Second Attempt.

 

Second Attempt.

 

Re-read what was written and decided it was just better not to say anything at all rather than show off the aggravations that make an old woman grumpy. Suffice it to say: new haircut, more eggs and happy hens, good visit from a young couple, prayers for my sweet doctor and her nurse and family, appreciation for every drop of rain plus the freaking humidity it produces!

 

God has blessed me. Joy is where we find it even when we are too silly to look. Let us appreciate life and living and even the end of the same. Everything has its purpose.

 

Rest well, my friends, and know: you are loved.

Doubling Up!

 Doubling Up!

 

Have ridden double more times than once. Why, the worse buckin’ horse in Clay County put me on the ground once when Donna Fuhrman (Reeves) had me on the saddle behind her on her dad’s horse, Ol’ Buck. Now that horse deserved his name. Sweetest ol’ critter you ever met. Just don’t leave the tailgate down on the pickup or he would decide he needed to go for a ride. John had to take the horse for a drive or he would not get out of the pickup. And while he was ridin’, he had to have his head around the side of the truck tellin’ John how to drive (no sideboards, mind you)! My daddy said more than once he saw John driving down the highway with that ol’ horse telling John where to go! Sure do have good memories of such as that. Growing up in Clay County had some times that were more special than anything that could be offered to most kids in this old world.

 

Today my doctor decided to double up on some medications so that the old woman would not be hurting as much or as freaking down and depressed. If the Celebrex helps with the pain in my body, the rest of the problems might not be quite as bad. When my son asked me the other day if my diet was filled with the right kind of vegetables and stuff, Jennifer spoke up very quickly and said that she did not know of even one person who ate the kind of healthy foods that her mom ate. Don’t think her children had ever seen that many or that assortment of veggies in their fridge as when the old woman was staying with them. Sitting here at the moment, eating bell pepper slices dipped in pepper humus. Had fresh peaches and a mug of coffee for breakfast—oh, and a few pieces of something called “naan.” The kids picked it up at Sam’s. Never had any before, but it is not bad. It is a bread type little bite that may be the smaller size of something that they eat in India. Not sure.

 

Talked to my brother Sterling a bit ago. He and his best friend there in Gentry, Arkansas, have about made up their minds that they need to retire and just piddle. Seems they were doing some brush work in George’s front yard and pulling out some tree mess until they both were almost unable to breathe. Yep, time to retire and just back off the exertions of a younger, stronger man. Sterling said this is his last year of cutting wood, stacking, and all that mess. He can buy what he wants and others can do the same. We used to have a wood burning stove and can testify to the amount of work required by one of those hungry dragons. Yes, it kept the house nice and cozy in the winter, but the good Lord knows we sweated enough cutting that wood, hauling it, and then chopping it up for the stove. Then there was all that ash that had to be removed and spread around. Nope. No wood stoves for me any longer. Lone Star Gas definitely has got me spoiled.

 

Sylvia is cleaning out the little plastic container that held the humus. Not sure if she likes it or just enjoys messing with the container. But then, she likes the water bottles that anyone has and will wait—almost patiently—for them to be given to her. She crunches up the entire bottle before she is finished.

 

Just went out to check on the hens and the nests. By wacky! Got a total of seven eggs today! Maybe they are feeling much better after this weather has finally stopped being so totally miserable.

Have not messed with any kind of news today as nothing out there tends to make me feel good about how folks are treating each other or the soil they live on. If we all had some of the knowledge of the older generations, we might already know what is good for the ground, for the critters, and for ourselves. Don’t think my great-grands got to be the age they were by using sprays on the bugs and the ground. Now, that is not to say that they did not get eat up by chiggers unless they had a goodly supply of sulfur or something to put on their clothes when they went berry picking. But you can bet they had vinegar to pickle their cucumbers and assorted veggies back then. Ah well. Times and folks’ attitudes change.

 

That new telescope that can see all the different galaxies and plumb the types of chemicals on the surfaces just amazes me. Really do wish at times that someone had encouraged me to take chemistry. But how many women my age had that kind of encouragement? We were supposed to be wives, nurses, teachers, or something like that. Maybe a librarian if we were just a bit too much to corral. Ah, the choices we make in life. And who can tell our grands what a difference they can make unless they can see it for themselves?

 

We know that God is in charge, but today you have the opportunity to help me pray for my family—extended as they may be. Some are on the road coming here; some are the ones who need their presence. Let us ask for peace for individuals as well as for nations.

 

Rest and enjoy the changing of the seasons. You are loved.

Wind and Weather.

 Wind and Weather.

 

Remember that song for Rawhide?

Keep Rollin', Rollin', Rollin',
Though the streams are swollen,
Keep them dawwgies rollin', Rawhide!
Through rain and wind and weather,
Hell bent for leather . . .

Well, the wind hit, anyway. No “dawwgies” out in the back yard, but the hens are definitely flyin’ in this wind. And both dogs are as nervous as a wild-eyed steer bein’ drivin’ in bad weather!

 

Nothing serious about Texas weather more than the fact that we never know what to expect. Guess that is what keeps things interesting.

 

Connie called me this afternoon and wanted to “vent” about her visit to Olive Garden. She went for lunch and asked for a booth rather than a table. And she sat there and waited for 25 minutes without service. She finally asked to speak to the manager and really did not get any satisfaction from that attempt. Any of you who really know the old woman can understand that my head is shaking forcibly at the moment. No way in a sidewinder heck would this old girl sit still for not being served. And you can bet everyone in that part of the restaurant would know about it. But, we are not all cut from the same bolt of material. Some of us are pretty much burlap and canvas that gets the job done.

