Busy Resting!

 Busy Resting!

 

Have you ever just done about all you can do and suddenly felt as if sleep were just about to take you away? Got up early—well before five—to clean up an accident one of the dogs had in the kitchen. Such fun. Got that finished, sprayed the room, cleaned my hands, and went back to bed. The dogs got me up before six, so went out and opened the hens’ coop door. Made coffee, thought about food, and got ready to go to TSC for chick food. Got stuff at TSC and came home to unload it. Felt as if sleep were about to take over. Deep sleep. Weird! Eventually went to United and bought some catfish, strange potato mix, beans, squash, broccoli mix and then a cheese cake. Lunch was good.

 

Cleaned the straw from the chicks’ coop and spread some DE to be sure they had no bugs in there. Put their feed in a different container and gave them clean water. The hens let me know that they had not had enough attention, so gave them feed and then some leftover dog food. The dogs kept pushing me around in the house and wanted to stay right with me. Have no idea why, but Sylvia kept her head on me wherever she found me. Finally, she lay down and told Thompson the bed near the AC was all hers. Strange dogs.

 

Sterling and Jacqui may be here tomorrow, and Lance has said he would be here. Got the cheese cake to supply a dessert for everyone. Even bought a can of cherry pie and one of blueberry pie filling to put on top. This is a selfish dessert. Don’t expect all of it will be used, so that means an old woman will get to enjoy some more of it later. Guilty giggle.

 

Bought something called ground cover spray at TSC. Some of the weeds in the carport need to be removed before they mess up the pavement in there. Weeds are pretty destructive. Imagine what the world would look like if we all just went away. No one would be around to distinguish between “plant” and “weed.”

 

Read an article about all the different indigenous tribes that they have found in the world. Even Louisiana has one! It is amazing to me that these folks have managed to continue to live isolated from everyone else, but some of them live so far up on the mountains or so deep in the caves that they would be safe no matter what. Too bad the same cannot be said for the tribes in Australia or places like that. If there is land, no matter how rough, it will be taken by the governments of different places. Greed never goes away.

 

Saw an article that said the Israelis want the Christians to leave Jerusalem and especially the Wailing Wall. That country is so small that all those folks must be a true hazard to their way of life. But then, the Israelis are not just one people or tribe. God allowed them to be mixed among all peoples. Someday things will look even more strange to us than it does now.

 

Have not had too much on my mind today. Not even sure there has been much mind to check on! Just lazy and attempting to let muscle memory take me through this day. Have prayed for my sweet grandson and his mood swing, my friend Angel’s “unspoken prayer” request, the strength of love and health for my friend Tami, and the spiritual strength of my friend Michelle Malay. We all have days when we need God’s help more than normal. Will be asking for travel mercies for Sterling and Jacqui and Lance for tomorrow. Meanwhile, let us pray for a decent rain for our places that are so hot and dry. May our summer not truly hit us just yet.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Bragging!

 Bragging!

 

Ok, some folks just have to brag when they get rain! Lance said they got a half inch this afternoon. We got some haziness this morning and then some mighty hot 80s this afternoon. Whew! Then there was that nice piece of cheesecake that he was having for dessert. DANG!! That’s the sort of thing that makes me plum jealous! But instead of fussing about it, a chicken sandwich with avocado dressing did just about hit the spot. Just about . . .

 

Had planned to go get chick feed today, but by the time the living room and kitchen were vacuumed, rearranged, and otherwise made somewhat less cluttered, the old woman did not feel like driving over to TSC for feed. Maybe tomorrow. Still need to rake out the chick house and get the old hay out and put it on the place where the sunflower bed had been planned. Still have not planted those, however. All kinds of good intentions around here!

