Pockets or Shooting One's Foot.

Not sure which bothers me most, the idea of not having pockets on one's clothing--no matter which sex the clothing is supposed to be designed for--or the idea that one might shoot one's self in the foot as a matter of stupidity. Let's deal with the pockets first: EVERY piece of clothing meant to be worn--well, maybe with the exception of the ballerina's tutu--should have at least one pocket. A woman never can have too many pockets, as, inevitably, she will encounter someone who needs a hankie or other item she should be carrying around in her pocket. Not having a pocket is the realistic purpose of the handbag. And in case you wondered, those appendages can get exceedingly heavy. A pocket can save the day with hankie, small toy, peppermint bit, or other minutia. Why manufacturers would refuse to include a pocket is all about pricing, steps in processing, disregard of typical habits and not about concern for a woman's needs.

Now, about shooting one's self in the foot--or any other body part for that matter--it can be a matter of hurting one's cause by mistake or actually hurting one's self as a remedy for getting out of service--military or otherwise. Staying at home and avoiding crowds can be seen as an attempt to prevent infection--or in some folks' opinion, as a form of cowardice. Personally, it is no mistake on my part that avoidance of groups or even one or two people can be considered as preference to becoming ill. No one is THAT interested in anything that might come from my brain cells or result in an expression of an opinion. Those who matter to me are among those who read this blog. Those who think that this ol' gal is a coward don't know me very well. Just sayin'.

Have been to the U.S. Post Office. Oh joy! But at least the twelve hankies are mailed to the Ostand boys. It occurred to me that they cannot outgrow hankies. They might think of them as old fashioned, but then, look where they originated. More amazing than anything was the fact that the mailing envelope and postage was about the same price as the hankies! Oh well. At least the boys can say that their grandmother did something just for them.

Have tried to watch some TV--movies. Not really all that interested. But have about become tired of reading. So tried playing some games on the computer. Hmm. It's pretty bad when a person gets ticked off at a stupid game and decides it is not worth the effort. The Sherlock Holmes game is ok, but the Hidden City just sucks. Oh well. It's not like my life depends on the outcome of a game. Just will have to go out and complain to the hens. They REALLY care about that sort of thing. ahem

Michelle brought me a box of Nora Roberts books. Time to start reading real books instead of the ones on my Kindle. Just have to have more light to read those in print. 

Din-upper is in the microwave. Beef, potatoes, carrots, and something green. Not really interested in eating, but it probably needs to be done. Food is sometimes just a nuisance. Even goodies aren't all that compelling in their appeal on some days.

Still aware of how much muscle went into working around the house yesterday. It might have surprised me, but woke up with sore muscles in my conjunction. If you are uncertain about the conjunctions: and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so. You can decide which one is the most appropriate--and its spelling.

The dogs have discovered the sack of marrow bones that Michelle brought. Guess which one is giving me fits because she thinks she needs another one! SHE. Demanding female.

Have not seen anyone over across the street. Not sure why, but guess it does not matter overly much. Feel sorry for his mom. Know pretty much how she might feel.

Spoke with Jennifer earlier and found out that she is having the same kind of eczema that is bothering me at the moment. Not sure what is causing mine, but found that the Gold Bond diabetic lotion makes a big difference in the itches. So she should be receiving a tube this week or Monday. Hope it helps her the way it has me.

Ordering vitamins off of Amazon may not help any local businesses, but it is so convenient and much cheaper than going to Natural Grocers or to Harvest Drug. Even Connie said that ordering and having things delivered helped with the idea of contacts to be avoided.

Some guy is walking up the street for some reason. He only has one dog with him. Have not seen the other one. My dogs are NOT happy. Maybe he thought better of it. At least he did not come up to my yard. Just as well. The dogs would just about take window and all if he came to the door. They are as hostile toward strangers as the old woman.

Just realized that my weeks are centered on "trash days." Monday and Thursday are the days it is necessary to take the bin across the street. So today is that day. Oh well.

