Grief

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Sometimes the news comes quick. Sometimes the news comes slow. No matter how or when it comes, grief travels in the wake of the news. Grief is heavy, weighty, a burden, especially when it involves someone deeply loved. Grief is not meant to be carried alone. It’s too heavy and may last a while—and that’s ok. That’s what family and friends are for, to share the load. Jesus stood outside the tomb of his friend and wept but He did not weep alone. It was a deep, human moment. “ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted ” (Matt 5:4). If anyone knows how we feel in grief, it’s Him. But His grief did not linger long, as at the mention of his name, Lazarus came forth. We are not meant to dwell in grief, but should leave room enough for it. Let it run its course. Like the song says, “ Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain .” Another song says, “ The storm We will dance as it breaks The storm It will give as it takes And all of our pain is washed away Don't cry or be afraid Some things...

Hurricane Prep

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Hurricane Irma has slammed into Puerto Rico and at this point, the storm could still turn any direction. Regardless, our state has been placed under state of emergency by the governor. So with that in mind, the mix of overcast skies and a little rain made folks go a bit nuts. Already. 

Gas prices have been riding high for a few days now, but the stores are getting hit fairly hard. The store parking lot was full of cars and I witnessed folks sauntering out carrying loaves of bread and jugs of milk like prizes won in a fight. 

Inside the store it was not terribly bad--attitudes were good--but the water was gone. And the bread. Plenty of milk though, and eggs were 59 cents. So we loaded up on bread items that were left--though I can't figure out why all the sliced bread was gone but not the Ciabatta rolls. I'm not ashamed to put a slice of Spam on Ciabatta if I have to. Thanks for leaving the good stuff!

Plenty of water-bearing fresh fruit left. Especially the watermelon. Ok, you can't make coffee with watermelon, but there's lots of vitamins in watermelon and it's tasty. Didn't need to buy any watermelon though--grew my own. It's cut up and in the freezer. 

Got plenty of beans and tortillas. Just in case. New Mexican survival food. 
Every New Mexican needs beans and tortillas to survive. It's a daily thing for us. 
And chips.
And salsa (note to self: "check salsa". A half jar is an empty jar.)

Got other canned goods, meats. 

Bet you're wondering about the water. Well, I have a solution. While folks were getting panicky trying to find cases of bottled water, I remembered what we did during the Great Flood of 2015 (triggered!). Going to fill up all my coolers just before the storm hits (in case it comes up this way) and store them like mini reservoirs. Also, got my CamelBak, collapsing bottles and plenty of Army and Navy water bottles and the like--filling those up and stick 'em in the freezer (not the CamelBak tho). Things like that. I don't believe we'll need to buy water. 

Just need to make certain cell phones and back-up batteries are charged. 
Better find the board games, too. 
Just in case.

My only complaint about shopping: that kid--you know who you are--who snuck that box of Ding Dongs into my basket--you should be ashamed of yourself. 

I had to buy them and take them home. 

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