Christmas Week - December 19-25

The plan for Monday was to finish the shopping and restock bird seed from Birds Unlimited in Knoxville.  I had even talked Bill into going along as my chauffeur.  So much for plans!  Bill woke up with a bad back and I knew he was in no shape to drive and shop, especially given the Christmas traffic and crowds.  I got a late start, was out for almost 4 hours and still didn't get finished. Fortunately, I had taken time to start some chicken & vegetable soup in the crock pot.  I didn't have much to do to get supper on.

Tuesday was the final Advent Bible study.  I really enjoy this group of folks and I missed two week because of Santa's Helper duties.  We bring different backgrounds and viewpoints to the discussion with positive, affirming attitudes.  The study has been "Angels at Christmas" and guided us to see angels in an expansive way, not limited to literal belief.  Bill was better today, so when I got home we set out to finish the shopping.  We started with lunch at Tomato Head, next door to Birds Unlimited, then made our way down Kingston Pike with what seemed like millions of others.  For all the time and effort we spent, we came home with bird feed and a puzzle for Claire.  I ordered new walking shoes from the New Balance store.  I'm glad we have chicken soup on hand which I will serve with pear salad.

I had set aside Wednesday morning for grocery shopping.  I spent the most I've ever spent in one session, almost $450.  Grocery inflation is a real thing and some things, especially eggs, are sometimes scarce.  Today is Claire's birthday.  She made it clear that she planned to spend the day on the couch doing nothing.  I stopped by, and I think she was having a good day.  It is also brother Park's birthday.  He was home, not at work, so I had a nice phone chat with him. He and Cindy were planning a dinner out with friends.  They have a great group of friends at Wolf Lake and socialize frequently.  A few weeks back I had an idea of gifting everyone who came to Christmas Eve service with a small ornament, which I ordered. I spent part of the afternoon tying the red ribbon on the wooden ornament.  There were 6 different designs, Hope, Love, Joy, Peace, Noel and Faith. I finished the day by going with Kathy to the choir Christmas Park at Lee and Tony Aikens' house (Mayor Aikens).  My offering was creamed spinach.

Thursday I went to church to help with getting the bulletins ready for 2 services, Christmas Even and New Year's Day and put the ornaments out in baskets to be given out by the ushers.  I invited Claire and Amanda to meet me for lunch and they chose Cracker Barrel.  We had a good time.  It was almost 3 pm by the time I got home.  I left again almost immediately with Bill to pick up a new microwave that we had ordered from Lowe's in Harriman.  When I was finally home, I finished the gift wrapping and got the front bedroom back in order (that is my gift-wrapping station.) Before supper I put the ham and turkey in the oven to be used for Christmas Dinner when David's family arrives on the 26th. I used the last package of Mississippi catfish for supper, pan-fired. Whew...what a busy day!

A big storm was expected to blow in overnight, dropping from mid-forties at midnight to single digits at dawn.  We prepared as well as we could.  It was raining, as predicted, when we turned out the lights.  We didn't know what we would wake up to find.

They got the storm a day earlier than we did

Friday, at our 3 am nature call, we heard a howling wind, had no power and a very cold bedroom.  Bill had the Little Buddy propane heater ready and we have the propane in the living room so we were okay.  The power started coming back on about 7:30, just as I was thinking about how to make coffee with a can of sterno and my fondue pot.  Fortunately it stayed on long enough to make coffee, went off, then came back on so I could fix breakfast.  All morning we had intermittent electricity.  We found quite a few pine limbs down around the house.  Two major tree pine tree limbs had cracked off and fallen across the road in front of the house.  We also had a huge cedar tree fall down toward the road and know another cedar over.  The Brocks were in worse shape because the power outage shut down their pump and their water pipes under the house froze.  Kathy braved the cold to come over for our small electric heaters and some jugs of water.  I called the county road department and by 11 am the road crew had cleared the street.  They left a big mess and our other driveway is blocked with a cedar log.

