Healer

Healer thy name is Insel Mainau.  

Delight hedged out the year’s difficulties.  Renewal rejuvenated sapped resources.  Comfortably cool, sunny weather replaced cold and rain.  Clear skies banished the grey.  Yesterday was the antithesis of this past year.

What happened?  Though gradual in coming, the full impact of renewal culminated yesterday.  Once the year’s responsibilities diminished--first the end of German class and that homework, then the completion of a Bible study and those assignments, then inching up to final exams meant reduced lesson prep which transitioned into exam prep, then exams and grading, and finally the awards and graduation ceremonies led into the final closing out process. Two weeks ago that lessening of demands removed the constant responsibility.  

Debbie and Pat appreciating the fragrance

Though summer is here, total freedom is not.  Over the summer we have duties connected with the school--work to be done as we are the “cleaning crew.” Though there is a maintenance staff (“hired” like the teachers) for ongoing functioning of school buildings, dorms, and equipment, that does not involve the routine cleaning, deep cleaning or painting.  We each are responsible for two work weeks for BFA and six weeks of academic related work--lesson planing, training, attending mission required events, and the like.  However, it is freedom compared to having additional work every evening. 

Imagine my pleasure of “having” to read short stories, poetry and novels, considering how to approach units--for ENGLISH, not science!  Not only is the content pleasurable, no longer having daily classes removes the pressure, a double delight.  Yesterday, a totally non-school related day was the capstone.  Three of us took a most pleasant day trip to a botanical garden about two hours east of here--Insel Mainau, an island in an expansive lake. The weather was PERFECT (not a word often associated weather here), comfortably cool, clear and sunny.  Sounds of lapping waters along the shore’s edge soothed as we walked in, fragrance of roses wafting through trees and conversation and laughter relaxed as we strolled, and then mingling with those two a huge Crayola Box of color splashed across the landscape, painting an enchanted day.  This was truly God’s therapy for my soul

To capture the memory I purchased two small reminders...plants: a lavender for its fragrance and a lotusblume for its delicate, yellow and orange flowers dripping along long tendrils of green. Now that I have the fragrance and color, only the softly lapping lake waters are needed.

Hiatus Halt, finally

It has been awhile since writing a blog or newsletter, so I wanted to touch base and let you know the Germany is still here and so am I!

Much has been happening, some more positive than others, but busy during it all.  In fact, things have been so busy that Facebook has been beyond my ability to view, which makes me feel really out of touch. A week or so ago I did spend a little while reading updates, but catching up with it all is impossible.

What has been going on?  These last months have all run together with a prolonged bout with sinus infections (two and the second one really set me behind at school and physically), which brought me to the end of the third quarter near the end of March.  At that break BFA hosted the tri-annual ICEC (International Christian Educators Conference), taking another week of time.  The first two days after school we staff members were the cleaning crew--the norm here as there is no regular cleaning staff.  The maintenance department takes care of keeping things working, but we do the weekly vacuuming, emptying of trash, etc., but this was more to prepare.  (Actually, there was an air of excitement seeing the transformation and knowing it would bless the people coming.) Then the conference itself involved four days. Fortunately the speakers and sessions were exceptional, but the 13 hour days eventually caught up with me. The day following the conference we reported for cleanup again, and finally we had a week of spring break.

This was soooooooo needed.  Teaching out of field has made this one of the most demanding years of my career.  Combine that with being sick, the conference, plus one more thing--really lousy weather!  In case you have not heard, Germany is not sunny like Naples. I had been proud that January and

February did not seem to depress me as I had been warned could happen, but with the continued gloom (in 60 years of record keeping, this year has had the least sun) and cold weather, things were beginning to wear thin.  The first day of ICEC someone wrote on the snow covered hood of a truck "It’s Spring!"  Well, our small group planned pre-season priced retreat in Italy to rest.  (Sounds exotic, but think of it like driving north of Gainesville only taking longer to get there.)  That entire week we (all of Europe it turns out) were under a huge cloud...nothing but rain and more gloom. Grace, my roommate there, and I returned early to do school work.  As you can gather, I was not ready emotionally, physically, or mentally for school to begin.  That first week back was disastrously draining, so I wrote my small group and asked them to pray.

