Midweek Ramblings

 I should also be saying stay calm it's almost the end of the month and I have many more projects to try and at least start, not perhaps finish. As usual this month like most, I have listed more projects than I can actually get done. Why won't I ever learn.

The storm came through last night and into mid afternoon today. Once the snow stopped and the sun came out, Harvey got the snowblower and set to work. Now we just need the city to do a better job of cleaning the street.

I don't like driving on these messy, icy roads (it did rain before the snow came) and so Harvey has said he will take me shopping on Friday and take me to pay any bills that need to be paid in person. There are just two and one is right near Walmart, the other is on the way either to or from that area of the city.

Slowly getting some meals in the large chest freezer. Yesterday it was Cream of Mushroom Soup, today it will be at least one meal of Red Lentil Curry. I may make some Lentil Taco filling first thing tomorrow morning, and then later Hamburger Soup and I think some either BBQ meatballs or Sweet and Sour meatballs. I want to be prepared for spring and yard work, or even a day I just do not feel like cooking. It saves us ordering in or going out.

It is Ash Wednesday today and since the roads are all but impassible, this will be the first year we have not gone to the church. I do believe we will be forgiven though, as we age things are becoming a bit more difficult. Our driveway, which really isn't long or convoluted, used to take perhaps 20 minutes or less to clear. Now Harvey gets about halfway and needs to rest before finishing it off. Today the driveway took him about 1 1/2 hours to clear, and getting the truck into the driveway over the 2 1/2 foot drifts was a job in and of itself. 

The beginning of Lent already and I am unsure what I will do for the season this year. Leaning towards getting some donations each day for the Food Bank. I have heard they are running low once again.

I was asked what Saskatoons are. Hmmm, they are the cousins of blueberries. Not quite as good in my opinion, but Harvey and other southern Canadian prairie people love them. They grow wild or can be planted. Those that are planted are a bit larger and a bit juicier. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 It has been awhile since I did a rambling post, so I guess I should do one tonight. 

We found out today (well very late yesterday) that Harvey's doctor will no longer be practicing. Now he needs to find another doctor within the next 4 or 5 months. Perhaps even earlier if his prescriptions are canceled because of this. I have an appointment with my doctor on Monday and will ask if she is willing to take him on as a patient. Chances are not good and this means he will need to go to a walk in clinic (which are few and far between) to see if he can get them renewed. Also we have a nurse practitioner which could take him on at a cost of almost $100.00 a visit. But if worse comes to worse that will be the way we have to go.

Mass was actually very good today. Probably the main reason was we could actually understand and connect with this visiting priest. Makes such a difference when you can understand where the speaker is coming from. He had such wonderful stories that combined so very well with the readings today. The Mass reached me in a way that it hasn't in a very long time.

My arm is a bit sore today, but I powered through some hand quilting this afternoon and I hope to finish the first of pair number 9 tonight. It would be so nice to be able to mark a few items off the project list early in the month (carried these over to October). 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 I woke up to a lovely rain falling. The rain barrel must be almost full again, which is wonderful. Using city water just does not help the plants along as nicely, especially the flowers and veggies. Heck, it barely keeps the grass green in blotches. 

At Mass today, I think we ended up in the most condensed pew available in the church. Pretty sure that when they took the chairs out to redo the floors they put the side ones in wrong and kind of stuck this one in a tiny space really unsuitable for a person with back and hip problems.

It was a very strange sermon today. I sat in pretty much disbelief as Father Thuy spoke. 

I have been trying to simplify my life and move towards peace and living a life of abundance. Guess what Father spoke about. Yep, realizing that we live lives of abundance already and how lucky we are to live in a place where there is really very little violent crime, and have a community that cares and watches out for each other. 

I do know that when we have missed in person Mass it is noticed, and when we get back people ask how my back is and if my cancer has returned (they figure the last one is what is keeping us from attending Mass as often as we should). In a way the concern of others is touching, but in another way I almost wish that this small city, was not quite as small. Or perhaps I am too well known in the parish community due to my years as Youth Coordinator, Lector, Extraordinary Minister of Communion, and Parish Council Chairperson. I had hoped that my drawing back from those areas would mean I would not be in the community's eye as much. Not going to happen I suppose. 

