First Sunday 2026

Deborah and I had no plans for a couple of items that were in light pencil, but we did not do them. Instead, we headed to Lansing, Michigan, to see Leta (Susie’s mother). Leta was still waiting for a room in the hospital and was improving according to her daughter, Barb C. Leta spent the night in the ER, but was moved to a quieter room they use for folks waiting to move to the hospital. She is now in room 606 in McLaren off of Collins (here).

(passing Laingsburg, my hometown, again)

I rose on Sunday, showered and dressed, and then talked to Barb C to arrange our plans. Deborah had some tasks to complete at the house, including caring for the dogs Trixie and Zelda. We left around 11 and arrived near 1:30.

Like most Emergency Departments, there is a strong security presence, and all folks are escorted into the rooms by security. We went through a metal detector, and both of us had to be wanded. All was good. We met Pastor Sue Platt from Grace United Methodist, Leta’s church, and the church where I was married, and we all headed to Leta.

Leta is 97, sharp, still drives, lives alone in her home, and volunteers to keep busy. She gives us all hope that our later years could be so good.

Leta and Barb were happy to have visitors and Pastor Sue. Pastor Sue got Leta caught up on all the church events and will try to update folks on her condition (Leta volunteers at a food bank and at other church events). Pastor Sue asked questions to ensure that Leta accepted the release of information, a new policy she has to follow for Grace UMC (and admits to sometimes forgetting to ask, as it is still new to her). She prayed for Leta and reminded Leta a few times to stop worrying about everyone else and instead to get better.

Deborah and I kept Leta company while Barb found lunch at the hospital cafe. We talked about church and family things. Later, while Deborah got coffee (and was then delayed by events inside the ER, leaving her waiting until things were resolved), Barb and I (well, mostly Barb) helped Leta get up and walk. Leta was breathing better, and the edema was resolving.

While it was tempting to visit East Lansing, it was cold, and we did those things in October. Instead, we headed to the Greater Detroit Area. We took a short break once we returned and rested. We agreed that RH House would be great for dinner, and we soon found the place not busy (unusual, but the Lions were playing). I had their excellent New Old Fashion and Deborah some white wine. Deborah enjoyed her usual salmon (excellent and recommended), and I tried something new in the Sea Bass, which was also good and had a different flavor with capers. We split a dessert of butter cake with ice cream. The cake was like a pound cake, but with even more butter (pound plus cake?), and it was also delicious.

Later, after Deborah headed home, I tried to sleep, but the time zone (which I thought I had got over) and the must-get-ready-to-fly feelings kept me from sleeping. I finally slept around three.

I dreamed I had been called into the military and given some rank, but I did not know how to wear the uniform or what to do. Apparently, the US was at war with the world now, and I was drafted to invade small countries. I had to wear an out-of-date uniform (the only one available), have my rank formally pinned on me, and be sworn in. It was chaos.

I woke too early from an alarm, dreaming that I had decided to sleep in after turning it off; I don’t know how long it took my reduced hearing to hear and wake me for the alarm. I rolled over, reset the alarm, and slept another hour, making part of the dream come true.

Thanks for reading!