Oysterville Church, South Side

… our corner of the world really does look like a better place this morning.  The sun is shining. Friends and loved ones are sending cheering thoughts to Nyel (and to me!).  Even the chickens seemed glad that Farmer Nyel is home and I think they have promised another egg — though, as we know, there are never any guarantees with chickens.

Most importantly, Nyel seems more cheerful, even though he says he feels the same as before (which is basically like sh**.) He says his improved outlook is because he has greater faith in Dr. Trusted at the UW Medical Center than he did with the situation here in Astoria.  The wheels are turning as we speak toward getting him an admission date up there.  Perhaps he will have a date before the day is over.

Meanwhile, we have heard from my Austrian cousin Eva in response to my “how’s it going” query regarding the troubles in Eastern Europe.  She wrote:

Austrian Cousins Eva and Lina Richardson

“You are right – we are living in a mad world. The war in Ukraine is on our doorstep. We are all very worried about everything escalating. I must say here, I am grateful to Biden for not answering to the aggression. Just imagine, what Trump would have done in this crisis.
     I read the news almost hourly, always afraid of the war. The Ukrainian people are coming in droves, the first ones have already arrived in Austria, even here in our little town. They are getting a very warm welcome, (which makes me feel uneasy about all the Syrian and Afghanistan refugees here (who are not welcome at all).  But already two million (!) people have fled from Ukraine. And I think many more will follow.
     We think about staying or leaving, my sons and nephews wonder if they would fight with weapons – none of our sons served their year in the Army, all of them did civil service with the Red Cross. But things have really changed in a very short time.
     I realize how lucky we were to grow up in peace, I am very thankful for all the good things that were possible, like going to school, working, raising children, being in pension without any financial worries, a very good medical system etc etc. 
   Last night I went to a gathering, where a young Ukrainian women told us that she was forced to leave her home in Donbass eight years ago. She moved to Kiev and started all over from zero, now the same thing again – only much worse. 

We are reminded, once again, how fortunate we are to live here on this little patch of sand and water.