Infuriating Allowances of Death Threats!

 Infuriating Allowances of Death Threats!

 

This week in Wichita Falls, Texas, a woman who decided to get drunk and assault her neighbor and try to drown the neighbor’s 3-year-old child was bonded out of jail even after threatening to kill the mother and all her family! She had originally grabbed the six-year-old son as well, but he was able to get away from the woman. The family assaulted was of a different nationality to the woman who decided to assault them. The amount of the bond despite the continued threats made me realize that our system of bonding is broken beyond repair!! How ridiculous to allow this woman to go right back where she was able to continue to terrorize the neighbors! It does not matter if one woman is Hispanic and the other wears a hajib; no one has the right to assault one’s neighbors without cause—or even with cause. If one family had caused problems, it is always possible to call the police and settle things without violence. And intoxication is no excuse for lethal behavior! Our judges and courts need more than a little help; they need replacing with a different system that actually works!

 

Meanwhile, some of us are subject to the law of “peeling.” We have to peel our clothes off after getting the bed made or making coffee due to the sweltering heat. Getting out of the shower and walking into the kitchen can leave a person soppy wet! Ridiculous! And some Texan needs to invent a set of wipers somewhat like windshield wipers just for our glasses!

 

Jennifer and the old woman share a Kindle account and a message to her always asks for OTP to get the books downloaded. Know it must bug her to constantly be asked for a number from her phone. But she is always sweet to return the number almost immediately. LOVE to read, and it is wonderful to be able to download books for free. Not everyone is able to enjoy reading novels, but it has been a pleasure almost my entire life. A rainy day and a good book are two of the best entertainments in my life. Other entertainments have been my children, grands, dogs, and chickens, but will not put them in the same category as reading. Love comes first and foremost in life.

 

Will look up the author’s name later, but the current book being read around here is The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris. It revisits the invasion of Paris by the Germans and reminds me of the many twists in life that came to the French during that time. Some were out and out patriots who tried to sabotage the Germans, and some were those who hid people who had no way of escaping France. It really must have been hard for everyone to live as they had to without adequate food or any decent medical care. And then, of course, the least little thing would cause someone to be arrested and tortured or outright killed. In a way, we have SO much to be thankful for, yet it is easy to see how these things took place in France.

 

The idea that Putin is sending the walking wounded into battle and those who are leaving are only allow 18 kg of water per month just amazes me. Then Putin wants to go nuclear while most of Russia’s troops have become sick with various water-borne illnesses. One to govern and the rest to die. Typical.

 

We can look at the mudslides in Switzerland and the flooding in the Midwest of the USA and appreciate that at least we are not usually having to duck bullets or float a boat to survive. God has blessed us despite our problems of stupidity and contempt for His laws. May He forgive us and bring us and our children to His kingdom.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Daily Exercises with Dogs!

 Daily Exercises with Dogs!

 

Did ya know that dogs are very good for old ladies who do not otherwise get much exercise? The dogs will see to it that she gets up to let them out, gets up to let them in, gets up to see why they are barking, gets up to keep them off the neighbors who come by. Yes, they are very good at keeping one old woman busy during the day. And that does not even count the amount of energy it takes to keep them fed.

 

Today my neighbor across the street who does NOT like dogs or other types of critters came over for just a minute. Having put the dogs in the kitchen with the half door closed between the kitchen and living room, it did not occur to me that the dogs would push the door out of my hands in order to greet the neighbor. The greeting was NOT appreciated. My dogs are sweet, but they are, in fact, totally doggy. Thompson enjoys slobbering on folks. Sylvia likes to push her nose into people and sniff them over. And some people just don’t really enjoy dogginess. Sigh.

 

It must be getting too hot for the hens to lay eggs. Fewer eggs today than usual. But come to think of it, who wants to sit in a basket of hay when it is 104 outside!! Really can’t blame my girls! Even spraying water under the deck is not going to cool things off well enough for them. The wild birds keep coming to their water bowls to bathe, too. Went out and dumped the muddy water and watched the hens chase that dirty stuff around! But they also drink quite a bit of their water when it is clean, so will just keep giving them cool water.

 

Keep noticing the headlines of some articles on Microsoft Edge. They have at least one or two articles each day about the Bible or what people believe is in the Bible that is not. Does it seem strange to anyone else that we are suddenly seeing more and more interest in religion and the Bible?

 

Then there are the weather and natural disasters. So many places are either flooded or on fire. The ice shelves in Antarctica are “slipping.” Everything is blamed on the heating of the earth due to our use of fossil fuels. It really makes me wonder if mankind could truly see what happened during the Ice Age before how things changed so drastically back then. We find dinosaurs buried in areas of rock that might or might not have been due to volcanos or floods. Even in Europe, the things they still find in caves over there make one wonder about how mankind lived long before we know that the earth was divided. Don’t you know that was one humongous shake and bake when the continents were formed! Creatures living in one area or the other began to change with the newer climate of each area, too. We can only guess how things must have been back then.

 

The things that we don’t really see change that much today is the way that mankind reacts to all other species—man, dog, horse, and assorted critters. Animals show compassion among their own kind quite often, but that only happens sometimes among people. We need more practice in being kind to others—not as a law, but as a way of life. If we all were to live the Golden Rule as part of our way of thinking, this world would be a much less frightening place. If a belief in God and His way of life could be incorporated in all our thoughts and actions, this world would be a much kinder place. Let us practice being loving.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

The Doorbell Strikes Again!

 The Doorbell Strikes Again!

 

These two critters who bark and shed hair all over the house and surrounding areas let me know, as if my hearing were not sufficient, that the door bell has rung on occasion. Today it was my good (former) neighbor Jo Ann Hobbs. She brought me some peaches and egg cartons, but she did not want me to let the dogs out to greet her. She just had surgery Wednesday to have her appendix removed before it could burst. Gracious! The way they do things these days just amazes me. She was telling me about a friend whose kidney needed to be removed. The surgeons poked a few holes in her and sliced a small space across her abdomen and just sucked that sucker out of her. Sewed her up, glued some places, and sent her home! Anyway, Jo Ann said she had to wait two hours in the waiting room and told the doctors she had had enough and wanted this thing OUT! So, she was on her way home by 11:30 Wednesday night. From 2:30 to 11:30 is not too bad! But she definitely did not want to go home on antibiotics overnight just to wait until the next day to have it out! Can’t blame her at all.

