Bricks and Assorted Sorting!

 So the front little brick side walk to the old driveway is back in place. No, all the grass was not removed, but at least the bricks are back where they belong. It was an interesting task. Two bricks at a time and a lot of scraping the dirt away to get them to stay even was the way it went. But it is done.

Jerry brought over one more of those trash bins that has no top to it and wheels on the bottom. The fig in the chicks' pen does not look all that wonderful today. It may die. Would figure. But have not cleaned up this next bin yet and have not decided where to put the aloe vera exactly. Decisions, decisions. It's a rough life, but someone has to do it! Rolling eyes here.

Got all the egg cartons organized and put in a different place and the shelves that usually held them put across the AC unit in the kitchen. So now the heater is open in case it becomes necessary to light the pilot light. Not likely for a while, at least. Anyway, the kitchen looks a tiny bit more organized.

Had TWO boxes of vet supplies on the bottom shelves of that rack. Had no idea that much stuff had accumulated, but it figures. If it is not one of the dogs, it is a hen. The hens are MUCH easier to treat than Sylvia. She needs her nails clipped again, but everyone tells me to run her on the road to get them down. RIGHT@ The little ol' woman is going to run her up and down the road. Might as well call the EMTs and get it over with. Hefting 40 pound sacks is one thing; running a dog is quite another thing altogether!

Saw the last episode of The Magnolias and was so disgusted 'cause it just left the viewer totally in suspense! Relationships were going to heck in a handbag, and the kids were in a wreck--which ones is anyone's guess. And Isaac still had not discovered who his mother was! Argh!

Right this red-hot moment, both dogs are hanging over the back of the couch growling about something they think they see or hear. It has been like this off and on all day. Last night someone drove up to Jerry's place with loud music/noise blaring, and both dogs never said a word. It woke ME up, but they just both laid there. Go figure. Oh well.

Let the chicks out for about 30 minutes this morning, and decided they were just not ready yet. Runt, the smallest Wyandotte, decided to try to boss them around. Not  happening! The chicks are just too easily spooked to adjust to getting out right now. Will also have to clip wings before they can get out and run around much. Right now they could fly over anything out there! Guess clipping wings will take place before turning them out next time. May just shut the Wyandotte's pen up and let them go in there for a little while. At least it would be different territory for them to explore. Critters get bored the same as we do.

Have to go get gasoline tomorrow for the mower. Did not realize how much the tank held, but put in one gallon and could not even see it in the bottom! Must be a two or three gallon tank. But then, it flies when it is mowing, too! Mr. Anderson told me he could tell that my practice was working out well. He assured me that it would get easier. Well, only ran over the lawn swing once! Sitting here laughing at myself. 

Just got off the phone with Michelle Malay, and she is not coming until Friday. That means she will get about six dozen eggs this trip. The girls are doing a good job of laying right now. In fact, even Athena, despite the fact that she is molting, is laying an egg every other day. That is pretty good for 26 layers to be doing that every other day. Proud of my little ladies.

Tried to call my friend BillyeRuth today and did not get an answer. Hope she is doing well. She lives out of the city limits of Paducah and has hens and dogs. She is a character! Love her to pieces! She has spirit!

Jennifer left one of her face masks here on Saturday. Guess who washed it and is going to wear it! Really like the way it is made. It can be around the neck and just pull it up when necessary without having to tie anything or hook anything around an ear. She comes up with some neat ideas. She said she bought some "pin-up" material like the old pin up calendars used to be and made some masks for the guys at work. Gary saw them and had a fit for one. Now that is funny to me! Of course, they all wear masks each day, but in my mind those guys have to look pretty funny with girls hanging off their noses!

Still have chicken soup to eat. Really do NOT know how to make a small pot of soup. It is just not easy to do when the stuff is right there and the pot is just this size and not smaller. Oh well. Guess some could be frozen, but maybe the next two days will wipe it out. Still tastes good!

Charlie Anderson offered me an old claw foot tub to put out in the yard for flowers. Lewis put a claw foot tub in my big bathroom and had to use the tractor and a one of those long pole type things to move it. So, no, won't be going to see Charlie and bringing home anything like that to put in my yard. As it is, have an old walk-behind wheel plow that would be neat mounted on something. Not sure what kind of mounting it would take, but have always liked old stuff like this. It would be pretty with morning glories or something growing out of the wheel. Oh well. Will just have to think about it some more. Not like it has not been here for 20 years already!

