Sunshine Naps!

 AH! The dogs let me join them on the couch today facing the sunshine from the living room window. Such a lovely nap we took! It was almost hot, but not quite. Felt wonderful! The only problem was the wake up lick to my face. Maybe snoring was involved? Whatever. Thompson got me right in the kisser!

Went to the Feed and Garden Store today and got scratch, lay mash, sunflower seeds and kernels, and dog biscuits. Yes, the animals around this place are thoroughly catered to by their servant. ahem But the hens DO lay some wonderful eggs, and the dogs are my protectors and best friends for everyday company. They went with me to the feed store, but they didn't get to go inside. Folks over there wear their masks, and my dogs don't wear anything except collars and a leash. They have several young men over there to load things up, so this time it only took a minute to explain how the bags of feed needed to be placed to make it easier for me to roll them off the tail gate onto the wagon. Those bags are just a bit heavy. But they are all dumped into the bins now and easy to reach for feeding. 

That silly hen who lays on the shelf is still at it. Can't imagine what it will take to get her to do it differently. May just have to nail a small board along the edge to keep the egg from rolling off either side and put a bit of hay in the area. That might just do it. Now why did that idea not occur to me earlier? Gotta think like a hen, ya know.

The FedUp man came in his Budget truck today to deliver dog food from Chewy. The delivery is free, so will probably start using them instead of TSC from now on. It is so nice to have it delivered to the front porch instead of having to go get it. Now we will see if the dogs like this canned food better or as well as the 4-Health kind.

Connie came over this afternoon before her chiropractor appointment. She had a box of stuff that Rebekah left behind that included some coffee pods that will work in my Mr. Coffee pot. She also had some pouches of tuna in oil. Anyway, Connie told me what they put in their tuna casserole--their own private comfort food. It sounded a lot like mac and cheese with tuna stirred in since it called for cream of celery soup, 1 1/2 half cups of cheddar or Mexican cheese, macaroni, milk, and seasonings. TRYING to cut back on carbs here, but it does sound good. But have only THREE butter rolls left that Jennifer brought to me. No more dressing mix is in the fridge. Only a little cranberry sauce is still waiting to be consumed. And now have chicken salad to eat for the rest of the week. One of these days someone is going to sprout wings around here--besides the hens.

Got an email from my doctor today saying that they are moving her office to Kell West for their very own building. SO glad. Hated to try to park where they are right now. They have so many folks in the building right next to them that it always feels as if the parking lot is full even when it has a couple of spots on the ends. And getting out means backing onto a busy road. Oh well. It will be a little farther out to drive, but at least they will have a better office area.

Just had to step outside and let a Black Maran back inside the gate. My first feeling about it was, "OH no! Not escape artists again!" But she tried to get back through the little gate on the front so that means it was where she got out. Sure enough, it was not pulled up good. Eventually will have to ask Donny to put it up there right. Jerry never would do it. And to tell the truth, not sure that this ol' girl knows exactly how to do it. Know what Jennifer would say: Google that shtuff, Mom!

Speaking of Googling something: this morning had the parts out to the little tool that Jennifer bought for me and thought a part was not there cause two of the parts were not going together. Well, duh, take one off the end and the other one fits just perfectly! Honestly! Some days it just pays to wake up on the other side of the bed or something. Finally got the chicken salad made, and the consistency was just right using that nice chopping bowl and cutter. Even got the right amount of salad dressing and pickles in there! Might have been better with celery, but when without, do something else. Right?

Finished the dumb book and started another one. Still have some decent books sitting there on the TV table that are not Kindle books. Have to have light for those, but today would have been a good day for reading in the sunshine. Hope tomorrow is going to be as pretty as it is forecast to be--lower 60s. If the wind does not blow us away, it should be a great day. 

Do you know that staying off of FB is good for a person's attitude? Have only read a very few posts and did not even look at anything in the news except for a little Jerusalem Post on AOL. Even that was about the new vaccines. It helps to find something happy to read or watch to keep from getting down. Noticed that Mariellen Rose said she is doing her best not to sit on her pity pot. She had to stay at home when they took her husband to the hospital with a heart attack. And he died. So, she is alone except for those who can love her from a distance and send her virtual hugs. We need to remember those who are trying to live this life alone now. It is just doggoned hard--whether you are a man or a woman. Alone is just alone. Let's remember to pray for those who have to be separated because of the hospitals and such. It is no time to be ill, for sure. May God bless those who are facing illnesses alone especially.

Rest well and find time to remember others in your prayers. You are loved.

Dripping Faucets.

 Each winter Jan used to call me during bad weather to remind me to let my faucets drip, so this time a written note is sitting on my desk to remind me since she is no longer here to call. It is supposed to be 28 degrees tonight. Such fun. Leaving the cabinet doors open is no big deal, but adjusting the faucets to drip from both the hot and cold sides is a little more demanding of attention. Can't imagine how my grandparents did this out on the farm. They did not have a hot line out to the stock tank for the sheep, and Granddad had to chop ice with an axe or hatchet out on the big tank. The hole had to be big enough not to ice back over in case a cow went through the ice and then couldn't get back out. That is hard work, dear hearts. My hens have a heated water bowl that got filled up this afternoon. And they have a heater that will keep the metal hen house warmer than the other two coops. Probably should go out and pick up the other hens and put them inside the metal coop, but maybe they will be ok for now. The temperature is supposed to get back up to 53 tomorrow and then 61 on Tuesday. Wednesday is not going to be nice at all at 46. Deep sigh. Can't always have great weather, huh.

The hens have called a halt to egg laying for the most part. In two days they have laid a dozen eggs, so Connie will get a dozen eggs tomorrow afternoon when she comes by. Maybe by then the hens will have laid a few more. Can't really say it doesn't make sense because it is cloudy, no sunshine, and no real happy chickens. Each year it gets this way. Not sure if it is lack of sunshine or the temperatures. Oh well. It's not like many eggs are used around here. Mostly give them away to my doctor or friends of the family.

Just doing some reading today in my Kindle. The book is almost finished, and it is just as well. Some books sound as if they might be interesting and then turn out to be pretty much garbage. Can't imagine what makes me want to finish whatever book is started. Dumb and dumber?

Have not listened to ANY news or even read much, if anything, on FB. Just not in the mood for shtuff. Have played with my dogs, and that's about the extent of my day. Reading and playing with the dogs can only use up so much energy, so the fatigue is probably from thinking about what to plant where next year. That is always a fun activity. Now if only the spade fork were as active as my imagination!!

Tomorrow is Monday, the last day of November. Not to wish our lives away or anything, but is anyone else ready for this stupid year to change for the better? Can't really plan on anything. Not a whole lot to look forward to unless it is a change in the weather. Guess house cleaning might be a very good activity to plan for a week or so--one room at a time or something along those lines. Oh well. Still have some books that Michelle Malay brought over. Will just have to open another one and live another life in someone else's imagination. The weather at least should not be that much of a bother that way--or not.

Boredom is undoubtedly one's own fault. Will try not to pass it on to you all tomorrow. For tonight, may you all sleep well and appreciate what God has given us. You are loved.

Children.

 Something there is that just makes the heart swell with love and all kinds of happiness when the children come home for even a short visit. Today Jennifer brought Reece and Rachel up to visit for a couple of hours. And yes, she saw plenty of deer between her house and mine. Some dead, some in the middle of crashing into other vehicles, and maybe some others distant to the highway. Not sure. She was telling that one guy was having to turn around to put one out of its misery. Sad, but such is life on the Texas highways. At least she and the grands got here safely.

We did not celebrate Christmas when our children were little--or after, for that matter. But we used to give the kids something at Thanksgiving. For this year it was just eggs and some flower bulbs, and a hood for Reece from his Uncle Hanan. Know Hanan would have loved to have Reece use it. But still got to hear the story of how Gary caught his britches leg on fire while welding. Jennifer thinks that if it can be dangerous, Gary will do it. At least he tries and eventually learns how to do it. Not all of us are that brave. Certainly not me!

