A Helping Hand.

 A Helping Hand.

 

A nice grey truck came up Fenoglio Avenue today. Julian came to visit. He sat down on the front bench so the dogs could talk to him for a minute. It just keeps them from being left out and from wanting to jump up on anyone to have them sit for a minute. Of course, Sylvia really wanted to get in his lap! He does not really like dogs at all, but he says he likes little dogs. Whatever. I just don’t want my dogs to think he is a stranger so he won’t get a surprise—a bite or otherwise.

 

Julian is such a helper! He understands what needs to be done and usually brings what he thinks he will need to get the work done. The last time he had a big job to do, it took him almost all day to remove the concrete post holders for the pergola. The pergola is missed, but that one post was almost rotten all the way through. It probably would not have fallen, but why take the risk. Anyway, it was hard work and he let me know he appreciated the payment. The job this week is not a big deal, but the old woman simply cannot use a shovel or pick up the stepping stones that need to be moved. All the limbs that need to be taken from the crepe myrtle can be dropped in the trash bin, but it may be that the old woman can trim it up without too much trouble. We will see.

 

Maria has become a chicken momma. One of the hens hatched a chick and did not want it back, thank you very much, so now Maria has it in the house. Sitting here smiling to myself. She tried to get another hen to take the chick, but the hen pecked it. Nope, Maria is now a chicken momma!

 

Maybe this week the exterminator will be called to see if we can eliminate some of the doggone wasps. This kind is not the one that makes my body react so terribly, but it still is not fun to be stung. Maybe the man with all the spray stuff can get rid of them for me. They make nests in some of the strangest places.

 

Sterling sent me six books for research purposes (Bible references). Then someone around here picked up three more at services Sunday. Guess what she has been doing all morning! Yes, between the Sunday school lesson and reading one of the Graham evangelical ministry magazines, just a bunch of reading has happened. Then a sudden notion about Job occurred to me, so that was the next reading material. Meanwhile, a couple of phone calls got my phone down to 35% and it needed to be recharged. Oh well. It’s not like the old woman needed to be doing any vacuuming. [Well, that is not to say the floors don’t need the help, but only that she won’t be doing it.]

 

Robin Christian, a friend who worked with me on AOL years ago, told me the funniest thing this morning. She has taught Sunday school forever and recently one of the kids was badly hurt in some kind of accident. She has always sent them cards, but she sometimes includes notes. This child asked, “Mom, why is Miss Robin writing to me in a foreign language?” The note was written in cursive. Not going to lie and say that it did not make me laugh and almost cry at the same time. Children need to write in cursive!

 

Sterling said that the lumber yard had donated a huge load of wood to his work. One of the men at the lumber yard asked for two more big rocking chairs for a member of his family who needed them. Sterling makes them for free for any of the men who work there no matter what they want. The owners are Christians and have helped out various churches in that area including a load to his church—what he calls the livestock barn. They have a relatively small church, but they also have some children who come there to get something to eat. The people in that area simply do not have money for everything the children need. And the congregation cooks up a BIG bunch of food for the nights or days when the kids are supposed to be there. Apparently, the kids are not picky.

 

According to my weather station, we have received 5 inches of rain this month. Thinking that a REAL rain gauge might be closer to correct. This electronic thing leaves me wondering. This may necessitate a trip to my favorite store: Sutherland’s.

 

Let us be still and remember that God is still in charge. We can pray for our government and for those in charge of whatever services we may need right now. Let us remember to show love in whatever we do or say. Let us be the reflection of God’s love.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.