February 14, 2007
Valentine’s Day, and snow is everywhere. The morning walk was undertaken in below zero temperatures and after a bit, Alphie began to try to walk on three feet instead of four, shifting from foot to foot in an attempt to spare one limb at a time from the intense cold so I immediately returned to the house with him. Later in the day, we walked the entire path around – it was still cold, but apparently bearable for him. The sky was a light gray with a pale and filtered sun shining through and I noticed a number of last years’ birds nests had perfect white caps of snow on them – robins were in the cedars trying to stay out of the wind and I considered that all of us creatures together were likely looking forward to warmer days and the advent of spring.
Last weekend we flew to St. Louis because Charles was playing for a Hymn Festival in St. Charles. The flights went smoothly, though some of the boarding requirements seemed a bit strange; a young woman in front of me was going through security and didn’t have the requisite sack for her lotion and lipstick, etc. The lady checking her handbag said, “I’m sorry, but since you don’t have a plastic bag, I will have to confiscate these items.” I had two plastic bags in my purse, one with oranges in it, and another for my Purell, etc., so I shook out the oranges and handed the young woman the plastic bag. Both she and the checking woman thanked me very sincerely. This was taking place after our items had gone through the X-Ray machine so it was difficult to see the rationale behind all of the above.
The Hymn Festival went well with a wonderful children’s choir singing Charles’ composition “There is a Time” (based on the Ecclesiastes reading “There is a time and a purpose for everything under heaven. . . . “). We hadn’t heard it done by children before, and it was very good. Along with Charles’ compositions, the program included several hymns from the new Lutheran hymnal which he introduced with wonderful improvisations – the singing was vigorous and the music making was very fine by all those participating in the event.
This week is a happy one because the blood counts turned around at last, and instead of going downward, have begun their climb toward normal again. With many winter illnesses of flu and colds in every part of the community, it is a relief to have some immunities in place again.