Note: Steve and I visited Jamaica years ago and loved the beautiful land and its people. We are joining you in praying for all the people in the path of Hurricane Melissa, and are also committed to supporting relief work when the hurricane has passed.
Two weeks ago, we had a chance to hang out with Meagan’s parents for a few hours, which is always a treat.
Meagan put together an informal brunch buffet which we all enjoyed very much.
After the buffet, all four grandparents piled into the car and went to see Noah play some flag football. It was so fun to get to watch the game with my co-grandma. A rare occasion!
It did my heart good to see Nate with Steve and Frank. He is blessed with good men in his life.
Just one day after the game, Frank and Sheri headed to Brussels, Belgium, for some mission work. The two of them get around!
I wrote a few weeks ago about my efforts to get healthier and lose some weight. I’m happy to report that I’ve lost 12 pounds and can fit into at least a dozen pieces of clothing I couldn’t wear six months ago. My weight loss is not speedy, but at least it’s headed in the right direction.
Speaking of weight, I ran across this old picture of Steve and me when I was many months pregnant with Nathan. Don’t remember how many months, but it was probably about a hundred. (I was 27 and Steve was 32.)
And this is the adorable result of that pregnancy.
And here he is holding babies while volunteering in the nursery at church. Love that smile!
While we were in Wisconsin, Sarah and Gage sent us a photo of their furry babysit-ees. I love it when Tinker and Belle sleep tucked in next to each other. It warms my doggy mama’s heart.
Steve had this on his FB page, and it made me smile. (Please note: the otter is named Steve.)
Just about every day, I do the Washington Post crossword. I saw another word game on their website called Wridges, which I tried and found myself to be absolutely horrible at. Which kind of bothers me, because I thought I was good with words. Has anyone tried that game, and if so, do you have any tricks to get better?
Does anyone else ever feel like seeing a V of geese is evocative? Whenever I notice them overhead, I have all the “feels.” Something about that sight makes me feel a little melancholy. I guess it’s because their flights happen in fall and fall, as beautiful as it is, always makes me feel a little wistful–seasons are changing, days are darker, and another year of an already short life is almost gone.
In the midst of all the “feels,” I became curious as to why geese fly in a V. As always, Google had the answer.
Geese fly in a “V” formation to conseerve energy during long-distance flights by taking advantage of aerodynamics and teamwork.By positioning themselves in the updraft created by the wings of the bird in front, they reduce wind resistance and the effort required to fly. The geese also take turns leading the formation, with the lead goose working the hardest and dropping back to rest as another bird takes its place.
Some people might say the birds got their instincts from Mother Nature, but I believe it’s all part of the design of a Creator who thought of everything, right down to the tiniest, most miraculous details of geese knowing when and where to fly when the days grow colder and darker. If He cares enough about the well-being of a flock of geese, how much more does He care about you and me?
Saturday night, Steve and I went out to dinner. On the way home, he made a sudden decision to run the car through a car wash because, in his words, “He likes to show his date a good time.”
It has been a couple of decades since I last went through a car wash, and it really was a date-worthy experience. I think the most exciting part was when we were headed toward the car wash, and I yelled, “Steve, Steve! You are going to run into those metal bars on the left!” (I am so helpful.)
He patiently explained that he was supposed to put his left tire between the rails so that we could be automatically propelled through the car wash. I honestly did not know that. If I had been driving, I would have been veering far right to keep from hitting the rails, and would have caused no end of trouble for the attendant. Sixty-three years old, and I am just learning that a car is automatically guided through a car wash.
Never let it be said that Steve and I don’t have a scintillating life.
About a week ago, I decided to take a drive to the Blue Ridge Parkway. I didn’t have much of a choice of days I could go, so I wasn’t able to choose a sunny day; I thought that would be a bit of a bummer because my pictures wouldn’t be as bright and crisp.
As it turns out, though, the lack of sun and occasional light rain kept the crowds away and sometimes I would drive for six or seven minutes without seeing another vehicle. With the mist all around and the beautiful color on the trees, I felt like I had been transported to a place far away from all civilization. It was so incredibly restful and therapeutic to just drive in complete silence and think, or not think, as I felt like it. I will always remember the beautiful, misty solitude of that day.
