Plans for a Week.

 Plans for a Week.

 

Other than a trip to Pioneer on Thursday to meet up with the Route 66 Group, it did not seem like much was going on this week, even though the old woman had hoped to see Michelle Malay soon. She said she would let me know Monday whether or not she could come Tuesday, so there’s that. Connie Cooke wants to drive down to Nocona and to the lake lot she owns down there to see if the guy she hired to mow it had done that and if it would need further attention. That might be a separate day trip. It’s not like going somewhere is all that usual for me. Staying at home and messing with dogs, hens, and tree limbs is more my style.

 

Had intended to call Stephen and remind him about the tree in my fence line and ask if he wanted to come look at it or if some other person(s) needed to be asked to take it down. Some day in the future, the Bradford pear also needs to come down, but for now, the one near the side of my house is on my mind. Have to remember to call Stephen. Sigh. Remembering things is not always that easy to do.

 

Before going out to close up the chicken coop, Thompson was on my case about something. He “talks” to me and grumbles about things. It is not always easy to figure out what he wants. Then when we got up to go outside, it finally dawned on me. He wanted HIS recliner, dear hearts! Sitting here at my desk and thinking that when he finishes cleaning his food bowl, what do you bet he will go straight for that recliner! These dogs!

 

The mailman who delivers packages came today and brought some dog biscuits. Happy dogs. But they thought each one needed to be handed to them. Uh uh. Not happening. Cut one panel off the top of the box and left it open. Sylvia just could not make herself put her head down inside that box top. And the biscuits were right under the edge of the box! Finally put one of her toys in the box and balanced a biscuit on top of it. Held my finger just nearly on the biscuit until she reached over and got it. Now she gets them for herself.

 

Cooked a big ham from United the other day. Sylvia is not all that fond of it, but Thompson thinks it is mighty fine. He stands here and watches me and waits until he has to grumble to get me to give him a bite. It’s not like he did not already have some in his feed bowl. If you don’t think dogs can talk, you just should listen more carefully. Know for a fact that Jennifer’s dogs talk. But she also takes care of her son’s cat Atlas. He talks, too. Animals make life so much more interesting than just about anything around.

 

Have been noticing some of the pictures from around the world on FB where people show the world from their kitchen window or wherever. The world is so diverse and holds such beauty! And people are just as diverse as the world is wide. Oceans, mountains, snow, deserts, buildings crowded together with the sun shining off of them, cabin views onto lakes and valleys, each destination filled with the memories and joys of those who live there. If we lived three or four as many lifetimes as we currently do, we would still be hard put to see all the beauty and the changes of that beauty with the seasons. Imagine how learning about people would be if we really got to know even three or four people per month or year. Again, we would never know the depth of character or experience of even three or four people. And yet God created the world and all that is in it. He KNOWS the lives, the memories, the suffering, the loves, and the beliefs of each person on this little blue ball. He set in motion the cycles of nature—the migration of the birds, butterflies, and other creatures. He causes the winds to blow and the rains to fall. And the reverse—the winds blow, but the rains do not fall. What if we were so close to God that we could ask as the prophets did for rain in due season. Well, guess what. Being close to God is our choice each day. What we ask is also our choice. His answer may not suit us, but you can bet He has His reasons for the rains, the storms, and any other movements of the heavens above or the seas below. Let us rejoice to know that He is in control of everything. What He allows may be disheartening to us at the moment, but in His time, things will be what is best for all concerned.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

TSC Trip.

 TSC Trip.

 

Went to Tractor Supply today. The entire building looked different inside because they opened up the back storage area so folks could get to the supply of hay, feed, or whatever. Yours truly did not go back there, but stood by the chicken scratch and watched a lady just about lose control of her Doberman. His collar just nearly came off before she was able to get it back on him. He was not aggressive toward people, but there was a dog back in the grooming area, and he wanted a piece of that dog! Whoa! A collar that will slip over the dog’s head is not the best bet for a dog, dear hearts. Bought one of those Halti things for Sylvia and have not used it on her yet. But am hoping it will make it easier to deal with her pulling on me.

