Remembering Gifts.

 Remembering Gifts.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.