Long distance friendships

The other day my friend, Rosalie, had called to chat but I was not available at the moment. I sent her a text message making an appointment to call her back last night, which ended up being early evening, my time. She is on central time but she'd already had her dinner and was busy on the computer. Rosalie is extremely active in her church and has a full plate at all times. She amazes me, and makes me feel lazy! Oh, yes, she is also more than 20 years older than I am!

             Rosalie and Hal with Justin 'n me, Jan. 2011

She was telling me about an interesting devotion she is reading, composed from the writings of Martin Luther. She is thrilled with it so I might send for it as well. We also discussed the Meditations our Synod puts out, though she has me at a disadvantage there. I told her one of the fondest memories I had of her visit the last time was when Hal read the devotion to us ladies in my river room. ****sigh****

Rosalie told me she is going to start taking organ lessons again which is thrilling to hear. She can't read music but can play chords. As a non-musician, I don't understand the difference, but she does, which is what matters.
                               
This morning my friend, Tina, let me know Gracie and she would not be coming to breakfast at The Club on Friday. Nuts! But she did send me the photos taken the morning when Linda and I were there. The sun was shining so nicely on Linda's face....

My other friend, Randy, who used to live upstairs from me, keeps in touch via Facebook. He sent me a message the other day to report he got me some replacement flowers for the glass ones which I broke. Today he posted a picture of them which I am sharing here:

I believe he is coming this direction next month to gather his belongings left in storage when he moved last year. He has gotten what is described by him as being his "dream job" for the DOD, and I hope he gets to keep it now with all the cuts. Guess he will be okay as long as he is not conducting tours of the White House or working as a park ranger! Neither job would be a good match for this retired Marine....who buys his friends glass flowers!