 

Unloading the feed and diatomaceous earth from the truck and left the freaking gate open—both dogs got out and decided to explore a bit. Sylvia went to the Anderson’s place, and Thompson went down on the Zupkus field. They both came back happily enough, but it bothered me that they got away from me so quickly. No one was out and about, so it was not a big deal, but still. When that gate is open, it is Katy-bar-the-door as far as they are concerned. Good thing the hens are not like that. Would be herding critters all day!

 

Ordered some treats from Amazon last night and then got six lamb sticks from TSC today. Each dog knows that it is available, but they still fuss with one another just a little bit. Seeing the other dog chewing must trigger that “where’s mine” reflex. Usually get two of every toy so there won’t be any reason to fuss, but one or the other will still be a favorite even when they are identical. Go figure. It is surprising how much dogs and small children have in common.

 

Lance and Tracy will fly back tomorrow and get picked up at DFW by their oldest. Having children who are willing and able to pick someone up at the airport is mighty handy. Have driven down there a couple of times, but that road is marked fairly plainly so even little old ladies can find the airport. And then there is trying to figure out which one of the terminals to go to! Such a puzzle unless someone has figured it out ahead of time. Probably will never do that again anyway. Can’t imagine willingly driving that direction again.

 

Had the big portabella mushroom caps with cheese baked in them this morning for breakfast. Just thought you might like to know: camembert cheese melts nicely and tastes pretty good with the mushroom. The goat cheese and feta crumbled and did not melt at all, it seemed. Tasty, but not like gouda or any kind of cheddar. Anyway, now we know. Really like the camembert on crackers and the feta in salads. Different kinds for different foods.

 

Jennifer sent a picture on her phone of the butter rolls that she made today. Boy! That was just enough to make a person drool! Those things are just wonderful. If the old woman were not so terribly lazy, she would make some. An entire batch would last—well, not sure an entire batch would last at all even with just one person eating them. When making them for Thanksgiving, a doubled recipe just about took care of everyone having all they wanted for dinner and for snacks later. There is something about butter crescent rolls made from scratch that just makes the entire house smell delicious! Wasn’t even hungry before she sent that picture!

 

Talked to Patty for a bit about dogs and memories. She seems to be in a pretty good mood. The other day coming back from her appointment with Quest Lab, we talked about the fact that Home Health would come to her house to do the blood work needed. Don’t really think she wants to mess with them, and she certainly does not want to mess with Hospice yet. Maybe next year, but not right now. She is to be admired for wanting to be as independent as possible for her own feelings. No one really wants to be dependent on some health service—even when we really are. As it is, she has to have four or five bottles (the small ones she can carry around) of oxygen each week. She cleans her own house, does dishes, cooks, and does whatever cleaning of the floors, does her own laundry, and keeps her bed made to suit her. She is a tough lady. Have been following along with the adventures of a woman named Karen S. who cares for her disabled son, keeps her own house, and takes him and herself to national parks or whatever places they can go in the camper on her van. She has some kind of tumor and really needs some surgery, but am not sure anyone is available to help her in the recovery, much less the care of her young son. Asked her if home health care was available, but apparently it is still in the works. Simply can’t imagine doing all the things like Patty does with just half of her lungs or that Karen does while caring for herself and her son. May God bless them and others like them with the strength and resources to get their lives to be as happy as possible.

 

We never really think too often about what makes us happy, do we? Have you ever just sat down and made a list of the things that you really like in your life? Did that one time. Still need to do it more often. The top of my list always involves those children and grands. They have no idea how happy they make me! My critters, this windy ol’ hill, the house that holds up to the wind, a neighbor or two, good books, the quiet of just being and listening to the birds on the porch, the flowers when they get a chance to grow, the rain storms (when the wind doesn’t take down any trees), the lake down the side of the hill, the friends from years ago who are still alive and remember what we were like umpteen years ago, and the newer friends who seem to understand where we are in life today. Those are just some of the things that make me happy. Oh, would list our country and the relative safety from war and hunger that belong to some of us, but at the same time, those things worry me because they are not available to everyone. Pretty hard to think about safety and comfort when one considers that down each road are those that have no reassurance of any of the blessings which are in my life. Then come the bigger things that make me truly happy: faith, God’s love and blessings, forgiveness, assurance of a life to come in His presence, and justice—true justice—in God’s kingdom. Of all the things that we might have in this life that others may or may not enjoy, the things of God are always available to everyone in equal measure. We all can be thankful and find joy each day that we wake up to this knowledge.