Rachel tried to tell me how to wear this new scarf she brought to me. It is so neat, but it is going to take some practice to get it right. Face warmer, head scarf, balaclava, mask, and bandana are some of the suggestions. It reminds me of these Polynesian girls who can take a square of cloth and turn it into sixteen different kinds of dresses. Of course, they are about as big around as a fence post, too! Anyway, it should be fun to learn how to use this thing. My funny daughter-in-law has a sense of humor. She sent me a recipe book called "Fifty Shades of Chicken." Yes, it will be used while laughing. And the medieval knife Lance sent me may even be used on the chickens before they are cooked. This sucker is some kind of sharp! Think it was made in the Czech Republic with some very hard steel or something. Betting it will outlast my last knife cause it won't be stuck in my jeans pocket! Oh, one more thing came to me with a date on it when it can be eaten--smoked gouda! Lance is SO good at doing that stuff. Will have to get some wheat thins or something like that to really enjoy it. And maybe a bottle of wine? Or not. Grayson likes antiques, so he found a sign that says Beware of the Chickens. That is going to be attached to the front door post. Not that these hens would attack, ya know, but pick up a spade fork or shovel and they will chase you all over the back yard! Worms, ya know.

Not sure why exactly that my house causes some folks problems, but Reece had to have an allergy pill after messing with my dogs. Then Jenn got a headache, so heated up the corn sack that Cindy Jones made for my neck. It did the trick. Jenn said she would have to get some corn and make one for her. Bet she won't find that pretty material with the zodiac stars on it!

Noticed that Brandy Stevenson has a horse whose ears were either mite infested or yeast infested. It reminded me that I have some stuff called Coat Defense that would work on Thompson's butt. Got him sprinkled down pretty good. This is talc-free, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial that works on skin folds, hives, rashes, and bites. Guess it is a good thing her post gave me a reminder. Not sure if forgetfulness is part of aging, or just has always been there in the background. sigh

Finally went down and got the mail on the way back from the pharmacy this afternoon. Got a sweet Thanksgiving card from Michelle and Joe Malay. Hope their family is still doing ok. Mother Malay is in her nineties. Not sure if she is still with them in their home right now or not. If not, then Tim has taken her back to New York state. Cold up yonder! Had only one prescription at Walgreens. Wishing it were that simple to get all my meds, but finally figured out how to send off for the main prescription to Canada. It is ridiculous that we have to buy things from out of the states just in order to afford our meds. But in a few weeks, those pills will be in the mail box. They are pretty dependable despite the covid mess. 

Have a couple of turnip plants out front that may get harvested this next week. Even a little bit of turnip greens can be pretty tasty this time of year. Of course, cornbread makes it even better. It is just hard to make a small pan of cornbread. Guess some of it could be frozen and used later. Hmm. Still have some of the dressing mixed up here, but it is not anything like that which Nikki Smith and Cindy Jones made. Oh my! That stuff was so yummy! 

Well, despite the fact that her team got skunked, Sarah Fuller just played for collegiate football. It is not exactly science, engineering, or technology, but it does show that women can do much of what men do. Not sure that it seems right for transgender boys to compete against girls as they are built differently, but a woman kicking a ball does not really bother me. Oh well, it's not like anyone really cares what an old woman likes or not.

Glancing over at this "Fifty Shades of Chicken" makes me want to cook! Oh dear! Will have to order some chicken or go to Sam's and get a couple of whole chickens to cook. Even have a roaster purchased last year for that purpose and only used once! A turkey would probably be too large, and they are seldom fresh, only frozen. Oh well. Tomorrow is another day. Only two more days in this month makes it feel as if 2020 is almost over. Deep sigh. Jennifer said that one of the towns south of them had closed down their entire school system. It just almost feels as if we are living in the Middle Ages. Plagues, pestilence, terrorism. And instability in our nation. Guess this is a very good time to remember that we are to pray for one another daily. Snuggle your dogs, cats, and favorite critters. Hug the children, love the spouse, and let others know you care and love them. Our lives are made for love. Practice love today.

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

Stuffed!

 Oh dear! When food is sitting there tempting a person, it is so difficult to ignore it, so guess who ate more than was necessary today. This afternoon that indulgence included a piece of coconut pie! Oh my! Haven't had coconut pie that good in ages! Now breakfast was gravy over REALLY good stuffing from Nikki Smith's kitchen. Unsure whether she or Cindy made the dressing/stuffing, but it was excellent. And then there was some homegrown turkey, some ham, some backstrap (deer?) that was exceptionally tender. No, not all of it is gone already. Honestly believe that was enough food for three people, but certainly appreciated the big platter of food. A gift like that makes it easy to understand why Thanksgiving is necessary--in order to give thanks.

Jerry came over today to ask if he could store some tools and mowers in my locked workshop. Apparently someone had come back twice to steal chain saws, generators, and assorted tools. He thinks what he put over here will be safer with my dogs and locks. He did leave three or four partially rebuilt or semi-built scooters out back. Had him leave them in plain sight from my kitchen window. Hoping no one is stupid enough to get out in the back yard. If the dogs bark, it is a pretty good idea to let them out, so anyone chewed on gets what they deserve. While he was here, Jerry tacked up a piece of plastic on the chicken house door. So, naturally, the hens would not go inside through that door and had to be persuaded tonight. They finally went, but it was after the shuffling and commenting on their hen house ways. Have the heater and lights on in the little metal shed for the other hens. We shall see what kind of effect that has on them. They are just little Christmas lights, so it is not like bright sunlight. But they went inside despite the fact that some things had been changed around--again. They are probably the most tolerant hens around. Raising eyebrows here.

Had really strange dreams all night last night and even woke up having a panic attack. Not sure just what caused that, but then had another episode this morning around ten, so called Connie to have her check on me this afternoon. Have taken a xanax and a nap, so may not sleep tonight, but at least am feeling better. Have no idea what exactly triggers a panic attack, but it is most miserable at the time. Sometimes just thinking about the problems that other people are having can cause problems for the rest of us. Yet it is not like we don't care. No matter how much we pray and trust that God will handle the problems in this life, we expend quite a bit of thought and energy caring about others. Maybe that is part of what we are supposed to do. Not sure.

Read an article about a scientist from Venezuela who invented a vaccine to prevent leprosy. He was nearly 100 when he was still working on a vaccine for cancer. Can you imagine what kind of mind and determination he must have had? For some of us, it takes determination just to clean house or take care of a family, Maybe he had a wife or a housekeeper. Such dedication would certainly excuse the lack of daily work on other things, one supposes. Yet sometimes my world is only acceptable if the dishes are done, the bed made, and the laundry done, folded, and put away. Big deal, huh. Seriously doubt my life was intended to affect those with such deadly diseases as leprosy or cancer. My job in those cases is to pray for those affected.

Today when speaking with Connie after our first visit on the phone, she assured me that she always prays for my safety and well being. It made me think of her mother so much. My children always said that Janis had a direct line to God. The thing of it is: We ALL do have that line to Him. We pray for travel mercies, for the hands of the doctors who have to help us, for those who take care of us. Our families, friends, those we "know" from FB or otherwise, and our nation--it is our job to pray for them, is it not? No tiny amount of money that might pass through my hands will ever feed the poor, but sometimes a donation to a Faith Mission store may bring in the amount of money that is needed to help the abused women and children at the Refuge. Wherever we can help and in whatever manner, if only an encouraging word, those things we are to do. It is our job.

May God give us rest and allow us to awake with joy. You are loved.

Prayers for Intercession.

 While many Americans spent at least part of this day indulging in cranberry sauce and assorted meats, some were in hospital trying to breathe. Let us remember those who are ill with covid or any of the multitude of illnesses of this age. And then let us remember those who had no food today. We have, for the most part, been so very blessed with friends and family who do their best to show their love. But not all are so blessed. Sharon Dickerson asks that we pray for her niece whose cancer has returned. Lisa Carden asks for prayers for the great-granddaughter of our friends in Lawton. The child has covid, and 30% of the school have tested positive, so now the school has shut down. Our prayers never go to waste. God does hear us.

