Gathering Graces 3/30/2020 The Lesson of the Crocus

When the rain stopped for a bit today I went out and walked around the gardens like I try and do each day.

The day had started out a little rough.  A friend shared with me about going to the doctor because of some congestion in her chest, and her doctor sent her to get tested for the virus, and she is now quarantined at home until she gets the results back, and unable to go to work.

Another friend shared frustrations about some decisions made about her father's health and how she felt helpless and didn't know where to turn for help.

In the midst of my garden tour, when I reached the southwest corner of the backyard, I noticed something that I had not seen before.

Despite some black and white tiles Paul had put down on the ground last summer to cover up some of the ground for a sitting area, the crocuses pushed their way forth.

In the past I have always been amazed at the resiliency of the crocus, that is one of the earliest bloomers in the garden, and doesn't seem to mind a light snowfall.

But these crocuses were bound and determine to make their way through whatever barrier was in the way and grow toward the sun.  Their will to grow, bloom and live was more powerful than the black and white tile that could have provided a barrier to their growth, but the crocus overcame.

I want to be like the crocus.  When I come to the end of a long, cold and dark winter, I want to break through whatever it is in my life that is keeping me down and break through whatever crack there may be and burst forth so I can grow, and bloom and live in the light.

The crocus tells a good story, one we should listen to this spring.

May we be as brave and bold

 to continue to grow as the crocus

 who had endured both snow and cold.

Gathering Graces 3/29/2020 The Game of Life

With churches closed down, we are blessed to have the ability to have church in our own home.  Paul and I both read a book recently titled "The Eternal Current: How A Practice Based Faith Can Keep Us From Drowning" by Aaron Neiquist.  We have been wanting to incorporate this practice into our personal worship time at home, so today we went to digitalchurch.nyc and joined Trinity Grace Church Tribeca for their Sunday morning service.  This service included an opening worship number with four kids leading the song.  Then a poem was shared by a teen, and then a worship song, with each members of the worship team spread out throughout the sanctuary.  Then a "Generosity Prayer" was shared and the sharing of Grace and Peace.  A church member shared a Gospel reading from John 11:17-44, and Michael Rudzena preached a sermon on these verses about the story of Jesus bringing Lazarus to the dead.  This was followed by a recitation of the Apostles Creed, and time of Prayers for the People, a time of Confession and Assurance, and then a time of Communion.  There was a Benediction and the singing of the Doxology.  I know many people have connected with other Christians through digital services.  What a blessing.  I know it was for us.

Now that we finished the first season of "Picard", and have a whole month free of CBS All Access, I searched what was on it, and found I have not watched the last two seasons of NCIS.  Let the binge watching begin!!

It was raining pretty hard and I didn't feel like going outside to walk, so I went down and rode our exercise bike for about an hour.  I find daily exercise is a must during this time.

Zoe wanted to play another game tonight, so we pulled out The Game of Life.  We didn't quite play it right at the beginning, but we figured it out by the end.  I was the big winner of today's game.

As Paul and I were visiting at the end of the evening, I realized that my online teaching is a good thing that is helping me cope with our staying at home time.  I like having one constant in my day that gives me a certain rhythm to my day.  At 2:30 a.m. I wake up, I start teaching at 3 a.m., and teach until 6 a.m. I love having this connection with these students on a daily basis.  During the week, when I am done teaching, I go for a walk.  Then I come home, read my Bible, do my feedback from classes, and then back to bed for about 3 hours, then I get up and eat lunch, and figure out what happens for the rest of the day.

Gathering Graces 3/28/2020 Monopoly, Frozen 2 and virus gets personal

Now I feel more confident conversing with my students about Elsa and Anna and their roles in both "Frozen" and "Frozen 2" because I have now re-watched "Frozen" to refresh my memory, and watched "Frozen 2" today.  Zoe asked me which one I liked better.  I would have to say "Frozen".

I told Paul I felt like playing a board game today, one of those we usually don't play because they take too long.  One like Monopoly.  So that is what Zoe, Paul and I did on the late afternoon today.  Zoe was the big winner, wiping Paul and I out by acquiring the monopolies of Broadway, Park Place, Baltimore and Mediterranean and getting houses and hotels on them early.

Today I learned of two families close to our family that have family members who tested positive for the virus or are quarantined and are waiting for results.  Both families live in Idaho. Both have family members that are healthcare workers.  The news just makes me pray more for those essential workers who continue to do their jobs in our communities each and every day.

Stan Newton, a good friend of Paul's parents and a missionary in Bulgaria, posted this on his Facebook page and this is how I feel about how I, as a Christian, should respond to this virus:

Simple Theology for the Corona Virus
Stan Newton
1. We live in a broken world. We should not be surprised by our current situation.
2. God sent Jesus 2,000 years ago to fix what was broken.
3. God is not sending this virus to punish us, test us or to make us stronger.
4. God is with us and in us fighting against this virus.
5. Those living in the Kingdom have access to health and healing and can minister this to others.
6. As we expand the Reign of Jesus, we push out the darkness and create a world of righteousness, peace and joy.
7. Be a source of comfort and hope for those in need.

