Grandchildren.

 A friend named Susan Albert has a new grandbaby. She looked so happy in her picture on FB. Don't know how old her oldest grandchild is, but have laughed at my two Ostand grands today. Reece is on a tear--being silly and giving me a hard time. Grayson has been helping his parents with some problems with their pool. Things are F R O Z E N down there in Ft. Worth. A picture of Grayson taking water from the frozen hot tub to the pool looked strange to me. Not sure what kind of glasses and face covering he was wearing, but it made him look as if his nose were black. When calling to find out why his nose looked black, Jennifer answered her phone and said she was in the attic and asked if it was important. Nope. In fact, almost betting that Grayson is up there helping her with whatever she is doing. Their kids are good like that--well, except Reece has his right hand in a brace and that arm in a sling right now. Otherwise, he would be doing whatever they needed help with. Good kids. Bet Susan's kids are good like that, too. Some of us are just mean ol' women, but we still have great kids and grands.

Sterling called this morning, and we reminisced about how our parents kept us corralled in Sunday services. If we had even done anything that Mom and Dad did not see, all they had to do was HEAR that we had done something, and Dad would have thrashed us when we got home. As it was, Mom would reach over and just pinch a hunk out of us for fidgeting. Dad would reach behind Mom and thump Sterling on the head. Nope, we minded and very well at that. Kids today have no clue what discipline was like back then. REAL belts were applied generously. Actually remember the last time Dad spanked me. Mom told him not to ever do that again. SHE would correct me if it was needed. But then, Dad had never had a spanking in his entire life. HIS dad had been abused as a boy and ran away from home because of it. Life is strange.

Called my doctor and got a prescription sent to the local pharmacy this morning and then went to pick it up. Glad to have it before all the really bad stuff hits. For sure not going down to the mail box if the roads have frozen stuff on them. It is supposed to snow tomorrow and be down to zero tomorrow night. Oh joy. Monday is supposed to have a high of 14 and a low of -4. Hoping the hens can handle being inside during that garbage. In all probability, this ol' gal is going to leave them inside the coops if it gets that bad--which it probably will. Now to figure out what to do about the eggs. Guess they might just have to sit on more than they normally would. So far the water is not frozen solid and they have food. We will see. It's been a long time since having to deal with this kind of cold.

Thinking about the fact that President Biden has allowed China access to our power grid. WHY would they need access to OUR power grid? President Trump removed that access during his term. So what reason is good enough to reverse that decision. Honestly feels like Obama is having his third term here. Yeah, politics. More BS than a cow lot.

This new electric heater is nice and rotates the heat outward and back and forth. Pretty sure the heater would be safe around small children, too. And old women. There's that.

Heard a loud pop sound this morning and looked around inside the house to see if a breaker or some kind of electrical switch had popped. Never did see anything, but still wonder what caused that pop sound. It was probably something outside. But it sounded electrical. Weird. Sounds should make sense in my estimation. 

Michelle Malay got some back scratchers for me that telescope down to about the size of an ink pen. Mighty handy little things. And then there's the satisfaction in scratching mightily. Oh, does everyone else find some place that just doesn't quite quit itching on your back? Kinda makes me understand why the dogs pat their feet when having their backs scratched. 

Speaking of dogs, my house is going to smell just like my dogs before this winter is over. Giving dogs a bath is a number one pain in the keester--or one's back, whichever. But two dogs is double the trouble. It will be a while before this happens, but have some "dry shampoo" that works fairly well, too. It is basically a powder that is supposed to smell better than regular dog. Oh well. It may work on old women for that matter--but not likely will be attempted as long as the water still runs and drains.

