February 7 – “Apple Lady”

We awoke to a chilly 54 degrees.  It was also supposed to rain.  I guess it did a little while we slept.  At least enough to get the plastic cover of the newspaper wet. 

 

Chris joined me for my walk yesterday.  she went a mile and a half.  I continued on for two.   I pondered aloud while we were together as to the psychological ramifications of my waving at people driving by us in cars.  I have spent some time doing research on the topic, you know.  I wave at just about every car that comes by, whether we know them as neighbors or not.  I figure it has to be good for the soul to know that at least that one old guy who was getting his steps in cared enough about me to acknowledge my existence.  But that’s not the subject of my experiment.  No way to quantify that.  My interest this time was in exactly how they respond to the wave, especially when they are talking on the phone. 

 

We are on an island off the coast of Texas, and a lot of Texans have transplanted here.  Therefore, a common response to any wave is the casual lifting of a finger or two from the steering wheel.  Or maybe even all five fingers while keeping the palm of the hand on the steering wheel.  That is the most common response, and the one I have come to expect.  Some, of course, don’t acknowledge my wave at all.  They are probably transplants from somewhere other than Texas.  Or they have something on their minds.  Or they didn’t see me.  All completely understandable reactions.  But my favorite responses come from those who are holding their phone to their ear while driving. 

 

See, these folks suddenly face a challenge.  They want to wave, and they may even get the finger acknowledgment done.  But there is just something about getting caught with your phone in your ear that causes people to do strange things.  One funny response comes when they try the one finger acknowledgment … with a finger on the phone.  Some even abandon their conversation momentarily and wave back at me, phone in hand.  It’s a lot of fun to see someone try to release the phone at their ear so they can give me a full-on return wave.  The phone inevitably dislodges from the shoulder perch and the head desperately bounces to the side trying to catch it.  Quite entertaining.

 

But yesterday I had a bit of a different response.  A lady was driving by.  I didn’t know her, but she appeared pleasant enough.  So I smiled and waved.  She returned my smile with a big one of her own, and then returned the wave.  Not with her phone, however.  She waved her half-eaten apple at me.  That was certainly a first.  Tasty. 

 

2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we live by faith, not by sight.”

 

Father, please give Apple Lady a great day today.  She sure made mine a bit more joyful yesterday.  Amen.

February 6 – “Speaking of thanks …”

Chris was back at it yesterday.  Rehab number three of thirty-six.  Almost finished, right?  She decided maybe she shouldn’t have mentioned things were a little easy last time.  They caused her treadmill to creep up to an incline.  They put some pressure eon the seated elliptical (or whatever that monstrosity is called).  They added a weight training segment for upper body strength.  She is really getting a full-scale workout now.  About the only thing left for them, to do is increase the drag on her stationary bike.  Maybe next week …

 

I made my two-mile walk.  On the second mile I joined up with one of my neighbors for a few houses.  Had to slow down considerably to stay with him.  Out of the blue he asked me how old I was.  When I told him, he chuckled and said, “Oh, well, you’re just a youngster.”  He told me he was finding it hard to believe that he was 79 years old and would be 80 in December.  I admired his longevity, but he added, “Yep.  My Mom died when she was 100 years and six months.  My Dad was a lot younger when he died, though.  He was only 98.”  I told him he had a long way to go, then, and he was doing a great job getting there.  Maybe that’ll be me in a few years. 

 

We finished another puzzle.  Gotta give a shout-out to our home group folks on this one.  Mark is the one who loaned it to us.  And Thursday night Lauren made some serious headway.  Sam has added some pieces over the weeks to other puzzles, too.  Thanks for your help, guys. 

 

Speaking of thanks … last night we were invited to dinner with Nathan and April and Cailyn.  They had a big ol’ pot of chicken and dumplings going.  Hard to turn that down.  I asked which one of their chickens we were eating.  I don’t think Cailyn was amused.  Guess it was one she and April hadn’t had the opportunity to name as yet.  It sure tasted good. Though.  So … thanks to you guys as well. 

 

Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

 

Father, I can’t go around thanking people without thanking you, too.  Thank you for being the founder of the feast and the creator of the Church.  Amen.

February 5 – “”Another doctor day???”

