Yep! Hotter'n a Pistol!

 Yep! Hotter’n a Pistol!

 

The temperature gauge on the deck says 106 degrees, but my phone says 99 degrees. Whatever! It is plum hot! The hens are panting and staying under the deck where water is sprayed each day to help them stay cool. By nine tonight it might be cool enough for them to get out and graze a bit, but before that it will simply be too hot to trot or even walk around. Honestly! Summer veggies are the only excuse for this heat.

 

Made some fried squash from some that Cari Guidry’s mom dropped off this week. Nothing is as good as fried squash, fried okra, fried green tomatoes, or . . . well, can’t think of anything else that good. Fresh, small cucumbers make a delicious treat with fresh tomatoes, but the squash fills a hole in a belly quicker than any relish or salad out there. About the only thing better than summer veggies has to be a good steak with a potato. But that is just me.

 

Need to do some dust mopping tomorrow—and maybe even a bit of plain mopping. The dogs got into it over the scrambled eggs they were given this morning and turned them upside down all over the floor in front of the stove. This is twice this week that the kitchen floor has been so insulted! The first time was my fault. And truth be told, the scrambled egg mess was probably my fault, as well. Need to separate them by more than three yards to keep them in their own corners! They have been walking around here looking like Popeye the Sailor with a corncob pipe in their mouths. Michelle brought them some treats that stick out of their mouths. It is funny to watch them because they get tired of chewing and just walk around with the “bone” hanging out.

 

Talked to Patty a bit ago and found out that her friend Debbie checks on her sometime each morning. That made me feel better. Did that for years with Janis, and now do it with Connie. In fact, Connie called this morning because yours truly fell back asleep after nine. My days start early, however. Out at the hen house by six to let the girls out, and then the dogs sit with me to watch the sun come up while the hens run around all over the place. Early mornings with bird songs and happy dogs are a good start to a day. It is also the perfect time to thank God for a good night’s rest. Early morning is a good time for so many thoughts. Fatigue has not had time to make me feel less than capable of doing whatever needs to be done. And thinking about all the children makes me feel glad. SO blessed to have good children. The picture of Jennifer, Gary, and the boys at the Ranger game the other night was pretty special to me. They are a sweet bunch.

 

Reading a book about a seaport town before the American Revolution. The main character is too young to know better, and he is too naïve to help himself. So many are in that same boat today. Young or old, some of us just don’t stop to think about things long enough to keep out of trouble. But then, look at what is going on in this entire country! So very sad. Honesty has pretty much gone by the wayside. And apparently shame is the middle name of more people than we could ever expect! Not that those people realize why they are so shameful. Greed seems to be a virtue in this current world. And extravagance apparently gains only admiration. How totally stupid. Oh well. This life goes on and will change eventually.

 

Have no real thoughts for the day that are worth sharing. Know that Jacob got to go home back to Gentry, Arkansas, and am pretty sure his mom must feel as if she has run three marathons in the three weeks the kid was in the hospital. Not sure if she will be able to go back to school to teach right now or not. It is that time of the year, but Jacob will have to have someone with him for quite a while. Not sure if one of the girls would be able to do that or not. Just a lot of uncertainties coming up for them right now.

 

My washer is telling me it needs to be emptied. Sigh More clothes need to be put in the dryer, so up and at ‘em!

 

May you all rest well this evening and night. Remember to be grateful for all the blessings God has given us. You are loved.

Just a Few Little Thoughts.

 Just a Few Little Thoughts.

 

Sometimes when folks worry about things over which they have no control, it can help to get things in perspective if they can see that no matter what they say or do, it will not change other people or the way they think about things. Just spoke with my neighbor, and she just needed a couple of reassuring thoughts before we giggled about how to control the snakes in my hen house or in her kitchen. Yes, we both despise snakes that come wiggling into places they don’t belong. Then we were reminded that no matter how we miss someone or need their affirmations of love, we can’t replace them. We just have to live one day at a time, one step at a time. It is not easy. Never has been for anyone else, either. Time, chance, and circumstance come to all. And today Michelle came to visit and reminded me just how many of us old widow women are in this world today. We each have a place to live and a lonely space in our lives. But we have to fill the spaces and make our lives as useful to ourselves and others as we can. Sometimes it is just really hard to feel very useful. And maybe it is enough to just BE, at least some days. We can listen to the birds sing, watch the silly dogs play, and appreciate the time we have on our hands. It is much easier on us to be filled with gratitude than it is to feel lonesome and semi-lost. Those are just my thoughts tonight. My wishes for you are that you will all find rest and peace. You are loved. May the blessings of God be with you.

Contingencies.

 Contingencies.

 

It is never a bad idea to have your neighbors’ contact numbers just in case. Life does tend to happen. As my friend BR might tell you, some of us will even call a kid if an old woman does not answer her phone after several tries. Anyway, just got back from the Andersons’ place and now have a couple of numbers that can be contacted just in case it ever happens to be needed. Know that Donny and Patty had—have—Jennifer’s number. Guess it would do to be sure later.

 

PT was much easier today. The tech in charge of torture took out two of the really tough exercises. Not sure if she did that because yours truly is such a wuss or if she just did not like the expression on my face. Whichever, it was not too bad today.

 

Spent about an hour early this morning pulling sticker weeds from inside the east pasture and alongside the fence next to the road. Filled up half a grocery bag with just sticker stems! Hate those things! But at least most of the time those things can be eliminated. Khaki weed is an entirely different matter. Don’t think there is a weed killer out there that can get rid of that horrible stuff. Will have to talk to Jim Jackson again about what to do about them. Hate to pay the company prices, but if they can get rid of that stuff over my entire place, that would help.

 

DG, Donny’s son, will be at the hospital in the morning with whatever family intends to be there. Patty said she just can’t handle it, so someone will be here with her. They will have a chaplain to say a prayer before disconnecting, and that may help them, even if Donny would have scoffed at them. Patty said this is one time he can’t stand up and fuss at anyone about what they are doing. Nodding my head and thinking about his attitude. He has always been a character.

 

My dogs sniff me up one side and down the other when my clothes smell like Rudy and Roxie. Cheating old woman! But then, Donny said that his dogs did the same thing when he came up here and Sylvia and Thompson got their smell on him. Dogs’ noses are very sensitive. It’s probably a good thing that ours are not. Cigarette smoke is about enough to knock a person’s olfactory glands out of kilter! That or skunk! About the same, actually.

