More of the Same?

 More of the Same?

 

The forecast for tonight doesn’t sound all that wonderful. Wind and hail, thunder and lightning, maybe flying ducks! Kidding. Had three wild ducks in the back yard this morning, but they were persuaded to leave by the older dog.

 

Some varmint got into the hen house last night and killed one of my hens. She must have fought the good fight ‘cause there were feathers all over the place, but dead she was anyway. Set a trap in the middle coop and will open the door to outside to see if maybe the smell of tuna will be enough to get whatever it was last night to “attack” the trap. Not sure what will happen if it is a skunk!

 

Needed something to laugh about and Patty was happy to let me in on the reaction of her pups and the woman of the house. She got a new phone system with answering machine and all that. When she plugged it in, it scared the weee out of all three of them when it started talking to her! She said she jumped up off the couch and so did the littles! Would have been a pretty funny sight! She said that the pups must have thought that if it scared her enough to jump up, they should do the same! After they finally stopped barking, she was able to understand the messages. Let’s face it, we get used to one system and no talking and then just about hyperventilate over something new and noisy!

 

Think various places lost electricity last night, but after finally putting my head down, nothing bothered me until right before it was time to get up. Jennifer said that they got the same dosage as we got down her way in Rendon. Wind just never seems to quit when it gets busy and flushes the skies.

 

Tired tonight and not feeling very happy about the garbage that is going on in this ol’ world. Satan is doing his best to horrify all of us and to turn the feeble-minded into weapons. All the drugs and alcohol (which is a drug) have reduced so many people into demonic tools. All we can do is ask for God’s protection and His Kingdom to come swiftly. Meanwhile, let us pray for one another with love and compassion.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Stormy Weather.

 Stormy Weather.

 

So, we had some high winds for a bit and some short, heavy rain. Now it is just blustery and a tiny bit thundery. The old woman might need her own Thunder Shirt. Weather can be a bit unnerving.

 

Absolutely know nothing today of any interest that would make good blog fodder. Got a call from youngest Ostand grandson to discuss citations for his essay on Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica. It amazes me that he understands some of the things that man wrote about. But apparently, he understands it well enough to paraphrase the contents of at least two or three of the arguments involved. The writers of that time were not into sound bites, Dear Hearts. Long drawn-out discussions of philosophical critiques were their thing. Anyway, here’s hoping that his grandmother was able to give him good advice about using citations on a paraphrase rather than on exact quotations.

 

Now have two dog beds in the living room floor that have made the two dogs happier. The basic part of the arrangement means that the old woman gets to sit in whichever chair suits her while the dogs take to the beds—one in front of the desk and one under the AC unit in the corner. Sylvia is on the one by the AC at the moment and is jumpy because the wind is howling around the corner of the house. She is not the only one it tends to bother, but one would think that living in Texas all these years might have made an old woman immune to such sounds. Not a chance. Sigh

 

An interesting conversation with Patty today about the corruption that seems to be prevalent in our country right now. It makes me wonder sometimes if we just were totally unaware of that kind of thing years ago, or were the politicians, district attorneys, judges, and LEOs about the same back years ago as they are now? Maybe we are more aware because of the press and the “leaks” that get out about different shenanigans among the big boys on top. Tara Ross is concerned that the January 6 fiasco will be the excuse that some will use to do away with the Electoral College. At this point, it will take something like a major world war to keep us from simply self-combusting. We were talking about the fact that major cities can bring an entire state to represent one viewpoint rather than to show the diversity of the entire state. NYC, for instance, has the lion’s share of the representation of the entire state. Think about how we would feel if Dallas were suddenly the deciding factor for the entire perspective of Texas.

 

Truly, only one perspective is correct in every way. Not mine nor yours, but the One who created us as His children. His will be the true justice. His is mercy and righteousness. Praise God!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Dew Out on the Weeds!

 Dew Out on the Weeds!

 

Yes, roses appreciate the dew as much as the grass does, but since the yard is mostly weeds this year, that is where the dew is. Saw something online in Wichita Whispers about everyone’s yard being full of weeds. No sense in killing the weeds if they are the happiest things growing out there. Who knows? We might need to figure out which ones are edible.

