It's been awhile since I've entered something, and because I'm procrastinating about something else, of course I've found time to write.
Summer seems to have faded to fall. And in many ways, fall is my favorite time of the year. I love the smell of leaves, campfires, the colorful leaves against the sapphire blue sky (ever notice how much brighter blue the sky is from about September until November?), and my favorite piece of apparel: Sweaters!
We had a warmer-than-normal September, which was okay because it gave me a chance to try out my new (to me) paddle boat. It needs a little work, but it does what I really need it to do right now--float and paddle. So, a couple weekends ago, with the help of my brother and sister-in-law, I got a chance to pedal around and view a lovely sunset on the lake. They are being kind to allow me to store it in their new pole barn, and helped get it into the lake; I'd love to figure out a way to do that by myself, though, so they don't have to help. I spent some time that weekend (with the help of my family) scrubbing it down. This model originally came with a little troweling motor, which doesn't work anymore. I may eventually replace it--more as something for when I'm just too tired to pedal. I do want to find a canopy, as my northern European skin fries to a crisp if I'm not careful. Thinking I might get a fishing license next summer and try my hand at fishing. Anyway, here's the boat:
First, I had to scrub the boat top-to-bottom so that no foreign materials entered the lake. There's been a great deal of problems with that already with snails, believe or not, and the clean-up costs are reflected in the property taxes. I sure don't want to add to that.
Elvis loves to sit in the front yard, watching the activities on the lake at at the homes nearby. He is supervising our work. He loves to get up in chairs to do this. You'd think he was human.
Finally, the boat is ready, and we get it into the lake on a lovely and calm Sunday evening.
And here am I, on my maiden voyage on the yet-to-be-named paddle boat. I think it should have a name. Why reserve that for bigger boats? My brother and sister-in-law joined me on their pontoon boat, and the three of us enjoyed a marvelous sunset, as most sunsets on the lake are.
This is the lovely view from the front yard. No wonder Elvis likes to sit here!
Many people have asked if I'm going to take Elvis for a ride. I'm considering it for next summer. Beagles don't like to swim, but I've learned that Elvis can swim. While he was staying with my family while I was out of the country, he did go for an involuntary swim in the water...tugging at the leash all the while. I'm glad he went in; if we're going to be out at the lake, we need to know that Elvis *can* swim. Just because he doesn't want to swim, doesn't mean he can't. But I think if I do take him with me, I'll get one of those dog life preservers. Everyone who rides on my boat must have them. It's state law, but it's also my law. :) Anyway, he has been on the pontoon boat (pictured beyond Elvis above) and didn't seem to mind it. Glad he's not as much into birds as his cousins, the chocolate labs are. They will not be riding on my boat with me. Because, well, they'll get off at first sight of geese, ducks, and other birds. What my brother and his family decide to do is not my business; I did tell them they are welcome to use the boat, too, and if they want to try giving Goose or Homer a ride on it, more power to them. Hahaha!
Last Saturday, I had a chance to go to the first MSU football game I've been to in a few years. At least the first one in the upper deck. We have owned four seats in the upper deck since sometime in the 1950. The athletic office allowed us to transfer them to us after my parents died. I know they'd love that we still have them. I was remembering, though, that I pushed Mom in her wheelchair a few tmes up to that deck, and I'm not quite sure how I did that. Later, we were able to get assistance and the temporary use of a motorized scooter chair for games.
The weather was quite different last week at our game against the Chips of Central Michigan (where my niece is a sophomore). Very warm and sunny. Today was cool and raining and windy, thanks to the outer ridge of the rains from the hurricane. Thankfully, we're not getting it nearly as bad as the east coast, but it's a gloomy day, nonetheless. My brother and his wife (the ones who actually pay for the tickets these days) went and took my niece and (I'm assuming) her boyfriend. I can only imagine how nasty it got both in the stands and on the field today. MSU nearly was beaten by a far inferior Purdue...the Boilermakers, though, have done that over the years, which earned the nickname "Spoilermakers" from my dad. The team needs to get much better. We'll see how the season goes; I have a feeling today was not the last day that will be hard on the hearts of Spartans.
As for me, Elvis and I accidentally slept in. We were going to meet for the tailgate today, but by the time I realized I needed to go, it was almost game time. Sad. I would have loved to have gone, but apparently I needed the sleep more.
October (actually late September) brought chillier air. Many of my friends have turned on their furnace. I haven't yet. First, because I need to get a new filter (I always do at the beginning of furnace season), and secondly, because I'm a cheapskate. Last year at this time, I purchased a really nice fireplace-like heater by Duraflame. It's in the bedroom, which is where I spent most of my time when I'm home. Blankets and a very cuddly beagle also help to keep me toasty warm. In fact, this morning, I was so warm I ended up opening a window upstairs! I finally took the portable AC out of the window. It was wasting space anyway, since it really doesn't work too well (worked fine last summer, this one, well, not so much).
In other news: I'm a student again! I recently started a four-year course called Education for Ministry. It's through the Episcopal church and the University of the South, in Sewanee, Tennessee. Sadly, I won't be traveling to Tennessee for this, but rather, meeting every Monday for three hours during the school year in a room which overlooks the garden in which half of John's ashes are buried. I think it's fitting and that he might approve. This class, by the way, doesn't mean I'm going to seminary; it's not seminary, but rather, for the lay ministry, as we are all called to be ministers in some sort or another. It doesn't mean people don't go to seminary after this (I know a few people who have). And you never know where this journey might take me. It's the first commitment of this type I've made since John's illness. I'm not in any choirs or orchestras right now. Kind of miss it, but not enough to perform at this time.
Anyway, all the students from all four years meet together. We have some things we all study together, and the different year students study some things special to their time in class. This year, it's the Old Testament. I'm really enjoying the materials thus far; right now, I'm learning about the Hebrew Bible and its differences to the Protestant Christian and Roman Catholic Christian Old Testaments. I was telling a coworker about this class, and she invited me to synagogue at her congregation. I may take her up on it; it may feel more familiar than I originally thought before taking this class.
Second years study New Testament, Third years study history, and I believe the fourth years study theology. But the thing that's cool about this is that it's not really specific to the Episcopal denomination. We have varied backgrounds in our class. I'm loving it, though I'm struggling with a big assignment that's due a week from Monday called my Spiritual Autobiography, something that must be completed every year of this class. Each year, I'm told, takes a slightly different angle than another year. I have done one before in a class I was in called Speaking our Faith (based on our rector's doctoral work, a wonderful prequel, I think, to the EFM class).
So...I find there are too many distractions at home for studying. So, I study during my lunch hour at work and now at this little coffee shop that I've spent much time in (but not lately) since John's death. It's very busy (because of the cold rain, I think), but I think I'll be able to move on to my studying once I stop procrastinating with this blog. :) My favorite beverage is called Vietnamese iced coffee. I know the ingredients, but haven't succeeded in a good version at home. I'll keep trying. I might regret this drink today, because it is chock-full of caffeine. John would approve. :)
In some great news, one of my friends is out of rehab and moved back to her home. I'm just wow'ed by her courage and strength. But I always am, watching people deal with what they have to deal with.
And of course, I'm very happy that my nephew, Will, has purchased his first house. It look very nice and appears to have a fairly large and pretty lot. Congratulations to him!
Well, that's all for this post. Blessings to you all...
Tam