Wow, they did not know they had such power in prayer!  Within a couple of days the sun came out, weather warmed..and I began to come out of my malaise.  Oh, that doesn't mean the school pressures disappeared, that won't happen until this term is over, but now I have been able to function better.  A TeachBeyond contact in the states warned that should this happen it was SAD, seasonal affect disorder.  Hearing about it is one thing; having it affect your entire outlook and not even realize what is happening is another.  I was totally unaware that was the difficulty until things returned to normal.

It is now quite a bit later, and much more could be said, but this update will bridge the long gap.  We have had some sun, but would you believe it is now May 22 and turtle necks are needed with umbrellas?  The warmth and sun here are like winter is in Naples, a day or two then gone.  Whole days of sun could be counted on one cartoon character's three-fingered hand. There are times in the day the sun will peak out, but then quickly retreat behind the clouds like its shy. These two pictures were taken on the same day just minutes apart!  No, the second one is not a black and white picture either. 

       

          

Even the German people are asking what happened to spring!

More later...

Much easier than the Fudge:  My first trip to the doctor--

Since last month the time has passed rapidly.  For the last few weeks ill health  threatened to take over. Finally, two weeks ago on Friday it won.  Fortunately we had a three day weekend ahead.  Staying in and remaining in PJs those days was most helpful, but unfortunately, it was not enough.  Last week it was a matter of just making it to class each day, going home early to take a nap, and then going to bed early to start the process over the next morning. Needless to say, that left me with a huge accumulation of material to be graded that still stands stacked on my desk as I write.  However, finally I’m able to say things are looking better!  PTL!  Monday this week was the first day I actually felt better.

Setting up the doctor’s appointment--a big dread for several reasons (like not feeling well and having to face expected difficulties to make arrangements, plus they have no dressing gown for exams)--turned out to be a non-event.  That Wednesday a person from school called to make the appointment, but the office was closed until Thursday.  Another person e-mailed me the website, so Thursday a.m. I called--even the receptionist spoke English to schedule the appointment.  Since they were only open a half day Thursday it was necessary to make it for Friday.  No problem scheduling, and I had the female doctor. Definitely this was not like any other first-time experience here with language and cultural barriers! 

Just like He as done throughout this year, even amid the difficulties, rays of sunlight pierce the clouds.  He has provided care here through friends.  Numerous ways could be related, but three events on Friday probably reflect how many little details He manages without our involvement.  That morning I stayed home for a 9:40 a.m. doctor’s appointment, planning to walk there.  Around 8:30 a knock on my door surprised me.  It turned out to be Bob, the our building caretaker, saying, “I hear you need a ride to the doctor this morning.”  Wow, that was unexpected.  It turned out that Julia next door was going to be out of town so she asked him to drive me there.  The walk isn’t far, but it turned out to be a blessing as it was rainy and cold, plus not having been there before, I would have had a difficult time finding it. The picture on the website and what was visible from my direction didn’t quite match. 

By the time I walked home from the office visit (without having to disrobe!!!), the weather had improved; it was still cold, but not rainy.  After a quick stop by the apartment for my things, it was on to school where the second blessing came.  My appointment on a normal school day schedule would have been fine, but it wasn't until Thursday night that I realized Friday's chapel day schedule would mean I would be too late for my first class.  I had been unable to finalize sub plans that night.  As I walked toward the main building, a fellow teacher was on the JB building stairs and asked how I was.  I never see her and had no idea how she knew I was not well. She then proceeded to tell me my class had been covered and just go and to planning and use the time as needed.  Amazingly it all worked out without a hitch.

Not long after settling down at my desk, another person came in bearing a gift:  split pea soup! How perfect for a cold day, plus my lunch bag wasn’t there, something that had not been realized until that moment. You can imagine the boost all of this was to the drained, limp-as-a-noodle stamina I had.  The rest of the day went well, and I’m happy to report, that things have continued to improve health-wise.  I’ll need to take it easy, but it certainly is MUCH better than it has been for several weeks.

I guess I wanted to share how very real it is when He says, “I will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory.”  That’s a pretty big storehouse, and what a blessing to benefit from it.

PS  Monday’s lab work--fantastic!  Drawing blood always seems to be difficult in the states--smoothest experience in my life. :)  It's Thursday and grading isn't finished, but soon there's a weekend. :( and :)

White Magic

Free Ikea Snowman:  some assembly required
You can see my parking place is put to good use!