 

Have a nine o’clock appointment to see Dr. Blackwell in the a.m. Here’s hoping that she does not believe that one of her difficult patients is on the verge of getting meaner than a snake. Just not willing to feel the way things are feeling right now without trying to do something about it. When a person considers the damage done to Diann Dennis by her fall, or considers the pain that poor Justin Jones has been in from surgery on his broken leg, my gripes are mostly minor—more or less. But then, looking at things from a different perspective, why hurt or feel like crud if something can be changed? It was so wonderful not to be in constant pain after more or less recovering from that surgery, but having other problems that cause fatigue and general malaise just make a person feel danged gripey! Anyway, these things may be minor, but if they can be changed with some simple solution, why not!

 

Have not accomplished a single thing of note today. The snake has still not turned up, but a certain smell makes me wonder if it was wounded and may be holed up somewhere in my bedroom. Hate to have to take that dresser apart, but if that is what it takes, that may be the next step. Dadgumit! Nothing in the sticky traps, however.

 

Got two whole eggs today so far. Did not check the little chicken house or the green house yet. The wind was a bit fierce and yours truly had no desire to get blown off the deck or latched up inside the coop by that swinging door. The front may settle down to a mild roar here in a bit, so will check those places then.

 

My girl is a sweetheart who is sending flowers to someone we dearly love every Monday, and she finally said that her mom could help with that little effort of encouragement. Flowers are for the living, dear hearts. Hugs and happy words make life a little lighter, too. Have so many dear friends who understand that.

 

The thunder has Thompson stirred up. Guess maybe a couple of thunder shirts need to be applied here in a few minutes. Sigh The front coming in out of the east is a dark blue, but that doesn’t mean a whole bunch. Sometimes rain comes out of the strangest looking clouds. But wind? Nope. We don’t even have to have a cloud!

 

My ninety-year-old cousin Betty called me yesterday to ask me if she could have her niece call me when she arrives in Garland to visit. The answer was, of course, yes. Betty says that she has forgotten so much of that time. She and Keith were exactly six and a half years apart. The niece was Keith’s second child. His son died some years ago after having married (the wife died) and having a son that was left to be raised by the niece. Such things become more common in big families, but our families were always small—well, except for the Dickersons. Grandma Dickerson had thirteen children with her husband. Even allowing for twins, that is a bunch of children. Lewis and his sister Anne had LOTS of aunts and uncles on both sides of the family. Lewis’ mom came from a big family, too. And two of her sisters married two of the Dickerson men, so the children were double cousins. A joke in the family was that no one should marry before checking out the family line to be sure cousins were not marrying cousins! Anymore, so many women are having children from sperm donors who are spreading around the same DNA. Shaking my head. The world is a weird place and getting more so every day.

 

Really about as dumb as a rock this evening. Did not sleep last night and have slouched around most of the day. Sylvia was upset last night and kept bugging me. She wanted her head on me somewhere. Finally had to just give up and go to the living room to read. She lay down on my feet, so at least one of us was comfortable.

 

As much as we need to give thanks for all the blessings, sometimes we are overwhelmed with what is inside our heads and hearts. Yes, He can and will remove the concerns or help us to endure sorrows, but that does not mean that they are not there in the first place. Let us help Him by acknowledging His love for us and for those we love.

 

Rest well and find joy in each day. You are loved.

 

 

Religion or Relationship.

 Religion or Relationship.

 

Have been reading a good book that includes so many messages about how empty our lives are without a special relationship that is so far beyond anything we normally consider in relationships with others. As much as this old woman loved her husband and her children, the relationship with my Father in heaven has proven to be the most lasting and satisfying. He has promised me so many special moments that are to become a lifetime with Him. Just want you to know that whatever effort it has taken to get better acquainted with Him has been worth it. This is only the physical life we spend here. He knows the stars and has named them and counts that they should not be lost—they are similar to us with our relationships with our children in some ways. And guess who matters more to Him than all those stars.

 

For as long as the old woman has lived, we were taught about God. It seemed to me that some folks got their panties in a wad if a baptism was not by immersion or the words of prayers were not just according to some set standard. But relationships are not by a mathematical formula or some chemical equation. He shows us the stars, the world around us, and all He created. The days of the week—they are not as important as talking to Him and sharing our love with Him. Is that so hard to accept?

 

Let us pray for one another and accept that none of us are going to always be accepted by everyone—only by the One Who matters.

 

You are loved.

Something Happy.

 Something Happy.

 

We used to have a saying in our family when we got something special that was not necessarily meant to be for any special occasion. It was a happy surprise. Think this was the term that one of the young cousins came up with when he asked if it was a birthday or something. He knew it was not Christmas. But the “happy surprise” stuck with any joyous gift or occasion that came along after Doug grew up. Don’t think his life necessarily worked out to be much of a happy surprise, but he did get to love his children as they grew up. Well, my dogs are capable of giving me happy surprises quite often. Sylvia will come and put her head on me—either on my lap or foot or wherever. Then she will give little happy woofs. Thompson just looks at me and expects me to read his mind. This afternoon he led me to the kitchen. Yours truly thought he just wanted outside again. Nope. He looked at the fridge and then at me. More chicken with rice soaked up from chicken broth, thank you very much. And then he smiled after he returned to the living room after his snack. He seems to be satisfied with his training of the old woman.

 

Now the hens have their own way of demanding goodies. They really like the scratch that they get after they have been out to roam around the back yard and side lots to inspect the premises for bugs and stuff. This morning they got the rinds of two cantaloupes, but they still wanted that little tossed bit of scratch in their tray outside the coop door. They gave me three eggs today, so it was a pretty fair trade. This weather is making them much happier—well, the rest of us, too.

 

Talked to my sister-in-law briefly. She is a sick puppy. They plan to run more tests this afternoon and try to find the problems that may have something to do with her liver. Pneumonia is not usually a symptom of liver problems, but she has that to go along with the broken ribs and whatever else is messed up in her chest. Please continue to pray for her. She is only 67 years old—same age as my brother Sterling. Anyway, her son is here and my kids will stop by to see her tomorrow to visit and tell her how much she is loved. It just pleases me that she can be at her local hospital rather than having to be in WF to see her doctor.

