July Fourth!

 Happy Fourth of July!  AND it's Friday Fave Fives time.  Here in the US, we are celebrating a national holiday.  Two hundred forty-nine years ago, we declared independence from England.  So I am focusing on both our national holiday and five blessings from the past week.  (The link above takes you to the blog of Susanne, our FFF host.)

1.  Thank you to all the people who have visited this blog and commented about their prayers, thoughts and concerns for The Professor after his stroke last month.  He is recovering so well.  If you know him personally, face to face, you know that he is working hard, doing his exercises faithfully.  This week, we have walked a couple of evenings-- almost a two mile walk!  One thing his therapist told him to do is put together puzzles.  He has done several 350 piece puzzles using his left hand to increase dexterity and strength.

2.  Three hundred ninety years ago, my ancestors left London on a ship named Increase, floated across the Atlantic Ocean and landed in Boston, Massachusetts in June 1635.  I am thankful that I have all the information about my ancestors (courtesy of some very dedicated great aunts and uncles who did so much research) about the people who arrived and settled here in America.

3.  One morning, we drove to the local car dealer where we bought our Honda and had the usual maintenance done on it.  The car's good to go.  I am thankful for experienced and reliable mechanics to do all the work like oil changes.

4.  The Professor's friend spent one morning with him, just talking about everything.  RD is such a blessing to him and I'm thankful for that. 

5.  Last night, almost all our local family met at our house and then walked down to the Ohio State University campus and set up our chairs to enjoy food truck cuisine and orchestra music and fireworks.  It's a yearly tradition in our town to have a huge fireworks display on July 3rd.  We had a great time!  We sang along with the orchestra.  We snacked on popcorn.  We oohed and aahed at the fireworks display.

Some photos from last night.  Can you imagine all the booms and explosions?

Again, Happy Independence Day!

End of June Faves

 It seems like every week flies by so quickly.  This week did, too.  I am thankful that I have Friday Fave Fives to keep me grounded each week by helping me just Stop.And.Focus.  ( This link takes you to our host Susanne's blog and you can join in sharing or just reading others' faves.)

1.  I am thankful for the week we had with Chaplain Dan.  He was here for a full week and we treasured every moment.

2.  On the night before Chaplain Dan flew back home, we had a family dinner and bonfire.  We sat for hours enjoying the cooling evening and watching for fireflies.  What's not to love about a bonfire?

3.  I am thankful for air conditioning.  It seems like you don't appreciate something until you don't have it.  That's what happened to us.  On the two hottest days of 2025 so far, we didn't have AC.  Sunday night, it died.  On Tuesday morning, we drove to a local AC repair company and talked to the scheduler.  Miracle of miracles, one of the workers finished his job early and was able to come to our house.  He discovered the issue and fixed it in just a few minutes.  I am thankful for the company that worked quickly to help us and I am thankful to have a cool home again.

4.  It was The Professor's birthday this week!  How thankful I am that he is regaining his strength and health.  His birthday is the same day and my mom's, so my brother called to wish Mom a happy birthday in heaven and to wish The Professor a happy birthday on earth.

5.  Coffee time with T and S was scheduled for his birthday.  Nurse Daughter joined us (she had the day off) and brought Tall Boy and Warrior Boy with her.  We had the best time celebrating him and the coffee and snacks were delicious.

That's it for me this busy week.  How was your week?

Summer Solstice Fave Fives

Another week in June has flown by.  And today is the Summer Solstice!  How has the year gone by so quickly?  I have to slow down every Friday and focus on what has blessed me during the week; otherwise, I just keep going and don't think about how grateful I am for big and little things.  Friday Fave Fives really helps me do that.

1.  The absolute best fave for this past week is the first thing I will mention.  Our older son Chaplain Dan flew in to visit us on Saturday!  We have been having the best time.  He has helped so much with 

2.  His sisters have been able to spend some time with him.  It makes my mama's heart 3/4 full.  (why only 3/4?  because Younger Son wasn't able to join us)

3.  The Professor is doing well, healing more daily.  We've been able to take a couple of short walks in the neighborhood.  He has daily exercises to help him regain strength and better use of his left hand.  His appointment with his primary care physician went well.