Still have some dog treats from Ollie's. Thompson went over to the TV table where the treats are normally stored. He used his head to butt the sack and his best ah-roo-ah voice to let me know he wanted treats. My animals are not the least bit spoiled! The hens tell me when they are needing treats; the dogs tell me what they want; and the danged Hamburgs let me know when the gate needs to be opened. Crazy critters.

Have a book started, so will get some reading done now that the Magnolias has left me disgusted and wanting more to the end of that series. Argh. May you each find something to make you happy today, and may the weather treat your aches and pains gently. You are loved.

Recycle/Reuse

 When we have something in mind to make into something else, sometimes it works and sometimes it turns out to be a surprise. Today was the surprise kind of thing because I wanted to dig up a fig tree that has just "made" it through this year so far. Now it is inside a trash can that has wheels with the front cut away so it has room to grow. Thought about dumping a sack of the topsoil into the can first, but used the soil it was already rooted in. Now there is a nice hole for the hens to dig even deeper! At least it was not too hard to dig the tree up and transplant it into the trash can. And moving it into the "green house" was not the least bit difficult because of the wheels on the bin. Kinda neat solution for a bin that had seen better days and had been discarded. Jerry found it for me. Yes, we are speaking, but he is also not asking to borrow tools.

Jerry also carried off some of the trash lumber that he had put on the back side of the coop. Glad to have that out of the yard. He does not mind using stuff like that to burn in his fires. And it did not take a trip to the transfer station to get my yard cleaned up.

The haze in the sky here is from the fires out west --Skip McBride, our former weatherman who will ALWAYS be a weatherman said that the fires are WAY out west. Just know that the air is thick with this stuff. Jenn told me she could smell the fires when she hit certain areas on the trip up 287 yesterday. Be glad when the pollen and smoke is cleaned up and the air is not so heavy. Keith Mattson said that this is goldenrod season, but the pollen from that flower is heavy and does not float through the air according to him. That may be true, but my daddy used to get sick every year if he got a good whiff of goldenrod flowers. They were thick along the bar ditches in East Texas, so when we would go down there, Lewis always had to have an extra allergy pill. Such fun. 

Have watched a series on Netflix called Sweet Magnolias. It's not exactly Peyton Place--which was not ever on the menu in my youth since my parents did not watch garbage--but it is definitely small town gossip and politics. The doctor got his nurse pregnant and decided to divorce his wife and "do the right thing" by his nurse. Kinda stupid. But that is probably pretty true to life in many circumstances. Anyway, the series focuses on these three women who have been friends since childhood. One is a chef, one is a lawyer, and one is a manager type of person. They celebrate and commiserate with each other the way that one hopes all friends would do. 

According to the calendar, today was Grandparents Day. Thinking about my kids and grands makes me happy. Don't live close enough to get in their business, so maybe that way they can enjoy me, too. And tomorrow is a work/school day for all of them. Jennifer told me today that she looks forward to the time when she will forget which day of the week it is like her forgetful mother. Retirement does that, ya know.

Each day starts a tiny bit later, and the day ends a bit sooner as well. The hens still want out pretty early, but they also go inside the coop fairly early. Back in the summer, they did not go inside until after 9. Now it is 7:30 or along there. They live according to the sunshine. That was the way people lived a long time before we had clocks and schedules. And now old fogeys like me and other "seniors" live according to our own set of rules--when the body demands we sit, that is what we do. And sleep is much the same--except for when the body has other demands. It really is not a bad thing to have one's body determine one's habits. Especially if we can fall asleep easily and stay asleep as long as we want to. Would never want to live as long as Methuselah. Simply can't imagine!

Sue Ballard is still having fits with various health problems and can't possibly go home before Wednesday, so we need to pray for her and daughter Lisa. Hospitals are just about misery pits!

Hoping to get to visit with Michelle tomorrow, but will be happy with whatever the day brings. Life is pretty short and too complicated for most of us, but it still beats not living or having friends and family to love. May each of you have peace and rest this night. You are loved.

Family Carpenters!

