Thursday, November 15, 2018

Making Slow Progress

The week has flown by! My time has been spent dealing with the missions in Kenya and following up on Jonah's care and stay in hospital. If all goes well he should be released on Friday, Kenyan time.  Thank you to all who prayed for his recovery.

I made a bit of progress reading my latest book by Dr. Don Colbert.

Book #52

I was interrupted at the coffee shop when I went there to read the book of short stories, Blasphemy by Sherman Alexie. A fellow patron who happens to own a used book store nearby started chatting and wanted to know more about the author.  I told him what I know, which isn't a lot and we briefly discussed another of my recent reads, Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. Then he went on his way and I had to dash to other errands.

Book #53

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I've made only a bit of progress on making granny squares. I like how they look so far though after I'm finished making squares and joining them there will be a lot of loose ends to weave in. This part can be quite time consuming.



The rest of the week I've been busy with errands and shopping for a few Christmas presents.  I 'm almost set now. I just have to finalize something for a niece and nephew. I also had to buy some tissue paper which I like to use to wrap around gifts before I stuff them in Christmas bags or wrap them in paper.  Wrapping presents seems to take longer than actually looking for and getting or making the gifts, lol. Tuesday and Wednesday I wrote out most of my Christmas cards and posted the international ones. My Christmas card list is limited to 20 cards this year whereas in some years it has been more like 60.

I was invited to an all day Christmas event on Saturday but have decided to stay home and rest.  I'm also hoping to get organized for the week ahead, do some crochet and hopefully some reading.  Right now I really don't have the desire to make nice with a room full of strangers so it suits me to stay home. I love to meet people but I have to be in the right frame of mind and well rested, otherwise being in a room full of strangers (minus my friend) is a lot of effort if you don't want to stand around looking like an awkward bump on a log.

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 It's been raining here and sometimes cold. Last night I found it quite warm which was a pleasant surprise.
 At this time of year it is usually raining and warmer or not raining and cold. It is not usually clear and warm.
Given the overcast conditions here right now I'm sharing sky and critter photos from my archives.

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The first set of photos with pink flamingos were taken at Lake Nakuru Provincial Park in Kenya.





Here is a view of the sky from my balcony taken on a clear day about 5 days ago.
You can see a bird flying in the sky. I think it was a crow. It's a bit hard to tell from the photo.


These small, colourful bird photos were taken at the Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver. The conservatory has a lot of exotic birds which are always a treat for me to see though perhaps more common depending where you live.

Gouldian Finch at Vancouver's Bloedel Conservatory
 
Strawberry Finch at Vancouver's Bloedel Conservatory

I'm looking forward to the weekend. 
I wish all of you a wonderful weekend.
Thank you for stopping by!

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Linking with



53 comments:

magiceye said...

Liked the fact that you met someone casually with whom you could discuss what you read. Lovely captures of the birds!

KB said...

The finch is so colourful

Jan K. alias Afanja said...

Wonderful post. Especially all those pink flamingos are beautiful.

Toni said...

Wonderful photos. I enjoyed looking at all of them especially the Flamingos and Finches. Your granny square colors are lovely. I miss crocheting as I haven't done so in awhile. Have a blessed day and weekend.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Love your afghan squares. That will be so lovely when completed. The picture of the sky with the crow is wonderful...I especially like the steeple on the left. Now, Flamingoes...always fun to see. We have them in south Florida, and then again, many people have the plastic variety in their yards...sometimes when you don't expect them! I have a friend who has been the flamingo culprit in my yard many times, but then again, I usually just put them back in her yard! We've had a lot of fun with that over the years. Your books sound interesting. I hope you will have a blessed week. Wonderful that you are almost ready for Christmas. I haven't even started. we still have Thanksgiving here next week. Then starts the countdown to Christmas for me. Take care, and praying now for your friend in Kenya.

Jeanie said...

Oh Penny, those birds take my breath away! And I am a bit in awe of the books and crocheting you are fitting in along with holiday shopping and all! VERY productive! Happy weekend!

Nonnie said...

At first I was concerned that you had been harassed. It's pleasant to have conversation with others about what we are reading. Great photos and the birds especially. Those flamingoes are really something. You are on top of Christmas and I am now reminded of the Christmas cards I purchased, but forgot about. Oops! Gifts and cards. Oh my!