Looking online today at the measurements for tiny homes. My big bathroom is 12 by 14. Some of the entire "tiny homes" are not much bigger. Glad my house is paid for and fairly secure. Not sure a tiny home would work for me. Not to mention that the prices were ridiculous! Lewis could have built a hen house/workshop bigger than those houses. Oh well. Maybe it will never matter.

The sun was actually shining earlier today. It was so pretty. Right now snow is in the forecast for Sunday. Oh well. January. Texas.

Trying to make sense of the Covid report for Wichita County. It says we have over 160 cases per day. Not sure if that includes the prison. They have a bunch of both prisoners and guards infected. But they also have quite a few who have recovered. Guess it does not have to make sense as long as it does not spread to little ol' women who are avoiding others. deep sigh

The mailbox had a small item in it today: over $330 worth of pills. So glad it finally got here. Apparently the customs service inspected it thoroughly. They had to re-tape it but did not insert the slots. Oh well. It left Switzerland last week and just got here today. At least it made it off the island of Mauritius. Not even sure where that is. Ah, off the southeast coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. As if it is likely that my worldly travels would ever take me there!

Don't really know anything today. Glad to not be watching any "news" about anything more than what is going on in my back yard. Will try to be more positive tomorrow. Or at least less  gripey.

 May you all rest well and stay healthy. You are loved.

Sharks in the Living Room!

 Sharks are swimming in my living room! And dog treats are on every corner of the tables. Michelle Malay has been here! A Yankee Candle called "Catching Rays" is smelling so good in the kitchen. Then my desk has a "purse" on it that will hold my phone and its case in it and fit around my neck so it doesn't slip out of my pocket. Sharon Dickerson made her own like this, but this one is some kind of soft plastic in a honey beige color. The one handle is adjustable to almost any length, and the shorter one is perfect to just hold by hand. Oh my! Such fun! A t-shirt that says women like trucks, too, and some chicken socks are in the bedroom. Then a new journal and some post-it notes are on my desk. How did she know a new journal was being contemplated? But JOE sent me a knife. Yep, already used two band-aids, but REALLY like the knife. Like the one Lance gave me, this one has an attached cord. But this one could be used to gut a cow! Sharp and has a hole for a person's thumb! And a box of Nora Roberts books were in another box inside the sack where the smell-um goodies were. Oh wow! And if this old woman had any finger nails left, she could now do some kind of manicure. And scratch her back! Honestly, between the two dogs and the thoughtfulness of my friends, how could anyone be more blessed?

Started the day's "adventures" by vacuuming the living room and discovering a cache of dust bunnies. Dang! They were vicious, too! Got the couch moved back into place and the long folding table taken to the office for storage. Everything looks about the same, but it feels better to me because some of the dirt has been moved around. THEN there was the simple little idea of cleaning out from under the fridge and taking that little screen thing off the bottom of the door. Uh huh. Got that cleaned and pulled the fridge and freezer out to attack the dust bunnies. It was a knees work down on the fridge. Had to find a long, pointed bottle brush to clean the coils underneath. What a mess. Kept sneezing and could barely see even with the lantern down there. Put the lantern in the kitchen window sill for some reason and finally "found" it again about an hour later! It would have shown up in the dark as it was still on. Oh well. Somehow the thing that goes to the ice maker got shoved or somehow messed up so that a small lake occurred behind the fridge and freezer. Had to pull them out to throw down a couple of towels. Then had to pull the washer out from the wall to get behind the dryer to turn the water off to the ice box. Nothing simple around here! Finally took a muscle relaxer after pushing, climbing, kneeling, and otherwise shoving my weight around! Never a dull moment around here. And to think that my daughter reminded me that those coils needed to be cleaned every year or so! Thank you, dear. Next year it may or may not get done.

The girls--especially the Black Marans and the younger Barred Rocks--have been on the nests every time the doors out there are opened. They are being very productive. Sister-in-law is in for some nice fresh eggs when she comes on Friday. Then it will be time to start saving for Dr. Blackwell again. 