 Ah, the joys of motherhood! A couple of weekends ago, Lance came and worked on the inside wall of the hen coop (second part of the hen houses), and THIS weekend, Jennifer came and put the siding on the north side of the coop and pen to finish up the work. She even put the strips of left over materials along the edges of the pen to keep the rain from going inside those walls--we live in hope. Anyhow, she finished it to suit us even if we did things a little differently than what Mr. Anderson had done on the south side. Took some boards down from the coop that Jerry had put up there because they were already warping and needed something more solid. Now will just have to get rid of those pieces of wood somewhere. But that will be another day. This is one tired old woman. KNOW that Jennifer is going to be tired and sore tonight because we also shifted 400 pounds of topsoil in 40 lb. bags to the line at the bottom of the foundation where the water lines run. Yes, the hens are already at work on that situation. Oh well.

Jennifer is currently visiting in Henrietta with her Auntie Anne. She hardly ever gets to see her--well, most folks don't get to see her except for her daughter and grands. Such is life. Hoping all is well with Anne and her family.

Have had a bath and washed away the dirt and maybe a few dog hairs that will be RIGHT BACK! Honestly! Jenn walked into the house and was "attacked" by these two critters. She had to have hugs and kisses. Bet there will be some dogs at her house that have something to say about that! But Michelle is coming up Monday and will have to go through the same routine with the dogs here. They think she is their fairy god mother or something. Connie won't put up with all the slobbering and tells them to get down, but Michelle just takes them in stride. But then, she has SIX dogs of her own at home! Wow! Can't imagine the dog hair considering what these two leave lying around.

The weather has been so nice today. It got pretty warm there for a bit, but for the most part it was pleasant. Just wish it could stay like this. Currently have the AC on in the living room and don't really want to move away from the fan. But that is because an old woman is worn out just from following the girl around the place. Someone had to hold the ladder and cut the plastic sheets and measure in order for the girl to nail things in place. We work well together, thank goodness! She just does not want me to buy any more chickens. Imagine that! 

Found the topsoil bags at Lowe's for less than $2, so was fairly happy about that. Not often they would show up like they did a few years ago where they were trying to get rid of them for fifty cents a bag! That was a real buy! Now to find the containers for plants and make some kind of shelves for the pots to sit on inside the chicken pen/green house. Have two plants ready to go inside there, but will have to figure out how to get them in the wagon before moving will be possible. And a container for the fig bush is next on the agenda. Anyone have an old plastic barrel that needs to be tossed? Have one turned on its side for an asparagus bed, but it will have to be covered in wire to keep the hens out of it. Can just see those expensive roots scratched out and flopped over on the floor! Don't think the hens will bother the aloe vera or the hollyhock plants. Guess it might depend on how bored they got if they were not able to free range.

Jennifer got to take five and half dozen eggs home with her. Will have to hurry the girls up to have some left for Michelle by Monday. Only getting about a dozen a day, but that usually is fine. And Thompson found an egg somewhere today and sat there and ate it in front of us--shell and all! Strange. One of the girls must have laid it on the ground where he could get it. They fuss about not being able to get on THE nest that every one of them wants, but at least one of the Wyandottes laid in the new boxes in their coop today. Good little hens!

The sky looks SO hazy. Wondering if it is smoke out of Colorado or some place. The fires have just been horrifying. Can't imagine how those people are even breathing! After the tornado of 79, the entire sky was a pinkish orange color with all the fiberglass in it along with all the dirt and dust. It seemed to take forever for the sky to clear up during that time. It will be even worse for those folks out in Portland where an entire side of the city has already burned. God bless those folks and all the critters.

Not much going on in my world except for chickens and dogs, so will get out the book that talks about this woman being in France during an EMP that pretty well devastates the idea of being civilized when EVERYTHING depends upon electricity. Thought about that last night. Can't pump water to water towers without electricity. So where would water come from? Rain? Wow! That would be hard to deal with, not to mention the darkness without any lights. It was dark like that after the tornado, but we had candles and a flashlight. Still, a person would not have any way of cooking food without a butane broiler or something like a camp stove. And no ice. We have no idea how good we have life right now! 

May you all have peace and happiness for your pillows tonight. You are loved.

Feather Farmer.

 Yep, went after more feed today, but also went to Ollie's and got some treats for the dogs, and some coffee/hot chocolate for me. It is just that kind of weather. Soup yesterday and wanting hot chocolate today. Ollie's prices are not all that great, but at least the place is neat and clean. MUCH better than Cheaper Than Dirt! They did not have decent potting soil or a price for it, but such is life. Will keep looking for cheaper potting soil to cover those water lines.

The rain gauge said four inches. Over three or four days, that is a good amount to soak into the ground. No gushing water anywhere, thankfully, but just a good solid rain fall that will keep things moist for a couple of weeks at least. Not going to gripe, but it really did feel good to see the sun today. Wouldn't want to mildew or mold at my age. Sitting still is not real big on my agenda, but wouldn't want to stick to a log anywhere!

The Hamburgs are still getting out somewhere/somehow. Just look out the window and there's a hen across the street grazing on "greener" grass. Dang! Try to shoo them in, and it doesn't always work out well. The dogs would like to help SO much!

The front yard has blooming sunflowers that are pretty cheerful. Thought about cutting some, but they are just right outside my window, so they are just as pretty right there and not likely to drop pollen or stuff in my house. All kinds of things to take into consideration when one has allergies.

Got a dozen eggs today, but also found three under the bushes by the back fence. Boiled those three and fed them to the hens. Not taking any chances with "wild hen" laying. Crazy critters! Even put some laying boxes inside the Wyandotte's coop. They don't seem the least bit impressed. Maybe putting a couple of eggs in there would get the idea across. Hmm.

Jennifer may come up tomorrow. Have all kinds of things planned if she does get to come. She is a carpenter and problem solver extraordinaire! Love the fact that Lewis taught her how to attempt most things and that Gary has provided all the tools she would need to learn. Well, Gary and Google. That girl can figure out just about anything! Never ceases to amaze me how sweet my kids have turned out to be. Who knew that they would have Lewis' sweet disposition and my stubbornness!

We were talking about a book of photos that Jenn had put together that showed a picture of Hanan sitting with me in the Tyler Rose Garden. My hair was bright auburn. Never have put a thing on my hair except shampoo and a hair brush, but there it was gleaming red! My grandmother Kennedy (Major) had auburn hair until her son went to the Pacific during WWII. Then she turned white headed. Mine will probably never be white--too many wild hairs up there! But isn't genetics strange. Mom's hair was a dark brownish chestnut. Dad's was a thick black--very English or Welsh. His daddy's hair was dark black until he started losing it. Unfortunately, Lance took after that side of the family and will probably have a scare little spot up there, too. Ah, and that means something to men. Guess it matters to women, too, for that matter. Mother-in-law barely had anything left on top after so many years. One way to look at it is that it does not take much shampoo. Hmm.

Have the ceiling fans on again. It was too cool for that for a few days, but now it is much warmer. Texas. At least the mini-clover seeds spread out over the side lots today will have a chance to sprout before frost ever gets close. If they get to going well enough, may have a stand of clover this spring. If the danged stuff were not so expensive, would have used at least two more bags of a pound each. Didn't even get to the back yard part, just the east lots. Still waiting for the stupid hoe that was ordered over three weeks ago. Must be coming from China!

Tractor Supply had the sunflower seed and scratch grain to load for me today when Lance texted: Feed? He has me on his locator and kinda guesses when it is either Sutherlands or Tractor Supply. Kinda funny to me. Jennifer says she has stopped looking to see where mom has gone--it is one or the other place. Yep, they watch over me. Love it!

Have another book started since the last one was a quick read. This one is centered in France and includes a person whose French is probably as bad as mine. And it's a mystery, of course. But it also portrays a scenario where communications are totally wiped out by a technical bomb--electrical something or other. Forget what it is called. Easily understood by anyone who knows about that stuff since we are so terribly dependent on electronic communications today. Do you remember the 50s when no one had anything except a wall phone. Think about how that would work out today. We don't even have the infrastructure to replace those lines any longer. All the lines are fiber optics. Oh well. If and when it happens, we will adjust our lives accordingly. After this year, nothing should surprise us.

May you all rest well and awake with joy in your hearts. You are loved.

