Good morning! The weeks just blend together, don’t they? Here we are, halfway through February. Already. We’ve had a little rain this past week. A good thing. Of course, when it rains I just want to stay at home, eat soup, and read my book.

Right Now:

Church stuff in the morning and then a visit to my in-laws later. I will have to skip the post church nap. I mentioned their failing health last week. It seems to be escalating. Lots of impromptu visits, lots of extra doctor’s appointments and physical therapy. Both of them want NONE of it.

This Week:

I am hosting book club this Wednesday and I have yet to read the book. This meeting just snuck up on me and I’ve had all these personal “events” to take me out of reading. I will get it read.

This coming Saturday a colleague of mine invited my husband and I to see Twyla Tharp at the Soraya. This is the performing arts venue on campus and it’s gorgeous.

I am going for some pre-bloodwork tomorrow in prep for my MRI this Sunday. It’s just a follow-up to make sure the two remaining tumors have not grown and that the massive one shows no regrowth after its removal. Pray for me! Wish me luck. All of it, please. I feel very good. They botched my contrast three months ago so the status of those two small tumors is unknown at this time. Hope they don’t botch it this time. I’ve never had someone look for a vein in my elbow. Seriously!!

Reading:

My book club read is Trust. I will finish it in time!! It’s pretty good. I’ve read about 50% so far.

Also reading Butter. Really enjoying it. Food talk and murder. I am so in. Except, I’ve added butter to everything lately because of the book and gained five lbs.

Also reading Animal Farm because a dictators and revolutions happen to be on my mind these days.

Watching:

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Reading is okay but I can’t seem to focus on TV at all.

Grateful for:

• The sound of crashing waves. I visited Manhattan Beach a couple of weeks ago and the sound of those waves is the best medicine.
• Plants. Some of my plants have grown so much that I transitioned them to outdoors and guess what, they hate me for it. BUT, I am trying to make it up to them by providing a little extra care. Of course I didn’t expect us to plunge to 36 degree temps. That was unexpected.
• The pup’s funny little personality and side eye. She is still here and let’s us know it. We follow her everywhere to do her bidding. Love every minute of it.

It’s been a week. Between the in-law stuff, a hectic project load at work, and just not sleeping great, I am not running at 100%. Nothing a good nap and a really good taco can’t fix.

What a week this has been!! Politically charged. We can all use a little good news.

My son’s non-profit Bunker Arts Collective won the 2024 Mayor’s Arts Award by both the mayor and the cultural arts commission for the city of Everett, Wa! He didn’t even know his non-profit was nominated. He will be doing an interview and a video showcasing their work. Very exciting. Hopefully this will give them the visibility they need to really make a difference. Even his cat Root Beer, the CEO was mentioned.

Check out one of the murals that was installed. It was installed in pieces to be portable because the target building, a school is about to be closed.

Right Now:

Hosting an online ministry service and then I will spend the rest of the morning in student ministry. My normal Sunday routine. Camp registration opened and all the students are so excited!

This Week:

I am having lunch with a friend on Monday to catch-up on stuff. Haven’t been able to meet for a bit so that will be good.

Friday, taking my MIL back to the doctor. Both in-laws are not great health wise. One we knew, a cancer diagnosis that is terminal. The other was not completely unknown to us but the pace in which decline hit was immediate and swift and we did not anticipate caring for both of them at the same time. So anyway, my husband is doing his share, and I am doing mine in the form of doctor’s visits and the like. You do what you have to do. They are in denial which makes care difficult. Our nephew is also helping as well of my FIL’s daughter.

Reading:

Finished The Brothers Karamazov! What a book. It was pretty good, I will work on getting my review up soon but man, did it sidetrack me for other reads. 900+ pages. Oooof.

I am also done with Lucy by the Sea. Review is here. I’ve decided that I really like Elizabeth Strout.

My book club read for February is Trust. I know nothing about the book. It just sounded good to me but I heard it was a doozy!

Watching:

Still watching Lockerbie on Peacock. Very good but heavy. Can only watch an episode here and there. Plane crashes and their aftermath is a tough subject.

Some friends mentioned Severance to me. I’ve heard of it but have not watched it. I looked it up and it sounds like something I’d like. Might check that out.

Grateful for:

• The little bit of rain we got last weekend. Both of the largest fires are still at 95% containment. Unbelievable that there are still hot spots.
• Like-minded friends who I can vent to about this political clown show we are calling the President’s office.
• All the great books coming out this year. I was looking at my review copies and they are just so good. Lots to look forward to.
• BLTs. The perfect sandwich. Crisp lettuce, the perfect amount of mayo and perfectly cooked bacon atop a slice of tomato. Perfection.

With everything going on around us, do what moms tell their kids, “Find the good people” because they are out there.