The blinking power was a problem all day, disrupting all our electronics.  We just turned everything off.  I de-boned the ham and the turkey breast, wrapped the meat and refrigerated it for Monday (or whenever), and froze the still meaty bones for soup later.

I'm glad we stocked up on bird seed.  The little ones really need it today! At the feeder are the usual crowd: mourning doves, house finches, cardinals, goldfinches, chickadees, bluejays, titmouses, red-bellied and downy woodpeckers, white-throated sparrows, wrens and nuthatches.  Today for the first time this year I spotted the dark-eyed juncos and pine warblers.  A murder of crows gathered at the pan of ham fat I put out.

Christmas Eve - the presents are all wrapped and under the tree.  The refrigerator is overflowing.  All that remains is some light house-cleaning.  We had a phone visit with Anna, who was expecting Jeff to arrive soon and take her to Boston for Christmas with his family. The candlelight service at Trinity started at 5 pm with Michael Thomas at the piano for pre-service carols beginning at 4:45.  Mike and Amanda joined me as is their custom.  We were home before 7 for our traditional taco supper.  We haven't had the Matzeks for overnight on Christmas Even for the past two years because of COVID.  We were delighted that they wanted to be here with us.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day came in very cold, about 5 F when we got up for coffee at 7:30.  We were snug and warm enough in our little house with (thankfully) no more power interruptions.  Banana Bread and coffee, gifts to open, late breakfast of hash-brown casserole, bagel bits, sausage, fruit plate and mulled cider, more gifts, more coffee and cider. Our time together extended to mid-afternoon and cheese fondue.  Altogether a beautiful day. We look forward to the Missouri Whitakers tomorrow.

Christmas morning

Advent - Sunday, December 18

Today was my parents wedding anniversary.  They married December 18, 1949.  She was a lively and beautiful young woman; he, a handsome farmer/soldier.  Theirs was a passionate relationship of 45 years until their divorce. Even after, the passion remained and love, too. They just couldn't live together. He died in 2001 and she in 2020.

This 4th Sunday of Advent  celebrates LOVE.  We celebrated with the traditional "Lessons and Carols." Earlier this morning I stumbled across a poem on Facebook that I shared with my SS class. It was originally posted on the FB Blog "Dancing Faith" and entitles "Traveler.  It is not my original work, but I will share it at the end of this post. I wish I could express myself so simply and eloquently. Later today, our family will celebrate Claire Elise Matzek who will turn 20 on December 21.

Last Sunday, the Sunday for JOY, I led worship and give the morning message. Pastor Linda's father died, not unexpectedly, early Saturday morning, so I filled in.  My message, "Joy in the Desert," is posted under my list of Sermons at the right and the full video is on YouTube at https://youtu.be3Hts4dUuUDY

Between these two Sundays was a typically busy Christmas season. The gloomy rain of the previous two weeks finally lifted on Monday.  I spent most of Monday and Tuesday at Family Resource Center working with Santa's Helper. I shopped for kids, checked gift bags in and out, rearranged and organized the room more than once.

Trinity's offering for Santa's Helper. 
Christmas gifts for 5 children

 

FRC meeting room was

filled with bags like these, 

each filled with the gifts for 

one child.  More than 300 

children in Lenoir City were 

provided Christmas through 

the generosity of the 

community

Wednesday the rain returned in force and I was glad I could stay home, warm and dry indoors.  We got the Christmas tree up and decorated and our few other decorations placed.  I used the remainder of the day to begin wrapping gifts that had come via Prime delivery and ordering more.  

Thursday started early at the oral surgeon in Knoxville for a tooth extraction for Bill.  After I got him back home and settled, I drove to Loudon to meet my group from Trinity for Lunch at The Cafe.  Afterward, I had a short visit with Jim A at River Grove.  He is doing well enough.

Friday morning I talked Bill into shopping downtown Lenoir City with me.  He was surprised at the nice shops that have opened in recent years.  We found several gifts from our list.  I made a big pot of red beans for supper (no chewing required) and served them with rice (of course) and a pear salad.  A pound of dry beans made enough for several meals for us, plus some to share with Kathy.