 

Mary and John Rhoads picked up some eggs here the other day and now asked for a few more. Their family is coming in for the holidays, and some of them are coming in from Kuwait. Can you imagine how good fresh eggs would have to taste after living over there for years? Reminded Mary that the Feed and Seed Store on 281—Jacksboro Hwy also has fresh country eggs. They don’t give them away, however.

 

Have some boneless pork chops on in my slow cooker in barbecue sauce. Going to be sharing them with Patty. Can’t eat all three and prefer to eat them fresh cooked. Also, have a potato on to cook. Patty said she ordered two baked potatoes from Wendy’s yesterday, so today she already has the second half of her lunch/upper ready. Sometimes planning things helps.

 

We have been blessed today with some light cloud cover that has stopped some of the intense heat from just about burning us up. Jo Ann told me about a friend whose air conditioning went out yesterday. James Lane was able to install a single unit in a window for her so she could at least stay in one room to survive this heat. Their company is backed up for two weeks with work for those whose AC has quit on them. Can’t imagine not even having one unit to keep a room cool right now. Just blessed to have one in the main rooms of the house!

 

Went out and cut five pieces of okra off the plants. And yep, just as allergic to it now as when the old woman was younger. Washed my hands and arms with soap and water and used the allergy cream that Dr. Blackwell prescribed for me. Can’t go out in the sun while wearing this stuff, but will just wear a long-sleeved blouse if going outside today. The okra, squash, and tomatoes are going to make a nice stew later. It just sounds wonderful. This sort of food is the only reason for summer!

 

Sylvia just came to take my water bottle from me. Dogs are just funny! One of my friends had a little video music thing about cows with guns. At the very end it talked about chickens in choppers Cows With Guns - The Original Animation (youtube.com).

 

Let us pray for rain for the places that need it; drier weather for the places that are getting 30 to 40 gallons in three days; and rains to put out the wild fires in all the various places! God can do this, but we must ask.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

When Your Children Love You.

 When Your Children Love You.

 

Watching our children grow up was one of the greatest joys for the old woman and her husband. We made mistakes as parents just like anyone might do, but we always, always loved these kids! The love we had for them reminds me that our Father in heaven must feel much the same for HIS children. My heart swells because the kids look for me and call me, come see me, and include me in their lives. How blessed we have always been as parents! Thinking today about my heavenly father makes me hope that His heart swells with love when He is called on, looked to, and included in our lives. And we have assurance that THIS Father never makes mistakes!

 

Rest well, my friends. YOU are loved.

Carrot Sticks and Dip!

 Carrot Sticks and Dip!

 

Yum. Feeling a bit like a bunny rabbit today. Picked up some spinach-artichoke dip the other day, and it is now the most satisfying crunch of the afternoon. Walmart sells this stuff in much larger containers and for less money, but United is close to the house. Plus, they have someone to take it to your vehicle and load it for you. Going to have to start doing pick-up at Walmart for the things I need instead of walking around inside United. One of the major drawbacks to that situation is that United has the big bags of chicken quarters that the dogs get fed. Not sure if Walmart has that or not.

 

Cooked a (on 40% sale) brisket this morning and sliced it up for two or three meals. It was not very large, but it does not take much when paired with a potato or some green beans. One thing that got accomplished was a large can of corn frozen into muffin cups for the hens. They absolutely love that stuff. So funny to see them eating corn that way. The corn in scratch is not supposed to be good for them in the summer because it causes them to get hot. And this may do that as well. Or not. Bet they would to eat cottage cheese frozen in muffin cups as well. They love cottage cheese! Who would have thought that the barnyard animals take care of leftovers that well?

 

Trying to keep the house livable today has not exactly been easy. A large fan in the living room has helped, but the AC units simply can’t defeat this heat. The office is the only room that can really be closed up and cooled effectively. Guess that room can be my “nest” for the summer. This evening will be time to put the water on out front to keep my veggies alive. Soaking the ground is about the only way to help the okra, squash, watermelon, and cantaloupe. The tomato plants have given me several decent size tomatoes, but the vines that Jo Ann Hobbs gave me have had some of the best tasting tiny tomatoes ever. Roger Thonton grew some like this one year that were almost like eating candy! These are tiny, but just as sweet as they can be.

 

The floods in various northern states are enough to flabbergast a person, but the fires are even worse since they can spread over such a large area and burn everything in their path. These states with floods are going to have to go back in there and rebuild the roads and any infrastructure that has been lost. Not sure how that will affect places like Oregon with the fires. Someone said that the advantages of living in the wild country are almost wiped out by the wild fires! That is easy to understand. It seems like it has already been a very hard year with all the disasters of weather and droughts. We may find our foods that require corn, wheat, soybeans, and other grains are going to be priced right out of the means of most folks. It may be time for the government to bring back milk, cheese, and other commodities to keep the farmers going and the people fed. If chicken feed keeps getting more expensive, folks are not going to be able to find eggs at all.

 

We know that all things are in God’s control, so it is well past time to ask for His blessings on this nation. The one percent of the people who never have to worry about prices are not the ones who will be asking for God’s help. So, we know what we must do to keep our neighbors and families fed and healthy. May God forgive us and bless us as He sees fit.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Hibernating in the House!

 Hibernating in the House!

 

Now, in school (or maybe it was listening to Wild Kingdom) we learned that some animals hibernate during the winter. Right off hand, bears come to mind, but they don’t completely hibernate like hedgehogs or even like ladybugs. Then there are those of us who avoid heat like the critters avoid the cold. It simply is not possible to hibernate as a human being. In the first place, one would miss those lovely mornings before the sun starts to heat up the day. And then, too, the late evenings are not bad at all if one uses plenty of bug repellant. But to tell the truth, hibernation sometimes appeals to at least one old woman in this part of the world. The heat today has been a bit much, and the forecast has those three numbers in it for the rest of the week. Oh well.

 

My dogs are most happy to remain in the house during most of the day. They go out every time the egg basket hits my hand, but only Thompson remains longer than Sylvia or the old woman. He likes to heat up a bit before returning to the AC controlled rooms. But then, he has a nice, cuddly bed at night on the side of the room away from the air conditioner. Can’t imagine what it must be like in the states or countries where they don’t use these air conditioners on a regular basis. Can’t be very comfortable.

