Daily Dose

Saw this article and loved the sweet, simple testimony that is recognition of the gifts of God in our lives. He hears us and answers our prayers! I have begun teaching an early morning seminary class with about 10 high school juniors/seniors. One student lingered after class today and said, "Isn't it great when you pray about something and right away, Bam! an answer is right in front of you?!" He didn't elaborate on what his prayer had been or what the answer was, but I agreed that those special God-winks are wonderful to receive--those divine messages that our Heavenly Father is close, He hears us, loves us, and wants to bless us with what we need and sometimes even what we want. I cherish this opportunity to once again immerse myself in the scriptures and prayer as I prepare daily for this hour with these valiant young people who give up their sleep and time to get a spiritual start to their day. It's humbling and exhilarating at the same time as I feel the Spirit reaching them through these lessons.

Perfect Timing!

I started participating in EveryMove, which gives you points and rewards for exercising. One of the first rewards I chose was an Elite membership in Runkeeper (I've been using the free, limited version since last fall). It's been a back-and-forth for a couple weeks now trying to redeem the reward and get the Elite version working on my account, but today it went through and I got to look at the fitness plans and goals they offer. I picked a training plan for an "under 2:15 half-marathon." Rich and I had previously set a goal to participate in the Lakefair half-marathon in Olympia, WA and as I looked at the training plan on Runkeeper, if I started next Monday, I would have exactly 16 weeks (the suggested training plan schedule) to the day of the event!

I can help you with that...

said the Fates. I had recently read this article on ways to fight early Alzheimer's and was doing all the suggestions but one:

"Use different parts of your brain by performing activities such as writing with your non-dominant hand, walking backwards, or brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand."

Since breaking my wrist last weekend, I now get to practice that exercise ALL THE TIME! I think I found my silver lining.

It's a Gorey life

My daughter gave me an Edward Gorey puzzle for Christmas. Very difficult! I had helpers during the holidays but it has lain neglected for weeks. I finally got some down time when I was home sick a few days ago and finished it--just in time for Edward Gorey's birthday!

Two become one

Rich had this great idea to take all seven grandkids to the roller rink. Fortunately Jason (son-in-law and dad to 3 of said grands) accompanied us, giving the 2 moms a special evening together kid-less. I had just started out onto the rink floor with the 4-year-old when my feet flew out from under me and i broke my fall with my left hand, thus also breaking my wrist in 2 places. I handed off my charge to Rich while I assessed the damage and went for some ice, though I was fairly sure of the break. As I sat with an ice pack on my wrist, the 11-year-old came by to check on me and informed me that "Grampa fell too!" Yep. He and Norah got 3/4 around the rink when he lost it and went down. So we were able to leave the group in Jay's able hands and Rich drove us both to the ER where he was given a sling for a hairline fracture and (after 5 tries) I got my radius bone set and a full-arm cast put on.

The Synchronicity of this is that his injury is to his right (dominant) side and my break is my (dominant) left. So now,  he holds the can while I turn the can-opener; I hold the bread while he spreads the butter. Together we can still get it done!

Horse sense

I've been thinking about my horse-riding days when I owned Pride of Nebraska, a 16-hand quarter horse. Rich had bought some knives online recently and gave one to me--a wrangler's knife that has a hoof pick on it. It called to mind my teen years when I used such a tool frequently with Nebraska.
As I prepared for a genealogy workshop this week I experimented with some mobile apps for recording memories and recorded as an example the story of how I got me knee scar (taking a spill off Nebraska).
This weekend we took a quick getaway trip to the coast. I slipped the knife in my pocket "just in case." Near the beach we happened upon an enterprise offering horse riding along the shore. I showed Rich my Pinterest board "wishlist" and the pic of a girl on a horse on the beach, hair flying, arms outstretched as she cantered along. He said "go for it" so I did. I had high expectations but the pin will remain for the time being. But that's another story. I did get to use my knife though. Not the hoof pick, but I cut "Missy's" apple with the blade for her treat at the end of our two-hour walk along the beach together.