 

It's off to Sutherland’s here in a minute to get some sacks of soil to put around the green house. Either the oats or the wheat is sprouting inside on the floor, so pretty soon the littles will have something to nibble on when they get big enough to release inside the green house out of their chick coop. Jerry Hobbs did an excellent job of building that coop. Some days he is really missed on this old hill, but would not want him instead of the new neighbors in his house. Number 8 has really perked up and taken on a personality. So glad that Sandy and Clint Robertson live there.

 

Whew! A shower was desperately needed for a while now, but was waiting until one of the Robertson family members dropped by to bring some things for a gathering they are having in a couple of days. Always kinda nice to be a go-between when it is something pretty. Anyway, finally got the shower and feel MUCH better now! [Can’t remember the commercial that MUCH Better went with. . .]

 

Stephen came and moved all the soil sacks for me. Of course, by the time he was paid and the soil was paid for, it was slightly expensive, but such is life when a body gets too danged old to do stuff for one’s self. Then went back to TSC and got hen pellets and chick feed along with a bag of chick grit. Have to have that stuff to keep the chicks from choking on the feed. Out in nature, they would pick up little bits of sand and rock when they pecked around on the ground, but putting them in a place without dirt changes that situation completely.

 

Looks as if we might get more rain this evening. Not griping about that by a long shot. This morning the dew was so heavy it was almost like a good rain had been on the grass. In fact, thought we had had rain because the stair rails were wet on the deck.

 

Planted ONE flower out in the front flower bed. Just one. Sometimes it makes me feel as if it is cheating to plant flowers that are already blooming. But seeds don’t always make it around here. Did plant some dill seeds in the back next to the house and have just decided to hope that the hens don’t eat everything that might come up. And if they do, oh well. Life goes on.

 

Don’t know anything at all worth chewing on. The world keeps wobbling around in its orbit, and none of us can change much of anything except our own attitudes. While we work on attitude, we need to remember that God has given us His love. Let us share it as much as possible in His name.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Croutons.

 Croutons.

 

Patty had given me a brand-new loaf of bread—think she accidentally doubled some of her order the last time. My hens usually eat her leftover bread, but this time it occurred to me that it might make good croutons. So, currently the oven has a tray of cut up slices in there waiting to brown slightly—well, slightly if someone does not get too addle pated and forget them. Very little bread consumed around here unless it is Dave’s Killer Bread. Really like that stuff.

 

Lance just sent a text with a picture of a billboard for scouting. It shows a sycamore leaf and a poison ivy leaf. One is labeled “toilet paper” and the other is labeled “not toilet paper.” Good fun!

 

Have been so sore today that nothing really encouraged me to move very much, but finally made myself vacuum up the jibblets of dog treat and dirt from the kitchen and living room. Got those two rooms mopped again and sat down. Whew! Does not take much to wear out an old woman. But at least the rugs are cleaned since two of them went in the washer. Got a load of clothes washed, dried, and put away. Always have something that needs to be done.

 

Dr. Blackwell will be by tomorrow to pick up some eggs. Only seven hens now don’t fill up a carton quite as quickly as when the other four hens were here helping. But they still go through the feed rather quickly. Will have to get to either the feed store on 281 or TSC to get chick food and pellets for the hens. Not totally sure, but think the two wild ducks have been availing themselves of the hens’ trough in the hen house. The drake sits outside the coop and watches and then quacks if the dogs come outside. Sneaky critters.

 

Read something on a news brief about the legislation that DeSantis wanted passed in Florida that is supposed to keep gender identity from being a differential quality in education from K through 8^th grade. Seems the idea is to try to concentrate on the basics of education rather than focusing on personal preferences. Honestly can’t tell that this gender identification has helped any students become a more educated class of folks. Teaching pronouns and agreement of subject and verbs was just one of the steps in education and use of our language. Why make it more complicated?

 

Well, the cell phone just jingled to let me know we are under a tornado watch until nine tonight. Isn’t that just thrilling! Didn’t mind waking up to rain this morning at all, but would just as soon not go to bed with high winds, hail, or assorted twisters tonight. The rain is much appreciated, but the wind, not so much.

 

Will remind you to pray for those like Tami Yonts who are dealing with cancer or other diseases. A young man named Nate has a disease called POMC and needs help from a good ophthalmologist. Can hardly believe that his mom can keep up with both his problems and her own physical problems. At least let’s pray for a spirit of calm and peace for these who are among us and helpless to care for their infirmities.