 

Have not accomplished even a little bit today. Still have not vacuumed the kitchen and living room or mopped. Not sure just why getting up to do things makes me feel so tired, but will be glad when that attitude or whatever changes. Would much rather be hyper as a jack rabbit than slow as a sloth. And lately the sloth is winning. Did cook a bit, but am not too thrilled at the beef that was cut up to go in my little mixture of veggies. Will do it again—maybe—in the morning. Or we may just have fried chicken or hamburgers. The Hotter ‘N’ Hell Hundred will make getting food from quick places a bit harder to manage, but the kids are patient.

 

Walked around the boundaries and checked each section of fence to see if any of it looked like a place Sylvia could get out. Just simply can’t imagine how she did it unless she was chasing a squirrel or rabbit and just bulldozed right through it somewhere! Ah well. We will figure it out.

 

Saw the behind the backyard neighbor out in her yard last night. She waved. THAT is a first! Have not seen the man who lives with her around for some time now, so she may be alone again. And have not heard her dogs barking either. Almost afraid to talk to her since she is such a strange creature. Not fear per se, but she is definitely one that would lie and say you shot her house or something like that. She and her significant other were big on drugs for the longest. That is not exactly an encouraging recommendation either. Oh well.

 

The lot down on the end of the street looks very nice now since some guy trimmed up all the trees and mowed the grass. Yours truly needs to get the clippers out and cut out the stinking Western soapberries that have come up in the fence. Also have two very dead rose bushes that need to come out. This drought really has killed so many plants. My nandinas look as if someone took a blow torch to their tops. The only one that still looks good is right by the deck where the hens get watered down on hot days. Guess that saved it.

 

My dog is telling me we need to go outside for some reason. Guess maybe it would be a good idea to pay attention. God gave us these loving creatures to help us stay mentally and emotionally stable. And that is a big job for them!

 

Rest well and know that whatever comes our way is only for what we call now. A better day will come soon. It is a promise. You are loved.

A Good Nap.

 A Good Nap.

 

Woke up from a nap because a young woman was ringing the doorbell. That just does not happen around here, and Thompson was not a happy camper. Stepped outside on the front porch—in my sleep wear no less—and she needed a “jump” for her dead battery. Got some presentable clothes on, found my sandals, got my keys, took the truck over to Jerry’s, and the man—maybe her husband?—put the jump cables in the correct places. They were good to go and said thanks a few times. Got my old body back inside and then decided to go check on the girls while up. Three more eggs in the nests! That is six eggs today! Happy hens do happy things that hens do!

 

Worked all morning trying to clean up around the back yard. Wouldn’t you know that the khaki weed is standing up at attention among all the dead looking straw that might or might not be Bermuda grass. Pulled some of it, but mostly just gathered up junk to throw in the trash bin. Called Stephen earlier to tell him he could have these two tarp things to use to cover whatever. The city is giving him fits about having a car on a trailer over at his place. Sitting here shaking my head. Of all the trash in this stupid city, they picked his place because ? Well, because they can.

 

So very tired. Vacuumed up more of those freaking bugs and then brought the vacuum into the living room. Maybe it will get done in the morning, but right now it simply is not going to happen. The dogs can just walk around the thing.

 

Laundry, in case you did not know, never does itself. Had a load in the washer earlier and now it is banging around in the dryer. You have heard of a horse throwing a shoe. Well, my dryer just threw a shoe right out the door. Had to pick up that sneaker and throw it BACK inside the dryer and start it again. Such fun. Unless a person has a maid or someone of that nature, laundry does not fold and put itself away. And it never ceases to amaze me how much laundry ONE person can have! Saw that Nikki had her entire cabinet space in the dining room with piles of clean laundry that needed to be folded and put away. How we ever kept up around here with five people was pretty hard, but imagine working from can to can’t and still having to separate and do all the laundry with four males in the house!

 

Really enjoyed Connie’s birthday yesterday. One day soon, she wants to drive down to Nocona to the lake lot her parents bought. Lewis and his crazy young wife thought about doing that once upon a time. Glad, SO glad that we did not. Leta and Jerry Talley live down there and have problems with neighbors letting their dogs run loose. At least WF has laws about roaming dogs. Of course, Sylvia managed to get out the other day, so Lance is coming Saturday to help me put down some wire around the bottom of the fenced areas to prevent that happening again—living in hope here since it really was not apparent WHERE she got out. She just wanted back inside!

 

Remember that song that goes: “my back aches, my head hurts, and don’t feel like talking! Don’t want to watch Dr. Zhivago either!” That is pretty much me right now. It is a privilege to get this old, but griping apparently comes with the territory. Sorry about that.

Thought about turning on the TV this afternoon rather than reading a book, but it takes time to find all the different places that need to be clicked on just to watch something. Now talk about lazy! How terrible it is to be among those privileged enough to have my own home, a decent chair, and a decent TV and then just be too lazy to channel surf!

 

Cleaned up some in the middle hen coop today. The hay that was on the shelf got good and wet, so a certain old woman is going to have to go get a couple of sheets of metal or something to put on the roof there. Jenn tried to get me to do that when the roofers were here, but had no desire to pay a couple of thousand to those guys to strow nails across the yard. They might be good roofers, but dear hearts, they were not very good about keeping the nails they were using picked up. Those things would ruin a lawn mower tire! Circled the back yard several times and still find some close to the house all the way around. Not sure if they were too tired to clean up after themselves or what, because the dogs were kept in so they COULD clean up their mess. Oh well. The roof is solid.

 

After cleaning the floor in the bedroom this morning, put Sylvia’s crate back together so she has to sleep in it again. Dropped the freaking thing on my big toe and was so very grateful to be wearing my sneakers at the time. It almost made me cry, but nothing was cut. Put the crate with the side gate opening on the bedroom toward the door so she can see out without a problem. Hoping she will not whine and carry on tonight.

