Sneezing!

 Woke up sneezing and have enjoyed every one of them! Nothing like a good sneeze to make you feel you have exercised all your muscles from heels to the top of your head! Connie reminded me of saline solution this morning as she talked and listened to me sneeze. It has to be something in the air. But whatever it is, only good sneezes can be coming from me--not any signs of a stupid virus. But just in case it worries anyone else, yours truly did not go to class today to expose anyone to worry.

Made potato-leek soup in the crockpot today, but it was not up on high, so it did not really get ready until just a bit ago. It really feels too late in the day for soup, so it will go in the fridge until tomorrow. Has no milk in it right now, so that can happen tomorrow as well.

Read another one of the Peas, Carrots, and Life Lessons books. Just downloaded another one--probably the last one. This author makes me laugh. She has a sense of humor and a very good take on how kids react to things. Anyway, even one more is just making me smile in anticipation.

Went to Walmart this morning and stocked up on "real" food. Have no excuse for going to Taco Bell or anyplace like that. Veggies, meat, tea: the necessities of life. And then my granddaughter told me how to prepare iced coffee. But she uses peppermint creamer--ick. She is a character, and told me that she had just finished talking to her other grandparents in some kind of face to face exchange. So glad she can get on her computer and talk to any of us. When she was just a little thing, she had some kind of computer that she expected me to understand how to use. Today we talked about all the changes just since then. Amazing! It makes me happy just to be able to make a phone call, but don't ask me to start a car with one of those fob things in it. Unbelievable! Think her car has one of those. Maybe she will come someday and teach me how to do it.

Can you believe that tomorrow is the first day of October? Who knew this year would fly or creep by--depending on a person's perspective. In one way, it has been almost two years instead of one. January through March was one year. April through September has been another year. Let's see if October through December or January will be another year! Lord help us keep our perspective on life!

Not that much accomplished today, but have tried to make a couple of decisions about my birds. They are beautiful--all of them--but think some of them need new homes. If any of you know someone who wants some sweet girls to lay fresh eggs, let me know. The Hamburgs would probably be a lot sweeter if they were not competing for nest space and everything else. They are the smallest hens out there. Small means they come in second place on everything. So that might tend to form a personality in a hen just as it would in a person. Anyway, have two beautiful Buff Orpingtons that are bigger than the other hens. Goldie is not the least bit bossy, but Grey Lady thinks she needs to dominate. Nine fewer hens might make a difference in the attitudes of the others. 

Have a ziplock bag full of vinegar on my shower head, so that is going to have to come off of there either tonight or when the next shower happens. Guess the tub would do for tonight. Put vinegar around the drain in the lavatory, and it now shines like a new penny! But that smell. Eyebrows up!

Haven't been on FB much or even checking emails today. Life is too short to read some garbage and get upset when it is not necessary. The dogs like it when we play outside with balls or whatever, so instead of sitting in this chair--except to read--most of this day has been to play with these two mutts. They act as if they know they have two new tennis balls! Currently, Sylvia is looking out the window--resting her tummy across the back of the couch and her nose out the curtain. She gets tired of that position and sits on her backside, but her nose still has to be out the curtain to see what is going on. Not that anything is going on. Typical girl. She has to be sure. 

Just got off the phone with my grandson who is writing an essay for some kind of social studies course. He said everyone is telling him to watch The Social Dilemma on Netflix. That is the one Connie told me that needed to be seen. Guess that might be a good idea for tonight with nothing much better to do. Maybe it could be summarized for Reece. Or not. We shall see. He was wondering if everyone was so easily "hurt" by things folks said about them back in "my day." That made me smile, especially when he backed up and tried to say that he did not mean to say OLD. Great big grin!

Let's think about that. In "my day," if someone called you a name, you knew why. And more than likely, you had one for them. Nope, don't think we were quite as "tender" as these little dipsticks today. But we grew up in a different world. We got our butts beat with a belt if we got out of line, not stood in a corner or sent to our room for a "time out." Our parents were not that silly. They knew what the world was like and got us ready to go out there in it. And we should be glad they did.

Well, knowing life doesn't last forever is one of the biggest items on everyone's list. Either it is a good thing, or we need to make the best of it now. We can know that God gave us His best designs to study and appreciate. And even better, we can know that we are loved by the Great Creator.

May you all have a good night's rest and find peace in life. You are loved.

Junk Food!

 Apparently junk food was needed in this casa. Went to Aldi's and bought nuts, chips, cheese, more cheese, pine nut hummus, marinated artichoke hearts, spinach-artichoke dip, ice cream, and two boxes of flower bulbs. Ate some hummus and took a nap! 

Lance nearly always manages to call around my naptime--if there is one. And today one was needed after unloading 100 pounds of chicken scratch and shopping at Aldi's. Oh, and going to vote at the Highway Department. Texas had a runoff election. Wasn't all that enamored of  any of the candidates, but definitely did not like some of them. Opinionated old woman.

Cindy Jones brought some leeks over yesterday in a box of goodies, but so far the need to look up a good recipe has not overcome my inertia. Yep, avoiding saying that someone like me could possibly be the least bit lazy. ahem  Did, however, buy a few potatoes to make potato-leek soup. That was Cindy's suggestion. But tomorrow is supposed to be back in the 90s. sigh This morning was SO nice and cool in the upper 40s. This kind of weather makes me hurt in every joint, but danged if it doesn't make me happy to feel so cool.

John Rhoads came by for eggs a bit ago. He asked about planting those great big sunflowers. That was done this year, but only the smaller ones did well. It probably has something to do with the heat and lack of water around here. Have not been watering anything at all. Made a $20 difference in my water bill, too.

Finished three books in a series about the guy in England who worked an allotment. The family dynamics just became more and more complicated, but got to thinking about it: don't ALL families have those things happening in one way or another? We all end up helping raise other people's children or doing things to support them while they try to raise a family. 

When Lance called me on his way home, we talked about his return trip to Lowe's to return some plumbing for one of the bathrooms. He even gave me a possible solution to the tiny little hole that sprays the wrong direction on my showerhead. A ziplock bag full of white vinegar and a rubber band. Sounds like a winner since taking the shower head down is definitely not happening! Hanan put that sucker up there years ago, and he told me where he got it and how much it cost. That's like going to a jewelry shop! But then, a plumber's services are that expensive, too!

The nine little black pullets have been weird today. They were hiding inside the big hens' coop for some reason. A big bird must be around here. Leaving the carport this afternoon, glanced back and saw a dead something where my truck had been parked. It was feathered, so figured one of my hens got caught. Nope, big ol' hawk, and it was torn up good! Sorry to see a juvenile hawk killed, but would not want it attacking my chicks, either.

These dogs! Bought a big bag of hip and joint cookies today at TSC while getting chicken feed. This is NOT really what Thompson wanted, but he will eat them. Better than buying a small sack of hip and joint chewy snacks that evaporate in nothing flat! This poor rug where they stand and eat next to my chair! Just vacuumed it, dang it.

While at TSC today, read that chickens that have REAL free range do not need grit. They get it naturally from the soil. How about that. The oyster shell is good for them, but that is for when they are laying. The big hens may still need it, but they get egg shells crumbled up anyway. Yeah, cannibals. 

Jerry came over a few minutes ago because, in his words, he was bored. Suggested that he put his raw chicken in a pot and boil it. He had not thought about that way of cooking it. Think he was waiting for me to offer to cook it for him. Uh, no. Did let his mom know that the burned foot is discolored and swollen. He really should have seen a doctor. But he has a mom, and he is a grown man. Sometimes it takes me awhile to back off. Be proud of me, daughter!

Well, we have started on dental chews now. Guess it is time to go out back and see if these mutts will chase each other for a bit. Well, and give the mosquitoes something to chew on. Danged insects. Did not know until recently that they are pollinators. The females are the ones that bite and only when they are needing to lay eggs. Even so, they are a danged nuisance!

Let us pray for those who have lost their homes, jobs, and towns in the fires out West. God bless this nation and its people and forgive us our many sins. 

May you each rest well this night and awake to a new day with hope. You are loved.

Peace. And Love.

 Peace is not always what we get when a day starts or ends, or even in the middle of a day. Sometimes there is a certain tension that comes in waves from whatever the day may bring--or just from where one's thoughts go about their way. But nearly always there is love. We might have to slow down long enough for someone to hold our hand, hug us, or tell us on the phone or in an email that the love is there, but you can be sure, it IS there. A quiet talk on the front porch. A visit from a friend who understands where the heart takes its time to heal. An email from a sister who hurts and needs prayers. Yes, this is love. We all need it to be applied liberally to our souls and to those broken hearts. And we sometimes forget to ask for it. But here it is, love for the taking. And the peace that comes with it. 

May God bless you with His peace. 

You are loved.

Vegetable Dreams.

