Sweet Notes and Naps.

 Sweet Notes and Naps.

 

Such a day! Got a thick envelope that had two more envelopes in it today. Addressed to me and then one addressed inside to Patty, both notes were from Katy’s Dog Place. She was very appreciative of the bedding, the sweaters, and the harnesses for her dogs. Apparently, her dogs are often fearful of collars and leashes, so the harnesses that Patty sent to her were great for some of the little critters. Katy had already sent us some pictures of a few of the dogs wearing some of the cute outfits that Patty had bought for her dogs before they got too big for them. Such sweet little dogs! The notes Katy sent made me feel that the effort was definitely worth it for those little ones! Wish we had been able to do more for them. If and when my sewing machine gets back to working right, she may get some more pads for the small dogs as beds. Here’s hoping the old woman gets busy and cleans that machine soon.

 

Not sure exactly why a nap had to happen today, but for some reason it seemed to be necessary. Haven’t done that much today for sure! Every other day may be about as much effort as can be raked up around here lately. At least walked down to Patty’s a couple of times today, and we watched Roxie be her ornery self while running around and rolling in the higher grass. If we truly get some rain soon, it should still take a couple of weeks before any grass grows enough to need to be mown. Dry, dry, dry! Not to mention dusty!

 

Had planned to pick up a few things at United including a couple of heads of cabbage for the girls. Every time the kitchen door opens, they flock me wanting something. Simply don’t have much to offer them at the moment. Guess some carrots could be peeled and offered to them after cooking. For sure these dogs are not really interested in carrots at the moment. Used to cook carrots and peas to put in with their chicken, but Thompson, at least, has turned his nose up at the chicken lately. Go figure. Might try getting a delivery from Walmart as Patty tells me that they are much cheaper. Simply cannot do the walking around bit inside those stores any longer. Got to figure that the back of the store feels like a quarter of a mile away from the parking lot!

 

Sterling said he is taking a rocking horse apart to learn how to make one for the new neighbors up on the hill above their place. They have a little four-year-old that might enjoy it. He already has two rocking chairs ready for the adults to give as a homecoming present. Maybe that should be house-warming present. Whatever it is, pretty sure they will like it.

 

Noticed that Albert’s truck was home all day. Certainly hope that he did not catch that stomach virus that Leonna brought home from Legacy the other day. Shona said that going to a real high school has been good for the girl, but she has found that there seems to be a lot of very rough fighting in the school. It reminds me of some of the stuff that went on at Kirby some years ago. Even the teachers had to be careful!

 

Saw a video featuring RFK today talking about how Dwight Eisenhower warned the US about the military complex trying to run the country. It seems the CIA was determined to get us involved in a fight with Cuba and then in Vietnam later. JFK was determined to keep the US out of these wars. And then the CIA got rid of one of our best presidents. Makes you realize that some government agencies are scarily in more control than anyone around! And we won’t even think about how much control the pharmaceutical companies have! May God protect us!

 

We keep reading about more earthquakes all over the place. Have only been around for one here in WF in my lifetime. The only other one was supposedly caused by dynamite up at the Petrolia cemetery when the ground was so hard that they were unable to dig graves back when we were kids. Did not appreciate either one of those boom-and-shake situations! But the current earthquakes seem to be from the tectonic plates that are moving around. God put those in place as nearly as we can tell, so let that be a good suggestion to us all to stay as close to Him as we can. His kingdom will come before some of us ever pass on, nevermind what mankind has done to ruin this earth.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Definitely NOT Playing.

 Definitely NOT Playing.

 

You have heard of “playing ‘possum” so you know that sometimes this animal will act dead in order to escape later. Not this time. Thompson got it out from under the piece of plywood and Sylvia took care of the killing part. Actually, would like ‘possums except that they kill chickens for the fun of it. Anyway, it was a very large critter that the old woman had to heave into the bin this morning.

 

The ”excitement” of the capture had the dogs all in a tizzy so that it was hard to get them to settle down to go back to bed. Have no idea what caused Thompson to go look for it in the first place, but both dogs had to have their faces washed off before they could go back to bed. Just so glad that it did not get in one of the coops and get my hens.

 

Steven called this afternoon and wanted to buy some eggs. He said a carton of 18 was basically ten bucks! We did some horse swappin’ since selling eggs is against my standards. He was able to get my neck to relax somewhat in exchange for a dozen eggs. The headache that had been threatening all day did not get to me because the bones actually relaxed into a line instead of kinking to one side. Still tired from lack of sleep, but at least feel somewhat better.

 

Cleaned out the middle and first coop. The hens were not exactly thrilled with the rearrangement, but it did not prevent them from laying eggs. Also, the “scratch” bin is down to the last of that kind of feed. Won’t buy any more of it now that the temps are going up more every day. Corn makes chickens hot, so that is not needed now that spring-ish weather is around the corner. We may get rain Sunday, or at least we can hope for the answer to our prayers about the rain. If we don’t get some rain soon, we might as well get ready for another drought. Pray for rain!

 

Sterling had Jacqui send pictures of the “box” for my stepstool for the bed. He built something that should be about the right height for me to use to get into my bed. Have been really having to stretch one leg to get up there. The step-stool that Lance built is too high and not exactly balanced for this purpose. But it was not meant to be used for a bed lift mounting block. Pretty sad that this old woman who used to jump onto the back of her horse can’t even hop onto her bed!

 

Had to have another shower after cleaning the coops this morning and was surprised that my hair decided to curl. Not sure just which shampoo it is that makes this stuff stick out like my finger had been inserted in an electric socket, but this body wash is doing great for a change.

 

Talking to Sterling about our childhood illnesses and both of us were thinking that we had more than one kind of measles—the three-day measles and the “German” measles were pretty rough. Mom made us stay in bed and kept the room dark to protect our eyes. We were never allowed to eat in bed, but we got dry toast and bouillon while we were ill. Have no idea why. But we both agreed that the smallpox vaccine was the stinkingest situation of all. Dr. Hurn scratched us with a piece of glass and swabbed that place with something. We were told not to scratch or bother the scab. It just makes me shudder to remember how that scab stunk! The scar is still there, but not nearly as noticeable as years ago. That is one disease that was supposed to be eradicated in the U.S. Wish that having the mumps were a guarantee that no one would that mess ever again. Had it in both sides of my jaws!

Daughter-in-law would not let us near the baby until we had had a “fresh” vaccination for all that MMR stuff. Carla Beard said that we are actually supposed to get another measles vaccine every ten years. Think this old woman will skip that one. Had all those things as a child—plus chicken pox!

 

Re-reading in Lehman Straus’ guide to Revelation. Every time that book is opened, it brings another surprise. He explains how the word “throne” and “thrones” can mean different things. Of course, we know that THE throne of God is one, but it still makes me curiously confused when it talks about the 24 elders and their thrones. But then, when he explained about the separation between salvation and crowns, some things made more sense. Not sure my explanation could help anyone just yet. But it seems that crowns are the “works” that we were supposed to do while we lived. Sitting here hoping that the old woman did not miss or mess up in that situation. May God forgive me if something went undone!

