Blue Jays and Yellow Flutterbys.

 Blue Jays and Yellow Flutterbys.

 

It has been totally beautiful today—so much so that the old woman thought it felt like spring. So, cleaned the floors (vacuumed and mopped), rearranged the bedroom, and went to Sutherland’s for some stuff. Seems the company Sutherland’s bought chicken feed from has been sold out. The company that supplies them with diatomaceous earth wants them to order a ton before they will deliver it!! Oh well. Life goes on.

 

The front coop, which had not leaked in the three years since Jerry worked on the supports underneath the roof, decided to flood last night. Have asked Stephen to come over and look at it. Have a gift card that might cover the cost of materials—maybe. Anyway, maybe he and Nikki or one of the boys can work it over and get it to be leak proof. Jennifer told me when the roof on the house was replaced that the roof on the coops should be replaced as well. Deeeeep sigh. Oh well.

 

Have a hen out there carrying on. Never can tell if they are bragging or telling me how it is to lay an egg that big!! Just so glad they have begun to lay after all that molting they did. Could have just left those feathers in the floor and let them absorb water—not!

 

My friend Carla Beard sent me a message and asked if the tornadoes had affected me or mine. They hit north of the Metromess. [Metromess = Dallas/Ft. Worth area.] Please pray for those in that area and the other five states that have been hit by storms and floods.

 

So glad we just got some thunder and nearly two inches of rain last night. Could surely use another 4 to 6 inches easily. We don’t, however, need any of those 160 mph winds they had down around Dallas. Patty said that Roxie would not stop wiggling last night because she was so frightened by the wind and thunder. Told her my dogs do well with Thunder shirts. Her little dog might do well, too, if she felt more secure.

 

My dogs have an appointment to get their toenails trimmed up this Thursday. Actually, feel sorry for the three people who have to deal with Sylvia since it always takes three to hold her down to get the job done. Can’t let Thompson in the same room because he wants to chew on them for hurting his sister! These critters!

 

Have the heating pad on my office chair for my back. A muscle relaxer and the heat may help considerably. If the old woman would just be a little bit more contained with her enthusiasm about doing things, it might help considerably.

 

Looked out the window earlier and saw a Blue Jay on the banister and then a Cardinal male on a tree that made it look like a decoration someone had put up. After that, a pretty little yellow butterfly came to visit the fall asters. The asters did not do well this fall because we had so much horrible heat and no rain. But it could have been worse. Just happy to see the birds hanging around and happy. Guess it does not take much to make a person happy.

 

We have some bonafide idiots street racing up and down South Kemp. Really wish the highway patrol would catch and clobber them. Know kids think it is fun somehow, but it is so very dangerous—for others in their way! They just don’t realize how devastating it would be to kill someone with a car or truck.

 

Guess the stuff in the kitchen needs to be done before it gets much later. Might even need to lie down for just a bit and let this little pill do some good. When things don’t hurt, it is so very tempting to just keep on going. We will see what tomorrow brings with that kind of attitude!

 

Let us pray for those in the snow drifts in New Mexico, the floods in Illinois, the path of the tornadoes in the states across from Texas that have also been hit. Losing a home, a job, a car, or even livestock can be so very hard, but there are also those who have lost family. Whether it is the crazy weather or the horrors of the war in Ukraine, we know that we can ask for protection and recovery from our Father. Let us pray for all of those.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

 

 

Silly Ideas.

 Silly Ideas.

 

Has been a while since going out this time of year among others—at least a year, right. And on a Saturday, no less! Well, just wanted to stop by the ATM and pick up enough cash to pay for whatever is needed when it’s time to ask the boys to unload feed for me and the hens. No, the hens are the ones that eat the feed; it's just the eggs that interest me. Anyway, be-bopped over to the Target parking lot—which was pretty busy, by the way. Needed triple A batteries and had not a one here in the house for some reason. Thought an entire package was in the other desk, but no such luck. Anyway, back to the point: Target had one self-help checkout open and one stand in line behind someone open. When my turn was almost up there, they opened another check out with a real person. Could hear the growls plum over the noise. WHY? They KNOW it is going to be busy since everyone with a brain is out doing all the quick shopping they can this weekend. Only one more weekend before all kinds of stuff breaks lose. Oh well. Know at least one person who will be staying at home and staying happily away from others.