 

More flooding and more dams busting are in the news. It always feels like a shame that the excess water can’t be piped out to areas that could use the water. Arizona and points west always seem to need water. For that matter, most of North Texas can always use some water. Oh, we get floods from time to time. Some land is so flat that the water has no place to run. And we have seen Highway 82 under water in more than a few places. But generally speaking, this part of Texas could always use a bit more water. Jennifer said that Lake Joe Pool is still restricted because of flooding down in the Metromess. They won’t let anyone bring in a boat that is not already out there on the piers. Guess that makes sense. South of that part of the country they are still having flooding all the way to the coast. Maybe when hurricane season is over, things will dry out down that way.

 

Have read a couple of books today and will read some more this evening. It is an easy way to enjoy a day. Have read about the train that began the Chicago to San Francisco line once upon a time. And then today my sister-in-law said that she and Sterling saw a steam engine from the Canadian Pacific fly through the town of Gentry, Arkansas. It is an excursion train that was headed back north. That sounds like so much fun! Doubt if it has that bubble roof that allows the passengers to see all the way around them plus all the stars at night, but still. Don’t you know that would be fun! Well, it sounds like fun to me.

 

On FB every so often, someone will post about a book they have read that touched them or otherwise impressed them. Today someone posted about Ron Rhodes’ Spiritual Warfare in the End Times. Having looked up the description on Amazon, my decision was to leave it there. Sometimes folks seem to think that our spiritual weapons are not commonly known. Maybe it’s the age we live in, but those weapons have always existed, and ministers have reminded us—at least where we attended—that we are to use those weapons each day. The whole armor of God: Ephesians 6:11—17. Let’s just keep it simple: pray always. Trust God.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

That 30-Day Pause.

 That 30-Day Pause.

 

You know how FB gives you that option of not exactly unfriending someone but simply putting their comments on a 30-day pause: well, that is what the old woman would like to have for summer. Just put this hot stuff on pause long enough to keep from having to run the AC units most of the day and some nights. And if it is not simply the heat that drives a person to stay inside and be still enough to hibernate, how about we put politics on pause until the end of November. It’s bad enough that we have to listen or read about what is going on in Gaza or in the Ukraine, but we can pray about those situations. But not sure that God has any plans for removing this excessive heat that is roasting our world in places.

 

Someone said we are in for a new ice age. Let ‘em visit Texas right now. Yes, we nearly froze to death in ’21, but part of that was losing electricity because of electric lines being downed with iced trees and other problems. We still have seasons—either heat to bake us or hail to wallop everything in sight or wind to blow us to kingdom come!

 

Have noticed this year that fewer birds are in my neighborhood. Put some water out front for the little critters, but whatever bugs everyone else finds to gripe about apparently are not visiting our hill right now. Have seen maybe three or four grasshoppers, and everyone else says the hoppers are eating up their gardens and flowers. Not here. My hens would love to get out and find some of those little tasty treats on the hop.

 

Killed another scorpion last night in the bathroom. Didn’t even need my glasses to notice or figure that one out. Think it was sickly, but that room has been sprayed twice so far this year. So thankful for protection from those creatures!

 

Took a nap today while the chicken thighs were cooling in the roaster before being deboned. Guess Thompson could smell them only so long before he let me know he was ready to eat. He has a certain kind of whinish voice for “time to eat.” And he will be persistent if he thinks he is being ignored. Anyway, both dogs are fed, the skins off the thighs are peeled off, clipped into small pieces, and given to the hens. Two or three more days of topping to put on their kibble is now in the fridge. Have one container already thawed from the last time it was breast meat that was cooked. Think the old woman may just make a small container of chicken salad out of that one. Two birds with one stone, ya know.

 

Trying to stay away from any of the “news” around the world or even here at home, but it is not easy to do. Don’t think anyone wanted to read what was written about my take on justice, but that is ok. Sometimes my opinionated blog posts just are not interesting unless it clashes or agrees with those of the people who read them. The nicest thing about following a blog, if it looks uninteresting, it can just be scrolled right on by.

 

Posted something from my friend Carol Thonton. She has some stopped up veins in her thigh. Somehow the surgeon hopes to harvest some better veins to replace the main one that is stopped up. Sounds as scary as when Roger (her brother-in-law) had to have some veins replaced in his heart. But guess that was an entirely different situation. Anyway, my prayers are with Carol and the surgeon who will be working on her. That’s coming up on the 12^th of July.

 

Maybe in a few days the gumption will arrive to help me get something done about putting together another raised bed. Seems like the wind and heat are awfully hard on the two places where they will fit, but nothing out back is any better. Have a bunch of branches and sticks to put in the bottom on top of a bunch of cardboard. Just have to see if some hay can be brought up and used for filler before actual dirt is applied. May still get cucumbers planted this year!

 

Have read about so much that is uncertain in this world lately that it makes me so very happy to know that it is not my job to be concerned about all the ins and outs of world finance, religious chicanery, or political stupidity. Did find that one meme that talked about how the Romans put their senate members through a test of financial integrity by examining their finances both before and after their one-year term was complete. If they made money off of being a senator, they could be put to death. We would not have even one congress person alive today with those standards in place! But the best reason for none of us to have any particular concern with what is going on in this world is simply a promise. That promise is one that can never be broken or otherwise warped into any strange meaning. Our Father said that we can trust Him. So, no worries.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Adjudication or Vigilante Justice?

 Adjudication or Vigilante Justice?

 

Adjudication in legal context refers to:

·         The formal giving of a judgment or decision by a judge in a court of law.

·         The process of settling a legal case or claim through the court or justice system.

·         Resolving a dispute or deciding a case.

·         Reviewing evidence and argumentation to determine rights and obligations between parties.

 

It bothers me when someone is falsely accused of some act that never took place and the burden of proof is on the person accused. At the same time, when the act is publicly apparent, judicial manipulation of “intent” hardly meets the criteria of justice. The attack and resultant injury upon two elderly people in Los Angels, California, has placed the idea of “intent” as a definable injustice because no blame could possibly be found in the elderly couple; whereas the attack could not have been justified or otherwise excused, a homeless person’s attack upon the couple was deemed only a misdemeanor. Insane!

 

When students falsely accuse a teacher; when a young man is falsely accused by a couple of young women (not children); when a woman is falsely accused of striking her husband first—these situations need to be very closely considered. People lie. But a video of an assault is pretty difficult to fake—or it was before AI.

 

Even if a person has the means to hire a lawyer when falsely accused, sometimes it seems totally asinine for a woman to be jailed when she has obviously been brutally attacked. When a young man cannot prove that he did not have sex with young women, how does he prove he has NOT done something? When an elderly couple have obviously NOT instigated violence against someone, and the resultant injuries lead to the death of one partner, how is justice served if the attacker is released without being held accountable?