It's been relatively quiet here on Dickerson Hill. The kid on Lake View is still setting off fireworks. And they are putting up a Santa on their front door step. To each his own. My dogs and hens are happy enough, so that is all that matters at the moment. Oh! And a lovely meal was brought by my sister-by-another mother, Cindy Jones. So, eating cheese and crackers, some jello-marshmallow salad, some sparkling cranberry juice, and smelling the rest that will be sampled tomorrow--that just makes my day! Such a sweet, sweet lady! And her family! God has doubly blessed me with the friends given to me.

Just put a blanket in the dryer and will start the last load of laundry for the day in a few minutes. Put off taking a shower so my favorite pants could be clean for tomorrow or Saturday. Whichever. Have two pair of cranberry colored jeans and one green pair. The green are more comfortable for some reason. Not sure why since they are the same size as all the rest, but it is nice to have a pair that will always fit right from the get go. The pockets are never deep enough on women's pants. Why is that? My phone falls out of the pocket of these jeans, so the only jeans that are safe for my phone are the ones from Duluth clothing company. It figures. They are more expensive and cut quite a bit differently.

Did a little rearranging in the hen house this morning. That silly hen still refuses to lay in the bin and lays her egg on the top shelf instead. Thought putting a nest up there would help. Nope. Stubborn biddy! Thinking maybe a lid of some sort with a bit of hay on it. Rather not have splattered egg all over the hen house. Ah, the trials of a hen's mother! [Joking.]

The weather is about to change to cold again. Cindy said her knees are aching. Knees and other joints, in case you are unaware, are semi-barometers. Granddad Pollard's back would always hurt in weather changes. He and the cattle both knew when the weather was about to change. But he did not crowd up with fellows along a fence line with his butt to the north wind. He always said you could tell which way the front was coming by the way the cattle bunched. My hens just hide under the deck or in the coop. No fence flying for them. But here is hoping that BillyeRuth has no trouble with her hens out there in Paducah when it gets cold again. The wind out there just takes the soil with it for the grit they chew on!

Don't really know anything tonight. Yet my body says it is tired. Know these two dogs must have had too much bone chewing as they both seem to have gas. Oh my! While Cindy was visiting this evening, we had to open a door and turn the fan on! Whew! Thompson sat down on his backside and made a whistle sound. That dog! But at least it was funny!

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

Thanksgiving.

 For many families, this is a first. My friend Cindy said that they have six or seven friends coming over tomorrow for Thanksgiving rather than for those folks to be alone. Can't imagine cooking for half a dozen, much less a dozen or more, but that is what Nikki and Cindy will be doing. Cindy said that Nikki killed three of their turkeys and Cindy plucked them. Haven't done that in a coon's age. Turkeys are truly huge and cumbersome to dress, trust me. It is a major job. Have only done a turkey once. Chickens, many times. Still, beats trying to dress a pig! Have only SEEN that done and did not really participate. And the stuff they took out of that pig as food was a bit much for me. In fact, the very idea of "mince" pies just makes me feel ill. They included hog's head meat. Oh well. Who thought a mince pie was just assorted chopped up fruits? Waving my hand here.

Talked to Lance's oldest child. He had made a nutter butter crust with some kind of peanut whiskey creme filling. It sounded a bit nutty to me, but that kid will try anything once. He said that they also found a very small turkey for their family. Smart move. No leftovers! Now he has the pecan pie to make. There is still one here in the freezer from Nuts.com that came last week. Enough pecan pie for the time being. But thinking that a box of stuffing and the leftover chicken breast prepared today will be just what is needed for brunch tomorrow. Will miss the celery sticks that Lewis used to stuff. That was one of his favorite foods, and he always did the honors on that task. A couple of cans of cranberry sauce will last the rest of the year, no doubt.

The dogs had their cooked bones yesterday evening. Think Thompson buried a few out in the back yard. He keeps coming in with a bone. Currently he wants to hide under my desk. The kid down on Lake View has fireworks and keeps setting them off. Have walked the fence line again today to see what else is in the pasture. The little twit throws things at my dogs. Have gathered up a dozen golf balls, a light bulb, and a shoe. Hung the shoe back on the fence so his grandmother would notice it. It would do absolutely no good to throw the balls back. Oh well. As long as he does not hurt my dogs. sigh

Felt so thankful for Connie Cooke today. She told me she was going to "play Jan." She reminded me that just collecting the money and handing over the keys and ownership slip does not get the car out of my name. SO, the lady has to have insurance before she can even go down to the court house to get it changed over to her. It reminded me that Daddy had trouble with a car that my uncle sold several times. The highway patrol told him it was still in his name, so it was his responsibility. Don't want to have that happen. Don't know this woman from Agnes Light, so will do it by the book. And who knows if she will actually come up with the entire amount.

Sat out on the lawn swing this afternoon and played with my hens. They are so funny. They really seem to like to eat out of my hand rather than off the ground. But their favorite thing to do is scratch the clods when they are turned over by my spade fork. Thompson thought they needed his help, as well. Guess we will enjoy this pretty weather while it lasts. The temperature Sunday night is supposed to be freezing with not anything warmer in the forecast for a week. Such is weather in Texas. And it really is weather and not just teasing us. sigh

Found a site on FB that was all funnies about chickens and how we relate. Posted a few of the funnier ones. Some people have this thing about dogs and cats. You know, if you ever knew me as a young person, that horses were my "thing." Still love horses, but can't exactly afford a horse, its feed, the hay, the trucking, and the vet. Chickens are affordable and hardly ever hurt a toe when they step on one. Yes, they will peck you in the face, but one has to have common sense. 

My computer reminds me when some folks have birthdays. It always seemed kinda rough to have to share a holiday and birthday, too. My friends John Van Natta and Don Dobbins both had Christmas type birthdays. But, at least they were born and made a difference in my life. What more could a person ask for? No matter when we are born, making a difference in someone's life could be why we were born in the first place. Our children, grandchildren, and all the rest are influenced in some way or another by our lives and what we do and say around them. And the same is sometimes true about our friends--they influence us, and we influence them. God just blessed us that way.

Was going to send a text message wishing my nephew Danny Pollard and his wife Rachelle a happy Thanksgiving. Whoever got the message said thank you, and then asked, "Who is this?" Apparently the number in my phone is wrong. Oh well. At least the person was very pleasant about my mistake. Such is the humor in life.

Saving up eggs to send home with my kids when we can get together eventually. My happy surprise for them this year is something really weird: light bulbs. These are bulbs that include an internal battery that charges and works when the electricity is out. The bulb can also be removed from the ceiling and be attached to a clip that turns the bulb off and on. Kinda neat. Can't imagine carrying one of these light bulbs out to see my hens, but the clip would allow the bulb to hang there for a good long while.

Tomorrow looks forward to one little handy job out in the hen house. Have a loose place that needs to be covered so the hens won't get cold. Have a heater out there, but the hens in the other two coops won't go inside the big house. May have to force them to do so. We will see. They are not going to be happy being kept up inside during cold weather, but such will be the case if it gets too bad. Maybe we won't have freezing rain like last time.

May you all have a wonderful night's rest and awake with joy. Let us thank our Creator for the many blessings. You are loved.

Does Faith Take Courage?

 Watching some more episodes of The Crown today and wondered about the one featuring Prince Philip and his problems with faith. Most of us are brought up in one church or another and taught the precepts of that particular church. My sweet parents were Baptists and took us to church every time the doors were open. In fact, Mom told me about the bell in the church steeple ringing the day that she and Dad got married. It was the last time it rang until my brother was up in the steeple taking it down when they rebuilt the church. Funny things happen like that in real life. It was not a matter of faith, just coincidence. Sometimes our faith works about like that. We listen to one way of thought long enough until it becomes a part of our thought processes. But listening is not coincidental; it is a matter of thought if it becomes faith. But how do we know that faith has a good foundation? For as long as my parents were able, they prayed--for their family, for their nation, for safety. They even named their last car Old Hope So. For they never knew if they would get where they intended; they prayed and hoped so. They had the courage to start out, at least. It takes a certain kind of courage to go out into the world right now. Maybe more so than ever before. Or not. Look at the pioneers. Thinking about my great grandparents taking a baby in a wagon from Indian Territory to go back across the Red River to Montague County. That took some guts! Or my great-great grandmother who rode from Traskwood, Arkansas during the Civil War to San Antonio, Texas to get to her husband to nurse him back to health. She had to have the faith that she could make that trip, but it took courage. Sitting here wondering what kind of courage resides within me. It takes more than sermons heard from a pew to believe that God will watch over us. It takes seeing courage in action, remembering that each generation has stepped out onto that shaky platform of faith just to be able to walk forward with no sure knowledge of the path before us. Yep, my feeling is that faith takes courage.

