Glenda Deer (and cake)

                                            

My sister-in-law is named Glenda; maybe after the good witch in the Wizard of Oz because of (their) goodness. Andy and I just spent the week end with she and Joe because we missed them and because Glenda has had two surgeries  within ten days or so.  She was home mending but not accustomed to sitting and having people serve her.  Glenda was always fast and efficient but age has slowed her down and she is less active (like the rest of us.) Now with the right side full of daggers and pins she was feeling down.  Andy and I planned a visit to play cards and take some good food in case any of the family wanted to join us and join us they did.  I had been cooking for about a week waiting for the call to arms when suddenly there she was on the phone telling us to get down there. I said we'd leave in an hour and so we did.  As we neared their Cincinnati home I thought we had better stop at Pizza Hut to take Glenda some of her favorite food.  So we bought one of those big boxes of pizza that has wings and things, enough for eight people.  We needed every bit of it.  When we arrived she was suddenly perky, but not hungry.  She ate a wing and one piece of pizza and that stunned me.  She is a pizza hound, but no, she was not hungry.  That started to change as the week end progressed.  We had so much fun.  Her girls, their husbands and kids (home for spring break) came in and out all the days and stayed to play cards into the evenings. We wore her out, but in a good way.  She was happy and when you are happy you are also mending. We left her in good shape and improved mental health on Sunday morning.  The dogs were calling telling us we were needed at home.  When we arrived home the house sparkled from my daughter-in-laws thoughtful and helpful cleaning. Then things started going wrong.  Mike came down with a severe case of flu and more 'things' started their spring breaking period.  Why is it the entire winter goes by and in the spring every appliance and machine takes a turn for the worse?  And, what a winter it has been here in Ohio !

Back to Glenda,  Now that things have supposedly slowed for us we have become even closer than before.  We spend a month at the beach each January and believe me that's a long time to be with another couple without killing one another.  We do get along so well. We get cranky now and then when the cards don't fall the way she and I would like, but it is all in good fun.  Every once in a while I declare I hate the game, but I really don't. Glenda is a really good person, very kind and without malice. (But she does like to win! A tad competitive... a trait that follows her wonderful girls, I might add.) Her girls and sons-in-law are so much fun and very helpful to Glenda and Joe and even to us in far away Columbus. Glenda is like a sister to me and it makes me sad to imagine the hurt she was going through and that which she will continue to have. Joe has been a real rock for her now that the roles have changed.  Glenda always took care of his every need and now he is returning the favor.  The way a good marriage should be.

I am glad the Cincinnati Lechlers are in our lives here in Columbus. Let the healing continue.

Here is part of Joe and Glenda's back yard( which merges with neighbors) where the deer eat and play.  Glenda has seen as many as 18 at one time.    CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO MAKE THEM BIGGER AND CLOSER.                             

                                            

Glenda's back yard.

My new cheesy (cream cheese) cherry cake from the Nordic pan and recipe book. It is a favorite already. Delicious!