My menu has changed once again for today. We went out for brunch after Mass and I did not feel like making a roast. So I have pulled out a container of Sweet and Sour Ribs, put on some potatoes to boil and mash, and have some frozen peas as our vegetable side. This does change the menu for the week a bit as well, but there is an abundance of food in the fridge and freezer so this will give me a chance to use things up a little before adding more to the mix. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

Mass was a touch longer than usual, but considering it was Divine Mercy Sunday, and we had special prayers for Pope Francis it could have ended up being so much longer. 

Father talked about mercy and how we can share mercy among each other. He said Pope Francis was big on sharing mercy to others. I can see that as so many dignitaries from other faiths came to show their respect for him. Many people are saying that we need to continue with his social justice as the cardinals elect a new pope. He also stated many times that the power of the Catholic church does not reside in the Vatican, rather it resides in the laity of the church. He did stop at allowing females to become priest, but he did give us more power in the universal church.

I was asked how I store and look after my tinkle cloths. I have the nicely folded and clean ones sitting beside the toilet. When I use one I will put it in what could be considered a diaper pail that has water and some bleach in it. Then when it comes time to wash them, I drain most of the water into the toilet, take my container downstairs and put them in the washer with detergent. Since I have edge stitched the sides, putting them in the dryer is not a big problem. 

I started this jacket sewing project thinking it would be very simple and have learned it really isn't simple at all. I am only up to step 14 of 33 steps (need to check that out as it could be more steps) and most of the remaining steps are very complicated. I may work on getting the nightgown sewn and then get back to this. The nightgown will only take a day or so to put together now that it is cut out and ready to be sewn. That would at least put me a bit closer to getting all the projects finished for this month. In no way will I be able to finish the jacket, so that will be a carry over. 

I have found that if I make a mistake and get that mistake corrected while sewing, I need to take a complete break and do something else. I get so frustrated that all I do is make more mistakes, and considering how complicated this simple no collar pattern has become I am pretty sure I will need to take more breaks. 

Everyone have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Good Friday

Wishing you a blessed day. 

Kris is here so I am busy visiting right now, and checking out his wounds. 

Will have a longer post tomorrow.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

Since the Passion was read at Mass today, it was a longer service, not really much longer though as one thing about this priest is that he always starts on time. 

I think the church was a bit warmish today as I started sweating, and got really dizzy. Holy week has started and so the Masses (except for Good Friday) will be longer than usual. I don't know if I will be able to attend like I always have. Good Friday there is a Way of the Cross outside put on by various mainline Christian churches so I think I will attend that for a change. Outside, walking and taking part in an interfaith service is right up my alley. 

Today has been very rainy. Which is a good thing. The ground needs the moisture and the cleaning effects. Love a good rain as it will fill up the rain barrel as well. 

Day of no spring cleaning just working on projects and enjoying the quiet. I did plan out next weeks daily tasks and my spring cleaning tasks. It will not be finished for Easter, but not too long after. I will probably get two areas cleaned, but the last two will need to wait. There is baking to do, visiting, and just plain being with family over the week. 

While Kurt will not be home, Kris will so I am going to check out his injury (well actually two as now he realizes that he did a job on his knee as well). He had to do some repairs on his covered deck and Harvey of course gave him some ideas. One support pole is up, and he will do the next couple probably next month. The heavy snow Regina got this year did a bit of a number on it. 

Home is quickly becoming our sanctuary, not sure when we will move, as the losses in our investment need to be made up and I have so many plans for making our yard produce more veggies and fruit. That is something we can not do in a condo. I can continue to declutter and downsize. I can make our home an oasis of peace and beauty. We can learn from the frugal habits of our parents and grandparents and perhaps pass on a few new ideas to our sons. We can enjoy our backyard more (what those in the UK call their gardens), and take the time to sit and talk with family around the firepit or deck. 

I also think that some drives to forage berries will be in order this year as well. I miss having chokecherry jelly and syrup in the pantry. Kind of an outdoor date with benefits. Hopefully the ticks will all be gone by the time berry picking takes place, I am kind of a tick magnet. I hate having to remove them from my body. 

While life can change, I am going to definitely make the best of those changes and live each day with joy and confidence in what is going to happen in our lives. We have our family, we have a mortgage free home, we have skills and habits that will see us through any and all of lives ups and downs.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

I think I may be heading into one of my unable to sleep very well periods. Last night was the third night of getting up and down lots and then finally ending up on the couch to read for awhile, before curling up under a quilt and catching a couple of hours of deep sleep. Some is because of the pain in my hips, but I have been having some very vivid and strange dreams as well. This has to stop soon I hope as I am functioning at about half brain and speed. Pretty sure I will be heading to bed fairly early today and taking some pain medication as well as rubbing mint salve into my hips and back.