May you each find courage in life for the faith we need. You are loved.

Ten Little Indians.

 My brother called this morning and was talking about how many children he seemed to have found calling him Paw Paw or whatever other name they might use. He has twelve grandchildren and currently four great-grands with another one or two on the way. He has some difficulty keeping up these days. One got married in order to join her husband on a ranch up north and then came home to have a big wedding later. Won't tell you what he said about his feelings about big weddings. Understand that some folks could buy a car or even a big ol' boat for the amount of money invested in a big shindig like that. No biggie to me. Lewis never complained about the ceremony in my parents' house. And we were the only ones who mattered that day. Grandmother Pollard made a cake. Daddy painted the living room a week before the date. Mom had the house smelling and looking great. Brother Manley came down the block from his house up the road and signed the paper at the end of things. Anyway, the marriage lasted for nearly 44 years, so we did something right. Sterling was pretty disgusted because he says that these kids today don't even bother to get married. That may or may not be a good thing, but seems to me that if a person vows to make a commitment, that vow should be taken before man as well as God. But whatever makes the world go 'round does not depend on the opinion of some little ol' lady or a guy like my brother.

Have watched several episodes of "The Crown" lately. The monarchy is just symbolic in this day and age, but it still has its place. That family certainly has had its problems. But at least they had their problems while being well fed, well housed, and with the conveniences many will never know. Yep, they have all the same problems with which some of these athletes and "stars" consider themselves afflicted. Looking at some guy who makes millions of dollars to hit a baseball or throw a football, some woman who performs on stage, or some actor who is in the movies, and all of them have the same problems of trying to find happiness. And then there is the guy who works in a park and designs pathways and waterways and moves stones for steps and just makes the kind of gentle beauty that soothes so many, but he doesn't make the kind of money that would allow him to travel or eat out all the time. But what do you want to bet that the man who makes trails through the park is happier than the football player. Much rather go walk through that park than go to a football game.

A lady and her husband came from Electra today to pick up the Eve's Necklace trees. The water put on them earlier still was not enough to make them easily come up, but the roots on those things go straight down! Her husband had to use the shovel after the spade fork had not done the job. Anyway, she got three trees along with a bluebonnet plant, some mint, and a petunia for her flowerbed. Here's hoping the trees live for her. 

Got a catalogue from "Johnny's Selected Seeds" that has all kinds of different flowers and veggie seeds. It's the kind of thing that just makes a person sit there and drool over the flowers and whatever. But they are also very expensive. A little envelope of seed is $4.50 plus a minimum of $4 handling. But they did have some clover and stuff for planting in the open fields. However, the clover grows over a foot tall. Won't work for here. Walked down in the east lot to look for any sign of the clover planted earlier this year. Tiny little pieces that MIGHT be clover were up in some places. But who knows if that is the stuff that grows only three inches or if it is some interesting weed. sigh Too expensive to do that stuff again. Micro clover. ARGH! Maybe planting field peas would be better? Beets? Dill?

Fed the dogs a can of canned dog food today, and they STILL asked for treats. Think Sylvia is gaining weight, too. They still run quite a bit each day, but maybe they need more exercise. Well! Who doesn't? This ol' woman could probably do with more. Although, the sciatica seems to be letting up considerably, so maybe the gabapentin is working or something. Trying to avoid too much sugar might be helping, too. Stir-fry veggies and salmon today didn't really need any sauce, but think next time it is going to have butter on it. Salmon has its own particular flavor anyway. It's not beef, but it's filling.

A lady came over just a bit ago wanting to buy my Mustang, so had to call Jennifer and have her send me the paper on it to sign over. Anyway, during our conversation Jenn told me to unwrap the faucet on the back so my shoulders would stop hurting from carrying water to the hens. "Work smarter, not harder" was her comment. Anyway, that is tomorrow. She also needs Hanan's welding hood and some eggs, so maybe we will meet somewhere this weekend so that can be done. Reece is working on some kind of heat table that makes him look as if he has been sunburned, and then he is learning to weld. Never a dull moment.

Kinda tired right now. God gives us common sense if we have learned anything at all from experience, so maybe the lessons just need to be considered more closely. Jenn seems to always know what is bothering me before it dawns on me. Proud of that girl. She is definitely a keeper!

May your rest tonight be deep and healthy for you. You are loved.

In the Years They Were Born.

 Dates of birth, death, or marriage sometimes make us sit up and notice--or not. For instance, about 57 years ago today, President Kennedy was assassinated. My mother was 35 the day after that. Daddy was 37 the following day--their birthdays the 23 and 24th of November. Thinking about Thanksgiving always makes me think of their birthdays. Mom would be 92 tomorrow if she had lived, Dad 94 after that. And then my brother called and asked me how to make Mom's stove top dressing. It was never dry or tasteless. But some of us just use the kind that comes in a box now. Too much trouble to make it from scratch with lots of turkey juice with celery, onion, sage, day old cornbread and day old biscuits, salt and pepper. Ah well. Times change and life goes on.

AnnaBeth Graf called this evening and told me about a cooking show she has been watching about Cooking with someone named Betty Gantt. Or someone like that. Don't ask me to remember names. Anyway, the one thing she said that bothered me was the condition of her eyes so that she is unable to read any longer. She has cataracts. Told her that Roger Thonton has said that laser surgery is a snap and makes it easy to read right away. She had been thinking of coming back to Texas to see Dr. White for the traditional cataract surgery. Personally, if it has to be done again for my other eye, we will try the laser stuff this time. Also, interestingly enough, my daughter said that she is now wearing bifocals! And she told me the reason that driving at night is so scary to me is that my eyes need JUST the long vision area of a pair of glasses at night instead of the three lens adaptations. Go figure! That was encouraging. Here she is at 46 telling her old mother how to be able to drive at night!! We are never too old to learn, eh?

It is a bit cool here today, but not unreasonably so. No gale force winds, at least. But cuddling up in my serape coat that Cindy made for me has been lovely. Had a cup of tea earlier and should not have done so. Sardines in tomato sauce with crackers and a cup of tea. No, not really a good decision. Oh well. And then there is only one more serving of mayocoba beans left in the fridge. Might put some bacon in the last bowl. Or not. The picante sauce has been pretty good.

A lady is supposed to come get the Eve's Necklace trees tomorrow and am wondering if she will make it here from the Vernon area. Will be here so she can come if she wants to. Not any plans to go anywhere. But the ground should probably have been soaked with some buckets of water and have not done that. Maybe they will come out of the ground without too much trouble. Hoping.

Putting down a rug under the dog water container  has NOT improved the condition around the bowl part. The dogs are just messy. But they are also quite funny. Currently Sylvia is playing hide and go seek under the blanket put on Thompson earlier. Not sure what she thought she would find under there, but she had it flipped up in the air over her shoulder! Crazy dog!

Finished reading "Just One Evil Act" by Elizabeth George. Now will have to find another book by her. Think Sue Dickerson mentioned one yesterday. Will have to go back and check and see if it can be obtained on Kindle. Reading without the back lighting is not as easy--especially in smaller font. Anyway, this book reminded me of how badly lying hurts others. Well, in this particular situation, it was a combination of infidelity and lying, avoiding the truth and lying, trying to protect someone with lying, and stupidity and lying. Sad, just sad. Lies never grow anything good. They are like khaki weeds--blowing and sticking and hurting wherever they land.

Connie said that Rebekah left after lunch today on her way back to Maryland. It amazes me that it takes so little time to get from Texas to back East on the freeways. Of course, some people drive like bats out of a cave, too. Don't think Rebekah drives that way, but know a few people who do so. Anyway, thought that Connie might be a little blue, but she said that it felt good to be in her new place and just resting on her laurels! Hope she continues to enjoy her new home.