Having lived in south Florida all of my life, I’m used to changes in weather: a  bright, sunny, hot day that would quickly cloud over for a shower (maybe on the front half of the yard only) and then pass to reveal cooler weather and a beautiful day.  Well, Kandern is something like that, only in reverse.  I checked the wether for today--40s.  That meant I could wear fewer layers and expect grey skies.  Imagine my surprise with real rain, not drizzle--in itself unusual--just before having to go to the other building for classes.  By the time I emerged, it was only cloudy, but before too much longer some blue peaked between the clouds and actual sun could be detected.  A short while later, a coworker commented, “Is that rain or is it snow?”  It was probably sleet (understand I have only seen that once in my life--here, a few weeks before Christmas).  Before too long huge flakes (ones that remind me of school yard children holding hands in a circle and going around the playground) descended just as I had to return to the other building for my afternoon German class!  By the time we left at least two inches of wet yet airy snow had covered the cars and windows.  Fortunately it was soft enough to brush off.  Now I’m sitting in my apartment with unthawed feet telling you this.  Yes, Kandern weather is fickle, too, dry to rain to sun, back to rain and then snow.  It even beats south Florida for speed and range of change!

Pat laughs at me because I get so fascinated with snow.  We were driving back the other night from Haagan and it was falling heavily.  With low beams, it wan’t so noticeable, but with brights on the windshield transformed into Star Wars’ Hans Solo’s view going into warp speed--amazing, no longer flakes, just streams of light!

Elizabeth’s words to Robert have often come to mind: “How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways.” 

• little, tiny flakes scurrying like ants in all directions
• purposed, bulleted, wet ones aiming to earth with determination
• huge, soft, dry flakes lazily gliding on air currents
• clusters of flakes roaming together before parking
• scout flakes that fall just a few at a time over long periods
• large flakes in ranks like an army determined to coat the lower world
• elementary school flakes of all sizes just playing their way down
• Saturday's listless flakes that seem defeated, aware of the impending warmer temps
• snowball fights among elementary children waiting for the bus OR the high schoolers between classes
• inches high stacks of airy foam atop leaves, table tops, roof tops, or creating white arches on the brown wooden fence in the back yard
• crunchy steps tracking across an undisturbed blanket of white
• dull grays and browns painted glistening white within hours

To me, it is just awe inspiring and a reminder of God’s creativity beauty.

Being a missionary in Germany drove me to drink, literally.

The story begins well before Christmas.  Earlier in the year I ordered two kilograms of dark chocolate chips from a real Chocolaholic at BFA who made a special trip to France to make an annual purchase.  (Peanut butter and brown sugar are two other items purchased in bulk because of being difficult to obtain.) So at Christmas fudge seemed a wonderful way to share with others.  Another thing I’ve learned is that It is always necessary to plan ahead when doing anything here; what is simple at home is anything but over here.  The “easy microwave fudge” recipe called for sweetened condensed milk, but try finding that in a grocery store here.  Oh, they have every dairy product imaginable both in the refrigerated section and on the shelves as H products.  Just imagine, cream here, 200 grams, costs 42 cents!  But I digress.  Yes, I could find “kondens milch”, but not the sweetened kind.  

Cathedral in Ulm, Germany & Christmas market

So the next class meeting I asked my German teacher if they had it.  “Yes, it is on the shelves, but it won’t look like you expect it to. It is in a tube,” she replied.  Do you remember the picture from the first week here and the mayonnaise in a tube?  The next trip to the store, I’m looking and looking, and sure enough, because she said “in a tube” I finally saw it!  Eureka, fudge would happen!  

It isn’t that easy, though.  I wasn’t quite sure how much to buy.  Each tube is 170 grams, and I needed a 14 ounce can!  What to do?  I purchased two tubes and a 200 gram H carton of kondens milch, just in case.  When I got home and on the computer, I did a conversion and learned that the two tubes equaled about 12 ounces.

Because Christmas fell on on Tuesday, it was necessary to really plan ahead. Essentially the stores were closed for four days: they are always closed Sundays and in addition they were closed Tuesday--Christmas Day, Wednesday, and only open until noon on Monday. (That in itself is a story for later.) Anyway, Christmas Eve afternoon I printed the fudge recipe from the Internet and proceeded to pull the ingredients out:  chocolate, butter, nuts, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla. Uh, oh, no vanilla.  That had never been considered as it is  a staple always in the pantry at home.  Well, there would be no fudge for the Christmas outings the next day, and, as it turned out, we all survived.

