Do you have a particular storyteller in your family?  Are you the storyteller?  Are the stories "history" or just fun stories?  A couple of interesting things have been talked about this week - which is why I am thinking of these questions.  First off a program I was listening to reminded listeners that Jesus told "stories" (parables) to make his point(s).  Those stories (parables) are still important today and we should be paying attention to them.

Then...this morning, on the radio, they were talking about it being "National Story Day."  Which got me thinking about all the stories we have heard over the years.  It also got me thinking about continuing those stories -- or at least remembering the person who told the stories!  I can remember Dad telling long, drawn out stories of exploring the desert.  It could be a VERY interesting story!  When he finally started talking about "finding" an oasis... one of us would figure out we had forgotten to get Dad his glass of ice water with the meal. 

Dad could also come up with stories as we were traveling, waiting or just "because."  So.... are you the storyteller?  Are you sharing the stories?  Are they stories so you can laugh instead of scream?  

I believe the song is "Thanks for the Memories".......  Bob Hope singing it at the close of his various specials, shows and performances........  It is something I've been thinking about this week as we are away, on vacation, in a place we have come to many times over the years.  The interesting thing about "memories," though, is the changes that can happen with locations and (maybe) even the people we are seeing.

It has also been an interesting mix of being able to spend a couple of days with a special friend vs a couple of hours with a different friend.  We have said several times, this trip, it isn't the length of time but the quality of time.  It has also been an interesting mix of seeing friends still very active to some who are less active to some we are thinking might shouldn't be driving any more.  We have shared stories of our trip (last fall) and of going through similar changes with friends and family.  Time will definitely cause changes in ALL of us.

Then there are the changes in "where things are."  My sense of direction is NOT good.  I can remember something was "close" to something else but with city traffic, and road construction, it can be very "relative" how close something is.  (Of course we have been able to find the fabric, yarn and ice cream - the important​ ones!)  AND, as with the changes in friends, some of the businesses have relocated, changed hours or completely closed.

Thankfully we can be VERY thankful(!) to be able to spend time with the "memories"....  we can laugh and not start screaming!​

RAIN!!  We are finally getting some rain!  We didn't get very much snow, at least where I am, this year and we really need the rain.  The problem is we are also getting a lot of wind with the rain.  This can make getting outside, with "just" yourself, an interesting problem to fix.  Just one person can have a raincoat or, if it isn't TOO windy, an umbrella.

This does NOT work if you are trying to take care of your "person" - especially if said person is using a cane or a walker.  Or, as in the case of a toddler, in a stroller or being carried.  I learned early, while my son was a toddler, that diaper bag, knitting bag, purse AND toddler required some adjustments.  Then, when I was trying to keep Dad at least "only" damp, instead of soaking wet, I discovered the same idea would work.  

With the toddler, diaper bag, purse and (most of the time) knitting bag it worked best if I had on a poncho that would go over most - if not all - of what I was carrying.   With Dad it was a total accident.  We were on a cruise and the ship handed out ponchos, because of the rain, and it worked so well with the walker we just kept up the idea.  Dad, poncho, and walker could go at his pace and still be relatively dry when we got to the door.  If it was a short distance I would have the poncho and hold the umbrella for him - still keeping him dry.  (AND the poncho kept the purse and the knitting bag dry!) 

Of course........with how windy it is today.......... good luck!  I'm not sure anything will help......

I have been blessed with a new prayer group.  So far we "only meet monthly" but it is a wonderful group of fellow clergy women.  It is actually a second group, to meet with, which gives at least two opportunities a month to be in prayer with others.  When our schedules are as hectic as they are around holidays it is good to have people to be in prayer with.  QUIET time, with God, in prayer is needed - however - daily as well.  I find the time in my sewing room, able to s-t-o-p to be in prayer and listen for what God is saying to me.

I was blessed in another way.....  Dad always understood my need to get to QUIET with God's Word, my praise music and my needlework.  He would let me have those times whenever I needed to take them -- busy schedules, unexpected change in said schedule, unexpected phone calls or crazy weather playing havoc with said schedules.  After driving in white out, snow and bad roads I NEEDED to have QUIET with my prayer shawl wrapped around me.  Dad understood completely.

However.... If I was sitting in my chair, usually next to him, with the TV going (even though I was paying NO attention to the TV) I was "fair game" to be interrupted.  He would help with the counting, ask questions in the middle of the row or in any way possible 'mess up' what I was trying to do.  Like I say.... you have to laugh or you will start screaming!  Something to think about........