Building Fence Again!

 Building Fence Again!

 

It’s just temporary fencing to keep the chicks close to their coop, but got out there a bit ago—yes, in this heat of 93 degrees—to put up a bit of fence around some green stuff so the chicks could sample life outside the coop. Wow! They poured out of that door as if they knew just exactly where to go! That did not last long. The older chicks came to snack on the green stuff under the plum tree, but the younger ones went back inside the middle coop. They enjoyed the freedom, but think they will like it better tomorrow when the sun is not quite so hot—earlier, in other words. Just used some metal bars that were over purchased for fencing when it was discovered that they were good for other things. Expensive, but easy to drive into the ground. Had a bunch of chicken wire left from the building phase of the coops. Anyway, this worked out so far.

 

The guys from Habitat for Humanity came awhile ago and picked up all the stray things that needed to go. They will come back tomorrow for the air compressor because they want to use a pallet jack to move it. That sucker is not so terribly heavy, but totally awkward. If they think of a way to get it out of there without having someone get hurt, that makes me happy.

 

Took a quick trip to United to pick up milk, half and half, free water bottles, and some veggies. Doesn’t take long at all to add up to some dollars! But took an apple turnover and a raspberry thing down to Patty and let the littles run a few minutes. Patty had just showered and was still barefoot. But we sat there a bit until her hair began to dry somewhat. Sitting outside on her patio is very pleasant early in the mornings. Just a good time to visit.

 

Just finished boning a couple of chickens for the dogs—and for the old woman should the notion strike. Made some potatoes and cooked a couple of pieces of steak. It was tender enough and just slightly pink in the thicker portions. Can deal with pink. Like my meat medium well, but absolutely no crime scenes! The leftovers will make lunch and supper for tomorrow.

 

Looked out the kitchen window to check on the chicks. Two had decided to fly up to sit on the tractor stands at the end of the fence under the plum tree. Was nice to see them fly back toward the coop instead of into the yard. Don’t feel like chasing chickens!

 

Know less than nothing and feel about as interested in what is going on in this world as these two dogs. But they at least bark at strangers. Think some reading will do for exercise until it is time to shut up the hens and chicks. Then maybe a quick shower and bedtime. Both dogs are fed, the hens will get a bit of scratch, the egg places will be checked one more time, and then doors latched. The old woman is feeling her age today. Guess that happens to everyone once in a while.

 

Let us rejoice in our freedoms and in the beauty of each day. We know that the blessings come from our heavenly Father. Praise His name!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Bacon Before Bedtime.

 Bacon Before Bedtime.

 

Nothing much done around here today. It started off very early with a thunder storm and rain. Not a lot of rain, but rain. Some is better than none unless you live in the Texas Panhandle right now. Those folks have flat land and the water does not have anywhere to run off. So, they are flooded. SO sorry for them! We just got lots of thunder, some rain, and some wind. Not going to gripe about any of it.

 

Had a couple of banana nut muffins for breakfast—without coffee. My half and half expired, as did the milk. And some sorry old woman has not run up to get some from the most convenient store in town! Had a good salad for lunch, and now it’s bacon before it is time to think about going to bed for the night. Not sure just exactly why bacon is so satisfying, but it is. Not ham, just bacon. The dogs are giving me that look, however. Only cooked about six pieces, so not really wanting to share. Ah, got by with handing each of them one of those Alpo T-Bonz. Glad they like those things. They smell as if they might be tasty, but the idea of chewing dog food---well, nope, just not happening.

 

Worked briefly in the workshop this morning, but only so much can get accomplished without either coffee or some sort of caffeine. Don’t remember being this lazy a few years ago, but then, Sterling told me today that it sometimes takes him three days to do what he used to do in just a few hours. Age does make a big difference in what we take on and actually get done. At least one of the buckets got dumped out and the plastic water fixtures separated so the Habitat man can decide if that is something they might want for the store. Remember for a fact that those things seemed to cost a fortune when we were buying them. Even included the little tool that cuts the pipe. Know that a plumber would be the one to call now. The old woman might get down to the level to repair something, but there is no telling when she would be able to get up again. The old cow maneuver only works when she has something to help her get the rear end up in the air before getting the front to follow! Such fun!

 

Bought a little sack of apricots the other day and sliced a couple up to put in my salad. Dang! Would love to be able to do that more often. Sliced apple is pretty good, but takes more chewing than the soft apricots. Saving the seeds to see if they will sprout, too. Have what is supposed to be a peach tree in a big pot that wintered in the green house. Think it is either a peach or a nectarine. If it is a peach, it should grow decent fruit. But we don’t usually have nectarines in this area. Oh well. We don’t have avocados either! Grew a lemon tree one time until Lewis insisted it had to leave the house. Sharp thorns on that sucker. He was not convinced it was a lemon. Roger Thonton tells me the pear trees out at his parents’ place have thorns as well!

 

Eager to hear from oldest grandson tonight to see how his first day of training at the new job went. Just hoping that it went well for him and that he can enjoy this job. Read an article about kids of his generation and how they burn out so quickly because so much is demanded of them. The stupid pandemic messed up an entire group of folks who had to learn to work from home and just kept on working until whatever was accomplished. That causes burnout in a hurry according to the article. Being around others seems to help and also gives them an outlet when they are able to tell their bosses what they are able to produce within a set amount of time. Think Grayson used to work until late at night just to get everything finished. Not sure what he really does, so it is hard for me to understand.

 

It's understandable that my grands and great-grand parents kept at their work until it was finished. Farming and logging are things that take a certain skill set and lots of determination. Critters have to be fed, the fields have to be plowed, and repairs are a constant element of life on a farm. Well, the oilfield was not all that different in some ways. But bringing in the crops and canning the produce were the main things that were talked about in the grandparents’ homes. Winter saw the women quilting or sewing together. Don’t think any of the women of our family ever spun wool or did the kind of things that women were expected to do centuries ago. Raising sheep by the time my parents were grew up was just a matter of taking the lambs to market. They might have to shear the sheep—which Daddy learned to do—but Mom did not have to deal with cleaning wool. Simply can’t imagine how difficult that would have been.

