When Faculties Fail.

 When Faculties Fail.

 

Today a friend told me about the problems that came up when her parents had begun to slip into dementia and the same problems that are coming up now with some friends who have their father living with them. While she was not able to be there for her sister when her own parents became confused, she was able to make suggestions for her friends about their father. Protecting one’s parents, one’s own home, and others are all included in the considerations that have to be made once the inevitable problems begin to spring up. A grown person normally wants to keep his or her independence. That is not always advisable if driving a vehicle can threaten the safety of the driver or those nearby. The same holds true if the person’s dementia or forgetfulness can cause fires with microwaves, stoves, or ovens. With my parents, we had to hide all the keys and all the firearms in the house. But by that time, our mom had lost her understanding of the necessity for medications, oxygen supplies, and even rudimentary schedules of day and night. As difficult as it was, as their children, we had to make decisions for them.

 

Some day my own children may have decisions to make that have nothing to do with my desire to be independent. They will have to decide what is best for their own families as well as for their mom. Let’s hope that before that time comes, the legal work will have been done so that they can deal with whatever comes up that will need their signatures. Let us hope that the twenty or more years that separate our ages will give them time to make good decisions.

 

Do you ever wonder if you could make a decision that God would not want you to make when you lose some semblance of sanity? Mankind has certainly had a bad habit of making bad decisions over the years. But individually, we can only hope that we won’t be grouches, mean, horrible, or otherwise disgusting toward others. Someone once told me that how we present ourselves most of our lives will likely be the way we will continue to the very end. But truly, we can only hope that we will be kind and caring toward others. It is hard enough with all one’s beans in the pot not to be judgmental or just plain tacky. But let a few marbles or beans get lost in the normal skids of life, and just about anyone can get off center from kindness. For ourselves and for others, let us pray that the wrinkles of life and living don’t cause others to be revolted by our personalities.

 

Let us keep our thoughts upon God’s kindnesses. Let us determine to follow Him through the valleys to His high hills.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Taking It Easy.

 Taking It Easy.

 

Slept last night as if it were really needed, and today have felt pretty good. Not aching and not hurting from the knee up! Now that is a blessing. Have only gone walking out to take care of the hens and eggs, so that is just the barest of exercise. A couple of days of just being slightly lazy won’t hurt at all.

 

Still biting myself with the new teeth, but at least that, too, has been decreasing in occurrence. Have an appointment for next Monday unless something opens up before then. Think maybe the specialist can whittle down some of the right side just a wee bit to eliminate some soreness. Really am thankful that teeth can be made this quickly and easily and replace what doesn’t work. Of course, some folks manage to keep their natural teeth all their lives, but then those of us who bang our heads together with a horse have no excuse for losing a few front teeth! Sigh.

 

Patty is still so very happy to have had her house cleaned up and de-furred. It has been three years since Donny died, and in all that time she has not felt that the house got a really good cleaning. The man who grooms her dog can’t come until Monday, but maybe Roxy can’t leave an entire coat of fur in the house by then. Know that Jennifer understands completely because of her three dogs. It is bad enough with two fairly smooth coated dogs, but a Malamute, a Husky, and a Lab are a bit much! Roxy would be about a mouthful for any of those three!

 

Have one of those little cool fans on the corner of my desk. Can’t remember exactly how it works or where the instructions might have been placed. It has little stars on the back side to indicate something, but can’t remember what. Sterling says that CRS is genetic. So, if we can’t remember Shtuff, that is understandable.

 

Early this morning, my computer would not connect to AOL or some of the other apps. Got disgusted and left it alone for a few hours. Had started a new program that had background art as entertainment, but that was the only thing new that could have had an effect. Have no idea how to remove it or what its name was. Argh! Anyway, came in here to the office after noon and things were working again. Go figure.

 

Really don’t know anything worth mentioning except that it is STILL summer in Texas. The school kids go back to classes in another two weeks. Let’s pray for the kids, the teachers, the bus drivers and all concerned! And then let us remember the parents who have spent these past weeks not having to get up at the crack of dawn to get the kids up, fed, and off to school. Their days are about to flip again! May all concerned be easily adaptable and enjoy being with others in classes again.

 

Let us attempt to be non-judgmental and accepting of others. Let us show love and compassion to all. Let us remember that we have the responsibility to love before all else.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Sam's Pizza.

 Sam’s Pizza.

 

Have not eaten ANY pizza in years! Went to pick up the arthritis pills at Sam’s for Thompson and got hooked on the smell of pizza, so this evening, Thompson, Sylvia, and the old woman have had some pizza. One pizza should be at least two or three meals unless the indigestion kills one of us first. Also, found out that it costs zero dollars to have Thompson’s meds sent to me in the mail. Super duper!

 

Saw my favorite doctor today and didn’t even mind getting weighed in. And THAT is saying something. Her nurse is so thin and active now that it is embarrassing for an old critter like me to weigh probably twice as much as that young thing! Oh well. Kissi loved my “Up” blouse almost as much as Jennifer did when she picked it out. Took it off before even opening the pizza box. SUCH a sweet blouse with all the balloons and little houses on it. Had to tell Kissi that it was the last movie that we took the Ostand boys to see together. It was SO much fun. They took turns yelling “squirrel” all the way home.

 

Got an injection in my knee and am supposed to behave myself and stay off of it. Clearing my throat here. Brought my little ice pack in here to the office to place on the knee, but wondering how well it will be able to stay on there. Anyway, will be taking the arthritis pills regularly for a while to get this thing back in some kind of shape. Kissi just warned that it will feel much better but that in feeling better, it doesn’t mean walking more on it. Such is life.

 

Sterling called and needed the names of a couple of folks who knew the parents but who were not related. Thought of Roger and Sterling thought of Maggie. Guess the title company will take care of that. Jim Simmons gave the house to his son, but he does not want to be a landlord. Don’t blame him. With a clear title, he should not have problems selling the little house. It was well made when Dad and Granddad Pollard built it and then built on to it. It was a good home for us when we were growing up.

 

Reading a series of books about the daughter of a police detective who was killed because of a drug gang. The closer it gets to the end of the series, the closer it comes to exposing the gang members and how they have corrupted the town and its city council. It is just amazing to think that this could happen just anywhere. Jerry Hobbs used to tell me that every bail imposed on every druggie was simply a cash payment to the big crooks. How very sad! It is pretty believable when compared to what this book has portrayed.

 

My neighbor across the street just threatened me with her B-B gun if she sees me out messing around. Sitting here laughing. Shona is so very sweet. She even offered to drive me to see the doctor today. Things have not come to that point yet, but it is great to know that she would do that for me!

 

If the mosquitoes don’t carry it off, some bunch of dipsticks drove a car into the lot down at the end of the street. Called the police to let them know that it is a “suspicious” vehicle. Could not remember the color, but it is sort of darkish silverish. Someone probably needs their car back, too. Have no idea what kind it is, but told the dispatcher that it is not a Ford or Chevrolet. How’s that for attention to silly brands!

