Pardon My Gripiness

 So had to prop a section of plastic siding against the chicken pen door last night in hopes of keeping possums or other assorted critters from attacking my Wyandottes. Jerry left yesterday without finishing ANYTHING and after removing the siding from the side that was partially open. Yes, he did put up some slats for attaching the siding to the walls, but that does not prepare it enough to protect the chicks. Living in hope that he comes today to get this stuff done. Otherwise, will have to call Stephen Smith and see if he and his boys can get this job done. Have ALREADY paid Jerry what he wanted for the work, so that means the job would cost me twice as much--or more depending on what Stephen charges. Hardly ever give Jerry actual money as he always wants supplies for his own work or groceries. That is what he got this time. But he also wants two 20 ft. 2x10s for stairs up to his attic room. We will see if that happens later.

Have been taking sleeping pills for the past several nights in order to actually get to sleep. STAYED asleep until nearly seven this morning, and even the dogs slept without getting me up or waking me. No noise from across the street either. Not much telling where he is. Maybe he has taken to sleeping in one of the rooms at the Econo Lodge where he has been working on their rooms. He said that they had 30 rooms that could not be rented out due to damage of one kind or the other. It's not like they can refuse to rent to drug addicts, maybe, but those folks tear things up trying to mix or cook drugs. The place has already been on fire once from such stupidity. Oh well. This is what society is like now. Maybe not all that different than what it has always been except that we hear about it more now.

Connie Cooke suggested a series on Netflix called Messiah, so finished that last night. It is not Biblical by a long shot, but very telling about the way that churches and most folks look at the Second Coming and the disruption of powers to be expected upon the return of Christ. Have wondered so many times how churches can build these humongous buildings where the utility bills alone would feed all the hungry children in each town and some surrounding areas. And no, not excusing myself for not feeding anyone, but would and have at times. No longer out and about where other people are for the most part, but used to feed and otherwise help students who needed a hand up. Lewis used to donate to the Food Bank each month, but that is no longer an option for me with half the income we had when he was alive. Man! Money really does change things when we do or don't have it! Just blessed to be able to care for what needs to be done. 

Looked across the clean, mowed lots this morning and felt so grateful to have that land under a fence for the hens and dogs--and for the freedom to keep it clean and unoccupied by garbage. Have been SO blessed to be able to do a few extra things to this place. Stephen and his family did a really good job of repairing my house; the vehicles are in good shape; the critters are healthy; and the old woman is about as healthy as one could expect at this age. So many, many blessings to consider. No real reason to be so gripey except that it is a bad habit.

It is difficult to realize that it is already September. The temperature is supposed to be 96 today and 91 tomorrow. Then rain and cooler weather is in the forecast. Kinda like sweater weather to tell the truth. Maybe it will also be a break from the 10.4 pollen counts! Still having problems with sneezes and snorts. Just need an alpaca or two to live with me and snort real loudly! Actually, not sure if my allergies extend to alpacas, but think that they are just beautiful. Llamas not so much. They are moody and have about 300 pounds of attitude if the anecdotes are true. And they need a companion other than a dog. That is true of most animals--and folks, for that matter. We need company to keep us on an even keel.

Have some bricks that need to be cleaned up before replacing them in the sidewalk that Lewis and Lance made and that Hanan Re-laid after the storm blew the cedar tree out of the ground. It is amazing that the tree went down and the roof stayed on the house! God blessed us.

Trying to avoid being a total hypochondriac, but read this morning that vitamin D3 has been helpful to prevent Covid. Connie said that her doctor has had her on mega doses of D3--probably because of whatever kind of cancer she had, but the point is that the vitamin does NO HARM and can help prevent problems. Something to consider. 

Connie mentioned that the fires in California and Colorado have smoke clouds all the way down into Texas. That could be part of the allergy problems everyone seems to be having. Maybe the cooler weather and whatever rain we get will clean up the air a bit. We can pray for cleaner weather and for the fires to be put out in those areas. So hard to have heat in the 100s and fires on top of that! God bless those poor families and all the living creatures who must suffer through this mess. So many times have thought that the tree huggers have no idea that felling at least some of the trees and removing the underbrush through goats or even donkeys could prevent some of these fires. Can you imagine what would happen if the wild horses and donkeys could be moved into those canyons to eat the excess vegetation and remove the basis for those fires? But then, common sense solutions might not include helping other animals survive or thrive.

Rearranged the living room ONE more time. As soon as the AC unit is not needed, will move the couch next to it and have the middle of the room open again. Currently have my desk in front of the book case and stuff stacked there to be handy. Never would have thought about this arrangement, but wanted the TV out away from the doorway. The firestick and the TV need to be on the same plug, so will rearrange that assortment today as well. Have my laptop on the big plug thing--can't remember what it is called. Sad when words are there but just NOT there. Ah well. Multi-plugin thingy!

Have an electric dryer for boots, gloves, and hats that needs to go to someone who actually needs that sort of thing. Will ask Steven and Nikki if they might find a use for it. With three boys and lots of outside work, maybe they can use it. 

Need to rearrange the "pantry" in the hallway. Some things are easy to find, and some things have become "lost" to memory. Time to go through and see if anything needs to be tossed or just put in other places. At least that will be an inside job where the heat won't hurt me. This is the sort of job that reminds me of cleaning closets--if frustrated with life, clean something! At least one thing gets accomplished even if sixteen really need to be done!

May you all enjoy this day--Labor Day--and appreciate your abilities and blessings. You are loved.