July 2025 - Enduring

Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash

What a blessing to reach the end of July 2025. This has been a challenging summer, so far. Myriads of difficulties I cannot discuss, but through which we are enduring with the help of the Lord. He continues to watch over us, protecting and providing. When worries assail, we lift praises for His provision to fend off the cumbersome chains of consuming concern.

This morning, I woke to find flooding in the basement. The men we paid to repair the roof took almost two months to come and then did not complete the repairs (saying they are waiting on an appeal to the insurance company for more extensive roof repairs). Thus, we are without gutters and the rain absolutely poured last night. I had moved several bags and boxes full of craft supplies I had purged and hoped to sell. They had been close to the window where it sometimes floods. Alas, given the lack of gutters, the flooding was in the very area where I had moved the items. One box was destroyed, but I had cardboard in the bottom and that kept the contents from damage. Plus, nothing leaked through the plastic bags, so it was merely a matter of drying off the bottoms. Now, I'm wondering if I should merely take all of it to Goodwill and get it out of the house without hopes of recouping any of the money I shelled out over the years on craft supplies I never got around to using.

After Sean's dentist appointment in early July, we learned he'd need all four wisdom teeth extracted. Just prior to the surgery date, his retainer broke, so I had to schedule a fitting for a new one just days after the wisdom teeth were removed. He is healing well, but we weren't without worry. On the first day, when he returned home, I was concerned about his overnight fast. I wanted him to eat something prior to taking the first pain meds. But, then, I worried food might be lodged in the extraction sites, so I handed him the irrigator tool they had sent home along with the gauze. As soon as he shot liquid into the site, he had to sit down for dizziness and pain. He stopped immediately, but after I called the office, I learned he wasn't supposed to use that instrument until the 5th day. Anxiety set in. 

When Bryce had his wisdom teeth removed, he ended up getting dry socket. My sister-in-law, Miriam, (once a dental technician) happened to be visiting and graciously walked us through best steps for dealing with dry socket. I was sure I had just doomed Sean to the pain his brother experienced. Thankfully, with Miriam's current encouragement, we iced regularly (20 minutes on and 20 minutes off) and he managed to escape the problem of dry socket. His girlfriend Claire came to comfort him and brought him a smoothie (very helpful, since we had few foods on hand soft enough that he could eat). He was fitted for a new retainer on Monday and they reported no appearance of dry socket at all. Yay!

I am still struggling with my back after my June fall on the treadmill. Although I can walk fine (and have gotten back on the treadmill successfully on days when it is raining), at night it still twinges when I attempt to sleep on my side (my natural preference). Not sure why that area is not healing, but I'm too much of a wimp to go to a doctor. Plus, it seems like such a minor ache. It is only an inconvenience. Not a tangible threat.

While listening to the Christian radio station in the car, I heard about an iced tea company that placed a vending machine next to a bench. The vending machine offered a free iced tea if you place your phone in the machine temporarily. Once the iced tea was dispensed, a sign flashed on the screen indicating the phone would be held for ten minutes. Patrons were encouraged to take a "tea break." Apparently, some did sit on the bench and relax for the ten minutes, refreshed by the forced leisure. Others were furious to learn they could not get their phone back immediately. The radio announcer suggested we might benefit from taking fasts from our phones.

I set out to do just that on my weekly fast day that week. I only managed 5-1/2 hours before it was necessary to use my phone for a mapping app. Not great success. Plus, I forgot to implement that into my fasting this week. Perhaps I'll try to incorporate it more fully in August. I have been faithfully fasting. Plus, in July, I managed to revamp my purging efforts (more about that in my quarterly purging post due at the end of August).

Lastly, I'm praising God for an increase in traffic on this meager book review blog. There were over 52 thousand hits last month, and I thought it might just be a fluke. This month received less, but not significantly. On this last day in July, Blogger tells me there were over 43 thousand hits on my blog this month. How I pray readers will find encouragement for living and recommendations for reading!

May 2025 Kicks Off With a Bang

In the beginning of May, our lives took an unexpected and difficult turn, ramping up the daily stress levels significantly. I cannot discuss those details, but will instead shift my focus to my youngest son, Sean. On May 3rd, he and his girlfriend Claire attended their senior prom. He was decked out in a black tux with an emerald green vest. He purchased matching emerald loafers specifically for the occasion. We were thrilled to learn that Sean and Claire were voted Prom King and Queen for the evening.

On May 4th, they took a trip to King's Island for a post-prom activity with other friends. We had been praying for their safety for this trip. Praise God, they were indeed kept safe! While approaching the entrance, a driver in a jeep in front of them slammed on his brakes. Even though they were only going 10 mph, they slammed into the jeep. While the jeep was unaffected, Sean's car hood was bent. There was also a large hole where the jeep's hitch punctured Sean's bumper. We were very concerned that some internal damage may have made the vehicle unsafe for driving home. Thankfully, they drove home safely and Sean was able to continue using his car until we took it in to a body shop for repairs last week. 

This is very difficult for us now, because it renders us down to one car for the whole household and I become chief chauffer. Just before his car went into the shop, my husband detected a grinding noise coming from my vehicle. So, there was uncertainty that my car would remain viable, as well. I had hit a very large pothole on the way home from my trip to Patti Callahan Henry's author talk in Franklin, IN, last month. That resulted in replacement of the struts. Perhaps the grinding sound is related to that. We will not find out until after Memorial Day weekend and Sean's H. S. graduation.

On May 12th, the school held a Scholarship Night. Both Sean and Claire earned scholarships.

Sean has been accepted into the engineering school at Purdue University. While we are thrilled to see him follow in his brother's footsteps there, some of the requirements gave a great concern. Sean has always exhibited allergic reactions to immunizations. Although the doctor's office would like to label these as "localized allergic reactions," in my opinion, they are widespread. He runs significant levels of fever, exhibits pain (from the kindergarten shots, to the point of being unable to walk), and the shot site often swells up to the size of a grapefruit and is hot to the touch. Once again, as before, we were not allowed to make the decision of what is in the best interest of our son. The university health office denied our requests, with doctor verification, for a medical exemption. If something devastating had happened as a result, I can assure you, we would have pursued legal representation. We prayed God's covering over him and are extremely grateful that his reaction this time was limited to discomfort, mild swelling, and a touch of fever for several days.

We are also grateful for God's protection and care during recent events with our home. On Friday evening, during a touch of bad weather, I heard a loud boom and saw through the kitchen window that a huge limb from one of our trees had come down. It could have done so much more damage than it did. Thankfully, it fell between the kitchen and garage portion of the back of the house. It did pull down the power line, but the line didn't snap (praise God!) and crews were able to come out later in the night to free the line from the tree and rehang it. It took out John's bird feeding sanctuary area. It hit the corner of the porch roof and the corner of the kitchen roof and the corner of the garage roof. It bend down the gutters. Here are the indoor photos I snapped (again, I apologize for being a horrid photographer):

If you are a praying person, please remember us in your prayers as we navigate the rest of this month and upcoming summer. I can honestly say that it is only through His grace that we are enduring the path we have been called to walk. You may also wish to join Judy Douglass for Worldwide Prodigal Prayer Day on June 2nd, 2025. Judy is the author of When You Love a Prodigal and the host of the When You Love a Prodigal podcast.

Spring Break 2025

When Sean appealed to join his friends for a spring break trip, I lacked enthusiasm. Still, both Bryce and Trevor went on spring break trips for their senior year in high school. They went with friends. Sean wanted me to accompany him, since none of his friends had room in their cars or accommodations. So, I located a cute little inexpensive Vrbo studio apartment. I intended to sleep on the (pictured) loveseat and give Sean the queen bed. 

Our arrival was harried. After many flight delays, we didn't arrive until after 11 p.m. and then the Uber driver could not get us to our accommodation because the roads were blocked for a seafood festival. We ended up walking a block in the rain. The Vrbo did not have the same loveseat. Instead, I spent four nights on this reclining loveseat.

According to my fitness watch, I snagged good sleep every night regardless of an inability to lie flat. The little apartment was adorable and cozy. Our only difficulty was with the set-up for the bathroom - a flat floor with no lip around the shower area to keep water from flooding the whole floor. This we remedied with a towel on the floor outside the shower area.

The seafood festival was fun, but I ate more Mexican food than seafood. Here's the last of 3 bountiful tacos I purchased for $6:

And a photo of a fabulous chicken, spinach, and mushroom quesadilla at a restaurant:

I spent a bit of time enjoying the back patio overlooking an inlet of water. 

For the most part, though, I sat in the little apartment and read. That was fine. Sean had a blast hanging out on the beach with his friends. On the last day, we checked out at 11, walked around, and got seafood. Good thing I saved on the tacos, because his market price fish and chips cost $25. Nothing like fresh fish! (Sorry, no photo.) We took an Uber to the airport around 2, but thanks to bad weather in Indiana, our flight was delayed repeatedly and didn't take off until 9:15 p.m. We learned later that a tornado actually touched down in the neighboring town and took the roof off a few warehouses. John said the sound was ominous. We are grateful to God that none of our tree limbs came down, we didn't lose power, and John arrived safely to pick us up around 11:30 p.m. I'm glad to have had the happy memories of a trip with Sean.

Senior Night and Belated Anniversary Trip

Our oldest son blessed us with a visit for the weekend of Sean's Senior Night football game. Bryce arrived at midnight on Thursday. Despite my early-to-bed, early-to-rise nature, I'm usually the one who drives to pick him up. I enjoy the time talking with him in the car. He worked remotely on Friday (from the quiet privacy of my book desk in our guest room). A bunch of buddies from his football days invited him to tailgate with them prior to the game.

John and I made our way to the end of the stadium where the parents of seniors lined up. Is it bad to say I'm glad this is my final senior night? Ha!

Bryce sat with us during the game and regaled us with tales of his honeymoon travels (some flight delays and missed reservations - especially one for a cool pool experience near the runway of a NY airport). They had a wonderful time in the Maldives.

After the game, we waited for Sean to exit the field and snagged photos of him with Bryce and him with his girlfriend Claire.

On Saturday, Sean and Bryce drove up to Purdue to view the campus. This was far better than the campus tour I took with Bryce during his senior year. Bryce was able to show Sean all around the engineering buildings and campus hot spots. Sean hopes to attend Purdue for a degree in aeronautical engineering.

Tuesday before Senior Night, John and I finally got away for a brief trip to belatedly celebrate our August anniversary. We hiked in Turkey Run State Park the first day. John wanted to hike Trail #2 (one marked "moderate"), but I convinced him to take Trail #3 because everything on-line says it is the most scenic of the trails. Trail #3 was very rugged, just as the trail marker indicated. Not to mention, it sprinkled with rain twice during our trek, making the rocks slick. Again, following on-line advice, we went counterclockwise. This meant we had to go down (backwards, which felt very perilous) the ladders on the trail. Yikes! Although, it was fun, I ached for 3 days following our hike. (This selfie was taken at the end, when the sun finally dried things up.)

The next day, we spent walking around the Covered Bridge Festival in Rockville, Indiana. We visited some antique shops (with no intent to buy anything, as our goal is to downsize in the near future). Then, we returned to our favorite baked potato station. I also bought an order of corn fritters. It wasn't an extravagant anniversary celebration, by any means, but it was better than our 2020 celebration plans. Ha! 

Gaining a Daughter

Ever since May 2023, when our oldest son Bryce proposed to his girlfriend Elizabeth, we have been fixated on the final weekend in September 2024. The flurry of preparation was minimal for us (primarily, finding suitable mother-of-the-groom attire and losing weight before the event), but Elizabeth took on all the details with great care and calculation. She is a highly driven and organized person. I marvel at her skill for planning this elaborate event.

My anxiety level was intense. I worried about so many details. Would our prodigal be able to participate appropriately? (Due to recent events connected with his addiction, he did not attend.) Would I lose enough weight to be comfortable with the time-sealed photos of the event? (I lost 19 pounds between January and the wedding.) Could I find a dress comfortable enough for my dress-loathing personality? (Thanks to a kind Von Maur associate named Diedre, I found my very comfortable and flattering dress and knew it was "the dress.") Could I endure the dreaded mother-son dance, when all eyes would be on me and my lack of dancing skill would be evident? (My hairdresser suggested a strategy. I spent the whole time in riveted conversation with Bryce. It worked and eased my nerves.)

After years of cheap haircuts at Great Clips, I was determined to find a hairdresser I could afford and appreciate. Thankfully, I found that at a men's hair salon, of all places. I have been getting outstanding senior women's cuts from Amelia at Manscapes Salon. She gave me a sense of confidence I lacked and helped me settle on a style I was comfortable with and capable of maintaining. I tried to time the cut, but may have been off by a week (it looked best one week prior to the wedding, sob).

Formal events scare me. While I'm not a country bumpkin (despite living in a rural enclave), I'm not comfortable in high society. The wedding took place at the Hotel Crescent Court in Dallas, Texas. It was absolutely stunning and gorgeous. Elaborate glass sculptures hung from the ceiling. Large canvas art adorned the walls. I felt a bit like an imposter, an ugly duckling among swans, but was surprised by how much I enjoyed the proceedings.

We flew into Dallas on Thursday evening and, apart from our experience at a sketchy McDonalds nearby (sought for a close, quick, inexpensive meal), enjoyed our Home 2 Suites stay and breakfast. Friday morning, we took an Uber to the tux shop with luggage in tow (another ugly duckling among swans experience as we looked a bit homeless amid the grandeur of Culwell & Son). Next, we headed for Hotel Crescent Court. John waited for our room's availability and Sean and I attended groomsmen/bridesmaid luncheons. (My meal at Sixty Vines was so delicious that we ate there for lunch again on Saturday with my father.)

Now that my mother is deceased, my father is free to travel for weddings. He safely drove all the way from Florida to Texas for my nephew's wedding in July, so he felt confident in making the trek again for Bryce's wedding. This time around, however, he left on Wednesday 9/25, just a day ahead of the expected landfall for Hurricane Helene. I was nervous on his behalf, but he managed to get ahead of the storm. (Although, he did arrive later than I'd hoped and missed the initial moments of the rehearsal where we discussed his entrance, given his current use of a power wheelchair.)

