The calla lillies are in bloom!

While I worked at Camp Willow Run following college, I met my lifelong friend, Helen. During  my single years at camp we were buddies. She taught me about rural life in north carolina, we created the Littleton excursion club, and we watched a lot of movies and popular television together (ER, Friends etc). We went through a phase in which we watched quite a few old black and white films. One Saturday , we watched Stage Door with Katherine Hepburn.  If I remember right , Katherine's character was an actress on the stage. The ending scene has her walking out on the stage with a bouquet of flowers and she says, "The calla lilies are in bloom." And the movie ended. We thought the movie sad and depressing with an odd, abrupt ending. But that last line has lived on in the friendship between me and Helen.

First of all , I'm pretty sure I didn't even know what a calla lily was until that movie. Over the years, we have ccasionally gifted one another a calla lily. Several years ago , we both started growing them in our gardens. For me it was for the  purpose of being able to say, "Tp 0he calla lilies are in bloom." I've come to love the flower and would call it my favorite at this point. Then again  I have a lot of favorite flowers. 

Over the past eight or more years I've had this one little calla lily plant in my front flower bed. It has roduced beautiful pink blooms. That plant was disrupted a few years ago. I actually was afraid I'd killed it. I found a 3.99 bag of yellow calla lily bulbs at Aldis a couple of years ago and decided to give it a try. Then somewhere along the way , I was gifted a another calla lily , that I also put into this space. This year they have exploded. I can proudly say "the calla lillies are in bloom!"

Here is a little amendment. Writing this post had me talking with Helen about the movie Stage Door.  I found a few clips on youtube. The line is actually "the calla lilies are in bloom again." And it's not the very ending , there's at least five minutes more. Crazy what we remember and what we don't.

Nonetheless , the calla lilies did bloom again and they are beautiful!

Hi

I will skip the apologies and explanations and simply jump back in where we were 6weeks ago. Peter is still working for CJ Logistics. He says he is doing ok there. Some of the positives are that he is making decent money. It is full-time with consistent hours. He likes the 3:30 PM to 12 midnight shift. He can maintain his workout schedule. Peter is proud of how he is managing his budget and is paying back debt to Mama Millie and me for dental work and car repair. The job has benefits. Peter took the initiative to contact the Social Security Office about his job and was granted 2 more monthly checks before it will end. He is grateful for his reduced rent housing and the SSDI money he has received. He doesn't seem to hate the job and appears to be managing the cold environment well. I don't hear from him as much since he is working when I am off and vice versa. We have managed Friday lunch the past few weeks and are in the midst of negotiating breakfast plans for tomorrow. Peter continues to take Mom to church most Sundays. That's all good, and I am grateful. 

 And yes, some things concern me. Peter's tolerance of people at work is what I believe fueled his loss of a job at Lowe's. He has already shared about some conflict at work with a coworker. Its concerning. His car insurance did go up considerably after the February accident. He just needed more costly maintenance done on his car. He is openly claiming atheism. His view of himself is rather elevated. The transition from Medicaid to the company insurance is still in limbo. I have encouraged Peter to inquire about when it takes effect and also to try to get info on procedures for discontinuing the Medicare. It's easy to teeter to the side of worry and concern or even fear of "what could happen next."  Yet I am grateful for the many good things concerning Peter and daily working on "trusting" and "releasing."

I went to the mountains in March with May and Beth, and we had a lovely time. Laughed, talked, rested, and ate really good food.

A couple of weeks later, I met up with Helen on Pawley's Island for our 6th annual spring Sea View Inn weekend.  This year was Easter, and we stayed four nights.  It was so lovely.  The weather was great, and our time was refreshing.  I will share just a couple of pictures.  My traditional before and after pictures of my time at Sea View plus two that show the essence of what we did for 4 days.

upon arrival

after 4 relaxing days

Work has been fast-paced and fun as we are wrapping up our school year in two plus weeks and gearing up for our summer program.  Planning events and activities for our summer program is great fun and has my mind whirling in many directions. I am super excited about our summer theme.  Last year, we had a world travel theme, so this year, we are keeping it in the USA.  We are calling it "Snapshots of America".  (Thanks, Tonya, for the excellent idea!) Our first week of summer starts May 26.  So I am scrambling to find supplies, prep crafts, and get ready to pop out one exciting happening after the other.

We will have two weeks of summer programming before the school is closed for a week due to the church's VBS (June 8-12).  That week, Mom and I will have a big adventure with a 9-day, 9-state road trip to visit friends and family.  We are having lots of fun planning it.  Yes, we will have matching T-shirts, an itinerary book, and a travel mascot.  We will also be collecting stickers for our water bottles to mark our journey.  And I will try my best to share our travels with you along the way.

Until next time, thank you.

Peter's got a job

Hi. I intended this to be more , but it's late. I did want to tell you that Peter starts a job tomorrow. It's a full time job. It's a warehouse job in  cold storage for a company called CJ logistics. I am grateful he was offered something as he was getting discouraged at not being offered anything. I do have my questions and my concerns. I appreciate your praying for him as he starts it. 