 

Just had to go start the dryer again. Who knew sneakers were that heavy!

 

Other than playing a couple of hidden search games, my computer has not been busy today. That might be the reason someone around here is so very pooped out. Usually spend more time playing or reading. Not sure what is in the news right now makes much sense. Some politician had a private party and was criticized for dancing! This was in Finland or someplace like that. Hello! She was not drunk driving, taking advantage of small children, or trying to start another world war! Sitting here shaking my head. Now if she had been in Texas and was wearing Sooner colors, she might have been strung up to the nearest light pole!! But dancing fully clothed? Nah.

 

Know that Diann Dennis is still trying to recuperate from falling down a creek embankment. She is going to be sore and hurting for quite a while. And then there is Justin Jones with his broken leg from a stupid football “skirmish.” Poor kid will miss playing the rest of the year, no doubt. Let’s hope that God lets him heal completely and without any undue residual problems. Meanwhile, let’s pray for both of them that their pain can be alleviated with the least amount of drugs necessary.

 

Someone was stupidly asking if we should still be helping the Ukraine. How asinine! Of course, they need all the help we can give them. Russia invaded their country, not the other way around! Millions of people have been affected by Russian aggression and someone has the audacity to insinuate that they don’t need our help! The very least we can do is pray for that nation and those people. But help them? YES, definitely help others when bullies try to take over their homes, cities, industries, and way of life. The farmers of that country feed millions of hungry people! You can bet the Russians would not do that!

 

Well, have to get my temper and my opinionated remarks under control. Let us pray for peace. May the children of countries such as Israel, Ukraine, and the U.S. have time to play and be real children rather than pawns in some idiot’s plans. May God bless the children.

 

Despite the flooding, let us thank God for all the blessings brought by cooler weather and the much-needed rain. Here in North Central Texas, our tanks and lakes still need to be refilled. May God bless us with rain as needed.

 

Rest well, my friends, and remember that being grateful is the first step to having peace. You are loved.

 

Maybe Tomorrow.

 Maybe Tomorrow.

 

Connie Cooke took us over to Cracker Barrel where we celebrated her birthday. Then she hauled my backside all over town and pointed out a few places after we finally found the P.E.T.S. clinic for helping out folks with spay and neuter services for their critters. Found the resale shop for Faith Services and the Habitat for Humanity store. Was able to point out to her several places where my dad used to work: welding kept our family fed and in wheels as needed—nothing fancy, but serviceable. Anyway, she knew the old woman just needed a change of scenery, so that is what she provided. A good friend is a treasure, dear hearts.

 

Jennifer said that their youngest son nearly got swept away on his way to class the other day and had to sit there soaked from head to foot, but apparently the instructor understood. Grayson’s last class for his master’s degree started and then the instructor tested positive for that danged virus, so it will be at least two weeks of online classes. Bleah! Jennifer has to ride to work (early and late) with Gary because the water will float her little mini cooper thing between home and the shop. Lance said that they got a toad strangler today. We got a shower and a heck of a lot more humidity. Oh, joy. Guess my attitude stinks, but should just be thankful to see grass coming up out in the back yard.

 

Can’t think of nary a thing that really feels uplifting right this moment, but know that being grateful is still the critical choice for moods and sanity. Let us all be grateful for life and all blessings.

Pray for peace. You are loved.

Braggin' Rights!

 Braggin’ Rights!

 

Johnny Bailey said they got something like six inches of rain up there in Oklahoma where he and his family live. Then Sharon Dickerson was claiming she was happily suited out for the six inches that they got in Garland. Well, let me just tell you this: WE got enough to cause us to have some right sticky humidity!! So there!! Ah, but the hens are happy, and tiny little green things are sprouting up in the backyard that just MIGHT be Bermuda grass coming back from death warmed over. Praise God!

 

Found my rain boots where they were left in the kitchen from the last time it rained. Guess that tells you how well this house has not been cleaned! Oh well.

 

Took my neighbor’s two little fuzzballs to the vet this afternoon to get their nails clipped. She won’t be able to tell they are coming down the hallway now that they can’t go click, click, scritch, click. Roxie is a sweetie, and Ruddy is ok, but thank you very much he did not really want in that carrier. The old woman was very thankful that the vet techs came out to haul their happy hides inside and then brought them back out to be strapped into the seat belts. Could just see myself having to throw on the brakes and collecting furballs out of the windshield, so their carriers were well strapped down. Wish it were that easy to take Sylvia and Thompson to the vet. Thompson would not be a problem at all, but Sylvia gets so scared that she would have to be drug if she were not right beside her brother. Ah well.

 

Cooked up a bunch of chicken thighs to feed my dogs, so when Thompson let me know that he wanted “something,” it was easy to please him. Had to let them cool just a bit, but he waited patiently. Sweet boy! Could hardly ask for a better dog. It was so danged funny, however, when Sterling was here and tried to play his guitar for me. Sylvia hid under the desk, and Thompson growled and started toward Sterling. Quickly informed him that he had to put that noise away before he lost a leg to a very defensive dog. I wanted to laugh so badly, but did not want to hurt his feelings. He just would not have understood how my dogs come first around here.

 

Sitting here at my desk looking out across at the State Hospital. Years ago, if one of the patients escaped, we did not really worry about it too much. They were more likely to hurt themselves or throw themselves in front of someone’s truck than to try to hurt someone else. Now the “inmates” are all the criminally insane. Not sure if the prisons would even want these people since they don’t care who or what they hurt. Not that the entire freaking world is all that much different, but sometimes it feels as if it would be just about as safe to live across from a prison as to live here. Guess that loaded 12-gauge and a couple of handguns are about as good as a high fence—unless it was electrified. It just amazed me to find out that they no longer take mental patients here. Wonder if there is anyplace that does? Think there is a big building in D.C. that holds a bunch of them.