Soup Weather

 Sixty degrees and rain makes chicken vegetable soup just perfect. A package of carrots, one sleeve of celery, two small 'tators, a large onion, some chicken bouillon powder, Mrs. Dash, and two cans of chicken meat (white breast) mixed in a big pot with a pitcher of clean water smelled and tasted plum larapin! One of those silly cozy mysteries with a dash of city corruption and a tiny bit of romance makes for easy, no-thought-needed reading, as well. Then there is a box of "On the Farm Barnyard Party" snack mix. Cheese crisps, corn sticks, corn nuts, and honey mustard pretzels make a nice snack instead of real food. Actually, made scrambled eggs with cheese for breakfast, and the dogs helped me eat those. They aren't too particular. And they know how to eat off a fork, believe it or not. They know they have to take turns, so that is pretty funny to watch. Takes all kinds of things to amuse some folks.

Have a "Hidden City" game on my computer that keeps me looking at things other than listening to the reports out of Oregon and California. Those folks can't catch a break for anything. Even the storms are making things worse rather than better because of the high winds. We just have to pray for them. My nephew in Oregon said that he and his friend Stacey are ok so far. Still, so many people are losing everything--including livestock and pets. Here it has not really stopped raining so that flooding can easily be a possibility in the low places. But the rain will stop tonight, and it will be decent tomorrow. 

Lisa Carden said that the blood thinners were working on her mom Sue Ballard, so now the blood clots are not nearly as dangerous. Think Lisa was feeling pretty desperate there for a bit when it did not seem as if they were taking her mom's conditions into consideration. But now the swelling is down times three in her right hand, and the clot in her jugular may dissolve without intervention. Praise God! Know that Lisa will be totally worn out by the time she is able to get her mom back to Lawton.

Posted a picture of my mom on FB today. She was about 20 when it was taken, and she was a real beauty--in my estimation. Found several things while going through my desk drawer trying to find the pink slip to my Mustang--(Jennifer says she has it!! Knew that!) Read through the pages of reminders of Lewis' last days and how things went back then. Hadn't really forgotten any of those days, but am amazed at the attitude that made me think that any of us could ever be different than we were then. Life moves on; so do we.

Got the truck inspected and the "bridge tax" paid. Talking to Mr. Weaver at the place there, and he asked about my Mustang. He said he would probably want it. Of course, he would have taken my truck right that red-hot moment! He has wanted it for three or four years now! But then, the man over at Texoma Fleet Repairs said he was interested, too! Men are funny about trucks.

Maybe if it clears off tomorrow, Stephen can come and finish the backside of the chicken pen for me. It does not have to be perfect, but would like for it to stay relatively dry in there for the chicks. It will be a while before they can be turned loose with the rest of the flock. They are about hawk nuggets at this point. Also have some plants that need to be moved into the pen so that they will go through the winter well. Need a great big container to put the fig bush inside. Wish a big barrel or something would turn up to use. Oh well. Something will turn up.

Today felt like a hot chocolate and buttered toast day, but did not have the chocolate mix or the inclination to make toast. So had chamomile and lavender tea instead. Probably much better for me than chocolate. sigh Not sure what it is about hot chocolate that makes things "better."

Thompson bumped his nose into the table where the treats are normally kept. And then he "talked" to me about it. If the old woman does not get off her duff tomorrow, she is going to have to get out a recipe for dog biscuits--peanut butter and something. One recipe calls for pumpkin, but all that is in the deep freeze is peaches that are frozen--well, duh. Anyway, may try getting some of those out to thaw and make some dog cookies.

Just got off the phone with my daughter. We can laugh over some of the craziest things! Got to tell her about Nikki Smith's boys and their "fart bombs." She understood completely. Once bought grandson Landon "The Book of Farts." His other grandmother is too perfect to buy something crazy like that for her grandson. Not me! Did you know there is such a thing as a "Nancy  Fart"? Probably kinda iffy on the volume. Whatever. It amused me. But then, Landon's gift to me was the book "Lost Wisdom" that included survival techniques and how to regain perspective when lost in the wilderness. Have felt the need of that a few times in Walmart. ahem

Jennifer said that Reece is working 7 to 4:30 each day with Gary with only breaks for online classes. He is one tired puppy by the end of each day. His brother Grayson is working those hours and more toward the end of the month, but all--ALL--of his work in online. Not sure how stressful that would be, but apparently is wears him out. The world of work has changed drastically for some folks. Ditches still have to be dug and wrenches turned, but it takes more education even in those occupations now. Even carpenters need to know more today than they did back in the 50s--and certainly more than what was known about building before those years. The house Lewis grew up in was made after WWII out of materials that are not anything like what they are today. The wood actually measured what it was called: 2x4 was actually two inches by four inches. And the wood was straight and not bowed or full of knot holes. Now they unfasten the metal bands on the stacks of wood and stand back while it springs out and sways up and down! Yep, some things have not changed for the better.

