Wintertime

“When the cold comes to New England it arrives in sheets of sleet and ice. In December, the wind wraps itself around bare trees and twists in between husbands and wives asleep in their beds. It shakes the shingles from the roofs and sifts through cracks in the plaster. The only green things left are the holly bushes and the old boxwood hedges in the village, and these are often painted white with snow. Chipmunks and weasels come to nest in basements and barns; owls find their way into attics. At night,the dark is blue and bluer still, as sapphire of night.”

Alice Hoffman - Here on Earth

Alice here describes winter so beautifully. I feel I'm in the midst of the gray & colorless chilly days of the year. Yet this morning we saw above snow-blanketed Pittsburgh a brilliant red-orange sunrise, then sapphire colored mountains through West Virginia. What a reminder to me winter isn't always drab & dull:)

Christmas has passed. Today is New Year's Eve. I'm facing another possible surgery in the beginning of the new year (as I was doing this time last year!)?

What's in store for 2013? Time will tell.

But I know God is guiding & leading me so I will strive to keep my eyes on Him.

Blessings to all:)

Thanksgiving

From C.S. Lewis:

I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are; the delight is incomplete till it is expressed. It is frustrating to have discovered a new author and not to be able to tell anyone how good he is; to come suddenly, at the turn of the road, upon some mountain valley of unexpected grandeur and then to have to keep silent because the people with you care for it no more than for a tin can in the ditch; to hear a good joke and find no one to share it with. . . .

If it were possible for a created soul fully . . . to 'appreciate', that is to love and delight in, the worthiest object of all, and simultaneously at every moment to give this delight perfect expression, then that soul would be in supreme beatitude. . . . To see what the doctrine really means, we must suppose ourselves to be in perfect love with God - drunk with, drowned in, dissolved by, that delight which, far from remaining pent up within ourselves as incommunicable, hence hardly tolerable, bliss, flows out from us incessantly again in effortless and perfect expression, our joy is no more separable from the praise in which it liberates and utters itself than the brightness a mirror receives is separable from the brightness it sheds. The Scotch catechism says that man's chief end is 'to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.' But we shall then know that these are the same thing. Fully to enjoy is to glorify. In commanding us to glorify Him, God is inviting us to enjoy Him.

The Calm Before The Storm

Today is a chilly Saturday--too cold to think about leaf raking or biking. And I'm feeling quite unmotivated.

After posting on FB that I was looking into buying a treadmill, my cousin sent over, via hubby Max, an exercise machine she no longer used. Knowing Max would be here by 10 am I slept in til 7:45, walked Wyatt & vacuumed & mopped the kitchen.
This machine is a flex 'something or other'. I'm not sure it's what I want but, since Beth was so gracious, I will try it:)
Max is such a friendly fella:) We always enjoy seeing him so we visited for a while.

After getting a few birthday cards in the mail & folding a small load of clothes, I decided to enter Keith's mom's Thanksgiving recipes into my computer--wonderful recipes I don't want to lose, like how she cooks a turkey & her wonderful potato salad dressing & many others:) Mom was a great cook & she misses it now that's she lives in a tiny studio apartment:)

Keith began working on our Christmas letter. I wasn't sure I wanted to send cards/a letter this year, but in the last week or two have changed my mind. Figured with the letter written & printed before Thanksgiving, along with paring down the address list, I could get them out without too much worry.

I asked Keith earlier if he'd be interested in actually going to see a movie this evening! We never go to a theater, relying on our Netflix movies, but I'd like to see the new James Bond movie, Skyefall, on the big screen! Keith's pondering it. Duke, State, & Wake Forest all play football at 3:30, so we may watch one of those while he's still considering...

After Thanksgiving I'm going to wish I had this calm "day off before the holidays" back! I'll have to get in high gear to get everything accomplished that I'd like to have done. (My work schedule will go to 5 days a week beginning in December) I've been begging for a Christmas list from my kids, but they aren't really motivated yet:)
Keith just handed me the addresses to sort through so, better get busy:)!

PS. Decided at the last minute to see the movie Argo--a good movie, a great true story of rescue.

An October Saturday

Blog, I have abandoned you lately. So here's a short note:)

Today I'm loving our mild fall-like weather in central NC:) Slept in. Walked Wyatt along Shepherd's Vineyard's leaf strewn green way. For breakfast had Harvest Loaf pumpkin bread with a cup of hot coffee. Then vacuumed, dusted & washed clothes.
Now am watching the Wake Forest/UVA football game. 

Keith blew mounds of leaves earlier, between computer blitzes. 

Nice to have a day without plans once in a while:) 

If I can't be in the mountains, then give me a laid back Saturday watching football, baseball, or basketball:) And now & then a bike ride:)

My Favorite Season:)

“I loved autumn, the one season of the year that God seemed to have put there just for the beauty of it.” 
― Lee Maynard

A Labor Day For Skye--A Journal.

