THOSE Words!

THOSE Words!

 

Sat here and laughed until it hurt. Friend talked to me today about how strict her parents were about the terms she used. She said her dad would not allow her to call him “Father” because only one father exists—the one in heaven. Years ago, it seemed like it was so very hard not to use the words heard in the corral. Had mostly managed to remove “golly,” “good grief,” and “gosh” from my vocabulary. But today my friend gave me a neat little thing to use for some situations: Son of a toothbrush fairy! Giggling!

 

For years it has been my mouth that has gotten me in more trouble than just about any action. Nothing like having an attitude! But vulgarities are just not happening around this old woman. Barnyard language is one thing—you know, the stuff you step in or where the IRS agent needs to go in a New York minute, but about the worst use of body parts would involve someone’s hind leg—usually a rat’s rear leg! Children today have a vocabulary that would turn your grandmother’s ears blue. But then, the things on those video games are a bit much. It’s a different world, dear hearts.

 

A white car pulled up out front earlier today. Jo Ann Hobbs had come to visit and bring me a happy surprise! Two pot holders that will never be used as pot holders because they are simply too pretty to take a chance on messing up. A rooster and a hen covered with pretty flowers! She has a sewing machine that embroiders wonderful pictures. She even makes baby quilts that include the picture of the baby and its parents, foot prints, and such information as one would want to remember. That is so very neat. Think it is similar to the program that Tracy’s machine has on it. Tracy made scarves for all the women in her circle and included an initial. Love my red plaid scarf!

 

Jo Ann showed me pictures of her Navy grands. They are coming home this weekend to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Day with her and Smitty. Turkey and dressing time out on Lake Arrowhead. Sent the eggs home with her that were intended for Barbara, but have a dozen left to give to Barb if and when she drops by.

 

Ben and Caleb dropped by this morning and brought seven fertile eggs. One happy ol’ hen is out there in the little coop just chuckling away. If any of the eggs hatch, they will start hatching around the 21^st of January. By then the little pen will be ready for them in the green house. Will put down straw until the weather warms up a bit more. And that may take a while since this is not even quite January!

 

Made a big salad for lunch that may also be most of supper. One package of mixed greens, two tomatoes, some feta cheese, two kinds of olives, one green bell pepper, croutons, and dressing (Ranch) serve the purpose of keeping my mouth busy with only crunchy noises forthcoming.

 

The mailman brought the master’s degree announcement for Grayson Ostand this morning. SO proud of that guy! Started to say “boy,” but he hasn’t been a “boy” in a long time. His daddy depends on him for lots of things around the place. It’s not like he has to herd sheep or brand cattle, but still. Living out there on that hill can be complicated with all the stuff that has to be done to keep things going right. Just keeping the fences up to snuff is part of the work they have to consider. Those three dogs are escape artists.

 

Thompson is giving me one of those sleepy-dog looks. The house is not cold, but it is definitely not hot, so a blanket over him makes that dog happy. Sylvia has much more hair on her, so nevermind the blanket for her, thank you very much. They are such sweet critters. Last night they had to wear their Thunder Shirts because the dip sticks were setting off firecrackers! Despise the noise and wish sometimes that fireworks could be silent and pretty like the stars above. Oh well. Something else to gripe about.

 

Sterling is taking Jacqui today to some kind of reunion of the folks who worked in the bank where she worked years ago in Oklahoma. He was not sure if any of them would still be alive, but she wanted to go, so there was that. Sterling said that it is getting harder and harder to keep friends. Age, ya know. Like our muscle strength, it seems sometimes that we lose things so quickly that we hardly even notice. But such is life. The things and people we love just go by the wayside rather suddenly.

 

While Jo Ann was here, we talked about feeding the birds—the wild ones. She buys scratch because the wild bird feed is even more expensive than the chicken scratch. But touching nature makes just about anyone happier if not too much of the marks of civilization are camping out there. For instance, lights. Folks don’t realize that our little tinkly lights mess with the lightning bugs. If someplace is meant to be a nature preserve or a garden of natural habitat, then those stupid lights mess up all the critters! Sometimes lights “force” plants before they should come out of the ground in the wrong months. Then one has to consider the idiots who plonk their big feet around where the lights are when getting pictures. Yep, go right ahead and stomp down the earth, break the roots, and pack the dirt so hard it is impenetrable. Well, doggies! Someone took a grouchy pill early this morning. Maybe this afternoon will get better.

 

Have some sausage to cook up and some asparagus to steam. No, they don’t go together, but won’t cook them at the same time. Just trying to remember what is on the menu for tomorrow so nothing gets left in the fridge long enough to go bad. REALLY don’t like to waste good food. And have a blueberry muffin to take down to Patty. She sent milk, bread, lettuce, tomatoes, and popcorn up to my hens yesterday. Even Miss Broody wanted some of that popcorn!

 

Walked down to Patty’s to give her the extra blueberry muffin and to show her the two pot holders with flowered hen and rooster. Like me, she said that is the sort of thing one hangs on the wall and looks at with fondness. Have always tried to have flowers on this hill, especially out front, but now will try to put at least garlic along the fence for some green when the grass won’t do anything. Anyway! Picked up Roxie and petted Rudy so my dogs had to sniff me from one side to the other and up and down thoroughly. Patty got to see the “chickens” and the dogs got a bit of exercise!

 

Got one of those FB past books for last year. Of course, it had much more in it than just the past year since we reposted memories including Lewis, the tractor, Donny Anderson, and Jerry Hobbs working on the green house. Had quite a few silly pictures to include the “fidget aprons” for the nursing home folks and lots of flowers and hen pictures. Just good memories.

 

Really don’t know anything. Hoping that sleep will be easier tonight than it was last night, but you can almost bet the firecracker dip sticks will start in about the time the sandman will come around. Sigh.

 

Pray for rain. Honestly believe we are going to be in big trouble if we don’t get some decent amounts of rain pretty soon. Lake Mead we don’t need, but Lake Arrowhead keeps bunches of people from going thirsty. It’s raining in Mississippi, so maybe we could entice the clouds to come this way? We just have to ask the Creator for His blessings.

 

Rest well, my friends. You have reason to rejoice in His love.