Schadenfreude.

 Schadenfreude When another person's bad luck secretly makes you feel good, that's Schadenfreude.

 

Even attempting to pronounce this word is just a wee bit difficult—much less spelling it! But then, it’s German. Sometimes we find that it is difficult not to practice the bad habit of gloating when someone who acts righteous gets caught out in what they have been doing behind doors. But the question is going to bug you when you do it: what is the sin that is best hidden? Is it mine or his/hers? Then we have to realize that NO sin is hidden from the one that really matters. When we get right down to it, we are blessed that we can ask for forgiveness—for ourselves. Thinking about Job and his friends who told him that he must have done SOMETHING to have caused his distress. It always amazed me that Job thought that he could ask for forgiveness for his children in case they had had some bad thought. Honestly don’t quite believe that forgiveness works that way. But who knows everything in the mind of our Creator? Certainly not an old woman.

 

Some of the things that happen in this world are pretty horrific. We might suspect that Satan has an influence on all of us to some extent, but certainly it seems that God gives him pretty much free rein to hurt people in one way or another. It seems to me that our job is to resist temptations that would hurt others especially. But we also have some heavenly support on our side. It’s called the armor of God. Most are familiar with the New Testament and its description of that armor. Kay Brough mentions it every once in a while. The reminders make me happy. Sometimes it would be nice to be one of those super hero types with the helmet of salvation shining out to blind the foes in life. Just for a reminder: Ephesians 6:10-18

 

Pretty sure at least a couple of readers have already closed this one up for the night, but two or three of these verses tell us that it is not a simple thing to live a Godly life: vs. 12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

 

For all the imaginary heroes in this silly life, none can stand up to a real battle like the one whose faith is in God.

 

May we pray tonight for those who are cold, weary, hungry, without hope, and grieving the loss of life around them. May we remember those who are striving against addictions, depression, heartaches, and the physical effects caused by an all the unsound practices we face in life. We are blessed to know that a greater One stands behind us to support our faith.

 

Rest well, my friends, for you are loved.

Shiver Me Timbers!

 Shiver Me Timbers!

 

Not really sure just what it means to shiver timbers, but it sounds about right at the moment. Ok, looked it up: expression of shock, awe, and annoyance. Can believe it might be more than that if a person were in Northern Syria or Turkey today. They had one bad earthquake—7.8—and then an aftershock of 7.6! The pictures showed buildings that had collapsed upon themselves. And it is cold there! So anyone still alive in the rubble will need to be rescued before nightfall just to keep them from freezing. May God bless those people, the rescuers, the families and friends!

 

As if that were not enough, Russia hit Kiev this morning in residential areas—blowing out the windows and destroying whatever was in the path of the rockets. Some of the rockets were stopped by the defense system, but even a siren that goes off right before the rocket gets there is not much help. Guess it might be helpful if you thought it was just a storm or earthquake. These rockets are determined in destination—hitting residential areas or those areas that are necessary to infrastructure—the things that keep a city alive. Feel so sorry for all of these folks. Whether it is an act of war or the slippery side of a tectonic plate, death is pretty certain. These folks need our prayers.

 

We may get rain tomorrow, but the temperature is not forecasted to be low, so we may just get to enjoy a rainy day. We can also enjoy the mud the dogs will track in on the floors. Sigh. Said that as if the old woman does not ever track in mud. Not true, but at least she wipes her feet off before coming inside.

 

Made a trip to Wally World. Did you know that the absolute richest people in the world are the Waltons?! Don’t remember how many billions they make, but whatever it is, they can’t afford to have cashiers on more than two checkout lines at a time! Stood in line with fifteen other folks until someone gave up and called in two more checkers. Argh! Those do-it-yourself things don’t always do it for me---or maybe it is just me. Anyway, next time might just have things delivered or only pick up meat. Tromping around an acre of cement floor is hard on the old body, dear hearts. Sigh.

 

Cooked some ribs for myself and two dogs. Not bad. The dogs had to be taken outside to do their eating because—well, the floors. But now they have brought the cleaned bones inside. Great decorations! Now have a pound of chicken livers on to bake. Never have tried baking them before. Usually fry the suckers and get grease popped all over me and the floor. We will see how this works out.

 

Noticed in the freezer section of the veggies that many of the little bags called for an air-popper or air fryer to be used. Not too sure what a person would do without one, but did not buy anything that did not look as if it would cook in a manner to which most of us are familiar. Will have to ask Jennifer how that works. Her boys use something like that all the time.

