Random Acts of "Kindness"

Posts tagged ‘Angels’

WISDOM

A friend of mine keeps remarking that I lead on interesting life. AND I DO. Thankfully when my father passed in 1995, he sent me a sign that he was alright. AND SO, HE IS! After his passing I went to school to learn how to recognize HELP from the other side. Both stories are in print. TO PAP WITH LOVE, is the story of my life with a father whose memory deteriorated because of Alzheimer’s. JOURNEY WITH ME is the story I wrote of my classes. Both books are still available. I HAVE NOT GRADUATED. I AM STILL LEARNING. Now my husband has joined my family topside, and he adds to my education.

Since I’m home, I’m able to attend Mass on television. Yesterday the homily was WISDOM. The priest summed up his talk by suggesting that we remember the things we have learned and pass them on to others. And it made me think. Often, I take things at face value and don’t see the deeper meaning behind the events.

I have to admit that just happened. My youngest daughter’s birthday is this week. She was going to stop by our house before going home. She mentioned that she was thinking of trying to make gluten free bread in her bread machine. I’m aware that I often have help from the other side. I was not surprised that a gluten free bread book was posted at Amazon. Also posted was an anthology – Mrs. Jeffries Sallies Forth. I am a fan of Mrs. Jeffries and will admit that I have read ALL 41 of her books. I have been retreating to OLD ENGLAND to escape our world. Having 3 stories in one book sounded good to me. And I placed my order. I had been thinking of getting the first book in the series for my daughter.

Thursday night I received the bread book, I also received Mrs. Jeffries GHOST, the third book in the series. WHAT? HOW? WHY? That was not what I ordered. I checked the order, somehow it changed from the book I order to GHOST! To say that I wasn’t happy is an understatement. I WAS NOT QUIET about the mistake. Thankfully a phone call the next morning got me the book I wanted. I decided to keep GHOST, read it and give it to my daughter. I’m not a fast reader, I don’t skim but I finished the book by Friday night, all 11 chapters. The last sentence gave me laugh.

I planned to wrap it for my daughter’s birthday. But I had the bread book too. I also had a digital scale so that she could weigh the ingredients. Then the Anthology arrived and the packaging was big enough to hold all three items. Sunday morning, I attended Mass. Sunday afternoon one and one made two. I wrote a note to my daughter telling her that GHOST was a gift from her DAD. He was able to change the book from the one I ordered to GHOST. Her father is very TALENTED.

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

TIMING

Yesterday I scheduled DUET to post. The theme concerned the back-to-back storms that ended July following a stretch of 90-degree days. I am at my winter home in the city. We just had three days back-to-back that reached 94-degrees.

We had heavy storms last night that are continuing through today. At the camper Robin shelters under my bed. She cannot get under my bed here. At 12:30 she woke me when the rain started. Even though it was only drizzling, I gave her thunder bites. At 4:00 AM she heard thunder. She became nervous, looking for a good place to hide. I was not able to go back to sleep. I finally gave up, turned on the television looking for a weather report. At 6:00 AM I saw the extent of the lightening and gave her more thunder bites.

Coming downstairs at 7:00 AM my phone announced that lightening was detected in my area. I was pleasantly surprised to hear the message on my phone — The Rockford weather AP works on my phone in the city. My phone warned me again when heavy rain was coming.

Somehow, I missed the weather forecast — the warning of strong storms. Too tired? Still trying to catch up? Too much to do? On purpose I haven’t over scheduled. I wrote five thought rambles at the camper but since I don’t have the program to work offline, I’ve had to try to get them scheduled while I’m home. I’m not a typist. I flunked typing in high school. To make life more interesting, they have made changes to the program. And because it is MY LIFE, MY EDITORS HELP. If what I’ve written doesn’t meet expectations or is too rambling, changes are made.

I received notice that one of my prescriptions needed to be renewed. In order to get new pills — My doctor wants to see me. Thankfully I have a free time this week, AND SO DOES HE.

Coming home, catching up on the mail, I saw a notice from the city regarding senior tax exemptions. I sent the paperwork in April, including a copy of my husband’s death certificate and a copy of my ID. I was concerned that it wasn’t received. On hold for 45 minutes, I finally got a human voice, she gave me an answer. Paperwork had been received. I had my exemption. TIME WELL SPENT. I COULD RELAX.