More gift wrapping on Saturday as gifts continue to arrive by
delivery in addition to our Friday purchases.  I make gluten-free cupcakes for John David's birthday which we will celebrate on the 27th.  I'm glad to have them made ahead and in the freezer.

Happy Birthday, Claire
with Nathan

October 18

 

Morning glow, bright clear
Sunlight on October leaves
Hint of frosty grass.

Fall welcomed us back to our East Tennessee hill.  We sank into our familiar bed and into our familiar routines with gladness for going and gladness for coming home. The morning shadows were long when I awoke this morning, not to the gentle swish of surf, but to a nip in the air which promised a beautiful day.

Solitary Sanderling - Orange Beach 2022

 Solitary Sanderling
Skittering Silently
Scavenging Surf

I started composing Haiku on a beach vacation in March of 200?  I starting posting on this blog in 2010  I have been silent for a while as life resumed its busy-ness earlier this year.  I have continued to mentally compose my blog almost every day, but have not paused to properly reflect and write.  Here I am sharing a photo album of our family time at Wind Drift, Orange Beach, Alabama.  My younger grandchildren's energy, laughter and hugs have been my delight. My older grand-daughters conversations have been my treasure.  Time with my own children, their spouses and Bill has been precious.  We have 2 more nights before packing up and heading north toward home.  The sabbatical time has been restorative.

Photo Album link

Monday's Adventure, March 21

 We packed a picnic, loaded into the RV, and made our way to Ft. Loudoun State Historic Park and Sequoyah Birthplace by way of the town of Loudon.  We enjoyed the little museum at the Fort and learned about the trials and tribulations of the soldiers posted there during the French & Indian Wars.  The outpost was established to protect the Cherokee women and children while their men were away up North fighting for the British against the French.  As the men returned home, they were attacked by white settlers in Virginia which initiated rounds of retaliation.  Eventually the Cherokee lay siege to the isolated Fort and forced a surrender.  We overlooked Tellico Lake while we picnicked.  Before the lake was impounded, we would have been on the banks of the Little Tellico River.  After lunch, we walked around the reconstructed fort.  Most of the original structures have been reconstructed and it is always interesting to see how people lived and coped in earlier times.

Approaching the fort

Bill and Melanie

Barracks from the back

Officer's quarter and guard quarters

Cherokee summer house on the left and winter lodge on the right

Protective fortifications of thorny locust

Each corner had cannon posts

When we left the fort, we went a short distance down the road to the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum.  The great Cherokee Sequoyah who invented the Cherokee syllabary and was responsible for the great level of literacy among the people was born in the small village of Tuskegee near the site of the museum.  The museum is small and includes few artifacts, but it tells a moving story of Sequoyah and the Cherokee people as they transitioned from independent natives to exiles in Oklahoma.  

We got home before five, in time to enjoy more of the beautiful weather out on the deck with wine and beer.  Bill discovered that another cedar had fallen, probably in the last storm.  

Just before we came in we were treated to a most spectacular sight.  More than a hundred black vultures were spiraling overhead, riding an updraft.  We few more flew in from the southwest and joined flock.  Then slowly, a few at a time, they began moving in a straight line to the northeast until there was a steady stream going that way.  They were not in formation, like geese, but flew purposefully.  We suppose we witnessed a large migrating flock, which we see occasionally, but never like this! Wish I could have gotten a picture.

Procrastination, Sunday, March 20

 As I write, it is after lunch, between morning church activities and a soon-to-be visit to the Matzeks.  Melanie is sitting across from me reading.  I have not picked up a pen to write in this journal since February 22 when we were in Cedar Key. Most days, I've composed in my head my reflections. But even though I have had time and opportunity, I've put off the actual recording.  Today during Sunday School a woman (visitor) spoke about procrastination - how it robbed her of joy.  I could identify.  So I am determined to fill in the blanks of days that have been full of action and activity, and to move forward with purpose.  I'll pause for today to begin the backfill.

