Saturday, February 29, 2020

February ~ memories and moments

As you can tell, this is not a photo taken from my front porch.  I had a change of scenery at the beginning of the month...



...when I (together with my sister Mary Ellen) spent a week in south Texas, visiting my sister Bev who has made McAllen, Texas her home for over four decades.


South Padre Island is about a ninety minute drive from her place, and is one of her favorite places to go.


So we spent a fine Sunday afternoon there...walked the beach, watched the fishermen, and ate fantastic seafood at Dirty Al's.  They claim to have the world's best fried shrimp and I think they are right!


Bev had a brain tumour removed in January and is now going through cancer treatments. This is likely the waiting room she is spending a lot of time in these days!  I accompanied her to several appointments at this oncology centre while I was there. Hopefully Ricky does not need to go with her too often, since he did not appreciate the 'waiting'.  Granted, four hours would have been too long for anyone!



What are the chances of having the Canadian Women's Soccer team playing the Mexican national team at the HEB stadium fifteen minutes from my Bev's home while I was there? How fun to go cheer on the home team and see them defeat Mexico and qualify for the Olympics in Japan this summer!  It was also great to see Jordyn Huitema in action...she is a young star on the Canadian team who happens to come from my home town and is a friend of my granddaughters.


Bev's home for the past four decades...


...where the herd of cattle paraded by her back patio every day.


In her garage sits a 1975 Lincoln town car that was once my dad's. She has not driven it in years.  I think she is saving it for a rainy day!  Though the weather was lovely and warm while we were there, we did not spend much time sitting outside in her rockers.  We cleaned this and that, took down Christmas lights, cooked meals for the freezer and played taxi driver (since Bev can't drive right now).


Near the end of our time in Texas, we invited  Bev's good friend and her mother to join us for dinner one night.  We washed the good china (which was once our mom's)...


...and had a little Valentine's/birthday party. Bev celebrated a milestone birthday this month!


We ate a lot of Texas oranges while we were there!


Back at home...the sun was shining and it was a good excuse to get outside.  We just needed to wear a few more layers than we did in Texas!


We checked out a few trails nearby.


Though many of Canada's trains were at a standstill this month, I have proof that there were still a few pulling through town.  If you live in Chilliwack, you make allowances for trains stopping all the traffic regularly.

Before the sun sets on February, I am reminded of many things that happened this past month for which I am thankful.  My sister is responding well to her cancer treatments; my granddaughter is fine following a severe allergic reaction to food while on vacation; my son survived a stingray bite.

There are also still a few things unresolved...where we hope and pray for a happy ending.  Our  granddaughter Ranen has been suffering with a concussion for the past few weeks, received while on a French exchange trip to Quebec with her school.  Hubby's right wrist is not healing as he had hoped and is still sore and swollen and not too functional three months post-surgery. We are all 'fearfully and wonderfully made', something we are reminded of again when parts of the body do not function as they should.


We have almost made it through winter 2020 and are looking forward to spring.

Thanks for stopping by!





11 comments:

  1. Oh dear! First again. I hope this comment doesn’t scare others off.

    I love your sister’s home way down there in Texas. She must have been so happy to have you sisters come for a visit and do such nice, practical things like cooking up meals for the freezer. Your nephew looks like a bit of a ham. 🙂 What a great grin! Wonderful to learn that Bev is responding well to treatment.

    Sounds as if it has been a rugged time for the family. slewfoot has tipped his hand yet again. Asking The Lord for healing virtue to be poured out on all those who are standing in need. Praying for Elmer’s wrist to do much better very soon.

    Keep looking up... The Lord’s got this. All of it.









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    1. Thanks for your encouraging words, Vee. So true, that God's 'got this. All of it'! You know whereof you speak!

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  2. Beautiful photos of near and far. We lived in Edinburg Texas for a year to study Spanish, and went to McAllen for church and shopping. South Padre Island was a fun place to visit a couple of times, too.
    I'm sorry for the tough stuff these days. It comes to all of us, doesn't it. Comfort comes when we can rest and trust in the love of our Lord. Praying for continued healing.

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    1. How interesting that you once lived in Edinburgh. I think one would learn to speak Spanish quite quickly living in that area, without any effort in studying the language. Everyone speaks Spanish! South Padre Island has changed a lot since I was there for the first time in the 80's. It is a busy place now!

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  3. Thank you for sharing about Bev. I have added her to my prayer list. Looks like your visit to Texas was full of family time and celebration.

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  4. I love your monthly posts! Thank you for keeping all os in your life!
    What a beautiful visit you and your sister had down in Texas. Bless your sister Bev in recovery. I will add her to my prayer journal along with Elmer and your other loved ones.
    My sister, Deanie, has been diagnosed with dementia- she is only 68. I take every opportunity to spend time with her and treasure our every visit. Sisters are special and you and I have several so we are especially blessed.
    Love you, Dear Judy, and admire you and the way you live Life. You are a role model for me and so many others. Never underestimate the power of influence. God uses you to bless and encourage many. I’m so grateful to be one of them......

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    1. Thank-you, Linda...for your words of encouragement and prayers for those in my life who are hurting. I am so sorry to hear about your sister and will pray for her as well!

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  5. This warmed my heart to hear how you supported your sister. I can just imagine the batch cooking sprees in her kitchen. I'm sure she is so grateful for what you all did for her! May she keep responding to the treatment and heal completely! Your Spring is so far ahead of ours but the warm sun reminds me that Spring will come here as well. Take care Judy and blessings to Elmer that his wrist will heal and to your dear granddaughter for healing. I always look forward to and am encouraged by your monthly posts.

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  6. Quite an eventful month and a prayer chain month for sure. Glad some are out of danger and on the mend. Good to hear Bev is responding well to treatments. Will continue to pray for Ranen and your dear hubby's wrist.

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  7. I'm glad you had a successful trip to Texas and I'm glad your sister is doing well. Your pictures are just beautiful and Bev's house is super cute. I love the front porch with the arches. I'm sorry to hear of the struggles with health related issues. I hope March is bringing better results.

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'The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.'
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson