By Lula Anderson
I find it hard to sit and write one day a week, so maybe I'll start a daily check in. Wednesday was so frigid. Judy had to go to her old house for a final cleanout of personal possessions, and it was beastly cold. Loading up the van wasn't too bad, but unloading in Jewett was rough. Just throw things in the garage and worry about it later. On Thursday it warmed up with bright sunshine, so it felt quite balmy out there. Friday morning started with a surprise. I had plans to go to Bible Study and have a day out. I got out early to start my car to let it warm up. I came back out and all of the doors were locked, with the car running. I keep cautioning everyone not to lock the keys in the car, or lose the keys since I only have the one set. thankfully the sheriff came and got it opened before I ran out of gas. Saturday came and went. On occasion I watch my friend Nellis while Christine goes to work. Needless to say, that takes up my entire day as I can't go anywhere. I never know when she is going to nap, so I can't plan anything. Christine always brings food for us, but I like my tea in the afternoon, so always try to fit that in in between naps.
Sunday morning is still church day in my house. I get up, get dressed, pick up Shannon and meet with friends for a couple of hours. It is such a pleasure to sit and commune with God and listen to the lesson. I still don't understand why parents don't bring their children to church. How can we understand the world without a theological background? There is a simple code of ethics: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Love your neighbor as yourself. I hear so often about parents who are overwhelmed with their children's activities. It's time to put aside one day a week to regroup. To find a place where you can shut off the worries and cares of the world and be with family. What better place than church? Many churches have fellowship hour at the end where everyone gathers for a snack and a chance to discuss the weekly happenings. We are in danger of churches closing down because there is no one there to support them. I went to a Communist country in 1980 and in a remote mountain town met a schoolteacher. Every morning, she attended Mass because she could not do that in her hometown, She admitted that she never knew what she had until she lost it. I hope that we don't come to that point in our lives.
With the ongoing freezing weather, we have had an abundance of frozen pipes. The Ashland Trailer Park has had its share of problems. Last week there was a fire on one of the electric poles which melted wires and meters and resulted in many of the back trailers having no electricity for many days. My son had to borrow a kerosene heater to keep his pipes from freezing while he showered and ate with his brother who wasn't affected by the problem. It was a week before the meters and wires were replaced and inspected. Then on Friday, my other son came in and said there was a geyser in the park. A water pipe had frozen and burst. More digging, more repairs.
There have been several new businesses opened in Windham, but my big news is the opening of a Thrift Shop in the mini mall which used to be Ron's Dairy Bar and now has several small businesses. Stop by and see what you can pick up.
Friday night is dinner church at Ashland UMC starting at 6 with a pot luck supper. Come join us.
Heard from Paul and Joan Mead the other day. They keep in touch with friends via Facebook and email, but still find the time to call me and Bill Mead with news.
Continuing prayers for Liz Dewell, Ed Armstrong, Leona Knox and Fran Brabazon. I have a problem with people who want prayers, don't want their name put in the paper. Come on now, you can't have it both ways.
AS I REMEMBER IT
With the below freezing weather and the Non relenting winds, I think back to the days when we lived in the farmhouse without central heating. One night in particular stands out as it was 30 below zero with the wind blowing about 40 miles per hour. We moved the bed into the center of the room in case a tree limb fell on the house so we wouldn't get hit. We piled on the blankets, down comforters and everything else we could find to keep warm. We really didn't have to worry about the electric going out because we weren't reliant on it. We had our wood furnace stoked up and every stove in the house. In the morning, mom turned on the gas range and perked coffee and made breakfast. We had manual can openers, or just used the jars of food that were preserved in the fall. A quick run to the barn to check on the animals, who were probably warmer than we were, gather the eggs from beneath the warm chickens, and we were good to go. Now, the power goes out for an hour and we all panic. I have a gas stove and always have a couple of gallons of water so I can have my coffee. The way this winter is going, I think we all need a crash course on survival techniques.
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