The Problems with Identity.

 The Problems with Identity.

 

Just read an article about how FB had had accounts stolen and used to bilk money from a person’s friends. It might help if we had to remember our passwords rather than having them stored on the computer, but meanwhile let me just make something clear to those who read this blog: the old woman will never ask for donations for a burial (already have cremation policy); no longer have a tractor for sale; don’t plan to leave this hill until it is either in a body bag or kicking and screaming while the kids cart me off to a nursing home; have sufficient resources to pay all utilities and tax bills; have no debts at all; have absolutely no interest in Taylor Slow or any other screamer of obscenities. If this garbage keeps up—stealing accounts—will simply turn off the electronic devices and go back to reading real books—or at least my large print Bible.

 

Would rather not categorize the places that ache today, but will just let you know that it seems to me that a body can certainly fall apart faster than a speeding bullet and certainly hinder jumps higher than—well, nevermind the jumping part at all! Let’s stick with walking and attempting to pull one’s blouse over one’s head! It makes sense to me now why older women want house dresses that snap up the front and don’t require lifting one’s arms either over the head or pulling anything forward of the body. Son of a gun! Can’t imagine picking up a saddle and throwing it on the back of a horse!

 

Made some semi-soup. No, it did not involve an eighteen-wheeler or anything of that nature. But it was most unlike any soup made around here in who knows how long! Had a few pieces of celery left and part of an onion to add to a few chopped up carrots. Those were the basis of the soup along with some leftover V-8 juice. Salt and pepper were the only condiments. Tasty, if not all that solid. But no potatoes or anything with carbs in it made its way into the “soup.” At least the fridge is getting cleaned out.

 

Patty’s Roxy had a bath and grooming this morning. The man drives up in his pickup pulling a little trailer he can stand up in while washing, drying, and plucking all the excess hair off the little lady. She had so much excess fur this time that it clogged up his sink three times!! When she got on my lap outside on the patio, she was still throwing hair into the wind. Never seen that much hair on such a small dog! If she had been out in the wind the past few days, she might not have had that much to remove!

 

Talked to Sterling for a few minutes. His friend George got to come home but he can’t have anything but liquids for the next five days. Sterling went over last night and stayed until George got his bath so they would know he wasn’t going to fall out or anything. So glad that he at least got to come home. Now if that ulcer will just heal up completely, maybe he and Sterling can continue to enjoy one another’s company.

 

They got a real rain up there in NW Arkansas. Last time Sterling said they got a three-inch rain—drops three inches apart—not enough to make streaks on his windshield. That’s about what we got here last night—well, and some thunder. We really need a good toad strangler, but that simply may not happen. May God forgive us for being so demanding and bless us and the critters out there in the dust. Would be pretty hard to be a lawn service right now.

 

Someone looked up the work record of Elvis Presley and found that he had had several low paying jobs—starting off by mowing lawns. Many a young person paid for school clothes by mowing grass or chopping cotton in this part of the world. Wonder if kids still do those things today? Well, not the chopping cotton stuff since they tend to spray the entire fields with glysophate or some such chemical. Nevermind what the stuff does to the water table when it soaks into the ground. But sitting here remembering that we paid for our first baby’s doctor bill by picking up pecans on family land. Went to sleep tired at night and dreamed of pecans and reaching out for more of them in my dreams! But Dr. Schaffner’s bill was paid before Lance was born—as was the hospital bill. We won’t ever have any Elvis kids born in this family, but they will all be able to make a living if they want to. The grass will inevitably grow or the dogs need to be walked, so that is pretty simple. But all my grands would either be allergic to one or the other! Sigh. Guess they will have to learn to produce music with A-eye!

 

Whether it is in the next few years or sooner or later, God’s kingdom will be known throughout the universe. Every knee will bend and every head will bow to the Son of God, Jesus Christ. May we look forward to that day with joy filled hearts!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

White Caps in the Toilet!

 White Caps in the Toilet!

 

The caption is from Sterling. He says that is how hard the wind is blowing—hard enough to cause white caps in the toilet bowl! Not sure what it has been blowing here, but it has rearranged the backyard again. The hens are staying close to the house, too. Just aware inside that every surface has grit on it! The water bowls are deep enough in dirt to make mudpies! Have not seen the hens making any mudpies yet, but any time now!

 

Texted the kids to be sure that no one is planning on coming up because the cackleberries are going to my doctor this week. Last time when that was the plan, one of the kids let me know he was coming. The old woman has eaten a few lately, but the girls are still producing quite a few eggs so far. When it gets colder, that may change again. But so far, the hens are doing pretty good. Have four or five hens that are older that should stop producing eggs soon. Those are the deep, dark brown eggs that look like chocolate! Such pretty eggs.

 

Strange that tomorrow is the last day of this month. October has just whizzed by, or so it seems. Dreading all the hoopla this next month. We have already seen some voting boxes burned and at least one dropped out of a truck—though found and taken to the police and returned to the polling place. Sitting here wishing that honesty and common sense were more common. Patty told me this morning that not only are we “deplorable,” now we are “garbage”! So much for politics---many blood suckers! Isn’t that the meaning of “poly” and “tics”?

Must tell you about our mayor, Tim Short, and the office of property tax and the county appraisal district office. First, Mayor Short sent a message to the county tax office to have someone call me because when the old woman called the office using the number on the tax card, the online voice told me that there was a charge to speak to a real person. She said she would check that out and be sure to make it right. Then when a call was made to the appraisal district office, the sweet lady told me that an email could be sent with the request to combine the three pieces of property so that only one tax notice would be sent out. That made me happy. They were confused by the L. and P. in my names on the roll sheets. But that should be clarified now. Middle names. Anyway, it just makes me happy that our mayor cared enough to take his time to see about this with the tax office.

 

Sterling said that George is still in the hospital but wants out. Well, duh. They won’t feed him!! Applesauce and some apple juice don’t really make a person feel full! But they are trying to be sure he is not going to continue to bleed. It is so worrisome when we have no idea what is causing us to get weak.

 

Jennifer has a migraine but has begun to feel better, but you can almost bet that the wind down there is just about as full of ragweed pollen as it is up here. Oh! If only God would give us about six to eight inches of rain! Fill up the stock tanks and settle the dust! Well, we don’t want a flood like they have had in Spain, but surely a few inches of rain could do most of North Texas and the Central Plains some good! Father, bless us and our fields.

