Saturday, September 18, 2004
GOODBYE TO 1978....
Uncle Buster called from Blair to tell us aunt Mary had surgery for breast cancer. We hadn’t known of her condition so it was a shock. Uncle Buster and aunt Phyllis lived very close to aunt Mary and were “there” for her and her needs. We were relieved to know it was all over and the prognosis looked good. We could only send our love and hope for the best.
Aunt Beulah came for a visit later in September and we enjoy having her. She’s always a breath of fresh air and fits into anything going on at the time. Of course there are table games when she comes. When I think of all the games and card playing I wonder if anyone does that anymore? It was always something to be enjoyed during the visits from any of the Andersen’s.
We got ready for the Powell’s to come from Virginia. They always make a pilgrimage to Nebraska during August but this year they came early so as to pick mom up and take her with them. Aunt Mary’s surgery was early in September so they wanted to be of help to her if they could. They were here a few days and I helped mom get ready to go on with them.
October was beautiful. Isn’t October everyone’s favorite month? Whenever it is mentioned almost everyone says it is. I see notations in my journal referring to the skies that are so blue it looks like someone spilled paint overhead. I love to hang linens on the line in October…….mostly because I enjoy the air, the leaves of every color and a sky that no other month can boast of. There is a feeling of grand completion that permeates the atmosphere. Nature is settling down for a golden Fall harvest….the last of the gardens coming in, the crops from the fields and time to take a deep breath and enjoy God’s handiwork and the fruits of our own labors.
I was busy canning tomatoes until the last of the vines could do no more. In Missouri the gardens produce so well in the fall that many people make a second planting of green beans. I remember the first year we moved to Missouri we picked a bushel basket of them on Veteran’s Day in November. Mom and dad thought they had moved to Utopia but later on we found every year doesn’t do that well. We are subject to weather changes and early cold snaps like anyone else. The odds are better here than we were used to in Nebraska though, at any rate.
November brought the Powell’s, mom and aunt Mary back. The Powell’s were on their way back to Virginia and mom was going back home with aunt Mary. They were here a few days before everyone headed out again in different directions.
John was busy commuting back and forth from Bolivar. Sometimes he would catch rides with students who traveled this way and had vehicles (he always filled their tanks) and at times we would go after him or take him back. He was on the road with the quartet almost every weekend and when he was home he was helping at church….he did a lot of preaching around the area in small churches. He never seemed to need the sleep most people do so he managed to make it around his crowded schedule without complications.
We had Thanksgiving dinner here with aunt Beulah and Becky’s family joining us. It was a nice day with good food and time to visit with each other. Christmas was a little different this year as we were spending it in Shawnee, with George. Mom and aunt Mary were driving down from Blair to meet us for the holiday. John had to preach Sunday morning but we came home and loaded the car……made it to George’s by 6:00pm. Mom and aunt Mary were there around 4:00pm.
We celebrated Christmas Eve and enjoyed George’s beautiful tree. Later we went to the Plaza to see the Christmas lights which are something to behold. It is a tradition we have enjoyed for many years…..the Plaza becomes a fairyland from Thanksgiving until the first of the year. We were able to visit with grandma Strain who now lives with George Sr. and his wife….it was good to see her….and after a few days it was time to head back home.
Aunt Mary left first for her drive back to Nebraska and we left soon after. Mom had been gone for some time so she was glad to be going “home.” The week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve went quickly. On December 31st we woke up in a different world. It had drizzled and frozen all night long and the trees and bushes were bent to the ground in grotesque shapes. When the air stirred a little you could hear the branches groan and crack with the weight of ice they held.
With every calamity there is always a bonus to off-set the situation. When the sun shown on the ice, our world was transformed into diamonds and aurora borealis that made little rainbows everywhere. The world was washed and frozen for a moment in time……ready for a New Year of hope and expectations. God’s world is an ever changing canvas of beauty for those who stop long enough to see…….and recognize his handiwork……..
Until next time,
Essentially Esther
Aunt Beulah came for a visit later in September and we enjoy having her. She’s always a breath of fresh air and fits into anything going on at the time. Of course there are table games when she comes. When I think of all the games and card playing I wonder if anyone does that anymore? It was always something to be enjoyed during the visits from any of the Andersen’s.
We got ready for the Powell’s to come from Virginia. They always make a pilgrimage to Nebraska during August but this year they came early so as to pick mom up and take her with them. Aunt Mary’s surgery was early in September so they wanted to be of help to her if they could. They were here a few days and I helped mom get ready to go on with them.
October was beautiful. Isn’t October everyone’s favorite month? Whenever it is mentioned almost everyone says it is. I see notations in my journal referring to the skies that are so blue it looks like someone spilled paint overhead. I love to hang linens on the line in October…….mostly because I enjoy the air, the leaves of every color and a sky that no other month can boast of. There is a feeling of grand completion that permeates the atmosphere. Nature is settling down for a golden Fall harvest….the last of the gardens coming in, the crops from the fields and time to take a deep breath and enjoy God’s handiwork and the fruits of our own labors.
I was busy canning tomatoes until the last of the vines could do no more. In Missouri the gardens produce so well in the fall that many people make a second planting of green beans. I remember the first year we moved to Missouri we picked a bushel basket of them on Veteran’s Day in November. Mom and dad thought they had moved to Utopia but later on we found every year doesn’t do that well. We are subject to weather changes and early cold snaps like anyone else. The odds are better here than we were used to in Nebraska though, at any rate.
November brought the Powell’s, mom and aunt Mary back. The Powell’s were on their way back to Virginia and mom was going back home with aunt Mary. They were here a few days before everyone headed out again in different directions.
John was busy commuting back and forth from Bolivar. Sometimes he would catch rides with students who traveled this way and had vehicles (he always filled their tanks) and at times we would go after him or take him back. He was on the road with the quartet almost every weekend and when he was home he was helping at church….he did a lot of preaching around the area in small churches. He never seemed to need the sleep most people do so he managed to make it around his crowded schedule without complications.
We had Thanksgiving dinner here with aunt Beulah and Becky’s family joining us. It was a nice day with good food and time to visit with each other. Christmas was a little different this year as we were spending it in Shawnee, with George. Mom and aunt Mary were driving down from Blair to meet us for the holiday. John had to preach Sunday morning but we came home and loaded the car……made it to George’s by 6:00pm. Mom and aunt Mary were there around 4:00pm.
We celebrated Christmas Eve and enjoyed George’s beautiful tree. Later we went to the Plaza to see the Christmas lights which are something to behold. It is a tradition we have enjoyed for many years…..the Plaza becomes a fairyland from Thanksgiving until the first of the year. We were able to visit with grandma Strain who now lives with George Sr. and his wife….it was good to see her….and after a few days it was time to head back home.
Aunt Mary left first for her drive back to Nebraska and we left soon after. Mom had been gone for some time so she was glad to be going “home.” The week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve went quickly. On December 31st we woke up in a different world. It had drizzled and frozen all night long and the trees and bushes were bent to the ground in grotesque shapes. When the air stirred a little you could hear the branches groan and crack with the weight of ice they held.
With every calamity there is always a bonus to off-set the situation. When the sun shown on the ice, our world was transformed into diamonds and aurora borealis that made little rainbows everywhere. The world was washed and frozen for a moment in time……ready for a New Year of hope and expectations. God’s world is an ever changing canvas of beauty for those who stop long enough to see…….and recognize his handiwork……..
Until next time,
Essentially Esther
