"Make new friends...."

"but keep the old..." We sang this little ditty when I was itty bitty. Well, at least when I was substantially younger, with my sisters and friends. We would sing this playground song in a round-style: "Make new friends, but keep the old; some are silver and others gold." Yesterday, I made a new friend who will probably become gold. How could she not? Her name is Kim!

This a.m. I went out for the first aquarobics class of the season for me. It was great to see my friends again and meet some new people. I only screamed a little bit as I lowered myself in to still too cool water but the heat from the sun felt divine, and made up for it. We had a good workout, most of the routines the same as last year. Our dear friend, Randy, in his late 70's, seems to have forgotten what to do having missed last season due some injuries. I am sure it will all come back to him with practice. Nancy W was not there for class and I am uncertain she will join us at all. Morning is not her favorite time of day, having interrupted sleep most nights.

Kim is a woman younger than me by some years but has multiple aches 'n pains primarily from the waist down. Two years ago she was hit by truck while riding her motorcycle and sustained many life-threatening injuries, breaking many bones in many places as well as having internal injuries. She was 'out of it' for two weeks at least before she was brought around to consciousness following the accident, and has no recollection of the accident. I told her God did that for her, spared her that horrific memory. She still experiences pain and discomfort from the pins, screws, plates, etc. which hold her together and yet, she is vital and delightful. She has great upper body strength and raise herself out of the pool using her arms. I have all I can do to climb out using the steps.

Kim the Second (Kim II) is a retired writer, having worked for newspapers and other publications in the area prior to retiring. It will be interesting getting to know her better as the summer goes on. She drives in from Fleming Island where she lives with her husband in a rural setting. She enjoys gardening and is into all things natural. We are just two peas in a pod---NOT! But, she does enjoy beer, and not necessarily Natural Light!

While it's in the high 80's here, my poor nephew is sunbathing Sheboygan-style back in WI. My sister, Lynn, sent this picture via text message to show me what I left behind. I do not miss those chilly temps up there one little bit!

This evening I was privileged to attend the graduation service and ceremony for the preschool at our church. Judy and Betty took care of the refreshments so all I did was meet 'n greet the parents, grands, and other family. And helped take some group pictures as requested. The kids did a good job demonstrating for the gathering the things they learned in preschool, especially their Bible lessons and songs. If they learned nothing else, at least they know Jesus and that He loves them!

Here they are singing one of their little Bible songs, using the hand gestures which help them to remember the words. One little guy was not quite into it. There were four more kids on the other side, not in the photo.