Just ONE!

 Just ONE!

 

Got ONE whole floor vacuumed and mopped. That certainly is not much to show for one day. Of course, Thompson stayed in the recliner and watched carefully while Sylvia had to be put back inside the kitchen a couple of times. Oh well. One is better than none.

 

Jeanie, the back door neighbor, came over asking for eggs. So, saw her coming with the empty carton and had them ready for her. She always has some wild stories to tell me. She got stopped by a police officer for riding her bike down the middle of the highway. He told her to ride on the side, and she promptly told him that folks cuss her and throw things at her and act like they are going to run over her. Feel for her. Wonder if it is because she just does not look like one of those bike racers with the fancy hat and shiny pants. It’s her only transportation, however. She really needs a tricycle with a basket for her groceries on the back. Sigh.

 

Had cod for din-upper today with the last of the fresh spinach in a salad with radishes, cucumber slices, and some small tomatoes. May burp the rest of the evening, but it was pretty good. Last night some cottage cheese with a fresh, red pear sliced up in it was a good late evening snack. That kind of pear is about the best there is. Crisp and sweet. Still have some blueberries and raspberries left to use up. Great snacks with cottage cheese.

 

Talked to Max today (the young couple across the street in Jerry’s house), and he said their roof is leaking and the back sliding door is leaking as well. Never would have known it if we had not had that toad strangler of a rain. Shona was saying the sliding door and her fan over the oven both leaked. Guess some of us should feel happy not to have anything leaking.

 

The two toys purchased for my dogs have just about expended all their stuffed, puffy white guts all over the place. Why the old woman buys things like that is beyond me. You’d think she would find something better, but the dogs really love chewing on these things!

 

Patty was telling me that the storage barns she and Donny bought a few years ago were only a thousand dollars apiece with free delivery. Hmm. Thinking about something like that. Pretty sure the price would be twice as high now. But it would not have to be as big as what they got. Just thinking.

 

Need to go out and clean the middle coop this afternoon. Those girls really fill it up quickly. Hope the fertilizer is good for the ground. Jeanie said she saw all the feathers and thought something had slaughtered a hen. Nope, just molting.

 

Might not have enough energy for cleaning, but reading my Bible and praying doesn’t take that much effort. One of these days, the old forgetful woman may try to keep a prayer list like Sterling does so nothing gets skipped. Thinking of the folks in South Carolina and all the flood and typhoon victims in various places. The world is never just all sunshine and happiness, and lately haven’t heard of any place that happiness has broken out all over. But sometimes it is enough to think that God might consider us faithful. Let us keep that in mind.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Almost Soup Weather!

 Almost Soup Weather!

 

It has been quite cool and definitely rainy today. We already had nearly four inches of rain and got that much more today! Lake Wichita is up but have no idea if the spillway dam is going over or not. Shona said some of the streets were a bit dangerous earlier. Not surprised. We are not actually accustomed to minor flooding. We either have droughts or downpours!

 

It’s been a good day anyway. The hens were not terrifically happy with all the rain, but they have all been out finding things to eat on the acreage. They had some wheat and some sunflower seeds to go with their usual feed. If any worms came out, you can bet they found them!

 

Have not been interested in looking at any of the news or whatever is going on anywhere. Thought about the folks up in the mountains of NC when my feet and legs got cold. Can’t imagine living in a tent and trying to stay dry and warm. We have so much wind that a tent would have to be staked down around ten feet deep to maintain its shape and not leave in the wind. As it is, we know what it is like to not be ready for heavy rains. The last truck we bought had not had any real rain on it for over a year, but then we got into heavy rain and the sunroof leaked. The warranty paid for replacing it, and we were mighty glad. Over a thousand dollars for that thing!

 

If the run off goes into the area lakes, we should be up to better gauges. Lake Arrowhead was only at 64% capacity last week. This rain should hit that mark up considerably. God has just blessed us again!

 

Made a pot of fresh decaf coffee this evening. Just felt like a coffee kind of day. Soup sounded good earlier, but simply did not want to make anything right now. Have plenty of veggies to go in soup, and even have both beef or chicken bouillon, but always feel the entire thing needs to be eaten and not placed in the fridge. Silly, right. But the veggies include onions, so the dogs can’t help me out eating it up. Oh well. Maybe tomorrow.

 

Still did not mop the floors today. Maybe soon it will happen, but don’t hold your breath. The older the old woman gets, the easier it is to take it easy and “rest” when the joints are aching. And they are. It has to be the weather or something. Felt half way decent early in the day, but the old knee simply has to be irritating. Sigh.

 

Let us remember those who have been flooded out or otherwise had their lives totally disrupted by either weather or warfare. The world is such an unsettled place that no one has any assurance that tomorrow will be a better day. The only true assurance we have is God’s love. Let us remember to pray for our brothers.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Stocking Up.

 Stocking Up.