Over Labor Day Weekend Keith & I loaded up the Cruiser with our luggage, plus a chair for Skye, and headed to Boone & West Jefferson. On a trip home a few weeks ago Skye & I had found an inexpensive reading chair for her new larger bedroom.

The chair's a Queen Anne upholstered in a blue floral polished cotton--it's in perfect condition. And I didn't even take a photo of it--oops:(

She & friend Ian are renting a neat fifties era cottage  located at the end of a winding curvy road overlooking the App Campus. In the winter, the view should be spectacular!

The next job, after delivering the chair, was to buy Skye a new mattress, then do some shopping.
The mattress was found easily. Then she decided on a platform bed rather than a boxspring. That meant Keith and Skye needed to assemble the bed. Ian tip-toed around, staying conveniently out of the way, as the two of them worked most of the afternoon into early evening. (Ian did provide tools:))

After eating supper at a local bar and grill, Keith & I said goodnight to Skye, and struck out for the cabin in West Jefferson where we were staying through the weekend.

After spending a relaxing Sunday morning checking email, watching TV, eating breakfast, we got our showers then drove into Boone to meet Skye to shop for sheets, etc., at Walmart, the big store in town. For lunch we ended up at Jimmy John's:) Next stop was Blowing Rock and the Tanger Outlets. After wearing ourselves out we vegged and napped at Skye's house til supper. Keith and Skye convinced Ian to eat with us:) Keith voted for Chili's. It was neat to visit with Ian. After dropping Skye & Ian back at their house, we were ready to get back to "our" cabin and rest.

Monday, Keith & I enjoyed another quiet calm morning---aaahh, so nice. The mountains were covered in fog and a light rain. But after a while we had to get in gear to pack and clean before closing up our "home away from home". We'd made plans to meet Skye and boyfriend Ben for an early lunch before heading back down the mountain.

One of our favorite Boone breakfast places is Sunrise Grill:) We waited in line to get a table, which is pretty normal there. It's a tiny spot, but the food is so delicious! I had cranberry walnut french toast with raspberry drizzle:) It was really neat to see Ben again and get to know him a bit more. Since he works in a restaurant  it's hard for him to get off work to drive to Boone. We  appreciated his effort:) So did Skye:(!

A great weekend with our Skye Girl:)

She's got a decent paying job while she looks for a job closer to her field, she and Ian love their cozy place, she has a new chair and a new full size bed, plus she and Ben see each other almost every week.
Whew.
I think she's settling in:)
Life is good:)

Another Surgery In 2012: A Journal

Keith had carotid artery surgery last Tuesday (August 7th).
Half of Monday was taken up at Wake Pre-Op. Pre-Op  is now done in a brand new building across the street from the main hospital.
To be somewhat brief, all of this was serious surgery & beyond tiring! I'd already forgotten how exhausting his heart surgery ordeal was, which was only 7 months ago, & this procedure only involved 3 days & 1 night at Wake!
Waiting is hard.
Stress while waiting is hard.
Listening to all the families in the waiting room dealing with stress is hard.
Getting food is hard.
Driving back & forth is hard.
And on, and on....
On the day of surgery we were told to report to Patient Surgery at 5 am:( We arrived before the security police unlocked the front door!
Keith was wheeled to the operating room about 7:15. After checking in at the desk in the Surgery Waiting Room I bravely set off  to the distant cafeteria & had a wonderful breakfast of coffee, eggs, bacon, & grits---a substantial meal to get me through the day!
Seth came to keep me company about 8:30.
Dr. Chaudhry met me at the desk at 9:20 to say all went well, & by 12 Seth & I visited Keith briefly in the recovery room.
At 2 pm he was settled into a room on 3B, having a lunch of raspberry jello & bouillon. He thought it tasted great:)
Our pastor, Jerry, stopped by for a short visit around 3ish. Really thoughtful of him to check in & pray with Keith:)
By 4 Skye arrived, having driven from Tenn. via Boone!
Cameron came after work, about 4:30.
Seth left around 5 for a ballgame.
We watched some of the Olympics together:)
Keith was feeling pretty good:)
At 8pm the 3 of us said goodnight--he was in good hands with his nurses.
Whew--a long day!

Keith did well enough through the night Dr. Chaudhry gave him the ok to go home Wednesday. By noon we were checked out & on the way to Apex. We even stopped & had lunch at Beaver Creek Chick fil A!

Thursday evening Lou brought over a roast with all the fixings, & Ralph & Lorraine dropped by with homemade chocolate pie & baked chicken:)

But Friday & Saturday weren't so kind. His pain (Skye & I picked up his prescription meds) grew worse that afternoon, & Saturday morning his blood pressure spiked up, enough to think we were headed to the ER! Gradually it calmed down as the day worn on. But he became nauseated a few times, a rarity for him. So things were tough Saturday. Naps inbetween helped.

