Hodgepodging the Baldwin Piano

The piano was moved from the farmhouse to the Wausau house over the weekend.
It is good to have it there, although it would be nice to have it against a wall.

 The problem is, which sets of bookshelves do we sacrifice for the space?

So for now, it's partly in the archway between foyer and living room

with a really pretty piece of upholstery fabric on the back.

The six year old is beyond thrilled at the prospect of taking piano lessons.

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We still have about 5 feet between the end of the piano and the

archway wall, so it's tolerable.

1. Expect the unexpected on From This Side of the Pond. Here's my x-ray question...when was the last time you felt like Superman? What's your superpower? Explain.  

I feel very much like I have no superpower whatsoever, but if I had to choose one, it would probably be:  FINDING THINGS. And as a mom, I was always finding things that other people in the family were hunting for but had given up finding. I don't think I found them because I had a superpower unless it was OCD, the inability to stop looking for something lost. OR, even just to stop looking for something, period. Have you ever been so intent on hunting for something that once you've found it you're still mentally searching for it? Like other places keep popping into your mind of where it might be?? Maybe I shouldn't have told you that.

Please don't tell them I posted their picture.

BUT, one lies flat on the ground watching Mr. Chipmunk

while the other rattles the corrugated drain pipe in which he's hiding.

It was the cutest thing. They took turns for all this excitement.

2. Are you a fan of the 'superhero' type movies? If so what's your favorite? 

Absolutely not. My only superhero movies would involve British detectives. WHICH reminds me, Mr. Bean plays Maigret in a series we recently watched, but evidently ITV didn't renew the contract. Too bad. They were pretty good. Darkish, but good. And it was really nice to see him with real acting ability - not just being a goofball.

As you can see, the above poem is a sample on Amazon

from a poem by Malcolm Guite. I love his poetry.

Check it out. And I'm at Mr. C.'s computer or I'd use my photo editing program to crop that screenshot.

3. Have you postponed or cancelled a trip to the dentist in recent weeks, and if so when do you think you'll feel comfortable going back? How about other routine medical procedures? 

No, I avoid trips to the dentist. I would never even have imagined a time when 'comfortable' and 'dentist' would be used in the same sentence. I am, however, looking forward to a time when I can get back to Mayo Clinic in Rochester and have the orthopedic guy check out my left hip.

One of my favorite photos from a few years ago

4. What's something that makes you feel youthful? Something that makes you feel 'not so youthful'? Tell us why. 

I feel youthful, using the term very loosely, when I'm outdoors, walking in the fresh air, visiting the cows, or walking beside a river. When I feel not so youthful is when I see my grandkids on their devices and I have no desires to join them. (Have you read Devices and Desires by PD James? or do you remember the term from the Book of Common Prayer? Just asking.)

5. I feel compelled to include some sort of corona related question in the HP these days. What's the strangest thing you've seen in relation to the virus? Something that really struck you as odd, made you stop and think, 'Dorothy we're not in Kansas anymore?'

The strangest thing I've seen is the face mask made to look like huge lips, and you open it up to reveal huge Chicklet-like teeth. I can't find it now or I would show it to you.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

No real random thought today, because all thoughts are pretty much focused on getting the farmhouse on the market May 10-15. We had a downpour today, which isn't helpful when wanting to remove stuff from the shop and house and pitch it into the dumpster. No donation centers are open right now, so it's difficult to get rid of things. I realize that in the grand scheme of things and with what is going on in the world right now, it is certainly no more than a tiny gnat of a problem, relatively speaking.



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Hodgepodging a Birthday Thank You

From a 1912 Men's Suit Manufacturer's Catalog

One of Mr. C's many finds, discarded as trash.

He wasn't dumpster diving; this old catalog had been used as

insulation in the attic of an old house he was working in.

I've photographed all my favorite pages.

 It will be another month before we see these again.

Winter is very slow leaving Wisconsin.

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1. What's something you resolved to do this year? Have you done it?

