Nibbles.

 Nibbles.

 

These dogs are really something else. Love them to pieces, but never know what to expect. Bought some dadgummed expensive dog food that they refused to touch. Now Sylvia thinks it is the greatest when it is put inside her green alligator treat toy. And Thompson does not want it in a bowl, thank you very much. Just hand him some right in front of him on the floor to be crunched up. That means the floor will need to be mopped tomorrow. Oh well. It needed to be mopped anyway. Finally got one of their feed bowls and put some in it. Nope! Not what she wanted! It has to be special and in her alligator!

 

Did you know that fourteen hens molting at the same time produces a feathered storm when the wind blows just right? Getting the coop cleaned out next time should prove quite colorful wherever the stuff is spread. Black and white checked feathers are pretty anyway.

 

Put the new spray nozzle on the hose out back. The old spray nozzle was metal and gave up the ghost—or the ability to concentrate the spray. Cleaned out the black trough this evening so it would not have oodles of green growing all over the bottom and sides. The dogs like to stand in it to cool off and drink out of it. Got the water bill. Seems the more you use, the cheaper the rate. Does that make any sense? Patty said her bill was ten dollars more than usual since her hot water heater had been draining into the floor drain in the basement for however long. She was ok with that, however. And to tell you the truth, the old woman is not going to gripe about the water bill when the hens and dogs need that water to keep cool.

 

Do you remember that song about the guy loading up Noah’s ark? “You’ve got your green alligators, the long-necked geese, the humpty-backed camels, and your chimpanzees, etc.” until he says, “But Lord I’m so forlorn, I just couldn’t find a unicorn!” For some reason—it’s probably Sylvia’s fault with her green alligator—that song has been going round and round in my head. It seems there is always some kind of music in my head, but it is just there, for some reason.

 

Lance texted this morning to let us know that Aussie, his dog, died last night. The little guy was restless during the night and wanted outside, so Lance let him out for a bit and then checked back to see if he was ready to come in. He would not come in, so Lance let him stay out. He went to check on him this morning and found him dead as if he had died in his sleep. Know he and his family will miss the critter. He at least got to say hello to the daughter when she returned from her trip yesterday. It would have been even more sad if he has passed before she got home.

 

Not sure if it is the heat or maybe just the recovery process continuing, but it seems to me that the old woman is so tired all the time. Seventy-four does not seem all that old to me, but then, it is easy to realize that nineteen was a long time ago. That is about where my brain stuck, it seems. Sitting down to play with Lance in the dirt when he was little always reminded me of looking for fairies in the flowers beside my parents’ house. And then building dams and lakes while digging with big spoons reminded me of making little houses for toads. Imagine the surprise one day returning from school when we found a tarantula had taken up residence in one of my little “houses” made of mud. That was so funny. Well, it is now. Probably would have caused a warm-water hemorrhage back then! Ah, memories.

 

A woman named Karen S. has a special needs son whose comfort dog died. If she accepts the invitation, she may be on here soon. Please know that she uses words that we hear sometimes, but it is understandable why she feels so frustrated with the situations caused by her lack of real support from others. We can at least listen with love.

 

The floods in Kentucky and eastern Tennessee are just beyond comprehension. It is too much for those folks. Storms like tornadoes and floods on top of that. We need to pray for them while we are praying for rain. Maybe we need to be specific as to where the rains are needed desperately. And then there are the fires—more and more of them. God keep our firefighters safe!

 

So much in this world can be depressing, but let me tell you, the sun rises and the sun sets. (Just look at Keith’s photos!) The birds still sing in the morning, and the grasshoppers are still foolish enough to enter hen territory! We know who has our lives in His hands. So, keep on keeping on with faith and love. Rest often, drink water or G2, and know: you are loved.

Cloud Cover.

 Cloud Cover.

 

Believe it or not, it is only 90 degrees out on the front porch this evening. Can honestly say that it has almost been pleasant today! Have a background picture on my computer of a creek from up in Northeast Arkansas. The picture was taken by Diann Dennis somewhere near where she lives up near Cherokee Village. Diann is one of the Re-Wilders Group. She is about an expert on the flowers of that part of Arkansas. She takes pictures and finds the flowers to let us know if they are rare or endangered. She does not always tell anyone where they are, so that way the flowers may be protected. Anyway, her photography is spectacular. And the picture on my computer just makes me feel cool and happy.

 

Silvia has been on a tear today wanting to play. She got out the tug-of-war rope and was quickly dissuaded by Thompson from pulling it away from me. He took it and chewed on it a bit before letting me put it away. Then Sylvia decided she could smell something good in a feed sack here in the living room. Thought it had been a total waste of good money since the dogs refused to eat this Royal Canin, but she wanted some of it today. She would bring her treat alligator and let me fill it up. Then she ate it all and brought it back to me—several times. It must satisfy some urge for her because she certainly makes plenty of crunchy noises when eating it.

 

Got one load of laundry washed, dried, and put away. Amazing! Now have another load on washing. Since the AC in the kitchen is not currently on, it does not make me feel guilty for running the washer. At least both washer and dryer are not going at the same time. But that is about the only thing that has been accomplished around here. Cooked some stuff and put it in a Ziplock for the dogs, fed the hens some grub things, and put out fresh feed inside the main coop. Hoping to keep the freaking doves out of my feeder. Tried to load the air-soft gun and could not figure it out. Grayson warned me that the hens would eat those little plastic beads, so maybe it is just as well that the old woman could not reload the thing! Need to come up with something that will startle or otherwise keep the doves out of the coops. Thought about some kind of net to put across the top half of the door. Thompson would think that is great because they could not get away from him when they try to fly out. Hmm. We will see tomorrow.

 

You know that guy that does the “Dirty Jobs” show? Mike Rowe is his name, and he has a young man working for him who calls himself the Hillbilly. He is from Tennessee, and the town where he grew up got about washed away. He gave some places online where people could donate even just the price of a flannel shirt. Think the entire state could have been declared a disaster area, but not sure if Biden did that or not. No matter what kind of damage is done in a community, hardly ever is anything built back better or in a better placement where it won’t get washed away again. Thought about my friend R.C. who used to live in Henderson, NV. Some of those towns out there in Nevada and Arizona have about been washed away in the flooding. Nothing in moderation must be our motto whether it is rain, fire, freezes, heat waves, droughts, or just plain blowin’ us off the freakin’ map! We just have to ask God to bless us and all those affected.