 Reading a book about a man who has an "allotment" in some English town where he has learned to grow veggies has made me think more about where and what would be neat to grow this fall and maybe even this winter. Beets and root veggies are about the only thing that can do much good in this climate--well, unless you don't mind feeding the cabbage to some pesky rabbits. Would love to grow some Brussel sprouts and broccoli, but that will have to wait a bit. Green beans and black-eyed peas are definitely sunshine plants, but the only place for them would be along the fence next to the Jerusalem artichokes. Not sure that spot will get tilled up again this year. And spring will be back only after we make it through this winter. 

Thompson just informed me that it is doggy snack time. The dental chew seems to satisfy Sylvia, but Thompson took it over and dropped it on the rug by my desk. Well, he will eat it if that is all that's on offer. Poor mistreated dogs!

My doorbell has gone to hell-o in a hand basket, so now the dogs are having to work for a living. This morning Jerry was over bright and early and brought me a holder for a plant. Pretty little brass thing. But he also needed some peroxide--according to him. So he poured on the peroxide to try to stave off infection and punctured the blisters to drain the mess. Eewww. Tipped up the burn cream jar and too much came out, but at least it all got covered. Did not have the right kind of adhesive tape, but at least the burn is covered with no stick bandage pads. His mom came about that time and offered to replace the tape and stuff. She also brought me a box of Cheezit stuff. She asked if maybe ice cream would do, but sometimes only salty things appeal. Gave Jerry a cup of hot chocolate, and he said it needed more coffee in it. Rolling eyes here since it had NO coffee in it!

The nine little black pullets are more adventurous--gadding about the perimeter of the sheds but not yet to the deck or outside a quick dash back to their pen. Smart little birds--well, for the most part. Each evening at least one gets separated from the flock and has to be maneuvered back inside their pen. Funny critters.

More and more FB has been filled up with stuff that is somewhat upsetting. So this old girl has been playing silly games on there instead of reading very much of the posts. It is simply too easy to be hogswallowed by the so-called "news" that is out there. Everybody has one--an opinion and the end it came out of. My mother-in-law had an expression for that. But one of my dear grandsons will just have to ask his mom what Granny Joy's expression was about "everyone has one."

Made some broccoli, carrot, chicken chunk stuff for breakfast. That will be supper as well. Really wanted it to have some cheese sauce on it, so used a bit of Ranch dressing and some vegetable cream cheese dip to "sauce" it up. Not bad. Kinda beats bacon and eggs once in a while. Not that having eggs fresh from the hens is ever really tiring. Gave Jerry's mom some this morning, and she fairly cackled! She said her husband really loves fresh eggs. They are better than what the stores have for sure. And these are always so bright and gold colored. Lance says that they make his pancakes yellow!

Ok, dental sticks were NOT quite enough to suit these spoiled rotten hounds! So now it is mega large marrow treats. Going to have to go to the butcher's place tomorrow and get them something to gnaw on that won't evaporate in 30 seconds or less!

Mr. Anderson often brings up their day old bread or cornbread or whatever he thinks the hens might eat. The dogs have to have their share first and then scatter the hens who dare come up for a taste. Sometimes it means putting the dogs up before the bread is thrown out. Last time the hens knew what was coming and ran to each piece and ran off with it--under the deck! Smart birds. But the dogs will eat anything on my plate including tomato if they think the hens are waiting for their portion. Funny dogs. A can of dog food seems to be the answer. Who knew that they were totally starving!

Lately the chicken water pans have been nasty before noon. Think the black birds and doves must be taking baths in there! Have watched the hens, but they don't seem to be getting anything in the water, so it pretty well has to be the wild birds. Have seen those water nipple things that chickens can use, but not sure it would be worth the bother and cost. Have no idea how Grandmother Pollard's hens got water out of the tank out on the farm. Can't remember seeing her hens drinking from the same tank as the sheep, and can't remember seeing a container of water for the hens. Sterling might remember, but he is just about as forgetful as anybody else. We lived in our own little world when we were on the farm. Growing up out there was a great experience for us.

The other day someone posted something about former Clay County rodeos and other things that stirred memories for me. Some houses in Henrietta just remain somehow in my memory as associated with events that happened years ago. We lived in Clay County all my life until my marriage to Lewis. Then we were only twenty miles or so away from my parents' home. Roger Thonton lived right down the street from me and reminds me of some of the things we did. Climbing trees, going "fishing" for crawdads--crawdading. A piece of string with bacon tied on the end of it was a sure way to catch a crawdad that had a mud castle out on a pond. The water might have gone away, but the crawdad would still be at the bottom of that castle.

Anyway, thinking of some of the things that seemed only possible in Clay County. We had a neighbor woman whose child was screaming and crying almost constantly. Mom went over to see if the woman needed anything for the child. She didn't. She did not want the child in the house with her. Her husband was in prison, and the child was a nuisance. She kept her in a pen at the back door of the house like a dog. The little girl had great big spots on her scalp where the woman had pulled her by her hair. Mom was just horrified. She went to Dr. Schaffner and told him that something had to be done. So the little girl was taken from that woman and given to some folks who could not have children. Now it might have just been an idea that got in my head, but to me that little girl had a sweet room in the big house near the feed mill in Henrietta. Whatever happened, she was not abused in Petrolia anymore. Yes, today Mom could have called CPS. But that agency did not even exist before 1980. Hard to think that children had no voice for them in most places. Just women who cared. 

This month is almost gone. Every year around August, Hanan would start reminding me that his birthday was in September. Yep, the old woman forgot one year and never lived it down. Even had bought a birthday card and put it up for later. So now September is another memory month. Next month is October. Janis was born on the 30th of that month. Last year sweet Jennifer sent her a bouquet of flowers for her 85th birthday--even though it was 84. So glad she did that since it was her last one. Why we put such store in certain days is not really important, but being remembered and loved makes a huge amount of difference in our memories. 

Let us pray for this nation, our president, our neighbors, and those who cannot seem to love others. Only God can show us where truth may be in His way. And we have to DO things in His way if we are to have peace as individuals and as a people. 

May your night be restful and daybreak bring you refreshing thoughts. You are loved.

 

Unwelcome Memories.

 So early this morning the dogs had a fit. Looked out and saw Jerry was leaving here. Stepped out and asked him what he needed. Discovered that my door bell needs a new battery--but the dogs work pretty well. Even so, took the door bell thingy down and opened it to find a tiny battery to replace. Will have to go look at Walgreens or somewhere to get that size battery. Or can just let the dogs do the hard work. 

Anyway, Jerry's nephew lost his sense of common decency and sprayed Jerry with lighter fluid and set him on fire. So Jerry was burned on his ankle and foot where he had no clothes on him. The pants just smelled bad, but the ankle and foot were bubbled up and peeling off. Took time to look for all the stuff to dress the burn and then listened to him tell his mom how the nephew needed help because he was AWOL and had got some girl pregnant. He was using my phone, or the story would not have been one to listen to for my benefit. sigh Later he came back and needed to have it redressed since the burn had gone down further than we noticed when we first dressed it. 

Sitting at the kitchen table eating my supper and sharing with the dogs. Noticed the dressing stuff for burns and thought about Hanan, of course. The burns on his back, neck, arms, and butt were really bad. But it just made me remember the stuff that we went through to keep it from getting infected. And debrided. He would pass out as the layers came off after his shower. And we had to do that each day. Talk about horrible. Please don't ever get burned! That was a very traumatic episode in our lives.

My son just sent me a picture of Best Maid Bloody Mary Pickle Beer. He said it was too spicy. Just sounds horrible to me! But he is in the kitchen helping make pizza dough. Asked if the kids were helping. He said that they have no children now that the kids have cars. Is that funny or what? Pretty typical maybe.

Got about a dozen eggs today, but have only been up to let ONE Hamburg back inside the yard. Hmm. They are falling down on the job of giving me a reason to exercise. 

Think my Keurig has bit the dust. Tried to clean out the needles and got the water to flow a little bit better, but it still does not try to spurt the water out the way it is supposed to. Oh well. Bought a Mr. Coffee back some months ago when the Keurig first started to sound as if it were dying---you know, that urk, urk, sissst sound. Guess the Mr. Coffee will do if necessary. And you know that coffee IS necessary. Well, coffee is necessary for some people. Think Lewis could have lived on Lipton tea without ever drinking coffee at all. He did not drink it before we got married--just tea. And his mom made tea with a cup of sugar per gallon of tea! A bit much to my taste, but that's how some folks like it.

These two dogs are on either side of my chair. Treat time in this house. Of course, Thompson had to go over to the treats and paw at them to get the message across. Now his bottom lip is messy with crumbs, so guess where he rests his chin. Argh.

Will either read a bit or watch a movie tonight. Have been playing some Hidden Treasures games and got frustrated. The energy runs out before the good stuff gets interesting. And then they want you to buy more energy! The heck with that stuff! But it reminds me of those games they play at the casinos. It is always tilted toward their wins, not yours. Doesn't matter how many games you play, you end up in the ditch with an empty bucket! Typical of life?