After the rehearsal, we paused for photos (snapped by their outstanding professional photographer, Sami Kathryn Photography):

The rehearsal dinner took place at The Henry, a restaurant with a great patio view of the Dallas skyline. It was, perhaps, the best meal I've eaten in a very long time. The meal started with an appetizer of house made pretzel balls with fondue. This was followed by a Caesar salad. For the entree, I ordered the braised short rib with bourbon caramel, roasted mushroom, fourme d'ambert, and smashed potatoes. The meat was so tender it melted in my mouth. Just when I thought the meal couldn't get any better, they brought out the dessert: a chocolate fudge torte with peanut butter crunch, milk chocolate mousse, and candied peanut caramel. Knowing I needed to fit into my dress, I intended to only eat half, yet somehow bite after bite cleared the plate clean. If you're ever in Dallas, this dessert deserves a special trip!

Saturday's wedding was beautiful, memorable, and fun. Here's a family photo taken by the photographer:

Here are a few snapped with my camera:

The wedding was held in the courtyard with an expected crowd of around 100-125 people. I wanted Bryce and Elizabeth to be able to invite their Purdue and work friends. It was an adult only affair and there are 19 cousins/spouses on my side, several with small children. Thus, the only cousins invited were on my husband's side (4). Family members who were able to attend really had a great time! They enjoyed a delicious meal, wedding cake, and dancing. John and I sat watching most of the festivities and wondered how our youngest knew words to all the dance songs. He had a great time dancing in the ballroom with his brother and new sister-in-law. I enjoyed snatches of conversation with Bryce's two close high school friends, Cameron and Dylan.

At 10:30 p.m., Bryce and Elizabeth strode down a tunnel of guests for a fake send-off (my photo). 

Then everyone but us returned to the ballroom for an afterparty that ran until midnight. John and I were happily in bed in contented sleep by 11. And now, I have a daughter-in-law. Yippee!

(This beautiful bridal portrait was taken by the professional photographer, obviously)

Bryce sent this photo from their honeymoon in the Maldives:

Thanks to the storms in our area after Hurricane Helene, we were somewhat concerned we'd return home to find no power to open our garage door. We thanked God when we found our home safe and sound. The following morning, however, we looked out the window to this shocking sight:

You can see in the first photo how dreadful it could have been if it fell in another direction and hit the power line by the roof. The second photo barely shows the extensive destruction of the fence to John's garden. We are grateful to the Lord for a blessed weekend, safe flights, protection over our home in our absence, and for the joy of gaining a daughter-in-law.

Mid-month Mention #2: Russells Point, Ohio

My cousin Karin is the kind of person who senses and seeks to fill a need. She knows many of the details of our struggle with a prodigal and the magnitude of our challenges recently. Thus, she suggested a girl's getaway. With my oldest son's wedding looming, I wasn't sure I'd be able to swing it, but when pressures intensified at home, I knew I needed the break. Karin planned everything and I enjoyed every moment of our overnight to Russells Point, Ohio.

We stayed at a lovely little AirBnB. It was cozy and comfortable, with a room for each of us and an ample living/kitchen area:

After a quick tour of the accommodations, Karin presented me with a girls' weekend gift bag. She knows purple is my favorite color, thus the purple beach blanket and the purple tumbler. Plus, she tucked the adorable bride/groom clothespin in as a special homemade gift:

Our first stop was a lunch trip to the Cranberry Resort lake-side restaurant in Indian Lake, Ohio:

We followed this with a small walk on a nature trail at Pew Island:

Come along and experience it for yourself via this link to a YouTube video.

Next we wandered, looking over the landscape, stopping for a bit of shopping, and exploring a delightful farmer's market at Hurley Farms, in Huntsville, Ohio. During our jaunt out, I noticed a sign for London Bobby Fish and Chips. When we went later to find it again, we thought we were in the wrong place, but learned it is inside an adjoining business called Cassano's Pizza. It turns out, in 2012, 30 years after the London Bobby fish and chips shops closed, Cassano's Pizza decided to bring it back to the Dayton area. You can read about it here.

We followed our evening meal with a trek up the steep Sandy Beach Bridge and enjoyed more lovely views of the water and lakeside areas. What a calming, peaceful location!

Sunday, after checking out of the AirBnB, we returned to Pew Island for a picnic lunch by the water and another trail walk. Then we went back to the Hurley Farms market for more fresh produce shopping and one final selfie together:

This little 25-hour jaunt was just what I needed. I returned home refreshed, filled-up, encouraged, bolstered, and restored. Something about being in nature (and especially around water) just does a body good!