A Mild Day in December.

 A Mild Day in December.

 

Neither hot, cold, or too windy, this has been a very nice day! No one seemed to be rushing around when the old woman stopped by United to get some chicken legs to cook for the dogs. In fact, folks were stopping to talk to each other. Nice atmosphere. And the chicken was not frozen chunks of backbones with legs for a change. Just legs and thighs are much less trouble.

 

Have a five-pound bundle of hamburger to cook up to put in the freezer for dog food toppings. They eat their kibble pretty well, but they wipe it out when it has some tasty meat on top. Took some of their kibble down to Patty the other day since Roxie likes the stuff also. Sat there talking with Patty and handed Roxie one piece of kibble. She looked at me and took off. No telling what she did with that piece of dog food! Hope Patty did not find it in her bed.

 

Maybe tomorrow will be a good day to clean floors. At least there should not be any mud! The leaves have been about enough to make a hot mess! The little cedar elm leaves catch on everything and look like dirt on the floor. Oh well. Could be worse.

 

Was finally through putting the hens in the coops and checking to be sure they were all on a roost. Shut the door and looked around for the dogs. Only one dog. Sylvia got shut up in the middle coop. Such a pitiful look! But she did not even whine. Silly dog.

 

Have laundry to do tomorrow. What is it about Mondays and dirty clothes? Jennifer says she always does her laundry on Sundays. Guess everyone has their favorite laundry day—or day of necessity! When Lewis and the kids were at home, we had laundry day more than once a week. One day was just for his work uniforms! Had to wash them and then wash the tub out with detergent to keep the laundry from getting dirty. It’s a wonder we did not all smell like diesel.

 

Patty was telling me that some folks can get addicted to Benadryl. Simply cannot imagine. She decided that she was going to try to stop taking it for her allergies and just go without. Kinda makes me a little bit leary that it might have a bad effect on her, but she thinks she has become immune to its effects. Guess that is possible. Benadryl makes me go to sleep and makes my youngest Ostand child hyper. Go figure.

 

Niece Lesli said they got colder than cold weather but no snow. Why she wants snow is beyond me, but it does do good things for the trees and flowers—well, the soil in general. Paul Dowlearn is telling everyone that right NOW is the time to put trees in the ground. Thought about it. But trees have to have water. It would have to be a desert willow or something of that nature. Would like to have one between the house and the middle coop, but sunflowers do a pretty good job if they all come up and grow well. Just not looking forward to snow right now. We never just have snow. It’s nearly always ice with wind.

 

Have been putting off cleaning out my closet. Why do we do that? SO much stuff in there! Even have the potty chair that we used after my surgery plus the stool for the shower in case fatigue got to me before the shower was finished. Have to figure out how to cover them in plastic bags to keep them clean before storing in the long coop. Then there are suitcases that will never be used again. Think a pair of SAS that totally are worn out might just get tossed. Why do we keep old shoes like that. Have rubber boots for bad weather. Oh well. Grit my teeth and see how much can be accomplished tomorrow. May take the suitcases to the shop for battered women. Someday the kitchen cabinets will need this same type of sorting. More dishes than two families would need! And that’s after giving a good set of China to one grandchild.

 

This month is half gone and the year almost over. Who knows what will happen in the next thirty or forty days. We need to pray for the protection of President Trump and for the crazy people to be prevented from hurting folks. Let us pray for police officers, EMTs, nurses, doctors, and those who are on the front lines of our nation. May those who travel be protected in their travels and visits wherever they may go. Let us trust our God above to keep us and guide us. And let us be the easily led by God’s spirit!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

White Bread and Onion Rings!

 White Bread and Onion Rings!

 

Yep, bought a small burger, medium onion ring for myself, and then the larger size everything for Michelle. Yum! Yes, it gave me indigestion, but it was worth it. And she really did enjoy her lunch and the visit. We worked her roommate over before the old woman left, getting her button in her hand and her toes covered up. Her name is Shirley, and she seems like a very nice lady.

