Reading a book called Saints, Strangers, and Rosehip Tea. It gives the background of those Pilgrims who went from England to parts of Holland and why they chose to leave there for America. The "strangers" were those who were not of the Calvinist faith but who attempted the journey to America with the Pilgrims. So far it is an excellent book. It amazes me how much women had to depend on other women just to make it through childbirth and the first few days after a baby was born. But those women were tough cookies! The particular woman in this story knew about how to be a midwife, how to grow medicinal herbs, and how to garden and make her own food stores last. That last thing--making food last--is not an easy task even today. We think, because we have stores close at hand, that we can make food work for us. But truly, in some situations--storms, fires, and civil uprisings--it would not be easy to keep a family fed if we had to depend on just whatever is in the pantry. Not to mention how little most of us are prepared to live without electricity. Can really feel for the people in CA and Colorado and other states who have lost their electricity. And the South now has another hurricane headed their way with tons of rain to dump on them!
Earlier today it seemed to me that my glasses must be fogging up. Everything looked blurry. Guess what! It was truly fog. So it is still foggy, but water is dripping off the house and any corner or eave out there. The hens are very quiet today. Guess the weather change has affected them, too. It is probably the weather that is making my body ache so. Jennifer reminded me to drink! Dehydration can make a person ache, so that is an easy remedy. But this morning my fingers hurt so much that a pair of gloves that have no finger tips were just perfect for my hands. The snugness and the warmth were perfect. Think those were a gift from Michelle Malay. Anyway, they work very well.
Strung the electric cord up from the workshop to the little hen coop so that the heated water bowl and the flat screen heater could be set up in there. Tacked an old tablecloth over the door to the Wyandotte's coop and closed the door. Now all the chicks and hens will have to go in the east door to go to roost tonight. Here's hoping that goes well. So glad that BR got the city hens accustomed to going to roost in her hen house before this weather set in. Also hope she gets the rain they need up there in Paducah. That part of Texas is so pretty, but danged if it is not the driest thing next to a cactus out West! If they got the rain like we have had this year, no telling what they could grow!
Donny Anderson came up and helped me remove the water hose from the back faucet. Thought it would be simple. Well, so much for what thought did. The tool was right, but the strength for using it along with the knowledge of the exact place to put it was missing. So, Donny did it. SO thankful to have him and Patty as neighbors.
Speaking of neighbors, Jerry made it home just long enough to pick up a few things and get the groceries his mom bought for him. Someone brought him and took him wherever. Not my concern. At least he is probably somewhere warm, and he has food. That is more than some folks have.
Michelle Malay said she is about ready for this year to be over. Didn't say anything, but somehow an indeterminate person or persons have determined that 2022 will probably be about as close as we are going to get back to normal. That just boggles my mind. Of course, it does not take much to boggle some minds. For instance, the old woman took the extension cord and placed it in the coop, put the plugs for the water bowl and and heater into the thing that plugs into the extension cord---and FORGOT to plug the extension cord into the multiplug adapter thingy. Can't remember it's name. Duh. Good reason the heater was not getting warm, wouldn't you say. Keep reminding myself that getting older and forgetful beats the alternative!
It felt like a good day to stay in bed this morning, but am sitting here betting it will be more like that tomorrow if it actually gets colder. It is supposed to get down to 38 tonight with a high of 41 tomorrow. Kinda cool, but not totally bad. The wind is the difference in cold and down right disgustingly miserable. We will see what the rest of the week will be like. By next week we may be sweating to the oldies again--oldies, not coldies. Life in Texas is never dull.
Let us remember to pray for this nation, our president and those who determine much of the way our lives are played out. May God bless us and forgive us.
May you all rest well and awake with joy. You are loved.
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