October has gone by in a blur. The last half was taken up with Jim’s surgery and recuperation. Much of the first half involved getting ready for it.
I mentioned on a couple of Friday’s Fave Fives that he went in for one surgery, but was discovered to have an undiagnosed hernia in his abdominal wall with some of his intestines poking through. Thankfully they weren’t in there tightly, so his digestion wasn’t affected. But, by God’s grace, another surgeon was available and willing to repair it while they had him open. Plus she was familiar with and a great fan of the robotic “arms” the original surgeon was using. We were incredibly thankful everything was able to be taken care of in the same operation.
Recovery has been a good days-bad days experience. But that’s probably how it usually goes.
This recovery time takes me back to pandemic loneliness, with not seeing anyone and watching church via Facebook Live. It had taken me a while to get used to socializing in person again after restrictions were lifted. And to get used to our current church being a bit busier than we’re used to. But I find I do miss people after all. 🙂 Thankfully we do have texts and emails and Facebook, and we have had people checking in with us and asking if we need anything.
Since the Covid pandemic began, we started having a family costume party on Halloween night. All of Timothy’s usual trick-or-treating places (the zoo, the mall) were closed then. But we enjoyed it so much, we’ve kept up the tradition ever since. We won’t be able to have it this year yet, with Jim not feeling up to it and Timothy being sick. But we going to try to in the next couple of weeks.
Our fall color finally came in, I think a bit later than usual. I have not been out much, but I’ve seen enough to be “filled up” and ready for the drabness of winter.
We’ve had a few cold days, but it’s been unseasonably warm lately. However, we’re due to have nights in the 20s this week.
Creating
I don’t usually make cards in October, since we’re past “birthday season.” But I did this year for Pastor’s Appreciation month as well as a few friends going through various trials.
These were for the two pastors. I ended up making a similar design for both.
The “Thank you” message was embossed with the Cuttlebug, and the bigger leaves were cut out with the Cuttlebug as well.
(Don’t tell anyone, but just between us, the smaller leaves on the corners of the “Thank you” on the second card were put there to cover up a decorative corner-cutting punch that didn’t turn out right. 🙂 )
And these were for a couple of friends who lost a loved one.
I made these four the same day, so I kept them relatively simple.The wording on these was made with a stamp.
This last one was for a friend recovering from surgery (his was the same day as Jim’s). I had time to play with it a little more.
I ended up liking this one the best. I wished I could have gone back and touched up the others a little more—but I had already mailed them.
And I liked the little leaves (made with punches) on the corners so much that I used them again, even without a mistake to cover up. 🙂
Watching
We’re trying out a couple of new TV shows that seem pretty good so far. It seems like every time I mention a TV series, though, something objectionable comes up on them right after.
One movie we saw that was pretty good was Return to the Hiding Place. It was based on rue events during WWII. One of the young men hiding out at Corrie ten Boom’s place was a teenager named Hans Poley. He was a student who had defied an order of the Nazis, and Corrie was his mother’s friend. He got false identity papers and joined the Dutch resistance, sneaking out at times to help them.
Reading
Since last time I completed:
- Aftermath by Terri Blackstock, fiction, audiobook. An explosion at a concert kills a young girl’s friends and traumatizes her. Meanwhile, police are tipped off to pick up Dustin Webb, and they find explosives in his trunk. But he didn’t put them there. He calls a long-ago neighbor who is now a lawyer for help. Very good!
- Chasing Shadows by Lynn Austin, fiction, audiobook and print. This book follows the lives of three women in the Netherlands in three different venues of WWII: a young Jewess, a Resistance fighter, and a farm wife on the home front. Excellent.
- Made for More: An Invitation to Live in God’s Image by Hannah Anderson, nonfiction, Kindle. Excellent!
Just finished this weekend, not reviewed yet. - The Rose of Winslow Street by Elizabeth Camden, fiction, audiobook,
also just finished and not reviewed yet.
I’m currently reading:
- Be Exultant (Psalms 90-150): Praising God for His Mighty Works by Warren Wiersbe
- Elisabeth Elliot: A Life by Lucy S. R. Austen
- How to Write a Sentence and How to Read One by Stanley Fish—though I have not really read this lately, having gotten distracted by the next one.
- Someday Is Today: 22 Simple, Actionable Ways to Propel Your Creative Life by Matthew Dicks
- Far Side of the Sea by Kate Breslin
I’m also going through Jen Wilkin’s Abide Bible study course on 1, 2, and 3 John with a ladies’ Bible study at church.
Blogging
Besides the weekly Friday Fave Fives, Saturday Laudable Linkage, and book reviews, I’ve posted these since last time:
- When You Can’t Set Everything Right.
- How Can We Share God with a World that Doesn’t Want to Hear?
- Writing Pet Peeves.
- When You Feel Like a Failure.
- Are You Troubled?
- What Are You Stirred Up About?
Writing
This month has not lent itself to much writing. But I did send an entry to Lois‘s Remembering Our Parents site about my mother-in-law, here.
Our writing critique group decided that, instead of starting a new round of presentations and critiques and then stopping for the holidays, we’d go ahead and take a hiatus now through the end of the year. And though I’m grateful for the extra time, I’m missing our bi-weekly meetings already. We still keep in touch via text, though.
Looking ahead
Hopefully Jim’s recovery will progress through the next few weeks. I need to schedule some medical appointments for myself before the end of the year. But I don’t think there’s much else on the horizon until Thanksgiving. Hopefully November will be a restful month.
