Hobbit House!

 Sometimes Bing puts pictures on the screen that really appeal to me. Today it is one of those Hobbit type homes with one wall totally covered in mossy dirt. Sometimes it feels like mine has the moss INSIDE instead of outside, but it is still home. But English villages and tiny little Hobbit houses just are so inviting. Probably living there would be something else entirely, but the imagination takes care of such things as mold, dirt, small excavating creatures, and spideys. Guess the old woman will just enjoy sitting on the deck and talking to the creatures around here.

Family is starting home from West Virginia early tomorrow morning. Please remember them in your prayers that they will have safe travels and get home safely. Love my kids--all of them. 

Got to watch two Miss Marple stories today. Both were exceptionally good. One was familiar except the main who dun it person. The other was entirely new to me. England may not be a very big country, but it certainly has some beautiful hills and rivers. And English villages may not be anything at all like what is seen in the Miss Marple series, but OH! They are so beautiful. She has roses. Not a real fan of roses myself as they can be so terribly dangerous, but almost any kind of flower appeals to me. Learning about different kinds of plants has always been an interest, but today Miss Marple found a book in the library that told about all sorts of interesting poisons. Most plants can be dangerous if we don't know how to handle them, but this story explained how miscarriages were caused by a plant called "Uncle Henry"--that is mug wort. Women have been doing things like this for centuries, but then, they had to.

Steamed the head of cabbage today, and the dogs helped me finish most of it off. Had some left to put in a ziplock bag for tomorrow. They are always willing to eat anything on my plate. Had six hens like that once upon a time. Would sit out on the deck and try to eat. They would hop up on my knee and peck at things in my plate. The dogs would fuss about it and try to make them go away. Hanan used to laugh at the circus performance of these critters.

Felt so good this morning, but as the day has gone by, the allergy stuff has hit again. Just took an allergy pill, so maybe that will take care of it. But sitting outside on the deck, can hear lawnmowers. Nothing quite like being between the state hospital grounds and a pasture that has been freshly mown. 

Found that young hawk dead out by the bushes this morning. It must have been on the ground at some point and ran into the Terminator--Thompson. Sad, but know it is part of the way critters behave. Each trash day there is another big black bird or a dove or two to toss inside the bin. They eat the feed--well, the hawk probably did not eat feed, just the sparrows or other birds. At any rate, really don't need to feed more birds. 

Thompson just got through pawing at the treat jar. My dogs have got me trained. But they really do know when "that's all" is stated emphatically that they might as well go on about their business. They are beggars!

Each day Connie calls and today she had boxes on the brain. Rebekah went to the liquor store and got all the boxes she could take over to Connie's house. So the old ladies who live in the new apartment complex are going to think that Connie is definitely a heavy drinker! We laughed about the different kinds of boxes--Crown Royal comes in assorted flavors--who knew! As it is, her cats think that they have gone to cat box heaven. She has the boxes stacked almost to the ceiling on one side of the room, and the cats are doing their best to un-stack them! Then she told me she has assorted things that she wants to bring to my house--whoo boy! Some kind of battery charger thing will have to find a place in the shop. She said it is as big as a toaster oven. But it is also supposed to work to charge a laptop or a car--whichever. Doesn't matter. It is like so much stuff that we accumulate--just have to find a place for it. Or someone who actually needs it.

It has been so pleasant not to have such high temperatures lately. Not sure how warm it got today, but the wind was not blowing a gale so that made it great. So sorry for the folks on the Gulf again. They simply can't seem to get a break. We all need to pray for them. We usually just get tornadoes. They get those, high winds, floods, and more high winds and heavy duty rains. Such fun. Lord only knows if and when they will get their electricity back. Need a nation of generators down there.

Emptied a coffee can full of grounds and egg shells into my herb box today. Maybe tomorrow the top soil can be put in there next to the rosemary bush. Going to have to do the dip method as the bag is simply too heavy to lift at this point. The herb garden won't care how it is done as long as it gets enough soil to cover the roots good before frost. Maybe some of my herbs will make it through the winter. Need to transfer the asparagus roots that were put in the rain barrel carcass. The barrel is splitting in half now, so it won't exactly work as needed. But the fig tree is looking great! Every day it looks better!