Really have enjoyed the Bletchley Circle: San Francisco. It takes two episodes to get a storyline across, but the one today was amazing. Remember the code machines that were used in WWII? In this last episode, the Russians tried to get away with stealing a code machine that the Patent Department let it be known that the U.S. had. A young woman had built a new machine after the military took the first one the inventors had wanted to use as a coding machine for private enterprises. Who knows how much of this sort of thing that the military considered too sensitive for commercial use. When working on my master's program, one of the other students was from China, and she ended up in computer programming because she spoke Japanese and assorted Chinese languages--and knew how to switch back and forth in computer programming. Recently read that many Chinese had begun to live and work in Atlanta in programming jobs. To me, that could be a link to all kinds of problems if the people are not interested in helping America and could be forced to help the Chinese if their family members were still in China. At the time, Hong Xing had a daughter still in China. Can see that if our government can force people to do things they might not want to, any other government can do the same even more easily.

The dogs find strange things that cause them to bark while looking out the windows. Hardly ever see anything that looks "bark worthy" in my estimation. But then, our eyesight and hearing is not anything like that of a dog. Wish sleeping came as easily to me as it does to these dogs. Think they sleep about 20 out of 24 hours a day!

Really don't know anything worth talking about. Will have to figure out what to do with all of these eggs if no one shows up wanting eggs. If anyone local wants eggs, just let me know. Will put them out on the front bench unless it is below freezing. 

May God continue to bless this nation and those who need healing. May you all rest and remain safe. You are loved. 

Wretched Weather.

 So it is cold and is supposed to get colder. Not overjoyed about the prospects. Negative six does NOT sound good. And nothing over freezing until NEXT Friday! Merciful heavens. Can't imagine even letting the hens out of the coop for the next several days. Keeping their water thawed out and feed down for them is about the best thing to offer them. Certainly can't keep the coops heated. So pardon my moaning and groaning. Each of my joints aches and the wind has taken my breath away each time the door is opened. 

A young man delivered my new electric heater today. It oscillates and heats somewhat better than the other heater. At least it keeps the edge off here in the living room. As long as the electric service continues, nothing should suffer too much. Keeping the water pipes unfrozen will be the hard part. Have water in the bathtub for the hens; have bottled water for me; and the dogs' water bowl is freshly filled. Simply can't imagine how anyone could work outside in this cold right now.

Jennifer was looking for a way to keep the ice and snow off the old roof at work. The new building has a sloped roof instead of a flat one. Years ago they had to get up there and scoop the snow off to keep the roof from collapsing. Flat roofs are just stupid. But then, they did not design the roof. We were talking about how Houston and other southern cities in Texas are simply not prepared for the kind of weather that is in the forecast. Can't imagine Houston having to plow the streets to remove snow and ice!

Talked to Jenn about the horrible wreck on I-35. She said that it had nothing to do with speed really. No one can see black ice when it first forms, so no one knew the bridge was coated in ice. Sad. So many hurt and so much destruction!

Have started watching The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco on BritBox. The main women were code breakers in WWII. The youngest woman is a crack mechanical engineer who got into the military by lying about her age. Anyway, it is a neat story that reminds me of how much America has changed--drastically, in fact. 

Not sure if anyone is interested in the bird of the day, but it is a Northern Jacana juvenile. It's the kind of water bird that walks on the top of water lilies! Hard to imagine. But it reminds me of a crane except that it is mostly leg. Anyway, we have them here in the U.S. so it is not some off the wall weird bird from Africa or somewhere like that.

Trying to have a positive outlook right now. Jennifer was telling me about all the robins that have been all over her yard. And then she discovered a pair of blue birds out back. Meanwhile, she took their little chihuahua out to do her business last night, and when she looked around to see where the water sound was, the dog fell in the pool. The dog is blind and deaf, so it is not like she can take care of herself. Poor critter. Jenn dried her and petted her, but know it made her feel terrible to let Pepper fall in the pool. Meanwhile, Gary had to do something about the water coming out of the pool thing. Hope it is repaired by now. But Jenn was so surprised about the birds. She had never had robins all over the place eating the berries on her bushes--or a pair of blue birds! They must be coming our way out of all that cold air pushing this direction. Poor critters! The hardest thing about the birds here on this hill is trying to keep Thompson from killing the doves in the hen house! They already come in for the feed and water, but Thompson hits the door running every time he goes outside! sigh

Really don't know much. Ronnie Talley is holding his own. Have not heard from Connie or Rebekah today. And my phone is now making me feel totally incompetent because the alarm  goes off just fine--except the time needs to be changed to a later time of the day. Now to remember how it was set in the first place! Good grief, Gertrude!

