Wandering With Spirit

Where did summer go? I’m not ready for FALL. Foggy, cold morning. Rain is forecast for this afternoon. Often FALL brings depression. I think I found it. I’ve often written that I walk to a different drummer. Thankfully I’m aware of it.

Today is Wednesday, On Monday my daughter’s dog was scheduled for an operation. I sat outside, my feet up on a hassock. My knees were already yelling. A blue butterfly landed on the hassock to rest, I didn’t want to disturb it, so I didn’t move. I planned to go shopping — five stores listed on my phone. My daughter texted that the operation was successful, the butterfly flew away. Not immediately — it hovered and circled. I thought about knees and plans for shopping. I prioritized stops. This is the first time I did that; I don’t think it will be the last.

Tuesday, was chilly in the morning. I made chicken soup. Enough to put FIVE servings in the freezer. Wednesday morning, COLD — FOGGY– NO SUN AGAIN. Since I started reading Sr. Jean I try to start each day with purpose. I COULD NOT FIND A PURPOSE FOR THE DAY. I HAD NO ENERGY.

It finally warmed up enough so I could sit comfortably on the deck. I took the opportunity to take a photo of the GARDEN and post it on FACEBOOK. I still could not get the complete GARDEN. Sitting on a chair, on the deck, feet on hassock I looked up and saw a hummingbird hover for a few seconds in front of me.

I talk to living creatures. I thanked the butterfly on Monday, I thanked the hummingbird this morning. It is so easy to get caught up in the day that we forget the little things that cause us to smile.

I wrote this after more than a week spent in the city. My plan was to go back out after a week, but my plan changed quickly. The dishwasher at home needed repair and I needed to stay home a few more days. I wanted to get back to the camper. I hoped to have a Butterfly Hummingbird Garden planted by the nursery. I needed to be out there to approve final plans and get the garden started.

Driving out I saw fields of August grass — IN JUNE. Our state really needs rain. Getting closer to the camper — things were greener. Crops were growing. I had taken advantage of the drive to say a few prayers for our world, the violence in the city and our troubled youth. I had just heard about a friend’s nephew attempting suicide. And the brown grass reminded me to include the farmers who provide our food.

It is raining this morning, but not enough to make a mark on the rain gauge. The little bit of rain is not going to make a difference to the brown grass. The face on my watch has changed. I like the one I had, it was easy to read. Since it has occurred before, I knew how to change it back. So I thought. It DID NOT want to change back. I got the charger to encourage it to change back, it finally did.

I changed the CD’S on the radio player. NOTHING — NO MUSIC — NO SOUND. NOW WHAT? I didn’t do anything but take out a CD and replace it with another. Press play. NOTHING! I switched the CD. NOTHING! Finally I looked at the sound, the sound had been turned down to zero. Problem solved.

I wanted to use the instant pot to try a new recipe that reminds me of stuffed cabbage. WITHOUT the work. Since I haven’t used the machine this year, I pulled out the manual to refresh my memory. The first snag came when I couldn’t get power to the machine. I learned I had to unplug the stove in order to use that electric outlet. I didn’t pay enough attention to the manual. The recipe called for sauté but the new machine does not sauté.. Trouble getting the pressure. Finally found the right buttons. The food was TOO DRY. FOOD NEEDS HELP! Huge pot of food — CHALLENGE. Next day I fried the rest of the cabbage with onions and added it to the leftover food. I’m the only one here, I didn’t think Robin would want to eat it. I portioned it into 6 qrt bags for the freezer with another meal or two in the frig. Using the leftovers, I learned that it was helped by salsa and worked rather well fried and topped with an egg.

My husband LOVED TO TEASE. Watch face — then Cd player — he still has the ability. FEELING LOVED TODAY. I know he is here.

Memorial Day — I took advantage of a lovely morning to stock up on supplies. I mailed a few checks and noticed the flashers were on — in my car. I DID NOT TURN THEM ON. I had no idea how to turn them off. I have been asked by my children not to talk on the phone while I’m driving. I pulled the car over to a safe spot and called my son for help. He didn’t know where the button to turn the flasher off was. Pulling out the car manual I finally found HAZARD LIGHTS and the solution.

The gas gauge on my car was down to the 1/2 way mark. My husband NEVER let the gas get that low. I added getting gas to my list. EXCEPT it was MEMORIAL DAY and COSTCO was CLOSED.