Had to laugh about what Beth said that is always in my blog: chickens! Well, yes, and dogs and plants, and chickens, and eggs. And fences. And weeds. Let's face it; some of us are just boring as jello. But some of us are just happy to BE jello! So there.

Put a nest box up on the top shelf for the hen that has been laying eggs up there. Found three eggs and boiled them and fed them to the dogs and hens. They were good eggs, but had no way of being sure that they would be, so fed back to the critters is safest. Had one hen to lay in the middle house today, too. Now if they would all start doing that, it would make things much easier. sigh Have to learn to think like a hen maybe?

Woke up a bit early this morning and now my tail feathers are dragging just a bit. May look up a book by Ms. George and then watch The Crown before putting the body down for the night. Then maybe my ditzy little mind will be quiet and let me rest for six to eight hours! Sometimes it just keeps right on ticking along--and it is not even a Timex.

May you all enjoy your rest and know the peace that God has given us. You are loved.

Family Visit!

 REALLY enjoyed spending the day with Sharon Dickerson. Honestly, if we were younger and there were no Covid to get in the way, we could get into all kinds of mischief! We have so much in common and like so many of the same things. Jim dropped her off while he went to spend some time with his brother David and sister Paula and her husband. When he got back this afternoon, my dogs had to take a full investigation of David and Teri's dogs--sniffing up one pant leg and down the other. Just had to read the family newspaper, ya know.

Sharon has as many problems with her allergies as most of us, but hers are nasal allergies more than any other kind. My eyes have burned for the entire day. Thought at first it was just too much reading, but have not read anything all day. Oh well. This, too, shall pass. Or not. Had two days of sneezing, so it stands to reason that a couple of days of eye burning would be next. We went to Whataburger to get a number 12 for lunch. It is a chicken taco thing. Very good. We did not get the fries to go with it, just the taco part. Lots of chicken on there. And no, that has nothing to do with allergies--just my random thought patterns.

Sharon brought me several bags to use for whatever. And calendars. And note stuff. And assorted goodies including a few tea bags of ginger, chai, and elderberry tea. Just good stuff. Told her it reminded me of Grandmother Pollard's grab bags. She spent some time each month putting stuff in a trash bag: things she could not or would not eat (including those big boxes of government cheese), little things the kids would like, and usually something that was funny--a Cowpokes calendar or something like that. My kids remember those bags and think it is great to get one even today. Will have to make one for the next trip one of them makes up here. Always send eggs, of course. Sharon said her son David likes the eggs from my hens. But of course!

Sylvia found a stinging scorpion next to my bed for me. She pointed it out and shortly thereafter, it was one thoroughly dead scorpion. It was already sick since it had to have come from under the baseboards where poison has been sprayed multiple times. Still, it was nice to have her point it out to me. It reminded me of the time that AnnaBeth the cat did the next best thing to a bird dog pointing out a scorpion. She jumped up and went over to it and stood there with her nose pointed at it. Dang! It was a big one, too. Good cat!

Think Rebekah is leaving in the morning for Maryland. And my niece and her family are headed for Denver to live and work. Sister-in-law said that Nanden and Snoop are two very sad boys. Snoop loves the boys, but especially Nanden, and Nanden loves Snoop like a brother--maybe even better. Anyway, certainly hope that they have a safe trip and can find a place to stay and that work can be what it needs to be for Lesli's husband. Anne said that she is down in her come-along, so she could not come up and visit with us today. Think she might have also been just very sad, too. Understand how that would happen after having them there that long and not getting to see them for quite a while now that they are moving a few states away. Grands just make life worth living after the children are grown. Told Sharon today that the first word we ever understood Grayson to say was "truck." Lewis took him out to play in the truck every time he came up. They had everything in that truck turned on, up, and however it would move! He was such a cutie! Well, still is, but now he wears boots and grows some whiskers.

While Sharon was here she got to see Sylvia catch her treats in the air. She wondered if BOTH dogs had received a treat. She was assured that one does not get a treat without the other getting one. No way would these two go for that! Dogs know. And if you don't think they can't count, just try hiding a piece in your pocket! They count, and they smell EVERYthing.

Just hit something on my keyboard and lost this entire post. Found it under drafts, but it makes me wonder what is on my keyboard that can hide an entire post so easily. Oh well. Not a whole lot to say today anyway except that it was a totally enjoyable day. Going to have to talk to Cindy and see if she wants some of these goodies. Have more than three calendars that are so pretty. Cards, music, planners, etc. Neat stuff. Now to see if someone wants the rosaries and medals. Jim gives money to different folks who are trying to help Indians, veterans, the Navy, etc. Have a calendar for Michelle Malay's family--a big ship thing from the Navy. Then there is one thing that will definitely stay here: a mask with reindeers! Not chickens--reindeers! Anyway, want to share some stuff.

Closing the doors of the hen house and found an egg propped up on the shelf. Apparently Isa or Rhodey must have laid it. Red egg. Think it was Isa. She is meek and won't fuss about a nest. May have to put one up on that shelf just for her. That also means the step ladder will have to be in there so the nest can be checked. sigh

Have no idea what tomorrow may bring, but right now am very happy after a day with Sharon. The dogs enjoyed themselves as well. They like Sharon and Jim--especially Sharon. Jim is just interesting to them because he had so many smells on him. They like Sharon's attitude and her voice. Had to make Sylvia leave her alone. S. wanted in Sharon's lap! She does that at times to me, but it was funny to see her want to love on Sharon.

Pray for the travelers this week and for those exposed to this stupid virus. May you all be blessed with happiness and thankfulness. You are loved.

Mudslides and Madness.

 Had the last of the Kalua mudslide mixture over ice cream last night, so now both ice cream and Kalua are gone. Guess it is time to batten down the hatches and get ready for the third wave of whatever this virus is going to do to us. Jenn said she went to the hair dresser today before they close their doors again. My hair is just now growing out long enough to look semi-feminine, so no worries in that area this time. The pantry is stocked up with real food, not so much junk and stuff. Have rice, beans, and canned fish, so a trip to the store should not be necessary for a while. If the Walmarts continue to have outside pickups, even fresh meat and ice cream should not be a problem. Connie said she was to pick her groceries up today and won't be walking around inside and pushing a buggy. Guess we could all start planting winter veggies out in the flower beds for fresh stuff. Or not. This just seems so strange to have to think and plan about what you will need for a month or so. Can't help but think about the folks who live up in Alaska who have to plan for six months of winter when they can't get ANY groceries at all. And then the prices of what they do buy is on the side of beyond outrageous. Gasoline? Can't get it. Diesel. Fat chance. Fire wood? Got an axe? Up there is like Siberia--well, come to think of it, that is their nearest neighbor.

We are so blessed to have things as easy as we do. Gasoline, at least right now, it reasonable. Electricity is not terrible in price as long as it is available. Natural gas is just wonderful if you have it. Butane or propane is a bit high. But at least it is available. Can think of so much that could be worse. And no one is shooting at us around here. Let's just be thankful for what we have.

Found the third dryer ball today. Thought it was probably folded up in a blanket somewhere, but all this time it has been hiding under the kitchen table. And yes, the mop has been under there a couple of times since the ball went missing. It just somehow missed getting out from under that chair. Oh well. It is in the dryer now. 

Have had the sneezes again today. Not sure what is in the air, but could be the remaining dust that blew through earlier this week. The skim on the chicken water had leaves and something else on it. Not sure what the something else was, but washed out the pan and put in fresh water again. The dogs approved. They have fresh water in their own bowl in the house, but it is better out of the chicken pans. They think they have to put their nose into anything offered to the hens. It might be tasty or something. But no matter what it is, they will chase the hens off to check it out. Silly dogs.

Half way through this mystery and they have found the kidnapped child. Now to figure out who planned it and why. Hmm. This author, Elizabeth George, writes very well, but danged if the Italian phrases make sense to me. Once in a while they are close enough to French or English that it is not too hard to figure out the meaning, but still. One thing about it, her description of the Italian police and their system definitely does not make me want to visit that country! Worse than any bootleg system of policing done in America unless it might be some vigilante force up in the hills. Not particularly wanting to check that one out either.

