Author: Rene

If I were a computer engineer in charge of creating the shortcuts and buttons on phones, I’d give a room full of toddlers phones and see where there little hands go. Or if I were creating an app and needed an attention-grabbing icon, I’d check with that age bracket.

It only took me a couple of days to discover why my spouse’s phone calls were not coming through to me. It was so weird that I kept missing them, not hearing the ringtone. Finally, I realized someone of a certain age had blocked his number on my device. How she even got there under my radar was a mystery.

I have learned my lesson. Maybe an engineer would like to take note, too?

What would the theme for 2023 be? The choice sat squarely on the shoulders of a younger sister, who apparently was preoccupied with her family and the holiday hubbub. I couldn’t quite believe she hadn’t made this critical decision back in July!

After much coaxing and thoughtful consideration, we are proud to present our guiding principle for the year. I particularly like the last piece of advice. Hope you have a whale of a time this year!

Whenever I travel I wonder if the water from that ocean or sea has evaporated and fallen on me in my home. I wonder if that moisture touched Jesus? I wonder if any of the evaporation from my home has made it to another continent. I also look at paintings in museums and wonder which stroke was the last of the artist. When I handle something my parents or sister owned I wonder if I’m getting a touch of their DNA.

Whether or not any of my wondering matters, it’s refreshing and rejuvenating to wander in thought. One of my favorite sayings is, “Not all who wander are lost.” I think most of us are just fine and enjoying the journey, wondering and wandering. Here’s to both in 2023.

What a wonderful sight in my back yard, and a happy guest to entertain. I only wished he could have stayed longer and had a chat! Happy 2023 to old friends and new guests.

It’s good to have options. Enjoy the last of 2022. See you next year!

As the new year approaches I look back on past New Year’s Eve moments. In my youth it was always a babysitting opportunity that took me into the future.

One family in particular, with four kids barely younger than I, gave me lots of challenges. Once I just up and walked home leaving them alone. My mother sent me back, after I had changed my wet clothes which the three boys had sprayed with the garden hose while we were outside playing. They had locked me out of the house, too. It seemed the only thing to do in the non-cell phone era was to walk home.

This little gem sparked that memory and gave me a laugh. Here’s to more fun in 2023! I’ll be babysitting again, as it turns out!

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the beautiful snowfall which coated the earth, brought much needed moisture in the weight of the frozen water, and gave me ample opportunity to strain my back muscles. Thank you, also, for the ATV with a snowplow attachment. It’s fun to get it stuck on the first pass in the snow piled at the bottom of the driveway by the early-morning city snowplow driver. I appreciated the walk back up the driveway and the chance to dig the machine out with my trusty shovel. I’m also thankful my ATV stopped abruptly at the top of the driveway rather than at the bottom, where I only have a little path to mow through with my Escape. I only have one small request for this next round of snow. Could you please make it a small one because I don’t have a plow? And next time, if you think of it, make sure my husband is in town for a large dump of snow. I’m sure he’d rather be in charge of the plowing, since the last time I did it I broke the winch.

Thank you.

Rene J Today

The massive amount of Tupperware and roasting pans awaited. Dishes needed to be done and I was slow on the uptake yesterday. My very own angel, “Pabriel,” intervened. In one fell swoop he managed to wash and return my storage containers to cleanliness. (There were a ton of them, filling my countertop.) The nasty roasting pans – done. The cookie sheets – done. Whatever didn’t fit in the dishwasher – done.

After a beautiful weekend of music, family, parties, and of course, Christmas joy, it was nice to have my daughter and her husband’s help in restoring order to my lackadaisical approach.

I will miss all of the hoopla, but keep it in my heart!

To all of my friends and family with birthdays in December, sorry for the times you were short-changed, Dad.

Remember Barney, the purple dinosaur? I couldn’t stand the show, but it did have a great teaching song.

”Clean up, clean up, everybody, everywhere. Clean up, clean up, everybody do your share.” I did not do my share.

After the music extravaganza, my personal assistant, aka daughter, cleaned the entire kitchen, did all the dishes, and put away all of the delicious food of what was left. I sat at the kitchen table and chatted, surely making her tasks more enjoyable.

What a lovely Christmas gift. Thank you for taking on other people’s shares, generous daughter.