 

The yard guys should be here on Thursday if nothing rips, rears, or ravels. The east lots don’t look bad, but they need to be cut. May let the guy cut the first section of bachelor buttons. The second row still looks vivid and neat. Love the purples, pinks, blues, and white flowers! My poppies have about popped out in the front yard, but the other flowers seem to be started good enough. Marigolds, zinnias, and other assorted goodies. The purslane would take the entire bed if allowed, but at least it is good for a person. Discovered one of the flowers in the back yard is the same as arugula. Not that it appeals to me. But the flowers are pretty.

 

Finally got all the rugs, blankets, and assorted stuff cleaned, dried, folded, and put away. It felt like it took forever! Then knocked a glass pie pan off the sink drainer to the floor and had to vacuum again after picking up the big pieces. Just one thing after another! Oh well. At least it is my house, my mess, and my decisions to make myself satisfied. Not everyone has that privilege. We are SO blessed and just never think about it. Even the Texas weather is pretty much a blessing. We know what to expect. And this year it is still green at the end of May. The lakes and stock ponds have water, and the pastures have had rain. Yes, we could use more, but at least nothing is dying and burnt up.

 

Standing on the deck out back and listening to the birds sing is a great way to start my day. God gives us the breeze and the songs. The neighborhood is about as safe as any around, and at least two neighbors are pretty decent. Siri may say we have zero percent chance for rain, but the clouds banking up in the south east certainly do look promising. Just enough to make me smile.

 

Let us be grateful for health, friendships, family, freedom. Life is not all that long, but we can appreciate every day we are given. Let us thank God for all good things.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Quick Chicks!

 Quick Chicks!

 

Sat down inside the chicks’ coop to watch them for a bit and decided they needed some alfalfa to nibble on. Went to throw some on the floor and two of the little twits took off behind me. They got as far as the center coop before the big door could be shut, so then it was a matter of shooing them back inside their coop. May have to make a little “run” out of the green house part so that they can slowly transition to grass and beyond, but that should probably wait a couple of weeks. They are getting big now and some look to be heavier than the others. The naked neck Turkins are still just ugly. The little Wellborns still look more like sparrows or large quail than chickens. And, of course, the Blue Austrolorps are still the prettiest. Looking at them now and wondering what they will look like later is like a roulette game—not much telling how things will turn out.

 

Have done laundry ‘til the world looked level today. Changed the sheets on my bed and washed the bedspreads as well. Then did rugs and dog blankets. It’s about time to put those things away for the summer. Thompson has a tendency to get cold when the AC is on, but he can move to a different dog bed if all else fails. Got the floors in the bedroom and bathroom cleaned and all the dust bunnies strangled and disposed of. Amazing how those things proliferate!

 

Terry Speegle got their old home place mown and cleaned up somewhat today. Was beginning to wonder about it and if he had given up on it. Seems it is in his aunt’s name, but he tries to keep it cleaned up. Have seen a couple of strange people going in there over the past month, so the doors may not be locked any longer or something. Guess it is not a problem that concerns me.

 

Number one child had his birthday today and sent pictures of the biscuit cutters his oldest got for him. He also had a new knife to either carry or put in his new display case. Know Daddy liked knives and things along that line, but who knew this grandson would like them, too.

 

It's tried off and on today to actually rain. We at least got some thunder. Knew that when the dogs started getting extra restless. Never did amount to much more than a cool, moist breeze, but that is not something to gripe about. You know those hot days are on the way. It IS Texas.

 

Was about to have a couple of slices of toast this morning, but Dave’s Killer Bread had molded. ARG! The hens got the part that was not bad. Ran up to the new United and got some bread—Dave’s, of course—and a package of English muffins. Just sounded good with apple butter. SO happy to have this store so close and convenient. It was busy, busy, but that will slack off eventually when the new has worn off. Meanwhile, they have Bluebell ice cream on sale two for 8.88. Can’t pass that up!

 

Called Gerald Talley today because Barry Ice said Anne’s grave needed dirt hauled in. Gerald said to call the funeral home about it and they should arrange to take care of it. But that will have to wait until Tuesday. Meanwhile, Lesli will have to find the paperwork for when the stone was bought and have the company come carve out the death date on the stone for Anne. Lesli just needed one more thing to do. Seems like there is always something to take care of even a year or so later. At least her house is sold and that is not a problem.

