cmfort food

I made macaroni and cheese for supper tonight.  Nothing fancy, I'm talking about Kraft's, following the package directions.  It tasted good and brought back some fun memories.  Macaroni and cheese was always one of my grandchildren's favorites and recently, when two of them were visiting (before we were isolated) I fixed mac and cheess for them and they still loved it.  When they were living with me, way back when one was in pre-school and one in first grade, they had a friend in the neighborhood who would come to play from time to time.  We didn't call it a play date, he just came to play.  I'm pretty sure his mom fed him a healthful, all natural diet so he had never tasted Kraft's macaroni and cheese until I fixed it for lunch one day when he was there.  It was love at first bite.  From then on, all he ever wanted when he came for lunch was mac and cheese. and lots of it.  I usually would mix up three boxes, of which he ate at least half.  I'm happy to report that he grew up to be a strapping big and very good football player.  I like to think I contributed a little.  

phone calls

My assignment today, if I chose to accept it (I had already said I would) was to call ten church members to see how they are getting along and if they need any help.  We have volunteers ready to pick up groceries, etc.  This is an outreach effort by our church to make sure no member is in trouble.  Interestingly, almost everyone was home when I called and had plenty of time to talk.  Most of the people I spoke with are in their 70s or older.  One of my favorite conversations was with a 94 year old lady who still lives alone.  Her daughter and son-in-law are making sure she has everything she needs.  She has learned to access the live steam Sunday services on her computer and sounded incredibly upbeat.  I want to be just like her when I grow up.
Another member I called is a single mom, trying to work from home and take care of four sons ages 3-18.  It was an interesting contrast.  She was glad I called and we talked for several minutes.  I think she needed adult conversation.  Afterwards I thought that if a person has to be 'home alone' it's much easier to be truly alone and retired.  Another silver lining I think.

I'm trying to be good

I'm trying to follow all the rules, at least as much as I can.  I stay in my apartment, when I do need to ride in the elevator I try to be sure I'm riding alone.  I'm washing my hands a lot.  But the one thing I'm having real problems with is the directive to not touch my face.  I don't understand why, the instant I'm reminded of this rule, my nose starts to itch, or my eyes or my chin.  The one time I had the best success at not touching my face was when I drove to the bank the other day.  I found that if I focused on keeping both hands on the wheel (always a good idea) I didn't have a hand left over to scratch my nose.  Of course we're not supposed to be out driving around so that's not really a very effective solution.  Ok now, be honest, how many times have you touched your face while reading this paragraph?  Is your nose itching right now?  Go ahead, scratch your nose.  I won't tell. 

party time

I went to a cocktail party this evening.  It was a bring your own drink party and was hosted by our pastor, by Zoom of course.  25 of us gathered on my computer screen (and everyone elses, I presume.)  I must say it was the most relaxed cocktail party I've ever been to.  No fancy clothes, no pinchy high heels, no make up, no fresh manicure, no worry about driving after dark or after drinking.  I simply brought my glass of wine to my desk, clicked the link on my laptop, and hey, presto I was at the party.  It was actually promoted as a "Sip and Share" party.  I'm not sure if Presbyterians do cocktail parties.  One participant had discovered how to put a false screen behind her and it looked like she was on the beach somewhere.  Nice! The rest of us just looked like we were sitting around in our living rooms.  Lots of good conversation, some laughs, and when the party was over I was magically back in my livingroom.  Really not too bad.  i could host a party like that and I wouldn't even need to clean.  Always a silver lining.

the great escape

I left my Fortress of Solitude this morning, rode down in the descent pod, avoiding all contact with other beings, hopped in my personal transport vehicle, charged up and out of the bat cave and I was on my way.  It was so exciting.  I was free, for the first time in 14 days, if only for an hour.  I really needed to do some banking and I was able to complete my transaction at the drive-through window.  While I was out and about, I managed to avoid close contact with anyone, so I don't think I really violated any social distancing rules.  In what may be an excess of caution, I spread out the cash I got at the bank and sprayed it thoroughly, both sides, with disinfectant spray.  So now, when I pop those $5 bills in Easter cards for my great nieces and nephews I won't worry about sending any virus their way.  I just need to remember not to lick the envelopes.  

such kindness

They say that adversity brings out the best in people and that certainly seems to be the case during this time of Coronavirus concerns.  Every day there are examples on the news of people doing really nice, helpful things for their neighbors or even for strangers.  But I must say I am most impressed and touched by the concern shown by the car dealers.  Three different national car brands have been running ads, all with deep, calm, sincere voice overs, expressing their willingness to help people who "need" to buy a new car.  They will go to great lengths to make sure you can buy a car; delayed first payments, easy credit, to-your-door delivery and so much more. They are such good guys.  Do I suspect an ulterior motive here, like say trying to sell a few cars???  No, they are just super nice guys, trying to be helpful in this stressful time.

