Strangers a Repost.

 September 30, 2018 ·

This post was from Mesquite Country some years back.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014

STRANGERS

Coming from Texas, I hardly ever meet a stranger—some strange characters, perhaps, but not really strangers. Most Texans whose families have lived here for generations are taught from childhood to treat others as we would want to be treated, so, we don’t meet strangers; we just meet new potential friends.

When we stand in line with others at the store, we sometimes share our views of the weather—at the very least. When we stop to help a motorist, we might share our water, our views on the lack of “relief facilities” on the highway, or, more likely, our common complaint about the heat and dry weather. Life’s common core concerns pretty much have Texans covered, so we never really lack the understanding that others have the same problems as we do.

Defining a stranger for me connects to someone entirely different from the folks we meet. The strangest one for me is the stranger within. Just recently I heard someone tell a group of people that folks who have addictions have an “emotional and mental age stop”—a cease from the maturing process that allows one to learn from experience and find channels of change. I thought about what was said and read some materials on the changes within the brain that occur both in those who are addicted, those who have some shattering experience—with or without associated grief—those who are already prone to some nervous compulsion (OCD or that type of problem), those who are suffering from some type of guilt, and finally, those whose brains have been affected by damage from some physiological source—stroke or accident damage.

I want folks to know right here from the get-go, the business about the brain being “stopped” at certain age or at a certain stage is a stinky pile of male bovine excreta! The documented plasticity of the brain is totally amazing! Even if we have physical brain damage, the brain can recover or at least compensate to be as good as or better than it was before the damage occurred. If we have an addictive “personality” or compulsion, or if we are suddenly confronted with a life altering loss and overwhelmed with grief, or if we have a tendency to look at everything with a negative outlook, we CAN change the way we live and think. ONE tiny little change or even attempt to change can make a huge difference. Every effort is rewarded in one way or another in the brain. Yes, we can have failures, but had failure not been an attempt, we would never have seen the incandescent light bulb! Our brain allows us to attempt, to hope. When we observe even a tiny change in our attitude, we have made progress beyond measure. The brain has developed a new insight that does not simply vanish.

When I look back at the past two years in my own life, I see some of the areas that I have not really challenged. I still do not like to be around crowds of people and still have little panic attacks when put on the spot to “participate” in group settings. Sometimes those attacks result in some pretty stupid comments or even actions. Maybe that will change in time or maybe it won’t. It does not really matter as long as I can be comfortable within myself and live with who I am. But thinking about how grief has affected me has caused me to think about how guilt and other problems can affect any of us. Guilt feelings can condemn us to hell and back because we may never be able to change any of the circumstances either of the past or what will happen in the future. I call this trying to live with the “if onlys” and “probably should haves.” For instance, I can’t go back and see to it that my little baby has the hospital care she needed right after birth for her to have a chance to live. That situation is a done deal. And if her death is partly my fault for not demanding better care, then nothing I feel about it can make a difference now. So, all I can do is ask God for peace. If I need forgiveness for my lack of active participation in her care, then THAT forgiveness is assured.

Everyone who finds this stranger within can see that we don’t really know ourselves as well as we think we do. We all have a tendency to feel that our problems are ours alone and that those will be with us always! God tells us otherwise. We are told that a day will come when there will be no tears. “He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces. The rebuke (blame) of His people He will take away from all the earth; for the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 25:8

Won’t it be glorious not to feel guilt or condemnation! A stranger will live within us—already DOES—who will feel unbelievably happy and free! All we have to do in the here and now is take the tiny little steps to building a foundation for changing our thoughts. Little actions, little beliefs, little hopes will allow us to make the eventual changes that will make our lives better. For me, some of the first steps began with buying clothes that I really liked with a little “bling” to them. Then I took a couple of huge steps—two trips, one to the Hill Country with a friend, and then a trip to the East Coast with another friend. And now I have been to Europe with my daughter and have driven—by myself—to see my brother in Arkansas. I used to think that I could only go somewhere if my husband were with me or at least be where he could get to me if I needed him. He was my balance and my safety net. After his death, I could still hear his voice telling me what I should do, but now I listen more carefully to my own inner voice. Oh, Triple A and GPS help me get to places and feel safer on the trips, but to tell the truth, I know a better source of help is with me all the time. I have heavenly access 24/7 and don’t even need a phone to get in touch. And if I get a bit off balance now and then and become obsessive over some neighborhood situation, I ask for help as soon as I realize that my mind is making something out to be more than it is in reality.

Finally, let me just assert that I don’t plan on being “stuck” at any stage or plateau of emotional or psychological development. That part of my brain that gives me free will may see me revert back to fear and timidity once in a while, but overall, I can make the changes in my life that I want—even small changes. I can learn to love the stranger who lives within me, the one who wants me to be free and happy with life.

SOUND Sleep!

 SOUND Sleep!

 

Woke up a little after 3 a.m. as usual, but guess who just fell right back to sleep! Think the old woman’s body needed the rest. The arthritis pills might have made a difference, too. The dogs were snuggly last night as well. Thompson did not even ask to be let out, but Sylvia wanted out around 5:30. She came right back to bed and snored! Funny dog. Love my critters.

 

Two different people posted that they had received “friends” requests on FB yesterday. It made me wonder if my account really had been hacked. Tried to think of a different password that no one would consider but that my feeble mind could remember. Upper- and lower-case letters combined with numbers and a character from the upper reaches of the keyboard seem to work for most things, but then remembering why and what. Whoo boy! Some things just irritate the crud right out of me, and having to change my passwords is one of them. Guess it will get done today no matter what. Jennifer gave me a password book since she might need to know those things—plus, her mother’s memory is semi-strange. Still can’t remember what happened to the sharp shooter used last week. Good thing another one is in the workshop.

 

Gregg took the bucket of weird nails, screws, antique faucet handle, strange nuts and bolts, and assorted metal junk that made me feel totally unorganized. Despise those things that don’t have “normal” Phillips or straight edge ends for screwing into things. Thought yesterday that a rearrangement of the chicken ladder might help in the front coop. Still have not made any progress on that endeavor, but maybe today.

 

Have been listening to short sermons every day by a man called Trent something or other. It is not the man who is so inspiring, but the situations he recalls or reminds us about in real life. So much of my parents’ lives was accompanied by prayer. They even had a car called “Old Hope So” because they felt that it only got where they were going when they prayed and said that they hoped they would get where they were going. Can’t even tell you how many of their grands have used that old Chevy to get somewhere. Think it may run on prayers still. My life feels as if it is still under the shining cloud of some of my parents’ prayers. And now my children—grands and all—have no idea how many prayers are given each day for them and their friends. For instance, a friend of Jenn and Gary’s has her mother at home under Hospice. Sheila has no idea how many prayers have been sent above for her and her mom, but she, too, is one of my “children.”

