light was Like, WordFarm, 2006

Could Mere Loving Be Life's Work?

I pondered the thought of loving as life's work while reading The Dean's Watch by Elizabeth Goudge.

The pages of my reading journal filled with quotes from the book that I want to remember.

Once again E. Goudge used her descriptive skills to take us deep into the story about 

a clockmaker who develops a friendship with the formidable Dean of the cathedral. 

She writes so well we can't help but fall in love with her characters. 

It's hard to pick a favorite character, but mine might be Miss Montague. And here's a quote about her:

"Could mere loving be life's work? Could it be a career like marriage or nursing the sick or going on stage? Could it be adventure? ... So she took a vow to love ... she was different from the majority because she kept the vow, 

kept it even after she discovered the cost of simplicity."

"Until now she only read her Bible as a pious exercise, but now she read it as 

an engineer reads a blueprint and a traveller a map ... 

but with a profound concentration because her life depended on it."

Once again we enjoyed time around the table discussing the book on a Monday morning (when we find most of us can meet.) We are doing our best to simplify our meetings so had only tea, cookies, grapes, and nuts. 

A good time was had by all at Lydia Grace's lovely and cheerful table.

backward

When a friend of the Gardener called to ask him to read a book, and then could they 

get together to talk about it, I took note and wondered what could be so good.

Little by little I heard bits and pieces of the book, and then the guys

asked if we girls would read it and discuss it together. So when we were planning

our next book club, we concluded this would be the book to read. It's easy to read, 

and this is true from the back cover: "...was written to shake up our expectations 

and priorities for what it means to live 'the good life.'"

The author is a minister in Aberdeen, Scotland. The book is a sort of

exposition on the book of Ecclesiastes. It's not a heavy tome, and it is

filled with practical wisdom. It probably is one of the most significant books

I have read in a very long time. I highly recommend it.

Our book club is meeting often in the morning as it seems to be when more are available. 

This time we kept the food very simple--nuts, chocolate, strawberries and cheese. 

Since my house is small and our group is large, we arranged chairs with small 

snack tables around the edge of our dining room and it worked really well.  

I loved using my grandmother's pink depression glass, 

and another friend's mother's teapot, 

and another friend's mother's gorgeous linen tablecloth (all gifts to me!)

It was a sweet time as we shared parts of the book that spoke to us.

Our next book is Elizabeth Goudge's The Dean's Watch.

Some of us are following an IG reading of this book.

One of our members happened to recently host a Scottish young man 

who is a mentee of the author of the book. So we took a group picture 

holding our books for Rev. Gibson--to encourage him!

"If you knew what would happen to you tomorrow, how would you live today?"

and the month whirled by

I keep thinking we'll settle into some sort of retirement routine. So far, almost two months into it, nothing is routine.  My plan is to spend some "blog time" and then something more comes along.

Here's some highlights:

1. I'm enjoying cooking more than ever, and I've concluded it's because I'm less stressed by the work I was doing, and have more time. So we've had lots of guests at our table, including two students studying at a nearby seminary staying a week with us. I've made a lot of apple pies (I can easily get in a rut). I decided one day to actually measure what three cups of apples looks like inside the crust and discovered I've been doing it right by guessing all these many years.

2. I've been playing with table settings. A friend gave me the idea of setting the table even if guests aren't coming, to experiment and enjoy various settings. It's been fun and I guess it's basically playing with big girl toys.  And then I decided to use the setting and had folks over for dinner. I'm going to do this again. It's like therapy!

 

3. Believe it or not, 22 of us friends had an old fashioned hymn sing and we had so much fun. Most of us had grown up singing hymns so knew many of them by heart. I had to refresh my rusty piano skills. And we all want to do it again.

4. The fun of valentine's week was helping the grands to make valentines. 

And these flowers lasted over two weeks!

5. Bread night with our mentor group was a big hit. We talked about making a house a home, and then went over to the church kitchen to learn the art of bread making (the most fun was kneading). The girls went home with a loaf of bread that needed to rise in the fridge over night. The next morning the photo texts flew in of the freshly baked bread their families were enjoying!