Patty Anderson called me a bit ago wanting to know if the Covid vaccine would be of interest to me. Had to confess to being a coward. Think she understood. My doctor and her nurse took it and had sore arms and some fatigue; but honestly, at my age, why would fatigue be acceptable from a shot. Have enough trouble getting my rear in gear as it is.

So the peaceful march on D.C. has the mayor up in arms and calling out the National Guard. To put it mildly, the politicians and mayors have lost their everlovin' minds! Compared to rioting and looting, marching along and talking seems pretty moderate. But then, some of us hate to see our Republic vandalized and socialized by the politicians. God help us!

Enjoyed visiting in the vehicle with Mother Malay this morning. She is such a very sweet lady. She understands what it was like to go through the decades of war, economic depression, and the lack of goods that have afflicted the country at one time or another. Twice this week the idea of "jam" cake has come up--using jam from the cellar instead of sugar that was rationed. My parents and grandparents knew how to make do or do without. Young folks today generally have no idea. Just like keeping the coils cleaned on the fridge can make a difference, some folks would just buy another one as a replacement! Have a feeling that may change soon. Or not. What does an old woman like me know?

Had a heavy fog this morning that burned off and left the air pretty cool. The overcast heavens don't have a ray of sunshine to cheer things up, but at least the wind is not blowing a gale. Snow showers are still in the forecast for Sunday. Oh joy. Sorry, that was the best sarcasm that comes out lately.

Just went down to pick up the mail--more junk mail. The wind is not too strong, but dearly beloved, it is sharp. This not quite 50 degrees is mighty cool with a little wind chill factor. Ah well. It is January in Texas.

Cleaning behind the fridge has started a new noise in the kitchen. Who knew that dust bunnies could keep things that quiet! When Mom came to spend the night with us while Dad was in the hospital after surgery, she walked up and down the hallway most of the night. She said she kept hearing noises in the kitchen--the ice maker. But to her, it was really noisy. Sad times to remember. Miss them both.

Sylvia is going to have a sore mouth tonight from squeaking these toys! One is a green thing that looks like teeth along the ridges. It squeaks, but it is heavy duty. Not within my ability to squeak, at least. Good thing these things are made for dogs and not grannies. 

Really don't know much today. Kinda afraid to tune in to any kind of news. Between the death rates from Covid and the total stupidity of politics, can't think of one thing that is going to be pleasant to hear. Let's just pray for those who are going to be affected by both situations.

Rest well, my friends, and stay safe. You are loved.

Today's Excitement.

 So the fire trucks have backed down the street after the guys put the fire out over at Jerry's place. He had some wood burning in a fire pit and it escaped--while he was not at home obviously. ARGH! So a call to the dispatcher did not make sense to me since she asked me if the fire was close to the house. The fireman later explained that it makes a difference in how they respond. Who knew. But that fire would have gone east to the Black's house had they not stopped it. Too many old--really old--structures in this neighborhood. It's a wonder the entire hill has not gone up in flames considering what is behind me and around me. The lots that belong to me are very short grass, but even short grass will burn. And the grass next to my fence is NOT short. sigh Anyway, enough excitement for the day.

Nikki and Cindy came earlier and got the extra turnips. Have washed and peeled the rest and have them on cooking. Know what my house is going to smell like shortly! Hanan had a term for it: it rhymes with "it." giggling

Accidentally called Lance when trying to call my neighbor on the south side. Then called him back later to explain what was going on. Share the stupidity?

Drinking water like a champ in training, but still hurting like a son of a gun. Nikki reminded me that Tim can come over any time and pick up the heavy stuff for me. It might get him out of a lesson or something if his grandmother thinks it would keep me from hurting myself. Tim is a good guy. Just turned 16 a few months ago and is as sweet a kid as anyone could ask for. The twins are sweet, too, but Tim is growing up to be manly already. Responsible. Don't see a lot of that these days.

One of my classmates wants to get the 66 Group together this month at Pioneer. This ol' gal is staying home. Went to the bank this morning to make a deposit; got gasoline from Stripes; and got two bowls of hot and spicy soup from the drive thru window at Hunan's. Washed my hands, used hand sanitizer, and am hoping that nothing comes along to give me any bad bugs. The weather has been enough already to really make things hurt. But it IS January. In Texas. What can a person expect?

