Bad Habits.

 Bad Habits.

 

Yup, the old woman has a few bad habits. Barnyard language is about the only one that most people will see right off the bat. If it can be stepped in around the corral, it has been mentioned quite emphatically at least once or twice when she is ticked off. Otherwise, if her driving is somewhat erratic, it is not quite the same as road rage. If you ask her to do something for you, a positive answer means for sure that thing will get done. Now, don’t expect a smile on the old woman’s face if she gets too tired. She has a tendency to get pretty cross when she is tired or otherwise frustrated. But she doesn’t go around kicking dogs—her own or other folks’ dogs. But on the other hand, she does have a very definite sense of what is fair or unfair. Retribution can be pretty hasty and definite. And right now, she is thoroughly ticked off at a couple of people.

 

Once upon a time, many years ago, a job was offered to me by a company about which not much was known. Taking the job was probably the best thing to do under the circumstances, but it was not long before it became obvious that a “hostile work environment” was in full force in the company’s office. That hostility dribbled all over the workforce. Vindictive people can be less than pleasant to be around, but one in particular wanted everyone on her side of the situation. Little bits of information were kept from the head position so that the manager looked pretty ignorant. And the secretary/finance officer gloated at how badly she was able to make the manager of the head office look. Honestly, you might have thought she was out to divorce the guy and take him for everything he owned. Since that time, both have moved on to other occupations, but the bad taste was in that company for a long time. Lately, something has happened to some folks in my acquaintance that made me think of that vindictive woman at that company. Anytime someone wants you to take their side of things, be sure you have ALL the facts, and then ooze on outside the boundaries of their influence if at all possible. Taking sides, even when it seems warranted, can cause all kinds of problems.

 

Family relationships can be pretty wonky at times. Never let anyone talk badly about your family! Protecting others from someone’s temper is one thing, but YOU be the one to suggest caution, not someone who does not have a very close relationship with your family. In all the days that my family had some problems with in-laws and each other, no one said anything about my parents or my grands, my brother, my kids, or my husband without getting a pretty good telling off. No one’s family is perfect—and criticism of someone else should not come out of your mouth unless YOU are perfect—fat chance!

 

Talking to someone today about the influence of the time changes on those with unsettled minds or those who are bipolar. Now, we are not talking about my idiot chickens at the moment, but the sunshine and darkness make a definite difference in how they behave. It makes sense that changing folks’ getting up and going down time could influence people, too. Never think about bipolar that memories of my youngest son do not swamp my mind with regrets. Still, if you think drugs make a difference in how someone acts, remember that sunlight and darkness can have similar effects.

 

The pollen count is still too dadgum high, so my head aches. The dogs gave me a mighty good workout yesterday, so my back, arms, and legs are sore. Kinda gripey is about the best description. Still, at least pain pills are not necessary. Jacqui told Sterling to take a pain pill this morning, and he did not listen to her. He will from now on! Stubborn Pollards. Told her to tell him to listen and behave or his sister would be shouting at him. Don’t think he is too afraid of the old woman, but still. He found out very quickly that Jacqui was not going to let him overdo the pain pills, so he did not have to worry about taking too many or too often.

 

One of these days the old woman may tell you what got me on such a kick and ticked off, but at the moment it just would not do. Will remind you to pray for Kimberly, Sharon Dickerson’s niece who is just hanging on. And then Amee Hodges’ daughter Madison is in Cook’s after having a seizure. Madison lost the last kidney transplant, and now she is having blood pressure problems. Madison is such a sweet girl, but this would have been her second kidney transplant. It is just so hard to watch her not have the life she should have. So many young kids are dealing—and their parents are dealing—with different conditions that make life scary and hard. Let us pray for those with these terrible situations and diseases. May God bless their lives.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.