Some Time to Reflect

What happened to my drive for doing genealogy?  Did I do too much all at once and burned out?  I am finding it hard to get motivated to start again.  I think it is mostly due to the nice weather we are having and all the work that needs to be done outside.  There is a lot of inside work that also needs to be done, but that isn't as enjoyable as the outside work.

I've been trying to get the front flower bed weeded (or wedded, as Jari used to say).  It is full of grass and it hasn't been trimmed since last year so the grass around it and the grass inside was over a foot tall and all in seed.  I've worked on it for two days now.  I work until my hands start aching.  It is almost done and I'll probably finish it today.  There is so much grass it has already filled a large black garbage bag.  Once I get the job finished my hands won't ache as much at night.  I'm also filling a bag of weeds each day from the never ending supply we have in back.

But yesterday morning I spent three hours outside on the flowerbed.  I felt so tired the rest of the day and was moving slowly with everything I did.  I was really ready for bed last night.  I keep the front door open at night to let in the cooler air.  About a quarter after four this morning I heard a man's voice.  I thought Larry was talking on the phone with someone.  Then I heard another voice and saw a flashlight through the slats in the living room windows.  I wondered who was prowling around the house so I went to the door to find out what was happening.  There were two police officers coming to the door as I opened it.  They said they drove by and saw the door open.  I said I leave it open for the air.  Then they asked if I had heard any shots fired.  I didn't hear anything until they came.  I was sleeping very soundly.  Apparently the neighbors two houses down and the ones behind reported hearing gunshots fired around three.  They wondered if I had heard anything since the door was open.  I apologized for not being able to help and they left.  I also could not go back to sleep.

So...I thought about the kind of neighborhood we have lived in these last 23 years.  There have been shootings, drugs, a meth lab, pedophiles, break-ins, vandalism, etc.  We have been relatively free from anything negative.  Someone broke into the house when we were gone on vacation one year and did a little damage and stole some minor things.  We are pretty sure it was the kid across the street and some of his friends.  But for the most part, that is all.  We have been very blessed and protected considering the kind of area and what has happened here.  I have no doubt the Lord has watched over this family.  I am so grateful for that.  It has been a request in every prayer and one that has been answered.  The Lord hears and answers prayers.  No doubt about it.