Yesterday was yet another doctor day for Chris.  This one was not at all related to her heart incident, though.  This time it was the dermatologist (That’s the right word for skin doctor, isn’t it?).  She has a dry patch they have been monitoring.  This time the doc did a really thorough inspection.  Enough that it started to bleed.  And with all the anti-coagulants she is taking, that means it bled a lot.  Well, not a lot in the grand scheme of things, like she was going to bleed out or anything.  It’s more like a bad habit or eating Lay’s potato chips.  It just takes forever for her to stop once she gets started.  The doc did a biopsy on it, but was very encouraging as to the possible results.  It was one of those “let’s just make sure” moments.  She came home with a pressure bandage on her cheek.  Oh, and while they were inspecting the finer points of Chris’ facial skin-atomy, they shot her with a freeze gun to remove some other suspicious spots.  Ouch.  Glad I stayed home to work on the sermon.  They might have turned that ray gun on me …

 

At least it was a gorgeous day outside.  It got up past 70 degrees.  Now that’s more like it for a tropical island winter’s day.  Of course I just peeked at the forecast for next week.  If I read it right, the expectation for next week at this time?  30 degrees.  Yep.  That’s below freezing.  I mean actual freezing.  It gets worse.  The projection for next Saturday?  High of 43, low of 34.  With a 40% chance of snow.  That’s when I knew somebody was asleep at their desk in the weather office.  I closed down the app and then reopened it.  Now snow is gone, replaced by rain.  The low has crept up to 36.  At this rate we’ll be back in the 70’s by then. 

 

We had a great group at home group last night.  They seem determined to be here when the Israelites finally cross into the Promised Land.  Well, it actually happened.  The people crossed over the Jordan River.  Well, most of them.  We left the story with the priests and the ark still out there in the riverbed.  I really love cliff hangers …

 

2 Thessalonians 1:3 says, “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love you have for one another is increasing.”

 

Father, please do some healing on Chris’ skin places.  She’s getting tired of “her turn” with medical issues.  Amen.

February 4 – “Neighborhood Food Mobile??”

It was back to the old grind for Chris yesterday.  She returned for her second full day of cardiac rehab.  I think she is going to nail this whole therapy thing.  She is already making comments like, “The stationary bike is so easy.  There is no tension on it at all.”  And, she had to remind the nurse about what the settings should be on the treadmill.  Sounds like she’s been doing that treadmill thing her whole life.  Guess she’s conquered that particular fear.  Of course they are planning to institute some tension on that bicycle, and no doubt a little more speed on the treadmill when she returns on Friday.  Hang on for an upcoming wild ride, Chris.

 

I got word from an old Seasider, Kelly Boyer the other day.  She now works full-time at the Galveston Food Bank.  She was asking if Seaside could host one of their new events for getting food to neighborhoods where people really need it.  Absolutely.  So … on Monday, February 8^th, from 7:30-8 a.m. (yep, just those 30 minutes), Seaside will have a Neighborhood Food Mobile truck in our parking lot. 

 

I have to confess something here.  It wasn’t until I started typing that I got the intended meaning here.  I was thinking reasonable things like, “Well, I sure hope the truck is mobile.”  And not-so-reasonable things like, “What’s the difference between mobile foods and stationary foods?”  Or “As cute as it sounds, why would the food bank have one of those hang-y down things for putting over a baby bed?”  It just struck me that a hyphen would have been helpful.  Or maybe just leaving out a space.  How about “Neighborhood Food-mobile”?  Or even Foodmobile?  That would help old literalists like me.  Anyway, if you or anyone you know has a need, come on by and pick up “an easy to carry box of refrigerated foods.” 

 

Did I ever mention that we finished our National Parks jigsaw puzzle?  I think I did.  Chris is making plans as to which ones we now absolutely have to visit.  I sure wish these places would go ahead and open up for hikes and stuff.  After all, hikes do generally take place outside.  And the dreaded Covid doesn’t generally enjoy the great outdoors. 

 

John 3:21 says, “But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

 

Father, please use the food bank give-away to meet some needs.  And bless Kelly and her efforts there.  Amen.

February 3 – “Shadows in the snow?”

Yesterday was Groundhog Day.  I understand up in Pennsylvania the groundhog saw his shadow and they are destined for six more weeks of winter.  Actually, I’m not sure how that was possible.  We have some good friends who live in Pennsylvania, and they assured us that the entire state is blanketed in a massive snowstorm right now.  We never saw shadows while it was snowing when we lived in Colorado.  And from the article I just read in the paper, the whole ceremony was done virtually anyway.  If he saw a shadow, it must have been from the cameras they had set up or something.  Now as far as Galveston is concerned, I did see one post that read, “The palm tree saw its shadow.  52 more weeks of summer.”  That’s more like it.  Of course, we do have to put up with a few days where it touches the high 40’s around here.  Those days are miserably cold.  I mean shivering under your winter coat cold.  We here on our little tropical island are clamoring for some warm weather.  Bring on the sun …

 

I celebrated the holiday by spending the morning working at my computer.  Thank goodness we had another jigsaw puzzle to begin.  For some strange reason working on those things is serving as a great break for when I have to get up and walk around.  Kind of relaxes me.  Sometimes hard on my back, but that’s just me.

