Tag Archives: Wednesday Hodgepodge

Got Skills?

Our grandson turned 5 this week and his new bike is already getting a workout. Riding a bicycle is a good skill to have! JJ at 5 already has many good life skills! We enjoyed a fun bowling party to celebrate JJ this past Saturday.

Thank you to Joyce From This Side of the Pond for skillfully posting questions each week for Wednesday Hodgepodge! 

1. What’s a skill you think everyone should have? 

Tying your shoes. Personal Hygiene. Use of basic tools. Cooking skills enough to be able to feed yourself. Basic Math. Reading. Writing. Following a Map. Driving. Putting gas in a vehicle. Earning money. Making a bed. Cleaning a toilet. Running a washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher. How to use a computer.

I could not stop at just one.

2. Do you have a special place or organizational system for gift wrapping?

I have a general bin with gift bags, wrapping paper and tissue and a separate Christmas bin with the same items. I also have a basic ribbon bin and a Christmas ribbon bin.

Do you still buy ‘real’ cards to send for birthdays, anniversaries, get-well, etc? 

I do still have real cards that I send for these events. TIP: Buy your cards at the Dollar stores where many cards are 2 for a dollar or a dollar each!

3. It’s National Banana Day…are you a fan? What’s your favorite thing to make with bananas or, if you’re not a cook, your favorite thing to eat that contains banana? 

We don’t keep bananas around here typically but when we do have bananas that have fully ripened we enjoy our favorite, Banana Bread.

4. Do you believe in second chances? Elaborate. 

Where would any of us be without second chances? We all fall, fail, make mistakes. We need to be forgiven and we need to forgive. We need reconciliation in this world.

Matthew 18:21-22  Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

5. What is your idea of fun? 

Fun for me is any event that makes me smile at the end of the day. The feeling of satisfaction that comes from time together, good conversations, worthwhile projects completed. Good things and good interactions that satisfy and improve your heart and mind. Time well spent.

Something specific that I enjoy is planning a trip. I like to research areas and consider all the choices of things to see and do. This is a fun exercise for me.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Besides all the birthday fun for JJ, Addy had her first Irish Dance Recital with the Haran Dancers.

Full post coming soon.

Have Patience Hodgepodge

On Tuesday we took our first walk of the year on the Rotary Trail here in Colville. What a beautiful day!

Thank you to Joyce From This Side of the Pond for Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. Do you complete your own tax returns or hire out? Something you’ve found taxing lately? 

When we have to complete tax returns, we’ve always hired out.

I am finding weeding and other planter upkeep more and more taxing on my body the older I get. Just getting down and up again can be a challenge. Using the weed wacker and the hedge trimmer is harder and harder.

2. It’s spring (in the northern hemisphere anyway)…would you rather spend the day hiking in the great outdoors or planting a garden? Do you/will you have a garden this year? Flowers, vegetables, or a bit of both?

I’m not a hiker or a gardener. I will walk on relatively flat areas with gentle slopes in the great outdoors and I will weed the planters and mow in the grassy areas. We have a wonderful array of perennials that pop up every year without any help from me. I owe those lovely spots of color to previous owners of our country bungalow. Besides peonies, columbines, lavender, day lilies, lily of the valley, we have a relentless rhubarb plant and some garlic that emerges without help from us.

3. Do you consider yourself a patient person?

On the outside I can be very patient. I’m a Born Again follower of Jesus and because of that I am in a lifelong Sanctification process where the Holy Spirit is working on my inside changing my mind about a lot of things through what I read in God’s Word, The Bible. Part of that process is in making me more patient on the inside.

In what sort of situation is patience not desirable?

When your house is on fire or when a life is at risk it is time to abandon patience!

Are you happy with the degree of patience you have in your daily life? If not, what can you do to cultivate more of this quality in your life? 

In many situations I pray that God would give me a ‘Mary’ attitude instead of a ‘Martha’ attitude.

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42

The good portion is Jesus, believing on Him, sitting at His feet, following Him and learning more about Him and loving Him more and more which develops into a solid trust.

