Yeah, something I could blog about

Yesterday afternoon was the annual free performance of Handel's Messiah downtown Omaha. I should have taken my camera because the lights on the trees at the park were beautiful! And the snow falling made everything look so Christmasy.

The snow falling. I'm an NOT of fan of driving in snow. I contemplated not even going to the performance when I heard there was a chance of snow. But I checked the forecast before I left and it said, "snow-showers" which I interpret to mean snow blowing around in the air from time to time but not really sticking and accumulating.

Well, as we walked out the people there were telling us to be careful because it was slippery. It was still blowing fine snow quite heavily. A friend dropped me at the church where I had left my car and I gingerly got on the interstate and off on to the streets near us. Everything was just fine, no problem, until I was about a mile from home. There's a stop light at the top of a hill. I figured if I drove slow enough to catch the green light I wouldn't have to stop at all. However, there were about five other cars in all manner of directions on that hill, and the light was NOT changing to green!! I've never seen it so long! I managed to get to one side of one car when my car just started spinning tires. I backed up and tried again. Same thing. And so were the several other cars on that hill. No grit/sand had been put down, no snow plows had been on ANY roads that I could see. So I and a couple other cars backed up and tried a side street. Good for a block until I had to turn up the hill. And then it was worse. I tried several times, and finally gave up.

What was I going to do? I don't know anyone who lives nearby. Dennis was on a plane somewhere between Omaha and Atlanta. So I got out, locked the car and walked home. I'm thankful I was wearing wool pants (sorry, trousers for you Brits!) and my long wool coat with a wool scarf. And also, thankfully, the wind was behind me.

It took me about 35 minutes, and because I walked very fast I stayed warm. It was about 21 degrees and windy. I only fell once.

When I got in the house there was a phone message from Denny that he had arrived at the airport. So he was driving home in it, too. I phoned him and told him to take the flattest route home! Wish I had thought of it earlier!! He arrived about a half an hour later. While still bundled up and his car warm he said, "Let's go get your car." And I thought, "You're crazy. I just came from there. There's no way you're going to get it up the hill." But I said, "You drive down there and park at the top and walk down and see if you get it up. When you do, come home and we'll drive both cars home." About an hour later he arrived home. Without the car. It's just a little farther down the hill...

It's about 12 degrees right now. The sun is shining, but they're predicting a heavier snow for tomorrow. Hopefully, after work tonight, they will have sanded that hill and we can get the car home!

Christmas in Italy

I've been missing Christmas in Italy, so I thought I'd see if YouTube had any zampognari. Sure enough! These shepherds come down from the Abruzzi mountains and play in the streets of our town. One time they even came right in to the foyer of our apartment building. The reverberations off the marble floor, stairs and plaster walls was deafening! As in Scotland, they are better heard in the open air.

This video is taken Christmas Day it looks like. It's pretty dark, but very realistic. Our kids will identify. It looks like Maranola, although it isn't. Maranola had a live presepe that we visited several times, the whole town was transformed in to the 18th century with Mary and Joseph and their animals and baby Jesus at the center and top of the village (It was on a mountain.)

The song they're playing is Tu Scendi dalla Stelle. Ah, Gaeta friends, it brings back such great memories!

One afternoon in November

I know I didn't blog much in November. There really wasn't a whole lot to say. I have lots of things that go on in my head, but thankfully, not much gets written! I did spend much of my writing time writing letters to Andrew. He's thankful that he gets letters most every day. And he's doing great, I might add. Found friends and is happy.
One thing Den and I did do on a sunny day in November was walk around downtown Omaha. It was a gorgeous warm day.
The cat stayed home and read a book!

Our Thanksgiving

This year we traveled across the great state of Iowa for a mini-family gathering. Our niece and her family and her brother and his wife (nephew, of course) came from Pennsylvania. Linnea came from South Carolina, and we all met up with my sisters' family at my mom's right on the banks (not literally) of the Mississippi River. We set up two big tables in Mom's sitting room and had more food than we could eat. It's amazing that we could make more than enough. Sometimes I think it multiplies! We thought 19 people would be so many and we needed so much!
It was great to have Linnea with us, first time since 2000! Felt like I got a sneak preview on Christmas. We sang, played Boggle, crocheted and talked. Lots of noise. Lots of fun. We're so thankful for a great family, safely in travel for everyone and a good time together. How blessed we are!

I love living in the Midwest!

Every once in a while I get a couple of hours out in the real Midwest. This morning was one time. It's not all that great of a video, but it sure is cool watching those claws grab that corn and chew it all to bits.

The second bit was an accident, so only a couple of seconds, but the corn pouring out is to cool, too!

Guy Fawkes Day Harvesting

I arrived home from grocery shopping this afternoon just as the combine was passing the back of our house on his last sweep across the field. I just stood there and watched, laden with my bags, while clouds of corn dust swirled around me. It's awesome! I never ever get tired of watching. And today is one of those perfect Midwest days, clear skies and 66 degrees!

I ran into the house after all the dust cleared, and got the camera. This is what I caught.

We're so thankful that the rain has stopped, the weather has been warm and there's been wind to get things dried out so that the farmers can get their crops out. The harvest hasn't been this late for decades.

The past continues to teach

Many years ago we learned this song in choir. Then I taught it to my dad and he sang it as a solo. I can still hear him singing it. I wish it had been recorded, too. This morning I was playing through the old Intervarsity hymnbook they sang through at Cono, and came to this song. What meaningful words that are just as much my prayer today as they were when I first learned them.

(The field makes me think of "the future's broadening way...peace)

O Master, let me walk with Thee in lowly paths of service free; Tell me they secret; help me bear the strain of toil, the fret of care.
Help me the slow of heart to move by some clear, winning word of love; Teach me the wayward feet to stay, and guide them in the homeward way.
Teach me they patience; still with Thee in closer, dearer company, in work that keeps faith sweet and strong, in trust that triumphs over wrong;
In hope that sends a shining ray far down the future's broadening way; in peace that only Thou canst give, with Thee, O Master, let me live.