The Great Outdoors1

I took a quick walk outside this afternoon.  I know, no big deal, right?  But I had come to the point where just standing on my balcony wasn't quite enough.  Mind you, standing on my balcony is an excellent way to practice 'social distancing' and deep breathing at the same time.  The nearest neighbor's balcony is at least 25 feet away with no ledge between the two.  But, back to my walk outside.  I was very careful, followed all the rules.  No more than two people in an elevator at a time, and nobody close by as I walked.  What I discovered, to my delight, was that, while I've been staying in, Mother Nature has been coming out.  Trees and bushes are budding, birds were twittering all around me, and, glory of glories, the sun was shining.  Wow, I might just have to go walking again tomorrow. If I'm not careful I might even develop a healthy habit.  Time will tell (and I seem to have plenty of that.)

more thoughts about pets

Wouldn't you think that the day after National Puppy Day might be National Kitten Day?  But no, today is only National Chocolate Covered Rasin Day.  Now I, personally, have nothing against rasins (chocolate covered or otherwise), but they are not as cute as kittens. I did play the part of a dancing rasin once but that's another story.  For the last several years of my pet owning life I had cats.  I had a large house with plenty of room for them to roam around and my cats were always clean and easy to take care of.  And, contrary to some peoples opinions, quite cuddly and affectionate.  I never had more than three at a time, and that only happened when my newly divorced daughter moved home with my two grandchildren and two grandcats.  Funny thing, when she remarried, she and the kids moved into a house with her new (wonderful) husband but the cats got left behind.  Ah well.  They didn't seem to mind at all.
Today it occured to me, in a moment of weakness, that this would be a good time to have a cat, since I'm spending a lot of time at home.  A cat would be good company.  Lucky for me, before I got too carried away with this daydream, all the very good reasons why I don't need a cat in my life at this time came rushing back into my brain.  1. I like to travel and would need to arrange for cat care. 2. There is no good place in my apartment for a litter box.  3. If my cat got on my 10th floor balcony and decided to try to walk on the railing the results could be disasterous.
I even thought I would watch the available rescued pets segment on the Tuesday noon news and see if they featured a cat this week.  But the show was prempted by a press conference.  Saved by Coronavirus restrictions.  I could get a bird or a fish... but no, I think I will remain happily pet free.

No pets, please.

Today is National Puppy Day.  How sweet is that?  I've been amused by posts I've seen on Facebook and TV about how much dogs are enjoying having their families at home with them all day, every day.  I'm sure my granddogs - Stella, Wallace and Perry, are loving being out of their kennels all day. Sleeping on the couch all day is so much different from sleeping on their beds.  Speaking of beds, the dogs have another great bed of their own these days.  It has been their habit to sleep with my daughter and son-in-law which makes for a very crowded bed.  These puppies weigh an average of 80 pounds each.  
Recently, my grandson moved into an apartment with some friends.  His parents, in the grand tradition of empty (or almost empty) nesters everywhere, wasted no time in converting his bedroom into an office.  In the process they donated a bed frame and box springs.  The mattress they moved into their bedroom, and ever since, the three dogs have been content to sleep on that mattress.  Maybe it still smells like boy.  They had dog beds but those were never seen as a place to sleep by the dogs. 
So, pets and people together.  Another silver lining.  Except for cats.  Cats treasure alone time. 

Laughing is good.

This morning I attended Sunday school via Zoom and watched the live stream of our church service.  The live streaming went well; I've 'attended church' that way before.  The Zoom class (our first attempt) was a comedy of errors. Beginning at 9:30 we all started signing in as we were able.  The first hour was a confusion of questions and instructions.  "Can you hear me?" "Tip your screen back, We can only see the top of your head."  "Whose voice is that?" "What's your cat's name?" "Why is your dog barking?"  Why are we getting terrible echoes?"  The friend who was leading the dscussion lost her visual for the last half of the session and we had to keep assuring that we could still hear her. The result was lots of laughter, some good discussion in the last fifteen minutes, and a very good feeling of being the group, even at a distance.  Next week is my turn to lead the discussion.  We'll see how that goes.