 

We all know that God is in control of everything, but it never hurts to request peace and the blessings that this nation sometimes takes for granted. Read that some cities were planning to put illegal immigrants on buses and planes and send them back to Texas. We are NOT a sanctuary state by any means whatsoever. No hard feelings for those who are trying to make better lives for themselves, but as Theodore Roosevelt said, they need to plan on REALLY being Americans if they want to come here to live. We have ONE language, ONE flag, and ONE nationality. No one can come here and be a Venezuelan-American or a Crips-American. Yes, some of us hang tightly to our Bible, our religion, and our guns, but anyone would know that if they wanted to come here in the first place. We believe very whole-heartedly in God and His laws. Our Constitution was built on those beliefs. Our freedom depends on God and His blessings. May common sense be promoted throughout this nation.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Possibilities.

 Possibilities.

 

The old body aches tonight as if it had been busy digging ditches or some such. Silly stuff! Maybe just listening to the wind whip around the house and bang the chicken coop doors shut is enough to strain muscles or one’s nerves! Whew! Sylvia was so upset with the wind that she kept hiding her head in my lap. Finally, she got up in the rocking chair with me! Now THAT took some maneuvering, Dear Hearts!

 

Patty said Roxy saw a squirrel out running down the driveway but only barked and refused to go outside. Yep, this wind is enough to blow her off the hill. Then the trash man came and unloaded our bins which promptly fell over and rolled around in the road! And the weather forecast calls for more of this stuff tomorrow. If a bit of rain fell with all that wind, it would dry out before it hit the ground!

 

Patty looked online for me to check that my tax payment had made it in to the tax office. Sure enough. The old woman owes zero for her taxes now. Guess that means that they saw the account numbers on the line indicating why the money paid. So glad for homestead exemption and old age benefits!

 

Lance sent a picture of the new “mascot” from work today. Not sure exactly what kind of lizard it is, but the neon green color was quite attractive. Gorgeous Green George! Imagine looking down at your keyboards and having that stick its tongue out at you!

 

Have some goat milk soap to share with my kids. Tomorrow, if memory kicks in, will cut one bar and give Patty half of it. It is a lavender smelling shampoo bar. Yum! Smells so good and makes my hair feel soft. Have a trial size of the soap for washing clothes, too. Will try that as soon as a load materializes and memory stirs. This getting old sometimes means that things happen and forgetfulness occurs at the same time. Sigh. Guess getting old beats the alternative, huh.

 

When asked, Sterling said that his friend George is still in the hospital. Have been praying that he will be healed and be able to come back home soon. He and Sterling have a great friendship and seem to really enjoy one another. God gives us friends for a reason. It is another part of His love toward us. It’s a little bit like having more family—brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us remember those tonight who are healing and need to be healed whether young or old. Our Father watches over all of us each day and night. May His kingdom come soon.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Silent Prayer Forbidden?

 Silent Prayer Forbidden?

 

A woman in the UK was arrested a couple of times for standing near an abortion clinic and bowing her head in silent prayer. Then a man in Florida was told he needed a city permit to hold up a sign saying that God would take care of us. Nothing inciting to riot in either case, so what is wrong with religious beliefs that folks need to be arrested or otherwise harassed for their beliefs. If the man had been whacking folks over the head with his sign, maybe he would need more than a freaking permit, but still! Freedom to believe is getting less and less protected by our traditions and laws. Sad, just sad.

 

Yes, maybe the old woman should simply not look at ANY news whatsoever, but stick to reading fiction and her Bible. Still, with the relationships of some of us old folks and our understanding of why our fathers, brothers, husbands went to war, it is not likely that we are going to sit still and keep silent. You know that not saying anything to protest outrageous behavior is the same thing as allowing it to proliferate. Silence is NOT golden, Dear Hearts.

 

Was on the phone with JP Morgan and then went to Texoma Credit Union in order to switch an IRA-CD to a different bank. SO appreciate the fact that Texoma is close to home and has someone to actually sit down and explain things. Absolutely not happy with the other banks. If a person does not have over $100K to throw into “investments,” banks think you don’t matter. Not that way at Texoma. If my other accounts were not already set up and stable, they would have all my business.

 

The freaking wind has blown a bit today. The hens have mostly hidden under the deck or right next to the bales of hay on the north side of the house. Every lose object in the yard has blown from one side to the other. Gotta love Texas. Otherwise, it would be impossible to live here. And no, not interested in moving.

 

Thought maybe the old woman would try to send a message to our mayor Tim Short. Surely, he can explain to me why our tax department wants to charge for speaking with a real person at that office—on the phone, that is. Patty looked today to see if my taxes showed up as being paid. They were paid by bank draft on the 24^th for all three accounts—with the total and the account numbers listed on the bottom of the draft. Hmm. Will keep an eye on it—or she will. She is so very good at checking things like that and finding out what folks are paying for taxes in our fair city. Fair meaning nice rather than equitable.

 

Please forgive me tonight for sounding somewhat grumpy. The old woman has had just about too much for one day. Achy, breaky body and mind. May God heal us and our nation from all the garbage being thrown every which way. It’s just a bit much right now. Let us pray for rain and give praise that we know when God gives us what we need.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Misplaced, And Other Such Stuff.

 Misplaced, And Other Such Stuff.

 

Normally, in the daytime, my phone is usually in my left front pocket. Have entertained some guests today, and we went from one room to another. Went outside a bit ago and realized my phone was not in my pocket. Hmm. Searched the house and finally found the silly thing on the desk in the living room. Must be fairly comfortable not to have it in my pocket because it has to come out when it is in a pocket close to my waist. Love those pants that have leg pockets. Those should have been invented for old women years ago!

 

Sat down and tried to do some mathematics with Max because he knows more about investing and that sort of thing than this old woman. Wouldn’t have to know very much, don’t you see. He suggested trying more than one company and comparing the percentages and convenience. Personally, speaking to someone whose eyes are on me helps me to make decisions. If for no other reason than the fact that some of us read lips and can understand more easily than trying to listen to conversation on the phone, companies should consider having representatives available in person.

 

Laisha loves things that smell good. Not overpowering ones, but just good smelling stuff makes life more interesting. She went to one of those going-out-of-business sales and bought up a bunch of stuff from one of those places that about knock you over as you walk in the door. She gave me some hand sanitizer and a couple of candles and other stuff. In return, she got some goat milk soap. Here’s hoping she enjoys it. My hope is that the soap does not cause me any skin irritation. Every kind of goat milk soap used around here so far has been great. Love the shampoo!

 

Cleaned out some shelves this morning and am thinking about the rest of the stuff that is still on those shelves. If nothing rips, rears, or ravels, the rest will find places somewhere around here, and that shelf will find itself in the workshop to help organize the “junk” out there! A person should not be this disorganized, but such is life with an old woman who randomly puts tools down in whatever place is handy! Really wish Lewis had rubbed off on me in that manner. Sigh. Well, and in other ways, too. He had more common sense than most people and only shouted when pushed by stupidity. He was a lot quieter than his wife and not as apt to be watching the world spin on its axis. Miss him so much at times.