Once home from Mass and brunch, I started work on the totes. They are now completed and filled with projects to be done this month, or worked on over the next few months. I plan on getting the other two I have started done over the next few days. They will be filled with projects to work on as well. 

Lists were made for tasks next week, the grocery list started (may go shopping a bit earlier than planned as the weather is not supposed to be very nice later in the week), changed the set up of the monitor and my laptop on the desk so things are a bit easier, and started my knitting project after the totes were completed. 

This 3rd Sunday of Lent we were given some challenges by our priest. Two will be fairly easily done, the third will take some planning. Meditating and giving to the poor or disadvantaged are two challenges I find very interesting and easily done. The third will be tougher. I am an introvert and discussing my faith, sharing it with others, reaching out to those who have fallen by the wayside is very hard for me. I shall need to push myself for this last challenge, or find a way of doing so that isn't one of reaching out in such a personal way. Perhaps just living my faith in the presence of others would fulfill this challenge.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

 

 

I love having Kurt and Kris home, even if it does mean extra cooking and household tasks. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

It is very icy here today, some of the roads have been shut down due to the conditions. I am hoping they will be clear by the time Kurt and Kris head home for the holidays.

Since it was so cloudy and dreary out I have been knitting. Finished Harvey's toque, and the third ball of yarn on the knitted blanket. Hoping to get a good start on this tonight. 

Mass was strange today. Even though the songs were the ones we have sang for numerous years during Advent, it seemed like no one other than the choir and myself were singing. Making a joyful noise seemed to be beyond the rest of the congregation. My good friend is the leader of the choir that we had today and I am pretty sure she would have been disappointed with the lack of precipitation. Next time I will just sing extra loud when they are leading. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

It has been a very damp, dark day here in Southeastern Saskatchewan. We had rain today for about an hour, didn't freeze, but snow should be arriving some time this evening. I hope that the roads are not too bad tomorrow when I head out to do a little bit of shopping. 

The Candle of Peace was lit on the Advent wreath today. Most of my day has been spent contemplating peace. In fact it has been a very peaceful day. At Mass we always give each other the sign of peace and wish peace to each of our fellow parishioners. This time of year it seems to just mean that much more. I wish peace would be as easily achieved as saying the words. Our friends and neighbours are not the only ones deserving of peace, the hungry, the homeless, war torn countries, and all people are so looking forward to peace. When I light my prayer candles tonight I will be praying that all find peace in whatever faith they have and in their fellow men.

I have done my baking now (or at least I hope), done a bit of decluttering, and of course knitting. It is too dark to actually work on any of the other projects I have lined up. This week I hope to start and finish my Christmas ornament give aways, and make that Cabbage bread. I am going to start with the ornaments tomorrow and the Cabbage bread will be made the next day.

Off to visit all of you and get a bit more of supper made.

Everyone have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

Woke up to a lovely cool morning. Now not so cool, in fact it got really warm, with even more heat to arrive over the next couple of days. Hard to believe that it is September and winter is just around the corner. 

There was hardly anyone at Mass today, but I suppose that it being the last nice long weekend people went camping or to visit relatives. Both Harvey and I said that it is getting more difficult to understand the sermon given by the priest. It isn't that we don't listen or sit in a place we can't hear.... Still this is something we really need to work on as I am very sure that the little I do understand tells me those sermons are excellent and well thought out. 

After Mass we decided to go out for brunch. Now supper will be very light. No pork casserole here, just pork warmed up, and sliced fresh veggies with either salt and pepper or perhaps some dressing. 

Slowly but surely working on the rug. I am getting very close to being finished the weaving part, but I want to use my serger to serge the ends and do some hemming around the whole thing. That will need to be done before washing and blocking. Hope to have it done before we leave on our get away. 

We will be stopping at Kris's place on the way back for a couple of days. There are a few things I want to pick up at Fabricland, and Michael's before winter hits. I am hoping to find some linen yarn to weave some dish towels with in the new year. If not I may just make some placemats and some fabric to make myself another wrap. After that I might just make another rug as a gift for a friend.

