Say goodbye to summer and hello to soup

So long to my flowers. The weather here is really changing. The leaves are starting to turn and my flowers are not liking this cold spell at all. I tried bringing some of them indoors but I'm afraid they have seen their best days. The cold wind is really picking up and we are now getting sideways freezing rain instead of the usual just sideways rain. We can tell we are further north than last winter. I'm just grateful we don't have to ride bikes or stand in the cold waiting for public transportation. I really feel sorry for the young missionaries who are out in this everyday. Being a senior couple really has its benefits and even having our tiny tin can car has been a blessing.

We usually go to Groningen 50 kilometers east of here for district meeting each week and I always bring a hot meal. Hauling all that food each week can really be a pain so once every 6 weeks just before transfers we have them come to our apartment here in Leeuwarden. Tomorrow is the day they will be coming here and feeding them here is so much easier.

Our branch has been hit with some serious medical problems and all we are able to do is be there with meals and a shoulder to cry on. Between cancer returning, strokes, heart attacks, MS, Parkinsons, painful dental problems or just plain getting old and senile, we feel pretty helpless sometimes. Now with the flu getting in the act, some of the Elders are starting to get sick. We keep harping on them to wash, wash, wash their hands, dress warmly and to drink plenty of fluids. President Brubaker has even told them that if they feel sick to stay home and rest. Something they are not used to because for some silly reason these young bucks think they should just "tough" it out. I am attacking each of them with a bottle of hand sanitizer the minute they walk in the door because who knows what pole or strap they were hanging on to on the bus or train and how many hands did they shake before getting here?

When we dropped off a meal at the Steinvoorte family the other day the woman who comes in to clean once a week answered the door. She was surprised that I was bringing all this food. Sister Steinvoorte told her that bringing in meals to the sick was an American tradition. The housekeeper thought this was such a novel and fun idea that she is planning on taking food to her sister who has been in bed for a week. The branch has not yet participated in this novel and fun idea yet but maybe in a couple of months of getting meals they will get the hint and try it also. (Good thing I like to cook and thanks to a few of my friends back home I have been able to get some recipes by e-mail very quickly)