 

Have talked to myself a couple of times lately about cleaning out my purse. Think that thing has grown at least two or three more pockets, and it is amazing at the unnecessary stuff packed in there! It could be used as a deadly weapon when swung just right!

 

Max was interested in talking about Jesus today, and he and the old woman totally bored his beautiful wife. She said she was made to attend “Christian School” when she was young. She has an in-grown dislike for any kind of religion. It is a shame that so many see religion and faith in the same bucket hauled out of the muck of this world. May God give us all insight into the truth of His love and the ability to discern His love from the verbiage of so many of today’s “evangelistic” religions.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Perplexing Situations.

 Perplexing Situations.

 

As good as our parents were at managing their finances, it does not seem that they actually taught us much about the way to handle money other than to be sure that we always paid our bills. If they had a savings account or anything other than a checking account, my memory does not recall that information. A few times it has seemed like a good idea to talk to a grandson whose degrees were in accounting, business finance and the like. However, he is the shadow of McScrooge and does not deal in little things like CDs and IRAs. Think that particular grandson has the first dollar ever given to him for birthday money!! Wish the old woman were more like that!

 

Learning about IRAs was not one of the classes ever offered in any of the schools where we attended, so it is becoming necessary to get a little bit of a fast-track study about the differences between IRAs and CDs. Learned this morning that they have IRA-CDs, in fact. Go figure. And, by the way, the government taxes you on the money you make when you earn it on the job, but if you put that same money in an IRA, they get to tax it twice! Once when you earn it and next when you cash out the IRA or try to put it in a CD. ARGH!! It’s enough to make a person get frustrated. Life can be confusing and pretty strange at times.

 

Spent some time talking to the representative from my Medicare policy. It looked to me like a newer policy with the same company was going to cost less and maybe even save some money, so as of January, that will be interesting to see what is taken out of my account or otherwise. It helps to be healthy—well, basically healthy.

 

About the only “good deal” one can rely on these days—and always—is in the promises we are given by God. His options are one and only one—accept the sacrifice, upon repentance from sins, that He gives in His son Jesus Christ. Being able to read helps, but even listening to a sermon from a real minister of God would be easy to understand. He offers His love through His son. The benefit is eternal life with God in heaven. Now talk about the ultimate “deal”! Giving up sins is much better than giving up life with a loving God. And the “correspondence course” is rather easily accessed, too. Prayer. Anytime, anywhere. Yes, this is much easier to understand. Much more beneficial in the long run, too.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

The Songs We Sang.

 The Songs We Sang.

 

Opening up the old hymnal to check the author of my favorite version of The Lord Is My Shepherd, my mother’s obituary remembrance card was marking that page. By the way, the words were by James Montgomery and the music arranged by Thomas Koschat. The best version of this song ever put online was recorded in a Scottish Kirk. The song is not easy to sing, but it touches my heart. No, the old woman can’t sing it any longer; it is too far out of my range. When we still had a piano here at the house, trying to at least play through the melody always had me trying to sing with it. Sigh.

 

Mother’s favorite hymn was Amazing Grace. So many folks have attached themselves to that song because it just tells the story of how very good God is to us—leading us through His grace to our home. Mother always played that one on her piano for years when she was upset or when she was happy. She felt all things were made right with God when prayer was involved.

 

My favorite verse in The Lord Is My Shepherd is the very last line: “And I will in Thy house forevermore dwell.” Of all the stars in the universe and all the colors of the stones of earth, His house must be the most beautifully arranged. His Light will always guide us to Him. Just my thoughts tonight.

 

Sterling called to check on me and tell me that he had put in a day brush hogging, mowing, and otherwise getting’ things done. His good friend George is in the hospital getting a couple of units of blood because of a bleeding ulcer. Think he is about 85, but he and Sterling could be brothers for the way they act together. Good friends make life so much better. My prayer is that George will recover soon and be able to keep Sterling out of trouble.

 

Up around Medicine Park, Oklahoma where the buffalo roam and the “Holy City” where they do the Easter re-enactment may be in danger from this fire. Anyway, the smoke plume is all the way to Electra, TX—not far from Wichita Falls. The wind is not helping the firefighters at all. Lets pray for those in its path.

 

Main meal was calf’s liver and asparagus today. Discovered that the hens like cooked asparagus—the ends that are tough. See, hens are very adaptable. Still think chicken livers are better than any other kind. Or maybe it is just the way Chicken Express cooks them. Have mushrooms to cook tomorrow with something. Maybe just onions and mushrooms and a little bit of hamburger. Honestly don’t feel it is safe to buy much meat right now. Don’t know why we are suddenly having all the food recalls. Kinda worrisome. Who knows, but we may have to start growing our own or just eating the eggs my girls lay. KNOW that they are safe!

 

Let us remember those who mourn, those who are hurting with the maladies of this physical life, and the worrisome trials of our so-called civilization. Bless those falsely accused. Bless those who are in prison and have no recourse to justice. May God judge this world and those works of our hands that we offer to Him.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Chicken Licken.

 Chicken Licken.

 

Looking out over my yard this morning, thinking that if feathers could grow anything all by themselves, my yard would be winged! Every time the wind gets up over 40 mph, more feathers end up in the opposite direction of the wind. Well, nearly 20 hens going through molt might have a lot to do with that. Some of them just walk around dropping feathers all over the place. Oh well. Love my girls anyway!

 

Uncle Sam’s turkey flew over last night, so my bank account really looks good—for today. Now to sit down and fill out the online form for paying my property taxes. SO glad that my taxes are not that bad. Well, the online form is not so great either. Ended up sending them a payment from my bank the way it was done last year. Did ya know that they charge you if you want to speak to someone to get help in the tax office?! Honestly! As if taxes are not enough, they charge for credit card use, bank check use, and it left me wondering if a person walked into the office with cash, if they would charge for walking in the door!!!

 

Patty called this morning and just about made me sit up and gasp. She hardly ever calls me and let’s me call her. But she had some questions about the ballot she was filling out—among other things. Anyway, we talked while the old woman got the few dishes washed and the dogs fed. Their bowls get that dog slime feeling to them that takes some extra detergent and elbow grease. Love my dogs, but they DO smell like dogs. Patty said Roxy finally ate most of her Bravecto, so she was happy about that. We rehashed a couple of old things that have bothered us, but we ended up trying to find something happy that counts. Lewis used to say if we had a choice, we should try to think about the happier things in life. He was right, of course. Not that he always did that either.

