Jolene and Chicks.

 Jolene and Chicks.

 

Jolene made it clear this morning after the door to her coop was opened that she has had just about enough of this chick thing. She did not even call the chicks as she took off to the east lot for fresh grass. She reminded me of a woman who loves salads but who lives with a meat and potato man. Anyway, she may or may not go back to the coop with them tonight, so we will see. Meanwhile, three chicks are scratching around in the wheat straw trying to find something to eat. Yes, they have chick feed and water handy—even some in the wheat straw—but they are sticking close to their coop. Here’s hoping that they don’t need protection from anything today while Jolene appreciates her freedom.

 

Have you ever had a desire to get something done and then look at the actual work involved and felt somewhat overwhelmed? That is how the workshop feels to me at the moment. It desperately needs to be cleaned out, but there is just so much “shtuff”! In the house, it would be one room at a time, but out there, well. Maybe one shelf at a time?

 

Had all kinds of good intentions to make scrambled eggs and bacon this morning, but the intentions from last night and the desire from a semi-sleep-deprived old woman don’t exactly match. Don’t know why one night is such a good one for sleeping and the next one is “wide-awake-Sally”! Maybe sleeping through the rough winds is a matter of determination, while sleeping through a calm night just causes fidgets.

 

Went down to Patty’s to check out the shower curtain rod that had fallen. She had it up high enough to be able to shower, but kinda think it needs to be replaced. One end feels floppy. She ordered one on the Walmart grocery site, but they brought her one that requires fixtures to be installed in the walls. Her walls are cement. So, she has now decided to order one from Amazon. Meanwhile, the old woman lifted the thing as far upwards as it was possible for my reach without a stool. Maybe the new one will work better.

 

Tomorrow Patty has an appointment at 2 p.m. at Clinics of North Texas, and she wants to leave a bit after one. Understand how she feels about getting there more than on time, but we will see how this works out. Will deliver her to the front door and then sit in the parking lot and read a book on my Kindle.

 

Read something online that upset me about a guy who is charged with sex crimes. Whether or not it is true, it makes me feel sick. Know how this is going to affect his mom in more than one way. We are not responsible for the kids after they leave home, but it does not take away that feeling of failure when they do something totally dumb or illegal. It was one of those things that we decide when they are leaving home—they should take the responsibility for their own actions at that point. We know that this attitude is supposed to be true, but when your child stumbles and does not remain true to what he or she was taught, well, if you have a child, you understand. Anyway, please pray for his mother—BG.

 

Nephew Erin came by today and handed me a couple of things he said he no longer needed. He is about over the worst of the emotions that went with the death of his mom and the divorce from his wife, and he was able to get all those papers completed or filed and to get ready to turn Anne’s house over to a new owner. He still does not know for certain what he will do or where he will go. Please pray for him. He really feels he has no one left of his family except his sister, and she is in Illinois with her family. Life is hard for everyone at times, but this is especially true for him.

 

Have checked on the three black chicks several times today. They are getting braver, but still staying close to the deck and their coop. Noticed that Jolene had found them earlier and was chuckling to them. Maybe she will lead them back to the coop tonight. We will see.

 

A young couple were parked in the driveway across the street earlier. Their little boys were so excited to see the chickens. They wanted a puppy, but their dad—a different man than the one with them—said they could not even get a fish because he did not want to clean up after it. Their mom suggested a plastic fish. Raising eyebrows here.

 

Currently the temperature is 81 degrees, but by Thursday or Friday it will be in the low 60s. And the pollen count today is over ten on a scale of twelve! No wonder we sneeze!

 

If the trees start blooming out pretty soon, it will be time to mow the henbit—the little purple flowers that leave the ground looking as if it were covered in a sheer sheet of light purple. Erin said that some restaurants he supplied with flowering vegetables used henbit, squash blossoms, zinnia flowers, nasturtiums, and other flowers from radishes or things like rosemary and fennel. Never have tried anything except the squash blossoms, but bet the other flowers would be good as well. God gave us so many plants that are good to eat!

 

Have been slowly pouring out a half gallon of milk today for the hens. They know what it is and go pecking on the pan to let me know it is nearly empty. Having milk seems necessary, but it makes me feel guilty not to use it before it is time to throw it out. The hens take away most of that guilt feeling for me.

 

 Guess the old woman should get back to her lollygagging. That should not be confused with dillydallying. It might include another book on the Kindle, however. May those who are ill receive the blessing of healing. May those who feel distraught from other situations find peace in God’s hands. May you all know rest in this life, for you know: you are loved.

Windy Sunday Evening.

 Windy Sunday Evening.

 

Weathermen are warning us that we are in the area of tornadic activity until about 9 tonight. Well, diddly do right! Just what we needed! NOT! But it would not be Texas without this type of weather—well, for Oklahoma as well, for that matter. So one part of California is under 8 to 10 feet of snow and the wind is about to move part of Texas to Mississippi! Just shaking my head and hoping to be able to open my eyes on another day tomorrow.

 

For some reason or reasons, my body hurts today as if arthritis were coming up like skunk cabbage. Maybe it is the weather, or maybe it was moving washer, dryer, stove, trestle table, dog bowls, or assorted other junk and stuff to make it easy to remove the old washer and dryer and bring in the new ones. Whatever the reason, the old woman’s body is mighty sore. But really love the new washer and dryer. Even took the sheets off my bed and washed them and put ‘em back on the bed this morning. They put some kind of little blue beads in one package to use in the washer. Put the dog blankets in that load of laundry and now they smell really sweet. Not sure the dogs will appreciate that odor, but at least it won’t smell like dirt, dog hair, and grass.