 

The visit with Michelle made me feel better about her health and her attitude. She was happy and seemed to enjoy showing me all the wonderful colors of the rainbow from the lap down. Gracious! And to think that they want to do the next surgery in another six weeks. But at least she will be able to walk again. She was 5’4” before, and she thinks she might be good to be five foot now! Osteoarthritis is not anyone’s friend!

 

Lance sent me a nativity picture that messed with my mind. Two dinosaurs fighting over a table saw! Sent this to my sister-in-law for her to show to Sterling. He may or may not see the humor in it. But it is tempting to post on FB!

 

Walked down to Patty’s twice today. She needed some allergy pills to take tomorrow because the one she is taking is not working right now. Think that happens to folks rather often after taking the same one for quite a while. Think another bottle of the same stuff is around here somewhere. Reece took some when he came to visit. He is allergic to my dogs. [See Shona, you are not the only one!]

 

Have a gray hen out back who has pin feathers all over her front and ones falling out on her back. Poor baby is going to need a jacket when the really cold weather gets here. May need to make a cloak for her. Can’t imagine why the weather has them so messed up. Just because all the trees are blooming! Crazy weather is better still than all the cold crud that came that winter in 2021! Nearly froze to death that year and had pipes freeze under the house!! Please Lord, don’t let that happen this year!

 

If the old woman had a choice, she would get one of those little ditch witch things and cut a line between the house water and the chicken house. Wrap the pipes to prevent freezing and put electricity out there for the electric water bowl. Have run an extension cord out there before, but really don’t like to do that. A person needs to be six foot tall just to reach the place where the electric cord can fit through the front shed. Oh well. Thinking about it.

 

Have some dog comforters coming—or supposed to be coming—either tomorrow or early this next week. Trying to make Thompson comfortable with his arthritis is more complicated than just giving him a pill every morning. He is such a good boy about taking his meds, but he whines when he gets cold. Sylvia is still young enough not to be that concerned about the cold, but she does not appreciate cold feet. Would get her boots, but can just see gathering up boots down in the lower forty!

 

Was pleasantly surprised today in Whataburger. Everyone there, customers and workers alike, seemed to be in such a good mood. Of all the crud that is going on in this ol’ world, it is still wonderful to have people speak to you and say something very nice just because! God has given us a spirit of joy and kindness that probably has little to do with the season and a lot to do with expectations. People seem to be calm and not too concerned about all the flying objects and the stupidity that is happening wherever. Even saw that another organization has gone up into the mountains to help those folks who were hit by the flooding from Helene. Praise God for those who give from the heart!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Chocolate and Hamburgers!

 Chocolate and Hamburgers!

 

Talked to Michelle Malay a bit ago. She wants a hamburger, so tomorrow the old woman will make a visit to Whataburger for fries, burger, and onion rings! Sounds so good. [No, this person will not be partaking, but it still sounds good.] And Tim tells me that Mother Malay gets up at night and looks for the chocolate. Oh boy! Like my puppers, they want treats!

 

Tonight’s dinner for dogs is beef tips or whatever kind of beef that stuff is over their kibble. Have to let it cool before they can have it. It smells good, but did not put any real seasoning in it—just a bit of salt and pepper. Oh well.

 

Got to visit just for a minute or two with Maggie Sewell. She said David still has to do the infusions and something else, but he is doing better as nearly as they can tell. Cancer really sucks! Anyway, she got some eggs and left a sack of those tiny apples that make decent applesauce. So, the apples are ready to be mashed into sauce now. No sugar, just apples. Sigh. Maybe some monk sugar.

 

Spoke with my cousin Eba Solomon and found that she had had a bit of a car wreck on the way home from Florida and checking on her 98-year-old mom. She thinks mom should not use that wheelchair! Told her this ol’ girl knows how it is when the body gets tired and just needs to rest. Trying not to take any more Nsaids than absolutely necessary. Think those things make it easier to bleed, bruise, etc. But who knows?

 

Sterling is snorting as if he might have a winter cold coming on. Hope not. He said the chicken houses have some kind of stuff in them right now that is taking out hundreds at a time. Forget what he called it, but it seems to be seasonal. How can they ever raise chickens without something like that hitting them?

 

Sterling will have to stay out of his workshop during most of the month of January when he has eye surgeries. Can’t imagine how he is going to keep himself busy. Hope he can read or cook or do something to occupy him.

 

Have thrown out a bucket of scratch that the wild birds mostly ignored! Dadblast them anyway. They want the good stuff that is perfect for my hens. Still have nearly half a can of the good crumble for them before a new sack can be opened. They are just a wee bit spoiled, but that’s ok. Love the silly critters.

 

Patty told me about the judge who was involved in that “cash for kids” case where he sent eight-year-olds to these privately run “prisons” where some of the kids committed suicide. How that judge could have his sentence commuted is beyond me! Horrible thing to do to young children! Sitting here thinking that he should really watch his back. Some parents could not prevent the county from picking their children up for truancy, which is hardly enough to make them into criminals. A kid who has been sick with pneumonia could be at home for a good reason! But no matter how horrible the crime, justice will eventually be served in either this life or the next.

 

Looking back over this blog post, and it does not sound the least bit positive. Just positive the old woman has an attitude. Maybe Robin C. will do a post for us if she is feeling better. She is a reader of all kinds of literature and can keep us up on what is good to read. Until then, let me assure you that life and Texas wind keep right on going—wherever it takes a notion to go. May God guide us.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Gratitude by Alphabet.

 Gratitude by Alphabet.

 

Max Lucado suggested using the alphabet approach to gratitude by making a list of things for which we might be grateful. That appeals to me.

A—Alligators: SO glad we don’t have to deal with alligators out here on Lake Wichita. Also, thankful for apples that actually taste good and are not so expensive that we can’t afford to buy even one.

B—Bones: The bones in this old body are still working along with the muscles to keep me going.

C—Cats: Love to watch the cat videos on FB that show cats being their irrepressible selves. Love petting the neighbors’ cat Ralph when it’s possible.

D—Dogs: LOVE these two dogs who show me so much attention and love. They are guards and silly players who tear up the covers on my bed playing “big mouth,” but they also warn me when someone has come to the house.

E—Eggs: Love being able to collect all—or even the few—eggs that my hens leave for me each day. Love being able to share those eggs with my children, neighbors, and close friends.

F—Feet: My feet allow me to walk relatively steadily wherever they take me.

G—Guns: Daddy taught me to use each kind and how to prevent accidents. Glad to have never needed any home defense so far.

H—Horses: Though riding is missed, love watching horse videos on FB while younger ones appreciate the big loving animals.

I—Ice: Do so appreciate not having to cut any ice on the water bowls for the hens. Know that ice in winter is normal, but still rather not try to walk on it.

J—Jelly: Love the pepper jelly sent to me by my friend Robin!

K—Kitchen: Love my big kitchen and being able to have several folks sitting around my table.

L—Love: Knowing that God and my family love me means more than can be said in words.

M—Moments: Sometimes counting my life in those special moments of delight makes me the most grateful.

N—Neighbors: Love having some very kind and considerate neighbors!

O—Old age: Realizing it is such a privilege to reach old age.

P—Pictures: Travel isn’t that necessary when pictures will take me to places to see and appreciate.

Q—Quiet: The lack of noise makes life easier to enjoy when only nature is voicing its joys!

R—Reality: When so-called news seeks to frighten me, reality quickly makes itself known. What we see around us is much more likely to show love itself than what we may hear.

S—Sunset/Sunrise: Each day brings a time to be thankful to God for the beginning and end of a day. The clocks don’t matter; but the lights for the days bring promises.

T—Time: While it is still today, may my gratitude be toward God in each element of my life.

U—Unity: Seeing others showing love toward their neighbors makes me feel that love is in every one of us—we show our unity in that love toward others.

V—Values: Knowing that others share my values toward life and love makes me appreciate God’s gift of love every day.

W—Wind: Texas wind keeps me aware that God moves what He wills where He wills it will be.

X—X-rays: God gave men the intelligence to create x-ray machines and let’s us use them to discover things unseen.

Z—Zippers: Glad that buttons don’t have all the work to do to keep my pants up!

 

Maybe some of you would find this amusing to try. Would enjoy seeing other “alphabet encouragements.”

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Heavy Day.

 Heavy Day.

