Wandering With Spirit

Tuesday morning started – another cloudy, rainy day. The weatherman promised sunshine — in the afternoon. Drinking coffee, sitting at the table, I opened my morning pills only to discover that the small pill box that held my prescriptions was already opened. Contents released into a plastic bag that holds both containers of pills. I found most of the pills except for 2 pain pills. Not the way I liked to start the day. CONFUSED! HOW? WHY? Where did the missing pills go? After breakfast, I found the 2 small pills sitting side by side on the table.

ASSISTANCE CONTINUED. Something called my attention to the group at the camper on the internet. I posted a THANK YOU to the group providing me with information on the tornado, calming my worry. I noticed an invitation to join me at a meeting that was posted. I DID NOT POST A MEETING AND SAID SO.

I missed a featured story on the news. I managed to roll the program back to find it. Success! I pressed play. The tv switched ALL BY ITSELF to another station. The segment I wanted to watch was all gone.

Finally, the rain stopped. I headed to the store. I moved slowly. Checking for essentials: cell phone, money, car keys, purse before I left the house. I always ask for “HELP” from above driving, shopping, parking, my life. I proceeded SLOWLY. I stopped to mail envelopes, found a lovely place to park and a quarter to rent a shopping cart. Looking at my list, I proceeded slowly through the store. I’m trying to prepare for the heat of summer. Use up frozen food, and pasta. My list was short but my cart was full anyway.

Stopping at checkout, I removed a tube of biscuits from my cart. I watched in amazement as it slipped out of my hand and rolled clear across the floor. Thankfully no one was behind me as I watched it go. The clerk took pity on me and came to my assistance. Not only capturing the wayward rolls but unloading my cart.

At home, parking the car in the garage was a challenge. Parking the car at the store had already caused concern. Thankfully I did it safely. Cooking dinner Did Not present a problem. End to an interesting day. More interesting than some but not unique.

I have been a member of the Botanical Garden for many years. Last year I renewed my membership but only visited one time. I used to walk most of the garden in two or three hours. But I was young. My knees were no problem.

But life passes and I have aged. So have my knees. I can no longer walk three miles at the camper. I can no longer walk the entire Garden. And I was afraid to try. The weatherman promised a warm sunny day. I decided to take a chance.

I planned my day. I decided to take my cane. I wouldn’t push, I would take advantage of the many benches and SIT down often. I would learn if I could still enjoy the Garden. The last time I went I took money for lunch but they only take plastic now.

The night before I went my knees hurt ALL NIGHT. But the sun was out, warming up the day. Unusually warm for April. I decided to take a chance. I wore my compression stockings and knee guards. I was pleasantly surprised. My knees didn’t hurt.

The Garden was still sleeping. Daffodils were blooming and the Persian Buttercups were showing off. In the Old English Garden the magnolia tree was just beginning to bloom. Not many other flowers. Sitting at a table under trees that were only beginning to get leaves I enjoyed talking to two young children — six and almost three. I stopped at the information desk and received needed information on butterfly and hummingbird plants. Preparing for the garden in the country. I planned to return when the crabapple trees were in bloom.

I stopped for lunch, The line For food was VERY LONG and I do not stand in line well. Thankfully a couple let me in front of them. I sat at a table outside and tried playing with water color paints. I could have walked further but the Garden was still sleeping. I had brought a bottle of water with me. Next time I would bring a snack.

I woke early Easter Sunday morn, remembering my uncle Alvin who always gave me an orchid to celebrate the day. He raised orchids. I was very young — in grammar school.

Drinking my first cup of coffee, I remembered that last Sunday I found an old friend — a chef I enjoyed watching who no longer had a weekly tv show. His name popped up when I turned on the tv to check the days weather.

Coffee in hand — running late — I turned on the tv to find Ming Tsai cooking in Hawaii with his mother and father. Ming’s father is 92. I’ve watched this program before — not happy that I was late — put it on record. They were making an oriental hot pot complete with dumplings. Ming’s two sons were also part of the show.

We always had Easter dinner at my house. When my children were young, aunts and uncles would join us. If we were in the country — no big dinner, just an Easter egg hunt. I have found eggs many years later — still hiding.

Now my children are grown with families of their own. Since my husband passed, we no longer gather for the holidays. I’m not planning on cooking a big meal. Lamb is marinating and will be in the oven in the afternoon.

I have the morning to relax, plan meals for next week. the temperature is rising. 70’s are expected. My meals have been winter based. It is time for a change.

I added two sprigs of silk yellow wild flowers to my plants on the back porch yesterday. It was a welcome sight this morning.