 

Filled up the wheat bin and added some hen crumble to the bin in the workshop. It never fails that it rains or does something this time of the year if the old woman lets her stash of chicken feed get the least bit low. Had the young man put the two bags inside the truck in case my energy ran out before getting the feed put into bins. But it is done and down to cooking for the dogs.

 

Ten pounds of chicken quarters are cooked, deboned, and the meat bagged up for these two dogs. Also, they each got a toy today. One has the squeaker deader than a door nail and the other one has stuffing dropped into the trash can. But they enjoyed them. Got them some pumpkin snacks that they liked, too. Don’t ask me why the old woman doesn’t just get busy and make them herself.

 

Got some fresh spinach, a handful of radishes, some cabbage and such fresh stuff as that to keep me occupied. Found the celery stalks instead of the little bags of pieces this time. Love making chicken salad with celery, pecans, and tiny pieces of apple. Need to go over to the Pecan Shed to get some decent pecans. Those in the store have been frozen or something. Anyway, had teriyaki salmon with a spinach salad for brunch today. Had planned to have some more fish this evening, but just not in the mood. Cottage cheese with blueberries instead. After cooking all that chicken, it doesn’t even appeal to me.

 

We have had thunder, lightning, rain, and some wind so far this afternoon. The dogs are right under my feet. How that helps is not really clear to me, but kinda agree that it feels better than being alone. Think we all need to cuddle up once in a while.

 

Looked at just enough news to make me pray more for Israel and the pilots from the U.S. that went over lately. Those planes are amazing, but they are not bullet-proof. Nothing but God’s spirit can protect His people—in Israel or anywhere.

 

Sterling was talking about the fact that Trump is a business person rather than a politician. Think about this: the founders of America were businessmen, farmers, lawyers, tradesmen, and men who worked with their hands. They were not from royalty or any syndicated group of people from Britain. They were on their own and aware that no one was going to do anything for them other than friends and neighbors. Gotta tell you, not much has changed in that respect. Who helped the folks in the mountains of NC? Men from West Virginia came and built a road for them. Neighbors helped clean up the downed trees. Those from the Amish or Samaritan’s Purse came to give them food, clothes, some little houses, and any kind of help they needed. That is the American spirit. We can depend on our friends and neighbors here in Texas, and it is about the same in every state. God has blessed us with the love for our fellow man. Remember to be thankful.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

 

 

Fussin', Feudin', Attitudin!

 Fussin’, Feudin’, Attitudin’!

 

Dadgum the wars. Granddad Kennedy used to use “Dadgum the war” as his byword—back during the time when his son was in the Navy in WWII. Nowadays there are too many wars to even mention! But pardon me while the old woman growls. Had a blog written and lost it. Argh. Just was talking about how folks don’t even know all the members of their own family. Then read an article today about how some folks are not even in the same race as the rest of us:

These researchers analyzed DNA from 83 Aboriginal Australians and 25 others from the Papua New Guinea highlands. This genetic study indicated that they were the oldest continuous civilization on earth, with their origins dating back more than fifty thousand years. The results of the study also revealed that their DNA was similar to that of the Denisovans but different enough that it could be from a third, previously unknown hominid. About four percent of their genome appears to come from this unidentified species [4].

 

Can’t imagine cooking for three or four different tribes! No turkey, no ham, no chicken, no cottage cheese! Fish? Umm. No! But we all have to sit at the same table and get along. Chinese food it is!

 

Opened the curtains early this morning to discover that the sun came up in Texas again. Some things don’t really change all that much, don’t you see. And then, some really seem to change right before our eyes. My thoughts on the situations—and yes, there certainly are more than one—are that we have to trust God to completely rip Satan a new one and pray that we will be able to be what God would have us be as His sons and daughters. May we not fall into sin but walk the straight paths He has shown us.

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Working With Tools.

 Working With Tools.

 

My daddy lost his temper one time because a lawnmower simply refused to start. Sterling had jerked and pulled, and even Mom went out there and jerked on the thing. Daddy declared, “If I had a hammer, I would beat this @@@ apart!” Sterling handed him the hammer. Daddy had to go to town and buy a new lawnmower. That night, he told Sterling to never hand him a hammer when he was mad again. Yep, it matters if your tools do what they are supposed to do. A broken hammer, a busted drill or burnt up Skill saw are not any fun at all. Very frustrating. Now some men could patiently take the carburetor apart and whatever else might cause something to not work, but then there are those like the old woman who just can’t deal with messed up tools. We have to admire those who are determined to figure out what is wrong and fix it.

 

Have you ever wondered if you are a tool? It seems each person has a reason to be something in life. Maybe it is something of their own choosing, or maybe they wander along the paths of life until they happen to stumble into their purpose. Some folks stumble around and mess up whatever they touch until something moves them in another direction. Talented, skilled in some things, and even genius level expressions in life do not necessarily make them happy. Something is just right out there, not quite within reach, that the person needs to get things just right in life. Something is missing. Some element is just not firing for the person.