 

Nothing much to say this evening. Justin Jones is still in the hospital with that broken leg and in lots of pain. Football skirmishes my hind foot! Sounds like a bunch of youngun’s bangin’ their heads together. But at least it was not his head! Let us pray for the kids going back to school and getting involved in all the rough stuff that is expected of them. Wish it could be a bit more useful skills than seeing if they can run over each other!

 

Pray for the children out there in the weather with buses floating across intersections! God bless them and their teachers, and all the associated helpers.

 

Pray for peace. It gets harder and harder to see how it will ever come to be unless God steps in and shakes us up enough to make peace the only avenue of life.

 

May the weather please you, the fleas not bug you, and your habits be encouraging to all. You are loved.

Slip Slidin' Away Now!

 Slip Slidin’ Away Now!

 

Just thought you might like to know: walking where grass has given up the ghost is most unlike walking on solid ground. Mud is all kinds of slippery! Managing to stay upright was rather interesting, but made me very careful after sliding INTO the hen coop instead of just walking calmly inside the door. Yep, finally got enough rain to make mud. Not griping in the least either!!

 

My hens are so very happy. They have spent the entire day roaming all over this hill—well, between my fences, of course. They hollowed out a cabbage, consumed a watermelon, cleaned up some leftover dog food, and otherwise found plenty to eat. And believe it or not, they were not hiding under the deck today at all. The weather has been SO nice. Ah, 70 degrees this morning and not much beyond that all day has made it feel as if it would be a good time to cook. Had to cook some venison hamburger for the dogs anyway, so that worked out rather well. Thought about cooking a head of cabbage, but just not quite in the mood for that yet. Love green stuff!

 

Supposed to take Patty and her pups to the vet tomorrow afternoon if it is raining. She wants to drive her car if it is not raining. Other people’s driving has a tendency to make me cringe, so it would be nice if it is raining. But if not, will just grit my teeth and deal with it. She just wants someone with her. Understand completely. She wants to start taking herself to her doctors’ appointments rather than have someone else drive her. Tomorrow, if it comes handy, think we will talk about those little battery-operated oxygen units that would not require her to carry a bottle of oxygen with her. This is just going to be definitely different for her. It takes courage to go out on one’s own. Been there, done that.

 

This morning before 5:30, it sounded to Patty as if someone shot a rifle. She did not call the police. Well, dear hearts, this old woman called about 9:30 when the sound of a rifle firing scared the wee out of me and Sylvia. Told the dispatcher it could have been an electric transformer exploding. Sure enough. That is exactly what happened. No one had cable from here all the way down Southwest Pkwy. Glad my stuff is on something else entirely. Sylvia shook and the old woman trembled, but we lived through that little episode!

 

Have been mostly reading today and staying away from FB other than just some games. Still just need to be still and not concern myself with what is going on. Hope you all understand. Sometimes life just gets to be a bit much.

 

Let us pray for peace and praise God for the rain we have received. May He bless those who are suffering from inundations of flood waters. Let us show love in the way that we would want it shown to us. YOU are loved.

Subversive?

 Subversive?

 

Now Keith is concerned that someone will find his photos subversive. Ah, but does he know that a certain old woman has promised to dance naked in the rain? Since the daughter told me she will not bail me out of jail, will just wait until dark and dance to my heart’s content. [Will also wait until the lightning stops streaking across the sky!]

 

Cooking backstrap—that is venison for good dog food in case you wondered. I tried some of the steak. Nope. Not enamored. Really like lamb, some beef, turkey, some chicken. But venison has a flavor that must take getting used to. The dogs do not care. Thompson even stole Sylvia’s portion before she got to it. Now have more on cooking for them. Still have a package of deer hamburger left to cook maybe tomorrow.

 

Just so you know: Thunder Shirts work. Getting them on straight is the biggy. Get the dog to stand and be still. Get the danged thing pointed in the right direction. Now get the first flap pulled under and up; then pull the other flap down to attach to the second flap. Voila! By that time the neck thing is lose again!!!

 

Found out this afternoon that Lance’s oldest has gallstones. Right now, they are talking about diet rather than surgery. Please pray that the kid does not need to have them taken out. Yes, we know that the laparoscopic surgery is not a biggie any more, but still.

 

Even if it means that the boys will have to be hired to mow, this rain promises so much goodness! The hens will get to enjoy some freshly grown grass for a change. Not that they mind eating cabbage, but still. Cary Guidry’s mom brought them a couple of small watermelons that they have been working on. Then John Rhodes brought them two heads of cabbage and some alfalfa. Was able to send home a dozen eggs with him today. Actually, got three eggs today from the nests. And the broody hen was not sitting on any of them! Let her out earlier to see if she would just run around and not get on a nest. We will see what tomorrow brings. Silly bird!

 

Had fresh asparagus for din-upper. Finished off with a freestone white peach. Yum. Sylvia cleaned up the plastic bowl that had the last of the spinach dip in it that had been a snack for me earlier. Then a flat looking peach thing appealed to me. Not sure what those things are, and they really don’t taste peachy, but they are not bad either. Ah, God knew what He was doing when He invented the foods for mankind.

 

My other sister-by-another mother Cindy is on her way to the ER with her daughter Sara. Please pray that they can help the young woman. Sometimes science and doctors are wonderful, but other times it makes me wonder. This girl has been in so much pain and wants a child. One ectopic pregnancy already. That is hard on a woman. And Cindy cares so deeply about her family. Let’s face it: when our children hurt, we hurt.

