WELCOME HOME CAROL AND PANTELI

Yes, welcome home we are so excited to see you.  If you are too tired to have us over for supper let us know.

Hardly a whisper as dad and I walked among the trees in the forest.  Friendly dogs and happy people seem to appear out of nowhere.


How do you give directions to someone lost in the forest?   Difficult!  I do hope they found their way to the water tower and back home and are not still wandering around.

Dad is doing better than I am for a while.

Today dad and I go to Peace arch Hospital for breathing test.
Be home about 3:30



I always know where I am when I come to the big rock.

COMFORTABLE

I had a short walk to the park this morning even though it was raining.


Rain was predicted and they were right and consequently the pool party was changed to Tuesday and we were all happy because more of the family would be able to come.  Carol and Panteli will be back home as will Theresa and the children back from the States.  Rick is willing to drive down from Kamloops.  Anyway we will wait and see who turns up.

I am getting comfortable with the knowledge that others have thought I was a little strange.  I fine it hard to believe but I hope I do not change too much I may not like any new me!  I have rewritten this many times but I will just leave it as it is.

Dad and I have had a more comfortable day.  We quite like a nice
peaceful day.  Dad did work hard getting our printer to work which is very temperamental.  This is when dad’s patience is really tested so after that I am hardly a challenge at all.

To be aware of the sense of wonder that surrounds us!
     to be gentle and kind, and find purpose in the small tasks in life
           To be fair and generous to others makes  one see how "routines can create the illusion of stability"     Azar Nafisi

A TURTLE

I am a slow moving turtle very clumsy.
but I am thankful to be moving.  I can even cut a graceful figure as I climb the stairs.  I do walk funny and have poor balance but I can learn to live with it.  So I have a Brain that has a mind of its own, very nervy I think, I have good days so I will enjoy them.  I have good friends who will understand.

This is because I appear to have a strange brain disease which is still under investigation.  I need to see a specialists and I need to get back to being myself.

I feel very badly for the extra pain I have caused dad when he is helping me up.  We need lessons from Leah because there are easier ways to do it and also we have a back support would help.
We often hurt those we love the most often  unintentionally.

I have heard of the "middle path" of the Buddha which is harmony.  I questioned the monk about it because it seems so narrow.
His reply: Make the middle path so big that you can never fall off of it"

Be inclusive and live in harmony.  I need to learn more.

GOOD NEWS BAD NEWS

Good news weeds do sometimes turn into flowers.

 I walked over to the mail box today. 

We had a visit with Yuri and Jas.


Lots of fun but did not want to leave and wanted to take my cane with him.

Bad news I have something wrong with my brain but they do not know what.  Good news I am going to finally get an M.R.I. which may help.

Hey!  I am alive!  I can still write my blog!  I can still cause problems but mainly still bring happiness!  I have a good loving husband!

Best news I am not responsible for strange things  do! !

POSSIBILITIES

I like to take time in my dreamlike state of  possibilities.

I am anxious to get back out in the yard and back to walking over to the store etc.because we often run our of this or that, among many other things.  And there are always things I think I should be doing!

Another perfect day,
It was another lovely day to day  dad and I ate out on the front steps.

.  He is so funny he runs after me with the walker or grabs things out of my hands he thinks I should not be carrying.  I am very well looked after.  He is still having eye problems which  is miserable.

Actually I have been very good today because I do want to get better, but it is not easy for me to just lie around and ask for things.  There is always something I think I should be doing.
 
The strawberry tea went well with lots of good workers like Jane,  The books did not sell  as well as usual because the big buyer was not there.  ME.

Today Jasmine  (Cathy's oldest daughter) comes over with her two year old always amusing.  Then off to the doctor to get results, which I am not expecting much.  I believe that Rick arrives tonight in time for the pool party!

Finding the problem that is at the heart of things helps to find a solution.  Right now I am the problem. 

Maybe Rick can cut the front lawn I think he would love to!  I would not let just anyone do it.

DOWNTOWN

This was not out plan for the day.    Eating strawberries, enjoying every bite ,and enjoying good company as well as selling a few books would have been more enjoyable.

Had a short walk down the block.

Busy on the road as usual.

Lots of flowers and hanging baskets





Small waves. I would have loved to go across the street and get better pictures but there will be another time.

Dad goes back to the eye doctor in Sept for a more complete checkup.