Forgot to take my meds last night and actually slept well. Is that amazing or what? Sometimes it seems that God just gives us the ability to turn everything off in our heads and let our bodies catch up. What a blessing!

May all of you have good rest tonight and awake with joy. You are loved.

Fridays Always Make Me Blue.

 Friday really is different for some folks nowadays. It used to be that everyone looked forward to Friday--the beginning of a weekend. Shucks. For me, it means a phone call to the kids probably should not happen before 9 a.m. Certainly not a phone call to the grands. They sleep in, ya see. No chickens in their future. But the worst part of Fridays for me is the fact that it is just like any other day. Can't even enjoy looking forward to a Friday. When we went to services on Saturdays, it meant that all day Sunday could be used for catching up with things around here or whatever appealed to us. A football game for Lewis, a good book for me, visiting with friends or playing football in the side lot for the kids, and trying to keep up with everyone's happiness for any dogs we had at the time. Oh, and laziness supreme for OliverTwisted, the cat. Yep, Friday used to mean something different some years ago. Noticed that this stupid virus has changed the meaning of days for many folks. Well, some of them are back in school as either students, teachers, or bus drivers now. And they seem to be happy about that. Just a change from total responsibility for one's own work has made a difference for lots of kids. Now they actually see a teacher in a room and can grin at friends at the same time. Ah, how normal our lives used to be.

Retirement made Fridays redundant. Oh, life still functions WITH Fridays, but it also goes right along without Fridays just as well. At least we are all still alive and kicking, griping, grousing, or whatever form of adder pated silliness we choose. Some of my online friends make it a challenge to see how many pictures they can take while out in nature--even if they have to drive to get to what they consider nature. Guess that has never been much of a problem around here. With the lake just down the hill from the house, the geese come over and honk, the ducks quack repeatedly, the cranes sound as if they need grease in their wing joints, and the black birds come flocking in the afternoon. Now that the Black Marrans are getting a little bigger, it takes two looks out the window to determine if they are chickens or extra large crows! About the same body shape, too! The only retirement nature has around here is the type that comes from migration. The pelicans sometimes stop over and cover the shore on the other side of the lake white with their poop and feathers. It is a strange sight. But the one bird that would be nice to see leave is the doves. Dadgum those critters. They get in the hen house, and Thompson thinks it is his job to remove them. See, he does not care what day of the week it is. The birds are not supposed to be in there. He will never retire.

Did ya know that hens are cannibals? One of the hens caught a sparrow in the feeder today. Yep, and she killed it and had to run from the other hens who wanted it. Chickens can eat just about anything that moves--including small snakes or mice. Now if they could only get the rat that has taken up habitation in the workshop. May have to put a sticky trap UNDER the lawnmower. That might keep the hens out of it and not give the rat much room to run. We will see.

It is supposed to be daughter day or something according to FB. Every day is daughter day in my estimation. Love my girl. She has always been sweet, but love that she is also a great mom and a very good wife. Those are two of the hardest jobs in the world, in case you were wondering. Thank you, Jennifer Ostand, for being such a good daughter.

Got two rooms dust mopped before giving it up. They can track in faster than the mop can pick it up. The heavy dew and fog this morning had everything soppy wet. My shoes, the dogs' feet, and anything else that could hang a bunch of mowed grass was a vehicle for the stuff. Still, got some dirt and dust bunnies shifted around.

Connie suggested a movie on Netflix that may--or may not--be worth watching. It is called The Social Dilemma. She said it made her wonder if anyone ever tells the truth or if words are being twisted just like ideas have been warped. Have not watched the movie yet, but thought about how this young woman was considered an innocent bystander when she was shot and killed. One does not have much claim to innocence when your bed partner keeps his gun under his pillow. Sleep with a drug dealer and pay the consequences. See, that is only one viewpoint. And yet, lies about the different situations have stirred up all kinds of hatred. Truth is not a commodity. But it is treated like a weapon today. Just sad.

Tomorrow is another day. If we wake up, we can say thanks and appreciate the day and more chances to show love to others--even if it is just to dogs, hens, and the occasional drop-in visitor. May you all have peace and calm in your lives. You are loved. 

Monsters Like Me---written by Nancy P. Dickerson 2008

 Monsters Like Me

When I was little enough to sit on the ground and notice the stems of flowers and the textures in the soils around me, I would fantasize about the little creatures that slept in the grasses and among the flowers at night. I always hoped to get up early enough to find one still sleeping in the flowers. All I ever found were bugs, caterpillars of various hues, or a toad or two. I wouldn't touch the bugs or caterpillars until much later in life, but the toads were my friends. I must have attracted flies and mosquitoes because the toads were close enough to have lunch on the gathering clouds of insects.

While I wouldn't touch the bugs or caterpillars, I was not really afraid of them--unless they started toward me! Bugs were supposed to go the other direction. Caterpillars were never going anywhere too fast, so I didn't really care where they went or which direction they were going. But bugs were different. Some of them really moved quite fast. And if they were going toward me, I wanted to move away.

One day I was happily playing with my little figurine horses in the dirt by our front porch. The wonderful horses galloped around the flowers and jumped little twigs just like champions. But suddenly a frighteningly large, black beetle came toward my favorite horse. What was worse, the bug went right past the horse and toward me, I was sitting; the bug was racing! I screamed; Mother came racing.

Mother was not impressed by the dangerous black bug. Instead, she picked me up and swatted me good for scaring her. "Next time, get up and move," she said, after I had cried that the bug was coming toward me.

It didn't take long for my mother to relate the story to my daddy. And, of course, my brother thought it was SO funny that his little sister was afraid of bugs. But I wasn't really afraid of bugs. I just did not want them to come toward me.

Soon afterward, my big brother brought me a June bug. He finally convinced me to let it crawl on my hand. It tickled. Then he put a string on its leg and told me that I could fly it. After holding the string above my head and watching the bug fly around as if it were a helicopter, I had to duck and dodge as it attempted to land on my head. Its landing prompted a scream from the top of my lungs along with what must have been a hysterically funny ballet of wild dancing and jumping accompanied by thrashing arms. The poor June bug didn't have a chance, but it settled on my shoulder to ride out the storm. That's when my brother shook his head and told me that the bug must like me.

How can a bug possibly like someone? Does the person have to smell good? When butterflies, lady bugs, and other small creatures alight on a child, are the creatures attracted to the small child for some reason? My brother tried to convince me that little creatures were attracted to me, but then something happened that made me believe that even larger creatures liked me for some reason. Standing in the sun in the field across from our house, I felt a sudden fanning of air as a large bird landed on my head. His claws and beak raked through my hair and pulled some away from my face, frightening me into screaming again. My mother had just glanced out the window to see a huge crow swoop down upon her golden-haired daughter. After I had been assured that the bird was not trying to injure me, Mother explained that crows like shiny things--in this case, the golden blonde hair on my head. My brother just shook his head and said that he wished crows liked him. He wanted one for a pet.

Eventually my brother convinced me that most creatures could be handled and petted. I learned to pick up the Texas horny toad and stroked it into a relaxed state. I knew the lizards that would climb on the house trying to find flies and other insects to eat. A pet possum rode on my shoulder; an owl "chirred" to me from our back porch. And even a toad became a familiar friend.

My brother knew how to frighten me: he would growl and crawl toward me as if he were a lion. Only eventually I knew that the monstrous creature really liked me. And now my daughter holds the hands of her boys to teach them to tie a string to the leg of a June bug, to leave out some water for the toads, to watch for lady bugs and lizards. Yes, monsters like me. And now "monsters" like my children and grandchildren.

The Work of Retirement.

 Asked John Rhoads recently if he was planning on retiring. He said after watching how busy retirement caused his wife to be, he was not certain that he had that much energy. Kinda understand what he meant. Seems something always needs to be done. And the tasks don't necessarily come with extra energy. Just recognition. Maybe the recognition is part of the problem. Knowing things need to be done is like carrying around an extra ten pounds of books. Would be so nice to put one or more down, but it never works like that. Most of us just end up stacking up more books--or tasks--and saying we will get to them later. Uh huh. Admit it. You have done it too!

Watched a couple of movies on Netflix this afternoon. For some reason, even the dogs were still for the first one. Maybe they were tired. Then we (old woman and dogs) watched one filmed in Seattle. Recognized a couple of places from when we were there. The Space Needle shows up very well in the skyline. Anyway, it was a semi-amusing film where the guy sues one of those dating services because they "guaranteed" that the folks who really tried to do their online site to find love would find it. Will let you guess the outcome.

It actually felt hot today. Not sure if it got up to 90 or not, but had the AC on to feel comfortable. Got a notice from Energy Ogre to tell me how much they think the bill will be this month and next month depending on how much electricity will be used. They are counting on October being a cooler month. Suits me! Much rather wear socks than try to cool off. Looking forward to some rain if it ever happens again, too. None in the forecast for the next week or so. sigh

Have a pharmaceutical order in Chicago. Wish those apple knockers would get their act together and get them here. Not like the supply is a problem at the moment, but they got their money already! Companies that take forever to get an order to you should be on a list somewhere that grades them like this: slow, turtle speed, eventually, before you are dead, maybe, in this lifetime, not likely this year. At least it would amuse some of us.

