Alive and kickin'!

 Yeah, I'm still here!

It's been a while, but I moved into my new apartment in August and have maintained radio silence ever since. Guess I've been finding my feet in my new place. Country girl in the big city! (Pop. 4,000 ha ha.)

My little apartment is cozy and the neighbors, I think, are friendlier than in your average apartment complex. We have "coffee time" in the community room each morning, so I've gotten to know a little core group of outgoing folks. There are 80 apartments in the building, so the 20 or so folks I know by name are just a sampling, but quite a lot more people than I would have known if I lived anywhere else. 

Most of the following photos were taken on a long walk I took this fall. A river runs through the middle of my town (Park Rapids, MN) and a large park surrounds it. Lots of pretty spots to picnic and relax. This is the same trail (Heartland) that goes through my old town of Nevis, just 12 miles to the west.

This is my apartment building. I'm one floor down from the top. the fifth window over from the left is my living room, and my bedroom window is behind that tree. I like being able to look over the top of the neighboring houses. I can see the downtown area to the east. 

I make frequent trips to Micah and Adam's to help with kids and for Thanksgiving and such. We had a great time this Thanksgiving with the whole crew. 

I came down with a sore throat yesterday and couldn't go to church or to see the grandkids do their homeschool co-op Christmas concert. But the church did livestream it and so I did get to see them! They were awesome! :)

Well, just checking in. I'll be over to visit my sister bloggers. I'm not sure how well this last photo came out. Sunrise with a beam of light shooting up into the clouds. I was expecting Jesus any moment, lol.

And a slice of pie pressed upon me by a neighbor lady who loves to bake. She can't see or hear very well, but she can still bake up a storm. She brings treats to coffee time several times a week. (Peach/apple pie. It was delicious!)

Shalom and hugs to all! 

Similar to last week's blog, lol...

Perfect weather for a walk! Lots of friendly folks  on the trail. The tourists are enjoying Nevis.

I then headed to the lake and sat and watched people having fun. These two little girls came kayaking up to the shore, got out and parked their vehicle on the bank and went swimming in the swimming area. So independent. Maybe 12 and 8 years old. 

 I don't know why I enjoy sitting and watching people launch boats and pontoons. Maybe it's the spirit of camaraderie. You can hear them talking and laughing clear across the lake. Two gals were backing their pontoon into the water. After much discussion and a pretty good attempt the one jumped out of her pickup and said, "There ya go! How do you like them apples?" People on shore cheered and clapped. Ha ha. Then she had to pull it back out and remove some safety chain or something and back in it went. Oh well. We can't always be cool. (The boat launch is across the water right above that nearer pontoon.)

Hope you're all enjoying your own beautiful country! Thanks for looking in on me. 

Shalom and love!

Quiet before the chaos...

I decided to go for a walk on the trail and then to sit and enjoy the quiet at the beach before chaos ensues. This is the weekend for what we in Nevis call Muskie Days. Lots of people selling crafty stuff, a big fish fry, a water skiiing show and lots of other things I'm not aware of. Ha ha. I usually lay low until it's over. I do want to enjoy my last week or so here before I move, so I'll try to take lots of walks.

Here are some pictures at the lake/beach.

If it crosses your mind maybe you would send up a prayer for the move I'm about to make. That everyone's backs would stay healthy, that we could figure out the logistics of when and how to accomplish things in the best way, and that I won't waste a lot of time worrying about it. I figure in a couple of weeks it will be behind us and I'll realize I worried for nothing. :) Maybe pray for some extra help for the heavy stuff. Thanks! 

We had a deli girl get together yesterday and feasted on Mexican food. I decided to throw caution to the wind and cheat a little on my carnivore diet. That raspberry tea definitely had sugar in it! (That's why it was so good!) And, of course, there was the huge chicken fajita burrito. (Say that three times fast.) It's always fun to get together with my old work mates.

Otherwise life goes on as usual. 

Did I post this picture earlier? It was taken a while back, but I've never seen a cloud like this. The word "anvil" comes to mind.

Looking forward to an afternoon of reading and watching my favorite theologian, Mike Winger, on YouTube. It looks like a warm week ahead, by Minnesota standards. Just wanted to check in and catch up on blogs.

Thanks for stopping by! I love you good people out there!

Shalom.
 

