Another week

Another beautiful Sunday bouquet from cousin Karin. The more I enlarged the photo, the greater my wonder at the delicate colors gauziness of the petals.

 My friend Georgia came by Monday. I urged her to pick the last of the flowers. She found this beauty.

And she dropped off a favorite sandwich from a local cafe, The Bridge, along with a couple pieces of art. She's been painting rocks and hiding them in places to cheer people. It had been her intention for me to search for them, but since I am confined to my chair for a time, they simply adorned the lunch.

I wish you could appreciate the exquisite details of her amazing miniature art.

The mail brings lovely and fun surprises almost daily. The get-well cards were a delightful mix of humor and sweet sentiments.

Phone conversations can be a wonderful and meaningful diversion. Tuesday was my Uncle Dan's 102nd birthday and I had a lovely conversation with him! He is now the last of the six Hirschy siblings left. He still enjoys life, even with the increasing limitations of his advanced age. He's looking forward to going outside and working in the raised bed garden as the weather improves. I told him I'd think of him as I hobble around with the walker.

Daniel, Philip, Kathryn

Wednesday we went back to the orthopedic center. The ankle is healing with proper alignment so that is good. I now have a walker and have permission to gradually begin to put some weight on that left foot.

Thursday I had special visitors and was allowed to hold my new great grandson!

Destiny, Skye and Kalani

Thanks to this confinement, I had time to remake and finish Kalani's blankie. I didn't like the first attempt so I frogged the project completely (in knitting terms it means to unravel). 

Eyelet Stripe Baby Blanket 

Another type of face-to-face visit was our weekly Writers' Bloc Zoom meeting. These days we are very grateful for technology that allows us to continue sharing each other's writing projects.

Those are some of the interesting distractions of each day. However, every day, all week, I have been plodding on in the process of mailing the surgical mask relief tension bands, as described in the previous blog post.

It's been fun to receive thank you notes, even a photo, and requests for more. So Michael has been busy all week laser cutting hundreds, even thousands more.

On more relaxed days, like Sunday, Michael has fun cooking and baking.

Blueberry Cherry Pie

I heard a Taylor University chapel talk this week, actually by a former student from years ago. His family answers three questions every day regarding Covid 19.

1. What have we lost?
2. What  is not lost?
3. What have we gained?

They are good for all of us to ponder and always remember Jesus' words, "Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."  Variations of  "Fear not," are as numerous in the Bible as the days in a year.

Gifts in Confinement

Whenever possible I like to open the weekly blog post with flowers. My dear cousin in Tennessee. began sharing her Sunday bouquets with me. What a gift! She has a wonderful garden and has for years made a weekly arrangement for her church. She continues preparing the beautiful displays, except that now they grace her front porch for any passersby to enjoy. Now all my readers everywhere will be blessed by Karin's beauties.

Crutches were among Monday's gifts. Moriah offered to bring a pair from their family's supplies. Isn't she cute here trying them out pretending to be me, the shorty.
Her other reason for venturing out was to pick up clothes and items left in her room in the hasty departure when the initial quarantine was announced.

Mike and Moriah helped get me out of the house and into the car to go for an X-ray of my left ankle and foot. The next day Michael and I managed the transfer to and from the car safely for our trip to the Central Indiana Orthopedics. Dr. Haller, the same doctor that treated me after the tandem accident, confirmed the ankle fracture and ordered: a boot and no weight bearing for two weeks at least. 

Although very grateful for them, I am not a fan of crutches. I limit my trips as much as possible (no pun intended). I've almost decided it is more limiting to be lame in one foot than two arms. However, it could be that I've forgotten what last July was like.

The comfortable recliner, surrounded by all my "stuff" (cell phone, laptop, chargers, notebook, journal, writing and coloring tools, puzzle books, knitting project, water) is a blessing.

A piece of equipment I use all the time now, was a gift from Michael some time ago--a Furinno adjustable TV tray/ computer desk.

As I sit here and watch Michael cook, clean and do all the things I would do if I were able-footed, I am very grateful for a husband who lives out the "in sickness" part of the vows without complaining.

In a small way I've been helping out with his latest project. I look up the physicians of the area and address hundreds of envelopes.

Next I move over to the counter to stick on stamps and return address labels before stuffing them. 

Each one must contain a letter and fifteen surgical mask tension relief bands. This is how they are worn (except for the mask elastic hooked on my earring, ha).

Walmart donated the plastic folders used for cutting out 26 bands each with the laser cutter at the robotics shop.

Your local Marion store 1294 had the opportunity to donate to a cause that hits close to home for each of us. It makes us so proud that we had the opportunity to donate 300 folders that will be used for our brothers and sisters on the front line! Thanks to PhyxtGEARS for reaching out and giving us the opportunity to donate to such an amazing cause. These folders will be used to make Surgical Mask Tension Release Bands. These will be donated to area essential HealthCare workers.

I am grateful for the food set before me regularly and Michael's specials, like Vermont Cheddar Bread and Butternut Bisque.

One day this week, a dear friend dropped off a sack lunch while Michael was working at the shop.

We enjoy playing Splendor most evenings. We finally found a game that challenges us both equally.

The weekly post would not be complete without a sighting of abuela's little greats!

