Stages of the German dinner.

We are configuring the church basement for the German dinner.

Evelyn and her friend Rolene are arranging the kitchen for the big day.

The finished decorated basement before guests.

The guests filled the hall and consumed the delicious sauerbraten and other German delicacies.

Pictures from the arboretum

Dallas and Karen, our good friends.

Apples and eggheads

Friday I took Evelyn to exercise and went off to see the audiologist.  My aids don’t work satisfactorily even though they came back from the manufacturer just 2 weeks ago.  I met with the young doctor who adjusted them, trying to correct the crackling I often hear.  I pray this corrects things because my warranty expires in November.  I went to the local college to have my haircut, returned to the rec center to get Evelyn and brought her back for a haircut as well.  We were late for our Bible study but had brought pictures from our trip to Israel to show the group since we had been talking about Jerusalem.  We were 2 of 3 who had been there.  We brought our freshly cut hair home and took a nap.  I hadn’t mentioned we had both wakened at 3:30 and not been able to go back to sleep, so we were both quite tired.  We slept about 2 hours and then readied ourselves to meet friends for dinner at Maggie’s Galley.  They are Surfus and Koch.  We met them and had a common background in being from Indiana.  We had been hungry for seafood and had a great meal.  It was especially nostalgic in that the restaurant will stop serving at the present rustic location because the road it is on will be widened.  We left there shortly after 7 and went to a free dance at the rec center.  Evelyn had made a Mexican bean dip to share.  Others had brought things too, but we had just eaten and weren’t hungry.  The exercise leader played CDs, and a good time was had by all.  An interesting fact is that there were few men but at least twice as many women.  Evelyn and I may have been the only married couple there.  We came home and, thank God, slept completely though the night.

Saturday is football day.  I usually watch Purdue and had planned to today although I expected a big loss.  We were up early and went downtown to the apple festival.  It was another gorgeous autumn day, and everyone in the county must have agreed.  Evelyn had wanted to buy some apples to take with us so we went.  We arrived there at 10:30, and I thought we could make it home in time to see the 12 noon kickoff.  We bought our apples and then went to Mast General Store to look at some half priced shoes.  Evelyn didn’t like any but did find a gift for Andrew.  There were so many cars in the parking garage that we took 15 minutes to leave.  Therefore, we got home later than planned.  As it turned out, that didn’t make any difference: the game was blocked out in this area.  That was a surprise since nearly no one follows those teams around here.  I wish I hadn’t followed it on Gametracker either.  I have never seen a team throw away a game so effectively as Purdue did.  They led until 1:30 to go in the game and couldn’t tackle anyone.  I was bummed the rest of the day.  We walked 3 times around the loop before supper and then watched a movie.

Car repair

Tuesday we had a visitor.  I continued packing our plastic tubs while Evelyn worked on her Bible study again.  We both made progress.  At 11 our former neighbor, Frieda, came to visit.  She stayed until just past noon talking with Evelyn and Doris.  She and Doris had come to visit us in Texas a few years ago.  We had planned for her to stay for lunch, but she had to meet her niece.  We continued cleaning the trailer and packing it.  I also drained the garden hose and put it under the house so it wouldn’t freeze during the winter. 

Wednesday was busy.  I first went to have the oil changed and the tires rotated.  During that process, the mechanics saw that the brake drums and pads were badly worn and the tires were approaching dangerous.  I had hoped we could ride them to Texas but became concerned.  I went to the bank to get some cash for the trip and then went to church to talk with Pastor for a while after taking some items to the dump.  We came home and rested before going to Asheville to meet Dallas and Karen.  We packed our car and drove to the arboretum.  It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed it tremendously.   We went to a building that featured mechanical  prehistoric animals.  They were cleverly built.  Then we walked through the gardens before going to another building for our picnic.  It was nearly 5 and they had not eaten.  Karen had brought potato salad, celery and a delicious dessert plus wine.  We had brought only chips.  We had always planned to buy a Subway sandwich for our entrée.  We did and enjoyed a delightful picnic in the warm autumn afternoon sun.  This was the final time we saw our friends this season.  We took them back home and returned to our church for choir practice—the last of this season.

Thursday I had to spend much time having the car treated.  I decided I might as well get a set of tires instead of taking the risk of driving to Texas where I would have to buy new ones anyway.  Since the brakes needed work I decided to buy the tires at the same place.  I had to go to the garage twice because they had to order them from Asheville.  The price for all the work—4 tires, new brake pads and new drums—was under $900.  Gary and Linda had invited us and Marty for supper.  We walked there together and enjoyed baked ziti and nice conversation.  We came home and piddled on more packing.

