Just Getting It Done.

 Just Getting It Done.

 

Seems to me that something ALWAYS needs to be done around here. This morning the middle coop got cleaned out and the shtuff was put out on an area that needed some fertilizer and hay to cover the bare spot. Then the living room floor got dust mopped and then wet mopped. While all that was going on, some rice cooked in the rice pot, and then the rice and some veggies and a small bag of frozen chicken got stirred together for meals for this week. Flavored with curry powder and some salt, the mixture really would have been better if it had some soy sauce in it. Oh well. It is pretty tasty as it is.

 

So far today, the hens have given me a dozen eggs. The very first egg was from one of the little red hens, and it crushed when she got off the nest. At least now it will be easy to see which hen needs to be separated from the rest in order to avoid having the other eggs splattered with fresh egg stuff. If the long coop can be cleaned out by tomorrow, will have to catch that hen and put her inside that coop separate from the others. If another egg breaks in the nest, it may be more than one hen that is producing thin shells. Guess we might have three or four red hens that need to be separated. Hope not. [Somehow four red hens are now in long coop with feed and water!]

 

Have an appointment with Dava in the morning. The old woman gets sore all over, but my shoulders and back get tighter than a drum after working around in the coops. It really seems strange that the things we do on a normal basis can cause muscles to really snap and bark! It would make sense if the old woman worked in a stressful situation, but the most excitement around here is the dogs barking at the cars and trucks that go by or at the ding-a-ling who rides his little green scooter up and over the yards down at the end of the street. Dogs barking like that is totally non-stressful.

 

Tomorrow is the first day of April. How fast this year has been! But watching the weather reports, we are also reminded that this is tornado season. Bleah! Know the hail and wind can tear things up pretty badly, but those tornadoes are not anything to sneeze at—unless one is totally in sneeze city already! Seems the pollen is pretty bad this year. If we could get some decent amounts of rain around here, it might settle the pollen and dust somewhat. Pray for rain for areas that need it.

 

Have read just a bit about Israel and how they want to control all of Gaza. It really makes sense to bulldoze everything there and rebuild from the ground up. If the Palestinians can be sent to Egypt or Africa, they might have a better chance of having lives that are not full of terrorists and warfare. All we can do meanwhile it to pray that Israel can succeed in reducing or wiping out the terrorists. One terrorist is all it takes to start a war.

 

We are told to pray for blessings on Israel. That is one thing that we can do. Meanwhile, if a university has those on campus who are hateful to Jews or others, then we need to let it be known that we do not tolerate hatred toward Israel. Let us stand for peace.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

A Day for Rest.

 A Day for Rest.

 

Other than putting my Shark vacuum back together this morning, not much has been accomplished around here. But the kitchen, living room, and hall were vacuumed to spread the baking soda plus lavender oil inside the works of the Shark. Smells good in here.

 

Finished reading through Genesis and then went to Hebrews 7 to read about a priest on the order of Melchisedec, who, by the way, Bradford said could have originally been Shem as he was still alive when Abraham saved Lot from the armies that came against the rebellious kings. In Hebrews, it is evident that Jesus Christ was the priest—not from the line of Judah—who “is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.” It is amazing how each part of the Bible connects from the beginning in Genesis to the end in Revelation.

 

Lance found the little lights he sent up here by Jennifer on Amazon. It is a rechargeable 50-lumen LED flashlight with integrated USB plug, magnetic base, and durable aluminum alloy body. The light comes on when you disconnect it from the magnetic charger, and then the light can be attached to any metal surface like any other magnet. Kinda neat! This is in answer to the question Carol Thonton asked.

 

Had thought that the old woman might have been losing some weight, but got on the scales this morning and was pretty disappointed. Sigh. Just because a couple of pairs of pants were falling off my backside did not mean any weight had fallen off as well. Maybe walking around the place can be stepped up somewhat to exercise the fat cells!!

 

Sent some of the goat milk lotion and deodorant to my daughter-in-law and one of the products broke her out big time. It is so strange that some lotions can be just fine and others are terrible when they come in contact with the human skin. When the old woman was young, they came out with “hypo-allergenic” makeup that women could wear. Well, it never, ever worked for me. But then we learned that my skin reacted to lanolin in any form. Probably became allergic while playing with my pet lamb. Good thing my donkey or the two horses never made me itch or break out!

 

Patty was telling me what was being taught up north in Pittsburgh or somewhere in Pennsylvania. The alphabet began with A is for abortion. Dear Hearts, that is enough to make a person sick! It seems to me that just teaching children to read should not include someone’s idea of feminine revolution. Personally, the old woman could go for A is for aardvark.

 

Michelle Malay is in the Health South facility doing her best to recover from this knee surgery. She texted and said this one was worse than the first because she has pain from her right hip all the way down to her foot. Did not see any posts from Mariellen Rose, but she was supposed to be able to go home tomorrow.

 

Let us pray for those in Asia who have been in the areas affected by the earthquake and the aftershocks. May God bless those folks.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Home Visit.

 Home Visit.

 

Jennifer came today and we talked the legs off of a couple of chairs. But she also trimmed her mom’s toenails, threaded the needle on the sewing machine, vacuumed a couple of rooms, cleaned the filters on the vacuum, and basically made my life much lighter with just being here. Love my girl.

 

She took home some eggs to share with her brother and a book for her husband. Her friend Allison asked what Jenn was going to do today and got excited when she realized that Jenn would be bringing home eggs. Allison and her husband think that these chicken butt nuggets are the best. Of course, she is right.

 

Have not even opened my Bible today. In fact, have stayed busy even though not a whole lot got done. But the cooked chicken got bagged and put in the freezer, the kitchen counter got cleaned and polished, and the kitchen tablecloth got put in the washer and dryer and is now folded and put away. Had been looking for the covers for my mop and Jenn found them for me! This old woman is just a bit ditzy! Not quite ready for the funny farm, but certainly do LOOK funny!

 

The boat-tailed grackles have been taking baths in my chicken water bowls. May have to get one of those nipple style water holders for the hens so that the birds will stay out of the bowls. Or, if one can be found that is not too large, may have to get a kiddie pool for the freaking birds to bathe in. Have a feeling that Sylvia and Thompson would enjoy that as well, but they like the big black water trough that is usually out there each summer. Guess filling it up once would be better than filling the water bowls multiple times.

 

Lance sent me the neatest little light that only lights up when the two magnet pieces are pulled apart. It can latch on a keychain or on my purse without any trouble or the likelihood of loss. Think it will fit on the wrist strap of my phone, too. Some of the ideas folks come up with are so amazing.

