Feeling sorry for myself until . . .

 Downsizing isn't fun.  Everyone (almost) says so and has advice. There's a lot of sadness in going through items packed away and forgotten. Bob has old architectural drawings (masterpieces in my opinion in this day of computer generated plans and materials from classes he taught) and I have old essays, notebooks, poetry and memorabilia to sort through.

As I drink my morning coffee today I'm going through Christmas 2019 letters and cards. They were temporarily packed away in 2020 because of their notes and letters, but not repacked in the "big" box of treasures (going back 50+ years) because we had all of Phil's things to take care of that year of Covid. I stopped to re-read this one from Marion.

Marion is gone now; she died a few months after dictating this message. We met at Lakeside years ago at a lecture on healthy eating. The room was packed, and we were side by side in the back row. That's unusual for me--but a long friendship developed.  I noticed she carefully made notes in a small notebook, and as it turned out she was also a librarian, and we had many of the same interests. Our husbands became acquainted, and they also had similar interests like sailing and Lakeside history and architecture and served together on the Design Review Board. Shortly after they sold their adorable Lakeside home (perhaps 2017 or 2018) she was diagnosed with ALS. This was her Christmas 2019 message:

"Although I can't walk and my speech is limited due to the progress of ALS, I am grateful for many things this Christmas season.  My philosophy of living with ALS is to focus on the living and what I can do.

We have a handicapped van with a ramp so I am able to get out of the house. I go to church, the grocery store, shopping, and weekly to have my hair done.

I was in nursing care for five weeks after a week in the hospital with aspiration pneumonia but now I am so happy to be home again.  We were able to make home modifications such as a ceiling lift to get me in and out of a hospital bed.

I look forward to monthly ALS support group meetings and communication with other patients who are mostly men.  I am often the only female attending with ALS. I can read and my book club comes to my house for meetings.  They even came to the nursing facility to do a book discussion.  Friends call, come to visit, send beautiful cards, and bring food and flowers.  Thank you, dear friends.

I am able to go to monthly Lucas County Retired Teacher meetings and still serve as secretary on the Board of Directors.  A hospice nurse checks on me at home each week.  I can help prepare meals by making salads and fruit for lunch.

Jim is with me every step of the way.

Remembering you this Christmas with a wish and prayer for all the best."

A big move to a smaller space

 We are downsizing for a move. I expected a lot of dust, mustiness, foxing, mystery computer and TV cords and clothes that will never fit again, but was unprepared for grief, sadness, and bewilderment on what to do with "treasures" no one wants, or things we want but can't store. How can 2 people have 70 photo albums.

Blueberry pie tip

Another cooking tip. I'd forgotten this one. My children were adults, but I still wrote an occasional "Bruce Times" to catch them up on what we were doing. This edition was all about our Lakeside vacation programs in August, and my retirement plans for October 2000. This pie tip was in the P.S.

"P.S. This week I also learned not to mix blueberries with sugarless vanilla pudding to make a pie--it turns olive green, sort of the color of split pea soup then fades to gray."

Retirement residential check list

I made up this checklist to use when looking at retirement apartments or assisted care facilities.  I looked at some on the internet, but listed the ones important to us. The additional considerations were AI generated.

Affordability: Consider whether the facility is within your budget, including any additional charges for services. Ask about past rate increases and whether costs are clearly outlined in the admission agreement. Know what your current living arrangements are so you can compare.

    Buy in,

    Rent

    Contract

    

    Extra costs

    Wait list. Right to refuse.

Contract Review: Obtain and carefully review the admission agreement, especially clauses related to transfer policies and extra charges.

Technology and Communication: Are there provisions for internet access, phone lines, and emergency call systems?

Personalization: Are residents encouraged to bring their own furniture and personalize their rooms? Is there adequate storage space?

Library, church services, lectures, concerts, activities, etc.  Ask to see month/weekly list.

Recreation/hobby areas.

Parking, garage, costs?

Laundry

Will the unit be repainted, carpet, are hanging systems allowed.  Keys.

Location: Is the facility close to family, friends, and medical providers? Consider ease of visitation and proximity to local amenities.