You know how you always hear stories about ruffians coming up to houses after dark, knocking on the door, and then running away? Well, I can verify that those stories are true because one of those incidents actually happened to us.
Friday night, Steve and I had our usual pizza/movie night, and then I headed to bed at 8:45, absolutely wiped out from the week. Steve was puttering around in his wool sweater and slippers, contentedly enjoying a quiet night at home.
And then it happened.
The knock. The furtive footsteps as the perpetrators ran away.
The second knock plus the doorbell. More running.
Thankfully, we were able to get video of the incident, and Steve and I feel sure that we could pick the perps out of a lineup.
A couple of things to note about the video:
You get to hear Meagan’s irresistible giggle. It’s one of the many things we love about her; when she laughs, the rest of us laugh along, whether we know what’s funny or not.
You also hear her saying something about “Mom is probably in bed.” She knows me well!
The hug at the end is my favorite part.
What a great way to end the day! (Note: be sure not to miss the bonus post from Thursday!
What about you?
Does a V of geese ever make you feel a certain way? If so, what words would you use to describe it?
Have you ever done a “knock and run?” Or had it done to you?
Did you know that there was a rail to drive onto when going through a car wash?
What was your favorite thing you did this past weekend?
Yes, I knew about the rails but had never used them. Now the car wash we use has ‘tracks’ that we drive onto, then put our car into neutral and it takes our car through the wash. Pretty Cool!
I’ve never heard of Wridges. It’s not in the papers around here.
We also never did knock and runs as kids. Our folks very sternly told us that we had better never to that!! So we never did! It looks like a lot of fun though. 🙂
We enjoyed going to watch our 10 year old grandson swim in a big meet. He’s really good and has qualified for a big regional meet in January in Des Moines! We are really looking forward to that one!!
LeeAnne,
Yes, the tracks are what we had, too; I think rails wasn’t the right word. It was sort of fun to just sit back and do nothing for a few minutes.
Wridges is actually online at WashingtonPost.com/games. It makes me so frustrated that I am so bad at it!
Swimming is such great exercise, and being on a team makes it even better because your grandson has the camaraderie of doing something fun and healthy with other kids. Good luck in Des Moines!
Congrats on the 12 pound weight loss!! That is great! I lost weight a while back, and it amazed me when I’d see items weighing what I lost – 10 pound bags of potatoes, or whatever – and think how I used to carry that around! (I lost around 4 large bags of potatoes!)
I enjoyed the Bonus post last week! Such beautiful pics of your WI time, and the Blue Ridge Parkway photos are stunning! My kids did a bus trip with a school group years ago – traveling from Maryland down to Charlotte. They drove through the night, but the bus driver planned a stop at sunrise, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and told the kids they could now observe the most beautiful place on earth! Even in the mist, that area is beautiful!
Yay for outhouses! I sometimes hike long distances with my husband. There are times we’ve been far from any flush toilets, and if there’s a pit toilet, we celebrate! Well, most of the time. Some can be pretty nasty!
When I took my husband’s “fancy” car through a car wash, his automatic wipers started up, and all the beeping alerts that something was in the way were going off! Crazy! They do a nice job, though! Sounds like my kind of date night! Perfect!!
Ann,
Thanks for rejoicing over my 12 pounds! I know exactly what you mean. I was given a 15-pound kettle weight at PT to do something with and I was flabbergasted at how heavy it felt. It was good to know I’d lost almost that much!
How wonderful that the adults involved in your kid’s bus trip did the planning so that the kids saw the BR Mountains at sunrise. Something I bet they will never forget.
You’re the first person I’ve heard of “yay-ing” for an outhouse but I guess if you’re desperate, it’s a good sight to see!
This was such a fun read!! It’s been awhile. I have an entire folder of Smithellanuous to catch up on! This was a good one to start with.
The car wash. I lay witness to the evolution of drive-through car washers. When my boys were little it was entertainment. The “rail system” existed then and they are 38 and 40. Maybe Texas was a little ahead of the times? Anyway, I believe it’s been around for a few years. No judgement here… I just learned why geese fly in a “V” and your commentary instantly answered my question about the guys flying up front! I continue to be in awe of His creation and that He is a God of great detail and amazing care.