Just spoke to Reece and told him something about my chickens. His comment: You and your frickin' chickens! Then he asked me why ducks have feathers: to hide their butt quacks. ahem Humor comes in small doses around here.

For some reason the dogs have been playing together more than usual. And they need an audience with some participation. Then there is "pick a treat jar" episodes on a regular basis. Thompson walked over to the dental chews and smelled the bags. Then he walked over to the TV table and woofed. Don't tell me they don't know which container holds the good ones!

Other than going out to mess with the hens--and letting a Hamburg inside the gate--this ol' gal has been lazy today. Had planned to go ride Shooter at Mary Rhoads' tomorrow, but she is going to have her day packed, so told her we would do it some other time. Mary can no longer ride because of her knees, so just messing with horses is not much fun for her. But she still has to feed them and clean up after them. Not sure my love of horses would work that way. If a cart would not work, then there would be no horse in my barn--period. But then, this ol' gal could not afford even one horse, much less two. It used to be that folks who had cars were rich folks. Now you have to be rich to have a horse!

Tonight let us remember those who have been exposed to Covid or who are afraid of being exposed. And then there are those who are already sick. Thinking about teachers, bus drivers, and aides. Wow! So many schools have already shut down because of this mess. The smaller schools in this area are mostly closed. Not sure if they have active cases or if it is just the better part of wisdom. This year has certainly been a mess. And nothing makes me feel that things are going to improve. We just have to ask God for His mercy on us and this nation.

May you all rest well and stay healthy and as happy as possible. You are loved.

Six of One and Half a Dozen of the Other.

Went to TSC for chicken feed today. Either some chickens need to leave this hill or the old woman is going to have to stop just feeding the danged doves--or maybe get a job. Editing doctoral papers are few and far between jobs, ya know. Seriously am tired of the Hamburg hit parade of in and outters. They go around and around the yard each day, but they are sweet to lay EVERY day, as well. A small white egg, but they count. Wondering if they are going to do this ring around the rosie all winter long. sigh And then there are two black-laced Wyandottes that SCREAM for some scratch when they think they need it RIGHT NOW!!! Never have had a chicken be quite that loud--at least not a hen. Jennifer suggested a can of spray paint to mark her and then find her a new home. Think maybe one of the ladies around here might want some hens. Will be asking, anyway. BillyeRuth would take some, but you know who would have to haul them all the way to Paducah and maybe drive at night--a big no no for me. Anyway, will ask Wendy Seiber, Brenda Jones, and maybe Cari Guidry if they want a hen or two. Have two Buff Orpingtons that lay these humongous eggs, but not every day. They are the kind that are called jumbo and don't fit in a regular egg carton. But they are also BIG hens! Sweet, but big.

Took another piece of carved wood to class today to make another hen on a nest to have as a mosaic. Almost finished with the hen and nest part, but have not decided how to finish the background. Will just have to think about it. Carla Jones told me how the glaze should go on the two projects that are completed as far as glass is concerned. The glaze is a process all by itself. Let's hope it works well. Finally remembered that a folding table is in the back bedroom just sitting there, so at least the pieces will have a good place to stay and dry out. Carla said she did hers on her washing machine and now has newsprint stuck to her washer for the rest of its life. Oh boy! Was thinking about the deep freeze until she said that! 

The dogs insisted that we had to get up this morning before it was really time. They got right in the big middle of me--and trust me, it is big--and started to play fight. Now the bruise on my left arm makes sense. Good thing they were just playing.

Got a text from Lisa Carden last night. Her mom was in the ER again, but this time she got to go home. They think it was a kidney stone. Have heard that is worse than having a baby! Good grief! Anyway, she is much better today. But then Dianne Mayo posted that Lowry was in the hospital to have fluid drained off his lungs. He fell a couple of months ago and broke a couple of ribs, and sure enough, that fall must have messed up more than just the outside of his body. Not sure why they did not see what caused this at the time, but some of us just find a way to get sick easily anyway. Poor Lowry has had a hard year.

So many teachers are headed back to school, sanitizer, mask, and zinc pills going with them. We need to pray for the kids and the teachers and bus drivers and everyone in the middle of this try for normality. At the Zone for seniors where we do our art work and socializing, they greet us as we get out of the elevator with a little gun looking thing to take our temperature. Mine has never been over 97.3, but have wondered a few times what they would say if it were 98.7. Might get sent back home! Oh, and we are asked to use sanitizer on our hands as we leave their little kiosk to go on inside. Boy! That stuff tells you quickly where every little skinned place is on your hands! 

Think our state elections are open right now. Will see if the early voting place at the mall nearby is open tomorrow. Would like to get that done and over with. Then the pieces of mail about who to vote for can just get trash bound from the get-go.

One of the friends "met" online lives in England. Her name is Helen Shaders. She posted today that she and about half of her department had been made "redundant." That means she lost her job. It can't be any easier there than it is here to lose one's job, so please say a prayer for Helen that whatever job she can come up with will be enough to support her. She does some kind of wild crafting classes on the side and is great with kids and teaching. It made me think of Chelsey Bahe and her attempt to go to work for an outdoors school for kids. That did not go through for her, but my prayer was that she would be happy wherever she could work, even if it was never the same kids. She is a wonderful artist and a splendid nanny. She even has a book published of her nature art. Two of her prints are framed and hang on my walls.  So many of us women have jobs that have to be framed around our skills and abilities. The older we get, the less we can lift and tug on things, too. And some things--like 50 pound bags of feed--just have to change in one way or the other. So today, 30 or 40 pound bags of feed. Tomorrow for my friends, fewer eggs maybe, but someone will be happy to have some sweet hens!

Noticed today on the way home from class that the bar ditches were filled with sunflowers. They are the small, native flowers, but the birds love them all the same. Some of the sunflowers planted in my little patch were supposed to be the bigger kind. But they did not do very well for some reason. But NOW the Jerusalem artichokes are blooming! They are much prettier than sunflowers even though they are not as big across. The tubers are supposed to be a good substitute for potatoes--not as much starch. They are not easy to clean like potatoes, but who cares. It reminds me that some things are just lovely and have double purposes in life.

The trumpet vine outside my window has two different colored blooms. Not sure why. One is yellow and the other is red. It seems like someone asked for some seeds, but can't remember who it was now. Ah, memory and habit. At least the Keurig lights up the kitchen before it is time for coffee every morning. Otherwise, who knows if it would be remembered. [Bet that is a no brainer!]

Have watched the new chicks circle the hen house two or three times before they find their door. The other hens are going inside their area, so have to close them up before the big hens go up for the night. One of the Wyandottes is a runt, but SHE is the one picking on them. She may have to find a new home, too. Not having any bullies around here!

The weather is supposed to get hotter again. Ya knew we could not just have 80s forever, didn't ya. It's supposed to be 95 by Sunday and then back down to 71 by the following Friday. Fall weather is fun. How to dress today? Shorts, slacks, socks, sandals, boots, hat? All of the above? Oh well. Maybe we should just be thankful that God designed seasons. Nature is a good picture of how life progresses, to tell the truth. My autumn is going to be when nature lifts my spirits with joy and gratitude. May your life be filled with that kind of happiness as well.

Rest well and appreciate each day for all it is worth. You are loved.

Early to Bed and Early to Rise.

 When we were kids, Daddy always had these sayings that the older people knew, but not many of our friends had heard, it seemed. One was: Early to bed, and early to rise, keeps a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. Not too sure of the efficacy of that particular saying, but we did tend to get up early and had to go to bed when the parents said to do so. But then, we had to "mind" our parents from the get go! We were the ones that wore mercurochrome on the skinned places on our knees and elbows. It took a tough kid to wear that stuff! Sometimes it seemed to hurt worse than the scrape. But we seldom had infections of any type. Well, maybe measles, mumps, and chicken pox were some of the things that slowed us down a bit. When we were in elementary school, Dr. Hurn came over from Henrietta and gave us all a smallpox vaccination. Dang! That hurt and smelled horrible. Such was life back in the 50s.

Sitting here thinking about some of the old folks' sayings and betting that quite a few on here have heard some from their parents or grandparents. Surely we were not the only ones who heard folk wisdom from the time we were old enough to understand words! Any takers on that little challenge?

Just put another Hamburg back in the yard! Honestly, they are poorly named. They should be called Houdini hens! And now the Wyandottes have taken up hollering at each other or at me. Not sure which it is. Knowing that John Pollard is going to say they are calling for a rooster! He might just be right! When only one chicken was left there for a bit, Athena started crowing! Had to have a talk with the little lady, but got chicks shortly after that, and she stopped crowing and just talked to me and to the chicks. Strange creatures. But they are intelligent, too. When they're not being doofless! The chicks got behind the coop again--four this time. One of the Hamburg hens was with them, however. Wondering if she was protecting them. 