Skye headed back to her Boone cottage  Friday mid afternoon. (On Thursday she found a cute side chair at Consigning Design. She packed into her Neon a rug & bookshelves, for her "new" bedroom, but the chair wouldn't fit, so it will have to find another way to the mts.) It was so nice to have her help & company.

Sunday morning Keith felt better but not well enough to eat much or consider going to church. (I did slip out to the 11am service:)) By evening his appetite had begun to return & he slept well Sunday night. Monday, when I left to go in to work, he ended up napping till around noon, then perked up enough to put in about 6 hours of work from his recliner:)
Tuesday he returned to Lenovo:)
So, he seems to have weathered the storm & looks to be on his way to recovery again:)

PS. Keith found out today, Wednesday, while at work that Dr. Chaudhry wants him to stay home this week. So no more Lenovo till next Monday, the 20th. The rest will help, so I'm in agreement:)

Father's Day Gift in July:)

For Father's Day I gave Keith a weekend trip to Boone:) Selfishly I knew both of us would enjoy it, plus we could visit Skye:) Smart, huh:) We left Apex by mid afternoon last Friday (July 20th), after getting off work early. Destination for the weekend; Cliff Dwellers in Blowing Rock. (Photo below was taken from the Cliff Dwellers' balcony)

After checking in with Skye, we agreed to meet for dinner at Woodland's in Blowing Rock, a great barbecue restaurant. The food was so good, as always:)
Meanwhile Skye's boyfriend Ben (from Elizabethton, Tenn.) called to let her know he was off work the next 24 hours, if she could meet him. We discussed riding to Elizabethton Sat., but decided not to commit to it.

The next morning, after checking out the motel's Continental breakfast (fair fare), we headed to Skye's apt. to pick her up. The plan was to ride to the Lynn Cove Viaduct (part of the Blue Ridge Parkway) for a short hike, then on to the Roan Mt. area, which was the location of the book I had just finished, "Stand Up That Mt.". Pictured below is a view from the hiking path underneath the Viaduct.

After traveling over (& under) Lynn Cove Viaduct, we turned toward Roan Mountain & the Belview community. Jay Erskine Leutze, author of  Stand Up That Mt., "the true story of a N.C. (UNC law graduate) outdoorsman who teams up with his Appalachian "mountain people neighbors,....wrote the gripping tale of the long journey of saving a mt."
We had no address, just landmarks mentioned in the book, & Route 19E. The scenery was lush & green, the roads curvy & windy, as you can imagine.
Skye had no phone connection for a time but as soon as she had service she checked in with Ben. By then we were so close to Tenn. & Elizabethton, she asked him to join us for lunch. We drove to his parents' home   & visited briefly with them before picking up Ben & heading downtown for a late lunch at Dino's Restaurant:)

Afterward we spent about an hour at Elizabethton's covered bridge. It spans the Doe River. On a warm day the bridge & park offered a bit of welcome shade:) Folks were feeding geese & wading in the water.
Ben had to be at work by 4pm, so we dropped him off at home & turned toward Boone. Our route followed along Watauga Lake for miles. It's huge! You can glimpse the lake in the photo below (the picture doesn't do it justice).

In Boone, we delivered Skye to her apt. & went straight to the motel for a nap! For supper we met up at the Foggy Rock Pub (photo below) across from the Cliff Dwellers, a new restaurant for us. The food was very good! As we were leaving we were surprised to run into Seth's friend, Choppy, & his girlfriend:)! Keith & I couldn't remember his name to save our lives--ugh! Choppy thoroughly enjoyed our dilemma, made it into a guessing game---& we were awful at it:( A good laugh in the end:)

Next, Killan's ice cream & a mini shopping detour at The Gap:) Then said goodnights to Skye.
Back at the motel Keith & I soaked in our big jacuzzi--a relaxing way to end the day:)

Sunday morning we slept in & took our time packing, finally checking out about 10am. Then drove to Skye's apt. to meet her for brunch:)
One of our favorite places for a Boone breakfast is Sunrise Grill so that's where we wanted to go:) Keith enjoyed his egg, cheese, ham bagel while I savored the special, cranberry french toast--yum, with bacon & coffee. Skye ordered chicken & waffles with coffee:)

With that great send-off we said good-bye to Skye & began our leisurely winding back roads route toward home. As I've said many times before, leaving the mts. is always sad for me, & especially when Skye's there too. Lord willing, we'll go back soon:)

The Clan's Fan Vacation:)

Last Monday, after a sizzling record setting weekend in NC, Keith, Cameron, & I packed Cameron's Subaru, loaded up our bikes, & headed to northwestern Pa. to spend the week with the McFarland clan, Keith's mom, brother & sister in law, sister & brother in law, all the nieces & nephews plus one great nephew:) We planned to stay in a lodge on the edge of Moraine State Park, near Prospect, Pa., north of Pittsburgh, Pa. No AC, so everybody was bringing along his/her electric fan, or two!