Enjoying the moment.

I'm all for social distancing.  I'm happy to spend my days (for a while anyway) alone in my apartment with an occasional stroll out on my balcony to breathe fresh air.  Inside my apartment building it's a little bit like a ghost town.  I went to the laundry room and had all 10 washers and dryers to myself.  Happily I didn't have that much laundry.  Most days I go down to the lobby to get my mail about 5:00pm when lots of people are getting home from work.  Yesterday and today I didn't see a soul.  The mail was there so obviously life is going on. There are signs in the elevators asking residents to try to limit ourselves to no more than two people on the elevator at a time.  So far that hasn't been a problem.  I know there are people out there, I  hear voices and footsteps from time to time but I'm really glad I have technology to help me feel like I'm in touch with the outside world.  Today, I actually had a real live telephone call from an out-of-town friend and relaxed and took time for a nice long conversation.  This whole situation remnds me of a conversation I had with my daughter when she was a young teen and I was transitioning from one job to another. I said to her that now my schedule had changed and I would be home when she got home from school.  Her too honest response was "That'll be nice........for a while."  

Reading a series

Due to circumstances beyone my control, I find myself with more time to read than usual.  I have loved to read any book I could get my hands on  since I was a child. I remember my mother saying to me when I was a young teen "You can't read your life away."  Maybe not but I think I've come close.  I especially enjoy reading series of books about the same characters.  My first introduction to this possibility was when I finished reading "Little House in the Big Woods" and discovered that there was a second book "Little House on the Prairie" and, oh joy of joys, several more in the series.  On one of our family trips west, I dragged my family to visit the sites of some of those books and even the cemetery where several of the family were buried.  I felt like I was visiting members of my own family.  On my trip to the library last week (before it was closed) I was attracted to a book by the picture of a dachshund on the cover.  I soon discovered that this was one of a series and checked out three of them.  If you enjoy books about dogs, mysteries, courtroom drama and a touch of humor I highly recommend this series.  The author is David Rosenfelt and the books are the 'Andy Carpenter' series with titles like "Hounded" and "One Dog Night."  The library is closed now but, thanks to the miracles of technology you can probably download the whole series.   Happy reading!

Silver linings

It's a sad comment about our current situation that the high point of my week so far was my appointment to have my taxes done this morning. I was out of my apartment for a while and interacting (at a distance) with real, live people.  I actually also slipped into the grocery store for a few items on my way home and saw lots of empty shelves for the first time.  I also saw workers cleaning shelves so that was good. In the bad news - good news catagory I learned that I owe more in taxes than I expected, but, when I checked my voice mail, also learned that the trip I was planning to go on this summer has been cancelled and I will be getting my payment refunded.  So I won't get to visit France and Switzerland in June, but I will be able to pay my taxes.  I guess that's a silver lining????

It's not hard.

Well, I did my civic duty today and filled out my 2020 census information on line.  It really wasn't a hard test.  I knew all the answers.  When I filled im my birth date it automatically told me how old I am.  I could have done without that reminder.  A word of caution though.  I've seen the ads on TV saying how super easy the form is to fill out but, when I first logged on, I was hit with a bunch of instructions to link here and there and some questionable questions.  I backed out of that mess and carefully re-entered the census site info.  This time it really was a quick direct log on and just as easy as they promised.  I actually finished in seven minutes.  I always was an over achiever.  I think what happened the first time I tried to log in was I started to fill in the information and the complete address popped up and I just clicked on it.  I ended up at my2020census.org which is a scam site.  The correct address is my202census.gov.  Be careful.  It's not just weird viruses that are out to get you.

Zooming along

Well, I did it.  I participated in my first ever Zoom meeting this evening.  My son did a great job, earlier in the day, of teaching me everything I needed to know to be able to be involved in the meeting and take minutes.  Well, actually, I alrady knew how to take minutes. Every member checked in, some by phone, some by computer, one from Florida.  It was a little strange to be sitting at my kitchen table (the best place to spread out all my notes) and hear all those familiar voices expressing their opinions.  Some of those involved were showing up on my computer screen, some were only names.  Those (including me of course) whose images were on the screen didn't realize that sometimes all we saw was an ear or forehead.  I am proud to say that my old laptop performed like a champ, picking up everyone's voices and more.  Dogs barked, papers rustled, people sneezed, a clock chimed, doors slammed.  It was almost like they were right there in the room with me.  At the end of the meeting one of the younger members (late 30s?) congratulated all of us seniors (the majority of the committee members are over 60) on managing to learn this new technology, saying that her mom would never be able to do it.  I'm not sure if I should feel complimented or offended.  I'm not that old! Well, I am, but I can still learn new tricks.  Woof!