 

Read an article earlier about some parents in another country whose 15-year-old daughter was taken from them because they did not think the puberty blockers she wanted to take were good for her. She wants to be a boy. While that may be what she feels like in her head or in her desires, the drugs that she wanted to take could cause all kinds of problems. Anyway, it feels stupid to take the child away from her loving parents who were otherwise ok with her wanting to be a boy. Hello! Many women would like to be able to avoid some of the changes that make us into women! But drugs or surgeries to change folks into one or the other may cause more problems than anyone could imagine. It seems we are never really all that satisfied with what God has created.

 

Made a short pot of coffee this morning—short meaning barely four cups. Not sure this day can even begin to get started with only coffee. A good kick in the derriere might help, but that is not likely to happen since the dogs can’t reach that high! Guess the living room will just have to be the only room to get vacuumed and scrubbed today. We will see.

 

While the world is busy trying to blow up different parts and cities, let us concentrate for now on the devastation right here at home. God lets us have these horrible storms, but we need to do something to keep folks safe and high above such floods as the South is having currently from this latest hurricane—especially since it seems another is on its way! With all the innovative ways homes can be made from semi-indestructible materials, surely, we can come up with container homes or something along those lines where people can live and be protected from the elements. Maybe so many of those containers that go on ships can be temporarily put in areas to house folks until something more permanent can be constructed. The infrastructure has been wiped out in more than one place because of the destruction of water pipes, electrical grids, and sewer lines. These are just the basics of any community, so those things need to be re-located and given priority for rebuilding any area. Wood does not hold up to 130 mph winds. Nothing except metal and heavy bricks will withstand hurricane forces. And a flood is impossible if a home or any building is directly in its line of fire. Common sense and some innovations would go a long way to helping these communities. Meanwhile, let us pray diligently for those who have lost homes, animals, but mostly their friends and family members. May God comfort them and give them peace.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

More Repairs.

 More Repairs.

 

Gregg and Vickie came this afternoon and finished repairing the drain lines near the back gate. The poison put down for the fire ants did the trick, so Gregg did not have to fight off the mean little so ‘n’ so’s! He then put down the bags of dirt that had been out front waiting for another raised bed garden. That dirt worked just fine to cover the drain lines! Then he took out a screw that the old woman had managed to get part way into a shovel handle. Gregg showed me how to do it right with his drill and some different screws. Now that shovel is repaired. It is SO nice to have someone to call on for help!

 

Did not feel much like eating anything today, but by this evening had the hankering for something like nachos or whatever. Stopped by Taco *ell and bought something that had lots of cheese in it. Still not sure what it was, but you can bet it will be a good case of indigestion! Oh well.

 

Lance said that he went to Harbor Freight and bought some kind of shredder for small branches. Think maybe a trip over there tomorrow might bring home one if it will take things like sunflower stalks and small branches. Have the ideal spot to make a bed of shredded wood and such. Had planned to have a compost heap on that spot, but the hens had other ideas. We will see if putting a bit of chicken wire around it might make a difference—or not.

 

This has been a good afternoon for just resting. The dogs agreed, but they wanted on the bed with me. Guess it is now “our” bed. Lots of folks sleep with their critters, but know my mom would have had a fit if an animal slept in our house unless it was a dog on an old rug in the kitchen. As it was, she made me put the saddle blanket out in the barn because my room smelled just like a sweaty horse. The saddle still got to stay in my room, but not the saddle blanket.

 

The news is still horrible. The damage from Helene has extended to states beyond Florida, but the folks have not been able to renew any home insurance because of the last hurricane. And now with dams breaking and flooding entire towns, it makes me wonder how in the world those folks can continue to live anywhere near any creek, river, or lake if 30 inches of rain falling within a matter of hours can totally inundate a place! No one would be likely to foresee this kind of flooding. Even a hospital had to be evacuated when it was surrounded by flood water! Wonder what kind of structure it would take to avoid floods or landslides from mountains! Guess it is about time for some architects to get busy and find some answers. Can’t think that FEMA house trailers could possibly be an answer. Then, too, another hurricane seems to be building toward the warm waters coming up from Mexico. Not just one storm at a time being enough to throw folks for a loop; now we have more than one coming! The only thing that seems certain is that we need to pray for these people, their animals, and the folks who are trying to rescue them.

 

Then, just to make the entire world bobble a bit, Israel is blowing holes in Lebanon. Not that the Hezbollah don’t deserve it. But Iran has the bomb, Dear Hearts. So does Russia. It is a toss of the dice as to which will be the first to use it. Well, or China. Crazy world we live in.

 

The old woman is sore from lifting and pushing hay bales around. And yes, she knows whose fault that is. Should have waited and let Gregg arrange those things. Told Mary and John that any hay they needed to get rid of would be welcome here, however. Read an article about gardening with hay instead of trying to dig a real garden. It would be worth trying if the hay costs nothing. Might have to hold it down with something on those days when the wind is blowing a gale on this hill. But still, can’t imagine trying to dig in the dirt any longer. One knee aching is one too many already!

 

Talked to Sterling this afternoon. He still has the creeping, coughing crud, but is just hoping that Jacqui does not get the mess. He has made and either given away or sold 30 rocking chairs—people sized. No telling how many little kids’ rockers he has made, but at least as many as the big ones. He is so talented. Just wish his sister had any talent like that! Sigh.

 

It seems hard to realize that this year is just speeding right along like a Mustang on a Texas roadway. Well, my granddaughter would say it is more like her little red car. Have no idea what brand it is, but it must be fast. Just hope she stays safe in all that traffic down there. Our year is like that too—fast and somewhat unnervingly dangerous in some ways. But the days will always move along until the last great day. You know the one. He will reign. No more tears; no more sorrow.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Two Showers!

 Two Showers!

 

It has not made me extra clean, but the old woman took two showers so far today. The first one was entirely perspiration! Had to PEEL my clothes off! But got the eleven bales of hay placed on the back drain line! Still have some bags of dirt to move since my feeble mind decided to wait until next year to put together this last raised garden bed. Those bags may be enough to completely cover that line. Cooler weather (think ice to the max) seems quite appealing at the moment. The wind whipping across the lake about January may change my tune!

 

Did you know that you can cook a ribeye in the air fryer? Makes sense, doesn’t it! Have cooked salmon in there, so beef is not the least bit of a problem. Medium-well throughout was just perfect. The two dogs got to have some pieces of fat, but for the most part, the old woman has had her steak for the month! Back to chicken, tamales, ramen, and veggies!

 

Thompson’s arthritis pills came from Sam’s this morning. Thought it was close to $160, but it was $134 for the 60 pills. That will enable him to keep jumping up on my bed. Ahem. No, it does not matter if the second dog jumps up there, but it does get crowded when they start playing early in the morning!

 

Wanted to tell you a little story about a six-year-old girl. She was just a wee bit different. She was good to mind her parents and loved to play in the dirt without needing to be watched. But she was supposed to start school when her mom went to work and the family had to hire a babysitter. Well, the babysitter was supposed to walk the little girl to school each day. The little girl was easily distracted, so the day the babysitter stopped to talk to her friend, the little child went to look at the crow in the cage. When she thought about her babysitter, that girl was gone already. The little girl walked half a block back to her home. She sat on the front porch and cried because she did not know how to get to school. The sweet old neighbor lady saw the child, comforted her, and then loaded her up and took her to school. The child had a new babysitter the next day.

