November 30, 2020….and…

Yes, this is the last day of November, 2020 and many people have already decorated their homes for Christmas! It is like rushing ahead to put the anxiety and frustration of this year as far back as possible.

For sure, this year has been such a drastic change for everyone that we shake our heads in disbelief! I am in that number! Under normal conditions, my planner/calendar would have some type of activity in every space. When I checked the spaces for December, there were two entries! I have a dental appointment on December 7, Pearl Harbor Day, followed by Christmas Day on December 25. That is it!

2020 brought about drastic changes for everyone. The first few months of the year were “normal” but when the COVID 19 virus began to spread around the world, everything changed.

People became ill. They had difficulty breathing and were admitted to the hospital and put on ventilators. The demand for those machines was so great that factories worked around the clock manufacturing them. Everyone was forced to wear a mask. Social distancing became almost mandatory. The way of doing business completely changed. Certain items were in short supply. Children “went to school” in their homes and were taught by computer. Doctors saw their patients by FaceTime whenever possible. Businesses were forced to close. People had no jobs and no income.

Almost overnight, the lifestyle most people had taken for granted was forever changed. It would take volumes to list everything that was “different.” Americans can adjust to change, but we all yearn for “the good old days” when we were able to work at our place of employment and not from our home. We owe a debt of gratitude to all the doctors, nurses and hospital workers who work until they are exhausted taking care of everyone who has been stricken with COVID.

Then what is so terrible, is the number of lives that have been taken because of the virus. It is like the plagues we read about in the Bible. I am certain more prayers have been lifted to God for mercy and for an end to this nightmare which has gone on for so long.

The words to a song that was popular some time ago remind us that, “HE’s got the whole world in HIS hands, He’s got the WHOLE world in HIS hands, HE’s got the WHOLE WIDE WORLD in HIS hands” and what better place can we be than in God’ hands?

The decorating dilemma of December 2020…

For years it has been my custom to begin decorating for Christmas on Thanksgiving evening. It seems like everything is out of sync now. First of all, my decorations are stored in my “She shed” in the back yard. Hawk, my long time yard man, takes charge of the contents of that building and he has not worked for me since late last year.

Second, since I have had this back condition and can hardly walk, I cannot go outside and bring the red and green bins inside, then take the orange bins to the “little house” to be stored until the Fall of 2021.

For a while it was so difficult to even move, much less carry anything, I had to come up with a plan. I decided to use what I have inside the house and just have a Christmas of “every day items” like candles , greenery and dishes.

The predominant color I chose is green, with a lot of white and some red accents. I am using some silver chargers and other silver pieces on the dining room table. The dishes I chose were given to me by my daughter, Carole, one year. The Corningware dishes are white with a border of holly and berries. I use a large green plate underneath and a smaller solid green salad plate on top. I made what resembles a red bow tie for the napkins, held in place by a white ceramic holder.

The centerpiece is a tall vase of light green flowers flanked by candles and some tall red accent pieces. The glassware at the place settings is dark green goblets. It was so much fun gathering “this and that” to make something totally different for Christmas!

The mantle has always been a focal point of Christmas decorations. This year I chose to highlight it by using a dark green pitcher with six glasses and some ivy on front of the arrangement. That glassware is very old. It belonged to my Grandmother McInnis, but may have been handed down from her Mother. It was passed on to my Mother and became mine upon her death. I had some hurricane lamps I use at each end of the mantle with red candles in them. I put another touch of red by taking a solid red napkin which is trimmed with lace, in the center of the mantle. I think it gives the right amount of balance.

I continued finding candles, teapots and cups, so now my decorating is almost completed and everything I used was in the house! I did not spend one cent for anything new. It has been an “adventure” and so much fun! I might do this again next year by using a different color scheme! I love to be thrifty! It was a way of life for many, many years!

I am certain that this will be a memorable Christmas for many reasons. I am a sentimental soul and everything I used this year is “old.” If I was taller or I would dare to venture to use a kitchen ladder, I might even use some older things that are on the top shelves in the kitchen. They have been there since I moved into the house. I would love to hold them once more, to use them or old times sake.

The lesson learned from decorating for Christmas this year is; more is not better, it is not wise to have too much and to just keep it stored away, and that sweet memories are PRICELESS! We do not know what tomorrow will bring, much less what might happen a year from now! Live for today, savor precious moments now and reflect on those memories made with loved ones in the past, use what you have and always remember why we celebrate Christmas! Happy Birthday, Jesus!

November 27, 2020…the day after Thanksgiving

Today has become known as Black Friday. I don’t remember when that designation was given, but in the past, it became a day of frenzy to get to stores to make purchases very early in the morning while certain merchandise was still available. Some of the larger stores encouraged customers to begin shopping Thanksgiving afternoon. I have heard about people actually fighting over popular items that were in short supply.