 

Life goes on. Each of us has a place and something to do to keep us out of trouble—most of the time. We have choices that those before us did not have. And now the generation that has followed us is making its choices quite a bit differently from ours. Only the farm kids know what it means to live close to the earth and what it gives us. Raising animals, feeding and caring for them, and just relying on what they have learned makes a big difference in how those young people see life. God bless them and all the young people who have choices to make.

 

Let us rejoice in each day that God gives us. Our lives belong to Him. May He guide us and may we follow willingly.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Uninvited Guest.

 Uninvited Guest.

 

Normally won’t kill a snake unless it is venomous. But when one gets into the hens’ coop and eats all the eggs, well, there is not anyplace to move that sucker out of my yard. They will eat baby chicks, too. Think my chicks are fast enough and big enough, this one probably would not have caught one. But it should have stuck with eating rats if it wanted to stay alive around me!

 

Have not accomplished diddly squat today. Still recovering from moving stuff around yesterday. Did pull up some poppy plants and stuck them in a trash can. May put them out somewhere later or just toss the plants in the big bin. Would appreciate poppies more if they would stay in the flower bed instead of just rambling all over the place. Oh well. They really ARE pretty!

 

Sharon Dickerson sent me a picture of a great big cucumber. They grew it in their little backyard garden. Growing things to eat makes me happy. One year when Lance was expected, got home from the hospital in time to harvest my first little squashes. It made me so happy to find them ready to eat. They were small, but no one else was going to eat them unless they were fried!! Lewis would eat just about anything fried. Fried green tomatoes, fried okra, fried potatoes, fried . . .apples.

 

Spent about an hour down with Patty this morning. She had seen something on TV news that upset her. Some kid was getting ready to graduate and someone asked him how he felt about all the transgender mess. He said, “Boys are boys and girls are girls.” They decided he was extremely prejudiced, so he was not allowed to walk for graduation. He was also thrown off the fire department volunteer roster. How sad. Are people no longer allowed to have an opinion at all? Wondering when someone will decide that the old woman is dangerous because she believes that she is a Christian. Sooner or later maybe the backlash will go the other way. Those who believe the Ten Commandments are the foundation of law and moral standing will either be hunted down like criminals during the witch trials or will have to be very quiet in order to be able to work or remain unpersecuted. Hope my foreboding is totally mistaken.

 

Need to figure out how to make a headband to keep the hair out of my face and the sweat out of my glasses. And no, a hat doesn’t work very well. Do have a hat that was given to me at one of the Habitat for Humanity women’s build events. It is pretty cool most of the time, but this heat is still enough to soak my head and face with perspiration. Oh well. Maybe it will help me lose weight. Riiiight!

 

Guess we should be thankful for the rain we got earlier this past week. We have “chances” of rain for a few days, but when they say 40% chance of having rain, someone pointed out that means 60% of NOT having rain. Yep, that’s Texas. Just be thankful we are not having really bad storms.

 

Let’s try to have an attitude of gratitude as much as possible in our lives. Each of us faces something every day that may challenge us. My oldest grandson starts a new job tomorrow. He needs confidence and peace of mind. That will be my prayer for him along with finding favor in the eyes of his new employer. Each of us can easily pray for our family members or friends when they become upset over what we hear or see around us. Those like Patty who feel belittled for her beliefs can not easily just blow things off. Let us help one another to realize that all of this garbage of what gender and identity folks have will not matter soon. God knows what and who we are. Let us trust in Him.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Project Guidance!

 Project Guidance!

 

Jennifer and Reece came today. Reece wanted to hold a hen, but they are not exactly unwitting creatures. And Reece doesn’t exactly understand patience with silly critters. So, the hens outran him. He picked up a chick, and it bounced from one hand and out of the other. But he got them to eat out of his hand when he held it close enough to the ground. Got some meal worms (dead) for him so he could tempt them. They are flying all over that end of the green house side. Still think it is going to be next best thing to impossible to clip one wing on each chick. Not sure it will even be necessary, but will spend some more time thinking about it. They are still small enough that the dogs might snatch one up to taste. The dogs don’t bother the hens, but that is different.

 

With Jennifer’s suggestions, think the workshop will soon look much better. She put up some nails for hanging things and managed to put some things in different places before we went back inside and then out for breakfast. We went to Jimmy’s Egg where we had to wait just a wee bit before being seated. Service was pretty good and the food was tasty. Not sure what the spicy stuff was in my meal, but if it was jalapeno, did not see any great big slices. Reece was pretty tired and wanted to sleep, but Jenn would not let him, so he bought an energy drink and we walked around the new United. Jenn was shocked at the prices. Some things that she buys at Kroger were about two dollars cheaper at our store. She was saying that we have got a real bargain with this store! My feelings exactly.

 

Called the Habitat for Humanity store and made an appointment to have some things picked up that will never be needed around here. Hoping that they will take this great big air compressor out of the shop for me. Think the window that was in one corner was one Jerry put in the shop. Who knows where it came from! But it is leaving with the Habitat man. Meant to ask Jennifer if she thought any of the family would want those huge sledge hammers. Dear Hearts, an old woman could not pick one up off the ground. Drag it maybe, but not pick it up. And to think, Lewis used to swing that thing like a regular hammer! That man was SO strong! His sledge has his initials welded on it so one of the other guys would not claim it. They tended to “borrow” tools from him and not bring them back. He made some of his own tools in order to work on the big Cats. He was pretty good at it, too.

 

We got a tiny bit less than a third of an inch of rain last night. And we did not even have to use the thunder shirts. Not being greedy or anything, but a couple of days more of rain certainly would not hurt my feelings. My brother and sister-in-law are back in Arkansas, my kids are all at home, and my grain and feed bins are refilled, so it can just rain to beat the band as far as my feelings are concerned. Still thinking of a rain dance of jubilation!

 

Sharon Dickerson is going to try to go back to church tomorrow, so she is doing somewhat better. Saw that Tami Yonts was still cheerfully hanging in there. Noticed that Olga Weurk’s family are still looking happy and playing with all the little goats and calves. Haven’t talked to Maggie and her husband this week. Honestly, just about everything is right in the world for some folks.