 

My friend Connie let me know this morning that her sister’s best friend and part of her family all have that stupid virus. It is not gone, dear hearts. Let’s take care of ourselves as nearly as possible. Those stupid masks bug me, but if that is what it takes, then washing my hands and wearing a mask it will be. Guess the flu shot is the next step. Sigh

 

Looking out the window to the road with the trumpet vine hanging on a post makes me smile. It has two kinds of trumpets—one golden colored and one red. We had red ones when we were growing up, but had never seen the golden ones before these came up. Not sure who sent me the seeds, but it just makes it look so neat with the two colors on the same post. It’s sad that the honeysuckle died out, but maybe it just was not strong enough to live through the heat and dry weather.

 

The irises are more brown than green, but the rain may bring them back before spring. We live in hope, don’t we.

 

You will just have to forgive me if you don’t see any mention here of things going on right now in the world. It is just a bit too much to handle or consider. Let us find the happiness that is around us and celebrate those things. May each day find reasons for you to smile and praise God. Rest and recover from the stresses around you. You are loved.

 

 

 

 

 

Who Needs Self-Care?

 Who Needs Self-Care?

 

Let’s start with answering a question. EACH of us needs to take care of ourselves emotionally, physically, mentally, and with one more important element that comes with knowing that only God determines our end. Time is just a relative element in anyone’s life. We are, we aren’t, we will be. Pretty simple. Sometimes we let ourselves become overwhelmed with “shtuff.” Lots of shtuff. Or even just bits and pieces of that shtuff. Nothing is as important in life as looking at the long-range picture. You’ve heard that bit about not being able to see the forest for the trees. Many of us tend to forget that there is an entire forest out there. It can either be scary or an adventure. My cousin John spent two weeks in the hospital to have two more stints put in for his heart and now has dialysis three days a week. He has determined that this is another adventure in his life. Sitting here wishing my outlook could be like that but very glad that it is not currently necessary to have to face that kind of “adventure.” Nope, little pools of depression and panic attacks are enough to put me down to sleep long hours of avoidance. Bravery is not my forte. Let us remember that so many of our soldiers, first responders, police officers, and teachers have to deal with PTSD. And now we have young children dealing with it as well. God forgive us for allowing our world to become such a horrifying place that little kids have to drill for active shooters in the classroom!

 

Everyone around us got rain, so we got fog this morning. Someone needs to pay the preacher!! But even if we don’t get six days of six inches of rain, anything is better than nothing. Thanks to some friends who pick up vegetables that are thrown out by the grocery store, my hens have more green stuff and even a few tomatoes. They have trimmed down the grass at the end of the drain pipe in the east lot until it is as smooth as a putting green! That is some funny stuff right there!

 

My sister-by-another mother Sharon Dickerson got home safely from her trip to Shreveport. It is difficult to find good help for patients with dementia. And then one woman was stealing the pods of soap for the dishwasher and clothes washer! Sad. As if it is not bad enough, and then to have someone steal from you.

 

Diann Dennis may not know even yet what is on the agenda to get her back on her feet. Her neurosurgeon is probably just as busy where she lives as Dr. Kern was when yours truly needed surgery. Let’s just hope that Diann will heal quickly and completely. It is hard to be down when one’s usual life style includes lots of walking and exploring.

 

Then my sister-in-law Anne Perkins fell early Monday morning and ended up with a huge bruise (hematoma) and stitches in the back of her head from falling in her bathroom. Nothing for me to do for her except pray. She seemed to think she might get the stitches out today, but haven’t talked to her.

 

My neighbor Patty is having some problems with depression again—not that it really ever stopped. And she thought she would quit smoking. Not much sense in it. At this point, why not do whatever makes you happy. That is what the doctor told Daddy after one lung was already eaten up with cancer. That was not what killed him anyway. He was just tired and ready to go to God.

 

This post is—again—not very uplifting. My apologies. Let us just remember that it is God who determines the outcomes of all of man’s plans. Robert Burns was quite right: The best laid plans of mice and men are oft to go astray. Yeppers. And God knows both the mouse in her little house and the man who strives to make a living and provide for his family. Let us pray that we can be as loving to others of whatever ilk as much as we have learned to love in His compassion.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Sprinkles and Prayers.

 Sprinkles and Prayers.

 

This morning was encouraging because of the cloud cover and sprinkles of rain. Lance sent a picture of the loading dock at H&O where he works. It was full of water from the rain down in Ft. Worth. Naturally we did not get that kind of rain here in WF. But at least the temperature did not get up to 100 today. In fact, it is currently about 93 degrees here in Wichita Falls with a ten percent chance of rain. Some scattered clouds just tease us a bit.

 

Not this weekend but next, we have the annual bicycle race called the Hotter ‘N Hell. If you suspect that someone you know might be grinning and wondering if someone will get rained on that weekend, you might just know the old woman pretty well. It would just make me laugh. It is great for the city coffers, of course, but the population pretty well explodes about that time—at least for a few days. My prayers are that no one gets hurt or has a heart attack. The organization includes medical tents and riders who watch for problems, but still, that is a lot of riders all congregated into roads that are blocked off specifically for the race. Having served in one of the tents handing out water and bananas one year, it seems to me some of these people have very little preparation for such an endurance race. The top riders get through the course quickly, but it takes some folks nearly all day to ride whichever section of the race thay have chosen. Not for an old, ornery woman, for sure!

 

A message from my sister-by-another mother let me know that Sharon Dickerson is in a different part of Texas tonight helping out her son. He is taking care of his biological father who has dementia. So, Sharon is helping him this week for a bit. She may be headed home tomorrow, so my prayers are with her for a safe, uneventful stay and trip home.

 

Then a text this afternoon informed me that my sister-in-law took a bad fall in her bathroom early Monday morning. She has a hematoma (bad bruise) and had to have stitches. She says she is so sore that she can hardly move around. Understand completely.