Will just tell you that we know that God is with us no matter how things look. Courage. Let's all hang in there and pray for one another. You are loved.

Nest Hiding!

 So the girls have been hiding eggs again. Not holding out on me or anything, but just hiding their nests. One nest in particular had over two dozen eggs in it this morning. So when JoAnn Hobbs brought a couple of cases of water over for me, she would not take money, but she seemed to be glad to get three dozen eggs. And yes, it was nice to be able to give them to her.

The dogs just had some meat that was cut off the bones of some ribs. Lance said not to give the dogs bones because it would mess up their intestines, so now they get their meat cut off the bone. Not spoiled or anything. But it does seem that a vet had told us that once upon a time. But thought it was just chicken bones that he meant. Oh well. This way they have to stand there and share bites.

Have not been putting Thompson's coat on him today when he went out to do his thing. He and Sylvia both listen better when it means they get to come inside after getting pretty cold. His ears are always cold, but Sylvia does not seem to care one way or the other. She just does not like cold feet. 

Want to thank you all for your prayers for Ronnie Talley. Anne said he was some better today. And too, thanks for praying for Connie and Rebekah. They are ok where they are in NC somewhere. Told Connie about the bodacious wreck they had in Ft. Worth that took the lives of five folks and crashed about 100 cars and trucks. Dang! You'd think people would know better than to drive above a poke along on slick highways. But there is always that one person who thinks everyone should get out of his or her way! Anyway, please continue to pray for those families and for those who were injured in that wreck. Not sure if my kids will go to work tomorrow or not, but wish that they could just stay at home.

Talked to daughter-in-law who told me that Rachel's entire soccer team is in quarantine. ONE member got Covid, so the entire team has to stay away from everyone now. Rachel was already doing only online classes, but she is the kind who likes to go visit her friends. Not happening right now. And Landon has an economics test Monday--on his birthday. Again, online. Glad that they don't have to be out in this cold.

Had not even been down to check the mail this week, so went this afternoon. One card, one magazine, and a bunch of crud. Not hardly worth starting the truck.

Looked on FB in the memories section. Nine years ago we had 93 degree temps! Texas. Weird weather. Also learned to use the post hole digger on the tractor that year. Miss that little tractor, but really do not need something else around here. The front-end loader was the best part, but having dirt hauled in to put wherever it was needed made life interesting. The clutch on that tractor just about made me cry after using it awhile. Not sure it would even be possible now. Gettin' old is not for sissies.

Took a big dog bowl out to the hen house and filled it with water rather than bringing in the little waterers. The hens are happy to drink out of the big bowl, and it is certainly less trouble. Anything to make life easier.

Have the diffuser going here on my desk. Not really stuffed up, just like the smell and how it makes my breathing feel easy. Guess lavender would be nice one of these days, but just like this "breathe" stuff for now. Have to keep the diffuser in a plastic tray to protect my desk, and that kinda cuts down on the area for "shtuff" to lie around on the desk top. Probably just as well. Have thought to myself a few times that it would be SO easy to be a "hoarder" or at least a clutter bug! Feel sorry for the kids when it is time to clean up after my last mess. 

Sunday night is supposed to be down to 2 degrees and then -2 on Monday night. Guessing those are going to be good nights/days for keeping the hens in the coops. As long as they have food and water, it means they won't need me out there three or four times a day. Still have to gather eggs, but that is only one or two trips. Maybe it won't snow Sunday night as it is in the forecast. Oh well.

Can remember when we were children and no one had a clue what the weather was going to do. Oh, they had some generally semi-close forecasts, but nothing like we have today. Skip McBride would remember how forecasts came out of OKC. Sometimes they were pretty close. 