We arrived about 5pm, after driving 10 hours. Sleeping quarters were chosen, fans placed strategically, then Pizza Joe's take-out was ordered for supper--Jason, the owner of Pizza Joe's, is a cousin:)

Tuesday morning 9 of us biked along the 7 mile trail that curls around part of Lake Arthur. Everybody but Keith, Kristen, & I, doubled back to the trial head---but too hot & hilly for the 3 of us:)!! A great path for walking & for bikers in better shape than Keith & me, especially in cooler weather!! I will admit the 3 of us had ice cream while waiting for Cameron to rescue us--perfect after a hot, muggy ride:)
Later in the afternoon a group of us rented a pontoon boat to cruise around Lake Arthur. Korey, the 11 month old great nephew, seemed to really enjoy it:)

By dusk it had cooled down enough to have a bonfire--the only night of the week that felt a bit chilly.

On the Fourth, Wednesday, everybody enjoyed a relaxing morning, then before noon we headed to Aunt Bibby's & Uncle Ray's house for the Brown family Reunion. Jeannie made a Mexican dip & I brought peaches--I had originally wanted to bake two peach cobblers, but simply didn't bring the ingredients to make them:( Not sure what Nancy took, but we had plenty of food:)

Seth & Kelley, who left N.C. Tuesday evening, pulled into the Stoner's driveway just as we did, so it was good to see them, plus their Westie Three-Three (see photo below):)

Below is a photo of Kendall & Aunt Dee (who has been quite ill), with Uncle Denny visiting at the picnic. The Wisconisn crew all wore red Wisconsin T-shirts for the Fourth! The Pa. & N.C. crews were jealous that we didn't think of doing the same thing:)! BTW, Aunt Nancy brought Fourth of July decorations for our lodge, even red, white, & blue lights!:) She's so crafty:)

The second photo is of Mom & Dale Stoner, Keith's cousin:) Warm, warm weather settled in as the day wore on.

At the lodge fifteen fans were running all the time.

In the evening some of us drove over to see the Butler County fireworks from Aunt Nancy's cousin's lawn. Reminded Keith & me of my small town's fireworks in Aberdeen, NC. Mom & Seth & Kelley watched fireworks on tv at the lodge, & some of the Pa. crew drove down to Pittsburgh to see the big city's display:)

Thursday: Nine of us decided to go to the Sandy Creek 'Rails To Trails' bike trail about an hour away from our Moraine State Park area. Below's photo includes Keith, Uncle Denny, Seth, & Cameron. We piled into Uncle Denny's pretty red truck, Cameron's Subaru, & Uncle Ken's Honda, & left by 9am. The forecast didn't sound good--hot & getting hotter.

The second photo is of Seth, Kendall, & Scotty, all checking out Seth's bike after he took a header over his handlebars:(! Kelley was his only eye-witness--they were in the lead:) The trail traveled through a tunnel & over a number of bridges & was partly shady--a neat trek:) We biked about 10 miles, then packed up to return to the lodge before the temperature soared.

Thursday afternoon some of the group went swimming at Lake Arthur:) Others read or played games on the computer, or napped, etc. At 4:30 a group loaded up two cars to go to see a Pirates' game in Pittsburgh. I was the only one from my crowd to go. We had seats in the upper section, gulp, but what a spectacular view of the Pittsburgh skyline!! After acclimating to the height, I really enjoyed the game! Must say though, the weather was styfling hot!! Whew! I didn't want to move:( No breeze. Arg. Still, glad we went:) And the Pirates won their 4th game in a row, a clean sweep:) Then back to our toasty lodge. And the hum of fans continued:)

Friday: After another warm night, a few of us decided to hike from McConnell's Mill to Erkert Bridge & back. Sounded good to me, since I knew it would be shady:) Uncle Denny, Aunt Nancy, Uncle Ken, Nick, Beth, & I struck out from the Mill. It was beautiful & covered by a canopy of trees, plus quite rocky. Aunt Nancy found a walking stick for me, which helped enormously:) We needed to be done before the mid-day heat so we kept up a good pace.

The afternoon back at the lodge was spent trying to stay cool. Fans blowing, osculating. Some went swimming. Others visited & took a nap. In the evening a group went to Rosepoint to play miniature golf & get ice cream:) Mom decided to go along. Cameron & I visited with her & ate our ice cream while the others played. I'd been craving ice cream, so it really hit the spot:)

In the late afternoon Kendall, Kristen, & Korey packed up then left to visit Kendall's grandparents that evening before leaving for Wisconsin Saturday. Seth & Kelley decided to 'give up on trying to stick out the heat wave' & go home Saturday. They planned to rent a boat & scout out the lake Saturday morning before leaving.