 

Have been having dreams lately about my parents and grandparents. Lewis is always driving our truck in my dreams. He never says anything, just knows what to do. Just like he always was in our life together. Strange dreams.

 

Am reminded again after reading some things on FB today that everyone noticed the crowd reaction at the football game the day of Hamlin’s injury: no one shouted or caused noise. Silence. Prayers in the stands. Comforting words and gestures to each section of the fans to the other. Yes, faith is still alive and well.

 

Rest well, my friends. We have so much for which to be grateful.

Ah! Allergies!

 Ah! Allergies!

 

Figured it out today! When the sneezes are almost non-stop and the temp in your body is a bit much—going from chills to heat waves—then you can tell something is causing your allergies to overwhelm your immune system. Ah, Benadryl!

 

It has been a good day. Have been outside quite a bit and even walked down to Patty’s and gave the littles some exercise. Took a couple of cans of pineapple to Patty. Discovered that despite my thoughts otherwise, the old woman is also allergic to pineapple even canned. Knew fresh pineapple would turn my mouth wrong side out, but had no idea that the canned stuff would also make me itch. Oh joy. Today had canned peaches with cottage cheese.

 

Patty made some salmon patties that she did not like very much. The dogs would not eat them unless they were given a piece from what was being eaten right in front of them. Yes, they were good patties, but they did not have much of a salmon taste. She said it was packed in water instead of oil. Whatever, they were eaten and enjoyed.

 

Went out and worked in the coop a bit today and put a dowel rod (the big kind) across a different way and a smaller rod across a corner. Hoping that the girls will like it better. They are funny about how they roost, but they have to adjust when the notion hits me to move something. Never a dull moment, ya know.

 

Have been so impressed with the public reaction to the healing of the young football player. SO many folks are seeing God’s love in action. And yes, we are also aware of the possibility that the vaccine has had some kind of affect on him since he was injected on the 26^th of December. But that really is not the point! The point is that our nation—hello! The entire world has noticed and prayed for him! This is so very wonderful because we know that the Bible asks if God will find faith when He returns. Think the absolute answer to this question at the moment is a definite yes! The future generations might find our faith somewhat strange, but those of us who have seen with our own eyes the miracles that God has shown in this nation and others, will make our belief remain strong. Reading history as posted by Tara Ross has shown how often God has used the weather to protect our soldiers and confound our enemies. Washington could not possibly have succeeded had it not been for God’s hand in his life and in his military work. He was not that wise by military standards. But by God’s Hands he overcame so many terrible obstacles. Healing, watching over a man in a hospital, from babies to a nation, we have to accept that our destiny is in God’s hands!

 

My oldest, his wife, and his daughter are at the moment trying to negotiate their way through Atlanta. Have already prayed for God’s intervention and blessings. That city has some major problems with traffic. Of course, part of the problem is the sheer volume of people living there and going from one point to another. Not sure what they do for public transportation, but if ever a city needed buses or other forms—commuter trains—of egress from the business areas, this town needs them. Let us hope that a way home can find them avoiding the city altogether if that is possible.

 

Having a cup of chicken bouillon here in a few minutes. Trying not to drink too much coffee or other stuff. Even decaffeinated, coffee can mess with a body’s stomach. The bouillon is just tasty and good for ya.

 

Guess the old woman will sit down and try again to see if groceries can be delivered instead of picked up. Asking for three cases of water means that getting someone else to pick it up and put them in my wagon means less stress on my back. We will see if the old woman can get the situation aligned to suit the order in a bit. It does not take much to make me get frustrated when either the store location or the delivery/pickup options don’t suit me.

 

Have to give you a good laugh. Nikki has a ewe named Q-Tip. She wanted to have her bred. She asked Brenda J. if she had a ram, but Brenda’s herd has Orf. SO, one of Brenda’s ewes refused her lamb—a little male—and she gave it to Nikki to raise. Nikki named her future ram—get this—2-Ply! Funny! That family comes up with some of the funniest names for their critters!