 

Yesterday, the discussion of whether or not a person should be able to retain one’s 2^nd amendment rights when someone files a restraining order against that person only began to touch some of the injustice of how lies can be used as a weapon against another person. If my neighbor decides that my chickens flying outside the fence makes me a danger to them and their children, they could file a restraining order against me. My guns would be forfeit under the current laws. Nevermind what MY intent might be; the “danger” would be their interpretation of how my hens are restrained! Yes, this is a silly example, but sometimes our laws are just as stupid as pretending that pterodactyls still attack mammals.

 

In the Old West, men felt that justice was too slow and too likely to be prejudiced for the sake of richer people. The vigilante system of justice kept some folks honest. No doubt, it had plenty of injustice in its own corner of the court. But such justice as it was, came swift and sure. Parents had to carefully consider what their children were blaming on the teachers; women had to show signs of rape or attack for men to be punished; and women who were beaten had the opportunity to accuse their attacker. An older couple attacked in the past was an immediate situation for accountability. If their children were not there to help them, their neighbors took care of the problem. Maybe we don’t want to see vigilante justice repeated at this time in our history, but we DO want to see some kind of justice for those who suffer false accusations or for those obviously attacked!

 

We know that God won’t allow lies to fester and erupt in the future; we know that true justice will be seen forevermore among men when His court is open to the cries of the innocent. May the day of true justice appear soon!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Lunch with Jennifer.

 Lunch with Jennifer.

 

We went to Hunan’s Chinese restaurant today and enjoyed a little bit of nearly everything they had on the buffet line. That is so much fun. Reminded Jennifer that her mom used to meet Michelle Malay there as often as she came to town for some time before Joe passed on. Miss those days. But most certainly enjoyed visiting with Jennifer. She is so much fun!

 

Sitting in the living room and suddenly Jennifer said, “Is that a lizard?” Yep, geckos are considered lizards. And they are one of my favorite critters that don’t need to be fed or otherwise handled. They eat mosquitoes and anything else small enough for them to chase. But was a little surprised to see it in my bookcase. Maybe that bookcase has bookworms!!

 

Lance did not come with Jenn today because his wife—the librarian—has to do inventory tomorrow, so Saturday is the only day they would have together this weekend. Don’t know why he would not just go with her to help out unless he might get distracted and sit down with a good book. Know that is what would happen to me!

 

Brought tomatoes inside to put in the window sill yesterday, and today they are ready to slice. Looking forward to this! Have already had four tiny squash to eat, but only one bloom on the okra plants means a short wait for tomatoes, squash, and okra cooked together! Then there is a watermelon about the size of an overweight tennis ball. If all the birds and assorted critters leave that alone, it will be fun to eat later. It is just so much fun to grow one’s own food! Of course, a person could starve to death with only tomatoes and tiny squash! But the purslane has certainly filled out the rest of the flower bed!! Guess looking up recipes for using purslane might be a good idea. Hmm.

 

Had one interesting conversation with Jennifer over a subject that we really did not share the same viewpoint. The Supreme Court has decided that a person who has had a restraining order placed against them cannot have guns in their possession. Well, in my beady little brain, that means that man or woman (against whomever the restraining order is posted) would be considered similar to a felon— only without a trial or jury to decide if that person is guilty before even being able to defend themselves of the charge! This type of “law” should not be capable of overcoming the Constitutional law of the Second Amendment. Besides, a restraining order is about as effective as toilet paper. If a person drives a car, that car can be involved in a deadly “accident” just as quickly as a trigger can be pulled. If a person needs to be restrained from harassing another person, take their car keys while you’re at it! Hello! Even loud music at all hours can be a type of harassment in my estimation. But only one court justice felt that this law was wrong! Sigh.

 

Someday we will have a judge who can tell us what laws need to be considered. Someday that judge will create a world that is safe for women, children, and everyone who can ask for forgiveness. You know Him.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Keeping Up with the Critters!

 Keeping Up with the Critters!

 

Thompson came and got me and took me to the kitchen. He had food in his bowl, so obviously that was not his concern. Started to go back to the office, but heard something—his tummy! Oh my! But when the old woman went to open the door for him to go out, in came Sylvia. He was concerned about his sister! It’s too hot outside for my puppers! Even sprayed under the deck for the hens to have somewhere cooler. And this is not even the hottest part of the summer!!

 

Wednesday, when noticing that the grass was over the back of a hen, took the zero turn out and mowed. Yes, it might not have been one of my better ideas. But so far, all my limbs are still attached and working. Blake came today and finished the job. He even got most of the weeds behind the chicken coop. But at least he had a helper with him today. He still looked as if he might have been simply wiped out! Now all the critters that roam these little spaces can be easily found.

 

Rooted around in the hall bookcase looking for a solar fountain that had been bought a few years ago. It is now out there in the big black tub spraying water up in the air right above the water line. The freaking wild birds think the hens’ water bowls are meant to be bird baths!! Sterling tells me the hens won’t go thirsty even if the water is dirty, but it bugs me to see that bowl of nasty water. Besides, the dogs don’t like dirty water!

 

Looking forward to seeing Lance and Jennifer tomorrow. Have lots of eggs to send home with them. Next week will be time enough to gather up eggs for my friends. It doesn’t take friends and neighbors two hours of driving to get here!

 

AOL must have something going on that it is finding reasons to publish information on the basic religious beliefs of Anglo-Saxon Americans. Today they had an article about the Ten Commandments. They also wrote about how the Catholic church had invented the saints and their celebration, the idea of confession, the celibacy of the clergy, and various other ideas.  

 

When the old woman answered the door shortly after Hanan was gone, a man by the name of J. Jones wanted me to know that Hanan had not gone to hell because he committed suicide. That is one of those ideas that came from the Catholic church. They also came up with the idea of purgatory. Nope, not biblical. The Ten Commandments article mentioned that “Thou shalt not kill” actually meant not to “murder.” In war or self-defense, one is not going to be a murderer. Anyway, the articles were interesting. And it is even more interesting that we are seeing articles about beliefs right now. Growing up in the Baptist church, we had to prove to our parents that we knew the verses that were the foundation of our beliefs. Mom and Dad danced, played cards, and even drank on occasion. Neither of them agreed with seeing a woman as a pastor, but eventually they would have had so much more concern about how the church was being led. In my estimation, (which has been stated here before) a woman is just as good a teacher of the gospel as any ordained man. And that is biblical.