 

Planted lavender in the front flower bed along the porch the other day. It seems to be taking root and coming up good. Will have to remember to water every week for a bit. Also, will have to get the poppy seeds gathered from the poppies in the walkway. Have been stepping over them carefully for quite some time now. Won’t know how to walk down it for a while.

 

A conversation today made me want to say: put a smile in your voice. Smile in your head even if your heart says ouch. It is so easy to NOT be happy or not feel any encouragement, so it is up to us to work on it. No one can “fix” us except the person we are. Let’s try to remember that our attitude spreads to others, but first we have to spread it to our own minds. No matter what kind of hen house residue you step in, what you do with that stuff makes a difference in the long run. Deep stuff takes a shovel; the rest is just fertilizer. You can be about as happy as you choose to be.

 

Let us rest our concerns and worries with our Father. He can take care of all our worries.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

A Dash of REAL Coffee!

 A Dash of REAL Coffee!

 

Got up early again this morning to let the hens out. They informed me that they had been up for some time now, thank you very much! Anyway, felt as if a zombie had taken over my body. Only thing different was not putting my hands out in front of me. Just lay back down and slept hard for about an hour. Sylvia got me up a little before two this morning scratching around UNDER my bed. Poor baby. She must have scooted under on her side somehow because she could not get out on her belly. Had to lift the entire corner of that bed! Whew! Not sure how, but it got done. And she lost no time getting herself out of there! Feeling trapped is not funny!

 

We have a 30% chance of rain today, but it is simply overcast and not really looking like a real rain. Guess the water hose will come out and do its duty today. Strange how we can have dew and misty rain and the ground be so hard and dry!

 

Wanting to make some raised beds just for these silly irises. They manage to get Bermuda grass and assorted weeds in amongst them that look unkempt. Hoping that the idea of a raised bed might eliminate that problem. Of course, ideas are only as good as the actual execution. Like putting wooden doors on the workshop to eliminate all the dust and stuff, the things have to be done in a timely manner. The workshop needs to have everything removed and then rearranged and some of the things given away or otherwise not put back inside. We will see if that happens this year. (Notice the timeline—this year!)

 

Put vinegar on the grass on the dressed stone walkway. Hoping to kill some weeds and grass that have just about taken over the end closest to the workshop. Probably end up having to use something else other than vinegar, but at least this is an attempt. Simply cannot weed eat it out of there.

 

The old woman needs to go get some potting soil at either Sutherland’s or Lowes. So many things that need to be done require her to actually put on civilized clothing and get in the truck! Oh well. Maybe that can be the “task of the day.”

 

The tulips in my Mother’s Day bouquet have opened up this morning. The Gerber daisies and the roses are so very pretty, too, but the purple asters will last the longest. Those things are just tough. It will take hardly any time for the hydrangea blooms to need to be removed. They have a tendency to drop little bits of bloom on the bench. But they are so very pretty. Jennifer said she can’t make a bush like that live. They are very fragile, it seems.

 

Sent poppy seeds home with Grayson—as if he would remember to give them to his mom. But his car will sprout poppies some day if he forgets! Wouldn’t that be funny! Going down the highway in a white Mustang with red poppies blowing in the breeze in the backseat!

 

Patty called and we talked about these silly dogs of ours. Her Rudy lets her know that he thinks it is time for her to go to bed if she stays up much later than seven. Thompson is not quite that eager to go to bed, but if the hens have been put up, he will talk to me about the bedroom. And yes, that is exactly what he is talking about. Funny critters.

 

Sterling got a bench finished today and said it pretty well tired him out to just get that one thing done. His friend George helped him just a bit. Think he may paint it with the blue paint that the lumberyard gave him. An eight-foot bench is a pretty good-sized piece of furniture in my estimation. Just moving it around would take some doing. But that is what they wanted—a long bench for the guys to sit on out there in the yard. Not many folks would consider a bench quite that long, but they have four men in the yard with the wood that has to be loaded or unloaded.