 

It's evening now, so will tell you that the old woman was able to remove the old license plates on my truck and put on the new ones along with the new window sticker thingy. The blue tag is in the middle of the console for use if the old woman goes with someone else, but the plates on the truck now indicate handicapped. It does not seem realistic that as much activity as goes on around here, the term handicapped should apply. But some days the back and the legs simply do not support the rest of the body. Took a nap this afternoon and both dogs acted as if they thought they needed to take care of me. Maybe they know something after all. Then again, Thompson just really likes my bed!

 

Finished reading through Acts today. Have no idea how many times that is, but it seems something strikes me differently each time. Nowadays kids would think that Paul was just a tourist, but he did a whole lot more than just see different parts of the world. The Jews condemned him for teaching about Jesus and the resurrection, but since he was a Pharisee, the Sadducees would have argued against him anyway. As a man, he must have been quite persuasive because even rulers were convinced by him. Of course, God had to do the opening of the eyes and ears. That is exactly what Paul told the ones who did not believe him in Rome. If they were convicted, that was at least a step in the right direction. Oh! If only today in this world more eyes could be opened and more could understand the truth of God’s son, Jesus Christ! May we all be good examples of His love.

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Fatigue With Sleep.

 Fatigue With Sleep.

 

Well, sleep was difficult to come by last night. The old woman’s mind would not be quiet at all. The trip out to our home and to the cemetery left its own memories and thoughts, but after looking online this evening, it seems that eating something that resembles a keto diet is great for making a person feel exhausted even without any exercise. One is supposed to eat more fats so the body does not miss the carbs. Oh well. Cheated a bit this evening with some yogurt and fresh raspberries. Brunch was chicken patties and broccoli in cheese sauce. That should have made the difference, but my mind still thinks the belly needs something. Sigh.

 

Was hoping that the neighbors were happy with the road coverage, but no one has said anything. Guess it is not overly important. Life goes on.

 

The girls laid eight eggs today, so that is encouraging. Guess what we will have for breakfast tomorrow. Cackle berries and air fried squeals! Have already cooked chicken for the dogs, so they should be in pretty good shape for a couple of days.

 

Stood in line with about one or two loads of nursing home folks today at the mall so we could vote. It was pretty well organized, so not griping. Was caught wobbling away from the election stand and the lady who stepped out to prevent a fall let me know she understood completely! “Two bad knees and a messed up back is all it takes,” she said. So many were there that looked as if they needed those special parking places. And there were a total of three spaces for handicap parking! Oh well. Determination takes care of many situations.

 

Sterling and Jacqui got home safely, and Sterling already had plans for making more little tables and chairs for kids. Wish the old woman had even a tiny bit of that kind of talent/skill. It was much fun to have them with me for those two days! Sterling always dreams of having me move up there, but even if the land were open to having another tiny house, Texas is just always going to be home for me. And this land is paid for and fenced to my specifications—even if Thompson can find ways out occasionally.

 

Saw a little snippet of encouragement today that made me feel better. Did you know that God sings over us always. We may not listen to the words, but the melody is always there. He even has us accompany His song with each of our breaths—Yah—Weh. Each breath says His name! How about consciously joining His choir!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

WowChanges!

 Wow@Changes!

 

Jacqui, Sterling, and the old woman went out to Petrolia today to see Mom and Dad’s house and a few changes that Roger had mentioned lately. Wow! The changes were significant. The parents’ house was getting a new electrical box installed. It probably has sold to new owners. Let’s hope that the home feels as happy for them as it did for us in all the years we lived there.

 

The town itself has changed drastically! Oh, yes, new homes have sprung up, but the fallen down trash heaps are multiple and messy. Amazing! We tried to remember the names of folks who lived on different corners. We found the old house where the Kennedy grandparents lived after moving to Petrolia the last time. But trying to find things on the other side of the Charlie Road was almost impossible except for the Methodist Church and the house where Sterling had lived. What significant changes!

 

We went to Byers to the Riverside Cemetery and had to look twice to find the parents’ tombstone as well as their parents’ and my little girl’s headstone. We know where the Kennedys are buried, but there is still no tombstone. God knows where they were laid. Byers has changed up pretty much, too. They still have a Baptist Church, but the Methodist is now a grand ol’ opry styled place. Remembering my granddad’s funeral there. Anyway, that trip left me feeling lonesome and blue. Jacqui said that even the teachers she had as a teenager are all gone. But Sterling mentioned Mrs. Glasgow who left us recently. Age catches up.

 

Pioneer had a good lunch for us even though we all three ate something more akin to breakfast. Yes, my omelet had some gravy on it that is still kicking up some heartburn. Sigh. So far, however, have been able to stay on this diet. Sterling doesn’t know he left his Nocona Beer in my fridge. Not sure it will be here the next time he comes through.

 

Sterling worked on two or three high priority projects for me and got the little coop stabilized and weather tight. He also got my air things to working right, including the air stapler to put up the plastic cover on the middle coop door. SO glad to have that done already. He is a pretty handy fella to have around. Not to mention the good rocking chair he brought with the chicken burnt into the back!

 

Will not say much about the new road work that Patty paid for, but only that the neighbors should be happy to have a nice, level road to drive on. The gravel will settle eventually, but for the time being, it will be a bit dusty. They have no clue what it was like 56 years ago!

 

Let us all try our best to be the kind of people that a father would want as his own. Our Father in Heaven knows our faults and allows us to ask forgiveness. What greater gift of love can there be?

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Spooked Hens!

 Spooked Hens!

 

The men came today to work on our road and put a better top on it and make the holes into lumps—or something along those lines. Anyway, the dogs have been in an uproar and the hens have been hiding. Maybe when the machinery gets quiet, the hens will settle down. Just will be glad to have the road flattened out and drivable.

 

Sterling and Jacqui must have gotten up early this morning because they were here shortly after noon. We enjoyed some chicken from the Express place, and Toby (their short dog) got to stay inside and ask for nibbles. He is cute, but not especially interested in anyone other than Sterling. We enjoyed telling about all the different snakes, spiders, skunks, and assorted critters we have all encountered over the years. Sending the critter traps home with Sterling and Jacqui. She found a snake in her house the other day. It was funny to see and hear the difference between her description and Sterling’s description. Then they got to hear about the bull snake in my bedroom, the raccoon in the hen house, and the possum in the workshop! Such fun. We even exchanged stories about what bit us when we were kids! Good times!

 

The young neighbors across the street got to drive through the Leos family’s yard to get to their place. We thought we would not have to do that, but so much for what thought did!! Just hope the men can spread the gravel before nightfall and have the black stuff covered up.