 

Praise God for the rain and let His hands be upon those traveling across the country.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Enigmas and Other Reasons to Wonder.

 Enigmas and Other Reasons to Wonder.

 

Once in a while, not too often, thankfully, words come into my feeble mind that make me wish the dictionary were closer to my bed. It seems this curious circumstance happens more when it’s time to sleep than at any other time. Unless pursued before sleep occurs, the words are seldom at the tip of my tongue by the next morning. Lying there tonight, the spelling of the word enigmatic cruised through the main thoroughfare of the old woman’s brain. Spelling things correctly has always been a pleasure most of the time, but wondering how things were spelled also causes some problems—necessitating the trip to the bookcase in the middle of the night to be sure of a word’s spelling. Silly old woman. Who cares? Well, yes, she cares, but then what would one expect from someone who loves words?

 

Another day and another room to clean—just one. Got the living room to suit me at least. The kitchen still needs to be mopped, but the house has been vacuumed. Have rugs on in the washer so that maybe the dogs can start a new set of paw prints around here. Also rearranged the furniture in the living room so that Thompson could not jump on the window as easily. Now the recliner is closer to my desk without being too close. And the dog bed is between the desk and the TV so that it won’t get too cold on whichever dog decides to lie down there {just when the AC is on}. Thompson gets cold quickly because he has less hair than Sylvia. Speaking of dogs, Sharon Dickerson told me today that Lady, her son David’s dog, had died of liver failure because she drank some water from a tree stump or some such. We all know that anti-freeze is tasty to dogs, but that it will kill them. But this was a first-time hearing about stale water in a tree bole. Feel so sorry for David. Losing an animal is almost like losing a child. We get so close to them and vice versa.

 

Yesterday when the old woman fell down on her backside, Sylvia was as close to me as she could get with the fence between us. Guess she is more aware of me than ever. Pretty strange. Had to take a minute to assure her that the old woman was ok.

 

Jennifer bought a beautiful flower yesterday—blue and bright. Then she looked it up to see if it was safe to have around her critters. It wasn’t. Expensive mistake. Not sure what she will do with it, but word to the wise: look up the plant BEFORE you buy it! Some of the things we have grown forever are actually pretty dangerous. Morning Glories are poisonous, dear hearts! Even aloe vera can poison a cat! We always loved honey suckle, but types of it are extremely poisonous to cats and dogs. Trumpet vine is relatively safe for the critters, but not Angel Trumpets that are poisonous to both man and beast! Look it up if you think the critters might get into it.

 

Cleaned out the water tank in the bathroom so the little chicks could start out fresh today with feed and water and grit. Took the heater out of the tank because it was really too warm in there. Guess the fact that they are so small and have no way of producing body heat might make a heater necessary, but it does not have to be in the tank with them.

 

Read something about how terrible the Russians thought it was that the Ukrainians actually considered firing on Russian territory. Now is that just the pot calling the kettle black or what? Kinda like saying, “We can throw things at you, but you can’t throw anything back at us!” Argh!

 

The teacher that was most respected at Ben Milam when my children were there had a little plaque on her desk: Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You. Mrs. Hughes was one of the best teachers there for many years. All of the volunteer parents loved working with her. Too bad nations cannot learn to apply that lesson.

 

Not sure how much rain we got last night and this morning, but we needed it. Don’t want to be greedy, but another three inches would not hurt a single thing! And tomorrow is supposed to be hot. Joy to the world! And it is only May! Don’t even want to consider what July and August will be like. Same ol’ Texas weather, no doubt. Dry and hot. Such is life on this ol’ hill.

 

Remember those who mourn and those who need to be healed in body, mind, and spirit. Only God can handle it all at one time. Let us ask in faith.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Staggering Yard Work!

 Staggering Yard Work!

 

It really is not a good idea to back up your push mower without being sure what is behind you—although, in this case it was just the ground. My shirt fell down behind the mower. The old woman’s body was in that shirt. Oh well. Nothing hurt except maybe a tiny bit of whatever pride she has left. Finally got all the edges cut with that battery powered mower before getting out the zero turn to finish the wide swaths. The back yard, most of the front yard, and the west facing fence are all cut neatly now. Still need to do some weed eating, but that may have to wait until some energy shows up.