 

After walking from one end to the other of Encompass’ hallways to find Michelle Malay, the old woman was tired last night. And today the feed picked up yesterday had to be put in the bins. However, doofless got the wrong kind of chicken feed but put it in the bin anyway. Then went back to Feed and Garden Store and got one 50 lb. sack of layer crumble. It is at least in the workshop, but not yet in the bin. Fatigue!

 

Michelle was dozy yesterday and just told me that she was cold and hurting. Went and got her a blanket, but the med nurse said she had just had her pain meds. Anyway, left her a few things and then went on about my meddling.

 

Today the old woman had to look up all the different folks who use my credit card for bill payments: so far, Atmos, Energy Ogre, and my doctor’s office. Had to get the name and password for Atmos since it had been so long and a certain old person did not have those in her password book. The entire situation was caused by someone trying to use my credit card. Argh!! Really wish all the things that email, FB, and other companies use to verify my identity had to be used for the card as well. Or maybe not. Sigh.

 

The autistic daughter of one of my favorite authors has been affected by blindness caused by autism and lack of vitamin D. Amazing what certain vitamins can do for you or what happens when you don’t have enough. Steve Riggs and his wife have only two children. Hermonie (not sure it is spelled correctly) is his daughter. Know this is very hard for them to handle. The child seemed very ill in the picture he posted on FB. A prayer for healing and for peace would not be amiss for the family.

 

Speaking of prayer, Sterling said that the doctor who will do his first eye surgery asked to pray with him for the success of the surgery. Of course, that was great with Sterling. We were brought up to believe that we should always ask God for His help. So, there is another need for prayer.

 

Now most of you may remember our prayers for Tami Yonts when she had surgery for a brain tumor and other things concerned with cancer. It had looked to be in total remission until they just happened to do an endoscope recently and found a tumor. Now she is in for more radiation or chemo and all the good stuff that goes with trying to overcome cancer. She and her husband Mike are trying their best to stay calm and at peace, but they both need God’s peace for their minds and spirits. Let us pray for them.

 

Know that Michelle appreciates your prayers for healing and for the fortitude that it takes to handle the pain that goes with rehab for a knee replacement. Sterling said it is one of the hardest things he has had to do.

 

Patty said that the idea of drones flying around looking at everything anyone is doing and the idea that they could easily be armed bugged her. Yep. Makes a person wish for a mighty quick flyswatter! Can’t exactly get out the old long tom and blow the suckers out of the sky, but it certainly would be tempting.

 

Just put some chicken on for soup. Have some spinach noodles that should go well with it. Just haven’t decided if it will be good with four cheese Alfredo or something in tomato. Haven’t had Alfredo for quite a while. Guess that one wins! Now to choose some frozen veggies to go with it.

 

Last major task of the day is trying to figure out how to send that first coffee pot back to Amazon since it quit on me. Will have to wait and ask Jenn how she does it. Mom has not done that before.

 

Let us remember to pray for those in high places that make such big changes in our lives. God puts them where they are for His reasons. We need to try to respect the power given to them no matter how we feel about their decisions. God is still in charge.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Thursday Afternoon.

 Thursday Afternoon.

 

My desk hits the sore wrist in just the exact place that has turned a yellowish brown. Will make this short, if not so sweet. Have had an attitude today just trying to get out of bed. Why things decide to hurt in any particular place is a mystery, but now the left hip wants me to know that it was the first landing place of the spaced-out ship of old woman! Such fun!

 

The x-ray ordered for the kidneys and such was not surprising, but now Dr. B wants me to see a urologist. Told her the name of the ONE doctor that is an absolute no-no. So, she is sending me to his daughter. Or one of my choice. This one is closer. Argh. It never does matter when things are messed up when it is a doctor trying to figure out what exactly might be the problem. We have to understand that doctors “practice” medicine. Ahem.

 

Saw Shona leave this morning and am hoping that AJ felt good enough to go back to school. Poor kid! He has been through it this year. And now Shona and Leoanna are feeling rotten.

