DISPICABLE Weather!

 DISPICABLE Weather!

 

Ah, it’s really not that bad—yet. The snow plows have roared up and down South Kemp several times grating on my nerves and upsetting the dogs, but that is not a biggie. The traffic has not been loud or very much of it. So, what is there to gripe about? Well, let’s see: ice coated deck and sidewalk out back, a sharp wind that can cut right through heavy pants, two dogs that really need some exercise to get them to quit griping at me, a hen that keeps beating on the side of the coop with her beak, umpteen birds on the front porch and ramp that are hungry, and an old woman who would just love to walk outside and feed the birds. Deep sigh and quit griping.

 

Put clean bedding in the bathtub for the hen and chicks and gave her fresh feed and grit for the little ones. Will turn the light off again when it is time to go to bed so she will just hunker down on them. Oh, and one little chick has tail feathers. How much you want to bet that it is a rooster.

 

Washed the few dishes and set the water to dripping again. Just hope my habit of turning things off doesn’t take over and let it freeze up tonight. At least it is not too hard to remember to leave the cabinet doors open.

 

Vacuumed the living room, hall, and kitchen. A spot on the new grey runner needed to be cleaned off, but it was easy to do after getting down there. Patty really got some nice rugs. Not really sure she needed them or if she just did that for me! Sweet lady!

 

Think my kids are working from home. Lance was telling about the hawk that has been diving at the doves. Would feel sorry for the doves, but you might guess how it feels to feed those suckers chicken feed at the price of today’s feed! As long as they don’t bother my hens, let the hawks have at it.

 

Made scrambled eggs for our breakfast. Sylvia ate most of hers. Thompson turned up his nose. Go figure. ARGH@@! So, they will not get any more eggs until those are cleaned up. Otherwise, have to take those cooked eggs out to give to the hens. Sigh. May just give some of them to the broody hen and see if she will eat some. Going out to the hen coop is just a bit precarious even with those things on my shoes. Not hardly worth it to risk a fall. Sterling assured me that he could always replace the hens, but not the sister.

 

Speaking of Sterling, he has been selling little rocking chairs right, left, and sideways. He also gives quite a few of them away to the men at the lumber yard or to others (the church). So some of the money he was given for rocking chairs goes right back into the church to help with some of the children who have absolutely nothing to their names. One little boy did not even have shoes, and one of the ladies at church bought him some. Sterling thought that was a good way to promote love right close to home, so he quietly donated to fund whatever the kid needed to keep him in winter wear. SO proud of my brother. He has always had a good heart, but he just does not really give a rat’s backside what some folks think about him. That characteristic might run in the family. Think he and cousin John have about the same attitude.

 

Have been watching videos of the goat rodeo going on out toward Petrolia. Olga’s daughter and son-in-law are raising goats. They have an entire barn full of those cuties! Just happened to think that Nikki was looking for a ram. Wonder if they have one or if Nikki still needs one for her goat. Oh well.

 

Hoping next week will be warmer and the hens and dogs can get outside. Honestly! Did ya know that two restless dogs are as bad as a couple of restless kids? But you can’t sit down with the dogs and color pictures or just read to them!

 

Guess we just need to pray for those who can’t get out, those who HAVE to be outside, and those who have to be on the road for whatever reason. Let’s also pray for the first responders. They HAVE to be out there. May God bless and protect them.

 

Please pray for those in the Ukraine whose lives have been turned upside down. Russia has emptied their prisons to make those men fight for them. If they live for six months, they “pardon” them and turn them loose. These men have nothing to lose and no reason to do anything right or useful. And they are in the Ukraine. May God protect the people of the Ukraine.

 

Rest well, my friends, and realize that you are very blessed.

 

 

A Little Bit of Ice.

 A Little Bit of Ice.

 

Earlier the road and both front and back yards were covered in sleet that came down more like oversized BBs. Pretty slick stuff. Finally went back out and brought in the mail, took the trash bin across the road, and checked on my hens. Their water was ok and they had feed, so that is about as good as it will get today. The sickly hen does not seem to be any better, but she hasn’t conked out on us yet. Brought in the eggs and am thinking about looking up how to dehydrate eggs. Then Michelle Malay’s brother-in-law sent an article about how TSC’s feed is causing hens to stop laying. Not sure how they would do that, but according to the article, they have developed “sterile seeds.” Since my girls get a switch off between TSC and the Feed and Garden Store stuff, they might or might not be affected. Simply not going to worry about it. It’s one thing to believe in conspiracy theories and another to worry about avian flu from wild birds. That would be closer to a problem here by the lake with all the wild birds flying in.

 

The dogs have finally taken to the recliner and the dog bed to be still for a while. They have both been pretty bouncy today for some reason. Not much traffic on our road for them to bark at today. FedEx, a grocery delivery at Patty’s, the mailman, and one of the guys who checks on the neighbor’s property have been about the extent of all the vehicles. Quiet is welcome any day.

 

The propeller on Sterling’s airplane is roaring right along. Kinda think it could use some WD-40, but not going out there to climb up and spray it today. It can just whirl and make a racket all it wants to.

 

Don’t know much at all today except that my Kindle app has several books opened so that if we lose power or internet, the old woman can still read. Have a charger that Lance got for me to keep my phone charged if necessary, and it will work on the tablet as well.

 

Finished off the twice-baked potato soup from last night. That stuff is wonderful! Hoping both of Jennifer’s boys learn to make it for themselves—along with cooking for friends and cleaning up after themselves. God blessed me that Jennifer learned to cook while she was still at home. She had to learn to use a little imagination, but she could make a pizza out of almost anything. Some kids think that all their food has to be ordered from some take-out menu and come in a box. SO glad my children did not grow up spoiled rotten for caring for themselves. Even if we had had that kind of money, a child who can learn to cook is a better person for being able to care for him or herself. Have had to smile more than once at Lance’s appreciation of his own cooking abilities. Hanan, at one point, thought that he could learn to be a chef. He could certainly cook!

 

Let’s pray for the safety of those who HAVE to be out in this mess this week. May our families who are working be able to work from home or at least be protected from all harm. Pray for our LEOs and first responders.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Sneezy, Cold, Windy Weather.

