Beloved,

     It’s possible I’ve plumbed a new depth of embarrassment for my daughters.  On Tuesday afternoons I don a puffy a swim belt for deep water aerobics class and spend forty five minutes paddling (and panting!) like a puppy, wearing my glasses so I can see the teacher on the pool deck.  It’s quite a sight for the runners on the track above us.  I enrolled with a friend and we laugh the whole class, never more than when she directs us to stand upright on a foam noodle in water ten feet deep. Noodles fly out of the water like jumping fish.  Two inches of snow sleet fell during class last Tuesday.  It was like swimming in a teacup.  Our hair froze walking to the car.  

     I take a different class on Thursday mornings.  It’s isn’t fun and I never laugh.  But it is good for my bones and muscles.  The very best part is when it is over for the week.  The swim class is good for my heart.  We fifty-somethings think about these things.  Of course the fitness folks say it’s all good for all me; heart, mind, body and spirit.  I only know I like Tuesdays more than Thursdays, frozen hair and all.  

     I pray you take extra care of yourselves today.  peace & prayers, pastor annette  

February 5, 2014

Beloved:

     “Tuesday & Wednesday: main impact roads may become impassable and very slick due to heavy snow and drifts, as well as sleet and freezing rain . . . travel may become very hazardous or impossible.  Accumulations: 3 to 8 inches of snow and sleet with a tenth of an inch of ice possible. Path to the chicken coop will be especially tricky with a strong likelihood of falling and sliding all the way to the creek.” ~www.accuweather.com

     Okay, I made up that last sentence but the rest is an exact quote.  The precipitation is expected around 1 pm so Global Women may not gather. My 4 pm class at the Y will probably cancel too, allowing more daylight to carry up firewood.  I have to remind myself that winter is just now half over, that it’s much too soon to be thinking about spring.  But truth be told I sneaked a peek at the flowerbed yesterday to see if daffodil blades had poked through yet.  Nope. They know better.  

     Living in the present is easier when the present is sunny and warm.  That is, if sunny and warm are your cup of tea.  But what about cozy and warm?  If fireplace fires and quilts and books and college basketball are your favorites ~ then winter is the warmest season of all.  

     The cat and the dog are snuggled against me as I work this morning, still in my flannel sheep pajamas. We are positively toasty.  I can’t stay here all day but for this moment, I couldn’t be warmer.  As usual, I suppose it comes down to choosing how we shall live; grateful or needy, contented or frustrated.  After all, it’s February, not May ~ and this is Indiana, not the yucatan. Besides, I read that the cold is good for all our perennials down in ground and the snow raises our water table.  We’ll be glad of it come July, only six short months from now. ~  peace & prayers, pastor annette