Later:  We had a good visit with Laura, Mike and Amanda and heard all about their spring break trip to Arizona.  They hit lots of the hot spots - college visit at Univ of Arizona in Tuscon, staying with Mike's cousin; grand canyon; visit with another friend and last but tops for Amanda, they had tickets to a spring training game for her favorite team, the Dodgers.  All together their trip was a great success.  

Valentine's Week, Feb 14-18

Monday:  Bill and I celebrated 50 years as a couple this Valentine's Day. We started with a leisurely morning in bed.  I later went into church to work with Pastor Linda to finish the grant for our children's program.  It morphed to Wacky Wednesday!  After lunch, Bill and I went to Turkey Creek for more jeans for him and a bathroom rug.  I also needed to restock wine.  We brought home Asian take-out for supper from PeiWei's.  Bill had chilled a bottle of Champagne for me which I shared (a little) with him.  He always buys the Freixenet Cordon Negro Extra Dry that my father favored.  After dinner and Champagne, I fell asleep watching a Nat Geo documentary on the Clothilda.  I'll have to watch it again!  The Clothilda was the last know illegal slave ship.  It delivered 100 Africans to the shores of the Mobile River in 1860 and the ship was burned to destroy evidence.  The remains of the ship has been recently discovered.  Descendants of the Clothilda Africans have kept the stories alive through oral and written histories.  Their stories are fascinating.  We have been reading about this story for a few years when visiting the Alabama Coast. https://www.al.com/life/2022/02/national-geographic-documentary-on-clotilda-to-premiere-monday.html

https://www.fox10tv.com/news/mobile_county/netflix-picks-up-clotilda-documentary-after-film-wins-prize-at-sundance-film-festival/article_934bc07e-82e4-11ec-8f33-6bd6d0bca5b9.html

Song: Clothida's on Fire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJh-eq3WGuc

Tuesday:  

The Weekend - Feb 12-13

Golden sunrise to start the day

Wayne Brock's birthday, same as old Abe Lincoln. Kathy hosted a celebration for Wayne on his actual birthday and this was certainly the day's main event.  His sister Ingrid and niece Rachel drove down from Covington, KY, bring lots of good food.  The Matzek family, Claire and Amanda included, came bearing two delicious pies - butterscotch and French coconut. Aiden was also an active participant.  Kathy provided a honey-baked ham.  We didn't take anything because Kathy insisted on including me in the celebration since we missed mine due to COVID.  Everyone had a great time with food and conversation.  Kathy gifted me with a very unusual piece that might be used to served hors d'oeuvres or for a taco bar or ???

Wayne, with Ingrid and Kathy

Us, with pies

Rachel, Ingrid and Kathy

Talking with Aiden

Sunday's lesson was on the love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13.  We had 13 in attendance, including newcomers and old friends, Susan and Larry.  Sunday evening the Superbowl was played, with the Cincinnati Bengals and LA Rams.  Normally we might have watched with the Brocks, but not this year.  Bill and I had ribs left from a Food City Smoker purchase a few weeks back. They've been waiting in the freezer for the right occasion.  I made sweet potato fries (from frozen) and a salad as accompaniments.

Monday, Feb 7 - Friday, Feb 11

 The first Monday is usually UMW meeting at 10:30.  I had responsibility for presenting the program, a pledge service on gratitude and generosity.  I worked on it Sunday afternoon and incorporated the songs, accessed on YouTube, that were suggested in the program material.  After UMW, there was a brainstorming session on a potential summer program that I conceived and am promoting called Terrific Tuesday!  I would be a weekly VBS-style program for kids that would also incorporate an adult component.  The discussion was enthusiastic.  I am writing a grand due Feb 15, so we needed to clarify enough detail to flesh out the grant and make sure we had sufficient commitment to move forward.