 

The state is working hard to get Kemp leveled out and rebuilt now, but even with the working men out there in various lanes, folks are driving down that road as if it were a race track! Idiots are going to get someone hurt! May all of those men be protected!

 

All the big fuss over the “Last Supper” was about a picture of a pagan feast that the Greeks had that was painted by someone other than Leonardo. The hedonism of the Greeks was well known at one time, but history is not taught along those lines any longer. Shucks. Most folks don’t know the origins of most of our “holy days=holidays” anyway. Oh well. Someday history will unfold in a different way entirely. Won’t it be something to see things from God’s point of view!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Dog Fences!

  Dog Fences!

 

Jennifer sent pictures of two of their dogs this morning. Seems they found a place to dig out from under a high dollar fence. Gary really did not want to have to put chicken wire down around the bottom to keep in the dogs, but they will end up having to do something. It took Jennifer three hours to find them yesterday—and that was with the air tags the dogs wear! Well, Thompson is not nearly as ornery as her dogs. He is pretty consistent. He keeps getting out even after the old woman has walked the fence line and put down stakes. This morning, however, he had found a good spot and went right through it like a champion! It now has chicken wire on the spot that needs further work with wire cutters, wire, and patience. Certainly hope this is the last hole in that particular spot. Shaking my head here!

 

Walked out to check for eggs early on and got to listen to the ski things out on the lake. If it had enough water and depth in it, the boats would be all over the place. This heat would be cooking boats, inner tubes, skis, and folks this afternoon. Any time the heat is this bad, people want to get in the water, but it just cooks them instead of making things better. Lake Wichita really has no trees to speak of, so there is just not any shade around it.

 

Had to roll around in bed last night trying to find a way to get my knee to be comfortable. Pretty ridiculous to have one or two joints that just sing the song of their people! Arthritis is SO much fun. Guess the old woman should not gripe. Still kicking and at least this is not RA. Think Michelle has three doctors’ appointments on Tuesday, so she plans to stop by here as well. Hope she can handle going to all three appointments! Whenever we think we have it pretty rough, we can always look around and see what other people are having to handle on a daily basis. Think about the little ones who are having such problems: Raye with cancer in her eyes, Zeke with damage from seizures caused by medications, and then the other children with covid which their parents also have! Please bless them, Father in heaven!

 

Saw a van pulled up across the street that promises to be someone who does AC work. Certainly hope everything is still under warranty! But even under warranty, it is not easy having the AC go down in this weather!

 

Looking forward to autumn. Rain, cooler days, dirt that can be dug easily, and happy hens. Think my hens are about to start molting, and that may mean fewer eggs, of course. One hen hopped up on my knee and dropped half a chicken’s worth of feathers on the deck! At least it does not hurt when they drop feathers! It just looks as if an explosion took place in the coops when they have to be raked out.

 

Cleaned out the dog trough this morning since the water had turned green as a gourd. The ground sucked the excess water up as if it were a sponge. Not sure the dogs have seen the fresh water yet, but you can bet they will sit down in it to enjoy before they start tracking it inside the house. Oh well. Just wait until it starts raining this fall. That should be even more fun!

 

Really not very interested in what is going on in the world right now. It is sad to see the fires, floods, and disasters in the oceans and among nations. These things have probably been going on for ages—at least long before my time. But all we can do is ask the Creator for relief for those affected and restoration for the earth and all its parts. Whether or not the problems we see are manmade or “natural” disasters, the end product is misery for so many. Droughts and floods, ice age or age of total fire disasters, only God can make changes that last. But the first change has to be in the hearts of mankind. And, again, only God can make those changes. Let it be so, Father!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Season's Greetings---Summer Style!

 Season’s Greetings—Summer Style!

 

Don’t you get amazed every year at the silly things folks say to you when holidays arrive? Maybe not. My own interpretations include something along these lines: Hot Pavement Days! School Bus Avoidance Days! Lawn Mowers Howling Days! Dry Grass Greetings! Dust In the Wind Days! Earthquake Experience Days! and that ever popular—Central Air Collapse Days! Yes, siree Bob! If Texas had any more celebratory days in its calendar, none of us could stand it! And some folks think that Willis Carrier was kin to Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Edison!

 

We really don’t stop to realize sometimes how wonderful it is to have iced tea—decaf or otherwise! Well, actually, some of us are so inclined to drink water from plastic bottles that we probably should rethink each time we purchase anything that contains plastic. Let’s see now. The water filtering jug is made of plastic. The cups in the cabinet are basically a type of plastic. Maybe we can find bacon that is not packed in a Ziplock plastic container. And then there are the 100% cotton sheets that melt when burned—to leave behind a residue that is obviously made of plastic. Looking around my office to attempt to find something that does not contain plastic . . . . still looking at the walls made with paneling that is supposed to be wood. The varnish on my new pantry has some kind of plastic in it that makes it stay on the wood and not be prone to water stains. Nope. Even the old woman sitting at the computer has a plastic fiber fitting in her back that is supposed to replace bone. Guess we might as well celebrate Plastic Days! Wonder how much plastic is in the actual tea leaves.

Some scientist found some worms that eat plastic. Hmm. Wonder if mega-size piles of plastic will lead to mega-size worms? Is it not enough that scientists want to clone some extinct animals? We can’t even deal with the ones on earth now. Some folks have it in for cows for their excessive flatulence. Can you imagine if they could bring back the wooly mammoths? Instead of just your regular elephant, we might have one covered in wool. Bet it would not do well in Africa or Asia today. Maybe they could be employed to step on mega-sized worms!

 

Obviously, the old woman needs to talk to the only One who created the critters that have come down to us over the ages. Some things die out naturally or evolve into smaller creatures. Snails can be repopulated in coastal waters off of Australia or sea cows can be bred with manatees, but who knows if what we can imagine is going to be a good thing or not. Over the ages, mankind has developed larger brains and healthier bodies (to some extent), but that does not mean that what we invent or otherwise develop is what is good for the earth or for mankind. We can imagine things that have never been possible in the past, and sometimes that is a wonderful thing. Diseases have been somewhat alleviated or removed, but mankind still has a hardness of heart that makes us tremble in terror or disgust.

 

Let us hope that God will touch our hearts and those of all on the earth. No manner of evolving matters as much as the composition of the heart of mankind. If it is not turned to its creator, it is not going to live.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

 

Advertising As Opposed to Reality.

 Advertising As Opposed to Reality.

 

United has been selling chicken breasts for $1 a pound, along with chicken thighs, and pork chops. Wednesday, they had a showcase full of the breasts. Ordered more meat last night after thinking about it, and this morning the young woman who brought my groceries to the truck for pickup told me that they did not GET any breasts. The old woman kept her mouth shut and just nodded along. This happens every time they sell chicken breasts. And the “boneless” thighs were NOT boneless. Oh well. Cooked one roaster full of thighs earlier and have another roaster full again on cooking. Any way they go at it, folks are going to try to buy as many as possible in order to have some to put in the freezer. It does not make me feel like a hog when buying these things because the price otherwise is pretty near astronomic! Just wish they would keep some back so that they don’t run out before the sale is even started good.

