Trying to catch up this blog!

Finally, I get to sit down at the computer to write! What a rapid-fire visit it’s been having Justin here, but today, he returns to Florida so he can work tomorrow.

We have spent time with family and friends since we arrived on Thursday evening, beginning with Lynn collecting us from the airport. Our dinner was had at the Green Street Tavern, my first taste of perch! Friday we did some shopping at Copp’s, got my favorite sugar cookies plus some other unique to the upper Midwest baked goods. The evening brought a sacred concert presented by Manitowoc Lutheran High School at the Capital Civic Center. Awesome!

After the concert, Justin and I drove to see Linda, in a snowstorm! Yikes! At least it did not last very long and we made it safely home again. He was glad to see his friends, Linda and Tommy, and enjoy a delicious cherry cheese torte made by Georgia, Linda’s sister. Yum!

We went shopping at Kohl’s the next day as Justin needed to replace a couple items he returned for credit before we left FL. Two of my other sisters were there as well, doing last minute shopping. I saw a coat there that Justin would like, checked for the right size, but walked away. Later, with Lynn, I went back for it, but the right size was gone. Lynn said it was not meant to be, someone else needed the coat. Later, as I walked the aisles looking for Justin, he directed me to the coat section and I told him there was none in his size. He reached into the rack and pulled one out. It seems he had it with him in the dressing room when I went back to get it. Great minds think alike! I did get it for him, for no particular reason, on sale, mind you.

We went to church on CHRISTmas Eve at First German and it was glorious. The candlelight service was edifying and tears flowed from some in our row, for various reasons. I remembered Timmy not liking the ‘new’ version of “Away in the Manger” and how Miss Clara would let him sit on the bench with her as she played the original version for him. “Stille Nacht” always stirs tears, the candles and the pipe organ combination, evocative. Back home to bed and a good sleep after worship.

Justin and I enjoyed our time together here, got to eat the good food, shop at Copp’s, make our celebratory foods, and even have a visit from the fire department after setting off the smoke alarms in Mom’s building when frying bacon on Saturday morning. Such excitement! At least the bacon was crisp! And today, he leaves me to fend for myself---I think I will manage!