 

Had a rather large bunch of limbs—more like heavy, twiggy branches—to try to cut up and haul off. Some went in the trash bin, and some went into the burn pit that is made of two 18-wheeler hubs welded together with a little door cut in them to open. Put the water hose out there and sat in a lawn chair to watch for a bit. Finally stopped watching and sat there and thought about the “kid” that grew up here. Not sure why, but he never felt like a grown man to me. Know better, of course, but maybe he did not feel grown up either. The trees here would have already have been chopped on this year if he were still on the hill. He knew that the tree limbs were just as likely to come down on the power lines or the roof as not. Not sure why some of us see that kind of thing while others are not even aware. Guess it takes all kinds of folks to make up the personality of this ol’ world.

 

So enjoyed having Lance here yesterday. He is such a good son and a good man. He took eggs home and told me that they would probably go to Jennifer’s house as his family still has eggs in their fridge. He also took the box with Auntie Anne’s canisters back to go to Grayson’s place—if he ever gets a place. Jennifer seems to think it will be a year before the boys move out, if they can find a decent place that is affordable. Just hope that it is possible for them to find a house big enough for them and whoever might stay with them. Would hate to have to look for a place to live even around this area.

 

 Took the dogs to Whataburger today. Should have asked for plain doggy burgers for them, but instead ordered two junior burgers. Had to take the tomatoes and stuff off of them. My burger was some kind of chicken strips with hot sauce on it. Won’t do THAT again! Whew! But thought the dogs would enjoy getting out. They love to stick their heads out the back windows and hang out their tongues. Just like kids!

 

Have a couple of bananas to make into banana nut muffins tomorrow if nothing rips, rears, or ravels. Ate the last two of the last batch this morning. The recipe calls for three ripe ones, but have some banana pudding to put in the mix this time just to try it out. Well, it will still have two bananas in there, but the pudding sounds good. Experimenting with recipes is a bit of a gamble, but sometimes it can make things much more interesting. Will let you know if it turns out good.

 

It feels as if the entire world is turning upside down in so many ways—not just the weather. Maybe in ages past some folks felt that way, too. We are not the first society that has had severe situations, violence at home and all across the nation, but this is the only world we have known so intimately. And having almost instant communications has made an extreme difference in how we perceive things. We know almost as soon as one area catches on fire or another is awash with floods. We see extremes in social situations, too. Having someone claim that the person is a “they” or a “them” just boggles my mind. Sorry. No offense, but teaching legal transcription would have made such a term an automatic discrepancy in a document. During the time when we had that subject to teach at the commercial college, one was either a he or a she. Oh well. No amount of common sense will change the social status of those who want to be different. And maybe that is just as well. Some of us would rather be ornery old women or grumpy old men. No one even questions those decisions. Hooray!

 

May God give us patience with ourselves and others. May peace on this earth be lifted up for all. May we look to God for guidance in our lives.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Comforting Thoughts.

 Comforting Thoughts.

 

Sometimes a scripture will light up one’s thoughts or relieve the spirit of fear that encroaches upon a person. Pastor Ken Puccio wrote of our need to trust God, to attempt to understand His love, by quoting some scripture:

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55: 6-9).

No matter how badly we may mess up, if we ask for forgiveness, we can be forgiven. And, as strange as it may seem, every person on earth has access to God’s love—we observe the heavens above and His love around us. Simple things can touch us and inform us each day—no matter who we are or what we have been taught as children. The only word that comes to mind for this blessing is: REJOICE!

 

This day started out a bit cool and didn’t really improve all that much, but the best part was the arrival of my oldest son. Lance has always been such a sweet guy. He has developed a wisdom that is pretty much beyond what his mom could have had at his age. Well, maybe beyond what she has had at any age!

 

Lance’s daughter Rachel called to talk to him today. She was going to talk to a doctor about her symptoms—either upper respiratory or sinus infection. It seems that is a bag of tricks and mischief used by most doctors. Anyway, appreciate your prayers for Rachel as she tries to overcome the congestion and pain from this sinus problem. Then she and Damian will be driving back to Texas for spring break with Damian’s dad in his new truck that he is going to pick up about that time. Praying for travel mercies.

 

Was SO glad to have Lance here today. He was able to unscrew the faucet for the water on the washing machine and reconnect it to the new machine. Hamilton Bryan sent a truck out with two young men who brought the new washer and dryer inside and set them down in the kitchen. Lance hooked up the appliances and had them working quickly. SO glad! The possibility of problems was my main focus before he was able to turn the water off to the old washing machine. And we were so blessed that things just worked out well. The washer is only slightly smaller than the one Jim will pick up and probably sell for scrap metal. The parts are more expensive than a new washer!!!

 

Lance took me out for breakfast this morning at IHOP. It was too much food for me, but the dogs appreciated the leftovers. From IHOP we went to the feed and garden store on 281 to pick up feed. Now the feed bins are stocked to the top and should last another month or more. Sent eggs home with Lance, but he said those would probably go to Jennifer’s house as they still had eggs at home.

 

Decided not to watch any more of the Bones series. All that shocking stuff is pretty sad, and there was hardly anything happy in the show. Tried to find some comedy and only found something that was pretty dumb. Anyway, will wait until the 12^th of March and cancel the TV part of this service as they will charge me up to that date anyway. The young man who suggested doing this was really rather sweet to tell me that canceling could wait until then.

 

These dogs had a fit when they saw Lance’s truck drive up. Waited until he got the truck in the driveway before letting them outside. He said it was pretty startling to have two dog noses greet him as he opened his truck door! Funny critters. They really think he is something special. Well, we at least agree!

 

We may have rain tomorrow, but at least it looks as if it won’t be all that cold—76 degrees if the weather app is correct. The hens may not appreciate the wet stuff—IF we get any—but at least it should not be nearly freezing.

 

Think the neighbors across in Jerry’s place are going to start filming some new episodes of their TV program. Can’t remember the name of it, but will try to let you know later. It is something about remodeling maybe. His name is Clint and hers is Sandy Robertson. They are a couple of nice folks and don’t get loud or do stupid stuff. A relief, all things considered.

