This picture was taken last Christmas - Mom's showing off her new pjs.

Today has been a bit strange. So many times in the last few months I've said that I wished my life would settle. We humans are so fickle, we always want what we don't have. Now that things are moving in the direction of what I think is settling, I'm a bit sad. Artie and I have been living with his Mom who has Alzheimers for the past five years. After a lot of prayer and discussion we have made the decision to move her to an Alzheimers care facility. It's a very nice place with wonderful people and will be convenient for the whole family and for friends to visit. But as I'm buying new pajamas, her favorite Reese peanut butter cups, and "footsies for her tootsies" (as she always used to say) - it has been very hard. Since the decision, Artie and I take turns getting upset and know that this is to be expected. We are watching our grandchildren learn new words and look at the world with wonder and watching Mom struggle to remember words and look out with eyes often filled with distraught. Filling out papers, trying to think of every thing those who will be caring for her might need to know so that they can be aware of what she really needs --- letting go --- I guess these lessons continue until we let go for good. If you're reading this, pray with us for this transition. Please pray that Mom will not be afraid, that she will know that she is loved and well cared for. Thanks.

Yellow Jackets - I'm sure they have a purpose besides stinging people, right?

I don't remember having been stung by a yellow jacket before, but I had that awful privilege yesterday as I was using a hoe to dig out the roots of some pesky weeds. I think I was stung 2 or 3 times on my right foot. I did get the opportunity to flip one of them pretty hard and then took off running into the house. I immediately applied ice to my foot and took some benadryl. I figured it would sting for a while and then start to go away. Instead the pain became more and more intense and felt like my foot was in a vice that kept getting tighter and tighter. I have always had a pretty high pain tolerance, but I tell you, this was one of the most painful things I have ever experienced. Artie finally convinced me to go to the emergency room and I was given a steroid shot and something for pain. I'm better today but my foot is still a bit painful. Today I just wanted to say that I'm very thankful for drugs and to know that I'm allergic to yellow jackets. I'll do my best to avoid them in the future.