This and That

Good morning!   It’s a chilly, rainy morning here. Perfect for taking a few minutes for a bit of this and that.

* Another school shooting yesterday.  Students have died again. Innocent. Young.  Families devastated.  #Enough.    Question: Has anyone heard the media ask where the shooter got the gun?   He is just 16 (yesterday was his birthday) so he could not purchase one legally.   Was it already in his home?   Not locked up properly?   I’m guessing so.

* Oh boy.  That fight during the Browns – Steelers game last night was horrible.   Myles Garrett needs to be kicked out, or heavily penalized, for his behavior.   I have family in Ohio who are Browns fans and I know they are saddened that this win will be remembered because of the fight.   What a shame.

* Day 2 of the public Impeachment hearings happen today.  I was pretty attached to the TV for Day 1, but today I have commitments that will keep me away from home.  So, I will just see the highlights (or lowlights) later on the news.   But, again, another respected career diplomat will speak out about what happened between the US and the Ukraine – and WHO wanted a quid pro quo.   Again, depending on what channel you watch, career non-political diplomats will be racked through the coals, first by Republicans and then by news (?) people.     Some viewers will doubt the truth.

* Locals: tomorrow is the annual Apple Dumpling Festival at our church, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Pawleys Island.   Come early because the 300 or so apple dumplings go quickly!  Other lunch food will be available.      There will also be some crafters there so it’s a perfect place to pick up a holiday gift.  I’m setting up the crafts today made by ladies of the church.  We have some cool items so stop by and see me!  The money we raise will go into our quilting account to buy more supplies.   And, speaking of quilts: we are raffling off three beautiful quilt projects!   Take a chance – buy a few tickets for your chance to win one!!

* The music season is upon us!  Between Thanksgiving and Christmas I will be playing flute and handbells at many spots in the area!   The Pawleys Island Concert Band will play at Trinity Presbyterian in Surfside Beach, then at Lakes of Litchfield, and finishing up with our big concert at the PI Community Church.  Handbells will perform at my church, and also at a service of Lessons and Carols at Precious Blood RC Church.  It’s an ecumenical service for the whole community.    Our handbells will again play at the Kaminiski House in Georgetown – and the church handbells will be there on another date.  The house is decorated for Christmas every year, room by room, using local designers.  The outside is lit beautifully too.  Check it out!   If you want to know specific dates on the concerts, ask me!

* I gave myself an early Christmas present and bought a new flute.  I’m still getting used to it but I think I will really like it.  It’s a Yamaha!  Yes, like the motorcycle…ha!   Brooom brooom!    So now I have a Japanese flute, and my German one, a Geiminhardt.    Very worldly!

* Phase 2 of our riva house construction is happening.   The big “Carolina room” is now under roof (with shingles), the electrical is wired, and soon the windows and doors will go in.   Step by step we are getting there!

* All the pets here now are finding their way.  It’s been crazy for them.  Our construction, our neighbor’s knocking down lots of trees with big equipment, cold weather, and now rain…   poor babies! They have had to figure out where to hang out that is safe and warm.  We have tried several places for them to go to get away.   It’s really the kitty cats.  Sometimes they like being inside, but sometimes they want to be out.   The pugs have NO problem finding their spots on our bed, snuggled up very close!!

*  I’m sorry about all you that live north of me who have already had snow!  It’s so early this year… and that means it could be a long, cold, snowy winter.  I know for sure I would be pretty depressed right now if I lived in the snowy areas.  I know me.  Dark, cold days effect me.   So, to you northerners: Hang in there!  Be good to yourselves!  Come down this way and visit.  We are not tropical – but it is better down here!

Gotta run and get going.  Time to get the craft tables set up and ready for tomorrow’s Apple Dumpling Festival.  Again, come visit me!  St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Crooked Oak Drive & Ocean Highway, in Pawleys Island.  Doors open at 9:00am.  Coffee will be on – and the apple dumplings will be warm and tasty!!