Thompson is a beggar. He had to have some of my supper, so Sylvia had some, too. Then he wanted a treat and showed me which one exactly! They both are finally chewing and chomping away at one of the longer lasting chew things. Dogs!

Got the glaze to mix up and put on my mosaic, but just have not felt like messing with it today. And tomorrow is the class. The way the sneezes have been around here today, it might get me in trouble to even show up. Don't think any fever is present, but just feel as if it is a bit hard to breathe. Allergies are SO much fun. Jennifer said they all were doing the same thing down there. From one end of the building to the other it was sneezing and sniffles. 

Would appreciate your prayers for a friend who is part of the family. Cleo Anderson had some surgery a couple of years ago to remove a place on one lung that was cancerous. Now there is another spot and a lymph node involved this time. She is a sweet lady who is just mostly quiet and loving. We were next door roommates on the cruise our family took to Alaska a couple of years ago. She had one of the grandsons in her room. Anyway, she is on oxygen 24/7, so this is not good news at all. Let's just pray that God will give her the healing she needs to complete her life with her son and his family.

Lost another pocket knife. How that happens is beyond me. It's not like they were being used and left somewhere! Not that a few are not in the junk drawer still, but this was one that appealed to me because it stayed sharp and was not too big to carry. Have another one in my pocket now and am sitting here wondering how long it will take to lose this one! Dadgumit! Have washed one more than once in the laundry, but the washer did not cough up either of the ones lost lately. sigh

Sitting here sipping vinegar and honey mixed with water. Let's see if starting early before indigestion hits will do any good? 

Jerry must have just arrived at home. My dogs think his bicycles are beasts that need to be assaulted--or at least given a vicious barking at! Sylvia will get a ball or toy and sling it around while growling as if she already has something to tear up--just look at her tearing it up now. Imagine what would happen if she actually got a lip lapped on that bicycle tire! Why do dogs hate bicycles?

This house--and especially the floors--needs attention. Dust and dog/woman foot prints. Those robo vacuum machines might work for some things, but they don't make anything to remove the dust from the furniture. That does take some real elbow effort. And the floors have to have two swipes instead of just one--first the dirt removed, and then the prints removed with either water or cleaner. Eventually it will get done. Just don't put any guesses on the calendar as to when.

The overcast skies have not brought us any rain, but at least this first day of autumn has not been hot. It is nothing unusual for us to get up in the 90s for the Indian summer in Texas. Not really very comfortable. But then, it beats 32 and freezing. Have some time yet before the faucets have to be covered. Fall is wonderful, but ya know what is right on its heels. Some people love summer. Some of us enjoy fall and its crisp but not too cold days. That's me. Much rather put on a jacket when necessary than try to find a way to keep cool in the summer. Even if it were legal and not too repugnant, taking one's clothes off in the summer is not much help.

Tonight we can remember those who have lost their homes on the West Coast and along the Gulf Coast. No electricity, no clean water. No where to go or a way to get there. That is just sad. Our nation has really been hit hard this year. And to top it off, we get to wear those stupid masks! And it isn't even for Halloween.

May you all rest well this night and find time to let our Creator know how much we appreciate the blessings we have in our lives. The beauty we have been given is all around us to see and hear. And then we have friends and family. We are loved.

 

Vinegar and Honey.

 Well, so vinegar and honey can help with indigestion/heartburn. Good to know when you decide you want milk and cereal for breakfast and buy the kind that crunches real good but just sits there on your stomach as if it wants to punish you for eating it in the first place. It just is not fair that stuff that is supposed to be food and semi-good for you should give you fits instead. Now if it had been steak and eggs, or fried anything, that would have made sense for indigestion. But let's face it, even little kids have cereal and milk. Maybe one gets too old for that stuff?

Barely any fingernails left to chew or otherwise, but got my hands pretty dirty this morning by dumping out the aloe vera plants (yes, more than one) and repotting them along with some Joseph's Coat ivy. Those plants are now inside the green house/ chicken house. Hollyhock is next, but it does not need to be repotted. Probably could have left the aloe vera in its original pot since it is not coming inside the house. Just not sure where that little brown snake went, ya see.

Got up at 4:30 this morning--unable to sleep--and went out and clipped the wings on the nine chicks. Got all nine of them done even if my calf had to be licked twice. Two got away from me, so that meant catching them all again and checking that right wing. Found the two quickly enough and got that little job done. Then left their door open this morning after putting the plants inside and putting down their new feeder--a gravity drop dog feeder. Put all kinds of good stuff in their feeder, so the hens were more than curious. The chicks eventually ventured outside their door and onto some grass. Of all the picking and peeping you ever saw or heard! Later went out to check on them and four were missing. Looked all around and finally found them BEHIND the chicken house. Herded them back to the front so they could find their door. Boy did they ever scurry! "OH! We're back!" Happy little campers now.

My doctor let me know she had some samples and egg cartons for me. She came about four this afternoon and had an entire box of samples--bunches of dollars worth of a very expensive medication. Some are supposed to be here this week, but they are now in Chicago, so who knows when they will get here. Ordering drugs online is like a "crap shoot." Maybe they get here within a month or maybe not. Glad this is not a life or death situation. It's not like insulin where President Trump said that the price HAD to come down. And it did. Now folks who take insulin may be able to take it like they are supposed to and still budget enough to eat.

The old woman must be happier lately. Caught myself whistling a song and couldn't remember the name of it. But it sounded good to me, anyway. The dogs just have to put up with that sort of thing---and the hens, well, two or three of those girls have really got the "loud mouths"! They are the Black-laced Wyandottes, too. Not even the Hamburgs! They scream and carry on as if they were starving and need to be fed. And we BOTH know better! They just had some good green stuff from the grocers, too! Thinking of the term "fishwives" when considering the volume of the noise. sigh

The neighbor--kind of--who owns the pasture below Jerry's place is over today cutting the grass. Wondering if the city or his neighbor below him complained. That is about the only time he cuts the grass--when he is made to do it! Then the rest of us sit back with a shotgun waiting for his snakes, rats, and other vermin to come calling. Seriously! He has infestations of big ole black bugs on that lot. Think "as long as your thumb" size. Harness a few of those critters and save on gasoline for his mower.

Now have all eight of those fancy lightbulbs charged. Not sure how they will be wrapped--if at all--for the kids. Who gives lightbulbs as Christmas presents? Is that not the strangest thing you ever heard? But who would think a light bulb would last 40 years. Maybe they can put one up in that high ceiling so that they never have to climb up there again in the next 40 years!

My Dickerson grandson gave me a book one year called "Lost Wisdom." In smaller print it says, "A Celebration of Traditional Knowledge From Foraging and Festivals to Seafaring and Smoke Sense." The only way to read it is with a magnifying glass or magnifying page thing on a light. This is how small it is! Do you think he wanted me to know that my glasses needed to be helped out a bit? He'll get old someday!

Michelle Malay gave my two dogs some Purina "Busy Beggin' Twist'd" chews. Thompson wants to go outside with his each time he gets one, but so far he has not buried one. They are messy things, but apparently they keep them from wanting anything else for at least ten minutes or longer. Even Sylvia and her chompers take a while to get one eaten. 

Kinda hoping for some rain tomorrow. The smoke is not bad now and the pollen is only 8.5, so maybe if it rains just a bit, we might all be breathing better tomorrow. Lots of people in Walmart this morning were wearing the masks over their mouths and not over their noses. Think allergies has a lot to do with how we breathe right now. Certainly have slowed down my get-up-and-go. But then, going to Walmart is like going on a two-mile hike! One thing in the dog food section is cattycorner to the milk and toilet paper aisles--a half mile away! Need your good walkin' shoes on when ya go there!

Years ago it felt like walking was SO easy. Could just walk for the longest, even carrying a child. No longer can do that kind of walking. Getting the old girl's backside from one place to another takes a bit of determination. Understand now how Grandmother Pollard felt about having sheep to care for, and the garden to tend to, and the chickens to feed, and the meals to make. And she wasn't even five foot tall! But it took several years to slow her down. She came to stay with the oldest two when our last child was born. She was so excited when Lewis went to get her that she forgot to pack her panties, and he had to go to Kmart the next morning and get her some! We have laughed about that quite a few times. She was with us when Jennifer was born, and we had fresh apricots coming off the trees in baskets! So she was outside flagging folks down trying to give those apricots away! She was a character!

Seems like things always need to be done, but it is not always easy to just do them. No amount of determination or grit can really find a time and the enthusiasm needed to do things the right way every time. Still, Daddy always said that if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing it right the first time so that there did not need to be a second time. But you know that saying about "from dust we come and to dust we return," well, wouldn't want to disturb anyone's dust, so my house has a collection of dust--not sure if it is coming or going. Maybe tomorrow can rearrange some of the dust, or not.