Resident Compatibility: Ask yourself if you or your loved one would feel at home here. Consider lifestyle compatibility and whether residents seem happy and engaged.

Dining Experience: What is the meal plan.  Required/optional.  Check if meals are appealing, fresh, and offer variety. Ask to see menu for week/month Ask about dietary accommodations and whether meals can be served in rooms.

Visiting Hours: Determine if there are strict visiting hours or if family and friends are welcome at any time.

Unannounced Visits: Visit at different times, including nights and weekends, to get a full picture of daily life.

Reputation and Feedback: Ask about the facility’s reputation in the community and whether current residents or families are willing to speak with you.

Staff Stability: Inquire about staff turnover, particularly for key roles like the administrator, cook, and nurse consultant.

Staff Interaction: Observe how staff treat residents—whether they are respectful, know residents by name, and respond promptly to requests.

Additional Considerations

Outdoor Access: Check for safe, accessible outdoor areas, including walking paths and seating.

Transportation: Does the facility offer scheduled transportation for medical appointments or shopping? Extra cost.  

Care Services: Ensure the facility offers necessary services such as dementia care, medication management, and access to doctors and hospitals.

Care Plans: Confirm there is a written plan of care for each resident, and that it is reviewed and updated regularly by qualified personnel. (for assisted care)

Health and Safety: Ensure the building is safe, with non-skid flooring, handrails in bathrooms, and adequate lighting. Confirm there is a disaster plan and regular drills. Visiting nurse?

Privacy and Dignity: Residents should have privacy in their rooms, especially in shared spaces, and staff should knock before entering. (assisted care)

Activities and Engagement: Look for a planned activities program that includes individualized options and weekend events. Check if calendars are posted and if residents can influence activity planning.

Cleanliness and Maintenance: Inspect the overall cleanliness of the facility, including bathrooms, common areas, and resident rooms.

The Chef-o-Nette

We took a step back in time today. The little restaurant near our former home on Abington Rd. has reopened (closed for over a year with new owners). It opened in 1955, was refurbished in the 70s, and that's about the decor today. We went there for lunch after church. Some of the old favorites are on the menu, except the sandwiches which used to be $1.50 are now $11.95, and they don't have their fabulous tapioca. I had the "Hangover," which is/was their signature sandwich. Hamburger with slice of ham, and cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion. Bob had a big waffle.  Breakfast is all day, but they close at 2:30 p.m. We moved here in June 1967 to an apartment on Farleigh Rd. and after the movers left, we cut through an alley and found a shopping center with a little luncheonette. We had our first meal there. Phil and I had our last meal together there the last week of September 2019 for my birthday and he was diagnosed on October 1, 2019, with terminal cancer.

Just looking

This week we visited "The Forum," a retirement facility that's about 3 miles from here. I remember when it was built, about 35 years ago. It was sort of on the edge of our community with not a lot of housing and apartment buildings nearby, but now it is surrounded. I'd made a check list of what to look for based on some I'd seen on the internet, but I rearranged it a bit. They were all for "mom" and that was not our concern, and most lists were for assisted care or memory care. The Forum stopped doing nursing care during Covid so that section is vacant. Memory care and assisted care are across the street in a different building, so that's a separate concern.

So, I had things on my list like staffing, cleanliness, security, activities and proximity to the things we already knew. For proximity it gets A+ as our primary care doctor is on the same street. If we were 5 years younger, we could walk there. Also, the pharmacy, the stores we are used to are within a mile, and it's maybe one more mile to church than our current home. The big shock was it sits on 14 wooded acres. We've been driving past it all these years and didn't know that--I'd seen trees but I guess I thought there were houses in there. There's nothing prettier than a woods this time of year in central Ohio, So, that was a plus. Now I suppose that could change as land prices shoot up. Around here they are building very ugly multi-story apartment buildings in every open space.