 Sneezy, Cold, Windy Weather.

 

The hens were way up in the top of the roosts this morning. The heating screen was not on last night, so they had really fluffed up their feathers. Mrs. Broody was cuddling her chicks until the water holder was taken out and fresh feed put in for them. Then you might have thought she had found that feed all by herself and was showing the chicks how to scratch for it. Silly ol’ girl. Love seeing her taking care of those chicks, however. That part of the green house is much cooler than the front coop, so she is going to have to take good care of them. Would rather not have to bring them in the house as a full-grown hen in the house would be not only a first but probably pretty messy. You know dadgum well she would not stay in the bathtub with those chicks. However, the forecast is for cold, ice, frozen whatever—rain, sleet, snow. Bleah.

 

Put a jacket on Thompson this morning so he would not get cold inside the house. He just has enough fur to keep his back warm, so you know his other parts get cold. Had no idea that Labs (or whatever his heritage is) had very little fur. Think he sheds every time he gets upset at that nasty squirrel that cusses them from the back fence.

 

Sautéed chickpeas, baby bok choy, and some maple flavored (left over) sausage together for breakfast. It’s not great, but will do to fill a hole in my appetite. What does not go there can feed the dogs or the hens—my living garbage disposals.

 

Trying to find the acute e* symbol for the word sauté reminds me that so much that came to me easily once upon a time is now a matter of searching or substituting in MS Word. Can remember now that making a template for legal or medical documents was a skill that was actually taught in my classroom—and has now been forgotten by the instructor. Sigh

 

Had to move my hanging basket to the kitchen to keep it from freezing against the cold in the living room. Can’t stand to be hot, but realize that the cold affects my critters and the plants. These grey drapes keep out the cold, but the old woman needs the light so it does not become depressing to be in the house.

 

Reading Pastor Ken Puccio’s sermon this morning made me realize that some of the violence we see is partly our own fault: we are to know what God expects:

God is always seeking from us.

Ø Do justice—here, not a state, but an action. 

Ø Love kindness—without loving kindness, justice is incomplete. 

Ø Walk humbly—or rather, reverently with God.

(Micah 6:8)

My own Bible study does not often take me to those sections of the texts that Ken uses, but instead finds me reviewing things like the Samaritan’s generous kindness to an injured stranger in the ditch near a road—ignored by those of his own race and by those who should have had the type of concern that he showed. We probably will never know WHY these police officers chose this man to beat senseless, but it is necessary for us to all to demand justice. Those in positions of authority have a high degree of responsibility to “do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly.” Here in Texas we have a terrible problem with cartel violence and human trafficking. It can be exceedingly dangerous to even come in contact with some of the illegal immigrants brought across our borders, but we still need to seek justice, find ways to show kindness, and to walk with the spirit of God. Answers to problems on every level—whether officers of the law or individuals attempting to protect their homes and animals—will eventually be judged according to the laws of man, but first we must realize that we are being judged according to the way that God sees us. This knowledge does not mean that an old woman would stop carrying a gun, but it does mean the necessity of use must be very clear.

 

Well, the wind is out of the north and the temp is down to 28 degrees now. The kitchen cabinet doors under the sink are open and the water dripping, so for now that is all that will probably get done. Still, this is dangerous weather for old folks and small critters. My attention to the needs of my dogs and chickens might seem excessive to some, but any creature taken in around here is loved with concern and committed care. That is the same commitment we need to show for others. May God give us the direction to see with clarity the needs and the best way to provide the best we can do.

 

Please remember to pray for those who will suffer from this weather here and in other places across the world. May God provide safety, subsistence, and hope.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

 

 

Cucumbers, Smoked Gouda, Red Sweet Peppers.

 Cucumbers, Smoked Gouda, Red Sweet Pepper.

 

Umm. Din-upper is nice tonight. Fresh veggies just hit the spot. Of course, cheese and maple flavored sausage on Killer Dave’s Bread was a mighty fine brunch this morning. A snack of Envy apples later was not bad either. God certainly did us some great favors when He allowed us to smell the delicious smells of His earth and all the things in it.

 

Niece Lesli sent me a picture of Snoop today while he feasted on a snowball that one of the boys threw. He loves to chase the balls they throw, but the fact that he can eat the ones made of snow is just a delight to him! Well, the boys think it is wonderful as well.

 

This has been a goof-off day. Made the bed and washed the fluffy bedspread and dried it by putting it through the drying cycle several times. That thing has layers and layers of fluffy stuff. But it feels so cuddly on a cold night. The dogs think they need to share and leave behind another layer, however. Sigh

 

Re-reading one of the books enjoyed several years ago that is part of a trilogy about a woman who goes back to Ireland—well, to an island associated with Ireland. She was a detective in the SF police department and caught her husband drunk driving and cheating on her. That would have been no big deal, but she hit him a couple of times in the arresting process and was going to be demoted to a desk job, so she quit and went home to Ireland where her father grew up. Anyway, it is a good book, and now there is one more to read. Good evening plans.

 

The broody hen really wants to take the chicks out to scratch in the dirt, but the first thing she did was jump into one of my flower bins and was about to scratch up a snapdragon when she got busted! Picked her happy feathers up and threw her back in the pen—gently, of course. Guess she can have some of the baby bok-choy in the fridge. Maybe that will make her happy. Chickens need green stuff just to keep them happy.

 

The only “news” that vaguely interested the old woman was about the five police officers who were fired and charged with murder. While it would have to be extremely frustrating for officers to have to arrest the same folks day after day only to have them get out on bail, that is no excuse for police officers to become little more than gang members! A day will come when there will be true justice among us. Until then, we have to hold each other accountable for our actions—or lack thereof.

 

Once in a while folks park on this street or pull up in the driveway of the new trailer house across the street. Don’t think they are really out to buy anything, but plenty of looking goes on. Of course, it is a relatively nice hill on which to live. Some days it is pretty quiet. And then the view of all those pretty little black hens is quite attractive. Personal opinion, of course!

 

Know less than nothing today, but feel the weather changing again. Let’s pray that God grants us the rains we need, the sunshine to make things grow, and the serenity to accept whatever He chooses to give us.

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Mind Baking and Other Silly Things.

 Mind Baking and Other Silly Things.