 

Now, this is not a joke, but just to let you know that our young people—not just children—are dadgummed ignorant. A friend told me that her son took his girlfriend shopping at the grocery store. He picked up a dozen brown eggs. The girlfriend exclaimed, “Why did you get those brown eggs?! You know they are the ones the roosters lay!” The young man decided right then that he did not need anyone that ignorant around his kids. Told this to my granddaughter and she replied that she was proud to know that roosters don’t lay eggs! But that is almost as bad as the children my friend was tutoring. She asked them where the meat came from on their hamburgers. “The store,” was the ubiquitous answer. “But before it was at the store, where did the meat come from? She asked. According to one boy, ALL meat comes from the store. He knew because his mom took him shopping, and he saw the meat in the store, so he knew how hamburgers were made. Sounds a bit like the two little girls who were looking at cows in a book. Asked why some cows were black, the little know-it-all said, “Well, where else would you get chocolate milk?”

 

The sick hen is still sick, but she is trying to get around. Not sure she will live very long, but she won’t die because someone kills her. Well, unless she gets out and a dog gets her. They are very inquisitive. The other hens are mean to her. So, she is in a coop all by herself. Poor girl. Chickens are flock animals.

 

Don’t know diddly squat today. Not sure it matters. Can only pray for those who are in bad situations. Would love to have answers, but most likely no one else would think any questions were solved. Such is life. Let us appreciate the blessings of peace and safety God has provided to us for now.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Sleepy Anyway!

 Sleepy Anyway!

 

It sometimes amazes me that the nights just seem to fly by—or at least the mornings get here rather early. The hens were ready to be let out; the “sick” hen was ready to be taken outside; the chicks and Jolene were ready to go down the ramp and start their scratching for the day. Got some French toast made with maple syrup for my breakfast, but the dogs just had kibble. Did not make anything special for them yesterday. Sylvia has been slinging her ear and scratching at it, so have been putting some stuff in it for fungus. She does not appreciate it one tiny bit. But she has pretty much stopped shaking her head. The “sick” hen was on the straw out of the basket this morning, so she must be moving around some on her own. Went to TSC and got some stuff to put in the water for all the hens and some VetRx for the sick hen. She ate some Dave’s Killer Bread today along with the water put in her beak. Can’t believe she is actually getting better! Bought oyster shell, chick grit, and chick feed, too. It is an expensive trip every time! Oh well. It is just money. Ahem.

 

Had leftover white beans with diced tomato this afternoon. Not exactly exciting fare, but as mother-in-law used to say: It will fill up the pot. (We won’t discuss which pot.)

 

The day has really been pretty. It almost feels like spring. Tomorrow is supposed to be windy again, but such is life in Texas. Walked out in the west lot and found some fresh grass coming up for the girls to eat. Looked at the prices of that orange webbed temporary fencing. It is not cheap, but then nothing is right now. But if the girls would mow down the front yard, it might be worth letting them out there to clean it up. Know they won’t eat the bluebonnets because those are poisonous. Funny how critters sometimes know more about stuff like that than we do.

 

Heard a noise—squawking hen—out back and went to check. Had to put the sick hen in the green house to prevent the others from giving her a hard time. Then noticed that the little chicks had figured out how to get back in the top part of their coop. At least TWO of them were up there. Then they fell out when the hen came out to see about the other one. Oh well. Maybe they will be ok for tonight. Will go out after dark with my lighted hat on and pick up any one or all three of them to put back up inside the coop. Michelle Malay found a hat for me that has a little button light on it. Just push the button and have all the light needed to see what is going on while remaining hands-free to do whatever. Neat gift!

 

My dogs snore. They may not rattle the walls, but dear hearts, you would notice them in a quiet room. They get on different band widths and get to singing right along—ruuuhrr-shosh or uuhnnn-whush either one make an old woman wonder what is happening in the dead of night. The children used to say that our snoring was loud—the wall rattling kind, ya know—especially when Lewis was extra tired. But back then, our house never really was all that quiet. One night, OliverTwisted (cat) got on my head and made me dream of a motor boat—purring was similar to snoring in his case. It makes sense to enjoy the sounds of God’s good earth—even if it is just the wind whistling through the trees.

 

Have ONE freaking load of socks to wash tomorrow. Would explain how that many socks got dirty, but remember that Thompson was sick one night. Bleah. So, tomorrow is laundry and floor cleaning day. Then the old woman needs to see if the canister set from Anne’s house can fit into the box and be put away from the top of my kitchen table. It might even be nice to put a clean table cloth on there tomorrow!