KFDX (Channel 3) just drove up. They are just a little bit late for any interesting stories to come out of the neighborhood. Not many people in WF would be interested in knowing how many idiots start fires in January. At least no one's house was burned down this time.

Did you know that the firemen use soap and water on their hoses before they roll them back up and put them on the trucks? Never had seen that done before. The guys were very nice and polite. Had to thank them for coming since it seemed like the dispatcher was not sure what to do with my call. That is when one explained that WHAT is on fire makes a difference in how they respond. Know that the State Hospital guys were all over the street with their concerns. Guess what happens over on this side of the highway could make a difference over there--in the traffic if for no other reason.

The girls have laid about a dozen eggs today. The Black Maran are really getting with it and doing their part. Little chocolate looking eggs are in just about every nest out there. So happy with those hens. Put my hand under a Barred Rock pullet, and SHE let me know that she did NOT appreciate that maneuver, thank you very much. Eventually they will all calm down about having their eggs taken out from under them, but pullets have a tendency to spook easily. Guess they need a little more time. Went out there yesterday and THREE of the silly critters were in the same nest--one on top of the others. Not like there wasn't another nest right next to it, but THAT nest was the one all three wanted! Insanity, thy name is chicken.

One of Hanan's friends, Caleb Williams, writes and sings songs. Today he had a song lyric on FB: "Hello cedar, my old friend, you've got me sneezin' once agin..." Can't remember how the real song goes, but it made me laugh. Some of his friends suggested other song titles for our allergies, too. Told Caleb he needed to put them on YouTube in a mishmash for the rest of us old hippie types.

Tonight we might consider that Vice-President Pence has to make a decision that may make a very big difference in how things will look in the future of American politics. Let us ask God to help him make the right decision for our nation. Those who deny God should not be able to hold the nation's future in their hands. Whether or not we think like other people is not as important as how we treat others. Actions that are not based on morality--true Christian morality as this nation's base has always been--can only dissolve our freedoms. Let us ask God for His guidance.

May you all rest well and stay healthy. Please find someone who needs a smile and share your love. YOU are loved.

Flowers.

 So the hens had just about totally consumed every bit of the irises in the back flower bed except some that were under a tub. For $50 Jerry was willing to dig them up and transfer the roots to the front along the fence leading to the parking spaces. Then he repaired a place on the hen house door for me. Yes, maybe the old woman could have done this all by herself, but he was just over there making noises. So now it is done. My drill has been sprayed with Lysol, my hands washed thoroughly, and then cleaned with alcohol. 

The Cheese Brothers got a box of cheese to me today. Several different kinds of cheese were in that box. Should keep me happy--cheese wise--for a few weeks. Then Chewy got a 50 pound bag of dog food delivered. Managed to get that slid down onto a rolling cart to drag it to the office. By the way, the company that sold the SportMix dog food and had a recall let me know that the bag my dogs have been eating was not included in the recall. So now the dogs and the hens will have something that LOOKS like rabbit pellets to nibble on as they wish. Remember that my Grandfather Kennedy gave his chicks dog food occasionally to keep them from pecking each other. Go figure. 

Cooked some ribs and was not satisfied with how done the meat looked, so they are BACK in the oven. Gave the dogs one rib each so they would not just stand around and drool. It really DOES smell wonderful.

My friend John Rhoads sent some funnies to me. Among them is a picture of Betty White saying: "If you think wearing a mask is hard, try wearing a bra in August!" Yep, just about any month, for that matter. sigh

Have two hens molting and looking sad. The Rhode Island Red just looks as if she has been plucked!! The Black-Laced Wyandotte has lost her tail feathers and most of her neck feathers. She really looks weird. 

Michelle Malay asked me how Thompson's skin rash was doing. He is totally healed up. Think it HAD to be chiggers! May have to figure out some way of spreading a great big bag of sulfur next spring to get rid of the chiggers. Hate those itchy beasts! Not sure what good they are. The hens eat fleas and ticks, but even a hen can't eat a chigger! That is why they have to have diatomaceous earth to dust in.