Red said...

Keeping busy is a very good thing to do as seniors.

Lady Fi said...

Wonderful shots of the flamingos and birds.

Spare Parts and Pics said...

The flamingo photos are so cool! Enjoy your weekend.

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

I'm very fond of flamingos and love the colorful bird too

Breathing In Grace said...

Oh, my, the flamingos are absolutely beautiful! I've NEVER seen one "in person". This statement spoke to my soul...."I really don't have the desire to make nice with a room full of strangers so it suits me to stay home." Sometimes I don't like to make nice with family, either! THANKSgiving is difficult for me...that's why I'm over in the corner behind the couch eating my lunch! <3 You're doing such a great job, already almost finished with your CHRISTmas shopping. I ordered on online today for a grandson and my son-in-love is going to order something for another one. I'm not doing as much shopping this year, just grand kiddos. HOPE you have a great weekend.

Mari said...

Somehow it seems life is always busy!
I love those flamingo shots!

happyone said...

Wow what a colorful bird, beautiful.
Like the flamingos.
Very nice colors on the granny squares.

doodles n daydreams said...

Loving your bird shots :)
Diana

jabbott said...

Hi penny, I am sorry to hear Jonah is unwell, I caught up on a previous post. I hope he recovers soon. He sounds such a nice guy and he's been through too much hardship.
I love you latest crochet project colours are lovely.I am glad you are going to relax this weekend while working on this project. Good for you that you have your Xmas affairs all in hand,I wish it was so here. Have a good weekend my friend ♥️

Saucy Siciliana said...

I hope Jonah is doing better now. I really like your reading list, especially the one about food being medicine, it's so true. Many things can be cured by eating the right things. Have a nice weekend Joyful! Thank you for always being supportive!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, your afghan squares are pretty. I would love to see the flamingos. What an awesome sight to see. The Bloedel birds are exotic and beautiful. Pretty sky capture. My hubby a diabetic could use that first book. Wonderful post and photos. Thanks for linking and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your day and weekend! PS, thanks for the comment and visit.

Rhodesia said...

So glad to hear that Jonah is on the mend.

I have just bought 'Shadows Over an African Heart': by Diana M. Hawkins and her next book 'Shadows Along the Zambezi' So far I am finding it very hard to put the first book down, Diana is the daughter of my ex boss in Rhodesian days which makes it even more interesting for me. You might like these books as they are based in Rhodesia.
Hope you are well and have a good weekend Diane

Al said...

I love those birds - flamingos are special.

Sami said...

Thanks for visiting my blog. Love the flamingos, it's been ages since I saw one.
The "Let food be your medicine" is the kind of book I would enjoy reading. I'm very interested in alternative medicine and different ways to cure health problems.
The afghan squares are very pretty.
Hope your friend gets better soon.
Have a wonderful weekend.

Phil Slade said...

It's many years ago that my wife and I visited Lake Nakuru. It was slightly disappointing in that the Lake was almost totally dry and although we saw flamingoes, in the heat haze it was very difficult. Still, we really enjoyed Kenya.

Adam Jones said...

Lovely colourful Finches

A Colorful World said...

rgeous photos! Really loved the strawberry finch. I love Sherman Alexie's work.

Joyful said...

Hi Diane, as I mentioned in email I bought the first book in ebook. Thanks so much for recommendations. I've asked my library to purchase the 2nd book and hopefully when they evaluate they will also decide to purchase book 1.

Joyful said...

I've been fascinated by pink flamingos since I was in elementary school. Growing up in a land where the winters took up half the year, the idea of perpetual warmth and flamingos (in Florida) always fascinated me.

Joyful said...

Thank you Sami. The book is a good one and an easy read also. I'm making up my afghan pattern as I go along so it takes a bit longer to do. Thankfully my friend was just discharged but he has to hang around the town to follow up with doctors for a bit. He lives a few hours away. You have an awesome weekend too and thanks for visiting my blog.

Joyful said...

I'm sorry Phil. That would have disappointed me too. I've been to Lake Nakuru several times and fortunately the lake had plenty of water

Joyful said...

It was wonderful to see you again Joy. I am working feverishly to try and get a lot done before the end of November. Where does the time go?!

Annie said...