 

Remember to let God know that you are thankful for His many blessings to us. Pray for those who are recovering from surgeries and other illnesses. We are SO blessed not to have to go back into hiding this year with the flu and whatever. Let us praise His name!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Gale Force Irritations.

 Gale Force Irritations.

 

It is not really cold today—about 62 at the moment—but the stupid wind won’t let me get a good fresh breath of air without feeling as if it will blow me away. And no, not that light weight by a long shot!

 

The sick hen is still sick, but gave her a shot of water with VetRx mixed in it so she could have at least one good drink of water. Will go push her wagon back in the coop shortly. Then the maneuvering of a hen and three little chicks is next. Will leave the danged dogs in the house this time. Had to swat Sylvia for wanting to grab a chick. Kinda think these may be Easter Eggers. They have dark legs and that funny stripe up their chests.

 

Sylvia is sitting here begging for a piece of asparagus. What do you bet she would not eat it if she had one. Nope, no dope! It ended up on the floor. Just one more spot to clean tomorrow! Did not put diced tomatoes in the beans today, so will do that tomorrow. Still pretty decent even without tomatoes in them. Used some of that tough beef from United Supermarkets. Honestly do not know if it is the way it is cut or the age of the cow that makes their meat so tough. Won’t get any more from them. Don’t like Walmart, but at least their beef is good. Usually a cut of meat can be tenderized by just putting it on to simmer for quite a bit, but even cutting it up into tiny pieces has not helped these two roasts. Buy one, get one free is all well and good unless both of them are as tough as shoe leather.

 

Well, the hen and chicks are in the top of the coop and unable to get to the bottom until the board is moved from the opening. May just put the happy little harpies back in the green house tomorrow and cover up my flowers with a open type tarp. It would beat getting down on the ground and getting mud all over my pants and shoes. Just not sure these little dip waddies would be smart enough to use the ladders to get back in the coop. Will just have to think about it since that is a rather large space to have to chase them around.

 

Have another book started on the tablet on Kindle. The last one was about WWII and how horrible it was and how it changed England’s social structure. This one starts with some Jews before WWII and how they were involved with trade shows. Hope it is not horribly sad. Know it did not take long before things got desperate in every country associated with Germany—whether or not one was a German. Racial and religious discrimination is pretty horrible anyway.

 

Today had a visitor. We talked about what happens in jails and even in the public domain when officers feel that they have the right to push people around. We don’t have to see a beating on camera to know that life and death are too often in the hands of those who are supposed to be helping people instead of hurting them. Yes, the gang bangers need to be locked up and removed from the streets. Our court system sucks! Too many people with multiple charges against them for terrible crimes are just allowed to go free. And the officers who have to pick them up just as many times are probably pretty disgusted with the entire situation. Something needs to change. The problem seems to be justice: what is it and how can it be applied equitably? No answers from me. Know that God demands justice, honor, and fair treatment, but how is that applied to our society now? May His kingdom come soon.

 

Hoping tonight we get to sleep all night. Thompson was sick the last time at four a.m. Poor critter had the tummy ache. Thought about Pepto Bismol, but don’t have any in the house. Maybe a Tums? Pepto makes me feel nauseated just to think about it. Mom used to use it for nearly every tummy problem. She was about that stuff the way Dad was about Vicks! Slather that crud on!

 

May you all enjoy the blessings of this warmer weather. Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Praise God! Sunshine!

 Praise God! Sunshine!

 

It has been a busy day and isn’t over yet. Sheets are in the washer; freshly washed, dried, and folded towels have been put away; another load ready when the sheets finish washing. That may or may not happen this afternoon. (It did. Work pants and tee-shirts.)

 

The hen is back out in the little coop with the three little poopers. They are flying now! It may be interesting getting them back inside the top part of the coop since each one will have to be grabbed and thrown inside; then momma hen will get put in through the side door. Have to also put the feed and water up there.

 

The sick hen seems to be better. Gave her two droppers full of VetRx with a smidgen of water. She is lifting her head and squawking just a bit. Have her in the little red trailer with a basket with shavings in it. We will see what tomorrow brings.

 

It seems only ten hens are now laying or even thinking about laying. Tucker Carlson said that Purina is doing something to the feed to keep hens from laying. Go figure. Tractor Supply mostly deals with Purina products, including the DuMor brand of scratch and pellets. That means that if my girls stop laying, that TSC feed will have to go to someone’s pigs or goats. Then the Feed and Garden Store will be getting all of my business. They sell Bluebonnet feeds and none of the Purina—maybe. Not really sure that they don’t sell ANY Purina, but will check.