 

Made a few sarcastically seasoned eggs. Shared with the dogs and now yours truly has indigestion. Should know better, right? It’s after six, after all. Evenings are not meant to be snack times, despite the inclinations to seek out crunchies or something sweet like ice cream. Evenings used to be Lewis’ favorite time of the day to have ice cream. Even sugar free can be pretty good if a person is kinda hungry. Oh well. There’s always Tums.

 

Am praying tonight for my sister-by-another mother, Sharon. She has some issues that she is hoping to resolve tomorrow. Besides the sorrow she endures from the loss of her police officer son, she also has the same kind of back problems as the old woman. Her doctor finally gave her some pain meds. Maybe he will eventually put her on this gabapentin or something similar that will work for her. Anyway, tomorrow she has a meeting that should resolve some questions and provide some answers about her family situation. Everyone eventually has to settle things that cause internal struggles. No matter the problems we have, they are not uncommon to man—woman.

 

Let us pray for peace tonight. Life is too short to suffer fools gladly or to let things bother us unduly. May we look to God the Father with gratitude and gladness in life’s joys. Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Summer and Heat Stressors.

 Summer and Heat Stressors.

 

Talked to my nephew Danny Pollard today. He said that they have had Jacob up and walking some. It may be that they will be able to bring him home from the hospital by Monday if all goes well. Meanwhile, the humidity and heat in Arkansas is just a lot like it is here in WF. Pretty miserable.

 

Someone on this side of WF said that a cougar was prowling around between Southwest Parkway and Lake Wichita. That is not even two miles from my place. Have seen bobcats out here, foxes, raccoons, and plenty of possums, but never have seen a cougar walking around here. Waiting until daylight until letting the hens out may keep my critters safe, but those big cats are not dumb. They know a hen when they see one. But, of course, they eat house cats and small dogs just as happily. Folks who let their cats run outside can kiss ‘em goodbye if a bobcat or even a coyote is hungry. One lady in Burkburnett was raising champion fuzzy little dogs—can’t remember the breed, but tiny ones—and a coyote came out from under a bush next to her sidewalk and ran off with her prize pooch! It was undoubtedly dead before it left the sidewalk, but still. Who wants to feed the coyotes!

 

It has been a hard couple of days. Today Patty went to the hospital to see Donny. In a couple of days, they will remove the trachea tube. She refuses to let them take him to a nursing home just to keep his body alive. All we can do is pray for what is best for both of them. Losing him will leave a great big hole in our lives—for both of us, and for his family and friends. He has been so dependable to do all the things that needed to be done, from taking a hose off a faucet to hanging a gate. But life goes on. A young man gave me the phone number of a guy who has a business called “Rent a Hubby.” Who knows; if Roger or someone like that can’t help me, maybe the rent a hubby guy can be of help. Can’t imagine that Jennifer can call Patty to come up and check on me like Donny did. In fact, yours truly will go down and bring her trash can up at least once a week for her. That is at least one thing it would be easy for me to do for her. Also told her about the young woman who has been cleaning my house. She said that Donny was always good to clean out the middle, but she would like to have the corners and under the furniture done, too. Understand completely! My dust bunnies grow families, which is pretty common with critters in the house. Dogs, cats, or both can leave behind an entire new animal worth of hair!

 

This morning Cari Guidry’s mom brought me some more squash, cucumbers, and patty pan squash. What doesn’t get eaten quickly around here will feed a hen or four. As it is, while sitting down on the deck steps earlier with a left-over bag of cooked rice, think almost every hen out there had a beak full of rice. They will eat almost anything!

 

Did not sleep well last night, so today a couple of short naps happened. Not sure it will mess up tonight’s sleep, but it was worth it at the time. Maybe it was the trip to Tractor Supply and putting feed in the bins, but everything just seemed to wear me out. Getting grumpier by the day, or so it seems. Still have not opened up the workshop and started trying to Southern engineer the grass shoot on the side of the zero turn. Bet it will be done in a few more days anyway. Thinking that drilling a couple of holes in the cover and then latching it to the bar on the mower should work. Otherwise, try ordering one of those things! Probably made in China. Lance said that the wiring harness for his truck’s window was no longer even available—and his truck is not nearly as old as mine! Everything is so difficult to get these days. Guess it is time to order more coffee and toilet tissue before that becomes scarce again!!

 

Filled up the dogs’ pool today and forgot to turn the water off, so the area right under the crepe myrtle and the plum tree was pretty much floating. The hens absolutely loved it! They were out there scratching around in the puddles. But better yet, the dogs love lying down in all that cool water. Then, of course, they come inside to lie down on the couch. Good thing it has extra covers on it!

 

Honestly have very little on my mind tonight. Forgot to put some of the gabapentin in my med trays, so have no idea how many days it was not in there. Oh well. Can certainly tell a difference! So, it is now refilled in each day. Maybe tomorrow will be better. Can thank Michelle Malay for encouraging me to take this particular med. She was absolutely spot on about how much it helps. And then my sister-in-law gave me enough to keep me going for a couple of months at double the dose prescribed. Yep, it helps. PT actually has helped as well. My right leg is working better even if the wobbles are still there. Maybe eventually that will improve as well. Meanwhile, whine, gripe, and moan and groan. Will try to do better tomorrow.

 

May you all rest well tonight and awake with joy in life and living. You are loved.

Comparisons and Differences of Degree.

 Comparisons and Differences of Degree.

 

My oldest Dickerson grandchild brought me a book this weekend called Fever, 1793. It is an eye-opening book with stories that make me think of New Orleans after Katrina or the damage to society caused in 2020 by this sickness. But we are actually blessed by comparison. We can still get food, we may have to have tele-visits by our doctors but they can still prescribe needed medications, and we still have—mostly—a semblance of public order in our communities. We are not condemned to anarchy or total lawlessness or looting by our neighbors. We still have clean water and electricity. Some things are just always going to be hard on us. Sicknesses of various kinds will always be a possibility if not a probability. But we also have remedies for pain and other problems. That has not always been the case in history. Today we should feel blessed that we have relative peace in our lives, at least in this nation and many others.