Saturday: Seth & Kelley & Three, Nick, & Beth toured Lake Arthur together, early. Before lunch Seth & Kelley, plus Three, departed for N.C. & home, to 100 degree weather but WITH AC:)! I considered going with them! The fans turned, ran, continued on..... Before lunch Uncle Ken, Uncle Denny, & Scotty played disc golf. Oh my, they were a hot, tired bunch when they returned!

Earlier Mom informed us she was ready to go home (to her apartment in Pittsburgh), so the rest of us, except Cameron, Molly, & Beth, planned a trip to the Pittsburgh Museum of Art & the History Museum, (adjacant to one another) after dropping her off & saying our goodbyes:)!

With temps in the high 90's, we looked forward to spending the afternoon in AC! Cameron & Molly would join us for dinner afterward. It was a lovely afternoon! Keith & the nephews split off to see the History Museum, while Aunt Jeannie, Uncle Ken, Uncle Denny, & Pete joined me in the Art Museum section. The Art Museum was featuring a special Impressionist Exhibit & it was fabulous! I soaked it in--glorious art & AC!! Pictured below is one of the entrances to the Museums.

We congregated at Red Robin in Cranberry after leaving the Museums. It was a fun afternoon & evening together:) After our meal Nick left & returned to his Pittsburgh apartment, Pete to his Pittsburgh apartment as well. Beth had slipped out earlier to care for her neighbor's plants & flowers in Beaver Falls. Gradually the family was departing. The rest of us headed back to the hot lodge & our fans.
Cameron, Keith, & I made plans to leave early Sunday morning.

Sunday: At 6am the Subaru was packed, bikes loaded on, & the three of us left the lovely woods of Pa. Sad to say goodbye to Uncle Ken, Aunt Jean, & Aunt Nancy, all who were up early to give us a goodbye hug:)


Summary: All togther we had 19 McFarlands & Carsons, from Wisconsin, Pa., Tenn., & N.C. Our Skye girl was the only one that didn't make it this year:( We missed her.

Some came & went. Others stayed the entire time.

Uncle Ken & Aunt Jean were willing to sleep in a tent the entire week!

Aunt Nancy came & went, as she looked after her mom & dad throughout the week, plus caring for us:)

Aunt Jean & Uncle Ken took Mom to the dentist & to visit her cousin Lillian & planned out a tentative schedule.

Aunt Jean & Aunt Nancy bought all the food!

Aunt Nancy found the lodge, negotiated with the owner, & figured out the best week to go.

And record setting hot weather decided to join us--a very unwelcome guest:(!!

Still, the fun of being together wasn't dampened:)

Blessings to our wonderful McFarland family:) Thank goodness for our "scores of fans":)

Photos: The clan trying not to expend any energy, & last but not least, some of the cousins at Red Robin--Pete, Bryce, Scotty, & Nick:)

A Taste of Heaven

Just back from a special Funeral Visitation this afternoon.
A gentle Godly man has gone Home, a husband, father, father in law, a forester, College Class Sunday School teacher, a mentor, a friend. Keith & I were honored to know Joe (& his precious family) for 15 plus years. We were in a Sunday School class together, the New Life Class, at a UMC in Raleigh. Since that time, the Lord has scattered us across the area into different churches & denominations.

Recently I wrote about our reunion in the mountains---many of us were there but not all.

Today even more precious ones from the past waited in line to express to Joe's family how much they loved him & how much they love them---Sandy, Troy, Kyle, & Gabrielle.
Cameron went with us, & loved seeing so many people he hasn't seen in years. (Joe's wife Sandy was his pre-school teacher:))

It was glorious, even in the midst of saying goodbye to Joe, to see so many beloved faces.
I believe he would have loved it!

We'll always be part of one another--a family.
We were knit together by the Holy Spirit.
And today was a taste of Heaven:)

Well.

Yesterday morning I received a call while at work from my Doctor's office. Ann, Dr. Jordon's nurse, called to give me blood results from lab work done last Tuesday. I'm not crazy about my doctor's office calling me at work to tell me these details. 

They can be upsetting. 

Well, yesterday Ann reported all was well, except--my blood sugar was dangerously high, & I need to get serious about losing weight, exercising more, & watching my diet. She ended by saying Dr. Jordon would see me in November unless I had any problems (our set time).

So, the report wasn't good, dangerously high levels of sugar, but not alarming enough to come in early. 

Unsettling.

It is serious.

I feel like I'm out on a limb with this Diabetes. I can read all kinds of literature. But, bottom line, I have to work out a diet on my own I can live with, a lifestyle I can maintain that will cause me to live longer, period.

I have diet cookbooks, but have gradually lost interest in cooking since my kids left home. It takes a lot of planning & energy. But--that may be what I end up having to learn to do. 

That, & praying, yearning, for self control. And walk, walk, walk!!! And bike, bike, bike!!!

Skye Has Mastered It!