 

My sister-by-another-mother said the doctor saw her yesterday. Guess she is doing better even if she still feels pretty tired and weak. At least no infection remains. Honestly, the older we get, the harder it is to stay healthy.

 

Stephen Smith said his boys got him an early Father’s Day gift—a puppy. His wife took his service dog along with the rest of the livestock. Sitting here shaking my head. Guess he won’t have anyone around to claim this one at least. Hope it stays healthy and happy.

 

Let’s pray for those families who know the sorrowful meaning of Memorial Day. May God bless them.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Remembering Gifts.

 Remembering Gifts.

 

Sat thinking today about how it used to be after Christmas when we went back to school and some of the kids would be talking rather loudly about what “Santa” had brought them. We knew better than to say anything one way or the other. Dad had reminded us more than once that not everyone even got a cookie or a piece of candy. One of the neatest things about Christmas to me was the opportunity to go Christmas caroling and taking little gifts wrapped up in paper to different houses. Some of us kids called it the “missed houses.” Those were the ones that did not get to decorate or bake or otherwise have neat stuff just for that time of year. Invariably it was the Methodist ladies who put all the goodies together and hauled our happy backsides to the homes of widows and widowers, or to homes of those who did not quite have enough money just for food. We never acted like we knew whose houses we were visiting. We just went and smiled and sang. It was probably one of the best parts of that time of year.

 

Today my grandson Grayson came to visit. Oh! Such a delight! We visited and looked at baby chicks and messed with the six black hens. He told me the door to the hen house just needed to be turned over to get it to open easier. Well, duh! Smart kid! He is like his dad and Lewis—spatial understanding! He took it down, turned it over, re-hung it, and put the hardware back on it. Then he got a 50 lb. sack of feed out of the truck’s back seat and poured that into the trash can being used for feed in the chicks’ house. That’s two jobs that needed to be done, but this ol’ gal was not quite up to it. Jo Ann had offered to unload the feed for me, but did not let her since Lance planned to come up this next week.

 

Grayson got to meet Patty and her pups. The dogs finally acted as if he was acceptable—especially Roxie. Think she misses Donny terribly. Rudy might not give a fizz, but that little Roxie does.

 

Cooked carrots, three huge chicken breasts, and made rice in the chicken broth with okra, tomato, corn, peppers, and celery soup. Not bad eating. Will have to put some in the freezer, but such is life and living in the fast lane. Ahem. The chicken was actually for the dogs to have with their kibble, but the old woman has her share as well.

 

Another couple looked at the house across the street today. They had a young girl with them. Praying that whoever gets this house will be good neighbors. The young couple in Jerry’s house (and yes, it will ALWAYS be Jerry’s house) are very nice, quiet, and kinda neat. Chris Ohm told me that Clint had been on the Apprentice—some kind of show with Donald Trump—years ago. But have learned that Clint also had some kind of show of his own about maybe remodeling or something. Sorry, the old woman does not “do” TV or anything like that. Movies are nice once in a while, but not anything with commercials or soap opera scenarios.

 

Wondered recently if they still make CD players so a person can listen to old CDs. Have an entire shelf of them, but my new computer does not have a player like that. Oh well. The birds are probably noisy enough. Have awakened at 2 to 2:30 more than once lately when a mockingbird has decided to serenade us around that time. And it is not a quiet song, either! This critter could wake the entire neighborhood if the windows were open, but he gets right in the side of the Bradford pear and must sing AT my window!! Oh well. Sleep is overrated.

 

Sterling called and said he might show up this coming Wednesday on his way to Seymour, TX. He is going down further south to see his oldest daughter. Anyway, he may bring me a rocking chair for a future small child. That’s not to say that any are in the planning stage. He has been making benches for various folks. Five- and six-foot benches are about right for a front porch. Jacqui insists that they need one, too. He laughed and said he would have to get the measurements for their two backsides—after a big meal!