 

Speaking of walking around … we walked a mile after lunch.  And Freddy even came with us.  She hasn’t joined us in a while, because we have been trying to increase our pace.  I have to say, though, that both girls did really well.  

 

Speaking of my girls, Chris has her second cardiac rehab appointment this morning at 8.  She was up and at ‘em a little before 7, too.  Maybe the early rising is growing on her …naw.

 

In Matthew 25:13 Jesus says, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

 

Father, please be with Chris at her rehab this morning.  Help her to once again conquer that treadmill.  Oh, and please help us to keep watch for you at least as fervently as we watch for that rodent to show himself.  Amen.

February 2 – “Welcoming Roman … and Phil … and Sammy …”

I have no idea whether Punxatawny Phil the groundhog saw his shadow up in Pennsylvania, but I do know that Sammy Seagull is basking in the 50 degree sunshine down here in our tropical island paradise.  Of course Sammy is wearing five layers of feathers and I’m pretty sure he borrowed a few more from his buddy Pedro Pelican.  It’s freezing down here.  Pretty.  Sunshiney.  But freezing cold.  Fifty degrees.  Brrrr.

 

Speaking of cold, it was just as blustery yesterday.  And the cold weather brought a new life into the world.  We welcome into the realm of muggles a powerful warrior, “God is my strength” (or maybe a retired Los Angeles Rams quarterback) … young Roman Gabriel Anderson, son of Cory and Sara made his presence known.  Actually, he let them know he wanted out early in the morning.  I got a text at 5:28 a.m. to let us know they were at the hospital.  But the youngster made them wait a while longer, just to make sure he was in the right place and all.  Had to make it to the Island, you know.  Now he’s officially a BOI (Born On Islander).  Good sized kid, too.  Seven pounds, ten ounces.  Dad has some basketball and baseball drills all lined up for him.  I heard Mom Has already put the nix on football. 

 

Speaking of Moms, Chris had her first “official” day of cardiac rehab yesterday.  I went for a walk in the cold while she was gone.  Sounded like she had a pretty good day.  Stationary bicycle, stair stepper, arm strengthener.  But before attacking any of those, she was determined to conquer the dreaded … treadmill.   Why was it such an issue for her?  Well, there was this tiny detail … the last time she stepped on one of them was when she had a heart attack and ended up having two stints.  So I, for one, was really proud of her for going after that one first.  Sounds like she mastered it in no time, too.  She was pretty sore last night.  They promised her it was going to get tougher. 

 

I actually spent most of my day on work stuff.  It was Monday, after all.  Wasn’t it?  Pandemic days of the week are somehow different from regular ones, aren’t they?  Oh, we did have to go pick up Cailyn and Alexis from school.  Always fun to experience the ride home from school with two twelve-year-olds.  Junior high is awesome. 

 

Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

 

Father, please be with young Roman and his Mom and Dad as they get to know each other.  Keep them all healthy as they work together to help him grow close to you.  Amen.

February 1 – “… with apologies to Salvadore Dali”

I received a great gift Sunday morning.  By way of explanation, every Sunday morning I share what have become fondly known as “Visual Verses.”  They are my own rebus-like attempt to make learning Scripture fun … not to mention it is the only way I have found for me to memorize things.  It sure got me through college and seminary.  Now AI have never claimed to have any Van Gough-esque qualities in my drawings.  Maybe a little closer to Salvadore Dali, with apologies to Salvadore Dali.  But the point of a Visual Verse is to make the images so, well … weird, that they are easy to remember.  As I said … my weird drawings have served me well over the years. 

 

So on Sunday morning, what to my wondering eyes should appear?  There, sitting on the podium for me, was a book entitled, “Learn to Draw Mythical Characters and More.”  We’re talking unicorns and dragons and ogres and fairy princesses.  It is a simply amazing array of opportunities to fine tune my inherent artistic abilities.  I love it.  Of course … don’t hold your breath for any forthcoming pictorial improvements.  Old dog … new tricks, if you know what I mean. 

 

1 Peter 4:102 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

 

Father, thank you for my artistic benefactor.  And thank you for the fun we have at church learning your word.  Amen.