Five Things for Friday

1.  A double rainbow

We saw this beauty on the way to our house a couple of weeks ago.  The upper arc is a lot fainter than the lower, if you need help spotting it.

2.  A visit to Memphis
I took the children for a visit to Memphis.  We are hoping to get renters in our house, and we decided I should go and clean out the shed more.  Benji had a busy weekend working and would barely be home anyway.  We stayed with my parents.  I went to the house twice - once with Sarah for the collecting and purging, and once with dad along, and he helped me trim the front tree (before and after above).  I weeded the front beds, and did a spider sweep in the house, and brought home our remaining chicken supplies (a waterer, 3 or 4 feeders, 2 heat lamps), and some other random supplies including my growing light that Benji made.

3.  A stay in Memphis
We had fun staying at my parents' house.  I have never been away from my children so much for 3 days in succession.  Thursday was house day 1 to salvage or purge, Friday was getting my car serviced and shopping with my mom and sisters (sales-tax holiday for the weekend on clothes and school supplies), Saturday was house day 2 doing the yard work and cleaning and more shopping in the afternoon.  Sunday we were all together - we went to church with my parents, then a baptism at our old ward.  We put together two 1000-piece puzzles while I was there.  J stayed in his pajamas from the first night until Sunday church.  He loved watching and helping his Grandma and Aunt S play on their computers.  E watched a lot of movies, and had a play-date with her friend.  T explored.

4.  George Washington, a Life
I've been listening to an audio book about George Washington (Chernow) and quite impressed by the man, his mission, and the Revolution.  I have been surprised at the lack of unity of the people.  The sheer number of Loyalists (but it makes sense, seeing as they considered themselves English, or even English citizens) - the Revolution was originally a rebellion; the number of people profiteering - selling their goods to British troops over the American, or keeping a hand in both pockets; and the depravities - the nakedness, the cold, the heat, fighting with bayonets, or crude farm-implements-turned-weapons.  I've marveled at the natural elements that saved the Americans several times - rain which stopped an assault that might have destroyed the army and the cause, dense fog which concealed a retreat, a nor'easter which concealed an attack by sea.  Washington truly believed Providence was on their side - he would stand poised in or near the battles, without flinching while bullets and cannon landed nearby.  He took great care in his dress and manner, and was impressive.  He was a skilled horseman - something I hadn't really thought about.   He was a great leader, even with his flaws (so far in my reading, there's a perfectionism, and occasional (usually private or among a few) outbursts of emotion/anger).  How different our state would be if all of our leaders had his sense of duty, of love of country, of liberty from tyranny, of morality and virtue, of principles worth fighting and dying for.

5.  Healing from a sprained elbow
I had the surreal experience of falling down the stairs on Tuesday.  I think it's because the kids had earlier taken our dog's bed to ride down the stairs as if in a sled, so the carpet was slippery-smooth in that energy.  I slipped once, and put out my right hand to stop myself and landed on one hip, righted myself, then slipped again, landing on the other hip.  I must have been holding my breath, because I looked at E, and said, "I'm going to faint" in an incredulous voice, and lay back so I could pass out without hurting my head.  E did not believe I really fainted ("Mom, I don't believe you.  You're faking it") - in fact she still doesn't ("Because you were faking it") - it's kind of amusing.  After a few minutes laying on the stairs, I got lucid enough to move to the couch and lay there.  I knew I landed on my hand and jarred my elbow, but my arm did not hurt right away.  In fact, it didn't really hurt until the next day, when it was swollen and the muscles stiff and tender.  I did however have my visiting teacher (nurse) come over to look at it the first day.  She told me to ice it and see how it was in the morning, and gave me some recommendations for doctors if I had any of the warning signs (tingling, numbness, sharp pain).

My arm continues to improve every day.  Yesterday, I could ball my hand into a fist and hold light objects.  Last night I changed T's diapers without resorting to waking Benji - although I was tempted to, - it's important to appreciate. ...

Sometimes I look for extra meaning in the "accidents" I have.  This one could be potentially devastating for a pianist.  However, I just know that I am going to be fine.  Yay for yoga for strengthening my muscles in preparation for the fall, and yay for a daughter who can help out, even if it is somewhat grudging aid, while I rest up.  I also took this opportunity to practice my budding energy healing techniques.  It is amazing how the pain just dissipates with a little intention and touch.