My daughter-in-law says we will all be fine--as long as we don't lose electricity! In this house a bed could be laid on the floor next to the gas heater. She says in their house, they would all be fighting over the cats! LOL My dogs like to make me into a pillow, so that is not a problem. Guess a few hens might make it more interesting--not to mention messy!

The bird for the day is the Scarlet-rumped Tanager. It's basically a Costa Rica bird. Reminds me a little bit of a Red-winged Black Bird. We have those down at the lake and all over the place some summers. They used to be pretty common, but fewer are around now. Guess the habitat is just not there any longer. Sad.

Still think that some of the things that have made history in Texas are better than anything this nation has ever seen before, but reading about brave men just makes me wonder how we could ever be as brave now as the men and women were even in the days of our grandparents. Just a different world.

May your lives be filled with goodness and may your rests fill your soul with sweetness. You are loved.

Keeping Warm.

 So today has not exactly been a good day for being out and about whether at home or otherwise. This morning the mist in the air froze and made the deck a bit icy, but later that came down looking more like snow and did not drift onto the deck. SO glad not to have to deal with ice right now. The hens are perfectly capable of making their feathers stick out all over so that they are nearly twice as large--at least to look at. The poor doves have not had such a good time, however. Three times Thompson caught a dove before they could all escape the inside of the coop. Dead birds, ya know. At least he knows not to mess with the hens. The heat lamp in the main coop has it warm enough in there that the girls just casually walk around without being all fluffed up. And they are laying eggs like champs!

Forgot to put the trash bin across the road last night, so will absolutely have to on Thursday so it will be emptied on Friday. It is amazing to me how much trash accumulates here in this one-woman home. Oh well. Doesn't take but a couple of trips by the Amazon folks to fill up a trash bin.

Jennifer said she felt sorry for the birds that are needing to be fed in this weather. It's one thing to find seeds and things to eat in warmer weather, but this cold hurts everything living. How critters live in the northern states is beyond me. Guess they have some system figured out--like maybe going south for the winter! Hibernation? Too many humans freeze to death and starve to death as it is, no matter what part of our country they are in. Wish we had some system in place that took better care of the homeless and the kids whose parents don't feed them or can't care for them. Those of us who have food to eat and shelter can only thank God for those blessings. No matter how hard some folks are willing to work, sometimes things are just too much to endure.

Connie and Rebekah are still in Baltimore, but the weather up there is not bad yet. Guess they will get started out when it feels safe for them.

Anne Perkins, my sister-in-law, said that one of Lewis' cousins is on oxygen now in hospital with covid. He has had a stroke and heart attack in the past, so he is not in a good place to fight this one out. His wife had a mild case of covid, but it has been much harder on him. Please pray for Ronnie Talley. This danged virus is just hurting our entire world. 

Trying to keep my mind busy by reading and doing little piddley things around here. Taking water out to the hens and throwing out feed for them and the birds is just part of the day--a very small part at that. Just keeping warm is a job it seems. Can't ever remember having that much of a problem as long as we had gas heaters. Electric heaters just don't do the trick like natural gas. Go figure.

Honestly don't know anything enlightening or even semi-amusing to tell you tonight. Read something someone posted about how terrible the sin of ____fill in the blanks is and how the person felt that those who were guilty of ____would never be forgiven or see heaven. Well, duh. Christ said, "Judge not that you be not judged." And He also made it plain that God sees CHRIST in us, not the nasty us that we all are. So, not that it is any reason to continue to _____, but if we ask for forgiveness--even as the thief on the cross asked for forgiveness, Christ said that His Father would forgive. Just a thought for the night. Let's try not to judge one another. God knows the heart. He hears the spirit of our prayers, even when we hardly know what to pray. Remember the story of the little girl sitting out back in the yard saying her alphabet with all her heart. Her Granddad asked what she was doing and why she was saying her alphabet like that. Her answer, "I don't know exactly how to pray for what is needed, but God knows, so I just gave Him the letters and let Him take care of making it into prayer." So tonight, remember your alphabet.

May you find peace and stay warm. You are loved.

Yep, Winter.

