Friday, June 26, 2020

Bathed in Pastels

We continue to have rain (the almost constant rain for almost 2 months is not so good for the garden) and temperatures on the low side.  The past week it is a bit of sun and rain and I've noticed a lot of humidity though nothing like it gets in eastern Canada or eastern USA.

I do find the skies are quite beautiful at sunrise and I like all the shades of colour I find in the early morning hours.







I've been spending a lot of time on line doing an online version of  "window shopping" as I continue to look for a few items to complete my household decor needs.  I've been getting rid of a lot of things and still have one large item to offload, my late mom's first power wheelchair.  I've found a new home for it but it won't be out of my home for awhile yet. A friend of mine is raising money to replace the chair's batteries and battery charger and to hire someone to deliver it to the intended recipient.  This is a combined humanitarian gesture by my friend and I to someone who suffers from major mobility issues.  Once the chair is gone it will be a huge relief as currently it is several hundred pounds of dead weight and it takes a lot of space.  I'm very pleased that someone who can really benefit from the chair will get one because for her to try and buy one would be a near impossibility.  These kind can cost well over 10 thousand dollars.

Once it's gone I will know how I am rearranging things.  In the meantime I am looking at what I currently have, what can be repurposed and what I may need to purchase.  I am naturally drawn to patterns whether in clothing or in decor.  I also have very eclectic tastes.  After awhile I get a hodge podge of items that don't go together very well.  As I get rid of things I want a simpler, more streamlined look. I am not a minimalist by any means.  Nor do I want to be one.  But over a long period of time I've become more mindful of the things I have and only keep what I really need.  I'm sentimental so it isn't that easy for me to get rid of a lot of things. I have to cull my items several times before I get down to a good amount.  I am also one who likes things organized and so I need to consider what will work best.  I have ideas for getting the kitchen and bathrooms much better organized and all on a small budget.  Material things are not so important to me but of course one needs certain basic things and a home that functions well and is a haven of rest while the world is in turmoil.

I like reading and have several areas that I want to make more comfortable for that purpose. Currently I read in the living room. I can read paper books anywhere of course.  Likewise with certain digital books which I read on my Kobo device.. Other digital books I can only read on my computer and laptop. In future I'll also carve out a spot in my bedroom, a cosy nook if you will.

Here is a photo of the books I've read in 2020.  I have an eclectic array of interests and my reading material reflects that. Maybe you will find something of interest to follow up on.

Right now I am reading, The Island of Sea Women: A Novel, by Lisa See, Tell Tale Stories by Jeffrey Archer, The Power of Praise and Worship by Terry Law.  These are all digital books.  A new hardback  just arrived in the mail called The Book of Signs by Dr. David Jeremiah. I saw Dr. Jeremiah being interviewed on television and immediately ordered the book.  Several digital library books are ready for borrowing, including Homo Deus.  I'm putting them on short pause until I make progress on the ones I'm currently reading.

Update on Kenyan Missions

I'm keeping very busy with solitary tasks and the Missions of Hope in Kenya. One widow lady in a town called Ketingia died and left no male heirs.



Widow Esther
Her name is Esther and in her culture the last born son takes care of his mother after the father has passed.  But  but the woman only had daughters.  Another male relative might have stepped in but no one would step up and take responsibility.  Life in Kenya for village people is very, very hard at the best of times.  Due to Covid 19 and travel restrictions and the financial hardships of life her side of the family did not travel to Ketingia to condole daughter's or to help them fund raise or plan the funeral.  Pastor Jonah has been doing what he can over the past week under these difficult circumstances.  I also confirmed that the medical personnel will be in attendance to bury the deceased once everything is set in place for burial.  The widow didn't die of Covid 19 but of heart attack.  However these days in Kenya burying and gathering are under tight restriction.  The late Esther is to be buried on Saturday and I hope and pray it happens as one of the difficulties encountered is finding a date on which the doctor's schedule is open to deal with the burial. Delays only add to costs.

The other work of feeding, helping with medicines and medical follow up continues for several others including Eunice.  Those of you who follow my blog and the work of our humble mission outreach know that Eunice has been in hospital in the town of Nakuru for one year and four months.. Over that period she hasn't improved significantly though at one time it was thought she would be well enough to discharge.