 

My friend has that danged virus that is hurting so many, and then she said her grandbaby got sick. She feels she might have caused it. Think Lisa can just relax the guilt trip and do her best to get over the mess. We either get it or we don’t. It will either kill us or not. Like Sterling said recently, we are old. It is not like we are needed to rear children—or grands. Pretty much just sitting here doing our thing. But to tell the truth, really feel like Sterling is still pretty needed—if for no other reason than he makes me remember things we shared years ago. Good memories.

 

Talked to a grandson this afternoon. He was writing an essay about some movie that sounded pretty bad. [The movie sounded bad, not the essay.] That is the sort of thing that would have me wound up and stomping on my soapbox, but he isn’t like that. He has the ability to ignore the BS around him and fluff it off. Maybe sluff it off would be a better term. How would you say “remove the shtuff” nicely? Kids today see [and hear] things we would never have seen 50 years ago. It is definitely a different world.

 

The local animal shelters are busy trying to get all the critters rehomed. We can pray that all of these helpless little ones get decent homes with folks who will really care for them. If spay and neuter were not so expensive, maybe people would try to prevent the unnecessary litters of pups and kittens. But then, the same would be true of all the donkeys and horses. It is terribly expensive to have horses because of all the extra things that it takes to care for them: the right feeds, hoof trimming, vet visits, and decent fences. Knowing how expensive it is to feed hens, can you imagine what it would be like to feed a horse that is bigger than all 13 hens put together! My poor mom put up with a donkey and then a couple of horses in her back yard for years. Not sure how she managed to have that kind of patience. But those critters were well loved. But then so were the dogs and cats, but we never had them neutered, and it was always going to be a risky situation for the animals running around the neighborhood. The rabies vaccines were about the only thing we did for the dogs. Back then, flea collars had not been touted as the necessary accoutrement for all four-legged littles. Only one cat of ours here in WF ever had a flea collar. OliverTwisted could remove a collar of any kind quicker than greased lightning. And he did. Oh well.

 

Washed the other dog bed here in the living room today and changed the cover on the recliner. It is funny to see that Thompson thinks that the dog beds are his, dear hearts. He really likes the two piled on top of each other. Once in a while, Sylvia will get on there with him and lick his ears or play gently with him. Never have seen two dogs this kind and loving to each other. But then just let them get into a quarrel about a toy! Oh boy! They never hurt each other, but they can certainly make the noise!

 

Went out and gathered the eggs to the tune of twelve cackles and clucks. Athena doesn’t say much anymore. Not sure why she has stopped talking to me, but she just stands there and fluffs her feathers up as if she is showing me exactly how it is. Anyway, the hens had left five more eggs in the nests, so will have a dozen probably by tomorrow. Might just have scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast tomorrow. Funny that so many eggs have left this hill, yet hardly any are ever consumed on the premises. Talked to Lance yesterday and discussed raising more hens. It is a lot of work—not even considering the expense. He reminded me that he and Jennifer were quite capable of buying eggs—even if they are not as good as the ones from Dickerson Hill. Will just have to think about it between now and spring. Farm raised eggs are $4.50 a dozen at the feed store on Hwy 281.

 

Do you know that these hens are like little Marines—they dig fox holes all over the place. Looks like the old woman needs to go buy another big bad of diatomaceous earth. That stuff keeps the bugs off their bodies because it kills mites, fleas, and assorted bad bugs. That may be why they have dug so many holes this year—too many bugs out there! You would think the heat would kill the bugs, but maybe not. Just sat here thinking that it would take a truck load of potting soil or something to fill in those holes if the hens ever leave home. Hmm. As it is, poor Caleb will be bumping all over the place on that riding lawn mower.