Some practical steps I’ve practiced lately…

Let someone go ahead of me in line. Plan ahead and give myself all the time necessary to accomplish tasks or get to an appointment on time. Think about the other person in a situation and consider what they might be going through. Don’t think too highly of myself and my importance. Consider the other person as important. Tell myself, I’m not in charge of the World, God is.

4. Do you like the flavor cinnamon? If so what’s your favorite something made with cinnamon? 

I do enjoy cinnamon. I don’t have them often but I won’t turn down a fresh out of the oven cinnamon roll!

5. Learn by watching or learn by doing? Elaborate. 

I need both the watching and the doing. After watching I can dive in and do and then I am more confident and better equipped to do.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Do any of you remember the Kids Psalty song ‘Have Patience’ from the 80’s?

Have patience, have patience, don’t be in such a hurry. When you get impatient you only start to worry. Remember, remember, that God is patient, too. And think of all the times that others had to wait for you. 

An Old Mind Hodgepodge

Our daffodils have finally pushed out some blooms! I love it when this happens.

It’s that time again…Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you to Joyce From This Side of the Pond!

1. What’s a talent you wish you had? 

Retention! I wish my brain retained things I read and hear more easily. Is that a talent?

2. In one word, what’s your state of mind right now? 
Recuperation.

3. What’s the next major purchase you need to make? Will it happen this month? This year?

Getting our septic system pumped. It will happen this year.

4. Tuesday (April 2nd) was National PB and J Day…did you celebrate? Is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich something you eat weekly or more? What’s your favorite kind of jelly? 

No PBJ celebrations here. I do not eat it weekly. I eat it when I crave it. Lately I like PB on a toasted muffin with honey. Raspberry jam and strawberry jam are my favorites.

5. Are you easily intimidated? Who or what intimidates you? 

Generally no, I’m not easily intimidated. The thing that does intimidate me is having to speak in front of a crowd larger than 10 people.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We had to leave early on Monday of this week for a follow-up appointment for Greg in Spokane. It was a beautiful day. After the appointment we parked close to this amazing building thinking about having lunch at a nearby restaurant. We were frustrated since all the parking meters now want you to scan something to pay using your phone/app. Oye…I’m old. We just decided to drive away and go somewhere with a parking lot.

Here’s a little info on Spokane’s Castle Courthouse.

“You might not expect to come upon a castle while visiting Spokane, but that is exactly what you will do if you visit the Spokane County courthouse. Most of us associate such architecture with romantic old castles in Europe, or perhaps something out of the world of Walt Disney or fairy tales. To find such a building in the center of a modern, growing regional hub city such as Spokane is a bit startling. How did this come about? You’d expect such a building must have a colorful past, and our courthouse does not disappoint!”

Next time we are close to this building I want to walk around it and also go inside of it.

More info about this Spokane County courthouse Castle can be found here.

Happy April everyone!

Easter Week Hodgepodge

Wednesday Hodgepodge is ready to go with a new set of question from Joyce. Thank you, Jo!

1.What do you love about your life right now? 

There is so much to love. God loves me. Jesus died on the cross and was raised to life to save me from my sins because He loves me. The Holy Spirit guides me. Greg and I are coming up on our 50th wedding anniversary at the end of this year. Our three kids and their spouses honor us. Our two grandchildren are a gift to us and we get to love them. We love our church where the Word of God is preached and honored. We love our little country town and our country bungalow. We love the Godly heritage we were privileged to grow up with. We do not take any of this for granted.

‘O how I love Jesus, because He first loved me’

2. March 26th is National Spinach Day…are you a fan? If so, how do you like yours prepared/served? 
We enjoy a traditional soup that we call ‘Green Borsch’ that is a spinach soup we serve with hard boiled eggs chopped up in it. Greg has ordered spinach enchiladas on occasion. Spinach salad is good, too.

3. In this current season would you say you need to spend more time looking inward or that you need to get out of your head? Tell us why. 