 

Since FB changed some kind of settings, it is impossible for me to see if anyone read my blog or not unless someone hits like or makes a comment. Jenn says that she seldom even gets on FB any longer, and Lance quit FB a long time back. Still, even though the ads are quite atrocious and the click bait infuriating, the old woman still reads a few things and watches a few videos. Guess it will not hurt anything to stay with it for another year—or however long until it gets to be too much. Still like knowing what is going on with some of my friends and family. It’s not like we know each other’s phone numbers any longer, and no phone book lists folks like they used to do. Oh well.

 

Praying for those like Michelle Malay, Mariellen Rose, Tami Yonts, and especially for the folks in that Asian country that got a 7.7 earthquake! Whether diseases or disasters, life is never certain. Let us ask God for His protection.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

The Nation of Ephraim.

 The Nation of Ephraim.

 

If you don’t read anything else today, please read lesson 13 in Tom Bradford’s Torah study. Lesson 13 - Genesis 13 - Torah Class

 

First and foremost is the meaning of the phrase “the whole house of Israel”, also at times translated as “both houses of Israel”, or even just “all Israel”. The words of Ezekiel were written over a span of about 25 years, beginning a little after Babylon conquered Judah in 597 BC. The part we’re looking at was written in the later years. About 130 years earlier, you need to know that the Hebrews were a divided nation; a 10-tribe confederacy lived in the northern area of the holy lands, and a 2-tribe group lived in the south. In fact, the northern area was a kingdom all its own, separate and apart from the southern area, each area ruled by its own kings. Let me be very clear: the unified kingdom of Israel, ruled over by David and then Solomon, became divided by means of civil war. The northern area went by several names: the Northern Kingdom, the kingdom of Israel, and some documents even refer to it as the kingdom of Joseph. But, for the most part, as was typical for that era, it was called after the name of the tribe that was dominant in that region: the tribe of Ephraim. From about 900 BC to the time of Ezekiel (about 590 BC), that northern region was called the Kingdom of Ephraim…..a name that most are not familiar with.

Yet, the return of Ephraim IS beginning to happen. Barely 3 months ago, in March 2005, the Israeli government officially sanctioned the return to the Holy Lands of people who say they are NOT Jews…..but they ARE Israel. That is, these people seeking to migrate to Israel are some of those long lost 10 tribes of Israel……the 2nd house of Israel, Ephraim. Once more: Jews are only of the tribe….or kingdom….of Judah….which basically represents the two tribes of Benjamin and Judah. Ephraim represents the other 10 tribes (long assumed to be lost and unidentifiable), and they are NOT Jews…..but they certainly are Israelites.

 

Today, we are in the throes of a rather severe argument over that land that the Jews have returned to, and in which Ephraim is just now starting to come; and that argument will someday throw the world into a final war, which is where the following chapters of Ezekiel would take us. Some may want to argue as to the precise boundaries of the land God gave to Abraham for all time; but hear me: at the very least it included every inch of the land that the Palestinians now claim as theirs. You see, the area in which Abraham stood at the moment God made him that promise, is right in the heart of what is commonly today called the West Bank…… or, in the most ridiculous possible terms…… the occupied territory.

 

Sorry to take up so much room with this article, but it seems extremely important to me. Remember that God tells us to bless Israel and not to curse it. We need to remember just who is Israel.

 

Michelle Malay, at this hour, just returned to recovery after her knee replacement surgery. So far, so good. We can pray for her and her rehab as soon as she can start moving again.

 

Forgot about the stupid time change and got a message on my phone this morning at 6:30 CST (chicken Shtuff Time) that my grocery order was ready. Got up and got it picked up and home to put it away. Have chicken quarters on cooking currently. Kinda wish the dogs could handle some spices because just plain chicken does not really smell all that great to me.

 

Texted back and forth with Wham Pollard yesterday. She married my cousin John who died this time last year. He insisted she needed a puppy to keep her busy, so she has Boudreaux the little Sheppard (not the right name, but bushy tail and herding instincts).

 

We had misting rain early this morning. It was enough that my truck windows really need to be cleaned—well, the entire truck needs to be washed. Sand, dust, wind, more of the same, plus pollen makes for a nasty vehicle.

 

The little hobble down to the lake front yesterday has me stiff and sore enough to make me growl more than usual. Would never tell Patty how much it hurts, but it is obvious to me that my trekking days are quite over—at least trekking for the fun of it.

 

It seems our weather is going to yo-yo for a while. It will be 90 one day and 70+ the next. Not only great for allergies, but it makes trying to dress interesting as well. Shall we break out the shorts or wear a long-sleeved shirt? Oh well.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

How to Find Your Family.

 How to Find Your Family.

 

Tom Bradford does not give any sources for his information, so we can either take it as he gives it or whatever. Have heard some of this about the races and where they went before while attending the Worldwide Church of God, but he makes it easier to grasp. The fact that they had a tendency to repeat family names makes it a bit harder to search it out in the Bible by name. Even so, the way Bradford lays out the names and the areas where they settled makes me think back to how we were taught about the two sons of Joseph—Ephriam and Manassas. Not sure those are spelled correctly, but whatever. We were taught that Ephriam was to be the beginning of nations from all over the world—like the British Empire. Manassas was to be a great nation—America. Whether or not we can believe those ideas is hardly important, but it certainly is interesting to think about how different people came to be mixed together to become nations. In my work on history and how the American people came from certain backgrounds, the patriarchal system that gave the first born the inheritance of the land meant that America was primarily settled by second and third sons from England. Of course, Ireland and Germany (the mountainous regions beyond France) and those who ended up in the Caribbean was an entirely different circumstance, but Texas history is replete with German, Italian, and Irish names from those who left the “old country” to make a better life for themselves in the “new” country.

 

No matter how we look at the background of our ancestors, we can certainly tell that God has blessed us. One of the things that Bradford talked about concerned those who belonged to Israel who were not of the Jewish people. Those would be folks who were the children of Israel. They feel they can still see the land that Joshua pointed out to them to take from Canaan. As much as we have seen of the warfare between Israel and the surrounding nations, can you imagine what it will sound like if others decide to claim Gaza, the West Bank, and any other stretch of that precious land?! Whatever comes along now, someone is going to get their nose out of joint. For now, lesson eleven is calling to me and will get read—and maybe digested—tonight. Love mysteries and intrigue along these lines.

 

Patty called while gasping for air this afternoon and about scared the pants off of me. She was trying to get enough oxygen to tell me to come find her dog. Seems the lawn guy left the big cinder block away from her back gate and Roxie got out. It took me a couple of minutes to get my happy hobbles down there, but the gate is now shut and Roxie is where she belongs. We talked for a bit until she got pretty calmed down, so she should be good to go for the evening. Maybe tomorrow will just be a nice calm day.

 

Lance said that his new car is a more yellow shade of red since they have floating pollen to the extreme around Ft. Worth. His car is very pretty, but then that blue truck he has driven for so long is also beautiful. Mine is never going to be beautiful again, but at least my legs are long enough to get up on the running board!