 

Philadelphia must have been horribly damaged by the yellow fever and the lack of sanitary disposal of wastes. But the mosquito was the critter to fear when yellow fever was prevalent. We have enough of other problems, including West Nile and whatever else is coming up from South America. But yellow fever has not come up to any large-scale problem in the U.S. since 1905. The last major epidemic came from the West Indies. And at least now we have a vaccine for it. Some things have improved in our lives.

 

It has been an unsettling day. The fire truck arrived early this morning and Donny ended up in the hospital. Patty was shaking so badly that she let me stay with her until Donny’s son was at the hospital with him. The dispatcher was trying to get Patty to do chest compressions! As if. Patty could not even get down on the floor, and if she had, it would have taken some major hauling to get her back up. Not like she could have done him any good anyway. It was not his heart. He was breathing and semi-responsive. Anyway, he has a brain bleed for some reason, and the doctor had not decided yet just what to do more after they drilled a hole in his skull to relieve the swelling. Please pray for Donny and Patty both. They are two very kind and sweet folks. No one could ask for better neighbors.

 

Good intentions did not get me to Tractor Supply today. Still don’t want to go. The hens are out of pellets, but they have mash, so they will just have to eat that. Mean ol’ woman! And it is still too hot to go anywhere. Maybe tomorrow.

 

The dogs got to eat half a box of chicken tenders this morning. Those things do not hold over very well. And yours truly only likes them fresh. Picky, picky, picky. So, instead of chicken tenders, the worthless cook chopped up a bunch of celery stalks and bread and butter pickles to add to cooked chicken that had been in the freezer. Mighty tasty. If it lasts too long, the dogs won’t mind helping with that as well. They might not eat the pickles, but such is life.

 

The hens have been eating the mint growing by the steps of the deck. Read an article that said that they also like rosemary and other spices, so will cut some for them tomorrow. And since a rat has been eating all the grapes on my grapevine, the girls got some picked off and thrown to them last night. This morning while yours truly was standing out on the deck praying, a rat ran across the electric line leading to the workshop. Probably should put a sticky trap on the shelf next to the grape vine. Sigh

 

The broody Copper Maran finally left the nest. Then she and one of the Cuckoo Marans got into it. Think they have to fight their way back into the pecking order, but the Marans are a little harsh with one another in my humble opinion. They fight as if they mean business—claw and beak and flogging all involved! The Marans will peck me when it is time to reach under them for eggs, but not the Black-laced Wyandottes. They are such a sweet chicken. Well, Rhoady is sweet too, and Isa just wants to be petted. Athena, on the other hand, does not want my hand near her! The queen of gripey hens is she, but she does not peck or fight. She just mumbles her displeasure about everything under the sun. She doesn’t mind walking by me and grumbling at me in that certain tone of voice. Not sure it would be worth translating into people from grumpy hen. Oh well.

 

Feeling as if the day has worn me out despite my lack of activity. Best laid plans of mice and old women were not accomplished, so imagine what things would be like if anything HAD been accomplished—or even attempted! Things could be worse.

 

Just spoke with Jo Ann, Jerry’s mom. She is having her other eye cataract removed tomorrow. Please pray for her as well. She has her hands full just taking care of herself and her husband. But she is very blessed to still have her husband with her. He has heart problems. Otherwise, he is healthy. So is she, for that matter. They are blessed to have each other.

 

When Rachelle posts anything about Jacob, it will also be posted here. So please keep him in your prayers. The last thing she said was that he was in tremendous pain from having the bone scraped and the abscess and infection removed from his foot. Simply can’t imagine!!

 

The birds still sing every morning. The bumblebees visit the trumpet vine out front, and my dogs chase up and down the fence to keep the boogers at bay. We can rest assured that God is aware of our lives and what we need. Rest well, my friends, and know that you are loved.

Naps and Other Necessities.

 Naps and Other Necessities.

 

Some of us get just a wee bit gripey when we are hurting or when we are tired. And you can probably guess which one is typing this up right now. PT today started out pretty easy and progressively got harder. The young man directing my activities thought we should do one exercise twice. Guess how that went over. Nope, and nope again. Finally, the young woman in charge of whatever was supposed to actually get done came over and discussed whether or not “hurting” involved sore muscles or real pain. She said she would adjust the exercises. Sitting in my office chair with an ice pack helps, but getting up feeling like this each morning makes me wonder about how “core” exercises are supposed to feel. And yes, PT is actually helping me walk and get around better, so there’s that.

 

Sharon Dickerson called today and said that she was sending some things to Jacob, the Lion-Hearted. Each person in that little church is praying for Jacob and his family—plus those who are taking care of him there in the hospital. It takes an entire group of nurses, doctors, technicians and the like to get it all done and keep a patient comfortable. So, surely those prayers are most appreciated.

 

The AC proved its worth today. Dadgumit but it is hot! Had thought some few things would get done around here today, but that did not happen. Maybe before Friday the excess weed debris will get put in the trash bin. Or not. Energetic is not on the menu around here lately.

 

Have a broody Copper Maran out in the little coop. Have locked her up each night and let her out in the morning. She goes out to get a drink and then right back to the nest. By this evening, she will be grumpier than ever and determined to do it again tomorrow. Have dunked her in the water trough a few times, but so far all it does it tick her off. Oh well. The other hens are still laying.

 

Sharon said that the “other” Sharron who was going to a care center fell and is not doing great. Not sure if she is in the hospital or in the care center. Either way, falling is hard on the body. Please say a prayer for Sharron Dickerson and her family. It has to be difficult for them as well.

 

Honestly do not know enough to even sit down to write something. Took a nap after coming home this morning, but still feel pretty tired. Hoping that Lance’s oldest child got the eggs to work this morning, but have not talked to Jenn to ask. And some man is supposed to be working on their well. Hope that has gone ok. Think folks around that area are still finding freeze damage—and not just in the trees and shrubs. Guess we will all recover eventually.

 

The wild birds are still singing every morning—and bathing in the hens’ water each day so that it has to be changed twice a day! At least they are not going without water. The dogs’ pool has water in it, but it is too deep for wild birds. Need to find something to lay in there so that they can use the pool instead of the water bowls. Oh well.

 

Let us be grateful for life, health, happiness, and freedom. We are so very blessed. Rest well, my friends, and know this: you are loved.

Visitors and Chicken Tenders.