 

Years ago, my kids got what they call “cookie cakes” today. Made up the dough with lots of pecans, chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips, and sometimes oatmeal. Spread that stuff out in a pan and baked it carefully at the same temp as if they were single cookies. Voila! One pan and not lots of mess and happy kids. Jennifer told me last night that the cookie cake is Grayson’s favorite cake. Will have to make some like those that amused me years ago called Buffalo chip cookies. They had some coconut tinted green so that it looked as if the buffalo had done its deed out on the prairie and still had undigested grass in it. Really not all that fond of coconut any longer, so will just use the nuts, chocolate chips, and the butterscotch chips. However, this is the sort of thing that happens often in my MIND! Getting the ingredients might happen and even looking up the recipe might happen, but we will see if the thing actually gets baked. Have discovered that things that are planned around here often do not come to pass. Oh, the floors get vacuumed, mopped, and otherwise cleaned, but the kitchen table has a tendency to stay semi-cluttered with stuff. Egg cartons, eggs, dog treats, clothes that need to be put away, chick grit, gloves, a hat—you get the idea. Good intentions are not always the most productive.

 

Went out and moved the hen and chicks to the longer part of the green house. It has more light in there even if the hail holes let in the rain and snow. At least it is not very cold during the freezes. Anyway, they have more room to roam around, the water jug is clean and filled, and the grit and feed is in a container they can all use. Took the doors off the nesting area where they had been so that the other hens could clean up the feed and lay eggs there if they decided to do so. May put nest boxes back in there tomorrow—maybe. Really like having the eggs up higher, but we will see how the hens feel about it.

 

The groceries that were supposed to be delivered between 4 and 5 yesterday came at 6:22. Someone came a little early and took the groceries but did not deliver them. My phone rang multiple times with conversations with a young woman from the Jacksboro Hwy store. Not sure what happened, but they did not charge me a delivery fee for some reason. Not going to gripe. Think the Market Street thing on my computer needs to be deleted so that only the store on Jacksboro Hwy gets the orders. That may be what happened last night. Or not.

 

If it were not for the cold wind, this would be an excellent day for sitting outside to soak up some sunshine! So pretty out there! SO glad we are in Texas and not in some really cold state with all that snow and ice. The white stuff can be enchanting in its own way, but Dear Hearts, that stuff gets miserable fairly quickly.

 

Gary took a picture of the Orion Nebula last night through his telescope. Wow! Lots of folks get to see this kind of beauty in areas where there is less light pollution, but with a decent telescope and a good camera, it can make the dark irresistible. Bet Palo Dura Canyon would be fantastic.

 

Put a butternut squash on to bake. Those things are better than pumpkin ever hoped to be. Well, in my opinion. Saving the seed and maybe will plant some in the front yard this year. It’s like getting the nursery catalogs in the mail this morning—all kinds of dreams for growing things—with the water they will need not considered.

 

Noticed that Tim Short is running for mayor of our city. Will definitely vote for him. Liked him when he was our insurance agent and have seen his posts on FB with his family. Good guy and honest besides. FB will probably ban him since he is running for office here in WF, but know of at least one old woman who will keep his name posted on FB just because. Wish our city government were not so drastically determined to waste money and line their own pockets. Guess that is true on any governmental level, but the folks here just promise to be honest and turn right around and do the dirty deeds as quickly as possible. Kinda like the SkipCart driver who made off with my groceries—may he/she end up paying for it in the long run.

 

Have things that actually need to be done today, so will let you rest your eyes. Diane Mayo said my posts were awfully long. Know how that strains the brains of some folks. But she can always just enjoy other parts of FB. Plenty of cat pictures, jokes, advertisements, and even a few chicken pictures to peruse.

 

Let us remember those who are stressed with the problems of dealing with others who have no filters, those who are distressed by society’s stupidity, and those who must deal with those who refuse to pay their own bills. Personal responsibility has to be taught. May God help us.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

 

 

Worth the Mop!

 Worth the Mop!

 

Floors have a tendency to get pretty dirty. Let’s face it, not many people take their shoes off before entering the house. That goes double or quadruple for a couple of mutts entering the house from the backyard along with all that good stuff out there where the rain falls and the dirt becomes mud! And this week, we actually got a good rain and then a slow melting of about an inch of snow. It is well worth celebrating all that moisture by cleaning the floor multiple times to clean up after the dogs’ and old woman’s feet. Praise God for the rain! We still need about eight inches to make up for the lack of rain last year, but it hardly makes sense to moan about last year when we can look forward with hope for rain this year.

 

This morning the chicks were happy to get out from under the broody hen. They raced over to the water bowl and drank for a minute or two before they peeped and cheeped after the old girl. They are just so very cute. Little black critters with a light yellow or whitish streak on them. Have no idea what breed that represents. May have to ask Nikki what kind of hens they have. Or rooster. Stephen said it definitely was not going to be any kind of Banty chicken. Those remind me too much of the Hamburgs. Those hens were the orneriest ever! Hide their nests, sneak out of the yard, fly up into the trees! You name it; they did it!

 

Went to Tractor Supply and got feed and some wood chips for the nests. The straw next to the house got pretty wet and don’t really want to move it. We will continue to have freezing weather at least through February and maybe into March. Got home from TSC and started unloading the truck. The dogs got out and circled the truck. They wanted to go for a ride. Took them to Whataburger and got two doggy burgers—meat and bread, ya know. They really are funny at times. They need to wear harnesses in the truck, but this was not exactly a planned outing. No excuse. It is so dangerous for them not to be strapped in with something to keep them in the backseat. Poor niece and her husband had all three of their dogs killed when they wrecked their vehicle. So sad.

 

Even though more money gets spent when a trip to Market Street is made in person, it would be nice to be able to pick up some of the marked down meats they put on sale for anyone who does not mind getting something slightly out of date. Shucks. Cut up a nice piece of sirloin this morning to make into rice-veggie bowls for a couple of meals. The dogs got the little slivers of fat and just acted like they were as happy as pigs in mud! Anyway, after unloading a hundred pounds of feed, it felt like a good time to just be still and wrap a heating pad on my neck and shoulders, so a delivery will arrive this afternoon from Market Street. Such is life. That kind of service is well worth the money when a person’s old bones and joints get to aching a bit.