 

Talked to my friend Barbara today to see how she is doing. She had part of her innards removed to try to get healthy. Not sure it truly succeeded, but she seems to be in a better mood at least. She tried to say that this mess is our age. Nope, not buying that idea. Age has nothing to do with all the crud that happens. We lived our lives as young people and pretty much took care of our families and homes. But our attitudes make a very big difference in how we age and how we feel. Granted, a busted bone has to either be repaired or one gets to go on some of those stupid drugs for the rest of life, but that is not going to be my choice. Best decision ever was going in to get that bone fixed! And you never can tell, getting part of her intestines removed may be just the thing to fix her up. Time will tell. So much of life is a gamble. The surgeon said, “We have to play the cards we’re dealt.” He was right. What is messed up CAN be fixed. Think Roger Thonton would agree with that one. SO glad he came out of that heart surgery in good shape—well, after they got him over the fluids and stuff that accumulated. But his wife takes good care of him, too. He has been very blessed.

 

This ol’ girl is about useless tonight, so will just tell you that it feels as if it is a very good time in our lives to be thankful. God blesses us with everything we need now and in our future. Some of the sadness we see every day will be repaired, replaced, and otherwise conformed to the way God would have it. Let us be happy to know that His will can be trusted.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Just Remember.

 Just Remember.

 

Today FB showed me some memories from assorted years. Oh! They were good ones, too. Then saw a post by my sister-by-another-mother, Sharon Dickerson. It talked about how hard it is this time of year for those who can remember real family gatherings when we were all younger, happier, healthier, or at least all of us tried to get together as a family—or even with friends. Yep, the different reasons we gathered were not nearly as important as having your brother, your sons, your grandchildren where you could tease them and give them hugs. And for whatever reason we can no longer be with those folks, it has a sting to it that makes life a little bit harder to appreciate. About the only thing that we can do to make more memories is to remember that when “two or more are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” [Matthew 18:20] If we remember His name, we will be building memories of love—especially if we are sharing that love.

 

Love does not prevent tears. Good works (giving love to others in whatever way we can) will not take away sorrows. No amount of sharing sorrows or fears or being counseled can shove the problems of life under a rock in a deep river. When we fall over a heap of our regrets and shudder over our frailties, we are not helping anyone at all. But we can—truly are able—to change our point of view. We are never walking alone in this life if we allow Him to walk with us. But we need to learn to trust Him in all ways, every single day. This life can be a mess of scary situations, of lonely days, of dark nights, and our own mental and emotional hangups. But we have been promised a love that shelters, encompasses, lifts, and rejuvenates us. If God could give His only son because of His love for you, the least you can do is accept it with your best attempt at understanding that love. We are not always going to have a glad heart. We are only humans. But we can be grateful for His word that tells us that we are loved.

 

May you all have His peace this night. You are certainly loved.

The Last Appointment.

 The Last Appointment.

 

Went to see the PA at Dr. Kern’s office this morning at 8:30. That’s a great time to give them $50 for a co-pay—well, that is the co-pay for my insurance. Some folks have a much cheaper co-pay. Anyway, it was worth it to know that everything was just like it was supposed to be. Kinda knew that already, but this was just like the official seal of approval or whatever. Or it could be considered a waste of $50. Then there’s being able to walk into the office and get weighed. Argh! Nope, not losing even a little bit. Pretty well knew that, but such is life.

 

It has been a hazy day with a forecast for the possibility for rain tomorrow. It’s that time of year when it is not exactly winter feeling, but could get there in a heartbeat. Seems the mist has kept the sounds muffled from the highway except for the dipsticks who find it necessary to screech out of the hospital grounds at the highest speeds possible. Sometimes it makes me wish those particular people would be stopped by the highway patrol. One such person does this stuff quite often when it is later in the evening. Why? What does this do for the psyche of such a person? Are these grown adults or teenagers with problems? Oh well. Eventually the vehicles will either crater or find a fence post to wrap around.

 

Some of the things seen today on FB include the generosity of Elvis Presley when he helped to finance the renewal of the Arizona monument in Pearl Harbor. Another picture showed the wreck of a truck that killed three and sent a couple of other illegal immigrants to the hospital down in the Laredo area (think that is the correct location—on the Texas border at any rate). Then there was a really neat video showing how the Panama Canal began and has been expanded over the years to accommodate the really large ships. Such things are truly interesting even if a person is not an engineer. And then there are some of the most beautiful photos on FB that can be saved and used as background on the computer. Right now, have two very lovely ones saved and employed as either background or screen saver.