 

Will ask you guys to pray for some who matter to me greatly: Michelle Malay goes in for a new knee tomorrow. Let us pray that she will do well and heal quickly. Mariellen Rose is still dealing with the T-cell adaptation and may get to return home on Monday. Meanwhile, my sister-by-another mother has cataract surgeries scheduled and then a study of the “hole” in one lung. It doesn’t take much, it seems, to upset her, so let us hope that she will be able to stay calm and get through these things quietly and without distress. Sharon has not had an easy life compared to mine, but she is one determined lady. She has been the best mother she could be to her boys. May she be blessed by her family in these days.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.      

Reading and TRYING to Understand.

 Reading and TRYING to Understand.

 

Slowly, ever so slowly, reading through Genesis and The Torah study by Tom Bradford. It takes me a few minutes to think about some of these ideas. The Bible itself takes thought, but adding in the translations of some of the terms complicates—or soothes my philosophy! For instance, the first rainbow. Not that it is the biggest idea on hand, but years ago someone suggested that before the flood that it had never rained but that the earth was covered in mists. And the idea that the “deep” is entirely water under the ground as we know it—well, ok. Not a biggie for beliefs, but it does make me think. Anyway, this definitely makes reading the Bible more meaningful. When Bradford was mentioning things that were permissible to eat and how he was to be governed: These Noachide Laws are the following: 1) Men were prohibited from idol worship. 2) Man was not to commit blasphemy (taking God’s name in vain). 3) Man was not to murder. 4) There was to be no incest. 5) There was to be no robbing and stealing. 6) Man was not to eat blood nor was he to eat the meat of animals that had been strangled (and therefore, they had not been “bled”). 7) Man was to submit to the authority of a civil government. {Even if we were to simplify laws today, mankind would never submit!!!}

 

The idea of duality was one we studied in almost every literature class in undergraduate level. But Bradford’s explanations are on point to make sense of how mankind can be both evil and good at the same time. The absence of light is darkness; goodness points out evil. Well, maybe thinking about these things will keep me out of trouble for a few days.

 

Cooked the last of the chicken thighs for my dogs this morning. Now the old woman has to come up with something else for these critters tomorrow. It is almost like having a picky family! At least they never turn down scrambled eggs! Cleaning up the roaster is not all that complicated, but just pretty repetitious. Like any kind of cooking.

 

UPS brought the dogs a treat and the hens a five-pound box of those nasty grub things. They go crazy for them and supposedly they are good for them, but they really are pretty gross looking. The dog treats don’t last very long, but both dogs really like them.

 

Have not spent much time online today except to say happy birthday to a few and see if Mariellen Rose has posted an update. She may be too sick to care at this point. Strange how the things that are supposed to cure an illness can just about do us in. Someday it won’t be like this. If everyone told the truth and greed did not rule our world, we would not have poisoned the earth and all our food and water. May God take control as soon as He sees fit to do so.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Just Tired Again.

 Just Tired Again.

 

Not sure exactly why, but the old woman is too tired to do much of anything tonight. Reading in Genesis and following along with lessons by Tom Bradford about Torah. VERY good reading and common sense. But the old woman will be putting up the hens as soon as they head to their coops, and then SHE will be heading off to bed. Pardon my lack of enthusiasm for anything tonight, but some days are just like this.

 

Pray for those like Mariellen Rose trying to survive the Tcell treatments, and then Michelle Malay who gets another new knee on Friday of this week. May God bless them with comfort and healing.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Torah Lessons.

 Torah Lessons.

 

My friend Beth Graf told me to start with the INTRO to Genesis when reading or watching these lessons. SO glad that she said that. It does make a difference in how we perceive the works. Anyway, will try to give you a link to these lessons. The old woman intends to read through all of them eventually. Watching videos does not “take” for me as well as reading the words, so reading is my preference. Lesson 1 - Genesis Introduction - Torah Class

 

Went to the feed store this morning and picked up wheat and lay mash for the girls. Then they got to clean up the dog food bowls because neither dog liked the beef stuff that was put on top of their kibble this morning. Sigh. Oh well. At least it was not wasted.

 

Got out the weed eater and did a very small area out front near the road. Might do more later, but probably not today. Just have a tendency to wear down rather quickly. How the work ever got done around here before is amazing to me now. But strength was more available back years ago.

 

A short nap later: guess it takes more than strength to get things done around here. At least nothing is all that critical at the moment. Spoke with Patty and then Sterling this morning and then had to speak with both of these dogs. They are just as lazy as the old woman, it seems. Noticed that we left the long coop looking somewhat “damaged” by our removal of the possum, but that will not be rearranged until the notion hits. Sigh.

Have not looked at any headlines today for the sake of my sanity. No matter how we feel about his personality or anything else, we are told to pray for those in positions of authority over us for the sake of peace. God puts men in these positions. We just do our best to live with their decisions. So, the old woman will be praying for the safety and wisdom of President Trump. He is not in it to make a fortune like some of these politicians. May God bless him.

 

Let’s hope that we learn something from the Torah lessons from Tom Bradford. After all, the only scriptures ever quoted by Jesus Christ were from the Old Testament. The NT did not even exist at that time. Let us open our minds and let the Spirit of God lead us in the way we should go.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Twenty to Blow!

 Twenty to Blow!

 

Yep, the wind speed hit at least 20 mph today. Some of us (including my hens) are about sick of having to withstand the blowing wind and the dirt in the air. At least nothing is on fire over here on this side of the lake. And maybe we will actually get some rain this week. Praying for a good soaking and then enough to fill up the stock tanks and the lakes!

 

Patty wanted Blake to cut her grass this coming Thursday, but we will have to wait and see if the rain actually comes. Don’t need mine cut around here since the clover was planted and is doing just fine. Have some weeds in the front yard that will need some weed eating, but the old woman can probably do that much.

 

Tomorrow is the day to go get chicken feed—lay mash and wheat. Still have some sunflower seeds for them and only a few black soldier grubs. Ordered more grubs from Amazon without waiting to see if the Feed and Garden Store handles them. Know what the price is right now, so there’s that. Supposedly, the grubs help with protein and calcium content to make their egg shells harder and the hens healthier. Here’s hoping. Have ONE hen who has very thin egg shells that always break. Sigh. Have to keep any egg that gets in that mess. Will not give away a dirty egg or one that has to be washed and refrigerated. Maggie Sewell is the only one those will go to because she knows how to handle them. Not that those are the only ones she gets.

 

Cooked carrots and chicken thighs today for the dogs and the old woman. Pretty good eating. The dogs are not thrilled about carrots, but they will eat them. Green beans are a completely different story. Go figure.