 

Let us pray that we can see things more from God’s perspective than from the viewpoint of man. True vision does not come from this world since it belongs to Satan still.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Just Little Things.

 Just Little Things.

 

Decided to switch the curtains in the living room so that the curtain rods would not be an issue. Got those changed out early on and then chased down the city truck to tell them they did not need to come up our road. Well, so much for what the old woman knows! Number Nine is paying for recycling whether or not they knew it before now. They can still get the green bin if they want it, but they can only put specific things in there—branches, green stuff, little pieces of lumber—the stuff that can actually be all chopped up and put in the landfill for recycling green stuff. Not exactly my concern. But it might help that they now know not to go down to Patty’s driveway.

 

Got ONE shelf cleaned in the middle coop before giving out. The hens may or may not appreciate it, but it required a shower for the nasty old body who shoveled out the stuff. Actually, the shelf was not that bad, but it stunk because someone did not put the DE on top of the straw. Sigh. It’s fixed, DE and all.

 

Thompson has not been interested in eating much lately, so he got hand fed today. No kibble, just ground turkey. Surely hope this is not a sign that he is going down. He is the sweetest dog ever. Got him from the Texas Pit Crew when he was 8 weeks old and taught him to come. However, we never have conquered the “don’t pull” command. He still is the most protective critter on this hill. Will always remember the evening he jumped up in the air like he did when he was younger in order to grab the freaking raccoon that was headed for my face!! He shook that critter and then slung his head while spitting repeatedly. Must have tasted nasty! Still, if that stupid coon had bit or scratched me, would have had to take the rabies vaccine! Horrors.

 

Have the back dog door latched to keep it from whamming open in this wind. Have looked at the wind speed a couple of times and the highest was nearly 20 mph. For sure, it can push us around out here on this old hill! Wish it would rain—at least enough to water the grass and fill up the stock tanks and area lakes. But that is going to take more than one day of moisture!

 

Haven’t really looked at much in the way of headlines. Not really sure it would help the state of the world and certainly not the mental health of an old biddy. Just appreciating the stuff my daughter bought to put on my sore knee. Still limping, but at least getting around is not nearly as difficult. Old age is a privilege, don’t you see. The rest is only to be endured.

 

Let us remember the children and families in need right now. Spring may bring green things, but for some it has brought measles and flooding. God bless those in such circumstances.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Recovering?

 Recovering?

 

Have you ever noticed that sometimes it seems to take a day to “recover” from the day before? Well, today was “don’t do much of anything and just be still.” Not sure if it really helped, but maybe tomorrow will work out better. At least, got the curtains out of the back bedroom from the linen closet in there so the old woman can plan on getting some new curtain hooks that are large enough to go around the current rods in the living room. Or it may take new rods AND hooks! It’s always something.

 

Michelle Malay sent her brother-in-law to take her mother-in-law to get a haircut and to stop by the church; then they stopped by to drop off some things and pick up eggs. Think Mother Malay has to go see the eye doctor tomorrow, and then maybe Michelle has to go see her doctor one day this week. Anyway, Michelle sent some cute things that made me smile and want to hug her! Maybe she will stop by when she has to come to town. Could have kicked myself for forgetting to send Maggie Mae her two sweaters. But it is getting warmer every day now. Oh well.

 

Talked to my sister by another mother and got the low down on the latest stuff going on in her life. She keeps getting lost in Shreveport! She knows how to get to the Post Office and to Walmart, so she won’t starve. Her phones don’t always work, but she keeps walking to maintain her strength and her ability to get things done! The dog loves to walk with her, and if she would let the cat out, that silly meow bag would follow her every step of the way!

 

Getting the curtains hung will be the main indoor activity tomorrow, but also plan to clean out at least one coop. Speaking of which, Jennifer named the three-way cousin/aunt/mom conversation on our phones: The Chicken House. Thought it was pretty funny, but wondered why it was not The Dog House. Rachel’s dog just had those five puppies; Lesli’s dog is most often the subject of her photos; and my dogs took over this house ages ago! One of the puppies will end up at Lance’s house before everything is over, but Lance and Tracy quite often dog sit anyway. Now it will be dog and puppy sitting! Oh boy!

 

Not going to quote any scripture to you all this evening because we ALL know that God wants us and our children in His family. May this be the heritage of all our families—family members with our brother, Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of God.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

It Could Be Worse.

 It Could Be Worse.

 

Patty recently paid to have our road worked on—mostly because it bothered me so much. Her end of the road was so bad that the people who were making deliveries were afraid to drive over the area where the trash truck had dug out a small canyon. Anyway, we found a couple of people on those places where you find them, and two came to talk to us. The first one was way cheaper, but he seemed sketchy and had those tattoos all over his face. The next one was more expensive, but seemed like a nice guy and seemed to know what he was doing. Yep, he did a number on us! In Patty’s words: He is a lying sack of shizzlebaum. He ended up charging her much more for the work than what was on the original paperwork. Then this past week OK Concrete let Patty know that they were going to file a lien against her property because the asphalt person, Pat O’Hara, had not paid for the supplies. We are hoping that O’Hara goes and pays the bill for OK Concrete and we never hear from any other company that he has not paid!! Patty called her lawyer to see if this was kosher, and sure enough, if you hire a contractor and he does not pay for the supplies, you are liable for the junk he used. WARNING: this is the kind of situation that makes people turn old before their time!! Anyway, please pray that the situation is resolved so that Patty does not have to pay nearly $1K for gravel. Not to mention the strain of such an idiotic situation!!

 

My entire day has been a hobbled mess, but the extension cord is now back in the workshop where it belongs, some furniture removed from the house, and the living room floor is mopped and nice and clean. If any energy shows up tomorrow, the front chicken coop will get cleaned—and maybe the middle coop.

 

The hens have been enjoying the sunshine and have been laying eggs like champs! Saving these for Michelle Malay and hoping she will get them soon. She tells me a more or less date for the next knee surgery, but my head is not on straight, so it skips right over that internal calendar. Sigh. So glad that her brother-in-law Tim is there with her to help.

 

Moved the two big flower containers to the front porch. If it is supposed to get cold again, will just cover them rather than haul their heavy ends back inside! Nice flower pots and nice flowers, but drippy and messy when being watered. Oh, but they flowers are so uplifting!

 

Have you ever considered how that a person can be culturally ignorant? Well, you are reading the message of a person who does not know anything about the movies or sports personalities. TV is never turned on around here. Of course, most young folks don’t go around listening to records or even radios—well, maybe radios if it has their particular brand of music on it. Most young folks don’t know the words to songs from back in the 50s to the 80s. [NOT that this person does either.] But Patty was trying to tell me what someone looked like while giving a reference to a TV show. Then she stopped: “But you have never seen him, have you?” Nope, can’t say that anyone makes my list unless it was one of the James Bond characters. And that was only because Lewis wanted me to see the movies with him. And you know what? Being culturally ignorant in some areas of life doesn’t hurt a thing. Now, trying to help my friend Carla Beard with references to drugs and the words for “high” was interesting. One of my grandchildren said that someone who used MJ would be “smoked.” How strange. This old woman has never played Pickle Ball either! Guess the rules and equipment could be researched, but why bother? My pace is not even as fast as a broody hen!!

 

Still reading in Revelation and researching scriptures. Still thinking about some verses that have me puzzled: The end will not come unless there is a great falling away:

The Great Apostasy happens inside the visible or institutional church

The Great Apostasy refers to a significant falling away from the Christian faith. This isn’t a rebellion against the government by unbelievers, this is a rebellion against Christian belief and practice, by previously believing and associating people. This appears to be the near consensus of most reformed and evangelical scholars. Anthony Hoekema for example says here:

“The apostasy will occur within the ranks of the members of the visible church.”[1]⁠

G.K. Beal argues similarly:

“The point Paul appears to be making is that the visible church community, within which true saints exist, will become so apostate that it will be dominantly filled with people who profess to be Christian but really are not. The church will continue to profess to be Christian but most in it will actually not be true believers.”⁠[2]

The Great Apostasy appears to function as an end times trigger

In both Matthew 24 and 2 Thessalonians 2 this Great Apostasy is associated with events immediately prior to the Second Coming of Christ. Jesus says:

“And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another…. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:10–14 ESV)

 

Just to say that to me it has not been all that clear because it seemed that a falling away might mean that suddenly people stopped believing in the One True God! In my mind, it felt like folks would be dubious because they discovered that “other worlds” were inhabited. But then, what does an old woman know? It would not bother me to find that God had populated other planets when we have so much in this world that is unexplainable! For that matter, what if we discovered that God had created different planes of existence in time and space? Does that make Him any less a creator? Not to worry. Betting the thief on the cross next to Christ had very little understanding, but because he called on Jesus Christ to save him, he will be there with Christ!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Sunset Thirty.

 Sunset-Thirty.

 

It is not quite 70 degrees outside, but it has been a very pleasant day around here. Coolish, but comfortable. No one should gripe when the wind is not blowing a bloom of dust our way, but we might truly need to be praying for rain. Nothing is going to grow without some moisture. Deep sigh.

 

A mail truck came up the road this morning and the young lady was taking a picture of Lake Wichita. She did not understand why there were open places out in the middle that were not frozen. Skip McBride could probably tell her the scientific reasons why the center of the lake held warmer water, but she seemed satisfied to know that it was warmer in the middle than at the edges. Go figure.

 

Had some roasted Brussel sprouts with fall squash and white onions for din-upper this evening. Put a blob of butter in there after removing them from the oven, but it didn’t seem as if the butter melted enough to make a difference. Still pretty good eating.

 

Had some instant coffee this morning that was definitely not decaf. Sitting here hoping that sleep will happen anyway. Only drank one cup, so there’s that. The spiced chai latte is good, but the coffee was a bit better—probably just because coffee is so good anyway! Grew up drinking coffee from the time my granddad made it for me on the mornings that he went to the sheep barn and brought lambs inside to be warmed up on the oven door. If they are not dried and warmed up, their little ears get frozen and parts fall off. Can happen to any critter in a Texas cold snap, but little calves and lambs get the worst of it. The ewes or cows don’t settle back down over their babies to warm them. Not sure why it is that way, but many a calf has perished in cold weather births.

 

My friend Barbara Matthews posted pictures of herself and her husband celebrating their 60^th wedding anniversary. Sweetest little grandbaby in some of those pictures! And some good memory makers for the years ahead. May God bless them with many more years together.

 

Today was thinking about a class with a professor out at MSU when the old woman was much younger. He spoke of how Americans are so set on the value of the individual rather than the majority. It struck me at the time that the men and women who settled this country HAD to be individualists. Our relatives in Britain and other countries were not exactly cheering us on for our families or anything other than whatever benefit we could have been to them. British colonies were supposed to benefit the home country without any regard to the cost to individuals. But life doesn’t really work that way. Thinking about the battles that Joshua saw and the work of God that showed the Israelites where the hand of God led them. They fought as individuals, but it was in order to help their tribe, their nation, their people. It has been very much that way in this country. Men (and women) fought the battles and helped each other recover, but it was for their fellow soldiers, the homes, their nation. Being an individualist has been a good thing in this nation. We try—just TRY—to keep justice, but it is not always just perfect—far from it in some instances. But at least we try. And recognizing God’s place in our lives is the first right step in any endeavor. May our thoughts and actions be according to His will.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

A Warmer Day!

 A Warmer Day!

 

So glad to have warmer temps and less wind! The kitchen drain thawed out and my attitude improved remarkedly. Even the hens seemed to have a better attitude! Still no grass, but it takes rain to make fresh grass. Maybe soon.

 

Have thought about Petrolia and our old home place today. So glad that someone has bought the place and will enjoy living there. The city needs some basic help with water works, but many small towns have that problem. In fact, many towns much larger than Petrolia have much worse problems with water sources. But then, this is Texas.

 

Thompson stood in the kitchen door and “talked” to me this afternoon. He indicated that no fresh food had been placed on their kibble. For shame! Mom is falling down on her job! So they got a good chunk of chicken in each bowl, and they looked at it and walked away. They KNEW they had smelled beef cooking today! Well, they will get beef tomorrow. Sylvia had a couple of bites of pizza crust, but she was not really all that happy with that small offering. Oh well.

 

Spent some time reading again in the study guide for Revelation written by Lehman Straus. Went back to read about the Nicolaitans who devised the system of laymen and what we would consider priests or ministers like bishops and such. God did not intend for that system to ever be used in His church. But it is in nearly every church today—well, maybe not in the Baptist church. Not sure about the Quakers either. Not too familiar with their organization. But it is obvious that God wants the individuals to seek Him and not some office or title. Sometimes, especially when thinking about my children and the grands, it makes me hope that my example will not be taken in the wrong way. Only God can call a person, but it would not seem to be a mistake to pray for our children and their response to God’s calling. We know that He knocks, but the latch is on the INSIDE of the door. May God the Father lead all our children to Him through His son, Jesus Christ!

 

Wishing for rain and spring to come soon. The ground is so very dry and the grass won’t grow until it gets real rain. Let us pray for rain and growth of the spring season. Meanwhile, may God bless those who have lost everything in whatever major upset we have in our world—floods, fires, earthquakes, and tidal waves! May our nation and its leaders be led in the way that God would direct them.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.  

Sunny Expectations!

 Sunny Expectations!

 

Have become SO very tired of this achy weather! Ready for sunshine and some temps to thaw out the water trough and make it possible to use the water hose out back. Taking water out back from the kitchen is ok, but turning on the water hose is much more convenient. Then, too, have the feeling that sweeping out the house will make everything feel better.

 

My friend Barbara Matthews is celebrating hers and Mike’s 60^th wedding anniversary. That is quite a few years for putting up with the honey do’s and the “honey, where is’s.” Roger sent me this video of a woman being approached by her husband wanting to know where the scissors were. She told him that she had been the guided tour guide for 16 and half years. He should have learned in that amount of time where to find the scissors. He found them and then stood there. She looked up at him and he said, “The tape?” Absolutely true!

 

The dipstick who put the oil and gravel on this road was as crooked as a dog’s hind leg. Apparently, he did not pay for the gravel that he put down and now the gravel company has put a lien on Patty’s place for the amount charged for the gravel. She turned it over to her lawyer, but she is fit to be tied! It makes me feel so bad that the old woman encouraged her to get the road fixed where the stupid trash trucks had made it a canyon. If anyone ever asks for a recommendation for road work, please do not hire Industrial Asphalt and Pat O’Hara! He is a freaking crook!

 

Sent 4 and ½ dozen eggs home with Dr. Blackwell a bit ago. That should keep them in eggs for a few days. Will have to start saving up for the kids next. Doesn’t take long to get three dozen gathered up right now, but if the grass ever begins to grow out any at all, the hens will be so much happier. Cabbage is simply too expensive to feed to them unless they can clean it up in a day’s time. They won’t eat frozen cabbage.

 

Still slowly reading through the first few chapters of Revelation with guidance from the book by Lehman Straus. Looking things up that memory doesn’t automatically recall makes it slow slogging. Remembering the idea that Balaam chose to get the Hebrew children to take after the gods of other countries by getting them to intermarry makes sense. But so many of the “Gods” of other countries are not called gods. Remember, too, that there are, in the eyes of at least one nation, millions of gods. When our children are married to those from India, do they remember that there is ONE true god? For that matter, today we see so-called entertainment in which fornication is considered acceptable. And the “stars” are constantly changing mates and leaving behind children to be reared by those of no moral character. Sad, simply sad. The Ten Commandments begin with the first principle: The first commandment states: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:2-3). This commandment emphasizes the importance of worshiping only God and sets the foundation for the remaining commandments. The Ten Commandments can be found in the Bible in Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21. Let us prepare our hearts with understanding!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Sunshine and Shivers.

 Sunshine and Shivers.

 

Absolutely love the sunshine, but Dear Hearts, the wind makes me shiver just looking outside at the bare tree limbs waving around. All the birds are staying close to the ground, too. A pair of cardinals (they mate for life) have been out front today flipping around out there. Thought about putting some sunflower seeds out there for them, but forgot about it when going out to feed the hens. Maybe it will ride into my memory banks tomorrow. Sigh.

 

Been reading that book on Revelation by Lehman Straus this morning. You know that by grace we are saved, but have you ever thought about the crowns that we are to throw at His feet? The works that He sets for us to do are those crowns. Afraid my little pile of good deeds would not make much of a showing, but all we can do along that line is help those we see as we go through life. Have a feeling He has already determined what He wants us to do. But we are to do those things while realizing that we are not saved by works, but by GRACE. My hope is that nothing the old woman should be doing will go undone.

 

Thinking about how different people have talents that are so wonderful. Daddy could paint and draw and make all kinds of things with wood and metal. He strummed a guitar and played a French harp. But mostly he listened to music until his deafness made it impossible to enjoy those sounds. Mom could sew up a storm—or a beautiful prom dress. She played the piano and could cook up a meal out of almost nothing. And she could sing. She sang when she was happy and when she was angry. And she was a good teacher. She helped get Sterling through high school. No one was able to help me learn to play the piano, sew, cook, or generally do much of anything useful. Back before they put initials to every situation, Mom just said that that her daughter was “different.” ADHD is hard to understand and a whole lot worse to try to live with. Sterling was ADD, but he stayed busy, too. His concentration only worked on things that interested him. Right now, he is totally all out on wood working and building things. At least it is something useful. But he told me today that he was going to have to get some help to rebuild the roof on his barn where he keeps his wood. It’s always something at any homeplace where we try to keep things up and running.

 

Totally looking forward to some warmer days. Sunshine helps my attitude, for sure, but not shivering on the way to the hen house helps even more. The hens have been clustering up on their roosts so that each roost just is jammed up feather to feather out there in the middle coop. It is actually pretty funny. If they were all the same color, the old woman would end up having to count the fluffy butts and assorted accessories thereof. Ahem. Love them so much. They just squat down and let me pick them up and pet them. Not spoiled or anything.

 

Let us pray for protection for first responders and those who have to get out in the mess that comes with this time of the year. May God bless those, also, who are dealing with all kinds of illnesses. Pray for the littles and the parents who love them so dearly.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Scary Temps!

 Scary Temps!

 

Yes, up north near Chicago, my niece said her hair froze going from her car to inside to work. Lord, please have mercy on those without shelter! Staying inside while offering the dogs an open door so that they can go take care of business. Know for sure that Thompson did his thing, but not so sure about Sylvia. She was not out long at all. Not that I can blame them for making short work of that necessity.

 

Having coffee after a few bites of leftover steak. Have to have something in the stomach to prevent problems with ulcers or whatever. Actually, used some Tiger Balm the other day when I had misplaced the stuff Jennifer got for me that works on pain. Dr. B said not to use the stuff because it is just pure aspirin! Strange way to deliver pain relief without listing ingredients on the bottle. NOT that anyone could read that tiny print!

 

Pretty sure that these nuts and cranberries are not on my diet plan, but they are SO good! Really have no desire for salads at the moment. Had bacon, cheddar, and cauliflower for supper last night in one of those oven meals. Pretty good stuff. Who would have ever thought that cauliflower would be a main dish!

 

Today is Wednesday and we aren’t expected to get out of freezing territory until Friday or Saturday. Decided to let the hens outside and watched them attack anything green in the back yard. It might not be the best foraging, but at least it is green. Gave them the last head of cabbage inside their coop for this evening, also. The last head was already more than half consumed before it froze last night. Maybe they will get some good out of this one as well.

 

Got the trash bin across the road and back so that is done. The wind hurts because of the cold, but keeping my head covered helps. Gloves and a knit hat are about the best things in this cold. Wonder how the old folks did it years ago. Remember Granddad Pollard wearing gloves and a hat that had leather ear covers on it. Not exactly a raccoon cap, but furry looking. Bet his knees and hands ached just as much or more than mine do lately. All he had was a bottle of brandy stuck down in the feed barrel. Years before that, folks had laudanum to kill the pain, but so often they got addicted to it, especially the women. We have a lot to be thankful for today, and much of our thanks must go to recognizing what our kinfolk went through to get to our day and age.

 

Have you ever thought back about history and how God has things planned out. Just think about how Daniel taught the magicians of his age to look for a star that would lead them to a newborn king that would be born in Israel. Six hundred years after Daniel, the magi still knew the lesson well and took gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Now we have even more of the history behind us that will lead to the stories of the new Jerusalem. After the churches of the first four chapters are explained, the church is no longer mentioned. Have a feeling that everyone will have already left this earth for the coming of the King of Kings! Let us rejoice that God has His plans in motion. May we ever serve Him in the way that He directs us.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Hidden Slicks!

 Hidden Slicks!

 

The deck out the kitchen door does not look as if it is covered by ice, but Dear Hearts, it is slick as goose goo! The hazy fog came in and froze to the boards and no way would salt be good for taking care of that situation! Just have to walk carefully and hold on to the side boards and stair rails! Even so, the walkway is also slick. Picked up only three eggs, so maybe the girls are waiting to do their egg laying later. Can’t say they can be blamed for just piddling around and waiting for warmer weather. If it really gets down as low as is forecasted, we will all be shivering!

 

Sterling said that the snow and cold up his way is pretty bad. At least two or three blankets colder than what we have here! Both dogs were ready to come back inside as soon as the old woman whistled. No playing around out there today! Even Thompson came straight back inside! But the wind is enough to make the house feel warm even when it is only fair to not-cold!

 

Rachel’s dog Codi had five puppies—three girls and two boys. Can never remember the name of the breed, but she is smallish and fluffy with patches [Australia Shepherd]. She says the puppies sell for like $1500 apiece. Simply cannot imagine! Her idea is to be really sure that they get a good home, however. She wanted me to take one, but old women are not meant to rear puppies! And if she kept it long enough for it to be house trained, she would fall in love with it anyway! Can just see this little working dog out there herding hens!

 

Patty called this morning to let me know that she is feeling much better. SO glad! She planned to put her trash out today even though the trash truck won’t come until Wednesday because of the Presidents’ Day holiday. Hope she walks carefully. Will have to call back down there in a bit to check on her. She is making spaghetti for her meal today. Not calling for anyone to bring her something so that she does not have to open that kitchen door!!

 

Lance called at seven this morning and woke me up. Got up at four to take a pain pill. Not sure if it was the running around and unloading feed yesterday or the change in weather, but hurt pretty strongly last night. Tomorrow the hens are going to stay in their coops rather than get out in weather below ten degrees!! Have to put out clean water in a bit, but otherwise, they have all the feed and stuff they will need. Hoping the kids get to work from home the rest of the week. Those roads down in the Metromess get bad in a hurry!

 

The black-eyed peas with snaps and sausage are cooling on the stove while the old woman glances outside at the flakes of snow blowing around out there. Had to go check on the eggs again and see if the water situation is going well. Only one egg and the water is clean for a change. Danged blackbirds keep trying to take baths in there! Don’t think the hens will mind staying inside tomorrow. It really won’t bother me to stay inside, for sure!!

 

God creates the weather, and He knows what He is doing, so this person is just going to groan and moan and carry on without fussing too much. Kathy of Katy’s Dogs sent pictures of a few of the small dogs in the cute clothes that Patty gave her. Some are blind, but they certainly are cute as bugs ears! But she and her husband certainly have their work cut out for them when taking care of 40 dogs!! Simply can’t imagine trying to keep all the bedding clean and ready for them in bad weather. She said David, her husband, got up at 4 this morning to take care of the outside dogs and put stuff out for them. Wow! Have been up that early to look for calves with Clara and Buster Zachery, but as a kid, had no real idea of what the loss would have been if the calves were not brought in with the heifers. The world is so much different when we are not the ones responsible for everything!

 

Let us pray that better weather will arrive soon and that no one will go without the comfort of heat and food right now!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Just So You Know.

 Just So You Know.

 

The old woman is tired. Took a nap this afternoon and still feel the need to be still and just rest. Got wheat, sunflower seeds, and lay mash put into the bins, so we are ready for the cold weather. Had put down some hay the other day and the girls decided it was there for laying purposes. Oh boy! Found a nest full of eggs—12 to be exact. Will have to check carefully tomorrow or have messes all over the place. Anyway, trying to keep it warmer in the coops for the girls.

 

Thinking about the fact that God has given us the opportunity to pray to Him. He listens and answers. When we are this tired—or even more so—we know that He can feel just how far we can push ourselves. Sometimes it feels like a good time to just be still. That is my aim for this afternoon. Just being still and resting. Let us praise His name and be thankful for His rest.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Carrots and Such.

 Carrots and Such.

 

Put the two-pound bag of carrots on to cook and later put them in a baggie and froze them. Next time they will be mixed with ground turkey for the dogs. By themselves, the carrots don’t seem to appeal to these two dogs. But cooked a couple of steaks earlier that had some deep fat on the ends. That certainly appealed to my critters. They had slices of turkey rolls and kibble with just a bit of beef fat cooked and placed on top of their meals. The hens had the little pieces of skin and grits from the cooked leg quarters. Those were wiped out in just minutes. They still have not finished the head of cabbage that they got this morning. But may have to put what is left of it inside the brooder so that they can have it tomorrow. Left out in the open, it would freeze solid tonight.

 

Will go get feed tomorrow and try to get it put in the bins before this next really bad cold front gets here. They will have feed and water and something extra to keep them happy in the coop. Not thrilled about letting them out when it is quite a bit under freezing. The old woman would much rather stay inside the house. They like cottage cheese, so maybe they will get a container of that stuff. What a combination—cabbage and cottage cheese!

 

Granddaughter’s dog is about to whelp she thinks. Lance said she really has gotten big with this group of pups and that they are very active. Hoping they all live this time. This is supposed to be her last pups before they have her spade. She is some kind of special breed and color, but she is a small dog. They think she is so very special simply because she is so sweet. Have a feeling that she must BE sweet or my daughter-in-law would not allow her to be on the furniture—much less on their bed!

 

Got busy and stripped my bed this morning and put on clean sheets and a new plush coverlet. This one is green. Had a gray one on there and could not tell when Thompson was on the bed while he was wearing his gray sweater! Funny! Believe making the bed from scratch adds up to quite a few steps by the time the old woman circles that king-sized bed several times. The dogs watch to see if it meets with their approval!!

 

Not sure if it is the pain meds or something else, but it has been hard to read and concentrate today. Then, too, the dogs have barked about anything and everything every time my bottom hits the seat of a chair. They seem restless. Maybe it is the weather. Really dread this next week of yucky coldness. Oh well. Will try to remember this mess when summer gets here.

 

Thought about trying to take the little AC unit out of the office window last night, but was not willing to chance either dropping it or hurting myself. May just wait until Lance comes next. Probably get hot by then! Texas weather!

 

So proud of the fact that the top of Sylvia’s crate is nice and cleaned off with only her horse blanket covering the top and sides. No folded clothes sitting on it in piles! Got everything hung up or otherwise put away. Even rearranged the blankets in the linen closet in the front room. It’s amazing how neat the house CAN look when the old woman puts some effort into putting things where they belong. Now, if only she would, all the vacuums, brooms, and mops could be taken to the back room. Sigh.

 

Asked Kathy to send a picture of one of the dogs in a cute get up for Patty to see. Patty called this morning and asked about the stuff she had sent to see if any of it was used. Pretty sure Kathy has her hands full most of the time just keeping every critter fed and cleaning up after them. But sent her the request anyway. Patty loves little cute things for Roxie. Her travel crate is cute, but it is mainly so much easier to take her to the vet in that thing.

 

Reading just a little bit of the news is almost more than too much. Know that God is in control, but sometimes thinking about what different governments are trying to do just about makes me feel like barfing. The idea that the Palestinians feel that THEY are the victims is simply infuriating. No one attacked THEM when all those families, babies, and children were slaughtered! Sitting here shaking my head. Same with the Ukraine. They were not the aggressors. They are fighting in self-defense. Will wait to see the day when God straightens out the messes that mankind has made. May that day come soon when Jesus Christ arrives with the sword in HIS hand!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

It Started with Sunshine.

