Courage and Resolve in Everyday Ramblings

This park, which is across the big street from where I live, (and part of the track complex over there) is named after the first woman to register to vote in Oregon in 1912 when we were granted the right to vote. (It took them six tries as men voted it down 5 times before.) I didn’t know until Sunday that she was also part of the sewing circle that dreamed up the idea over 150 years ago that started our church.

Once the original building was built they would sometimes meet in the parlor where the Women’s Circle I have been attending for the last 15 years meets.

It is interesting that the gorgeous Presbyterian Church a few blocks down from ours I worked at for a year was also started by a sewing circle. One that had more money. That building has gorgeous wood and windows, ours is pretty austere but lovely in its own way. Our church is now at least four times bigger than theirs in terms of membership and just bursting out of our buildings. They still have more money than we do. :) We charge for Sunday School and to be in one of our choirs.

The view here from this last Sunday is down towards the lilac garden. This was a private collection of lilacs that was transplanted after the collector passed on. It is maintained by the Parks Department and an all volunteer friends of organization. That organization just obtained some additional land up on the Parkway with a spectacular view of Portland and the river. They are calling it Eagle Point. The grand opening is this coming weekend.

I will be in Salem visiting Kes and Most Honorable and the cats. This will be my first night away from home since Sammy was with us. How weird is it to plan for something like this without having to prep all the meds and leave a list of complicated instructions for my beloved cat sitter?

It will be good to get away though.

H. is doing amazingly well. She is one determined woman. They were able to finally find that one artery to her heart was blocked 90% and they were able to put a stent in yesterday. Last night she sat up and ate a real meal. She is recognizing people by name but other big basic facts are missing. Considering the trauma she has been through though… Turns out she was kind of, ummm, overdoing it. Out on a three mile walk on a very hot day after walking the dog earlier. She is 78 or 79 and had both her knees replaced last year.

I can just see me doing something like that in 18 years. May I be so lucky to have the opportunity…

I am finally fully recovered from my flu and most grateful to be.

Things are quiet at work right now. I did another training yesterday and just adored the person I met. She was such a joy to work with, quick, smart and enthusiastic. She is the director of a department so a little above the level of folks I normally get to hang out with.

Tonight I am back to teaching my Caregiving class. It is always such an adventure.

There is nothing predictable about this volunteer gig except that I end up washing my hands a lot.

Last updated September 24, 2014