 

It's about time to put the hens up for the night. This old woman is tired and just a bit sore from pushing around the furniture, so will just ask that you praise God in your thoughts and actions. We lift ourselves up when we accept His love.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Mechanics and Torque.

 Mechanics and Torque.

 

Being a mechanic meant that Lewis wanted things he put together to STAY put together. Think Donny Anderson was a lot that way as well, but he was that way about plumbing, too. That is why the hose won’t come undone from the front faucet. And today Jim Simmons said that he was afraid to try to get the hose off the faucet that leads to the washer because the lines underneath are that plastic stuff—same as in the front yard. So he had two suggestions about how to get this hose from the old machine to the new washing machine. It will take more than one person to deal with this situation, however. Here’s hoping that whoever the guys are that deliver the washer and dryer will be able to understand what we need to do—crimp the hose—and then disconnect from the back of the old washer and then quickly put that hose on the new washer. Fingers crossed?

 

Patty got her new Generac generator turned on today, so she is ready for whatever comes up in the storm that is supposed to hit us on Sunday. Just going to hope that when it is over, my house and the hens and dogs are all ok. It may take thunder shirts for both dogs plus the old woman! Spring is not even here, yet we are already getting ready for crazy weather. Noticed that Easter is not until April 9, but that used to be the turning point for frost and freeze when we listened to the old farmers. The water in the chick bowl was frozen this morning, but Jolene broke it and the chicks were drinking. She is a good little hen. Maybe by Easter the chicks will be big enough to put in the greenhouse and turn them loose with her. If we have snakes this year—and when have we not?—they should not be able to catch a quick chick.

 

Talking to Jim about our classmates—so many have already died or are in the process of dying. Eddie Hunter, Pat Harmon, Terry Dene, Sharon H., Donald H., Danny H., and one that we know of who has cancer right now. It is a privilege at our age to still be around and see the sunrise each day. And being retired is pretty nice, to tell the truth. Had to think about the fact that Jim refuses to have a cell phone or a computer. Not a bad way to go if a person wants to avoid some excess stress. Imagine not being at anyone’s beck and call. Only a house phone in use. And only network TV. Can you see the smile on my face?

 

Patty gave me the schedule of her next three doctors’ appointments, so we talked about the best way to handle going where she has to go. A book and waiting in the truck bother me not one tiny bit. The only one that upsets her is the doctor who has his patients wait up to five hours for their appointments. Guess who told her that she needed to find a better doctor! She did say she would ask her lung doctor for a recommendation for a better cardiologist—at least for one who is better organized. She does not want to do a stress test—just the echo test thingy. Understand just how she feels. Had to do the entire whoopla last year before the surgery on my back. Felt it was a waste of time, but then, that is my usual attitude.

 

Have known for years that old houses have a tendency to shift on their foundations—a bit like old folks. So somehow the back kitchen door has decided that the button for the door does not quite meet the hole with the little plate on it in the wall facing. Such a delightful discrepancy. NOT! That means the wind can push it open unless a chair is propped up under it or unless the crowbar is slid under the door and pushed upward to make things match up. Sitting here hoping that Lance makes it up here tomorrow and that he can make it work the way it should. Dr. B suggested that if anything needed to be repaired around here, she has a really neat building manager who could probably work on things for me. SO, if it is necessary in the future to have some work done, will be calling her office to get the guy’s phone number. Hate to make my kids feel as if they only come home to help mom with her problems. That is pretty much how we used to feel when Lewis’ mom called us. Tree trimming, fence building, pumping out the underside of the house—just little problems.

 

Plan to put a turkey on to cook in the morning. Trying to use up all the stuff in the deep freeze has been interesting. A person never really realizes what is in a deep freeze until you can actually see the bottom! At least getting it empty will be an opportunity to defrost and clean it.

 

Thompson just informed me that he wanted a can of dog food, thank you very much. Just thought you might want to know: this dog has an interesting vocabulary! Treats are NOT in the same category of awwrooraws as real dog food. Actually, know just what he means.

 

Until tomorrow evening, you will just have to wonder if the old woman has a working washer and dryer in the house. Trust me, she is concerned about that situation. Really do not want to have to call a plumber! So, until tomorrow—if we all get to see a new day—let us hope that nothing freezes and the critters all feel like being as ornery as the old woman.

 

Pray for peace and that we can help others as we are able. Rest well, and know that you are loved.

 

   

 

 

Last Legs!

 Last Legs!

 

The other day the washer repairman from Hamilton Repair told me that my washer is on its last legs. It no longer leaks, but it plays tunes the entire time it is plugged in. That is from the “user interface” on the back of the washer (a $300 part). The service call of $80 was about what could be expected, but a deep sigh is about all to do about that. This morning the dryer bit the dust, so a gas dryer was on the agenda almost immediately. Patty let me take my wet laundry to her house to be dried, and now the best prices in town have been adjusted and reinforced so that my new washer and dryer will be delivered from Hamilton Bryan Saturday afternoon. Sterling is arranging for a mutual friend to come pick up the old ones tomorrow afternoon. So, do we think that getting older is just for tough guys and gals or do some of the wimps like me still manage to get things done?

 

Made some banana nut muffins earlier and took some to Patty. Offered the new neighbors some, but they are on one of those no carb diets. Oh well. They are about to start doing more TV work or something, so maybe he wants to look as cute as his lovely wife. She is so spritely that it would be hard to compete, in my estimation.

 

So disappointed in this weather. Now to whom should this complaint be directed? Surely the weather man/woman/person knows that no one up north really needed all those tons of snow for North Dakota or even California. Arizona will see theirs melt off into a couple of gulley washers. It’s a shame they can’t put that water someplace safe to be used when needed. But we have not yet figured out how to do that in Texas either. We get the gulley washers and flat out floods, but the water just heads south or east to a river or bigger lake. Lake Arrowhead is still lake bonehead in my estimation. So much water in Clay County that could have been arranged for a better location. Oh well.

