Monday, March 18, 2024

22 Seconds

 

March Madness.  Of course I'm for the Iowa Women, but I'm also rooting for my graduate school, Yale. Yale (of course not the Divinity School) won the the Ivy league championship by making 8 points in the final 22 seconds in their game against Brown. Unbelievable!

Friday, March 15, 2024

Receiving Refugees

 A short FaceBook Post from Deaconess Connie Johnson in Eau Claire, Wisconsin: "I read some reporting today that some folks in Western Wisconsin were getting all worked up about whether Eau Claire County was “prepared” to handle 75 new Somali families being resettled there.

Here is what I remember about the people of Eau Claire County when I was growing up.
My family welcomed some of the first Hmong families into the area. They even lived with us for a time until more permanent home could be found.
Did I get mad and throw a hissy fit?
Nope.
I woke up the next morning and found one of the girls about my age at the table. She didn’t know English. I figured she might be hungry so I got some Lucky Charms and poured her a bowl. She took a big spoonful and her eyes got big and a huge smile crossed her face.
Our families reunited about 6 years ago and she came up to me and said, Do you remember giving me that bowl of cereal? I knew America was going to be great after that first bite.
Anyway, I wish people had more attitudes like that these days instead of all this fear mongering. What happened to rolling up our sleeves and figuring stuff out?"

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Dangerous World

 We live in a dangerous world.  Amidst Russia's threat to use nuclear weapons, the war in the Middle East and the troubles in Haiti, I have great respect for Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Friday, March 8, 2024

Thanks for the Women

 On this International Women's Day I give thanks for all the women in my life: deaconesses, pastors, bishops, friends, granddaughters, and all my sisters in Christ.








Thursday, March 7, 2024

Keep On Walking

 Keep on Walking

2024 is not a year to take time out from paying attention to politics or voting.  Check to see if you are (still) on the voter registration roles. Be engaged. Listen. Watch. Read. Talk. Listen to the State of the Union Address this evening, March 7.  Our democracy is on the ballot. Your voice and vote are necessary.


Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Busy as a Beaver

 Busy beavers.  We walked around a small late here in Mason City and saw their work. It was warm and seventy degrees.  You can see the beavers' new work by the fresh chips at the base of the one tree.  But perhaps they too do not know if is it Winter or Spring.  This morning it is 6 degrees with snow on the ground.  



Sunset

 So many beautiful sunrises and sunsets.  The is the view from our deck at sunset.




Saturday, February 10, 2024

Final Follies

 Grandson Jackson's final Mason City High School "Follies."  Proud of him.  Joel directed for 30 years and is now director of choral activities for North Iowa Area Community College.  Joel's wife Rachel played for many solos, ensembles and choir at this year's "Follies" as she has for decades.  She also arranges much of the music.  This year, while Jackson in high school, she plays at MCHS and at the Community College while also gives piano lessons there.  We are thankful for all their gifts. Granddaughter Jennaya, now a second year student at Wartburg College in Waverly, as a music therapy major.






Thursday, February 1, 2024

Day 5 Orchid!

 Day 5 Orchid! In the midst of winter I have flowers from all seasons blooming at the same time in our apartment.  Day 5 is the final post. I purchased this orchid three years ago for my husband's early February birthday.  After it bloomed, I simply kept it watered and surprisingly it blooms again each year. 


Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Day 4 Rose

Day 4 Rose! In the midst of winter I have flowers from all seasons blooming at the same time in our apartment.  I am posting one each day this week. 





 



Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Day 3 African Violet

 Day 3 African Violet In the midst of winter I have flowers from all seasons blooming at the same time in our apartment.  I am posting one each day this week.