picture from Sara's party

 

Bob, Charlene came from Tennessee.  Mary and Tom came from Maine.  All came to see Sara become Dr. Sara Ray at Penn University.  

Doctor Sara Ray

 Beth drove us in the car to Philadelphia to hear Sara defend her Doctoral Thesis. She had friends and family come from New York, Washington, Maine, Arizona and Tennessee.  All of her siblings, cousins and family were present. The little cousins were quiet as mice

On the drive there, we stopped a few times, but needed more stops,  which we did on the return trip on Saturday.  Bob and Charlene met us for supper in the Hyatt Hotel, where we stayed, for supper and then a nice rest for the next days events. We again met Bob and Charlene for Breakfast before going to  Penn Hall.  Ethan and other family members  met us at the street parking where Ethan got the wheelchair out of the car and all  all set up  for Tom.  Tom did manage to walk into the hallrt, but needed to be wheeled to the reception  and back to the car after.  

Sara gave  a fantastic presentation, after which came questions from her faculty in Holland by Zoom and her faculty at Penn. We all vacated the  hall to leave the faculty in charge.  Then we met for a nice reception where she was introduced for the first time as Dr. Sara Ray.

We all enjoyed visiting with Sara's friends and our family as we munched goodies and played  games with Hazel and the twins.   Sadie was sleepy and stayed close to Mom and Dad. 

After a long time visiting, Beth returned us to the hotel to be picked up later for Sara's  party at the cemetary.  It was cold and windy so Sara had been  given use of the estate house on the grounds as she works there in the grave gardens and orchard.   The estate house is a very beautiful  old home which was given by the deceased  owner many years ago and the city built the cemetary around the grounds.

After all the festivities, Beth returned us to the hotel to rest for our long trip home for Saturday.  She was an excellent driver, but we all are tired today.  

    

Spring?

 Well, baseball Training has begun and I'm happy.  Also, I was able to walk to the mailbox without ice on the road, but it was muddy.  I also didn't need a jacket, so I guess the worst of winter is over.  Ethan and Hazel have left ,but I had a great time with sweet Hazel.  She is so smart and loving.  I love them very much.  I will see them again in Philadelphia when we go to Sara's doctoral defense.  I"m so lookiing forward to this event.  I love my family very much and I will see them all there.  

cold February 2022

I wish I could go  south this year.  I"m really tired of the cold.  We had a birthday dinner for Charlies Maddaus last night.  Roast pork, mashed potatoes, salt free rice for Tom and gravy.  Also fruit salad, chopped salad  and Beth made  cherry pies.  I made an angel cake.  Archie and family came.  Aurora  liked Granddad' rice, and Quinn went for the mashed potatoes.  They both liked the fruit salad, and roast.  They ate very well and didn't make a mess at all, even on the floor.  Their place mats were also free of food.  Such sweet and happy  girls.  Archie and Stepahanie are great parents.  

Tom is doing well, but still has fluid making his weight go up.  He  fared well last night with the birthday dinner.  REd beans and rice were his downfall as I put some ham in the beans.  They were yummy though and a new fat free, salt free cornbread  recipe was a hit.  

We are supposed to get more snow this afternoon.  It is cloudy right now, but no snow yet at 2:30. It is warm at over freezing temps.  

Below zero

We hit 14 below zero on the hill this morning.  Weather man says not so cold tonight, but it is already down to 5  above at 8:00.

Ground is very icy,  I only go out with my cleated shoes.  I put cleats on a pair of shoes and leave them on, so I am ready to go get the paper or the mail.  Or to walk Mara when she is here. 

Not much other news.  

Ice cold winter

January 10,1,12 all had nights well below zero and days in the teens.  Today the temp went up to 16 and tomorrow is predicted to be warmer still with a big storm predicted for Monday, the 17th.  We shall see.  I'll try to find a winter picture to use.

 

2022

A new year has come, we hope it will be better than 2021. 

Tom and I are still free from the Covid virus as are Beth and Charlie.  Som Charles and family in Florida all had  a bout of the stuff as did Granddaughter Heather and family.  All survived, which was a real blessing as Grandson Lee is a high risk due to his Stage 3 Lymphoma in remission for five years now.

I am getting used to a new HP computer as my MAC died many months ago.  This was a great Christmas present.  Beth and Tom are so good to me.

I am still experimenting on tom's diet and so far , we are keeping the salt free food in his mouth.  He doesn't complain, but bravely tries my efforts at trying to make things tasty without salt. 

I will have a new housekeeper on Tuesday.  My neighbor, Barbara, will be helping out with cleaning and vacuuming.  

 This saves my energy for helping Tom and tending my numerous flowers and a  little piano practice.  MY hands give me more trouble than I admit, but I keep plugging along.  Yesterday in church, Arnold played piano and I played the organ for our praise time of hymns.  

It is very cold this morning at 2:00.  I looked at 15 degrees on the inside/out thermometer.   

I guess I am caught up with my 2022 news.