Perhaps I should explain.......

.......that Paul is not a soprano, but Emily certainly is!!!! Just wait----you'll see for yourselves................

The river is gorgeous tonight

The river is so smooth that I could bounce a quarter on it---well, nearly that smooth. The sun is beginning to set but the sky is still lit, as are the trees across the river. A flock of birds just flew in a line toward the south, not recognizable from this distance. When the sun hits a certain level in the sky, the roofs and windows across the river catch the light, making a reflection that is sometimes blinding. But only for a moment...

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I am listening to a "Seinfeld" episode, enjoying the banter as Jerry and George try to get through security at the airport. George got teased by the man doing the searching (pre-TSA rules) for carrying body lotion in his luggage. As Jerry is getting "wanded" by another security guy, he makes the best of it by pleading: "Ladies and gentlemen, I implore you....." and he trails off with a grin on his face. Then he and George bicker about who gets to sit by the window on the plane, because George said he "called it". So funny!

Besides the reflecting windows and roof tops, the water looks to be a mix of colors, with rose and green being the most obvious. I'd love to take a picture of it but my camera is mad at me these days. My friend, Julia, might be able to coax the settings for me, since both Dee and she are familiar with this particular Canon. They win prizes in art shows, and I have to sweet-talk mine into messing up a shot of the moon! Ugh!

Justin had a rough, cold day today having to help his father chase down an escaping jet ski. Evidently it had worked its way free of the ropes on the floating dock and drifted miles and miles down the river. An officer from the Fish and Game Commission called to report that he'd found it near the Shands Bridge. It took the two guys about an hour and a half to get over to the site where it was found, and then another hour and a half to get the trailer, wade into the water to load it, and get the ski delivered again. On the coldest day of the year (so far) and Justin is out wading around in ice cold water to rescue an escaped jet ski! And now the water is rosy pink, dotted with leaping mullet----cool!

Did you notice how a few weeks ago all the news reports were about the financial crisis, ticking down the Dow futures, remarking about how low it is going, etc., etc. Now, it barely gets notice, I have to go in search of the wonderful news that the financial markets are dropping off the charts, but wait, there is a crisis somewhere else to be dealt with. In my search, I found a report on Drudge stating the markets are at their lowest since March of 2003. Somehow, I feel a tiny bit better.

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I just love it that Jerry and George are sitting in the back of the patrol car scolding the officers for going on a call, when "they have an appointment". Where do they get the nerve to act up in front of the cops? Not the first time either. They are "going downtown" in Hollywood to talk to a detective about Kramer being sought as a seriel killer. On the way to the station, the cops get called to an address and when Kramer opens his door to about 20 people crowded into the hallway, he says, "Jerry! George! What are you doing here?" while the detective is standing right in front of him with a badge in his face. He is so "unaware" of what's going on around him.

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My scrapbooking ladies didn't come today but I managed to keep myself busy in my warm, snug office. Venturing out into the cold rooms only long enough to get a soda or heat up some food for lunch, I'd rush right back and close the door to keep the heat bottled up in this room. I feel sorry for those who had to go out in the cold, cruel, world. Well, the sun has set and now lights replace the sun reflections across the river. It's nearly time for me to head out for choir rehearsal, and am looking forward to seeing Paul and Emily being there again since he's done with his classes for the rest of the year. It will be good to have help with the soprano parts, especially since I'll be gone over CHRISTmas, finding out what cold really is! Linda's new house has heated ceramic tile in the bathrooms-----think I'll stay over there when I'm in Manty, sprawled on the bathroom floor!

Baby, it's cold outside!

This is certainly "button up your overcoat" weather here this week. Judy R. needs to come back and bring some warm weather with her! Oh, that's right---it's freezing up there, too!

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My feet are nice and warm in my fuzzy slippers, with my nails newly trimmed, buffed, and polished today by my little friend, Lisa. I drove to Middleburg just for her gentle touch and to also deliver Sandy's order from Southern Living. I really did mean to take her order over to her but got distracted by the chance meeting of Brenda W. who just happened to be at Lisa's shop when I arrived. We talked some prior to my appointment and again for about an hour following, playing some catch up. The builder's office where she works is being relocated to his home on Fleming Island because his business is dropping off so dramatically. I don't mind her moving closer to me but am sorry about the state of the building industry and how it affects so many people I associate with.

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As Lisa and I chatted during my pedicure, she mentioned how hard her fiance, Jason, was working these days, not being able to use a fork lift any longer to move the heavy pieces of materials at his job. I'd love to know what that was about.