 

We are reminded that we are to accept folks for what they feel about themselves even when they are determined to be a bit different from the rest of us. Not sure just what is so good about being me, but it is too much trouble to try to be anything else. Jenn reminded me today that some folks don’t want to be called Mexican or Indian or whatever. She has a friend who was adopted as a baby and raised in Iowa or Ohio or one of those strange places that are American but not Texan. Anyway, the young woman is dark as in from India. Folks insist that she tell them “what” she is or where she’s from. She just tells them she is American. Hello, if you can’t say Texan, then there’s no sense in beating around the bush. My family roots are Irish, Scot, German, Cherokee, and English—and who knows what. So, that makes me a Heinz 57 unless the Texan thing comes first. As Popeye said, “I yam what I yam, and that’s all that I yam.”

 

Oldest sent me a picture that included the U.S. Naval Observatory in the background and a guy with his shirt pulled up looking at his navel. Ahem.

 

Let’s be grateful for each day and the blessings in life! God has us in His hands.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Make a Mess to Clean a Mess!

 Make a Mess to Clean a Mess!

 

Mom used to clean the great big hall closet by taking EVERY little thing out of it. She claimed that a person had to make a mess sometimes to clean up a mess. Well, that must be my theory as well because cleaning out the workshop has certainly turned into making a mess all around the outside of it. Just cleaning the leaves and dirt out has been nearly impossible. Thought about getting another water hose to just wash it out and push broom the mess right on out the door. And may happen yet! But at least the corners are visible now. Putting stuff back inside may get interesting. Still have to get all the nails, screws, and assorted “Shtuff” sorted and put into some kind of bins. Labeling them should be fun, too.

 

The wind has blown rather heartily today and the pollen count is a medium 6 point something. Tomorrow the pollen count is supposed to be less than one. Yeah, right. Believe that when we see it! But it is supposed to get wet—somewhere. Know for sure that saline solution will be needed after the shower tonight in order to remove some of that dust that covered me and went up my nose while trying to sweep and remove the big stuff. Bleah. But at least the trash bin is empty for right now.

 

Talked to Jennifer and she and her youngest may come up tomorrow. Reece picked up something too heavy and ended up hurting himself. So, we can’t let him mess with stuff. But he can at least enjoy playing with the chicks. Will go get feed early tomorrow and pick up some worms—well, they look like worms. Anyway, he can sit down in the coop and hand feed the little twerps. If we go and check on him and find chicks all over him . . .

 

It got a bit warm today, but the wind kept it from being too terrible. And it was not overly humid. The grass getting cut on Thursday stirred up dust and mold, but the wind pretty well takes care of that after a day. If we could get a two- or three-inch rain, the old woman might just go out and dance in the stuff! The ground is cracking open. Feel sorry for folks who have those cement slabs for a foundation. The ground cracks under them the same as if they were not there. Then the folks have some problems—especially if any plumbing is in that slab. Have heard of folks running water around their houses to keep the ground from breaking open like that.

 

Well, glory be! Might have to go find my dancing shoes. We have a severe weather alert until midnight. Praying for rain!

 

Sharon Dickerson sent me a picture from the barbecue event they attended. She is looking SO much better. She really was in a mess there for a bit. Think she has to go back into the hospital on the 13^th to have some stints removed. She is not happy about that, but at least she is not sick.

 

Will be praying for travel mercies for my brother and my SIL on their trip back to Arkansas tomorrow. Guess they will get home in time to rest before they go to church Sunday. They are always doing something. Sterling got to talking to some fellow at the camp grounds where they are staying. He wanted to know what Sterling does. Funny question. He could have answered that he was a practicing beer drinking, wood burning, brush-hogging non-farmer, but he just showed the guy his little wooden airplane and gave it to him. The one he gave me the other day is out on the post just flying high! This guy was thrilled to get a plane. Not surprised.

 

Not sure anything else it going to be accomplished today. Made banana nut muffins a bit ago, so breakfast is done except for the coffee. Guess looking up the location of the thunder shirts would save me some time later. Understand how they feel, but getting them trussed up is a pain! Oh well.

 

Let’s pray for God’s mercy that the weather going through right now will be a blessing and not a curse of damaging wind and hail. We really need the rain. May we find favor in His eyes.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Just Because!

 Just Because!

 

Lance suggested that we could clean out the workshop this fall after it became cooler. He thought it might take two or three hours to get it all cleaned out. We will see what one little ol’ determined battle-axe can do with good intentions and a trash bin. Hmm.

 

Plan to start the new door early Monday morning for the workshop. By then it might be clearer to me what needs to go BACK inside and what needs to be somewhere else. Have a walker up there in the rafters. Anyone need one? Also have an electric weed eater that would not go where the weeds are that need to be removed unless Wall-e lets us plug in to Him. Not going to keep the grease guns either! The only big part of the mess that bothers me about tossing is the big buckets of assorted screws and nails. It feels as if they should be sorted and stored for future use. Those stupid star bits and the screws that go with them have a tendency to make me hot under the collar. Nothing was ever wrong with Phillips and the straight edge screws. Maybe it has something to do with patents? But at least with Lance’s help, the old woman now knows the difference between metal screws and wood screws. So, there’s that.

 

The young man who mows mine and Patty’s places did a good and really fast job today. Not sure how much horse power he is pushing on his zero-turn mower, but that thing is lightning fast! Went down to Patty’s after the mower left and picked up a rug for her. She has some steps down to the ground level beside her house that have a concrete facing that is crumbling. Told her not to go down that side at all! Can just see the facing falling off with someone’s feet on it. Not funny! Anyway, she kept the littles inside so my dogs could follow me down there. They seemed to enjoy the exploration, but Thompson seems to be slower than usual. It could be this heat. Even as cloudy as it is right now, the gauge shows 87 degrees out there! Both dogs seem happy to stay inside under the AC. Well, for that matter, so does the old woman.

 

Guess the poppies in the sidewalk leading to the front porch will have to be harvested for seeds. The blooms are gone now. The bluebonnets have plenty of seed, but all the pods are still green as a gourd. Will just leave them there a bit longer. If anyone in this area needs some seeds, just let me know.