 Visitors and Chicken Tenders.

 

Lance and his family came today and boxed up the two microwaves that need to be sent back to the two different companies. One was totally defective, and the other one was bent all to bits on one side. It worked, but the side was loose. Not a good idea to use it in my way of thinking. Anyway, with those out of the way, we had lunch around 11:15 before the Sunday rush hour traffic hit Chicken Express. Then yours truly forgot to send the rest of the tenders home with the kids. And also forgot to send the carrot cake home with them. That was easy enough to remedy: Donny came and picked it up to take to their house. He said that what he and Patty did not eat would fill a hole in his friend’s gut. Apparently, the man does not cook and is happy to eat just about anything. Lance would have taken the cake to work in all probability to feed to the hungry horde up there. His family is pretty much off of sugar. Did not know that at the time. Oh well.

 

Lance’s oldest child found Mother’s wedding ring for me! It was in a tiny little jewelry box in my desk drawer in the office. Had forgotten about that little box. See, getting old does that to a person. Not that it is a big deal in a way. But still.

 

Talking to my daughter-in-law about history books, and she told me that the library here has something called graphic novels. Think comic books with facts instead of fantasy. But the books are easy readers for those who are “reading resistant”—Rachel’s term, maybe. These are books that can be checked out of the library, but they are just like any other library book that has to be taken back and cared for respectfully. Not sure kids now understand about taking care of books. Everything seems to be online and expendable.

 

Watered early this morning to try to keep my Jerusalem artichokes alive and well. Need to finish raking up the stuff the boys cut down the other day, and then that mess needs to go in the trash bin. Something always needs to be done around here. At least the purslane looks good. It is a drought hardy plant, but would love to see it start blooming soon. Have a couple of zinnias that are blooming, but most of the flower bed is pretty sad looking. It needs another good rain. As if that is going to happen anytime soon!!

 

If you think your AC is not working, just step outside, dear hearts! My phone says it is 98 degrees, but the thermometer on the deck says 104 degrees. Who ya gonna believe? Let’s just say it is too hot to be even a tiny bit comfortable. At least, however, using Energy Ogre, my electric bill will be less than $150 each month all summer! That is something to appreciate!

 

Sent eight dozen eggs home with the kids to divide up and share with whomever. One day the girls laid fifteen eggs, so that was a really good day for the hens. Of course, the heat is going to slow things down now. They get stressed so easily—well, don’t we all! The dogs lie down on the floor where it is cool as often as on the couch. Thompson especially is sensitive to heat and cold. Poor critter.

 

Have laundry to do this evening. Did not want to start any of it this morning before the kids came. But have no excuse not to get it done now. And the sheets have to be changed on my bed in the morning as well. Such fun! The only “housekeeping” done today was a dust mop run over the kitchen and living room floors. Yep, real hard work—not!

 

One of the things that turned up in a bunch of other electronic stuff was a camera that Tracy gave me some years ago. It had pictures of the trip to Scotland and Paris on it, so Lance downloaded those onto my computer and labeled them “Ireland.” Tracy gave him a funny look, and we both discussed how folks from Texas would not want to be called Okies any more than those Irish would want to be called Scots—or vice versa. One taxi driver in Paris told us his take on Scotland—“cold up there and they talk funny.” It still strikes me as amusing.

 

Today you will find two different posts that need prayers. Jacob had the surgery on his foot, and it might not have been as bad as they first thought, so they did not put any drains in the incision. Then my friend Julia Chambers, whose husband died of glioblastoma of the brain, now has a son who has cancer in his kidneys—think that is right. At any rate, her own stress levels are about to eat her biscuits, so she is not sleeping. And she needs this job that she applied for in order for them to make ends meet. Anyway, please pray for both Jacob and Julia and her family.

 

Sharon asked about being able to send some little prayer squares to Jacob’s family. I don’t have an address for their new place yet. And my brother is moving soon or sooner, so not sure his address is going to work for a while. Anyway, if they send me an address for such purposes, will give it to you guys on an individual basis. Not just going to publish here on the blog just in case they would not want it out there. Your prayers mean more than anything to them.

 

Just offered Sylvia and Thompson a “bone.” Sylvia always eats her bones. Tossed one to Thompson, and he just gave me the “look.” Oh, if you insist. Then he ate it without moving more than his jaw. Funny dog!

 

Pretty dumb tonight. Have three more sessions of PT this week and two more the first week in August. Be very glad to stop stretching and gritting my teeth. But it DOES seem to be helping. Lance made the comment a couple of times today that the old woman seemed to be getting around better. Truly appreciate being able to walk without such a wobble as has been the case for a while. My feet are still numb, but sitting up and walking have not been as much of a problem.

 

One more comment about family: Sharron Dickerson—the wife of Butch Dickerson—is going to be able to go into a care facility. She can’t go home, but at least she is doing better and will be able to live out her life with some happiness. So thankful that the Dickerson family are close by in that area for all of the members. Not a family exists that does not need an occasional helping hand, but the Dickersons have always been there for each other, or so it seems to me.

 

Let us be grateful for all blessings and for each day. Rest well, my friends, and know that God loves us each and every one.

 

A VERY Long Ice Pack.

 A VERY Long Ice Pack.

 

Don’t remember where the ice pack originated, but dearly beloved, it helps! Yes, sometimes the heating pad helps, but it seems to me that the ice pack is better. Maybe it is just because it is so doggone hot. Whatever. Have one of those electrical units in the bedroom, too, but one has to be still for that to work. Do you have any idea how hard it is for some people to be still? May end up with frost bite on the end, but can think of worse things. Ah, quitjabelliachin! That was a sign in our neighbor’s living room when we used to stay with her when Mom took her husband to the doctor. It took me a long time to learn to read that saying. But Mrs. Donald just smiled when it was read aloud. She became a widow way too soon, but she was very kind to us children. Her husband was the sheriff in Petrolia back then. And every man in that town supported him in whatever he had to do. Times were certainly different.