Thank you, Stan, for these good words. I keep trying to live out #7 each and every day.

We finished Season One of "Picard" tonight.  It was good.  My only negative comment would be the adding of the more "mature" language to the show.  It really didn't make the story any better.  And I felt like it went against the tone of the past "Star Trek" shows.  Jean Luc Picard did fine through seven seasons of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" without using the F-word.  Why does he have to start now?

And, to make you smile, here are a couple of cute photos I took of Clark today.

Gathering Gracers 3/27/2020 Vinegar Taffy Pull and Supporting Small Business

I had not been uptown in a while, so Paul, Zoe and I walked uptown so I could mail some letters and packages   and drop off my water bill.  Things were a little busy at the post office, but calm.  There were red lines on the floor helping us keep our six feet distance from one another.  Plastic covered the Post Office window.  The clerk was very upbeat and friendly.

After dropping my water bill off in the bill slot at the water company, we walked through uptown.  Alm  Iost every doorway or window had some kind of sign posted about their temporary closures or ways to use the business even though they are closed.  Some businesses still remain open, like the Back Country Café and Wah Hing that are still offering meals to go.

As we walked passed The Bean, we stopped and each got a coffee drink at the walk up window.  Sarah seemed very optimistic and said she has been keeping busy.  I am so glad!!

Ever since I have known Paul, he has talked about one of his fond childhood memories...making Vinegar Taffy with his mom, dad and brothers.  Every few years he would talk about it, but we never got around to making it.  Well, today was the day.  When we returned home, Zoe pulled up the picture of the recipe she had on her phone from Grandma Pat, and her and Paul started making the candy.

Once it reached hard ball stage, Paul poured it on a buttered platter.  Once the candy started cooling, we would grab some and start pulling.  It was fun, and the candy was delicious.

We had decided, as long as there were restaurants open, we would support one each week by getting a take out order of food.  Tonight we got pizza from Zany's Sunshine Inn.  I love their garlic butter sauce, and we enjoyed both pizzas with this sauce on it.

Then we watched more Picard...things are starting to get interesting!!!

Gathering Graces 3/26/2020 Hello Geraniums, Hello Riley, Hello herbs

Too much of the things I have on my schedule require me to sit at the table.  I had had enough!!  I needed some kind of project to get me outside.  Hello Geraniums!

I have never wintered over my geranium baskets from the summer, but I decided to winter them over this year.  Last fall I took them down to the basement and hung them from some ceiling pipes.

I went down and brought them upstairs, and took them out and cut back all the old stems and even some growth that had already started.

I am going to have them sit outside for a while until it starts really warming up, then I will start watering them, and see if I get some geraniums to come forth.  I also wintered over a flower basket I bought at Yokes.  We will see if it gets any new growth.

I put the herbs I had in pots in one of my bathtubs, and covered them over with some bedsheets over the winter.  Some herbs have survived, and some I am still waiting to see if they survived or not.  I am still waiting to see if the Rosemary survived the winter or not.  Hello herbs!

Oregano

Thyme

Lemon Thyme

Curly and Flat Leafed Parsley

I used some Prime Rib bones to make my beef broth this past week, and I texted Christy if she thought Riley would want the bones.  She was out walking Riley in Smelterville, and came by and picked them up on her way home.  It was fun to see Riley.  Hello Riley!

Hello Riley!!

Enjoy your bones!!

Gathering Graces 3/25/2020 Snow Day, Brisket and Picard...and what was lost has been found!!!

If you are a fan of the show on Amazon Prime called "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel", you are well aware of the fact that she is known for making brisket.

I have never made a brisket, but when I purchased our beef order last fall, there was a brisket as part of the order.  Every time I see Midge Maisel make a brisket, I have wanted to try it out.

So what better way to spend a snowy day than preparing a brisket and letting it cook in the slow cooker all day.

The night before I dried off the meat and rubbed it with smoky paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper and let it sit in the fridge all night.

The next day I seared the meat on all sides.  I cut up some onions and put them in the bottom of the slow cooker.  I put the meat on the onions, then poured over some freshly made beef broth over the meat with some garlic.

I put it on low and let it cook for four hours, then added some Yukon Gold potatoes and some carrots, and let it cook another two hours.

Zoe made a green salad and we had ourselves a delicious, comforting, healthy meal to warm us up on this snowy day in March.

Paul is a big Star Trek fan.  Paul has been anticipating being able to watch the new show "Picard" on CBS All Access. Zoe found out it no longer cost anything to watch the first season.  So we watched a couple of the episodes this evening as we warmed ourselves by the fire.

Oh, and great news!!  Cosette's car has been found in Clarkston by the police.  We were excited to hear this wonderful news!!  She will drive down to Lewiston and pick it up on Saturday.