 

Our electric bills may be out of sight this summer, but still am amazed that some commission on energy allowed the bills for the horror of 2021 to be upheld. To me, the energy companies were guilty of gouging! It is the same thing as selling water for $50 a gallon in a drought! But courts and commissions have much more influence than ordinary people. But those bills were enough to bankrupt folks! Dumb and horrible!

 

Let us pray for those whose homes and lives are being threatened by fires, floods, hurricanes, and other things beyond our control. May God bless them and their critters!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Working Those Arm Muscles!

 Working Those Arm Muscles!

 

Today a trip to United brought home some fruit, some canned goods, and another ten-pound sack of chicken quarters. The thing about cooking this chicken in the roaster is that it still has to be deboned and the pots and pans cleaned up and put away. It is not just a simple situation because even picking up that roaster and putting it away means using those shoulder muscles! Dear Hearts, after umpteen years of vacuuming and mopping, those old muscles speak to me every so often about their use! Today is one of those days. Sigh. At least the dog food will have a few days of goodies to put on top of their kibble.

 

Patty had a day full of folks coming down to keep her busy today. Her oxygen lady came to deliver bottles after she first called to check to see how many bottles were needed. Then James Lane sent out a man to do the “spring” check on the AC unit. Then the man who is coming Monday to start installation of a shower came to bring the contract. Then Blake, the lawn man, called to say he would be here early in the morning. Finally, she said that she and Roxy were going to have supper and go to the bedroom. She felt that she had put in a day already!

 

Sterling called and said that old Dixie dog is now living at his house since his ex-wife and all the kids who lived in her house had just about removed all signs of their having lived there the past forty years or so. About the same time as the dog came to live there, the older couple who have been living in an RV on his place told him that they were going to move to the area where their house is being built. So, they were leaving today as well. He said that it might feel almost lonesome in a way, but not having the UPS man coming at least once a week would not be a total loss as far as he was concerned. And the mean dogs that lived with the kids were no longer going to be a threat to his little Toby dog. Maybe whoever buys the place will put a fence up if they have dogs!

 

One of the things we talk about when Sterling calls is the fact that we are pretty much the only ones left in the Pollard clan of our generation. Most of the cousins we knew back years ago are now gone or living except for some we have never met—and they are all younger than either of us. Debbie Pollard still lives in Louisiana, and her sister Pamela lives around Dallas somewhere, but we have not seen them since they were children. Have seen cousin Eba once since we have gotten older, but the rest live beyond my part of the world. Seems when the old folks are gone, the family no longer sticks together very well. And Sterling is happy where he is just as the old woman is happy on this old hill. Guess life is how it is meant to be.

 

Thompson heard me petting Sylvia and just came in to be sure he got his portion of the attention. Honestly, they are just like little kids about such as that. Well, truthfully, the hens are not much different. If the old woman walks outside of the back door, the hens swarm just as fast as possible. Today they got a couple of pieces of tomato that had to be trimmed off one that grew on my tomato vine. It had a little place on it that looked almost like a bruise. Oh well. But right now, the hens are pretty much on my list. They have discovered ways to get to the grape vines to strip any grapes that are within their stretching distance from the rail around the deck. Danged birds! Used to think it was rats or wild birds getting into the grapes, but never thought about the hens getting up there and hanging upside down to peck out the grapes! They aren’t the best grapes in the world, but it would not bother me to eat enough to get tired of them! That is not going to happen!

 

Noticed online an article about the seventeen things from the Bible that people need in order to remain mentally and emotionally healthy. The article was on AOL, in case anyone wants to look it up. The article was on one of those PowerPoint sections that has to go from one slide to another, so it was a bit much for doing a cut and paste. But if you ever spent any time in church, you heard the pastor talk about Forgiveness; Love, the greatest virtue; Humility (pride goes before a fall); Self-control; Gratitude; Hope; Faith and Wisdom. Not all nations have the Bible, but all mankind still belongs to God. We may not appreciate some folks even a tiny bit, but it is not for us to judge. And right now, it is important for us to remember that we don’t need to worry. We can place our trust in God. It may be easier said than done some days, but if we stand still and remember, call on Him, we can be calm.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Worry Warts!

 Worry Warts!

 

Some of us have a tendency to worry about things that are pretty much beyond our abilities to touch with a helping hand. Today, a friend came by and she was so miserable with the medical problems that she has. It makes me want to do something for her and help her get beyond the pain and the hopeless feelings that she has been facing. You all have been there. Either we face those problems ourselves or have someone close to us that has to face either or both physical and emotional turmoil. It is human nature—or the nature of a parent—to want to help in the best way we can. About the best this old woman has been able to do so far has been to pray about what is going on with others. Our friends, our children (of any age), and even the community where we live is pretty much always on our mind. Prayers are our first offering.

 

Looking up at the clouds outside has made another reason for my prayers. We definitely need some rain as things are getting quite dry right now. The city has decided not to restrict our watering, but common sense tells a person that the wind is drying out everything beyond what is available in our lakes. We did get some good rain this year, but a chance to ask for those clouds to help us is just another reason to praise God for His help and to ask for the necessary rain.

 

Speaking of rain, my sister-by-another-mother, Sharon Dickerson has said that they have good reasons to appreciate rain boots in her part of the world. Shreveport has all the rain that we have been needing. She said that every time it stops raining for a day, they have to get the mower out and try to keep up with the grass! No sense making hay if the baler is going to have to do the backstroke! That hurry cane down in the Gulf will affect every place for a good while. Wouldn’t mind getting some of that rain, but know that the flooded places really could stand to dry out.

 

Talked to Sterling a bit ago and found out that he is now the proud papa to some wrens. He left a window open above his work bench, and the wrens found the box where he kept his gloves. Now four little eggs are in that glove box. It makes me smile to think about those sweet birds. We don’t seem to have many birds here this year. Not sure just why. Certainly have the doggone flies, however! Sterling said they are thick up his way! Guess it must be like that just about everywhere. Weird.

 

Thinking about all the kids that have graduated this year and are out there looking for jobs. Let us pray for them that they may find what they need so that they can become productive members of society. They want to do their best at whatever they can find to do. That’s the type of attitude that God expects of all of us, no matter what our age may be. Maybe being a prayer warrior is our main job right now. May our prayers be heard.