Going outside to put pepper on my kale plant--well, what the rabbit has not already eaten. But let's just hope that all of you have something that satisfies your funny bone or your sense of order. Whichever one suits you, enjoy getting your tasks finished or at least begun with a good sense of humor. You are loved.

 

Forgetful.

 So Connie came over to bring me some light bulbs that we ordered from a site she watches on TV. These bulbs have a battery in them that can be charged so that they can light up even when the electricity is off. Anyway, they are neat and are supposed to last for 40 years. Like the old woman will be around to fuss when they go out in ten years! They came eight in a box, so eventually both kids will get a couple of light bulbs and THEY can figure out if the bulbs will last that long.

Connie had not had lunch and my soup would not have fed both of us, so we went to El Chicos for din-upper. Pretty good food. More than was needed. But before we got to the door, it dawned on Connie that she had left her keys (not exactly a key but something that opens the doors) in the truck. Having seen it in the middle console, we knew where it WAS, but all she had to do was contact a place online using her phone to get the truck unlocked--and then RElocked. Meanwhile it dawned on the old woman that SHE had left her phone and credit cards in wallet back at the house. Not sure which one of us was doing the thinking today, but pretty sure it was not the woman of this house. We decided Connie would pay for our meal this time and next time would be my turn. 

So, accomplishment of the day: picked up the eggs and threw out some scratch grain for the girls. Put up four light bulbs and turned the lights on to charge them--takes about 8 to 10 hours to charge them fully. Tomorrow will put the other four up in those sockets so they will be charged when given to the kids. They have this little hook thing that screws onto them and a button to push so that the light bulb can be used just like a flashlight. And boy are they ever bright! So now Christmas is taken care of for my kids. Grinning.

Sitting here sipping--slowly--some apple cider vinegar plus water mixed with a little bit of honey. And yes, it does seem to be helping the indigestion. 

Carla Beard posted a link to a YouTube video of John Branyan telling the story of the Three Little Pigs. That was the best laugh of the day. Won't even tell you the story about trying to have my freshman class at MSU to write a story about the Three Little Pigs. Doesn't EVERYONE know that story? Guess.

Sitting here thinking about cultural knowledge. Jennifer suggested that Friends would be a good series to watch all the way through so that references to weird stuff would make sense to me. Or some kind of Bang something. Can't remember what the name of that one was. But obviously ignorance of cultural references does include commonly shared television series if you did not watch TV during the past ten or twenty years. My excuse was that Lewis had the remote in his hand from 1968 until 2012. Once in a while a Cowboy game got my attention, but most of the time, Lewis decided what was watched around here. He had certain shows that he refused to have turned on in this house--Bill Cosby Show was one of them. He said they made fun of the man in that show. He noticed things like that. Oh well. My attention span does not last long enough to consider most of those things. Now a good nature show or something about horses or chickens is a different proposition.

Think my sister-in-law is enjoying her grandsons for a while. The boys' parents are looking for a house in Plano. Anne said that they have more people looking for houses than they have housing. Not sure exactly why it has to be in Plano, but know that they don't want to live in Dallas. Have never exactly understood how the land lies down that direction. Know that Jimmy and Sharon Dickerson like living in Garland. And have never really heard Lance and Tracy gripe about the outskirts of Saginaw (Ft. Worth). Of course, Jennifer and her family live in Ft. Worth as well and still live about an hour away (depending on traffic) from where Lance's house is! BIG, spread out city.

Sat outside and talked to the girls about getting that last blade of good, green grass to eat before they went in for the night. Then shut the chicks up in their coop. Living in hopes that my energy level will coincide with some patience so the chicks can get their wings clipped in the morning. They need to get out in the yard and see how the other half lives. But they DON'T need to fly over the fences. 

Saw on FB where Nikki, Stephen, and Tim Smith were out somewhere horseback riding. They all three looked very happy. Something about getting on a horse and seeing the area around you from a different perspective just makes a person happy. At least that is my feelings about horseback riding. Just the smell of a horse helps relax the mind. As Judie Brunson would say, "Nothing like a snoot full of horse!"

Let's see what tomorrow brings. A mosaic project, a chicken wing job, a little trip to Walmart---and then what? Maybe get a better start on that sequel to a good book on the Kindle. And that is just Monday!

Not going to fret about anything the rest of my life except essentials. Are my dogs happy? Are my chickens healthy? Is there a prayer needed among my children? God will take care of the rest of it. So, may you look around you with good humor and take care of your health so you can enjoy what He has given us. You are loved.

Lazy Day.

 Anyone with a brain cell and experience with indigestion would know better than to have a Pico de Galo sandwich at Whataburger, right? Well, this is the second time for me. Probably my last one. But, OH! They are SO good. Still, it really isn't worth the trouble. Not that the BBQ bacon burger is much better in that department. Indigestion reigns supreme!

The smoky haze has almost been like a light fog this evening. Lance said they had it down in Ft. Worth today as well. Guess it is from the fires out in New Mexico or Arizona. Wherever. So sorry for the folks who live near the fires and especially feel sorry for those who have lost their homes to this mess. Not sure which is worse: losing everything to a fire or having it washed away or blown away. Guess the fires leave less debris, but not totally sure about that. Some parts of structures simply don't burn and just have to be bulldozed. Either way, the rebuilding of the infrastructure takes just about as long--no electricity, so no running water, no natural gas. No cooking, no place to go for meals or for beds! Just misery. This makes me think of how so many foreign countries must feel like when they are in a war that destroys so much of their country. Nothing left. But generally we have not had to dodge bullets!

At one time, we all knew what the term neighbor meant. A friend when you needed one was your neighbor. Sometimes we might have a grouchy neighbor, but generally we all have had decent neighbors. Right now my count of decent neighbors is down to one for sure, and one sometimes. Guess that is better than none. At least no one in my neighborhood is shooting at anyone or being shot at! Not to say that is happening on the West Coast, but it still sounds pretty scary out there. God bless those folks and their police officers and first responders.

My sister-by-another mother sent me seeds in the mail. Will be planting red yucca seeds to see what happens. Think these are the one that have sharp little blade like leaves that grow rather tall. Then the flowers are red that come out of the center spike. Anyway, should be fun to see what grows. Sharon is a sweetheart to think of me. She and Michelle Malay keep me in seeds and smiles. 

Went to Home Depot today and got a new, stronger battery for my weed eater and drill. (Works on both.) They are proud of their tools and stuff. But tomorrow may see me outside finishing up all the stuff that needs to be cut down. The twins did a pretty good job, but by the time they got ready to go, it was already dark. Pretty hard to see grass when it is dark. So, that is tomorrow's job.

Also want to repot some things tomorrow. Opened the front door and found a flower pot left there for me--Jerry likes pretty things, too. This one has pine cones all around it. Would be neat if a pine tree could grow in it, but my green thumb doesn't include anything pine or cedar or spruce. And it is not for lack of trying. They just turn up their heels and die! Lance said that he and Tracy moved 36 trees today at the tree farm in Ft. Worth. He loves that sort of thing. They moved oaks and something else, plus Eve's Necklace trees. Had one of those in my flower bed, and it wanted to take the place. Trimmed it back and really enjoyed smelling its blooms. The "necklace" part was pretty, but then discovered that EVERY part of that tree is poisonous! So, gave it to Jerry to dig up and move. It looks great in his yard. Gave him a rose bush that reached out and grabbed me every time it could, but one part of it came back from the roots, so still have a red rose in the flower bed. The part he dug up looks really good across the street in his yard where it can be seen by both of us. It reminds me of giving a goji berry bush to Sharon and Jim Dickerson. We both know now that goji berry bushes spread by seed, by root, by whim, and by wham!

My sister-in-law found a nice sized rattlesnake in her back yard by her steps. She called the sheriff's office, and someone came out and killed the thing. Then someone else cleaned all the leaves and crud out from under her ramp so nothing had a place to hide there either. Wow! She has three grandsons staying with her for a bit, so we can be very glad they got rid of that snake. Just hope no others show up!

A danged rabbit found my flowering kale plant. The bugs or worms are chewing on my cabbage plants, but the kale is down almost to a nub. Not sure buying another one would be worth it since the same thing would probably happen to another one. Oh well. Guess cottontail rabbits have to eat, too.

Sat outside on the lawn swing and listened to the hens talk and watched Thompson get the zoomies. He had the tennis ball--the BIG tennis ball--and would not let Sylvia have it. He lay down with it between his paws and looked away. Of course she grabbed it. He knew she would. But the chase was on! He got it back when they brought it to me to throw, and then he zoomed around the yard with it and wanted her to chase him. For some reason she wanted to sit next to me on the swing and just watch him. Funny dogs! They are good entertainment.