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

DUET

Early Friday morning, the Tornado Alert woke me at 1:45 AM. Storm coming — 2:15 the alarm sounded again, Severe Storm. My rain gauge measured 1 1/2″. The temperature continued to climb. HOTEST DAY OF THE YEAR predicted. Heat warnings — remember to stay hydrated, stay out of the sun, and wear loose clothes. I planned to go to water exercise, but I was moving too slowly.

I turned the air conditioner on. I stayed inside once the temperature reached 80. I had a book to read, I still had black bean salad. I DID NOT NEED TO COOK. I don’t know how high the temperature went but STRONG STORMS were predicted.

My granddaughter was attending a Bible camp to the North. My son-in-law and grandson were driving up from the South. I was concerned and said a prayer for their safety.

Earlier in the morning, when I was sitting on the deck, I noticed two of the baby robins had fledged. One remained in the nest. Early in the afternoon I watched the last baby robin hopping on the deck. It hid from my dog behind a bin. My Robin was very interested. Early in the evening it had flown.

Our television reception was very dicey, but Friday night Channel 6 came in clearly. They preempted regular programing to report on the approaching storm. IT DID NOT LOOK GOOD. The possibility of a tornado was forming. Hail and winds of 100 MPH reported, coming from the North. I was concerned for my granddaughter. When I’m stressed, I PRAY. I DID!

The storm came through about 10:00 PM. Winds blowing, crashing of stuff. My son-in-law was just arriving. He was driving through the small town when the wind pushed his truck. I was happy they arrived, were safe and I was inside. The electric went off but before it did, my TV channel changed to 56.1 LAKEVIEW PBS. The channel I watch at HOME. Electric came back on, but tv coverage was affected. I turned the tv off and the air conditioner, but I left the fan on.

Robin woke me at 2:00 AM. It was quiet outside, the storm had passed. My green plastic chair had been blown across the deck. Plants were knocked down. Since the robin’s had fledged, I could turn on the porch light. And I did, straightening up. The solar lights in the Garden were on.

Saturday morning, I noticed more damage from the storm. TWO TREES WERE DOWN. The maple we had planted in 2015 after the tornado had taken out nine trees, And the ornamental pear we had planted for my husband. SAD!

One inch of rain was measured in the rain gauge. I called Above Ground for help removing the trees. They came that morning. They removed both trees and pulled out the stump from the pear leaving a deep hole. I called another person for help filling the hole. Not expecting him to come over on Saturday, I used curtain rods to mark the hole so no one would fall in.

Still early, still cool, Steve came by with four bags of dirt. He pulled a mess of weeds between the stairs and the trailer. He found a small oak tree growing there which he transplanted to the new dirt filled hole. Curtain rods provided support. The new baby helped the sadness. My grandson removed another robin’s nest.

News reported two tornados in the storm. Our campground had 14 locations with blocked roadways, 164 lots with downed trees. July ended with a bang. I’m tired of planting trees to have storms take them out. The baby oak is an exception. It has the leaf that has withstood oak wilt. I will enjoy watching it grow. I plan to plant tall grass and a couple of bushes.

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

ROSES

It started simply. I wandered into a bookstore in Dixon. Although I have camped in the area for many years, I did not know the bookstore was there. Entering I saw Sister Jean’s book “Wake Up With Purpose.” I knew it was mine. I decided that instead of reading Sister Jean from cover to cover, I would save a chapter for dessert. I recognized the name immediately. I had seen her on television many times over the years. I knew I would enjoy her thoughts. I was right. One serving and I knew I would need a place to write her thoughts or my comments.

The very next day I found the perfect journal, “Blessings Among the Roses”. There was plenty of pages waiting for comments enlivened by artwork and quotes. That inspired me to write today. Through the years I have received many roses but a few stand out in my memory.

I have written about many of them. I remember the fragrance of the roses when the blessed Virgin Mary was present at the Queen Of Heaven cemetery in Hillside. Heading out the door for Mass I found roses on the porch. I thought they were real, left by my neighbor. Only to discover that they are silk, identity of presenter unknown. They have a place in my kitchen. I wrote “Roses with the Morning Paper” in Journey with Me.