 

Not sure if it is the wind and the sneezes that are making me so tired or just having to use pain pills right now, but kinda looking forward to closing up the hen house tonight. At least there should not be another possum in there! Thompson found the one this morning and grabbed it to shake, and then Sylvia finished the job. Whatever good possums can do in the world, they kill chickens just for the fun of it! Would like to keep my seventeen hens safe. Will have to check to see if there is a place critters are getting in around back or something. They do crawl up the trees and drop on the roof!

 

Years ago, when doing biology classes, the old woman was pretty good with a pencil and paper when drawing things from house flies to guts in a fetal pig. Now, however, would like to draw nut sedge and other assorted plants and don’t feel as if the drawings are very accurate. Sigh. Trying to fill out some of the edible and some of the poisonous plants that we have in this area. Maybe just putting the plant on my desk and looking at it when drawing would help. SO many plants are edible outside. And so many are dangerous to people and critters. No “Lily of the Valley” for me!

 

Reading in Ephesians now and each chapter reminds us that God loves us and gives His gift of love as grace when we ask. Looking forward to seeing the day of our adoption celebrated in heaven.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

More Visitors.

 More Visitors.

 

Recently told my daughter that no one ever came to visit. Then began to have visitors! This morning the front room need to be dust mopped, and then decided it needed a good wet mopping. Got a message from my oldest nephew that he and his daughter and granddaughter were going to stop by. THOROUGHLY enjoyed their visit. Kristen even took a picture of Danny and his Aunt Nancy—a first for us! So, now will have to tell Jennifer that visitors are on the list again of reasons to keep the house nice and neat. Or at least a reason to keep the piles of dust blown out of the house after a dust storm!

 

Today my youngest Ostand grandson turned 25. Amazing that these kids get so much older while this old woman doesn’t get even a day older. Ahem. But think all the kids are taller than me now. Didn’t notice when hugging Rylan the other day whether or not he was taller. Probably is. But his girl friend Isabella is not taller than the old woman at least. Lance’s daughter Rachel is definitely taller—and stronger! But maybe it would not take much to be stronger. Sigh.

 

The day started out so very calm and nice, but the wind has started up again. Not sure all the dirt will ever quit getting in this house!! Only got one floor cleaned this morning, and all the floors will need cleaning when this stupid wind stops blowing!! Used to think that the wind and dust at least cleaned the air somewhat, but not so sure about that any longer. Need to connect up a water hose and clean the outside of the windows and the front porch. Sat down on the bench out there and got the prints of the slats on my pants. Sigh.

 

About Monday, it will be time to go pick up chicken feed. Sent off for those black soldier fly grubs, but will ask at the Feed and Garden store if they carry those things. The hens go crazy for them. Cut up the skins on the chicken thighs cooked today and gave the skins to the hens. Those are not good for the dogs. And tomorrow the old woman needs to cook a bunch of carrots. Both dogs and humans find carrots are pretty good eating.

 

Read an article about Rosslyn Chapel, Roslin Midlothian (Scotland) today. It made me very glad that Jennifer was determined that we would get to see it while we were there. The article also showed the column that the apprentice made while the master carver was out doing something else. It was so very beautiful that the master carver was furious and hit and killed the apprentice. Strange how stories linger in history. But there was so much more involved in the building of the chapel. It was not even finished. It was supposed to be part of a much larger church, but that never happened even though its construction was sponsored by the Sinclair family.

The Scottish Reformation was the process whereby Scotland broke away from the Catholic Church, and established the Protestant Church of Scotland. It forms part of the wider European 16th-century Protestant Reformation.

Rosslyn Chapel was a Protestant location during the Reformation.

 

This day has been a bit tiring even without reason, but there it is. Maybe another good night’s sleep will have tomorrow as a better day with at least a little bit accomplished. Re-reading Galatians to help me have a better understanding and outlook. Seems that Paul heard that some of the new Christians were attempting to go back and observe the days and some of the laws from their time under the law. His remonstration intended for them to realize that the law might tell us what we have done wrong, but forgiveness and grace is from God’s love, not the law.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

A Bit of a Rest Day.

 A Bit of a Rest Day.

 

Other than doing the last load of laundry for this week, zero work has been done around here today. Cooked some steak and some chicken thighs to eat on over the weekend, but a glance at the thick dust on the TV table did not seem to make any difference in the cleanliness of this ol’ house. The ceiling fans with their lights have the same amount of dust as this morning, but the wind did finally die down after blowing about 20 mph for most of the morning. No sense in dusting as long as the wind is whipping through here to re-dust the house and all the surfaces.

 

The hens are doing a good job and have some more eggs boxed up for the next kid to make it over here. Jenn said she bought two dozen at the store the other day—at $4.29 per dozen. By the next day, she had two or three eggs left. Guess Gary likes eggs. But her boys like eggs, too. But when nothing else sounds good, even the old woman likes scrambled eggs—with or without bacon.

 

Went to bed with wet hair last night and woke up looking a bit like the twin of Medusa. Some of my hair on the sides goes fairly straight, but the backside still curls somewhat. But then, the sides are white and the back still has some color in it. Grey-ish is a color, right? It seems to me that these women who can keep their hair in an attractive order are to be admired. It just is never going to happen to me.

 

Trying to make myself consider doing some uncluttering. Have things that aren’t used that need to go somewhere. Texted Brenda Jones today to see if she wanted some of these extra egg cartons. She sells her eggs to customers who come get them. Mine go to Ft. Worth or to the homes of friends here in WF. The grandson who now lives in WF said that his refrigerator is not working, so fresh eggs will come in handy for him. They don’t have to go in the fridge. Anyway, maybe this next week will find me getting some stuff ready to give away to the re-sale shop for the Women’s Refuge.

 

John Rhoads brought some chicken feed over the last time he picked up eggs, and the hens have eaten about 25 pounds of it so far. They eat stuff like that pretty quickly. They have about 20 pounds of sunflower seeds left and maybe a pound of black soldier fly larvae in the bag. Those things are expensive, but they are supposed to help the hens have hard shells on their eggs. Can hardly stand to touch those things, but the hens are super happy to eat them almost as soon as the bag is opened! Just don’t get in their way!

 

Have a paperback book called The Complete Guide to Edible Wild Plants. Dear Hearts, it might be helpful to some folks, but it is anything but a complete guide. It does not even mention “lambs’ quarter” or some of the plants that the old woman recognizes as edible. Nut grass or nut sedge, for instance, is quite plentiful and the rhizomes can be made into a flour or cooked and eaten like a hearty cereal. Now, just because everyone hates nut grass is no reason to leave it out of a book of edible plants. However, the book also did not mention groundsel which is poisonous and looks a bit like dandelions. Anyway, will draw a few more pictures to put in the back pages of things like lambs’ quarter and give the book to my son-in-law. Things like this are of interest to him. If the old woman had a good, color printer, the pictures would glue in there easily. Oh well. Told myself a printer is kind of useless. They always run out of ink right away! But nothing manmade is perfect anyway. We can only try.