 

Have noticed that prayer is pretty economical. Hardly costs more than a few minutes of my time—or of anyone’s time. Right now, some parents are trying to purchase school clothes, supplies, and things that kids can take in their lunches. Each of those children has to go to the first day and feel as if everyone is looking at him or her. Each teacher is just a wee bit nervous about what kind of students will enter the classroom that day. Let us pray that the young ones will not be judgmental about their classmates and that the teacher will enjoy the new faces and find ways of creating smiles on that first day. All the difference in the world can be made with some prayers. Let US deliver the prayers to our Father in heaven that these days will go well for all concerned.

 

Sterling told me that he and Jacqui went somewhere to eat and met up with an older grandmother working as a waitress. She said she had to work two jobs in order to make ends meet because she is raising a grandchild. Think Sterling left a little something for her, but just think about how difficult it must be to not be able to make social security payments stretch enough to pay the bills. Raising children is not an easy thing to do to begin with, but thinking about how different it is to be a child now compared to how things were when we were children simply boggles the mind. We went outside to play. When it was too hot, we read books—bunches of them. My grandchildren were playing with computers by the time they were three years old!! The only way they had ever been introduced to a toad was to come see their Ma on Fenoglio Hill. Lewis had a truck load of dirt dumped next to the house for the kids to dig in. And dig they did! Yes, they got filthy, but they had a ball! Times are different. But kids still like dirt.

 

Let us pray for those who are struggling financially and emotionally right now. Stress hurts us almost as badly as a physical wound. But peace gives us the solace that allows us to have joy. We can’t fix things for every person, but we can spend time asking the One who can give all of us peace. Let us ask.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Switching Drawers.

 Switching Drawers.

 

The glass lids to Corningware, the glass lid to a deep-frying pan, the glass lid to a new cooking pot all got placed in a nicely cleaned middle drawer of my cabinet today. These lids are hardly ever used and don’t need to be easily grabbed. The cup towels, oven mittens, and dish cloths, on the other hand, are now in the right-hand side of the cabinet. The oven mitts may get put in the top drawer eventually on the left side nearer to the stove, but that can wait a bit. The egg spilled down the side of the stove and onto the dishwasher needed to be cleaned up first. Sigh.

 

In great news of the day, sat down in the bathroom this morning and my right knee gave an interesting pop. It stopped hurting. Sure, my leg is still sore, but being able to walk without limping makes me feel better altogether! Have no idea what made it sore in the first place and have no idea what part popped back where it should be, but praise the Lord!

 

Went down to see Patty this morning and had hardly sat down with her when Thompson showed up! This evening the fence line will have to be walked. Wondering if a section is loose down on the side near the Speegle’s place. Wherever it is, it has to be alleviated today!! Don’t want something to happen to my dog! Patty was afraid that Roxy would attack Thompson and get eaten! Don’t think he would do more than smell of her, but he might nip back if she bit him.

 

United had the pork chops and boneless chicken breasts on sale for a dollar a pound again yesterday. Bought some chicken, of course, and thought about going back for more to put in the freezer. They only have these sales every so often. And the chicken, at least, never lasts long. If the fence line did not need to be walked this evening, would go back for more squawker to put in the freezer.

 

Years ago, Gene Stratton-Porter wrote about the almost swamp-like waters of the Limberlost. Today, a scary article came out about the waters of Indianna.

“Wetlands also filter, clean, and restock underground aquifers. Given that 70% of Indiana's residents rely on these aquifers for their drinking water, this is no small factor to consider, the Chronicle reported.”

“Unfortunately, Indiana had already lost more than 85% of its wetlands in the last century, per IndyStar, and this bill is projected to continue that trajectory.” 

Obviously, the famous author of Girl of the Limberlost would not recognize the state today, but that is true for many of our states. Our population has increased drastically as well as the highway systems that take people all over the country. Just the fires alone have given us reasons to take a step back and look at what we are doing to our countryside. And we won’t even begin to discuss the latest oil tanker disaster!! This earth is the only one we have. God gave us the best, but we need to care for it with more diligence.

 

Meanwhile, in the city of dunces and deuces, “Asked by lawmakers if the FBI knew where all eight bullets fired by shooter Thomas Crooks at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Mr Wray added: “There is some question about whether or not it was a bullet or shrapnel that hit his ear, so it is conceivable, as I sit here right now, I don’t know whether that bullet, in addition to causing the grazing, could have also landed somewhere else.”

If you know anything about trajectory when firing a gun, one would assume that the bullet that grazed one ear is the same one that killed the former fire fighter. It definitely was not a mosquito. Of course, the Secret Service is not in the mosquito fighting business either. Apparently, the former president still matters to God.

 

Will try not to write too much more today as at least one reader has mentioned that the old woman seems to get long-winded at times. Such is life.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Daddy, Do I Matter?

 Daddy, Do I Matter?

 

Abba is the term we can use to speak with the only real father that counts—the one who adopted us to sonship. My human daddy was special to me and to my brother. Even though he was really hard on Sterling, he loved him with an obvious love. He wanted Sterling to be a good man. Now Daddy had his own ideas of what his daughter should be, but then, he was a man with the ideas of his generation. As a human daddy, he would have done anything he could for us as his children. And we knew that. But today my human father is no longer among the living. He is just a memory.

 

 

A sweet lady came today and cleaned my house from top to bottom and made me feel that it was so much nicer to live in a clean house. As she was leaving, we both made comments about this silly aching in my knee and shoulder. We nodded our heads at my comment: it is a privilege to get this old! God still has some kind of use for me. Maybe the old woman matters to God! And that brought other thoughts to my mind. Youngest son, before he decided to abruptly leave us, asked many others: Who am I to you? He really wanted to feel that he mattered. Recently a friend decided he could not handle any more of the pressures of this life and swallowed a bottle of pills. But you know what, he did not succeed in leaving us—because he matters to God!

 

Whether or not we realize what purpose we have in life and living, we can be assured: we matter to God.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

The Mountains May Fall.

 The Mountains May Fall.

 

Texas, well, mostly the western side of Texas, had a whole lot of shakin’ goin’ on last night. My dogs both jumped up as if they thought something were about to get us! The old woman thought something was in the bedroom trash box a rattlin’ around in there and tryin’ to get out. So much for what an earthquake from Snyder, TX will do. Years ago, before Lewis died, we had one that shook the walls of our hallway so that they looked as if they were fannin’ the air! At first, it occurred to me that maybe Lewis had fallen out of bed, but the bang, bang, bang just KEPT happening! No way would he have fallen that many times! Anyway, as if it were just life as usual, my daughter sent me a message to alert me to the earthquake. That was reassuring as the trash box had not made any more strange sounds. Some old woman has snakes on the brain, don’t you see!