The inward needs a good evaluation with help from God to get on the right track and continue on the right track. What is on the inside can’t help but come out through our mouth and actions. We are a selfish people who need help to get out of our own heads. 🙂

4. Are you following the ‘March Madness’ madness? (That’s US college basketball in case you’re out of the loop).

We do have a team from our state and our closest large city in the tournament. Gonzaga is a private college in Spokane, and they are in the Sweet 16. Gonzaga has made it to the Sweet 16 for the ninth consecutive year. Spokane is also hosting the final game of the tournament so the police are gearing up for all that excitement.

Fun fact about Gonzaga is that Bing Crosby is an alumnus. Spike the Bulldog is their mascot. We have lots of ‘Zags’ fans in our little city of Colville and in the state of Washington.

What’s something that feels like actual madness to you right now? 

So much feels like madness. The Southern Border for one. The hate that fuels so much of politics and the lies that deceive. Pronoun craziness. OYE! It is our natural bent to want to be God but we are not God and we are not ultimately in control.

5. How will you celebrate the Easter/Passover holiday this year? 

We will attend a solemn Good Friday Service on Friday evening that will include Communion. On Easter we will attend our Easter Celebration which includes an Easter Coffee Fellowship before our service (that I’m in charge of) and then our glorious celebration of our Risen LORD! After church we will enjoy a gathering for a meal and Easter Egg hunt at our Colville Kids’ home.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

EASTER Is Coming! It is always so good to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Our LORD! We actually celebrate that all year long.

Christ Is Risen!

Truly He is Risen!

Khristos voskrese!    Voistinu voskrese!

Христос воскрес!
воистину воскрес!

Hello Spring Hodgepodge

We are doing the happy dance because it is officially Spring!

Our local ‘kids’ treated me to a birthday meal on their mountain last Friday. It was fun to be together and enjoy some vitamin D outside watching the Grands on their bikes! We’ve been enjoying the glorious sunshine and temps above 60 the last several days.

Time for Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you, Joyce for hosting!

1. Spring is officially upon us, no matter what the weather may be in your neck of the woods. Is there any ‘spring cleaning’ on your to-do list? What’s your most dreaded task? 

I would say washing windows inside and out. But…I don’t have to dread it because the window washer is only a phone call away and he’s efficient and inexpensive.

2. What’s something many people seem to love, but to you feels like ‘watching the grass grow’? 

Nine innings of major league baseball.

3. Mint grows in abundance during the spring season. Are you a fan? What’s your favorite food with a ‘minty’ flavor? 
I am a fan of mint.
Ina Garten’s recipe for Tabbouleh is a favorite food that uses fresh mint. Here’s a link to the recipe.

4. It’s been said, ‘Absence makes the heart grow fonder.’ Agree or disagree? Explain. 

I suppose I agree. When something you enjoy isn’t available anymore you miss it and add an extra layer of fond memories to it that can make it seem even more important in your mind.

5. Are there any festive spring events in your city or town? If so, will you take advantage of them? 

Our best Spring events are celebrating Easter and the birthdays of our Grands. Today is Addy’s birthday and we’ll all be together to celebrate her birthday this weekend. JJ’s birthday is in the April, so we’ll gather again to celebrate him. I’ll say a lot about Easter next week.

Happy Birthday, Addy! Baba and Gramps can’t wait to celebrate you!!

The one in town event that starts back up in the Spring is our Farmer’s Market and I do take advantage of that.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Greg and I are having a little escape in Idaho doing many things that I’m fond like good restaurants and a large variety of shopping. The photo below is from a High Tea that I was able to enjoy in Idaho.

We are traveling home today so I will be late in coming around to see how you feel about mint.

Doing the Math Hodgepodge

It’s time for Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you, Jo, for the questions!

1. Thursday is National Pi Day…are you good at math? What was the last thing you had to calculate? Did you use your head or technology? Last slice of pie you ate? 

I am good at basic math but not in the advanced stuff like algebra, trigonometry, calculus and such. My brain remembers numbers for some reason. I can still remember birthdays of some of my classmates in high school. On Monday I had to make a simple calculation of how long I’ve been blogging so I took 2024, minus 2007 to come up with 17. I used my desk calculator to come up with that. That comes out to Seventeen years of blogging. The last slice of pie was at Thanksgiving.