 

My online friend Diann Dennis took a bad fall recently down in a creek bed and fractured one of the bones from can to can’t that included the bone leading to the hip. She is such a motivated searcher for wild flowers in her part of the world and has always shared her research with the “wild” group of folks who love being outdoors. She was, unfortunately, by herself when she fell quite a distance. Her phone was on her, so she was able to call a family member to send someone to rescue her. Praise God they were able to get to her and get her to a hospital. We sometimes seem to believe that we are as indestructible as we thought we were as young teens. It has not taken some of us long to figure out that indestructible ain’t necessarily so. Anyway, please keep Sharon, Anne, and Diann in your prayers for safety and healing.

 

Meanwhile a call from my brother Sterling reminded me of his concerns. His wife had a stroke some years ago and then had a double mastectomy because of breast cancer. The side effects of the chemo have caused her increasingly to be unable to use her hands and feet as well as she should be able. Then she does not get up and move around very much—somewhat like the rest of us who just do what has to be done and not much more. Sterling wants her to go walking with him to get her back into shape before she becomes an invalid and in a wheelchair. Jacqui will undoubtedly gripe and groan the entire time he is trying to move her body, but maybe she will listen to reason. Sterling and Jacqui will be in my prayers so that they can enjoy their time together without the problems associated with invalidism.

 

While we were talking, Sterling reminded me that it is God who puts those in places of leadership-power for His purposes. Several times someone has put on FB the scripture about how if His people will turn to Him that they would be blessed. It always makes me think about the many violations of humanity—abortion as birth control, for instance, and the many murderous attempts by various people who are so very bigoted about either race or nationality or whatever. How can we even begin to hope that God will forgive us as a nation when we really don’t show our need and desire for forgiveness? Oh, we see many wonderful examples of people helping others and trying their best to alleviate major problems, but as a nation? It is hard to think that the greed—yes, just pure out and out greed—that forms the decisions of men could make a difference if their personal desires were not so terribly deficient of love. More often than not, the violence in this world that we see or read about comes from tragically distorted desires. The only answer to such horrors has to come from God. He will judge. The sooner, the better.

 

So, the bookcase and the TV table are dusted, but the step stool is still in the living room. Maybe it will drift off to the kitchen this evening—or not. The hens enjoyed the cloud cover and the head of cabbage they got yesterday evening, so today three eggs showed up in the nests. A few things have been accomplished today. A pound of lamb cooked in the cast iron skillet with the addition of three small chopped up potatoes and one large yellow onion. Not bad, especially with a bit of ketchup. But thought about Debra Jones who was griping about not being able to find any decent sized potatoes. These were small and probably the kind that should have been tossed into the vat to make vodka! She said she had to buy a fifteen-pound bag of potatoes just to find some big enough to peel! That is just about the truth! The produce at Walmart is pretty sad, but the stuff at Market Street is expensive as all get out! Oh well. You know we are about to get the COLA raise in social security. Each time that has happened before, it meant that the cost of our Medicare was going up again!

 

Really have nothing of great significance to discuss or cuss, so will just tell you guys that if someone is quieter, it does not mean they are not listening actively. It takes a deep breath and some calming thoughts to live in this world right now. Let’s pray not only for rain in the right amounts for those who desperately need it, but for relief from floods in the areas that are being washed away.

 

Let us pray for peace on earth. May He heal us and guide us.

Finding Stuff.

 Finding Stuff.

 

Ever looked for something in the house knowing completely that it HAS to be in the house. Like, you would remember if you had taken it outside or whatever. That happens to me all the time. Once it was the vacuum cleaner. Ridiculous! HOW can you lose a vacuum cleaner? Now losing the coffee pot that time when pregnancy had my head in some area of my body that did not connect to common sense—well, that was truly a surprise. Finding the coffee pot in the upright deep freeze was even more of a surprise! But then some guy told about his wife putting the milk in the cabinet and the cereal in the fridge. Yes, she was pregnant, too. Daddy used to say, “Have a place for everything and keep everything in its place.” He learned that from Granddaddy Pollard because Granddad could lose tools faster than rabbits can multiply. And Granddad was always certain that either Dad or Sterling had been the one to misplace his tools—usually the fencing pliers. Anyway, the dogs and chickens do not move things—other than dirt—around here, so when something is misplaced, no one takes the blame. Sigh The bad part about misplacing something that is always kept in a certain place and yet turns up missing, is that the place it was usually left never gives even the slightest hint as to where the thing was left lately. All this is to say that after finally finding the stepstool to use to dust the top of the bookcase, the notion to dust just left with disgust. So now the stepstool is leaning up against the living room wall next to the dusty bookcase. It is waiting, patiently one supposes.

 

The picture of the hens eating expensive cabbage may or may not have posted in Common Sense, but let me just tell you that my little weed whacker did a fair job of cutting some bright green Johnson grass from around the fireplug where the water had been leaking. All that grass was loaded in the pathetic little two-wheeled cart to bring back to my hens. They did not eat it as if it were sweet cabbage, but at least they moved it around all over that part of the yard. Left to go get layer pellets and returned to find the cart was empty and the hens were hiding under the deck where it is cooler. Dipped out about 20 pounds of feed from each sack before lifting the sack to dump into a feed bin. The girls are not getting scratch except just enough to tease them. The corn and milo just make their bodies hotter, so they need more protein and less fatty stuff. Wish that could be true of the old woman as well. But—ice cream. And the opposable thumbs. Knowing what is good for the body is not always what one chooses. Sigh

 

Just knowing that depression is a common thing is not all that helpful, but the other day Patty told me that sitting outside watching her dogs used to help her mood. But the dying trees, the dead grass, and the hot winds just are not conducive to a happier mood. Lance mentioned to me that we had had some rain. No, not exactly. A few sprinkles that don’t even touch each other is not a rain. A rain means that the ground is soaking up every drop possible and then the collection runs down the street or hill in rivulets. All the thunder and lightning in the world will not make up for the lack of actual rain. Silly thing to cause depression. No, depression is already there, and we just look for things that would normally make us happy. And sometimes those things are simply not there.  Pray for rain!

 

 

Vacation, Staycation, Playcation?