 It Started with Sunshine.

 

This day started out SO nice. We had sunshine for a few good hours. But now we are back to coolish weather with wind. Checked on Patty about 9:30 to see if she had eaten anything, and then went to United to pick up some chicken and other stuff. Stopped by Whataburger to get Patty a cheeseburger and some fries. Well, got me some onion rings and a sandwich called a “something” melt. It had spicy peppers on it. But it was too much for one person, so the dogs helped me with it. Anyway, Roxie and Patty were good at least for this morning.

 

The hens have been happy to have another head of cabbage. Bought three for them while at United. Put out a few overripe bananas just a few minutes ago. They don’t eat citrus fruit, but they love bananas. They had a couple of papayas back a few weeks ago. Maggie thought they were some kind of squash that got overripe or something, but the girls knew better. They ate every single bite!

 

Feel so tired today for some reason, but don’t want to lie down and nap because it might mean that sleep wouldn’t happen tonight. Probably just need to get something done around here to make myself move more. Something always needs to be done.

 

Got a $50 gift certificate from “Goat Milk Stuff” where they have good stuff that doesn’t make me have a rash. The lotion stick currently in use makes my hands heal better than anything else. The one on my desk smells like almond. The deodorant stick smells like baby powder. Anyway, got the certificate for filling out a survey for the company. Told them that my girls (daughter and daughter-in-law) loved their stuff. Sent the email to Tracy so she could order some for herself and use the gift certificate. Since she would be a new customer, she might get a free gift also. Neat, huh?

 

Cooked four pounds of ground turkey in rolls this morning in the roaster. Now have some chicken fillets on cooking. It is easier to cook several things on the same day so that cleaning up only has to happen once. Have a ten-pound bag of chicken legs that will go on next and probably cook slowly all evening. After the initial mess, just have to debone that stuff and bag it up for the dogs. The dogs may also get some carrots tomorrow after the old woman gets a few pounds peeled and cooked. Never a boring moment around here.

 

The wind is blowing a gale outside. The hens are basically hiding under the deck to get out of it. Yes, 20 mph is not exactly a gale, but those hens don’t weigh in at four or five times as much as the breezes do. The temperature may not be very low at the moment, but with the wind, it still is not comfortable. Gripe, natter, carry on! God has a reason for the weather being what it is, but it still can be pretty uncomfortable for some of us. The weather knees and backs can tell us about it right away. Anyway, warmer weather will be a blessing for some of us.

 

The children mentioned here before need our prayers. Steve Higgs is an author in England whose little autistic daughter has lost her vision completely now. They have managed to install a feeding tube into her stomach, but she still will need almost constant supervision. Sweet little girl is being love with all they can manage, but she has no way of understanding why things are as they are. The garbage that is going around—RSV, covid, flu, and viruses—have been so rough that entire schools have had to shut down. Let us pray that these sicknesses will go away soon and leave our children to have good health and happiness. And pray for the parents to be steadfast in prayer and care.

 

About the only sure remedy for all our problems is from the love of God in our lives. This entire world needs peace from God. We must recognize the only source of true love and our access to that love.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Busier Than a Mouse.

 Busier Than a Mouse.

 

Went down to Patty’s and unloaded the washer and put the clothes in the dryer and started it. Took her trash out; brought in the mail; played with Roxie in Donny’s chair, and talked about getting both of them fed. Patty said she would just have a ham sandwich and could feed Roxie. Still, we decided she needed to write down how she feeds her just in case. We had already talked about doing a separate, hand-written will to be sure it is done in case the weather doesn’t warm up enough for me to get her to the lawyer’s office. It really sucks not knowing if we are to the point that we need to get things done right away. But still, we can thank God for each day. It just makes me realize that life is never certain.

 

Cleaned out the middle coop, put down hay in both coops, and managed to keep the chickens in and the dogs inside the yard while pulling down a bale of hay. My knife must be in another pair of pants because it wasn’t it my pocket. Argh! A pair of old scissors in the middle coop worked well enough to cut the twine. Just wish that twine could be reused for something interesting. Preacher Parker, an uncle, made a hackamore for Grandad Kennedy’s horse for me. Used that thing all summer long and it worked like a charm. It was made of some kind of hay twine, but it was not orange or red like this stuff. Would certainly be a lot easier to see.

 

Speaking of a mouse: have one in the middle coop that squeaks at me and heads back inside the long coop every time it sees me. Not sure if it is just a large mouse or a small rat. If the hens see it, it is a goner. Those girls are omnivores, don’t you see. If they were as big as dogs, we would not have a chance!! One of the ladies at the Group 66 meeting asked me if they could eat rice. Rice swells in water or any kind of fluid and kill birds or could easily kill a chicken. If it is cooked, no problem. Salt and certain veggies will also kill a chicken. Not a simple thing to just throw stuff out back to depose of it. They can have grease as long as it is not bacon grease with salt in it. Just have to think about things like that. Actually, suet is good for almost any kind of bird for protein and body heat. This coming summer, the girls will not get any more scratch because it has so much corn in it. Corn heats their bodies too much in the summer. They have trouble cooling off without lots of wet ground to lie on.

 

Would like to put a link to a presentation on the guy known as Valentine, but lost the page where it was posted. Seems he really was a very devout Christian. All he had to do to live was given up being a Christian, but he refused and was murdered. Don’t think it had anything to do with hearts or the love between mates or anything, but he apparently loved Christ with his whole heart. Wish my fervor could be anything like that man’s. Not sure if it is because of my ADHD or what, but it takes true effort to study and pray while keeping things on my mind. Have to make a list and try to go down it to be sure to mention my concerns. Right now, I am just so thankful that God has given us a good government that is trying to correct the corruption that has been so prevalent. We are so blessed to be able to watch and learn how other governments can be maneuvered into doing what is right for those folks in Gaza. Had to laugh when the countries were aghast at the idea of the US trying to take over Gaza. Suddenly other countries nearby were willing to take the children! Whether it is Gaza or Los Angeles, nothing can be done with the land until it is bulldozed and rebuilt with the proper infrastructure. Anyone thinking that they can rebuild without water, sewer, and other facilities is just dreaming. This is going to take time. May God bless these people.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Wasting My Time.

 Wasting My Time.

 

The Route 66 Group got into a discussion today about sitting around looking at stuff on FB and wasting time. Shucks, didn’t say much, but to my way of thinking, what we waste our time on is never the same from day to day. Do whatever suits you at the time it suits you! Some folks sit and watch TV from can to can’t; and some folks sit around complaining to their friends about doctor’s visits and such. In this cold weather, my hens don’t talk to me as much as they chase after me to see if any goodies are available. So, guess who does not stay outside long to beg off from giving them any other treats! Anyway, think all of us enjoyed the visit if for no other reason than we could all hear what anyone had to say. The waitress put us in that round booth in the corner. Two of us told the others that they were more spry than we are and took the outside corner seats. Guess which one the old woman chose!