If it seems my interests circle around critters and plants, it is because the news sources make me upset or fairly sure we are stepping in something when we expose ourselves to that shtuff. So if you need sociology or the weather report, maybe FB would be a better source. These dogs and the chickens are about all the sources of poo some folks can stand--me being one of them.

May you all rest well and awake with joy. You are loved.

Chickens and Such.

 Well, having gone to class today, let me just say that the population of the Zone has slimmed down somewhat. Maybe we are all trying to stay away from folks. Michelle DeMers and her project were still going at the grinder as my glass hen got put back on the shelf. But we talked about chickens. Michelle said she might take some of mine. Definitely don't want any more chickens around here. Just spent another $40 on feed today! Either the hens have to learn to dig up the worms, or we have to find homes for happy hens. Poor Grey Lady looks pathetic in her molting feathers. But she is still laying eggs. Athena has begun to look pretty again and is laying her medium sized white eggs. If Michelle takes the Hamburgs, hers will be the only white egg.

Today a hawk flew out of the workshop. Thompson and Sylvia both wanted at him/her. It was a young hawk, so maybe it does not realize that chickens are a hawk diet item. NOT that it was big enough to get my birds. Even the Hamburgs would be bigger than this hawk. Maybe it was a sparrow hawk. It is certainly welcome to all the doves it can chase off! Those critters are about to eat me out of chicken feed!

Picked up the mail for the first time this week. Expecting a "package" from the insurance company. They showed a picture of what is in the package in some of the mail today. The thermometer is one of those little ones that has a number gauge on one end and the other end goes in one's mouth. At least it was not one of those little things one handles like a dish cloth on the forehead. And the Tamiflu is several pills in a package. Not sure about the Covid test package. Guess it will get here eventually.

No one has shown up around here today except birds, so maybe my neighbors are all resting. Could hear a lawn mower on the north side of the neighborhood, so maybe that is where the dust is coming from. My eyes are still sticky this evening just from going outside while the mower was going. Be so glad when frost comes and takes care of the high grasses and the need to mow. Yes, it will also do something to my pretty flowers, but at least the front flower bed can be re-tilled. Right now the dahlia and several zinnias are blooming. Love the sunflowers blooming all over the south side of the sidewalk, too. Hanan would love them.

Have seen pictures of Gary posted on FB. But Jennifer's phone is down to 1%, so it would not do to call her. Will just pray that their trip home this weekend will be safe. Gary drives a bit too fast, but it does not do to tell him so. Just hope they are enjoying themselves and relaxing. 

My fig tree in the greenhouse is looking better now. Water and no one eating on it has made a difference. One Barred Rock chick likes to roost on the handle of its container. It looks pretty funny with that chick sitting on the top like that. "MY roost." Eventually they are going to need some decent roosts rather than sitting inside their little coop. Just want to get something like dowel rods and put them across the back area for them so their droppings will fall on the floor rather than on the coop. Jerry never did understand what he was told about roosts. Think that is why my big hens roost in the top rafters of the original coop. Will have to come up with some kind of idea for the young ones now.

Have watched several British movies this evening. BritBox has all kinds of good stuff. Their humor is just a bit out of my league, however. The references must be strictly ones that pertain to their own elements of government, police work, foods, and the like. Guess it would be like us wanting corny dogs or tacos and saying the governor has two legs and two wheels. Makes about as much sense.

Other than keeping Michelle company for about an hour down at the Zone, my accomplishments for the day consist of buying and unloading feed. Went after my prescription and did not even go buy any milk. Will have to call Cindy Jones and see if the Guernsey is producing enough milk to spare a half gallon. Would just love to see the cow, to tell the truth. Cows--well, some of them--are usually pretty sweet critters. Lewis had one he raised from a calf that would let him ride her. Can't remember her name at the moment, but his parents still had her when we got married.