Gathering Graces 3/24/2020 Pet PSA...Coping with Stress

We interrupt this blog with an important Public Service Announcements from our household pets.

Today's message is all about coping with stress during this time.  Clark, Leo and Sadie believe there is some good information on the World Health Organization website.  If you haven't visited https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public, here is some information that may be helpful to you.

1. It is normal to feel sad, stressed, confused, angry or angry during a crisis.  Taking to people you trust can help.  Contact your family and friends.

Leo and Clark are leaning on each other during this time.  They hang out together, hunt birds together, and ward off other cats who choose not to practice social distancing in the backyard.  They want you to know that you don't have to do this alone.  There are people there who want to help you.  Just ask.


2.  While you stay at home, maintain a healthy lifestyle--including proper diet, sleep, exercise and social contacts with loved ones at home by email and phone with other family and friends.

Clark makes sure he is getting plenty of exercise by chasing birds, climbing trees and canvassing the neighborhood (while keeping a least 6 feet from others, and not gathering in groups of greater than 10).  Thanks to his owners, Clark is also provided a fresh supply of food and water to keep him healthy and strong.


3.  Don't use smoking, alcohol or other drugs to deal with your emotions.  If you feel overwhelmed, talk to a health worker or counsellor.  Have a plan, where to go and how to seek help for physical and mental health needs if required.

Leo is giving in and will not use catnip to deal with what is going on right now.  Instead, he will give in to human contact for love and support (but only those in his own household), and eat healthy and get lots of exercise.  If he does start getting scared or anxious, he has someone he can call to help him out.  He doesn't have to do this on his own....even though using the phone can also be a source of anxiety.  


4.  Get the facts.  Gather information that will help you accurately determine your risk so that you can take reasonable precautions.  Find a credible source you can trust such as the WHO website, or a local or state health agency.

Clark does not believe everything he reads on the Internet, especially Facebook.  Clark uses reliable sources to find out how many people have been infected in his state, in his country, and in the world.  He does not share misinformation, but he does share information that is reliable from reliable sources. He learns from his friends Mr. Smith and Harlowe in Italy who have been on lock down for 16 days.  Be like Clark!!


5.  Limit worry or agitation by lessening the time you or your family spend watching or listening to media coverage that you perceive as upsetting.


Sadie does not spend a lot of time watching news coverage that is sensationalized and somewhat scary.  And she find much of the coverage to be scary.  She picks and chooses what information she want to read or listen to, and does not have it going 24 hours a day because she does not want to be freaking out all day long. Instead, she suggests people find a good book to read, do some crafts, listen to music, write, paint, call a friend.  Go shoot some baskets and  go for a bike ride.  Watch a movie about cute dogs.  That is what she is going to do.

6.  Draw on skills you have used in the past that have helped you manage previous life's adversities and use those skills to help you manage your emotions during the challenging time of this outbreak.

Clark and Leo try and distance themselves from the things that stress them out as much as they can.  Big dogs in a neighbor's yard?  They avoid it.  Mean cats coming into their yard?...they band together to chase it off.  They stay close to safe places.  Again, they rely on others for help and even though cats are thought of as solitary creatures, they realize, in times like this, you really do need each other.

Gathering Graces 3/23/2020 Pruning Roses

I have a bathtub full of roses in my backyard.

Each rose is in memory of one of our pets that has passed away.

  Here is what they looked like last summer.  I love roses.

Each spring I prune the roses so they grow stronger and more beautiful.

Why?  Here is what I found out:

Pruning roses can be intimidating to gardeners since cutting back beautiful growth seems counterintuitive and can be downright painful if the plant is unruly. But, the practice actually creates a vital plant, as pruning encourages new growth, removes old, dead wood, helps shape the plant, and reduces the chances of fungal disease by opening the rose plant up to airflow.

This got me thinking about my own life.  And what can be pruned from my life.  I may think something that is beautiful growth in my life may actually make me unruly.  And by pruning it away, I become healthier.  And pruning in my life, as in the rose plant, encourages new growth, removes old, dead wood, and helps shape things in my life to make me healthier, physically, mentally and spiritually.

My Bible reading today was Genesis 1-3.  I loved the way the New International Version translated Genesis 1:13.

"And God said, 'Let there be light in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night.  Let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years."

Most translations say seasons in this verse.  I like how this version translates those words to mean "sacred time".  As we move into each season, it is a sacred time.  Right now, it is the beginning of spring.  I like the rhythm and flow of the seasons, and how it moves of into different times of the year.  Each season has a special purpose.  To me spring is reawakening, rebirth, hope, life, color.  Summer is growing, warmth, life.  Fall is harvest, colors, slowing down.  And Winter is slowing down even more, death, sleep, rest.

One of the reason I love living where I do is I get to experience the four distinct seasons.  It is part of who I am.  My body moves to this particular song of a new season every three months. That is the way I roll.