 

Sterling called around seven this morning to tell me about the cruddy weather they are having in NWArkansas. Snow. Cold. Winter. Then the niece in Chicago area sent a half dozen pictures of their snow. Hope she enjoys every flake of that stuff! Bleah. Then it occurred to me that one of our group snow skis! Donna still skis on water and snow, and she is the same age as the rest of us, but she says she is working on her knees with some device to help them stay strong. Need to figure out how to find something like that for an old stove up knee! Of course, that does not mean anyone like me would have the nerve to go get out there in the snow anyway!

 

Every time it seems as if something makes sense when reading in Revelation, the commentary makes me wish my education had included the history that these men bring to their discussions. Each era of history has an echo from the book of Revelation. The people, the commerce, the beliefs of that time in that particular place all made a difference in how things happened to the Christians. And things may not really have changed that much except for the geographical markers. Some of the beliefs transferred through the ages. Fornication is just as prevalent now as it ever was eons ago. Maybe even more so. Sad, so sad. How can a young woman or young man feel that being a virgin is less respectable than being “experienced”? Our culture is simply shameful!

 

Spoke with Patty before lunch time to see how she was doing. She thought maybe she was feeling better, but the ache has moved places. Go figure. Coughing can really do a number on us when we get to hacking with some real zeal! Anything that hacks up enough fluid can cause a major pain. Think that is exactly what she has done. Anyway, that it feels less painful made me think she is on the mend.

 

The dogs are warming up the bed for me. Well, that would seem to be why they have chosen to lie down on my bed. Or it could be that it just happens to be comfortable. Who can gripe? Remember the band Three Dog Night? If it is cold enough, just pull up another dog! Praise God for heaters!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

 

 

Reading in Revelation Again.

 Reading in Revelation Again.

 

Just adjusted the size of the type on this page—not that it will be any different when posted, but the page on my screen is easier to read. Getting old is interesting. The eye doctor was happy to say that it was a 20/25 outlook, but tiny print still irritates me beyond words! And some of the places tiny print shows up is even more stupid than telling us to remove child before washing garment!

 

Anyway, have been reading the commentary on Revelation by Lehman Straus. He reminds us that it covers past, present, and future for the seven churches mentioned. Then he covers the history of those churches in more depth both through doctrine and in the ages where they were known from the past. It really is interesting, but this was about the only part of the book that made me think that maybe it was possible to understand things today. The way Straus explains it shows how little understanding the old woman had. Still going to attempt to hold on to what he says as compared to what we see today. One assertion he made was that any church is not to be judged as healthy simply because of numbers in attendance or by what income it gains. Think we all pretty well knew that. Too many mega-churches have great buildings and high income with bunches of folks attending without showing any compassion whatsoever on those around it/them. We saw the works of those in North Carolina—neighbor helping neighbor. And those from W. VA coming to help those of like kind in the mountains, building roads and helping folks set up little houses—these don’t call themselves anything, but their love says it all.

 

Patty is down for the count right now. She was coughing and might have pulled a muscle or something. Tomorrow the old woman will make a sandwich or something and go down to be sure she is eating. Today she ate half a pop tart so she could take some Advil and then six cheese puffs to take another one. That is not going to cut it. Maybe she will eat a toasted chicken sandwich or something. Hate to make her walk to the kitchen to answer the door, but she really needs to eat something solid. Know how much it hurts when a muscle is pulled, but still.

 

It is just miserably cold this evening—well, all day. The wind hurts and the temps are not going up for a while. Will be so glad to see either REAL rain or some honest to goodness sunshine! This misty grey stuff is just so unnecessary!

 

Have not been in the mood to clean the floors, but have dust mopped and swept up the worst of the pieces of animal critter from the stuffed toys. Why they chew off the ears and noses is beyond me. Guess it makes them happy, however. Thought about how Mom used to get disgusted with dog hair and cigarette ashes. Maybe griping about stuffed toys is just my heritage! Funny! At least most of the things burnt around here are stuck to the bottom of pans!

 

Really don’t have much on my mind this evening. Have a meeting of the Route 66 Group tomorrow, but some have doctor’s appointments and some have been exposed to covid or whatever. This time of year, is just not the best for getting out in the mess. So, some of us hibernate. But will put on extra clothes and head out for the meeting. Maybe we will still make as much noise as we normally do with the full contingent. Nothing like a bunch of Baby Boomers!

 

Remember to pray for those who are dealing with everything from cancers to just plain ol’ body parts falling apart. God continues to bless us even as we deteriorate.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Time to Seek the Bed?

 Time to Seek the Bed?

 

Honestly, can’t imagine why the old woman is so very tired, but such is the case. The weather makes me feel as if curling up by a warm fire is the best idea yet. Guess this is going to be a very quick posting. Can hardly keep my eyes open.

 

A friend came to visit shortly and took the last 18 count carton of eggs with him. The temps are going to be very cold for at least a few days, so eggs may not be plentiful until the weather warms up. Can’t say it would appeal to me to squat out there in the hay to deposit an egg each day!

 

Had a pork loin sandwich for din-upper. Almost let it burn while my friend was here talking. Doesn’t take much to get my mind off of what is important—cooking just goes by the wayside so easily.

 

Seems the entire earth has the shake, rattle, and rolls lately. Each earthquake can make us nervous, or we can imagine in our beady brains that the dinosaurs are still running around making things rumble. And then there is some asteroid flying this direction. Can’t imagine what the scientists think they can do to send it off in another direction rather than hit some city. Things like that probably would not hit a desert and just make a new ditch. Nope, they think it would wipe out a city. Shucks, if it hit in one of the great lakes, it would just wash the shore line really well with the water lapping back and forth for a year or so! Silly thought.

 

It bothers me to read the “news” that is published online. Just once in a while someone will do something that shows how folks should love one another. Why can’t we read about more of those examples and BE more like those folks? Tara Ross publishes history lessons from our nation throughout the years from before the Revolutionary War through the latest wars. As much as wars truly stink and poison our lives, individuals who give their lives for our nation and for their fellow man make it much more reasonable to find a way of life that helps others. Right now, the howls of the “righteously indignant” are being noticed for volume and fruitlessness. For years, the shuffling of public funds have disgusted those who discovered the wastefulness of our government. And now someone is actually doing something about it. Just going to sit here and quietly watch to see if any millionaires are made in Congress this session!! Strange how many folks that have gone to Congress went on to become extra wealthy. Hmm.

 

Let us pray for common sense to prevail.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Dragging Out the Kitchen Stool.

 Dragging Out the Kitchen Stool.

 

The old woman is tired from T to D already. And it’s only 3:30. But at least a few things have been accomplished. Saw the eye doctor and got good news. Don’t have to go back until this time next year. The numbers don’t really make sense to me, but 20/25 sounds ok considering there is still one cataract to go. But the pressures are good, so no eye drops are needed.

 

Bought a McD’s bagel burger on the way back home and enjoyed that little expense. Sometimes it is worth it to just eat something without having to cook. The caramel latte was ok, too. Expensive, but tasty.

 

Left a couple of chickens on to cook in the roaster while gone and came back in time to turn the temp up on them. Now they are deboned and the meat put in plastic bags—one in the freezer and one in the fridge. All the mess is also cleaned up. Had to drag out the kitchen stool before it was all finished. This ol’ back is being about as silly as it can get. The stuff taken for pain seems to make me itch, but until it gets unreasonable, will just continue to take the stuff. Have had allergies all my life, so why should old age make any difference.