 

Think Shona’s mom is going to get a little house put on their property. As long as it is a decent contractor doing this work, maybe it will be a good thing. Saw online that some contractor here or in Archer has been cheating folks in amounts of over 100K. Amazing that he has not been strung up from a telephone pole!!

 

Saw that a seven pointer had hit off the coast of California. Do you suspect that God is trying to get someone’s attention? And then our government wants us to stop sending texts because your wife’s message to husband to stop to get eggs on the way home from work might get their system infiltrated by the Chinese. Then, of course, if you happen to be a big exec in any of the insurance companies, you might want to get a security guard or wear a flack jacket. This world! SO thankful that God intends for the changes to be so very dramatic that His purpose will not be misinterpreted!

 

Finished the book of Acts this morning and thought about how so many folks were kind to Paul. He had the opportunity to spread the gospel to almost every little place he landed. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if each of us could be even a tiny bit like that and give others the hope that we have in His love! May we do our best to be like Christ.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

 

PS Not sure if Carla or Judie or Robin may post this day as well.

Two Knuckles and A Wrist Line.

 Two Knuckles and a Wrist Line.

 

Have a feeling this is going to take a bit of time and some proofreading before it will be ready to post. So far, Judie Brunson and Carla Beard have kindly posted on Common Sense and Happiness for a couple of days until the swelling goes down in this left hand and wrist. Silly ol’ woman managed to just get a bad sprain and not a break—Praise God! Could have been worse.

 

Have some interesting colors to greet the season—purple, blue, red, and icky green. And my friends said that the old woman wobbles when she walks. Deep sigh. Just happy to see another morning and be able to let the hens out to graze on the frost-bitten grass out there. They ran out of cabbage, but Roger and Susan gave them two big pumpkins today. They took me to the walk-in hospital out on Barnett Road to get this thing x-rayed. Wednesday will drive myself after not taking any pain pills and fasting until 2 p.m. Have no idea why it is necessary to fast for a CT scan, but that was the orders. Already sent them the $250 charge for my part of the costs. Wow! Glad to have not had any trips to the hospital this year, but also have not met the deductible. It works out anyway. Such is life.

 

Boy! This is definitely not my usual typing speed. Could be worse, and so far, have been able to correct goofs as it goes on the page. Love MS Word.

 

Shona is trying to find an assisted living arrangement for her mom. She definitely does not need a nursing home, but she wants to be around other folks around her age—about 80. She is a real sweet lady! Tried to remember that area aging thing that was out there in the Plaza place. Called and the young woman immediately switched me over to some lady’s voice mail. Nuts! Left a message, but not much telling if she will call back.

 

Getting tired of trying to type. It hurts, believe it or not! Will try tomorrow.

 

Met the mailman to ask about water bill. Ended up calling water department and sending payment by bank. Postal department sends out pictures of mail, but bill never came.

 

Knuckles are missing again, so it’s back to ice. Such fun. Someone needs to invent an ice glove for wrists and fingers. That or a recording of my daughter’s voice saying: ice, Mom, ice!

 

United delivered some groceries. The old woman must have been hungry! But big pot of soup with all kinds of stuff in it cooking on the stove. May have to invite neighbors over to help use it up.

 

Prayers appreciated for Shona’s grands. AJ has pneumonia and the other one has fluid on ears—poor baby. Shona is trying very hard to find affordable assisted living for her mom. She really wants a tiny house. Here’s hoping that happens.

 

Meanwhile, thank you for your patience as my keyboard discovers what it feels like to be poked by one finger or two. May God bless all of you. Hoping that you enjoy Carla’s, Judie’s, and Robin’s stories.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

 

Four knuckles and a wrist showing! Yay! Still sore as a poisoned pup, but still much better. Have had a shower with hair washed and clean clothes instead of pjs. The dogs have taken over my bed. Sigh. Shona would be horrified! She thinks she itches when she comes to my house. No insult taken, but the dogs live here. Max and Laisha came for soup and took the pot home with them—not much left. Turned out very tasty with lots of fresh mushrooms, ground beef, spicy diced tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, and more spice. Max thought it needed potatoes. Told him to count his carbs!

 

Thanks again to Carla and Judie. Will see if Robin wants to add to the joy this week. Blessings of peace to one and all.