After my husband passed, we got a landscaper to enhance our front yard. I asked for stones and Hosta’s because our front yard is all shade. They brought 2 rose bushes. I knew my husband was involved. He knows I love roses. I asked the landscapers to move the roses to the sunshine in the back and Hosta’s to the front. Putting in a garden at the camper I asked for two rose bushes. The varieties the nursery chose blooms all summer.

Having both books surface this week is timely. I had been wrestling with questions about my age. Will I be healthy enough to continue to enjoy the camper? Articles about the accomplishments of people of advanced age are often in my sight. I decided to do what Sr. Jean is doing –Start the day with purpose.

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

DISCOVERY

We have had smoke in the air from the fires in Canada. I haven’t noticed a problem breathing but I wondered if the smoke wasn’t affecting my body. My knees and fingers are experiencing problems. I wondered if the poor air quality is causing the issues.

Monday, I did not feel well. I made chicken noodle soup on Friday, more noodles spilled into the soup than I planned. I froze three pkgs and put the remainder in the frig. After I finished the soup in the frig, I raided the freezer.

Sitting outside, taking it easy, I watched 5 bunnies run in a line past me. A butterfly hovered around my head. It stayed long enough for me to talk to it. The hummingbirds visited the feeder and the petunias many times. In the evening the bunnies were back, running in a straight line. I watched a group of deer cross the road, headed to the corn field. It was an unusual day. The air quality seemed better.

Tuesday, I had energy. I was determined to do something. I pulled out the step stool and investigated a corner cabinet. I’m shrinking and so are my arms. The top shelf had something hidden in the back. I couldn’t reach it. Thankfully a fly swatter was on the sink. I used it to retrieve a large 2 qtr. plastic pitcher with a smaller one inside. I was going to leave it on the shelf where I could reach it. But then I realized I wouldn’t be able to get it down without a stool.

Since I had the stool, I cleaned off the top of the refrigerator. It had not been touched since my husband passed. It was LOADED with MICE droppings. Also loaded with cardboard tubes used to keep the frig doors open during the winter. I found a bunch of notes written many years ago. I DID NOT LOOK AT THEM. Bunching the mess up, I dropped it into the sink to be dealt with later. I was able to reach disinfectant kept in the sink cabinet. After putting stuff back, I continued with the small shelf in the corner cabinet. I found plastic storage bins with no tops. I planned to recycle them but plans hanged when with the help of the fly swatter I FOUND THE TOPS. Since I like to cook, they would be helpful in storing leftovers. I seldom make a one serving meal.

I decided I had done enough work for the day. Gathering up the trash, I threw it into a bag. I didn’t tie the bag because I had more stuff outside that I wanted to add to it. Tossing the bag down the stairs, a piece of paper escaped. It was a lovely note from Tom telling me he had gone fishing. Before dropping off the garbage bag, I searched for more notes. Most of them detailed life, shopping, church, etc. I found one in which Tom was taking our Lab, Mabel, to the lake.

I THINK TOM WANTED THE NOTES FOUND. THAT IS WHY ONE ESCAPED.

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

GARDEN

Monday morning, I waited for rush hour to end before leaving for the camper. I planned to stay for a month. Thankfully I remembered lessons learned when I stayed longer than I planned, I brought all my vitamins and prescriptions with me. I included 2 bottles of Terrys Naturally Healthy Feet and Nerve pills. I didn’t want to run out again. Aldis had a fabric picnic basket on sale. It held all my morning and evening pills plus extras.

I had six bags packed by 8:00 AM so my son could load the car before he started working. He managed to get all the bags plus 3 boxes of fencing and the 3 plants I brought home into the car. He buckled a box into the front seat to hold one of the plants.

The outbound traffic was lovely. When I arrived at the camper the gardeners were already busy. They had parked their truck with trailer across the street blocking the drive I used to back up my car for easy unloading. They not only unloaded my car, they brought everything into the camper for me. I’M EXTREMELY GRATEFUL.