Melanie,
I hope you enjoy your Smithellaneous folder!
Yes, a car wash is definitely great entertainment for kids. I even thought it was quite interesting, especially since I haven’t in one since forever. Interesting the rail system has been around that long. Maybe I’ve just never noticed.
I know. I love that fact about the geese in a V and why they do it. No one had to teach them or train them and they seem to switch places without any squabbling. Amazing creation. Amazing Creator.
I like the “Steve otter ” and his outlook on any given day…lol
I love to see and hear geese always–the sound of them is as important as the glimpse–I hear them first -then look up–beautiful.
I thought of an old poem I wrote on them-
Ruth
FLECK OF IRON
Old grey takes on
a new dimension
in October,
a fleck of iron
enters its
sullen shades
as northern
air knifes into
its clean-cut edge,
as when
wandering geese
slice a flannelled sky
with their pie
shaped piece
of prophetic urgency…
this new grey
has become a
becoming
backdrop curtain
for the ages-old
play of the coldest
season– let it begin.
Ruth,
Your poems are so beautiful; they say what so many of us feel but can’t put into words. I love the idea of a “flanneled sky.” Perfect! As was the rest of the poem.
And yes, the sound of geese is as evocative as the sight of them.
Such a great Thing Post!
Loved the video–very smile inducing! 🥰
Love, Deb
Deb,
I’ve watched it four or five times; it just makes me smile every time!
I’ve never participated in “ding-dong-ditch” as it’s called here in Texas, but I’ve had it done.
My favorite thing I did this weekend was veg out on the sofa with the remote control catching up on shows I had recorded.Co
I’ve never heard of Wridges; I stick to Wordle, Quordle, Tightrope, Connections & Revealed.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is so beautiful no matter what the weather.
I hope you all have a wonderful week!
Sue Ellen,
I love vegging times; so relaxing!
Wordle is so much fun; I also do Connections but sometimes it really stumps me.
I feel blessed to be near enough the Parkway to take drives there. What a joy!
I love your thing posts! I don’t see the video though and am hoping you can tell me where to find it? I’d love to see it and laugh along 🙂 Have a great day!
Lisa,
Oh yes; you MUST see the video. 🙂 Let me check into a different way to get it to you and I’ll be back in touch.
Glad to know you enjoy the Thing Posts!
Lisa,
I emailed a copy of it to you; let me know if it works!
The mist in the trees is so enhancing!
I tried Wridges and didn’t do so well, but might keep trying. Have you tried Seven Little Words? It used to be in our paper, but was dropped, so I found it online.
When I see geese attempting to form their V I think of the preschool and kindergarten kids trying to learn how to line up.
We tried a knock and hide, but no one came. The door was unlocked so we went in, still no action, so we took a blender from the kitchen and knocked again. This time they finally came and we tried to sell them a blender. It was my friends cousins house!
I did know the rail at the car wash, but it always scares me and I am afraid I will drive in the wrong place.
I just relaxed this weekend, did nothing special.
Patti,
I know, I love misty photos.
I haven’t tried Seven Litle Words; will look for it. If you find success with Wridges, let me know!
That is hilarious, not just knocking but also “stealing” the blender and trying to re-sell it. Lots of laughter involved, I’m sure!
I found wridges easier to do on my phone rather than the computer. I discovered that you can use 2 letters in the beginning line up. I replay it a few times to try and get more letters, but it is still difficult.
Patti,
I’m glad there’s someone else who thinks it’s difficult! I’ll have to try it on my phone; so far, I’ve only done it on my computer.
When you say two letters in the beginning lineup, do you mean two from the bottom row or I can make a 2-letter word on the first move?
Thanks!
You can use two letters on the bottom row to make a word. Or use a bottom letter, then a letter a row up, and then back for a letter on the bottom row again. Do you tap the letters, or drag through the letters? I think 5 letters is my longest word, and only because I added an s. Some words I made by accident and have no idea what the word means.
Patti,
Hmmm. I didn’t know you could use two letters on the bottom row; good tip! On my laptop, I tap; on phone, I drag. Like you, I also make accidental words when I run out of time or ideas and so happy they are allowed. I’m usually way under the average level and have no idea how to raise my score. It’s a tough one