 

Sterling was telling about his friend Polly who has been living on cereal and milk lately because she did not have a way to the grocery store or much money to spend there. Have no idea what kind of food pantry they have in that area, but sometimes the food given out by those pantries is usually beans and rice—no veggies whatsoever. Even Ramen noodles are better than beans and rice in my estimation. Anyway, Jacqui took the lady to the grocery store. It is my hope that the little ol’ lady will have enough decent food to keep her healthy. Lots of folks need these fresh vegetables that the gardens are making right now. If a person can share with others, that can certainly make a difference.

 

Tonight let us pray for those whose needs we can help, for those whose needs we understand, and for those whose concerns and needs are such that we may never know. May those who suffer with health problems be healed and comforted. May those who grieve be given peace. May those whose minds need to be healed be given answers and help. May the children we know about be healed, and those we don’t know about be given help. We know that we have a merciful God. Let us trust in Him.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

 

When the Wind Blows . . .

 When the Wind Blows . . .

 

In Texas, the wind blows most of the time, it seems. But right now, the wind is high and the trees and power lines are getting the end product of being whipped. More than a few limbs and little bits of limbs are lying around my yard today. And, according to the local news, our county sheriff said that if an oil field worker sees any kind of fire, not to even bother trying to fight the sucker. Just call in for help. The power lines hitting together causes sparks all over the place, so it is not surprising that we are having plenty of fires across Wichita County. High, dry grass is not any help whatsoever. Despite the fact that our lawn man said that he would try to be here Thursday, the old woman went out and did the dirty job in the east lot. The back yard is not that dangerous, but the east side was high and dry. Anyway, except for along the roadway and my front yard, the grass is cut. Still worry about the grass southwest in Zupkus’ field, but if Patty’s place gets cut on Thursday, the idiots with fireworks should probably not cause us too much trouble.

 

My hens are thrilled to see more tender grass uncovered; at least, they are out there going at it for all they are worth! Thompson nearly ran over a white hen earlier, and her feathers went everywhere! Thinking it is almost time for them to start molting. They don’t lay well during that time, so the egg count may go down soon. The heat has the same effect.

 

The wind also gives some of us fits with allergies, so guess who is sneezing and blinking. Spring, summer, fall—and winter is easier because everyone ELSE is sneezing! Oh well. Life goes on.

 

Have been thinking about regrets lately and wondering if thinking back and being concerned with faults and such is just like digging up old sins that are already forgiven. Of all the things we may regret and all the weaknesses we may have had—or might still have—what actual good does it do to think back? When we ask for forgiveness, we trust that God forgives us. It is not our job to dig up old problems that have erupted throughout our life. But like a broken bone that is mended, sometimes an ache reminds us. We just have to get on with life and living.

 

Some things we can pretty well depend on—the wind will blow again. But one thing is certain: God will continue to love us.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.a

Stove-Top Quiche.

 Stove-Top Quiche.

 

If someone does not forget to check on it shortly, the old woman may be having something different for dinner tonight—stove-top quiche. Bacon fried in the cast iron skillet and then chopped onions and squash mixed into that with the eggs and cottage cheese whipped up and poured over that and cooked until the egg mixture solidifies. Will let you know how this turns out.

 

It has been a slow day around here with just reading mostly. Mopped the living room and moved some things around in there. Nothing exciting going on around here. Cleaned the floor in the kitchen but did not get over by the back door—obviously as there is still some hay in the doorway! Good grief! You’d think this house was out on a farm or something! Still, rather happy with the hens and their output. Had to put the broody hen back inside the long coop by herself. Have no idea how long it will take to get her out of the mood to hatch something!

 

Think the current book is the last in this series of cozy mysteries. They are all centered in a small town where an apple orchard is one of the largest businesses. And coffee recipes sound like desserts! Some of the recipes are combined in another book, but it would be pointless for me to get that book. The old woman just likes her apples crisp and fresh to eat on, not cooked.

 

The quiche has three or four very small yellow squashes along with a quarter of a white onion cut up in there. Kinda wishing for some celery, but have not been to the store lately. Maybe next week will feel like a good time to go shopping. It is just too hot to think about getting out and driving around. Just going to stay home and keep the ground under the deck wet for the hens so that they can keep cool.

 

Haven’t really talked to anyone other than Patty and the dogs lately. Patty had some guys come out to give her an estimate for a walk-in shower today. They are supposed to give her a price tomorrow and told her it would take two weeks to get the job complete. Wow! Almost guessing that the price is going to be like the estimate for time to get the work done—a bit much. But then, the tub that is in there is probably 500 pounds of metal! It will have to be cut into at least two pieces to just remove it! Meanwhile, we have thought about what she can do about everything else while the mess is made.

 

It tickled me to be able to pick those little squash plants. That is one of my favorite spring time veggies. Everything in my raised bed must have curled up and died because the green stuff that sprouted is no longer there. The cantaloupe vines are doing fine, however. Maybe they will produce. Also, have one nice sized pepper growing in front of the porch now. Picked three peppers so far after getting rid of a nice fat green worm. Guess that is one butterfly less in the world. Sigh.

 

Staying away from any news right now. Just not in the mood to be concerned about what is happening. Simply have asked God to bless my family, friends, neighbors, nation, and His people. He is in control of what is going on, so my concern goes as far as His ear. My prayers are more likely to get something done than any type of political arrangements or threats! May God forgive us our sins in this nation!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

What Does a Father Do?

 What Does a Father Do?

 

Walking in the rain with his kids, he instills a sense of happiness in the simple things. Teaching them to be careful in the use of a knife or a gun, he helps them to know that one’s responsibility goes much beyond not hurting one’s self and considers what happens to those around us. Working each and every day to the best of his ability, he gives his children the sense of what a work ethic should be. Reading from the Bible and praying with his family, a father teaches respect for God and for a man’s love for his wife and children. Disciplining his children, a father teaches a sense of responsibility. Caring for the family’s dogs, cats, and assorted critters teaches his children that animals should be loved and cared for just as much as any helpless creature. And being as loving and kind as is possible to his wife teaches a man’s children how a wife and mother should be respected.

 

A godly father gives a woman a chance to be the mother she needs to be. He also teaches his children to trust in the love that never wavers. However young or old a father may be, if he follows the path set before him by God above, that man lives the life that brings others to God the Father.

 

Let us be grateful that God calls Himself the Father.

Things You Learn.

 Things You Learn.