 

Maybe Thompson has put the whammy on the doves, but they don’t seem to be going into the coop right now. The sparrows eat everything in sight OUTSIDE the coop, but they don’t stay inside to eat out of the feeders. Hoping none of the avian viruses come to visit here on Dickerson Hill. Have assorted water medications to help them stay healthy, but nothing is ever one-hundred percent at killing bugs, bacteria, or viruses. Just have to be tough ol’ birds.

 

Know less than nothing today. One of my friends, (talking about you, Carla), put up a post on her FB that said she was safe from having any classified documents in her house. It was so freaking funny. She did not like Pence when he was their governor, but it might have amused her that Pence said he did not think he had any classified documents—and then his lawyer found some! ALL my documents are classified—as useless. That is the purpose of those circle files, don’t ya know. Even know the name of the driver who delivers them to the city transfer station along with the bedbug mattresses and torn down buildings. YAY! City of WF! Classified disposal!

 

My sister by another mother has walking pneumonia, so please pray for Sharon to get over this mess soon. She has some lung problems anyway, but this is not good for anyone! SO much stuff in the air!

 

Guess my son-in-law will fly to Chicago tomorrow for a memorial service for a cousin’s husband. Praying for travel mercies during the winter weather. Meanwhile, niece Lesli said her boys are thoroughly enjoying the snow when they get to play in it before school. Being young does affect a person’s outlook on snow, doesn’t it.

 

Let us celebrate life and happiness today. The sun is shining—here, at least. The birds are happily eating whatever they find, and my dogs think they are the B E S T dogs ever! Let us be thankful for all of God’s blessings.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Fifty Degrees!

 Fifty Degrees!

 

Looking outside to see if any snow is left. Nope, just drops of water coming off the roof where some might still be melting. It was lovely to see the silent white feathers drift down last night, but it was also nice to know that it was not going to get any deeper or stay around very long. The hens are very happily scratching around for any living critters that are coming up for air out there in the dirt. And the sparrows have found the piece of Dave’s Killer Bread and slices of an orange put out for them earlier. Deep sigh and thinking about tamales that should be hot enough to eat now.

 

Cleaned out the area in the coop where the hen and her three little chicks are making their home. Had really intended to put in some more straw, but the little water bottle got knocked over into their feed, so everything had to be scraped out of the coop onto the floor. The other hens were more than happy to clean up the mess. Fresh water, fresh feed, and even some scratch for momma have made their appearance inside next to the flat heater. They will probably have to stay in this pen until the colder weather passes. We still have some freezing nights on the weather app.

 

Looking in the deep freeze today and found some Philly Steak and Cheese Hotpockets. Bleah. The crust was so tough that even the dogs had trouble with it. And the filling might have consisted of two tablespoons of cheese, tiny bits of pepper, and a bit of beef. So, tamales are cooked now. Probably have to have some picante sauce on them since frozen tamales are pretty dry. Oh well. Pace Picante can’t be beat. Wish Rodriguez had not closed down their tamale shop. Best tamales ever! But they were getting older and had no one interested in keeping the business going maybe. Who knows. Life changes.

 

Jennifer reminded me today that a wedge pillow is among those she got for me for the surgery last year. That means the dogs can go to bed when they think it is time for the old woman to go to the bedroom, but someone can still sit up and read until the book is finished or the notion strikes to go to sleep. Good to have someone around to remind me of what is in this house. Not forgetful or anything like that. Ahem.

 

Saw a thing on FB today. Governor Abbott said that he could kick a football as good as the Cowboy kicker! It was a joke by a politician, but still pretty funny if you understand he is in a wheelchair. Then watched a news brief where our governor explained how TXDOT (Tx department of transportation) has joined with the military bases in TX to complete the work on all military installations for transportation and engineering work so that the costs will not be entirely on either the state or the federal government, and the time to get things done will be cut considerably because the military will be using the engineers who are already on staff to get things planned. Cost effective, we hope. Our state has more military installations than any other state from all the branches of service. It makes a big difference to the communities where the bases are located, too. The wives have a place to work; the kids have good schools; and the community benefits from the economic input. Common sense.

 

Wish that orange, plastic building fencing were as cheap as hay. Would love to let my hens eat all the grass in the front yard. Can see the dogs now looking at me and laughing about staying in the yard. Sigh

 

Have another book started and several more downloaded. Going to be busy for a bit just reading. My Bible hasn’t completely gone dusty, but it suffers from coffee rings sometimes. The book currently opened on my Kindle is a semi-religious book that makes me think about some of the books my mother used to have in her library. Sometimes they were a little heavy on the preachin’ and not too strong on the loving, but they were meant to be redeeming in the portrayal of what Christians should be like. Trying to remember the name of the one writer who was both a doctor and a pastor, but it escapes me. Mom had Taylor Caldwell’s Dear and Glorious Physician, but have no idea where all of her books went. We both enjoyed Gene Stratton-Porter’s books, too. Sometimes the older things would not strike a chord with younger people, but some of the ideas are just as important today as they were then. Conservation did not begin with Rachel Carson.

 

Well, one person’s opinions are not always interesting to others, so will hush for today. The world has so much to offer us among the idealists and inventors because God gave man such amazing talents and creativity. Let us appreciate those blessings.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Sitting Still.

 Sitting Still.

 

Have been out to the coop once today. Picked up a water fountain and the bottom dropped out and soaked me. Such fun. Still have water in there for the chicks in one of those things where they peck the little dot and it gives them water. Will take more water out in the morning to be sure the hen is getting what she needs. The other hens have a big bowl and one heated bowl. ALL of them have the feed they need as well, so there was not really any sense in traipsing out there again unless it was to pick up the eggs. They can wait until morning as well. Yes, the old woman is being extremely lazy.

 

Thompson stood looking out at the snow this afternoon and then looked back over his shoulder at me and whined as if to say, “Mom, turn it off!” If wishes were fishes . . . But we really did get a good rain before the white stuff even began. That is probably why the white stuff did not accumulate until later this afternoon. No telling what we will have in the morning. Late nights usually mean low temps.