 

Patty asked me about the local election on the bond issue for the schools. As if that is the sort of thing the old woman considers acceptable news! Seems more votes were cast for the new schools than there were voters. Surprise, surprise, surprise. NOT! The ballot BARELY passed, but it had to have been crooked or the thing would never have passed in the first place. Folks have absolutely no interest in wasting money on schools that do not need to be replaced by expensive buildings on sites that were owned by those who might have been influenced by tax money. Whatever it means, we (the normal non-influential public) will get the rear end of the deal no matter what happens. How many times did the new center downtown come up for a vote before the city council finally figured out a way to get it built? No one in their right mind thought this was necessary. And guess what venue is used when someone comes to town as a comedy or other type of event to be seen by the general public? The municipal auditorium—EVERY time! Sometimes this type of crud is pretty disgusting because it is just repeated over so many times with only a slight change of characters and levels of greed and graft.

 

Guess the old woman should go check the bank balances and credit card stuff so that everything will get paid on time. Hard to believe that March is almost here!

 

Will remind you that my friend Beth needs your prayers as well as her youngest son (despite the fact that he is an adult). Please pray that Beth can have peace of mind and that her son will not have to continue to deal with his ex-wife. While we are praying for children—the adult kind—please pray for Sharon’s son David that he will get the job he needs to take care of his own affairs. Peace of mind also is part of being able to work within our capabilities.

 

Let us pray that God’s will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. Let us pray for those who need extra protection from wars and natural disasters as well.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Wind--AGAIN!

 Wind—AGAIN!

 

The sky to the west is a lovely shade of dirty brown. Have a feeling that won’t exactly produce a pretty sunset, but with the wind blowing in gusts up to 30 mph or more, guess who will not be outside watching for a sunset. Even the hens are hunkered down behind shelter. At the risk of sounding gripey, at least one person on this hill is dadgummed tired of the effects of this wind! Deep sigh.

 

Looked out the kitchen window over my sink and noticed neat little tight white buds on the plum tree. And Siri tells me that the temperature is supposed to be going down again next week. See, it is still February in Texas. That means that fruit that might have made from any blooms coming out right now will undoubtedly get frozen in the buds. Sad, just sad. Tricky weather causes plants to get busy and produce the blooms. Then the weather finishes them off. Deep breath.

 

Three hyacinths are blooming by the porch, but the honey bees are busy working over the henbit. That is those lovely little purple flowers that make the land look as if it has a coat of purple dust on it. Today, Patty said that she agreed that we did not need to mow that stuff down—especially as that is all the bees have right now. Not much help if only two of us leave it growing, but everyone has to do something helpful for the critters. The stupid Bradford pear will bloom soon, too. It may or may not have any good stuff for the bees, but it certainly is not going to be much use for anything else. Still have a few fruit trees that may bloom on the west side of the hill, and they are better than nothing.

 

Danny Pollard posted a picture of over 12 rocking chairs for kids that Sterling has made. If Sterling decides to bring some down to Texas this spring, a few folks might want one. Not sure how many he can haul in that truck of his or if he plans to bring his camping trailer. Anyway, just looking forward to seeing him.

 

Lance might come this weekend. Certainly hope the wind has died down considerably before then. We got that little bit of rain in all that wind last night, but don’t think that kind of rain is going to do much good for filling up the lakes. Guess it doesn’t do to gripe. Be thankful for what you get might be the best attitude. Sorry.

 

Did not make banana nut muffins today, but might try tomorrow. Got a recipe off the internet, so no excuses will do. Laziness is no excuse, right? Even making a salad today has been just a wee sign of laziness. Did not want to cook. So, tomorrow has a list of things beginning with laundry and muffins. If the grit on the counter can be wiped off easily, that might get done as well.

 

Have not wanted to look at any news today. Spring is a time for being hopeful. Sunshine is for being happy. And these two dogs have been poking their noses into my lap all day, so maybe they need some exercise or a trip in the truck. Let’s hope tomorrow is pretty and the wind doesn’t blow parts of Lubbock our way.

 

Some days it is just easier to be still than others, but God blesses us each time we greet a new day. So, let us be grateful for each blessing. Let yourselves rest in those blessings. You are loved.

Relationships.

 Relationships.

 

Watching the series called “Bones,” it seems amazing that some people do not consider it natural to be only with one other person. It makes sense that some people would find another partner due to death or divorce, but even so, being a partner in any other sense than in work related just boggles my mind. Recently, a man “nuzzled” my neck as he came up behind me at a table where several of us were sitting. The old woman was infuriated and ready to clobber him. It would have been sensible to walk down to his side of the table and warn him not to ever come near me again, but that action just did not occur to me at the time. Some people just do not understand that women do not appreciate that type of closeness. It may seem strange to someone else, but this old woman still feels married. Guaranteed reaction is to be a complete 8*tch when a man tries to get “cute” with me. And it is still bothering me!

 

Our society has some pretty strange social mores. The acceptance of what men are allowed to do compared to what is seemly among women are quite the contrast. Maybe that is why women during Gloria Steinem’s more active days were so disgusted and rebellious. My guess is that the women who were reared back in the late 40s and 50s are still in the mindset of monogamous relationships and marital fidelity. Our grandmothers were probably never even flirts. And living together before marriage was simply out of the question. Having recently been informed that living together before marriage might prevent divorce, just sit there and imagine an old woman shaking her head in confusion. A girl who has learned to value herself, does not need a trial run to determine if a man will be what he should be. But then, that is a very old-fashioned attitude from a very old woman who feels pretty independent. The man who married me seemed to value me for the person he found to love him. That love has not left my mind or heart in all these years. Someday maybe the wheel will turn again and young people will learn to find their self-value without being involved in permissive relationships.