 

We had a few days of semi-decent temperatures, so the girls laid eggs as if they were happy to do so. Of course, the egg picker upper goes out there more than once daily and surveys the rafters, the shelves, and behind the nest boxes. Dear Hearts, have a snake catcher and a machete out there now to handle the situation should it arise again. Doesn’t take much to make a believer out of me. And then, today Zupkus came to mow most of his grass. He was all about telling me that the bottom half is native grass that does not need to be cut and that it was totally Jerry Hobbs’ fault that the upper portion of the pasture was full of Johnson grass. Zupkus is a dip waddy! That pasture had Johnson grass in it 56 years ago when the old woman moved here. The big fig tree is gone, but the Johnson grass just lives on. And the type of grass matters not one iota. ALL grass will burn if given the opportunity. Now to sit back and see what kind of critters come crawling out of that stuff. He tried to tell me that cotton rats don’t cause problems. But he also told me that we don’t have the kind of owls that eat cats and catch tiny dogs! Riiiiiiiight!

 

The skepticism that runs rampant in this house might be a wee bit strong right now. Doesn’t take much for some of us to resent stupidity wherever it originates. But then, we can always talk about the weather and never bat an eye. A heat dome, a drecho, an exploding geyser in Yellowstone, or just a plain ol’ fire in Western Canada. Nothing beats having a generator for absolute necessity or a full fuel tank on your vehicle in case of a disaster. Honestly, it seems the entire world is having events that startle or at least worry folks. And now Mexico says more “immigrants” are on the way to our borders. Let’s just remember what Isaiah said: The mountains may fall, and the hills be shaken, but God’s love will stand.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Another Freaking Snake!

 Another Freaking Snake!

 

Have been keeping my snake grabber thing out on the shelf of the front chicken coop. This afternoon, the shelf now also holds my machete! Went out to see why all the hens were having fits and found another rat snake poking its body through the sides of the plastic box that is used for a nesting box. Had to push three boxes back from the side of the shelf in order to actually have enough snake uncovered to snag with the grabber. That was one snake with an ugly attitude! Had to use the hand saw that was handy, and then after the snake was deposited in the trash bin, decided that the machete would be much more appropriate.

 

My first thoughts concerning the stupid snakes were about the origin. WHY are more snakes arriving right now? Then it dawned on me: three big grassy lots got mowed yesterday and today. The rabbits and snakes have to go somewhere!! One of the rabbits kept coming into my front yard and hiding under the trumpet vine. Went out there twice and shooed him away. He went to Shona’s house both times! Hope they don’t have anything outside that the rabbit would chew up! And at least she just got a rabbit and not a long snake!

 

Went down to Patty’s this morning to take Roxy some dog food and visit a bit. Patty’s camera went off two or three times last night: a great big nasty possum, a big black cat that circled through the driveway more than once, and one big black and white dog. Yes, Thompson got out last night and came home to sit on the front porch at four a.m. Sylvia kept getting me up last night for some strange reason, but when the front porch light came on, it was obvious that Thompson had gotten out of the yard. Then while we were in the house talking, Roxy had a barking fit. Thompson was out and in Patty’s doorway! The rabbits cause him to try, but the fence is about to get more help here in just a bit.

 

Shona said that AJ can help me put down enough fence stakes to keep the fence tight enough to keep Thompson inside the yard. Certainly don’t want anything to happen to him. Anyway, this evening when it is a bit cooler, we will get out there and work on the places that are not tight enough. AJ can get down on his knees a lot easier than this old woman. Getting down might not be too bad, but the getting back up part is not too likely.

 

The vacant lot next to the Leos home got mowed today. That may have been the living room for the latest rat snake. If Tony Zupkus ever gets around to mowing his pasture, we may find all sorts of wild animals coming out of that high grass! Even if we are not overly concerned about the wildlife living in the high grass, the possibility of fires is scary enough. Right now, the West is under an extreme heat wave—forecast for 54C or approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Dear Hearts, that is mighty warm! No matter whether the heat is caused by the use of fossil fuels or something else, it seems like it is getting much harder to endure the vagaries of our weather. It makes me wonder what winter will be like if summer is this bad!

 

Really should not be griping about the weather. It has not been all that terrible here in WF for a few days. We actually had a few drops of rain yesterday and a bit of a breeze today. It just feels really strange to be thankful for anything under 90 degrees!

 

Let us remain calm and content to let God handle every situation in our lives, in our country, and in our world. HE can handle anything that comes up. May we spend our time being thankful and knowing that we can trust the future to our Father in heaven.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Recipes and Curiosity!

 Recipes and Curiosity!

 

Patty bought some very expensive ingredients in order to make some kind of spaghetti like she had as a kid. The heavy cream ended up costing her nearly eight dollars and then she bought a pound of butter for the sauce as well. Got it all put together and could not stand it! Horrors! What a waste of good ingredients. Such is life, though. Told her about eating at a Greek restaurant out close to the Base a couple of three years ago. They had pasta, lamb dishes, and tiramisu that just made me want to go back the next day. Never did go back and can’t even remember the name of the place now. Sigh.

 

All these English stories mention using clotted cream with their “puddings.” They don’t call things desserts, but they are all just “puddings.” Then, too, they have cookies (biscuits) that sound fantastic as well. Some of their names sound delightful as well as strange. Would just love to try some of them, but the recipes in the stories sound awfully complicated. They use measures that are quite different from ours. Tell me how much in cups or half cups, quarter cups, or the like, but keep your grams to yourself!!

 

Cooked up nearly all of that lamb last night in the roaster and then took the meat off the bone. Had no idea that lamb was that full of fat! Tasty, but definitely greasy. Google told me that it could remain good in the freezer for up to a year, so after it was cooked and bagged, most of it went back into the freezer to be used as needed. The dogs have to finish eating up that ten-pound bag of chicken first! Meanwhile, Roxy has run out of the Purina lamb and rice that my dogs eat, so will take her a big container in the morning—especially since the big storage container bought at Sutherlands now has over 60 pounds of dog food in it!

 

My stupid right knee is giving me fits and making me wonder if it needs some kind of brace on it. Don’t feel it is trustworthy for going down or up the stairs. Somewhere around here is one of those rubbery things that fits on a limb like that. Have put cream on it for the aches, but still don’t trust it to hold me up. Sterling had the same kind of problem before he had his knee replaced. He is a lot braver than the old woman. Not happening here! Have seen several of my friends having body parts replaced. Unless your mate or someone lives with you, it just does not make sense. Lewis never would let me try to help him get up when he fell to his knees. He always thought he would hurt me. My weight might not reach his by a long shot, but can understand that pulling on someone else could cause problems.