How was your October?
(I often link up with some of these bloggers.)
Stray Thoughts 
Our October was also difficult, so we’re kind of in the same boat. I hope your family recovers well! Those are beautiful cards, and may we have a better November! God bless.
Thanks so much. And I agree, I pray both our Novembers are better than the last few weeks.
Barbara, I’m so glad your husband came through surgery okay. And how like God to have the perfect physician on hand to help with the unexpected hernia. I love your cards. So pretty!
Thank you, Jeanne. We had so much to be thankful for in regard to the surgery.
I had to smile at this: “But I find I do miss people after all.” Because I’m the same way. I’m proud of myself when I actually miss being in person and seek it out. 🙂
Your cards are always so lovely and meaningful. The recipients are blessed by your thoughtfulness, I’m sure. I hope Jim continues recovering well!
I’m missing our biweekly meetups too. My goal is to get some writing done during this hiatus, so maybe I’ll be productive with that in November.
Thanks so much. He’s had good days and bad days. Hopefully the good ones will increase as he continues to heal. It’s slower going than we anticipated.
I’m ending up with a number of medical appointments this month–some put off due to Jim’s surgery, some I’m trying to get wrapped up before he retires at the end of the year. So I’m not sure how much writing time I will get in, but I hope I will. I hope you can get some writing in this month.
Sounds like you had a FULL October. I love your cards! They are beautiful! Praying Jim is doing better and the worst is behind him! This week has been unseasonably cold… brrr! high in the upper 30’s yesterday with low in the teens. In Missouri we go from 80 to 30 in just a few days. LOL! Hope you have a great November!
Thank you, Monica. Yes, October was very full. Jim’s recovery is going more slowly than we had anticipated, with good days and bad days. But hopefully the good will outnumber the bad before long.
We’re in the 20s several nights this week, but it’s been nice in the daytime. I’m not ready for winter! But I’m sure we’ll have a few more warm spells before autumn is done.
The movie sounds really good. I’ll have to see if I can find it.
Barbara, you always do such a lovely job with the cards you make. These are no exception. Just beautiful!
I enjoy Hannah Anderson’s writings so much. I will be looking forward to your review.
Thanks so much, Dianna. I hope you can find the movie.
Jim has an Amazon Fire Stick, through which we watch a lot of movies. It includes a free channel called Tubi, where we saw this one.
I just “discovered” Hannah when I read her advent book last year, and I have been working my way through her others since then. I just saw yesterday she’s written a new Bible study of Ecclesiastes. That’s going on my wish list!
Thank you for the heads up on Hannah’s Bible study. I hadn’t heard about that yet. I know it will be good. I was introduced to her by a mutual blogging friend a couple of years ago when she gave me a copy of The Turning of Days for my birthday. I enjoy her writing style so much.
Those cards are gorgeous! What wonderful talent you have.
My October was pretty good minus the daily issue with the cervicogenic headaches. Thankfully I had a chiropractic appt 2 days ago so it’s easing up some again. I’m glad your husband is recovering well.
I see you’re reading a book about Elisabeth Elliot. I love her!!
I hope you have a good start to November. We have a busy month ahead: Christmas Eve choir rehearsals every sunday afternoon, traveling to the Boston area for Thanksgiving with hubby’s side, outdoor chores before the snow arrives. But November is still slower than December!
Thank you, Faith. I’m glad the chiropractor has eased your headaches. Jim’s recovery is going slower than we had thought it would, but he’s making steady progress.
I always enjoy seeing your cards! Ha ha on covering a mistake. I think all card makers do that! I’m glad Jim is recovering well and continue to pray. Our fall color was late this year too. We’re still seeing it come into play, so I’m hoping for no big wind storms soon that will knock all the leaves from the trees. Happy November!
We experience the same thing with wind storms or rain knocking off the fall leaves sooner than I like.
Thanks for your prayers for Jim. We need them!
Years ago I read an article about someone who made paper cuttings in quilt patterns. She said she always placed a mistake in her designs so they’d look authentic. I thought, I wouldn’t have to plan to place a mistake–I’d have plenty that occurred naturally!
Barbara, I’m glad you’re filled up with fall color and “ready for the drabness of winter.” I’m not quite there yet, but will be soon. 🙂 So thankful for your contribution to Remembering Our Parents. I feel the same about our writing group … thankful for more time but missing the connections. Praying for Jim’s full recovery.
You sure have had an eventful month, my friend! I’m glad Jim is on the mend and hopefully things will calm down for you soon. I always admire your cards! So pretty and creative. I hope Timothy is feeling better as well. It’s hard to believe we are so close to the end of this year. The holidays will be upon it before we know it.
I hope Jim’s recovery is continuing to go well, Barbara. What a month you have had.The cards you made are beautiful, and I enjoyed reading about the books you have enjoyed. Take care and thank you for being a part of Hearth and Soul.
Praying for Jim as he recovers. The cards you have made are really beautiful and I am sure they will be appreciated. There is always something special about a hand-made card. I’ll need to check out “Return to the Hiding Place” – I love the story of Corrie Ten Boom.
So happy to hear Jim is on the mend. Sending recovery prayers his way. I’m so happy you are filled up. The card you made for your Pastor is lovely. I enjoy when you share what you’re watching and reading because I’m always looking for recommendations.
Thanks so very much for sharing your October with Sweet Tea & Friends this month.