 

Each person needs that spark of fire, the determination, and the intention to make things the way they should be in life. It may take a last breath to see the light for what it is, but it will be there in our lives. We are just tools that have a job or two to do. The element that sparks the fire is the spirit of God; the hand of the Master tool maker is the one that imparts into His tools the faith and the trust that makes us useful. Let us pray to be good, solid tools for the Master Craftsman.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

More Rain, Yay!

 More Rain, Yay!

 

Got out on the road and walked down to check the rain gauge again this morning. Nearly an inch and it is still raining a bit. We had hail earlier this morning, but it did not sound large or vicious. Would not mind seeing another three or four inches of rain to fill up the stock tanks and Lake Arrowhead as well as lakes around the area. God has surely blessed us. Even the hens are happy out there scratching around where they might find something interesting to eat!

 

Just went out to check for eggs. Two hens are broody: Thelma and GrayFluff. GrayFluff is obnoxious about the nests. She pecks anyone disturbing her—including the old woman! Doesn’t bother me in the least to reach in there and just plop her down on the ground. Anyway, seven eggs is not bad for one day with so many in molt stage.

 

Made some tuna fish salad with eggs and pickles—well, and salad dressing. Did not read on the jar to see if it had sugar in it or not. Really did not care all that much. Going without sugar is not terribly easy considering how much is in everything we eat! Same with salt. Oh, and sent off for some Choc-Zero. It is 90% cocoa plus monk sweetener. Got to really want some chocolate to eat it.

 

Our postman said the reason he was late today was that it is Monday: they shove a week’s worth of mail on their vans on that day, and they may have to work as many as ten hours on that day! Here’s hoping they are well paid to work like that!

 

Thompson walked over to my desk in the living room and “talked” to me this morning. He wanted a treat. They have these little things that look like a t-bone steak but is not real meat. Gave one to Thompson and tossed one to Sylvia. She always catches hers in mid-air! That always makes me laugh. Really need to take her to Pets to get her nails trimmed and get a renewal on the prescription for Bravecto. At least it may be a prescription. Who knows. Roger sent me this video of a girl wrapping her head in plastic wrap, smearing it with peanut butter, and then trimming her dog’s toenails. Not a chance! Sylvia is not that crazy about peanut butter anyway! And she is definitely opposed to anything like having her feet worked on. Good thing she is not a horse.

 

Refuse to look at the news for today. Just can’t stand all the piles of cow dung that are flopping around out there. May just stay off of the computer for a couple of days or longer until the mess clears up. Know dadgummed well that nothing is going to get better until God puts in HIS hands! Or maybe He already has and we just need to watch and trim our lamps and take along some oil for later when He comes. If you have read the verses, you know.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Rain and The Sound Effects!

 Rain and The Sound Effects!

 

We had nearly four inches of rain in the gauge this morning, but the wildest part was all the wind and the wham-bams of the thunder and lightning! The dogs endured it last night other than being a bit restless, but when it started up again today, Sylvia wanted in my chair and Thompson wanted me to go to the bedroom! Funny how they decide to evade the worries they have. Of course, people are not really all that different. Just wished for a good nap, but it didn’t happen. Such is life.

 

Shona said the wind turned their backyard upside down with the trampoline and gazebo blown up and over. Did the old woman ever mention that the wind coming across the lake has zero buffers or trees to prevent its progress? At least we did not get hit like some parts of Oklahoma and get our homes torn all to pieces!

 

Spoke on the phone with my sister-by-another-mother this morning. She was telling me that someone borrowed their tractor and messed up the electrical wires in it. Argh! That is one big expensive repair that takes a good mechanic to work on it. She also told me that they got their water well working again. They don’t have city water. Even so, she was happy that the guy was able to repair whatever needed to be fixed. Understand completely how good it is to have things work right!

 

Can’t believe that this weekend is already almost over. Had to search for the directions to change the electric clock in my bedroom. Either the old woman is getting denser as she grows older or the directions were not all that helpful. Think it will not get changed this next spring. Simply too much trouble! Silly idea of saving daylight anyway!!

 

The floors are getting to the tipping point around here. The mud has not helped, but not one gripe will you hear from me. At least the rain will help the grass grow. Will just have to tackle one room at a time to try to get things corralled. It’s not like dog hair and dirt are all that different from one day to the next.

 

Will ask that you all pray for this nation that God will bless us with what is needed. He used some strange characters to make things happen during Israel’s inception. And His plans always work, no matter what we think. Saw an Israeli ship pass through the Suez Canal on the news. Did you know that the treaty signed for that canal allows ALL ships to pass through? So, it is interesting that Egypt has to allow Israel to use it also despite how the people feel about the nation.

 

Let us pray for mankind wherever the vagaries of nature and man’s nature have presented us with death and destruction. Let us ask for God’s blessings on mankind. His love can heal everyone.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.