Now in those days, it was not too uncommon for a child not to talk much (be seen, not heard)! And terms like ADD, ADHD, and autistic did not even exist. Children were either good and sharp, or bad and dumb as dirt. Now, the mother of this child could not understand while the child could not remember why she was sent to the store. Then one day the mother was sewing and needed something from the little store. The child went to the store and told Mr. King (the owner) that Mom needed “ricochet.” Mr. King, smart guy that he was, asked the child what Mom was doing. “Sewing, and she needs some ricochet!” Taking the child over to the sewing section, Mr. King asked, “Does it look like any of this stuff?” Well, sure enough the child picked out the rick rack for sewing.

 

Now the girl was not dumb as dirt, but short-term memory was almost non-existent. She could read before she began school, but the concept of tying her shoe laces was totally out of the question. And remembering TWO items to pick up at the grocer’s meant that she had to repeat: “bread and milk,” until she arrived—and then sometimes forgot as she stepped through the door!

 

The point of this story is that we should not label children as slow, dumb, autistic, or whatever term suits your prejudice. We ALL learn differently—and sometimes differently from a time in our past even! The old woman should probably make a list for every destination, but so far—if the list does not contain more than three items—making a list has not helped—probably because it got left on her desk. Just a reminder here: don’t label me forgetful or dingy, and don’t label any child something that would bother him or her.

 

We need to pray steadily that the storm surge, the high winds, and the damage to buildings and other things that we can mention, but most of all, let us pray for the protection and rescue of all the people and their critters in Florida and other states affected by this hurricane.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Sweet Friends.

 Sweet Friends.

 

Came home today to a paint job (plus) that Roger did for me, and then my friend Michelle came this afternoon and spent some time just visiting with me. No one would understand what it is like to be “alone” the way a widow ends up, but Michelle understands. And Roger is a friend from back when we were just kids running around in that little Podunk town north of WF. While Michelle was here, my son called and we both enjoyed listening to him. He had no idea that Michelle had a “job” for him in mind, but Lance laughed, so maybe it was not too much of a surprise to him. Think he has about decided that the only purpose of a son is to manage the things a mom can’t get done otherwise! To tell the truth, the silly jobs don’t matter at all compared to having him call and tell me he loves me!

 

The hens are still slacking off on the egg laying thing, but at least they got a few out today. Sent some home with Michelle, but will have to encourage the girls to get with it if they expect to have any sent home to my kids anytime soon. Have told these girls that they are getting prime feed and that they need to appreciate all that good stuff. They do seem to prefer to jump up on the bench and help me with cereal and milk or whatever—even if it is just coffee! A hen high on caffeine! Wow!

 

Honestly have thought so much today about the folks who live in Florida. It doesn’t seem to matter where we live; nature has her ways of making life interesting! But when the winds hit 130 mph, it is plum scary. Let’s pray for those who can’t get away from where they live. May their animals be protected as well. Things are expensive, but generally can be replaced. Lives and the loving creatures are totally different. May God bless those in the path of this storm.

 

All over the world, we are seeing threats and battles and more violence. If Satan had his way, we would all be wiped out or at least decimated down to only those who would follow his evil intents. It is up to us to look to our heavenly Father and follow His son Jesus Christ in a manner that makes a clear distinction between hatred and love. Let us pray, give thanks for His mercy, and attempt to show love for our fellow man.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

What Are the Things You Like to Do?

 What Are the Things You Like to Do?

 

Had reason to ask a young woman today about the type of things she liked to do. She needed to think for a minute or two, but she finally started talking about some of the things she enjoyed: dancing and reading were two things, but she did not sound the least bit enthused about anything. Have never seen someone whose outlook was so totally bland and featureless. When she walked up to the porch, it was obvious that something was truly wrong, but of course, the old woman had to ask and have her sit down and talk to me. Don’t know if anything we said or even prayed about helped her, but it strikes me that this entire world has so much on its shoulders these days. She didn’t know where her Bible was, so she took one from my bookcase. The print in mine has to be giant sized these days, so that book won’t go amiss. And maybe it will help her if she reads it just a bit.

 

It strikes me that this world is hungry. Oh, we need food for starving and growing kids and such as that, but we also need spiritual food desperately. Not everyone is going to sit down with one of us old folks and pray, but perhaps just an encouraging word given to someone whose face does not show even a shadow of hope might help the entire person, family, city, and so forth. This particular person said she grew up in poverty. Some of us barely have enough money to keep fuel in the car, but we are so very rich in other ways. We know that we are loved and that He promises to bless us until our cups runs over. May we each be an encourager for those who need this kind of food.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Go Thy Way, Daniel.

 Go Thy Way, Daniel.

 

Sometimes it just feels as if my understanding of what is written in the Bible is just lacking both in reading and in praying. Decided to re-read the book of Daniel again. Oh, the first part makes so much sense to me. The stories we read as children about Daniel and the lion den or his friends who were thrown in the furnace are so understandable. Those miracles are not the least bit hard for me to believe or understand. God was proving a point, not only to Daniel and friends, but to the rulers of that land. But then get to about chapter seven in Daniel and my head swirls. Apparently, Daniel had his own swirly experiences out of some of the things he was told or saw in visions. He was told that the words “are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” Sometimes it just feels as if we might be trying to walk through an episode of the Twilight Zone in this crazy world. Certainly, we can see some things that are just as the Bible has prophesied: Dan.12:4 “…many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Oh, thinking of what AI can do and how that might seem to be great when producing knowledge. But it looks as if the wicked will continue to do wickedly until God gets ready to finish His work. Hope that faith and trust in God can give us wisdom to carry on no matter whether understanding comes with age or not. Must be plenty of others out there wishing something similar or all these commentaries would not have been written over the years.

 

It got a bit warm today, but nothing is all that bad if a person can sit out in a breeze and enjoy listening to the hens and the wild birds. Almost all the laundry is dried, folded, and put away, so at least something got accomplished today. No, have not started on the floors yet, but it is on my mind at least. Two dogs, one little rain of only an inch of rain makes for interesting patterns of paw prints on the floors. Ah, sweet dogs! My life would not be nearly as interesting without them.

 

Shona came over today and was talking about the school and her son and how she feels he needs more help from the teachers. No schools here are all that great—never have been—but they do have some classes that youngsters can take that are beyond the skills of the parents. My grandsons got to take cooking classes in high school (Mansfield and Ft. Worth) and both of them really enjoyed those classes. Think we have some kind of vocational school here in WF that might make it worth while for any student, but have no idea how old the child has to be or anything about the classes. And the one really good private school here has a tuition that would just about break the bank! No answers from this old woman. Teaching is one thing, but dealing with what the state wants from students is something else. Things have changed dramatically in the years since my children were in public school.

