oh hello, is that what that is?

So, my one a day fun Murder She Wrote show is over for now,

as it went off Amazon Prime.

So I grabbed a free trial to keep watching Perry Mason 

(that went off Amazon Prime a few months ago).

And I got to thinking about how it was watching Perry Mason that helped me

survive the grief of Cleo dying. 

And now I am watching him again.  Ah ha.

Is that what that is? 

GRIEF.  Well, sure enough. 

I am so sad for what NYC is going through,

it's hard to believe. 

I am sad that everyone's lives are so disrupted.

That we can't visit each other.

That we can't have Easter / Pascha together.

That I can't visit NYC.

That I can't go to church or go shopping at a store.

That I worry about my family, my friends, etc. 

***

Well. That is how it is.

I hope to make scones soon.

From my old recipe that I wrote about nearly 2 years ago

when we were in a different type of worry.

What I wrote then applies to now though:

the second part of the blog post title from 2 years ago is:

pondering what it takes to be at peace in the midst of 'life's hard':

And within the blog post I wrote:

"About the pondering/second title of this post

 if I can stay inside the day at hand, I can find some peace and quiet happiness 

I will have to write more later, as it is quite late and I need to get to bed.

However, it's simple but not simple to do.

It's being fully present to this day only and not letting one worry about tomorrow.

For me that means reading engrossing novels, baking and cooking, 

vespers tonight and listening to this lovely set of Bach while I made the pizza

after vespers. "

***

This still remains true for me.

I am planning a special bunch of cooking and baking for my Husband's upcoming birthday

(we will do the actual celebration at home on Saturday since that is easiest)

and also I am already planning our Easter Week meal.

Roast chicken, roast potatoes, a salad are on the menu for now.

Plus the fact that we have a very good cheesecake waiting in the freezer.

And I have milk chocolate waiting.

***

This week I hope to:

*bake scones - tomorrow?

*prepare dough for bread on Saturday morning (so Friday AM dough making)

*make Birthday cake - Thursday I think 

***

We are also going to listen to the Great Canon tomorrow here. 

And the Akathist on Friday, same place.

And we are still doing the Jesus Prayers and words of encouragement here,

every night 9:45-10:15, prayers beginning at 10 PM EST. 

***

Well, this week is going to be busy so I best get to bed now. 

***

Prayer Request, a happy one but needed too:

My sister-friend is due to have baby #5 at home in about a week.

All her births have been at home.

Please pray that it goes well given that the last place she will want to be

is in a hospital etc with all that is going on in terms of the pandemic. 

She has a very good husband and kids waiting and ready to help.

And a good midwife of course!

Please pray for them all.

***

And my friend A who will need more thyroid medicine again sooner than later

and for all the Romanians who can't find this medicine.

***

And remember that when you can't pray, there are others praying

and that there are MANY Christian monasteries praying for us all.

***

I leave you with these wonderful verses from Isaiah 40:28-31,

my Grandma Ruth's favourite and one of mine as well:

28 Do you not know?

    Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

    the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

    and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary

    and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,

    and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the Lord

    will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

    they will run and not grow weary,

    they will walk and not be faint.

***

Take heart dear ones, God is with us.