Heavy work

After breakfast Monday, Evelyn began her Bible study prep while I brought some packing materials from under the house.  Then I got our hedge trimmer and cut the monkey grass around the front walk way.  It is somewhat taxing because it is close to the ground, forcing me to bend more than I like.  I took the cuttings to the trailer Gene had loaned us.  It was already packed with branches.  Evelyn then came to tell me how to trim our cypress shrubs and other plants.  She also raked up the trimmings and loaded the wheelbarrow.  She worked very hard.Gene agreed to pull the trailer out to Bollinger’s where we could dump the trimmings.  The burn piles were both down 10-15 foot slopes and the rain last night made the ground pretty soft.  It was difficult to maneuver the wheelbarrow up and down the slope.  I had not worn proper shoes, making it more awkward.  Gene drove me around some of the beautiful countryside before taking me home around 1:30.  We ate lunch and then Evelyn rested.  We then went to hook up our trailer and brought it to our driveway so we could begin to load it.  First, however, Evelyn wanted to clean it.  She even wanted to clean the roof.  I stood on a 2 step stool and scrubbed the top with a hand brush.  We tried to use various soaps but found that the old stand by, elbow grease, was the only thing needed.  We still have to dry out the carpet inside and then sweep it out.  We are really ahead of schedule and took the evening off to watch Dancing with the Stars and Major Crimes.

Fixing to leave

Wednesday was exercise day.  Evelyn went to the class while I walked around the outdoor track and path near the creek.  It was quite exhilarating in the cool temperature.  We went to the GO grocery for the final time this season. We also decided to use a coupon at the Sagebrush Restaurant.  We enjoy going there, especially for lunch.  We came home and went to walk around the lake.  Evelyn had wanted to go on a hike with the club, but I discovered we had to drive more than 43 miles one way to meet with them.  We opted for the lake.  We also had our next to last choir practice for the season.

Thursday was my final golf game of the season.  Marty, Gary and I drove to High Vista in Mills River to play 18 holes.  It was cool when we started but warmed up around hole 3.  The course is beautiful but just as challenging as last week.  None of us scored well, but I didn’t lose as many balls as usual.  I started fairly well but fell apart.  We had coupons for play that included lunch, so we didn’t take any food.  As a surprise, we were finished by 2:30.  I couldn’t talk my riders into playing a few more holes, so we came directly home.  Evelyn had been leading her Bible study in the morning and was napping when I arrived.  After supper she walked with her friends from the neighborhood .  She has taken it on herself to water the mums in our Cypress Meadows  fall display.  She carries a gallon jug of water to the display as she walks the first round.  We are still eating everything we have in the refrigerator, which means many delicious leftovers.

Friday we spent the morning finishing the preparations for the football party tomorrow.  We have things we must do tomorrow morning but much we could do today.  At noon we went to the Divine Drama Bible study.  All of the Bible studies at church are small but inspirational.  We have almost finished the first section of the study, but we won’t be her for any of the second section. Brent had brought the chain saw I had asked to borrow and agreed to follow us home to help cut the rose bushes down.  We made short work of the project.  I borrowed a pitchfork from our neighbor, Wanda, so I could pick up the thorny rosed clippings.  Brent’s wife Susan is coming down with a sinus infection, so they couldn’t stay for a visit.  We pray she will be able to come tomorrow.  We set the tables arranged the glasses, etc.  I also had been making ice cubes, putting them into a plastic bag in the freezer to hold the beer and sodas.  I brought in the cooler and put the ice in it with the drinks.  They will be perfectly cold tomorrow.  I thought Evelyn would want to go somewhere in the evening but was wrong. 

Saturday was a wonderful fall day.  The temperature was cool but the sky was sunny.  Evelyn baked some cornbread and made small key lime pies for our gumbo dinner.  I had cut many vegetables and she had made the roux and mixed them to make the gumbo during the week.  We had put in into steel pans for storage.  We poured it into our large slow cooker for serving later.  When the guests arrived we learned that Susan was still sick and stayed home.  We served our last boudin and peanuts in the shell as we watched the first half of the Purdue/Wisconsin game.  Purdue scored on the first 2 plays and Wisconsin scored on the next 4.  That was the end of the excitement for Purdue fans.  We had thought this year’s team would be much better, but they don’t seem to be.  The best thing about the day was the delicious gumbo that Evelyn had made.  There were 7 of us and barely made it around our table.  Everything was delicious and we even shared some with out Cajun neighbor who had made gumbo for us last week.  While the men watched the game, the ladies went to the craft display at the fairgrounds before the halftime meal.  2 of the  couples went to the square dance at the armory, but we were tired.  We did, however, return the vase Melanie had brought beautiful flowers in and went on to Belk to get our annual Cinnabar perfume and gift set.  Evelyn gets one each fall.  We returned home for needed sleep.