No words of wisdom or even any funnies tonight. We just have to take each day and make the best of it. May you all find happiness in your life day by day. You are loved. 

Non-Energetic Work.

 Ok, so working does not mean a person is energetic, but let's all pat ourselves on the back when we KNOW the energy is missing and yet still get something done! So the back yard and half of the east lots are now less grassy. Still have not gone outside the fence to cut the mess alongside the road or the little square down between my place and the Anderson place. Donny was out doing his weed eating this afternoon and kinda made me feel guilty--but not bad enough to get me up off my backside to do any more mowing today. Maybe tomorrow. But really do need to clean the living room up and get the dusting done in here. Honestly think seeds could probably sprout on the film of cobwebs on the ceiling fan. Lilly Muenster would be proud of me!

Sat outside on the lawn swing and listened to the hens talk. Two of the black-laced Wyandottes got a chick down and took feathers off of her. They had it done before the old woman could even move! They both had a feather and ate it! Did not know that they would do that kind of thing! Mean critters! That is why the little ones should never be mixed in with older hens unless they have a biddy hen to take care of them and stand up for them. A biddy will fight a circle saw rather than let someone bother her babies!

Jerry came over today and used my skill saw to cut up some boards. He stayed in the side lot and cut them there and threw the little end pieces in my garbage can. Not really sure what he is doing, and really don't care, but he put the saw back, so that is all that matters. He and his "friends" carried on some drama about some bicycles later. Again, not part of my day or concern. Fed him early this morning and was told that he does not like his eggs unless they are hard cooked. Rolling eyes here. 

Tomorrow is another day. Today the dogs let me lie down on the couch with them. Thompson decided he needed to nibble on me, and Sylvia wanted to snuggle on me. But she also wanted to play ball. Such decisions are difficult when "mom" lies down on the job. We finally gave up the attempt to "rest" on the couch and took our attitudes outside. The little boy across from the east lot has a puppy. The critter is smart. He never gets near the fence. Caleb talks to the dogs, but he never acts like he is going to try to touch them. But then, it has already been explained about the dogs and what they might do. He seems like a nice little kid.

Watched a video about the Spanish flu and how many people it killed back in 1918. It is amazing to me that more people were not dead considering how many people were exposed to it. And they did not have the stuff we have today to keep from dying of associated illnesses. No antibiotics back then. According to one article, it is amazing that George Washington even made it through his second term. He had to have surgery and was ill with assorted problems during all of his presidency! It was only after Kennedy was assassinated that the 25th amendment was passed that provided for the change of hands of that office. Amazing how things were done in the past.

On FB lately there are multiple posts by folks who are staying at home and staying away from others. They are posting pictures of the view from their windows or something like that. Beautiful world we live in! Sitting outside watching the hens, the sunset over Lake Wichita is beautiful, but the neighbors' horrible fence just ruins the view. Oh well. Over the years the buildings have gone down and then been rebuilt or replaced. The Andersons have put up three entirely new and large buildings in the past few years. Storage sheds seem so superfluous. If we have that much junk, we need to get rid of it. But then, Donny has two of those wild and wooly buggy things in his shed--and a great big pontoon boat in the boat shed. Patty just has things from her mom and dad's place in her little shed. Makes me wonder why we need stuff like that if we can't use it. But then, my grandmother's china is still in my china hutch. sigh Jennifer thinks one of the boys might want it. Doubtful! They would use paper plates. Besides, it can't be put in a microwave because it has a silver rim on each piece. When Lance hauled off all the books that were in the living room bookcase, it made me realize some things were just not that necessary. Now if only the old woman would clean out all the DVDs, books, music boxes, etc. Deep sigh.