 

The old woman is tired tonight. Bet Jacqui and Sterling are as well. That is a six-hour drive on a good day. If all goes well and all the things work out, Sterling should be able to make the air hose fit the things that need to go in it for the air stapler, the air nozzle for airing up tires, and the air gun that shoots crud across the floor. Might even get him to help me put up the plastic on the doors to the coops so the hens will be warmer when the weather changes. Kinda bet it will be a cooler than usual winter. Or not. If we don’t get everything finished, maybe Gregg and Vickie can come finish up the stuff that needs to be done before things fall apart around here. The little chicken coop by the side of the house needs some work done on it. Six years doesn’t seem very long for one of those things to start falling apart, but they are not really made to last.

 

Got my taxes for the land today. Apparently, the neighborhood is seeing growth or something because my taxes went up. NOT that the old woman should gripe. It was only $35 dollars more this year. No biggie. But like the COLA thing, as soon as you get a raise in one area, something else goes up—like my medicare. Such is life, huh.

 

Guess maybe snarling about things is not the best way to end the day. The men have almost made it to our end of the road with the black stuff. Now the gravel is going down and the roller thingy will have to do the hard part—back and forth with the weighted rollers. At least we have a road that has not totally washed off the hill and left cars floating off into the lake! Poor New Mexico where the folks in Roswell live! Simply can’t imagine what is happening to all these places. Here we are dry as a pewter fizzle, and these other places are about to wash off the map! [If you are interested, look up pewter and a tinker’s dam. The pewter made a fizzle when the metal was repaired.]

 

Jennifer called and has a sinus infection. Hmm. Then she is complaining about the stupid shingles shot she took. And still has another to take. Bet Sterling would tell her she should be thankful to be able to take the stinking shot!!! He is STILL having fits with the shingles!

 

May you all find something better to think about tonight so that your minds will be happy and your sleep will be sound. May God bless you and yours.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Humor Helps.

 Humor Helps.

 

When things or situations put a person in a certain position, it helps to have a sense of humor. Have spent more than enough time on watching the videos on FB today, but it was worth it. A pianist admired by one and all for not only his expertise with a piano, but his humor made me smile. Watched several episodes of learning about why God wants us to be workers from Trent Tribe. Learned more than anyone could have expected about the manner in which our world is positioned in this universe. Did you know that if the earth tilted even ten percent in any direction that everyone would die—either frozen or burnt to a crisp. That pretty well tells you that our universe—all the neighboring planets—were put in their positions for a particular purpose. And God shows His sense of humor every time we think about some of the critters on this planet. The birds that sing His praise; the coyotes that call His name; the breaths we take—all of these things speak of Him. Yet we can laugh and enjoy the silliness of each day and what we find to do. Hunt for eggs when the hens want to hide them. They know you will go look, but they watch out of the corner of their eyes! Watch the dadgummed squirrel get a drink of fresh water when it knows the dogs can’t see it. Watch the hens attack the wild birds when they crowd around their feeder! Whoom! Birds in flight! So glad to have life today and a sense of humor. Praise God!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

What Do We Believe?

 What Do We Believe?

 

In all her sickness and frailties, Charlotte Elliot wrote a poem because she felt she had nothing to offer to her church, no benefit to anyone.

 

"Just As I Am, without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,

Oh, Lamb of God, I come..."

 

C.S. Lewis found belief in Jesus as the Son of God.

He finally knew in his soul that indeed Jesus was just who He said He was! He realized that God calls us to Him "just as we are".

 

Billy Graham closed each meeting with an invitation and the song, Just As I Am.

1.  Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

2.  Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

3.  Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

4.  Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

5.  Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

6.  Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Hath broken every barrier down;
Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

 

He covers us with HIS righteousness. Praise God.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

World Okapi Day?

 World Okapi Day?

 

Google always comes up with some interesting “days” about various things. Today it was the Okapi. Probably an offspring from a giraffe, it is protected as well as anything can be protected in Africa. But people can be killed trying to protect the animals. Sigh.

 

Our world is still rampant with wars and threats of war. It seems North Korea is out to smack South Korea and plans to send more soldiers to Russia to fight against the Ukraine. Meanwhile, some question remains about who Iran hates the most—Israel or America. Guess it makes little difference when so many Iranians crossed our southern border this past few years. Any one or a few could do drastic damage to our services of electrical sources or communication sources. You know, it just does not make much difference any longer. Just about anything can kill a person—tainted meats or tainted water. About the only thing we can do is be as careful with our food as possible and try to maintain sourcing our food from the grower instead of some factory packaging it. Then, we can also just pray for protection.

 

Maybe it comes from growling at my knee, but my mood really does not offer much anything positive tonight. Sterling called and said they were coming this next week, so that is a positive thing, but both Jacqui and the old woman are about defunct—her hip, my knee! Getting old is always a challenge.

 

Like an okapi, our bodies may not exactly turn out just like the zebra or the giraffe. But the okapi can kick and make faces at others. That is about how much this old woman has done today. Making faces at the dogs or hens does not bother them in the least. And kicking might end up causing me more injury to the dadgummed knee.

 

The guy who plans to finish our road has left a couple of crew persons out here with their big roller, the little thing that shoves dirt and stuff around, a truck, and various supplies. Hope they brought sleeping bags. It may get a bit cool out there. Just will be glad to have the stinking road leveled and smooth enough to drive on. The city trash truck may do it all over again, but if it does, this guy might come and redo that part. He said he would put a good bed on it. We will see.

 

Tonight my prayers go out with my thoughts about all those who are having a time with their allergies, those who have suffered injuries in so many ways, and those who are so depressed and down with what is going on in each person’s world. We need to take that bag of crud and tell Satan what he can do with it. God gives us only the best things and attitudes. So we need to keep close to Christ to keep our spirit in line with His way.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

The Ninth Commandment.

 The Ninth Commandment.

 

Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbor. Whether this is part of a jury discussion or otherwise, lying causes many of the problems we have today. Sales pitches for extreme causes—comforting some refugees or feeding animals in some horrible situation, medical wonders that are not so very wonderful, locations that are built on the heaps of contaminants, or just plain “he said, she said” situations are infamous for causing pain and suffering. Almost every time a lie is told, it seems to come back around to some kind of greed today—or at least is a reflection of the lack of morality in our society. Not one nation under the sun seems to believe in being totally truthful.

 

Our Congress has a fund especially set aside to deal with accusations by those who have been sexually assaulted by congressmen or women. “On Thursday, the Office of Compliance released additional information indicating that it has paid victims more than $17 million since its creation in the 1990s. That includes all settlements, not just related to sexual harassment, but also discrimination and other cases.”