 

Yes, saw the headline that President Biden has withdrawn from the race. Maybe now he can get some sleep. Honestly do not know why ANYONE would want to be president. Someone will always attack the ones who have to make decisions or try to find a way for the ones in government to compromise on any decision. Then, too, we have SO many bureaus or agencies or divisions of each level of government that no one is truly accountable for any of the stupid mistakes that are made. And when JFK said that he was going to decimate the FBI into teeny tiny splinters, it was not any time at all before he was assassinated! Just a thought.

 

When Jesus Christ returns to rule over this world, some won’t appreciate Him, either. Satan will want to fight and his minions with him. But we already know ahead of time how things are going to turn out. And the only “election” we need be concerned with is to be one of the children of God. That is a pretty predetermined situation for most of us. Some are still not sure what’s going on in life and living, but eventually God will show them the undeniable truth. Praise His Name!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Mosquitoes!!

 Mosquitoes!!

 

Sat outside just a few minutes ago talking to Shona and now find myself covered in bites! Argh! But got to see some clouds coming in with lightning outlining them beautifully! Oh, please let it rain!

 

Prayers for the Leos family and the sale of their house are very appropriate at the moment. Shona really wants her mom to move here, too, so she can watch after her. Wish a small house here close by would come up so she could just move here and be near her family.

 

Asked Jennifer if any of that internet outage had affected their business, but apparently, they have their own servers onsite. Smart stuff for a business. Small businesses are not affected by big, worldwide outages. Glad nothing we depend on is in that category of usage.

 

Have some meat on cooking for the dogs again. Not chicken this time. Cooked some pork the other day that they really liked. Guess it is possible that they get tired of chicken. They really are not that much different from people who get tired of eating the same ol’ same ol’.

 

Have found a series of books to read about a Anglican vicar who solves mysteries. It is both humorous and educational in one sense. England is so very different than out part of the world in some respects. Watching that program about farming on Prime taught me that their government is much more ridiculous about rules and regulations, but just the local customs are much different than ours. Maybe up in the Wyoming and Montana areas where the government claims all the property is just a bit similar to some of the grazing habits of England and Scotland. Marking one’s animals makes a big difference. Granddad Pollard had to brand his cattle because one of his neighbors was happy to claim calves or heifers that managed to get through the fences. He held the T Bar as his brand for years. In England, they mark the sheep with colors! No branding possible on sheep.

 

The old woman refuses to look at the news right now. Have been having some bad flash backs for a bit now, so anything that even vaguely upsets me simply is not worth it. If you see news that makes headlines, unless they have declared a true peace on earth, don’t even bother telling me. God forgive me if sitting here praying for peace and our national unity is all that happens on this side of the hill.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Little Toads!

 Little Toads!

 

Went out to water last night as it was getting darkish. Kept seeing things hopping about and realized it was little toads. Not frogs, mind you! Toads live on land and eat lots of bugs. We have a plethora of toads this year for some reason. NOT griping, mind you! Just think it is so neat to have toads abounding and bounding around my flowers!

 

It’s warm out thar, Dear Hearts! Just went out to put some wheat in a trash can to store it for my hens. Had intended to buy a new bin for the wheat—a metal bin. Those suckers are expensive. Bought a plastic bin to keep in the house to store those two 31 lb. bags of dog food instead. It will be a while before it will be necessary to buy dog food again—at least the kibble. Cooked that .69-a-pound chicken quarters from United yesterday, so the topper for their food is done. Privileged dogs! Wish everyone and their kids could be as well fed. Shucks, the government wanted to pay off tuition when they should be paying for school lunches plus snacks to send home with the kids who need extra help. Our WF food bank tries their best, but not sure if it will ever be enough.

 

Had some extra eggs today and dropped them off at one of the fire stations. Figured those folks might appreciate fresh eggs just as much as others do. Wish it were possible to do more for our first responders, but not sure what it would be.

 

Only bought one thing at Walmart today. My glasses frames are wearing thin on the paint portion and leave icky little tarnish spots on my nose. Not nice. Got a bottle of “Hard as Nails” fingernail polish to put on the spot that is worn. Hoping that will work. No one was in that section of the store to help me, so wandering about was SO much ^fun.^ [The ^ is indicative of sarcasm.] That store has bunches of folks working there, but it does not seem as if any of them actually can recognize a customer. Maybe my clothes were not tacky enough?

 

Have been using some facial cleaner lately, but it seems that my face just does not settle down and appreciate it. Allergies are just disgusting! This is the same stuff that happened to me as a teenager! At least my arms only break out when getting near the squash or okra plants. Well, and picking up a hen or two. Let’s face it; when one is allergic to plants, pollen, animal dander, feathers, and house mites, life is entertaining, to say the least.

 

Patty gave me a container of Tiger Balm and then told me that they make the kind for arthritis as well. So far, the stuff seems to be helping my dumb knee. Can’t combine the best pain relief with the cheaper stuff. What Jennifer found for me works like a charm, but it is $75 for a tiny little jar! Sigh. It makes me wonder how my grandparents dealt with this stuff for so many years.

 

Got tickled at the birthday card that got sent to Nate Snizek by postal service. Some of us like dinosaurs—even when we ARE a dinosaur! My birds are pterodactyls, don’t you see. Well, or Early American dirt pigeons! Whatever. Leanin’ Tree has some of the best cards around—Texas humor. Sutherland’s has the best cards along with the best service. Anyway, by August 1, Nate will have a card in his mailbox. Turning 16 doesn’t happen that often.

 

Sometimes it gets a little difficult to handle life as it comes, but we know we need to be grateful and just keep trying to deal with every emotion and every memory. Trying to find promises is not difficult when we open His book, but opening our eyes to see and listening to that inner voice that tells us we are loved takes some practice. Let us pray for one another that we can hear His voice and see His promises in our lives. May you be blessed with peace.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Roasted Cabbage and Sweet Potatoes.

 Roasted Cabbage and Sweet Potatoes.

 

Din-upper was interesting. Cut a cabbage into three sections, put that on top of sliced sweet potatoes and cooked both in a pan inside the roaster. As Patty reminded me, what did not appeal to me would please the hens immensely! But both the cabbage and potatoes turned out edible. The hens may still get some, but not tonight.

 

Had two pieces of See’s Chocolates. They are so very tasty, but in case you wondered, caramel nougat and false teeth do not go together well. Patience is the biggie for nibbling on that stuff. The nuts are much easier, but even that takes some doing. Still, these things have really been a treat! Bought some of these once upon a time when we were in Seattle on our way to Alaska. Don’t think any of that ever made it home with us. We were able to pick and choose which kind to purchase and bought some with liquor in them.

 

The forecast was for high winds this afternoon beginning about four o’clock. Sure enough. Both dogs just wanted under the desk! Can hear the wind blowing and see the crepe myrtle swaying near the house. Just a difference in the wind can change the weather drastically.

