Setbacks

Another colorful bouquet from Dayton, TN. I wonder how long cousin Karin's flowers bloom? We will certainly miss them in winter.

I posed a question last week about the big boxes our strong grandsons were unloading for us. Did you guess the contents correctly (pull-out sofa bed from IKEA)?
Anybody want to build play houses with the boxes? They're still available.

Michael attempted one last Neowise comet sighting, this time with friend Bob Craton on his property on the other side of Upland. I went along and had a delightful visit with his wife Linda on their idyllic back deck.

For 23 years, July 29 we remembered two birthdays in our family. Mother would have been 99 this time. I love this picture which brings back favorite memories of when I'd stay overnight. After breakfast, we'd read the Bible together. When she lost her voice about two years ago, her expressive reading was over. She is no longer limited in any way!

Mother now with the Author!                                        Skye, now a Dad!

Thursday afternoon, my lovely landscape crew (the Blakely three) met me at Jim Slater's (local lily-grower) for a tour of his garden. We learned a lot and delighted in the remaining beauties though it is late in the season.

Michael (and anyone from the PhyXTGears who will help) landed a big order for table dividers for a nearby school. Lot of work ahead. For starters this week--measurements, algebraic calculations, and shopping for all the materials.

He also cut a large order of ear savers, which I helped clean, punch out and package.

Saturday I set about to use up all the frozen bananas accumulating in the freezer. Believe it or not, most of these breads are given or gone by now. 

Sunday I delivered the GF muffins and ear savers to Kristie, Made my day just to see them and chat for a bit, though they were careful about social distancing, just in case, due to a fever Jude developed on the first day of school. 

Friends in Argentina wrote that they are on Phase 1 shutdown again. Some here are feeling uncertainty about further setbacks. Those going back to school are wondering how things will play out. So here is my prayer for us from the Apostle Paul:

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.      [emphasis added]                                                                       Romans 15:13 NLT

Week 34: Summer Winding Down

Our hydrangea bushes were cut way down in the spring and now are enormous and heavy laden with beautiful blooms. I took some to Mother. She loves flowers, but these especially remind her of her home growing up in Evans City, PA where they had a huge bush that became the favorite backdrop for family photos.

A few items received this week evoke special memories.

Cousin Rosie found an interesting handkerchief that belonged to our grandfather, Norman Hirschy, and enclosed it in a charmingly quaint card.

Ruth Brooking, Leah's first teacher on board the ship, sent a few sweet photos from those adventurous days.

Top: with Amy, Leah, and Derek in Puerto Montt, Chile, December 1980
Bottom: Amy and Leah after a visit to Amsterdam, November 1979

The two girls were best friends the entire time we were on the Doulos. It was very difficult for Leah when we left and she had to say goodbye to Amy.

Speaking of OM Ships, Monday the 19th was Logos Hope's last day in Mar del Plata, Argentina.

Tuesday while Ivan (Hoyt sibling #4) from Las Vegas was still in the area, we had yet another dinner with Mother. Malachi was able to join us after the first day of his junior year at Grace College. We enjoyed hearing about his courses, goals and aspirations.

We invited Aunt Margaret also. She brought me a photo she came across recently from those early years in Argentina. Most of the people and friends pictured have since passed away, including Daddy, in the center.

Bible Institute graduation ceremony, Río Cuarto, November 1952.

In my writing, I have not yet covered that year, nor even 1950 when Aldo was born. August 21 was his 69th birthday. 

And the very next day would have been Mother and Dad's 77th anniversary, and our Hirschy grandparents 106th.

Thursday evening I spent a fun evening with the youngest grandboys. Among other things Jude and I put together a dinosaur, I listened to him practice the piano, we watched some favorite shows, and played Mancala. The boys reminded me of the rules and must have given me excellent hints because I kept winning. Zion was determined to beat me and finally came close by one move.

 The Blakely girls continue their weekly landscaping help. Much more is being accomplished than I could ever had done even with the use of two strong arms.

I saw the orthopedic doctor, probably for the last time. Therapy sessions and exercises continue. the hope is to regain full range of motion and avoid surgery at all costs.

Michael keeps up with his many activities: bee keeping tasks, harvesting and processing honey;  mowing; fixing everything that breaks down, that never ends; long bicycle rides; and the many responsibilities that accompany his leadership role in the robotics team. Stay tuned for big changes to be announced soon.