This weekend, Friday evening, May 11th, to be exact, Keith, Cameron, Seth & Kelley, & I watched Skye receive her Master's Degree in Appalachian Studies from Appalachian State University:) She is officially hooded:)

We are very proud of her!

All of us spent the weekend together relaxing & celebrating. We rented a lodge near the App Ski Area overlooking Boone-a very pretty spot with a great hot tub:) Ben, Skye's boyfriend, wasn't able to get away from work, so we were disappointed he didn't get to join us. 

We shopped & ate in Boone & Blowing Rock, & simply enjoyed the scenery & hanging out.

Skye, I wish you a future filled with adventure & satisfaction, & fulfillment in all you do. God go before you & keep you in the palm of His Hand. 

Love you!

A Trip Back In Time

Last Thursday, April 26th, Keith & I packed our bags & drove to Boone for a Sunday School Class Reunion. We had not met together as a group in over 20 years.

Back in the 70's & 80's the New Life Class at Westover UMC grew to be extremely close, knitted together by our love for the Lord, our faith in Him, our love for one another.

The pastor during that time, Kenneth, & his wife Rosamond, were precious to us. Their great devotion & love of the Lord allowed us to flourish. (Many of us were also in the Westover choir which Rosamond directed--with an iron fist & hugs).

For at least 10 years the class spent an April weekend "retreating" to the Episcopal Center in Valle Crucis, NC, outside of Boone. For most of those years Ken Helser & his wife Linda led the weekend worship & teaching time.

Then, around 1989, most of the New Life class & their families left Westover. That is another story in itself; it was a time of spiritual upheaval within the Eastern NC UMC. The Lord chose to scatter us out into the Raleigh community in every direction.

With our Sunday School teacher's leadership the retreats continued throughout the years, including a small number of the original group while at the same time adding new folks. This year Don decided 2012 would be the last Valle Crucis Retreat he would organize. And he wanted the original group, as many as he could contact,  to reunite for precious fellowship, plus honor Kenneth & Rosamond who are nearing 90 years "young":)

So, the plan---to meet at the Daniel Boone Restaurant in Boone on Thursday evening for a time of renewing friendships over dinner, staying overnight at the Retreat Center, then continuing the reunion through Friday lunch. After that, those that chose not to stay for the entire weekend could say their goodbyes & check out. Other people would begin arriving Friday afternoon/evening for the second session of the Retreat, lasting through Sunday. Keith & I planned to check out early, then see Skye.




Thursday evening at the restaurant was such fun, welcoming friends we hadn't seen in a long time! Afterward we headed to the Retreat Center where we continued to visit, catch up on life, look at photos. Those who had been part of  the choir rehearsed a simple worship song to sing Friday morning. Rosamond was ecstatic about being a choir director again, even if we were rusty & would only have one practice! I was pretty hesitant about this experiment myself--not being part of a choir since the 80's! Ken led us in a few worship songs before folks began drifting off to bed.

Friday morning after breakfast we gathered in the lodge near the stone fireplace. Ken opened our morning session by leading us in 2 or 3 praise songs. Next the choir was up. Rosamond directed our makeshift group in the song "God Is So Good":) Our intentions were "good" & I think God smiled:) Rosamond was giddy:)!

From that point, throughout the morning session, various ones in the group poured out to Kenneth & Rosamond their love for them---how they had inspired our church family, had encouraged us in our faith, had shown God's love in every way:)
Lots of tears.
A sweet time.
Keith & I couldn't say a word--our hearts were too full.
Especially thankful for Kenneth & Rosamond:)
What a blessing to be with these precious folks!


God drew the New Life Class together, then moved us apart to learn more. Change is good, but I don't always see good during transitions, & that is an understatement!! This group has learned so much. God is faithful. He cares for us & He guides & directs us into new situations for His glory & for our good.

Thankful for a time of renewed fellowship, for reflection, & for God's goodness in all things:)
A taste of Heaven.

Ponderings On Recovery

Had my third post op (lung lobectomy) appointment a week ago:)It was a three hour 'adventure', but knew going in it'd be a waiting game--took the newspaper & my trusty Kindle Fire. Thursdays are VERY BUSY in Dr. Chang's realm, and the receptionists remind me of this every time I schedule a Thursday appointment. Still it's my best day, since I work Mondays & Mondays are Dr. Chang's only other day to see patients. Dr. Chang's PA informed me I'm doing well, my chest x-ray looked great. But I've been worried about not getting right back into my walking regime. She assured me it could take six months to return to my previous energy level, even with laparocopic surgery. Whew. Made me feel much better!! So the pressure's off to walk three miles four or five days a week for now, especially when I work an eight hour day. I'm working toward that, gradually. It seems I need more sleep lately (allergies may easily be a culprit here). But I've always loved naps, so this may not be too different:) I'm often waking up early, 4:30 or 5am--ugh!? Do these two statements mean one precipitates the other? Keith's doing well, especially with his weight loss:)!! Five stars for him for losing almost 40 pounds! That alone makes anyone feel better:) I didn't have that side-affect, I'm afraid:( Now for our biking regime to kick in:)

Easter--A Day In The Life

It is Easter Sunday evening. I've had a day filled with preparing food, trying to coordinate all the food to be done at the same time, attending Sunday School & the church service, and most importantly meeting Skye's boyfriend Ben--she's dated him since last May:)

To start the day, about 6:30 this morning, Wyatt & I had a short green way walk --all was quiet in Shepherd's Vineyard except sweet birds singing:) Thought of Jesus appearing to the women in the garden about that time of day....