Off to cut up (slice) some tomatoes to go along with the pork and sliced cukes and green peppers. Then a visit with all of you, or perhaps a visit first and meal prep after.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Rambliings

 This was the first Sunday of Advent and Father gave us three things to try and accomplish this week. First was to take 15 minutes a day or one hour a week to pray and reflect on hope. The second was to do at least one act of kindness a day, and the third was to make an Advent wreath if we didn't have one. Should be easy to manage. 

I am still working on getting rid of my hurt and anger over being left out of the Bible Study team. Still I am finding it a bit easier to look those people in the eye and try to smile and perhaps carry on a civil conversation. We shall see how that goes as the season progresses. 

The house is as decorated as it can get this year, gifts are mostly made, and a few unfinished tasks from the previous week are slowly being accomplished. I have even started to do some of the candy making. I hope to get a couple of things finished today. Peanut Brittle is boiling on the stove right now, hopefully to be poured onto the trays very soon. I hope to get some mint patties made today as well, perhaps after supper.

Lately I have not been feeling very well. I see to get very tired by the mid afternoon, and always seem to have a  mild headache. I think I should probably test for Covid, but I am a bit scared to do so. Too much left to do and really not enough time to get it all done unless I work through whatever I am coming down with, or perhaps I am not sleeping as well as I thought I was. Last night was an anomaly as I was up and down quite often. 

Supper shall be late today as we went out for brunch after Mass. Always seems as if neither of us are very hungry after this. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

We got snow last night, not much really, but I believe there could have been a bit of rain before. The reason I say this is because our front steps are slightly icy, and when I went to my friends for coffee her driveway had what looked like raindrops in areas and those areas were very icy.

I have managed to make some progress on my next projects. However, me, being me thought that I could get done way more than the fingers or body (back mostly) would allow. I should be able to iron what I did get done after the supper clean up is done. 

Between tasks today I started to wonder why it is we allow family to hurt us as much as we do. I am working on not caring, but seeing posts congratulating or liking other's posts still give me a twinge of hurt or perhaps it is envy. Working on letting go and letting God, but as I am only human am finding that difficult. I really am not looking forward to the family reunion this summer in the least. 

I talked to Kris on Friday (shows how I am losing track of days, I thought it was Saturday), and he said he would phone at some point today. I should actually get in touch with Kurt as well. I need to find out when they will be home for Christmas. 

Cleaned and tidied the baking supply cupboards in one of the pantries today. Discovered that some things need replacing and some things are over supplied (like raisins). I hope to get some of the holes filled the next time I go shopping. 

Off to set the table and get the remains of our meal put together.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

The weather is nothing but strange here this past month and into this month. 

Cooler than normal and snowy when usually by this time of year the snow is gone. Yes we could get the occasional dump of heavy wet snow, but usually in most cases this is gone within days. 

This year the snow from our winter is still melting, we have new snow falling, and dang cold days. Hopefully this ends soon as I am so looking forward to sitting on the deck, planting flowers and working on weeding. Getting my hands dirty, which could be awhile yet as we still have three foot drifts in the back yard.

I also want to say thank you for the responses to my rant. I do want to say that it is only a very few on Harvey's side that are causing me grief. Strange thing is that my side is a little less inclined to do things like this, and we range in the higher numbers over all. Perhaps we are just more inclined to talk about those things that others are not so open to. My side is also less inclined to be Conservative in our thoughts (there are a few of the older generation that are though).

It was Palm Sunday today and we decided to try an in person Mass. My back was in rough shape by the time the Mass was finished, but man was it nice to be in community once again. I got to see people we haven't seen in at least a year. As Harvey says this is one of our most favourite Masses of the year after Christmas.

Now while I won't get to all the Tridium, I am hoping to be at the Good Friday service. I think my back will take that. I think Mass attendance is going to be a learning experience and I may end up having to take a pillow with me yet.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

It has been a very overcast day here. No snow as of yet in this area, but I thought I would share the picture of the snow just before noon in Regina. Kris decided to send me a photo.

This is out his front window. Not looking forward to this hitting here at some point tonight. Heavy and wet snow is no fun to shovel or get rid of. Hopefully it warms up and all melts and leaves the roads dry once again. 

