Blessings.

 Blessings.

 

Have thanked God for many years for the things that were NOT broken as often as for the things that came this way by surprise and by love. Recently the water did not want to spin out of the washing machine. It made me feel just about sick to think that the silly thing might be on its last legs. Had talked to my daughter-in-law who told me about her machine problems. Lance took something out and cleaned its drain to find all kinds of stuff in there. Dumping the junk solved that problem. Jennifer had less luck in that area. Her machine was giving her fits, so she called a repair person. To fix the silly machine, including parts, was going to be close to $900. A new machine was about $1K. She ordered the new machine. Today it was warmer on Dickerson Hill, so the problems (two) that might have been decisive concerning the possible need to replace this one were semi-resolved. The water drained out correctly, and the washer did its job. Chose a different setting for the thing that might have something to do with its ability to get the work done. This thing has several settings on it, but usually the bedding and heavy-duty wash were the only ones used. Few times were the clothes the kind that needed the delicate wash, but it worked just fine on that setting. Anyway, have just been thanking God that the silly machine is working correctly and no extra expense will be accumulated this month.

 

Just had the last of the Christmas turkey and ham that Stephen brought over the other night. Wrapped in one of those tortilla things with cheese, it made a good sandwich. Tomorrow will take a trip to go to a store and get a few things like yogurt, milk, half n half, and cottage cheese—plus cheese sticks. Not sure this house can run without cheese! Lance brought me some Gouda that he smoked in his smoker. Hope that was not the cooking thing that he caught on fire the other day. He had not scraped out the grease from the bottom tray, and guess what caught on fire when he was cooking sausage and bacon. He said they just had Dickerson Hill eggs that morning. And to top it off, Rachel’s boyfriend was there to see the situation unfold! How embarrassing. Still, told him he came by such foolishness honestly. One time it started raining while my hamburgers were on our grill, so pulling it under the front porch seemed like a good idea. Well, not with the lid on those greasy burgers! Took the lid up and whooomp! Put a grease fire right up on the top inside the porch. What a mess. It got painted over eventually, but it was a definite lesson about grease and grilling!

 

Just went down to Patty’s and put the trash out for her. The sack was a bit too heavy for her. She has been having some trouble since last night when her oxygen machine stopped working right and set to blasting the beeps. She called her providing lady who was kind and sweet enough to come out right that minute. But still, it upset Patty to have the machine go haywire and to have to call someone on Christmas night. Anyway, now she has a new machine and her trash is in the bin.

 

Sterling called and discussed how life gets weirder by the day. Yep, we take a strange course or direction the older we get. My old cantankerous self is quite satisfied to stay right here on this hill for the rest of my life. But he told me if it ever crosses my mind to do so, he has a trailer out beside his house with room for chickens and dogs. Think he might get tired of having around these two dogs, but we would probably get along otherwise. The only problem would be the freaking cold weather up that direction. It is at least two blankets more to live up there—with or without the electric blanket! They have ticks, skeeters, and more copperheads than Michelle Malay has in her front yard. We mostly have bull snakes and rattlers, but sometimes one thing outweighs the other. Just kinda hoping that the old woman will never have to make that decision. Can’t imagine the kids driving six hours just to see the old woman.

 

Looked at the weather forecast. It seems we can still call this winter. It may get up to 69 degrees on Wednesday. That suits me just fine. Would love to be able to just walk around out there and see how the weeds do grow! Here’s hoping the ground is still moist enough in a month or two to grow stuff early.

 

Will suggest that we continue to pray for rain in this part of the country. It would likely become snow or sleet, but we really need that moisture. Wheat won’t grow without it! God gives us rain in due season, but it does not hurt to ask Him for what we need.

 

Until the turnips sprout and the soil will grow cabbage, let us rejoice in nature that God has given us. The trees will have leaves again and the stock tanks will quench the thirst of these critters. Let us thank Him every day.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.