 Vacation, Staycation, Playcation?

 

Ever just felt like not doing anything? Absolutely, uselessly, definitely less than ambitious? Well, meet the older version of that person or critter. The heat is not quite as bad; the energy to get things done has flown the coop; the intention has oozed out the cracks in demeanor; and the old woman has left her heart in a shady place that can’t be reached.

 

FB can only exert so much influence, but even that lacks appeal at the moment. Doing the minimum required for life and limb for critters and critter sitter seems promising, so perhaps you all will be happy to watch the sunsets, sunrises, coffee and breakfasts, birds in situ, and other happily captured images along with assorted poems and smiles from Keith. He seems to have energy and good mood to spare. Let’s give him some appreciation for his efforts.

 

Maybe in a few days the mood encompassing this residence will change or the weather will lighten the load. Avoiding the computer might help just a smidge to prevent hostility and rebellion, too. Let me put it as clearly as possible: the old woman is tired and a little bit grumpy. God gave us the different moods, but He did not tell us to inflict them upon others. Maybe the mood will change soon, but for the time being, pick up a good book or the Good Book.

 

Pray for the children and teachers, parents and bus drivers, cooks and custodians. Let us cover them in love as He has covered us.

Something that Made Me Laugh!

Something that Made Me Laugh!

MAR-A-LAGO, FL — New reports from Mar-a-Lago indicate that during Monday's raid, FBI agents searching the house ran quickly to see the safe only to find it empty with an angel of the Lord standing beside it. According to eyewitnesses, the FBI agents trembled and became as dead men.

"Do not be afraid!" began the glowing angel, gesturing to the open and empty vault. "I know that you seek the classified documents taken by Trump. But behold! The Documents you seek are not here!"

The agents drew their weapons and fired on the angel, but the bullets passed through the celestial being, striking the wall behind.

"Now, go!" the angel continued. "Tell your boss, Director Wray, that the documents are not here, just as Trump said."

Trump responded to the incident, saying: "Low-IQ FBI agents searched my house and didn't find anything! Pathetic witch hunt! And they talked to my angel. Well, one of my angels. I have so many angels. All the best angels."

The FBI reported the incident to the FBI Director and Attorney General, who paid the agents to keep silent on the matter and instead tell everyone that Trump's disciples came by night and stole the documents while everyone slept.

Babylon Bee subscriber Dave Landers contributed to this report. If you want to get involve

Momma Said:

Momma Said:

 

“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”

 

It is so very easy to think that what you believe or appreciate in life is shared equally with one and all. First: that they should actually have the same things you have is not totally the highest priority on anyone’s scale (but pretty close). Second: the tip-top highest spot on the scale of importance (in one way of thinking) is that the same type of thoughts or appreciation of things be expressed in those acceptable to one’s consideration.

 

What we have here is a failure to communicate! Some people are narcissistic (think only of themselves) and are terribly bigoted:

BIGOT: a person who is obstinately or unreasonably attached to a belief, opinion, or faction, especially one who is prejudiced against or antagonistic toward a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular group:

 

Ok, let’s put it in Texan: When your governor says: “Make My Day!” you either need to be able to laugh or to be a good Texan—at least in spirit!

 

Today the Mayor of NYC objected to the governor of Texas and his actions of shipping nearly four thousand illegal aliens to them. He claimed that it is inhumane treatment. Of course, the city of NY will have to come up with housing, meals, translators, educational specialists, doctors willing to deal with the extra patients, plus anything else that can be considered necessary services!

 

Now imagine those services times nearly four million illegal immigrants! Imagine not being able to live on your property near the Rio Grande because of drug runners, rapists, murderers, killers, thieves, and those who break your heart through their needs. Texans are not without empathy, but when taking care of other people, the expense should not fall only on the shoulders of a few.

 

Can we find something nice to say?

 

 

 

 

 

 

None of the News.

 None of the News.

 

Buses leaving Texas with about 4,000 (a small portion of the 4 million) illegal immigrants, exploding house in Evansville, IN, enough new IRS agents to fill a football stadium while armed, the raid by federal agents on an ex-president’s residence, more explosions in the Crimea with planes blown up—nope, the news is not all that great. And then we have the weather where countries are having to have helicopters bring in water to fill reservoirs for animals to have a drink, and the desert of Death Valley is getting a nice 1000-year flood. And Lake Mead is slowly drying up and showing the dead and devastated. Nope. Not great news.

 

Then there is the city of Wichita Falls that got nearly $250 million for a “one time use” to spread over their happy projects. No dredging the lake is on that project list. No salaries can be included on that list. Whatever could we do with a one-time use of a million dollars? Replace bridges? Replace old water and gas lines? Construct tiny homes for the homeless? Build vocational schools open to those who want to learn a skill? Nah, something else.

 

The trash bin had to be carefully taken to the other side of the road this afternoon. It contained the old AC unit that Stephen put in there for me. Hope the bin holds up to being dumped.

 

The hens got a can of peas and carrots and nearly flocked me each time the kitchen door was opened. They act hungry. They have water and mash and a little bit of scratch, but they want something green! May have to go get a couple of heads of cabbage for them. Poor critters. Nary a blade of green in my yard.

 

Sterling is griping about having to mow again. Rolling eyes here. He also plans to cut the branches on the road from his house so the RV can pass without being assaulted by branches. Meanwhile, the Bradford pear is the only really green tree in my yard other than Hackberry. Rain would make a difference for the grass, but feel the fruit trees are a lost cause.

 

Two eggs today. One hen is still broody and molting. She has become accustomed to being picked up and placed in the water trough. She doesn’t seem to get very concerned about it. Maybe it feels good!

 

Feel the entire world must be floating along oblivious to what is happening, yet we know that nothing much changes over the eons. Just have to read and be reminded that He is in control. May we be forgiven and continue to try to show love to others.

 

Rest and be well, my friends. You are loved.