 

A former neighbor worked downtown for a respected Wichitan who kept getting his hands on her. She finally told him that enough was enough and she was filing charges against him. He ended up offering her a hefty separation and a good letter of referral to keep her from filing charges against him. This man was even a minister! To me, it seemed she should go ahead and file charges, but she was a very practical person. She told him that she better never hear of him doing this to any other administrative assistant! But who knows what he did after she left.

 

So many popular singers or performers have been accused of whatever comes along that we wonder if the people accusing them are lying or just attempting to get attention. Same with athletic performers. One comedian said that if anyone wanted to know about their own heritage, just run for office and someone would discover the rustler in the ranks of the family. It is about the truth. Whether or not someone has had relations with another person, all we really hear is the accusation.

 

A person can be totally innocent of whatever charges are brought against that person, but our court system really is not concerned with proving them innocent—their real purpose is to prove a person guilty and get the case out of court!! When my neighbor was accused of killing two children (including his daughter), the prosecutor decided that he was guilty because he had already been in prison once. In zero matters did the prosecutor EVER try to prove innocence, but harassed the man until he signed a paper saying he was guilty! No bathroom breaks, no food, no water, just constant harassment without an attorney to be on HIS side, the man gave up and signed the stupid confession. Years later, after he had spent five years in prison, the DNA that was found hidden in the judge’s closet to his chambers showed that a totally different person had killed the two little girls. And that man who actually killed the little girls went on to kill some Navy nurses and some women in an Asian country. If justice had been served in the first place, those women would not have died.

 

Those who accuse falsely should be served with the same justice that they expected to be given to those they accuse. We give mercy when mercy is shown, but those who lie and falsely accuse have no mercy whatsoever.

 

When God’s kingdom comes to this world, no lies will be heard. Satan, the father of lies, will be restrained for a thousand years. After those thousand years, there will be a time that mankind will see what Satan caused by his rebellion. In God’s holy days, that is the Last Great Day. For now, we look toward the day of the return of Jesus Christ as the king of kings. May that day come soon!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Sauerkraut and Sausage.

 Sauerkraut and Sausage.

 

Cabbage does not have to be raw to go well with this diet. So, the sauerkraut and sausage was ready on the stove when AJ brought over some chicken stew from Shona’s house. Very tasty! Only used half of the sausage in my pan, so that is going to be a couple of meals tomorrow. And learning to like coconut milk should not be all that difficult. Shake it up good and it almost tastes like real milk.

 

Folks may get tired of listening to me growl about my knee and this diet, but that is pretty much all that is on my mind other than how to get out to take care of the hens without giving in to more than growling. Judie Brunson said she is having fits with her knee, too. But she has that really bad kind of arthritis. She has even broken bones just going through a pole fence! Just don’t want this mess to get any worse than it is.

 

The wind was so bad last night that Thompson could not settle down. And the branches that Lance piled up in a hole blew across the yard and landed by the middle coop. Drug them back and kinda hope they stay there this time. Anyway, no sense in worrying about what blows in or out around here. It’s Texas, and the wind is going to blow!

 

Took some time to read this afternoon about a family that ranched in Montana. Mineral rights and ecological considerations seem to be the most trying part of living in some of that part of the country. Could not stop thinking about what the oil pumps have done to West Texas. Out there the unplugged holes from old wells have started shooting salty water high into the air. The water will ruin the ground for growing anything, of course. And the oil that is still in the ground can be set on fire if folks are not careful. It’s just a horrible way to treat the earth. Digging any kind of mineral out of the earth should be done carefully, but greed is always the winner in any endeavor, it seems. Wish folks were always more considerate of the earth and what our actions do to those who live there.

 

Watching a little bit of the videos from western NC this morning and the group from Samaritan’s Purse. An entire swarm of them were cleaning up stuff around the edges of the river and out of the trees. It reminded me of all the tin from barns and such that was wrapped around the mesquite trees here at home when the tornado finished that night in April of ’79. Driving back out to Petrolia to see my parents, we saw that there were zero fences for holding in cattle or any kind of livestock. Made me wonder where all that wire went to. In NC, everything had to end up somewhere at the end of all those rivers. A big ol’ wall of water could move most of a mountain one way or another. But the same is true in Florida along the coast. Just makes a person shake their head and feel amazed.

 

As a child, someone gave me a little necklace with a mustard seed inside a glass bubble. In Luke 17:6 Christ said that even if we only had a bit of faith—as small as a mustard seed, it could grow so that one could say to a mulberry tree that it should go fall in the sea and it would. It seemed to me that the last hurricane got whittled down by the believing prayers of those who wanted folks in Florida protected. Right now, my prayers are that God will give this nation a strong leader who will not attempt to hobble Israel. Common sense tells us that to fight an enemy, we don’t let them keep their strongest assets. So it is up to us to vote and to pray to God to protect Israel and also this nation that was founded on the belief in His laws.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Here We Go Again!

 Here We Go Again!

 

Been hobbling around here not really sure if my arthritis or what was causing me so much effort to get my come along in gear. Found out today that what it is called is tendonitis. Climbing up in the back of a truck is really not one of my better decisions, don’t you see. Helping to unload the hay might have been why the muscles between the shoulders were tight as a drum, but it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. Sterling told me that they make some kind of ladder that fastens to the tailgate to let down in order to be able to climb up in the back of the truck. My comment was that it is hardly ever necessary to get up there. His reply: One time is all it takes. Guess that makes sense.

 

Found out that Tiger Balm is mostly an ointment made with aspirin, so if a person is already taking a NSAID, it might not be a good idea to add on more aspirin. Argh. CBD makes more sense, but the cost is out of sight.

 

In order to get my weight down and keep the blood sugar where it belongs, the old woman has to go back to being fairly strict with the carbs. Sigh. Had mushrooms fried in butter with a bit of chicken earlier and then cooked a big section of broccoli with a few carrots. Didn’t eat all the broccoli and carrots, so will handle that later. Did you know that carrots contain carbs? Snacks? Have pickled okra in the fridge. Pickles—dill or sour—are ok, too. Really like celery—one of my favorite veggies—with pimento cheese or some kind of cream cheese. Foods are just pretty easy to come by for most of us, but can’t imagine trying to feed a man on these foods. Men really prefer steak and potatoes! But they generally get more exercise than some of us. Jennifer reminded me that getting out this summer was almost impossible in the extreme heat. Even walking down to Patty’s was hard unless we both got up early. Just have to figure out a way to exercise without walking and messing up the knee. It is SO much better than it was. The swelling one night prompted the use of a frozen towel wrapped around the thing. At least our bodies do heal.