Have opened the gate at least five times today to let Hamburg hens back in the yard. Crazy danged chickens! They come and squawk to be let back in, too. Just looked out the window and one was across the street finding herself some earth worms or whatever. Wild and loose living animals! Need to send these Hamburgs down to Sharon and Jim Dickerson so that their neighbors will have something to gripe about. ahem

Did you ever wish you were a better person than what you think you are? Read something this morning that actually proves that you are: I Tim. 1:5 A gift from God is to have a pure heart and a clean conscience. Enjoy thinking about that.

May you all rest well and awake with joy. You are loved.

An Old Woman

 Have just about decided that if something needs to be done--and if it is physically possible for someone my age--the old woman has to do it herself. Later will probably call Mr. Anderson to see if he will come help just a bit, but if he is unavailable, will get this job DONE today. SO sick of trying to depend on Jerry or trying to find someone who can do the work for me for a reasonable price. Michelle Malay reminded me yesterday of how much this chicken coop and pen has actually cost me. She is right, of course, but then, there are these plants that are about to be transferred to the "green house" portion of the pen. Going to put my hollyhock, aloe vera, and some ivy plants in there. Want to find a great big pot for the fig tree and plant it in there as well. Lance says it is just too cold up here for my fig to do well. ONE year it had figs. Yes, much cheaper to go buy dried figs, right. Still, it is like the difference between growing your own tomatoes and buying those things out of the hot houses. Can't even compare.

Have just about decided it is time to write another book. No real mysteries or family affairs or storms or Vietnam episodes this time. No Israeli spies or adventures in kibbutz living. No fantastic types of non-breakable glass that can be heated and used as things to transmit electricity or such. Just plain old woman living life. We will see how this works out. And yes, my family will undoubtedly be in there one way or the other. And the critters. 

Yesterday might have thought we were under a storm threat the way that Sylvia acted. She was touching me or right beside me all day. But then, it was one of those days when my tension level was so high that my muscles cramped! Go figure. That dog is just amazing. 

Colored in a little horse book that my granddaughter gave me one year. Each picture could be used as a post card or writing paper if someone could learn how to make an envelope to enclose it. That will be another little task to accomplish some day in the future. Did a word search and tried to get my mind to be calm and quiet for a bit. Prayers right now tend to be almost as tense as just regular thoughts. Yes, HE is in charge and we all know it, but my breath comes fast and it is difficult to just live in this moment when things all around seem so drastic. Sitting on the swing in the yard last night looking at the sky and the strange clouds. It has to be smoke, so that means that those in California and Colorado need our prayers. We KNOW what those temperatures mean! And they are SO dry out there. May God bless them.

My hens are calling me. Have to go plug in the extension cord, find the pencil, the measuring tape, and my wits. The drill and the skill saw will be easy, if heavy. Time to start this adventure.

May you all be blessed in whatever you put your hands to do. You are loved.

Pardon My Gripiness

 So had to prop a section of plastic siding against the chicken pen door last night in hopes of keeping possums or other assorted critters from attacking my Wyandottes. Jerry left yesterday without finishing ANYTHING and after removing the siding from the side that was partially open. Yes, he did put up some slats for attaching the siding to the walls, but that does not prepare it enough to protect the chicks. Living in hope that he comes today to get this stuff done. Otherwise, will have to call Stephen Smith and see if he and his boys can get this job done. Have ALREADY paid Jerry what he wanted for the work, so that means the job would cost me twice as much--or more depending on what Stephen charges. Hardly ever give Jerry actual money as he always wants supplies for his own work or groceries. That is what he got this time. But he also wants two 20 ft. 2x10s for stairs up to his attic room. We will see if that happens later.

Have been taking sleeping pills for the past several nights in order to actually get to sleep. STAYED asleep until nearly seven this morning, and even the dogs slept without getting me up or waking me. No noise from across the street either. Not much telling where he is. Maybe he has taken to sleeping in one of the rooms at the Econo Lodge where he has been working on their rooms. He said that they had 30 rooms that could not be rented out due to damage of one kind or the other. It's not like they can refuse to rent to drug addicts, maybe, but those folks tear things up trying to mix or cook drugs. The place has already been on fire once from such stupidity. Oh well. This is what society is like now. Maybe not all that different than what it has always been except that we hear about it more now.