 

Have to “brag” just a tiny bit. Made up my mind that these two microwaves were going back to Ft. Worth. Lance will be here tomorrow and will load them in the boxes and take them back to the office so that the tacky FedUp man can come get them on Monday afternoon. But the main thing is that yours truly went to Lowes to check the prices and what was available, and THEN went across the street to Walmart and got the very same microwave that was in a horribly beat up box. The man behind the service desk helped me open it and check to see if it was ok. It was. We reboxed that sucker and then asked for someone to help load it for me. Nope, they had not even ONE person to come help. One of the women behind the counter walked away instead of trying to find someone to help. Finally, asked a young woman at the door if she could find someone to help me load it. A very nice young man said, “Ma’am, I will be happy to help you.” God just placed him in the right place at the right time. So, yes, praise God for His help in a time of need. The boys got here in time to unload the thing and set it up on the counter for me. That was perfect timing, too. They are so much help! But get this: the exact same model cost $60 less at Walmart than through Amazon!

 

Had my groceries delivered from Market Street this morning rather than try to walk around inside the store or drive over there to do a pick up and then try to unload them. Had not planned to go to shop for this microwave, but just decided that was the best way to do it. Things worked out for the best.

 

Made the mistake of drinking one of these mixes in my water to prevent dehydration. Whooo boy! Spent the night back and forth to the necessary room. So, today, instead of going to see Pat, just called him and told him he could consider himself hugged. Then Connie told me that they are warning folks to stay away from care centers because a healthy person can give someone who is vulnerable this new-ish fungus that is killing old people. If it is not one thing, it is something else! Hanan’s friend Caleb has had this mess, and nothing on the market—no antibiotics—can even touch it. “Outbreaks of a drug-resistant "superbug" fungus spread among patients in hospitals and long-term care facilities in Texas and Washington, D.C., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday. The fungus, Candida auris, preys on people with weakened immune systems.” Not sure just what a person would do to avoid this one. Here we go staying at home again?

 

The moon last night felt as if it were a search light! It was so very bright. Watched until is went down and then tried to get some sleep. Rested some, but didn’t sleep. Being sore definitely affects one’s ability to sleep. Jenn reminded me that some meds are in there just for the pain so a person can relax. Oh well. Tonight will be different.

 

If you have not already seen the post about Jacob, just will ask you to pray for him and his mom. The abscess and infection in his foot will require some of the bone to be removed. Carol Thonton called him Jacob the Lion Hearted. He really has to be Lion Hearted. May God give him courage and peace.

 

Looking for a good Texas history book that covers our history without being dogmatic or otherwise stupid. The books in my library about Texas are just a bit much to use for teaching. If nothing else, the vocabulary is a bit daunting for those in high school. And to think that we read Romeo and Juliet back in the day! Did you read Macbeth and The Tempest? Think Macbeth has been made into a movie, but can’t find The Tempest as a movie. Once upon a time, a young woman named Ellen C. could find anything out there on the internet. Wish her skills could be transferred bodily!

 

Looking forward to seeing Lance and his family tomorrow. Hope they get here early before it gets too hot. It is fun to sit out back and enjoy watching the hens and dogs. This morning the dogs had a bad case of the zoomies and nearly ran over me on the deck! Had to have words with them over that. Don’t need any more falls, for sure!

 

Sitting here trying to think of the name of the flowers that will be blooming in the front bed soon. It is not moss, not ice plant, but something neat like that. Hate losing words! Was trying to remember the neighbor’s name this morning who used to walk over to our yard to visit with Grandma Dickerson. Her name was Mrs. Roland, but the kids would not know that. They never met her. PURSLANE! They don’t have double flowers like Portulaca Moss, but they are still very pretty. And they withstand the heat very well. A good Texas plant!

 

 Some folks are still finding damage from the freeze we had in February. My son-in-law is one who has some major damage on his well and the pump. He and others like him are in my prayers. Even if it were not horribly expensive, the wear and tear on a person’s nerves is just a bit much. And then try working in this heat! May God give us some cooler weather and a bit of rain to keep things from getting too dry. The high grass will make a big fire if the idiots keep shooting off fireworks like they did here on the lake last night. My Thompson definitely did not approve—well, me either! So, the freeze and the weird weather lets all of us wonder what is next. Guess we will just have to grit our teeth and handle whatever comes our way.

 

May you all rest well this night and awake with joy in your heart! Ask for His help and expect an answer. You are loved.

The Kori Bustard.

 The Kori Bustard.

 

Yep, that is a bird. And do you think for even one moment that the picture would actually transfer to FB? Nah, not a chance. But such is the ability of some folks to deal with technology. And yes, several people have volunteered to help an old woman learn how to use technology more easily. But some of us are just as stubborn as any critter out there. And if you know me, you know one of those stubborn creatures.

 

 

It probably won’t show up when transferred to FB or Blogger, but there is nothing like trying, huh.

Booting its tail over its back is a little bit how a certain person felt in PT this morning. The left leg could probably be used in a soccer match. The right leg—not a chance! And the tucked in chin exercise looks a lot like the first picture—scrunching one’s chin in and neck pushed back. Not sure just exactly what good that exercise might be doing, but whatever. Just keep trying to do what they ask of me. And actually, felt fairly decent this morning with better balance, so there’s that.

 

It has a been a busy day. After PT, took the refrigerator shelf down to American Glass to see what they could do with it. The young man used plexiglass and glued the sucker in—not that it mattered to me. Plexiglass definitely has a give to it that tempered or any kind of glass would not, but in this case, it is better than having nothing there at all. Anyway, it cost a total of $45.47 whereas the one that would have been on back order to China for who knows how long would have cost about $95. So yes, this is a better solution.

 

Then a stop at the bank to cash a check and another stop at the pharmacy took just a bit of time. It is not like it makes a lot of difference when this old woman is at home, but the heat makes it uncomfortable in or out of the truck. And the dogs appreciate being let out every so often. As it is, they got a special treat of roast beef broth on their kibble today. Yesterday they had the venison patties that Connie decided she had had too long, but today the roast she found in the deepest recesses of her freezer got put in my slow cooker. So, tomorrow the dogs will start chowing down on roast beef.

 

Did not have the usual protein drink this morning, and that meant that hunger took over before my return to home base. Ah, Chicken Express! Have not had a Dr Pepper in ages, but had one today! Plus, we had mashed potatoes, gravy, fried okra, and six chicken tenders. The dogs helped, you see. They did not get the Dr Pepper, but probably would not have wanted any had it been offered. Besides, the roast was ready to cool down and the juice ready to put on their food.