 

Watched a little news this morning on the computer. Some teacher from one of the little schools up in the hills said that they had found all but a few of their students. Most made it out alive. Sat there and thought about how that would affect the teachers, the classmates, and everyone in the community. We have lived through tornadoes and the absolute mess and loss of life, but this particular disaster has touched so many lives. The teacher’s main appeal was: don’t forget us. Guess that is what we all look for in this life. But you know the One Who will never forget us. We can pray that our lives will bring others to Him, but we are at the same time assured that no matter what happens in this life, He will never forget us.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

It's WHITE!

 It’s WHITE!

 

Just got the truck washed! The machine still left a few spider webs, but most of them were cleaned off. Went to have the oil changed, and Mr. Weaver wanted to know if the truck ever got driven. Well, what does one say when the last time the thing was out on the road was in 2022? Anyway, he asked to clean up the headlights because there was a film inside there, and he thought they would not even show enough to see the road in the dark. Told him the old woman never drove at night, but he insisted that the truck really needed to have night lights. So, he cleaned them. And, yes, they look great now. No film inside. And the car wash cleaned up most of the spider webs, but the old girl who needs to get inside and clean the dog nose prints off the back windows is a little tired at the moment, so that may not get done today. Tried to clean off the back window good at the Stripes station, but someone is not tall enough to reach across there. Oh well.

 

My niece just sent an emoji that said, “It appears that the day is different but the excrement remaineth the same.” Sitting here nodding my head. We are so blessed to be able to gripe about our days. God, forbid we see the days when no one can even sit and nod their head and feel that such days are shared among friends and family.

 

Brussel sprouts are din-upper with whatever else happens to fall out of the fridge today. Sylvia was happy to eat her breakfast, but Thompson still has not eaten today. These critters! Trying the “Old Grandpa” feeder again out in the middle coop. Not sure my hens will ever get smart enough to stand on the opener to get feed. Lance seems to think that if they get hungry enough, they will figure it out. Dang wild birds get there first! But the wild birds can’t get the feeder shelf to open to get to the feed.

 

Had intended to eat one of these pretty tomatoes with my scrambled eggs and bacon this morning, but just flat forgot. So, it’s Brussel sprouts, sliced tomato, and a bottle of water. The sprouts have a butter sauce on them that is pretty tasty. Simply can’t imagine how anyone could live without lots of veggies! Well, and a few fresh eggs.

 

Talked to Sterling early this morning, and he and George (his friend) were busy as beavers cutting up wood and sanding things down making more benches and rockers. He can’t seem to keep up with the demand. Anyway, he said he used his wood burning needle to put a chicken on my rocking chair. That just about tickles me pea green!

 

Kinda dread going downtown to the city office to get my tags, and may call tomorrow and see if this silly paperwork can’t just be mailed in. Seems like Patty said they did that the first time, but maybe not. Everything is closed today for Columbus Day or whatever. Well, and my doctor won’t be in her office until tomorrow. As my niece said, “Different day, same shtuff.”

 

Dust mopped the living room and kitchen where the dogs mostly track their share of Texas dirt. Honestly! Not so much hair at the moment, but certainly plenty of dirt. Lance took the beater part of the Bissel vacuum apart that he got for me. The beater stopped beating or turning. Jennifer said that others had complained of the same problem, but it made me wonder if they had dog hair everywhere!! It has to have something to do with clogging up the turning apparatus. Oh well. My other vacuum is heavier, but it beats and vacuums well.

 

Not sure if it is the heads of cabbage given to the girls or maybe the weather or a combination of the cessation of molting or what, but the girls are beginning to lay a bit better. Got an entire dozen eggs today! Out of nineteen hens—of which five are older and one is broody—that is a pretty good count!

 

Reading today and wondering about how much an old woman has been willing to wave a white flag and ask for mercy. The reading in the meditations for today talked about David and how he gave up and asked for God’s mercy. We can’t “fix” ourselves or the stupid things we do. We have to recognize sin for what it is and go from there. But the going HAS to start with asking for forgiveness. We used to sing a song based on David’s psalm asking for God to create a new heart in him. That is what it will take—even every stinking day! Oh, none of us might go out and find a woman bathing on a housetop, but let’s face it, we have those little things that become bigger over time. Maybe it is just “worry” or thinking we need to consider every corner of the world and how it could be “fixed.” It will take more than worry or wondering for this world to ever make it to God’s standards. Let’s face it, Satan has made a total mess of so much in today’s world. Listening to Max talk about what is to be expected in 2045 made me glad that my days are numbered. Maybe David was really glad that his time was also limited so that he could know that a day would arrive when he would no longer sin. Despite how much we want to do what is right—at least what is right in our own minds—those thoughts are not God’s thoughts. We have no idea how He really thinks. But we have that one total assurance that He loves us and will wipe out the shadow of our sins for His Son’s sake. Mercy is there for us. Don’t know about you, but this old woman will get out her white flag every day, morning and night and sometimes in between.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

The NON Merry-Go-Round.

 The NON-Merry-Go-Round.

 

Getting ready to go to bed and looked up at the ceiling and noticed a spider crawling around up there above the ceiling fan. Got the fly swatter out and stopped the fan. Hit AT the spider which fell ONTO the fan. Couldn’t be sure it had fallen off on the bed or wherever, so turned the fan back on. Then the thoughts of that horrible NON fun merry-go-round on the playground came to mind. We felt about like that spider must have felt! Whooosh! No stopping to get off unless it was to FALL off! Oh well. As long as it does not end up in bed with me!!

 

Enjoyed a visit with Laisha and Max this evening. They got to hold Red and listen to her talk hen talk to them. The broody hen was not in the nest or we would have hauled her out to be a lap chicken. Did you know that not everyone likes chickens? Some people are actually afraid of chickens. Hmm. The world keeps changing.

 

We talked about some of the good things that happened today. They went by Faith Baptist and picked up a couple of pumpkins and brought them to my girls. Then they both got to cut a pumpkin—or in the case of the littler one—got to hit it with a hammer to knock a hole in it. The hens appreciated the extra stuff to nibble on. They have already made a pretty good dent in the larger pumpkin.

 

Got some Tiger Balm ointment today. Each package had two little bottles of stuff in it. On the plastic package it said that they were sold two together. Whoever loaded the package decided it meant two packages rather than two in ONE package, so there were four little bottles of the stuff. Extra strength! Gave one to Max for his shoulder or whatever. Reminds me of the TWO 31.5-pound bags of dog food sent to me from Amazon. Makes me wonder if the folks who load stuff understand directions.

