Soup Weather

 Sixty degrees and rain makes chicken vegetable soup just perfect. A package of carrots, one sleeve of celery, two small 'tators, a large onion, some chicken bouillon powder, Mrs. Dash, and two cans of chicken meat (white breast) mixed in a big pot with a pitcher of clean water smelled and tasted plum larapin! One of those silly cozy mysteries with a dash of city corruption and a tiny bit of romance makes for easy, no-thought-needed reading, as well. Then there is a box of "On the Farm Barnyard Party" snack mix. Cheese crisps, corn sticks, corn nuts, and honey mustard pretzels make a nice snack instead of real food. Actually, made scrambled eggs with cheese for breakfast, and the dogs helped me eat those. They aren't too particular. And they know how to eat off a fork, believe it or not. They know they have to take turns, so that is pretty funny to watch. Takes all kinds of things to amuse some folks.

Have a "Hidden City" game on my computer that keeps me looking at things other than listening to the reports out of Oregon and California. Those folks can't catch a break for anything. Even the storms are making things worse rather than better because of the high winds. We just have to pray for them. My nephew in Oregon said that he and his friend Stacey are ok so far. Still, so many people are losing everything--including livestock and pets. Here it has not really stopped raining so that flooding can easily be a possibility in the low places. But the rain will stop tonight, and it will be decent tomorrow. 

Lisa Carden said that the blood thinners were working on her mom Sue Ballard, so now the blood clots are not nearly as dangerous. Think Lisa was feeling pretty desperate there for a bit when it did not seem as if they were taking her mom's conditions into consideration. But now the swelling is down times three in her right hand, and the clot in her jugular may dissolve without intervention. Praise God! Know that Lisa will be totally worn out by the time she is able to get her mom back to Lawton.

Posted a picture of my mom on FB today. She was about 20 when it was taken, and she was a real beauty--in my estimation. Found several things while going through my desk drawer trying to find the pink slip to my Mustang--(Jennifer says she has it!! Knew that!) Read through the pages of reminders of Lewis' last days and how things went back then. Hadn't really forgotten any of those days, but am amazed at the attitude that made me think that any of us could ever be different than we were then. Life moves on; so do we.

Got the truck inspected and the "bridge tax" paid. Talking to Mr. Weaver at the place there, and he asked about my Mustang. He said he would probably want it. Of course, he would have taken my truck right that red-hot moment! He has wanted it for three or four years now! But then, the man over at Texoma Fleet Repairs said he was interested, too! Men are funny about trucks.

Maybe if it clears off tomorrow, Stephen can come and finish the backside of the chicken pen for me. It does not have to be perfect, but would like for it to stay relatively dry in there for the chicks. It will be a while before they can be turned loose with the rest of the flock. They are about hawk nuggets at this point. Also have some plants that need to be moved into the pen so that they will go through the winter well. Need a great big container to put the fig bush inside. Wish a big barrel or something would turn up to use. Oh well. Something will turn up.

Today felt like a hot chocolate and buttered toast day, but did not have the chocolate mix or the inclination to make toast. So had chamomile and lavender tea instead. Probably much better for me than chocolate. sigh Not sure what it is about hot chocolate that makes things "better."

Thompson bumped his nose into the table where the treats are normally kept. And then he "talked" to me about it. If the old woman does not get off her duff tomorrow, she is going to have to get out a recipe for dog biscuits--peanut butter and something. One recipe calls for pumpkin, but all that is in the deep freeze is peaches that are frozen--well, duh. Anyway, may try getting some of those out to thaw and make some dog cookies.

Just got off the phone with my daughter. We can laugh over some of the craziest things! Got to tell her about Nikki Smith's boys and their "fart bombs." She understood completely. Once bought grandson Landon "The Book of Farts." His other grandmother is too perfect to buy something crazy like that for her grandson. Not me! Did you know there is such a thing as a "Nancy  Fart"? Probably kinda iffy on the volume. Whatever. It amused me. But then, Landon's gift to me was the book "Lost Wisdom" that included survival techniques and how to regain perspective when lost in the wilderness. Have felt the need of that a few times in Walmart. ahem

Jennifer said that Reece is working 7 to 4:30 each day with Gary with only breaks for online classes. He is one tired puppy by the end of each day. His brother Grayson is working those hours and more toward the end of the month, but all--ALL--of his work in online. Not sure how stressful that would be, but apparently is wears him out. The world of work has changed drastically for some folks. Ditches still have to be dug and wrenches turned, but it takes more education even in those occupations now. Even carpenters need to know more today than they did back in the 50s--and certainly more than what was known about building before those years. The house Lewis grew up in was made after WWII out of materials that are not anything like what they are today. The wood actually measured what it was called: 2x4 was actually two inches by four inches. And the wood was straight and not bowed or full of knot holes. Now they unfasten the metal bands on the stacks of wood and stand back while it springs out and sways up and down! Yep, some things have not changed for the better.

Have opened the gate at least five times today to let Hamburg hens back in the yard. Crazy danged chickens! They come and squawk to be let back in, too. Just looked out the window and one was across the street finding herself some earth worms or whatever. Wild and loose living animals! Need to send these Hamburgs down to Sharon and Jim Dickerson so that their neighbors will have something to gripe about. ahem

Did you ever wish you were a better person than what you think you are? Read something this morning that actually proves that you are: I Tim. 1:5 A gift from God is to have a pure heart and a clean conscience. Enjoy thinking about that.

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