 

For the things that we know to reach for in our lives are listed in Galatians 5:22-23—But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Just a Few MORE Steps!

 Just a Few MORE Steps!

 

Seems to me that something always needs to be done around here. This morning the wind was not trying to blow me out of the yard, so the old woman got out to the hen house and took down a panel that had been torn loose and crumpled in that first bad wind storm. Needed to take the two pieces of paneling (siding) out of the long coop and measure them to the right length to replace that one sheet of plastic paneling. Finally drug them out of the coop, lined them up and marked the line to cut them, drug out the Skil saw, cut the freaking wood, and drug them over to the corner of the coop outside to fit them up against the corner where they needed to be placed and screwed or hammered in. Tried the hammer bit. FORGET that “shtuff”! Got out the big, heavy drill and the screws. THEN the old woman used her head and asked Albert to come help me! He had those two sheets up there in nothing flat and was willing to take an 18-pack of eggs home to his kids. Thank God for good neighbors.

 

Had a piece of that stupid particle board stuff that splinters in every possible direction that had at one time been nailed up to the backside of the front coop. It ended up next to the back of the workshop and was dangerous for Thompson and Sylvia if they went under it. SO, drug that sucker out and propped it up on a concrete block. Using only the left leg, my weight was enough to break it up a little bit at a time. Got that mess deposited into the trash bin. [That sucker is going to be heavy!] Then cut up and broke up some plastic water line that had been removed when the plumbers did some work on the backside of the house. That went into the bin as well. Just a little bit at a time is all it is going to take, but eventually the back yard will be in better shape. Even noticed a water hose stored in the long coop that had lost its exterior end that can be used to semi-replace the good hose that was out front. The plumber tried to take the ends lose and broke it off inside the little screw-on part. Sigh. He told me that it could be fixed with one of those kits, but he also said that those did not work very well. It figures. He did not even try to remove the piece of metal that had broken off. Not sure it can be removed, but know Lewis would have been caught trying!!

 

Really enjoyed my grandson and his girlfriend’s visit last night. Had not seen Rylan since he was about ten. His girlfriend/SO is a very sweet girl who is going to community college near where she lives. She actually lives very close to where Jennifer lives.

 

Before the henhouse doors are latched at night, a count usually finds all seventeen hens where they are supposed to be. Last night the count was one short. Looked around, counted again, looked some more, and even looked in the workshop thinking that maybe one had been locked in there accidentally. Felt really bad about losing a hen and not even knowing what had happened to her. This morning had reason to open the workshop door, and out swept a very disgusted little red hen. If she had even clucked last night when the door was opened for a check, she would have slept with the rest of the flock. At least she is not “missing in action” today!

 

Last year a thing to siphon fluids came home from Harbor Freight or some such place. Needed to remove the gasoline from the zero-turn mower last year, but it did not get done. Put the trickle battery charger on the mower and think it is about charged up, but need to go to “Tami’s” to get the right kind of gasoline for it. Really had not planned to try to mow at all by myself, but may do some just to be sure the mower still works. A person would think that taking care and uncluttering the inside of the house would be enough for an old woman to do to keep her happy, but somehow the outside work is SO much more appealing!

 

Another grandchild turns 25 this Saturday! Then the next one is in June (20^th) –nineteen-years-old and another in July (23)—turns 21 this year! The next event will be in late July or sometime in August. Life certainly does move on!

 

Sounds like my drier has about thrown my sneaker around long enough to have them dry-ish. The noise is certainly irritating enough!

 

Galatians 3:29 tells us that if we be Christ’s, then we are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. That was my first realization that one did not have to be Jewish to fit into that family. How’s THAT for an adoption!!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Surprises of the Day.

 Surprises of the Day.

 

Felt like the living room had accumulated enough dog hair and dust to satisfy even the worst old woman, so pulled out some of the furniture and dust mopped. No sense in wet mopping until some of this dust settles in the blowing wind. The kitchen counter near the door has all the evidence needed to prove how much of Odessa might have come this way!

 

Got a phone call from Michelle Malay that she and Tim would be stopping by for a bit. Certainly, enjoyed the visit. So happy to let Michelle see how pretty the gold-colored curtains make the living room windows. They make it feel like spring in there—despite the nose prints from the dogs on each window. Anyway, she had a test done today and another one later in the afternoon before she has the right knee surgery on the 28^th of this month. She still has considerable pain, but at least she can walk with her walker after she gets up and gets started. Sent three dozen eggs home with her and Tim, so that should keep them for a while.

 

Judie Brunson and her husband Weldon stopped by with a head of cabbage for my hens! Sent a couple of dozen eggs home with them, too. Really appreciate the fact that she knows how much these silly birds mean to me. She always felt that way about her animals, too.

 

Looks like Oklahoma is on fire again this year. Think it was three years ago when the entire northern part of the state nearly burned off the map! Prairie fires can be awfully fierce and take everything in their paths. And then the wind blows! Only God can protect us if we live out on the prairie! My friend John said that these winds and the dirt are reminiscent of the Dust Bowl days. Daddy used to tell us about the dirt that came in through the walls of their house. His first chore every morning was to go pull all the dead rabbits out of the stone tank where the windmill dumped water. There were no other sources of water for the critters, so they jumped into the tanks. We can be thankful that things have not quite returned to those horrible days.

 

Saw an article about the sink holes in West Texas that are caused by oil wells that have collapsed and caved in the surrounding area. That really is a terrible situation for someone who has bought the land not knowing that a well that has been plugged can collapse in on itself and form extremely large sink holes. We might expect sink holes in Florida or even in California, but who would have thought that West Texas would collapse in on itself due to the many holes drilled and filled with salt water! We do it to ourselves, however. Eventually we will come up with hydrogen powered motors that will make a difference. Meanwhile, don’t buy any pasture anywhere near an oil field!

 

Maybe in a few days the wind will stop blowing a gale and the old woman can get some repair work done on the siding on the long coop. The first bad storm tore it loose, but things have to be quiet long enough for me to get a board placed over the siding to screw it down and prevent more damage. Such fun.

 

Spoke with Patty this morning. She had Maria to come clean her house for a few hours this morning. This afternoon she said it felt so very nice to know it was clean! She has been doing her best not to stick her nose outside in this wind. No one needs to snort this dust!!

 

Please remember to pray for Mariellen Rose and my friend Michelle Malay. Mariellen is fighting leukemia and trying to adjust to the return of her T-cells. As you know, Michelle is getting another new knee. So many of our friends, family, and acquaintances have health issues. Let us ask God for his comfort and consolation for all of us.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Chicken Thirty.