Once the curfews are lifted in Kenya we will see if we can get Eunice transferred to her home town.  This is easier said than done but at least we will try and with God's help it may be possible. Eunice may not get the same level of care in her home town but she will be nearer to loved ones who will be able to visit her.  Where she is now it is too far for people to travel.  She was taken hours away in order to try and get the best care available. For most of the villagers they simply do not have extra funds to make the journey back and forth to see her.  There is a lot of thinking and planning that must go into a possible move, not the least of which is getting the agreement of the doctor/hospital where she is admitted, finding an appropriate place for her in her home town, transporting her safely and making sure she has medical care and oversight once there.

Grandmother of my friend.
New house is being built as funds are raised

A young doctor friend has been busy trying to fund raise to build a home for his elderly grandmother. He is a newly credentialed doctor and his salary is very modest given that he works in a small, rural hospital to be near to his grandmother.  She has been suffering from pneumonia as a result of the heavy rain and flooding that occurred in Kenya.  Her original house was partially flooded and is no longer habitable.  The grandmother is quite elderly.  She has been mostly in good health until recently and her grandson is concerned about her being in a proper house so she can remain healthy. hospital.

 
Two hundred people drowned in the floods and at least 100,000 were displaced from their homes and farms in May 2020.  Pastor Jonah's elder brother had a coffee plantation which was flooded.  He lost his livelihood as well as the family home.  He now lives temporarily with his wife, 4 children and mother-in-law (and other displaced people) in empty schools and churches.  The Red Cross did provide them with a tent but it wasn't large enough to house the family. I have no idea what the future holds for this particular family but since the rains have started again there isn't any immediate hope of returning to farm the land.  If a way opens up, I would really like to help them get back on their feet once rains stop. If you are feeling led to help please let me hear from you.

An aerial view on May 3 shows flood waters near the Sigiri Bridge in Budalangi, Kenya. (Thomas Mukoya/Reuters)

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A young man I met several years ago from the Kenyan Boys Choir lost his mother a few days ago and she was to be buried on Thursday June 25th.  She suffered from kidney problems, had a kidney transplant a few years ago and was raising funds to undergo another transplant in India.  She succumbed to health complications before she could get surgery.  The two sons she leaves behind are still quite young though thankfully they are now young men who have finished high school. I'm praying they will be able to manage okay though I know they will really miss the motherly love and support she gave them.

As always we covet your prayers and your support if you are able. You can find details on the side bar to the left for donations and you can also find a link to the African page to read more about the missions.

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I leave you with a few garden photos. Sorry they are not that clear.  I was using the wrong lens and had a very hard time getting clear, close up shots.  I am happy with the colours though.



I can't remember what this plant is called. It really grew this year compared to other years.

 Usually I have red or pink, sometimes white geraniums. These ones are a deep salmon colour.
Beautiful red petunias and burgundy pansies.

Until next time, stay safe.

Joining in with Skywatch Friday this week.

28 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello Penny, your sunrise images are lovely. I have downsized as much as I can, I am not a minimalist but I like things in their place and looking neat. Your plants are beautiful, the colors are cheerful. I have read quite a few of the books on your list. Take care, wishing you a good day and happy weekend.

Karen said...

Lovely soft skies, and pretty flowers.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Such beautiful flowers! I know you must enjoy the colors...they are bright and cheery. You certainly do a LOT of reading. I have not been reading so much lately as I am working on my genealogy and that takes up my spare reading time. But it is almost as good as a good novel. LOL. Of course, I have to make up the story to go with the facts and try to figure it out as I go. Your friends in Kenya are certainly having a difficult time. I wish I could help financially but am not able to do so. But I can pray and I will pray. That family who lost their home/farm in the flood...wow, and those with such serious medical needs. Praying for them now. May God bless them with the help they need. He knows how to supply all their needs. May God's people rise up and answer the call. I hope you get your house fixed up the way you want when you are able to do so. It seems like that is a never ending project for most of us. Downsizing is something I keep trying to do, but am not very good at it. We have way too many family "heirlooms", and no one else wants them, and actually I enjoy them. So someday my kids will have to figure it out. Have a blessed weekend.

Spare Parts and Pics said...

I like your sunrise colors. I'm afraid I haven't done well with downsizing and organizing. No excuses, other than I have a hard time getting rid of things! Oh well, one of these days...

Bill said...

Your sunrise photos are absolutely beautiful. We downsized years ago by moving around, not the original plan but it worked. Now we live in a small one bedroom apartment. I love it. Have a wonderful weekend!