How beautiful the flamingo are! Very lovely photos :). I love the afghan granny squares. Thats going to be a gorgeous afghan!

shayndel said...

That beautiful little colorful bird is amazing! Love seeing all the photos and especially the flamingos!! You sure are productive in your weeks!! And keeping ahead! Exciting to see as your quilt progresses!! So glad to hear Jonah is doing better. Praise God!! Blessings and a splendid weekend to you and enjoy those warm days!! Love to you!♡

Joyful said...

It's wonderful you know of Sherman Alexie's work but I think you live in the general area where he is from or at least a state away :-). I seldom find people familiar with the works of Native American authors.

Joyful said...

Thank you Annie. The granny squares are a work in progress but I think it is going to look lovely when done.

Joyful said...

Thank you Shayndel. I do love colourful birds of very interesting looking birds and flamingos were always very interesting to me. I do like to be as productive as I can. I wish there were more hours in a day, lol but some people are even far more productive than I am. Jonah was discharged from hospital but has to stick close to there for follow up visits before he can travel home. Have an awesome week ahead. Love and blessings xx

Joyful said...

Eileen, as a diabetic myself I know how difficult it is for many of us to really manage the condition. It is a very difficult condition to keep under control as every little thing affects blood glucose, even the weather! I would recommend the book to you and your husband. Happy Sunday ahead. xx

Joyful said...

Saucy Siciliana, thank you for your sweet words. Jonah has improved and is staying in a hotel nearby as the doctor wants to see him again maybe more than once before he can actually return home. I do agree that food is medicine so I try to read and watch videos on various subjects in the hopes of eating better I need constant reminders and tips. It's always fun to see what you are posting. I hope you don't stay away so long for your next post

Joyful said...

Thank you Diana for your kind words.

Joyful said...

Mari, I so agree how life is so full and busy. I guess that is certainly better than the alternative :-) I'm glad you like the flamingos.

Joyful said...

Thank you happy one. I do love colourful little and big birds :-) I'm enjoying the colours on the granny squares.

Joyful said...

Wow Debbie. I hadn't realized you've never seen a flamingo in person. I guess it means you haven't been to Florida. I first got interested in flamingos as a child doing a little project about Florida but the only flamingos I've seen are in Kenya. I hope your Thanksgiving goes smoothly my dear and that you have peace and contentment on that day. Hugs. xx

Joyful said...

Yes, I guess I have a friendly face. Someone usually approaches me in a coffee shop. I've had that experience 3 times in the past few weeks. Twice while I was reading and once while I was using my phone.

Joyful said...

Toni, I'm so grateful I can still crochet. I started when I was a teen but have only really picked it up again in the last decade or less. Have a blessed week ahead my friend.

Joyful said...

Thank you KB.

Joyful said...

Thank you Jan. I do love the flamingos and I'm glad you like them too.

Joyful said...

I agree Red!

Joyful said...

Hi Pam, I look forward to finishing the afghan so I can get on to other things, lol. I like crocheting, sewing, knitting and so on but I do like to have a shorter start and finish time. I bet you see a lot of real flamingos where you live. I used to see a lot of plastic, pink flamingos when I was a child. Thankfully the plastic ones seen to have gone out of vogue here, lol. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and thank you so much for praying for my friend.

Joyful said...

So glad you like the birds Jeanie. I am keeping very busy for sure but enjoy it all and like seeing what I can accomplish in a deadline. I'm enjoying your Paris posts. Have a wonderful weekend and upcoming Thanksgiving :-)

Joyful said...

Thank you Lady Fi!

Joyful said...

Glad you enjoyed them.

Joyful said...

Wonderful. I bet you see a lot of lovely flamingos and colourful birds where you live

Joyful said...

Aw, sorry I didn't make it so clear. I'm often approached by strangers when I'm reading in a public place. I find that rather interesting since I probably wouldn't interrupt someone who is reading myself. But I usually don't mind stopping for a chat with someone new. I'm glad I reminded you of the cards so you can get them out on time :-)

Jenn Jilks said...

I enjoyed your birds. I can't knit or crochet, but I do enjoy seeing pieces!!!
Cheers from snowy Cottage Country.

Jenn Jilks said...

P.S. Our kids live in Vancouver, and we've seen the amazing birds there.

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