So far today the dogs have not been demanding any treats. Makes me wonder if they are both ok. This is really unusual. Guess we all have our days when only one thing will do, and then there are days that nothing really matters. Guess this is a "nothing matters" day for them.

Had mayocoba beans with picante sauce today. Pretty filling and tasty. The beans don't have an overpowering taste of their own, so the picante sauce tasted very good in them. Thinking they would be good in some soup with celery and onions. Or maybe chili. They are just pretty tasty.

Have been playing these games online--two different games. One is Sherlock Holmes and the other one is Hidden City. Have not advanced very far in either game--only on level 26 in the Hidden City. It is like those pictures where you find hidden objects. Sometimes the placement makes sense, but most of the time it is hidden in creases or weird places that are just hard as anything to find. Or the colors will be off from what one would expect. A four leaf clover may be white or silver instead of green. The Sherlock Holmes one gives the player the option of looking for the objects or playing a type of match three game with limited moves. Both are usually timed or otherwise have automatic frustration programmed into the game. It is a type of fun, but pretty nerve wracking at the same time. But this type of game is supposed to be good for your brain--supposed to be! Not too sure. 

Read an online article from my insurance company about sciatica. They had an exercise not ever mentioned in most of the things that have come my way. Will try it, but wondered about why they think that more and more walking will be helpful when walking makes me hurt so badly. Hmm.

Got tickled at something my daughter told me this afternoon. She had been seeing this chicken out beside a house near where she drives on the way home. She has seen it often. Today it finally dawned on her that it was a chicken sculpture. Told her the one needed here was a little dinosaur so in case anyone asks--only little dinosaurs live here, not chickens. 

Seems to me that it is getting darker SO much earlier! Here it is not quite 5:30, and no sun is showing out there. At least it is not cold, however. Looks like the entire country is settling in for decent weather this next week. We will see tomorrow if Rebekah will try to make it back to Maryland this weekend. All we can do is pray for her safe travels--just like for everyone else trying to go from one place to another--home or otherwise. Thanksgiving week is going to be busy. 

Let's pray for all those traveling and all those staying at home. May we all be blessed with peace and safety. You are loved.

More Wind!

 Typically the wind blows in Texas enough that Congress in DC has a fairly even task to keep up, despite the fact that they aren't in session most of the time. Texas never misses a "session," it would seem. Oh, days come along when it is just a gentle breeze, and very rarely a day in North Central Texas will be rather quiet and not a breeze blowing. But, rarely! Today is not as bad as the gale force winds we have had recently, but the hens still have managed not to fly from one side of the yard to the other without their own propulsion. And they seem happy enough currently to graze down in the east lots on whatever it is that hens like to eat out there. STILL have not seen any sign of micro clover that was planted. To tell the truth, not sure exactly what clover sprouts are supposed to look like. May have been a total waste of money simply because the old woman had no clue how to get the stuff to come up in the first place. And what kind of weather does it require? Another bit of undecided information. Ah well. If the wind blew it outside the fence, maybe it will grow over the dadgummed khaki weed and snuff it out. That was the main purpose of planting clover anyway. But the young man who sprayed the pre-emergent originally said that the wind would mess up anything he did anyway. "If your neighbors have khaki weed, the wind will bring it to your place." Such a wonderful aspect of Texas wind.

Other than cooking a big pan of mayocoba beans, basically nothing has been accomplished around here. Wanted to try these Peruvian beans and just see if they really tasted that much different from pinto beans. They do. These are much lighter flavored and almost sweet. The only spice was salt, so it was easy to tell the difference. Have bought two or three different kinds of beans or stuff like that just to try. Lewis never really wanted anything except pinto beans, onion, cornbread, and iced tea. Well, sometimes it was cornbread and milk. Kinda funny that he told his dad once that when he got grown, he would never eat cornbread and milk. And then when he got grown, guess what he wanted me to make for him. Cornbread so he could put it in his milk. Aren't we funny when we are young and think we know better than our parents. Of course, mine were so young to be parents that it was hard on them from the get go. We were blessed not to have to go through the kind of struggles that they had. 

Only about a third of the way through this book. Have to rest my eyes pretty often just to read for an hour or so. But it is a good book. Just wish the Italian phrases were translated. Nevermind the Urdu. Actually, none of the Urdu is written in the book. The language is simply mentioned as that of the parents of one of the main characters. They yell at him in their own language. They are from Pakistan. Anyway, even a Kindle probably would not give me the translation, so guessing is as good as it gets.

Couldn't sleep last night and finally got up and took a sleeping pill. It worked, but certainly did feel sleepy after letting the girls out. Slipped back onto the bed and gave Connie a quick call and fell back to sleep. An hour and a half is not much, but it kept me out of trouble for a few minutes. The dogs even seemed to sleep well. Not sure whether it is my age, my thoughts, or the weather, but some nights are just not conducive to sleep.

Watched an hour of The Crown yesterday. Good show. Will probably watch some more of it this evening. It is history and human drama all at the same time. Just hard to imagine Queen Elizabeth as a young woman. But she is a gutsy lady! Can't imagine how she has had to adjust to life with the way the world has its lack of morals--in her own family and otherwise. The "stiff upper lip" of the British has probably been hardest on her of all the family. But then, she believes that she answers to God before all others. And truly, we ALL do, but whether or not we understand that is another question altogether. 

Have been reading more and more about the inoculation plans. Seems crazy all the way around, but now they are saying that it makes more sense to inoculate the younger people since the vaccine may not even do any good at all for weeks to months. And no one can guess if and for how long the immunity will last. Such indecision sounds about right for 2020. This really has been a mess of a year. But we are still on this earth and have each other. We can still pray for and love each other. Can't really gripe about the rest of it. 

All the wind this morning should have kept anyone with a functioning brain cell off the roofs of houses, but the man who owns the old church house building (turned into a house) had a new roof put on today. The crew also re-roofed another house across the street from his. He may own it. Not sure, and don't care. Anyway, the dogs could see those men up there hanging on for dear life and barked often to let them know their feelings about the situation. NOT that anyone else could hear their barks. It was not worth watching in case someone went flying off of there. Whew!

Hear my squawker yelling out back. That hen! Gotta send her to Vernon with Sharon and Jim. BR can just pick her up at David's house! [Joking. Don't think Jim would want a hen in his truck.] As it is, Sharon said that David would like to have some eggs. So there should be plenty.

Oh, and a lady from Vernon area wants the three little Eve's Necklace trees growing in my front yard. She said she would come get them Monday. That makes me happy to think that they will be making someone else happy--besides making me happy to have them gone! It pays to belong to a group or two. No knitting here. No dog walking or cat grooming, but just hen talking.

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

Small Print.

 Someone's old eyes don't do all that well with normal-small print any longer. A book on paper does not have the back lighting or the option to enlarge print like a tablet or Kindle. Gripe, natter, moan, groan, and otherwise fritter away time wondering how folks ever got along with just plain printed pages. Connie gave me a light that has a magnifying page built into the post of the light. But it still bothers me. Could be that some old person just needs to watch movies instead of reading non-stop for days at a time. 

Just finished a cup of turmeric tea. Decided to check out online to see how it was pronounced. Tyou meric is the way it is pronounced, not emphasizing the first "r" in the word. So many times my words don't come out the way they are phonetically used in the dictionary because they have only been read and not used by others in language around me. Had to look up another word today. Kinda thought it meant perceptive, but wanted to be sure. And it was. Just a fancy way of saying someone is pretty sharp. Hanan used to keep me on my toes asking the meaning of words that he would read or think about. Have gone to bed a few times and have awakened with a word for which the meaning just escaped. Used to keep a dictionary by my bed years ago, but not any longer. Now the head goes down and the eyes close--at least until a certain dog whimpers about the temperature in the bedroom. Thompson often has to have a blanket during the night. If he would sleep in the crate, he would stay warmer, but he wants next to me or at least on my feet. Such is life around here.