 Chicken Thirty.

 

No, the clocks around here did not get set forward the other day. And what’s more, they are going to stay on Central Standard Hen Time. Makes sense to me and to the girls. And we voted.

 

Waiting to see if anyone from down around the Metromess is going to make a trip to WF this Saturday. Know that Lance already has plans, but have no idea which if any of the kids are doing anything extra. Oh well. Eight dozen eggs plus another few days’ worth should be interesting.

 

Have a section of the long coop to work on tomorrow if the wind doesn’t totally blow me away. Have some plywood to fasten up against the main frame of the south side where the wind tore a sheet of paneling lose in the last storm. Making repairs does not exactly frighten me, but would rather not have to fight the wind at the same time. We will see how things go tomorrow and how the extension cord and skill saw work on some wood.

 

Mariellen Rose started getting her augmented T-cells returned to her body today. While it is wonderful at the discoveries that have been made in today’s medicine, it is just horrible to see or hear of the effects of some of the procedures and medications. Have been thinking of Tami Yonts and hoping that she is doing ok with whatever the doctors tried to do for her. Knew a lady who lived across the road from us for years who had to have her stomach removed and just had liquids for food. She did very well at her advanced age, but it was difficult to imagine “eating” the way she had to do it. But then, have since read stories about young people who had the same kind of problems where their digestive system simply could not function in the normal manner. God has to bless folks and doctors with the inventiveness to take care of problems like that.

 

Had an interesting conversation with number five grandchild today. Rylan is Hanan’s son. He has not been here since he was about ten years old. His step-father is taking care of him at his apartment here in WF along with his girlfriend. Pretty soon, when Ensa (step-father) remarries, he will have to move out and find his own place to live. About all this old woman can do about that is pray for Rylan and his girlfriend to find a good place to live.

 

Shared an interesting conversation with my granddaughter Rachel today. She is eager to finish her master’s degree and go about getting a full-time job. Accounting! Whee! Right now, tax season is keeping her busy working for a lady who does all kinds of tax stuff. Maybe Rachel will get good enough to do the sort of thing that Grayson does. He makes a very good living even though he works too much all the time. Tax season must be horrible. SO glad the old woman does not have to pay taxes.

 

Have found plenty of reasons to step to the rail around the deck and tell the Father thank you for all the blessings—green grass, less pain in my body, happy hens, another day, and the deep rest that comes from sleeping at night. Yep, each day—Praise God!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Springing Winds with Headaches to Grow!

 Springing Winds with Headaches to Grow!

 

As if the wind were not enough to live with at the moment, the stuff IN the wind has made having a headache almost a surefire situation. The weather report forecasted winds for Tuesday and Wednesday. Well, guess maybe 20+ mph wind might not be enough for them to call this a windy day, but it certainly feels windy to me. The wind from the last storm caught the siding on the long chicken coop and started it tearing off. Can’t make up my mind whether to go ahead and take that piece down or try to cover it up with plywood instead. Have to figure that one piece torn off can only lead to another panel tearing off in the wind as well. Argh!

 

Moved some hay bales early this morning and the hens immediately discovered the worms. Now have a trench where the bales were before. Those hens mean business! Too bad they can’t be harnessed to till up dirt for a garden! But then, the garden would have to be covered in chicken wire to allow growth. Oh well.

 

The dogs have been relatively happy today. Made them both let me have the recliner for a change. If the old woman gets up, one or the other of the dogs takes my place as sure as shooting! Both of them were on the little bench earlier with hardly enough room to fit all the feet and legs! They won’t get in the rocking chair, but that might change eventually. May have to bring the bench Sterling made for me into the living room instead of having it out on the deck. Love sitting out there, but it is simply too windy to enjoy right now.

 

Woke up early this morning to let the hens out and right away noticed that both my right knee and left hip were not hurting. Had to praise God right then and there. Wonder if God ever gets a kick out of us. It does seem like we expect things to happen and then are pretty doggone surprised when they don’t.

 

Have tried to stay totally away from the computer or any so-called “news” right now. The weather is one thing that can be totally off in forecasts, but for some of these folks to tell tall tales just irritates me to no end. Not anything an individual such as the old woman can do about all the stupidity going on today. About what we all can do with any chance of improvement would be to bow our heads in prayer. Only God can direct us or the paths of history. Let us, for the time being, pray for God’s mercy on those in the paths of storms or other terrors.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

A Pleasant Sunday.

 A Pleasant Sunday.

 

After that howling dust storm, just about anything would have been nice, but the sunshine and slight breeze today have been just about perfect. Went down to Patty’s to sit out on the patio and watch Roxie while visiting. Patty found some super glue to give me so that maybe the topper on my tea kettle lid could be forced to remain on top of the lid. Applied the glue without sticking anything else to myself. SO proud of myself. (Said with a big ol’ grin!)

 

Roxie found lots of tall henbits to roll in along with clover and some Common Stork’s Bill (green with purple flowers). That was the only stuff that was really growing. Did not even see a bee or anything flying out there. Could be the stupid dirt in that storm killed anything flying! Boy! That was a miserable day just for trying to breathe! At least we did not have a tornado here. Feel so sorry for the folks up in Northeastern Arkansas. Think they just about got wiped off the map! May God bless them and all those affected by those storms across the East Coast.

 

Sterling had said something about Mission, Texas. My neighbor across the street said that it was very dangerous to live there because of all the gangs and the kidnappings. Apparently, the gangs know who is working for the better companies down there and will kidnap their mechanics or whoever just for the money in ransom! Simply can’t imagine. Seems as if they might need some Texas Rangers or maybe some vigilantes!

 

We still need rain desperately and are in a very high warning for any kinds of fire. This old woman needs to get one of those water hose connectors for the hose out front that was ruined when the plumber removed the faucet. He told me that they make the connections but that they hardly ever work right. Still better than having to buy a new hose. And the one that got messed up was both long enough and big enough to do the job of watering the entire front yard. Sigh.

 

Have a few hyacinths blooming out front. A couple of hens get out nearly every day to scratch around out there. If they keep it up, won’t have to worry about mowing anything! Lots of chives are growing and some garlic plants that Roger gave me. May have to plant more of the same out there along the front. Would really like to plant some Jerusalem artichokes out there again. Had them there one year, but the drought killed nearly everything along there except the irises. One pathetic little peach tree made peaches last year. It had some blooms on it earlier, but we can expect another freeze pretty soon. Oh well.

 

The one thought that got out of bed with me this morning was one of thankfulness. Praise God for another day and things that make me smile. It is wonderful to know that God protects those we love and will lead them to Himself as they grow. Let us thank him each day and night as we live our lives.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Resting or Nearly Resting.

