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Gone With the Wind, and Other Sentiments

 I awakened this morning at 4, and couldn't get back to sleep. I did the only thing I thought might be useful...I started a load of laundry. Then I wandered around the house, opened all the downstairs blinds as soon as the sun came up, and started going through some bins. Amazing what one finds in old bins. It has been a lovely day. A short visit from David, Melissa and Erin and Ethan all brought cheer. There is a lot to do here, but absolutely no deadlines. I can take my time rearranging things, going through things and making the tough decisions of what to do with everything. For instance, do you throw away an extra iphone charging cable? How about a blouse that has seen better days but is comfortable beyond comfortable. Or socks that have been multiplying and are in good shape. Better yet, clothes that are two sizes too small, and you are certain that you will be down to that size by Christmas? Precious quilts and blankets made by dear ones? Wall hangings - now that is a tough o...
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Back to the Desert

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We left our hotel on the morning of the seventh, loading up all of our heavy suitcases. The cab driver was efficient and courteous as he commandeered the unwieldy luggage into his shiny black van. Travel is definitely NOT for the faint of heart. We checked our bags and serpentined our way around the airport, standing in security lines, check-in lines and the X-ray-you-and everything-you-own line. We were boarded onto the plane nearly an hour early. It seemed the whole morning was”hurry up to wait.” From the time we entered Heathrow Airport, until we left Phoenix SkyHarbor we wore masks. That is so unpleasant. It seemed the day lasted forever. British Airways is very good at customer service. And they were good today. I sat on an aisle seat, the better to stand every so often. SK and I sat in the middle section about  halfway back. I was so grateful for seats with plenty of legroom! I watched three movies!!! I felt pretty lazy…I should have been reading something more informative bu...
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It’s In Your DNA

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 I visited with a sweet Scottish woman a couple of weeks ago about our return to America.  I told her how happy I was to think of being with family once again. I also told her that it is causing a physical heart ache to think of leaving this land.  “It’s wrapped itself around my heart.” I confided. She patted my hand gently and in the gentlest voice with that lovely Scottish brogue said, “It’s in you DNA.” I like that answer. It IS in my DNA. I am 100% British Isles. Every single family line finds its way back to these islands. I have a few lines that go far back in America - two that go as far as the Mayflower. Those ancestors were so hardy, they survived not only the voyage, but that first harsh winter as well. (I guess that is quite apparent.) But even they were born in England. So this green and pleasant land has welcomed me home and has me tied to it….my mother land. Yes, it is so very difficult to leave it. E&E packed up this morning, scrubbed their bathroom bet...
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Testimonies

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 Our Sabbath started out with watching the Fast and Testimony meeting of Oxford 1st Ward. There were many dear people that I wished I could hug. One was Joan Evans, all 4 feet 6 inches of her - if that.  She approached the podium walking slowly and using a cane. She had to practically stand on her toes to be level with the Mike. She has such a strong testimony of the Savior. Aaron, a member of the bishopric bore his testimony about giving his children blessings before they start school. He said as he laid his hands on their heads, he had a powerful impression that the Lord loves them and knows them far better than Aaron does, and so he.stood waiting to hear how the Lord wants them to be blessed. Each one had something special to bear testimony about. Each one was dear. I will miss this ward and it’s simplicity. In the evening at 9, we watched Redfield Ward’s Testimony Meeting in Gilbert AZ Once again I heard emotions and expressions of gratitude to the Lord. I have come to lov...
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Blip

 Our plans for the last day of sightseeing out in England’s countryside came to an abrupt halt early this morning when Erin read an email from our national health service saying that the test she took one week ago was positive. The missive advised her and anyone she may be with to isolate for 8 days - which is technically today. Not following that direction could result in a huge fine. At the time we were staying in an old hotel in Stockport. It wasn’t bad but none of us relished the idea of spending 10 days there. After some conversation, we decided to press forward to London.  Before we left, we all took a home test - which said that we were - one and all - negative!!!! The trip to London was one of the longest I can remember. Stop and-go all the way. After nearly four  hours, we arrived in London. We walked to a pharmacy, took an official Covid test, reported  the results, and rejoiced that they were all negative. So we did what any four proper English people woul...
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Peak District

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 Peak District is an area of England “of unsurpassing natural beauty.” That is what the maps say. When I read labels, and it says something like “amazing flavor!” I am wont to believe it and am frequently disappointed. The Peak District lives up to its claim! Tall craggy mountains covered in lush green grass and dotted with sheep is what we saw today. It was all breathtakingly beautiful - the views truly took my breath away. Standing on a windswept hill in 58 degree weather and surveying crag and moor around me, left me in open-mouthed wonder. We visited Lyme…scene of the infamous…or wildly famous “wet shirt scene” in the 1995 BBC production of “Pride and Prejudice” -and it was marvelous. The estate was huge, and immaculately kept.  We loved it! We drove up hill and over dale, around and through and loved seeing this magnificent part of the country. Only three miles for me this day. Good thing…my knees and feet are just about done in.
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Bath

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 Yes, we toured Bath (pronounced ba - “a”like when you stick out your tongue for the doctor and say “ah” for the doctor.  There was much to see and do. The town was large and ancient. Beginning our tour with the Bath Abbey- a stately old chapel a million years old. Just kidding - about a millennium old. I sat soaking up the beauty and bowed my head in silent prayer and quiet contemplation while the rest of my party climbed steep narrow winding stairs to the roof. They had a stunning view of the city and enjoyed an interesting tour. By then we were hungry! We found our way to Sally Lunns, famous for their various and delicious buns. The restaurant was in a tall, narrow old building with creaking stairways up to the floor where we ate. We sat next to a multi-paned window, white ruffled curtains, charming wallpaper (or stencilled walls) and old-fashioned chairs and tables. We ordered 2 sandwich-type buns and 2 dessert buns and then shared. The buns were huge - and delicious! We s...
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