I guess I resolved to downsize. I know, you've heard this before - many times. But downsizing for us, who have lived in the same place for 33 years, is different than for someone who moves frequently. We have been downsizing at the same time as we've been creating an apartment in the Wausau house and doing renovations to the Dallas farmhouse. As Mr. C. says when I get discouraged and want to escape to someplace beautiful in the English countryside, 'We're getting there.'  Sometimes I just look at him like, 'yeah right,' but I do love the fact that he is steady and solid and always willing to keep going until it's done. God gave me that man for a reason. And I'm so grateful!

He makes a good grandpa too.

2. Where do you go to find quietude?

There is plenty of quietude at the farm. And social distancing is not even an issue out there, because we have no near neighbors. I've been living that way for a very long time, so when the social distancing thing is lifted in Wisconsin, it will be a new thing for me to have neighbors on either side. And quietude in Wausau is achieved simply by being home. It is a quiet neighborhood. To be really alone, however, to pray, for example, I go to the bedroom.

 Sorry if you've seen these before

3. A friend asked this question on her Facebook page and said I could borrow it for the Hodgepodge...you're only allowed to buy 5 things at the grocery store, and all must start with the first letter of your first name. Whatcha' buying?

Oh boy.  There's hardly a thing in my refrigerator or cupboards that begins with J.

Juice

Jicama

Jcelery

Jonions

Jstaxpotatochips

 If I didn't make my own gluten-free pizza, I would definitely buy it.

But it doesn't begin with the letter J either.

With Kalamata olives and Feta and pepperjack cheese, I could eat this every single night of the week

(if Mr. C. didn't have an issue with that - or even if he did)

4. The television show Survivor, the Gloria Gaynor song 'I Will Survive', survival mode, survival of the fittest...pick one and discuss.

I guess my choice would be, 'I Will Survive,' because actually, almost everywhere you turn, there's talk of this Corona virus outbreak. I hope people will proceed cautiously in opening up businesses, however, and keep the social distancing and masks in place until we've got it figured out. To open the bars and restaurants at this point seems foolish to me. I did listen to a very thought-provoking discussion this morning with a Dr.Reed Wilson, a cardiologist from LA. He is one of the few voices I've heard lately that seemed reasonable, non-political, non attacking, etc. So refreshing. Quiet, reasoned discussion. A rare thing these days.

5. Share a favorite quote or saying about strength.

I hope all of you are able to attend church services online. If not, here's a great resource for you: www.zionlutheranwausau.com.  Besides the Sunday morning worship, they also have morning and evening prayer every weekday and Bible studies Tuesday and Friday. What a blessing they have been to us! 

(photo from Sunday, actually)

I also have to share with you a really great article by Bishop Robert Barron from Word on Fire. It begins like this:

"Last week, Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York, made a rather interesting theological observation. Commenting on the progress that his state has made in fighting the coronavirus, and praising the concrete efforts of medical personnel and ordinary citizens, he said, “The number is down because we brought the number down. God did not do that. Faith did not do that.” I won’t waste a lot of time exploring the hubris of that remark, which should be obvious to anyone. I might recommend, out of pastoral concern, that the governor read the first part of Genesis chapter eleven."  Read the remainder of this excellent article HERE.

Sorry about all the stuff you're being bombarded with, but I didn't make it to the Hodgepodge last week...


6. Insert your own random thought here.

The best birthday gift thank you came in the form of a video from our grandson in Minnesota (whom we cannot see because of the safer-at-home order, wah wah wah.)  BUT, this was so fun to receive, especially because he has the greatest facial expressions when trying to convey his response to the birthday gifts I sent him. BTW, he shares a birthday with Her Majesty Queen Eliabeth II  - just in case you wanted to know.

Oops! Gotta go.
I'm getting a phone call.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone.

Join me on Instagram: @cranberrymorning

Easter Snow

 We didn't get as much snow as predicted, but enough to make us long (more than ever!) for green grass and flowers.

Although we were preparing for a blizzard, we drove to the church parking lot to listen to the bells on Sunday morning that rang out the JOY of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Even a blizzard doesn't diminish the awesomeness of that truth. He is risen! And that changes everything. From death to life, from darkness to light, from despair to HOPE.

Watching this video on my phone, I was worried a couple times that the pastor's sleeve would catch fire. But I loved the symbolism of Christ the Light of the World - then carrying the light into the dark sanctuary, as Christ brings light to the world.