 

Some of these photographers are very talented. Think it would be difficult to choose between some of the pictures by Diann Dennis and others who appreciate nature in all its glory. Yes, the sunsets and sunrises can be inspiring, but the land and streams with flowers—well, it is just difficult to get much better than that. Diann Dennis is somewhat of an expert on the flowers of her part of Arkansas. Then there is Judi Ellis who walks along the banks of some of the loveliest places. She finds mushrooms on old logs, snakes in the grass, critters in the water, and paths to dreams in her way along the land. Some of these women in the Wilderness experience—Rewilders—inspire me to get out and look around me. One problem there is seeing the same ol’ same ol’ every freaking day. Yes, the weather changes and the lake level rises or falls, but the really inspiring pictures usually involve the birds that come by to visit—even if it is only a duck couple who used to borrow the kiddie pool. Riding down to the cemetery at Center Point reminded me of why we loved that part of the country so much. The grasses change colors with the seasons, the trees change colors and scents as the air warms or cools, and the smoke from the few fireplaces makes the entire countryside seem welcoming. Memories shared with my husband and children make it even more precious.

 

Sometimes it seems that we pick the worst possible times of the year to get together—cold, snowy, wet, frozen, or just windy and miserable. We used to get together in the Pollard family at Easter—about the time the tornadoes started sprouting out of the clouds. Remember one year we drove in from church in our decent clothes and went straight to the cellar. The ground around the cellar was red clay. My suit was white linen. Well, WAS is the appropriate term after the water from the top of the cellar ran down my back. Sigh. Mom could not take that stain out either. Then there were meals in Mom and Dad’s house where we were all pretty well elbow to elbow with each other. But it was nice with all the grandparents there. Mom had patience beyond what anyone could ask for. And the house always smelled so very good. The only time she ever really rebelled was the time Daddy brought home ducks he had shot out in the wet fields and expected Mom to dress and cook them. She stood over the sink and gagged a few times before she told him what he could do with those ducks. Thinking back now, that makes me laugh. Someone else said the birdshot was pretty hard to digest.

 

Do you like to eat fish? Some folks in this part of the country think that catfish is the greatest. Not me. We used to get catfish from our stock tanks and Mom would cook it. Tasted like mud to me. She could get me to eat tuna anytime, but they could keep that fried mud stuff. Now Grandmother Pollard fried up some crawdad tails for us once. They were ok. Not my bag, but Sterling thought they were great. But he liked shrimp. Bleah. To each his own, right?

 

Saw something else on FB that made me wonder what folks are using for common sense. Some people are being mean to the UPS and FedEx guys and gals because of the death of that poor little girl who was kidnapped and killed by a contract worker who was a driver for one of those services. Honestly, let’s just all get out our radar guns and see who comes up on the screen that might be a dangerous dipstick. SURELY that radar gun could tell us who might or might not be a bad guy! Let’s first aim the danged gun at ourselves if we are going to be that judgmental! Common sense is really hiding its head lately.

 

Two dogs have been rather lazy and disinterested today. Not sure if it is the weather or something else. Neither is hungry after they had a few pieces of pork butt (shoulder) and neither has asked for treats. Strange. Not much going on in the neighborhood has interested them. Chased one stinking squirrel up the tree and came back inside. Think they caught on that it was not coming down to play!

 

Could not sleep last night and stayed up and read. Finished the book this morning and was surprised at the ending. Not the greatest book, but the setting was interesting. It seems strange that houses can have so many bedrooms in those old mansions in England. They really had to have a work crew to keep things clean, too. It would be about the equivalent of running a hotel if you had guests or many family members gathered. And to put on a major party would have cost a fortune! England is definitely a different kind of place in the areas where the older mansions remain inhabited. Even the cemeteries are different. Come to think of it, we have cemeteries here where the stones are not readable because they were made of sandstone. Marble was expensive and hard to come by around here in the early part of our history. Guess our cemeteries would seem strange to the English, wouldn’t they.

