A MOST ENJOYABLE DAY

Mike likes to be methodical in all things. He likes to finish a task once he starts it, he stops his evening reading at the end of a chapter, and at the end of the year he likes his cycling miles to be at some round number. It should come as no surprise, then, that he wanted to bring the year to an end with his geocache total at 700 instead of 693 – or whatever. So, after breakfast this morning we set out for Moscow to gain those last few caches and meet or surpass 700. Just as we were leaving the house, Hallie called to say she and Nick expect to arrive in time for supper Wednesday evening.

When we were in Denver, Kelly loaned us two "Playaway" audio books. I guess you'd describe them as books on MP3 players. Each unit contains one book and is individual, having batteries and headphones, but we wanted to share the contents. So Mike bought a cord for the auxiliary outlet in the Magnum so that we could play them through the car speakers instead of the headphones, and today as we traveled we listened to "Letters of a Woman Homesteader," written by Elinore Pruitt Stewart. Between 1909 and 1913, Mrs. Stewart wrote letters to a previous employer telling of her homesteading experiences in Wyoming. I recognized the scenario immediately as the movie, Heartland, released in 1979, and starring Rip Torn and Conchata Ferrell. I recommend the book and the movie.

The plan for the day was to geocache, shop at Winco, and stop briefly at Aunt Chris and Uncle Dan's to leave a jar of elderberry jam. We spent the morning geocaching and at noon went in search of a Subway. We had no idea where to look for it, but as we were moving toward Main on the Troy Highway, I suddenly spotted the shop. And who should we find there but Aunt Chris and Uncle Dan, who said they usually don't eat Sunday lunch at Subway. So, we sat and visited as we ate lunch. It always feels so good when things fall together like that.

It was especially important to see Chris since she has twice appeared at my doorway with wonderful things from her sewing room. Last week it was the hook book, but last Christmas she surprised me with holiday pillowslips. I have waited nearly a year to put them on our bed, and the magical date arrived yesterday. I knew they would look good with the quilt which was the gift of our contractor when he finished the farmhouse. His wife is a quilter.

We had just two caches to find after lunch – both at the University – one at the arboretum and the other at the observatorium. Did you know the U-I has an observatorium? We didn't. Then we went on to Winco. It was very busy there and shopping was really quite difficult. Turning onto the quieter cleaning supplies aisle, who should I find there but Aunt Joni and Uncle Pat. We visited briefly, said we were looking forward to seeing each other Thanksgiving and then went on our separate ways.

We were home before dark, pleasantly tired and looking forward to a hot meal and an evening of watching football. KW

SATURDAY – A GREAT DAY!

"The Lord is with me today!" exclaimed the character in the movie we watched Saturday night – "The Trip to Bountiful." That described the way I felt about Saturday.

I especially love to shop for groceries this time of year – so much in the stores. Last week I reviewed the sales fliers and decided to shop at Safeway on Saturday. I had my list and my coupons all ready. Mike and I set out for the store fairly early in the morning. As we mulled over our turkey selection, LJ and Debbie approached us. Debbie is my liaison to good things on the internet and we had just been messaging over color books, markers, and the virtues of coloring. Our online discussion continued when we returned to our homes.

Then – after lunch – I answered a knock at the front door and found "Aunt" Chris standing there with a "birthday" gift for me, a crochet hook caddy she stitched and quilted . "I can't stay," she explained – something about picking up doors because they are replacing dark doors in the interior of their house with white doors and had to return to Moscow in good time in order to watch their grandchildren. "Oh, I wish you could stay," I began to protest. "I really can't," she said, adopting her best 4^th-grade teacher tone. I was properly quiet on the subject.

How did she know I could use a "hook book" for my crochet hooks, I wonder. Crochet hooks are like the illusive can of tomato sauce on the pantry shelf: it's easier to buy what you need than hunt for the one you know you have. But I'm set now; I looked through all my hook stashes, separated the various sizes, and made a selection for my new caddy. (Yes, I still have hooks in stashes.)

After Chris and Dan left, I spent the afternoon at Mary Jane's reviewing a book – a most inspiring study. It's been difficult to get together recently due to travel and company and this and that. We hope to make better progress over the winter months.

And then, of course, Mike and I watched a good movie after the football game. What a great day!

JUST ABOUT READY

We've spent the last week doing "last minute" chores. We've made Christmas gifts, prepared two houses (and one doghouse) for chilly weather, taken a vehicle for repair, eaten food that might spoil, given Nellie a bath. We've washed clothes and counted out undies, downloaded maps and geo-caches, packed our toys as well as essentials. We said "au revoir" to friends, and put some services on hold. We've had long phone conversations with almost everyone we will visit. We're as ready as we'll ever be. If we've forgotten it, we don't know what it is. We'll think of it half an hour out of town.

Speaking of forgetting, I had a close call yesterday. We were leaving the farm when I decided to check upstairs one more time. I couldn't imagine why. But when I walked into the sewing room, there were three pink bears in the middle of the bed. Baby Bear was distraught, thinking I was leaving without her. Big Sister Bear and Cousin Bear were trying to comfort her but worrying themselves. I must have heard them crying. This afternoon we spent quality time together, making Big Sister Bear a "Hannah Montana" vest and tacking bows on their ears. Then into gift sacks they went to be delivered and hidden away in their new homes until Christmas. I can't help but feel pretty good about that.

I have a box for Boise and a box for Denver. I've packed dried pears for some and elderberry jelly for all. And if we need dessert, we can slice the chocolate zucchini bread. If you don't see a new post here for a few days, you'll understand we're off on an adventure. KW

EYES -- AND SOME PERSONALITY

NOSES

JUST FOR FUN

I always check the remnant bin when I'm at Jo-Ann's Fabrics and Monday's shopping trip was no exception. Some folks don't like left-over odds and ends of fabric, but I was raised using them. A short piece of fabric says something to me. In its original state – yards and yards of whatever fabric – it was suitable for grand projects, but in its reduced state, it can be something totally fun. That piece of pink chenille I found in the bin – less than a yard – begged to be a stuffed animal (or maybe even two). Suddenly I knew what I would do this week as the bear(s) inside the pretty pink roll of fabric begged to come out and play. I found the appropriate pattern (on sale, of course) and took my "bear in waiting" home with me.

But – the work had to be done first. I was up early Tuesday morning to embark on taking down and laundering the window valances, washing windows and blinds. It was anything but fun and the chenille fabric roll kept calling to me while I worked. By afternoon I was able to start working with the fabric. Having such a strong desire to become a bear, the fabric sewed up quickly. I was able to cut two bears from the chenille. Yesterday I had to make a quick run to Jo-Ann's for thread, and yes, I checked the remnant bin again, coming up with a lovely yard of pink knit embossed with roses. "I want to be a bear, too," it cried to me. So, I'm now on my third bear.

Yesterday our new Samsung television set was delivered and Mike set it up. The LG we bought last year we boxed up and will take to the farm. Since Mike was working in Nellie's space, she rested from the morning hunt in the laundry room. Later she asked me to move the pillow back to her spot in the living room.