Book Tube at War and pontoons...

It's been a while...again. I just went for a walk on the trail and then sat at the park by our local lake (Belletaine) and watched people launch their boats, pontoons and skidoos. It was very pleasant and entertaining. (I'm easily entertained.) I think I spent about an hour and a half doing that and sipping some coffee, which I bought as a treat. I'm still on the carnivore diet and shouldn't have creamer, but I cheated for a second.

I'm not a Book Tuber (people who do YouTube videos where they discuss the books they're reading, or hope to read. Sound like watching paint dry? It can be.) I've found a few characters that I find interesting, and watch them occasionally. Anyway, every month they come up with a theme and challenge watchers to read books matching the theme. The theme for July is Book Tube at War, and so we read books involving war. I don't usually do these challenges, but I thought it was about time I read Citizen Soldiers by Stephen Ambrose, so I'm going to jump in. Wish me luck. 

In other news, it looks like I'll be moving to Park Rapids (12 miles away) in August. This is an apartment for seniors and disabled people. I've chosen an apartment on the 5th floor so I can overlook the town. This is probably the tallest building in this little town at six stories so I should have an unobstructed view. Hopefully this is a temporary move for a year or two, until I can move back to Micah and Adam's place. But only the Lord can see that far ahead, so I'm going to be content where I am as long as I'm there. I'm hoping to meet some nice folks while I'm there and find out what town people do for fun. Meanwhile, maybe I can find a cheap camper to park at Micah's so I can camp out now and then, lol. 

Hope you're all well! I'm doing okay. Just a bit tired a lot of the time. I'll be by to read blogs soon! :)

Shalom and happy summer, everyone!

We have green grass!

 

It's beginning to look like spring, though the trees are just budding.

A little while ago on a frosty day I captured this pair at the feeder.

I've been doing too much YouTubing and reading lately, so today I'm hoping to do some decluttering. Going through books, clothes, cleaning products and storage boxes. I'm looking ahead to September when I'll be moving and I don't want to have any more to move than I need to. Only God knows what will actually happen in the future, but I like to over think and plan way ahead. I know I have lots of stuff I don't need and will not use. Most of my books are on my Kindle, but I still have these to go through...

(Not that many, actually! The stuff in the box is going to the dump.)

It's supposed to be in the '70's today. That's crazy for us! :)

I'll probably have to go for a walk on the trail.

Feeling a little old lately, but I look forward to that new body the Lord promised us. The one that lasts forever! Meanwhile, trying to take care of this one. I pray you're all doing well and trusting in the Lord for everything. My fingers are a little contrary on the keyboard, so I'll keep this brief. Just wanted to touch base and check in. I'm off to read blogs!

Love all you family and friends out there!

Shalom!

Quick update...

Son Josh just returned from a trip to London with his work team. I'm so happy he got to go! 

 I forgot to answer Dori's question in my last post. Nope, I'm not back living by my kids. That may take a year or two. I'm still in the boat shaped house/apartment. Just trying to be content where I am, and hopefully I'll get back out to the country in the  not too distant future. :) 

Oh, and I FINISHED The Count of Monte Cristo. It really picked up after the halfway point, and the end was spectacular! I repent for bad-mouthing it! Ha ha. 

I've got an appointment with a new lady doctor this afternoon. My old doctor is retiring and I thought I'd try a female doctor this time around. I haven't been to the doctor for about 3 years. I think this will be a general physical and just getting to know each other. Wonder what she'll think about the carnivore diet. Hmmm.

Donna and Gretchen, the diet is going well, but I've had to cut out so many things to clear up the acid reflux problems that I'm now down to pork chops, hamburger, bacon, eggs, shrimp and fish. I may try going toward something more paleo. Just a thought. I'll stick with this for now. I know  I can't do it forever. 

Y'all have a great day!

Shalom.

Helloooo...

...to my small, but faithful, band of readers. We just keep keepin' on, don't we?

The days are getting warmer, by Minnesota standards. In the 20's and 30's during the day and not too bad at night.

It's hard to tell from this photo, but we've had a ton o' snow in the last week. Thirteen inches one day and then...some more.

Still going carnivore. Here's my typical breakfast. I've given up dairy completely. It seems to aggravate my vocal cords and throat.