 

Recently found some meals called “Tastee Choice” that remind me somewhat of the Voila meals. Don’t remember what the price was for this meal, so comparisons for price are beyond me at the moment, but the amount and taste was very good. Anyway, trying to find something easy and quick that does not require making a barrel and a half of stuff to put in containers to freeze is my purpose in looking at these meals in the freezer section. Eventually, but without hurrying, maybe something will work out that will be healthy and not terribly expensive. Cooking for one person is not all that much fun, Dear Hearts. Guess there are plenty of men and women who could attest to that idea. It will work out. Promise not to become the “tuna fish” queen!

 

My granddaughter called this morning and sent me pictures of the prettiest little red car. Can’t remember what she called it, but it has no backseat. The dogs can ride back there, but not a person. Think she did that on purpose. She sent a picture of a little yellow car made from those plastic blocks—oh, you know the kind every child leaves in the floor when building things! Anyway, her parents gave her one of those cars made of blocks for Christmas last year! She just now got her real car, and it is R E D—which is funny since her initials are RED. Funny!

 

All kinds of “working” plans for this week, but not sure what might get done. Gregg and Vickie will be back Saturday to finish up the plumbing issue. Noticed that Sutherlands has a 12,000 btu (whatever that means) AC and heater thing for $500 on sale. Not sure if it is 110 electric or 220. Guess that would really make a difference. Just know that the little AC unit here in the living room did not quite have enough “ump” to cool that room this summer. Oh well. Life goes on. At least it tried to cool things down.

 

Let us try to be as patient as possible with others and even ourselves as these next few months come along with all the rhetoric and hogwash. Sooner or later things will either blow up or blow over. Meanwhile, keep your doors locked and your .357 loaded and handy.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

 

 

Fence Mending AGAIN!

 Fence Mending AGAIN!

 

Was standing on the deck looking out at my hens in the east lots when it became apparent that Thompson was NOT inside the fenced area. Dadgumitall! That dog can find places that are no bigger than a rabbit and go right through the fence. Took about 25 feet of chicken wire down there and worked until it seemed relatively “hole” free. Got soppy wet from working on my knees and sweating profusely. Had to take my glasses off and slip ‘em inside a pocket on the side of these pants. Just LOVE cargo pants with all the pockets along the legs. Anyway, may have to go pick up some more chicken wire to work on the road side of the east lots, but need to go to Sutherlands anyway for more of that purple stuff to put on the plumbing pipes.

 

Roger told me the other day that they tore down Mrs. Pitts house up the street from Mom and Dad’s place. Of course, seems someone has already built a house where the old garden was next to her house. But when they tore her house down, they left the great big slab of concrete where Jeanene Wilson and the old woman used to play with tennis balls. Mrs. Pitts was so sweet about letting us play out there on her porch. Know she did not get along with just anyone, so it was nice that she was so good to us.

 

Yesterday when Stephen was here to bring the wagon handle back, it occurred to me that God had truly blessed me when my life led to two especially difficult traumas. Some of the problems involved the loss of a child before she could ever come home from the hospital, but the other was out and out PTSD from witnessing my child’s death. Even so, both situations were not “ongoing” traumas in the sense that they were not repeated events like dealing with spiteful family or other situations over which no one has control. When we deal with other people and their problems, the only true control we have is how we let their problems affect us. OUR reaction is central to that kind of problem.

 

When the old woman left home to stay with Jennifer and her family, it felt as if the work that was needed to regain my emotional balance was pretty much my own problem. So, some research on the internet helped with descriptions of “cognitive behavioral therapy.” The idea is that we look carefully at how things are affecting us and how we can develop a different perspective on the problems. Let me tell you: it ain’t easy. But it is a step toward a solution to panic attacks, deep depression, and dealing with flash backs. We cannot change the past. But we can reframe the problems with fewer instances of feeling as if we should have, could have, might have done something differently. Life is not our fault. Our perspective is not always easy to change or evaluate for clarity and veracity. And nothing happens quickly when pain is involved.

 

Meanwhile, we are promised that in God’s kingdom things will have changed: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev. 21:4 Praise God!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Cereal and Milk!

 Cereal and Milk!

 

Cereal and milk for breakfast and cereal and milk for supper with laziness in between. Yes, deboned the chicken for the dogs and helped John unload the ten bales of hay from Mary’s truck, but just don’t have the energy to do much else. Some days are just like that. At least was able to send eggs home with John and Mary.

 

We got some rain that fell suddenly and left us hoping for much more all night. Anything wet right now can’t hurt!

 

Visited with Patty for a bit and then Stephen came over to bring the welded handle for the older wagon. He was telling me about the new grocery store coming to town that might accidentally have better prices. He also told me that Walmart plans to start charging us for using their teller-less check outs. Guess you might think that the old woman would just accept that sort of charge. Guess again. Will start patronizing Aldi’s entirely if that sort of thing continues.

 

The hens decided to hide their eggs inside a roll of chicken wire out in the long coop. About eight eggs came out of that house yesterday! Silly hens. Used some of that roll of wire to lay over a fire ant nest so poison could be put down to kill the ants. Really despise those ants! Have to be extra careful with the poison because of the hens. The dogs are not that dumb.

 

Looks as if Thompson is going to have to have a new dog bed—one like my mattress. His old bones need the softness plus support—just like the old woman. He can still manage to jump on my bed, so it will wait, but he will undoubtedly need his own soon. Sad to have to buy special beds for critters, but then, they are loved just as much as we can possibly give them. Beds and all!

 

Roger called today to see if maybe he could take me to the wake for Jane Monday afternoon. Right now, it is all this old woman can do to keep her back straight and her head up. September makes me think of Hanan. And other things. Told Stephen never to think of doing the final step ever again! It hurts others so very much. Plus, it just is not a reasonable resolution. No matter what kind of bovine feces other people throw at us, it washes off if we can’t duck fast enough. Life is for living, not for throwing away.

 

You know, God gave us His mercy through Jesus Christ. We owe our future, our present to His goodness and love. Gratitude is what we need to work on every day, even the days that start out so sad we want to cry. Stupid things are spoken by those who can’t put themselves in your place, but remember that only God knows our heart. Let God be our judge in all things. Work on loving kindnesses toward others first and foremost.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Pulling the Blankets Over My Head.

 Pulling the Blankets Over My Head.

 

Ok, my daughter just introduced me to project 2025 and some of the garbage in that interesting document(s). Sounds like rural America is going to the dogs; women don’t own the rights to their own bodies (not sure they ever have, understand); and the tax system is just another type of give me, give me, give me. She was concerned that we would be going backwards toward the 50s when women were unable to have credit cards, bank accounts, or ownership of properties, but that particular part did not come up in the area presented on the fact checker site. Honestly, America has done some pretty dumb things and folks have come up with some “solutions” that are almost worse than the problems, but from what was posted online, this is one project that needs a ditch. Sometimes it is an actual relief to believe that the old woman won’t be around much longer.