The local Thanksgiving edition of the newspaper in the town where I live is the largest of the year because of all the ads. It may weigh several pounds! Yesterday, some of the large stores like Walmart and similar chains remained closed, as well as many grocery stores. That is as it should be. Part of the reason was because of the pandemic and perhaps it was a gesture to show appreciation for the employees who have worked so hard under the strange conditions.

Many of the Thanksgiving Day traditions had to be changed or eliminated this year. One event that began in New York City many years ago was held, but without spectators along the parade route. It was the Macy’s parade. The parade was the most popular event as long as I can remember. My children would sit with their eyes “glued to to TV screen” from the beginning until the climax at the end when Santa appeared on his sleigh wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. I was always busy with food preparation, so I did not stop to watch with them. The huge helium filled balloons fascinated small children, but my favorite part was the precision dancing of the Radio City Rockettes! They did the same outstanding performance yesterday when they did the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, all wearing their masks!

Some of my family members did go shopping today. I haven’t had any reports about how crowded the stores were or if they found what they were looking for. So far as I know, a lot of their Christmas shopping has been done on line. That may continue to be the method of choice for the future. Local merchants, as well as in store shopping will feel the effects of the “new way of doing business.”

It has been very quiet at my house today. I spent a lot of time resting and therefore, my mind had time to reminisce and look back to the days of my childhood and how Thanksgiving was back then. Things were totally different! The highlight of the day was the good food my Grandmother and Mother prepared. No one rushed to go shopping because the stores were closed. Back then, the Sears Roebuck Wish Book was the way many families shopped! Thanksgiving Day almost felt like a Holy Day.

Yesterday, as well as today, I have spent so much time expressing my thankfulness to God for my many blessings. I think most people have learned so many lessons because of the drastic life changes that were brought about by COVID 19. We certainly have had a wake up call about the brevity of life! We have realized that it is not material things that are important, but the simple things like our family, our friends, good health, freedom to go to church, school and to the grocery store. God has shown abundant love and generosity to America. It is time to make EVERY day Thanksgiving Day!

Nineteen days with no journal entries….

Some of my readers wondered where I was and what was happening. I can tell you some things I was not doing! I was not on a Viking River Cruise in Europe, nor was I in New England, as I love to be in the Fall.

I was not at the beach in South Carolina or in a cabin in the mountains of North Carolina. I was confined to my home. I experienced the worst pain of my life, so far. I could not move. I could not stand, much less walk! My daughter and son in law came as soon as they could. The pain was so intense, there was nothing left to do but call an ambulance.

The EMS arrived promptly. The senior gentleman checked me and said the pain was a bad case of Sciatica. He said the hospital ER was full of people with COVID 19 and he recommended that I call my doctor and get some pain medication and stay at home because of the possibility of getting the virus at the hospital. They do not admit people to the hospital with Sciatica.

My doctor was contacted, pain medication was ordered and picked up by my daughter. She stayed with me until I was very tired and needed to go to sleep. She was back the next morning and made arrangements for me to have in home care.

Things fell into place rapidly, for which I was so grateful. The pain lingered, but gradually improved with the medication. I have always been the one to care for people, not to be the one who needed care. It was not a pleasant experience, but it could have been so much worse.

Lying flat on my back helped ease the pain. Improvement has been slow, but I am getting better. When you are in a situation of almost being helpless, you really appreciate good health. That is something that must never be taken for granted. For me, it never will be!

I still have pain and am very limited in what I can do. It takes time to return to normal. I will see my doctor in person as soon as I can walk and am able to go to the office.

So, the mystery is solved. I have been a prisoner in solitary confinement. I have had a lot of time to reflect on better days and to give thanks for all the people who came to my aid. I count my blessings every day! I am not a complainer or one to make a mountain out of a molehill, but this really has been a nightmare. At last I am seeing results from the medication and some mild exercise.

Never will I take good health for granted and I will try to do all I can to prevent reoccurrences. I hope to resume writing now, but there is very little of interest to share. There is a saying, “when you have good health, you have just about everything! “ Truer words were never spoken!

November 6….an important date to me

Our minds are filled with special dates. Our lives are busy gathering and storing so much information. Some things we learn in school in history classes, other dates take their spots because of events that happened in our lifetime, such as Pearl Harbor or 9-11.

As small children, we learn about Christmas and Easter, maybe not the actual dates, but what happens on those days. When we go to school for the first time, we we begin the date accumulation process..

For most of us, one very important day, is the birthday of our Mother. It may not be true for everyone, but for most of us, the love a Mother feels for her child is a bond that only grows through the years. That bond does the same for the child.

Mothers sacrifice for their children. They devote their time to teach, to provide, and to encourage each of their offspring. I speak from my experiences with my Mother. It was not so much as verbalizing her love, but in demonstrating it.