 

Got the living room and kitchen vacuumed; the bathroom de-feathered and semi-cleaned. Still need to mop the floor in there around the bathtub. Bleached the tub and used some OdorBan to make things smell better. Still have not taken the flat-screen heater back to the coops. Have not decided whether or not to buy some chicks this spring. Still have a place for them, but will have to move some flower buckets or cover them with chicken wire. We will see after February has passed if the weather forecast will be even a bit better than it has been in the past. Can remember some pretty frosty March days.

 

Waiting for Maggie Sewell to get here now. She and her husband can use some of these spare eggs. And to top it off, they get to have a little jar of some of the nicest razzleberry jelly that ever got poured onto pancakes. Even made myself some pancakes this morning to try it out. Robin Christian makes the BEST razzberry jelly/jams. A box arrived this morning from her house. It was packed with complete stuffing and those little plastic bubbles wrapped around each jar. Now, when not eating, guess who will be sitting around popping the bubbles!!

 

My doctor came earlier today and picked up eggs—and jelly. She said she has someone named Clifton or Clifford King who is the building manager for her office. He knew and was friends with Hanan and was upset to know about his passing. He sent a message to me, but it is so hard for me to remember folks that were not in and out of the house often. Simply can’t remember him. Kissi is very happy with his work and told me that if something needed to be done around here, to let her know.

 

Think the old woman has done just about enough wrangling for one day. As soon as possible, will put the hen and chicks up and call it a day. Maggie brought me some great northern beans, so those are on to soak. She was telling me that someone in the family named her twin daughters Maggie and Kate. That is the name of two great-grandmothers in her family, but the mother of the twins had no idea that she had chosen their family names. Let me tell you right now, if you marry anyone from the Petrolia area, you are going to find yourself in a web of family out there. So many of the kids in our school were cousins!

 

Need to talk to Stephen about getting someone over to clean out the chicken house about next week or so. One thing about chickens, if you have the feathers, you also get the other stuff. Need to figure out how to use it for fertilizer and spread it on the east lot. Right now, the weeds are growing good. Maybe they will choke out the danged khaki weed!

 

Let’s remember to thank God for the blessings He has bestowed upon us. This warmer weather down here makes us feel sorry for the folks around Chicago with their negative 40 degrees windchill. That is hard on everyone and everything. Pray for spring weather and the rain that is needed in various areas. While we could do without tornadoes, we certainly are not going to gripe if we get more rain. The stock tanks and lakes still need water around here.

 

May God protect and forgive us daily. Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Warm at Home.

 Warm at Home.

 

Reading a book about one of the coves in Scotland that held many of the boats from America and from Britain that made it around to the edge of Russia during WWII. The losses back then were different than what we have seen in our lifetimes. And the messages to those homes on shore were just as heart wracking as any have ever been. Men wondered how they could be taken off guard from a convoy that was headed into the mouth of the German aircraft and U-boats—a certain death if ever there was one. The differences in that land and this were twice or more as desperate since the farming did not give them the needed foods to sustain a decent life. And the supplies the merchant ships took to Russia were hardly enough to make the trip worth the danger—according to the Russians, at least. They needed everything. And now look at how things have changed along with the politicians who have made such crazy decisions.

 

Sat here and thought about the tanks America has sent to the Ukraine. They run on “jet fuel.” Where the hey would they get enough of that stuff to even turn the suckers around. And the specialized equipment and upkeep on those tanks takes years of training! Talk about asinine decisions! The German tanks make much more sense—diesel and basics.

 

One of the most difficult thoughts about the world situation concerns the possibility of some insane finger pushing the buttons for nuclear destruction. If Russia, North Korea, and China did not have this capability, would it matter? Yep, if it were not that kind of warfare, it would be another. Some folks have written about what would happen if we had one of those magnetic storms perpetrated by satellite or otherwise blown up over the country. Anything containing a computer system would be useless. And is there ANY system now that does not require computer sensors or operations? Kinda doubt it. If anything has moving parts, it takes a computer to get it going or to keep it going—from water works, electricity, gas or other fuels, and any systems that are backed up by generators.

 

Let my hens out to graze this afternoon. They are still out there scratching away. And the hen and chicks seem to be doing just fine. Have checked several sites for pictures of chicks that look like these. Still have no clue. But those tail feathers on one of them absolutely promises that one is a “John.” That will make my cousin John Pollard smile.