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We talked also about ways people can cut back to make ends meet, figuring out where to save money, and I jokingly mentioned not getting our toes done any more. She said "Don't even say such a thing!", also laughing but we were both serious, too. These are the type of thing, although minor and normally infrequent, where folks can save money. Lawn mowing, pool cleaning, movie going, other extraneous expenditures that you can either live without or do yourself will whittle away at monthly expenses. It's the bigger chunks that are more difficult to do anything about!

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On the way back from Middleburg, nearly into town I suddenly realized I'd forgotten all about going to Sandy's house. Oh, that Brenda! Oh, that Kim! I'd gotten all involved catching up with Brenda that I totally wiped Sandy from my brain. I called her house and got Bruce on the phone, where I explained to him what an idiot I was for not coming by. He put Jennifer on the phone and I asked her if she was coming this way in the morning. She was, and Chris will come up for the bag for her mom on their way to school. Later, though, she called back to say she was coming to Orange Park so I met them downstairs and I handed over the bag of goodies. It it now out of my hands (and car) and into theirs!

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When I got back upstairs, I plugged in my electric heater, sat on my heating pad, and put my warm slippers back on my feet. Once the sun moves around the building and ceases shining in my windows, it cools off in here. Tonight is supposed to get below freezing inland and folks are being cautioned to cover their delicate plants and put shoes on their animals so they don't freeze tight to the ground when they go out to do potty........(I made up that last part...........)

Great news in the River City

The announcement was made today that Mayport Naval Station will be getting a nuclear air craft carrier based here, perhaps even the USS George Bush. This can bring nearly 3000 families to our area, and even though it's not close to Fleming Island at all, jobs is jobs! These people will be needing homes, food, clothing, schools, services of all shapes and sizes, and the economy will once again flourish! It's a blessed day!

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Sunday was also blessed, as I mentioned having a little chat with Caleb and receiving greetings from Chris in NC during a snow storm. For our Bible study period we spent time going through the new Supplement, practicing singing the psalms and new/old liturgies. It seems ages old liturgies were being re-introduced through the Christian Worship Supplement (CWS), all this being spelled out on the bottoms of the pages for historical reference. It is all so interesting to think about, knowing the monks may have chanted or sung these same refrains 500 years ago...Robbie, the maestro, jumped between the MIDI and the organ to help us learn the melodies.

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As part of worship, Robbie also sang the hymn solo, a single stanza, two-page Call to Worship from the CW. Immediately following the Words of Institution, the choir sang a communion hymn from the CWS and then went almost as a group to the Lord's table. A moving message in the stanzas and lovely refrain which the congregation joined in singing with us.

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After worship I had to talk to a couple people before they ran off and it certainly felt good to have my choir robe on once we stepped outside! Layers, thank the Lord for layers! Since I'd missed the Building Committee meeting Thursday, playing hookie by going to see "Seinfeld" instead, I had to catch up on what is and is not happening on the classroom building. Ugh! I should have been at the meeting.......Anyway, some of the members were on the job today, painting the walls, helping to move the project along so we can get some stuff into the rooms. It costs us a small fortune to have those two temporary trailers which have since grown roots, so the sooner we get then emptied, the better!

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It was my job to clean up after Holy Communion but both Emily and Debbie told me to take off, so I did! Judy J. waited around for me as I put a few of the items, the cloths and tables and carried the heavier things into the kitchen for Debbie. She uses a cane all the time now so has troubles carrying things without both hands available. Judy and I then headed over to Bob Evans Restaurant because she was hungry for comfort food. After a wait of 20 minutes or so, we were seated and placed our orders. Oddly, she didn't order any foods with mashed potatoes, which is what she was hungry for in the first place! My meal was meat loaf with mashed potatoes and green beans, and guess what! I ate every morsel on my plate! Only one other time did that occur in recent history and that was also the meat loaf, but from Cracker Barrel that time. Must be the meat loaf! Not as good as Mom's but close, very close!

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On the way to church, I gave a call to B & B to schedule the move for Justin and Grove next weekend. The voice that answered certainly sounded like my Turkish friend, Saban, but there was not one understandable word of English from his phone to mine. I gave my name and telephone number, asking that Saban call me when he gets the message. About 20 minutes later before church started, Saban called me back and was apologizing right and left. Somehow or another he forgot and was speaking to me in Turkish, since he only got back here from there 2 days prior! We had a good laugh about that, especially after I told him I thought something was wrong with my telephone. I also told him I was only having him move Justin so soon because I wanted to see him again. I'd not seen Saban since he brought me my Turkish flag last fall, it bugged him that I had Greek stuff but no Turkish!