 

Saw that another fire was south of Nocona. Those black jack trees will make a big fire when the fires hit the brush around there. Can’t imagine how any fire department could even get into those hills and keep the fires away from Highway 82. We are going to have to have more help with vehicles, training, and supplies before any of the fire departments will be able to be any more effective than they currently are. Bruce Major posted a video of three planes—air tractors out of Olney—gliding across the lake down in Nocona Hills picking up a little over 6000 pounds of water each to dump on the fires. That seems the most sensible way to attack that kind of fire. Trucks simply cannot get through the trees and brush. At one time, it seems the counties all had the ranchers help to cut firebreaks alongside their fences—especially near the highways. But firebreaks won’t help much in high winds. Again, only God can help us in these situations.

 

Thompson is all curled up in my recliner taking it easy. He makes sleeping or just lying there look so comfortable. Or maybe the old woman is just a wee bit tired. Getting lazier by the day, it would seem. Will wrap this up and read some before calling it a day. Still have to go see if any eggs are in the nests. The hens are all molting, so it looks as if a tornado hit a feather factory out back and in the coops. But they are mostly black feathers. Not many pillows are stuffed with black feathers, huh.

 

Remember that life is a gift. Enjoy each day and rest each night looking forward to a new and joyful life. Be grateful for all the small blessings. Not everyone has even small ones in their vision.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

A Relationship.

 A Relationship.

 

Think the old woman is in a relationship—with her AC units and her king-sized bed. Can’t seem to stay outside long enough to hardly notice anything other than the state of the water in the chicken bowls. Reading, playing a few games on the computer, and talking to these two dogs is the usual fare for each day, but today a trip up to the parking lot of the nearest Eskimo Hut took place. On the Hook makes good fish and chips, but standing for an hour in the sun is not really good for a person without sunblock and good shoes. So, the good shoes helped, but did not wear sunblock. Guess it would be worth another trip some other time, preferably when it is not 100 degrees outside.

 

Actually, the heat is not as bad as it has been the first part of this week. It’s only 109 on the front porch. The hens have not been squawking much, so maybe they are not cooking under the deck. It just is pretty miserable if it is necessary to be out there very long.

 

Can’t imagine the flash floods in all these places washing people and property away in the sudden downpours. Parts of WF are susceptible to flash floods—even downtown WF. But this city was built on a river. Shaking my head here. Greed is the only reason that comes to mind for any excuse to build in places that might flood. And the more expensive homes are the ones built in canyons!! IF the banks under the homes begin to crumble, there goes the foundations. And in this heat, the ground cracks open in wider areas. Water poured into those cracks will eventually cause landslides. But what does an old woman know?? Just because these things happened out on the farm where the clay banks would collapse doesn’t mean the same thing would happen when big bucks are invested in homes on a different river bank. Rolling my eyes silently.

 

Got some O’Keeffe’s Working Hands stuff for my mangy paws. Noticed that it stays on pretty well without getting yucky. When we were young, Granddad said that bag balm would fix just about anything. Well, except for a sore throat. But there was always antiseptic throat swabs for that. He still had his tonsils and had problems nearly every year when we were children. Mom would “mop” his throat a couple of times before it would stop bothering him. But he thought that bag balm should have helped my silly allergies. Of course, we had sheep. Sheep have lanolin and wool. Guess who is allergic to both. My own lamb lived in our backyard for a few months with the one Grandmother gave Sterling and another one she gave our cousin Johnny. Mine was Kris Kringle and John’s was Vickie Boo. Don’t remember the name of Sterling’s lamb. Funny what a person will remember—or forget.

 

Some of my best memories were with my horse Chico and later with Duchess. Chico was the best horse for a young person to learn on. He was so smooth. My body felt like it belonged up there behind his shoulders. He would let me slide off the back or sit on him backwards. He did not care and just appreciated being loved. Miss that relationship with a big critter like that. Duchess was a different situation. She was a little over one when the parents bought her for me. She would lead on a halter, but had never been messed with much. It was a learning experience for both of us, but she became a good cutting horse for the man who eventually ended up with her. She just was a good horse for teaching me patience. Of course, our children were the best teachers in that area. Perseverance and patience are the two results of having children—at least for me. Lewis loved them and taught them. But patience was harder for him. He always felt so responsible for everything. Maybe that is just a characteristic for men who become daddies.

 

Really don’t know anything worth discussing or even griping about. Yes, amazing, isn’t it! Still reading stuff about the Ukraine and Russia and shaking my head, but now notice that China has shutdown the same province as before when the virus first hit. Feel so sorry for those people. They don’t have any choices in life. We should be glad that the generations that established this nation and have kept it free laid the groundwork for our freedom. Now if we could get term limits on some of the dipsticks in D.C., maybe we could manage to live without so many stupid laws.

 

If we ever begin to replace some of the nation’s infrastructure, everyone out there will have a job—whether or not they like it. It reminds me of the jobs they gave the conscientious objectors. No one had to carry a gun, but they had to do something helpful. Training some of these young women to be nurses or even just decent babysitters might help. And education does not mean only things learned in a classroom. Our colleges right now are not all that good. Back in the 90s we were having to teach remedial English and reading. Pathetic. Not sure if that was the schools that the kids came from or the fact that the universities would take someone who couldn’t get the meaning from a paragraph. Guess it doesn’t make any difference now. It is just sad that our teachers are having it so tough in the schools now. Not sure there is an answer for that.

 

Got my water bill today. It is interesting to note that each unit of water is also considered that much more for the sewer system. Nevermind that it goes in a water trough for the critters and never sees a sewer line. Oh well. At least the old woman does not have a great big pool to fill.

 

Still have August ahead of us, but July is almost at its end. We may make it even without getting buckets of rain for days. But we can still pray for rain to fill the lakes and the stock tanks. The fields are dry, for the most part. And the cattle have been sold off except for brood stock. Hard to live through droughts. God willing, we and all the critters will make it until the weather gets cooler and some rains fall. Let us pray for rain while we are praying for peace.

 

Rest well, my friends. God gave us life and the ability to love. Let’s practice loving others for YOU are loved.

Internet Issues.

 Internet Issues.

 

Maybe the heat has melted something in my internet connections. Know the bill has been paid! That stuff does not come cheaply. But for some reason the lights on the little white box come up and go down and up a little longer—it must be thinking about it. But no internet. May have to let Jenn do something on the blog tonight. Like say hello from the roasting part of the world! Can’t believe this heat! Well, unless walking outside. Then it is very believable!

 

Had intended to look online to see if there were any grants available for volunteer fire departments. Know that these locally are having to replace brake lines, axles, and various other parts that blow out. They all probably need another pumper truck for extra water. It’s not like the stock tanks can give them any.

