2017 Week 41: Earthly Farewells

The week was overshadowed by two earthly losses/heaven's gain.

In memory of Viola

Yet our earthly pilgrimage must go on as usual: teaching, grading, writing, tap class, for me; robotics, pottery, and so much more for Michael.
Our resident student had a visit from her best friend and is now on Fall break after surviving seven weeks of a grueling schedule.

Water color class is going well. This week we transfered a child's drawing and then practiced the techniques Jason is trying to teach us.

Jason's water colors using his kids'art

Then we worked on a still life. I realized that I am too realistic, not artsy. We have such a good time together, enjoying the process as well as the results.

Leah's, Stephan's, Kari's, and my pumpkins

Speaking of pumpkins. . . Stephan has been very busy carving and shaping them into the most unusual rearrangements.

Tractor; Pumpkin Pele doing a bicycle kick; Lighted Pumpkin Clock; . . .

Thursday morning my brother Alan shared this tribute to his beloved wife:

Early in the morning of October 12, 1492, a sailor on board the Pinta sighted land, beginning a new era of European exploration and expansion. The next day, the ninety crew members of Columbus’ three-ship fleet ventured onto the Bahamian island that he named San Salvador (now Watling Island, and then called Guanahaní by the natives), ending a voyage begun nearly ten weeks earlier in Palos, Spain."

Early in the morning of October 12, 2017, Sharon Lynn Hoyt, my shipmate for nearly 35 years sighted land, beginning our new era of exploration. Here is her last text to me: "First you have to build the wooden sailboat, then we’ll go on a long cruise". To the very end her thoughts and dreams were for and about me and her boys. Her words to me over the last couple of days were about preparing a place for me. She asked me to never forget Romans 8:8-23

Today she discovered freedom, everlasting love, the reality of the truth we all crave to touch and see.

Sharon's journey with cancer lasted five torturous years of multiple surgeries and every treatment available. She fought with courage and grace and never lost hope.

In 2013 when Dad passed away she was already going through chemo.

Top: With Mother, four brothers and spouses;
Bottom left: my favorite photo of Alan and Sharon. Bottom right: The last time I saw Sharon, Mother's 96th birthday in July.

A very timely memory popped up the next day, a painting I was drawn to when we visited the Art Prize several years ago. It speaks to me now, of the grief journey ahead for Alan and the two boys, Nicolas (28), Daniel (almost 27). I especially love the reminder of Who is there for them, and of the promise in Luke 21:19 (The Voice)

Friday we celebrated the life of my dear friend Viola Fights (86).
As a tall beautiful 18 year old she was headed to college and a promising future when she contracted polio and her life was altered forever. The disease did not hold her back. She married and raised six children and more that ended up in her care. She was not one to complain, though trapped in a body with increasing limitations. When we met thirty three years ago she could still walk with leg braces and crutches and almost daily walked by our house in the neighborhood. Post polio took its toll over the years. Then for years she got around town on her scooter until gradually she became totally bedridden.

Senior picture from her high school yearbook. A "walk" together on her 80th birthday with her beloved dog Patches.

As the family gathered photos for the memorial, they lacked one of Mary her caregiver for 13 years. I happened to have the only one. This was my gift to Mary and the family.

The angel who cared for my friend

Michael had gotten up very early to work on a presentation for a FIRST robotics forum and was busy all day. He also made a Venison Chili Mac for a chili cookout at Victory Acres, our local CSA farm.

Mike's special Venison Chili Mac

The weather was perfect. They had planned a wonderful fall festival. One activity was photo treasure hunt. This was my shot at the photo booth.

Tired

We had a lovely relaxing evening with good food and friends.

Michael left very early Saturday for Purdue in West Lafayette. His presentation, "Basic Electricity and Electronics for FRC", was well attended. He had a long day away. I had a long day at home.

Home again!

Mike, brother Terry, and nephew Jeff enjoyed their last days together out in the wild before the brothers headed back home. Half way across the country they had vehicle problems and had to wait out several hours of repair work on the truck.

Michael made it back home Friday around 4:30 a.m.

From Idaho with love

You'd think that when hubby was gone I'd take it easy, but it felt like I tried to do more. Every day there was a to-do list. For lack of paper next to my bed, this is what Monday's looked like.

It was good to get away for a nice meal and fellowship in the evening.

It was Auntie Karen's turn to hold and admire baby Jude.

Tuesday evening instead of Bible study at the church it was an evening set aside to socialize--game night at Koch's was the consensus. However, it turned into pizza and non-stop talking. Can you believe we never got around to the games?
 

Did Wednesday really go by with no photo?

I hadn't seen my friend Viola for way too long, so Thursday I was able to get away and drop in for a brief visit, and I got to meet her helper, Mary.

Mike was back Friday and the day sped by again without even one photo.

Saturday early Michael helped me set up at another craft show and then came back home and slept some more. I do believe he is still catching up from the many early mornings of the past three weeks.

Leah came to help me and this time we had a sprayed tree to show off her ornaments better.

She sat there and kept on painting more of her clay creations.

After packing up we stopped by Kayla's place, only a few blocks away, and enjoyed watching her play with pets Lilly and Moe.

So another week is over, and yet another election day. I feel compelled and committed to pray for our president, his spiritual advisers and all those in government.

November 6th was also important to our family--Samuel's 34th birthday. A few years ago I wrote a special post on that day. A dear friend reminded us this week that when he was struggling through the adolescent years Sam's name was at the top of the Mom's In Touch prayer list. We now look back and praise God for the man he has become. Thank you, ladies, for all your many prayers!

Garden Fun

I repotted the house plants and used some Klaytivity rejects. This is my favorite, imperfect only because of a hairline fracture.

Tropical Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum capillus-veneris

I love this delicate plant, and only hope I can keep it alive. These ferns grew wild where I went to camp as a child in the sierras of Córdoba, so I could not resist adding it to my plant purchases last Saturday.

Three grandsons were there as mom picked out her choice garden plants. I had so much fun playing with them or I may have come home with more than I could handle. Even so I haven't finished planting everything yet. Of course, rain most of the week has not helped.

I did get some cell phone pics of the boys, but someone had been playing with the photo features and this is what I got.

I love the expressions, but it looks like someone spilled paint on the poor kids.

Zion warmed up to me after a bit and started playing a game where he would walk away, then turn around and run into my arms time and time again. Reminded me of the 'jump hugs' I used to get from his daddy back in the day.

Monday at Chef's we enjoyed a plated meal of salad, chicken, sweet potato and an arepa with house dressing.

Oh, and the garnish--pickled ginger and orange.

Another day this week I made a mean salad of tuna, tomatoes, green onions, red pepper, and corn over a variety of greens from our indoor solarium hanging garden.

I harvested such a range of greens and herbs from only one tray, so tasty when freshly picked.

Thursday I attempted something new--an oil painting class! We practiced different techniques for making different kinds of leaves, buds and flowers until we ran out of space and time. Here's what my first practice canvas looked like.

Spring Swirl
Leaf Sampler

Friday, during one of our few rain-free windows, we went for a tandem ride to MacDonald's (17 miles). I so enjoyed the greening countryside, and conversation with my husband.



Today my friend and I celebrated her 80th birthday by walking to her favorite little restaurant for brunch. We were a sight, especially after half an hour in drizzling rain--an unusual threesome.  

Viola and Patches

Tomorrow should be fun celebrating Mother's Day with our almost ninety-year-old mother and seeing Ivan and Kim again!