 

No sense in griping about anything at all in this ol’ world. We can wait until spring and listen to the grass grow and the leaves sing in the trees. That’s just the chorus we need to hear. Spring! Hope is in the timing!

 

Someone told me we probably would not get another snow this year. It made me laugh. Just you go right on and try to predict the weather in Texas. Uh huh. Breaks your itty bitty heart to try to predict weather in most places, but Texas likes to do it up right!

 

Have finished another book and started on one that is about as much of a fairy tale as they come. No one is riding on dragons or anything like that, but a certain amount of magic rustles through the realms. And the horses listen to the heroine! How’s that for a good storyline!

 

Don’t know any more than is necessary to keep my sanity for today, so will stay off of FB and AOL can take the rest of the world to that big news cast in the sky without my help. Sorry. Just don’t have much patience for sadness or stupidity right now.

 

Remember, we are in the hands of the mighty God of heaven and earth. Let us knowingly ask that we be pardoned by the sacrifice of the Son of God, Jesus the Christ.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Trying To Be Prepared.

 Trying To Be Prepared.

 

Yesterday the hen and chicks were moved to a pen inside the main coop. This was one that Jerry built for me, and he reminded me that when and if the doors were removed, they had to go back exactly on the same places where they were removed. He put the hinges on so that the doors opened toward the top instead of on the sides. Not exactly convenient, but eventually the old woman will get more hinges and screws to fit and put them on the sides.  Yes, the ones on top could be used, but it would require the door to be off for a bit while they were being changed out. Right now, do not want to move the chicks around again. They have the flat heater in there along with their feed, grit, and a nipple water bottle. The hen has what she needs as well. Thought about making nests up higher on the other side of the coop, but simply did not have the energy to do that kind of thing today. Maybe later when the weather gets warmer.

 

My friend John R came today and brought me the treats that his old big dog used to eat. So sad when our loving old critters die. He came inside and laughed to see Thompson go over to the box of Milk Bone treats that sits over in the corner. Neither dog eats more than two when they just sit open like that, but it keeps me from having to get up and give them the same number. Silly dogs.

 

John’s wife is having knee surgery this next Tuesday. He will have to clean up after and feed their two horses while she is recuperating. Wish it were possible for me to be of help, but shoveling horse stuff is pretty much out of my ballpark right now. And don’t really know anyone who is reliable who could do it for them. John has ankle surgery scheduled for March, too. Don’t know how this is going to work out for them. Honestly, the older we get, the more complicated things get.

 

Really dread cold, icy weather. Have pretty well worked it out so that the hens can stay in the coop for at least two or three days without being released or needing more water or feed. They may get bored as anything, but nothing can be done about that. Forgot to get a head of cabbage the last time groceries were delivered. That usually keeps them busy for a bit. Guess the big butternut squash could be baked and shared with them. Takes quite a while for one old woman to eat an entire squash even putting parts of it in Ziplocks and freezing it. And no, the dogs are not happy to help eat that particular veggie. Oh well.

 

Trying to remember to take the vitamins and stuff to get through this latest little front. Seldom ever go around anyone, so there’s that. As long as the internet keeps me supplied with books to download, the old woman should be in pretty good shape. Well, until it is time to go pick up feed again. Sigh. Wonder if hens would eat black beans. Might have a mighty explosion out in that coop!

 

Have nothing funny or enlightening to share with anyone right now. Knowing that others have the same resentment toward cold weather doesn’t help any of us very much. Guess we will just have to live with these barometer joints and go on about our ratkillin’. May God give us patience and the grace to watch our thoughts.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Trying to Be Positive.

 Trying To Be Positive.

 

So, the three little chicks and momma hen are now inside the big coop where the flat heater is keeping them warm. They have food and water and straw. May have to remove some of the straw to give them more room, but not right this red hot minute. The old woman does not feel too great. Not sure just what the problem is, but at least the headache is gone.

 

Jerry Jones—no, not the owner of the Cowboys—came by today and brought me egg cartons galore. He got what few eggs that had been gathered today. He says he has kidney and liver cancer, so all prayers are appreciated. That is a horrible way to go. But at least he knows WHERE he is going. He came by here shortly after Hanan died to tell me that the kid was not going to hell for committing suicide. He was afraid that might be on my mind. It wasn’t. But the PTSD was triggered just standing there talking to him. Doesn’t take much. What really sucks is that it will never completely go away as long as two brain cells bump around in there. Such is life.

 

Had turnips for breakfast. Did not want leftover spaghetti squash with meatballs. May give the rest of that to the hens tomorrow. Still have chicken to use up. And meatballs that just need to be heated. Just did not want what was here and went to Whataburger for a burger, onion rings, and a milkshake. Spoiled rotten and even took my dogs with me. They ate most of the bread around the burger and never even complained about the mustard.

 

Not too terribly happy about the weather forecast. Lesli told me this morning that it is snowing in Chicago. Told her to keep that crud up there, but she said it is just snowing lightly. Argh. She has been sending me funnies—text messages. She said when she retires, she will have a house beside a lake. Picture of a guy in a mudhole with toy houses around him. Told her our lake is about kaput, but she did point out that we can still live in the house even if the lake has gone south.

 

Some days my bed looks as if a child made it. This morning it might have had a sergeant standing over it ready to bounce his quarter. Not sure how that happened. It did look neat, however. Then this afternoon, pulled off my work clothes and crawled in for a short nap. Yep, just as comfortable as anything—neat or otherwise.

 

Don’t know diddly squat and don’t feel like lollygagging around anymore today. May read some and then go to bed when the hens are ready to roost. Let’s pray for peace. God’s justice will come someday. Let us look to Him for our daily grace.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Farm Life?

 Farm Life?

 

Stephen assures me that losing some critters for one reason or another is just part of trying to have critters at all. THOUGHT he sent seven eggs over here some nearly three weeks ago, but it might have been only six. Two did not hatch at all; one little baby in bright yellow had something wrong with her backside and died. Three little black and whitish yellow are spry and hopping around inside the coop with the hen. So very precious! Will leave them inside that enclosure for a week at least before putting them in a larger enclosure. They can’t be mixed with the grown hens for a few months. First the hens have to be able to see them so they won’t kill them. Weird, huh. Have one other space that they can be moved if another hen becomes broody and wants to set. Stephen said he would like to raise some from his hens, but he does not have anyplace to separate them. It really does matter.