"The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
    on them light has shined."

From the prophet Isaiah.

***

And now, because I don't know how to make a good segue here, 

I'll just say...

 I'm sick of this self isolation thing.

How about you?

Have a wonderful Tuesday,

Join me on Instagram: @cranberrymorning

Good Friday Service and Social Distancing

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride

Forbid me Lord that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ, my God
All the vain things that charm me most
I sacrifice them to His blood

See, from His head, His hands, His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did e'er such love and Sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all

In this strange time of social distancing and self isolation, it was such a blessing to 'attend' this Good Friday worship service from St. Andrew's Anglican Cathedral, Sydney, Australia. I hope you will be able to watch it too.

After listening to the sermon, I can easily see why he is Archbishop. Note especially his explanation of God's covenant with Abram.

If the YouTube link doesn't work, try this: https://youtu.be/xqTh7mazU0o

God bless you.

Hodgepodging With Social Distancing

Full moon at Dallas

(Neighbor Bill's barn is nearing its end)

and a little later,

full moon at Wausau

near Frog Pond Road

The peepers were happily noisy.

 

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 She writes the questions;

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(Thank you, Joyce!)

1. How will you celebrate Easter this year?

I don't know if I'll be in Wausau or in Dallas for Easter, but either way, the Resurrection will be celebrated first by attending our church service online.  After that, dinner with Mr. C., making sure there are 3 yards between us. (Just kidding.) We will Instagram or text the kids, or maybe even see them, if we can maintain the social distancing thing.

 Have you noticed how important the choice of the music is to the words of the hymn?

2. Is it easier for you to receive grace offered or extend grace to another? Explain. Actually, I don't think either is difficult for me now, but not without first having learned a hard lesson in receiving grace offered.

 

3. Do you say grace before meals? Yes, usually, although I was once at a church meeting , after which there was a dessert buffet, and when God was asked to 'bless this food to our body's good,' I thought that was really a stretch. If so do you have a standard dinnertime grace or is it more 'off the cuff' ? It's not a standard prayer. Do you say grace when dining out? What's 'dining out??' We rarely eat at restaurants because of, well, just read further up in this paragraph. But if we do eat at a restaurant, yes, usually. Do you have a favorite grace? No. Any special memory associated with 'saying grace'? Only that when my Grandpa Nelson would pray aloud, just thinking of what Jesus had done for him caused him to weep. I can understand that. I've only cried at a handful of movies, but there are a few hymns that get me every time.

 I found another place to store books.

4. What are some challenges you think the next generation will face? (Generation Alpha-born between 2011 and 2025).  Much more government control, much less freedom of worship.

 

5. Share a favorite quote or lyric featuring the word faith.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!

Join me on Instagram: @cranberrymorning

Palm Sunday, April 2020

Scroll down to see why we put evergreens over our front door

Our daughter had already put all those cute and cheery hearts on the glass.

"We" meaning Mr. C., of course. LOL

Toasted banana bread to celebrate another day of staying at home.
How thankful I am that the church posts devotionals and sermons every day!

 

During this 'stay at home' order, we did defy (oh, that seems like such a strong word) it for a few minutes
to take a short drive to the countryside. Having lived most of my life in the country,
it really is just a survival measure.

The grands looking angelic and cooperative
as they play some marble game on the iPad.
I did tell them there were no such things as iPads when I was a kid.
I thought I'd break the news slowly over time that there were also no computers when I was a kid. That might be too shocking to comprehend all at once.

The Wausau house at night, from the backyard gazebo.
I guess no one's in the bedrooms upstairs.

You're a good man, Charlie Brown.
Selecting branches for above the front door.
xoxo

That pit you see on the left will soon be filled with rock and gravel and become a fire pit.
We'll all enjoy that!

 

And last but not least, I'm posting a couple screenshots that show the times of Holy Week virtual services and devotionals from Zion. How grateful we are for technology!

Sorry for the overlap. I could have cropped those better.


The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting,

“Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord - the King of Israel!”

From the Gospel of John 

Have a blessed Lord's Day, everyone!