 

Have noticed on FB that many people are suggesting that the American people need to remain calm and kind to others around us. If anything can change what happens in the next few months, it will be up to individuals to make the changes for the better. We are given the spirit of love and of kindness, and it is up to us to exercise that spirit. Let us pray for a change of heart among those who need such a change.

 

Summer has never been my favorite time of year since becoming old enough to realize how freaking hot it can be. Often told my students they could wear a sweater, but the old woman was not going to strip down in the classroom to keep cool. It just does not work that way. But at least one neighbor is enjoying taking her grands to the splash pond and to the movies and other delights of summer. So glad she has that kind of energy! Just going out to water and breaking down cardboard boxes is about enough to make me tired! Don’t miss the body from my twenties, but certainly do miss the energy!

 

Still have not made it to WallyWorld to get a plastic container for the dog food. Can’t decide if it needs to be a round trash container with lid or an oblong lidded box with snap. Sigh. Guess getting the old body over there to look at what is available will come soon enough. Still have not opened even one sack.

 

Arkansas is having flash floods and the folks in the eastern corner are inundated. One nursing home had to be evacuated. Let’s pray for those folks. It is so hard when one gets too old to really be able to help one’s self. May God bless those communities!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Fog Nut Bread!

 Fog Nut Bread!

 

Lance sent a picture of some of the figs he gathered from their tree yesterday. Said he had to figure out what to do with them now. Suggested dehydrated figs, or maybe he could make fig preserves. Then, of course, we could sit back and play Sean Connery and ask for “green figs, yogurt, and coffee, very, very black.” Oh well. He thought maybe fig nut bread might be good. But, of course, his phone has that autocorrect thing on it that decided it should be fog nut bread. Rolling eyes here! Will have to call his oldest and find out what they decided to make with the figs.

 

Since the old woman managed to check some kind of boxes on Amazon, we received TWO big boxes from them of dog food—the 31-lb sacks. So, now need to go get a big plastic trash can to store it. Not ideal, but whatever. The little 8-lb sacks were simply not lasting long enough, so it stood to reason that a larger sack was the best buy. Had no idea they even HAD a 31-lb sack! Oh well. Such is life.

 

Friend Roger brought me several copies of the Clay County Reader. Spent about two hours just enjoying some of the history and the museum notes written by one of our former classmates. It is amazing how much history lies between the Red River and counties west and south of us. One of my great-grands had a place in Jack County that was WAY back in the hills. Went there once upon a time with my parents and grandparents to see the old house and the road that the old man had carved into the side of the hill. When it washed out after a rain, one could have fallen quite a distance down that thing into a gulley. But they seldom had much rain. They had a cistern that caught rain from the roof, but it was dry—well, except for the rattlesnakes. Scary place. And that old woman raised eight boys on that hill!

 

Went out and brought in a couple of squash and regretted not letting the hose soak the little flower bed. Things certainly do look sad without the water. But this heat may let up just a smidgen. Think we might be down to around 95 or 96 degrees today.

 

Sent three dozen eggs home with my friends, Maggie and David Sewell. The hens are still laying despite this heat. But then, they get all kinds of goodies to encourage them. My neighbor Patty had a nearly full half gallon of milk to give them. Can you believe that chickens just love milk? But they really like cottage cheese or any kind of cabbage.

 

Had words with another rat snake the other day and missed killing him. Don’t like killing “good” snakes, but don’t want them eating the eggs and disturbing the hens either! Nature and old women might not get along all that well, but can’t do without the birds, the critters, the trees, and all things living in them. The dogs have their own opinion about the squirrels, but such is life on this hill.

 

Friends in Northeast Arkansas are watching their rivers and creeks overflow and sweep away everything from trees to camper trailers! Diann Dennis lives up there and has family land with wonderful creeks that flow across the land. But they are being inundated with rain in so much excess that it is not safe to cross a creek unless the bridges show completely. Sterling said that his part of NW Arkansas is getting rain, but nothing like the other corner up there in the east. Missouri is having the same storm dropping floods on that side of the border. Of course, rain clouds don’t exactly respect manmade, imaginary lines on a map!

 

Really wish all this election fertilizer were finished so that the suits and swishes could cease the opinionated extravagances and blow by blow “he said, she said.” It would be amazing if anyone of those body parts from the southern region could actually say something kind about even one person without blowing out the gases to decimate the character of someone else. This could be put so much more succinctly, but let’s try to be nice. December should be much better, weather-wise and otherwise.

 

We need desperately to pray for our country and its character. May God forgive us and help us return to His laws.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Unusual Weather?

 Unusual Weather?

 

Nothing really surprises most Texans about our weather. My grandmother once told her friend that it would be about as likely as a blizzard in July if anyone in the family even noticed her birthday. She and Faye Lyons were out in the plum patch at the time and a large front blew in right about then. Sure enough! They had a bit of snow blowing in that storm! It was Grandmother’s birthday—the first day of July when she turned 50 years old! (1956) Well, today in Philadelphia, they had enough hail in a storm that they called it snow. So, there you go!

 

Blake, the lawn guy, came by himself today, so it took him over three hours to cut all the grass and weed eat everything. Feel sorry for him when he does not have a helper. That is a LOT of grass and mowing for one man to do—especially in this heat. But it certainly looks much nicer. Albert Leos has his yard looking spic and span, too. He mowed it like a golf course yesterday. Neat!

 

Supposedly we have a front coming in on Thursday so that things might cool down just a bit. We are expecting the high to be around 95 degrees. Beats 106 for sure! Just won’t mind seeing autumn get here. Could really enjoy some fall rains.

 

Trying not to look at any news. Everything is a bit unsettling. Some of us would like to see a sense of unity and calm, while others seem to find delight in picking things apart. May God forgive us our animosity and help us to have a loving attitude toward others—no matter what. Let us pray for peace.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Rearranging Again.

 Rearranging Again.

 

Dust mopped up enough dog hair to create a new dog this morning. Finally got all the hair swept up and dumped in the waste box, but then decided to completely rearrange the living room again. The rattan furniture is not uncomfortable with extra cushions, so it is now closer to the AC. The TV is back in the very end of the west corner, and the tables are closer to being in useful positions. If Thompson were not already claiming the recliner as “his” chair, the old woman might argue with him, but still really like the Papa San chair. It rocks and is close to the floor, so it is easy to get in and out. Anyway, by the time that was all completed, the vacuum needed to be used on the area rugs. And what is more, it STILL needs to be used. It may wait until later this evening or even in the morning. Some old people get tired rather quickly.

 

Jennifer called this morning and gave me some reasons to pray for my family and their friend Sheila whose mom is in ICU. Doesn’t sound like she will make it unless something just changes drastically. The doctors can only do so much.

 

Let the dogs out a bit ago to do whatever and they found a squirrel. Had to make them come inside before they made themselves sick by staying out in the heat and barking! Crazy critters. It is bad enough that some people have to work in this mess, but no sense getting sick if it can be avoided.