2. What makes a house a home? 

The easy answer is love. For me, a home is a comfortable peaceful place where I can be real and enjoy loving others and being loved. Cozy furniture helps. Too much formality in decor makes me stiff unless you throw in an overstuffed chair with an ottoman.

3. Your current favorite green thing? 

We bought some new wall art with blue flowers and mossy green leaves for our Master Bedroom and added some mossy green to the bed with pillows. It was nice to freshen up the Master Bedroom. Did you know that it’s not kosher to call a Master Bedroom a Master Bedroom anymore? Oye Vey! It is still the Master Bedroom at our house.

4. How do you define achievement? How does your personal definition look similar to, or different than, society’s definition? What’s something you think is worth achieving in life? 

Achievement is being able to accept who you are and what your talents are and using those talents everyday in big and small ways. Achievement can happen everyday without applause from the world. Society would add fame and money as the benchmark to achievement. If your talents and hard work reap a monetary gain, that is a bonus. As a mom, raising children is a worthwhile achievement.  Contentment is worth achieving in life.

5. What song is a good soundtrack for your life right now? 

This is hubby and my song for last year and pretty much always. I’ll share a stanza and the refrain…

My Worth is not in What I Own…

My worth is not in what I ownNot in the strength of flesh and boneBut in the costly wounds of loveAt the cross

And I rejoice in my RedeemerGreatest Treasure,Wellspring of my soulAnd I will trust in Him, no other.My soul is satisfied in Him alone.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Not only is tomorrow Pi day but it is my birthday. If I take the current year and subtract my birth year from it, I calculate that I will be 73 on Pi day! A blast from my past for your enjoyment. Sheriff John was a favorite!

Sharing the Light Hodgepodge

Collections from the past…

fairtier2

Some of my pewter collection with some silver napkin rings thrown in.

fairtier

Time for the first Wednesday Hodgepodge in March this year. Thank you, Joyce, for the questions.

1. Has March come in like a lion where you live? If not a lion then what animal would you use to describe the weather in your area this first week of March?

My post on Monday called it a Cat but that was a hasty evaluation. March came in like a schizophrenic feline. Sunday night the roads were treacherous with low visibility because of the snow storm that blew in, lionish. We were tucked nicely in our bed so we did not know about those conditions. We woke up to a nice white landscape, lamblike. That all melted and then on Tuesday morning we were surprised with 5 inches of new snow. By now that new snow has mostly melted away, too.

Does the weather affect your emotions? When did you last feel ‘under the weather’? 

Sunshine and blue skies definitely cheer me up and make me smile. I have been above the weather these days and not under it. If the electricity stays on and we can still drive into town the weather does not affect me emotionally. I could get cabin fever if things are so bad that I’m stuck at home for more than a couple of days.

2. Do you know what your name means? Does the meaning of your name fit with your personality? Do you like your name?

Ellen: Bright Shining Light. I hope I live up to my name. I can be outspoken and shine a light in dark places to expose how wrong they are only because I have the ‘Light of the World’ inside me.

My mother chose my name, which no other Russian immigrant relative named their child, because she was tired of everyone choosing the same names for their children. Examples of overused names; Vera, Kathy, Manya, Luba, Tanya and others. I didn’t come across another Ellen until high school. I didn’t appreciated being called, Ellen Watermelon or Helen. I’m Ellen with an E.

Gregory (my husband) means watchful, alert, watchman, vigilant.

We make a good team. 🙂

If you have children did you consider the meaning of their names before choosing them? 

We chose strong Biblical names for our sons and a historically strong name for our daughter. We did think about the meaning of their names.

3. It’s National Sauce Month…what’s your favorite sauce? Last thing you ate that used a sauce? 

We did have some good spaghetti sauce, tomato and basil, on Monday. My favorite sauce would be one with a little kick and some good layers of flavor, like in a great steak pie. 🙂

4. Something you’ve seen, tasted, done lately that you’d describe as ‘awesome sauce’? 

Despite the snow we have been seeing some signs of Spring. We saw our first Robin of the season on Monday which is always ‘awesome sauce’.