Noticed a sweet picture of Nikki and Stephen Smith's new calf. Reminds me so very much of Garland's favorite milk cow, Ruth. Seems like each time she had a calf, she had to have a calcium shot or something of that nature. But she was one very reliable and sweet cow. We had to milk her while Garland and Joy went to Washington, D.C. and took Lance for his first airplane ride. He was just a little guy, but he was so very excited. He was given a pair of wings by the pilot! Meanwhile, Ruth was very patient with the young woman who milked her every morning! Lewis milked at night, and the calf got his helping between milking times. It's a wonder the critter did not get the scours! My hands were never as strong as they needed to be for milking a cow, but Ruth was very generous. Jerseys are sweet cows.

Believe it or not, the dogs have not demanded treats today. But then, they had bacon grease on their dog food this morning. Maybe that is all it takes to satisfy the "treat tooth" of a dog. 

So very glad that President Trump got to return to the White House today. He still needs to take it easy for a while. But no doubt his physician will be keeping tabs on him. Just cannot imagine how difficult it is to get everyone the care they need in this mess. My doctor may or may not have this garbage. Just hope things work out for her and her family. Her parents are both doctors, too. Can you imagine if you had to call your mom and ask for her to help you while you were down? Have thought about my parents so many times lately. So glad they are not around for this mess. It is just too hard on folks who already have problems. 

My friend Connie is going to be moving next month. She is happy to have a bigger apartment to go to that has hook ups for a washer and dryer. And it is in a small compound where it is only older folks--no kids or teens or wild parties or brawls. That is the kind of place that Kay lives in. Just folks around her age. Good reasons go into places like that. 

Really have not been interested in watching movies, but finished another book today. The author had done her research. She was writing primarily about women who had been abused and what it took to get them into a better place in life. It is just amazing to some of us who have never been there to see what some folks will accept because they don't think they have a choice. So glad Mom was a strong woman. She and Dad taught me to be independent. But then, so did Grandmother Pollard. She and Granddad were accustomed to working hard, but they also had a streak of Texas tough about them. Granddad left home at 13 because his dad was abusive of the boys. Don't think his wife put up with that stuff, but the boys were a different situation. Boys sometimes do not know their own worth just the way women don't know. Granddad was an exception.

No matter what kind of world this may turn into before many years are over, we all have to live with our appreciation of what we have been given. No matter where we are, in what kind of situation, what kind of job--or lack thereof--we are able to take care of ourselves--or we have those who care enough about us to help us care for ourselves. God is always with us.

May you each rest well this night and awake with a desire to see the good in all things. You are loved.

Symptoms.

So today texting with Julia Davis, she explained that the symptoms she had with Covid-19 were very mild, yet nothing that one could call easy. Thinking about what she described and considering the past few days, this mess that has me snuffing, sneezing, and constantly irritable is just allergies. Notice the word JUST. We used to wonder if we would make it through allergy season with Lewis. He would growl when we least expected it. And no amount of Allegra or whatever seemed to make any difference whatsoever! Not sure if any agency keeps an eye out on the amount of ragweed in the pastures, but if a person knows what to look for, it seems to me the fields are full to the brim. Took a hot mustard bath last night in hopes of breathing easier. Worked for a little bit, but woke up unable to breathe again about 2 a.m. Such fun.

Spoke with Michelle Malay today for a few minutes. She sounds as if she is breathing through a mask, too. Someone in Michigan said that allergy season had definitely struck up that way, too. How do we survive all this garbage?

Only herded one Hamburg hen this morning, and then opened the gate for one this afternoon. If any were wanting in before that, tough stuff, cream puff. The old woman has stayed in the house. Well, mostly. Jerry came over early wanting a socket and driver, ratchet, then air, and then milk. He finally stayed on his side of the road. Or at least the dogs did not alert on the door bell.

Must explain about the door bell. Sent off for a bell and push button called 1 and One. Have read the instructions at least seven times; watched a YouTube video, and plugged and unplugged the dang receiver until it has about worn me out. Still can't get the two to "pair" so that the receiver will sound when the push button is mashed. So right now, the bell with a handle on it that Hanan made out at Daddy's shop is the "BELL" for the Dickerson household. Well, that and the two dogs that bark at any noise outside. So help me, if Jennifer comes home and just goes thus, and thus, and thus and gets it to work----well, guess thankfulness is called for.