I’m ready for CHOCOLATE and an Easter egg hunt.

I woke early Friday morning to a COLD start to the day. The forecast was for sunshine and warmer weather with storms in the evening.

As the day progressed the sun came out, the wind shifted to the south and the temperature climbed. So much that I took my phone, something to drink, called our dog and spent an hour on the back porch. I did not need a coat. Robin gets nervous when it rains. I wanted her to have some quiet time before the storms came.

The sky was clouding when I came inside. When I talked to our middle daughter during the day, she mentioned that my voice sounded tense. I didn’t know why. Approaching storm, body parts protesting?

After supper I turned my phone off and went upstairs. I don’t get a lot of phone calls and my family is aware that I turn my phone off early. If it something important they call the house phone.

By 7PM my plans changed. I changed the channel on the tv to ignore another commercial for the coming election. Instead of another program I found a weather broadcast. It had a full screen devoted to colors showing the approaching storm. Not much time passed before I was going back downstairs for my phone. I had planned to watch a PBS special but that changed. I decided to tape it.

I was happy I made that decision. I’m not concerned with storms at our home but I worry about our children and our camper. In June of 2015, the area where we camp was hit by FOUR tornados. We lost our motor home and nine trees. A few recent storms have taken down more trees because of ice and snow. We had a shady lot many years ago, time has passed and it is VERY SUNNY now.

I hadn’t been upstairs long before I learned that tornado sirens were sounding at the campground. We don’t close down for the winter and the campground is available to all the owners. Many people were there taking advantage of the warm weather. Strong winds came through — reports of 65-90 MPH wind. Thankfully no one was hurt. Many trees are down and some trailers and sheds have been destroyed. I was happy to learn that my area was safe. When the storms passed the areas that my family and friends live in, I was able to relax.

This morning friends confirmed that I didn’t get any damage. It has been determined that the campground was hit by a tornado. I watched the program I recorded. The woman honored is a multi media artist –painter and musician. I realized that I am a multi media artist — photographer, writer and artist.

Sadly more storms are in the forecast for next week. I’ll make sure I have my phone, turned on and upstairs.

I received a new phone call from a promoter wanting to republish TO PAP WITH LOVE. When I told the story of my hot hand with the previous promoter, he asked if my hand had been hot the morning he phoned. It hadn’t been. My youngest daughter asked what list I was on. I replied “SUCKER.”

I’m typing this on a Saturday morning but it was written a couple of Sundays ago. I DID NOT WANT TO BE UP! My left hand woke me at 5:00 AM. I planned to go back to sleep. Robin heard me and my plans changed.

My hands have not been waking me up. My question — what is going on? What am I supposed to do? Yesterday I committed to writing the blog. I changed from Free to Premium. It will take a while to learn the benefits. I don’t think the nudge was writing. Rain and snow are in the forecast for today. Is it the weather?

Today I wrote the first paragraph and it disappeared before I could save it. My “helpers” are busy. Evidently the thought ramble I planned needs to be updated. With their “help”, I have published more than 444 rambles. That is an impressive number. Although it is tempting to discard this original thought, I like the ending paragraph. Possibly the reason I’m pestered to write.

Sunday morning both the focus of the Lutheran service and the Catholic mass was on Lazarus — raised from the dead. The Catholic homily focused on repairing relationships that have been damaged and bringing Christ’s light to the world.

I’ll admit that I have been blessed. I know that my family, friends and pets on the other side — are active, helping others. Evidently that is why I’m supposed to write. Share the stories that happen in my life with others. Was that why my hand woke me?

It was very cold outside on Saturday. I had to boost the temperature in our house up a degree during the day. Sadly aging is not my friend. I get COLD, wear many layers.

The wind on Saturday was blowing from the East. Even though we had new windows installed a few years ago, our house is over 100 years old. The wind finds a way in.

I wanted to post NUDGED AGAIN. I don’t type fast but I managed to get the whole thought ramble onto the page. And just that fast I watched the WHOLE thing disappear. I have to acknowledge that this has happened to me before. Not on WordPress but when I was writing TO PAP WITH LOVE.

I typed a sentence and watched it slowly disappear like in the game PACK MAN. I typed it again, it happened again. I soon learned to RESPECT my CRITICS. Sometimes it was the thought. Sometimes the writing was fine but I wasn’t understanding the message. I knew every time I printed chapter four, the printer would jam. I rewrote and rewrote the scene. Nothing worked. Finally I understood and the problem stopped. It was not in the details of the day. The story was about my granddaughter’s first communion. The party was planned for outside. Rain was predicted. The sky had was getting dark. But before the party started the sun came out and it was a beautiful day. It was the GIFT WE RECEIVED.