It does not seem right that the weekend is already half gone. Not that one day matters more than another in my schedule, but still. Knowing the kids don't have to be at work makes me more aware of where they are and when. Going to school online has meant that Rachel can finish a day's work in just two or three hours. That tells you how much time is wasted actually attending classes at a physical school. But then, we knew that years ago when Hanan was here reading book after book. He had no trouble passing his GED, but he missed being around the other kids and some of the things they did that we did not normally do. Lewis taught him all the shop skills he would ever need. And his vocabulary was well beyond anyone his age when he was in elementary. That seemed so strange to me. Lance's first grade teacher was just astounded when he asked her if she was being facetious when she made some remark to the class. And he used the right word!! Yet he had trouble with the reading vocabulary tests because they wanted the word mittens instead of gloves! Good grief. Standardized tests are ridiculous. Things will eventually change, but let's hope it will be for the better.

Haven't taken prednisone in a week and now my hands are itching again. But no way would it be worth it to take that stuff again. Will just have to wear gloves or something! Sheesh! Well, and using that hand sanitizer has not helped when going to the Zone or to stores! Someday it will be back to normal nasty hands! HA!

May you each find some joy in what you choose to do with your time, and may you plan on enjoying EACH day as it comes. You are loved.

 

Horses!

 Another really good day! Yes, including the first time ever to ride an English saddle on another 19-year-old horse. Shooter is just a good little horse who was also patient with me. We got up to trotting around where the ground could actually be seen, but the grass was so high in that particular pasture that it might not have been safe to go at a canter, much less anything else. Mary said there was a pipe out there along the fence somewhere that needed to have a cement block on it so she could see it. The horse stumbled a few times, so it did not make me feel it was wise to trot in the higher grass. But it was still VERY enjoyable. Also, it was fun to visit with Mary. She taught me how to dismount from an English saddle. Reminded me of being a child lying across the horse's back and then sliding down. Think we will include the mounting block next time for the dismount! Would not want my weight to cause my ankles problems--or knees.

Mary is thinking of getting rid of her horses. Shooter belongs to a church group who uses him for the children who want to ride. But the person who gets him the rest of the year has to keep him healthy (seeing the vet) and hooves either trimmed or maybe shod. Then that person has to take him to the camp during the summer down to an area close to Waco. Anyway, a horse is a very expensive proposition. Even a "free" horse. Now to find someone whose horse needs the exercise yet is not a bronc! It really is not safe to ride alone or without someone around in case of problems, yet that is what a teenage Nancy used to do every day. Still, everyone knew me, and Mom knew where and when to expect me. And too, that teenager was very agile and impossibly, stupidly brave.

Michelle Malay came to visit for a good long visit today. We really enjoyed talking and messing with the dogs. She got to sit outside and listen to my silly hens talk and squawk. She brought them a head of lettuce which they totally consumed while we were sitting there. They are really go getters over veggies! They had already totally wiped out the stuff that Cindy Jones brought last night. Well, not the onions, but hey those peppers! 

Anyway, Michelle told me about some stuff that never occurred to me to even think about. We looked up the difference between the Medal of Honor which has to be given by Congress, and the Purple Heart which means the person was wounded or killed in action. Both require extreme valor and protection of fellow warriors. But now it makes sense why the medal of honor is given by the President since Congress has to deem the person worthy of the honor.

Do you know that half the fun of making "to do" lists is checking off the things that have been done. And then there are the decisions to make about whether or not their priority is movable: from number one to number none if it no longer matters. My list now includes figuring out how to put a faucet on the water tank: number one. The rest of the items are mainly muscle work--not that repotting the aloe vera takes that much muscle. Moving the concrete blocks is going to take time and muscle, however. Oh well. Who needs to exercise when things just need to be done!

Carol Thonton posted a picture of a barrel racing woman whose horse lost its saddle in mid run--girth shredded and the woman still holding the reins and sitting in the saddle BEHIND the horse in the air right at the base of its tail. Lord help us! Can't imagine that happening, but wondered if she was able to let go of the reins and if she was able to walk away from that mess. 

My spoiled rotten dogs had a fit when they saw Michelle's truck today. And they KNOW there are extra goodies lying around in sacks or in the treat jars. And don't even think that they are not going to beg! They are almost as spoiled as the hens! In fact, just spent five minutes trying to find whatever Sylvia said was under the couch--finally got down on hands and knees and really looked. Not a single thing under there that should appeal to dogs. Some dirt, but not any treats or pieces thereof. Whew! Talk about exercise. Get out the long pole to dig under couch. Give that up as a lost cause, and get out the long-handled duster thingy and sweep a few times, and then get down and do a downward dog yoga position just to satisfy a dog! 

Michelle brought some spinach-artichoke stuff that Landen bought that Joe laughed about. So guess what was for supper with whole wheat crackers tonight. Ummm. And there is another that is artichoke parmesan. That will be another meal tomorrow. Doesn't take much to make me happy. So glad that Joe thinks artichokes are bird food or something of that nature. When we were in Paris, they had tables of artichokes in the little store next to our hotel. Tried to get Jennifer interested in dumping one of our suitcases and filling it with artichokes to bring home. She just shook her head and laughed. Kinda like the day Lewis told me we could not fill a suitcase full of avocados when we were out in Ramona, CA. The man was GIVING them away, and we could only eat a few out there! Oh well.

Feast of Trumpets begins tonight in Israel. Remember thinking that Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) would be about a week away when that one came up. Then we always went somewhere after that for the Feast of Tabernacles. This year they have a Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem on October 4. It seems to me that we have read a scripture that says when everyone is saying, peace, peace, that the nations will go to war then. Well, as if that were anything new. Still, it would be wonderful if this world could get a break and find some peace now after this miserable year of sickness and sadness. But in time--in His time--this will happen.

Just in case you have not seen the link for the Legacy of Play for the playground to be sponsored by the Kiwanis Clubs here in Wichita Falls, please try to vote for our park. You have to give your email address, and they will send you a message each day when you try to vote, so you have to use the code that is different each day. One city has about 17, 000 population, and they already have 16,000 votes! Those people are dedicated so they have number one in the list! I will try to put a link here for you. https://play.kiwanis.org/contestants/university-kiwanis-club/

If you know of anyone in the WF area who has a calm horse that needs a little exercise, let them know of the old lady who would love to take up riding again.

May each of you find joy in your lives. You are loved.

. 

Unscheduled?

 What a great day! Got to go ride a horse. Granted, the mare was 19 and had been out at Whispers of Hope for a while, so we know this creature is patient. Anyway, Brenda Jones was just as patient as the mare! It had been fourteen years since the old woman put her foot in a stirrup! And yes, it hurt my knee almost immediately, but we stayed with it for a bit while walking around in the horse pen. A walk, not a trot. It seemed terrible to make the woman stay with me out there just walking around in that pen, but Brenda probably felt safer for both me and the mare. It was fun, and next time maybe we can ride together out in the pasture. Brenda has another couple of horses that need to be ridden some, so she is getting some young lady to ride the younger horses to get them back in the groove.

Then it occurred to me that the weed eating could be done a little bit at a time. And what could not be reached without damaging a tree could be pulled by hand. So, now the little trees have no grass around them. Ben and Caleb Smith did the rest of the place with one of their weed eaters and my gas weed eater. The spare battery on the little light electric one went south today, so will order a new battery online after my head stops feeling as if my sneezes have gone backwards. Grass pollen? Cannot believe all the allergy suffers are not moaning and groaning right now. It just amazes me at how the stuff is floating in the air around here. Drive down the road and see a haze across the road. Or maybe that is my windshield needing cleaning?

Got to sit out on the yard swing with Cindy Jones while her twin grandsons did all the work in the yard. The dogs just love those boys. But neither dog likes the weed eaters! Love visiting with Cindy! We talk about kids, of course. She had more than we raised around here, and now she is teaching her grandsons at home. A VERY intelligent lady. Homeschooling is not for the faint of heart. But many parents have learned that this year.

Gave my dogs a bath today. They smell MUCH better! After weed eating, have had my second shower of the day! Whew! More clothes to wash! Oh well. 

Ok, confession, my body is tired. Hoping it will be easy enough to get out of bed tomorrow. Plan to visit Mary Rhodes and maybe mess with one of their horses. Pretty sure it won't be Bella as she was never broken to ride, much less bit and saddle. The other horse is a kid horse, so maybe it will put up with me. Or Mary will put up with me. Whichever.

May you each rest well tonight and awake with joy. You are loved.

Not Scheduled.

 Some of us just do things as they come up, and others schedule their time and make the most of it. My time does not happen to be scheduled. Neither is my life. Things just go along for the most part when it is handy to do something. This morning was convenient for having the tires on the truck rotated and balanced. Then stained glass class took a bit of time--not a whole lot since the next step in my project takes some stuff from Home Depot for covering the entire piece in some kind of epoxy. That should be interesting. Anyway, Carla (the teacher) showed me a picture of what to get and told me where it could be purchased. Then went to the bank to have a little cash on hand since Connie has bought some stuff for us and will need to be paid. She got some special light bulbs, so we will see how that works out. Had hoped to go see Mary Rhodes today and maybe ride a horse, but that has been put off until Friday morning at 9. We will see how that goes. Michelle said she would be here sometime Friday as well.