Did some more embroidery this morning to keep my mind from thinking about things that bother me. Have six or seven done for Reece and have started on some for Grayson. Hope they like them. But even if they don't, they can say, "Bet your grandmother doesn't do things like this!" Course, most kids' grandmothers do not have 26 hens out in the back yard either. Back when the six hens, two dogs, and the old woman were all staying with Jennifer and her family three years ago, Reece brought one of his friends home with him. The kid had never seen a live chicken before and wanted to touch one--or hold it. This is normal for kids today. Not many of them get to hold a hen and listen to her tell them about what it is like to eat worms. 

Connie thinks she feels much better now even though she says things still don't taste right. Can think of worse things. But now Lance is having to work from home since his barber exposed him to Covid. Prayers are appreciated. Got my hair cut back before it got cold and think it may be down to my tailbone before this happens again! My doctor sent out a message to her patients this morning about the vaccine. She and her nurse have had it and only had a slight reaction. Nothing more than soreness and fatigue. Hello! Fatigue goes with my age set! At least have been sleeping better for the past couple of nights. This waking up at 3 in the morning really sucks. Think that is the time the newspaper person drives by. Having a quiet neighborhood has its advantages and its disadvantages in ways. Can't imagine having to listen to traffic all night and day.

Didn't get to the bank to deposit the insurance check for the Mustang. Maybe tomorrow. Hardly any reason to get the truck out other than to drive down for the mail. May need to fill it up with gasoline before this week is over, however. The Jerusalem Post keeps saying that we are about to get hit. Guess we wouldn't be going anywhere anyway under those circumstances. But still need to get gas in the mower cans. Ah well. Paranoia is such a wonderful bug to have--not! Just keep watching the warships and seeing the contradictory orders being given to them is enough to make a person wonder. This is the kind of thing that my brother and cousin talk about after they both stop cussing politicians. Both know what war is like. Our parents and grandparents told stories about the war (WWII) and the era of hard times known as The Depression. Grandmother Pollard taught me how to make a "jam cake" with the preserves that they had stored in the cellar before the rationing of sugar during the war. Then too, my mom used to tell me that they had NOTHING in the line of diapers when she needed them for her babies. Grandmother Pollard had cup towels that had to do for diapers. Young people today would probably have a time of it just trying to fit a cloth diaper on a baby. Bet a lot of those babies might just go bare behind!

A lady just called to tell me that she was bringing over three big sacks of turnips! Wooo whooo! She only likes the greens, so she said she liked to see the turnips go to someone who wants them. If it is too many turnips for me, will have to tell Cindy Jones that an overstock has to be taken to the stock! Never a dull moment or a lost goodie! Will give the lady a dozen fresh eggs since the plants her husband dug up did not live. Some things are just difficult to transplant.

Have been drinking as much water as memory and convenience demand. Jennifer always thinks that pain starts with dehydration. And she may be absolutely correct. Then there is hopping up and down to take care of the excess. ahem

Thinking about going to Ace Hardware and buying a hoe. Mine broke two years ago and still has not been replaced! No excuse for those khaki weeds if a hoe is in one's hand, right? HA! Gotta USE the hoe for it to do any good! Hate going ANYwhere right now, so will have to think about it some more. Many of the best laid plans just go to cow fodder around here.

The floors still need to be vacuumed, swept, mopped, and otherwise have dog prints eliminated. Now the dust is something else again. Dust on the TV table, on the book case, on the heater, --just dust. And this is after a bodacious rain and snow. But that moist stuff just seems to encourage the dust bunnies. That and the two dogs who romp on the couch and run through the house! Was bent over digging a dust bunny out from behind the recliner in my bedroom and got gouged in the backside by a dog nose. He just wanted to know what was found back there! Just about had a runaway though. Dogs are always doing unexpected things. Connie says her cats are like that as well. She says hers act as if they are going stir crazy. Not enough kitty TV--windows for watching birds. She does not really have good windows to the outside. That would bother me, but being trapped inside an apartment might be just about the hardest thing on earth for someone who has always been outside and in the open. At Mom and Dad's house, we were always outside and with critters. Here on Dickerson Hill, outside was where the children were. Not sure how a person could adjust to being in a little bitty apartment. Guess it can be done, but would not want to try.