 

Reading has always been pretty educational, but even the silly cozy mysteries consumed around here lately have proven to be somewhat enlightening. The old woman has never been all that interested in antiques, but apparently some of the things we have seen over the years were actually of some value. Doorknobs have value, and even the striker plates for the fasteners can have value if they are made by artisans who created them as artwork. Who knew such things existed?

 

Another strange thing that came up recently is the existence of a stockpile of ancient seeds that could save mankind if all the current vegetables and seed-bearing grains were destroyed by blight or a fungus the way the American chestnut trees were destroyed. We can’t buy any “antique” seeds from the current markets where the little envelopes containing sixteen seeds are sold. And some seeds are still sold that have never changed all that much—okra, for instance. Think the smooth kind of okra is a new development, but the old-fashioned kind of okra has ridges. It is really unlikely that much of mankind could be rescued from starvation with okra, however. The American Indians used beans, squash, and corn planted together to help the development of their crops. Those were called “the three sisters.” The beans helped place nitrogen in the ground for the corn, and the squash helped hold the corn in place. Apparently, the Indians lived well enough with those three plants. Beans are definitely something one could use to sustain life. Corn, well, if it is ground into flour and made into bread, it can certainly help a person to eat well, but many of the early settlers died from lack of vitamins and poor health because ALL they had was corn!

 

My little squash plants have so far escaped the notice of the doggone raggits that are hopping about in the neighborhood. Those critters get right in the front yard and eat the grass or whatever. One got in the yard early this morning and had two very disgusted dogs chasing it. Not a chance to catch it when it had that much of a head start. Oh well.

 

Saving eggs for one more week for Jennifer, Lance, and whoever they share eggs with. Lance said they definitely needed eggs again. But then, he was telling me that his oldest was making soup for supper tonight that contained mushrooms and—get this—some onions! Lance refuses to have onions in his house. He thinks my use of onions in nearly every meal was the catalyst for his feelings about onions. Silly kid.

 

Got outside early this morning with a hammer and crowbar with the intentions of breaking up the pallets into useable boards. Well, so much for that intention. Dear Hearts, those things are really put together! Could not even get a bite into the wood next to the boards where they connected. Thought about using the skill saw to cut them apart, but not too keen on that thought. Lance told me that they sometimes use these nails that look like screws to hold them together. Guess that makes sense. Anyway, just set them up next to the fence so that they would be out of the way when the mowers come on Tuesday. Going to have the east lot mowed down fairly short. It may not have the seeds for the grass, but the flowers have definitely gone to seed.

 

Max B. brought my book on Daniel back today, so may begin to read it again and look up all the scriptures this time. Have noticed more and more that some folks on FB are quoting scriptures. One person put John 3:16 on there and mentioned that it was the first scripture that she memorized as a child. Think that was one that all of us kids memorized as little ones in the Baptist church. We never did hear the chapter and verse for Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Just looked it up: Matt 7:12 and Luke 6:31 are both examples of the “Golden Rule.”

 

Maybe we need to do more memorization today than we have been doing. Or maybe, at least for adults, we simply need to pick up our Bibles and read more. It would never hurt to have some things like the Ten Commandments written out to look at daily, not for decoration, but for contemplation.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Positive Attitudes and Heat Waves.

 Positive Attitudes and Heat Waves.

 

Yep, we are all pretty positive that it is going to be hot sooner rather than later! Not sure that griping about it would serve any purpose whatsoever, but my hens walk around with their wings held out to their sides to keep from being quite so hot. Sprayed water under the deck earlier this afternoon to try to give them a cooler place to sit out the hottest part of the day. Wish it were possible to have a cooler place outside for an old woman. But the AC does a fairly good job of keeping the inside of the house cooler than it is outside. If getting up to let the hens out at six in the morning would work for me, maybe some things could get done early on. But by the time the hens are out and some feed put down for them to nibble on, the old woman just wants to go lie back down. So, it is not the fault of the heat or the season. It is the fault of the old woman who lacks the oomph to keep working once she is up.

 

Patty called to ask for some more dog food for Roxy this evening. Took a container of food down there and sat and visited. Think her step son is coming over tomorrow with his wife. Maybe that will be a bit uplifting for her. She was totally disgusted with the meals she had delivered for the past two days. Nodded my head that it is almost asking too much of a person to cook, clean up after, and still be interested enough in food to eat. And there are only so many places that prepare good meals. Most include too much bread/crust or something that is not all that good for a person. Oh well. We should just be grateful that food is available.

 

Cooked six chicken breasts in the roaster today and put the meat in Ziplock bags ready to feed the dogs (and me) when needed. The dogs really are eating the chicken well again. Even have some other stuff that they like that is already cooked up and ready to serve. AND the kitchen is cleaned up! At least something got accomplished today.

 

Maybe tomorrow the floors will get cleaned up again. It hasn’t rained in a few days, but the dogs get in the water tubs and track back across the kitchen and then the living room. Put another one of those “catch it” rugs right inside the kitchen door, and that does seem to help. Maybe one of these days the old woman will get to the point that it doesn’t bother her. Or not.

 

Got tickled at a story that Patty told me about Donny. When he was growing up, they had very little of anything, and he was always hungry. When he joined the Army, he thought he had died and gone to heaven ‘cause they had plenty of food to eat. He actually loved those MREs that everyone else despised! Guess it just takes a point of view to be changed from hunger to plenty to appreciate any kind of food.

 

Let us pray for the health of those who are suffering, for safety for those who have been and are threatened, for peace for those who mental stability is unsure, and for peace for our nation from the stupidity that seems to run rampant in every corner.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.a

Another Fitting.

 Another Fitting.

 

Ya know, some folks (young ladies) go for several fittings to get their dresses to fit just exactly how they want the thing(s) to fit. Me, this ol’ gal goes to the dentist office multiple times to see if the upper plate can fit well enough to help chew food thoroughly! That’s pretty sad, but necessary. Next time might be the charm when it comes back from the company that is making it. Just going to hope.

 

Got outside and cut up a bunch of branches that will go in the bottom of another raised bed for planting. Have not totally decided where it will be placed, but think it will be alongside the front fence next to the old driveway. Not sure if it will get more or less sunlight there, but as hot as it gets out there during the summer, less sunlight could not hurt anything. It’s not like starvation will be the next event if my tomato plants don’t make it. Plenty of weeds around here to munch on! Seriously! Not particularly interested in eating henbit or purslane, but know it is edible. Even know that the “wild lettuce” would be a good pain reliever if that is needed. Here's hoping that this particular knowledge will never be needed.