(While I showered) Keith peeled & cut up russet potatoes for the Potatoes Au Gratin, recipe by The Pioneer Woman. I wanted to try something different than our usual baked potatoes or mashed potatoes:)

After grabbing coffee, half a banana, & a chocolate donut (tisk, tisk), I put the Au Gratin together, washed & sliced strawberries for a spinach salad, placed the yeast dough rolls out to rise, & prepared the ham for baking. Also set the table with my favorite rust-colored Cole pottery plates & pottery cups. Yesterday I had put freshly ironed white tablecloths on the table, then added a glass container filled with Easter eggs & a tall green pottery vase of fresh flowers for the centerpiece.

At 9:30, Keith & I headed to Peace:)!
Had a precious time in Sunday School with dear folks studying 1Peter.
At 11 we met Seth & Kelley and Cameron in the sanctuary. Seth informed me Skye & Ben had just left Boone--an hour late:(
Ugh. (How was I going to delay lunch an hour?)
Peace's Easter Service is always inspiring to me, & today was as well:) Choir Anthem, horns, orchestra, Andy's sermon! Friday night's service was more intimate & moving, but today's service was glorious:)!

Skye & Ben arrived about 2pm:) We had successfully kept the food hot while checking out Seth & Kelley's new Ancestry.com app & putting dishes back in a warm oven:) Plus Cameron had a call from work he attended to--he even ran home to get his computer.

We had a sweet time visiting with Skye & getting to know Ben a little while we ate:) He lives in Elizabethton, Tenn. & enjoys cooking. He's working at a Bistro there & hopes to go to Culinary School eventually:)
An A+ in my book for Ben: he washed dishes for me:) As much as I love my kids (& they're almost perfect:)), no one offers to do that!
Cooks & does dishes--pretty impressive:)

(BTW, my Potatoes Au Gratin were too soupy, but tasted good:) Ree, I'll do better next time, promise)

Mid afternoon Cameron left to go hiking at Umstead with a bud & S&K left to prepare for their Easter dinner at Kelley's mom's in Raleigh. Skye & Ben decided to take a walk into downtown Apex:) That sounded great, but Keith & I were so tired we opted for a nap!:)

Tonight Skye & Ben are checking out the Raleigh scene & meeting some of Skye's buds. This is the first time Ben has been in our "neck of the woods".
Tomorrow afternoon they head back to the mts. I plan to have lunch with them on their way out--I've asked off for an hour. A short visit, but sweet:)

A lovely Easter day at the McFarlands. We are blessed:)

April

Well, blog readers, I've probably lost all of you by now, except maybe one:) My dear friend Linda emailed me this week asking me to return to my journaling. I'm not sure whether gifted writers have dry spells (I suspect they do but are disciplined enough to write daily/weekly), but my inspiration vanished months ago:(
Life became busy.
Life became hard.
But those times should fuel a writer's words, right?

Keith & I have resumed our normal lives (as in "before surgeries") in the last month. We both have a bit more recovery but it will come gradually. Keith's working full time again. We hope to resume biking soon:) I haven't quite returned to walking 3 miles each morning before working an 8 hour day at Hallmark, but am walking 2 miles:) Keith's lost at least 35 pounds & feels much better:)

Church softball season began this week. Keith turned over his coaching duties to friend Steve for this season, but I did spy him "coaching" from the sidelines:) He loves softball:)

Keith's brother Denny & sister in law Nancy from Wisconsin visited last weekend:) SO good to have them here for a few days:)

On the 26-27th we plan to attend a Sunday School class reunion in Valle Crucis, near Boone, NC. Looking forward to time in the gorgeous mts. with old friends:) We'll visit Skye too:) I'm ready for a road trip--too much time spent at home lately!!

I'll let you know about Skye's Easter visit with her "beau":) We're meeting him for the first time:)!!

Have a blessed Easter, Linda:)

How I spent January 2012

Dear Blog,
I spent January 3rd-7th at Duke Raleigh Hospital having a lung lobectomy.
January 7th-17th I began recuperating from surgery.
January 18th Cameron & I ended up at Cary Wake with Keith who had suffered a heart attack!
January 18th-21st the family & I stayed at Big Wake Hospital waiting for quadruple bypass surgery for Keith, then waiting as he recovered.
January 21st he came home:)
Today, February 11th, marks 3 weeks past heart surgery:)
Whew!
It was a tough time & recovery is a slow process:(
These are photos I took during Keith's time at Cary Wake & Big Wake.









