Aaron and Self

Look in the upper left corner and you'll see a picture of a much younger Aaron on the dining room wall.  

I took his picture when I was visiting Aaron to admire his knee brace and crutches.  On Tuesday he was playing indoor football at recess and had a bad fall and knee injury.  That boy is crazy about football.

Wednesday's doctor visit revealed no break.  The knee was swollen and immobile.  Follow up on Friday revealed no tear, a meniscus sprain.  Saturday was no better, but yesterday he reported that the pain was less and he could move the knee a little.  So, improvement.

I took a small box of Lego's for Aaron and his sister.  Usually, he starts out, then asks Nora to finish, so I thought one box would work for both of them.  This time he quickly finished on his own, so no Lego's for Nora.  Next time, two boxes.

Aaron tells me that there are perks to having crutches at school.  He gets to ride the elevator to his second-floor classroom.  Another student is assigned to carry his books and help him get his lunch.  

Still, I know he will be glad to get back to his active life.

Great Day of Singing

This is one of those days when I don't "make" something but do alterations instead.  I enjoy that too, especially when I can help someone's ideas come into being.

Today was the Great Day of Singing at some of the Mennonite churches.  At my church, there was mostly singing, no sermon, with some folks describing why they like their favorite hymns.  Two of my favorites were in the mix.  Both are old hymns, I guess I like the old stuff.

The song below was sung at my cousin's funeral last October and at my aunt's funeral this summer.  I had a moment of incredible sadness.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

And this one, I love.  I think I've mentioned it before:

My life flows on in endless song;
Above earth’s lamentation
I hear the sweet though far off hymn
That hails a new creation:
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul—
How can I keep from singing? 

My grandmother used to play the piano and sing traditional hymns, but never the ones above.  Trust and Obey is the one that comes to mine.  Another of the old ones.  

Scraps

Another church picture.  I was in a classroom I usually don't visit and enjoyed seeing the rug and the sunlight.

Years ago, I don't know when, I put a good-sized laundry basket under a sewing machine table and have ever since thrown in scraps.  And now it's overflowing.

This week, I started pulling out pieces.  Some, I've cut into 4" squares for a scrap baby quilt.  Others are strips, mostly left from pieces of binding, usually 2 1/4".  Those I'm sewing together for a different baby quilt.  And some I'm throwing away because they are too small for what I have in mind.

And so, we shall see.  I'm finding that an hour of this is enough for any one day.

Occasionally I recognize a piece of fabric, but usually not.  I'm realizing that I go through a LOT of different fabrics.

Yesterday, I enjoyed the news, reading the words of two former presidents. 

More Random

I was a greeter at church last Sunday, standing at the top of the stairs, and happened to glance over the railing.  And liked what I saw.

In the interest of having more light in my living/dining room, and hopefully a happier mood, I bought two new lamps, which I love.  A bonus:  I am always reading in bed, and that's fine, but I read a lot and don't want to spend all that much time in bed.  Hopefully the new light source will encourage me to read out of bed.

What I learned:  a three-way LED light bulb costs $10 and is a funny shape.

I put my latest baby-quilt-in-progress in a bag and will start on a new design of some kind.  I didn't like it.  There was nothing wrong with it, I just didn't like it.  One day I'll take it out again and it will be just right for then, but it isn't just right for now.   

Random

If it's fall, then it must be time for hockey.  The Cyclones lost in overtime in their opening game, but it was a good time.  A hockey crowd is a fun crowd to watch.

Tomorrow is baby quilt group, but I don't have a quilt ready.  Once again.  Sigh.  I have one half pieced, but I don't even like it.  

It seems as if I'm struggling lately to finish most things.  I heard the term "political fatigue" last week, and I'm self diagnosing myself with that.

But, good news, my class yesterday went well, most people got close to finishing their project and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.  I do enjoy teaching, both the preparation and the actual class.

I was happy this morning to get an email for a friend, asking me to stop at the fabric store close to my church and see if they have a replacement bulb for her Ott light.  I've been avoiding the fabric store, but if I go for a friend, then suddenly I have a purpose.  A reason to be there.  With a little extra money left over in my weekly budget for . . . whatever!

The Bengals are off today, so it will be a fun football day, watching to see how the other games shake out.

Grandparents Day

Yesterday evening was Grandparents Day at Aaron's school.  There was a meal in the cafeteria of hot dogs from a local restaurant, chips, and a luscious chocolate frozen custard.  No veggie dogs, I should have thought to bring my own.  The food wasn't the point for me, it was the joy of being with Aaron in his space.

We talked about football at recess and about his heel inserts, necessary because his heel plates have grown faster than the ligaments in his legs, causing heel pain.  A common "disease" of sporty little kids.  Apparently it used to be seen mostly in boys but is seen in girls these days as they play more sports.

We visited his classroom and some of his former teachers.  For a boy who will tell you that he doesn't like school, he obviously likes his relationships there.

And then, I went to Olive Garden with Steph, Mike, and Nora.  Sometimes I forget how nice it is to just sit and eat dinner and chat.  To relax over a meal.  I'm usually checking the news (not good) or doing a puzzle or reading a bit.  Really, I need to make some changes there.

One of the restaurants nearby just closed.  Traditional meals, no alcohol.  There are some newer trendy restaurants down the street and a few more lively places close by.  Sales were down.

How lovely to wake up this morning to a bit of rain.  It's been awhile.  I like rain, it always helps me to reset.