Thankfully the grocery stores were open. My son was off of work and was available to not only park my car but unload it too. I had just returned from the camper and many supplies had gotten low. If I said the trunk of my car was fully loaded, I would not have been exaggerating. I planned to stay home for a week, then return to the camper. I was planning to have a butterfly, hummingbird garden planted out there. And wanted to get started. But I wanted my son to have plenty of food in the house while I was gone.

A raccoon had found the bird feeder at the camper and emptied it. All over the deck. It also knocked the hummingbird feeder onto the ground and broke it. I brought the bird seed and the feeder home. Bill put up a shepherd’s hook, filled the feeder and a 1/2 hour went by when the word must have gotten out that food was available. Sparrows, house wrens and a female cardinal were soon guests. The male cardinal was on the ground as well as a few mourning doves. The feeder was completely empty before the day ended. I had bought a pavilion style bird feeder with room for six birds or more birds on the ledge. A waiting line formed on the fence.

I put my phone on charge. When I took it off the flashlight was on. How? I DID NOT turn it on. I had no idea how to turn it off. I asked for HELP. Now I know not only how to turn it off but also how to turn it on.

After I reread this thought ramble I looked for the flashlight on my phone. I hadn’t used it since I discovered where it was. I DID NOT REMEMBER. I had to ask for help AGAIN. Sadly my memory is not what it was. I’m going to have to use the flashlight on a regular basis until I REMEMBER!

As a baby I was baptized into the Catholic faith. I attended parochial grammar and high school. My attendance at Mass has been regular for a while, spotty for a while and regular again — depending on life. Since COVID, I attend Mass on television when I’m home. In the country I don’t’ have cable or internet. My knees make climbing stairs a challenge, especially when there isn’t a railing to hold on to.

By now you are wondering why I am writing about this. Hopefully it will soon be clear. Yesterday was Pentecost Sunday when God sent the Holy Spirit down to the apostles to give them courage. I knew Pentecost was near. I didn’t know the date and I was very happy to be home, and attend Mass.

I had planned to put a note on a thought ramble that I was taking the summer off. See you in the Fall. My plans changed. God laughed. He/She often does when my plans are voiced. I was reminded to share my talents. I know that I am blessed. I am aware of “help” from the other side. Sometimes it blocks my plans. I was encouraged, DIRECTED to continue sharing my life.

Outside I noticed that a rose was in bloom. The first rose of summer — Memorial weekend. Two years ago, we hired a landscaper to design our front yard. We are in shade all day. I asked for Hosta’s and large rocks. The landscapers planted roses. I saw my husband’s spirit in their decision. I had Hosta’s growing in the back yard and asked them to switch the plants.

Sunday afternoon I rested my knees on the back porch while supper was cooking. I took the opportunity to thank God for my life, my many blessings. When I came inside, I walked into the pantry for something. I entered a ROSE GARDEN. THE FRAGRANCE OF ROSES WAS VERY STRONG. THANK YOU –I was stopped. Words cannot express my feelings. I shared the experience with my children via text. I received the title for this thought ramble.

My original plan was to head for home on Thursday. Plans changed. Friday, I hoped to be on the road by 10. From experience I’ve learned that my speed has slowed. As much as I would like to do more, have more energy, move faster, IT DOESN’T HAPPEN.

Thursday night my granddaughter was promoted to high school. Because of Migraines it has been a rough year for her. She still has classes to finish online. We didn’t know if the unfinished classes would hold her back. I didn’t travel to watch her.

Friday morning, I heard on television that it was National Paper Airplane Day. Isa had made a paper airplane and flew it when they were at the camper. She had left the plane, so I took a photo and sent it to her via text. A photo of our snow covered back yard popped up. I mentioned Pap Pap was proud of her too. He was there Thursday night. The snow-covered photo popped back up.

I watched a tribute to an Airforce pilot shot down over Germany in 1944. Through DNA his bones had just been identified. I shared the news with friends at the camper as well as National Paper Airplane Day. A photo of a military man flanked by two females popped up. Bob has a Purple Heart.

10 flew by. I still had bags to load, things to do. It was chilly when I woke at 6.00. Something banging woke Robin up, her barking got me in motion. It was 45 degrees outside. By 10:00 the temperature had warmed enough that I could sit outside. My knees were protesting.

Car loaded by 11:30. Water turned off. Leaving the campground, traffic inbound was already heavy. I stopped for gas and learned they served lunch; Breaded cod fish accompanied me on my journey home.

Saturday morning the wait in line to enter the campground was 40 minutes. I was HAPPY I WAS HOME,