November 9, 2025 AD

It is predicted to be cool when I wake up in the morning and even colder (34 degrees) on Tuesday morning. My bottlebrush have still been blooming and even today when I took this picture a little bee was happily flitting around the blooms. I would prefer to keep the mild temperatures we have had, but I guess it is time.

This week kind of wore me out physically and mentally. I am much better with all the sickness thankfully. I love days when I don't have to leave the house other than to pick up little Valerie, but those don't happen very often. There are always little things to keep me hopping all around. 

I usually walk out on the deck when I get up and get dressed and then sit back down at the kitchen table for my Scripture reading. I like to walk out even in the cold and look out at the sunrise and peacefulness of the water. The sunrise has moved way over to the right at this time of year. It is always amazing to me to see it in the different seasons. While we don't have the typical seasonal things, it is the little things like the location of the sun in relation to the water that lets you know the time of year.

The setting and the time with the Lord always help start the day off on the right tone.

I didn't take too many pictures this week, but there was some fun things mixed in with the other. I left Valerie with Jeff and scooted over to Tucker's school to watch him in a Veteran's Day thing. His grade level sang patriotic songs and in between the songs some of the kids shared history. Tucker had a line for his class. He did well and I loved watching him. 

I must say walking in to the school, I couldn't help thinking of aging. My goodness, I am a grandma. I spent so many years teaching and doing little performances like his and there I was walking in white headed and wrinkled and in a completely different stage of life. Unsure of how life has moved so quickly, but I do love being his grandma.

I am still stitching away on the 12 Days of Christmas. It is taking longer than I thought. Sometimes, those little small stitches have way more stitches than you expect. I have thoroughly enjoyed it though. Each one takes about 4 days, so my goal of having it done right after Thanksgiving was a little ambitious. I will keep at it, and I am sure it will get to the person at the perfect time.

I am still reading away this year. I started Jan Karon's Beloved and had to pause to read another book. Let's first talk about Jan Karon and her fictional town of Mitford. My mom first shared them and the author of the other book I will share today. I tried reading the Mitford books before I retired and couldn't get in to them. I will tell you why ---- I spent all those years teaching reading voraciously in the summer. I think I chose books that could be read in that manner. Page turners if you will. I don't think Jan Karon's books are meant to be read like that. It wasn't until I had been retired for about 2 years that I picked them up again. No hurry---just slow methodical reading. I saw the beauty of the characters and the town and fell in love with them.  Beloved is not meant to be read quickly and I am enjoying connecting again with all her characters.

My other book that I read in a few days was Karen Kingsbury's The Christmas Ring. I had a surprise when I realized the setting for the book was Columbus, Georgia. Long time readers know I have lived there twice in my life and have a strong connection to the town. Anywho, KK has made this one into a movie. I will say this movie is a sappy love story. The book had more depth, but both were classic Karen Kingsbury. Her movie last year held Jeff's attention. This one not so much. I warned him, but he insisted on going :) I took Mother to this one and she enjoyed it much. If you are a Karen Kingsbury fan, I absolutely say go and read the book but take your girlfriends.

Jeff's back issues have returned so a phone call will be in order in the morning. I am guessing once again, we will schedule a surgery. The severe spinal stenosis probably won't go away and couple it with the Parkinson's makes it even more troublesome. I am very sad about it. He just can't catch a break. It is sometimes overpowering and heartbreaking to think on for too long. I have learned a lot about living one day at a time over the past few years.

I have also learned a lot about focusing on the good and the blessings too. 

In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Until next week,

Sandy