Photos sent by Judy

Justin and I having wwaayy too much fun in the decorated Clark's Fish Camp, for Judy's mini-reunion with her niece, Chrissie, and family. Isn't he a handsome young man?

On Friday night, the 14th, the scrapbooking ladies were able to witness the launch of space shuttle Endeavor. Judy's camera captured the flames as the sky devoured the Endeavor! I once again have camera envy, because I just love the shots her Canon can take!

This shot Judy took as she enjoyed her "early morning from the river room when I had my coffee and fast breakings". Doesn't she have a fine way with words?!
This is a shot of the moon rising over Mandarin the same night we witnessed the shuttle launch. As lovely as this is, I think our moon on Thursday night when we were leaving for "Seinfeld" was the most stunning. Gorgeous either way!

Some more pictures.........

On Wednesday, Judy and I went to the Thrasher-Horne Center to view the Art Guild display and see my piece hung in the show. I even received a "report card" from the Judge of the show, with my 'scores' average and above. Whew!!!! I wish I remembered what method I used to paint this one because it was done in no time at all!

Friday night I hosted the ladies for scrapbooking, while Judy visited with her niece, Chrissie, and knitted while the rest of us cropped and chatted. We had the wonderful opportunity of watching the space shuttle Endeavor launch just before 8:00 pm and it was spectacular. Judy was able to capture it on her camera, which re-ignited my camera envy again! Seated are Judy J., Chrissie, Judy knitting, Kelly T., and Twila.
This is a different angle of the group, better showing the "mess" on the table. No worries, we all know what belongs to whom when it's all over. I shared my supplies with Chrissie who is a novice cropper. It will be great to keep getting together with her and plug away at her album. Her mom is coming into town in January so it will be fun getting to know her as well. She is Judy's sister, Diane, from Arkansas, and will be sewing the dress for Chrissie's wedding which is in March.

A closer look at Chrissie first completed page in her album! It's a proud moment!!!!
Here's a photo of Tex Chappell, who many know as Daniel. Suzanne's family visited their friends' ranch recently and got to spend some time communing with nature and animals. Daniel wasn't wearing his fancy cowboy boots today but instead wearing some tough hiking boots to climb the fences. No flashing lights on these boots!!!

I am trying to get warm here!

I can't believe what's happening with the weather since Judy left! Our temperatures have dropped dramatically, with our high being "only" 62 expected today. Now do you get it, Judy? You know how wonderful it was last week when you were here, in the low 80's on Friday, dining el fresco, and then you went home..............

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Many of my church family asked about the visit with my friend, if she got home alright and if she had a good time. Judy was well received by my friends who had some time with her. I am sorry that Christine and Brenda W. missed out on meeting and spending time with her but maybe next time, when they possibly come back for Chrissie's wedding in March!

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A couple wonderful things happened at church this morning, one of which began when greeted by Cliff Douglas. He asked about my time with Judy and then mentioned that he spoke with his son in NC, Chris. He reported that it was snowing and the temps were in the 20's......oh, by the way, "tell Ms. Kim I say "hello"". Awww, I love it! Carol had shown me a photo taken of Chris's daughters at Halloween and I can't get over how big they're getting!

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My dear friend, Jennifer, has a darling little boy whom I drive nuts by fussing over him so I am keeping my distance so I don't freak him out. I can't help it! Caleb is so adorable and just reminds me of someone I used to know, if you get my drift. Between Sunday school and worship, I was looking at the bulletin board in church and Caleb came toward where I was standing, a bit hesitantly. I looked up and said to him, "Don't worry, I won't talk to you" as he got closer to me. I figured he was going past me but instead Caleb came up to show me his little stuffed animal toy, a webkin bat. He wanted me to see it, explained that he can play computer games with it, and let me hold the furry bat in my hands so I could unfold the wings and such. I was so touched, this was big for him but bigger yet for me!! A day topper, in my opinion, a real blessing. I'll still be careful with him, because I don't want to scare him off again, but will simply admire Caleb from afar. The first time his family came to my house for the Super Bowl Party, Mom was here and she was taken with him, too. He asked to me come to his house and sleep over night. Haven't had many of those offers in recent years so his invitation is the most special!