 

Today we had that wonderful commodity known as SUNSHINE! It was truly great to be outside and enjoy the heat and the breeze. But it was 80 degrees out there at one point. Had to turn the living room ceiling fan on! Tomorrow and the next day are supposed to be really windy again. But as long as it is not freezing at the same time, this old person is not going to gripe. Have three hyacinths blooming next to the front porch!

 

Opened the driveway gate on the east side of the house and left it open. Picked up one hen and set her down in the grass. It only took about five minutes before the rest of the hens found out there was fresh grass and stuff to be eaten and scratched. Sat there and ate my din-upper and watched them. Had to shut the dogs up in the house so they could not join them and take off to see the neighbors. May have to go ahead and get some of that plastic webbed fencing to close in an area for them to graze. They would have that grass gone in nothing flat!

 

Putin is still threatening to throw nuclear bombs into the already stupid war. And, of course, China is allied to Russia. So, we have North Korea shooting some kind of missiles into the sea close to Japan while the Americans do their war game practices. Joy to the world! What kind of energy does it take to cause a war? Or what else can we do to cause more problems? God protect us!

 

Saw that a foundry blew up and injured quite a few people here in the U.S. Have no idea why that would happen, but so much stuff is unknown about metals that are brought into places like that to melt down. Let’s hope that the cause can be found and remedied soon. America has always had foundries and metal works, but if the buildings start blowing up, we are going to have to examine where the raw materials originate. Just a thought.

 

Other than truly enjoying the sunshine and my critters, this has not been a very fruitful day. Had planned to look up a good recipe for banana nut muffins, but did not even get that done, much less any baking. Tomorrow is another day, so if God sees fit to allow me to see the daylight, maybe a banana nut baking spree will happen.

 

One request for all of you: my friend Beth is having afib problems with her heart. It worries me because she is so stressed. Her son is going to trial against his former wife who accused him of making porn pictures of his (?) baby daughter. Beth is beyond worried and stressing and unable to go with him for the trial. The prosecutor is trying to find her son to arrest him so that he can be led into the courtroom in the famous orange jumpsuit and handcuffs. Please pray that Beth will have peace of mind and that her son will be exonerated of all charges.

 

Remember to appreciate each day and the blessings you find in it. Nothing is guaranteed in our lives except that our Father loves us. No matter what beliefs we may have, nothing matters as much as His love.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Just Another Monday?

 Just Another Monday?

 

The postal service calls this Presidents’ Day. Hmm. My dogs think every day is dogs’ day. The hens have their own opinion about each day, but they hardly ever discuss it with me. They just squawk about needing more handouts whenever they see the old woman outside. Every day is a special day at my age. So many do not get to enjoy life beyond retirement age.

 

Vacuumed and mopped the living room and kitchen this morning. Even dusted the furniture! Amazing! The kitchen table has not been given a good coat of furniture polish in a few years! And guess what: it still did not get the polish, just cleaned a bit from the dust that accumulates. Oh well. Moved the bench along the kitchen wall to the living room, so now Thompson can stand on it to bark at the strangers who are running around over on North Church Street—a lady with some kids. Hmm. Cleaned a bit out from under the washing machine without pulling it out entirely. That sucker is heavy! Scrubbed the piece of carpet that the dogs got dirty in the kitchen, and then fed the dogs OUTSIDE for a change. Of course, Thompson had to bark at the closest hens.

 

Still do not have sunshine. It is nearly 70 degrees outside, but the sun is hiding behind the clouds. Maybe we will get some rain eventually, but for the time being, at least it is not freezing. Feel sorry for the folks up north. They are in for it again. The map showed some cold stuff from Washington state to Maine!

 

The chicks are a month old today. They are so funny looking with their poofy feathers along their necks and those long, long legs. They remind me just a bit of baby killdeers. Of course, those little birds can run from the time they are hatched. These can fly already! They will just have to stay in the coop area until they are much older. Poor old Jolene really would like to go have some grass. Maybe some can be picked and dropped inside the coop.

 

Well, the young man from Hamilton Repair came and told me that he adjusted all of the things he could, but the beeper in the back of the control panel is about $300, so each time the machine is used, it will just be unplugged when the load is finished. As long as it is not throwing water all over heck and half of Georgia, this machine is just going to have to get things clean and hang the sound effects. To cap things off, young Kevin called back and asked if he left his billfold on the floor around my machine. Hope he finds it.

 

Cooked up some hamburger meat this afternoon and had cheese, tomato, and hamburger in a spinach tortilla wrap. Pretty good stuff. Especially the tomato!

 

Washed the cover on one of the dogs’ beds from in the living room. Now the floors in the two rooms are clean, the dog bed is clean, and maybe it will stay that way until it rains again in a couple of days. Just hope it is enough rain to do us some good. Still need to fill up those lakes and stock ponds.

 

The wobbly hen has been joined by another hen who seems to have been hit by the same dogsleds! They have found a nice straw covered bed out by the coop where Jolene and chicks are. The rest of the hens are not bothering them, so there’s that. Threw some green grass over the fence to them and the silly dogs wanted to eat it. Guess they need a salad, too.

 

Guess just about everyone has heard about the revival happening on the East Coast at a university church. Hope these details are correct. Anyway, it has not stopped since it began. That makes me smile and want to see and hear more about it. God is simply wonderful in what He can do with and for His people. We can ask for His mercy and protection on all those who reach out to Him.

 

Let us appreciate each day, dear friends. Rest well, for you know you are loved.

Handle It, Leroy!

 Handle It, Leroy!

 

We used to say this to each other when we thought someone else could do whatever we wanted done or what we did not realize needed to be done. Once asked Lewis why we used that name, but he just laughed and said the only person we knew by that name was Leroy Schaffner. He was our doctor for umpteen years before he retired. He was supposed to deliver all four of our kids, but Lewis and the nurse delivered Hanan. And Dr. Greer delivered Jennifer. Some of the things that these kids have been through just amaze me. In fact, when Hanan was little, we spent the night with a couple in Oklahoma named Bond. They had calves out in the pasture that Hanan wandered out in. It never even occurred to me that he was in danger—even knowing that cattle gang up on small critters. Perry Bond and his long legs went straight across the pasture to where Hanan was and led him back toward the house. Oh my! He must have thought we were horrible parents. But he kept our little one from getting hurt. So, in that case, Leroy handled it!