 6. Our church had "Cooking for a Cause" week where women gathered in homes to make four meals (the organizers had purchased and portioned out ingredients) to be placed in the freezer. They will be used when a family or sick person needs a meal. It was an interesting and fun time, working with older women who all have different ways of doing things! I did not know most of them, so it was nice to get to know some new women.

7. I've been exploring my grandfather's boxes of old movies that my uncle passed on to me and deciding what to do with all of them. Some of them are cartoons he bought for his children, there are newsreels from the 1940s, as well as old family movies. One is my mother's graduation from college.

These are a bit of a burden to me but I'm trying to work through it all sensibly, and not panic! 

8. Spring is definitely here a little early, brought to us by two weeks of rain and a few warm days. 

I've had to mow our grass twice now. Word has it winter is returning tomorrow. 

9. No matter how warm a day, evenings are always chilly and it's a great time to crochet.

The grands have requested more "blankies" even though they already have them. 

I think they wanted new colors. Crocheting in the evening helps to keep me awake!

  

linen or not

We have used cloth napkins most of our married life.  Not the kind you have to iron, mind you. 

Once or twice a week they get thrown in the wash. 

We each have our own napkin rings that let us know which napkin is ours. 

I use cloth for company too--even if they need to be ironed, I don't mind. 

Ironing napkins is rather relaxing, compared to some ironing.

The other day I used some old, thin linen napkins of my mother's. They were at least 

76 years old. I can remember my mom washing them, then sprinkling them with water 

and wrapping them up in plastic. She kept them like that in the frig until she had 

the time to iron them (or one of her girls were tasked with the job.)

You can see how thin they look here. As I was contemplating how to get these napkins crisp and lovely again, I heard an idea. Very simply: clean your countertop (I think it would have to be some granite-type surface, but not sure). Get the napkin wet and stretch it out well on the countertop.

In the morning fold it, using your fingernail to press a crisp crease on the folds.

It seemed like magic to me. I was amazed at how nice they looked.

This is probably some old-school method, but new to 

me and certainly was easier than ironing.

In my opinion, cloth napkins add a touch of elegance even to the simplest 

table setting. And nice paper napkins are costly. 

I'm looking forward to using these again and hope they will last a bit longer! 

stress less

Do you ever feel chagrin about something in your past? When we were care givers for an elderly man, two seminary students lived with us and helped with things. I cooked for everyone each evening and requested that the guys let me know if they weren't going to be there for dinner so I could plan and cook accordingly. They weren't too good at complying with my request and it irritated me--even stressed me out a bit.

Looking back I ask, "Why?" Was it a desire to be in control? I didn't want to waste food, but, for goodness sake, we love left-overs anyway. What was the big deal? Years later I feel--maybe better words than chagrin--regret and remorse.

Over the years we've had houseguests that I don't know. "Strangers at our gate." 

Well-known religious statesmen, former criminals, college students, friends of friends 

passing through, and more. In my younger days I used to fuss and 

feel uncomfortable and stress about meals and how it would all work.

Needless worry. Lesson learned over and over. Scripture from Hebrews 2 talks about angels:

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained 

angels without knowing it."

Each and every stranger at our gate was a delight. 

Each one enriched our lives far more than the food and shelter we gave them. 

One man I actually thought might be a true "angel in disguise."

So next week when two seminary students from far-off knock at our door to live with us 

and attend a week-long concentrated course, I will welcome them with joy and cook for them 

with pleasure. And enjoy leftovers if there are any!

bullet thoughts

As some years end, we hope the new year will be better. For us, this year contained both good and bad, some momentous things, many mundane, and many reasons to give thanks. We welcome this new year as we, in a sense, enter the unknown. The Gardener officially retires tomorrow and we begin to walk a new road.  Now to some random thoughts organized in bullet points:

1. One of my favorite things about this time of year are the Christmas cards or greetings that arrive in the mail (or, more and more, by email). But either way, it's just great to catch up with distant family and old friends. A wonderful tradition. I love to brew a cup of tea and sit down and digest the news and study the family photos.