Had a cast iron skillet with salmon and stir fry veggies in it simmering while the hot and sour egg drop soup finished. Took a bowl of the soup into the living room and dumped it in my lap. Did not use bad language for once. It was simply too hot to express that surprise and pain. Had to strip my pants off right then and there and throw the chair cover in the washer. Son of a pistol that stuff was hot! Put some cream on my left leg in the crotch area and told myself how stupid that move was. Eat in the kitchen! No dogs or other disasters waiting to happen. Normally, anyway. 

The FedEx man brought a box today that contained my Thanksgiving dinner dessert: pecan pie. Jim and Sharon Dickerson will be here Saturday if nothing rips, rears, or ravels, so maybe they will have a piece with me. It is not sugar free, but maybe Jim will eat a tiny bit even though he tries to stay away from sugar. Really liked the packing they put in the box to keep the pie cool. Two frozen blocks of ice in those little containers inside an aluminum envelope kept it from thawing. Anyway, looking forward to pecan pie. Thought about buying a turkey, but that is just a bit too much. Have plenty of other stuff to eat. Maybe some beans.

The wind is still blowing, but at least it is not as bad as it was this morning. Maybe it will lay tonight and not be so bad tomorrow. The wind dries everything out so badly. Had to water my hollyhock plant out front. Should have watered the asparagus, too, probably. It does not take long to water the few things that are still alive. Have some flowers blooming that make me smile. Don't want them in the house, mind you, but love seeing them waving out there in the flower bed.

Saw a wren in the birdhouse on the front porch today. Not sure what he/she was doing, but maybe checking out a future home? That would certainly be nice. She/he tried last spring, but something scared her away. The box is pretty open on the front side, so maybe it was just too gapped for her. We will see. Thinking about birds that look like sparrows: Lewis used to call ALL birds sparrows even though he knew better. He had learned most of their names, but he just said sparrow to get my goat. He would even say things like "see that red SPARROW." Just nod my head and laugh. But the doves, that was a different story. Won't say here what he claimed that they were saying the spring when he died. Suffice it to say that he claimed that they were saying that a part of their anatomy was hurting. Listen to them sometime when they are really calling and you will hear what he heard.

Sweet Jennifer has been cleaning out offices upstairs at H&O. She has something like 22 boxes ready to be shredded. They have been paperless since 2007, so anything before that has to be shredded. THEN she wants to move Gary's office upstairs so that it will be quieter and less likely to find folks messing with him when he is working on a project. No way would most of us be able to do the kind of computer programming he does to work with metal pieces for tool dies. It boggles my mind just to watch their humongous machines shaving teeny tiny bits of metal off these slabs. The pieces of metal have to be put in place with one of those hoist things. Guess they have to be removed in the same manner. Not sure. So glad he knows what he is doing. 

Jenn said that two more of the Anderson family have come down with Covid, but at least this is not in Art's house. So far Sunny and their youngest son have not been affected, at least have not contracted the virus. Just praying that none of Lance's family gets this mess. 

A motorcycle police officer was down at the end of our street today. Think he was watching the traffic go into the State Hospital. They are so stupidly dangerous driving down the middle of the road as if it is a third lane instead of a turn lane. Yours truly tries not to go anywhere anyway, but especially not when it is time for a shift change or noon meal run over there. Not sure if the patients or the employees are more dangerous.

It's almost time to put up my birds. Waiting until it is semi-dark means none of them have to be picked up and talked to about getting on the roost where they belong. The ones that stay in the front coop go inside early. Think they are picky about who sits where on the roosts. At least that is what happened when the Hamburgs were still here. Speaking of which--guess who no longer has to get up and let the Hamburgs back in the yard six times a day! Hope they are giving BR eggs and not just a hard time.

Looked out the front window at the little air spinner that my dad made for me. Wish it were a real wind charger like he said they had out on the farm. Surely it could be made again today, but not by an old woman who is not very mechanically inclined. Have seen them on YouTube, but yours truly would never get it made. Kinda like learning to knit. Not happening. Someone like Hanan or Roger Thonton could probably do it, however. Or Joe Malay. Some of these guys are just so very talented.

Don't really know much today. Staying off of FB and just reading a bit in the Jerusalem Post helps me stay semi-sane. Have three little plants that need to be given away that are posted in the WF plants site. Eve's Necklace is a very pretty bushy tree. The flowers of the blooms smell wonderful. The "beads" that are the necklace have a tendency to drop beneath it and come up, however. The other bad thing is that each part of the danged tree is poisonous. SO, not around dogs, children, or birds, goats, horses, or anything that might ingest the parts. To see what it looks like, just look it up on the internet. It really is a pretty tree. Gave the one that grew out here to Jerry, and it is doing great in his yard. If you want one, let me know if you live close enough to get one from here.

We know that we are so very blessed to have peace and relative safety in this nation. Pray for those in the areas torn up by hurricanes, floods, fires, volcanoes, and earthquakes. Then remember those ravaged by this virus. Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Backyard Laughs.

 Sometimes it takes a bit to figure out what is in a hen's head--besides that peanut sized brain. The Rhode Island Red has decided she gets more feed if she eats it straight out of my hand--not fighting for it on the ground. Two of the Barred Rocks still enjoy trying to eat my fingertips off instead of just pulling the grain from my palm, but Athena likes to eat straight out of my palm--close up. But at least she pecks very delicately. One of the Barred Rocks takes her beak, pecks my fingers, then pulls everything she can get from my palm onto the ground. Go figure. The Black-laced Wyandottes don't care where the feed is as long as the silly dogs don't run over them! Can't blame them. The dogs get so zoomy sometimes that it is plum dangerous. They hit me late in the day yesterday. Did not go down, but it scared me. Guess carrying my cane might help that situation just a bit. Maybe banging it on the ground would make them stay away from my legs.

The neighbors with puppies can't keep them in their yard. Don't think they are trying too hard. Eventually either the dogs will learn or they will get on the highway. Not a lot a person can do when others won't take responsibility for their critters. But both the pups are so cute. Don't need any extra ones over here, however.

Stood outside next to the fence and watched the hens grazing in the side lot on the east. It reminded me of how my grandfathers stood out and watched their cattle. Lot of difference there on the hoof as opposed to the claws! Granddad Pollard liked Herefords. Granddad Kennedy only had registered Black Angus. He was trying to mostly raise bulls to sell. Had some beauties.

Some dog treats came in the mail today. Two happy dogs. But they cannot have more than five a day. Pretty rich. They have a strong smell to them, too. Oh well. These two dogs are pretty spoiled.

Trying to get the hens interested in laying in the middle coop. Put an egg in two nests so that they would maybe get the idea. Put one in an unused nest in the big coop and sure enough, had another egg in there. BillyeRuth puts fake eggs in her nests. Have not tried that yet. Did put golf balls in a couple, however. The hens probably looked at them and thought, "RIGHT! Not happening!"

Looking forward to seeing Sharon and Jim Dickerson either Sunday or Monday of this next week. It is probably a good thing that they don't live any closer. We two women could get up to all kinds of mischief!

Have been waking up before 6:30 every morning and wishing the day did not have to start so soon. This morning just opened up the hen house, came back in, crawled back in bed. Didn't stay long, but it felt good to just lie down and be still a little longer. The dogs were quite willing to snuggle up to me and just lie there, too. Getting older and lazier by the day.

This weather has been great. It is supposed to rain and get cooler Sunday, but the forecast does not call for freezing weather. Was reading a book today that talked about the wind and cold ice storms in the mountains of southern France. It almost gave me a chill to just think about it! But remembering our trip to Paris, it is funny to me that someone speaking English was the most appealing part of the author's time spent in France. She wanted to learn to "hear" French, but could not understand the speech patterns that were so different from Parisian French. My teacher in high school said that it was not possible for me to learn to speak French because Texan did not come out the same way as French. It is funny now. Back then it boggled my mind. Could read and write French but could not understand the spoken words. It is a bit like listening to someone from California. They speak so quickly and carry sounds that we don't use here in Texas. Oh well. My hens and dogs understand me.

Don't really know anything worth sharing today. Well, except the cheese in the fridge is going to have to go somewhere else. It is called Borgonzola, and even Gonzo would not have enjoyed it unless a muppet could stand cheese that was purposely ripened with mold. The dogs said, "Uh, no." Not sure if the hens said anything or not. If a couple are dead in the morning, we will know that cheese and hens are a no no. Whew!