 

Now, all that worrying mess put aside, reading in Galatians today reminded me that we have a certain mindset to work on: Gal. 5:14-15. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (14) But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. (15) Democrats and Republicans or Independents or whatever! Don’t stand around and lie about each other and find fault unless it can be truly proven by testimony of two or more. Listen. Think. “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Eph. 4:31-32

 

If our lives were lived in truth, in being capable of giving our word and not being duplicitous, we would be a stronger nation. Unless we turn as individuals to God’s truth and His way, we as a people, as a nation, will fall. May God forgive us!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

All Kinds of Intentions.

 All Kinds of Intentions.

 

Sometimes we decide we will do whatever come morning or at a given time, and then that time gets here and the notion to do those things just goes by the wayside. Well, away they went! Hardly accomplished anything at all today. Guess that makes up for getting three or four things done yesterday. Then too, the hens must have had the same notion or one similar because today three eggs were in the nests. Now that is what you can call lost intentions! Nineteen hens and three eggs is a pretty poor showing for all that feed brought home yesterday! Oh well. It is still too dadgummed hot to mess with laying eggs or much anything else.

 

Messing around on FB earlier today and noticed that Karen Snizek was having a hissy fit about a driver who was somewhat disrespectful of her. Come to find out, he was ‘a callin’ her “Darlin.’” Now even in the South, we say Miss Whoever rather than Darlin’. See, Darling is a sweet term that can be taken more than one way. But these folks were in NYC—the big apple(sauce) where the medical centers abound and the noise is just a regular disastrous background. Told Karen she and Nate could celebrate getting back on their train and going to a quiet, peaceful place like Vermont. That guy was going to have to return to all the honks and wailing sirens. Vermont: would love to see that place, but would not want to have to drive through the big cities to get there. Maybe a Piper Cub or something along those lines would be a good way to travel. Anyway, Karen and Nate are probably back at home by now, and she has undoubtedly told her family about the silly person who wanted to call her darlin’ instead of Ma’am.

 

Just got a message from Gregg and Vickie to say that they would be here to work on the drains tomorrow afternoon. That means anything else can be done early in the morning before they come in the afternoon. Days still take planning even if my body does not always agree with my intentions.

 

Guess that stupid brace will go back on my “favorite” knee again. Feel a bit strangled wearing it, but the silly knee simply does not want to do what it is supposed to do. Rather not use a cane ‘cause you can bet the old woman would start to lean that direction! The hips get sore enough as it is, but giving in to one side or the other is not going to help that situation. Ah! The joys of getting older. Guess it is better not to gripe. Just look at all the folks who never make it past fifty!

 

When reading in the book of John, a couple of things stand out about human nature. Of course, the Jews did not want Pilate to label—in any language, much less all three in use at the time—that Jesus was king of the Jews. Yes, He WAS indeed, king of the Jews. He was king of kings, but of course, He let Pilate do the naming at the time. Don’t you know that those disgusting religious leaders were totally upset by that placard above His head! What does it say about the Jews when their king is crucified? And THEY chose to have him put to death, not Pilate!

 

Then there is an obvious bit of conflict between Simon Peter and John. Maybe we would call it a rivalry? Not sure. But as John wrote that he was the disciple whom Jesus loved, it made it pretty clear that if a favorite was among them, it was John. Now when they went to the tomb, John stooped down and looked inside. Not Peter. Ol’ Gung Ho went straight inside the tomb. It really did not matter, but it shows a tendency to be the first to say, “I was IN there. I saw the empty tomb!” Yes, John went in after Peter, but it makes me think that he was hesitant to enter for whatever reason. Then comes some interesting ways that people take things too far to be realistic. Jesus told Peter that he would be led around where he had to go whether or not it was where he wanted to go. When Jesus told Peter that, he seemed somewhat affronted and wanted to know what would happen to John. Don’t you just love the answer Jesus gave: If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me. In other words, what is it to you? Just do as you should in the work set for you!

 

John took time to point out that Jesus had NOT said that he (John) should not die. Of course, things that Jesus said have often been taken out of context—that is nothing new to the human understanding.

 

Well, just spoke with an old friend from Petrolia school days. His twin sister Janie died yesterday morning, so the old woman needs to go post the information on the Route 66 Group. Let us remember our friends from our youth and never leave those memories to chance. God gave us our youth and the experiences for our growth. Our parents wanted us to be good kids, and it seems to me that it worked out for all of us that way. May we all be a blessing to others in our lives.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Hip, Hip, Yeah!

 Hip, Hip, Yeah!

 

Shona and Albert will sign the final papers on the sale of their home in Childress today. Praise God! Know this has been a major worry for them. Now if they can just get AJ back on his feet and the strep throat handled, everyone will undoubtedly be much happier. Shona said AJ is beginning to move around, so maybe he is on the mend.

 

Got a real night’s sleep last night. Rachel told me she buys something from GNC that helps her sleep all night without feeling groggy the next day—not melatonin. Will ask her later what she is using. Sleep is so freaking necessary, especially if you really want to get something done the next day. Having a stuffy head is one thing, but having a head throb is just miserable. Probably allergies.

 

Went outside to check for eggs and see if the black snake is back in the coop—refuse to kill a black snake! Anyway, the hens led me to another leak in the drain pipes going around the house, so a message to Gregg and Vickie was sent. Maybe they will come on Saturday to get it repaired. Watched him repair the last leak and was so glad he knew what he was doing. It does not appear to be that difficult, but it is still better to have it done by someone who knows what the hey they are doing. Plus, he can get down on his knees to do things.

 

Noticed the middle coop needs to be cleaned out again, but the pollen is over eleven points (on a scale of twelve) and it is nice and hot outside, so that is going to just have to wait for a bit. Can just see trying to get my head to stop bothering me while sneezing from DE and feathers! Maybe my mind will change if the wind does! And they say some of us women are fickle!

 

Ok, major work finished—well, not the cleaning of the coop, but other stuff that matters. Picked up some things for Patty, went to Sutherlands for plastic pipes, went to feed store for two lay crumble, one wheat, one 50 lb sack of sunflower seeds and one Dublin cherry limeade! Drank the cherry limeade and unloaded the feed in the bins and then went down to Patty’s to sign some papers and take her things to her. Roxy just had a dancin’ fit to be petted! That dog! She needs a bath and a good brushing. My two dogs shed hair, but she just explodes with the stuff!

 

Patty was telling me that Donny’s niece is going through menopause and suffering with hot flashes. Well, welcome to the world of older women, stray chin hair, aches in weird places, and headaches that don’t make a bit of sense! This woman also is somewhat anemic, so the doctor was going to have her take iron infusions. Come to find out, there is a worldwide shortage of saline solution. How crazy is that? That stuff is used every day in so many different situations. Simply can’t imagine. Maybe when we get older the bone marrow just does not make enough red blood cells to keep up with the number we lose every day in the circulation race. The saline is supposed to help whatever is needed in the blood to make up for losses that occur naturally.