It's all right.

Today is "Anything you do is right day."  I find this very reassuring, since I did not spend this unexpectedly free day deep cleaning my apartment or cleaning out my dresser drawers.  Nor did I, as some people I know, begin a new craft project or clean out all my dresser drawers. Not me.  When someone tells me to stay at home, relax and take it easy I lean back in my recliner and read a good book (not a great, classic book, just a really fun mystery / legal drama).  Tomorrow will be less relaxing.  I must attend a meeting and take minutes on that meeting using Zoom, which, as I understan it, is a great way to get a group together without actually being together.  Happily, my son and technical guru is very familiar with this process and will give me a tutorial tomorrow morning.  If this goes well, another group wants to use the same process on Wednesday morning and again on Wednesday afternoon.   This should work, I guess.  Stay tuned.  

a silver lining

Almost all of my regular weekly activities have been cancelled or postponed and I understand the reasoning.  I didn't mind sitting in my recliner and sipping tea while I attended church on line this morning.  On the good side I've already had time to finish up a lot of paperwork for church committees and I'm almost ready for my tax appointment on Thursday.  I think I will have plenty to occupy myself, at least for a while.  I've seen some suggestions on line like cleaning out dresser drawers and closets and baking lots of goodies.  I'll have to think about those things if I really get desparate but I always go for reading a good book first.  By the way, it seems to me that with all these cancellations and postponements, it would be a good idea to delay the tax deadline.  After all we could end up in long lines at tbe postoffice to mail our returns.  Don't even tell me you file on line, that defeats my argument.  It seems to me that August 15 sound like a good day for the tax deadline this year.  Or maybe we should just skip taxes this year????

Please pass the pie.

Sorry about the typos in yesterday's memoir blog.  It was the first draft.  But enough about yesterday.  Today is Pi Day.  I also just learned that it's National Potato Chip Day.  Something to munch on while you're thinking about Pi.  But back to Pi Day.  This is not the apple, blueberry or cherry varieties, but instead the mathematical 
type. Pi is 3.1415926...and on and on and on; the circumference of a circle divided by its diameter.  But I know you remember that from high school math.  Google (that font of infinite information) has a long list of ways Pi is used in everyday life.  I leave that to you to look up on your own.  I know you have time with so many things being cancelled or closed.  Just today my church was cancelled for tomorrow (I can live stream the sermon in my pajamas) and the play I've been rehearsing for, which was scheduled to open in mid-April, has been rescheduled to run in September.  The positive there is that I have more time to memorize my lines; some long speeches because Shakespeare never used two words where 25 would do. I checked out six books from the library before it closed this week, and bought groceries - including toilet paper - so I can easily survive semi-isolation / inactivity for a week or so.  My big project right now is organizing my paperwork to have my taxes done later this week,  I keep waiting but I haven't heard that the due date for taxes has been postponed. Seems to me someone should care about the health and welfare of those IRS employees.  

homework

I have started taking a memoirs writing class, every Monday morning for six weeks, assuming the classes don't get cancelled. The first suggested topic was a storm so I decided to share with my blog readers.

Memoirs class 1.
The Twister - a storm story
Chickens are cute for one day.  When we first moved out to the little farm near Woodburn, where I grew up from third grade through high school, my mom and dad decided, since there were two chicken coops on the property, to go into the chicken raising business.  Thry both had other jobs but were inspired by a popular book of the Fifties called "Five Acres and Independence." 
Every twelve weeks, 1500 baby chicks were delivered to our freshly cleaned and sanitized coops.  Did you know that baby chicks come in boxes?  100 t0 a box. They were so cute, soft and fluffly and yellow. Within the week they were starting to feather, peck each other and generally develop nasty personalities.  Eleven weeks later they were big and plump, and sold for "fancy flock frier" prices. 
One hot July night when the current flock was about six weeks old, a thunderstorm blew up.  Lots of whistling wind, thunder, lightening, and scared chickens.  Chickens, when they are scared run to a corner of the coop and hide their heads.  Unfortunately, all the other chickens seem to think this is a great idea and  follow the leader.  Like lemmings with feathers.  Sadly, if you can't swiftly unstack the chickens, the ones on the bottom suffocate.  So my father spent several hours that evening unstacking chickens, then we all went to bed.
It was later that same night that the twister came through.  For some reason the chickens weren't upset by a small tornado zipping through the barnyard.  While we were sleeping the twister uprooted a large,old maple tree and blew an old, unused brooder house into the road.  The grey metal, clyindrical structure lay gently rolling back and forth in the road until a late night driver, who  had stayed too long at the local bar, swerved to miss the brooder house and landed in the ditch.  He woke the family by banging on the door to tell us that there was an elephant in the road.  My brother and I thought that this was all quite hilarious.  A tow truck was called and the police. They were not amused. 