 

Looking for grants is not the simplest task. Having to meet the requirements of matching funds might be the biggest drawback. Fund raisers hardly ever take care of more than the bare necessities. But found one that might work.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=342704

 

May just have to keep looking for other ways to get some kind of grant. Sent a message to my insurance agent, and he promised to talk to some other agents to see if they could come up with some kind of insurance that would replace and repair things on the trucks. Even that might help somewhat.

 

It is just a bit much to even move around today. Where is that hibernation gene when you need it? Even a half gallon of water a day is not helping. Poor hens just hardly venture out from under the deck. They sit up on their roosts and just pant at night. Gave them some grapes Patty had that had been around a while. Then today they had some cooked broccoli. It was decent, but it just did not hit the spot for me. The smell was stronger than my desire to eat.

 

Lance sent this today: “I never called you stupid, but when I asked you to spell “orange” and you asked me the fruit or color, it kinda caught me off guard.” That one was a little funny, but not nearly as good as the straw pushed through the coke lid.

 

Will you pardon me if you’re told that it is too hot to think? It is just about enough to feel as if the grey cells might be turning black after being roasted, don’t you see.

 

Praise God that eventually we will get some cooler weather and maybe even enough rain to fill the lakes. Right now it feels like a renewed vision of the last five-year drought. Sorry to be so pessimistic.

 

Rest well, stay hydrated, and find joy in the life God has given us. You are loved.

Hot Eggs!

 Hot Eggs!

 

No sense in explaining the heat out back when just about anyone knows that this blog is from North Central Texas. But just going out to check for eggs reminded me of the jokes about the hens using pot holders to pull worms from the ground. Picked up an egg from the middle coop, and it burned my hand as if it had been freshly boiled. Come to think of it, boiled eggs are just right for this heat—but feel sorry for the hens who laid them!

 

The stupid wild doves—lovely as they are—could really use a scare crow or something to keep them out of the coop where the feed bins are kept. They empty the lay mash just after they scarf up all the scratch. May have to start feeding the girls around ten or eleven and putting a lid on the feeder until five or thereafter so only the hens get fed instead of doves and other wild birds. The city of WF has asked us to conserve water. They have no way of telling the wild birds that they are wasting clean water when they get inside the water bowls and take their baths. Yes, it cools them off to bathe there, but those baths pretty well make the water into some kind of poopy soup. Bleah!

 

The dogs took a short nap with me this afternoon. It is too hot to actually get up and do anything physical. And only so much of finding “hidden” things can keep me interested. Did find a different game included on June’s Journey that calls for comparisons of the same scene with little differences. That, too, is a bit of fun, but even finding differences within the time limit can get a little old. Reading is about the only cool and interesting thing that does not get all that old. But then, the eyes attached to an old woman can only deal with so many thousand words a day or night. Went to bed last night with the image of my Kindle page imprinted on my eyeballs. Guess it could have been worse.

 

So glad that someone invented the Kindle and that the books are often free without regard to being returned to a library. Once in a great long while, the old woman will actually order a “real” book with pages to hold in her hands. Sometimes the poetry books are really missed around here. And then the ones that are still on my bookshelves are often in such tiny print that it is useless to try to enjoy reading them. Such is life and getting older. It is a blessing to be able to get around and be able to walk outside with the critters.

 

Talked to Connie briefly this morning and she asked about the fire down in Dallas and wanted to know if it was close to Jenn and her family. First the fire was not in Dallas. Not too many non-DFW folks realize that Ft. Worth and Dallas are considerably separated by miles of cities between the two. Actually, Sharon and Jimmy Dickerson, who live in Garland, would know more about the distances and what is between the two cities than this old woman. Yes, even though my travels have included several places in and between the two cities, my estimations are influenced by what kind of traffic comes between them. Dallas reminds me of Austin. Horribly overrun with idiots who drive too fast and have zero care about who or what they run over. Ft. Worth is all business out on I-35 and either north or south. And it is much calmer. The drivers actually seem to realize that those big trucks will run smooth over them out on the interstate. They cannot stop on a dime, even if the driver is on the ball. But big trucks are not as scary as the drivers who think they are immortal. Those are the ones who may or may not have a driver’s license and no insurance for sure! They drive trucks filled with lawnmowers, brush and assorted pieces of crap that are neither covered nor strapped down, and a few pieces of equipment that are mainly supported by thin pieces of wooden side boards. Going down the highway following one of those trucks is a little bit like playing Russian roulette. Ya just never know when something will roll out and take up its resting place right in front of you or in front of the driver who will be avoiding a lawnmower or weed eater by coming abruptly into your lane. Yes, driving down there is an adventure.

 

Read the report on the fire in Rendon. One neighbor down there said he had never seen that many fire trucks, but they needed all of them to try to stop the fire from spreading. It was a miracle that no one was hurt when the propane tanks were exploding. They were sending embers up in the air to fall around all over the place in the dry grass. They even had an electric line down from the fire. Anyway, homes were lost, lives were not. Praise God.

 

Read on FB that Sheriff Duke and his wife Kellie have this dadgummed virus stuff. It just seems to be making the rounds again. Jenn keeps telling me to wash my hands and stay away from people. Washing my hands is not problematic. And in a way, staying away from others is not a big deal. Not feeling all that social anyway. Still, it feels as if a person has to be isolated not to catch something. And now they say that this monkey business is prevalent in the U.S. more than any other country. Isn’t THAT just the berries! What we have always needed was to be number one on the list of whatever disease comes by. Guess we will just have to pray that those who have caught anything other than a bad attitude will soon be healed and not spread the joy. Yes, that was being said facetiously. 

 

Did my stories about the kids and family ever include my oldest son’s “lack” of vocabulary when he started kindergarten? His teacher was overwhelmed on the first day of school when they brought in two little Vietnamese children who did not have even one word of English. They came in crying and just stood there in tears. The teacher seemed to need a tiny bit of help to get her class sorted, so a mother held a hand down in front of one of those crying children and felt the little hand reach into her hand. The kids went over to an activity center with her where she sat down on the floor and began to mess with the assorted pieces of wood. Stacking is universal language. Both children stopped crying and watched the process before a piece was handed to the little girl. Then they both started playing. My son watched from another corner of the room and just smiled. The teacher must have felt relief because she began to smile as well. Anyway, a few days later the teacher stopped me when it was time to take my son home. She seemed really excited. “Did you know that your son uses adult vocabulary?” she asked. It gave me pause to wonder WHICH words from an adult he might have used. But she relieved my mind when she told me that she had been joking with the children and had listened when Lance asked her if she was being facetious. She wanted to know how he knew what that meant. Remember, he was only five. But we never talked baby talk with the children. Now he later had no idea that gloves were called mittens and some of the other terms he was supposed to be learning, but the child could definitely communicate. His lack of children’s vocabulary had him assessed as needing verbal skills, however. Go figure.