Sunday we went to Bible study and worship.  This was our next to last chance to sing with the choir before we leave.  There was a meeting of people who worked at the German dinner to find ways to improve the event for next year.  There were some good ideas but some problems will always be there because of our limited space for seating and serving.  We came home for lunch and rest before going to usher at a play, Light in the Piazza.  It was a musical opera and half in Italian.  It is difficult enough to understand operatic lyrics in English.  It was too warm in the theater and I was sleepy.  I didn’t stay for the first half of the play but was able to sit through the second.  We came home for popcorn and began packing plastics tubs to put into the trailer.  The worst thing of the day and week and recent months was a call from Stacy describing serious problems with Olivia.  We wish we could help some but can’t.  I watched the Packers while writing this tome and went to bed.

Departure preparation

Saturday was a big day.  We went to the church at 10 to drag the tables and chairs out for the German dinner.  We have a woman who had to take charge since Phil joined another church.  She does many things.  She had to give directions about where things belong, etc.  We worked until about 3:30 and went home to watch Purdue get slaughtered by Michigan.  I really thought they might have a chance to win their  division, but I m not sure now.  We spent the evening planning what to take on our cruise.

Sunday featured worship and Communion.  After that we went with another couple to Bridgette’s Bistro.  We had gone there with them before.  Bridgette serves a good lunch, and I had a $25 coupon.  We came back here so Sarah could cut the bread she had baked for the German dinner.  We had taken our red cabbage this morning.  We returned to the church at 3:30 and readied the finishing touches on the food.  The weather channel had predicted 60% chance of rain but nothing happened all evening.  We normally set up tables outdoor but didn’t based on that prediction.  The dinner was to begin at 4:30, but people began to arrive shortly after 4.  We had a huge crowd that lasted until 6:30.  Many of the people I sold tickets came and gave us unanimous compliments. It was a pleasure to serve the Lord this way.  All the money we took in is marked to be distributed among 3 local charities.  We returned home with our carryout dinners but had our normal popcorn. 

We slept in Monday and didn’t exercise.  We did pack our suitcases, choosing fewer clothes than usual because we normally end up with unworn clothes on the cruise.  Perhaps this will allow us to take fewer suitcases since American Airlines charges for checked bags.  We did learn that we were scheduled to work for the final time this season at the Open Door.  We served an average crowd and returned home in time for a nap.  Afterward I did a little yard work.  We are both dreading packing and getting the trailer packed.  I did walk around our loop with Evelyn in the evening as the weather

Tuesday we went to Silver Sneakers to loosen our bodies.  The hardwood floors are being refinished, emitting a strong, offensive order.  We had to have our class in a different room.  We returned to the church because there was to be some items that could be recycled.  I had some of them at home but also promised to take them from the church.  I picked them up and took everything to the recycling center.  We came home and Evelyn fixed lunch while I showered.  I had not showered since Sunday morning and was feeling a bit “skunky”.  The weather had been cold and drizzly all weekend, but the clouds began to burn off.  It really became warm.  I had been wearing long pants and long sleeve shirts but had to change when I worked out in the yard.  I trimmed a branch that has caused me to duck for years.  And also some of the flowers we have to cut back each year.  I have to keep at things because we have to be ready to leave in 2 weeks. 

High Vista

Marty and I left to play golf at High Vista country Club at 8.  We arrived at 9, putted a short while and began play at 9:30.  The golf course lived up to its name and offered many gorgeous views.  I played better than yesterday.  I didn’t break 100, but the course was very hard.  We finished the first 9 and ate our peanut butter/jelly sandwiches at the club house.  It was a beautiful day and we ate outside.  Then we began the back 9.  I parred the first hole and then fell apart.  Holes 11, 12, 13, 14 are very hard and we decided to play them again.  We did better the next time and finished the round at 4:30.  We drove home and I showered and ate supper.  Doris had bought some Little Caesar's Pizza.  I was very tired and could hardly stay awake while watching “John Carter”.  I don’t know if being less tired would have helped me understand it, but I didn’t as I was.  If anyone can explain it at all, please leave a comment. 

Friday we got our flu shots for the year at the hospital.  Since we volunteer, we are provided shots free.  We also ate our complimentary lunch before going to our Bible study at the church.  It is called the Divine Drama, an overview of the Bible emphasizing how Christ is the completion of Israel.  It is a good study.  I then went to a friend’s to see if he could install the replacement XM radio for the one that was stolen.  He couldn’t.  I will try to see if a local electronics shop can do it.  Evelyn had been trimming much of the dead flowers and plants we had planted in the spring while I was gone.  We had supper, she walked with her friends and watched “War Horse”, the movie we had borrowed from friends.  I barely made it through because I had been awake from 4:30 AM and up since 5:30.  I don’t know why I can’t sleep through the night.  That is the 2nd time in less than a week.  I will try it again.