 

Well, know next to nothing worth telling since staying away from the “news” has been one of my best decisions lately. Saw that the biggest part of some Southern Methodists decided to disband or disassociate themselves from the major branch of that church. Seems religion and social acceptance are pretty well at odds with just finding the “love thy neighbor” part of Christianity. But what would an old woman know? Don’t take my word for it, but if you are kind to others, it normally comes back around as further kindnesses shown to you or others. No matter how we believe, if our actions show kindness, even the neighbors’ dogs will accept us.

 

Let us remember where love originated. May God bless you and yours this day as you turn to Him. Rest well, in peace, my friends. You are loved.

Phone Calls.

 Phone Calls.

 

Was just thinking this morning that my phone hardly ever gets a workout—not even a car’s warranty about to expire any longer! Then got in the shower and the silly phone rang. Was towel drying my hair and looked at the phone. Thought it might possibly be a reminder about the appointment tomorrow, so called the number back. It was Sutherland’s number and a sweet young lady by the name of Lisa. She told me that my name came up as winner of a hundred-dollar gift card. So, it paid to call them back! Went over and signed the papers to say they could see my SS number if it went any further along in the contest. That probably won’t happen, but it was nice to put that gift card in my bag. That will buy a few bags of chicken feed! Will wonders ever cease!

 

The neighbor across the street has had several trucks over there today. No one is on top of the house, so we can hope the new roof is not leaking. That would be just about enough to get a person hot under the collar! And they really do seem to be a nice couple. He did tell me the other day that the lights are on in Suzanne Priddy’s house at night and a car is parked out front, so maybe it was her significant other who died instead of her. Would not have known what name to look for in the death notices. Hanan called the guy Santa Claus and Donny Anderson had another name for him. Don’t think the guy impressed them overly much, ya see.

 

Went down and exercised the littles this morning. Even though the wind was a bit brisk, the temperature was nice. And those silly dogs took off like something was on their tails! They wanted to run! Funny critters. Patty enjoyed the visit, too. She was wound up wanting to tell me a few things, so it was a good day for listening. Then the postman and the UPS trucks came and the dogs had to go inside. Told her the UPS man was going to leave something on my porch and left her place. It is good exercise just walking down there—and that’s not counting if the dogs have to be rounded up from going too close to the brush near the lake line. Bobcats and coyotes have a tendency to crouch down in the reeds and brush. They are sneaky, and those dogs would just be a good brunch for them.

 

Talked to Sharon Dickerson today. Had sent her a couple of photos that were in that mess that Erin dropped off at my house. One was of her husband when he was a kid in school, and the other was of some of the family at a Dickerson reunion in Nocona. We were all a lot younger back then. Sue, Glen’s wife, was so pretty. Haven’t seen her in years, but it is easy to see why Glen thought she was beautiful. But, of course, we all look a bit better when we are younger and able to smile without gritting our teeth! Some days that gets harder to do as we age.

 

Sharon was telling about mending a king-sized quilt for an older man. No one has any idea of how difficult mending can be as opposed to just sewing something. Sitting here laughing to myself about the pair of pants Cindy wore to the house recently. She does things a lot like this old woman. Mend those suckers with a piece of denim and make it obvious that mending has been done. A man brought me his Levi jacket once and wanted it mended. It took me two days to resew and stitch the collar and the back shoulders. Then he brought me a pair of Levi’s that had the rear end busted out of them. Gleefully, those made me laugh for a few days as the patches turned into hands across the back pockets. Oh yes! He was one of those guys. He never asked me to mend anything else. Giggling.

 

Got a nice family and friends’ letter from my friend Robin Christian. She was telling about her son’s heart attack and how his friend insisted on taking him to the hospital in time to save his life. Then she talked about the valve that they replaced with a cow’s heart valve. She expects him to moo if he has any difficulties with it! Thought that was pretty funny, but at the same time it reminded me of an older woman who used to go to the seniors’ class at the gym with me. She had a heart valve from a pig. But she never offered to oik! Think she was just happy to be able to still get around somewhat with her daughter’s help.