 Like it or not, winter has set in. It was a whole 42 degrees at one point today, but at the moment it is 35 and falling. Earlier a trip out to the middle coop was my intention, so a fresh sheet of black plastic to cover any drafts from the door went up with mostly no trouble. Had to make some strips of wood to hold the plastic down as the wind tends to blow the plastic off the nails. Anyway, that is done. Have been out there to clean the water bowls and fill one up so that they have fresh water tonight. You can bet your bippy that the ones outside will freeze tonight. Have one in the main shed that has a warmer on it. Will also plug in the heat lamp in that part of the coop. They have a flat screen heater, but no light, so the heat lamp will give them light, too. Hoping the other hens do well tonight. Have never had this many hens before, so have no idea how well the ones in the other two rooms will do. 

Got tickled at Athena. She was sitting in one of the square boxes that the hens use for a nest. Apparently one of the bigger hens disturbed her, so she got off the nest and was walking around squawking her indignation for anyone who cared to listen. She must have gotten her way finally because  a white egg was in that nest later. She is the only one that lays a white egg. She is also my oldest hen. Got her to keep one of the red sex-link hens company after my sister-in-law's dog killed the other hens--all except that one. Chickens are flock birds and don't do well without company. A nice man on the other side of town just gave her to me. Wondered later if it was because she has such an attitude!

Got a shipment from Amazon that they said could not be returned. Wanted a thing to go on the side of the tub in order to be able to pull up more easily. This one might work if both sides are square and are not too far apart, but not even with a board slipped under the side lip will this thing work. Actually, not sure it would work all that well on a regular tub since the screw to tighten it hardly moves at all. Oh well. If anyone wants this one or knows someone who needs it, here it is. 

Connie and Rebekah are on their way--driving--home to WF. Please pray for them in their travels. They think they will be here by Thursday. Sent her a message and told her we are looking at a chance of freezing rain on Wednesday. Brrrr. Wish they were already here, but you know the saying about wishes--if wishes were fishes, the whole world would swim. And yes, do realize that the plural of fish is fish.

Know how the cattle feel after winter goes away and the sun warms everything up--and lets grass really grow again. Sitting here nodding my head over the idea of warmer weather, sun shining, grass growing. sigh Just so glad to live in Texas and not in Finland or Russia. Not sure even England would do for an old country woman from Texas. Just blessed to have sunshine as often as we do. Just hope we get rain when we need it this year.

The dogs helped me eat the last of the potato soup--no, they did not get any of the onions. Know better than that. But they will eat a potato from my fingers--each waits patiently until the other has had a bite. Sweet dogs. My life is so much better with these two critters to keep me company. They love each other, too. Wonder how our forbearers made it through the first winters in the New World without dogs and cats. The Indians had dogs, but you can almost bet that space aboard the first ships into North America from Europe would not have been allotted to a dog. Read a story about one of the first women to survive the first winter at Jamestown. She had some hens in cages on the ship that actually lived through the trip. Know what my girls would look like if they had to live in a cage for months!

Have not done enough to be tired, but such is the case nonetheless. Feel as if a nap is really needed, but will resist the temptation to lie down until after the hens are latched up for the night. No sense in getting comfortable and just having to get up again.

The bird for the day is called the Blue-naped Chlorophonia. Somehow can't see myself going to Brazil or Colombia to check it out, but it is a pretty bird. Watched a video of a flock eating bananas in Bogota. They are small and chippy sounding. Guess the folks down there can enjoy them if they set out fruit for them. Will try to remember to attach a picture.

Apparently Jerry has a new friend over at his house who has a little black, fuzzy dog. Naturally it had to come into my yard to do its thing. ARGH! My dogs are not happy about this at all. Not that the old woman is exactly pleased. Maybe his friend will find another place to stay soon.

Since my attitude is almost as bad as the weather, maybe we should call it a day. If God gives us another day, maybe we can have a better outlook.

Rest well my friends. You are loved.

Fun Surprises.