 Resting or Nearly Resting.

 

Let the girls out this morning. Things went ok from there as far as the old woman could tell. Anyway, went out and gathered up the limbs that had blown down and some that were blown into the east fence from that bodacious “breeze” we had. Then, after putting out feed, a few spare drops of rain fell on me! Could hardly believe it! Had they fallen yesterday, they would have been mud balls!

 

Checked on my brother in Arkansas. They are still among the living up there on their hill. Praise God. Have no idea what all happened yesterday in the path of these storms, but apparently many a truck was flipped and the zero-visibility caused one long wreck out toward Canyon, Texas. The pictures were gnarly! Not sure how many casualties, but it had to have been more than a few.

 

Dust mopped the big bathroom, the bedroom, and the living room earlier. Have not started on the kitchen counters yet. Maybe tomorrow. Some days just take more energy than seems to be available.

 

Still reading in Romans. Seems like something stands out each time one of those books is read. Maybe it is something that the old woman needs to put into practice and just had not thought about it.

 

Lowry Mayo’s bride has a son who became Lowry’s new step-son, and he married to a beautiful Jewish mother who has a houseful of children with the youngest just now beginning to eat solids—the twins (boy and girl). So Lowry has been blessed with a new son and a wonderful family after all these years. Know that is not the same as the son he loved so deeply and lost to some kind of medical mess, but still. Seems like a great blessing to me.

 

Sterling said that the wind around his place took part of the roof of one of Danny’s chicken houses. That will have to be repaired rather quickly. Then it blew the tin off of a shed that his friend George had been intending to tear down. He and George took the tin off the shed to use on Sterling’s barn. Great that he could use it to replace the part of his barn that needed work. Now if only he can get someone up there to put the tin up! Trying to find someone to work is not easy these days. And that is not just on the farm!

 

Really don’t know much other than my body is tired. Patty is still trying to get all the dust out of her lungs from the storm, so we can pray for a good rain to rinse things down. She thinks that the only reason God has let her live this long is to keep me company. That may be the reason, but since she makes up a big part of my life each day, it is certainly appreciated. Love is never lost when given.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

The Wind Blew . . .

 The Wind Blew . . .

 

We were not wearing paper hats, but Dear Hearts, the wind blew the trash bin right out of my hands! Waited until we saw the trash truck come up our street before dragging the bin across the road. The wind caught the bin and jerked it away from me. After setting it up straight, the lid whammed back into my head and clonked me quite nicely right where my headband was embedded in my hair. DANG!! That hurt! Max was kind enough to let me go ahead and go back to the house before he brought my bin back to my side fence. Shooo!

 

Max and Laisha have all kinds of good plans about Japan and seeing the World’s Fair. SO happy they get to do this! Simply can’t imagine! We prayed for a safe and happy journey, so that makes me feel better about their trip.

 

The highest wind speed that the old woman saw so far today was 32 mph. Have a sneaking suspicion that it has been higher in some of those gusts! And the sky, lake, and all the distant vistas are as brown as Texas dirt can make them! Will need a shower tonight just to get the grit out of my teeth!

 

Guess we can be happy that so far, we have not lost electricity. The trees outside are whipping up their own storm. Branches on the electric lines would not help anything! At least we are not forecasted to have tornadoes tonight!

 

Still reading in Romans rather than in the book by Lehman Straus about Revelation. The author’s attitude (Straus) attempts to lead others to Christ when it seems just reading what the future holds is enough to scare one’s bad habits to the side! Max was telling us that one of his friends believes that Christ came to experience what man has to stand against. Having experienced all of the things in His life as a human being, He can more easily see how difficult it is to live this life. But what man is there who would die for all of us? Only Christ had the perfect ability to live without sin. Without Him, there would be no forgiveness.

 

Let us hope that all the dirt settles tonight and that tomorrow will be a better day. Meanwhile, pray for those who are bound to the hospital rules and problems. Tami Yonts, Mariellen Rose, Bruce (Olga’s son-in-law), and those like Danny Pollard who are on chemo by a schedule. May they all be comforted and consoled.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Walking in Sunshine.

 

Walking in Sunshine.

 

Walked down to Patty’s earlier to visit and give Roxie a chance to sniff around the place. We sat outside and talked while Roxie did her best to get lost in some deep grass. Hoping to wait quite a while before we have to call Blake to mow for the first time this spring. My place has just now sprouted up some good grass, but down at Patty’s the henbit and common stork’s beak are turning the place a pretty lavender color with blooms. That stuff needs to stay as long as possible for the bees and assorted insects that are nourished by the blooms. We were talking about the bees and the fact that a bee only lives about a month and might produce one teaspoon of honey during its lifetime. The bee will die, but the honey will never go bad. Wild, huh. What other food will stay good for thousands of years?

 

Gathered eggs a bit ago. The girls have found another place to hide a nest, but the old woman found it! Sneaky hens! But that’s ok. They are staying pretty healthy so far. Feeding them some dry black soldier fly larvae. They really go for that stuff. Yuck!

 

Ate some of the stuff made for the dogs that included fried ground turkey, rice cooked in chicken broth, and carrots. Threw on a handful of cheese and used the last of a jar of picante sauce. Yum. Had cooked chicken quarters for the dogs and neither one acted the least bit interested. Oh well.

 

Took a couple of pain pills last night along with a muscle relaxer and woke up feeling better this morning. Had no idea that the muscles in my back were stretched that much yesterday while working on that chicken ladder. Still have some things to do out in the middle coop, but will wait either until this weekend or later after all the winds hit. Expecting 60 to 70 mph winds does not create joy in my life. The sirens go off at 75 mph! Here’s hoping no one loses a roof. Will wait until Friday morning to put out the trash bin. Always keep my trash in tied plastic bags inside the big bin. Despise picking up trash that flies out of the big trucks.

 

Have read another book that included characters who worked for the Harvey Houses along the railways. Not too many jobs were available to women along the frontiers, but that was one job that provided safety and security as long as a woman was willing to stay single and obey the strict rules of propriety. Surely would beat working in a saloon!

 

Have a wren who wakes up at the crack of dawn every day and sings its heart out all day. Did you know that certain flowers only bloom if the birds sing? It is amazing that the sound waves can trigger flower growth! The things scientists have discovered about our world and nature are absolutely amazing!

 

Saw that the rocket that is supposed to bring our astronauts back had to be delayed. If all goes well, it will blast off on Friday evening late to take another crew to the space station and bring the others home. Don’t you know that their “ten-day” trip feels like an eternity! Let’s pray that all goes well.

 

This weather makes me want to plant something, but know better. We will have at least one and maybe two more freezes before we settle into a real spring. Have some hyacinths blooming right now, but really want some snapdragons out front again. Those things are just SO beautiful! May drop some potatoes in the raised bed this next week, too. Patty had some that were sprouting. Perfect time to plant them!