Mari said...

I love your sunrise photos, they are beautiful. So are your garden shots.
I liked your list of books. I recently read Before we were yours and Giver of Stones - both so, so good. I'm going to check out some of the others you listed.
I'm sorry for all the troubles in Kenya - and now a flood too. So hard...

Joanne Noragon said...

It's wonderful you found a new home for the chair.I can imagine it will free a vast amount of space for you.

Light and Voices said...

It is hard to decide what to give away, what to keep and what to sell and what to throw out. Good luck with the plan of cleaning out. It takes a lot of time; but it feels so good when it is all done. I try to do it every year. Being a caregiver, I don't always have the time now. So, what I do is start a box. When I see something I don't need anymore I put it in the box. When it is full, I take it to a nearby church for their rummage sale. Enjoyed looking at the books you have read and are reading. Enjoy!

R's Rue said...

Beautiful photos. Praying.

Joyful said...

You're absolutely right about how long it takes and how good it feels to make progress. I got very behind after care giving over a very long period of time and now trying to catch up. After that it will be quite easy to maintain.

Joyful said...

Thank you for your compliment and for prayers R.

Joyful said...

Yes it will!

Joyful said...

Thank you Mari. Yes life is very hard in Kenya I'm glad you've enjoyed the books you've read. I enjoyed those books also.

Joyful said...

Thank you Bill for your kind words. I'm glad you have been able to downsize and that you are enjoying it. It sounds very freeing :-)

Joyful said...

Thank you so much for your kind words. Some people get to downsizing earlier and some later. I too have a hard time getting rid of things and it takes me awhile.

Joyful said...

Thank you.

Joyful said...

Thank you Eileen. You are very organized and your read a lot. Well done and happy weekend to you.

Joyful said...

Thank you Pamela. I do love the colour for sure. My reading is sporadic and I like to have time for other things so am not the most voracious reader by any stretch. Even so I do know that many people don't read much. I think it's good to read. Even one book a month. I know how time consuming the genealogy research can be, and also fun. You are so right about the job of fixing up the house. It does seem to take a lot of time and once down you will always been "tweaking" things. Last but not least, thank you for the prayers for the missions. God bless you for it.

stardust said...

The pastel colored morning sky is so beautiful. I also love your patio with the flowers of both soft and vibrant colors. Pray for Kenya; news from Kenya makes me sad including floods, locusts invasion, and so on. Have happy and safe days ahead.

Yoko

Joyful said...

Yoko, thank you for your kind words about my sky photos and patio garden. I appreciate too your prayers for Kenya. Have a happy week with your family. xx

Rhodesia said...

Your skies and your garden are both beautiful. It must be tough for them in Kenya at present with Covid and floods. My thoughts go out to them.
Gosh you have read a lot this year, I am way behind you but I have to say the Overlander books are long and take time!!
Stay safe and keep well. Diane

Jeanie said...

What an interesting and large amount of books you've read. I see many here that I have linked on to learn more about. And well done, finding a new home for the wheelchair. It will be nice for the space and also knowing it is going to a good purpose. Beautiful skies!

Joyful said...

Thank you Diane. Yes it is very difficult in Kenya, more so than usual. I am finding that reading goes much quicker with a digital book but I am missing the paper books. Like you I tend to read longer or more difficult books so I don't always have a very high book count. Stay safe too.

Joyful said...

Yes Jeanie, I am very happy about the wheelchair and today my good friend and I discussed having someone come over to assess the repairs so things are moving forward. Also, I got my application in for cat adoption. I might hear more in a week or so but I will also be competing with others to adopt, lol. I guess the good news is that cats and kittens here are wanted and they seem to easily find homes.

Sharon Wagner said...

Look at all those colorful book covers! I'm reading a pile, including Help for the Haunted and Life of PI.

Joyful said...

I've never heard of Help for the Haunted. I googled and it looks like an interesting read. I read the Life of Pi many years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I also enjoyed the movie which came out a few years ago.

shayndel said...

Beautiful pink skies in your sky photos!!! Love the flowers too, and pray that the Kenya missions will blossom and God will bring about something new and bountiful for the people and to those who have suffered the losses. Blessings and Peace, love and joy to you in your days!! xoxox

Joyful said...

Thank you my friend! Both for the complimentary comments on my photos an your prayers for Kenyans. Love and hugs, xoxo

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