Sophie's Story

        It happened slowly. First Scamp started to become a picky eater. It was difficult to find things that he would like. We only bought a few cans of food at a time because he might like something on one day and then refuse to eat it again. He threw up, a lot. We weren't too worried about that. Since he was missing most of his teeth, it was common for him to throw up if he ate too fast.    We took him to the vet and adjusted his medications. We started giving him nausea meds. He was eating less and less until he finally quit eating except for some cat gravy and butter. It finally got to the point where we had to do what every person who lives with an animal hopes they don't have to do. We had to let him go.     We knew it was the right thing. His quality of life had decreased and we did not want him to suffer. We stayed with him to the end, petting him and telling him that we loved him. Two vet techs that worked at the cat clinic and knew...

     Someone wanted to know how the talk I gave at church on Sunday went. The answer is, not well. I started out with nervous tears and had more emotional tears during the talk. This seriously annoyed me because I do not like crying in public and I especially do not like tearing up while speaking publicly because it denotes a serious lack of self control. Having said that I did get a lot of positive comments after Sacrament meeting. I went outside to be by myself  after sacrament meeting because I was upset at how it had gone and ran into a woman who said that it was something she needed to hear.    The personal story I told was from a few years ago when I suffered a serious hemorrhage and wound up having blood transfusions and eventual surgery. I was adamant that no one at church know what was going on. A few people did find out and I swore them to secrecy. I'm not a big fan of people knowing my private business. I also didn't want to be a burden on anyone...

     The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has no paid clergy.  The men who lead the wards (congregations) are not trained ministers. Their role regarding the Sunday worship service, called Sacrament meeting, is to plan and lead the meeting. They may share some spiritual thoughts at the beginning or end of the service. They do not give a sermon or homily.     A Sacrament meeting may have two or three speakers and these are drawn from the ward or from leadership in another church unit like missionary work or the Temple. This presents an interesting opportunity to members. Unlike other Christian denominations an ordinary member can be asked to speak at a Sacrament meeting.    This was something that really excited me when I first joined the church. All my life I'd been listening to sermons and homilies by clergy. Now I had a chance to hear from ordinary people who had only their experience and personal research along with personal rev...

      Every Thursday I visit my parents who live in a senior apartment complex 15 minutes away. Yesterday was supposed to be a rainy day. I decided it would be a good day to get some plants for their balcony. I arranged for my friend Ellen to come with me. She brings a canvas and painting supplies so that she can guide my mother in painting a picture that Mom picked out a few day before. While Mom and Ellen are painting, Dad and I were going to get some plants and pot them.    The first thing we did when we got there was to get the painting things set up. We found an old towel to cover the table and protect it from paint drips. I moved a light over so they could see their work. Dad and I went to their garage space to bring up the pots that they had. Then Dad and I set off to buy some plants. I originally thought we should go to a nearby grocery store that had a greenhouse set up. Dad suggested another place. The store he wanted to go to would have more plants an...

     Last weekend I had to work. After taking a shower I went to You Tube hoping to watch a little of King Charles III's coronation. I was happy to discover that the procession down the aisle of Westminster Abbey was just about over and I could watch the whole ceremony.     As a resident of the country that fought free of British rule a few hundred years ago, I probably shouldn't have been as interested as I was. After all the monarchy is outdated and the idea of someone having authority due to birth instead of ability or the will of the people is just plain wrong. Right?     Despite that, I've been looking forward to watching the Coronation. It was the first coronation of a king since 1937.  The United Kingdom and the world were quite different back then. I wondered how those planning this event would make it more inclusive and modern as King Charles III wanted it to be and still include traditional things as well. I'd like to share wit...

     One of the things that C and I enjoy doing is visiting the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. We started visiting the Arb when we were dating and have continued to do so. It is a good place for us to be when we need a break from the city and have a lot of stressful things happening. Walking in the gardens is a peaceful experience.    We needed such a break yesterday so we drove out to the Arb. The weather was going to be nice although a bit windy, but we really needed to get outside and away.    I honestly wasn't sure what we were going to see. It's been to cold for any planting. I was fairly sure that the spring tulips would not be blooming. Such is spring in Minnesota. Even though it could be a dull walk, then sun would be shining and that counts for quite a bit.     We made our way into the main building pausing at the dining room to see what was going to be served for lunch. We walked down the hallways that connects the main buildin...