 

Tomorrow the man is supposed to come see about the seal on the pump on my washing machine. Then he will go down to Patty’s house and check to see if that is what is making hers leak. It is always something around here. She said that with all the electricians, plumbers, city inspectors, the supplies needed and the big ol’ generator installed down at her place, it was something like $15K for peace of mind. Sterling asked me why she thought she needed a generator. When someone is on oxygen 24/7, it stands to reason that the electrical supply needs to be assured.

 

Read yesterday that the City of WF has decided to charge folks $3.25 every month for them to use a credit card to pay their bill. That feels like nickel and dime stuff that should not happen. But that is our fair city for you. Argh! Sometimes city governments do not make sense at all unless we are producing a graft of “graft” and greed. Someone is always going to own land to be sold to the city or to the school system. Have wondered a few times about who owns the land that has been considered for the Ringgold Lake project. Of course, that one has not really taken off yet, and may not.

 

It is not really cold, cold, but the weather is still too cool to be comfortable. The hens might have seen the sun shine once today, but not long enough to tempt them to spread their wings out and dust themselves. Patience. Keep telling myself to be patient. But really would like to go get a load of potting soil and stuff like that to fill up some planting containers. One of these days the old woman may find a way to make my metal wagon be a flower container. One year it was filled with petunias. Think some seeds around here might get planted in containers to haul around front to be pretty—along with rose moss. Sigh. Just dreaming of flowers.

 

Don’t know diddly squat, but hope all of you are in a good mood and finding something to keep you happy. Nature calls, but weather halts the mood pretty quickly. Let’s pray for a beautiful spring for all of our world. SO wish those in the Ukraine could be safe this spring. And it would be wonderful if the help being sent to Turkey could make a difference in lives there. Let us pray for them in the meantime.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Cold Noses.

 Cold Noses.

 

Well, despite what the temperature gauge says, some of us have a cold nose—me and a couple of dogs. Not sure about the beaks out in the back yard, but the “crippled” hen who is not sick, is wobbling about on two legs with a really strange upright position but have not checked the temperature of her beak. She acts happy, so there’s that. The dogs have alternated between the zoomies and the “let us in!” attitudes all day. Then they got in a tussle in the living room—just playing. Silly dogs. But the truth of the matter is, it is too freaking cold to be outside to do much of anything. Even though it does not say cold or freezing on the gauge, just step outside and your backside and your fingers are immediately colder than a well-digger’s tutu! The Coo Coo Maran that set on the eggs to hatch out these little chicks goes inside the top coop rather often, too. And just to be exact, the “little” is not so very little any longer. They can fly, too!

 

My allergies are all stirred up as if something is in the air. So, the fact that my eyes are sticky makes me believe that pollen is floating around. Hope everyone who has this kind of allergy is doing ok. Know my grands all have allergies. How did people live without allergy meds years ago? Shucks, think they came out with aspirin as a tablet back right after my birth—1949, to be exact. According to an article, the discoverer of aspirin was Arthur Eichengruen, a survivor of the Theresienstadt concentration camp. He actually discovered it long before he was interred, but because he was a Jew, he had to keep silent.

 

My dog alarm is going at full blast at the moment. A young couple are looking at the trailer house across from my place. Was sitting here thinking about it: have not even looked in the windows of that place and it has been here for months now. Guess the old woman is just not all that curious any longer.

 

Have been praying for the young couple who live in Jerry’s house. Not sure just what is going on, but maybe it is just my imagination. Business is a strange way to make a living when folks are not using any more money than absolutely necessary. But even when a person has a very good job with high wages, anymore nothing is certain. Many companies are laying off or divesting or whatever so that employment is just a toss-up. My daddy used to say that unless a man had enough land to raise his own food, he had better have a stockpile of either money or canned goods. Guess Daddy remembered the Great Depression vividly.

 

Really have goofed off today. Need to move a bunch of stuff out of the kitchen tomorrow so that when the man comes to work on the washing machine Monday, nothing will be in his way. We will see how much gets done early, and then there will be time to push things like the kitchen table out of his way when he gets here. Such fun.

 

Let us rejoice that this cold weather won’t last forever. Yes, we will all be groaning about the heat in a few months, but right now, it is the cold that is making the old bones ache. Meanwhile, thank God for the rain that has helped settle some of the dust and filled up a few stock tanks. Still need more rain, but it is still just February.

 

Pray for peace in this world while we are still able to feel a degree of safety in our homes and places of gathering. Let us remember those who have no assurance of safety or protection.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

More Entertainment.

 More Entertainment.

 

So, the old woman is learning how to use this new Roku thingy to watch a few movies or series or whatever. Right now, the series is Bones. Think some of them are familiar—the one about the bear that had a person’s body part inside its gut. Bleah. But had forgotten who did what to whom. Oh boy! Beautiful scenery and amusing issues with characters.

 

It makes me feel pretty extravagant to watch TV shows that make me pay for them. Have had a fire stick that the kids put on my TV for a long time now. Hardly ever turned on the TV, but still. This Roku thing has some commercials, but not bad. Anyway, by the time the bill comes up, someone around here may regret getting rid of the other wireless network. Sigh, such is life.

 

The ”sick” hen spent most of her day out in the front yard absorbing sunshine and nibbling on the grass. Took her out back and set her next to the water bowl. Thought she was going to drink it dry. Now she has flopped herself under the deck to get away from the rest of the hens. Hate to admit it, but kinda think she is going to have to spend the night there because this old girl is not crawling under there to get her out. Have no idea why hens are so mean to one another. Guess the pecking order gets disrupted or something of that nature, but still. They would kill the chicks if they were out here in the yard—that is, unless Sylvia got to them first.