Well, nothing is too encouraging in this post, but we know to pray constantly and fervently for those who are ill, for our president, for our nation. May you all rest well and stay healthy. You are loved.

Accounting Online.

 Just spoke with my brother Sterling about the world and all its craziness. And they got their bucks back from Washington--$600 apiece. Checked mine to see if something had shown up, and it had. We both cussed and discussed the fact that we are sending billions to countries that don't even like us to study how they react to being considered sexist or whatever. Good grief, Gertrude! And then Sterling mentioned that they want to cut back on SS checks because all us old duffs and doddering old women are not contributing to society. Argh! Some old folks would be better off in prison so that they would at least get three meals a day and a warm blanket. And Covid is not any worse there than in the local hospitals. This is not going to be a good day to express my disgust with some situations. 

The hens are laying. My dogs are happy. The sun was shining today. Slept all night last night and hope to again tonight. Tomorrow might see the floors get mopped, maybe. 

Hope the rest of you are in a better mood with life than this old, good for not much woman! Let's remember to thank God for all He has given us.

Sleep well; stay healthy. You are loved.

Snooze Alarm!

 Fatigue yesterday caused the old woman to hit the hay a little early. BAD idea. Woke up at 3 a.m. and had little chance of shutting off the think tank. Will try to stay up later tonight so that sleeping won't be a problem--maybe. Not exactly fair that the naps one did not want to take as a child are the very things one could enjoy so much now. And back in childhood, we were so tired by the time our moms put us in bed, that we never knew we were going to sleep--it just happened! 

My week is all messed up. Today is Saturday. Now typically that would mean that tomorrow is Sunday, but it just does not seem like Sunday should be tomorrow! Will have to look carefully at this calendar and see what happened to the past week. 

Actually went down to get the mail a bit ago and found the water bill is cheaper by ten or twenty dollars--no filling up the water bowls by hose, ya know. All the water goes out in a bucket or in the bottle brought inside to fill. Oh well. It works.

The other mail included some seeds and a check from the car insurance company for a refund on the unused portion for the Mustang. That was nice. Considering the fact that the registration fee was not paid by me, that is a triple good deal!

Just finished my dinner by giving the rest of the broccoli, rice, mushroom, cheese casserole to the dogs one spoonful at a time. Ever fed a dog using a spoon or fork. They are not the least bit dumb and know how to handle it. Mine know they have to take turns as well. Each one looks at the other as they finish their own bite waiting for the other dog to get its bite. It is truly funny.

The weather has been fairly decent today. Walked down to check the rain gauge and found slightly over 2 inches in there. Not bad. Knew it was mud deep out there, but had not realized it had been that much rain and snow. The hens even have muddy feet, so now there is hay down for them in a few extra places in the coops. The diatomaceous earth is mostly in the little coop where the older hens lay, but have put some in the new coop for the pullets. Saw the whole hee-haw gang out by the back fence doing a real dust battle and throwing the dirt everywhere. Have you ever wondered how it must feel to critters to enjoy dirt that much? Kinda like little kids playing in the dirt or in mud, maybe?

Finished a book that was written about a policeman in France. It was a good book, and it made me laugh to think that some of the words were so easy to remember. NOT that the ear could hear the sounds well enough to make them understandable when heard spoken. Other languages must be a bit like listening to folks from the Deep South. One of my students was working at a restaurant and some guy ordered Ahst Tay. He went to the bartender and said he needed an Ahst Tay. The bartender told him to find out what the ingredients were, so he went back to the customer and asked about the ingredients in an Ahst Tay. The good ol' boy was gobsmacked! "Everyone knows how to make Ahst Tay! Use Tay, water, and sugar! Pour it over Ahs."

