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.