 

It misted rain again today. We really need another two- or three-day soaking rain. The ground is cracking open out in the east lots. The dry grass is going to cause trouble eventually here and out in the countryside. That stuff just takes a spark. Pray for rain!

 

Will say that my prayers have concentrated on my family lately. Know that friends like Tami Yonts and others need prayers to overcome the problems with cancer and the drugs they are being given. And then there are the visiting nurses who drive up and down the back roads to take care of folks in their own homes. Thank God they are willing to do that service.

 

Let’s pray for the healing of this nation and its people. God knows what we need.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Calm, Quiet, Misty Rain.

 Calm, Quiet, Misty Rain.

 

The morning started out with misting rain. Noticed that out in the Big Empty they have received more rain since the beginning of the year than they normally get all year. Who knows what kind of weather patterns we may end up with before this year is over. But it was truly nice and quiet early this morning. Oh, the scissortail flycatchers and the mockingbirds were talking, but they were not being hounded by the boat-tailed grackles, at least. Sometimes the grackles and the starlings just really raise a racket! Quieter this morning. Time for a good session of prayer.

 

It's been a good day despite my lack of enthusiasm for getting the floors cleaned up. The mud just came right inside with both dogs. Eventually the floors will get vacuumed and mopped again. But not today. And maybe not tomorrow! Life goes on.

 

The flowers that were supposed to be delivered yesterday got here today. Beautiful arrangement! All my kids thought the 75^th was pretty special, so that’s why Jennifer kept messing around with the online ordering thing. She did not have the name of a good local florist. But now she does. Mother Earth Florist at 940-781-4381 did a good job. A very nice lady called and then brought the flowers. The online folks were trying to say that they had attempted delivery yesterday and could not find me at home. Nope, they were just trying not to lose the sale.

 

Really nice visit this morning with Jo Ann Hobbs. She was Jerry’s mom—the guy who used to live across the street. Anyway, she promised to come again soon so we could go walking. Sounds like fun to me! It used to be that any work Jerry did for me was repaid in groceries or things he needed. It worked out well enough for both of us. But Jo Ann discovered that my sweet tooth included jelly beans and gummies! She brought a happy surprise sack of them this morning. She left with an invitation to join the blog group, so let’s hope she enjoys it. Sometimes my blog is strictly thoughts rattling around in the old gourd.

 

Saw that Carla Beard was encouraging folks to read Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Have never read it, so will just have to find a copy somewhere either online or at the library. SO many books that we should have read years ago never quite made it to my book shelf. We had copies of all the fairy tales, old timey folk stories, nursery rhymes and such as that. Bought four Disney books when the children were little to read to them. Sent them home with one of the kids finally. Grandmother Pollard bought them a book of nursery rhymes that were different from the ones we had as children. Since then, have read about how some of those things came into existence. Thinking of the “ring around the rosies” as being something that warned about the plague. Strange how things come about. The twelve days of Christmas hid the message of the gospel and the history of the church. Who knows what some stories have meant in different cultures over the centuries.

 

Have been reading almost all day in a series of books about different critters that are supposed to be non-existent. Gnomes that garden, centaurs that race, and cats that talk are just some of the creatures in this series of books. They may be silly, but they are entertaining without stress.

 

Really don’t know much this evening. The chicks are growing daily and eating like—well, like hungry chickens. Wondering what will happen when these get turned out on the yard! It may be interesting. Jo Ann seemed to like the Blue Australorps. She did not know that the “turkens” really do have naked necks. Wondering if they will have roosters in this group or if they will be pullets. They are pretty fierce little chicks. Would not want one chasing me around!

 

Sitting here sneezing. Wondering if it is this beautiful bouquet or just my allergies. Doesn’t really matter. Flowers are staying on my desk! Such beauty and love from my kids and from our Maker. The birds’ song and the lift of the colors from flowers make any day special.