 

This weather has definitely been Texan today. Right this red-warm minute it is only 78 degrees, but the ceiling fan is moving the air around so that it is fairly comfortable in the living room. Neither of the dogs has griped about anything and the hens seem happy, so unless it turns into a cold front next week, we will probably stay comfortable. It may rain, but that’s ok, too. Have looked at the grass and stuff growing over the yard, but nothing needs tending at the moment. It may grow up a jungle sometime this spring, but for now it just looks decent.

 

Put on a chunk of pork that they call a pork butt, but have no idea why they call it a butt when it actually says it is a shoulder. Go figure. Anyway, it is going to need to cook for a few hours at low temps. Tomorrow it will probably make some good barbecue or something like that. At least right now that is what is on my mind.

 

My computer has a word puzzle program on it that requires that the letters in the block of assorted letters cannot be separated by a space. So, finding the three or four words to fit the spaces may be relatively easy, but then pulling the letters into the blocks while avoiding leaving a space can be a teeny bit frustrating. A bit ago the word heron just did not want to work when it was obvious the letters were going to have to spell that word. It took four tries to finally get all four words in the correct order. It really is nice to have an understanding of which critters need to be considered animals, but the puzzle makers probably enjoyed every minute of making that puzzle harder to place in the correct position. Yep, devious!

 

My oldest child likes puzzles, too. He likes that number thing called sudoku or whatever. He finally got me interested, and the ideas finally made sense to me. It is a game of common sense in one way—whatever won’t work in any one square in not the only consideration. Deduction and our friend the detective Sherlock Holmes work together well. This may be the reason that mysteries appeal to me so much. Hmm.

 

Have really been enjoying the Reader’s Digest large print books that came recently. It occurs to me that they are very biased, but at least the jokes and critter stories are good. It made me think about what Elon Musk has been saying about how Twitter and other sources of social media have been trying all along to sway or lead the American ideas of what is actually going on. It seems that Hunter Biden and his dad were hand in hand in doing more to influence our position on Russia and other foreign powers than anyone in years. Well, duh. Think that is what we suspected all along. And, of course, no one wanted anything to come of the infamous laptop left by Hunter to be “repaired” by a guy who turned it over. It makes me feel like we have just one more case of perversion of justice. Only this time no one had an accidental suicide in a “high security” jail. Shaking my head here.

 

My children really do not want to hear or read anything about my political or religious views. Doesn’t keep me from expressing them, but such is life when the kids think that the old woman has lost it because her opinion does not exactly line up with theirs. Now that they have children of their own who have been making some of their own decisions, it makes me wonder how long it will be before THEY are the ones who are slightly “lost” on the social front. Guess what goes around will eventually make its way back around. And then what? Common sense may have a new definition someday.

 

Let us remember that this nation was especially blessed by God. No other nation has had the Hand of God on its leaders the way this nation did in its past. Even King George said that Washington giving up his command of the armies and leaving the office of president would make him the greatest man who ever lived. And so, God blessed him and the nation he led. Despite the horrible mistakes and injuries to other people—the Indians, the Blacks, the Asians, and others—America is still seen as the best of opportunities available. Let us remember that God gave us those blessings and opportunities.

 

Pray for peace. Rest assured in God’s grace. You are loved.

Goofing Off.

 Goofing Off.

 

Other than getting the dog blankets washed, one dog bed cleaned up and re-inserted in its holder, and putting away the other laundry, this old girl has been a big-time goof off today. Got some climbing done yesterday that let me know about it this morning. But that’s ok. If something is not sore, ya hardly know you’re alive, right?

 

The neighbor across the street just came over and brought a box that contains a weather console—measures wind speed, wind direction, extreme drops of barometric pressure (very helpful during tornado season), and other types of weather information. Think that is about the sweetest gift to receive from someone who just met me this year! He said he would be available one day this week to install it. How neat is that! An anemometer has been one of my wishes for a long time on this silly hill. No one else can tell me the wind is blowing 30 mph when the trees out here are lying down on the ground or flying OUT of the ground! We had one night that we heard the proverbial “train” sound and just held our breath until it passed. It hit over on Jacksboro Highway that night.