 

May have told you guys the story of how my former sister-in-law was raising registered Cocker Spaniels. She gave one to the parents. The little female was as sweet as could be, but my parents were not all that good about taking her outside every hour on the hour, so they had to name her: Charmin! Guess my ability to choose a decent name for a critter was never all that great, but the donkey that Daddy bought for me back in 1959 got a decent name: Sir Clyde the First. Not anyone in Petrolia may have known his name, but Mom discovered that SHE was called the Donkey Girl’s Mom! Hilarious!

 

Son-in-law is doing somewhat better. He was losing blood yesterday and ended up in the ER again, but they gave him some Vitamin K or whatever to stop the action of the blood thinners he is on. Then they told him to back off the blood thinners. Whatever is going on, it needs to get balanced out. They first went to the Mansfield hospital and discovered a line out the door just trying to get checked in to the ER. Apparently, some kind of bug is going around down there. The ER at Baylor was empty, so they got right in and were seen immediately. Jenn said she did not even get any work done yesterday, so it all had to be done today. But at least Gary is feeling better. A call a few minutes ago found him on the floor playing with his three big dogs!

 

Really don’t know much except that my silly dogs are out of treats again! Dadgumit! They don’t ask for much, but the refills have not arrived yet. Amazon is not as fast as Chewy! Chewy must realize that when a dog needs a treat or a toy, it is needed NOW in dog time!

 

Remember to ask for blessings for those in the Ukraine and other parts of the world where chaos seems to be inspired by hatred and stupidity. Let us ask God for peace for those who would try to be free of terrorism.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

No News.

 No News.

 

Sorry, maybe you all will pardon me, but don’t want to gripe and groan and carry on. Zero accomplishments with a mildly frosted attitude. The fault lies with this weather and the joints—not the kind that are smoked. Just old bones!

 

Appreciate your blessings! They are in your hands, feet, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and attitude. You know the Giver of all blessings. May we thank Him well and often.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Roosters and Other Unnecessary Ingredients.

 Roosters and Other Unnecessary Ingredients.

 

Every time my cousin John talks to me, he insists that the girls need a rooster. Did not think to remind him that seven eggs are out there in the little coop being hatched—or at least having the hen’s attention—for the past five days. It only takes about 21 to 23 days to hatch out chicks. Have another coop just about ready for them after the little ones come out of their shells. Will need to go to TSC to get baby chick feed, grit, and maybe some diatomaceous earth to put in that little hatchery cage. Looking forward to seeing what might hatch out of those seven eggs!

 

One of the things that we both agree on is the unnecessary inclusion of too many medications for things that may not even need to be medicated. John said that his A1C was at 4.8, and he definitely did not need metformin. That particular drug was given to him for a year. Guess what one of the side effects is: kidney failure. And now he is on dialysis! Yep. This is one of those drugs that remind us that the side effects are worse than whatever good they might possibly do.

 

The insurance nurse came today. My A1C was 4.9. Anything under 6 is considered normal. Everything came out well in today’s visit, so it was a happy morning for both of us. Gave the nurse a dozen eggs! She was very happy about that. Her boys are home from college and wanted cookies, but she did not have any eggs. Well, now she does!

 

Today was Wednesday. That is always a hard day for Jennifer. She does what they term: the call list. This is a list of folks who need to get current on paying their bills. That makes her dread talking to people on Wednesdays. Or having to send them emails. Simply can’t imagine doing what she does. She has to know what people have ordered and where the products were delivered and when! That is a tall order. So many of their customers are not even in the U.S. Steel products get shipped everywhere imaginable. That means they depend on trains, trucks, and ships to get things where they are going. So many businesses depend on our transportation. Think about the last time you ordered from Amazon! They have warehouses all over the country now, however. So, it is not like they depend on areas under the tons of snow where blizzards are occurring.

 

Talked to my DIL today while she was working at the library—well, we texted back and forth. Tracy said that just “finding” a statistician might not be very easy. A woman who is working on her Ph.D. needs a statistician. Unless the university she attends can help her find one, this old woman has no idea where to even look. When the business department at MSU was writing about the local problem of the unions and management having an acceptable rate of pay and the ability to keep good employees, the man (a Ph.D. in the business department) who was writing a paper about the problems used statistics to “prove” that the Texas workers’ compensation laws were causing employees to quit and claim disability. It was just totally biased—and paid for by the insurance companies!! Statistics can be made to “prove” just about anything if the desire to slant facts is present. Anyway, let’s hope that one of those rare things known as a numbers person can be found who can use unbiased facts to illustrate the point of this woman’s dissertation.