Among the many online communications of the week--a special photo and a family consensus. From the suggestions for Mother's grave marker, Alan chose, "A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

I will close with a meaningful poem from one of the many cards received:

Her voice will echo

in memories you hold,

Her smile will warm you

through stories retold;

Her love will touch you

in spirit each day,

Her life will be treasured 

in beautiful ways.

Life in the woods

Though we are not "out of the woods" yet, we are grateful every day for the beauty around us, the time, opportunity, strength and  motivation to enjoy a variety of things.

Flowers 
We have sin cuenta (numerous, unnumbered, without count) varieties of daffodil/narcissus/jonquils, but no tulips. Cousin Karin sent me a picture of her colorful and varied Palm Sunday bouquet. 

I invited friends to glean from our abundance. So far three have come to pick, share, even transplant.

Michael chatting with our friends from a distance

One friend sent a photo of her bouquet.

Sunshine

The glorious weather invites us to enjoy the outdoors. Michael goes for long bike rides and I walk. 

Sights along the way: 

--the irises transplanted last summer are coming up!

--tree felling on our road is ongoing.

 Is that how Michael got the urge to take down one of our trees? Here's the story with an unexpected ending. Oops! It didn't fall as he planned it.

After the excitement:
--the tricky process of dragging the tree off the house
--a lot of work to cut up and clean the tree mess
--some gutter damage to repair in the future.

FIRST
Michael finds ways to stay involved in the FIRST robotics program. He watches online presentations and spends a lot of time researching for one of his own. He is learning about Zoom and hopes to teach others. Meanwhile we practice that means of communicating--a weekly chat with Moriah, my regular Writers' Bloc meeting, and in an interview of one of the robotics students with Indiana FIRST.

Food

The need to stay-at-home leads to more meal preparation. The surprise organic Misfits arrive every Wednesday and lead to cooking creativity.

The extra time at home inspired our chef-son to come up with weekly cooking shows. His talented videographer Karen helped produce Bread the first week. If you clicked on the link and enjoyed watching The Casual Chef, you may want to see the next one about Rice. I found them to be very helpful and enjoyable.
We do miss the fellowship of the Monday Night dinners as well as seeing the rest of our family.

Friends
However, we are grateful for the increased internet interaction. I have so enjoyed hearing from many in response to the news of Mother's passing. We've connected with many we hadn't heard from in a long time and even made new acquaintances.

One daily pleasure has been listening to music by Argentine friend Pablo Coria. Every evening he goes live from his home in Warsaw, IN, playing the piano and singing a variety of songs from different eras and cultures.

 Those are only a few of the ways we try to make the most of this unusual season. What about you?

2014 Week 18: 3 State 3 Mountain Challenge

Here are some of the special extras added to our daily routines.

Last Sunday ended with another cookout/open house at Pastor Dan's, always a special time of interaction with college students, friends, and their children.

Monday evening at the annual shareholders dinner we were blessed to be seated at a table next to the evening entertainment--heavenly harp music.

The daffodils are gone, but there are ever new signs of spring.

Wednesday after ladies Bible study, I stopped at the hospital to visit this dear lady on my way to babysit the youngest grandsons.

Isn't she a dear?

And here are the two littlest dears enjoying a walk to the "park". Zion calls the pile of logs on the edge of their property a playground or park.

Later we went to soccer practice. This is Z's first year.

Thursday evening I joined a circle of women to help sew on the twenty butterflies on the banner that will grace the Wheeler-Thanhauser Orchid Collection and Species Bank  on the campus of Ball State University.

Mom Shirley, second from right, painted each variety five-times their size. Daughter Cheryl, far left, is the curator of the orchid collection and the visionary behind the new enhanced display and educational program.
I hope to visit soon and show you the completed and installed banner.

Friday we traveled to Tennessee for Mike and our young friend Sara to participate in the 3 State 3 Mountain Challenge along with 600 other cyclists who braved the 100 mile option, including George Hincapie who came in second, in 5 hours 11 minutes.

We stayed with wonderful hosts, my cousin Karin and husband Jack, in Dayton. I spent a delightful day visiting with Karin and her brother Ed and family who live nearby. He and I are the closest in age, born the same year. Each one of them are amazing individuals: Jack, a retired history professor is now a train conductor, soon-to-be engineer; Karin, a retired administrative assistant with the longest employment record at Bryan University; Ed, a retired university president.

Jack and Karin                                                     Ed and Karin

We followed Sara's Facebook updates throughout the day, Saturday, from the top of each mountain: Raccoon, Sand, and the most challenging--Lookout Mountain--last! Shortly after that one, at mile 88, Mike 'hit the wall' as they say, and could not go on.

598

Sara Hemmick

8039

25

F

0-97

9:42:20

9:45:52

05:49/M

Place

Name

Bib Number

Age

Gender

Age Group

Chip Time

Gun Time

Pace

Both cyclists are definitely ready to ride the mountains of the Basque Country. Circle Tour 2014 is coming up in less than six weeks!

We celebrated our last evening as a family with a Karin-prepared feast. 

I love this memory and the expressions on each face, though the photography may not be the best.

Sunday we left very early hoping to be back in time for the Award Ceremony of the Spring Art Show at the Marion Public Library. However, we arrived as they were leaving, just in time to pick up Mike's first place award in the sculpture category. His bronze, titled Youth, is home again!

What will this next week bring?