Have started another book, and this one is centered in Scotland. In small communities their police force is more like neighborly good guys who work in the dairy part time and as an officer as needed. About the worst crime they see in the country is someone who gets hurt falling down on his way home from the pub. But since this one is a murder mystery, am guessing that the wife had a hand in poisoning her overbearing husband as he judged the marmalade at the craft fair. We shall see.

Have eggs put back for Michelle Malay and some for my sister-in-law if she comes to town. These hens are doing a good job of laying right now. Today one looked a bit like a child had painted it with spots--brown on brown on white. Then there are the really deep chocolate brown ones that are still pretty small. That would be the ones from the Black Marans. So proud of them for getting their jobs done this early in their lives. And they are SO pretty--blue glimmers of purple on black. Then there is a Rhode Island Red out there who is slowly losing her feathers in strategic places. Talk about a bad time to molt! But she has a heater in her coop, so maybe it is not too bad for her.

Other than cleaning out the chicken pens a bit and doing a couple of loads of laundry, the old girl who works here has not done much today. Sometimes it makes me wonder if she is worth much, but she entertains the dogs, so there is that. 

Let us continue to pray for President Trump, for our nation, and for healing of those who are so ill right now. God knows what we need, but it is probably a good idea to remind Him that WE know that it is up to Him.

Rest well and stay safe, my friends. You are loved.

First Good Snow.

 So we got our first good snow of the year--seeing as how this is the first day of a so-called new year. Still say the new year does not start in winter! Anyway, the snow was pretty, and the hens said, "Ya can keep this cr*p!" But they still laid ten eggs since they had nothing better to do. Always a bright side to some things. Of course, it is to freeze again tonight and for the next few days, so we will see just how bright things can get.

It might be that ennui has struck here on Dickerson Hill. Tried to watch something on BritBox, but trust me, Father Ted is dumber than a box of blocks. And Netflix said it had a problem. Oh well. COULD have tried some more embroidery, but just felt too blah to be interested in poking myself at the moment. 

The dogs have torn through snow, mud, water, and whatever else is out there. Then they stood in the living room window and barked at the dogs loose in the neighborhood. Eventually the covers on the couch will have to be washed, but no sense in thinking about it right now. Thought Thompson was going to chew a hole in one blanket since a squeaker got INSIDE a fold of the blanket. Had to get it out for him or he would have chewed into couch and all! Right now he reminds me of the Snoopy Buzzard hanging off the couch arm watching the world go by through the window. 

Wish snow was fun to me. Could make a snow chicken out there. It is just the right kind of snow to stick together. Ah, to be young and not ever consider sliding down a hill as anything but fun!

Saw a picture on FB of this old man many years ago who had harnessed a couple of big black bears to haul his wagon. Not sure that would be too safe to try, but wondered if a couple of those huge hogs would work. Probably not. The bears are less likely to attack and eat ya.

So Michelle Malay called and said that Susan's husband got to come home from the hospital, and the Woodall's daughter Cheryl is doing much better. Connie sounded much better this morning and said she felt better. Just has an upset tummy. Think that goes with the antibiotics. Such fun. Anyway, the Covid count for Wichita Falls is just terrible, but all we can do is stay away from others and try to keep safe. No going out to eat or even going through drive thru windows. Bad enough to have things delivered, but some things are necessary. Guess as long as we have water and heat, we should be ok.

Have not gone down to get the mail this week, but except for the water bill, don't think anything is going to show up down there. Just despise having to go up that road and back up just to turn around. Mind you, the postal service says that is one of the reasons they did not put our box back when the woman ran over the box. It is a lot easier to turn around on our road than it is on Texas and Lake View! Wish they would just put the box on the parking lot of the lake where the boat ramps are. Lots of space for it there without folks getting in one another's way. Ah well.

Sounds as if this ol' woman is extra gripey today, so maybe it would just be better to tell you all that better days are coming--and things will be growing that will delight us all. Maybe it is just a matter of time and temperature.

Rest well, stay safe, and remember to pray for those who are in harm's way. You are loved.