 

Walked out in the yard a bit ago and had a following. If something edible had been in my pockets, it would have been a flock party! Will have to remember to put a bit of grain or something in my pockets next time the fence needs to be walked. And yes, some things have sprouted, but not sure if it is something planted recently or something just coming up from being wind sown. But one plant really resembled a hollyhock plant. That would truly please me!

 

The neighbor said that he had seen lights on in the Black’s house and a car parked out front at night. Who knows; maybe it was her “friend” who died and not Suzanne. Guess it doesn’t make much difference as she never speaks to me anyway. Nothing that happens on this side of the street should affect her.

 

Made some hamburger, corn, stewed tomato, and seasoning stuff with cheese today. It was breakfast and lunch. Not much appetite right now for some reason. Which is just fine. Have salad stuff for tomorrow already to mix together. If green stuff and simple meat dishes could help reduce some of the weight the old girl carries around, maybe it would please the lady doctor. She is all about no sugar and nothing white—with the exception of cauliflower. Guess that means chocolate would be fine if it were not for the sugar content. Hmmm.

 

Played some music from Google this afternoon while doing an online puzzle or four. The music with the puzzles was the “fall on your knees” stuff from Christmas. Can’t really understand the words to the songs, but the same thing over and over is a bit much. Besides, my knees get pretty stiff as it is. Ahem.

 

It is Carla Beard’s fault that these puzzles are on my computer. Last year she sent me one of those Jacquie Lawson advent calendars, and this year we got another one because the first one was so neat. This time the puzzles are placed in different places and have to be searched out of the shelves or wherever. Anyway, it is fun to play the games and do the puzzles. Anything a little different can break the monotony. But then, several books got downloaded today. Oh boy! Have one left in the Devlin Haskell series of detective stories. Then it is on to more mischief. Jennifer sent me a link to some author she thought she would want me to read. Looking forward to good mysteries.

 

Truly wish that political statements, attacks, adjustments, and assorted stupidities that involve trains, social security, benefits to politicians, border idiocies, and inhumane treatment of critters, children, and the environment would all drop off the face of FB and any other news source. It is just about enough to make a person sick to see what is happening to our world. A little girl kidnapped and murdered hurts to the heart! The Mustangs decimated through being sold to meat markets however subtlety and sneakily, the lack of public participation in spay and neuter services, and many other mindless ways that people cause harm to animals and other humans is a bit much. Let’s all go light a candle—pray--or give a few bucks to the Salvation Army right now. Let us find ways to warm hearts, heads, and hands. Feed someone secretly. Know that some ladies down in Garland crochet, knit, or otherwise devise wonderful warm hats for homeless folks. They do something positive every week. Let us DO something kind and positive this week. Even if it just means putting a decorative ball on a Charlie Brown tree. Our attitudes show. Let them be attitudes of love.

 

May God give us peace. Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Weird Foods?

 Weird Foods?

 

Connie Cooke came by a while ago. She let me take some of the things she was going to donate to the resale shop and took the gold drapes that had been in my living room. At one time or the other, she had bought a set of stainless-steel cookware that was very nice. But she seldom if ever used the frying pans. Mind you, Grayson and Reece may not use them much if at all since they have something called an air-fryer. Whatever. It just seemed like a good opportunity to get something that the boys might find useful. Reece had told me that he wanted a good cast-iron frying pan, but the old woman is so selfish that she did not offer him the one that has been in use around here for 50 years. There’s another one out in the shop that has been there long enough to accumulate rust. Both the pan and the lid would need to be sand blasted to get the rust off. Then it would have to be seasoned. Not that it is very difficult. Anyway, this mess includes a Pampered Chef covered measuring bowl that might come in handy.

 

While Connie was here, she mentioned that she was going to have to go find herself some lunch. Told her what was on the stove and invited her to join me. She shook her head, rolled her eyes, and gritted her teeth and said she would just let me enjoy what was cooked. Can’t imagine why anyone would turn down cabbage, yellow squash, and meat slices steamed in a big pot. But then, some folks are not as fond of these fresh veggies with a bit of meat as yours truly. The dogs and the hens always seem to enjoy my choices. They all like to share. Ahem.