I had picked out a floor plan from their website, and we toured the model, and also 2 that were empty, and not updated. It's 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living/dining area and a one person kitchen. that's 856 sq. ft., although there are some models that are over 1200 sq. ft. with a den and a dining room. One perk is a lovely balcony or deck. No washer/dryer--there are several on each floor. Some larger units do have a stackable in a closet. That would be hard to get used to, although they launder sheets. Elevators, of course. Beautiful dining room that looks into the woods. It was well appointed having been recently "refreshed" in contemporary colors and new chairs and flooring. We didn't have a meal, but there is a chef on site. There was a group of residents waiting in the lobby to go to a state park for a picnic, and it turns out the bus driver (an employee) is a member of our Sunday School class. Each unit has free parking at the entrance closest to that unit, but you can rent garage space. The word has it that many people use their garage for storage! Imagine that.

I was expecting some sort of meal plan in the cost, but it is full throttle--3 meals a day. I'm an apple and walnuts or cottage cheese breakfast person myself, and Bob is boring oatmeal with raisins guy. We'd probably put on weight. That might solve one problem--I have a bit of a china fetish--5 sets, and with no cooking, I won't need but a few dishes. As I thought about it, it started to sound like a good idea. If we have guests, just take them to the dining room.

And storage is definitely a problem for us. It's different for everyone, but in our case it's paintings. Hundreds. Other painters, plus both of us. If you're familiar with "flat files" which architects use, that's another problem.  I won't mind packing up and giving away the bazillions of nails and screws we've moved from house to house over the years, but paintings are a bit more personal. Books are a smaller problem, but we've been whittling that down for the past year.

Work on that, Republicans

I'm so tired of Republicans, conservatives, media mavens and "influencers" all twisted up in the Epstein files. You're being conned and the Trump haters are delighted.

 
They showed no interest in it during the Biden years, so right there is your clue. It's only being used to divide and you're falling for it again. I don't care if Tucker or Kirk or Kelly or Bannon or Bongino are chattering and unhappy. Get over it.

 
No president has ever had six months like the first half of 2025, and you are pouting on social media because your pet project wasn't solved? Pedophilia involving rich celebrities. There were thousands and thousands of women and girls trafficked for sex during Biden's open borders--work on that. Democrats are weeping and visiting those rapists in prison and complaining about their toilets and food. Give me a break! And Trump has put a stop to it by closing the border which everyone said couldn't be done. Every day in Africa's civil wars women and girls are raped, assaulted and kidnapped. Work on that! Every day our universities are getting foreign money to destroy the minds of young Americans. Work on that!. Every day hospitals are committing sexual mutilations and abortions. Work on that! There are still agencies, non-profits and colleges allowing men to beat up women in their sporting events. Work on that!

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/dan-bongino-back-at-work-as-trump-fumes-over-epstein-clash/

Tucker Carlson blames Pam Bondi for Donald Trump's Jeffrey Epstein backlash

Setting the record straight by Jarod Lennis (Facebook)

"Here To Set The Record Straight"

So disappointed in all the lies, blaming of religion, pointing of fingers, and political agendas that have been spewed all over the news and social media after this historic flood.

First off, I live right down the road from the Guadalupe River between Kerrville and Ingram Texas. I spent the evening after the flood searching for survivors. As the days have passed by I am now out searching in an effort to recover victims of the flood. My point is that I am here and have been knee deep in the horrific disaster.

 
Warnings *

 I was given Warnings from my phone all night long. I went to bed as rain poured down. I was awakened several times throughout the night by my phone giving me an emergency flash flood warning. To be honest, it was annoying. I immediately shut it off and went back to sleep. This is hill country, we get flash floods all the time. No one could of imagined what was coming. It came so fast. The river rose 29 feet in one hour. There is Nothing that anyone could have done.

Emergency Response *
Before I could fully comprehend what happened there were the sounds of sirens and helicopters overhead. Local Emergency response was immediate. Emergency response from neighboring towns was immediate. Emergency response from DPS, Texas Game Wardens, Coast Guard, Military, Search & Rescue, and so many other groups was immediate. Not to mention the incredible amount of local people and local businesses that came out in full force to help in every way possible. Within a day we had people and businesses from all over coming to help in any way they could.

Religion & Politics*

Not one single time as we were digging through piles of debris as big as a house looking for survivors or while trying to recover victims did anyone mention a single thing about blaming religion or politics. All we had time for were prayers over those missing and those looking for the missing. Those out there on the news and social media pointing fingers at local officials and blaming this tragedy on religion and politics should be absolutely ashamed of themselves.