Somethings are ingrained in my memory. New questions surfaced. Am I supposed to write? What was wrong with the thought ramble? On Sunday, St. Joseph’s day, I retyped NUDGED AGAIN, leaving the last paragraph out. The thought ramble stuck. My CRITICS are STILL INVOLVED

I have to acknowledge that I don’t lead a normal life. I have a team in “high places” who are involved in my daily life. Sometimes my day is VERY NORMAL — nothing unusual occurs. Then there is the rest of the time.

I’m writing this on St. Patrick’s day — early morning. It won’t be published until a later date. Before I came downstairs 3 questions were on my mind. What should I make for supper? Should I order new clothes? I was not happy with the choice in the store. What should I write about?

First question was easy. It was Friday — fish. My son does not like corned beef. Second question was easy also. A new catalogue on the table showed a v neck shirt in many colors at a lovely price.

Third question — also easy but more involved. Every morning I open a book “Queen of Heaven” randomly to a reading for the day, then proceed with daily prayers. This morning I pulled my bible off the shelf. I used to read it daily but stopped some time ago. As is my habit, (I open books randomly,) I opened to Tobit 12, “Raphael reveals his identity.” I have a painting of the archangel Raphael hanging over my husband’s side of the bed. He is the angel of healing.

I’m familiar with the story in Tobit. I read it again and received the answer to my third question. “Write down all the things that have happened to you and share them with others.” I’m extremely lucky. I don’t see my family on the other side or hear them but I know they are “well”. So many people have lost someone close because of COVID or accidents. Sharing my experience might help them. I GUESS I’VE BEEN TOLD.

‘.

Long story shortened. Traveling on a snowy day, I picked up a prescription for blood pressure medicine . While at the store I researched computers. I sought the aid of a knowledgeable person in the department. I explained what I needed to do with the computer and the amount of money I wanted to spend. He broke down the advantages of two notebooks.

I wanted a light weight, reasonable priced computer that I could travel with. They had one lower cost computer but he had just sold the last one. More should be in on Monday. He explained the next reasonably priced computer and the advantages so I could make my decision. I planned to come back on Monday with my son. I trust his advice. I just wanted an idea of the choices available.

Leaving the department, I decided to take a photo of the computer I was interested in. I noticed it was on sale, $100 off but the sale would end on Sunday. I placed a phone call to my son confirming my decision. The computer left the store with me.

I hate to admit that my brain DOES NOT work as well as it used to. My son set up the computer for me. My first try was laughable Simple questions but the ANSWERS DID NOT STICK. How do I turn it on? How do I turn It off? All the apps had changed. My old computer was a Windows seven. The new one is a Windows 11. What do I use to search the internet? How do I connect to my old blog? ENOUGH for one day. It was evident I needed to start using my memory.

I have to admit that I’m stubborn. I don’t give up easily. Since COVID I attend Mass on television. It was the third Sunday of Lent. The gospel focused on the Samaritan woman at the well. The folk group Peter, Paul and Mary had a song of the woman at the well.

When I thought of returning to my blog — I asked for help connecting to my old one. John from Word Press came to my aid. Evidently I have more stories that I’m supposed to share. Sunday evening I posted TIMING.

After the phone call from the promoter, many questions circulated in my mind. Did I want to republish? Did I want to write again? I’m RETIRED! I haven’t written in three years. I looked up copies written for my blog using my old computer. I had saved my writings on an external pad. I discovered that I wrote In The Timing on Aug. 20, 2000. I tried unsuccessfully to access my blog. I knew my old computer needed to be replaced. It was a Windows 7. I bought a new I Pad a few years ago. It is a version 4. It is also out of date.

More QUESTIONS. With the help of my children we discovered that both of my books To Pap With Love and Journey With Me are available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Why Republish? I’m happy with the content of both of my books as well as the covers. Did I want to write? Did I want to buy new equipment? Could I use my old blog. Thinking of those questions plus more. we asked the promoter what his plans were. Other than designing a new cover, republishing and lowering the price — no answer.

I realized I could try to market the books myself. My team on the other side — Mother, brother, father, and husband — plus others –KNOW I NEED HELP. They are often involved.

Having stories to share IS NOT A PROBLEM. The folks at Word Press sent instructions on linking my old blog. All my thought rambles are there. My son is going to help link. Things that I could easily do a few years ago are now a mystery. Maybe I NEED TO WRITE. Thankfully I have HELP on this side too.