Home

This is Cousin Karin's biggest and most colorful bouquet to celebrate their church's first service after the global shutdown.

In contrast, this wildflower bouquet was the best I could come up with this week.

Since Leah's surgery,  every day is a waiting day. I want to be on-call to help if she needs me, so I don't make plans until I know for sure. Monday midday she learned that she'd be in the hospital  one more night. 

We went to Monday dinner and brought Leah into the circle via video chat. Michael sent her a panoramic view of us all at the picnic table. Leah in good humor wrote back.

 "I'm having dinner with this guy."

Tuesday was homecoming! Nana was especially gratified to be welcomed by Kalani!

Kalani-Nana conversation

The next day a friend brought by a welcome-back gift for Leah. We had a lovely visit sitting out on the deck.

Virtual hug for Leah

Michael's days are filled with repairs (finding and fixing the boiler leak), making meals (including homemade bread and cheese), and riding his bicycle (100+ miles this week), among other things.

Perfect loaf of Caraway Cheddar

Work at the shop is on hold right now, waiting for responses from nursing homes who might want to try the "hugging-wall." However, Thursday evening team-work nights started up again, sorting Legos for FLL this fall.

Friday, June 19, was Sam and Kristie's 21st anniversary!

I really enjoyed all the photos posted to honor dads on Father's Day, so I borrowed some.

Thinking of the heavy responsibility that being the head of the family represents, I chose these colorings as an encouraging message to fathers this year.

The Journey

I hope you enjoy Cousin Karin's Sunday bouquets as much as I do. She describes them for me as well.

"This is my first bouquet of gladiolus. There are at least seven or eight colors in this bouquet, but these may be hard to see. The red one is my first. I have not had red before. The ones in the front look slightly wilted, but when you actually see them, they are small with ruffled edges, and they have three colors (peach/yellow/reddish brown). Glads tend to be a  bit unruly for me. They do not always grow straight, and in arrangements, then tend to turn, but the colors are always lovely."

Lovely weather here lately, though sometimes hot. I walked with a friend Monday evening. 

Michael goes on bike rides often, taking into account the weather and the direction of the wind. This photo, however, is from 2014. So many happy memories have surfaced lately of our two trips around the Basque Country during the month of June. 

This week our focus has been on Leah's cancer journey. Tuesday she was admitted for surgery--a mastectomy. An overnight stay turned into a week-long lonely and painful saga. The bleeding would not lessen and the blood count was going down. Saturday began with her arm swelling out of proportion, and then became a long day of fighting with needles and IVs to replenish the magnesium, potassium, plasma and blood supply. Followed Sunday by a second surgery to fix the bleeding problem. The pain that afternoon and evening was excruciating. Thanks to technology we were able to video call, "be there" and advocate for her when she was in no condition to speak up for herself. 

Leah has a very high tolerance for pain. Her positive attitude and good humor amazed us and blessed all those around her. 

 Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, a dear aunt was hospitalized and in critical care, and alone much of the time. God took her Home, Tuesday June 10th. I took this photo a little over four years ago when her husband passed away (uncle Phil, Mother's youngest brother). 

That was also the anniversary of our house fire, nine years ago already! The tree sculpture reminds us of that event--the half-burned old oak tree stump that son Stephan carved into a monument of gratitude to God for the lifetime of blessings. Sadly, it is deteriorating over time and several of the meaningful icons are disappearing.

Wednesday's strong winds knocked down a large tree across the lane and led to a neighborhood chainsaw and clean-up party.

A blog post is not complete without a picture of one or another of the young'uns, so I borrowed these Kayla took during a walk while looking after Kalani.

Cousin time: Rebecca and Kalani 

 What has kept me occupied and sane during this period of waiting every day for Leah to be discharged and not allowed to visit? 

Among other things, I continue researching digital archives that are helping to fill in the missing pieces and put together the story of my parents' mission in Argentina as well as the history of the Hoyt family within the Grace Brethren Church. 

And I finished a knitting project this week. I enjoy using up every last bit of leftover yarn. Knitting can be a relaxing activity at the end of the day.

Finally, let me share these images from an old hymn. As a writer I was moved, as we sang, by this attempt to describe the love of God.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,

  And were the skies of parchment made;

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

  And every man a scribe by trade;

To write the love of God above

  Would drain the ocean dry;

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

  Though stretched from sky to sky.

 How have you seen God's love carry you through this week?

Highs and Lows

Cousin-Karin's Sunday bouquet

Our last iris

The answer to last week's mystery culinary experiment.