 

Every year at Passover time, we used shallow pans and our own towels to wash one another’s feet as Christ did for His disciples. Back then, those who could not get down on their knees were allowed to sit sideways in their chairs as another woman (or a man in the case of the men in the other room) put her feet up one at a time to be washed. Think this old woman could still get down on her knees as long as there is something handy to use to lift her up again. The whole idea is that we should be willing to help others and clean their feet with the same mercy that Christ showed toward His disciples. That mercy comes in lots of ways for us today—from the simplest to the more profound. Mercy sometimes is just allowing someone else to go in front of you—in the car, in the store, in other situations. And sometimes that mercy means helping others in ways that they may never even notice. This is not the Passover season, but mercy has no season, Dear Hearts. We may just need to keep quiet when someone else expresses their disgust about a situation or candidate. It may be very difficult to remain quiet, but it helps absolutely no one to throw things back at them in disgust. When common sense doesn’t work, there is a good reason. Some folks have been blinded. Our own vision is given to us through His mercy. Remember to stick with quiet kindness. And have FAITH that God is working out what He directs here below.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

The Trials of Life and Living.

 The Trials of Life and Living.

 

Can’t think of too many things that Christ dealt with that were much worse than the lies the Jewish leaders concocted against Him. Well, yes, they put Him to death, but that death was foretold many years before He was ever born. It seems so many of the things that happened to Him were just as the scriptures said that they would be. He was not accepted by the people with whom He grew up. Think about that. Today we are so easily hurt by our parents and even friends who don’t accept us. No, I don’t understand much about the folks who have decided that they are cats or other animals, but we could probably accept that those ideas are somewhat aberrations. All Christ said was that He was the son of God. Sure enough, it would not surprise me to hear someone today make the same claim. After all, we know that the great deceiver will do something along those lines. Still, it makes me realize when reading the Bible that the man who was Jesus knew what it was like to be rejected—by His family and by those with whom He was most familiar. Today, not that anyone cares about my opinion, rejecting how people think of themselves is just unnecessary. Whatever people are is beside the point. When dealing with people, it is not how they look, how they dress, how they talk or any of the outward ways we might consider others. The outside or the persona that people present is not nearly as important as the character of a person. We have a job: to love others as God loves us. Let us pray that we will approach our job with the right attitude.

 

Ok, many little and big things on my mind today. My neighbor’s son has strep throat, a very dangerous infection. This old woman has heart damage due to that mess from childhood, so we can be assured that it is no small thing to get it under control quickly before it can damage internal organs. Let us pray for AJ. And meanwhile, let us pray for Shona to be able to care for him as well as her family. It is so difficult to lose sleep and worry about little ones.

 

My friend Mark Ogle’s twin sister is on Hospice today. She is in a coma and is not expected to live much longer. He came by today and talked about her and their brother they lost a few years ago—Bud. Bud’s wife is in a nursing home, and Mark is taking care of their four donkeys and pets. Let us remember Jane Ogle’s family in our prayers.

 

Roger Thonton came to “help” me today and carted off the pieces of this new little cart to put it together for me. It is lovely and will work like a charm. Have to love friends like Roger and his sweet wife Susan. Had to show him the furniture that Sterling has made for me and the pantry that he made. Sterling said he did not want anyone to admire that pantry too much because he certainly did not plan on making another one. So far, he has given away about 80 children’s rockers and has already made about 20 rockers for old women like me—well, and old men. Each time he goes to the lumber yard, someone else asks for one. He has also made bunches of benches and tables for himself and others He wants to make some children’s furniture next—little chairs, tables, and benches for them. He likes kids for some reason. He and Marion only had four children and several grands and too many to count great-grands! Guess they could keep him busy for a few years.

 

Having read some of the news today, the old woman feels as if depression could easily set in with just the violence and hatred floating around all over this world. But that is just what Satan wants—depression or anger and fear! Let’s stand up in the armor of God and refuse to be affected as much as possible! We KNOW what the world will suffer soon before the end comes. May God give us the spirit of reassurance that we need: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous hand.” (Isa. 41:10) “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Tim. 1:7)

 

When we hear lies and hatred spewing forth, we know its origin. We can “fact check” until the cows come home and still be baffled, but we CAN be assured that God is in control. HE is the channel where we should “tune in.”

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Freaking Pollen!

 Freaking Pollen!

 

Argh! Let’s all sneeze, why don’t we! Then when our head is totally stuffy, we can enjoy a head throb as well. Daughter-in-law says when it rains, it just produces mold to make it worse. Not sure if that is what happens around here, but we certainly need some rain. Sterling says it is as dry as powder up their way. Then he goes out in the workshop and makes more sawdust to go with it. But it doesn’t make his head hurt at least.

 

Right now, the old woman feels guilty for not getting anything done, but maybe you will pardon her for feeling this way. Old age, retirement, and grumpiness seems to go well with her attitude. Tried to read this morning and found myself thinking of other things. That is not the way to read something for the good of one’s attitude or even for understanding. So, like some other things, it is just better to be still and let things happen the way they will happen.

 

Have prayed for the protection for former President Trump, and know that God has things in hand. This craziness that is going on is beyond me, but that really is nothing new. What we think about socialism is true—it is the opposite of what a republic needs or should be. Our soldiers fought and died to keep our republic free, but socialism will be the death of this nation as we know it. God forgive us! People today want everything done for them: an income that is there despite their lack of work, medical care for free, homes guaranteed for everyone, and anything else that a person could need—except freedom to work for themselves. Patty was talking about the state hospital patients today and how they used to have “jobs” to do and received a bit of pay for their work. Then some do-gooder came in and swore the state was making slaves of them and took their jobs away. Some of the patients just cried not to be able to work and have some worth in their lives. Now we just have criminally insane over there, and the employees are not allowed to protect themselves or defend themselves! Crazy is not limited to the patients but has to include the idiots who make these rules.

 

Took Roxy to the vet this morning and sat and talked to Mayor Tim Short. Like that man very much. He has common sense. He has two little dogs that are sisters. They managed to find some chewing gum on Labor Day and ended up at the vet’s office for a stomach pumping. Now both dogs have to be semi-sedated to go back to see the vet! That chewing gum has artificial sweetener in it that will kill a dog. Too many cookies and candies have the same stuff in them, but most folks don’t realize that. Guess it is a way to reduce the sugar content and make things sweeter. Also, found out that a dog that finds an inhaler and bites into it will die from the albuterol. Figures. So much of what we have around the house can kill dogs and little kids.

 

One of my hens died yesterday, but have no idea if it was age or something else that got her. Sterling says that they have heart attacks if the feed is too rich. Guess that could be it, or maybe she found one of those “Star of Bethlehem” flowers and ate the thing. Those are poisonous to critters. Hate to have to dig those things up, but may have to if more hens die. Don’t really want to raise more chicks anytime soon—if ever again. Taking care of the hens keeps me busy and active, and they are such sweet creatures, but winter can be hard on an old person hauling water and feed to them. And that’s if they don’t get snowed and iced inside the coops! Well, snow is the least of our concerns currently!