Finished another book today. Good one. Now downloaded another by the same author who decided to use a different name for some of her books. Don't understand that situation, but as long as the books are good, who cares. This name is Kerry Anne King and the latest book is called "Whisper Me This." Hope it is as good as the last one.

SO glad to be able to see well enough to read as much as a person could wish. Seldom ever get a bad book. Well, maybe some of them aren't particularly great, but nothing except time is wasted.  

Grandson Reece must have a professor who is just a glutton for punishment. Think every time he answers the phone, he is busy writing a freaking essay. That means the teacher has to be reading constantly unless he or she has a small class--not likely. Just hope that Reece is doing a good job. He has never asked for my help, so going to keep my thoughts to myself.

Think Grayson works more hours than a young person could expect to work in his accounting job. He says the end of the month is just unreal. Not EVER going to ask why. Numbers make me dizzy. And words ABOUT numbers don't even translate into a real language. Maybe that is why the doorbell does not work!

Kinda looking forward to time to pen up my hens. Thinking a hot bath will feel good. Already had my "soporific" meal of lettuce, cucumber, bell pepper, and mushroom. Ginger Wingo was the person who told me that lettuce is good to eat before bedtime. She was a nurse back then. It made sense to me, but it seemed like an awfully light meal to eat before bedtime. Seems a heavy meal makes your body work harder. How about that!

Walked outside to let a hen back inside the gate. One of my dahlias bloomed today. It is a salmon color and so crisp looking. They have a tendency to look at the ground rather than up or out, but this one is looking out straight. Posted a picture on FB. Don't have many flowers blooming right now, but if it does not frost, will have zinnias blooming soon.

Looks like we are still in line for some more weather in the Gulf. May not bring us the rain we need, but those folks down in Jamaica are in for it. So hope this one does not become another hurricane.

Reading some of the descriptions of houses in these various books, it makes me realize that my kitchen is pretty big. Even with the washer, dryer, freezer, fridge, and humongous table with chairs, there is still room in there to cook and cuss a cat. Not that any cats live here any longer. The dogs have a feeding station at their height, and one of those bottles of water that gravity feeds. They much prefer the toilets. Shaking my head here. Anyway, one of the books recently talked about having a ONE room house with a bathroom off to the side. Everything was within reach of the bed. Simply cannot imagine. But maybe it would be easy to clean. Who knows. The description reminded me of a house boat on a canal. Not much room inside there.

People have always lived in small spaces--or smaller than what we think of as a tiny house. But driving back along Highway 1984, the houses there make me think that some folks are just totally dingy. Unless a person were going to have an entire tribe move in with them, why would they need three stories and enough rooms to house a basketball team and all their friends? Is it a sign of wealth or are they planning on raising all their children, grands, great-grands and all the boy and girl friends? Just strange.

It does not take much to make me wonder about things. Did see one thing on FB today that made me smile: If you can't say something nice, quit yelling! That appeals to me.

May you each rest well and feel good when you awake. You are loved.

Ragweed Stew.

 We need rain. But if it were to rain at the moment, we would have ragweed stew most likely.

So our electricity went out. Had to go down to check on Patty Anderson. She is on oxygen 24/7, but she has eleven bottles to keep her in an emergency. Most of the time she is on that machine that helps her get what she needs to breathe. It has a name, but for the life of me, it is not rattling around in my head. No biggie. If you ever had someone on one, you know what it is. If not, pray nothing like that is necessary for anyone you love.

Oncor did not exactly have my address and account in their system since Energy Ogre takes care of my contracts, and the credit card takes care of the bill. So who knows what the name of the company is currently. Again, no biggie.

Have my phone plugged in to keep it at optimum strength. Think Jennifer's has been down to 1% lately. She stays busy. But she said she posted for me tonight because we had no idea if the service would resume tonight or not. Yay for Oncor!