 

Read online about how goats or sheep will clear out a pasture or fenced yard down to the ground within a twelve-hour period of time. Not really wanting the vegetation totally cleared out, but would love it if some goats or sheep would eat all the wild lettuce! That stuff is prickly and almost takes over given a chance. Then there is the beggar lice. Not sure anything will eat that stuff. Will have to ask someone like Brenda Jones or Olga’s daughter about their goats and what they eat.

 

Kinda think the cheese and dill pickle sandwich eaten earlier is going to be called supper. Not particularly hungry this afternoon. But then, have been feeling better today and not hurting as much as a couple of days ago. Got energy to spare for a change.

 

Have decided on the house warming gift for oldest grandchild: an order of a case of bathroom tissue and a case of paper towels. Seems like everyone needs that stuff. Not sure where he is going to store it, but he is a pretty clever kid, so he will figure it out. Jennifer did a “facetime” with me yesterday to show me how the floors look now that they are finished. They were about to start cleaning from the top down to remove all the dust. Do not envy them that little task in the least. Still fighting to get my floors cleaned long enough to see a little shine in the living room. It amazes me how quickly the dogs are able to make a mess of that room!

 

Lewis would have been 80 years old this year if he had lived. He was 30 years old when Jennifer was born and 26 years old when Lance was born. We were just kids having kids in my estimation. And yet, today it is more like it was with my parents—16 and 18-year-olds having children! How do young ones ever grow up today? Unless they have some older role models living near them, how do they learn to have respect for others? Our children had teachers who repeated the Golden Rule to them: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remembering Dorothy Hughes having that on a plaque on her desk in her classroom makes me wonder what would happen today if a teacher had something like that on his or her desk. They say that God has been taken out of the classroom. If they can’t live and speak about their belief in God, then that might be true. Would certainly not want to be a teacher in public school today. Would not want any position of responsibility in any such school. It is easy for me to understand why so many parents are choosing to homeschool their children. My belief in God moves my actions and thoughts each day. Oh, the hens do not get sermons, nor do the dogs get lessons in civility, but let’s face it, being around someone who feels blessed by God is better than being around someone who has no conscience about actions toward others. Pray for our nation.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Another Haircut!

 Another Haircut!

 

So, from neck length bushiness to slicked back shortness, the old woman is just a tad cooler around the neckline. Finished with the haircut, made a trip over to Whataburger to pick up lunch for myself and my neighbor. We had to sit inside to eat because the sunshine on the patio was glaring and quite hot. We would have had to keep an eye on Roxy, too. Inside just worked out much cooler and calmer.

 

Patty had taken her hair down and washed it this morning. Her hair is curly like mine used to be. She asked if mine would be curly now as it grows out a bit. Nope. Amber thinned every bit of it on top, so if it curls, it will look more like the kid who put a fork in the electric socket! Had planned to try to get Patty to let me take her to Amber to get her head scrubbed and possibly cut a bit. But she had already washed it by the time of my arrival. It just about takes it out of her to stand long enough to wash her hair in the shower since the sciatic nerve in her left leg is so painful. Let us tell you! Getting old is not for sissies!

 

Read quite a bit of the Backwoods Home magazine last night. Most of that stuff is not ever going to apply to my situation, but it was still interesting. Have not done any canning in years and don’t plan to have enough produce to do it again. The hens love things like corn and will eat just about any green thing tossed to them, but seldom have tomatoes that have gone too soft unless it is one that comes from Patty’s place. Now the information about the raised beds was good to know. The article suggested putting in seasoned poop from cows, horses, sheep, etc. That means no fresh hen poo, however. Seasoned means some that has been around long enough to decay somewhat. Wish my compost pile were already going strong, but still have not put a fence around the stuff that is intended for compost. And the hens scratch it out almost as fast as it is dumped on the “pile.” At least a bunch of branches have accumulated to put in the bottom of another raised bed. Have been saving the cardboard boxes to go on the ground, too. They will keep the grass from growing through the bed—at least that is my hope.

 

The humidity was 98% this morning since we had some rain overnight. But at least the temperature was not that bad. Looks as if we won’t be in the triple digits this coming week. Here’s hoping that it won’t fool the weather forecasters. This has already been a strange beginning, but the official date of summer is usually around the 21^st of this month.

 

A person can’t totally dig under a rock and not see what is going on around us, so today the rockets from Lebanon are not all that surprising. Nor is the demand from Hamas that Israel totally withdraw from Gaza. AS IF Israel would be stupid enough to negotiate with terrorists!

 

Another interesting situation has begun in Ireland where the government is demanding that all future construction on government buildings use less of the materials that cause heating of the atmosphere. “The new requirements call for 30% clinker substitution in concrete for all government and public works projects as well as the phase-out of more polluting "high-clinker cement" variations. Clinker is the binding agent that sets and hardens cement, which the European Cement Association describes as "the backbone of cement production" and "essentially a mix of limestone and minerals that have been heated in a kiln."

As the heating process used to create clinker contributes the most planet-overheating air pollution in the cement manufacturing process, scientists have been hard at work trying to develop alternatives.

These alternatives include olivine, a class of magnesium-rich, rock-forming mineral common in the Earth's upper mantle. 

Scientists have also developed production methods that require less heat, significantly lowering the carbon dioxide output in the process.”

 

It’s not likely that we will ever have a high-rise building made of compressed hay or the fiber from marijuana plants, but it does make sense that any process that requires a kiln to combine elements is going to heat the environment immediately and eventually. Mankind is smarter than this, so why could we not recycle something already in use—plastic and glass, for instance. Houses made from recycled glass might be better than wood. Earthquakes and tornadoes are going to happen anyway, but why use wood that burns and splinters into particles of ash and other fibers. As much as some of us despise fiberglass, surely it could be used in some manner to make compressed boards for building houses, at least. When we modified my office, my desire was NO sheetrock and NO fiberglass in the walls. So, Lewis used some kind of sheets of foam with aluminum as a barrier to the cold, and he completed the inside walls with sheets of wood that we stained. Cedar was what appealed to me at the time, but it was terribly expensive, and he thought the odor would be too much. As it was, the wood paneling really smelled strongly of something like cedar.

 

Finally, let us be reminded that we are special children in God’s eyes. Not because of anything that we have done or have found to accomplish, but because of the blood that covers us and our sins. We may have all kinds of trials and mountains that bear down on us, but not one is bigger than our Father in heaven. He will accomplish His purpose!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.