2. I came upon a batch of old books from the early 1900s that belonged to my grandmother and one to her sister, Annie. About the same time I learned about a second cousin once-removed, who is great-granddaughter to Annie. She wanted Annie's book and I happily mailed it to her. As I continue to work ever so slowly on cleaning out our house, I find great pleasure in passing things on to people who want them. My nieces wanted the rest of the books, albeit mainly because they love old books.

3. It's always bittersweet to take down the tree. Sweet memories of good times, along with a desire to unclutter and begin a new year. And so down it comes today.

4. There was so much joy in receiving this mini painting from my five-year old granddaughter who gave with as much joy and excitement as I received it. I'm sure she'll smile when she sees the place of honor it has. There is more joy in giving than receiving, but I'd say this gift was about equal on both counts.

5. Above are some highlights of this past year. Each one represents a special time, a special trip, or a simple every day moment. But each one brings a reason to feel gratitude.

Friday Four

1. We won't forget autumn in 2018. Two hurricanes in two weeks. We cleaned up from Florence the best we could before leaving for two weeks down south. Florence had been anticipated blow by blow for over a week but didn't amount to as much as expected, thankfully.
While in FL I visited a new market with my sister that is full of 

fresh produce to the extent that it's truly "eye candy." 

2. We visited with old friends and went out for lunch to a place E. chose because it reminded her of me.   

Blue and white everywhere! Another delight for the eyes, and so thoughtful of her. 

I think my love for blue and white is well known!

3. Back home in time for Hurricane Michael, this one not nearly as well

planned for as it seemed to come up suddenly. 

And caused more damage than the long anticipated Florence.

A leak sprung around an upstairs dormer window, decorating our dining room ceiling.

The good news on this was that when the guys came to repair the roof

––since they were all over the roof top with such agility––

I asked if they would clean mildew off the high gutters and siding,

a job we wondered how we'd get it done. And they did. So grateful.

 4. Things were busy once we arrived home, besides the storm. 

Bookclub, delayed by the first hurricane, 

met for a lovely British tea at Rhondi's house. 

We had a lively discussion on Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey

Then a birthday lunch at my house ...

  

my numbers are falling

At a funeral recently, the Gardener nudged me and pointed to some scripture written in the 

program. "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the 

ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 

Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." He's always the 

encourager and I knew he was trying to remind me God has every hair on my 

head numbered and knows what's going on with each one, 

whether it's falling out, growing longer, or turning white.

Years ago I read about a beautiful woman with long dark hair who was in the throes of chemo. 

She told about her hair falling out and used this same scripture. 

She called her story, "My Numbers are Falling."

I'm not sure why my hair is falling out--more than ever before. 

I've always been proud of my very thick hair. 

There's still plenty there, but if this falling continues, there may not be.

It's been an unusual summer. Lots of travel interspersed with two surgeries to remove cataracts. 

With each surgery I became allergic to the post-operative drops, but not until two weeks after. 

What followed was concerning: very blurred vision (after wonderful 20/20), and with one eye, 

a lot of pain and itching. All is well now.

I could have titled this post "The Great Thirst." For indeed I had a thirst to end all thirsts 

earlier in the summer.  I ignored it for weeks as we were traveling. Deep inside I knew 

what it meant but was in denial, hoping it was something else. 

It was unquenchable, and I marveled at it's depth and insatiability. 

I hadn't noticed I'd lost weight until a friend asked about it. Sure enough, almost 15#.

Once home I began to panic. I couldn't get in to my doctor for several weeks so the 

Gardener gave me his appointment. The doctor didn't even come in to 

see me until his nurse had pricked my finger. Sure enough my blood sugar was "sky high." 

I wonder how long it had been that way. He came in the room with an insulin syringe.