 
In Closing*

If you do not have your boots laced up and on the ground looking for victims. If you do not have something positive to say. If all you are doing is pointing fingers. Then you need to go sit your ass down and shut your mouth."

Jarod Lennix (copied from FB)

Podcasts--they must be easy to make with the right tool

I've become a fan of podcasts, but I've got a lot to learn. I only listen, I don't create. Today I found a podcast of a publication of mine, "AI Podcast of "Annotated Bibliography on Agricultural Credit and Rural Savings: IV". I don't know how it's done, but it is fascinating to listen to--even I didn't know all this stuff (written in the 1980s), but somehow this AI generated, British accented (?) voice managed to find "fascinating highlights" and amazing details in what I wrote about Thai farmers or Latin American banks. I'm not sure you can access the link because I've joined the platform, but it is free to sign up for the basic level. I've been using it for Biblical scholarship, but it covers all topics. If you've published something, it may now be on a podcast.

https://www.academia.edu/ai_podcast/116016187?

The Epstein files--what happened to the list of clients?

I'm not going to get in a froth about the Epstein files. When Trump stood up after being shot, he said fight, fight, fight. I don't know what that means to you, but I think he meant fight for the country. If Republicans allow the enemy to get them sidetracked, then they might as well quit now. He has his eye on preserving the United States, an idea or promise that over half the country can't even comprehend.

There are lots of strange things in politics. Some are still questioning all the theories about the deaths of JFK and RFK and MLKjr. I'm still questioning why both parties ignore the years 2020-24 and all we citizens suffered as victims of BOTH parties with the Covid epidemic. Trump gave us CARES ( Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act) a clearly inflationary "benefit" to save jobs and lives and he also pushed for the vaccine (untested and unproven still). He thought he was right to do so, to save the country. He also paraded Dr. Fauci before us on TV for many weeks to explain the ever changing research and rules. The Democrats who first maligned Trump for attempting to get a vaccine out quickly, then ignored their own lies, shut the country down and deified Fauci! Yet today, neither party will even speak like it was important (individuals yes, but not the party), nor will Pres. Trump, nor former Pres. Biden.

 
Democrats get the faints when discussing an "insurrection" that wasn't yet ignore what's going on in our blue cities and social media today with riots and deaths. Mysterious deaths occurred in Minnesota and Walz goes mute. The hypocrisy is so thick it is gagging intelligent people so they can't speak or don't know who to support.

 
I never thought I'd see anti-Semitism raging on our elite campuses either, and certainly not Jewish legislators and celebrities keeping quiet about it. I never thought I'd see Democrats running a professing Communist to manage our premier city.

 
I never thought in our sex saturated national culture people would tolerate the genital mutilation and body damaging medical experiments on children which would make Dr. Kinsey blush. We've sunk that low and I can find several such clinics right here in Columbus--so I should be alarmed about teenagers being lured to a life of excitement with celebrities? Compare that to what--sex trafficking with our open borders?

So yes, I should stop being surprised or asking for all the answers. There are no answers for evil, duplicity, envy, greed, hatred, obsessions, and mental illness.

Damaged brains caused by TDS

There are lots of hoaxes and fakes on the internet these days. I just saw one of those free automobile fake offers on Facebook by just clicking. But the climate hoaxes combined with TDS are really swarming with the Texas flood.

There are actually fewer weather crises these days than 100 years ago, but there is more commercial and home building in areas prone to flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes and fires so the death toll and costs are higher. We're actually in a cooling period.

Then add that misinformation to their Trump hatred and they've decided that warning systems weren't working because of Doge! Doge cuts target fraud, waste and DEI. So, riddle me this. Are Democrats so addled by years of climate hoaxes and TDS, that now they believe flood warnings would be more effective if more women, trans and minorities were there in the middle of the night to warn sleeping people about water that rises 25 ft in 45 minutes? All those DEI WOKE grants and scams made no one safer; they did make some richer. It was billions going to bureaucrats and politicians as a way to buy votes.