 

Let us be encouraged to have faith in our Father in heaven. He determines what He allows to take place in our lives. May we all be encouragers for others as well.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Anticipating Winds!

 Anticipating Winds!

 

Each day or so the city of Wichita Falls sends out an email about what is going on or what is expected in our vicinity. Anyway, we are supposed to expect winds of 60 to 70 mph on Friday this week. The city suggested waiting as long as possible to put out our trash bins since we all know what the lovely little plastic things will do once that wind hits!! What they did NOT say was that folks should be putting their loose trash in plastic bags that are tied up; otherwise, all that junk and stuff might as well be tossed out in the street!! DADGUMIT! Put the loose stuff in bags that are closed/tied to keep stuff from making our town look like the trashiest city around!

 

Got out early and made another chicken ladder for my girls. Had screws that were exactly the right length and size to work. How that happened is beyond me, but such was the case! Hoping the girls appreciate another ladder for this side of the coop. One hen already has a bruise on her foot. Will have to watch that it does not get worse or it will have to be lanced. Really don’t like to do that, but have done it before so a hen’s foot would heal. They don’t like having tape on their toes, thank you very much!

 

Discovered or rediscovered this morning that my dogs like banana chips. Bought some nuts the other day for snacking and put banana chips in there instead of cutting up dried mango. LOVE mango! Not sure if all the sugar in the different fruit is bad for me, but so far at least, no extra weight comes from this stuff. Besides, it could be much worse.

 

Paul Dowlearn says we will undoubtedly get another couple of freezes before long, but the sunshine and the wren singing out front certainly make me want to plant something. Last year, Jo Ann Hobbs gave me some tomato plants that made some teeny tiny tomatoes that were like eating candy. Think they are similar to some that Roger used to grow. Anyway, would really like to grow some tomatoes—the big, big kind—out front. Keeping the hens out of them would require some netting, but already have the net, so there’s that. Cucumbers, spaghetti squash, and anything else that could grow on this hill appeals to me. Again, have to watch these silly hens jump the gate and tear up the front yard. Oh well.

 

California got another shake or two this morning. Meanwhile, folks who owned property in Altadena and other parts of the burned-out areas are just SOL for getting anything back for rebuilding their lives. We can pray for those whose lives have been totally disrupted and who will just have to live with memories and no homes. May God bless them.

 

Then Falcon 9 returned to its roost after putting some satellites in orbit. These adventures are just so stunning and amazing. Having rockets return to earth and be reuseable is one very great accomplishment. Just would like to see our astronauts returned to earth as soon as possible!

 

Reading in Romans this morning and thinking about how self-centered we are from birth on. We each have a tendency to believe that the world revolves around us. Those who are unable or unwilling to be friends or to make friends with others are probably the most self-centered. If we are unable or unwilling to have compassion for others, we are probably still in the same stage of “lack” of growth as a baby. It’s all about us. It is not like making friends is the most important thing in life, but we need the connections with others to see beyond our own thoughts or feelings. God has a purpose for each of us. Sharing those purposes and goals can only make us better at whatever He has chosen us to do. Let us strive to touch the lives of others with love.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Cabbage and Reduced-Price Meat.

 Cabbage and Reduced-Price Meat.

 

Every once in a while, the old woman goes up to United to walk the store in person rather than letting one of the “kids” pick things to put in a basket for me. Going by the 40% reduced meat counter makes an interesting trip. Today, three different packages came home with me. Two were tossed in the freezer and one was cooked with about one-third of a head of cabbage. Good eating!

 

Two turnips ended up in my basket, too. Love turnips. Now the rest of you guys and gals can keep the freaking kale and some of those greens that are tougher than boot leather. They may have an interesting flavor, but none are as good as turnips or turnip greens! Mother-in-law could definitely cook a great big pot of either turnips or turnip greens and make them taste like something wonderful. Lewis had to eat what was put on the table, so whether or not he enjoyed them is beside the point. Mother never convinced us that English peas were fit for food, but we had to eat them. We grew up before the days of picky eaters.

 

Neither of the dogs were especially interested in eating today, so they can wait until they get hungry or go without. Made ground turkey fried in bacon grease with rice and carrots for them. Trust me; it is tasty. Cooked ten pounds of chicken quarters earlier that has to cool before it can be deboned. Maggie said she can’t let her dogs have the chicken skins because it upsets their tummies. Those skins get chopped up around here and fed to the hens. They can handle almost anything along that line. As long as there is no salt in it, they can eat almost any meat.

 

Had trouble keeping my mind on things last night and decided that Patty has the right idea. Some of these “personal dramas” that are witnessed need to be treated much like soap operas. They are not “real” and have no bearing on my life. No matter if we care about folks going through stuff, all we can do about the dramas is to turn it over to the only ONE who can change things or help things turn out for the best. Meanwhile, Patty called again and said the horse’s backside who cheated her actually called to see if “everything is ok.” Other than the fact that he took her for at least $800, she is disgusted but ready to consider this a bad deal and a lesson. Still, the dipstick did not apologize for cheating her. Sooner or later, disgusting acts tend to return to the actors.

 

Have felt so happy for my former classmate and friend who had been disowned by his wife, daughter, and grandsons. NOW he has a very sweet wife, a step-son and his wife, and an entire household full of sweet children to enjoy. Talk about God blessing someone! Every time his picture comes up on FB, there is a big smile on his face!

 

While there are those who are going to moan, groan, and be totally appalled about the cessation of handouts to various organizations that may or may not contribute to the independence of men, women, and those who need food and other support, it seems to me that the constant leaks—read floods—of American dollars into other countries has been somewhat interrupted or stopped. NEVER have we seen such corruption as when our dollars are supposed to help support women in need. For every ten dollars sent to Kenya, a woman in need might get five or ten cents. MAYBE! The same is true in EVERY country where our money was being sent. Corruption and greed is more commonplace now than ever before. All we can hope is that organizations like Samaritan’s Purse are actually doing the work they promised without grafting whatever money they were given before this change came into effect. Being willing to help one’s neighbor does not require payment if the purpose is truly to help the other person. If some of these mega-churches were to send money to actually help those in places like North Carolina, how would that look? If it takes $50,000 a year to keep the lights on in a building, how much would a church be willing to donate to build little houses or help build roads? Now we will see which churches are truly being used to help their brothers.

 

Let us pray for little Zeke to keep improving and rebuilding his muscles and abilities, for Tami Yonts as she goes in for surgery, for Mariellen Rose as she gets her return t-cell procedure and accommodating chemo to help her overcome leukemia, and right now, let us pray for our president’s safety and his common-sense approach to restoring financial balance in our nation.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.