 

Had some groceries delivered this afternoon, so tomorrow the old woman will look up the recipe for Buffalo Chip cookies. May make them as a pan cookie rather than little splots. It is easier that way and tastes the same. Then there is some fresh asparagus! Yum! Looking forward to that with a slice of roast beef and maybe a potato. Getting lazy and with eating on my mind, it’s quite likely that my waist line will spread!!

 

Sorry to have such strange and sad thoughts on my mind. Maybe tomorrow something cheerful will occur to me. At least my neighbors were able to get home from Ft. Worth today. Bet they are glad to be safe at home.

 

Let us pray for those who are dealing with this cold weather and have nothing to keep them warm. May God bless our nation and those in other countries who are striving to remain free.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Half-Way There.

 Half-Way There.

 

It’s Wednesday. Supposedly, we were going to be iced in, but that did not exactly happen. In fact, it is not all that bad outside. The sleet on the walkways is beginning to thaw, the hens are happily searching for goodies, and the dogs are getting put outside each time they get to pestering me. Not putting up with being whined and barked at today. They can just go outside and grump at each other out there. Yes, it is a grey day without a touch of sunshine, but at least it is not sleeting a sheet of ice all over heck and half of Georgia.

 

A gutless wonder lives here. Sterling tells me that it is not that hard to put a hen out of her misery, but this old woman just can’t do it. By morning the hen will have lost the battle. So sorry that it can’t just be over for her, but have not killed anything other than mouse or scorpion in ages. Tried to figure out if she had something in her craw, but couldn’t tell. Just hope the rest of the hens won’t be affected by whatever ails her.

 

The hen and chicks in the bathroom will probably go back to the long coop tomorrow. She should be able to keep them warm enough by then unless it comes another bad cold spell. The little chicks are just growing by leaps and bounds. Wish the breed were easier to figure out.

 

The neighbors across the street may not be home for a couple of days. They got stuck in Ft. Worth by the storm. Staying in a BnB while she went to see her doctor, but they did pick up some groceries, so they won’t starve. Speaking of which, managed to order some to be delivered tomorrow afternoon. Going to make some Buffalo Chip cookies if nothing rips, rears, or ravels. Meanwhile, made some soup this morning and have quite a bit of it left. Got it just a WEE bit spicy. Oh well. Keeps the sinuses clear.

 

Would really enjoy a short nap, but would have to hold off these two critters. Sylvia wants ON me and Thompson wants to fuss with her about it. Just like small children! HA! Got the nap! Two dog noses on me, but still, it was a nap!

 

The roads are clear now, and the traffic is certainly not the least bit bothered by the temperature. The forecast is for more snow this evening, but we will see if that comes to pass. It is about like waiting to see if our taxes go down—not likely, but not impossible.

 

It’s about too late in the afternoon for any more to eat unless the risk of heartburn doesn’t faze me. Not particularly fond of that sensation. Finally discovered that elevating my head and shoulders makes so much difference, but even then, eating late and then going to bed is a pretty certain recipe for digestive discomfort—if not disaster.

 

Hoping the temps get up by Saturday so that doing laundry will not be a problem. Don’t think the drain pipes will freeze, but my wonderful idea of using the grey water has always caused just a tad of a problem. It is good for the ground as long as the water can go out easily, but freezing temps . . .

 

If the weather is cooperative, Jolene and chicks will return to the long coop tomorrow. Seeing her head pop up to check me out each time the door opens has been pretty amusing, but will not miss trying to keep the water bowl filled and the feed container from having its contents scattered across the back end of the tub. Let’s face it, the house is not the best place for chickens—or calves, or goat kids, or other assorted critters. Niece Becky has a baby calf in her living room! A hen and chicks are easy compared to that! But they have much worse weather in NWArkansas than we do.

 

Can’t imagine how mothers in the deep snow and ice manage to keep their sanity. It would never do for an old woman to have to deal with really cold weather for long days, weeks, and months! And it used to appeal to me to live in someplace like Scotland. What a thought now!

 

Let’s pray for those in the DFW area and beyond who are being affected by this ice storm. Electrical blackouts have got to be miserable if one is not really prepared to suffer through them and be able to keep warm. Let’s also pray for those who have no way to stay warm, stay fed, and otherwise have any help. Our part of the world is just not really prepared for weather like this. May God protect them and bless them.

 

Rest well, my friends. We are loved.