Sweetened Condensed Milk & 1/2 t. of vanilla German style

When the stores finally reopened, Sharyon and Dan Galvin invited me to go with them to Lörrach.  While there we were in a huge Heibers grocery store.  I’ve never been so lost.  The isles at home are perpendicular, and it is easy to see from one end of the store to the other at each isle.  Not so in this store.  Each half isle shelf in length was curved like half of a parenthesis. The opposite side’s shelf curved like the other half of the parenthesis and staggered so the end of one shelf was the middle of the shelf on the opposite side--throughout the entire store!.  No two shelves connected so the store was like a maze of shelving, all taller than my eyes could see.  We became separated, and a homing device would have been helpful to locate them; the store was too large to play Marco Polo for that purpose.  Anyway, during this fiasco, I finally did find the baking goods.  Almond extract, rum, hazelnut, and others, but no vanilla! (Oh, yes, they too are packaged differently.  There are no bottles of vanilla or boxes with bottles inside.  They come in packets of four little vials that look like perfume samplers, each containing a whole 1/2 teaspoon each as I later learned.) Christmas rush must have depleted the the supply, so I left and eventually found Sharyon and Dan with the one package of wild rice I had picked up for a special soup recipie.  Oh, no, when I placed it down in front of the cashier and extracted my wallet, I had only one two-euro coin and a collection of smaller coins.  Sometime I’ll have to tell you about grocery shopping in Germany, but one thing you don’t do is hold up a line.  Pressure mounted as every last coin was counted; I had just enough!

Fortunately that was the last stop of that day, but success came later in the week  when I found vanilla at our little Kandern Heibers! New Years Eve Dan and Sharyon were coming over for that very soup (finding the smoked almonds for that was another adventure), so Sunday evening I set about to make the fudge.  Oh, yes, it wasn’t enough to just have ingredients, it now was necessary to go back to the computer to recalculate amounts for the other ingredients since the 12 ounces of sweetened kondens milch was only 85% of what was needed.  Thank goodness for the computer.  Not only does it supply conversions from grams to ounces and cooking temperatures from F to C, it let me figure 85% of the 3 cups of chips and butter!  So much for the “easy” microwave fudge.  Finally it was done, but the story isn’t. 

Our New Year’s Eve soup was fine and so was the fudge.  Afterward we played dominos, but they left around 9:00 p.m. as previously they had said they wouldn’t be able to stay up. My plans were to go to the Bloomenplatz at midnight for fireworks as I had been told that was a ‘“must.”  While waiting and sitting in my comfy recliner crocheting, I knew it would be very tempting to just stay there, so in about an hour I set out for The Sanctuary (TeachBeyond’s B&B not far away) for their game night, taking some of the fudge.

It was a hit, and when asked about it, I shared the vanilla saga. That’s when Mary said, “You haven’t heard about BFA’s vanilla.”  Then she proceeded to explain, “You get a bottle of Vodka and put vanilla beans in it, letting it sit for at least four weeks.  It’s much cheaper and readily available.” Then she went to the cupboard and showed me hers.  Wow, I’d seen the bean in the stores, now I finally knew how they were used!  Very practical. Well, that’s how being a missionary here in Germany drove me to drink; vodka was now on my shopping list!

Actually, I was rescued by an intervention. After Christmas break Cammy Jones and I were talking and it turns out she had brought some things back from their trip to the states to share with others.  I am now the owner of a purchased bottle of vanilla that will probably last me the entire stay in Kandern.  You can now relax.

For at least an hour Kandern is aglow with fireworks--all over by individuals.  Happy New Year 

Banquet, Birthday Blessings, and some Blues

What’s been going on? It seems something all of the time!  I’m sure there were equally busy times in my life, but then I was younger and had more stamina.  It seems keeping up is about all I’m able to do, and sometimes not event that!

This past weekend was the BFA Christmas banquet.  What does that mean?  In USA terms think of prom and homecoming combined in the fall.  Herbstmesse, the Basel fair you saw from October 31st pictures, initiates the asking...an art in itself.  The girl being asked is presented with flowers at the time of asking which can be done in quite an elaborate ways.  On young man got into a box, which he then “mailed” via his dorm van to a young lady at Wittlingen dorm...and there were several others. Of course for weeks squeals in the hall, friends celebration, and giggles accompanied each newly asked person.  Then the Sunday before there is a fashion show in the girls’ dorms, to share in the excitement and make sure clothing is appropriate.  

