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.