 

Riding the zero turn and was thinking about how much enjoyment Lewis would have found in that thing. It reminds me of a cutting horse—turns on a dime and backs beautifully! Not sure but what it might even do some jumping when going over the fence rows out back. Not that anyone would be dumb enough to try that on purpose—accidentally is another thing altogether.

 

No, the house still has not been vacuumed and mopped. Waiting on the wild hair that will get that accomplished. Even lunch today is something easy enough to do without putting out any extra energy or thought. Chicken Voila! Think this looks a bit like a trend in my life—wash and wear hair, quick chicken, roll out of a blanket bed making, and floors that definitely need to see the vacuum. Oh well.

 

Went out to gather eggs and found one very tiny egg that Jolene must have laid. Sometimes when they first start or are about out of egg cells, they will lay little ones like that. These hens are about three years old, so this may be the end of their cycle for egg laying. Not interested in making hen and dumplings, so will just keep these girls around. Besides, the black hens keep the hawks at bay since they sometimes think of them as crows that will fight them.

 

About our last chance of a little rain tomorrow morning and then the temps will be up to 96 by Friday. Yep, summer is on its way. Guess it is time to hunt up some shorts and crop tops. One thing about more heat from outside—won’t need the heaters for the chicks. These cool mornings are still pretty nice outside and inside. Coffee still tastes good every morning. But it would not bother me to sit on the deck and watch it rain.

 

More and more of the folks who used to make beautiful music are dying off. Gordon Lightfoot was one of my favorite artists back in the day. And Willie Nelson will keep playing ‘til the cows come home! His music is ok by me. Not exactly George Strait, but that’s ok, too.

 

Talking to Patty a bit ago and reiterating how blessed we have been to live where we live and to get this old without any real damage. Wish everyone could be this blessed. Still waiting for the day that the swords will be made into plow shares. Have seen armored tanks that would work as tractors, so there’s that. If we could eliminate wars . . . well, WE won’t do anything of the sort, but we know who will. Someday all nations will turn to God and make themselves acceptable in His sight. Too bad that few young folks have read the book that explains His plans. Meanwhile, we are witnesses to what He has given freely—His love.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

"Lazy" Day.

 “Lazy” Day.

 

Just thinking that the wind has brought more reasons to sneeze lately. Between mown grass and whatever else is out there, my allergies are causing a slow nasal drip—just enough to make coughing feel necessary. Patty said she felt the same way, and even Sterling said that he can’t seem to get rid of the sinus drainage. Aren’t we hooked up for fun and games!

 

So, after making the bed and feeding the chicks and hens, the old woman has been goofing off pretty much. Seems there is a sore muscle in the back quarter that just makes trying to get up or down an interesting adventure. Interesting as in “see what happens if you get all the way down, Ol’ Girl!”

 

Made something for brunch and din-upper that seemingly thought about itself as taco soup. Nope, not soupy, but fairly tasty. Just made up too much and had to put some in bags to put in the freezer for days that cooking just seems to be the last thing on my to do list. Another day put some in the microwave, throw on a handful of cheese, and jibble up some taco chips on it. Not today, however.

 

The hens and chicks are doing well, the weeds are green and growing, and the dogs are happy to bark at just anything that moves. Life is about normal.

 

You read about banks and places being taken over by other banks and never stop to wonder if any of it will affect you or yours. It makes me wonder how the banks that were keeping that other bank from going under appreciated having their investments taken over by Morgan-Chase. Maybe the investments were not in monetary form? Very glad not to have to consider such stuff at the moment. Someday all the money won’t mean anything anyway. Sometimes it makes me wonder how my grandparents would have seen it. They went through the crash of Wall Street years ago. My parents knew what it meant for their own lives even much later. The Depression was a mess and a horrible time to live through for Americans. Now many more nations are in even worse shape than we are. When governments are unstable or the “leaders” are stupid, no one really stands a chance of making a living or existing on what little we have put up as savings.

 

What can we depend on? You know just as well as anyone what the answer to that question is—today as well as in the future. God gave us blessings and keeps His hands open to us. All we have to do is reach out to Him. May our children know Him.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.