Since the weather was rather miserable, my walks today were very short. I did however bake bread, process the pumpkins I had upstairs (brought two more up to see if they will ripen any quicker), make my Christmas card list, and did a few more questions in the Bible study. I am not too sure about this study; it is pretty deep, and I don't think that many of the participants really understand what is being discussed. I could be wrong, but I do see confused expressions on faces. Father's rambling answers to questions don't help. In fact, there was one answer that really did not address the question at all.

I spent most of the afternoon while watching House of the Dragon and working on the rug. Got another stripe done and now am cutting more strips to be used on the next stripe. I hope to do some knitting as well. 

Pretty sure tomorrow is not going to be nice, so I will be staying close to home getting those daily tasks done and redoing the menu to use up a bit more from the fridge freezer. Things are slowly going down in there, but there is still lots to work our way through. It will sure save on groceries this month and make me work on figuring out new recipes to make things interesting.

Harvey is busy making me a small shelf to fit on my kitchen countertop. That will hopefully give me a bit more room for rolling out dough or mixing cakes.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 We are still having extremely beautiful weather and from the looks of the forecast this should continue well into next week and our Thanksgiving.

Mass is still sparsely attended. I went today, but Harvey stayed home, with his heart condition and the uptick in Covid cases here in our little corner, I would rather him stay home and feel safe. I picked a spot well away from others, and made sure my mask was firmly in place for the entire time. I also had my hand sanitizer at the ready. It was nice to wave at those I haven't seen in awhile. 

This is one of the months in the year that we say the Rosary before Mass. I have learned how to recite the prayer, but I find that when recited in this setting, it is said much too quickly with very little time for reflection. Much rather take my time and say it at home if I so choose. So because of that I try and time my arrival for close to the end. Perhaps that is wrong of me, but listening to people rush through something does not give me peace.

I spent a bit of time in my prayer corner saying prayers for those that I know are ill, or lonely, or just because I think they could use a prayer or two.

The rest of my day was spent enjoying the peace and quiet, working on the rug, doing some choosing of strips for the next time I work on the rug. Running out of colours, but hopefully will be adding to the selection very soon.

I hope you all had a wonderfully restful day and I wish you all a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Last Sunday of Advent

 We are now into the week before Christmas. I have finished all my baking (at least I hope), making the last few gifts, and the last minute shopping will take place later in the week.

Kurt is home, fed and bonding with Harvey. Me, well I am knitting and getting ready to do a bit of a tidy of my housekeeping binder. 

I am going to share with you all Archbishop Don's Fourth Sunday of Advent talk.

https://www.facebook.com/ArchdioceseofRegina/videos/383333329421393

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

 

It is the third Sunday in Advent. The time is passing very quickly, soon it will be Christmas. Christmas will be different, but still joyous even if we need to Zoom, Face Time, or Skype our loved ones. 

Here is my bishops latest Advent message.

https://www.facebook.com/ArchdioceseofRegina/videos/135574281503669

Enjoy.

Everyone have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Keeping The Spirit Of Christmas Alive

 I interrupt my regular posts today.

We have a few senior residences in our city that are quite often forgotten over the holidays. There are always gifts for those in the nursing homes or long term care at the hospital and at the private nursing home and yet many are still forgotten. 

Now during this time of upheaval, and restricted visitations I decided that it was time to remember them all and am playing Secret Santa to the two places that are closest to me.

This morning when I went for my walk I made my first delivery. A bag full of homemade scarves for the one place. I never thought that it would be plastered all over Facebook, or really make that much of a difference.

I spent much of today while mending, and knitting (mostly because I couldn't concentrate on baking, guess multitasking went out the window) trying to figure out what to do for the second residence in my neighbourhood. 

After supper it came to me. This place likes to do puzzles!!! So on Thursday I will pick up some puzzles, a game (perhaps dominos) and drop them off with a card (sneaking in of course). 

I know that they will be unable to gather for awhile, but these will be something for them to all look forward to when gathering restrictions end.

I am really having fun doing this, and knowing I am making even the slightest difference during this time is the icing on the cake. Sharing hope and love, the first two candles on the Advent wreath is making this season so much more important to me.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

 

Sunday Ramblings

 

It is the Second Sunday of Advent. Once again I am going to share with all of you the Archbishop of our Diocese's talk.

Father Don as I knew him when he was the assistant priest here in Estevan is a wonderful and gentle man. He reaches deep into his heart to share with us all.

https://www.facebook.com/ArchdioceseofRegina/videos/206938210882781

Enjoy.

God bless.