Tuesday morning, an alarm woke me at 6:00. I DID NOT HAVE AN ALARM SET. I was dressed when I opened the door at 7:00 and saw their truck. They not only brought beautiful plants, they replanted my daffodils. We had pavers left over from an early stone patio. They made a safe path to walk on. I didn’t have enough fencing to surround the whole garden. I need five more boxes. I was surprised when I saw a heart made from river rocks. Robin jumped the fence into the garden.

I was concerned about the soaker hose. I DID NOT NEED TO WORRY. They attached it to the hydrant that is close to the camper on level ground. They put the hose under the stairs so I wouldn’t drive over it. If you are getting the impression that I’m very happy with their work. You are CORRECT.

Thursday, I traveled south to look for garden ornaments. First stop I found a St, Francis of Assisi statue. I was born on his feast day and have searched for a garden statue for years. I also found a solar hummingbird and bee on closeout. I bought 8 solar disk lights for the path.

When I finally arrived back at the camper, I left the garden stuff in the car. Friday night I sat myself down and had a heart-to-heart talk with myself. I reminded myself that I should not wait for others to do everything. Saturday morning, I placed St. Francis by the heart and put in both solar decorations. I decided that the solar disks should be left for those that can bend without falling over. I noticed the mama robin had hatchlings born that morning. Hummingbirds were feeding on the petunia plant. A monarch butterfly found the butterfly bush. The garden is coming to life.

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

ANNIVERSARY?

On Facebook this morning I saw a memory “Push, Prodded, I started writing a BLOG.” I had wondered when I had started writing it. I had the answer — 11 years ago — my oldest daughter’s birthday.

I’m still pestered and prodded to write. DAILY! The message can come over the air — television, radio, a song or a friend’s voice. It can come in written material. Lorretta Lynn wrote in her book A SONG AND A PRAYER . “You have to be patient with memories. Bad memories hurt but good memories hurt worse because you start wanting those times back.” Maybe that is why I’m haunted by bad memories. “Trials build character, but only if you want your character built.”

My phone has been acting up today. Texting has been confused. I had trouble using my fingers so I used the microphone to talk. It wasn’t as confused.

I wrote in DO YOU HEAR ME GRUMBLING? the problem and solution I had for my misjudgment on Nerve and Feet Pills. An update — I have been back home for a week and taking the normal dosage of 4 pills a day. I’m happy to report that although my hands still wake me at night — not as often, my knees still protest my standing too long or walking up and down the stairs. The pain I had in my shoulders and back has lessened. I ordered three more bottles of the pills and I’m taking 2 of those bottles with me to the camper. I’m not sure how long I’m going to stay. MY GARDEN will be planted soon. I’ve learned my lesson regarding pills and I’m taking all of them with me. My prescriptions were renewed so I won’t run out. I’m hoping that my fingers continue to improve. Of course, I’m hoping that my knees do also.

And so I continue to share my story. I’m aware that I walk to a different drummer. Two days ago, a memory popped up on Facebook of my grandchildren roasting marshmallows at the camper. My husband and dog were both in the photo. I posted something regarding their growth and my husband’s spirit still being with us. Today a memory popped up on Facebook that I’m not remembering. It is a picture of my husband wearing his yellow shirt. The photo is not clear, sort of fuzzy. It reminded me of a photo that has popped up on my phone in which he is singing. I found that video on my phone –it confirmed my feeling that he was singing. It posted July 9, 2021. I’m planning to head for the camper tomorrow. I think he is excited. Thankfully, My life continues to be INTERESTING!

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

NUDGED AGAIN

My father passed in 1995. His spirit continues to HELP me. (My introduction to his HELP is in my book JOURNEY WITH ME.)

I remembered his birthday this year and posted his picture on Facebook. In October I closed our camper for the year and signed up to have it winterized. I have used that company for YEARS. His father set up our new trailer in 1984. His son winterized my trailer the same day I closed. He tried to turn off the gas but the knob just turned. Although I just had the gas tank filled, I called the gas company with the problem.

