Random thoughts, spins on things, and strings of lifes ongoing “happenings” creating our own cobwebs of life wherever we may be.

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It is hard to remember a summer that has been so nice, with maybe only one day of 100 degree weather. It has almost been fall-like weather since late July ... so enjoyable! It may have not been the best for the swimmers or The Beach revenue, but for general comfort and the expense of air conditioning our homes, we saved a bunch of money this season. My daughter lives in the Phoenix area, the heat did not let up there. She often reported 113 degrees or above day after day, and it is dry heat, but ovens are, too, and who wants to bake in an oven all day? It is hard to keep hydrated in that climate. When she comes home, her hair is quite curly — in the heat, it is more limp and much straighter. Maybe your body adjusts. I don’t think so. It drains your energy, and you have to plan your time to avoid the hottest part of the day. Of course, they don’t have anything like our icy winters to deal with!

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Doesn’t the new Hospice building look nice with its golden medal roof? I think it

deserves the golden dome for all the volunteer hours everyone has put in cleaning out

the old nursing home and converting the old building to a wonderful home for Hospice of Davis and Wapello Counties. If you haven’t been able to take the training yet to help, do consider it, because anyone will benefit from learning about life and dying because it is reality and something which affects us all. The training is to train you to help others, but also helps you to cope in so many ways with problems we all must face daily. Hospice is the most hopeful encouraging way of living while dying that I know, and as a volunteer you can feel proud to be a part of this wonderful organization, too. There is a place for each of you. If you have only an hour a week or many hours or none now, but maybe later, think about it and learn about this busy organization who works to assist others.

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Since I last wrote my column, my granddaughter, Amber, and her husband, Damian,

made me a great-grandmother for the first time! Delphina Kathleen was born by emergency C-section on Aug. 18, 2009, and weighed 6 pounds and was 18 inches long. Since baby and family live in South Dakota and have had company every day since she was born, we haven’t seen her yet, but her pictures show a pretty little girl who

looks like both parents. My son, the grandfather, reports that she is a “good baby” which means she doesn’t cry a lot.... It is exciting to know the family goes on, and we look forward to seeing the newest member.

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I hope you are all finding things to be grateful for in your life today and every day! It has been rough on many as the economy has caused people to lose their jobs and go on unemployment while looking for other jobs which may be non-existant for a time. We can all lend a helping hand and say prayers for those less fortunate than us. Let’s hope

that no one has to sleep in the streets this winter in Ottumwa, or go hungry for a meal, or be cold; especially the children. They deserve a shelter and food so they can get an

education and feel good about things and not worry! Be aware of those around you and