I wanted this to be a different post today, but it isn't. Instead, it's a bit about the past, about the present, and not as much about the future as I would have liked it to be. Vagueblogging? Why, yes...
My twisted ankle may not appear better, but it's much less swollen and painful. However, it IS colorful, and not 100%, thus I'm not running on it. I am doing some walking though. And raking of many leaves. My neighbor has chosen (again) to blow his leaves from his trees up against my fence, and through into my yard. Deep breaths. Have I ever told you how impossible difficult some people are to understand?
In February 2019 we got a foot of snow, the real stuff. Thus, I had my snow tires put on the Subaru today, just in case. Last year the AWD/winter tire combo made this vehicle into a beast! I still didn't drive around much because I'm a big chicken. ;) Our mountains really need snow, but I would be delighted not to deal with any lowland ice/snow. Every year I fume about the criticisms from flat land, plains dwelling people regarding our inability to drive in the snow here. And every year, I remind them that we have huge hills, lots of twists and turns, wet snow (which is quite slippery) and inexperience in that kind of winter driving.
This New York daughter has some important tests coming up, so send good thoughts, OK? She's also hosting her in-laws (from Iowa) for Thanksgiving. She's an excellent cook, and they'll get a fabulous meal! Ziggy is such a poser, isn't he? I love that cat.
Ohio Daughter did the latest Facebook activity of posting a photo from 2009 and 2019. (this is her current picture) She interviewed for a new job today, but doesn't think the telephone interview went very well. I would hate a phone interview; talking on the telephone has become an unusual occurrence for most of us. When to talk? When to be quiet and listen? Awkward pauses? Ugh. Good thoughts for her too? This new job would be more money, and she would be doing what she is trained for. I've got my fingers and toes crossed!
So, I decided to do the time hop back to 2009, and who is this thin, blondish woman? I'm not this person any more. At that moment, we didn't realize that we were close to losing my mother-in-law, and were unsuspectingly getting ready to battle lung cancer. No wonder my smile is so carefree!
With me in Washington, Ashley in New York and Alison in Ohio, it's rare that we're ever together these days like we were in this 2009 picture. :( I'm happy that they're both coming back for Christmas!
Past and present--a delightful visit and lunch in Poulsbo with some blogging/Facebook friends. Tonya and I go WAY back (to junior high), but the other two ladies I met on-line. Who says you can't establish meaningful relationships that way?
Poulsbo is a beautiful, quaint Norwegian town with several famous bakeries. I went there first with Henry, which still gives me weirdly nostalgic feelings. As far as I'm concerned though, it's OK to treasure those past memories, while moving forward.
Speaking of time tripping, I celebrated a friend's birthday with my Ram Ladies yesterday. This group includes my 9th grade French teacher, a couple people I taught with/next to for 30 years, and the woman I substituted for when I started my teaching career. We've become close and devoted friends, and spent the evening discussing our joys and sorrows. That's what life is all about, isn't it? We share our stories, our histories and our precious time with one another. I'm grateful for that, and don't hesitate to show it.
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
[Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, 1963]”
― John F. Kennedy