 

Sterling has about five more little rocking chairs put together and painted. Then he went to town and got some John Deere yellow plus some primer for underneath the yellow. Looking forward to seeing these! The little red one was just precious. Can imagine that mothers will be putting stickers and things on them, but he has done a good job of sanding everything before painting so that nothing rough will hurt anyone’s little child. Wish that talent had drifted to my side of the family. Sigh

 

Had the rest of the chicken and rice soup for supper. Still have plenty of chicken left. Now to decide what to do with it. Cooked the sausage yesterday and put it in Ziplocks and into the freezer. Honestly, unless the electricity goes out for an extended period of time, the dogs and the old woman should be well fed. The chicken salad made yesterday was not all that great for some reason. Maybe just too much of it. Brunch and din-upper, ya know.

 

Broke down some Amazon boxes today and stuffed them in the trash bin. One held the new “unscented” shampoo bar. Glad it was unscented. Not a bad odor, but even the box smelled good!

 

Walked down to the end of the east lot to pick up pieces of white stuff out of the fence. Not sure where it came from, but something tends to accumulate in the fence every time we get a bad wind. Not sure exactly what a “good” wind might be, but at least once in a while—mostly in the summer—the wind feels good. Not like the wind we had in the tornado of ’79. The trees were all festooned with sheet metal, car doors, barbed wire, electrical wires, and that horrible pink insulation. That was a terrible wind. Praise God we have not had one that bad since. Jennifer sent me pictures of the one that hit their offices down in Kennedale one year. It took weeks for them to have everything put back together. The new part of the building has an entire room for a storm shelter now. It is built to protect anyone from everything from thrown trucks to cannon balls!

 

Did a little proofreading today. Had forgotten how much enjoyment it could provide. NOT that the topic is all that soothing. Imagine trying to delineate the type of “leaders” who might instill confidence in folks about a virus that had not been seen before! Can only think of one person who actually considered himself an “expert” on the subject, and if anyone believed him, well, guess it is better to just not say anything.

 

Seems several folks among my acquaintance have had some kind of stomach bug or just general all around “feel bads.” Let us hope that everyone gets back to smiling and feeling like the ornery folks that we normally are. Let us pray for this poor old world and its inhabitants. May God give us peace.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Freaking Wind!!!

 Freaking WIND!!!

 

We DID get some wet stuff last night. The new rain gauge thingy says we got 0.05 of rain. I could spit more than that! Sorry, that is rude and ungrateful. But honestly. California gets washed off the map, and we get blown off the map along with any moisture in the air. Oh, isn’t it wonderful to live through droughts.

 

Had a notion to just begin eating out of the deep freeze until the bottom showed up and then start on the pantry. Not all at once, mind you. But just to clean things out a bit at a time. But went ahead and ordered groceries today while busy making vegetable spaghetti with meat balls and black olives. Pretty tasty. NOT like pasta that is made with wheat, but has no carbs in it either. Know what my son-in-law—well, his boys, too—would say! “Let’s go to In & Out Burger!”

 

Was hoping to see Stephen and the boys here this Saturday to take down a tree. Meant to get him to give me a price so the money would be here waiting for the job to end. He did come over and show me what to do with the black stuff he had me buy, but the old woman is NOT climbing on top of the coop to spray each nail top. Did try spraying the foam crud in the little cracks around the edges. That stuff is nasty when it gets on your hands. It dries and does not want to come off at all. Oh well. What little that was reachable got sprayed.

 

Waiting for Maggie Sewell to come over to pick up a dozen eggs. Doesn’t seem like only one dozen would be worth the trip, but maybe it would at the price they are selling for currently.

 

Thought a .22 had been shot somewhere close, but did not hear another “shot.” Turned out that the spaghetti squash should have been pierced before dunking it down in the pot and holding it down with another pan. It split all the way around and made that noise. Think someone had already told me that the gourd has to be pierced. Oh well.

 

Sterling is big into making rocker parts for all the rockers he is making for grands. He told Danny that it is ONE rocker per family, and not one per child. They take time, paint, lots of sanding, and just plain thinking to assemble correctly and without any rough places to hurt a child. Looking forward to seeing one. Maybe someone can get Jacqui to take a picture and send it to me. He said that Marion was ready to come get her rocker. She babysits Cashlynn, Taylor’s little walking baby. Have been thinking and trying to remember what ever happened to the rocker we bought for Lance. Not much telling. But let’s face it, that was 53 years ago.

 

Still holding my breath and wondering when we can listen for peep, peep. She is due to hatch them out by Saturday at least. She is definitely very defensive now. Just don’t touch her, much less ruffle her feathers! She is a sweet hen, but have a feeling she would tackle a dog in a heart beat.

 

Well, Maggie texted to say she is on her way. Of all the things that have not got accomplished today, can at least watch for her and get the eggs out to her van when she gets here.

 

Please pray for those like Mike Ballard and John Pollard who are on dialysis each week; those who are having problems with family in one way or another; those whose littles are ill; and pray for those who fear for their lives. God has given us so many blessings that we never even consider. Freedom and safety are so important. Let us also remember the police officers who put their lives on the line each day. They and the dogs they take to work matter more than most of us ever think about.

 

Rest well, and remember that life is too short to spend it with regrets. Live with joy now and love always. YOU are loved.

Hot Cocoa.

 Hot Cocoa.

 

Ever wake up and want something but don’t really feel like eating what is there or what is easily whipped up into a meal? Such is the problem here this morning. The dogs were happy to show me how that pork shoulder could be consumed. They are pretty much welcome to every freaking bite of it. Cleaned up the pan it was baked in this morning. Pork is a greasy meat. Bleah. Chicken is a bit dry—same with turkey. And beef, even if it is on sale and a great cut, is still something that has to be cooked carefully in order to be tender. Well, except for hamburger. And that may or may not have a good flavor. Tuna casserole might not be bad at all, and that can of salmon on the table that Erin brought here the other day would make some good salmon patties. May just do that for lunch today. It is pretty bad that a person can gripe about choices when some folks would just be happy to have ANY food whatsoever. So here the old woman sits at her desk feeling ashamed to be so terribly spoiled. The pantry has food—multiple cans of different meats and vegetables—and the deep freeze has frozen meats and vegetables in it as well. Yep, spoiled with too many choices.