She has been in Heaven for many years now, but her presence is still felt every day. Of course, I have photographs of her in my house and jewelry she gave me, as well as dishes that belonged to her Mother. Each of these things brings to mind, when she gave them to me.

I am not alone in feeling a great loss when Mother died. Almost every person has the same sense of sadness that comes when their best friend is no longer there for telephone calls and visits. I am so thankful for sweet memories and for knowing we will meet again, never to be separated. I love you, Mother. Happy Birthday! 💜

Old things….I like them!

Because the pandemic has caused many of us to stay at home full time, we have had opportunities to look at some of the things we have on book shelves and in cabinets that are just there and are ignored most of the time.

I have several china cabinets in my house. The plan for the living , dining rooms and kitchen is an “open plan.” I chose this because I thought my Mother would come to live with me and I wanted to make it easy for her to get around if she had to use a wheel chair.

Because there are fewer walls to separate rooms, it has been a challenge to keep things I wanted in full view. Modern homes have lots of open space and encourage much less furniture. I think the theme now is “less is better.”

I inherited keepsakes from two grandmothers and my Mother. Some of the things even belonged to my great Grandmother. All that to say, I have enjoyed the very old dishes that ended up with me. Before my Grandmother Rinehardt passed away, she told me she wanted me to have a sugar bowl and cream pitcher. They don’t match, but she liked them and gave them to me to remember her by.

My Grandmother McInnis died when I was younger, so her things came to me through my Mother. One china cabinet has her depression glass in it. The pitcher and glass set that belonged to my Great grandmother is kept in a bookshelf. I enjoy dishes and glassware so much. My two daughters don’t have the same affection for these things because they didn’t know my grandparents.

When I look at some of the glassware, I remember Christmas or Thanksgiving meals when those dishes were used. It is amazing how memories become so fresh just by looking at a few dishes!

My Grandaddy McInnis gave me money from time to time to buy some things I wanted. We lived two blocks from Main Street. I walked to town, crossed the railroad tracks and went to the store to make the purchase. To me, my rose colored glass tea set is “priceless” even though it cost one dollar, if I remember correctly. It has service for four. The plates, cups, saucers, cream pitcher and sugar bowl are larger than some tea sets. It was made in Jeannette, Pennsylvania. I am so happy I took good care of it. I even had the original box it came in until a few years ago, when I threw it away.

I know we are not to love “things” but so many dishes became mine as family members died. I like to look at the antique glassware and let my mind wander back to simpler days, The trend when people had more money to spend, was to discard anything old and to buy the latest fad.

Thank goodness my Mother was a pack rat! All this time on my hands has given me opportunities to step back for years and to enjoy coffee in Grandmother’s cups and saucers! There seems to be some good in every situation. For me, it has been the reminders attached to the past.

Time change, does it affect you?

When the time changes, either ahead one hour or falling back an hour it now takes me a little while to adjust. Yesterday we had several things happening on the same day. November 1 was the day we resumed Sunday school and we added an hour to our time to sleep. That is, if you could sleep!

First of all, I was excited about seeing the folks I had been missing since March and second, I wanted to be there early. In the past, the director of the Special Needs Department got there long before class began at 9:15 AM, to get refreshments set up because our members arrive at different times as they are brought in by vans from many group homes.

Even though I had an extra hour to get ready and be there well in advance of the members arriving, I could not get to sleep. Finally, the time to get out of bed arrived and I had some breakfast and got dressed. When I backed the car out of the garage, it was raining. The closer to downtown I got, the harder it rained. I did make it to “my” parking place and waited for a few minutes for the rain to slack. My prayer was answered when I was able to get to the door without getting drenched.

First on the list was to have my temperature taken. I passed the test with a 97.4 reading, so I was allowed to enter the Department. I was given a sticker to wear, indicating I had been tested and was allowed inside because I was fever free. For the longest time, we were the only two to come in. Then two of the teachers arrived. A nice lady from another department plays the piano for us at the beginning of class, then she goes back to her Joy of Living group.

So far, that made five of us! The pianist left to go to her class, leaving only four, when we sometimes have fifty people! First, the group homes are not bringing members in until things are safe. Second, one of our teachers had to work. She is a nurse, and another teacher has been exposed to the virus.

The four of us stayed in the Department until the time for Sunday school to be over. In the many years we have worked in that department, nothing like this has ever affected our group in such a way.

I came home and watched the worship service on TV. Then I tried to take a nap. All day long on Sunday, things were not normal. That continued the rest of the day and evening. I think I dozed, then finally fell asleep. I woke up several hours later with the television set on!

This morning, I woke up from a deep sleep and made my way to the kitchen for some breakfast. I was just hoping my body had adjusted, but it hasn’t. Surely, by tomorrow I will be functioning normally. Our Governor has requested that South Carolina not participate in the time changes, but approval for that is still pending. I pray that permission will be granted, so there will be no future adjustments to be dealt with. Now, I think I will try to go back to sleep!