 

It is difficult to believe how fast these chicks are growing. The first nine that were about a week old when they were sold to me have stood a half leg taller than the younger ones all along, but now the young ones are beginning to pick up height, too. The “turkins” are still the ugliest thing in the chicken coop, but they are also heavy looking. Being allergic to feathers and such keeps me from picking them up and playing with them, but these critters are all a little flighty anyway. Expect the gold sex link to be the friendliest of the bunch. They are just sweet chickens when they grow up. Things may be different since they are growing up with all the other breeds, but time will tell.

 

Noticed that Lance looked in the fridge for cool water while he was here. For some reason water tastes better to me when it is not cold. Go figure. Guess it would not hurt me to put some in the fridge for others. Hardly ever have anyone here long enough to need a bottle of water, but still, that is just good manners to offer.

 

Talking to a friend about drugs that the FDA says are perfectly safe—except for the side effects like memory loss, paranoia, depression, and death—makes me wonder what good the FDA does at all. She said that listening to the side effects that they list on the TV commercials is enough to make a person afraid to take just about anything. One commercial about drugs for glaucoma: side effects can include blindness. Oh, whoopee! Her theory is that the pharmaceutical companies have pressured folks at the FDA or bought their approval. Either way, the American public is stuck with dangerous drugs. Crazy!

 

Someday our world will be straightened out and folks won’t need the kind of drugs most of us take today. No one thinks about the fact that our food is the same as some of these drugs. The ingredients are a bit iffy—to say the least. But the day will come when the earth will be healed and all those who walk it will also be healed. And it is not mankind that will be doing the healing. But all of you know that. Nature itself needs our help, but it, too, will need God’s hands to be healed. Looking forward to that day.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

 

 

Busy Resting!

 Busy Resting!

 

Have you ever just done about all you can do and suddenly felt as if sleep were just about to take you away? Got up early—well before five—to clean up an accident one of the dogs had in the kitchen. Such fun. Got that finished, sprayed the room, cleaned my hands, and went back to bed. The dogs got me up before six, so went out and opened the hens’ coop door. Made coffee, thought about food, and got ready to go to TSC for chick food. Got stuff at TSC and came home to unload it. Felt as if sleep were about to take over. Deep sleep. Weird! Eventually went to United and bought some catfish, strange potato mix, beans, squash, broccoli mix and then a cheese cake. Lunch was good.

 

Cleaned the straw from the chicks’ coop and spread some DE to be sure they had no bugs in there. Put their feed in a different container and gave them clean water. The hens let me know that they had not had enough attention, so gave them feed and then some leftover dog food. The dogs kept pushing me around in the house and wanted to stay right with me. Have no idea why, but Sylvia kept her head on me wherever she found me. Finally, she lay down and told Thompson the bed near the AC was all hers. Strange dogs.

 

Sterling and Jacqui may be here tomorrow, and Lance has said he would be here. Got the cheese cake to supply a dessert for everyone. Even bought a can of cherry pie and one of blueberry pie filling to put on top. This is a selfish dessert. Don’t expect all of it will be used, so that means an old woman will get to enjoy some more of it later. Guilty giggle.

 

Bought something called ground cover spray at TSC. Some of the weeds in the carport need to be removed before they mess up the pavement in there. Weeds are pretty destructive. Imagine what the world would look like if we all just went away. No one would be around to distinguish between “plant” and “weed.”

 

Read an article about all the different indigenous tribes that they have found in the world. Even Louisiana has one! It is amazing to me that these folks have managed to continue to live isolated from everyone else, but some of them live so far up on the mountains or so deep in the caves that they would be safe no matter what. Too bad the same cannot be said for the tribes in Australia or places like that. If there is land, no matter how rough, it will be taken by the governments of different places. Greed never goes away.

 

Saw an article that said the Israelis want the Christians to leave Jerusalem and especially the Wailing Wall. That country is so small that all those folks must be a true hazard to their way of life. But then, the Israelis are not just one people or tribe. God allowed them to be mixed among all peoples. Someday things will look even more strange to us than it does now.

 

Have not had too much on my mind today. Not even sure there has been much mind to check on! Just lazy and attempting to let muscle memory take me through this day. Have prayed for my sweet grandson and his mood swing, my friend Angel’s “unspoken prayer” request, the strength of love and health for my friend Tami, and the spiritual strength of my friend Michelle Malay. We all have days when we need God’s help more than normal. Will be asking for travel mercies for Sterling and Jacqui and Lance for tomorrow. Meanwhile, let us pray for a decent rain for our places that are so hot and dry. May our summer not truly hit us just yet.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Bragging!

 Bragging!

 

Ok, some folks just have to brag when they get rain! Lance said they got a half inch this afternoon. We got some haziness this morning and then some mighty hot 80s this afternoon. Whew! Then there was that nice piece of cheesecake that he was having for dessert. DANG!! That’s the sort of thing that makes me plum jealous! But instead of fussing about it, a chicken sandwich with avocado dressing did just about hit the spot. Just about . . .

 

Had planned to go get chick feed today, but by the time the living room and kitchen were vacuumed, rearranged, and otherwise made somewhat less cluttered, the old woman did not feel like driving over to TSC for feed. Maybe tomorrow. Still need to rake out the chick house and get the old hay out and put it on the place where the sunflower bed had been planned. Still have not planted those, however. All kinds of good intentions around here!

 

The yard guys should be here on Thursday if nothing rips, rears, or ravels. The east lots don’t look bad, but they need to be cut. May let the guy cut the first section of bachelor buttons. The second row still looks vivid and neat. Love the purples, pinks, blues, and white flowers! My poppies have about popped out in the front yard, but the other flowers seem to be started good enough. Marigolds, zinnias, and other assorted goodies. The purslane would take the entire bed if allowed, but at least it is good for a person. Discovered one of the flowers in the back yard is the same as arugula. Not that it appeals to me. But the flowers are pretty.