I will be out of town this coming weekend. This year , Easter fell on my annual April trip to Pawleys island. So today, I attended church with mom and Peter then we had lunch and pretended it was Easter. It was good to be together.

I will try to share more soon. I'll send a picture from the beach. Meanwhile thank you for praying for Peter as it helps reduce my anxiety knowing that you are.

Mountain bound

 I would love to give you a long narrative of the latest; however, I am headed for the Virginia Mountains early in the morning, and well, I am not packed. But there have been some happenings, so I thought I would do a quick bullet point report.

• Peter did get approved for Medicaid that will pay for Medicare.  
• I have a great Insurance Guru (who helps me navigate the Marketplace) who is helping us navigate this latest change in status.  I am grateful for Chelsey.
• This change in medical insurance could affect who he sees for his doctor and counselor.  This might be for the good.  Praying for the navigation of that change.
• Peter has yet to be hired anywhere.  He has had more than one interview where he has left quite confident. And yet there has been no return call.  Honestly, I think this "confidence" may be hindering him from getting hired.  
• Peter received a tax refund that will help him for a few more weeks while unemployed. 
• Peter will benefit from a job - trusting God for the right one and the right time.
• Peter could benefit from a medication change - and yet that is so tricky.  There is a lot of good going on with Peter that it makes me nervous. Experience shows medication changes can cause a downward movement as likely as an upward.
• Peter has a new roommate after 6 months or so of living solo in his apartment. Trusting this is a good thing.
• Peter accompanied Mom and me to Atlanta today for Mom's Doctor appointment.  He heard "Atlanta" and wanted something to do (and a free meal.) He helped navigate as we located the building I had the wrong address for.  And he added some humor.
• I am grateful for the people we encountered at today's appointment.  It was addressing Mom's swallowing issues, and it was very helpful.  I am hopeful that this will lead to some resolutions and the expansion of her diet.
•  This weekend I will be with my friends Beth and May.  These are the two women who raised me in my post-college years.  This is the second annual "Matriarch Weekend," and I am looking forward to being with them as well as being surrounded by the Blue Ridge Parkway and the beautiful valley below.
• Oh, did I tell you I fixed my own leaky (I mean running) sink? Pirate Handyman on YouTube and a $4 repair kit from Lowe's helped me.  I am so proud.  The fact that the knob doesn't turn in the same direction it used to for off is not really concerning to me.  One day, I will pull up YouTube again and figure it out!
• Thanking God and Thanking You!!!

Family Day

 

23 years ago, we became "Family."

Our "Family Day" Anniversary outing.

Twenty-three years ago this past Thursday, February 19, 2026, Peter and I marked the day the director of the Sanyu Babies Home asked this four-year-old if he wanted to go home with me.  He said yes.  We have traveled a rocky and rough road, yet we still remain family. We went to dinner and sat in the Gainesville Square on the Friday after to commemorate this event.  Although I continue to be concerned for Peter as he faces many challenges, I found joy in our time together.  Our relationship is good.  He expresses appreciation and lately has been asking me, "What do you think?" after he tells me things.  We often laugh, and being with him is good.  I am sure it helps a lot that we are not under the same roof.

Peter shows a mix of very logical thinking and grandiose thoughts.  He is doing a great job of managing his time, money, and medication.  I have seen him work through a potential job situation with a good approach.  He can look at himself and his situation with humor.  AND  he also perceives his abilities and people's view of him in a more elevated way than is probably true.  It is that which I think hinders his employment and keeps him from getting a job. It's hard for me not to worry that something will tip him into a crash of sorts.  He shows a commitment to seeing his counselor and psychiatrist, as well as taking his meds.  I pray he will continue to do so and that they will guide Peter in a good direction.

Peter had a three-day stint working as a roof inspector/ salesman.  He allowed me the opportunity to talk it through with him and later thanked me for pointing some stuff out.  (Jaw drop!!!)  The next day, he quit. I think Peter could have done it, as I have always said he would be good at sales. However, it was a straight commission job and required a financial investment in equipment that he really couldn't afford at this time. It was thirty-plus minutes away, and he made no income during the three days he was training. And I wasn't sure how great he would like it when the summer months came.  So, as he humorously said last night, "he is unemployed again." Please pray for a good employment fit for Peter.  Financially, he says he has another month before it's going to be a real problem.

We continue to work through Medicare and Medicaid for Peter. This week, new paperwork arrived that I need to decipher and figure out the next steps.

Thank you for caring about us and traveling with us on this journey.

With Thanksgiving

 Phillippians 4:6 - 7  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This verse recently popped up on my phone.  I realized how often I forget the with thanksgiving part when I am busy "worrying my prayers." So I decided to focus this Sunday's post on the "with thanksgiving" part.

Oh Lord, I thank you!