 

The lawn guys will be here—maybe—sometime tomorrow. Can lose Roxy down there in Patty’s grass, and my hens could create new nests easily up here in the east lots full of grass. It would not surprise me to see critters come crawling out of that stuff. Need to call the city about the high grass on the southwest side belonging to the guy next to Jerry’s place. Now that one could easily have rats, bats, and elephants!! Well, according to code enforcement, Tony’s place already had a complaint against it in June, so now it has another against it. If he is not going to maintain it, he needs to sell it. Too bad he did not sell it to Jerry when he wanted to buy it.

 

Had planned to make an appointment with my doctor this week, but now have decided to wait until the weather changes. It is simply too hot to get out on the highway! Don’t really feel that an old woman should run around half dressed in public. At home is one thing, but public is another kettle of fish.

 

Was thinking about making tea all those years ago for Lewis. He absolutely loved iced tea. In this heat, it is just about the perfect beverage for cooling off. He worked in this kind of heat and came home sopping wet with sweat. He would have to peel his clothes off in the afternoon. Not enough that he was coated in dirt and oil, but then to perspire and have all that stuff sticking to him was miserable! Mechanics that work on big tractors should be given their own AC units at work! Guess that would apply to other folks, too. Welders, carpenters, those working cattle. But at least the ranchers protect their cattle by only working early or in cooler weather.

 

We need to be praying for America. It seems to me that instead of caring that all the negative press has caused violence, folks just keep thinking the worst of one another. Whether it is a former firefighter or a housewife, just plain folks are in the sights of such violence when we don’t have any respectful reactions to those in the news. God forgive us!

 

Carol Thonton made it through her surgery just fine, and has taken her sore body home yesterday. Let’s pray for complete and quick healing. Zeke has another procedure today. It is hardly safe to put him under anesthesia, but it is necessary. Please pray for Zeke and his parents. Diann Dennis’ family is having a raffle trying to raise money for Raye’s expenses. She is still going to St. Jude’s hospital, but nothing is easy for her or for the family. Maybe Diann can put a link to the raffle here on Common Sense.

 

Let us remember that of all the powers that exist, only God has the real strength.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Creative Dog Dinners.

 Creative Dog Dinners.

 

Yep, they like scrambled eggs, hamburger meat, chicken meat, and just about anything that the old woman will eat—including cottage cheese. Now, let me tell you that those eggs are less expensive than so many things they could eat. So, dogs get to share scrambled eggs and a bite of bacon each for breakfast some days. Haven’t decided if a trip to United for a sack of thighs and legs will be necessary this next week or not. It is simply too hot to get out and about, Dear Hearts!

 

My sweet neighbors came over to visit and brought some See’s Chocolates to me today. Laisha was wearing the prettiest sun dress. But then, she is so young and cute that she would look good in a potato sack!! Max just got another stripe or whatever for his next rank. If he keeps this up, he will be running things—not that he would want to!! But the kids also said that they would be helping with the Hotter ‘N’ Hell again this year. They work with the medical sag wagons for those who need help. They very sweetly brought squeaky toys for my dogs today. Then they got to watch Sylvia eat a great big chunk out of one. No more squeaky!

 

Other than the fact that it is hotter than a two-dollar pistol, really don’t know anything. Michelle Malay said she did not believe that the wind was moving out her way at all. It is slightly over 5 mph here right now, but it has not eliminated any of the hot, for sure! Summer time has its benefits, but being able to go outside is not one of them. At least we don’t have the horrible smoke that California has right now. We can breathe! Just have to feel sorry for those folks—especially if the fires get into the electric lines.

 

Right now, it seems to me that we should all be praying for peace in this nation as well as around the world. Some of us just have to stay away from the news since nothing has any uplifting or joyful elements to it. And we can only watch so many cute kitten videos. Would love to think that we could just love our neighbors and be as kind as possible to everyone we meet.

 

Am reminded again: God and prayer. We can ask. His answer may not be what we expect, but He will answer.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

God and Prayer.

 God and Prayer.

 

Neighbor Patty called this afternoon. She told me someone took a potshot at President Trump. It figures. Then Sterling reminded me that all we really can trust in is God and prayer. Of all the things that have happened during our lifetimes, we know that most of the things that have happened have had to be allowed by God. The old woman was born the same year that Israel became a nation. And now that nation is struggling with all the international bottom sediments of the greedy nations who surround them. Our entire earth is swirling around in filth and miasma that contaminates every aspect of our lives. The religion that promotes itself from super churches makes one wonder who could actually believe that these institutions are God-sent. You’ve all heard the song about the guy who thought he could buy his way to heaven by sending his money to the man with the big diamond rings. That truly happens still. When was the last time you saw a church out helping those without food or housing? If you find one, it would be worth helping. So many good families need help. And how much are we able to help? If we can’t give food or something to physically help, then we have something just as valuable—our prayers.

 

Noticed that a couple of states have decided to empty their prisons. A women’s prison in Oregon has done everything from serving rancid food to allowing male guards to stand next to women in the showers. Apparently, the pictures of black rats are found in the hallways to warn inmates not to “rat” on the prison or the guards. And in California, they simply cannot afford to keep the prisons open. This could get interesting. As if we did not already have enough crime and criminals, now we have millions of immigrants (illegals) to compound the problems. Sterling said that he wished my residence was closer to him, but it does not matter where we live. Our only protection is in God.

 

No sense getting down about what goes on around us. Some things might make it a bit more difficult to be thankful, but realistically, we are so very blessed. Most of us have been taught moral values from childhood. We know the scriptures that have led us to where we are: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Stick with trusting God and spending time in prayer each day.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Chicken Salad Again!

 Chicken Salad Again!

 

Cooked the last three chicken breasts the other day in the electric roaster. They made a lot of chicken white meat. Some of it was turned into chicken salad this morning along with some chopped pecans, thinly sliced celery, sweet relish, and a big blob of mayo. Patty thought it was pretty good, too. Personally, thought the chicken pieces were a mite too large, but Patty said that Roxy seemed to believe that they were just about perfect. It’s always good to know the dogs approve of one’s cooking! Ahem.

 

Saw something on the internet the other day that amused me. Someone came up with the idea of the ^sarcastrophe^ that stands for sarcasm. Want my daughter-in-law to know about them since she and Lance keep making those kinds of remarks whenever possible. Actually, Jennifer and her cousin Lesli are pretty good at those remarks as well. Sarcasm is a neat way of expressing oneself without being too terribly impolite. Think the British/English were excellent at sarcasm once upon a time. It’s like Jonathan Swift suggesting that the Irish children should be fattened up to be eaten by the British. After all, the children were going to die of starvation anyway since all the potatoes grown in Ireland had to be sent to England. They called that satire back in the day, but so many people are starving to death in various places, it makes me wonder what solutions Swift would suggest today.