 So today Jennifer and her family got the surprise sent to them from Nuts.com. Lance and his family got theirs yesterday. Apparently the assorted goodies went over well; Jennifer said that Reece took off with the dinosaurs (gummy ones, not for real ones). Jennifer's favorite was the coated cherries. Yours truly has not tried those, so will have to include them in the next order. Ya know, if we can't really do things or go places that we used to do or go, then something has to take its place. Nibbling on nuts and berries and silly gummy critters just has to be smile worthy. 

Did not read any of the Texas book today as my day was just a bit off kelter. Forgot to take meds last night, and then the neighbor behind my house was driving up and down my road yelling, "Patches, Popeye!" until nearly 1 a.m. Finally remembered to take meds at 3:30 a.m., so could hardly function enough to get the hens let out later on. They were not happy with me. sigh  Jennifer suggested that an alarm set on my phone for meds each night would take care of that. We will see if what got put into the phone actually results in an alarm at 6:30 this evening and every evening.

Maggie Sewell just came to pick up some eggs. Let me explain to those of you who get eggs: this is my gift to my friends. Those hens get me up in the morning and give me a reason to mess around outside a bit. The "butt nuggets" are just an extra benefit. The only problem that regularly comes up is the bags for them. Sometimes the nice bags take legs and don't seem to come back the way they should. Also, have currently accumulated plenty of the dozen pack cartons, but have run out of the 18 count cartons. If you want 18 count cartons, you have to bring the empties to me that are clean. And, as Forrest Gump would say, "And that's all I'm going to say about that."

Cooked a pork loin this morning, sliced it up, put a few pieces in several ziplock bags, and now have lunch-upper set up for a few days. The potato, onion, carrot soup concocted yesterday is not all gone, so that it going to be din-upper tonight. 

Read one short book and started another. It amazes me that some folks think fifty or so pages can be considered a book. That is a short story in my estimation, especially if the characters' personalities are not fleshed out at all. Oh well. Guess griping about what we read is the height of prejudice. The one novel out of my brain was not much over a hundred pages, but maybe those characters were not exactly fleshed out either. Not going to re-write it, that's for sure. It reminds me that one of my professors assured me that anyone reading my master's thesis would have had to also had each of the referenced works in their own library and be familiar with those books. Don't expect that going back to include a synopsis of each work would help anyone. Could have used the Bible alone for an example since books like The Scarlet Letter were supposed to be based on the Puritan's beliefs about the Bible. The same is true of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale and some of Chaucer's "tales." Think both the Scarlet Letter and The Handmaid's Tale have been made into movies now. Even so, the idea that men take little pieces of this and that to support their attitudes about women will never change. Again, "and that's all I'm going to say about that."

Have a "bed" all turned up and ready to plant in poppies out back. The only thing it lacks is the little chicken wire fence around it, and that will only keep chickens out. Looking forward to having a great big splash of color out back. Lance looked at the side lots one of the last times he was up here and said, "You really don't want any grass out there, do you?" Well, not exactly. They do keep the grass cut down pretty much. Still laugh about Gary Ostand having to cut his grass for the first time that year after those six hens went home to WF. He had no idea that they were eating all the grass! From February 5 until May 9 he had no grass to mow! Very efficient little lawn mowers. If one of those stretchy orange fences could go up across the front lawn here, it would not even need a weed eater! Can see the girls attacking that stuff now! Wonder how much that stuff costs. Hmm.

Almost time to close the coop doors. Sometimes Isa will stay out by the side door to wait for me so she gets picked up and petted. Funny hen. Always have to take her inside the metal coop and place her on one of the bars across the middle. Three of the hens--two of them which will soon be going to Michelle--have dibs on the top shelves. They don't scoot over, either! Ah, such is the pecking order. Glad we don't normally have to deal with that attitude in our own daily lives.

May you all find enjoyment in whatever God has give you to do. You are loved.

Preparations!

 Yep, even if we did not have an accurate weather channel, my forecast is for aching bones and more of the same. Today was very nice even with the wind, but by Monday night it will not be so very lovely at all. Oh well. Texas. February.