We have been well loved by countless friends & family:)
Praise God, He is the Great Physician & Healer:)

A Big Tractor Week

Years ago, Keith's nephew Nick would help Grandpa mow the yard & at the end of the day, he'd sigh & say, "Grandpa, it's been a big tractor day!!".

Well, this past week+ has been a "big tractor week" with my lung biopsy/surgery. First time for major surgery, other than a C-section with Skye 24 years ago.

Tuesday:
Pre-op day at Duke Raleigh. Keith & Skye spent hours sitting with me while I answered questions of every sort & was being informed of what to expect the following day.
Such a bitter cold day in the midst of a mild winter.
Afterward a nice gentleman drove us from the main hosptial to Dr. Chang's office in a golf cart--I kidded him about using his air conditioner--burrrr!
We all came home & took a nap!

Wednesday:
Keith & I headed back to Old Wake Forest Road, arriving about 10am, where we proceeded to the Same Day Surgery Waiting Room. I was fasting, so no coffee for me--& I was craving a steaming hot latte.
After about 20 minutes, we were called back to the pre-surgery cubicle. The nurse began the IV's while I signed papers, answered more questions, etc.
Skye joined us before I was wheeled away to surgery.
I remember being parked on the gurney in a hallway, evidently near the OR.

After surgery:
When I woke up Dr. Chang was standing over me telling me all had gone well. He looked alien-like in his green surgery scrubs. My next memory, I was in ICU, a tiny room with large machinery. Bruce, an ICU nurse, was so attentive to me all evening & through the night:) Encountered quite a few male nurses during my stay, which was so different from 24 years ago!:)
Family came in at various times...
Keith spent the night in the ICU Waiting Room, attempting to sleep.

Thursday:
After a night in the hectic ICU--I myself setting off beepers & monitor bells & whistles, plus all the whirrs & buzzes that occur simply from spitting out readings every 5 minutes--it was time for breakfast. My nurse insisted I needed "real" food, so sent back the liquid diet that had been delivered. Can I tell you how delicious pancakes & sausage can be after fasting for 24 hours & going through surgery? Yum.
Keith & Skye arrived:)

Rev. Andy stopped in to check on me before taking Mrs. Rev. to NYC for a "wild" weekend:) Loved chatting about NYC since it's a favorite place of mine:)

By 11am a private room had been found, so I was unhooked from "various & sundry" & taken from the 1st floor to the 5th. As soon as I got settled in, it was down to the basement(?) for a chest x-ray; at least I graduated from a portable bed to a wheelchair for the basement trip:)
After the x-ray, back to the room, a quiet, calm room. Still tethered by a few things, but much freer than ICU. Nap time, sleep time:)
Seth, Kelley, & Cameron came at some point:)
In the evening Lou & Lorraine & Ralph dropped in--felt pretty good, loved good company:)
Keith asked Skye to stay Friday night.
I still needed help getting to the bathroom by myself.

Friday:
Woke up feeling funky. Spent the day dealing with nausea & grogginess. Ugh.
Diet all day? Diet Pepsi & crackers.
Sent out an email asking anyone that wanted to visit to call ahead. Only Seth came, in the afternoon. He sat with his iPad while Keith & I slept. (Skye & Cameron came later for a while) Nurse Sue was so kind--tried every way possible to help me.
The evening nurse turned off the lights & didn't check on us for hours--we needed the peace & quiet, & uninterrupted sleep.

Saturday:
Breakfast was coffee, pancakes & sausage, but this time I only wanted the pancakes. The nurse took away my last two "teethers". Dr. White came by about 9am, Dr. Chang's partner, to discharge me.
Let me say, I was so impressed that Dr. Chang & his PA Katie came by twice every day--amazing!

By 10:30 Keith & I were packed & heading out the door of Duke Raleigh, into the sunshine:)My tummy was better, time to rest & heal.
BTW, did you know that your right lung has 3 lobes & your left lobe has two? Never knew that till this week!


News from Dr. Chang's PA this week: All lymph nodes were clean, & the tumor was a carcinoid cancer.(See http://www.cancer.org/cancer/lungcarcinoidtumor/detailedguide/index)

Bless the Lord, oh my soul, & all that is within me, bless His Holy Name.

A New Year

"We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives...not looking for flaws, but for potential."
- Ellen Goodman

Today is January 1st, 2012.
A new year:)
A year filled with hope I will open my eyes & see my daily blessings, that I will be enfolded with courage to face trials that inevitably come.
We are not promised happiness, but we are promised joy if we rest in God's lavish love, sustaining grace, & comfort:)

God bless & keep each of you as we all seek our God-given mission in this precious journey.