 

Got a message on FB today from someone who is a member of the Route 66 Group. Was not sure it was really him and not a scam, so asked a question he could answer if he was really who he said he was. Getting paranoid in my old age!

 

A friend sent me something about scams put out by that old people company—aarp, or urrp, as it occurs to me. They are politically inclined in a direction that irks me, so nothing they say will appeal to my ability to read quickly and decide whether or not something is worth considering. But the friend who sent me the message thought that it might be worth reading. With the degree of paranoia that affects yours truly, it is not likely that my credit card will be used that often without my knowledge. And the wonderful part about using a credit card that is not connected to one’s bank account is the inability of anyone to affect that account. Yes, my account gets checked often thanks to the suggestion of a friend who talked to me rather often about things like that shortly after Lewis died. Nan is a treasure.

 

My granddaughter is 17 today! It seems not too many years ago that her daddy told us that they were going to have another child to go with the one they had already. We were happy for them, of course. And she has been a blessing, just like their first one. Children make our world a better place. They make us stop and consider what God must feel when He loves us. But now it makes me wonder if my children will always find it so easy to love their own parents. Our lives are so terribly busy and full of stuff that has to be considered each day. When we are busy taking care of little ones, we think it will always be like that. Then they become teenagers and we see them once in a while—when they leave their dens or when they return from wherever. And eventually they leave home, and we wonder if we will ever see them again for any length of time. Old folks and young parents have a lot in common: we think the way life is now will be the way it will always be. Time to slow down and love on each other now, today while it can still be called today. Thinking of the ones that are getting old enough to leave home and be on their own. God bless those children. My heart aches to hug them.

 

Sylvia just came over to check on me. These dogs are so sensitive to my breathing and my reactions. Sylvia doesn’t wear a service dog jacket, but she might as well.

 

The hens laid thirteen eggs out there today. And my broody hen was not allowed out with the rest of the hens until this afternoon so that the laying hens could have all five nests empty of her squawking. She really is grouchy. Went out to clean out the water bowls and looked for her. She was not particularly happy to be dunked in the doggie pool, but it keeps her from getting so terribly hot. They won’t eat when they are too hot. But it is just as well since eating and getting hot can kill them. Anyway, she is ok for the time being. Wet, but ok.

 

Read a post a bit ago that just made me shake my head. No way does the vaccine actually keep you from getting the stupid virus. If you get the virus, you do not have “enough” immunity to keep you from getting it again or from giving it to others. And none of those who have been infected after being vaccinated have any assurance that they are “safe” from anything. Good grief! How in the world did we get to this point of stupidity? Nevermind. Politics.

 

Have not seen anything from any of the family about Jacob today. The last post said that they had him walking around some to get him back to being healthier. Let us pray that he continues to improve and is able to get a new port for any other drugs he has to take so that he won’t have to be “stuck” with deep vein needles. God bless Jacob and his family.

 

Let us pray for peace in this world—not that it is likely to happen before the return of Christ. But we can pray for peace of mind knowing that God loves us and our children. Let us love others to the best of our abilities. Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

All Stretched Out!

 All Stretched Out!

 

Today the PT exercises were just a wee bit different. Most were still stretches that did not hurt on the left side and hurt like a sonofagun on the right side. By the time the old body got home, it would have been nice to have just put the body in a hot tub and soaked a while. Not a chance. The new microwave was here, and Donny Anderson came up and took it out of the box. The plate was in good shape along with the little thing that runs around under it. But the entire left back corner showed that it has had a pretty good whack because it even still has a piece of the soft stuff crammed down in its casing. The microwave turned on when Donny plugged it in, and it works like a champ, but Amazon definitely needs to speak to the folks who do their deliveries. Anyway, Lance will be here this weekend to box up the other microwave and do whatever they need to do with it. NEVER again will something like this happen. If something needs to be replaced, will call around and find something local and pick it up in the truck and get someone to unload it and set it up. This dealing with Fedup or whoever is a bunch of frustration just waiting to happen. But really do appreciate the fact that Jennifer got this thing for me. It is big enough to cook just about anything and has all kinds of settings. If such a thing as a microwave container existed that would hold a big roast, this thing would cook it!

 

Connie bought some venison patties sometime back too long ago for her to remember when, so she brought them over for me to cook and feed to the dogs. They smell good, anyway. They are currently cooling off in the top of the fridge so that they can be pulled apart to be fed to my dogs. That should make for two happy dogs. Of course, it does not take too much to make them happy.

 

The main physical therapist who is responsible for the type of exercises used for me came and sat down and showed me what she wanted me to do at home. At the top of the paper, she wrote “without pain.” That meant that if it hurt, stop. It would be so easy to just not do this stuff, but will keep trying.

 

Met up with Mark Ogle’s niece at PT today. She has only been working there for two weeks. Mark had told me that she had moved up here, but it never occurred to me that she would be at the therapy center. Anyway, it was nice to talk to her. We talked about her mom, Janie, and how she was doing now. Seems she started out with “sundowners” and the medication she was given for depression after her husband died caused other problems. Now she is doing much better and is pretty sharp, but she just still needs for someone else to take care of her. It is so hard to imagine that hard working, busy woman having to have someone else take care of her, but such is life. Who knows when that can happen to any of us!

 

“Little Brother” just called to tell me how things are going in Arkansas. Asked about Jacob and was told that they had him up walking some today to try to get him limbered up somewhat. Then Sterling told me that his youngest is getting married again tonight. Hope this marriage works out well for all of them. That entire family has so many connections and children to attend to. The oldest person in the family is Betty at 95, and think the youngest baby is about a week old or so. And for the most part, they all live together. Sterling said that he and Jacqui are about three weeks away from being able to move into the house that they had remodeled. He believes that they will be very happy with the house and all the changes they made to it. At least, it sounds nice and new and clean.