 

Really feel as if this weekend missed a day somewhere! Surely tomorrow can’t be Monday! Bet others feel the very same way. Weekends need to be longer sometimes. Actually, tomorrow is Columbus Day, so some folks don’t have to get up and go to work at all. That may mean no mail—not that much comes that matters anyway. Can count on two fingers the number of letters received around here this year. Such is life.

 

Have four whole eggs that are going to make breakfast tomorrow with a big, fat tomato. Well, and maybe some bacon put in the air fryer. Here’s hoping it won’t be as salty as the stuff Lance cooked the other day. Not sure why they would put that much salt in any kind of meat!! Yuck! These ends and pieces are supposed to be good in an air fryer according to Sterling, so will have to speak to him if they don’t turn out good—JOKING! With things we buy these days, we have no idea what is going to be in them.

 

Taking a deep breath and hoping for a good night’s sleep. Sylvia should be pretty tired—or at least her jaws should be. She finally got her treat out of the inside of the ball Lance stuck it in. She chewed and chewed and then finally got it to fall out so she could eat the pieces. Then she licked the floor! Must be tasty!

 

Each day we wake up is a blessing in my estimation. Oh, getting forgetful just means some things might be newer in my memory—or not. Guess getting senile could be its own blessing? God will just have to remember that an old woman forgets things that are important more often. Then He will have more reason to show His mercy. May our lives begin again each morning knowing that He is always with us. And the same when we go to bed each night.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

A Hard Day's Work!

 A Hard Day's Work!

It made me So tired watching Lance work today!

Pardon Me Roy!

 Pardon Me Roy!

 

Strange things come to my mind. And a few escape. But the title of this particular blog today comes from a story about Roy Rogers and his new boots. See, Roy needed some spiffy new boots and he wore them down to the corral to talk to Trigger. Well, you know what corrals contain besides horses. So, Roy was sweet and took off his boots on the mud porch but didn’t quite get the door shut good. Sometime in the night, a big cougar came sniffing around and chewed up his new boots! This terribly upset Roy to see his new boots chewed up that way, so he grabbed his gun, got on Trigger, and away into the foothills he galloped. Seeing the cougar tracks leading into a little draw where there was water, he got off Trigger and sighted his rifle at that critter down by the pond. Bang! Got it! He roped it and drug it back toward the ranch. His neighbor came up and said, “Pardon me Roy, is that the cat that chewed your new shoes?” If that is just a little bit difficult to think about, just remember the song about the Chattanooga choo choo.

 

Some thoughts should probably remain restrained. Oh well.

 

Maria got my house all spick and span. But she was wringing out a mop and a scorpion got her! Dadgumit! We cleaned up the sink where she had washed the mop and scrubbed it out after killing the scorpion. Put some salve on her finger and watched her head down to Patty’s to clean up after Roxy. Praise God for good housekeepers!

 

Speaking of praising God: one woman wanted everyone to notice that this last hurricane was supposed to be a major disaster. Not saying that it and the tornados it spawned were not terrible, but it seemed to have gone from a Cat 5 to a one in nothing flat. Prayers, Dear Hearts! That is the power of prayers. Even folks in the disaster area of Helene’s path were praying for those in Florida! All we have to do is ask God.

 

My youngest grandson in the Ostand household is taking Tamiflu and feeling like cat stuff in the box. Will be SO glad when everyone gets over whatever they have. Still have a couple of neighbors down with crud—plus the kids, too. Thankfully Patty and I are just ornery.

 

Been reading some stories about women who have left situations where they felt less than appreciated—as in abused. It is hard for anyone of either sex to recover from abuse. Sometimes the abuse is not physical necessarily and is simply enough to make a person feel less than what a man or woman should be. It is not easy to make an “escape” when one feels obligated to a marriage or as if we owe someone some kind of allegiance. Going out on one’s own can simply be too frightening. Still, getting totally away from a person or situation can sometimes help a person heal. However, the best “medicine” for healing is to input the Word of God. No matter where we move to or what we leave behind, God walks with us. His spirit upholds us—but we need to ask and we need to read examples that He has given to us. Do you remember that Rahab was one of the ancestors of Mary, the mother of Christ? Not sure if she left Jericho or if she moved on from there eventually with her husband, but a husband she DID have despite what she had been before. A little red cord (the symbol of a prostitute) saved her life and all those in the house with her. She had to have faith to hide the spies and to put that red cord down the side of the outer wall of the city. We never know what we will be asked to do, but whatever God wants, we should do our best to be obedient. Prayer, reading His word, practicing faith: these are the very least things we should be doing.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

How To Encourage?

 How To Encourage?

 

Today my brother very gently told me that he did not want to know anything about what was going on after these two hurricanes. It is just too much. We are too old to go help and not financially affluent enough to help in that way. So, what can we do to encourage others? At home we have neighbors. Some around us right now are down with some kind of virus or whatever it is. Fever, stomach upsets, and the like are not any fun at all. Again, what can we do to encourage others? My best bet is prayer as it does not require walking on this silly knee. Sending a text message to my ailing grandson and asking him each day if anything is better and letting him know someone loves him dearly. Yes, that is not much. But it beats nothing, yes?

 

Ordered some groceries last night online to be delivered today around nine. Nothing happened. Called the store. The delivery did not happen. Finally, they called and talked to me. Apparently, my order went home with the delivery person. Nuts and berries. Oh, one of the nice managers came and brought my groceries, but it made me feel as if something the old woman had done might have caused the problem. Guess not. Anyway, got the stuff put away and more chicken on to cook. Both dogs asked for breakfast and then would not eat. Go figure! Wasted two cans of dog food! Guess the hens will get a surprise!

 

Lance is coming Saturday, so the old woman asked Maria if she could clean the house tomorrow. It always makes me feel good to have the floors all cleaned and the dusting done at the same time. Not sure where all this dust is coming from, but might be able to grow potatoes in all this excess dust—if there were any water to mix with the dust!! Shona said she has dust too! Patty says her dust is combined with a lot of Roxy hair. At least it is not spider webs!

 

Finally got all the laundry folded and put away. It makes me wonder these days how it all got done when there were five of us in this house. But back then it seemed as if things never stopped. Something always needed to be done from early until late. Guess that is the big difference. Someone goes to bed and sleeps around here nowadays. But really miss the man whose feet kept the floors dirty and the kids who filled the laundry basket every day. Ah, but some things just move on through our lives. Now it is two dogs and nineteen hens making work. They are pretty easy to live with—well, mostly.

 

Don’t think my mind is up to talking about anything serious this evening. The only really important thing in most of our lives is just doing what we know is right and doing what needs to be done one day at a time. May our love for God and His other children be on our minds when other things feel overwhelming.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.