5. What kinds of things do you love to collect? 

Because of my age and space limitations, I have stopped collecting most things. I’d rather collect experiences.

In the past I’ve enjoyed collecting; Beatrix Potter Figurines, Napkin Rings, Tablecloths, Cloth Napkins, China, Dishes, Tea Cups, Pewter, Russian lacquer boxes, cake plates, chargers, goblets, creamers, anything blue and white in the dish world. OYE! Stop the madness!!

We also collect good books. We still look for our favorite authors on trips and in used bookstores, thrift stores. In England we look for books by Elizabeth Goudge, Dorothy Sayers, Spurgeon, Bunyun, Beatrix Potter and others.

We bought this book by Goudge in Chipping Campden in September of 2013. Goudge’s father was a reverend who taught at Cathedral schools. She lived in the shadows of Wells Cathedral and then her favorite, Ely Cathedral, close to Cambridge.

The inside cover of the book. We purchased this book for 5 pounds. We have several of the books she authored. This is one of my favorites.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Question 2 sent me on a great search about light. There are so many references to ‘light’ in the Bible. God created light at the very beginning of the world, Genesis 1.

Psalm 56:13: For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

Psalm 119:130: The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

Isaiah 60:19: The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light, but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.

John 8:12: Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Romans 13:12: The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Ephesians 5:8: for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.

Colossians 1:13-14: He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Any light I reflect is because of Jesus and what he did on the cross for me. I’m a sinner who has been forgiven of my sins because of Christ’s sacrifice. God requires payment for our sins. Jesus made that payment. God accepts me because of Jesus, His perfect Son, taking my penalty. I believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for me on the cross, rose from the dead, and is LORD. When I asked for forgiveness for my sins, He forgave me. He can and will forgive and save you, too.

Since You Asked…Hodgepodge

 

Getting my Hodgepodge done early on Tuesday. We’ll be busy Tuesday evening with some company around our table.

Welcome again to Wednesday Hodgepodge. Jo From This Side of the Pond asks the questions and we answer them.

1. February is coming to a close. Give us a two-word phrase that tells us something about how yours went.

Slow & Easy

2. If you had to describe how you’re feeling right now as an amusement park ride, what ride are you on? Explain. 

Merry-Go-Round or Carousel. Slow and steady with some ups and downs but mostly calm and content.

3. What’s something on your desk or a nearby wall that cheers you up when you see it or walk past? 

My happy space.

4.  Are you a salad eater? How many salads do you typically eat in a week? Your favorite kind of salad? 

The salad police just caught me and they are taking me in for questioning!  We have moved into the habit of not eating salad. Maybe one salad a week. I like crisp salad greens with cucumber and tomato and a simple Persian dressing. 

5. Without telling us the category give us your top five ______________. 

  1. Tolkien
  2. C.S. Lewis
  3. MacDonald
  4. Montgomery
  5. Beatrix Potter

1, MacArthur 2. Spurgeon 3. Sproul 4. Ryle 5. Piper

  1. Johnson Brothers
  2. Royal Albert
  3. Spode
  4. Tudor
  5. Churchill

1. Cotswolds 2. Oxford 3. York/Yorkshire 4. Windsor 5. Cambridge

  1. Yellowstone
  2. Badlands
  3. Mt. Rushmore
  4. Yosemite
  5. Grand Canyon

I bent the rules and went with 5 fives. I’m sure you can name my category titles.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Tomorrow is our sister Vera’s 19th real birthday day. She was born on Leap Year! Happy 19th Birthday Vera. We’ll have to have a big ‘do’ for your 20th! (Hope we are all alive, then) I’ll be singing ’76 Trombones’ for you tomorrow.

These photos were from her 18th birthday party! Sisters in order of birth and then Vera with her son and daughter.

Perfect Love Hodgepodge

It’s a Valentine’s Day Hodgepodge! Thank you Joyce From This Side of the Pond for the love filled questions this week.