 

Dr. Blackwell came for the eggs around lunch time. We stood out in the heat and visited about as long as either of us could stand it. She said she liked my short hair and wished she could cut hers. Mine, with its simple texture, is wash and wear hair. She suggested that hers would look a bit like one of those twirly things on the end of a stick where it bushes out all over. But then, she has some major texture in her hair. Jennifer could tell her about fly-away hair. She has her daddy’s kinky hair. Mine just has waves now as the old woman has aged. At least age has done a few good things for me!

 

Have been reading a series of books about a man whose father left behind an inheritance in England to come to America to marry for love. His son fought in the Civil War and worked as a surgeon and doctor until he was captured and lived through the Andersonville prison for a year. The man who ran the prison was hanged for inhumane behavior to the prisoners, but meanwhile, anyone who survived was damaged bodily and mentally as well. The young man, who became Lord Redmond, survived and took as a ward the surviving little drummer boy for the regiment. The doctor came to England to sell the property he inherited from his grandfather and became friends with a police officer in the village. The doctor saved a young woman and her baby by performing a c-section. Anyway, the doctor and the policeman began solving various murders and crimes. Now both have moved on to London to work there. The doctor wants to teach surgery techniques to young medical students. The books have been interesting and informative. Who knew that cyanide came from apple seeds?!

 

The guys who cut the grass will probably be here on Tuesday. Maybe by then, the old woman can rake up the branches from the Nandinas that grew by the porch. Those branches are going into the bottom of a raised bed—well, that’s the plan anyway. The first raised bed did a crumble right in the middle of the long side, so the braces were totally inadequate. We will see what can be changed about that problem. Just would like to have the thing filled with good soil and capable of growing food. A few watermelons have made me smile currently, but would also like to have cucumbers and other good things. If we have to endure this heat, it should be good for something!

 

Let us remember that this world needs help with the poverty of its masses—those are REAL people who need food and shelter. May we commit to developing ways to help others without taking away their independence. May God bless this world.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

 Scrambled Eggs.

 

Used up about a dozen eggs this morning making scrambled eggs with pepper jack cheese. Pretty good stuff. Of course, most of it was intended for these two dogs. Just wanted to be sure the eggs were used before they got out of date. These were laid the last week in June and needed to be cooked. Thompson does not mind eating eggs or toast or anything of that nature, but sometimes he will wait and try to eat it later. With two dogs, that seldom ever happens. Sylvia is just a bit of a long gut! Anyway, those are all used up and have eggs ready for Dr. Blackwell to pick up tomorrow afternoon.

 

Just finished making some guacamole and putting most of it back in the fridge. Will try to eat most of it by tomorrow since the lemon juice has apparently already been used. Oh well. DARK guacamole is just as good as the light green color—unless it has been left out. That is a no-no! One has to be pretty careful about leaving anything out on the cabinet or table. Food poisoning is not funny!

 

Talking to Lance last night about their “grand dog.” Seems she ate one of the books sent home with him from here. The children had several Disney books, books of fairy tales, and the Dr. Seus books. Their daughter’s dog ate a Disney book, so she looked online and found another copy. He says it does not smell the same as the old one, but it is readable. We laughed then and talked about Jennifer’s favorite book—Hands, Hands, Fingers, Thumbs! It may have been a Berenstain book, not sure. But she carried it everywhere with her. One day, after turning on the oven, a smell told us something was burning. Sure enough, she had “stored” her books in the little broiler door at the bottom of the oven. Rescued the books, but her favorite got a bit browned on the cover. She just took it to her daddy and sat in his lap to have it read to her again! Sweet, sweet memories!

 

While we were dredging up memories, we talked about his blue toad. No, toads are not normally blue, but he caught one under the cucumber vines in the garden and brought it in. It scared the wee out of his mom when he screamed because he thought a snake had him—it was the cucumber vine and the toad just hopped onto his foot. But back then his mom could still jump a chain link fence to get to him. Whew! He brought the toad into my kitchen where Jennifer was sitting at a little table playing with finger paints. Honestly think the paints back then were a higher quality because the color stayed longer—in the case of that toad, it was at least two years. You see, Jennifer said, “See, see!” So, Lance asked and mom nodded and the toad ended up on her little table right in the middle of the blue paint. Lance and mom ended up at the bookcase looking up the difference in a toad and a frog, so when we walked back in the kitchen, the toad was gone! It was not too difficult to find it. Blue splat marks went across the kitchen linoleum. Lance was disappointed that his toad could not stay in the house, but he put it in the flower bed where it would find bugs. The next year he found his toad again and KNEW it was the same one because—you guessed it—the toad was still blue in spaces. Oh, and did you know that toads will eat the canned dog food and the dog will just back off and let it?!

 

Carol goes in for vein surgery tomorrow, so let’s keep her in our prayers along with Zeke, Jacob, Nate, and those dealing with diseases that are too much for nature to heal without help. We may only have God and prayer, but that is more than anything else that can help.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

 

 

Basic Question. And Basic Answers.

 Basic Question. And Basic Answers.

 

What has made you the most grateful in your life? We have many blessings, but what gift of the spirit has made you feel the most blessed?

Well, Carla Beard was gracious enough to tell us that she is blessed and thankful for forgiveness. YES! So necessary to the foundations of peace and happiness.

 

We are blessed in so many areas of life: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. EACH of us has reason to be thankful of for physical blessings: sight, hearing, taste, feeling, speech, and just every aspect of health. We can usually walk, talk, chew bubblegum, listen on the phone, drive, cook, clean, and enjoy life as a human being. Some of us have more mental acuity than others; while some of us have to take that extra minute or hour to figure out the most basic math problem. Being able to read and listen to music or to something we want to hear, that is a major blessing. Some of us are emotionally sound and calm; while others have problems with dealing with any kind of stress or unhappy situations. Then there are the spiritual blessings that we are all given that have made the difference in all other areas of our lives. Yes, forgiveness. Faith that is not based on ourselves but upon God and His promises. The trust that comes from that basic faith—the knowledge that God never breaks a promise. The acceptance of who or what we are NOW that can be changed over time, no matter where we once were.

 

Waking up to hear the birds sing, the chickens squawk, the dogs bark, the neighbors leaving for work, and the day coming to life again with the sunrise is such a blessing to an old woman—to everyone if they are so inclined to notice. Each day we choose what we want to notice and appreciate. It is mostly our choice. And how we perceive problems in a day is also a choice. Happiness or depression can be accomplished—yes, accomplished is the correct word—by our choices. When we have physical pain, it is easier to become depressed, but we have to see ourselves as an entire person and see the best in attitude. We all have days when it would be so much easier to just cry or growl, but we have to realize that it is ONE day in one week in one year. Five years from now, if we are still alive, we may have an entirely different outlook on life. For that matter, tomorrow may be a totally different way of feeling and seeing!

 

Let us pray for one another and all our children that we and they can have the right attitudes about life—with gratitude.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Basic Question.

 Basic Question.

 

What has made you the most grateful in your life? We have many blessings, but what gift of the spirit has made you feel the most blessed?