2014 Week 4: Goodby Aunt Lois; Hi, baby Si

Monday, January 20th, Aunt Lois (94) passed away. I've been looking at photos and rereading her notes and letters. She had beautiful handwriting which began to deteriorate with the onset of macular degeneration. When she could no longer see to write, she resorted to regular phone conversations. More recently she felt even more limited, unable even to dial the right numbers.

The Hirschy sisters, Lois and Kathryn, and Dad

This is how I remember Aunt Lois, probably taken in the late 90's.

Meanwhile, Michael was mentoring the robotics team. I captured this screenshot from their live stream from the workshop.

This video is very entertaining: PhyXTGears Week 2.

Even in single-digit temperatures Mike ventures out regularly for a jog.

I enjoyed wearing my new t-shirt accessories made by a friend in Spain.

. . . and finished knitting a pair of fingerless gloves. In this extreme cold, they are good for extra warmth under gloves or mittens, or as a fashion statement to be worn indoors!

Between snowfalls there was the perfect window of opportunity to travel to Grand Rapids, MI, for my aunt's funeral. So Thursday I drove up to Winona Lake to spend the night at my Mother's.

Almost the whole way there, I was fascinated by the sky, as well as a little concerned about the snow blowing across the road. I didn't know till today that what I was seeing is called a parhelia  or sun dog (a pair of brightly colored spots, one on either side of the sun).
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Photo on the right submitted to Muncie Star Press by Dave Wegiel

My brother Alan drove us to Grand Rapids and back. -5 degrees when we left at 7:00 AM!

Aunt Lois's memorial service was a precious time of celebrating a wonderful life as well as reconnecting with cousins and becoming acquainted with their children and grandchildren. 
Two of Lois and Ted's six children preceded them in death--a twin daughter who died at birth in Nigeria, and a 39 year-old son who died of cancer.
Of the four siblings present, I only managed to get photos of two.

Carol; David and granddaughter Jordan

I noticed a theme of Lois's favorite things--aqua color and butterfly pins worn by all the women and girls in the family.

On the return trip we went through the town where niece Tina lives. Alan was kind to stop so I could meet and hold month-old baby Simon.

Sweet mom and decorator extraordinaire!

I was glad to arrive home when I did. It has been snowing off and on since. 

Today was a perfect day to stay indoors, watch the birds, and get things done. 

I even dusted and cleaned our bedroom!

And I am earlier than usual with this weekly blog post. Have a good and safe week, y'all!