Reformation Sunday

A few days ago, Lutherans celebrated Reformation Sunday. I was dressed for it, wearing something red in honor of the day. I also wore my Lutheran rose symbol earrings. No one saw me, since I attend church on line.

I was concentrating on the excellent sermon by a visiting pastor, when I was distracted by his laptop in the pulpit. I took a quick photo of the screen so that I could put my mind back where it belonged. I found it most amusing that Martin Luther was peering at the congregation from his picture on the back of the laptop (upper left corner). I showed my photo to grandson David when I saw him later, and I asked if he would agree that it was Luther. I didn’t trust my eyes. Yes, he said it looked like the reformer himself observing everything. Here is the photo with the pastor’s face blurred, because I didn’t ask him for permission to use it.

I was rather excited about the photo, because it was the first time I used AI. A few weeks ago, I asked niece Kathie for suggestions of things to play with, since she uses AI in teaching. Blurring a photo seemed a good place to start.

A Day in NC

Niece Chrissie and Chris had one full day in North Carolina. We packed it full of leisure and relaxation. I was glad, since they ended up driving all the way to Utah without stopping at a motel! I think it took about 35 hours. Chrissie and I walked first thing in the morning, and I took the obligatory snapshot with the stop sign.

I like that Chris (christopherpollockart.com) always checks his creations when he is here. Many of his mobiles hang from the mantel, and once in a while one might have gotten knocked down. This time he picked up the bear ornament, one of the most versatile of the mobiles. It hangs from a stand, but it can also be lifted off to hang on the Christmas tree. He tweaked it a little, making it a bit more responsive.

They wandered into the study and looked for a puzzle piece or so. David had started the one for the year John died. I told them I was finding at least one piece a day. They were drawn in and spent relaxing hours finishing it. I drifted in and out and found at least two pieces while I was cooking dinner. I hadn’t stopped to think that this puzzle was a memorial for John, too, since his photos were featured. It’s great that they completed it, because Linda (https://lindaschaubblog.net/2025/10/26/a-walktober-stroll-that-was/) has already sent the new one for this year.

To finish off the evening, we had an impromptu dinner with neighbors across the street. Shawn, Chrissie, and I share Connections and Wordle scores every day. We make a few comments, enough to feel very connected. It was a chance for us to see each other face to face. I wanted Logan, King of Boggle, to played that word game with Chrissie, knowing they are both better at it than I am. My failure was not getting a photo of the fierce competition. The King reigned!

I was eager for Chris and Bob to be together, because both of them are Mr. Fix-It people. They think out of the box and make unique repairs that are impressive. They had a chance to share a few stories before the evening ended. Because Logan’s school day begins at an ungodly hour, the party had to end early.

Homeward Bound

One full day in South Carolina would never have been enough, but it was very satisfying. For breakfast Chris and Steve served Norwegian pancakes, a favorite of mine. That’s something I have never prepared for myself. A vital ingredient – family love — would be missing.

The night before, Steve brought out a huge jigsaw puzzle. He explained he worked it and was giving it to me as a memorial for John. I was thrilled. What a lovely tribute it was! He said later that he was thinking of John and our family while he put it together. There were lots of memories bound up with it.

I didn’t think about how it could be taken back to NC. The next morning five of us were standing beside the car, and Chris Pollock asked if we could guess where he stowed it. It was not visible, even with the trunk open! The very large puzzle was somehow hidden in a smallish car. It defied reason. When we couldn’t guess where it was, Chrissie pointed upwards. I leaned down and saw that it was strapped to the ceiling!!!

I had plenty of time to marvel at the stowage, since it was over our heads all the way back to my house. The more I looked at it, the more impressed I was. Who on earth could come up with that solution? It was totally out of our way and didn’t limit our movements at all. Brilliant!

Chrissie took my photo while we were traveling. Straps held the puzzle, with the help of the handles over each door. Only a person with a handyman brain would have cobbled together a sling with things already in the car.

When we got to my house, the puzzle was the last thing to be taken in. The natural place for it was the living room. Chris had it securely on the wall in minutes. I can see it from the laptop I use most of the time. John’s ashes are across the room. If he could see out of his box, he would be smiling and laughing. He would know there are matching sounds – the ringtone on my phone is a steam engine whistle, as is the chime for the doorbell. Yes, John would know that he lives on in our hearts.

One Full Day

Niece Chrissie, husband Chris, and I spent one full day with her parents. It was short, but we got a lot of visiting done. While Chrissie helped her mother with computer things for a presentation, Steve, Chris, and I took a walk in their neighborhood. We walked through the public gathering place and on toward a lake.

Steve pointed out the sign that warned of alligators! I think I’m more comfortable with black bears and skunks.

Back at the house, the unusual light fixture made Chrissie appear to have stars in her eyes. I couldn’t resist recording that.

When we went out to dinner, Chris and I shared a decadent chocolate dessert. I don’t usually have dessert, so it was a very special treat for me. There were others there, but I didn’t ask permission to include their names or photos.