 

Patty has finally got all the plumbers, the electricians, and the city inspectors off her property for the night. She gave me the model and serial numbers for her Kenmore washer after she understood where to find them—under the lid. A call to Mr. Hamilton left both situations in his court since he has repaired these things for us before. Kinda think we both have seal problems on the water pumps. So we decided maybe he could make one trip do it if we gave him all the numbers ahead of time. Here's hoping.

 

Read a quick article about the last king and queen of Spain—an English descendent of Queen Beatrice and a Spanish heir to the throne of Spain. She was a Protestant who was forced to become a Catholic because Spain was mostly Catholic. She carried the gene that caused her son to be a hemophiliac, but he lived until he was grown and died from internal bleeding after a car wreck. Anyway, it was a very sad story, but the woman was much to be admired.

 

Have you noticed what is called “click bait” on FB. Today there was a picture of Princess Diana and what was supposedly her daughter. Made me shake my head—as if she had ever had the privacy to have had another child! Garbage. Stuff like that will eventually be the downfall of a site that could be so much better. Glad we don’t have to depend on it for unbiased news coverage!

 

The sun has been deceptive today. It looks as if it should really be nice and warm out there. Just go outside and the least breeze can frost your eyebrows! But it won’t be long before spring will get here. Oh, joy to the world! Can hardly wait. Want to plant something!! Cucumbers, tomatoes, beans, beets, flowers, maybe even a cantaloupe! Have ten bags to fill with potting soil or whatever to line up where it strikes me to put plants this year. Not going to dig at all, don’t you see. Digging is a problem, especially if it has anything to do with our clay soil. Guess buying soil for putting in the bags might get a little expensive, but it beats hurting body parts.

 

Just feel we need to be so very thankful for all the blessings—especially as the seasons change. Let’s praise God’s name and ask for peace for this ol’ world. May we be ambassadors for His name.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Birthdays and Other Days.

 Birthdays and Other Days.

 

Recently sent one grandchild some different coffees to grind up and try. Was thinking one was called “Wild Hair” or something like that. Nope, it was hairbender! Giggling. Asked said child for a good joke: If you work for a funeral parlor or place like that, even if you die, you have to show up for work the next day! Ahem.

 

Patty’s generator man got here well before 9 a.m. But the electric man got here right at nine. Anyway, all seems to be going well down there. Will walk down later and see if the top of one of the lamps can be retrieved from the little yard where the dogs are allowed to run. She said she thought the wind twisted it off the post. Sheesh!

 

My dogs are totally spoiled rotten. Had cooked chicken for them earlier this week, but used it all up. Thompson asked for breakfast and then refused to eat it because it was kibble with a can of dog stew spread on top. Sylvia had the same attitude. Oh well. The hens will appreciate it.

 

Took some Benadryl last night so both sides of the sinuses would work at the same time. Dust storms are SO interesting. Slept so hard that the dogs had trouble waking me up. They both had to go outside twice last night. Go figure. Sylvia is becoming easier—a little bit easier—to get into the crate. Can’t imagine having dogs that are not crate trained now that it seems so necessary. Two dogs and two places for them to sleep in the bedroom—NOT on top of me in the bed! They both got pretty accustomed to sleeping in the dog beds while Jennifer was here to put them in a crate or otherwise keep them away from me. Thompson seems to understand unless he is just excited about something. Even so, when we are outside and they get the zoomies, my attention has to be on where they are. Not the least bit interested in getting plowed over again.

 

Maggie Sewell will be here this afternoon to pick up eggs. Thought she might have still been in bed when called this morning, but she was on her way to Walmart. Told her to take eggs off her grocery list. The ones to be used here today are going into some cookie dough for Buffalo Chip cookies. May put the dough in the fridge and use it along—or make one great big pan and just package up the results in bars. Love the pecans and butterscotch and chocolate.

 

Well, DUH! Had the four dozen eggs packaged in a box in the kitchen. Had some stuff to take to the Women’s Refuge Shop in another box in the living room. Guess which box was taken out to Maggie’s car. Sigh. Sometimes my brain just does not function well. She called and will be back sometime tomorrow to get the eggs.

 

The dogs had chicken livers for supper with their kibble. The old woman ate one liver and some spinach for supper. Not particularly hungry anyway. Maybe tomorrow will be better. The pollen count should be lower.

 

Sterling said that they were expecting more cold, blustery, wet weather tomorrow. Think ours is just supposed to get colder. Doesn’t really matter if we can just get outside once or twice a day to take care of the critters. The little chicks are getting bigger by the day. Believe Jolene would be happy to leave them inside and go clucking on her own out there if given a chance. We will see. The other hens pick on her since she has not been with them for a while. Go figure.

 

Saw another picture today of a child that had been dug out of the rubble. It just makes me feel that we need to buckle down and pray harder that those who might have a chance to live will be dug out soon.

 

Meanwhile, our part of the world just keeps becoming more and more insane with people shooting others for no reason at all. Satan must be grinning and laughing. May God forgive us our stupidity and hatefulness and provide protection in our lives. May His kingdom come soon!

 

Let us look beyond the world around us to a time and a kingdom of kindness and love. Let our hearts be filled with love and not resentment or bitterness.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Forgetfulness.

 Forgetfulness.

 

One of the grands has his 23^rd birthday tomorrow. His cousin has his 23^rd next month—thinking about which day. See, that is one of the problems: remembering the days. Know January, February, March are all months for grand birthdays—in the sense that each month has a grand having a birthday that month. Then along comes the month of May and every freaking one of us seems to have been born in that month: Jennifer, me, Gary, and Lance. Then another grand made her debut in July, and Tracy (daughter-in-law) has a birthday in November. Anniversaries are May 8, June 21, and December 31. The May and December ones are the ones that an old woman needs to remember. Kids are special, especially when one either gave birth to ‘em, or adopted ‘em through marriage, or was blessed with ‘em through one’s own as grands. Can’t imagine not having these sweet people in my life. Just wish Lewis were here to enjoy them still.