 

Vocabulary is so different in areas of our country. A friend went to a store up north and asked for some soda. The lady let her know that in that part of the country one asks for “pop.” Around here we ask for a coke even if we mean Dr Pepper. Sitting here with a silly grin on my face. We found Dr Pepper in Scotland!! It was in a little store, but still. Their drink over there was some kind of national spirit thing that all the jocks and fans drank. It was orange, but did not really taste orange. It was just that color. Never did understand what the waitress was calling it. Oh well. The fish and chips were fantastic!

 

Took one of those twisted, twirly ice cream cones down to Patty earlier. They only come four to a package, but they are just great! Chocolate and vanilla in a wafer type cone doesn’t give a person a whole lot of treat, but what you get is dadgum good. Anyway, it was mainly just an excuse to go see if she was doing ok. A year ago today Donny fell on the floor with the aneurysm in his brain. They did not pull the plug for another three days, but it was obvious he would never recover and would otherwise just slowly die. He would have hated that. It is also his son D.G.’s birthday. Such is life. It always bothered me that Lewis died when it was nearly on Jenn’s birthday, but then he had asked us to have ONE big birthday before he died so he could talk to all of us. He apologized in case he had hurt any of us in any way. The children were so sweet, but yours truly nearly lost it. Even forgot later to wish mine happy birthday because my mind was just gone. Losing your spouse will do that. Not sure how long it took, but it seemed some time was certainly lost back then.

 

Not sure how other folks handle death in other parts of the world, but those with children are blessed if the kids are still talking to their parents. Sister-in-law just texted me to say that Donald Gene Ice had passed away today. She was more concerned with their daughter Becky than with the wife Sandra. Becky has a good husband, so she will be ok. But Sandra is going to be lost. No one can replace the person you grew old with. Memories make us closer than any other person can ever be. Whether it is a wife of umpteen years or a grouchy old man who just loved his grands to the inth degree, the mate is the one who becomes lost. A child gets up and goes on with life just as it has seen its own parents do. But mates are different in every way that matters. God gives us a shared love like no other.

 

Had squash for lunch and din-upper. Did not want to cook anything else, so that took care of the hole in my stomach. Too hot for real food like enchiladas or anything that takes too much effort to eat or digest. Waiting for Friday to get here to try out the fish and chips from the food wagon. Those portable food trucks are the cat’s meow! The food has to be decent or they could not stay in business, too. We will see.

 

Big ol’ black dog thinks he needs to be petted. So glad that they love me. Feel for anyone who has one go over the rainbow bridge. They fill up the holes in our lives with the love that God gives them to share with us. Pretty special critters.

 

Rejoice in each day you are given. You are loved.

 

Water Geyser!

 Water Geyser!

 

Patty called and told me that her friend Debbie believed we had sewer water spraying out onto Kemp Street. Nope. A water line must have burst for some reason. And now our water is turned off. A tractor with a backhoe digger on it is now blocking our street. Such fun. Have several bottles of water and two or three cases here in the living room, so it’s not like we will go thirsty. Meant to fill the bathtub for use in the bathroom, but got busy and forgot to fill the tub up. Oh well. Brought a couple of buckets inside after realizing the water had been turned off. Just hoping that they can repair this line this evening. The tractor motor is running, and you can almost bet that thing has air conditioning. That man could not stay out in this heat otherwise.

 

Cari Guidry’s mom brought two cantaloupe and two melons to my hens, so they have made out like fat rats today! They had tomatoes and corn on the cob. Even had a few grapes to give them! It really is neat to not waste food when the hens will eat it. While a squishy tomato might not appeal to us, the hens seem to be quite eager to peck those suckers into bright red pieces. They never leave any on the ground.

 

My house was pretty cool this morning. Stephen told me to leave the ACs all running so that they would have a head start on the heat. It worked. His sweet wife Nikki called this morning to ask if she and Tim could help put in another unit if needed. Don’t think it will really be necessary if this business of running them 24 hours a day continues to work. Know that is going to make for a bodacious bill, but dying in the heat is not exactly a good alternative.

 

Have been reading the notes from a lady in the Wildness group. She and her friend bought some land in Alaska and plan to live there eventually. The description of this last trip just about made me laugh and almost cry for her. Their ability to keep a running vehicle did not sound too promising. And then there was a view to show her everything around her—and suddenly realizing that a bear could see her just as easily as she could see a bear! Wild things in Alaska. Still less dangerous than anything outback in Australia, New Zealand, or other parts of that snake ridden part of the world. We just have rattlesnakes, water moccasin, copperheads, a few vipers of varying degrees of venomous, and about a hundred varieties of spiders. They have all the spiders, deadly kangaroos, big, flightless birds called cassowaries, ostriches, wallabies, platypus, and a significant collection of water species which will kill a person or make ‘em wish they were dead. Think Texas may be pretty rough, but will stay here and face tornadoes, droughts, wild fires, wild boars, coyotes, cougars, and the assorted pistol packing dipstick who drives down the freeways with his gun hanging out the window. (Not lately, just a few crazy people out there with the backs of their trucks filled with people going somewhere . . .)

 

A truck has pulled up down at the end of the lane. Certainly hope that they are there to fix the leak and turn the water back on. Not much we can do or say about it. That was a big hole in the side of the road. Some company has been drilling long holes under the streets to put in plastic pipes so they can run electric wires and phone wires underground. Just utilized my walking sticks and made my way down that hot road. One of the men said it would probably be about an hour before they could turn the water back on. One kid was head to toe mud pies, and another man was down in that hole so deep that he had to stand up for his hat to show. They are trying to put on a sleeve looking thing that is called a power plug or something like that. The young man said that the pipes are so very old that they just crack open and blow out water. This entire town needs to have the water pipes replaced! But you can bet that it would take a catastrophe for that to ever happen.

 

My oldest child sent a funny this morning: Imagine if sex sounded like pushing a straw in and out of a fountain drink cup. Now that is a bit raunchy in a way, but it still amused me. Read that to Patty and she had trouble breathing for laughing. She said, “It’s not even seven o’clock and she is thinking already! Now I will never do that again without thinking about that!” Was working here in the kitchen when it finally dawned on me that she was referring to the straw. Sigh Some of us are just a wee bit slow!

 

Between the horrible weather, the droughts, the fires, and the loss of milkweed plants for various reasons, the monarch butterflies are now considered endangered. Plan to send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Live Monarch Foundation, PO Box 1339, Blairsville, GA 30514. They will send me some milkweed seeds that are the kind that will grow in this area. Maybe a few plants out front and a few out back might help the flutterbys. Granddad Pollard called them flutterbys. That is what they were called when he was a boy. Pretty good description for all kinds of flutterbys.