Typical lunch...I just keep a selection of meats and seafood around and cook various combos. Feeling pretty good. Lost some weight. Micah got Adam to join us. He warned her he'd be grouchy, and I guess he is going through that phase. It's hard to watch others eating goodies when you can't have them. :) Welcome, Donna! I hope to stick to this for a while. I'm so brainwashed at this point that I'll feel like I'm eating poison if I go back to my old habits. I'm trapped! Ha ha.

The view from my front door window.

The suet feeder is empty. I'd better be a good host and refill it. GM, in answer to your comment, we have lots of Flickers in the summer, but I never see them in winter. They must go to visit their friends in western Canada, eh? :)

I just had to chuckle at verse seventeen...Sixteen's pretty good, too. That Sol is pretty wise!

Listening to a lot of Joshua Aaron and Miqedem on YouTube. I should be tired of it by now, but I'm not. I'll try to link one below. Who knows? It might work.

Joshua Aaron

I've had a quiet few days of reading and not going out much because of snow and such. The next couple of days will be full of babysitting and helping Micah to get kids to a dress rehearsal for the homeschool co-op play (Frozen), and Audrey having a dental appointment at the same time. She'll miss the first hour of rehearsal while I sit in the van with the two smallest guys and the other three are at rehearsal. After that I'll do errands and then go to my Bible study at 1:00. Should be exhilarating! That's Thursday. Tomorrow (Wed.) I babysit for about six hours while Micah and Sloan go to Bemidji for his speech therapy and her chiropracter appointment. Then Friday I'll go to the play and Saturday maybe a volleyball game. Then I'll need a rest, ha ha.

I've been slogging my way through The Count of Monte Cristo. Why? I guess just so I can say I did! I was under the impression that it was good, but I find it a little (or a lot) draggy. But now that I'm at the 43% mark (Kindle version) there's no turning back. I'm trying not to let it interfere with my other reading in case it takes me months to finish it. Maybe it was The Man in the Iron Mask I was thinking of? Any opinions out there?

Well, those are the high points of my little peasant life here in the frozen tundra of Minnesota. I'll be visiting y'all!

I hope you're all having some nice weather and are well. God bless and shalom to you all!

 

Here I be! Lisa the lazy blogger.

 Wow, it's been two months! Am I going for a record?

I think I'm just having fun entertaining myself and I'm taking the lazy way out by watching others' creative output instead of creating a post. :)

Before I go on here are some woodpecker visitors. Forgive the dirty window. 

Lots of woodpeckers around. Besides the pileateds and the red-bellied above, I also get a lot of hairy and downy woodpeckers. Also lots of nuthatches and blue jays. I'm enjoying them. 

A big change in my dietary life is that Micah and I are doing the carnivore diet. Just meat, water and salt. Oh, and eggs. It's a thing. Her motivation is mainly weight loss (I think), but after watching lots of videos on the subject I decided to try it to deal with the anxiety/depression I was having  a lot of trouble with. It's also purported to help fight dementia and diabetes. I know it sounds faddish, but it can't be any worse than my regular diet. The people making the videos are doctors and hopefully their info is reliable. I've only been doing this for 2-1/2 weeks and since I'm still in the beginning stages I won't judge it yet. They say to try it for 1-3 months before judging the results. I am feeling much less anxiety and depression. Coincidence? We'll see. Dr. Ken D. Berry is the one I watch the most. (KenDBerry on YouTube)

Reading lots. I just finished A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers. It was a hefty book, but I found out when I reached the end that it's a three book series. Oh, man! Well, I found the last two books from a used bookseller on Amazon, so I can find out what happened to everyone. It takes place circa 70 A.D. after the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus and follows the lives of a young Jewish Christian girl who is captured and sold into slavery in Rome. It also follows the life of a warrior from Germania who was captured and forced to train as a gladiator, who also ends up in Rome. At the end of the book the young girl is thrown to the lions and supposedly killed, but...she didn't die. Oooooh. Now I have to wait for the next book to arrive. :) (But prepare yourself for some paganism and immoral Roman behavior.)

Well, in the last 15 minutes I've gone from my couch at home to Micah's to babysit while she goes into town to get new tires on her van. It was a last minute thing. So, this may be the end of this post for now. Hazel's talking at me. Better go!

I've visited your blogs and enjoyed them immensely!

Shalom!