 

Took a nap this afternoon that was truly necessary. The dogs kept getting me up last night. Sylvia had to go outside two or three times. Not sure what that was all about, but it definitely made a difference in how much sleep the old woman got. Oh well.

 

Bought some ice cream bars at Market Street the other day. No, that is definitely not on any diet recommended by anyone, but sometimes it just feels necessary to have some ice cream. A couple of slim bars might be better than an entire bowl—or not.

 

The new curtains for the living room came today. Think they will do the trick—black-out curtains that stop slightly below the window facings. Between the box for those and the box for the big bag of dogfood, the trash bin is going to be very full. It already had all those bags of old photos in there. Trash truck will get a workout tomorrow.

 

Got a notice from the department of public safety that my driver’s license could be renewed online or on the phone. Decided to do the phone instead of the online thing. They charged me a dollar for the convenience of not having to go in person. Definitely worth a dollar to stay at home!

 

One of the Black Marans pecked on me a bit ago while she had her fluff lifted to check for eggs. Yep, lots of nice eggs under there. Think the Black-laced Wyandottes are winding down their business of laying eggs. The tan eggs are getting smaller by the day. Know what my mother-in-law would have said. Yep, when they stop laying, they would be dressed for success—as fat hens for sale. Have not killed any critters—well, maybe a snake—in a long time and don’t plan to start now. But these girls are fat and sassy. But they also are the sweetest little creatures. They come to me and talk to me. They have ulterior motives, of course. They are looking for nibbles. The hens that were here before had been trained to look for a shovel in my hands. They knew that earthworms were on the menu! Can’t do that any longer, but they get little bits of fresh veggies or whatever is in the kitchen.

 

Jennifer wants to come this weekend, but am just not sure she will make it over. She has been working so very hard for a long time now. But if she stays at home, you can bet she will still work just as hard on her days off as she does when she goes in to the office. Can remember being a lot like that years ago, but nowadays it only happens once in a long while. Get an itch to get something specific done and stick with it until the old body is about ready to drop. Getting a little old for that foolishness. And Jennifer’s last child will be 22 in March. Time to slow down just a bit. Maybe she will be better at learning to pace herself than her mom was.

 

Need to call a couple of folks and see how they are doing. Hardly ever hear from Michelle Malay or Maggie Sewell unless they are up to something. Both seem to stay busy with what they actually need to do instead of messing around like this old woman. But such is the difference in personalities. Both Maggie and Michelle seem to keep up with what is on sale where. My mind is just too busy to concentrate on sale circulars. Or maybe that is my own particular brand of laziness. Would rather read a good book, ya know.

 

Have been watching what Carla Beard posts online lately. She is always in some kind of production in the city where she lives. Well, a person can’t play pickleball every day of the week, yes? But she keeps us informed about the choral music going on and the plays being produced. She, too, writes a blog, but honestly don’t believe it ever mentions hens or eggs. She did send me a cartoon of a sign that said, “Butt Nuggets for Sale.” Sat here and laughed.

 

My brother informed me this morning that the deacons in charge of the “old folks” had decided to have some music and hot chocolate at his workshop on the 16^th of this month. THEY decided, don’t you see. He is hoping to get a guitar playing friend to come along and help with the music so they can sing a bit. Sterling does not think he is good enough to play by himself. Sitting here shaking my head. Yours truly tried to play the piano that was given to us back some years ago. Could do the chords finally to match the main melody, but the timing was never right. Not sure how anyone can do that matching the chords and getting everything to sound like we know it should. Oh well. Won’t need to ever make a living at that particular job!

 

Just finished putting blankets on these two dogs when a car drove up across the street. Of all the barking! No surprises on our street!

 

Really don’t know much since reading the news can make a person just about feel limp and lousy. Will just play games, read a good mystery, or something of that nature. Have my Kindle about loaded up with things to read. Need to open a bunch of them so they can be downloaded before it is time to get into them. It doesn’t usually take very long to download, but if the internet is messed up, it is Katie-Bar-the-Door. No internet means no books.

 

You all take care and find a way to overlook all the crazy in this world. Remember that we have a clear and true path given to us by the Creator. Our Father loves us and wants us to walk in His love. Let’s pray for this world and for peace.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.