Have eight light bulbs that have batteries in them. Turned on the little bathroom light and voila, there was light. Also have a couple of solar backup lanterns, but have put one somewhere. Honestly! Forgetfulness is such fun. Somewhat like an Easter egg hunt at the Alzheimer's unit. Eh, now what were we looking for?

No, it is not funny to deal with dementia from either direction. Mom had it and, so did her mother. Not looking good genetically. But no sense in being concerned about it.

Patty's dogs went berserk when she opened the door to me earlier. She was just infuriated with her little dogs. Just told her mine do the same thing, only they tend to knock folks around a bit because of their size. Try apologizing for that one!

Still feeling rotten, but got hungry today. Wanted mashed potatoes, gravy, and steak medium well. Made some steak pieces and whipped up some instant potatoes. No gravy. Didn't eat much anyway and just put the rest in the fridge. Funny how thinking about food is a lot easier than eating it when you are having trouble breathing. Be glad when this goes away.

Just got off the phone with my brother. He said his wife Jacqui is having to take two shots a day in her belly--some kind of blood thinner that keeps her from having blood clots in her lungs. Told him she might as well go ahead and just get rabies since they have to take belly shots for that, too. That way she could at least bite someone with good intentions. ahem Enjoy talking to Sterling. We think about all the old things and folks we knew and the many funny things we did as kids. It is hard to think that my grands will never remember Paw Paw Leland much. Grayson liked him, but the others never really knew him. 

Sterling was telling me about a pair of "bones" that Daddy used to play when they had music up at the house. They were made from a bois d'arc corner post that was in the lot where he built his house there in Petrolia. The house he grew up in was on that lot and was moved out to the farm when he was just a boy. So it is funny that we grew up on the same lot where that house came from. And the "bones" he played would be over a hundred years old. Like Sterling said, no tellin' how many years that corner post had been there before the old house was moved out. But then, Bois d'arc does not rot. Probably the "wood of the ark" for a reason.

Hoping that Sterling can get all the old stuff together so that we can hand it down to some of my grands. Thinking Grayson is the one that used to really love history. Sterling found the old wooden box that Daddy had engraved with crossed pirate pistols. That is where he kept the old family letters and stuff he brought home from the Army--plus his "bones."

At least talking to Sterling got me out of the grouchy mood that has hung over me today. He can nearly always make me laugh. Has always been like that even when he was being ornery. 

Just to be sure you understand, ragweed causes allergy reactions in some folks. This is not the Chinese congestion. We just need to pray for President Trump, his wife, and anyone who has been around him for a bit. This stupid flu stuff is not a joking matter. May God bless those who have been affected by it.

May you all rest well and find joy in awakening. You are loved.

Serendipity?

So it seems my allergies are so bad that breathing has become a danged nuisance to some extent. Just trying to breathe is difficult. So, got out the Neti Pot and have been using the saline solution at night anyway, but this has not stopped the head puffed up feeling. So stayed at home and just have stayed still and not gone outside much except to water and feed and gather the butt nuggets. [Sorry if that offends any of you, but it fits.]

So what is serendipity? Well, the insurance company sent me a message asking me to use a gift box: thermometer, Tamiflu, and Covid test kit. So the info is filled out and sent and the box is supposed to be on its way. Maybe by the time it gets here, the old woman will be back to her snarly self. Just about anything beats being stuffed up--well, Patty Anderson says needing a floatation device to keep from drowning in snot is not too great. She understands this shtuff.

It seems to me that smoke is in the air--or maybe that is my fried brain cells. Can't stand the smell outside. Inside is not much better. And nothing tastes good. Now that is absolutely not fair.

So Sharron Dickerson--the one with two Rs in her name and widow of Butch--is in United Regional--careflighted in. Not too sure exactly what happened, but she is out of surgery and may be ok now. Prayers for her recovery, please. Teri Dickerson is at home now and trying to get her blood count back up so that they can figure out what to do next. It's always something. We are blessed so much if our health stays decent. Even if all we do is gripe about what hurts or something of that nature. We could always be finished with this life.