 

May you each find the reasons for joy in your life. You know that we are so very blessed right here where we are—whether in the U.S. or England. Freedom and the knowledge of an orderly society are pretty doggone reassuring.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Scooby-Do!

 Scooby-Do!

 

Patty asked me if MY dogs let me know about the thunder earlier in the morning. She said she had to get up anyway since Roxie was lying on the oxygen tube to her CPAP, but she noticed that the two pups were shadowing her legs like the Scooby-Do group when they were going into a scary place—touching each other for bravery! She had to laugh about it since she was not bothered, but the pups were definitely all about touching her! Had to tell her about the grandsons that watched that cartoon as littles and sang the song fervently! Think that Grayson was singing those words before he actually started talking in full sentences! Funny kids!

 

Jennifer is at Kroger getting balloons for Gary’s birthday party. He turns 50 tomorrow! So many of the family and employees have birthdays in May that they have to have two parties and cakes for the company—one early in the month and one in the last part of the month. How funny! The hospitals must have been busy!

 

A man at the new United store this morning was handing out coupons for a Dole salad and some drinks called “Suja.” The one that came home with me has these “cold pressed” ingredients: apple, carrot, beet, banana, and orange. Not bad. Don’t think it would occur to me to buy something like that, but it sounds pretty healthy and doesn’t taste bad at all. The “immunity” shot was a bit much with a spicy flavor, but it was free.

 

Am SO happy to have the new United up there on that corner. It is less than a half mile to my home. That means the old woman could afford to go back to the house if she forgets her list. Giggling

 

The employees were all mature adults at the new store. That makes me happy. They were friendly and attentive to what was going on around them. The store managers had put together a gift bag for those who were actually getting a bill of groceries today. That bag probably had $50 worth of goodies in it! It even had a Hershey’s chocolate bar in there! Anyway, they had sent out some coupons for this next month for folks to get free milk and bottled water along with coupons for five or ten dollars off a $50- or $100- dollar purchase. It hardly takes anything to make up a bill of groceries for those amounts! They also have a counter of foods that they were cooking. Didn’t quite get over there, but maybe next time. The one at Market Street is really nice.

 

Have tried to semi-keep up with the birthday greetings today, but it is a little bit difficult. May just have to post one big thank you to everyone that sent greetings. Touching base with so many friends reminds me of just how blessed this old woman is. Living this long is a blessing from God anyway, but every day makes me wonder what He wants me to do next. Don’t think it has anything to do with raising chickens, but who knows. Just visiting with Patty makes me feel better when we laugh about the stuff that happens around here.

 

Many cars, trucks, and assorted folks come to look at the house across the street. Just praying that we can get some really good neighbors. Clint and Sandy are so sweet, but we don’t really visit much at all. They stay busy, and he seems to work more than a New Orleans coffee trader! But the posts they put on FB are good ones that can be inspiring. Think God brought them here.

 

Think a grandson plans to come visit this week, and Lance said he would be here Wednesday of the following week. Love that either or both will visit. Know it is difficult for them to get away. Life stays pretty busy for most of us at that age.

 

Suzanne Priddy’s son got her back yard mowed down, so the fire hazards are to the north on Lake View and on the south of our street in an open lot. Folks just have no idea what it is like to be between high, dry grass and a windy day with a spark. Texas winds carry sparks a long way. My place is both green and mown down considerably. But still, fires are a worry any time.

 

Sterling said that the building where he used to attend church in Springtown was going into another change of pastors. His church has a young man who may take it over and have services there. In that case, Sterling will probably go there for services. Close to home. More old-time music. It just makes me say thank you, Father, for the many blessings for my brother and his friends to serve and be served. Churches make a community. The blessings are many and varied, but the spirit is what matters most. Love grows in ways no one can ever foresee.

 

Will tell you all thank you for reading and sharing your time with me. Keith Mattson even sang to me today! Now that made me feel pretty special! My cousin John clucked at me, and my daughter sang to me. Now how could a day get much better than that? Thank you all.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.