It has been a decent day. Got some laundry done, folded, or hung up. Still haven’t thrown the freshly washed bedspread onto the bed, but at least it is clean and dry. Takes three or more cycles to dry that critter. But love those fluffy, cuddly tops like that! Then the floors needed some attention. The sunshine through the front windows highlights all that dog hair!! At least it does not make a dust bunny—just a rainbow bridge of black, white, grey, and butterscotch colored hair! Even took the cover off the rotating brushes and cleaned that area of the vacuum. Every day something needs attention—especially if it has four feet and barks or whines for treats.

 

Hoping to see my friend Michelle Malay one day next week. Have not seen her in quite a while. And then there is a phone call needed to talk to my friend Cindy. Don’t know why we hardly ever see each other, but a lot of it has to do with the fact that this old woman does not get out and about often. But tomorrow will be an exception. Taking Patty downtown to get her blood work done. Such fun. Will take a book even though the wait time is usually not bad at all. Just habit to keep a book in my bag.

 

Let’s remember to pray for those who are ill and/or injured—to include that young football player who had a heart attack right on the field of play! At least we can be heartened by the response of his teammates and everyone on the field the other night. They took a knee all right—and PRAYED! May they be blessed to know God is with them.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

 

 

Forecasts?

 Forecasts?

 

Somehow it seemed to me that the weather forecast had mentioned the possibility of rain for today. Well, so far today it has been moist! Not much to say about that except that the ground is not sloppy, muddy—just messy on the bottom of shoes and dog feet. Sterling reminded me that the rest of the week was going to get a bit colder. They tend to get much colder in NW Arkansas than we do here. The thing that hurts us here is the wind—hot or cold, that wind can tear a person up!

 

Was working out in the back yard trying to cut some branches up into smaller pieces that would go in the trash bin. Still have more to do, but when Sterling called, it seemed like a good time to be still for a few minutes. Have a tree that needs to come down entirely—well, almost entirely. Hanan cut it down to the forks at one time, but it has grown up from there to almost hit the power lines above it now. Time to take down those branches. Hoping that Stephen and the boys can take it down, but he has not looked at it yet to see whether or not he can mess with it. The stupid Bradford pear needs to be chopped about half way across the height and those branches thrown in the trash. But that may take somebody with a big truck to haul off the branches.

 

You know how you learn things just talking to folks? Learned about a disease that sheep can get last night called “Orf.” It acts like chicken pox and can give the virus to people. The sheep normally recover, but then they carry that virus or it gets in the ground to infect the lambs. Sounds plum hopeless to get rid of such a thing. Guess it is about like some of the stuff that came up during the pandemic when we suddenly saw scarlet fever, RSV, measles, strep throat, and even polio running rampant along with the normal caseloads of flu. By this winter, we may all be wearing masks again. Never a dull moment!

 

The news out of China is scary. Those folks have no way to get real treatment for anything since the hospitals are overwhelmed with those who have covid or any other respiratory illnesses. Overwhelmed seems to be the theme lately in other parts of the world as well. California is flooded or shaken or both. El Paso and other border towns in Texas have as many as 15 thousand immigrants coming into the towns in one week. No amount of money will take care of 53 thousand immigrants in one month, much less the 2.4 million we saw last year. And on top of all that, Juarez has had a prison break where the men assaulting the prison had more fire power than the guards or police. The two dozen escapees will be in El Paso by now or heading farther north into Texas. Can we say drug lords’ invasion? Sounds pretty scary to me. We are caught between trying to be compassionate and protecting our citizens and their rights. Sometimes perceptions are more important than trying to enforce laws. Right now, to those from other countries, our borders do not even exist.

 

Obviously, the old woman noticed the news today. Probably should be reading on her Kindle instead of watching news casts about California, Texas, and other places that might shake, rattle, and roll. At least the books being read are interesting. Mysteries always give a person something to consider. The mysteries associated with God’s kingdom are more than interesting, but we are given the outcome at the very first reading. Don’t you know that Daniel would have been interested in seeing how his visions worked out! Discussing the “Left Behind” series with a friend reminded me that we all have a tendency to resolve mysteries in our heads before we will believe the facts. The future is going to be more than simply interesting!