Then came the big night: Saturday.  The boys gathered at school and shortly the girls arrived, and before long the area was awash of suits, boutonnières, corsages, and gowns. The evening festivities included not only dinner, but photos, roasted chestnuts outside, line dancing lessons in the gym, and a program of homegrown talent and some not so talented fun, plus a “wish list” fulfilled with fun stuff:  A lock of one boy’s dreads, a girl being serenaded by one of the dorms where her parents used to be dorm parents, the principle doing a Korean dance, and anything else that can have special meaning with fun.

All of this I watched from the wings as I, along with a large crew, served and cleaned until 11:30 in the evening.   It was fun serving the students and seeing them have fun, but imagine how special to have the student council students return after their evening of fun to finish up the cleaning, and in addition, to have one say, “Thank you for helping.”  Needless to say “tired” was an understatement, but the sleep that night and Sunday afternoon was delightful!

Since I last wrote many other things have happened.  November 12th, Monday morning, Lynda’s husband, David, who flew over to visit his brother in the Netherlands and  landed in Zurich. He then took a train east to Basel, from there boarded a bus up here to Kandern!  He made a special trip to say “HI” and tour “greater” Kandern in the rain, have dinner, only to go to his B&B, and leave the next morning!   He returned to Zurich for a few days and then take a train to finish out his time with his brother.  Wow, talk about being touched. What a blessing.  Home never felt closer, and of course Lynda always has her special touch.  She works full-time and still manages to make gifts for her grandchildren’s teachers each year.  I received the teacher gift as well! :) hand delivered!

Also, thank you for all the birthday wishes, and if you did not know...that’s as I would prefer.  I planned to keep it under wraps, but two days ahead, one of the other new teachers commented about a “special day.”  From him I learned that our school home-base website lists birthdays, something I’d not seen.  That evening Pat called and said that she and Julia and Rich (the other neighbors) wanted to take me our to supper Friday.  That night I planned to go to the music recital and have a quite, relaxing evening... something that now seemed lost amid all the new plans.  Laura and Brant, our hosts, couldn’t come because of starting their substitution at the Sanctuary (TeachBeyond’s B&B) that afternoon and couldn’t leave, so they invited us over for cake after.  

The day came, and while talking with Julia during the day, I found that she too wanted to listen to the students.  After calling Laura, it turned out to be fine to go to the recital after dinner and then go over to the B&B.  Super.  I really did not want to miss some really talented young people--just an example, Ben, who plays the violin beautifully, is applying to Juilliard, a believable outcome--and he was playing that evening!  After a delightful dinner and the last half of the music, we headed to the B&B.  Once we arrived Laura told me of secretly contacting Ruth on Facebook to learn which cake I would like best. Subterfuge!  Without hesitation Ruth replied: “banana bread,” something she would make for me with the extra Sam’s bananas that went into the freezer.   

The kids were in contact throughout the week, Ruth waiting on the edge of her proverbial seat for me to tell her about what happened.  It’s so hard for her to keep a secret!  She was tickled with that, but in addition, she had sent a package and was antsy to know when it arrived.  This meant as much to her as if she were receiving a gift!  She has a talent at selecting such timely or appropriately suited things.  Now I have fleece leggings and pink flannel p.j.s for cold, gloomy days plus some other goodies. :)

After all of these things, I felt like Mary when the scripture said, “She pondered these things in her heart.”  Here in a strange place, with new people, and friends thousands of miles away, I felt just like He was filling in all the gaps, making this a very special time with all of the well-wishers in many and varied ways.  

These times are needed.  The trips, the events, the special moments blogged--some of which remain uncovered, are not the routine daily grind, only highlights.  With all of the blessings involved, in many ways these months here have also been some of the most challenging months I’ve faced:  Not having a rhythm because all is new--Not having the confidence in the content area--Spending endless hours reading and preparing daily and then searching for ways to present a lackluster content area effectively and meaningfully--Not yet connected with the students as in the past--Attending German classes myself and scrambling to keep up instead of being on top all the time, all of this and more is new to me.    

Would I change any of it?  Never.  Knowing this is where I’m supposed to be and what I’m supposed to do, what would be the fulfillment is doing anything less?  It, instead, has become a lesson to me in understanding needs of others that may have been less clear to me before.  Some lessons in life just “stick.”  One of those times occurred when I lost my dad

only a couple of years into our marriage.  It was at that time I first learned the truth of II Corinthians 1:3-4, “...the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”  It has helped me through all the “big” events that followed, and will continue even now.

