Whirling Dervish Again

How could I have gone so long without a word here?   I spend time working on my book project, going to church with the added Lenten studies and services, and hoping I don't throw a clot waiting for the Coumadin. My days and weeks have been ones of dizziness and attempted accomplishment. I pushed for a solution and was answered by a profound quote by my cardiac surgeon, "I have to think." 

We have found the Olympic coverage by NBC better than in past years.  Maybe it is just that we have more time for it at this stage in life.  Two deaths marked its days in Vancouver as well as the medalists.

Most of my time is centered on  research and writing.  It is good to have a cousin who is close in age to me with a good memory, and is a deep mine of information.  Today's phone call from him was a gift.

I find that Eve was not all to blame for the Fall of Mankind.  Adam should have come to her aid and crushed the serpent's head before he became beguiling.  But no, he just stood beside her and let it happen.  And why didn't he tempt Adam instead?  Because Eve mattered more.  I find the whole episode irritating and unjust.

St. Valentine's Day

Just as it often was when I was small, we are having a beautiful snowfall on Valentine's Day.

I never tire of the snow, nor the cold.  But I am spared the driveway and sidewalk clean up.

I feel almost pampered, not having to slide around on the ice that is so dangerous to us that are not real steady in the best of conditions.

"Put your arms around my neck," I am told as I attempt to get my feet on the ground as I exit the pick-up.  People at church must find it strange.  But then, other than the children, I am the shortest person at the 5:30 Saturday evening service.

Be My Valentine.

Snow and Paper Whites

Not only is the snow beautiful outside; but so are the Paper Whites a dear daughter-in-law gave us for Christmas.  I moved them closer to the west window hoping to keep them cool and blooming longer.

Not the best place to photograph them and I knew that.  White drapes were not much better with the white on white effect.

Five of the seven African Violets are brave bloomers. It doesn't take very much to make me happy.

We have snowfall the past two days and again last night.  It keeps the world white and beautiful and keeps He Who MBO plowing and shoveling.

February 5th Snowfall

So Softly, So Silently, So Beautiful.

Snow on Snow, Snow on Snow, In the Bleak Mid-Winter.

That Eyeglass Thing

We have all been there, trying on a newly ordered pair of eyeglasses, with the chart of deminishing lettering at the top and becoming larger as you read on down the card.  Have you ever, really read that card?  I did when I got new glasses after the cataract surgeries.

I was in for a real surprise and a new learning adventure.  It was an Epiphany for the season, we are in the fifth or sixth week of Epiphany, I think.  I actually read that card from top to bottom and I am not talking about the new glasses correction; I am talking about the words on the card...the meaning of those words.  It was an exacting rule as what size font to use in writing books with a note or two on shoulds and shouldn'ts.

The optometrist fitting my glasses copied the card for me.  As is my usual manner of routine, I cleaned out my purse and put that paper where I would need it to check against my work at hand. It is called "Standard Test Types."

Here is a little list:  These font sizes are limited to what is available here.

4 point   Small Bible
51/2 point Newspaper  Sports and Market
7 point   Newspaper   Columns
10 point  Text Books  Should be printed on dull finished paper.
11 point   Books
12 point   Books Sit with back to the light.
18 point  Children's Books ...excessive reading forbidden.