tomorrow's special day

Tomorrow, March 13 (which is also a Friday the 13th) is "Blame Someone Else Day."  I figured this was one you needed a heads up on. Be prepared.  If anything goes wrong in your world tomorrow be prepared to blame someone else.  You know how it works.  When you were a child you probably, like me, found it easy to blame someone else.  I had two younger brothers so for me it was obvious.  Two instant targets.  They, however, had to be more creative.  My youngest brother had an imaginary friend for a while.  The friend's name was Rimrock and he got my brother into all kinds of trouble.  Other handy blaimees were the cat, the dog, the other brother or a cousin, if one happened to be handy.  We had 12 cousins so one was frequently available.  Now we are adults and we need to be a little more creative in our excuses. Instead of blaming someone else it often works better to blame something else. My computer crashed.  My car wouldn't start. I lost my phone.  My alarm didn't go off.  So many excellent excuses.  And now, of course, if we don't want to go somewhere we can just say we need to avoid the Coronavirus.  Actually that's a pretty good reason these days.  Stay well.

Legos anyone?

I've become a little bit hooked on the LEGO Masters show on Wednesday evenings on Fox.  Over the last few weeks the master builders have built some amazing large constructions - city scapes, movie sets, theme parks and more.  Lego creations have been blown up, knocked down, dropped from a height and just admired for their amazingness.  Tonight the challenge was to build a bridge with at least a four-foot span and have it judged for looks and strength.  The wimpiest bridge only held 25 pounds before it collapsed. I was impressed when the first one tested held 450 pounds.  The two best each held 1,000 (one thoousand) pounds.  They weren't allowed to add more weight that that for safety sake.  I think they didn't want little legos shooting around like bullets when they snapped under pressure.  Of the two best bridges, one was built with Lego technic pieces that link together more firmly but the other one was just built with the old familiar snap together pieces.  All very interesting.  I recommend this show, unless, of course, you prefer a show with actors and a plot.  Oh well, to each his or her own.

how appropriate

Today, March 10 was my mother's birthday.  She was born in 1910, lived through two world wars, taught first in a one-room school house, took flying lessons, was a buyer for a major department store, started nurses' training at Johns Hopkins University Hospital, married a handsome soldier during WWII, was a wonderful mom to three children, and so much more.  I still have friends who tell me she was their favorite teacher, ever.  So it was no surprise to me when I read on one of my favorite lists that today is International Day of Awesomeness.  My mother was awesome.  Interestingly, today is also Middle Name Pride Day.  My mother and I share the same middle name and I'm proud of that.  Not proud enough to tell you what it is, but still proud.  

trying something new

I met some high school friends for lunch today.  I mean friends I went to high school with a few? years ago not friends who are in high school now.  It was an interesting lunch. Of the five of us sitting around the table, two had had joint replacements, one was being treated for cancer, one had suffered the recent loss of a loved one and one was legally blind.  Yet, with a few brief references to the physical or emotional situations, most of the conversation revolved around travel, places we have enjoyed living, fun recent experiences and lots of wise cracks.  One thing that gave the three women a boost was a comment from our legally blind friend that he couldn't see if we had wrinkles or not.  Always a siver lining!  Also. to add to the positive experience, the food was very good.  We ate at a little restaurant called Ziffles where I had never eaten before.  They specialized in ribs and other things BBQ'd and it was all delicious.  I have friends and family who live very near this restaurant and have never suggested it to me.  Maybe they are trying to keep this deliciousness all to themselves, or maybe, as I seriously suspect, they know what a mess I make of myself while eating ribs. They would probably be embarrassed to be seen with me.  One of the men there today commented that he once had a rib slip out of his fingers and slide all the way down the front of his shirt.  I failed to see what he thought was unusual about that.