Back home I’m so glad to have the Friday prayer group, my small group and other friends who pray and support me.  This update will help know more how to focus those prayers. Without sounding totally facetious--I would really like to ask that you include with that prayers that will ask for instant understanding and insight to all I read related to class preparation and planning.  If that were accomplished, everything else would be falling into place!  Christmas break, which begins in a few weeks, is greatly anticipated:  No classes daily and time for other things like painting, sewing a couple of things, and just relaxing.  Hopefully and prayerfully I’m asking for more balance in my life next semester, a necessity.

There is always more to say, but not the time--plus who would read endlessly?  Thank you again for your encouragement and participation.  Each and every personal note is a connection to home that is greatly appreciated, and some of them help me know how to pray for you, too.  Love you in Christ.

BFA Journey Vignettes

This last week's continued constant work, never free time, has proved more taxing than usual.  However, sprinkled throughout have been little delights.

Saturday I experienced one of life’s “ah ha” moments, when you realize you’ve changed.   Socked in grey skies and more than drizzle and less than a hard rain greeted me as the day started.  It was here for the day, and I had promised to take sandwiches to our church’s auto-clinic where men volunteer to change summer tires to snow tires, check car fluids, etc...an awesome, amazing ministry for church members.  Pat and I also had planned on a short outing to try out her new car (she’s been like a bird with clipped wings), but she needed to run an errand before leaving and wasn’t sure she would be back before I had to get the sandwiches there in time for the 11:45 lunch.  I blurted out, “Don’t worry, I can just walk over there and you can come by when you’re finished.”  Never in my life would walking somewhere in the rain to do something been considered so blithely.  Here it’s part of life, and now I don’t even notice, like a native--and just like the men doing this ministry.  Out I splashed to deliver sandwiches, bundled under a red hooded Fog raincoat and umbrella. That’s a change!

That night we attended the high school play, a comedy.  Unlike the music recital, none of my students were in the performance, but it was delightful.  The play, yes, but even more so were the students in the audience.  Before the play were quiet conversations, but also loud clamor as students called out to people behind the curtains before the play.  However, this is not the same commotion found in school back home.  When the house lights went down, the students became silent, and not a single distraction occurred, only attention to their classmates on stage.  Then during intermission, the volume increased, only to die down again upon the opening of the next act.  I cannot tell you what a stark contrast this was to school experiences of having to constantly be concerned about discipline issues. None here... at the end of the play, another treasure.  The Maugenhard dorm guys who had been seated  together, mobbed their dorm-mates performance conclusion, congratulating and encouraging him.  The bond they have is rather like seeing college frat brothers positively elevating their brothers, only this is all positive.  That, too, is normal here.

At the end of the school day, Tuesday’s German class brought a surprise--a quiz on Thursday!  The already overwhelmed feelings of constant work--the never ending study for teaching, study for German class, reading for monthly certification in-services--just was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.  Overwhelmed, I immediately decided to cancel the talk I was to attend that night, no time.  Frustrations of never even feeling like I have the time to figure out my printer problem--why it took all night to print a page, and not wanting to take the time to reload Rosetta Stone on this computer plus the other technology quirks that seem to always surface.  I had had enough.  Grace was coming over to help with the printer and Rosetta Stone in exchange for dinner, but after this news we both chose not to go anywhere else.  Instead, that night I did German homework and set out to study more as did she.

The next morning, to my surprise there in the school e-mail was a study group planned for that evening.  Grace and I did that.  Four of us made good use of two hours prep.  Somehow this “girls gathering” was a pick-me-up from the weight of work.  By the way, the quiz went well this afternoon, PTL.

Tonight a forth treat, an American Thanksgiving dinner was served at all the dorms, and Pat and I were invited.  Delicious turkey, absolutely scrumptious vegetables (mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole--all with the best crunchy toppings I’ve ever eaten, dressing, and more), and home made pies--plus NO DISHES! What an amazing out-of-the-norm dinner, something  I didn’t miss it until it was made available.  Thanks to the dorm parents who organized and invited, and thanks to the girls who cleaned up...what a special way to end a rather a draining week or more of days.

Have I bounced back?  No, but I’m waiting for a non-event weekend that may help.  However, rays of light like these reaching through the clouds keep me going.