 

Finally got all the rugs, blankets, and assorted stuff cleaned, dried, folded, and put away. It felt like it took forever! Then knocked a glass pie pan off the sink drainer to the floor and had to vacuum again after picking up the big pieces. Just one thing after another! Oh well. At least it is my house, my mess, and my decisions to make myself satisfied. Not everyone has that privilege. We are SO blessed and just never think about it. Even the Texas weather is pretty much a blessing. We know what to expect. And this year it is still green at the end of May. The lakes and stock ponds have water, and the pastures have had rain. Yes, we could use more, but at least nothing is dying and burnt up.

 

Standing on the deck out back and listening to the birds sing is a great way to start my day. God gives us the breeze and the songs. The neighborhood is about as safe as any around, and at least two neighbors are pretty decent. Siri may say we have zero percent chance for rain, but the clouds banking up in the south east certainly do look promising. Just enough to make me smile.

 

Let us be grateful for health, friendships, family, freedom. Life is not all that long, but we can appreciate every day we are given. Let us thank God for all good things.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Quick Chicks!

 Quick Chicks!

 

Sat down inside the chicks’ coop to watch them for a bit and decided they needed some alfalfa to nibble on. Went to throw some on the floor and two of the little twits took off behind me. They got as far as the center coop before the big door could be shut, so then it was a matter of shooing them back inside their coop. May have to make a little “run” out of the green house part so that they can slowly transition to grass and beyond, but that should probably wait a couple of weeks. They are getting big now and some look to be heavier than the others. The naked neck Turkins are still just ugly. The little Wellborns still look more like sparrows or large quail than chickens. And, of course, the Blue Austrolorps are still the prettiest. Looking at them now and wondering what they will look like later is like a roulette game—not much telling how things will turn out.

 

Have done laundry ‘til the world looked level today. Changed the sheets on my bed and washed the bedspreads as well. Then did rugs and dog blankets. It’s about time to put those things away for the summer. Thompson has a tendency to get cold when the AC is on, but he can move to a different dog bed if all else fails. Got the floors in the bedroom and bathroom cleaned and all the dust bunnies strangled and disposed of. Amazing how those things proliferate!

 

Terry Speegle got their old home place mown and cleaned up somewhat today. Was beginning to wonder about it and if he had given up on it. Seems it is in his aunt’s name, but he tries to keep it cleaned up. Have seen a couple of strange people going in there over the past month, so the doors may not be locked any longer or something. Guess it is not a problem that concerns me.

 

Number one child had his birthday today and sent pictures of the biscuit cutters his oldest got for him. He also had a new knife to either carry or put in his new display case. Know Daddy liked knives and things along that line, but who knew this grandson would like them, too.

 

It's tried off and on today to actually rain. We at least got some thunder. Knew that when the dogs started getting extra restless. Never did amount to much more than a cool, moist breeze, but that is not something to gripe about. You know those hot days are on the way. It IS Texas.

 

Was about to have a couple of slices of toast this morning, but Dave’s Killer Bread had molded. ARG! The hens got the part that was not bad. Ran up to the new United and got some bread—Dave’s, of course—and a package of English muffins. Just sounded good with apple butter. SO happy to have this store so close and convenient. It was busy, busy, but that will slack off eventually when the new has worn off. Meanwhile, they have Bluebell ice cream on sale two for 8.88. Can’t pass that up!

 

Called Gerald Talley today because Barry Ice said Anne’s grave needed dirt hauled in. Gerald said to call the funeral home about it and they should arrange to take care of it. But that will have to wait until Tuesday. Meanwhile, Lesli will have to find the paperwork for when the stone was bought and have the company come carve out the death date on the stone for Anne. Lesli just needed one more thing to do. Seems like there is always something to take care of even a year or so later. At least her house is sold and that is not a problem.

 

Planted lavender in the front flower bed along the porch the other day. It seems to be taking root and coming up good. Will have to remember to water every week for a bit. Also, will have to get the poppy seeds gathered from the poppies in the walkway. Have been stepping over them carefully for quite some time now. Won’t know how to walk down it for a while.

 

A conversation today made me want to say: put a smile in your voice. Smile in your head even if your heart says ouch. It is so easy to NOT be happy or not feel any encouragement, so it is up to us to work on it. No one can “fix” us except the person we are. Let’s try to remember that our attitude spreads to others, but first we have to spread it to our own minds. No matter what kind of hen house residue you step in, what you do with that stuff makes a difference in the long run. Deep stuff takes a shovel; the rest is just fertilizer. You can be about as happy as you choose to be.

 

Let us rest our concerns and worries with our Father. He can take care of all our worries.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

A Dash of REAL Coffee!

 A Dash of REAL Coffee!

 

Got up early again this morning to let the hens out. They informed me that they had been up for some time now, thank you very much! Anyway, felt as if a zombie had taken over my body. Only thing different was not putting my hands out in front of me. Just lay back down and slept hard for about an hour. Sylvia got me up a little before two this morning scratching around UNDER my bed. Poor baby. She must have scooted under on her side somehow because she could not get out on her belly. Had to lift the entire corner of that bed! Whew! Not sure how, but it got done. And she lost no time getting herself out of there! Feeling trapped is not funny!

 

We have a 30% chance of rain today, but it is simply overcast and not really looking like a real rain. Guess the water hose will come out and do its duty today. Strange how we can have dew and misty rain and the ground be so hard and dry!

 

Wanting to make some raised beds just for these silly irises. They manage to get Bermuda grass and assorted weeds in amongst them that look unkempt. Hoping that the idea of a raised bed might eliminate that problem. Of course, ideas are only as good as the actual execution. Like putting wooden doors on the workshop to eliminate all the dust and stuff, the things have to be done in a timely manner. The workshop needs to have everything removed and then rearranged and some of the things given away or otherwise not put back inside. We will see if that happens this year. (Notice the timeline—this year!)

 

Put vinegar on the grass on the dressed stone walkway. Hoping to kill some weeds and grass that have just about taken over the end closest to the workshop. Probably end up having to use something else other than vinegar, but at least this is an attempt. Simply cannot weed eat it out of there.