We are having a spell of unusually nice weather for February. Monday afternoon and Tuesday were home time working on the grant. We planned a short day-trip on Wednesday and decided to explore a wetland park in Roane County near the Kingston Steam Plant.  Surprisingly, Amanda was home from school for the day and came over for lunch.  She joined our outing - a lark, my mammaw would have said.  The walk was ok for a sunny winter day, but not very scenic under the TVA power lines. The waterfowl on the wetland ponds were very scarce with just a few Canada geese, Northern Shovelers and some non-descript ducks that were too far away to  ID field marks.  They were all "dabblers," not divers. We detoured to look for the eagles at Melton Hill before we got back home.  All Amanda got to see was the nest.  I had put a beef stew in the crock pot before lunch, so we had a comforting supper.

A pair of unidentified ducks

Northern Shovelers "dabbling" and a row of turtles catching some rays

Nice walkway at the other end of the park near the steam plant

From the walkway looking toward the steam plant (and sun).

Lovely sunset to end the day.

Before lunch, I met Jo Alison at church to talk about another grant for Trinity's Mattress Ministry which she coordinates.  That one is due March 15.

The main activity for Thursday was an early afternoon trip to Knoxville to Wild Birds Unlimited to stock up on bird seeds and then to JoAnn for a few project supplies.  Bill even went along to shop at Belk's for new blue jeans.  We were both successful in our quests.  

When we got home, I worked on a new cell phone purse for myself while Bill continued working on RV maintenance that has occupied most of his week.  He is getting ready for our upcoming trip to Cedar Key, Florida, making sure the RV is a prepared as he can make it. Beef stew from last night was still good tonight!

Friday was another home day - for me baking and working on the Mattress Ministry grant. Both of those projects were put to rest before lunch.  I spend the bulk of this blustery afternoon making a cute pencil case for Allison. (the project for which I needed supplies). The left-over beef stew was transformed to vegetable beef soup with the addition of frozen vegetables and more broth.  Only shred of meat were left which, with the gravy, potatoes and onions, formed the base of the soup.  We watched the new version of the movie Dune which has gotten some Oscar nominations.  It was pretty good.

Looking good!

Pencil case

Cell phone purse

Sunday, Feb 6

After an active day Wednesday, I was glad to play the homebody for the rest of the week (until church-time today). Thursday was quite busy - I designated it as baking day and that consumes the better part of the morning.  In between, I tried to get some pics of feeder birds.  The beautiful little pine warbler has been around all week, as well as the juncos. I participated in a Zoom class on how to utilize features of my camera in order to take better pictures.  I learned a lot!  I also found a great YouTube resource that I can use to learn even more.  One exciting thing I learned is how to use my i-phone to remotely control the camera.  This may be revolutionary in stationary bird photography. I was glad to have indoor activities on this rainy day.  Red beans and rice seemed a good comfort food for a damp day.  I cooked the beans with a meaty ham bone with a little bit of Cajun smoked sausage added.  I made one of the bread loaves into a French loaf and baked it first so we had warm bread fresh out of the oven to go with the red beans.

Pine Warbler just outside the front window

Junco, seen through a cloudy window

Red Beans and Rice

Sourdough French loaf fresh from the oven

 On Friday I spend a lot of time practicing with the new features and got a few nice shots. Again, I was glad to be home as the temperature dropped throughout the day.  Chilly on these old southern bones! We got LeRoy in the afternoon and he spent the weekend with us.  Laura, Mike and Amanda went to Roan Mountain State Park and had a snowboarding day at Beech Mountain in North Carolina on Sunday before coming home later that day.  (pictures below)

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Pine Warbler

Downy Woodpecker

Tufted Titmouse

Chipping Sparrow

Carolina Chickadee

Pine Warbler

Even without a specific focus or task, a day can pass quite pleasantly.  So Saturday passed.  We took a break from red beans and had a Saturday taco supper.

Sunday (today) was more purposeful because I had a Sunday School class to lead and worship and Lady Vol basketball on TV (they lost to UConn 😞.  After the game, se took LeRoy for a walk across the river on this sunny, almost warm afternoon before returning him home.  We enjoyed being out walking in the sun.  We saw one of the eagles flying, but it was not in photo range.

Matzek Photos:

Roan Mountain

Amanda

Amanda

Laura

On the slopes