Enjoy Enjoy Enjoy

One by one the flowers are blooming and even the weeds that are now turning into flowers.  Our plans all changed when dad was given an appointment at the eye specialist.  He had an eyelash in his eye sorta under the lid which  was painful and irritating.  He froze his eye but couldn't get it.  The pressure in his eyes are going up   He was very unhappy going home.  He as an appointment in August for a complete checkup.





It is good to be reminded
that each of us have different strengths and weaknesses ”

Having trouble writing.

ACTIV ITY

Kind words and healing thoughts will help this Humpty Dumpty get put together again.  I like being outside and I like cutting our grass which is a very little area.
I need to keep active but also use a little common sense.  I hope to go to the Strawberry tea even if I cannot help.  I know I am an expert book seller!

It is always fun for me to do what little I can do to help.  I certainly could not be server and most of the younger women do that,
We all know how important it is to get rid of clutter in the house but it is similar with out minds.
I am trying  try to be content with myself siting in my chair and letting my mind wander all over the place.  Jotting little sayings for my blog and reading a mystery.  The stairs are the hardest part so I crawl,


Amazingly Jasmine,  daughter of Cathy, was driving by our house on the morning of the fall and she dais she felt very strongly she should stop by.  We should listen to these nudges I believe.  She is coming over early Friday morning before  see Dr.Nolte he phoned for me to come to explain my results I guess.

We just saw a video of Matthew winning a price for the best work in literacy.  Good on you Matthew!

Going to feel, much better today.

Keep life simple!  Keep balanced!

AGING WELL

Love never fails.  -I Corinthians
Now we see but a poor reflection in a mirror, but then we the mysteries of life and death are being revealed to us through each stage of our lives.
Love is patient and kind.

Love rejoices in the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always
perseveres. –Corinthians.
What a blessing to have a loving husband who is there when I need him.

“Growing older means that we will have a more than casual acquaintance with strange aches and pains in muscles and joints I never knew.”    - Angelou Maya
People start talking softer so it is time for a hearing aid.
I always want to know where the nearest is.
I laugh at my own jokes.
I have stories to tell about many different experiences.  Some I wonder if I just dreamt.
Getting older means being short of breath but long winded.
All the parts of our body are wearing out and learning to accept what was cannot do but be willing to keep trying to do our best is a challenge.  This calls for a new form of bravery.
The brain is where all our information and knowledge stored.   Even the brain becomes weary and memories become distant.
I want to use my abilities to the best I can,  I want to forget past miseries and look forward to a future.
 that holds promise.

Was working out in yard and all of a sudden \I was Humpty Dumpty, lost my balance and fell back ward off the wall.  Dad was out visiting.  I see the doctor Friday but I will be able better.  H is giving me test results,

LATE LATE LATE

We were being very mindful of the time trying very hard to get to church on time.  First I had a bad stomach and then Dad and an eyelash in his eye that is very painful.  I was also getting a headache so was almost thinking we would just stay home. It was late when we left home.   Of course we were very thankful to be there.  The new baby gave dad a sweet smile.

The strange thing was that two of the men I know from visiting at the Senior’s home where sitting right up front with the family.  We knew we knew them but not expecting to see them there it took a while to remember where we knew them from.



After  a nap and a small lunch ( I am so thankful for leftovers!) dad and I walked over to see if we could find the birds in the nest, but they were all swimming around.  Dad learned the story of the mother duck who had her babies on the back porch of one of the families that live across from the park.  Just imagine see these little ones being born one at a time.  They carried them across the road when they were bigger.  A lovely place to have a short walk.

The sermon was on Matthew 10:40 – 42.  Jesus came to give us spiritual life and also to set us free.  Free from all injustice and tyranny, this also included the family that was built on everyone being controlled by the father.

What a perfect day I like  sitting out front
 but dad prefers to sits in his hideaway or shade deck.


We live in the flow of good intentions and sometimes we fail but mistakes can be forgiven and forgotten.

Life moves on!

STILLNESS

Dad and I had a short visit on Skype with Tyler and his girlfriend Aislinn who are visiting Ken and Melina and the family.  The connection was not that good but it was fun just to see them for a short time.    Also a very noisy background!Tyler plans to come here around Christmas time as that is when he has time off.  Melina was busy cooking breakfast and I smelt the bacon all the way here.  The children look like they have all grown so much.  We saw one of the cats peeking in the window.

Our house seems so still after the family leaves.  Lots of good food has filled our tummies and still plenty left in the frig. 

I  find it difficult to still my mind because little thoughts keep jumping in.   

Stillness happens when I focus on breathing in and breathing out and with each breath be thankful for all that I am.