 

The old woman needs to go get some potting soil at either Sutherland’s or Lowes. So many things that need to be done require her to actually put on civilized clothing and get in the truck! Oh well. Maybe that can be the “task of the day.”

 

The tulips in my Mother’s Day bouquet have opened up this morning. The Gerber daisies and the roses are so very pretty, too, but the purple asters will last the longest. Those things are just tough. It will take hardly any time for the hydrangea blooms to need to be removed. They have a tendency to drop little bits of bloom on the bench. But they are so very pretty. Jennifer said she can’t make a bush like that live. They are very fragile, it seems.

 

Sent poppy seeds home with Grayson—as if he would remember to give them to his mom. But his car will sprout poppies some day if he forgets! Wouldn’t that be funny! Going down the highway in a white Mustang with red poppies blowing in the breeze in the backseat!

 

Patty called and we talked about these silly dogs of ours. Her Rudy lets her know that he thinks it is time for her to go to bed if she stays up much later than seven. Thompson is not quite that eager to go to bed, but if the hens have been put up, he will talk to me about the bedroom. And yes, that is exactly what he is talking about. Funny critters.

 

Sterling got a bench finished today and said it pretty well tired him out to just get that one thing done. His friend George helped him just a bit. Think he may paint it with the blue paint that the lumberyard gave him. An eight-foot bench is a pretty good-sized piece of furniture in my estimation. Just moving it around would take some doing. But that is what they wanted—a long bench for the guys to sit on out there in the yard. Not many folks would consider a bench quite that long, but they have four men in the yard with the wood that has to be loaded or unloaded.

 

My sister-by-another-mother said the doctor saw her yesterday. Guess she is doing better even if she still feels pretty tired and weak. At least no infection remains. Honestly, the older we get, the harder it is to stay healthy.

 

Stephen Smith said his boys got him an early Father’s Day gift—a puppy. His wife took his service dog along with the rest of the livestock. Sitting here shaking my head. Guess he won’t have anyone around to claim this one at least. Hope it stays healthy and happy.

 

Let’s pray for those families who know the sorrowful meaning of Memorial Day. May God bless them.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Remembering Gifts.

 Remembering Gifts.

 

Sat thinking today about how it used to be after Christmas when we went back to school and some of the kids would be talking rather loudly about what “Santa” had brought them. We knew better than to say anything one way or the other. Dad had reminded us more than once that not everyone even got a cookie or a piece of candy. One of the neatest things about Christmas to me was the opportunity to go Christmas caroling and taking little gifts wrapped up in paper to different houses. Some of us kids called it the “missed houses.” Those were the ones that did not get to decorate or bake or otherwise have neat stuff just for that time of year. Invariably it was the Methodist ladies who put all the goodies together and hauled our happy backsides to the homes of widows and widowers, or to homes of those who did not quite have enough money just for food. We never acted like we knew whose houses we were visiting. We just went and smiled and sang. It was probably one of the best parts of that time of year.

 

Today my grandson Grayson came to visit. Oh! Such a delight! We visited and looked at baby chicks and messed with the six black hens. He told me the door to the hen house just needed to be turned over to get it to open easier. Well, duh! Smart kid! He is like his dad and Lewis—spatial understanding! He took it down, turned it over, re-hung it, and put the hardware back on it. Then he got a 50 lb. sack of feed out of the truck’s back seat and poured that into the trash can being used for feed in the chicks’ house. That’s two jobs that needed to be done, but this ol’ gal was not quite up to it. Jo Ann had offered to unload the feed for me, but did not let her since Lance planned to come up this next week.

 

Grayson got to meet Patty and her pups. The dogs finally acted as if he was acceptable—especially Roxie. Think she misses Donny terribly. Rudy might not give a fizz, but that little Roxie does.

 

Cooked carrots, three huge chicken breasts, and made rice in the chicken broth with okra, tomato, corn, peppers, and celery soup. Not bad eating. Will have to put some in the freezer, but such is life and living in the fast lane. Ahem. The chicken was actually for the dogs to have with their kibble, but the old woman has her share as well.

 

Another couple looked at the house across the street today. They had a young girl with them. Praying that whoever gets this house will be good neighbors. The young couple in Jerry’s house (and yes, it will ALWAYS be Jerry’s house) are very nice, quiet, and kinda neat. Chris Ohm told me that Clint had been on the Apprentice—some kind of show with Donald Trump—years ago. But have learned that Clint also had some kind of show of his own about maybe remodeling or something. Sorry, the old woman does not “do” TV or anything like that. Movies are nice once in a while, but not anything with commercials or soap opera scenarios.

 

Wondered recently if they still make CD players so a person can listen to old CDs. Have an entire shelf of them, but my new computer does not have a player like that. Oh well. The birds are probably noisy enough. Have awakened at 2 to 2:30 more than once lately when a mockingbird has decided to serenade us around that time. And it is not a quiet song, either! This critter could wake the entire neighborhood if the windows were open, but he gets right in the side of the Bradford pear and must sing AT my window!! Oh well. Sleep is overrated.

 

Sterling called and said he might show up this coming Wednesday on his way to Seymour, TX. He is going down further south to see his oldest daughter. Anyway, he may bring me a rocking chair for a future small child. That’s not to say that any are in the planning stage. He has been making benches for various folks. Five- and six-foot benches are about right for a front porch. Jacqui insists that they need one, too. He laughed and said he would have to get the measurements for their two backsides—after a big meal!

 

It misted rain again today. We really need another two- or three-day soaking rain. The ground is cracking open out in the east lots. The dry grass is going to cause trouble eventually here and out in the countryside. That stuff just takes a spark. Pray for rain!

 

Will say that my prayers have concentrated on my family lately. Know that friends like Tami Yonts and others need prayers to overcome the problems with cancer and the drugs they are being given. And then there are the visiting nurses who drive up and down the back roads to take care of folks in their own homes. Thank God they are willing to do that service.

 

Let’s pray for the healing of this nation and its people. God knows what we need.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Calm, Quiet, Misty Rain.

 Calm, Quiet, Misty Rain.

