Stronger

I am getting stronger and more at my normal level of things.

Today I *finally* cleaned my dining room table and 

changed the table cloth! 

I also made a new bouquet of fabric flowers

(did I mention that when I was in MI in late summer this year

that I raided the flower department at Joanne's Fabrics?) 

So doing this really made me happy.

(Also, I actually added one bunch of white flowers to this

bouquet as it seemed unbalanced and now is perfect, 

hope to take more pictures later and share them!)

***

Yesterday night I made my Thanksgiving 2020 list

(meal + dishes I will use).

It will be a smaller Thanksgiving for us;

at most 3 people will be coming from 2 families.

People who are in our 'circle' or 'bubble' as people are calling it.

I don't know if I ever mentioned that I plan my meals

with lists including what dishes I am going to use +

if it is a bigger meal (meaning a meal of many dishes)

I put sticky notes by every dish so I remember 

1. What goes in it and 

2. That I have the right amount of serving dishes out

and the right kind (i.e. a large salad cannot go in a small bowl). 

***

So my Instagram account on my phone has basically been down for 2 nearly 3 days now.

So not doing a lot there.

That's OK. 

I've been thinking of how I want to work on some more creative projects

and need to re-balance my time use. 

***

Not that I don't want my account back; I do. 

But one thing at a time and anything can be seen as a good or bad thing

and I try to see the good in it.

***

Rosemary, I am so happy you still read my blog!

That makes me smile very much inside.

Very fun that you have mutual friends with the author;

that makes me really happy as it tells me you have good friends!

So about the author of Sweep.  

We actually both went to the same University for Undergrad in BC Canada and did 

the same degree.  But I don't remember how many classes we had in common;

I think some but my memory is poor.

I was not a 'close' friend of his but the I can say that the book Sweep is VERY much

the guy I knew from back then but I would say one thing

I see more clearly:  how his basic nature, stance towards others, is kind. 

The Kindness I saw in this book, well written, well researched and just such a great book,

it's a really comforting read in many ways; like the book you want to think 

more about because it was not only so absorbingly interesting but

had such a goodness, such a kindness. 

I was so glad to see that and I really need to read more his books. 

And I am just so happy and proud of him, if that makes sense!

Who would not be proud of a fellow English major who now writes

such meaningful, beautiful books! 

***

If anything, I can't wait till my Instagram account works again so I can

review his books and sing the praises his book/s surely deserve! 

***

Meanwhile, I am re-reading an old favourite Jill Churchhill mystery

and I went to vespers tonight!

It was good to be in church!

That's such a wonderful blessing and one I do not 

take for granted, though I wish I was even better at that.

So easy to fall into forgetting how wonderful it is,

if that makes sense. 

***

Edited to add: this article on the Mr Rogers's movie by the man 

whose essay the movie came from, is really quite worth the read.

***

Well, I am hoping that this day was somewhat peaceful for you.

I have some friends going through really exhausting hard times.

Lord have mercy on us!

May God show us the way in our lives and may we follow!

God bless and keep you!