 

Wish we could get one of those special rains that last for three days and fill up the stock tanks and water every creek and river out there. It would not bother me to pick up floating hens out of the yard or something. And you can bet the wild ducks would be back up here waiting for handouts! But the doves would also show up for grain or mash if it is available. Wonder if the hens would find it if it were hidden inside the main coop. For sure the doves would find it!!

 

Water has been returned to full flow! Yay! Like a lot of things we take for granted, water is just about the most necessary thing around. Can live without my lights or even the computer or phone, but that water needs to be there. When the tornado hit in ’79, we had zero utilities for over a week. We had to go get water up at the old Albertsons building (it was not old back then), and we could get food from a truck that was sent in by McDonalds. It was a life saver. No gas with which to cook. At least the weather was not terribly hot as it was April. Just know for a fact that the water mattered more than anything to us.

 

Jennifer just sent me a picture of a house on fire about three blocks from them. Then someone here on FB showed another fire here in WF. We just need to pray for rain!

 

Let us pray that the people who had to escape from the Ukraine will be able to return to their homes eventually. Let us pray that they can overcome all the attacks from Russia and get their port open so they can export the grain that keeps so many people fed in that part of the world. Eventually someone is going to have to take over the government of Russia and let the people learn how to grow and build for their own country without wars!

 

Let us remember to ask for God’s peace for this world. We know that someday in the future, every knee will bend and every head will bow when His government comes to this world. May He forgive us for the petty things we care about and help us to have His vision and spirit.

 

Rest well and keep a positive outlook. You are loved.

 

Learning the Hard Way.

 Learning the Hard Way.

 

So, Stephen and Tim came and took the old AC unit out of the kitchen window and put the new one in. The old woman has very little experience with sizes and BTUs, and other such stuff. The two units purchased were really not big enough according to Stephen. Took one back and got my money back. Since Stephen and the dynamic duo are leaving tomorrow for some kind of camping thing, will wait until they return and see what—if anything—changes in the temperature here in the house. He suggested leaving the units running so that they would have a head start on the heat each day. Had not even thought about that. Anyway, for now, the kitchen is not like an oven.

 

Bought a package of white gloves with the intention of wearing them at night to try to keep my fingers from being so dry and cracked. Lotion and gloves may or may not work, but right now nothing else is either. Having this kind of skin my entire life, you’d think by now a good solution would have popped up. Unless one wears bag balm or something year ‘round, the skin is just going to dry up and flake off. Funny that the dogs can eat something that makes their skin less dry, but so far nothing like that has worked for an old woman. But then, they don’t like the fish oil either!

 

Sylvia is not happy unless she is right under me or under my chair. Have to look carefully to see if a leg or tail is under my chair before moving it. Then today Thompson decided to park his old body under my desk. He doesn’t really fit, but only feet and head hang out this side. So, feet and tail or feet and head? Just have to sit very still and maneuver over and around these critters.

 

Patty just called and asked if chickens will eat tomatoes. She is cleaning out her fridge and even her deep freeze. They will be eating corn on the cob, grapes, tomatoes, and assorted goodies that hens appreciate. Certainly not any green grass for the girls to eat right now. Sigh Will take my little blue wagon down there in the morning before it gets hot and haul home the stuff she wants out of her freezer. The girls would be watching from the fence if they knew she had corn on the cob!

 

Just gave the dogs some cheese sticks. Had to hold my empty hands up to prove it was all gone. Have no idea why they are so suspicious.

 

Bought a package of six handkerchiefs and thought that one might do for a head band. No, it takes two for a big ol’ head. Guess men used to use those big ol’ work handkerchiefs that are almost as big as a woman’s blouse. Have even seen girls wear them as tops when two are tied together. Little girls or teens, not big mommas! A tablecloth maybe, but not a bandana!

 

Just a wee bit worn out right now. No news except for more of the same, so will suggest that we pray tonight for God’s will to be done for those who need it most—the officers who have been shot, the widows and widowers, the parents who have lost children, the grandparents who have lost grown children. May God have mercy on those who are being terrorized and put down because of stupid prejudices. Let us pray for true justice and righteous actions by those in positions of authority.

Rest, my friends, and know that peace will come. You are loved.

 

 

About Ready to Call It Quits.

About Ready to Call It Quits.

 

Last night and this morning, a friend’s blog just about made me feel that writing a blog should be for those who actually have something to say. Even her gripes sound intelligent! Oh well. Someone has to give the Texas weather report during this heat wave. And yes, 115 degrees is too dadgummed hot for man or beast!

 

Tried to dust mop a bit this morning, but got tired so quickly that    it was hardly worth the effort. Then the dogs went out, stepped in the pool, rolled in the dirt and dead grass and came back inside. Can we say wasted effort?

 

Still think that we need a way to hibernate during this heat. If bears can hibernate during the freezing weather, we should be able to hibernate during the heat waves. Maybe new houses should all be underground.

 

Have decided to give up on the kitchen AC and just get online and order one and pay to have it installed. Normally—not that much in my life feels very normal currently—it would be easier to just pay the boys over across the lake to come install the sucker for me. They have muscles that make them think that they need to go to a gym to exercise. Not even sure that they are at home since they had a vacation planned. Maybe a phone call will tell me one way or the other. Anyway, saw that there is an AC that works both as a heating unit and cooler. Anyone have any experience with such a critter? Can believe that nothing would have worked last year when we had that terrific cold spell. But the gas heater in the kitchen worked pretty well for that. And electricity has a tendency to go out when the power lines snap under ice. Oh! Life is so much fun! Still beats not living, however.

 

Sylvia brought me her alligator to have it filled up with treats. My dogs are not spoiled. They have always smelled that way. Speaking of which: just learned a new term: crop dusting. The Urban Dictionary is very helpful at times like these. Think this is what my dogs do while looking so very innocent!

 

Oh, would love to have any of you who are interested to read my friend’s blog at Carlabeard.com. It is on blogger under Cairns. She came to Texas one year when it had been pretty dry. We went to the Hill Country so she could see the Bluebonnets and some pretty parts of our Texas history. It was a good trip even if the water in Hamilton Pool was down a bit. Ah well.

 

Know so little today that it is almost embarrassing. And all it seems like the old woman does is walk around in the living room where the AC is running. The weather report is not going to change for a week or so; I suggest we all take a vacation to . . . Ok, somewhere cool? Can the hens and dogs go, too? Ah, nevermind. Just hang in there.

