There be ice on them there sidewalks!

The other night walking down an unfamiliar hill, that was quite slippery, the path was illuminated by the moonlight on the snow, quite beautiful but scary. I don’t want to fall! I recited a familiar bible verses [Psalm 94:18 When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. AND Psalm 121:3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber] but I believe it really doesn’t apply to icy walkway. lol
Now there is still snow on the ground but it isn’t pristine white anymore. It has thawed and refrozen several times and has now been compacted by many people walking on it. It is quite the challenge to walk around. It is hard to know just where the icy patches are located. Well, today was a victory of sorts because I can say that I walked without falling to and from work, “YEAH!”…..but some others weren’t as lucky. If someone falls upon the ground now they not only get wet with the snow but add dirt and sand in the mix. This morning, while on a marshrouteka, someone who had fallen brushed up against me. It was dark, so I didn’t notice because bumping into someone is a normal occurrence. Then I sat in a seat where someone who had fallen earlier sat and my bottom got both wet and dirty from the snow that was left behind. I looked a sight coming into work. Wiping my pants with a damp cloth just smeared some of the dirt. I am glad I work behind a desk, most of the time, so my soiled trousers were hidden.
My pants are now in the washer to get a thorough washing while I type this blog.
Yesterday I discovered after I left the building that I hadn’t put enough change in my pocket to cover the transportation cost home from work. I knew I had enough for a bus ride and one metro token but then it would be a walk home. Some buses don’t have a conductor aboard to collect the money and some bus drivers don’t want to deal with the driving and collecting money. (This is unlike marshrouteka drivers who drive, collect money, make change, talk on a cell phone, have a radio blaring and listen to where the passengers want off.) Because of this fact, I had kept my 50 kopecks (a dime) to pay the conductor on the bus after the metro ride to complete my journey home. I was what they call “a rabbit” because I rode without paying. It is sad to think that I didn’t have 2 nickels to rub together!
And so the saga of my getting to and from work shall continue for a couple more days and then Christmas Break will begin! Yahoo.

I think I feel a draft!

Well, where do I begin and share an embarassing moment.

• The elastic gave out in my wool tights yesterday while I was wearing them. Some would have thought that it was the cold weather causing my face to be red. It is funny because I was curious and was wondering if it was really cold enough to be wearing those tights when the elastic gave way and I found them slipping futher down inside my pants. So I can attest that there was a definite difference between my legs which were still covered and my now uncovered hiney. I am so thankful that I wasn't wearing a skirt and they would have become a trip hazard as they sunk slowly around my ankles. Now I gotta plan on going shopping in order to buy another pair because I have to say goodbye to ones which were faithful until the end.
• As I was on my way to work I found a seat which was facing backwards and I could watch where I had been and I realized looking back you really don't know where you are headed. I also thought that it would be nice if someone would wash the windows on the buses and marshroutkas because it is hard to see where you are going. I don't know where the bus barn is located or I would be the 'someone' to wash the windows.
• The new playground equipment must be up because I heard children tonight playing in that direction. Heard not seen because it was dark and I couldn't see them. I hope they were having fun.

These are my thoughts for the day. Blessings!

Christingle

The men worked even after it was dark yesterday putting up new playground equipment. This morning looking out my window they were assembling fencing to go around the play yard. That is what went in those holes along the walkway. They welded the fence and it goes directly across a worn diagonal path in the yard so I am wondering how the fence will fair when it comes to the pedestrians who come towards it. Will a new path be forged around the playground or will the determined pedestrians press through? I will let you know.
Today Alan went to Chernigiv. His plan is to go every first Sunday to speak at Valeryi and Valya's home church. I decided not to go this time.
My plan was that after church at KIBC, Emily and I were to go to a Anglican/Episcopal candlelight service downtown. Lori joined us and we treked up and down streets trying to find a particular yellow church. We finally trudged up a very steep cobblestone hill to our final location (right on time).
It was interesting hearing the Christmas story in a different way and they used as an illustration an orange to represent the world. A red ribbon wrapped around the middle representing Christ's shed blood. 4 candies stuck on toothpicks that were to remind us of the gifts He would bring to the world. And a candle because He is the light. Some responsive readings and scripture was read then candles were lit, lights turned down and we sung a few carols. Awww! An enjoyable time. To end the service we had mulled wine and mini mincedmeat pies.
Next week they will have an evening service of 9 lessons and carols. Lori leaned over to me and asked, did they say camels? It must have been their accent even though they were speaking English...and I didn't laugh in church. Maybe I'll go back....they may mention camels.

New day, a new post

Happy December, everyone. 'Tis the season! It snowed last night. It is hard in Ukraine to count the number of shopping days until Christmas because it is celebrated on the 25th of December and the 7th of January. Stores have Christmas decorations out now and they will remain even after the New Year. It would be difficult if you were a 'Scrooge' here because the merchandizing goes on longer. I just don't recognize if the stores are playing Ukrainian Christmas Carols or not. I plan on going downtown to see the large Christmas Tree again this year and hopefully I won't be accosted by a group of Santas wanting money for a photo shoot. That actually happened 2 years ago.
A group of men with one shovel have been standing together outside digging and measuring out in the yard. One man digs while the others stand around and watch. I wonder what is going on. Why don't they have more than one shovel? I speculate that they may be digging holes for trees along the walkway but the holes aren't deep and what is with the measuring tape? Yes, plant more trees near a walkway that the roots causes the sidewalk to become uneven and is then a trip hazard. They stand around and then go over to a new spot and dig what looks like a small trench. The area has lots of trees and I can assume that more will be planted....then a truck pulls up and old, used bricks are thrown on the ground unceremoniously. Hmmm? Then playground equipment is seen. But you don't put playground paraphernalia along a walkway. I will keep looking out the window and I will write later about the happenings in the yard and views from my window.
Have a blessed day.