Visiting South Carolina Relatives

Niece Chrissie and Chris drove from their new home in Utah to a relative’s birthday party in Kentucky. The next day they picked me up before noon, and we went to a town near Charleston to see Chrissie’s parents, Chris and Steve. We hadn’t even left my neighborhood when we had an exciting surprise. A flock of wild turkeys crossed the road. I had never seen so many at once, and Chrissie counted nine while snapping a photo of them. I think I can see six in the picture.

On the highway, I nestled into the large seat and enjoyed chatting while watching the scenery slide by. The back seat arrangement is different from any I’ve seen before. An armrest divides the space into one large seat and one quite small one. I felt like a queen, ready to wave to the crowds.

Steve treated us to dinner at an Asian restaurant. Three of us had sushi, and oh! how good it was!

As we relaxed later, Chrissie caught all the seniors on their phones.

Burning Bush

I heard a ding from my phone and looked to see what had come in. A new photo had been added. I laughed, because it was a picture of me taking a photo on the porch a few minutes before. When there is motion near the door, daughter Lise gets a notification in Denmark. She can look at her phone and see a video taken by my doorbell. She saved that frame and sent it to me. Just so you know, I like having her connected to me that way. Besides being a safety feature, it isn’t intrusive and keeps us in touch.

I have no idea what the proper name for the red-leafed bush is, but it is commonly known as Burning Bush. Today it appeared to be smoking! Can you see the smoke rising from it? It is really mist, which we have most mornings at this time of year. The only burning that takes place is the sun burning off the mist, making it disappear.

Adventure with Joyce

On a lovely autumn day, neighbor Joyce asked if I’d like to explore a nearby mountain. Neither of us had been to Cataloochee Ranch above Maggie Valley, and the leaves were beginning to turn. A lovely scene unfolded near one of the eateries, so we walked down the hill a little way. There was a tiny stream feeding into the pond, and Joyce saw a fish jump out of the water.

We settled in wooden chairs next to a fire pit and soaked up the sun and the beautiful scene. I turned to her and noticed that her back was straight. I mean, really straight! I wanted to record that, since it’s what I aspire to after having physical therapy for weeks. Most people are not thrilled to have their picture taken, but Joyce is a good sport about it. I would have erased it if she hadn’t liked it.

On the way out of the Ranch, we saw a bee keeper taking honey from the hive. We had spotted it from the hill above, although I couldn’t tell that there was a hive there.

Joyce learned to ski in that area when she was young and knew where to go. I took a photo blindly, but I missed the snow machine. We can see at least one slope from the other side of the mountain when we go on the highway toward town. It shows up well at night when the lights are on.

My Serial Breakfast

Once before, I wrote about the cereal bowl Lise gave me, because she knew I like crisp, not soggy, cereal. I discovered I can now have a serial meal using it. Instead of eating all the cereal bit by bit, I raked over a few spoonfuls into the milk and ate it. I then paused to read text messages before putting more cereal in. This stretched out the meal so that I enjoyed it longer and got full by the time I finished. That’s a win/win for me.

A Busy Saturday

When we passed each other while walking, neighbor Julie asked if I had a busy Saturday coming up. She would be working. I replied, “No! I have nothing planned. Wait. I’m going to blow leaves off the deck, but that won’t take long.”

That much was true. It took less than five minutes to get those leaves onto the grass below. I quickly planned one other task, changing the duvet from the summer one to the winter one. Little did I know that I would reach out for help!

I began by stripping the bed and putting on a fresh, fitted sheet. I couldn’t remember how to remove the duvet from its cover with the burrito method, so I just pulled it out. I started a wash load of bedding and looked up a video for the reverse procedure. Yes, I did remember how to do it. I put the fresh cover out, laid the duvet on top, secured the corners, and rolled it up. It should have been easy to turn it inside out and unroll it. I couldn’t do it! I looked at the pertinent part of the video and still couldn’t succeed. Another set of instructions, words only, seemed even simpler. That didn’t work, either. I realized I couldn’t think like a left-handed person. Backwards/inside-out things baffle me. The bedding was terribly thick and hard to handle. This was as far as I got.

I gave up and texted grandson David. He had helped me before and could probably do it blindfolded.

David came, as he said he would, and he wrestled that duvet into submission. I was really grateful. I offered to fix a meal, so we had a thrown-together tuna casserole and green beans. Here is David about to finish turning the duvet right side out.

At the end of the day, I couldn’t believe laundry and an obstinate duvet had taken up most of the day. That’s OK, though, because I will sleep warmly under the winter bedding.

Avocado — First Experience

Years and years ago I was given a tool for cutting and mashing an avocado. It lived in a cabinet, not even near other gadgets. Through the years, I’ve eaten avocado in restaurants, but I’d never bought one. When Shawn gave me this fruit they were not going to eat, I knew right where to find the tool.

I found a video on how to use it and quickly removed the flesh. Using the other end, I mashed it with a little salt, pepper, and lemon juice.

After adding diced onion, I put it on sourdough toast, as recommended. I read that avocado toast was very popular a few years ago. I obviously missed the fad, but the sandwich was delicious. I will do the same thing with the remaining half. This was a fun and tasty experience. Thank you Shawn and Bob!