4.  On Sunday, after church, we enjoyed a family dinner at Olive Garden.  Younger Daughter's boyfriend joined us and we had a wonderful time celebrating The Professor.

5.  Our usual weekly coffee time with T and S was especially fun because Chaplain Dan was with us.  Since all three guys are military veterans, they had the best time just talking about the Navy and the Army.  S and I sat and listened and enjoyed the conversations.

How was your week?  How were you blessed?

Home is Best

Oops, I'm late posting my Friday Fave Fives.  It's been another crazy week.  But it has been a good week.

1.  The Professor is HOME!  He was released from the hospital yesterday.  Of course, there is still lots of physical therapy to continue so he can regain even more of his muscles, but his progress is nothing short of amazing.  I just keep being amazed at how well The Professor is recovering from his stroke.  So many people called, emailed, and texted to let us know that they were praying for him.  I am so thankful God answered our prayers for his healing.

2.  Even before we drove home, we made a detour to a local coffee shop to visit my cousin who was driving through Ohio on his way to the east coast to attend a wedding.  We hadn't seen each other for more than ten years.  It wasn't a long visit but it meant so much to both of us.

3.  I am so very thankful to have the three home projects finished.  The driveway is repaved.  The downstairs flooring is replaced.  The upstairs carpet is renewed.  Whew.  It's all beautiful.

4.  To be able to have the carpet replaced in the 'library', we had to move ALL.THE.BOOKS.  It wouldn't have happened without friends who spent two afternoons and an evening taking all the books out and, after the new carpet was installed, putting them back on the bookshelves.  I am grateful for their help.

5. The garden is beginning to grow and produce.  Well, at least we are enjoying eating the kale.  And the flowers keep blooming.

Are You Still Curious?

 Remember those yarn colors I wrote about?

Well, I finished the knitting project using these yarns and here is the answer.  Ring any bells?

Yes, those are the colors of the four Hogwarts houses made into small scarves.

Back story.  A family member had a baby boy a few months ago.  I asked what I could knit for little R.  During our texting back and forth, we hit on the idea that I could make him a Weasley sweater.  Then came the question--"What house is he in? Slytherin, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw?"

So I devised a plan.  I would knit little scarves.  When R is 9 3/4 months old, they will lay out the four scarves in front of him.  Whichever scarf R crawls to and grabs, that is his house.

The four scarves will be mailed to Oregon soon.  I will await with great excitement to find out what colors I will use to knit R's sweater.

Yes, I'm Back

 Update:  Thank you all who have prayed and sent good wishes to me this past week.  The details of my disappearance are that The Professor suffered a mild stroke last Thursday night.  Because he immediately recognized the symptoms, we were able to get to the ER very quickly.  He is making strong and fast progress in his recovery.  Currently, he is in our local hospital's inpatient intensive physical therapy rehabilitation unit.  Again, thank you all for your care and concern.

So, as you can imagine, all of my Friday Fave Fives this week are linked to this situation.

1.  I am thankful for excellent care for The Professor in both hospitals where he has been a patient.  In addition,  Younger Daughter the Nurse was on duty that evening and was able to check on us constantly.

2.  So many people have reached out to offer help to me-- driving, meals, and everything else I might need.

3.  My dear friend L who was my companion on our adventure to Ireland last summer drove me home one evening from the far away hospital, stopped at Trader Joe's and helped me purchase some basic foods and ready-made dinners to make eating easier.  I didn't realize at the time just how much that would help me this week.

4.  All our neighbors are keeping an eye on me, reminding me that they are all here to help if I need them.

5.  During this difficult and crazy time, we have had two house projects going on.  (When you plan work with companies, you can't just cancel or postpone it.)  Our driveway has been repaved;  the cement work was well done.  The flooring on our main floor has been pulled up and replaced.  That should be finished tomorrow.  I am thankful that the work was still able to be finished and that the companies have been helpful and accommodating.

Here is something to make you smile.  A honey bee gathering pollen from a beautiful yellow flower.

Hold On. I'll Be Right Back

 I probably won't get a Friday Fave Fives done today.  We are having a medical situation and that is taking all my attention.  If you a praying person, we would certainly appreciate your prayers.