Trepidations

Tuesday is Silver Sneaker day, the exercise I like.  The rain was dissipating by the time we exited the rec center.  We did the usual errands and came home.  I picked up the branches I had trimmed from the trees and borrowed the extended trimmer from Wanda to cut the upper branches that rub the roof and top of the side of the house above our bedroom.  I would say that the  grating sound bothered me, but that would be false.  I don’t even know if there is a sound.  Regardless, I cut the branches I wanted and loaded them into the trailer.  I really have trouble looking up for any length of time.  I almost feel like I will get dizzy and fall.  I have to find the spot above and then look down for a while.  The blessing is that the long cutter has a hook on the end that I can put over the branch to cut.  Of course this if followed by pulling on the rope to cut the branch.  That hurts my hand if the branch is very thick.  It is a struggle but not impossible.  In our earlier errands, I bought more 24 ounce cans of imported Mexican beer because I need more for our party next weekend.  I also need more Malbec to take to Texas.  I am beginning to dread packing for the trip.  To make matters worse, we must pack separate suitcases to take on the airplane to fly to Miami to board the cruise trip.  Come to think of it, it is perhaps even more difficult to take them on the MARTA to get to the airport in Miami.  Having fun is a lot of work!

Wednesday I talked Marty into going to play golf at Iron Tree as a warm up for tomorrows trip to the High Vista Country Club.  We went early and were pleased that there was no fog.  We both played poorly, so the warm up was in vain.  We were home shortly after noon.  I sometimes gather up the recyclable bottles and cans as my paltry way of being a good steward of our Creator’s earth.  Marty drives on the short trip and is gracious enough to allow me to put the glass, plastic bottles and cans in her trunk in a plastic bag of course.  Today, as we rode around the course, she cut her hand in 2 places trying to move the bag.  Neither of us knew there must have been a broken bottle in the bag.  She found some band aids and played on.  I watched some of the final Cubs game of the year.  They lost 100 games but have used some young talented players, reviving the favorite Cub fan’s phrase, “Wait ‘’till next year!”  We will be waiting although they will never get to another World Series.  The highlight of the day was the Presidential debate.  I was delighted about how aggressive and clear Romney was and how jaded Obama’s comments were.  The man told the same lies 3 times.  I think I will give some more money to the campaign if Romney continues to show his strength.  We are praying daily for him to win the election but always adding “Thy will be done”.  The way we have abused God and His Word makes it likely He will—or has--abandoned our nation.  We know what we deserve but pray that God’s mercy will prevail.  On the human level we worry about the outcome but trust God to help us pack for our sojourn south as we await His decision.

Much cooler and rainy weather.

We had a great worship and Holy Communion.  We did study about being responsible to God’s message and plan for us.  We came home and went to lunch at Gary and Linda’s along with Bill, Diane, Doris, Andy and Adele.  Linda had prepared 2 kinds of soup—ham and potato and minestrone--and some had brought corn bread.  There were 2 desserts—Linda’s apple dumplings and Mexican chocolate cake.  They were both great.  We went home and decided to invite Gary and Linda for popcorn and cards.  Linda is as  much a popcorn freak as I am.  We had a lot of fun playing, eating and drinking beer.  The big disappointment is that I forgot to watch/record an important program about the “Intersection of Church and State” presented by our major church body.  I had looked forward to seeing it for more than a week.  I have tried to find if it will be shown again but have had no success as of yet.  I will keep trying.

Monday we went to exercise at the Rec Center.  I had hoped I would be able to sell a couple more tickets but couldn’t.  I got a call from the audiologist and went to get my hearing aids back.  The company had replaced almost everything in the aids.  I think they are serving me better.  We came home in a light rain.  The prediction was for 100% chance of rain.  Evelyn did some sewing making a cover for a neck pillow for wearing on an airplane to accommodate sleeping.  We had lunch and then Evelyn rested while I went to trim some branches from our River Birch trees.  Our neighbor, Gene, had brought his trailer for me to use in transporting the branches to the Bollinger’s.  I want to also cut our roses back, but it is too soon.  Besides, the rain began again, chasing me inside.  We worked together to make some potato soup from some potatoes we had bought some time ago.  We used some spicier sausage than Linda had, so I liked it better.  We spent the evening watching “Dancing with the Stars”.