Michael's cherry-berry pie

I stopped at the shop, on my way back from an appointment in Muncie, to see the progress of the Hug Wall, Michael's third project during and related to the pandemic.

Does anyone know what this is for?

No Monday meal at Dove's Crossing. Stephan and Karen are on a two-week vacation out West. Tuesday, June 3rd was their 20th anniversary! 

Sitting by the pool last Monday they talked like their place is so beautiful that they might simply enjoy staying home. However, I can tell from the many photos posted, they have enjoyed many other favorites.

That was also the day Leah had an early morning MRI to determine the extent of the cancer. I went over later and spent some time with her. The journey ahead is daunting.

I got to have some abuela moments with Kalani. This selfie is not very flattering, but what I like is that we both have disheveled hairdos.

Every day of the week I had at least one appointment. Wednesday was an early morning, long-awaited hair cut in Marion quite close to where Diane lives. So I arranged to go to breakfast together after.

As things are gradually opening up, the Senior Center started up their Wednesday meals. We enjoyed an abundant spaghetti meal (we are still eating the leftovers!) I took a take-out to Leah who lives very close to the Lion's Club. We visited for awhile. I'm really enjoying these frequent opportunities. 

Then I went around the corner to Kayla's to deliver a Kiwi crate Rebecca had left at our house. She showed me her hens: Beatrice, Birdie, and B. . . (oops, I forgot her name).

Thursday was  my follow-up appointment with the periodontist. Due to the amount of bone grafting he had to do after extracting the two damaged lower front teeth, he estimates the healing will take four to six months before I'm ready for the crown. Meanwhile the partial is difficult to insert and remove. Ugh!

Next stop was to see Leah who had just met with her doctor to learn the results of the MRI and discuss treatment options. The news was not good. A mastectomy is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9. We are very grateful for a superb doctor with much experience in this area. The road ahead is daunting. To borrow Kristie's words when facing previous serious crises, "We walk in victory and hope."

I enjoyed watching Nana Leah with Kalani. 

I continue to plug away at research and writing. There seemed to be a "family" theme to the memories that surfaced this week.

Michael stays well occupied with his projects, a few bicycle rides a week and a long one with friends every Saturday.

Most of the group made it to Indiana's Highpoint and found it laughable. The distance they covered was no joke, however. 

Ends and Beginnings

 As cousin Karin's irises in Tennessee faded away, ours in Indiana began to bloom.

Karin's Sunday bouquet

 These are the irises our landscaping crew (three Blakely girls) divided and transplanted last summer.

 Monday evening when we arrived at Steph and Karen's, we saw with delight that we'd be eating outside next to the beautiful pool--lovely weather, delicious meal, and fun conversation.

Tuesday was Michael's birthday, 76 years completed, the beginning of the 77th year. 

I had two appointments that day: the dentist to check on my experience with the partial (not fun); and my last visit to Central Indiana Orthopedics, after six weeks free of boot or brace! As we said goodbye, the doctor and I joked about my annual visits. It was nearly a year ago that we had the tandem accident. I am still dealing with shoulder issues and trying to regain range of motion. I have a massage therapist friend who is treating me. She took a picture of me doing one of my homework exercises.

Both of us are so blessed to have meaningful pursuits that interest us and keep us well occupied each day.
Michael is ever working on some project, researching, learning, designing. and spends a good deal of time at the shop in Matthews. And he really enjoys cooking, to the point that it's best if I stay out of the kitchen. However, he is very happy to have me do the clean up.
Even as I write, I look over and wonder what his latest culinary experiment will be.

The last six weeks I spent so much time sitting in the recliner that I have learned to be more focused on research and writing, to the point that I can't wait to get to my station each day to learn and write more.
This week I was also immersed in watching or listening to messages or shows related to Ravi Zacharias' life and ministry. Friday was the grand finale--his deeply moving memorial service.

Saturday morning (for me, anyway) was  the Zoom reunion for anyone who served on the ship Doulos between 1981 and 1983. Just imagine 70 - 90 people trying to connect online, greet, share news, and pray together. Ever since then the catching up has continued via a Facebook group including many photos. I love this one of a few of us who attended surrounding the beautiful image that symbolizes unity amidst ethnic variety.

Meanwhile Michael was out on the Saturday long ride with his cycling buddies. This time, however, they came through Upland and stopped by for a break. There were two females: Kathy, not young but very strong rider; and Gizmo the puppy.

Rebecca finished Kindergarten.

And here is Skye on his last day at Ivanhoe's. He started a full-time job in heating and cooling.

The end of another week, another one begins full of more life challenges and adventures.