 

Remember to be thankful for the blessings God has given us. Even heat reminds us that we are alive. Get up early and listen to the birds. They still sing. Give them water in the shade. Call the old folks and check on them. Remember to drink often. You are loved.

 

 

Times and Churches Change.

 Times and Churches Change.

 

Talking with a friend this afternoon about how much smaller the congregations are in some churches; it makes a person wonder how many churches will be left or how many Christians will still be practicing what Christ taught here on earth. We believe we know that Christ will return to take over His kingdom. My parents used to talk about the rapture, and then my brother told me that the term “caught up” meant the same thing. Ok. Not going to argue about semantics with anyone. What will be will be what God has in His plan. Not believing or believing slightly different wording probably is not going to make that much difference in our lives. Just guessing. Paul said that he knew of Christ crucified and resurrected. Going to go with that one for sure.

 

Anyway, my friend has been helping out in a few churches by substituting for the ministers when needed. That job would take some planning and major praying in my estimation. And that does not even begin to pay for the gas to get somewhere out of town. But this lady has a big heart and kindness that is admirable. Would appreciate prayers for safety for CB in her travels and in her sermons that they may be what the congregations need to hear.

 

Today has been an entirely lazy, goof-off day. Can’t seem to make myself interested in doing anything. Not sure where WF gets its temperature taken, but it has been 115 to 117 all afternoon out on my back deck. It’s only 102 right now on the front porch. Whew. Some of the folks here in WF who have chickens are losing three to five birds a day in this heat. Chickens need electrolytes, too. Put some in their water earlier—and in mine, too. Ordered some G2 powder for the girls and the old woman. If you are just drinking water, you need something in it to keep your body fluids balanced. Please take care of yourselves! Little children and old folks need extra special care about such things because we dehydrate so quickly. If you are older, get some Gatorade or G2 that does not have so much sugar in it. Even a diabetic can drink G2.

 

Talked to my brother a few minutes. Of course, he said that everyone in his part of Arkansas is running out of water and praying for rain. No grass means everyone is having to sell off their cattle up there same as here. We figured by this time next year, we may need to learn how to cook sparrows, pigeons, lizards, and rabbits out of the fields. His son Danny was depending on the spring-fed well on his place to water his four houses of chickens, but now the well has gone dry, and he is having to buy city water. Not much profit in chickens when it costs so much for water. My hens cost a considerable amount of money, but it just does not make sense to get rid of them. They are so tame that they come to me whenever the old woman sits down on the deck. Only two have names, but they all seem to appreciate being loved and petted. Silly old woman.

 

It seems to me that it is more and more difficult to avoid the news. And it is worse every time it is read. Stabbings, shootings, folks walking off and dying in the heat, falling off of trails into canyons, fires, animal attacks from dog packs to bears, and assorted drownings. Wish occasionally we would hear some really good news. A person can only enjoy so many pictures of horses, cats, and flowers before the mind becomes a bit numb. Oh well. Have books, will read.

 

Seems that some company or other will be selling fish and chips on the corner where the Eskimo Hut is on SW Pkwy and Kemp this coming Friday starting at 11 a.m. If the old woman remembers, she may actually go buy some fish and chips. Had some in Scotland that was SO good. Not that anything like a side of fish is to be expected here in WF. But still. If it does not cost an arm and a leg, it might be worth driving up there to get some to take home. We will see. Just about anything is better than cooking.

 

Will just take a deep breath and relax more than usual and tell you all that we can be thankful to live where we are. It may be hotter than …well, you know. But we can still get up in the morning and enjoy a cup of coffee and bird songs. No flowers and mostly wilted trees, but Dear Hearts, we are free. Remember to let God know that you are thankful for His peace.

 

Rest well and stay hydrated. You are loved.

No More Children!

 No More Children!

 

Lance and Tracy will no longer have children after tomorrow. Rachel will be 18—an adult (more or less). He said they were going to go buy a cake and make something out on the grill and send her pictures because she is in Florida with a friend and her family. Sounds like a winner to me! Have never been to Florida, but have heard that the humidity is considerably higher down there than here in this part of Texas. But then, Lance only lives about one hundred miles from WF, and their humidity is much higher than ours.

 

This morning was wonderful for the cool air and some little sprinkles of rain. Made me wish for fall. Used to love fall weather when we went to school and could come home to whatever smell came out of Mom’s kitchen. She made some of the best soups! But those were fall and winter meals, not summer. Heated up some stew from the freezer today and thought about her soups again. Miss her and Dad. But glad that they are not seeing all the crud going on in the world today nor suffering with this heat.

 

One of Lance’s friends said that the AC had to be turned down real low in the morning to even be able to keep up with the afternoon temperatures. Have a feeling he knows what he is talking about. So glad the old woman just let the kitchen stay hot and did not try to replace that window unit. Not many machines can beat this Texas heat when the gauge says 118 degrees.

 

Went out and cleaned out the water bowls and the little water trough and pool. The dogs had to track mud into the pool immediately. Oh well. Lance said HIS dog never goes out and gets mud between his toes and then lies on the floor and chews the mud clods out. Uh huh. Could hear Tracy growling in the background. Boris is much easier to keep clean. He is a Russian tortoise. But they also have two cats. Can’t imagine! As much as cats are great for laps and cuddles, those litter boxes are a mess.

 

Jennifer tells me that she is about to go stir crazy. Having to totally stay at home and away from her family is about the hardest thing she has done since she spent a month here with me. Going to work has its benefits. Not sure how well the critters will do with just Grayson to enjoy their silliness, but if Atlas can stop bullying the rest of the cats and at least one dog, maybe everything will still be intact when she returns home.

 

My sister-in-law knows that beautiful horses make me happy. Not sure if riding one will ever happen again, but at least the pictures make me happy at this point. Of course, pictures of beautiful places in England and Ireland make me drool, too. Even watched a few videos of the guy who is sponsored by PetsMart. He was showcasing some blind dogs and one beautiful Doberman that someone had cruelly mistreated by wrapping its mouth with tape so that it could not eat. How it lived it beyond me! People can be such dipsticks!

 

Really haven’t felt like doing much today. Eventually the old woman is going to have to get out the vacuum, the mop, and the cast iron skillet: clean first, then cook, don’t you see. Have some onions that need to be stir fried. Even have some raw veggies to put with them. Maybe before it gets hot in the morning and after feeding the dogs their scrambled eggs and kibble. Tried putting the fish oil on their food. Even Sylvia said, “Huh uh!” Guess Jenn’s dogs will get that bottle. Oh well.

 

May you all find reasons to enjoy life and living. God gave the birds beautiful songs to sing. We should listen, even in the heat. Let us pray for peace and for cooler weather. You are loved.