 

The morning started out with misting rain. Noticed that out in the Big Empty they have received more rain since the beginning of the year than they normally get all year. Who knows what kind of weather patterns we may end up with before this year is over. But it was truly nice and quiet early this morning. Oh, the scissortail flycatchers and the mockingbirds were talking, but they were not being hounded by the boat-tailed grackles, at least. Sometimes the grackles and the starlings just really raise a racket! Quieter this morning. Time for a good session of prayer.

 

It's been a good day despite my lack of enthusiasm for getting the floors cleaned up. The mud just came right inside with both dogs. Eventually the floors will get vacuumed and mopped again. But not today. And maybe not tomorrow! Life goes on.

 

The flowers that were supposed to be delivered yesterday got here today. Beautiful arrangement! All my kids thought the 75^th was pretty special, so that’s why Jennifer kept messing around with the online ordering thing. She did not have the name of a good local florist. But now she does. Mother Earth Florist at 940-781-4381 did a good job. A very nice lady called and then brought the flowers. The online folks were trying to say that they had attempted delivery yesterday and could not find me at home. Nope, they were just trying not to lose the sale.

 

Really nice visit this morning with Jo Ann Hobbs. She was Jerry’s mom—the guy who used to live across the street. Anyway, she promised to come again soon so we could go walking. Sounds like fun to me! It used to be that any work Jerry did for me was repaid in groceries or things he needed. It worked out well enough for both of us. But Jo Ann discovered that my sweet tooth included jelly beans and gummies! She brought a happy surprise sack of them this morning. She left with an invitation to join the blog group, so let’s hope she enjoys it. Sometimes my blog is strictly thoughts rattling around in the old gourd.

 

Saw that Carla Beard was encouraging folks to read Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Have never read it, so will just have to find a copy somewhere either online or at the library. SO many books that we should have read years ago never quite made it to my book shelf. We had copies of all the fairy tales, old timey folk stories, nursery rhymes and such as that. Bought four Disney books when the children were little to read to them. Sent them home with one of the kids finally. Grandmother Pollard bought them a book of nursery rhymes that were different from the ones we had as children. Since then, have read about how some of those things came into existence. Thinking of the “ring around the rosies” as being something that warned about the plague. Strange how things come about. The twelve days of Christmas hid the message of the gospel and the history of the church. Who knows what some stories have meant in different cultures over the centuries.

 

Have been reading almost all day in a series of books about different critters that are supposed to be non-existent. Gnomes that garden, centaurs that race, and cats that talk are just some of the creatures in this series of books. They may be silly, but they are entertaining without stress.

 

Really don’t know much this evening. The chicks are growing daily and eating like—well, like hungry chickens. Wondering what will happen when these get turned out on the yard! It may be interesting. Jo Ann seemed to like the Blue Australorps. She did not know that the “turkens” really do have naked necks. Wondering if they will have roosters in this group or if they will be pullets. They are pretty fierce little chicks. Would not want one chasing me around!

 

Sitting here sneezing. Wondering if it is this beautiful bouquet or just my allergies. Doesn’t really matter. Flowers are staying on my desk! Such beauty and love from my kids and from our Maker. The birds’ song and the lift of the colors from flowers make any day special.

 

May you each find the reasons for joy in your life. You know that we are so very blessed right here where we are—whether in the U.S. or England. Freedom and the knowledge of an orderly society are pretty doggone reassuring.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Scooby-Do!

 Scooby-Do!

 

Patty asked me if MY dogs let me know about the thunder earlier in the morning. She said she had to get up anyway since Roxie was lying on the oxygen tube to her CPAP, but she noticed that the two pups were shadowing her legs like the Scooby-Do group when they were going into a scary place—touching each other for bravery! She had to laugh about it since she was not bothered, but the pups were definitely all about touching her! Had to tell her about the grandsons that watched that cartoon as littles and sang the song fervently! Think that Grayson was singing those words before he actually started talking in full sentences! Funny kids!

 

Jennifer is at Kroger getting balloons for Gary’s birthday party. He turns 50 tomorrow! So many of the family and employees have birthdays in May that they have to have two parties and cakes for the company—one early in the month and one in the last part of the month. How funny! The hospitals must have been busy!

 

A man at the new United store this morning was handing out coupons for a Dole salad and some drinks called “Suja.” The one that came home with me has these “cold pressed” ingredients: apple, carrot, beet, banana, and orange. Not bad. Don’t think it would occur to me to buy something like that, but it sounds pretty healthy and doesn’t taste bad at all. The “immunity” shot was a bit much with a spicy flavor, but it was free.

 

Am SO happy to have the new United up there on that corner. It is less than a half mile to my home. That means the old woman could afford to go back to the house if she forgets her list. Giggling

 

The employees were all mature adults at the new store. That makes me happy. They were friendly and attentive to what was going on around them. The store managers had put together a gift bag for those who were actually getting a bill of groceries today. That bag probably had $50 worth of goodies in it! It even had a Hershey’s chocolate bar in there! Anyway, they had sent out some coupons for this next month for folks to get free milk and bottled water along with coupons for five or ten dollars off a $50- or $100- dollar purchase. It hardly takes anything to make up a bill of groceries for those amounts! They also have a counter of foods that they were cooking. Didn’t quite get over there, but maybe next time. The one at Market Street is really nice.

 

Have tried to semi-keep up with the birthday greetings today, but it is a little bit difficult. May just have to post one big thank you to everyone that sent greetings. Touching base with so many friends reminds me of just how blessed this old woman is. Living this long is a blessing from God anyway, but every day makes me wonder what He wants me to do next. Don’t think it has anything to do with raising chickens, but who knows. Just visiting with Patty makes me feel better when we laugh about the stuff that happens around here.

 

Many cars, trucks, and assorted folks come to look at the house across the street. Just praying that we can get some really good neighbors. Clint and Sandy are so sweet, but we don’t really visit much at all. They stay busy, and he seems to work more than a New Orleans coffee trader! But the posts they put on FB are good ones that can be inspiring. Think God brought them here.

 

Think a grandson plans to come visit this week, and Lance said he would be here Wednesday of the following week. Love that either or both will visit. Know it is difficult for them to get away. Life stays pretty busy for most of us at that age.