 

It is not really cold today, but hot cocoa with little marshmallows just sounded good. Lots of sugar that adds little adjustments to that thing called BMI. Got the results of the medical exam this morning and that was the only facet that said the old woman needs to discuss with doctor. See, it is those cups of hot cocoa or the marshmallows—or both. C’est la vie! (That’s life.)

 

Went out and checked on the hens and brought four eggs inside to fill up another carton for the kids. My doctor probably could use some by now. She has a couple of children and her son really likes eggs.

 

It must be a good idea to scan articles before actually reading them—especially when death is in the headline. It seems that Canada has a law that permits assisted suicide—like for people who have terminal illnesses that are truly miserable without any likelihood of getting less debilitating. And now they may extend that “service” to those with emotional/mental illnesses that may never be remediated. That was just about flabbergasting. Apparently, Canada is not the only country considering such things as Switzerland was also mentioned as debating the problem. Sitting here shaking my head and remembering that Hitler had all those with physical handicaps or mental problems taken to “hospitals” and “treated” so that they would not be a drain upon the resources of the nation. SO very considerate for the national good, right? Such a “consideration” might be extended—logically—to include the elderly, those with Alzheimer’s, the autistic, or anyone a little different from the norm. Sitting here shaking my head. Really futuristic terrors.

 

Of all the developments of some societies, we can produce more foods, travel faster and farther, clothe and house ourselves more economically, and otherwise provide the essentials for life. Yet caring, showing kindnesses, and just being there for others is one of our greatest failures. How very sad. Since God spoke to Cain, we have not developed a better way to deal with our emotional baggage concerning our “brothers” and their successes. Envy is a type of poison. Let us work on having a better attitude toward others whether it is the guy who sends rockets into space or the woman with a pink Cadillac. We can either accept our own limitations or work on our attitude so that the limitations do not feel restrictive. God gives us SO many blessings in nature. Let’s open our eyes to what is common to all of us—the need for companionship, the need to be regarded as one of God’s children, the need to be appreciated as we are in life.

 

Please pray for those in need of extra love right now.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Sleeping Strong!

 Sleeping Strong!

 

The allergies have been so much fun lately—NOT—that taking a Benadryl last night was probably one of the best things to happen in a couple of weeks. Went to bed, rolled over, went to sleep—and in all likelihood, did not move all night! Saline solution helps, but Dear Hearts, Benadryl gets ‘er done!

 

Sterling has about twelve grandchildren and has no idea how many great-grands. So, he is busy making rocking chairs for the littles. His daughter, Karen, was given a child-sized rocker by her Aunt Debbie. She has hung on to it over the years and does not want to give it up. Sterling has been using it basically as a pattern for all the rest of the little rockers. We talked about paint colors. He has some red paint that is rather dark or something. He is not too fond of it. Suggested yellow as it can be bright and not be determined as sexist. Anyway, we talked about whether or not he might be able to replace the bottom of the rockers on my great-grandmother’s rocking chair. Mimmie had a tendency to scoot it across the floor because she could not walk. It wore the bottom off one side of the rocker bottom. We will see what happens if and when he ever gets all the rockers made for the herd of great-grands.

 

Went down and exercised Patty’s dogs today. It was not terribly windy and not even all that cool, so it was probably just as good for two old women as it was for those two dogs. They both need their nails trimmed again—the dogs, not the women. She sent a loaf of bread home for the hens. They ate most of it already, but they are messy. The rug on the deck is covered in crumbs. But it could be worse. Those hens will eat just about anything. Did you know that chickens are omnivorous? Bet you never even thought about it. Think it was my father-in-law who said that a can of dog food would stop chicks from pecking on each other. Go figure.

 

Cleaning out the shelf where the hens lay their eggs in crates when one hen came inside the coop and talked to me. She wanted to lay her egg—right now—thank you very much. Put the crate up in the shelf and in she hopped! Love these silly hens.

 

Have about decided that sheep won’t be a good idea. Jennifer reminded me that getting knocked down when we are young is one thing. Getting knocked down when we are older might do some real damage. Sigh Besides, the hens are doing a pretty good job of keeping the grass trimmed down to city regulation height. They may not eat khaki grass, but they will eat almost anything else.

 

Got a loaf of bread out of the deep freeze this morning and noticed that there was still one pork shoulder in there. Took it out and thawed it and baked it. Guess what the dogs will be sharing with me this week.

 

Patty bought a couple of “runner” rugs for her house and decided she did not like them. One is now in my hallway and the other sits cattycorner in the kitchen. The one in the hall is already taped down to the floor, but tomorrow will see a trip to the nearest store to get some more double-sided tape to keep the ends of the rug firmly attached to the kitchen floor. Have no desire to go flying across the room in a stumble. Yes, flying, because some folks don’t just walk slowly and sedately around but rather zip from one place to another. Zip-i-dee do dah lay! Gonna go flying today!

 

Have a couple of things on my mind, but let’s just say a prayer for those who are having to deal with others and the frustrations of living with personalities that are domineering. Told my nephew the other day that it makes me feel inadequate not to have been better to him and his sister when they were younger. How does one see inside the life of a child who won’t say anything because they are so terribly hurt? Or into the life of a friend who feels forced into living according to someone else’s standards. Let us pray for courage to love, to help, to be there for others.

 

God has given us a beautiful day to begin this week. Let us be thankful that we have life and freedom to praise His name!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Anticipation.

 Anticipation.

 

This is the last week for the broody hen to have to sit on her “foreign” eggs. They are foreign because they are not hers or any of her flock mates’ eggs. These came from the Smith family nests. Their rooster does his work well, according to Stephen. By Saturday, and no later than the 23^rd (Tuesday), she should have hatched out any that are going to hatch. Yes, excitement is growing inside my house. The dogs, of course, have no idea what is going on, but the old woman is pretty gleeful. May take the chick grit and feed out to the little coop tomorrow or the next day because this week is supposed to be freezing. Not sure the larger pen inside the green house would be warm enough even with the hen sitting on the chicks. May cover the larger opening for the hen so that she can easily keep them around her. Also, plan to put straw in the other nests to keep it warmer in that part of the coop.