Only ONE AC Running.

 Only ONE AC Running.

 

Yay! Only one AC unit has been necessary today. This has actually been a pretty nice day. Early this morning, the smell of wet, burned grass was filtering through the air. Bleah. But it did not last. So maybe the places that have had horrible fires have been soaked? Know for a fact that a fence post or those huge electric poles can burn for days after the “fires” have been doused. Have some of those burned-out poles in the front area of my yard to keep folks from driving right up to the bedroom window. Some of Jerry’s friends were idiots behind a steering wheel. One ran over the post box—a big metal box that had several key boxes for folks on this street. The postal service would not put it back up, so for the longest we had to go over one block to Texas Street to get our mail. No longer necessary. When new neighbors move into the houses across the street, things may change again, but Patty still hesitates to even walk out to her mail box if the wind is blowing pretty hard. She has to carry a bottle of oxygen with her most of the time or sit down where her machine can make oxygen for her. That is a rough way to have to breathe.

 

It has sprinkled a few drops today, but the clouds are too high above us to really be promising. Jennifer and Lance sent me a screen shot of the radar showing things headed our way. Will just keep hoping. All the fields and everything in them need moisture! But just a small rain won’t do much good now. Just makes me sad to think of all the cattlemen who had to haul their herds to the sale barns. Farmers and ranchers keep us fed, but they have to rely on the weather for each blade of grass and every drop of water in those tanks and creeks. No amount of money can make up for a dry tank or burned crops and pastures.

 

For some reason Sylvia has been right under my feet today. Something is bothering her. She usually does this when the wind blows. Not sure what is causing this hugging session.

 

Ah! A sweet rainbow right out the south side of town. Guess someone got a bit of rain. Maybe that is why the mockingbirds have been acting so cheerful. Critters seem much more in tune with weather and what is going on than any human. And, in Sylvia’s case, she just keeps my feet so cozy—as if warm ears were needed on my toes today!

 

Saw that Kay Burroughs was able to return home after her surgery. It’s been a couple of days since she posted, so maybe she will let us know how things are going later. And Kellie Duke said that her father made it through his surgery just fine. The surgeon was surprised at the extent of the hernia in his stomach area. So now he will get back on his feet as soon as he is a bit stronger. Thank all of you for prayers for Kay and for Kellie’s dad.

 

For some reason, tired and headachey are the symptoms of an old woman today. Allergies are such fun. The pollen count is not even that high, but sneezes just about make my teeth rattle anyway. Oh well. This too, shall pass.

 

Let’s pray for peace while we are praying for rain and for an end to this horrible heat wave everywhere here in the U.S. and Europe. Then remember the folks in the Ukraine. Maybe soon they will see an end to the Russian aggression. Meanwhile, you know we are all going to end up having to get another shot this fall for whatever. Even saw that they had ONE case of polio up north. That just seems totally unreal! We just need God’s intervention in this world.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Strange Sleep.

 Strange Sleep.

 

Sneezing myself awake last night around midnight wasn’t too bad until it dawned on me that it was smoke that woke me up. Had to get up and do the rounds and check to see if it was active smoke or residual smoke from all the freaking fires. Finally made it back to bed around 2 a.m. Such fun. At least it was not all that hot outside. Thought that opening the house up sometime later would at least change the smells inside. It did. And the temperature did not get all that bad until around three this afternoon.

 

May have created a little black monster; she does not want off the nest. It has ice in there, don’t you see. She did not attack me, so don’t really think she is broody. She just wants to sit there. Poor critters. May have to put a couple of other nests in the brooder with ice coolers in them. Sister-in-law offered some more ice things to me, but so far, the few around here have been about enough—especially with water frozen in a milk carton in one nest. May just refill some water bottles and freeze those.

 

It actually has not been all that horrible today. This morning, it was almost nice except for feeling so danged dry. My nose would appreciate some extra moisture. May have to spray it with saline solution just to keep it moist enough to breathe comfortably. Think that toward the end of July, we are supposed to get drowned, or at least get a record rain. Figures. Dry us up, wash us away.

 

May have to use a shovel to get all the dog tracks out of my house. Each time we step outside, they go to the pool for a wade in the water. Then rolling in the best spot of dust and dead grass takes precedence over anything like sniffing the spots for wabbits and whatever else it is they like to sniff. Try to brush off the grass and occasionally use the brush on them, but the feet! Oh! Those dirty feet. Have a nice rubber backed rug in the back door that Roger brought over for them. Susan thought it would help keep my floors clean. It should be keeping up with the dirt, but two dogs times too many trips outside to the pool. Well, you get the idea. Maria, the lady who has helped me keep the house presentable or at least livable, says that having dogs and trying to clean house is like having small children and trying to keep house—impossible!

 

Ordered some stuff from Market Street that included one head of cabbage. Guess who that was for! Only a few sprigs of green even exist on the entire place—and that is mostly what is called Heavenly Bamboo or Nandinas. They don’t eat that stuff. But they truly love cabbage. AnnaBeth will be sitting there shaking her head at the thoughts of feeding hens cabbage. Sorry, Beth, but they are my babies.

 

Jennifer’s family went back to work wearing masks, but it will be next week before she can return. She is still testing positive. Hate this vicious virus! It’s no wonder so many folks have not recovered. She is a healthy person and just can’t shake it. But at least she can work online from home even though Gary does not want her out of the bedroom. Pretty impossible.

 

Because my sleep pattern was off, and because a silly ol’ woman was hurting just a bit and took a muscle relaxer, the hens were not let out of the coop until seven this morning. They were so thirsty, so this afternoon a water jar got cleaned up, filled and put inside the coop for them. Chickens definitely do not tolerate lack of water. Sterling said that his water went out on one of his big houses one summer—the fans have a mist stuff that keeps the chickens cool—and he lost four thousand chickens that day. They were due to go out that night! Now that is rough!

 

Did you know that Pepsi has a mango flavored drink? We will see tomorrow whether or not it tastes good enough to go back for more. One of those videos showed up on my email that showed how those things grow and are harvested. It is much harder to harvest them that it would be peaches or strawberries. Who knew! But it tickles me that raspberry has become more popular as a flavor in different products.

 

Sylvia brought me a treat ball to fill. Love to watch her roll that thing around and try to get the treats out. Sometimes she gets a little aggressive with it and drops it hard. Her alligator is MUCH easier to dump on the floor. But she sticks her tongue in it and bites the edges. It used to be a squeak toy. Now it is a treat toy. Thompson just patiently waits until someone notices that he has not had his handful of treats. Sweet ol’ boy!

