1. Yesterday, my back seemed well enough to risk a long drive, the weather didn’t look horrible, I knew my mother-in-law wanted my late husband’s grave decorated for Memorial Day, and I wanted to see the bookstore that’s taking over where I left off (I had to close up shop after David died). So I took the three hour drive up, checked in at the new bookstore (it looks nice), bought flowers, decorated the grave, and came home. The landscape was green, the sky had patches of bright blue, and it was snowing in the mountain passes. Must be spring in Eastern Oregon.
2. I forgot to put a jacket in the car, so after I drove through the snow, I stopped at the first thrift store I came to. I usually stop there anyway. It provides jobs for people who can’t hold regular jobs, whether from mental problems, physical problems, or some combination of that. The young woman who checked me out (with heavy supervision) did a good job, and was calm and cheerful, which is notable with her. When I stopped to buy flowers halfway across town, I crossed paths with her mother in the grocery store parking lot, and was able to make a good report. What the chances are that ‘Mom’ and I would see each other while in pedestrian mode, where we could mosey together for a chat, right after I’d seen her daughter in A-plus mode, I don’t know. But it was fun. Thank you, God.
3. Last Sunday I went to a different church than usual. I ran into people I used to know something like 15 years ago. They had been friends with my husband, but hadn’t heard he’d died. So we had a good cry, and they invited me to a potluck Monday, and to help with a Wednesday afternoon ministry to people who live in assisted living centers. I wasn’t a Christian when I knew them. It’s interesting, picking up with old friends who, for all intents and purposes, knew you as someone else. (If Christianity isn’t transforming you from the inside out, it’s not really Christianity. The changes might be glacial in some cases, but, truly, they happen when it’s the real deal.)
4. I went Wednesday afternoon to the assisted living centers, had a wonderful time, and am signed up to go every week, Lord willing, unless/until I get a job that might require me to work Wednesday afternoons. I think I’ll try to find a job that lets me have that time off, though. I like working with old people. They bless me more than I bless them, I think.
One of the regulars on this Wednesday Bible study ministry is a 13-year-old girl who plays piano for the residents. This week, she brought two kittens for the residents to hold and play with while she visited. I am told that the girl used to be anxious as Wednesday approached, but now looks forward to it. She is certainly a hit with the residents. She’s shy, but poised, if that makes sense.
5. These assisted living centers are not on the industrial model. Both had big aquariums, and one place had a huge bird cage with a pair of what I think were a type of cockatiel. Something like that, at any rate. When we sang hymns, one of them joined in, with a vibrato wordless melody. I can’t sing worth a lick. The bird outsang me.
6. I have several books on Kindle. This week I decided to put them on Nook, too. What worked for Kindle did not work for Nook. The good news is that I’m learning just all sorts of computer skills I never knew I needed to know. The bad news is that it is eating up hours and hours, learning and practicing all these computer skills.
7. I got part of a vegetable garden planted this week. The last time I tried to raise vegetables, deer, earwigs, and other plagues, got all but one green bean. Seriously, my total harvest was one bean. I am hoping for better results this year.
On that subject, nearly every gardening website I’ve visited this year has said, sometimes in capital letters, to be careful not to grow more produce than your household will be able to eat, lest you have to foist some on the neighbors. Excuse me? If you don’t know neighbors who want the stuff, expand your notion of neighbors. Around here, for instance, several churches provide food baskets to poor people, or hold community dinners, or run soup kitchens. If you’re so protected you don’t know people in need, why not find someone who does?
For more 7 Quick Takes Friday, go to Conversion Diary.