The old rugged cross--a Michigan gospel song

The publication I use with my morning meditations is called "The Magnificat" and is Roman Catholic using a liturgical year theme. I enjoy it because of its excellent stories, history, scripture and art. I was surprised that the hymn for today was, "The old rugged Cross," by George Bennard published in 1913. I was baptized in the Church of the Brethren and since 1974 have been Lutheran (ALC, ELCA, NALC synods but all the same congregation). That gospel hymn in the 50s and 70s when my hymn books were published was not sung in our churches, although I'd always known it. So as often happens I got sidetracked and researched this hymn which was consistently named America's favorite gospel hymn in surveys between 1925 and 1960. After reading about it in my own sources, I switched to podcasts, and found this one by Randy Melchert and his interview about the Old Rugged Cross Church and Museum in Pocagon, Michigan. Some of these interviews have been on TV. Enjoy--this hymn has a very interesting background. And if you live in the mid-west, it looks like a great site for a trip.

https://www.vcy.tv/our-christian-heritage-with-randy-melchert/videos/the-old-rugged-cross-church-with-bob-molly-shafer

A follow up on VBS at UALC

 This note was sent to the congregation:

"In the midst of June's heat wave, UALC had the opportunity to welcome people from all across Columbus to the Oasis of God's kingdom that we call our church home. Each day, nearly 240 adult and teen volunteers were able to welcome about 650 children and their families to Mill Run for Young Kids and Big Kids VBS. From greeting participants in the parking lot to singing on the stage, each volunteer role played a huge part in welcoming these families into the house of the Lord and assuring them that we could dwell in this space with our good shepherd forever!

During our week of VBS we had the opportunity to see a special kind of spiritual growth form in the lives of the children who attended Big Kids VBS. They worked on memorizing ten different verses from David's portion of the Psalter (including the six verses of Psalm 23), heard David's story with a fresh perspective on his journey from shepherd to king, learned how his story points forward to the work of Jesus Christ, and explored the very character of our Lord as they heard Jesus' invocation of the title "good shepherd." Conversations sparked all over the place about trusting God as we walk through difficult things, being able to go to him in prayer, trusting Jesus to walk with us into school buildings, onto soccer fields, or in friendships and family relationships.

While all the excitement of Big Kids swarmed the building, 180 preschoolers and their parents were singing, dancing, and shouting Jesus' name in the Fellowship Hall! Our Young Kids VBS program was full and thriving this year. Each morning, kids from birth to five years filed into the building with their parents and guardians to be led by 22 amazing teens in songs, crafts, games, and worship. They saw the story of King David played out on stage, heard the gospel over and over, and had the words of scripture sewn into their hearts throughout the week. There were many parents there who had participated in VBS as a teen or as a child, and they brought their kids to experience the fun. There were also many parents there who don't have a church home or didn't know the gospel, and they got an invitation into Jesus' family. After YKVBS each day, preschool parents gathered on the playground for free iced coffee and play time, as well as time to connect with each other and our church staff.

One of the best parts of the week was watching the confidence of the preschoolers grow each day. In the first two days of learning songs and motions, they generally stayed close by their grown up's side. But by the end of the week, there was a huge group of preschoolers gathered together at the edge of the stage, dancing their hearts out, confident in their worship, shouting out "He's my good, good shepherd!" It was a beautiful picture of heaven and the uninhibited worship that our hearts and bodies are made for."

Republicans want the perfect bill--there's no such thing

Big beautiful bill. Republicans demand the perfect; Democrats demand that anything Trump must be hated.

 
Donald J. Trump has had the most successful presidency that I can remember (closed the border using current law, lowered the crime rate, raised incomes, negotiated the tariffs sending stock market soaring, worked with Israel for the successful bombing of Iran's nuclear development stores thus fulfilling the work of 15 years [under 2 other Democrat presidents, btw], got NATO to increase their share, brought warring African countries to the table, put roadblocks against racist policies in universities, defied stupid DEI and climate policies), yet there are Republicans who are pouting because their favorite piece isn't in the puzzle. So they can screw up the biggest tax cut for the middle class, in an attempt to help their state, but hurt the rest of us. Or just because they too hate Trump's success. So much for patriotism. Like VDH observes, they won't harvest at 70% success and wait until the hail destroys the entire crop.

Republicans Who Voted Against Big Beautiful Bill Revealed