Cindy and Ben just left. They came to unload feed and put it in the bin. Nothing like getting too old and decrepit that one has to have help unloading feed. Oh well. It is done. Cindy brought her little dog Wookie. He looks just like a Wookie from Starwars.

Joe Malay has been having fluid on his heart and lungs--think that is right. Anyway, he could use our prayers that he can stay out of the hospital. God can do anything; we just have to ask.

As soon as the weather gets decent, Michelle DeMers is going to rehome my Buff Orpingtons--Goldie and Grey Lady. They are sweet hens, but they are SO heavy! They can get in a nest full of eggs and just break one, and then all the eggs have to be washed and dried and put in the fridge. That's a pain. Never have to refrigerate my eggs unless they are dirty and need to be washed. 

My doctor came by to pick up three dozen eggs this afternoon. Recently she moved her office to 4610 Kell West next to the pharmacy there on the corner. Anyway, we were talking about various things, and she said that her lab tests cost $18 for about $400 dollars worth of tests. That is better than it is with insurance from what the lab downtown wanted to charge me. SO glad to be one of her patients. Even folks with insurance (mine is Medicare with United Healthcare) don't pay as much with Dr. Blackwell's services. That is ONE of the reasons that she will be my doctor as long as this ol' gal is still kicking. That and the fact that she listens! Having 24-7 access to a doctor at my age makes a difference, too. 

Walked the east side lots and picked up rocks and assorted things the kid across the fence has been throwing at my dogs. Found a dart that just made me want to say something terrible. Maybe those people will leave soon. They are constantly working on vehicles and racing their motors, playing loud music, and otherwise being obnoxious. Sigh. Lewis' cousin Gerald Talley once said that he thought that living way out in the country where he had land would prevent that kind of nonsense. THEN they put in a type of racetrack for four-wheelers on the land adjoining his. TRASH all over the place. Know just how he felt. They shut down the race track, so maybe it is not as bad now. But around here there is noxious odors from stuff that Jerry is burning, plus all his flying trash into my fence line. ARGH! Sooner or later the city may stop some of his fires, but then it would be something else.

Sounds as if a certain old woman is on a gripe fest. But did talk to my friend BillyeRuth this afternoon. She had a friend over who brought scraps for the hens and some leftover pizza for her dog Moe. BRs hens really love Martha and her scraps cause they come running when they see her. Doesn't take hens long to realize what goodies are and who brings them.

Found out today that John Rhoads bought that Texas book for me--after mine had already arrived. One of us will have to offer a copy to the WF Library here for the Texas Reference section. At least after it has been read, we will KNOW that it is a good book. Wish one of my kids would be a historian. Today they are changing Texas history with a vengeance. That is just too sad for words. Would love to even have a book about all the women of Texas history. Did read up on The Yellow Rose of Texas, and it seems the history is somewhat confused. Definitely not a match with the song we have sung all our lives. Even so, many of the women who have started businesses in Texas have made a difference for other women. Thinking Mary Kay cosmetics. Can't remember the name of the Black woman who developed cosmetics and stuff for Black women. But women have always had to do their own thing to be able to make it. Read today about the first woman who was a Pinkerton detective. She saved Abraham Lincoln's life by uncovering an assassination plot on a train that was to go into Baltimore. She was quite a woman and made it plain that women could discover things that men would never hear. But she died of pneumonia at 34. Sad.

My sister-by-another-mother Sharon Dickerson has found pictures of a bird that they keep seeing in their yard. Have not been able to find it so far, but pretty sure it is not a Goldfinch. Anyway, the bird for today from my calendar is the Greater Double-collared Sunbird. Don't really think we need to expect to see one of these little critters in Texas. Maybe it is enjoyed in the southern section of South Africa. It is still fun to see the different birds even if we will never see them here in Texas.

It's Friday, so we can all look forward to the weekend and goofing off around home. Hmm. Isn't that what we do most of the time anyway? Well, some of us do that goofing off thing. 

May your time be used to fulfill your joys. You are loved.