Connie Cooke suggested a series on Netflix called Messiah, so finished that last night. It is not Biblical by a long shot, but very telling about the way that churches and most folks look at the Second Coming and the disruption of powers to be expected upon the return of Christ. Have wondered so many times how churches can build these humongous buildings where the utility bills alone would feed all the hungry children in each town and some surrounding areas. And no, not excusing myself for not feeding anyone, but would and have at times. No longer out and about where other people are for the most part, but used to feed and otherwise help students who needed a hand up. Lewis used to donate to the Food Bank each month, but that is no longer an option for me with half the income we had when he was alive. Man! Money really does change things when we do or don't have it! Just blessed to be able to care for what needs to be done. 

Looked across the clean, mowed lots this morning and felt so grateful to have that land under a fence for the hens and dogs--and for the freedom to keep it clean and unoccupied by garbage. Have been SO blessed to be able to do a few extra things to this place. Stephen and his family did a really good job of repairing my house; the vehicles are in good shape; the critters are healthy; and the old woman is about as healthy as one could expect at this age. So many, many blessings to consider. No real reason to be so gripey except that it is a bad habit.

It is difficult to realize that it is already September. The temperature is supposed to be 96 today and 91 tomorrow. Then rain and cooler weather is in the forecast. Kinda like sweater weather to tell the truth. Maybe it will also be a break from the 10.4 pollen counts! Still having problems with sneezes and snorts. Just need an alpaca or two to live with me and snort real loudly! Actually, not sure if my allergies extend to alpacas, but think that they are just beautiful. Llamas not so much. They are moody and have about 300 pounds of attitude if the anecdotes are true. And they need a companion other than a dog. That is true of most animals--and folks, for that matter. We need company to keep us on an even keel.

Have some bricks that need to be cleaned up before replacing them in the sidewalk that Lewis and Lance made and that Hanan Re-laid after the storm blew the cedar tree out of the ground. It is amazing that the tree went down and the roof stayed on the house! God blessed us.

Trying to avoid being a total hypochondriac, but read this morning that vitamin D3 has been helpful to prevent Covid. Connie said that her doctor has had her on mega doses of D3--probably because of whatever kind of cancer she had, but the point is that the vitamin does NO HARM and can help prevent problems. Something to consider. 

Connie mentioned that the fires in California and Colorado have smoke clouds all the way down into Texas. That could be part of the allergy problems everyone seems to be having. Maybe the cooler weather and whatever rain we get will clean up the air a bit. We can pray for cleaner weather and for the fires to be put out in those areas. So hard to have heat in the 100s and fires on top of that! God bless those poor families and all the living creatures who must suffer through this mess. So many times have thought that the tree huggers have no idea that felling at least some of the trees and removing the underbrush through goats or even donkeys could prevent some of these fires. Can you imagine what would happen if the wild horses and donkeys could be moved into those canyons to eat the excess vegetation and remove the basis for those fires? But then, common sense solutions might not include helping other animals survive or thrive.

Rearranged the living room ONE more time. As soon as the AC unit is not needed, will move the couch next to it and have the middle of the room open again. Currently have my desk in front of the book case and stuff stacked there to be handy. Never would have thought about this arrangement, but wanted the TV out away from the doorway. The firestick and the TV need to be on the same plug, so will rearrange that assortment today as well. Have my laptop on the big plug thing--can't remember what it is called. Sad when words are there but just NOT there. Ah well. Multi-plugin thingy!

Have an electric dryer for boots, gloves, and hats that needs to go to someone who actually needs that sort of thing. Will ask Steven and Nikki if they might find a use for it. With three boys and lots of outside work, maybe they can use it. 

Need to rearrange the "pantry" in the hallway. Some things are easy to find, and some things have become "lost" to memory. Time to go through and see if anything needs to be tossed or just put in other places. At least that will be an inside job where the heat won't hurt me. This is the sort of job that reminds me of cleaning closets--if frustrated with life, clean something! At least one thing gets accomplished even if sixteen really need to be done!

May you all enjoy this day--Labor Day--and appreciate your abilities and blessings. You are loved.