 

We still need rain. Not the California kind of rain in buckets and rivers, but rain to fill the lakes and stock tanks. May God bless us and the land we live on.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Planning on Spring!

 Planning on Spring!

 

Here we are in the middle of winter and the growing bug has bitten the old woman right between the ears! So now four sacks of potting soil have been dumped into a big black tub for growing some plants that are now out in the green house. If they make it through the winter out there, we will have some pretty flowers out front later—including the snapdragons that came at sale price of $1 each. Two plants did not come labeled for type, but it said grow in sun on the little sticker. Yep, we plan on having some this year. Even bought one hanging plant for inside the house. Already had a spider plant that has been sitting in the window on the east side. Put this basket on the southeast side for the sunshine in the morning. Let’s hope it does well. All the different types of plants in this pot remind me of the stuff that Grandmother Pollard used to have in her dining room all over a side table just for plants. One of these days maybe the names will be discovered and written down. The only one for sure is spider plant. One part has these teeny tiny little white flowers hanging down from a frilly vine looking plant. Oh well. Just enjoy!

 

Finished another book by the same author who wrote On the Edge of Paris. This one is called Alice Black. These books were written by J. Schlenker. She also wrote one called Sally. Look her up if you are interested in some good books.

 

Had tamales for dinn-upper. Sat there talking to Sterling while he talked about some kind of box of meat and stuff Jacqui’s nephew sent to them. It was not steak or anything, but some sausage or something like that. He was not overly impressed, but what the hey. Just take it and say thanks and go on about your business. It’s like the pork shoulder that got cooked here yesterday—have a pair of boots that would probably cook up more tender than this thing. Oh well.

 

Walked the two east lots this morning to see what—if anything—had come up from the flower seeds planted some weeks ago. Dear Hearts, if nothing drastic happens, we will have Bachelor Buttons! At least that is what it looks like. Think one of those lots down there has about the sorriest soil on this side of the hill. If the Buffalo Clover came up down there, it would smell like Grape Nehi. The good soil makes it smell different entirely. Go figure. It is said that Bluebonnets only do well in really sorry soil. Must be why they grow so well in the Hill Country. Buffalo Clover or Buffalo Beans are about the same type of plant.

 

Lance was up here once this past year looking at my grass. He asked, “Do you just not WANT any grass?” Seems he could see how well the hens had diminished the foundation of any edible grasses. And right now, it is pretty obvious that grass is simply not growing near the fence or near the fox holes the girls have dug out. First thing in the morning, it is a race to see if any of them can find fresh blades of grass sprouting. So, maybe not many grass cuttings will happen this year? Guess the girls are worth their weight in chicken feed.

 

Only had a few firecrackers go off last night. Think the fire and police departments were out in full force trying to prevent any disasters. It is not as dry as it has been, but simply no sense in being careless with those stupid rockets that set things on fire.

This past year has been pretty rough on many folks. So many deaths—whether from accidents, stupidity, mean criminals, or even the weather have caused sadness to come at us in waves. Once upon a time, parents cared for their children and saw to it that they were fed, clothed, and treated kindly. With all the drugs floating around in every community, children are just one more bump in the road for the mindless minions of criminal chemicals coming into our country—or even the drugs being manufactured right here in our towns. If Covid were not already enough to take out millions of people, we have it now in local jails, prisons, even on our ships at sea (Navy). The number of crimes committed because of drugs continues to mount as even pre-teens are given colorful little pills to use for fun. Here in WF, the incidence of finding fentanyl during traffic stops has each of our officers also carrying a couple of drug remedy kits in case they accidentally come in contact with that drug. Just a tiny bit can kill a person. Some of the stories make a person wonder how anyone can decide to join the LEOs. Just dealing with traffic accidents can be dangerous, but trying to enforce a warrant or any dealings with domestic disturbances can result in the death of any officer who shows up! Let us pray for the first responders! If you hear that siren, not only get out of the way, but pray that the officers get where they are going safely and can help those who need them at that moment.

 

We have each day to look forward to what God has in store for us. Let us rejoice that He loves us and plans to do good for us.

 

Rest well, my friends. Consider the birds of the fields. He knows each sparrow. Like them, you are loved.