 

Praying just takes some thought and not a whole lot of energy, so let’s do some heavy duty praying for this nation right now. We all know those who are suffering from various forms of illness or are in some way disabled, so include those especially. We can be the light that shines for those who have found themselves more troubled than they can handle. Let us pray for common sense, for the righting of wrongs, for those who want to work and find themselves stymied at every turn. Let us praise God for His love for each day and for every breath we take.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

A Missing Dustpan, et al.

 A Missing Dustpan, et al.

 

It’s been one of those days already. Cleaning the living room and kitchen floors where the dogs track through is always so much fun. Had to dust mop, vacuum, and then mop. But then someone put the dustpan down, and her glasses, and her phone. Even put the vacuum down twice and had to look for it. Then had to take the Bissel out to the front porch because the old woman forgot how it was supposed to come apart to clean it. Couldn’t see the instructions because the glasses were somewhere else since they got soaked with sweat drops earlier. Finally got that vacuum cleaned and put away because it takes the big vacuum to do those two runner rugs. Had to put away a bunch of comforters—well, not exactly put away but stack elsewhere. Then stripped the bed in the back bedroom and washed those sheets. They will get put back on tomorrow if they are lucky. Need to get some new pillows around here. These pillows have been around for a while. Anyway, have a pretty good start on cleaning that room. Now to figure out what to do with that flooring that was extra and unused in the living room. Have kept it under that bed forever. And it may just go right back again!

 

Tomorrow Roxy has to go see the vet, so that is an early trip to Colonial Park. Here’s hoping that they can get her out and we can quickly get home again. Roxy seems to have problems no matter what she is fed. Too much pumpkin is not good for her; too much dry food is not good; just the wet food is not right since she needs more fiber. Honestly feel as if she is like feeding a baby. But she is a sweet girl! She never complains.

 

Sprayed the peppermint bug spray again around the house. It’s a good thing the dogs don’t mind that stuff. It stays strong for a day or so, but it definitely takes care of those tiny spiders that make webs everywhere. Walked out on the deck the other morning and right into a web. Never saw the spider, but then that just has a tendency to worry me. Would much rather know where the spider went!

 

The hens produced ten eggs today! Hooray for our girls! They don’t always lay at the same time or rate, but it is nice to find that many at one time. Sterling will be here in a couple of weeks, so he and Jacqui will maybe have some to take home. Looking forward to their arrival.

 

Saw something on FB today that made me almost cry. Did you know that the stars in the sky and the whales in the oceans praise God? This guy named Davis J. Harris, Jr. showed close ups of the super nova Vela as a pulsar. It spins on its axis 11 times per second and sends a sound into the galaxies that sounds like a drum going full time. Then the super-giant blue pulsars known as 47 Tuck sing a song similar to the whales in the ocean. Or at least it sounds like violins on the high end of the sound track. Add those to whale songs and you have something very close to an opera. The heavens above praise God! Since He is the Creator, that makes sense. Then another person talked about petrichor. It is known as the “blood of the stones” odor (the smell before a rain) and contributes to the ozone in our world. The plants know when to bloom and make seeds by being “oiled” by that smell of the petrichor. Amazing! God’s plans for even the smallest things to the greatest things are so awe inspiring!

 

Well, Chicken Voila was supper tonight. Really like those things. Have already had broccoli salad today, but that salad doesn’t really fill a person up. Tasty, but not filling. SO glad my grandson Reece introduced me to Chicken Voila! The family size would actually feed a family with just a salad or something else with it. Still need to cook up a couple of lamb steaks that Shona gave me. We will see how the old woman does with a lamb steak. Know for sure two dogs that would be willing to help me with those steaks!

 

Refuse to look at any news right now. Know my participation is the growling will not produce anything good. And sometimes the events are just too depressing for words. Guess maybe it is my job at the moment to just love my neighbors and be as positive as possible. Would suggest the same approach for anyone else.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Saturday's Rest Time.

 Saturday’s Rest Time.

 

Jennifer answered the question about her laundry today when asked by saying that this ONE day of the week was for her to rest. Tomorrow she has to catch up with the laundry. She has been super busy all week and was ready to just rest today. Know how she feels! Not that the old woman works or anything, but sometimes we just need a day of resting and relaxation.

 

Gregg and Vickie came today and he fixed the drain on the back of the house that leads from my kitchen sink. Eventually that sink is going to have to have a new stopper thing since the metal whatsit inside is bending. Have to remember that it has been there since 2001 or maybe the next year. Anyway, it just makes me so very happy to have someone dependable to work on things.

 

The new cart for hauling things is sitting in the living room floor. Maybe tomorrow the urge to put it together will hit long enough to get it unboxed and the parts laid out with the instructions. Here’s hoping that the instructions make sense and are in English. Really have needed that cart for some time now, and Gregg said that he could unload the bags of dirt that will be purchased at Lowe’s to cover the back drain lines. Still need to talk to Mary Rhoads about a couple of bales of hay to cover the wall and area where the laundry lines can be protected from cold this winter. Then, too, hauling grain and chicken feed should be much easier with this cart. Just about anything would work better than the little metal cart currently in use.

 

Ordered a bunch of shop rags for my granddaughter’s boyfriend. He is opening up a new shop so he can work on cars with a friend of his. He must be a pretty good mechanic. And this is the first time he has opened up a business for himself. Think Rachel will be doing the paper work for the business, but she is good at that sort of thing. The shop rags were my version of a “house-shop warming” present. Certainly hope this works out well for him.

 

Looked online and asked in Wichita Sparks about a bed and breakfast for my brother and his wife and their dog. Seems the hotels are cheaper and nice, but the fee to have an animal is $50. Going to try to talk them into staying with me instead of spending money on a room. Don’t think they would starve here and the pupper could be taken out front instead of in the back yard where my critters go. Anyway, will see what he and Jacqui think later. Really do enjoy their company.

 

Decided not to look at any news today. Not much changes from day to day it seems to me. Thankfully we can ask our Father to watch over us and bless our families, our nation, and this crazy world. No matter what the “news” sources say, it is not unusual to find that they are either lies or at the very least slanted to make things look better or worse, depending on who is talking. Guess it is the most comforting thing in life to know that the truth has been given to us from the very foundation. May the day come quickly when the truth is known throughout the world.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Weather Again.

 Weather Again.

 

Supposedly the temperature was only 98 degrees today. Dear Hearts, it felt dadgummed hot out there—and inside was not much better. Tomorrow will be hotter and then just the high 90s this next week. By next Saturday, we might—MIGHT—get a shower. Yes, we live in Texas, so anything is possible. Meanwhile, Louisiana is dealing with a category 2 hurricane. That means that they at least get flooded, if not worse. When the winds get over 80 mph, it is pretty hard to hold on to your roof or anything else down there. Let’s pray for them and for the folks in Vietnam who are being flooded due to that typhoon on their coast. It is ruining the crops of rice and everything else. Maybe they will at least have some fish.