Type 2 Diabetes. It is a hard diagnosis to accept. It took me awhile--I think 

I was a little in shock. Maybe what was hardest was to know this is forever 

(though I have a goal of getting off my medication through diet and exercise.) 

I remember the first time the Gardener and I went shopping for new food for me, 

reading all the labels. 

So discouraging as the primary concern is very low or no carbs. 

But I am adjusting well. My blood sugar is down to normal range 

and I've lost more weight. God's grace has been abundant--my appetite has decreased 

and I rarely am tempted by old favorite foods. Friends have been encouraging and helpful 

and I even had a "keto recipe" cooking class with a friend. I feel better than I've felt in years.

I find a lot of people don't talk about their diabetes, as if it might be something to hide. 

I've decided not to keep quiet about it, because if I can encourage one diabetic to eat properly 

or one "pre diabetic" to watch his or her diet, it will be worth it.

As far as my hair falling out, I suspect it could be related. 

A major stress in my life ... possibly the weight loss. 

I'm just trusting it stops soon.

Not a Lincoln Continental

My husband shares my father's love of corny jokes, and often uses the 

same jokes. When the subject of cataracts is brought up, I often hear, 

"I want a Lincoln Continental, not a Cataract." Silliness.

I have wanted a cataract removed for a long time, but it wasn't until recently

that Insurance said my eyes were bad enough for them to pay.

Meanwhile I've suffered with dark images against a sunny window, glaring

headlights at night, unbearable sunshine, and fuzzy vision.

I was a little apprehensive about it all, but it was as close to a "piece of cake"

as surgery can be, IMHO. Granted not all cataract removals go

smoothly, but I'm thankful mine did. I am enjoying a new world of clear

20/20 vision and enhanced color. If I cover my "new" eye, I see what

things used to look like––as if in photo editing, I beefed up the "warm" tones.

I am looking forward to having the second one done soon.

My sister had hers done the day after I did and it is fun to compare notes. 

Our docs were very different in their approach. 

The two little ladies above are not us, but our great-grandmothers 63 years ago.

I only remember the one on the right.

I'm just wondering how well they could see as they aged.

When I was a young nurse, cataract surgery was far different.

People would lie very still in dark rooms with sandbags around their faces. I'm sure

they stayed in the hospital for several days.

I'm certainly glad for medical advances! 

a surprising rest

We've been on the road a lot in recent months, driving here and there and some in-between. 

The purpose for our trip to KY was a week of meetings for the Gardener's work.

I went along to help with logistics for those meetings, and simply 

because the Gardener and I enjoy being together.

Midweek in those meetings we took the afternoon off to visit 

the nearby Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill.

It was a warm afternoon and we were tired.

I expected to do a lot of walking and looking at this historical place--

which, to my surprise, had eventually turned into a busy street with gas stations and shops, 

and then, in more recent years, restored back to the original village it had been, 

or as close as possible.

 The original buildings had remained through the changes, 

and are slowly being repaired as needed, but, as with the

Shaker beliefs, certainly in a minimalist way. Some of them have guest rooms that

can be used by tourists for overnight visits.

It certainly would be a lovely place to spend a day or two.

And thats' what the surprise was for me. It was so serene and restful.

We didn't feel the pressure to go see everything, rather we soaked up the atmosphere of

the place, trying to wrap our head around a group of people who lived in such

a different way from what we may consider as the norm. Guides had time to talk and tell stories;

and we enjoyed sitting on benches, cooled by the soft breeze, relishing the shade of old trees.

We came away so refreshed and rested. 

I Never Expected ...

I never expected to enjoy Kentucky so much.

We have driven through the state before, spent time in Louisville, 

but on our recent trip there, I soaked in its beauty like never before.

The stately horse farms and beautiful fences,

the deep green of Kentucky bluegrass ...

So much feasting for the eyes.

We stayed in a very small town, and I may just have

enjoyed that most of all.

I loved being able to walk everywhere.  I loved the sound of the

train coming through town, and the old fashioned drug store

where time has stood still.

On the way there, we spent a few hours at the ark.

Truly amazing.

And yes, big!