Long story shortened, a problem was discovered in my gas stove making it unusable. I called a local company and ordered a new one over the phone. Josh was at my camper when the new one was installed. After the stove was hooked up, he checked that the gas was shut off. He noticed the guage read ZERO. I had paid over $300 for a gas fill up. Many phone calls to the company to discuss the problem. Thankfully the problem was resolved on my father’s birthday. My account was credited and plans for a fill was set up.

During the summer my hands lost feeling, becoming numb. During October I got cortisone shots in both wrists for carpal tunnel. The morning of my father’s birthday, my right hand started losing feeling, became hot. I wear braces on my hands at night while sleeping. I was concerned.

The evening of my father’s birthday, I received a phone call from a promoter who wanted to republish Journey With Me.

The night before the promoter’s second phone call — my right hand became hot again. I wondered if it was a warning from my father to be careful.

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

JOB

I am EXTREMELY LUCKY. I am retired, live in my own house and thankfully have enough money to pay our bills. My health is reasonably good. Thankfully my children are also doing well. We have food to eat. We have a roof over our heads. In this time of a raging pandemic, as long as we are careful, stay home, wear masks and gloves when going out and wash hands and surfaces — with God’s help — we will be all right.

Sadly the places I like to wander to are closed. Both zoos in our city, the museums and the Botanic Garden are not open to visitors. Many of the stores are not open either. The sheriff in the county our campground is located in prefers we stay home. I attend Mass on television.

If our state opened up today I don’t know how ready I would be to wander. This disease is running rampant. The county our campground is located in — had NO DISEASE until last week. Then 7 cases arose from a meat packing plant. This disease is claiming the lives of many people. At first, they announced that the elderly were most at risk but it seems as time is going on that all ages are fair game.

My husband was 80 years young when he passed. He had emphysema and diabetes. He WOULD NOT have handled this virus well. Although I wasn’t at the hospital when he passed, my children where. Many people are passing from this virus without their loved ones being at their side.

And I guess that is the reason that I’m supposed to continue writing these thought rambles. I AM EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT FIRST, I KNOW THERE IS LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE AND SECOND, THAT THEY ARE WELL. I don’t have any idea of what they do or what they look like but I know that I often receive “help” when I need it.

I self-published JOURNEY WITH ME in 2007. The date is printed in the book. I don’t know if it is still available on line. TO PAP, WITH LOVE IS. I had a reason to look recently.

I don’t know when I first started writing these thought rambles and published on Word Press. I think it is more than eight years ago. This month is my anniversary and evidently I’m supposed to continue.

EVERYONE NEEDS A JOB — EVIDENTLY THIS IS MINE.

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

INDIA

When my father passed over, he had not learned how to use a computer. But he was very comfortable with a typewriter. It did not take him long to learn how to mess with my writing. My father was a very intelligent man. He was an inventor and a printer. It did not take him long to STOP computers from working or to stop the printer from printing. It did not take him long to figure out how to erase some of the words that I was writing. Soon after my father passed, I began a new learning. Some things I understood quickly, others took a MUCH LONGER TIME.

When my husband passed, he had the advantage of knowing how computers worked. Also cell phones. He has made his presence known in a way that is uniquely his. He stops the TV from working. He prevents my changing the channels. He is having a GRAND TIME MESSING with my text messages on the cell phone. Since my father did not include those things in his “help” I’m reasonably certain that it is my husband.

Then India started appearing on my cell phone when I was checking the weather. I was CONFUSED. It took a bit of time before I figured out where the 102 temperature was coming from. I knew it wasn’t in my back yard. Finally I learned it was in Rajasthan, India. Exactly where that city is India I have no idea. Why is it important? Another good question. The first time it occurred I thought since I was going shopping, it might be a message to wear a mask. I DID.

The temperature has popped up a few more times. I wasn’t planning on going out. I wasn’t planning on going shopping. After a few days, and help from the news paper, I realized that Ramadan was beginning. That is a month long religious celebration in which the people fast from sunrise to sundown. They don’t even drink water or smoke. They will have a harder time during this pandemic. Since I realized that — India only pops up when I’m going shopping.

As I was writing this thought ramble, the thought popped up that it might be interesting to see if there is really a message on the cell phone. It will be interesting to test out the theory.

Category:

Uncategorized

Tagged with:

Tag Cloud