Waffles For Supper

neighbor's Yucca plant 

It's been a more solemn week here, not all bad, just sober. I'll get to the title of this post at the end, so please bear with me. 

This Yucca plant fascinates me as I ride past it on my bicycle. I didn't know Yucca would grow so well in this humid Florida climate. I'm used to seeing it out west, where I came from. Obviously my plant knowledge is not that good but this illustrates to me that beauty can show up in unexpected places.

source - downtown Orlando

We made another trip to Orlando this past week, but it was for a post-op appointment, not an emergency. The visit with Gary's surgeon's Physician's Assistant went very well, and we got some questions answered, clarifications of what was done in his surgery earlier this month. He continues to do well. Thank you for all who have been praying.

After the appointment, we had lunch at a nearby IHOP before returning home via the turnpike. The trip is 90 miles each way and is getting easier because we are now familiar with the roads, but it's a lot of driving (defensive driving, to be honest) and we arrive home tired.

photo intentionally blurry for reasons of privacy

The week began with a happy occasion as Gary's newest great grandchild was baptized. We were able to watch that via live-stream on FaceBook, which was so cool. They live in the far north from here, so technology served us well, allowing us to feel a part of the event in spite of the distance. Little girl was peaceful the entire time, so cute with her red hair and very pretty white dress. 

Also on that day we watched the usual church service on TV that we enjoy, as we have been doing for quite some time now. We are both seniors (dare I refer to us as "elderly"??) and since one of us has had a couple of surgeries and some ER visits in the past 5 months, we take precautions to avoid a lot of time spent in enclosed areas with germs people. 

hot chocolate with giant marshmallows

Some people in church, as they settle in for the sermon, pass out hard candy (to soften the blow of conviction???). Smile. My mother never did that, but then, she was always in the front row of the choir keeping a close eye on Sister and me as we sat near the front in the pews.

Instead of the candy, and since we are at home in our living room, Gary has a nice habit of preparing mugs of hot chocolate and then floating 3 of the largest marshmallows you can buy on top of the liquid, also providing a spoon. It's a great tradition he's instigated and I love it. This makes "church" even more special.

Beloved (red shirt) and his brother

A sad thing happened since my last blog post. My late husband's brother passed. He was in poor health and then things took a sudden turn. Are we ever really "ready" when this happens, even when we are sort of expecting it? I doubt it. Death is final. Done. 

But at the same time, I wish I could have seen the reunion of these two brothers when they met up in Heaven. We will see them again and it will be good. No tears. No sadness. No regrets. Limitless joy in the Presence of our Lord.

By the way, those who have followed my posts for years know that my blog pseudonym for my late husband was "Beloved." I tried to give Gary a special blog name when he came into my life, but he asked to be just "Gary." However, here in our house I more often refer to him as "Handsome," and he allows that.

useful purchase

I have been looking for an inexpensive little table for my coffee cup when we are sitting out on the lanai. There is a lamp table to the left of my chair, but since I'm right-handed, I really needed something on my right. I had two little tables like this in my last house, but not realizing I would regret it later, I gave away both of them. This cute little table (or call it a plant stand) was waiting for me at Marshall's for only $16.99!!! I've seen them in other stores for $70. It even has a heavy marble top. Sold!!!

I mentioned recently that I've added a Book Reports page at the top of my blog. This week I wrote up more reports and I intend to continue that as time allows. While I no longer sew as a hobby, I am reading more. How convenient it is to just pick up a book and read with no other equipment required. 

Reading is a good way to go on adventures to exciting places, learn skills, and life lessons without necessarily having to live out the experiences myself. We don't have enough time to learn everything on our own, so reading helps. 

But at the same time, it is definitely true that lessons learned through the School of Hard Knocks tend to be the most memorable and effective. 

dinner last night

As for the title of today's post, "Waffles For Supper," that's exactly what we had last night.  We no longer prepare our waffles from scratch. But popping these frozen frisbees into the toaster still makes them "homemade" as far as I'm concerned. 

I slather mine with margarine and just one of the two discs gets a healthy application of peanut butter, which provides protein to the meal. Mrs. Butterworth syrup, warmed in the microwave, tops everything and leaves me smacking my lips when it's all gone.

It's been a serious week, not all bad, but still rather heavy in some respects. Comfort food. We can all relate to its benefits.

O taste and see that the LORD is good.

Psalm 34:8

Until next time, grace and peace to you.