Forward March

I love March.  I don't mind the wind, the chill or the rain and a rare day like today is a real blessing,  March is a hopeful month.  Spring will be here soon.  According to one of my favorite Google lists, March is Women's History Month and also National Umbrella Month.  This brings to mind a bit of my history. When I was about seven years old (did I mention this is ancient history?) my mother bought an umbrella for me from a peddlar who came to our door selling umbrellas and other goodies.  At that time I walked to school so an umbrella was a good idea.  This was a beautiful child-size green plaid umbrella with a carved squirrel for the handle. It was a beautiful umbrella and I loved it, especially that cute carved handle.  No idea whatever happened to that umbrella but I enjoyed it in the moment.  So there you are, a happy March memory,  

one more concern

Still pondering the problems being raised by this Coronavirus issue.  Besides the obvious - it will make you sick, and we all need to wash our hands - it's suggested that we stop shaking hands and do elbow bumps, and stand back and wave.  Believe me this is going to make the Sunday morning 'passing of the peace' at my church look really different.  But my concern is more personal.  Grace is not my middle name.  Friends who know me well, and most casual aquaintances, know that I am not very coordinated. There's a reason that archery was my best sport in college.  You don't need to move your hands and feet at the same time.  So now I'm being told that I need to bump elbows.  I'm going to be so embarrassed when I aim my elbow toward someone elses and miss completely or worse, poke someone in the eye.  Perhaps waving from a distance is my best option.  Tomorrow is Sunday.  We shall see.  

part two

I just read a comment someone posted in response to yesterday's blog.  The author made the very good point that, on one (very thoroughly washed) hand, we are being told to cough and sneeze into our elbow and then told to bump elbows as a form of greeting. My first thought when I read this was yes, but there are clothes covering peoples elbows.  However, sooner or later you will take your clothes off and touch those germ infested elbow covers as you do so.  So there's something to think about as you're getting ready for bed tonight.

just one more

Here's today's candy wrapper wisdom - "Life happens between an inhale and an exhale."  I hope this isn't some kind of prophecy about the Coronalvirus.  In case you think I'm really hung up about this virus, it's just that I have this stupid head cold that seems to be hanging on longer thna necessary.  I went to a play this evening, thinking I was feeling better, and had to leave because I started coughing and didn't want to disturb the rest of the audience.  I also didn;t want them to turn on me, suspecting I might have the Coronavirus and put me in quarantine somewhere. Although two weeks of R&R might not be all bad.  

Don't believe everything you read.

I will admit I have a fondness for chocolate, especially dark chocolate.  Among the things left behind when my weekend company left were some bite size Dove candies.;  I limit myself to two an evening but they are yummy.  They also have a message printed inside their colorful foil wrappers.  It's usually a kind  message, sometimes with a moral, like "Be the sculptor of your dreams."  Very nice, but the one I read this evening said "Hands are meant to be held."  What?  How old are these candies, or the wrappers?  Obviously they were produced and packaged before the Coronavirus became such a daily discussion item.  I would like to suggest some new, more appropriate messages.  How about "Face masks are scary but they show you care."  or "Show your love, bump elbows."  Maybe "Hands are made for waving from across the room."  You get the idea.  I welcome your suggestions.

Coincidence?

This past weekend my brother and sister-in-law visited from Washington state, where there have been some deaths from the Corona virus. All in the Seattle area while they live much farther east in Spokane.  Since they left I have developed a bad cold and sore throat.  Coincidence????  I certainly hope so.  

I,m back.

I have just finished up a rather intense, long weekend with lots of company.  The major purpose of the weekend was the interment service for my brother John's ashes.  That was on Sunday after church and only for immediate family.  John was quite adamant that he didn't want any kind of memorial service but we had this small service anyway and it was really quite comforting.  The pastor read two scripture readings, the appropriate prayers and a short paper that I wrote about my brother.  Our other brother spoke briefly and movingly and John's urn was placed in its niche (quite close to my husband's urn and where mine will be, which is very nice).  Afterwards we gathered back at my place for lunch and an exchange of memories - many quite funny.  My younger brother and his wife had flown in from Spokane on Thursday night and their son and his four-year=old son drove over from Maryland on Friday.  My apartment was happily crowded and felt very busy.  A lot of that was due to my great nephew (the above mentioned 4 year old) who is a perpetual motion machine.  He's a very nice child, just always moving.  We played games (I lost spectacularly at Mexican Train), took a walk in the park, did a little shopping, had dinner with some cousins from Woodburn, and generally kept busy.  All very nice but when my brother and sister-in-law flew out this morning I went back to bed and almost slept the day away.  Not depression, you understand, just exhaustion.