 

It has been a really rough day. Standing up straight could only be accomplished INSIDE the house. Step out on the deck and the west wind just about took me, the chair, a rug, and anything else out to the east lots. Dang! That wind was ferocious. The lake is brown, the sky is brown, and not sure but maybe my eyeballs may be brown! Just penned up the hens, but did not count them. They are pretty smart birds. As close as they are to the ground, they still hunkered down quite a bit behind whatever cover they could find for most of the day until the wind stopped blowing a gale. Dad used to make a joke about the hens having to lay their eggs twice cause the wind was so strong. Just about a fact.

 

Jolene and chicks look as if they really would like to get out in the yard, but Sylvia would kill those chicks in a heart beat. She simply does not understand that they are not something to catch. The hens are different, but she has been told more than once to leave them alone. Let one squat in front of her, and then she thinks she needs to ruffle their feathers. Go figure. Have been thinking about purchasing one of those “runs” that look like the extension for this little TSC coop that Gary bought for my hens when we stayed in Mansfield. An extension would give Jolene more room and let the chicks scratch in different places. We will see. Not too eager to do much of anything right this red-hot minute. Today the wind flipped up a piece of roofing on the middle coop. Think the twin who nailed it down did not get enough nails along the edge. Sigh. But this wind would have taken just about anything off the roof today!

 

Patty’s generator man should be here by nine tomorrow to set up her generator. It will run off of natural gas, so that is a very definite plus. We have tried to think of all the possible snags, but some prayers for smooth installation would not go amiss. Reminded her to call her friend that her home phone would not be working tomorrow. Can’t remember if the phone we had here worked on the house electricity or not, but it does not seem like it did. See, memory. Oh well.

 

We were talking today about that train that derailed and had spilled chemicals. The fumes that were set on fire have killed oodles of birds and other creatures. Simply can’t imagine why this was allowed to happen. We have some of the most dangerous stuff in the world riding up and down those rails. To have some of them dumped in a derailment is horrifying! Imagine if that had happened in downtown Dallas!! Well, anywhere is bad, but the rails going through high density populations just is an unthinkable situation.

 

Fed the dogs some chicken yesterday. Whoo! Sylvia could just about run someone out of the room. A bag of chicken quarters feeds them three meals with kibble included, but now the old woman needs to find something for doggie gas. Bet that would be a goldmine if anyone ever figured out something to take care of that situation! Mine won’t even take doggie vitamins, so not sure it would be worth the hassle.

 

Really don’t know much except that it has been so shocking to hear that they are still finding some folks alive under all the rubble in Turkey. Was not much comfort to hear that the government was on top of some builders who allowed the buildings to be built without the proper supports for that area’s earthquakes. Some of our rescue and support teams were heading there from Los Angeles as well. Not sure what they can do, but let’s pray that the living can be given some relief and protected from other buildings that are still falling.

 

Remember to appreciate the many blessings we have been given. God is so good to us each day. We are protected more than we could ever realize. Enjoy the greening of the grass and trees while you are counting your blessings.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

A Gorgeous Day!

 A Gorgeous Day!

 

The sun is shining and has most of the day. Of course, the wind is blowing. After all, it IS Texas. Even so, it has been a decent day that has made me feel as if something could be accomplished.

 

The floors in the front part of the house are vacuumed and mopped. Still have the bedroom floor to mop, but that may wait until the morning. Dear Hearts, think the old woman can only do so much in any one day. Got down and scrubbed the piece of carpet across the kitchen floor where the dogs had made a mess. It certainly looks better. The dogs really don’t care one way or the other.

 

Have watched a few Victor Borge videos on FB. Forget which of the women in the group is such a fan that she posts his playing and smart aleck behavior, but it just tickles me pea green! Reposted just because everyone needs a good laugh.

 

Took a short video of Jolene and her three adopted chicks. You can’t tell from the video, but two have rounded butts and one has a pokey butt. Pretty sure pokey butt is a little rooster. Will have to ask Nikki and Stephen if they will take him when he starts crowing.

 

Made some weird stuff for brunch. Had two cucumbers that needed to be used up and two cobs of corn that had already been cooked and could be used to flavor the dish. A bit of rice (already cooked) and some onion and spices made a decent meal. Have you ever had cucumbers cooked? Had some in some soup once, but this is the first time to try cooking them for myself. Different. Not bad, but not as exciting as cucumber, pepper, and onion salad. Oh well.

 

Have been thinking about my neighbor today. Patty is having the electricity turned off while they put in the new generator. We are hoping that nothing falls apart or otherwise messes up, but if it does, we have already planned for her to come spend the day/night or however long it takes to get everything under control. The only problem is going to be her two little dogs. They are not crate trained, and my dogs are likely to be aggressive toward them. Just hoping nothing falls apart or messes up so that she does not need to have them up here. Anyway, we will see what Wednesday brings.

 

Jennifer and Gary are having the inside of their house painted. Yellow was a popular color at one time. NOT their favorite. So they are having it done up in an off white looking beige. Had to tease her after she sent a picture of the hallway with the old Pepsodent commercial: You’ll wonder where the yellow went when you brush your teeth with Pepsodent! Boy! MS Word does not like that word at all. Oh well. Tough.

 

Unbelievable as it seems, they are still finding folks alive in the rubble of that earthquake. A picture of a dog named Angel was on FB. He was absolutely nasty, but looked happy. He got ten people out of the mess. Let us pray that any survivors left at this point will be found and extracted quickly.

 

Today’s weather may not last, but it makes me feel cheerful enough to hope for better things in this old world. Let’s remind Our Father that we love Him and appreciate every day that He gives us.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.