Well, tomorrow is the day I have my first public outing with my book! My friend Pam is assisting me. We will have a table at the Henderson Heritage Day, so if you can, join us between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., we’d love to see you.

PLEASE READ THE UPDATE BELOW!

Update of an Update: The inclement weather forecast for Saturday, August 12th, in Henderson, NY, has caused a cancelation of the Heritage Day activities. BUT the Henderson Museum and the Peters Stevenson Antique Boat Annex, located next door, will be open from 9a.m. to 3 p.m. join us for the silent auction, local authors signing and selling their books, and the pie ladies coming to sell their pies.

In other news, John and I are enjoying blessing others with our garden’s abundance. Everything is outdoing itself, and I took a 5 gallon pail full of green beans to give away at last weekend’s church services. There was even enough for people who attended our new Spanish service on Sunday afternoon, and our pastor’s wife found some left during the week, which she took to bless someone else! This photo is just about a quarter of the pickings from a few days before last weekend. It’s taken me up to two hours to fully pick our bean plants!

What a joy it’s been to give things away this summer ☀️ All things come from the hands of our loving Father in heaven. No matter what your current circumstances are, you have been given something to give away, even if it’s just a kind word. We are truly blessed to be a blessing. I give thanks continually to our wonderful Lord and Savior for the opportunity to receive and then give.

As my brother and his wife are facing challenging times, I am contemplating with the Spirit what a perfect solution might look like. I remember my grandfather, who I never consciously knew due to dementia. My grandmother took things in stride, caring for him at home until she found him dead. He was in his favorite chair, his hand atop his faithful Irish setter, Rusty, with his pipe in the standing ashtray on his other side.

My aunt and her family from Kansas spent a couple of years living there, which was an immense help when Grandma needed cataract surgery. My other aunt was close by. We visited a couple of times a year, and so did my uncle and his family.

It was another time, another place. Now, my brother and his wife have an aid come several days a week, a social worker that keeps tabs on them both. A couple of neighbors are helping when they can, but it’s not a good situation. Nursing home placement is looming.

My brother is used to doing a lot of walking, helping other people, and having intelligent conversations. His wife is content sitting in bed most of the day and using her phone and tablet. He seems to be declining mostly for lack of stimulus and erratic sleeping schedules. Being on disability, basically a ward of the state, there are few options.

These ideas are forming in my thoughts: What if there’s a family, a couple, or a widow that could take them into their home? A loving, godly atmosphere where they could be taken care of, have family meals, interact with others, or be alone for a bit as needed? A garden they could help with, some place safe for my brother to take a walk…

There was a time when family would take in family members, and there was a time when multiple generations lived together or close by. Is it possible to find a new way to create a solution other than a nursing home? Other than a person/couple living in an inadequate situation, spending our tax dollars? Can we find a way to identify those who would welcome others like my brother and his wife, bring them into their home, both sides of the equation benefitting from being together? What do you think?

Part of these thoughts were inspired by a story I heard about The Little Sisters, Disciples of the Lamb, located in the French countryside, whose members were all born with Downs syndrome. A few ‘normal’ sisters live with them to help. I read about this in the recent issue of ProLife Newsletter of Northern New York. You can find this at: http://www.liferight.org

I leave you to ponder how we can be the hands and feet of Jesus right where we are, using what God has given us to bless those around us. Lord, open our eyes to do the things that may be hidden from us. Amen.

Oh, my book can now be purchased at The Little Bookstore in Clayton, NY, where you can pay by card instead of cash or check. Also, please don’t try to buy my book on http://www.zoelifebooks.org until they get things settled with the business after the passing of my publisher. You may buy it from me, since I always have a few copies with me, or I can mail you one if you contact me with your address.