May you all realize how very blessed we are by God's protection and His mercy. You are loved.

Farm and Garden!

 Wichita Falls has a farm and garden store out on the intersection of 79 and 281. They sell their scratch grain for $10.25 a 50 pound bag. Load it, and thank you very much. They also have some (apparently tasty) dog biscuits that my dogs think need to be kept in stock around here. And the dogs got to ride over there to the store and hang out the windows of the truck. Happy dogs! The feed was not difficult to unload into the wagon and then into the bin. So that was nice. Hauled about five buckets of water today just to refill the bowls and wash out the standing containers. Dumped the old water on the plants, too. Remembering how Granddad Pollard kept containers out to collect rainwater for his roses. He loved roses. My feelings about roses are not as fond. Those things always reach out and grab me. In fact, the one down on the east fence got me yesterday on my pointy finger. It is still sore!

BillyeRuth really needs this squawking hen that screams at me! WHY she thinks it will help to scream is beyond me. The others don't do that. Well, one other is a LITTLE loud, but not to the point of making me want to grab her and shake her tail feathers! When told to hush, she just grumbles more. And then yells again. Crazy danged hen! Guess the number of eggs was nice today, though. Early on, five eggs were in two nests. Then this afternoon all the girls got hot and bothered and laid eight eggs! Was a bit surprised, but then, we have sunshine. The weather absolutely does affect them. Guess they are happier when it is warm and sunny, but not hot. And they have been drinking water as if it were going out of style. 

Have boxes that need to be unboxed--unfolded, or whatever. Feed bags, trash, and assorted stuff needs to go across the road for the trash man to pick up tomorrow. How one person can accumulate so much trash is beyond me, but it seems to happen on a regular basis. 

Have used the corn bag that Cindy Jones made for me a couple of times today. For some reason my neck and upper back are bugging me. Heating the corn in the microwave a minute or a little more seems to be just the right temperature and weight to give the muscles a bit of reason to relax. Old Arthur Itis knows me well. At least it is not cold and making me achy in my hands, too. 

It seems all the planets in our solar system will be lined up this week. Not that some of us will be outside to see that spectacle. Some of us will go to bed shortly after the hens are clucking about night dreams. Yes, well, and some of us will also be clucking or snorting about other things. Might as well. Another hurricane in the Caribbean, monster alligators on the golf courses in Florida, and recycled series of more Covid everywhere, wind storms that throw trees around, and --did anyone say there was a coffee shortage or just a chocolate shortage? [Kidding!]

Still reading mysteries. Thinking it is about time to do some housekeeping. The laundry is all done and put away, but noticed the dusting has NOT been done. Tell ya, that housekeeper is just not worth having around. And what is more, she is not a very helpful cook, either! She makes ONE dish per day and expects the old woman to be happy with that plus a few nibbles of junk and stuff like jerky, nuts, more coffee, or maybe some hot tea. Oh well. Ya just can't get good help these days.

Basically two weeks left in this month. Saw a yard on the way home from the feed store, and it was filled with candy canes and blow up Christmas stuff. Good thing all that crap was not out the other day when the wind was blowing a gale or it would have been distributed all the way down Rathgeber and probably all over Crestview Cemetery--not that anyone there would probably complain. rolling eyes here

Will have to go down and get the mail tomorrow. Expecting a few things in the mail, maybe. It is difficult to tell if the USPS or the UPS will come around first. Sometimes ordering things is a toss up for how it will get here. No pony express, but maybe that is for the best. Pretty bumpy ride maybe?

Still thinking that we all need to pray for those who are so badly affected by Covid--whether it is becoming ill, losing family and friends to the virus, or losing income or businesses to closures. It is just hard. Our world certainly has changed drastically and may do so even more in the near future. Not holding my breath thinking that we can come up with any answers to our problems all by ourselves. 

May you all rest well and have a peaceful night. You are loved.

Little Scares.

Reading a book called Double Forte about a music professor and his family who live with him. His grandchild is a two-year-old darling boy who calls his grandfather Opa. The German ancestry of his late wife and the ongoing love he shows toward his brother-in-law who was brain damaged in a boating accident when he was twelve are the background that carries this book along in intertwining layers of kindnesses and capabilities. The main character, Opa, has one daughter who is a veterinarian. Anyway, Opa saves the life of a child who was shackled to a bed in an old renters' cabin. The man who tried to kill Opa to keep the child, is eventually captured, but he escaped. Suddenly the grandson goes missing and Opa and the police think that the bad guy have kidnapped him. ALL of that goes on in this book and a lot more, but it reminds me of the time that Jennifer tried so hard to get me to play hide and seek with her while the harried young wife was attempting to get supper ready. Told Jennifer to go hide and wait for me to find her. Called. Called again. And again. We live on the lake. Across from the State Hospital. The front door was not locked. Hysteria boils over after looking through the house. Asked the neighbors to help me find her. Common sense Granny Lucy said, "Nancy, go look under all the beds one more time." Yep, she was asleep on the floor on the other side of my bed.

When Rachel was little, Jennifer was here visiting us while Landon and Rachel were here, too. Rachel was coloring at the kitchen table with PawPaw when Jennifer told me it was time to take AnnaBeth, the sweet old cat, to see the vet for the last time. We told Lewis we would be back shortly. Got to the vet's office and Jennifer's cell phone rang. Rachel was missing! They called the police. Jennifer quickly drove back home to look for the child while the old woman stayed at the vet's office. Started walking back home with a great BIG cardboard box full of dead cat. Some young man stopped to ask me if he could help take me somewhere. Could not see getting in a car with someone--even though he seemed sweet and helpful--with a box of dead cat. Shortly thereafter Jennifer came and picked me up. WHERE was my granddaughter? It made Rachel mad that she was not asked to go, too, so she hid under the bunch of rolled back covers in the bedroom and refused to answer when called. Oh! Did she ever get a talking to after the police left. They had to physically see the child and talk to her to know that everything was ok. Think that may have frightened her just a bit. Yep, grey hairs are on our heads for a reason.

It has been a lovely day. No wind! A breeze, maybe, but no howling, bodacious wind. The hens have so sedately wandered about the place clucking and pucking. They are so funny. Go outside and they want at least a token amount of time and maybe some few bites of feed. Walking through a hen path is interesting. They stop RIGHT in front of me and squat, waiting for their feathers to be ruffled. Not all of them, but enough that walking is more like stepping through high grass than strolling along. But would not change this for the world. They talk to me and tell me all about what they like. 

Talked to my Dickerson grandson and asked about his work at H&O on Saturday. He said it was hard and totally wore him out. His muscles were sore from all the stuff he cleaned and the floors he mopped. But maybe he will get a decent amount for doing it. He did not mop the floors on the Lone Star side of the shop because Jennifer did not want him to do that side for some reason. Maybe the big machines are sensitive? Who knows. But did get tickled at him when asking about how old his mom became today. His answer: maybe 29, IDK. Finally he said 45 but that he never said that! Kinda funny. 

Jennifer said that one of the guys at H&O who got Covid had lost his sense of taste today. Not good. He makes his own beer! But truly am hoping that he gets over this mess quickly. His entire family is at risk. His wife and youngest child are "isolating" from him and the other three members of the family who got Covid. Just can't imagine.

Sent my last cloth bag home with Michelle with the three dozen eggs. Not even sure where all those bags have gone! They are great for carrying egg cartons, but who knows if that is how the old woman managed to misplace them. Oh well. Guess plastic bags will work just as well for the time being.

Watched The Good Life about those back-to-nature type of neighbors last night. Jenn tells me The Crown is back on Netflix. Can't remember where it left off. Oh well. Can always watch it over again. But for the time being, have to finish this book. Still want to know when they catch the bad guys. Books are so easy to put down and go back to them. Movies take attention of a different sort.

If this weather continues, we will be looking at an early spring--or a late freeze when the apricots bloom. It would figure, right? But whatever happens, we can enjoy life right now and feel warm sitting in the sunshine--even if it has to be behind the glass of the windows. May you all find peace and pleasure in life. You are loved.