1. What does love mean to you? 

I’m fighting between being trite or deep with this question. Have you read The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman?

I think Words of Affirmation speak love to me and Acts of Service.

Understanding God’s love for us is important in knowing how to express our love for others. God’s love is complex and perfect. It never compromises from the Truth of God’s Word.

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23

~~~~~

2. Is love blind? 

Simple answer, no. Complex answer, love sees, knows, confronts, forgives and lasts.
~
—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 
~~~~~
3. How do you remember Valentine’s Day as a kid? Do you have any special plans for the day this year? 
Valentine’s day in the 50’s was one of my favorite days at school. I so enjoyed the bag or box of Valentines to open and enjoy.
We don’t have anything special planned for today except for giving Addy and JJ their Valentine gifts.
~~~~
4 Are you a fan of the movie genre known as ‘rom-com’? What’s your favorite (or one of your favorites)?
Not my favorite genre. In my not so humble opinion, bedroom scenes should not be broadcast on the screen. I can appreciate the romance in period pieces like Pride and Prejudice.
~~~~
5. What’s something you recently put your heart into? 
Looking for a little something special for Addy and JJ for Valentine’s Day.
~~~~
6. Insert your own random thought here.  
This is a ‘Valentine’s Day past’ table setting.
I put my heart into setting a themed table. I’m doing it less now but it still is enjoyable for me.
~~~~
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
May you “know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Sweet ‘Little’ Memories Hodgepodge

Our first Wednesday Hodgepodge in February is bringing back special memories of our dear Babushka Vera. We also called her our ‘little babushka’. The photo above was taken at Greg and my wedding in December of 1974.

Thank you to Jo From This Side of the Pond for her questions this week.

1. Something you’ve waited for recently? 

Dependable hot water.

2. What’s something you loved to do as a child? 

So many things: Hide n Seek, Jacks, Tetherball

One of the best family memories is stopping at 31 Flavors (Ice Cream shop) on Beverly Blvd. after a church event for our two or three scoops! I chose orange sherbet and chocolate chip. One of my brothers always chose vanilla.

3. Something you learned from a grandparent? 

From our little babushka Vera we learned you could still do amazing things with only one hand. Her left arm was amputated at the elbow when she was very young. With one arm and hand, she managed raising children, cooking blintzes, baking piroshky and creating beautiful embroidery just to name a few. The photo of her above was taken at Greg and my wedding shower at Bethany Baptist Church in Los Angeles.

She made all those goodies on her kitchen table for Christmas breakfast before we walked a few doors down for church. All her ‘people’ would stop into her apartment before church for a treat and the most Merry Christmas start to the day.

This embroidered tablecloth and napkins was my little babushka’s wedding gift to us.

4. The most visited cities in the world last year (according to this site) were-Bangkok, Paris, London, Dubai, and Singapore. Have you been to any of the cities mentioned? Which would you most like to see? How do you feel about international travel in general these days? 

Of these cities, I’ve only been to London and would choose London to see again from this list of cities. Still hopeful for travel to the United Kingdom. I’m a comfort traveler so I’d avoid any country where I wouldn’t feel comfortable about language barriers, etc. There are enough wonderful International adventures for me in the UK.

5. February is the perfect month to ______________________.

February is the perfect month to be loving and kind to one another.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Our Babushka Vera was promoted to heaven to be with her Savior in March of 1980. She was a Godly woman who prayed for all her grandchildren and for all her grandchildren’s future spouses. She prayed for our Pop’s salvation and for the salvation of her own husband. After they were married and he became a follower of Christ, our Dzedushka Fedot became a Baptist Minister. He was killed in Iran just after our parents immigrated to the USA after World War II. Our little Babushka immigrated to the USA with my Uncle and his family without her husband. I am so looking forward to seeing Babushka in heaven and seeing Dzedushka for the first time in heaven.

A long post about our Little Babushka is here.

I’m way behind this week after a busy full and wonderful weekend and then our Hot Water Tank repair job that took our son Dan and Greg all morning into the afternoon on Monday to fix. Hey…but we have some hot reliable water now and it will hopefully last a while.