 

Jennifer made some comment recently about wishing a new house were in the future for me. Honestly, just love this ol’ house and all its rooms. It might not have a wall open between the living room and kitchen the way her last two houses have, but this house makes me happy. In fact, living on this hill with its wind and weather has made me very happy for 53 years. Yes, the neighborhood has changed drastically, but with the exception of the dipsticks behind my house, no one really bothers me. The dogs are happy to run from one end of the place to the other, and the hens manage to eat every flying bug or wiggling worm out there in that grass. While it is true that my body is no longer capable of the work that kept the weeds down and the stickers eliminated as it was when that body was 30 or so, it is still a joy to step outside and watch the hens race down to the far end of the east lot to chase bugs or the dogs run out to the west side to chase off the silly ducks that have landed to look for spare pieces of corn and maize. No one is bothered by whatever my decisions are for each day. No one has to walk around me or wonder if anything is bothering me or my critters. And no one has to keep their own secrets from me while my mind is on my own business. Yep, want to stay right here just as long as possible to live my own life. We should all be as blessed as this ol’ woman.

 

Thinking that a phone call to Sutherlands about some plexiglass might be in the works for tomorrow. That sheet of glass that broke in the bottom of the fridge really should be replaced. Think if they sell the kind that is needed, may just have to take it over there and see if they will cut it for me. Maybe that will be one of the major tasks for tomorrow after PT. Just usually don’t have a whole lot of energy left by the time the truck heads home. But this needs to be done. So maybe tomorrow. Hmm. They don’t cut it. And they no longer handle the blades for the saws to cut it, but they have some 25 by 25-inch sheets less than ½ inch thick. Now if someone around here could cut it to fit, that would take care of that. Or, if worse came to worse, American Glass might be a better possibility. They open at 8 a.m. so will call them and see what they say. Bet taking the top part of the drawer holder to them would work. Considering the fact that this box has been around since we remodeled this place 20 years ago, that is not bad service!

 

Was attempting to find Robert Browning’s Caliban Upon Setebos online. A synopsis was easy enough to find, but that was not really the point of looking for it. Also, found a synopsis of The Tempest by Shakespeare. Would just as soon have a movie of that one, but could not find it on the movie channels on the TV. Oh well. Teaching English or literature today is totally different than when everything came out of a book. Getting students to read or to think for themselves is a very different challenge than what it once was. How do young people even learn to think for themselves if they believe that SparkNotes is the answer to writing? Oh well. Eventually the world may change again with another turn or two. Instead of learning to see the general picture and how it affects others, each person will only see his or her own life. And it does seem to be heading that way to a greater degree each day. Let a billionaire fly into space while his employees struggle to make a living or suffer from the lack of time to go to relieve themselves in a restroom, and we can easily see that caring for the welfare of others does not originate with rich employers. Deep sigh.

 

We still have more reasons to be grateful than resentful in this life. The sun comes up while the birds sing to us. Even the dandelions have managed to root up the sidewalks that no longer lead to homes or jobs. We may all have to learn to follow Euell Gibbons’ teaching about eating from the earth around us. But we can still be assured that God cares about each and every one of us. So, rejoice in life! And know this: you are loved.

Patience.

 Patience.

 

Sometimes we come to expect certain standards to be upheld by businesses and by people. And it is pretty easy to be disappointed by either. And that happened today. So, suffice it to say that lunch or breakfast at one of my favorite restaurants may not happen again anytime soon. When half of the food is cold-ish and the rest feels as if it has been seared on a grill straight from the freezer, you can bet it all has been reheated and not made fresh at all. Rehashed food or rehashed thoughts: neither are consistent with quality or caring.

 

Enjoyed a pleasant visit with Connie this afternoon. It’s almost two years since her mom died, and we have learned so very much about each other. And maybe we have learned just about as much about ourselves in the process. Our interests are totally different, for sure! She said it had been years since she read a book. And some of the stations she watches or the networks that interest her have never seen the light of day in this house. Oh well. Different strokes and all that.

 

Rachelle said that Jacob has improved considerably so that the doctors think the infection is on the way to be gone completely. SO grateful for what they have been able to do for the child. Rachelle’s mom must be staying up there with them, too. Saw a picture of her in bed with Jacob and a multitude of stuffed animals! So sweet! Not sure exactly what the next step will be, but the pic line will probably have to go back in to keep the sticks down completely. As it is, Jacob has two deep vein lines in his arms so that they can give him medications. They are also trying to keep his muscles from giving up on him. He sat in a chair for the first time today, and it about wore him out. Simply can’t imagine. Meanwhile, thank you for your prayers and please don’t stop!

 

Read online this evening that the East Coast is inundated with the smoke from the West Coast to the point that it is not safe to breathe outside. So very sad to see this happening, but a front promises some rain that might clean the air up just a bit on the East Coast in the next couple of days. Now if the West Coast could actually get some decent rainfall, maybe some of the fires could be contained if not put out entirely. Let us pray for rain for them.

 

SO very sick of political garbage. And yes, the mask off, mask on, mask off again situation is part of that political shtuff. It seems that Fauci told folks they did not need to wear masks in order to save masks for those who “really” needed them. Sitting here shaking my head and wanting to stay at home. Probably exposed myself to more garbage by eating out at a restaurant that can’t even be bothered to cook real food! Guess maybe just going to the feed store, ordering groceries, and eating boiled eggs will soon be the order of the day. Nuts and berries!

 

Noticed that a couple of dust bunnies have invaded the living room. That is not too bad, but the scorpions that have been killed—one in the bedroom and one in the living room—are a different situation. Guess it is time to drag out the bug spray again. Hate to do that, but can’t stand stinging critters and spiders. It’s one thing to have spiders making webs between the trees and the deck, but having them come inside to wave at me from the windows—nope! Not happening!

 

This weather may be about to get quite a bit warmer, but so far this year we have been so very blessed with decent temperatures. Rain may have caused the humidity, but the cooler temps have made life a lot more interesting. It is easy to walk outside—well, while wearing “eau de Off”—in the morning or afternoon. So far, the mosquitoes have not flown off with any of the hens or either of the dogs. But that may change. It is Texas, after all.

 

Honestly don’t know enough to make it worth your time to read. Do know that mornings make me grateful to be able to get up and watch the sun come up. A good night’s rest makes a difference in just about anyone’s world. So, gratitude comes up each morning and gets appreciated even more after a good day. Let us rest and rejoice! You are loved.

Pickup Truck Confusion.

 Pickup Truck Confusion.

 

Yes, some of us are easily confused. Jennifer says the apple does not fall from the tree. Hmm. So, the young man from Fedup came today and asked: You have a pickup? Looking down in the direction of my driveway and wondering why he was talking about my truck, it occurred to me that he was wanting to pick up a package. OH! Well, so the confusion was eliminated on this end by a phone call to Jennifer. Told to not worry about it and to leave it to Lance to deal with this weekend, the old woman who lives here felt somewhat relieved. Shaking my head and feeling pretty silly.