 

Filled up the three water bowls—one outside and two in the big coop—with the water hose, and then disconnected the hose and covered the spout again with the bag Jennifer bought for that purpose. Ask me if cold weather is a pain for me? Think you might easily guess the answer. But at least the hens are laying eggs steadily. It’s not like the eggs get used here all that much, but still, it feels as if the eggs are a fairly good exchange for the cost of all that feed.

 

Patty was laughing about the new meme out there that has someone saying that they would be coloring potatoes for Easter. The potatoes they have been selling lately are about that size, sad to say. We used to get decent sized potatoes with very few little bruised places or black spots. Now, the nice potatoes are sold in sets of four as baking potatoes!! Ridiculous! But that makes it about the same as “shrink-flation.” What is sold is less than what was ever sold before, and yet the price is the same or more.

 

Erin brought me some things out of Anne’s cabinet the other day that included “Bear Creek” chili. Decided to use it and see if it was any good. Yeppers. Going to have to purchase some of that good stuff again. This was mostly dehydrated beans, but it was mighty tasty. Had one meat patty from three taken from the freezer that was already cooked, so it was pretty easy to chip up in the water while it was boiling good and then throw the bean stuff in. Ate all but about 10 ounces of the stuff. May run the dogs out tonight, but it was worth it.

 

This day has really been grey. The wind is blowing, but not at the gale-force level that has persisted this past week. Still has a bunch of pollen crud in it, because junipers are so sweet to give us all that good pollen stuff for free! But the dust/dirt on the counter is back again. Bleah. Dust mopped the living room this morning and then wet mopped a bit later. And it is not just dog tracks that came up on that mop! Honestly!

 

Found my white hat that Anne made for me some years ago. Had set it in the bookcase next to my desk and had not been able to find it. Michelle had brought me another hat with a light attached to the front so that a night visit to the coop could be done hands-free for the doors. Love these neat ideas that folks have! Just wish it were not so hard for me to keep up with my junk and stuff.

 

Let’s remember to pray for families—our own and others. Satan hates the family relationship we have with God and hates the reflection of that family in our own. We just have to desire to be as loving as possible in all our relationships with others. And we all know that sometimes being loving takes an enormous amount of patience. But this is OUR job. God shows patience with us, so we need to be patient with others.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Hobbies.

 Hobbies.

 

What do YOU do to entertain yourself? Once upon a time, reading was my mainstay. Sewing was something to enjoy, but it was also necessary—along with keeping up with the mending for my family. One of my cousins sewed, gardened (the flowering kind, not the eating kind), and painted different types of pictures. She is 90 now and still does these things with as much purpose as she ever did. My sister-in-law used to enjoy cooking, and she was an excellent cook. She could make a cake that was mighty fine, too. She started cooking almost as soon as she was big enough to get close to the stove! Her mom, my mother-in-law, wanted the meals on the table when they got home from the farm on the weekends. For that reason, it seems to me that just plain cooking to suit someone else might not be much of a hobby. Guess it is still different strokes for different folks.

 

My brother likes to mess around with wood. If he ever gets a bunch of Dremel tools and a router table with bits, we may never see the end of the sawdust out of NWArkansas. Lance used to build things with wood also. His stuff was useful and good to have around. The bench on my front porch, the little wooden table in the bathroom, the stepstool in the office—all of those came from the hands of the oldest son. He also built a nice wooden chair for outside, but it was heavily used and abused over the years, so it is no more. Hanan was good with wood. He was good at fencing (the kind to keep things in or out), he built decks, dog houses, and just about anything necessary to help keep things where they needed to be.

 

My daughter is just a very talented young woman. She can work on just about anything in the house from sink to stove. She recovers furniture, can bring the correct tool to just about any undertaking that Gary gets involved in, and she knows how to get parts for anything from lighting to sprinkler systems. Whereas, if my hands were strong enough, this old woman might be able to remove the garden hose off the front faucet! Honestly, can’t imagine anyone having any kind of plumbing as a hobby!!

 

Some of my friends and family crochet or knit, quilt, make weavings, or otherwise make garments from knitting thread. My daughter-in-law has a sewing machine with an embroider feature on it. She made initials on scarves for all the women on her Christmas list. Sharon Dickerson can take cloth cutouts and make bowls with them. And Cindy Jones has mending down to an art! She gave some sewing lessons to a young girl once when we were visiting. And then, she has other special skills that make me wonder how she manages to have enough time to do anything for herself. One of these days, she is going to have to show me how to dehydrate eggs in my little dehydrator.

 

Hobbies are not all just ways to keep ourselves busy. Know for a fact that Sharon shares her sewing skills as a way to provide warm hats and ear covers for the homeless. Cindy teaches food preservation and other needed skills for those who may need to depend solely on themselves someday. But mostly, we all have to have some kind of activity that relaxes and rests our minds. Maybe we just need the satisfaction of having pretty curtains to hang in the windows or a pretty quilt on the beds, but to some of us, these little mindless endeavors are ways to quiet our minds when something is bothering us. We children knew that Mother was upset and taking it out on her piano when she would wham out Amazing Grace as if she were angry. Kinda think she was, to tell the truth. But whatever our reasons, we all need something that does not require a lot of interactions with others, some steady repetition of stitches, or the unraveling of a good mystery with descriptions to carry the mind to a different place. God gave us a schedule of daylight and dark; he also told us to rest from our work at least once a week. And, Dear Hearts, as if you did not already know, he gave us reasons to slow down with the aging of our joints and muscles. We can choose less strenuous activities, less arduous thoughts connected to what is going on in the world, or even less troublesome approaches to the weather and wind around us.

 

Basically, we have choices to make each day, each season, and in each area of our lives. We can call them hobbies or whatever, but we need to relax at times and stop sweating the small stuff. And we also need to look at the major decisions that absolutely have to be made as if they, too, shall eventually just be more small stuff. Remember: will it matter tomorrow? Next month? Next year? Let God handle the big stuff and take time to rest your worries on His shoulders.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.