Watched that special on Netflix called The Social Dilemma. It is definitely worth watching. Yep, can easily see how we could be persuaded to take up baseball bats against someone. We just have to get our perspective rearranged so that we don't believe all the garbage out there on media sources. If you have time, please watch that thing on Netflix. You can easily see how an entire nation can be turned against a religion, a social group, or some entity upon whom the focus can be turned into hatred. Sad, we are just too easily influenced.

Going to put the feathered ladies to bed tonight and put the old woman down shortly thereafter. Another allergy pill, something for the headache, and maybe a few more pages of a good book, then bedtime. No words of wisdom or even any funny thoughts around here tonight. Oh, except for what Lance sent me a while ago: If you come in and ask your wife what's for supper and she says Pop Tarts, EAT the danged pop tarts and assume it has been one of those days.

May you all stay healthy and find happiness in whatever you do. You are loved.

Old Folks and Sleepy Dogs.

 The old woman took a nice long nap today because it just needed to happen. Only so much allergy dealing and achin' can take place before someone needs to call it a day of rest. Doesn't matter what day of the week the calendar calls it; rest comes when it needs to appear. And the dogs helped the best they could. Sylvia snuggled and Thompson snored. Think they were tired for some reason, too. 

Finished another book in the Peas, Carrots, and Silliness series. The humor has been good for me. The way this man tries to raise his children and deal with his extended family has made me shake my head and remember when our children were younger. But it also has made me remember how difficult teaching could be. Feel for all these teachers today. They have to keep up with their own professional development, but also with the trends in the different kinds of media in which young people see and hear everything. Don't think it is possible for an older person to do what is done by the young teachers of today. It's not all about words with meanings or even the abstract chances of art, music, and design interacting. Today's world is a totally different place than what it was even ten years ago--much less the years since some of us went to school. 

Oh, the leek-potato soup was not bad. Put some cheese in it from a cream cheese and garden vegetable mix, so it was much more palatable. At least, it was good enough to keep eating maybe the rest of it tomorrow. Jennifer suggested putting it in ziplock bags and throwing it in the freezer for meals. Nah, not this stuff. Eat it now as a filler and make something better later. Have a head of cabbage that will make a decent couple of meals, too. And salad stuff for night time snacks. Isn't it terrible that we have to think ahead to take care of our dietary needs. Nothing would be easier than just not eating. But life doesn't work that way. Oh well.

My chicks are getting so much bigger and braver. They circle the hen house and have eaten every blade of grass behind the house, so now they have no choice but to go out a little farther to get their grass. With the feed bins situated both inside and outside, they will definitely not go hungry or thirsty, but they like that green stuff. Will be glad when they get brave enough to be petted easily. The Wyandottes have finally decided that they all like me. Not to get in my lap kind of like me, but to come to me when they know they will get fed. So really it is FOOD they like rather than me. Such is life.

The neighbor behind me is driving their truck down our road to chase the dogs that are out. Did not realize those dogs were theirs. And still not sure they are. Guess it is not my problem. Not my dogs.

Going to be saying prayers for some of my family that are leaving on a trip in the morning and planning on being gone for a week. Love them all dearly and pray that they will stay safe. Family is about as close to God's side as we can get in this life. Seeing pictures of Danny Pollard loving on his kids makes me smile and think about my parents and grandparents and how they must have felt. You watch them grow up and gather more love to themselves and to you with every child. Wonder if that is kinda how God feels?

Going over to see Mary Rhoads in the morning and sit on poor ol' Shooter again. Mary stays so busy that she hardly knows where she is supposed to be part of the time, but she has promised to help me with Shooter just a bit. Getting to ride has made me happy. Now if my body will just go along for the ride without too many aches and pains. Knees that don't always want to work just right and a back that seizes up in one hip can be interesting, to say the least. But it is worth it. Life doesn't go back to when we were able to do it all by ourselves. Sometimes we just need a mounting block to think about getting on to ride again. Let's hope it is a good ride.

May you each have a restful night and find happiness in making whatever plans fit with your mood. You are loved.