 

Made some broccoli salad today, but forgot to put in the nuts. Oh well. It is pretty good without nuts anyway. Just cut up one apple and fried about half a pound of bacon to fry up and then chop up in the food processor. The hardest part is chopping up the stems of the broccoli. They have to be peeled or the salad is not good—well, in my estimation. Broccoli stems are just as tasty as can be, but the hard peel on the outside takes time to peel off. Have bought frozen broccoli a few times when the stems were all that there was in the silly bag! Cheap frozen food is like anything else, maybe. You get what you pay for.

 

Reece had a procedure completed today and was so happy to not come out from under the anesthesia fighting everyone. They used a different drug for him that worked well without making him feel threatened. His dad took him and brought him back because Jennifer is working three different positions until someone gets back from a two-week vacation. She is threatening to hurt that guy if he does that again! (Mildly threatened.) Anyway, glad my youngest Ostand boy is back on his feet and feeling ok. Meanwhile, Lexi Leos is on a heart monitor until they decide what to do about her heart. Her parents are really concerned about her situation. She had open heart surgery as a child, and now they are not sure what to expect. Please pray for Lexi to have complete healing and for peace of mind for the entire family. Love my neighbors.

 

Talked to Max a few minutes this afternoon. Hardly ever see either Max or Laisha as they are at work almost constantly or sleeping in order to be able to get to work. She works all kinds of hours, and Max leaves here every morning by 6:20 to make roll call and get in his morning run. Told Max about making broccoli salad and said that it has pieces of apple in it. Laisha is allergic to apples! Think the same is true for my son-in-law, but with him, it makes a person wonder because he does not eat veggies either!

 

They keep having earthquakes out in California. It’s not enough that the state is about to burn off the map; now it seems to be shaking pretty good, too. Guess some major rain might put out the fires, but then the entire state might slide off into the Pacific Ocean! Mudslides, ya know. Texas needs rain so badly that the fields are dried up and ready to blow away. It is just sad to think that the ranchers have little to no grazing for their cattle. Even if they sell off most of the herds, you can bet the price of beef will not go down in the store. And unlike Vietnam, we don’t have that many fish around Texas to rustle up for a meal. Even the rabbits have become scarce. Unless someone really likes dove meat, around here it might be pretty hard to come up with anything to eat that did not come from a supermarket. Well, a fat hen might make a meal, but would rather not do that.

 

Silly back is bothering me again, and NO, have not picked up anything! Tomorrow Greg is supposed to come and look at the plumbing out back of the kitchen sink, so may be heading to Sutherland’s for plastic pipes to repair the problem. SO glad to have someone dependable to come take care of small jobs like this. Jennifer could probably do it herself, but you can bet my attempt would not work that well. Anyway, there is no lifting involved in this job, so no excuses need to be sought for why the stupid muscles are so tight. Just getting older and gripier!

 

As Sterling often reminds me, we have read Daniel and Revelation. We know how things end up, and we have known the promises God has given us. No matter what mankind does or whatever stupidity comes out of people’s mouths, God’s promises are true, so we don’t have to guess what we have been given. For now, we can thank God for life and the love He shows us. Let us show that love to others in the best way we are able.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Lunch with the Petrolia Bunch!

 Lunch with the Petrolia Bunch!

 

The class of ’66 did not include ALL of us because some of us went elsewhere those last couple of years, but we have all stayed friends over the years. Today, Lowry Mayo and his wife Diane, Roger Thonton and his wife Susan, James Jones and his wife Debra plus their daughter Amanda’s little girl, Barbara Mathews, Donna Reeves, BillieJean, Pat Morgan, Charlotte Reimers, and this old woman all met at Pioneer to raise the ceiling just a wee bit. Don’t think the waitress minded in the least. We usually try to make it worth their time and effort. Anyway, we talked about old times, politics of the local variety, and trips to every place from Israel to Hawaii. Yep, we have scattered our children in a few places over the years. But we all still appreciate growing up together in that small town where everyone knew everyone else.

 

Thought about the fact that James and Debra’s daughter Amanda was born today back in 1979. We had our son that same night, but after midnight. Dr. Schaffner did not make it in time to “catch” the kid, but Lewis and the nurse got Hanan here ok anyway. Not much to it since it seemed to me that the old woman did all the work.

 

Got tickled at Pat and Lowry talking about some old man helping them do something. When asked how old the man was, they said 76 or 77. “Old man” has different meanings to some of us! Most of the class was either 76 or 77 today at our meeting. Old is a matter of perspective, isn’t it.

 

Donna Reeves was still disgusted that our school taxes here in Texas are going to allow some parents to send their children to private schools. Since this old person has been both in one of those schools and had a child in one, it makes sense to me. Public schools have scary patterns to uphold. While the old woman never needed the sisters to correct me, my youngest son ran laps more often than not for his behavior. And it helped. At least he was not picked out and picked on by anyone. Public schools are too big and too restricted in many areas. A child who learns differently from others has no real incentive to be like the public schools desire. Being allowed to learn at his own pace made a difference that would not have been allowed in public school.

 

My own contribution to one of the discussions was about the “Bluebonnet” religious education materials that have been approved by the Texas schools—public schools. Honestly do not want to see this happen. We have to accept that religion is to be taught by parents and by churches. Separation of religion and public education matters. What happens to the Muslim family or the Hindu family who do not accept the Christian theology? What about the Christian family who would not accept Jewish teachings or those of a Catholic if the family is Protestant? Nope, religion is a separate issue from education. To teach that religions have made certain rules of social standards in America is one thing, but to try to teach specific doctrines is not going to get it.

 

One thing on FB this morning stopped my browsing. Why do products that are often stolen have to be the things locked up instead of the people who tend to steal those products? It seems to me that some of these criminals get a slap on the wrist and are turned loose to do whatever again. Whether it is shoplifting or car theft, it is still stealing. Yes, burglary and assault are much more serious, but it seems that the bail is quickly met and the bad dudes are out to do it again the next night!! One other topic today was about guns: seems like our police officers are less well equipped than the drug runners! Maybe some of those drug stops should manage to sell the vehicles or other properties of the drug people so that our police officers could be better paid! Well, that might get sticky, too, if the confiscation of property were done before the offender was proven guilty. That has happened in Oklahoma at least a few times when the sheriff’s department wanted what the folks had before they even bothered to prove that the people were dealing in drugs! Maybe it would just be wonderful to find law enforcement people who were honest to a fault! Guess that may never happen either. Sigh.

 

Still re-reading in my favorite book of John today. Could see that God’s hand kept Jesus safe from anyone’s grasp. He looked just like anyone else around him, so he could step into a crowd and never even be noticed, but still, he could also walk among the Jews who hated him and they just stood there. Yep, kinda think time and time again that Jesus walked away even before they could think to stop him—because it was not allowed for them to put their hands on him yet. God has a time for all things. Our time is coming soon. God is still in charge.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.