 

We are supposed to have a meeting Thursday at 1:30 at Pioneer. Everyone seems to think they will show up even though the temp is not supposed to get up to 40 that day. Oh well. Snuggle up in a sweat shirt, boots, gloves, and take an attitude along with showing up. Right now it is misting rain, but it doesn’t really feel W. E. T. out there. The hens have a few wet feathers, but don’t look drenched by any means. But you can bet the dogs will manage to get wet dirt on their paws to track across whatever. So much for “rain.” We really need a couple of toad stranglers to fill up the lake and water the fields. So, pray for rain for those of us who need it.

 

Saw a tree trimming company on 79 and Rathgeber that had set all the huge stumps on fire in great big piles. Those things can burn for weeks. Guess it won’t matter as long as we are at least getting some misting rain. Love the smell of wood burning like that. Miss our wood burning stove, but would not go out to haul wood for anything. Talk about heavy duty work!!

 

What things mean to me are not always even close to what others see or feel sometimes, but my heart hurts for those in Gaza just as much as for those in CA. “When Jesus saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them,” Matt. 9:36. Think for a minute about trying to “go home.” No water pipes, gas lines, electricity, or sewer lines. This is true in both Gaza and CA. My friend Henrietta and her daughter and son-in-law lost the entire home and everything in it. Same with folks in Gaza. No infrastructure or anyone ready to put things in working order. Do you see why President Trump thinks all of these people need a clean start somewhere? It will take YEARS to put down the water lines, sewer lines, and any other utilities needed. And that does not even begin to think about building structures for living. Now, all the politics aside, children and old folks need to be rescued by those who have the strength to help them. If NC folks could live in “little houses,” why could that not be done out of the zones in CA or even in Gaza? Hello! The U.S. has national forest lands that would be good enough to shelter those from CA. with the appropriate infrastructure. It would be horribly expensive, and they could never claim the land as belonging to them, but a place to live is better than nothing! If Egypt would allow those from Gaza to live in a temporary area, why not build the infrastructure and go for it! It can’t hurt Egypt any more than it would hurt us to use national lands.

 

Maybe it is just wishful thinking, but sometimes God gives us a chance to start over on situations that can actually be a good change. We are given the chance to repent of our sins, and one of our sins is that disgusting attitude that makes us “want, want, want” for more of everything—even when it is not good for us. It’s like we are gluttons for goodies instead of being satisfied with plain living. Let us pray that we will have leadership to bring those in need into the camps of our Israel—not the political Israel, but into God’s camp. Compassion and wholeness.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

The Singing Cricket.

 The Singing Cricket.

 

Sitting at my desk last night reading since sleep was not on its way right then, and lo and behold, singing was heard throughout the house! It was a cricket. WHEN did a cricket get into my house? Guess it doesn’t matter, but suspect it came in either with a head or two of cabbage or in a sack of carrots. Sent some carrots home with Jennifer, but kept the cricket, maybe. Anyway, did not think cricket song would put me to sleep—especially since it was so very loud, so got out the peppermint spray and the cricket no longer sings. Thanks to Maggie Sewell for the heads of cabbage that the hens have attacked diligently, and for the five pounds of carrots that will take forever to eat. Jennifer took carrots for the horses behind the work shop at H&O. Lance normally buys carrots for them every week.

 

Really enjoyed having Jennifer here overnight. So seldom get to just visit with her. And her friend Laurie and her husband Billy took us to brunch at Jimmy’s Egg. Good food and better company. And yes, we probably got a little loud. Billy said that he might be able to fix my garden hoses so that the sprayer can be put back on one of them and the connection put on the other. Since watering things around here won’t be on the agenda any time soon, it really may not matter.

 

The guy from over on Church Street rode a little green motor bike down our street today. Think it bothered all of us. We are so insulated from individuals driving up here. Only a city truck twice a week, the oxygen lady once a week, and maybe a few deliveries plus the mailman drive up along here. My dogs had fits to go out and chase that silly motor bike up and down the fence, but the guy did not come back again. Good deal!

 

In the Max Lucado book God Is with You Every Day, he speaks of I Tim. 4:14 where it says, “Do not neglect the gift that is in you.” And in I Cor. 12:7 “The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others.” All of my family had musical talent except me, but listening is a talent, too. Whatever my talent is, it was not made by accident. God “shaped each person in turn.” Ps.33:15 Let us praise God for His purpose in choosing to make us each.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Home Again to THAT Place.

 Home Again to THAT Place.

 

Just had a very short text to tell me that Jennifer got home safely. The wind was gusting to over 16 mph when she left here. The little airplane out on the gazebo thing was attempting take off up there. Sterling says the big planes he first made actually have “taken off” by shedding the propellers in their wind! That is somewhat like the Texas wind gauges of a chain on the gate! If it is standing straight out, that is gale force wind!

 

Jenn told me that it took her 49 minutes to cross the heavily trafficked area to get from where she works in Kennedale to highway 287. And the traffic there is not the kind that allows even one hand to come off the steering wheel. Can’t imagine living in that area. Would have to stay right here on this ol’ hill as long as possible, but then, if they build more homes or apartments on Richard and Kemp close to the FFA farm, this road may become as bad as any down there in the Metromess. Think we are SO blessed to have elbow room here in WF. And if people keep retiring to this area, that may change as well.

 

Went to United on SW Pkwy this morning to pick up a few things for both of us. Believe it or not, even as high as the prices are at United, it is still cheaper here than in the area near Rendon or Mansfield. Jenn won’t go to the Walmarts down there because of the attitude of the employees. It is not all that difficult to understand how they feel, however. People are constantly stealing things and giving the employees a hard time. Hardly worth working at a place like that.

 

Got an Amazon delivery while we were at Jimmy’s Egg having brunch with Billie and Laurie. Really enjoyed the meal there with them. Then got home and started opening bags and boxes. Got some more spiced chai latte. Yum! And the dogs got some treats that they like. They are getting picky. That means that they are just a wee bit spoiled. Jenn brought a set of steps for Sylvia so that she can get in the truck easier. They were made for the cats, but they will work very well for her.

 

The book on Revelation got here with Amazon. Will have something to help a bit with understanding, maybe. If all the scriptures were already cross-referenced, it might help. Or not. Some things just take asking for enlightenment. Guess if God wants me to understand, then it will be so. For sure, the main message of the New Testament is that Jesus Christ is the son of God, the only way to heaven and being saved from the fires of damnation, and the propitiation for our sins. He was given in love for us from the Father. Our belief in Him and faith that He will save us because of God’s love is the basic tenant of those books. He commands that we love God and our fellow man. Beyond that, we can know that there is a timeline that even the angels do not understand. If angels, who are with Him constantly, have difficulty understanding the time lines and exact future, then who else other than Christ can even begin to see what the future holds. Have seen on a video that the stones God chose for His city in heaven are the only twelve stones that show rainbows of color when they are cut and light shown through them. Fascinating!! Can hardly wait to see His city and here the songs of heaven.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.