Finished a book that started out pretty cruddy and got much better, so downloaded the sequel. Love getting free books this way! The Fussy Librarian is a good source for free books if you read on a device like a Kindle.

Breakfast this morning was a cup of coffee (with creamer) and a couple of cheese sticks that had to be shared with these two silly dogs. Came home from class and made a salad with some avocados, lettuce, tomatoes, and salmon cooked fresh in the iron skillet. Supper is reruns of the same. Have decided that salmon is just mighty fine eating like this. Thawed quickly in warm water in the sink and then cooked in a little olive oil until it is flaky and seasoned with Creole spices. Yum.

Meant to give the dogs a bath today, but just cleaned the covers on the couch and sprayed them to be sure no fleas or chiggers are on there. Had to rearrange the furniture and mop the living room floor to clean up all the dirt the dogs tracked in. Unreal! They are so messy. Well, so is the old woman and her shoes!

Came home from class and Jerry met me in the road and asked if there was anything he could eat. Or even a cup of coffee. Had turned off the coffee maker before leaving, so rooted around in the pantry and freezer and found a new jar of smooth peanut butter and a frozen loaf of cinnamon raisin bread. He said that was great. Then texted his mom to let her know he is hungry again. He had told her he was working and could buy his own food now. Well, so much for that idea. He is not my responsibility, but will not let anyone go hungry. Can remember when we were children, and Mom barely had enough food to feed us even with Daddy working all the hours he could get. We had a neighbor, Mrs. Pitts, who used to make us kids ketchup sandwiches. Best things you ever ate as a kid! Know she felt like she was feeding the entire neighborhood! We always had a bunch of kids in our yard. Don't think Mom even knew about those sandwiches.

When Mom cooked, we ate whatever she cooked. But my schedule when they sent me to Wichita Falls to school meant that my meals were pretty much hurried so that the horse could be ridden and put up clean, then books studied, and all the other stuff that needed to be done every night. Mom started putting bowls of tuna fish salad in the fridge so that something was easy to eat anytime. Think that was the best thing she could ever have done to feed me. My kids learned to make their own "little pizzas" with whatever was in the fridge. Jennifer and Hanan made pizzas with ketchup and government cheese and maybe some meat of some sort. You can bet that my participation was negligible since my classes kept me at the university most of the day. They were good kids and did a remarkable job of taking care of themselves.  Maybe it was good for them to have to figure it out. 

The hens are laying happily right now. Still have not let the chicks out because they haven't got their wings clipped and would have to have some supervision to keep them safe from being bullied. Maybe this weekend will be a good time to clip wings and watch them from the yard. They are just a bit wild, but will come to feed quickly.

Sue Ballard may get to come home from the hospital tomorrow, so please pray for her and Lisa Carden and their safety getting home from OKC. And if you will, remember my sister by another mother, Sharon Dickerson, because a dear friend just passed away--someone she has known for nearly 40 years! It is hard to lose friends, even when death is a kind release.

Noticed that my other sister Cindy Jones has been up to mischief with her grandsons. The boys were out on Lake Wichita in some kind of boat. You can bet they were having fun! When Mom and Dad are away . . . kittens will play!

John Rhodes sent an email asking us to vote for the Kiwanas Park project here in Wichita Falls. Seems we have only ONE park in WF for small children! Did not know that. They want to make one that is friendly for little ones and for challenged kids who need extra support and stimulation without dangers. It took a few minutes to figure out the way to get to the voting, but finally got there and got the code--from my email account-- so could vote. It seems to me this is a very worthy cause, and they aren't even asking for money--just votes that might mean getting a grant. Anyway, if you can find the post on my timeline, please consider voting for the Legacy Park.

The sun comes up later and goes down earlier each day. But we still have some very warm weather. Today the AC units felt pretty doggone good. Even lay down on the bed and rested under the fan with the AC on for about an hour. Felt much better when the dogs decided it was time to get up. So far, the dogs have not really gained any weight this summer just lying around goofing off, but they have to have their zoomy time each evening. That must be enough exercise for them. Too bad this ol' girl can't get the zoomies. Can you see me running up and down the fence line?!

Time to go put the hens up and sit outside to feed the mosquitoes for a few minutes. Prayers out in the open air and away from silly things like the computer are just easier to do. Will make one comment before putting this online: Someone hollered at President Trump and asked him if he thought he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize. His answer: PEACE is the prize!

May your concerns be few and surmountable; may your health be good and enjoyable; may you find yourself reflecting God. You are loved.

Hired Hand?

 Bless us, Oh Lord, for it is almost too much! If you haven't noticed, the U.S. is in a heap of trouble of assorted types: fires, floods, storms, civil disobedience, a pandemic, lawlessness, mayhem, mudslingin', and a rise in the price of chicken feed! And no, those are not equal problems. That's the point. We all have a viewpoint that matters just to us mostly. No matter how warped our viewpoint--or that of the media--some things are beyond our control. About all we can do is b*tch and moan. We pray for our families and for those we know are in pain, and then we ask Him to take care of the rest because we know it is too far out of our reach. So, as you pray, remember that He does not expect miracles from us, just our requests and our appreciation for those blessings. 

It has been a weird day. Went to get five bags of top soil, gasoline, and the mail. Carla Beard had Amazon send me a sign for my front door about the chickens. Nevermind the vicious dogs and the mean old woman! It is funny how others see chickens as pets, or just as farm animals that supply the needed source of food. My critters have a pretty good life, all things considered. About the only danger they face is the two dogs when the "zoomies" happen suddenly. No way can we get out of their way fast enough! Feathers and frowns just don't impress these two doggos.

Tried to weed eat the front yard with the electric weed eaters. Neither one did what was supposed to be done. Looked at the DR weed whackers again. Nope, won't do that this time. Just need to bite the bullet and call Tim Smith and ask him to come do the whole place one time. My gasoline weed eater is bigger than me, so if he can use it, that's great. If not, he will have to bring one. Anyway, the grass is cut in both sides of the yard and the front done as well as can be expected with a zero turn and a granny! That bouncing around an acre of land could be why the granny is so tired now. Even a hot mustard bath did not put the bounce back in granny.

Talked to my friend BillyeRuth today. She just cracks me up! She is almost as ornery as a woman can get and still be a Southern Belle! She tells me her children talk about her in front of her as if she is not listenin', and they KNOW she is. They make fun of her so she can enjoy it, too. It sounds just like my kids and how they treat me: my daughter reminds me that she knows how to drive. She also reminds me that she knows how her momma drives! Ask her about how driving in reverse goes for some folks.

BillyeRuth was so proud that Jennifer helped me finish up the chicken pen /greenhouse. She bragged on her! But then, she has plenty to brag on about her kids. Her daughter was going to replace the heating element in the hot water heater thingy. So they had to order a part, but still, how many women go home to see mom and take the water heater apart? And then the son came to do some more work. Yep, all grannies love their children and grands if they know what is good for them!

These two spoiled rotten dogs are begging for little bones. But we were interrupted by a Hamburg hen who had to be let into the back yard RIGHT this moment! Looked out at the mown grass and thought it was just a tad short, but the hens seemed happy about it. Maybe they find more stuff in the shorter grass? Then had to move the couch so Sylvia could find her lost bone! See, being interrupted just comes with the territory!

Put this tube of arthritis cream where it would not get lost---so naturally could not find it until this morning while cleaning out the top desk drawer. Sat here talking to AnnaBeth Graf about the storm named Sally and found it. Always have at least two things going at once: a phone conversation and cleaning out a desk drawer, for instance. It's called distraction and keeping busy. Or something. Daddy used to call me a scatter brain. Hmm. Ya know, things like that are genetic tendencies. 

Hoping to go to class tomorrow for a change. If nothing rips, rears, or ravels, will go to the tire place later and get my truck's tires balanced and rotated. Never a dull moment. Jennifer reminded me that it should be done every 3000 miles. As if anyone would remember it that way! Or at all. But she is right. It should be done.

Last order to pick up from Walmart included a little bag of avocados. They were hard as rocks when put into the fridge. Still are. Maybe they will soften up now outside the fridge. By then, it may be too late. Or guacamole may be flowing all at once! Whichever. At least the salmon that Connie brought over turned out very good for dinner tonight. Had cottage cheese and salmon. Not a bad dinner. Didn't really need an avocado and salad.

Someone said they enjoyed my "ramblings" and thought they were amusing. So glad someone likes them. Some days things ramble on upstairs more than at other times, but at least today nothing has rambled by to upset me or make me sad. Everyone should have a day as good as this one has been for me. Good dogs, good food, good weather, and politics that can't be misunderstood.

May God give us peace in this land, and may we all turn our hearts to Him. You are loved.