 

So, reading the JP [Jerusalem Post] and found that the scientists in Israel have found multiple current drugs used for other purposes—including drugs that were developed for arthritis—that can be used against Covid. And they are remarkably useful against the variants. Amazing, isn’t it, that current drugs were able to fight the infection but had not been tried because of all the furor over an inoculation to prevent the infection! Sometimes it seems pretty obvious that things are being manipulated for whatever reason. Disgusting, too.

 

Do you ever find yourself thinking about someone and just have to give that person a call? Well, that happens every so often around here when someone does not call or it feels as if the person might need to have a conversation about dogs, hens, grass growing, or other particulars. So, a message got left on my friend’s answering machine this evening. And no, it was not BillyeRuth this time.

 

Think the doctors taking care of Jacob have managed to get his body to respond to the antibiotic that will kill this staph infection. Please continue to pray for Jacob, his mom Rachelle, and his daddy Danny Pollard. This has to be hard on all of them. And your prayers DO make a difference.

 

Did not cook anything again today. Just not interested in cooking or even defrosting something. Had a bowl of cereal that was actually supposed to be some kind of lemon/blueberry granola stuff. Wasn’t bad. Lots of chewing involved, however. The cucumber pieces with ranch dip gave me indigestion later, so won’t do that again. Seriously not worth the trouble of cutting up the cucumbers. Oh well. Probably should have used vinegar and garlic or something along those lines.

 

Have started reading a new detective series of books. So far, the one currently has kept me interested. It is amazing what one can learn from books about things that interest us. Finding someone or discovering their legal status has never been all that important to me, but some strange circumstances might just make those facts more germane someday in the future. Kinda hope it is never necessary to find anyone who matters to me.

 

Should have enough eggs saved up by Saturday to keep the kids in eggs for a couple of weeks. The hens do a pretty good job of filling up the nests about every other day. And yes, the little Copper Maran is still broody. Silly hen. And Athena speaks to me every time she sees me. Not certain just what is being said, but it sounds an awfully lot like grumbling to me. She and Rhoady cuddle up together every night—excluding poor Isa—but she never lays an egg. Meanwhile, Isa lays those eggs like clockwork! Kinda think we can say that the Campine breed is not nearly as prolific as my little ISA.

 

Have misplaced the comb used to remove the excess hair on these dogs. But we know where all the excess hair ends up, don’t we! Currently, Sylvia is scratching her back on the couch and dragging her belly across it, too. Then she looks over at me and wags her tail. Yep, she knows she is scratching off excess hair! Sigh

 

Had a hot tub soak a bit ago to try to relax the sore muscles. This being sore is just irritating as all get out. But maybe the PT has done some good. Even though my feet are still numb, the pain in my backside is not as bad as it was. Read online this afternoon that Olga’s son-in-law had had back surgery and can already feel his legs now. So maybe some answers are out there! Just going to hang in there and keep going to PT and exercising for the time being. You will just have to pardon my griping.

 

Each day is a gift to us. A new morning and more reasons to be grateful greet us. So tonight you must look forward to another night that gives us rest before we open the gift of another day. Rest well, my friends, and know: you are loved.

 

 

Semi-Frustrations.

 Semi-Frustrations.

 

So just lately a friend said that he had used some insulin from Walmart that turned was out of date. It had absolutely no effect on his blood sugar. Then someone else said something similar about another medication from Walmart. Yes, it might be cheaper to buy some things from Walmart, but whether or not it is worth buying things that don’t work is the question. Maybe some of the things were made in China and shipped over on a slow boat? Won’t tell you why this old woman is frustrated by Walmart tonight, but suffice it to say that my purchases will not include ANYTHING from Walmart from now on. Yes, Amazon may be selling Chinese garbage as well, but it is much easier—so far—to deal with Amazon. Did get a notice from them today saying that their policies have changed on certain situations. So, from whom would you buy appliances if you did not intend to use Walmart or Amazon?

 

PT was interesting today. A different person took me through all the major exercises and saw to it that the stretches of that sticky little muscle were done to a modicum of extreme. Not terribly sore this evening, but still tired. And learned that some of the PT techs have not been vaccinated—those are the ones that wear masks. The rest have been vaccinated. And they do not require any of the patients to wear masks. From what the news reports are saying currently, one can get that wonderful little illness despite being inoculated. Oh joy! And everything about this entire situation has been made political—including the fall of the Dow. Another reason for insidious joys! NOT! Honestly, it simply is not worth reading the “news” at all.

 

Have not seen any further reports from Rachelle Pollard about Jacob, but all we can do at this point is just pray for him, his mom, his daddy, and his family—along with all the doctors and nurses caring for him. The entire situation is so difficult. Just the pain alone is beyond comprehension. Poor little boy!

 

Have had a strange situation going on up here on Dickerson Hill. These people drive up here and stop in front of Jerry’s place and take pictures with their cell phones. Then they leave. Not really sure what they think they will accomplish, but just for the heck of it, yours truly let his mom know about it. She thought it was pretty strange, as well. Could be some folks think that they might be able to buy it from her. Who knows?

 

Have had some freshly cooked squash with sour cream and Ranch dressing. Pretty tasty. Was going to have some left over frozen chili out of the top freezer, but changed my mind. Probably just as well. Have not had indigestion for a couple of days. Hooray! But now all the liver and mushrooms are gone, so tomorrow will have to make a decision on what to take out of the freezer. Still have some patty pan squash, but they are best when they are fried. Not really in the mood to fry anything. Guess stewed would work, but have never tried that. Will let you know if patty pans are good prepared that way.

 

Again, just about as dumb as they come. Sad to be this useless. Even the hens are more opinionated than yours truly. Indeed, one Copper Maran has become broody. She is definitely opinionated! Funny how that works.

 

Let me tell you that we can be grateful for the rain that has fallen lately. Saw a bit less than ½ inch in the gauge this morning. And things were pretty wet out there. While that also causes humidity levels to be high, it beats 115 in the shade. So, rain is a blessing. Just like many of the blessings we receive, let us appreciate His hand in our lives.

 

Rest well, my friends, and know: you are loved.