• For friends who generously and kindly celebrated my birthday.
• For nine months with a cat who found me and gave me great joy.
• For safety and provisions during two back-to-back "winter weather" events.
• For extra time with mom as we weathered the first winter event (ice) at her home.
• For Neil Diamond and the movie "Song Sung Blue" based on his music.  My brother loved Neil Diamond.  His music always makes me think of Larry.  After seeing the aforementioned movie, I have been playing a lot of Neil, thinking of Larry, and smiling.
• For another fun "winter weekend beach getaway" with Emily.  Last year, we weren't sure if we would make it to Charleston, SC, due to the snow.  This year, the question was whether we could get home from Jekyll Island, GA, because of the snow. Both years our motto was "we just go, and go until we can't." Both times we reached our destination.  St. Simons/ Jekyll Island provided some warm weather, good food, fun stuff (crafts, puzzles, games, shopping, Driftwood Beach, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, beach walks), and lots of laughter. I am grateful for my friend Emily and our winter trip.
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• For Joy and Kim, who took Peter to a dental appointment while I was away.  With his wreck a recent memory. Peter was hesitant to drive home from a neighboring town following dental work.  My two friends quickly volunteered to be his transportation.  This helped me rest easier while 6 hours away.
• For getting home from the beach trip before the water pipe under the porch bursts.  For my friend Robert, who came quickly with a tool and knowledge to help me get the water turned off at the street.  For a quick response from my landlord, Melanie. And for plumbers who arrived quickly on Monday to take care of it.
• For Amazon, which helps me take care of my mom's wants and needs so quickly and efficiently.
• For Shawn, who used his IT "wizardry" (from way across the country) to help me solve mom's computer crisis.
• For mom's heart doctor who is staying on top of mom's heart health and works to explain things clearly.
• For creative and supportive coworkers who make my job a fun place to be.

  

  My cohort and "twin" so people say. 

  
  

  

  Our Love and Friendship entryway display.

  
  
• For friends who are "family."
• For Peter's good spirits in the midst of the job search and dwindling financial resources.
• For Peter's potential commission sales job that has given him hope.
• For Chelsey, my trusted Insurance agent who is helping us navigate Medicaid and Medicare.
• For Peter, staying on his meds even though he claims he only needs it for insomnia. (Yes I have the fear he will decide something else will work and he will go off   the psychotic medication altogether.)
• For Superbowl Sunday - a reason to hang out with Peter
• Despite resistance to God, Peter keeps taking Mama Millie to church.
• For Google, Pinterest, and Youtube that makes me appear smarter than I am.
• For Hoopla and Pandora that provide free books and music to keep me going.
• For Stonewall Kitchen Fig and Ginger Jam, going on sale (BOGO at Publix) the day after I finished my last jar of it.
  
  
  
• For Songs like "Jesus Loves Me" and "Jesus Kind and Strong."
• ForGod's grace,
• For Psalm 139
• For God ( the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit) who are bigger than I can fathom and love me (and you) more than we can comprehend.
• For YOU who care, pray, and take time to read these ramblings.

Sunday update - Ice, Cats, Peter, oh my!

This has been a doozy of a week.  Currently, I am hunkered down at mom's condo, waiting out the ice storm.  I would say "storm" is an exaggeration.  There is ice on the roads, the potential of more coming down here in a bit, and it is really cold outside.  Although I don't think it is near what was anticipated, Many schools, including mine has been canceled for tomorrow due to road conditions. The big concern was loss of power.  I don't anticipate that happening now.  I came to moms less out of concern for either of us and more as an opportunity to spend time with her.  It is mid-afternoon, and we are still in our PJs with the big focus being on her latest puzzle. So far, Storm Fern has been more fun than hardship for us. That is a nice relief.

On Thursday, as I was loading my car to go to work, I heard my cat, Lou, "crying" over at the neighbors.  I figured something was wrong, or he would have been at my feet.  I found him unable to stand on his back legs. It appeared he had been run over by a car. So we went to the vet to have him diagnosed with a broken pelvic bone.  I was told he could easily recover with some confinement and TLC for the next 3-6 weeks.  He's a great cat, so I took him home with pain meds and plans to help him recover.  The long and the short of it is that there must have been internal damage, as he did not recover.  I found Lou dead in his crate Saturday morning. I am sad.  I did not choose Lou, but he chose me.  Lou's the best cat I have ever had. He was amusing, cuddly, and low-maintenance.  I will miss him.  And no, I am not in search of a replacement cat at this time.

On Thursday night, while consoling my injured kitty, I evidently hurt him moving him back into his crate.  He thus chomped down on my thumb. I had two punctures that were screaming at me come Friday morning.  So I visited Urgent Care and received antibiotics and a Tetanus shot. Later that evening, Peter called to say he had been in a wreck.  It was a fender bender, doing some damage to his left front lights, but no one was injured.  It was his fault, which he readily admitted to.  He can drive his car, which is good. Yet we know it will eventually mess with his already very high insurance rate. 

My concerns for Peter continue.  He has applied for 23 jobs on Indeed.  He failed the Walmart assessment test.  He said not having work is hard, it make sthe days long.  He does work out 5 days a week, which helps.  I continue to ask you to pray regarding a job, friends, a sound mind, and openness to God.

I will close with a little picture tribute to Lou the cat.  This past Monday, Peter came over to watch a football game.  Lou chose to sit with him.  Considering most cats don't like Peter, and I was also an option, this was considered quite monumental.  Including one of those pictures here.

 

I hope this finds you safe, warm, and with electricity.