 

Really don’t know doodly. Have not looked at the headlines today and have just stayed out of trouble—mostly. Have a slight headache that comes from the stuff in the air. Can’t imagine how the firefighters must feel today. Worked in that blazing fire all day yesterday and still have to keep at it today. Wish my finances were as good as someone like the guy who is trying to back out of the Twitter purchase. He could afford to buy more tanker trucks, some planes to dump retardant or water, the tires for all the trucks that will get damaged, the ATVs to get to the places the trucks can’t go, and the helicopters to use to get men and equipment where it is needed. Our friend Henry used to live in Santo, down in Palo Pinto County. He said it was easy to get lost in those mountains even if they were not as tall as those in the Rockies. They are thick with trees and scrub. It would take thousands of head of goats to clean that mess out enough to create less of a fire hazard. And just one lightning bolt would do the trick of setting another fire. Guess that is about the same anywhere.

 

Have a feeling that the cougars and bobcats will be heading this way from Archer and Palo Pinto counties since their cover and game animals have either been burned or driven out by the fires. Folks don’t stop to think about what happens to big cats when they can’t stay in the hills. Around here, people are pretty careless about letting their cats and little dogs out. Coyotes appreciate that kind of carelessness. Shaking my head.

 

God will provide for the birds and beasts. He loves them, too. Let us care for our fellow men in whatever way we can. Even a bottle of water given to someone can make a difference. Please take good care of yourselves. Let yourselves look for the positive in whatever situation you are. YOU are loved.

Early Morning Work.

 Early Morning Work.

 

The cooking is done for the day. Thought about cooking down the apple stuff, but just put it in a Ziplock and threw it in the freezer. Cooked up more chicken thighs for the dogs, put chicken broth in Ziplock and threw that in the freezer. Cooked some Chicken Voila for later for an old woman, then went out and dumped a hundred pounds of lay mash in the bin. Swept the freaking love bugs out of the back bathroom door. Went out and sprayed that Hotshot wasp spray around the bottom of the Western Soapberry. Washed my hands a few times with Dawn. Took the empty feed sacks out for the trash man. And now, Dear Hearts, the old woman is just going to goof off for a bit.

 

It has been one blaze after another today around our area. Folks right now are being evacuated from Arrowhead Estates from a fire in Clay County. Just called my former neighbor to let her know that she and her family are welcome to come here if they have to leave their home. She told me that parts of Vernon to our west are being evacuated near the hospital. Only God can make a difference in this mess. Read online that areas of London are on fire today. Bless them. They have no idea how hot weather really works! Spain and France are having the same difficulties with fires and having to evacuate folks.

 

One of my grands called to check on me. Asked who was doing the cooking lately. They all are cooking, but Rachel only cooks for herself. That made me laugh. That child will not eat just anything. Not sure she has a favorite food, in fact. She is about as big around as a fence post and much taller. She lifts weights and otherwise runs and stays busy keeping fit. Not sure where she got that tendency, but it certainly was not from this grandmother!!

 

Have been putting ice blocks—those plastic ones that are put in coolers—in the hens’ nesting boxes. They seem to appreciate that. Still getting one or two eggs per day and not even going to gripe. They have to wear those feathers, don’t you see. The old woman is running around the house in shorts and barely covered topside with a wet hand towel around my neck! Eating cantaloupe and ice cream after wiping out the chicken Voila. Put the ingredients on the counter to make more of that stuff—my style—either late tonight or early, early in the morning. That stuff is good hot or cold.

 

Looks as if the AC in the kitchen is just going to have to be replaced—dadgumit! Thought about whether or not to call Lowe’s when the fire was headed this way. Was not sure there would be a window to put it in, so have waited. If the wind stays blowing from the southwest, the houses on this side of the highway should be safe for the time being. Just have to pray the winds don’t shift during the night. Can’t imagine where to take me and these two dogs unless it would be south to Lance or Jennifer’s place. And right now, 287 has been closed to traffic because of the fires. Guess decisions about the AC can wait just a couple of days.

 

Jennifer thought she was feeling better until today. Now she is aware that she has a fever again. This may be what they call “long covid.” Did not realize it had types. Lance and Tracy recovered fairly quickly. Guess Jennifer just got blessed with a hard case.

 

My computer says that it is currently 111 degrees, but my gauge on the front porch says 118 degrees. Guess which one makes more sense to me. Ahem.

 

Ok, have not received permission to give her name to anyone, but will tell you that the youngest daughter of my friend here in WF has some major health problems. Please pray for S.

 

My grandchild listened to all my gripes a bit ago, and when the old woman apologized for being so gripey, the remark tickled me: “In this case, those gripes are warranted.” Now that is funny to me. Yep, we are Texans and KNOW how to gripe. The weatherman said that even if we get some showers this evening, the possibility of lightning causing more fires is rather high. It figures. Can’t have one blessing (rain) without the side effects—lightning, flash flooding, or high winds.

 

Have some “floaters” in my eyes that make me feel as if the mosquitoes or gnats are following me around. Very disconcerting. Sat outside this morning in the breeze before the sun got up and thought that a mosquito was following me and sure enough, swatted three of the tacky little black meanies. At least the ones in my eyes don’t bite!

 

Have been feeding my dogs scrambled eggs lately since they really like them. It is easier than any other food to cook for them. If it ever cools down, some sweet potatoes and applesauce might join their dog food. They seem to really like this Purina stuff for sensitive skin and stomachs. It contains oats, of course. Bought some oats a couple of months ago, so they will start getting oats soon in their meals. Chicken and oats. Not a bad meal. Did not get over to Wally World the second time to look for marked down meats, so will just have to work on giving them liver and whatever else happens to be in the pantry or freezer. Have stopped buying beef for the most part. Feel so sorry for the cattlemen. One guy had eight cows left that he was going to try to use to rebuild his herd after selling all the rest. Then read online that the Montague sale barn had cattle going through for a solid 24 hours from cattlemen who had no pasture, no feed, no water. God help us!

 

A grasshopper made the mistake of getting inside the fence where a hen could find it. Rusty Lady was running all over the place trying to keep her prize away from a black Maran. Saw her poke it on the ground and then swallow it! Yep, grasshopper delight!

 

Sharon Dickerson just texted to say that the fire in Vernon was from a gas line break that caused a fire. They got it out and no one was hurt. Wish all the stupid fires could be put out that easily.

 

Need to sit down here and make out a grocery order. My fridge is looking pretty sad inside—nary a veggie, ya know. May even see if some cheese tortellini are available. That just sounds good. Hmm. They say not to go to the grocery store when hungry. Guess the old woman should go eat something for supper.

 

May each of you find rest in His peace this day. You are loved.