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Blog“Just Over the Hilltop”

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“For man, Autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together. For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad.” Edwin Way Teale This was a quote on one of my many calendars and it seemed appropriate as the winds have increased just over the hilltop in Norwood and the leaves are being torn from the trees in great numbers. Yes, nature is sowing and scattering.

Hello to my family and friends as the month of October begins to wind down and the thoughts of winter enter with the realization that we will not escape it. So, we had the boiler cleaned last week (and even turned the heat on) and had the van repaired and winterized. They replaced the rotors (now it doesn’t shudder when braking), had the heat fixed (so good to have warmth in the van again), oil changed, antifreeze checked and filled, and it passed inspection. Whew, that was quite a list and just leaves Dick’s van getting the side door repaired so it will close all the way. He’s been holding it in place with a nylon rope!

Busy, busy, busy

I love singing in the choir and also playing for them at church. Sunday the choir sang “Till the Storm Passes By” and this was my second week of playing with Sharon for the congregational singing of hymns. I feel so blessed to be useful again somewhere.

Thursday I hosted the West Potsdam Retired Ladies luncheon and there were nine of us in attendance. I had made my hearty hamburg-vegetable soup, baked macaroni and cheese, a carrot salad, and a choice of apple, raspberry, or pumpkin pie for dessert. One lady has now gone south for the winter and another leaves in December. It is sad to see them go but as my brother Don says, “How can I miss you and look forward to seeing you again if you don’t leave?”

how can I miss you and look forward to seeing you again if you don’t leave?

Writers’ group was that evening and they ate the pie leftovers. I enjoyed chatting with a former customer from Long Island who was visiting relatives (it is always a joy to see “The” Pat when he comes north), singing with the gang at Maplewood in Canton on Friday and visiting with our recuperating friend, Lucille, while there. On Sunday we took a leisurely afternoon drive.

Sunday drives

On our drive we had a chance to talk about various topics and also delivered five pumpkins to the grandchildren to carve. We then ended the afternoon at a friend’s in Lisbon for the purpose of praying together for the elections in November. Susan and I have been praying over the phone once a week for the last month or so. There is so much at stake. Anyway, one of the topics discussed on our drive was the realization that I have no room for my books, boxes of papers, or saved items even though we have a ten-room house. I still have more boxes to go through out in the garage and many that have been brought into the house are stuffed in a closet, in the pantry, or under a table. I was getting discouraged thinking about it and not figuring out a plan to get organized and how or where to give them a place to call home. These boxes are in the way and feel like clutter. Dust I can handle – clutter not so much. Maybe I just have too much “stuff” but it is stuff that shouldn’t be tossed at this time of my life.

Dust I can handle – clutter not so much

Dick suggested and volunteered to clean up a section of the garage and build me some shelves. That should work for a while because I don’t have a Mustang convertible yet to put in that spot so it might as well have boxes marked, “do not throw away.” Problem solved temporarily.

One evening last week I had a call from Heidi at her request. Karen said she walked to the phone and told her mom she wanted to call Grandma Bastille. Our conversation was short but sweet and then she went back to playing with Garrett. I love getting those calls no matter how long or short they are. Guess one might say that it’s like a “warm fuzzy,” which was a phrase used in the eighties!

As I wind down this week’s journal I leave you with another quote from the Cook Book by the West Potsdam Ladies Auxiliary from 1980. “When you’re ready to go off the edge, remember the Lord, in His infinite mercy, made the world round.” These last few months have many on edge or at the edge, but God has this under control and all will be well. Love, Sharon

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