 

Suzanne Priddy’s son got her back yard mowed down, so the fire hazards are to the north on Lake View and on the south of our street in an open lot. Folks just have no idea what it is like to be between high, dry grass and a windy day with a spark. Texas winds carry sparks a long way. My place is both green and mown down considerably. But still, fires are a worry any time.

 

Sterling said that the building where he used to attend church in Springtown was going into another change of pastors. His church has a young man who may take it over and have services there. In that case, Sterling will probably go there for services. Close to home. More old-time music. It just makes me say thank you, Father, for the many blessings for my brother and his friends to serve and be served. Churches make a community. The blessings are many and varied, but the spirit is what matters most. Love grows in ways no one can ever foresee.

 

Will tell you all thank you for reading and sharing your time with me. Keith Mattson even sang to me today! Now that made me feel pretty special! My cousin John clucked at me, and my daughter sang to me. Now how could a day get much better than that? Thank you all.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Keeping Count?

 Keeping Count?

 

Woke up every hour on the hour it seemed last night. At 5:50 it just felt right to go ahead and get up. Let the hens out, checked on the chicks after that rain last night, cleaned up their water bowls, fed them and planned for how many bags of diatomaceous earth would cover their floor and the nesting bins. Went out front and pulled up some poppy stems that were ready to ripen into seeds along with a small ton of weeds that grew into the mess. Piled those up until later this evening when it gets cooler.

 

Went to TSC for the DE and some feed for the chicks. My hens had already accosted me early this morning about needing their feed RIGHT NOW! Funny critters!

 

A male (neutered) dog showed up in the front yard. It was well fed but had no collar. Walked down to Patty’s after the dog went down there and had her dogs barking up a storm. Got the dog to go over to Texas Street with me. Put him in the yard of some folks that Roger Thonton knows. Hoping it is her dog. If not, maybe she will know whose dog it is.

 

The temperature is only 86, but that sun is bright as anything today! Feels plum hot after being outside for just a bit. Guess we might as well get ready for the real stuff pretty soon. But the little storm we had last night was so pleasant. Only got about a third of an inch, but had plenty of thunder with it. The dogs had to wear their thunder shirts to bed.

 

Made banana nut muffins this morning for breakfast. Had twelve in the little rubber thing that holds them, so will take some down to Patty tomorrow morning. First a trip to the new United on the corner of SW Parkway and Kemp. SO happy to have that store opened up there. It opens at six, so it will be easy to get things picked up and then home before it ever gets hot outside. Besides, we may have more rain tomorrow if the forecast is anywhere close to correct. It’s just a guesstimation, don’t ya know.

 

Jennifer gave me a doughnut mold with recipes for the thing. Have not tried it yet, but the week is not over. It sounds pretty simple and should not take much in the way of ingredients. At least the eggs are “free.” Ran out of brown sugar, so that is one of the things to put on my list for the trip to United in the morning. Knowing me, will probably leave the list on my desk. The last phone before this one had an app for making grocery lists. Kinda neat. This one probably has one, but someone would have to teach me how to use it. Sigh.

 

A text from son Lance: “I never finish anything. I have a black belt in Partial Arts.”

 

Sharon Dickerson says that our prayers are being answered. She is getting around better and beginning to eat. Thank you for your prayers. They really do make a difference.

 

Do you ever wonder what happened that America became so strong and has been able to help other nations? And now, we are debtors and can hardly help ourselves! Some folks think that one of the biggest differences is that the states have allowed the national government to take over too many areas of law and order. We will see what happens when a state refuses to allow Tik Tok in its borders. Kinda feel that may not have been a good test of state government, but we will see.

 

Let us pray for peace and for our nation to renew its commitment to God’s law. Every law that our governments have made in the past fifty or so years has become a muddled mess of political poop. Each politician becomes just one more poop smear on our national canvas. It would be enough to cause an honest man to hesitate about trying to govern.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Lazy Day.

 Lazy Day.

 

Not sure if it is the sore muscles that persuaded an old woman to take the day off, or if maybe laziness just happens every so often. Probably the latter. To put it mildly, nothing has been accomplished today. Feeding and watering the critters and gathering eggs is about the size of it. Didn’t even cook anything for a meal for myself or the dogs. Such is true laziness.

 

Finishing the last in a series of books that are pretty good. They center on the fallen angels and make me wonder if some of the angels truly regretted their rebellion and the fall from God’s grace. It also makes me wonder if those who go through the tribulation and the end times are the same folks. Revelations is hard for me to follow, and Daniel is not the easiest to understand either. Probably just as well. Paul said that he only knew the important things that mattered when he went among the Corinthians: “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (I Cor. 2:2). We all know that Jesus left us with two commandments—love God and your fellow man as yourself. That is our job. Pretty simple.

 

It has been a decent day that has not been too hot or too windy. Can’t beat that. Another rain or two might help, but we can’t be too greedy. Sterling said that his part of Arkansas has been so wet that the guys who had to dig ditches with backhoes and such were just stirring the soup that is supposed to be ground up there. Remember when this old hill had a few of those times. Just enough bedrock to keep us from sliding down into the lake.

 

The little chicks are growing by leaps and bounds and flying all over the green house! In nothing flat it will be time to clip one wing on each of those little critters. Otherwise, when they are turned out into the yard, they will be flying over the fences and invading the neighbors’ yards. Can’t imagine how much fun that Roxie and Ruddy would have chasing my chicks!

 

Got six eggs yesterday, so the hen that is moulting has begun to lay again. MSWord says that word should be spelled molting, but the other version suits me. So there! If Shakespeare could invent words and George Washington could invent his own spellings for words, well, this old woman can spell things her way! Not that she has much in common with those two characters. Oh well

 

Really know less than anything today. Got a sweet card from Sue Dickerson today in the mail. Not getting real mail makes a person appreciate it when it does happen, especially when the sentiments are so kind.

 

Let us keep reminding ourselves that God gives us “adventures” just like John Pollard suggested. Each day is another one, and each night a pleasant time to renew our energy and purpose. How kind God has been to us to provide us with an opportunity to see things from different perspectives. Praise His name!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.