I watch this bird for a long time and it does not move at all even when I try to get a little closer.  So still gazing out at the water and very unaware of any other creatures around.
I wonder just what he may be looking at.

I enjoyed my walk around the little pond and see the ducks with their heads under their wings trying to sleep and keep warm.

There is to be a baby christened at church today which is really the parents promising to love and cherish their little ones.

"May serenity circle on silent wings and catch the whisper of the mind."  - Cheewa Modoc

There is stillness in the beauty of nature as we journey through each day.

SATURDAY EARLY MORNING WALK TO BOUNDARY PARK

Too early for the birds they were all half asleep.

GRANDPARENTS

One of the greatest joys in growing older is being a grand parent and a great grandparent.  Every snuggled up together to watch the game.
They are a pleasure to have visit us because they are well-behaved loving children with all the normal faults of being children.  Being a parent is not easy in fact I believe it is harder now than ever.

Grandpa is extremely pleased to have Ben to talk to and watch the game.   He even kicks the ball around outside so he is looking more like himself.

He and Ben make lunch, mostly Ben, while Morgan and I go to the dollar store  to let her pick out her birthday gift.  She is thrilled with her little presents and says thank you with a big hug!  Meanwhile Theresa shopped for a few groceries to add to mine.

Kim gets tired of watching the game and starts drawing and coloring.
I tell her that we have a lot of good artists in our family tree.





Theresa and grandpa look at the pictures of their trip to the Oregon Coast.  She left us a few copies and we were very grateful.  She is an amazing photographer!  Beautiful pictures of the family and the ocean and beach with caves and water-falls and I must not forget rocks.
Theresa is so generous with her time and her ability to create lovely family photos for us all.  I know I am very thankful!

Another stress free visit!

I know that loving and being loved is the best medicine one can take!

GOOD NEWS

We finally got some mail delivered I was just thinking of phoning the Post Office, I am still waiting for a medical report.
Grandpa was very happy and pleased and said what a beautiful card and thoughtful message.  I was going to run out and give the mailman a hug but he took off to fast.

Had a good visit with Jim who walked with me to the meeting about stroke prevention.  He even spoke up and talked about his two strokes.  I learned about the emotional as well as the physical damage strokes can do. I did not stay for all of the discussion as I wanted to visit several others who would be expecting me.

Dad has an appointment for next Tues. which is reassuring to me.    He seems better today.

Theresa and Ben and Morgan are coming to visit to-day and we are very excited to see them.  Dad and Ben can watch soccer and hopefully it will be a good game.  Maybe Theresa and Morgan and I can go down to the dollar store.  Morgan is having a small birthday party on Sat. because so many people are away in July.  I have always noticed that with my birthday,which is in July too, but a party for me would be a friend or two.  Ben will have his birthday on the soccer weekend in Bellingham.

I was very surprised this morning as I approached the bin at the bus stop to put a little bag of garbage in when a young Negro boy quickly came and said "May I"? and put it in for me.  I thanked him with a big smile!

All in all a good news day!  !

"Guard within yourself that treasure,  kindness.
Know how to give without hesitation, and
how to lose without regret,
how to acquire without meanness."  - George Sand



THE SEA

This is where I planned to go for a walk on Wed.  I thought it would be a good place to walk and dad enjoys going there.  His back and neck got very painful and so he went back to bed.  This is causing me a lot of worry.

I find being near the quiet gentle waves of the ocean on the shore are very calming.  Years ago I read a book by Mrs. Lindbergh called the Gift From The Sea.  I am now reading a book by her daughter.  She quotes her mother finding the simplicity of life in the sea shells.  She believes one of the greatest gifts of life are treasuring moments of solitude.  She writes also of the complications that can upset our plans for the day or for our lives.  Going back to visit the place where her mom stayed she realizes that nothing stays the same and in fact our lives seem to be more full of violence and injustice than ever.

All I can do it seems is to look for and treasure the gifts I have and remain true to what I believe.

I remember the days of walking barefoot in the sand and picking up every shell that fascinated me.  Happy days!

Visiting Jim today.

REAL

Our walk in the park dad leads the way.  A short walk down to the picnic area.  .there we saw dragon flies, butterflies and the usual dogs.

Everything was a bright, beautiful, and very green!



A stream

                                                                                     

A rock big enough to sit on and rest!

"Seek out that particular mental attitude
which makes you feel most deeply and vitally alive,
along with which comes the inner voice
which says,  "This is the real me,"
and when you have found that attitude, follow it.
-William James