Intentions and Other Useless Self Promises.

 Intentions and Other Useless Self Promises.

 

Had thought about getting the living room vacuumed and the kitchen mopped, but that didn’t happen. In fact, not much happened that was planned for today. Even went to Eye Mart to get a new pair of glasses, and the young man said it would have to wait until 1/1/2022 as my insurance pays for a pair every TWO years despite the fact that my doctor sees me once every year. So, a return trip will be made after the first of the year. Here’s hoping the glasses actually do some good. The intentions to do some cleaning around here certainly did nothing helpful today.

 

These two dogs will have to start getting one fourth bag of food twice a day instead of one half a bag. Think half a bag is just a bit too much. Can hear stomachs growling from across the room, not to mention hearing and smelling the other effects of having homemade food. They need to get more exercise, but not sure how that would happen very easily. No one will chase them around the place, and none of the hens are willing to let the dogs chase THEM! Now if only the dogs would keep an eye on that eagle out there and bark, chase, or otherwise disturb its perching on the posts near the chickens! Had to look the critter up to be sure that was what it was. Sent a picture to Lance, but he did not recognize it. For sure, it is too large to be a hawk.

 

Got a call from my sister-by-another-mother this morning. She was telling me about these toys that kids like now. Then sent me a picture of some squashy looking little critters in different colors. They are not very expensive, but her great-grands think they are the very things they need. Glad it is easy to make some folks happy. Can’t even imagine shopping right now. But then, my shopping lately has been from my computer. It might be fun to actually go shopping, but it would have to be at Sutherlands or Harbor Freight. NOT that anything is actually needed. Found a turquoise tub out back that might be ok for the four Christmas cacti. And have a small amount of potting soil left in a bag that might fill up the container. Maybe tomorrow. The weather promises to be warm until Saturday. It might actually get colder by Wednesday of next week—34 degrees that night.

 

The hens have had a light in their coop for the past few days, but won’t turn it on tonight. The door will be shut, but no light or heater will be on. They are eating like little champs, but still not laying all that many eggs. If you could see poor Rhoady, you would feel sorry for her. Pin feathers sticking out all over her back and her butt! And every time she moves, another few feathers fall off! Molting can’t possibly be any fun.

 

The fireman who works for the roofing company is supposed to come tomorrow morning to walk across the roof. Not sure exactly what that will tell him, but if it feels squashy, maybe it means the decking needs help. Don’t think that will be the case, but who knows.

 

Then tomorrow afternoon, a trip to see Dr. Kern about my back is on the agenda. Don’t expect that to be enlightening, but who knows. Yours truly is walking better, but that may be because of becoming more adjusted to the dosage of gabapentin. That stuff can make a person lose a sense of balance. Duh. That would be the reason for making me feel as if inebriated when trying to walk straight.

 

Looked up some information about dogs and allergies today. Did you know that dogs can have allergies to nearly every ingredient in the current types of dog food available out there? And the same goes for the treats. Dadgumit! So, after these treats are gone, will either make my own or they will not get any. Sorry, dogs. Mean ol’ woman just does not enjoy seeing them scratch.

 

Talking to Sharon this morning about the badger that nearly got BR, she did not realize that the kid who was there had to shoot it to keep it from getting BillyeRuth. That thing could have killed her! My daddy used to say that they were the most dangerous animal around. Not sure that is true when one considers the cougars, bobcats, and assorted snakes, but he and Marvin Graf were glad to shoot a couple of them on the farm to market road out near Granddad’s place. Marvin had his wife Beth and all three of his little boys with him in his pickup when he stopped right across the road from Daddy and pulled out his gun. Those two men did a good job or wiping out a pair of badgers that day. Not sure just what badgers do for the good of the ecological system, but those two did not get to finish their jobs.

 

BR said that she had trapped a couple of raccoons near her hen house, too. One was so big that it could crawl in to get the bait and then back out without tripping the door. She had to borrow a larger trap for that one! Nothing like living out on the farm! Well, for that matter, living here on the lake has had its interesting days with a fox, a bobcat, turkeys, ducks, geese, two Mississippi kites, and now an eagle.

 

Jennifer was telling me the other day that she had had the worst migraine that she had ever had. SO glad that migraines went the way of those problems in my life. Have a headache currently, but think it may be from stupid moves on my part. Went out and drilled a couple of screws into those long (expensive) dowel rods that are used for roosts in the hen house. Just took the B/P, and it was a bit high. Hmm. Oh well. May have to cut out the coffee for a few days or something.

 

Michelle Malay came to town today to see her doctor, get some blood work done, and whatever else needed doing. Her doctor was only an hour and a half late for her appointment. Don’t know about the rest of you, but that does not exactly seem fair. You know the doctors can charge you for not showing up for an appointment, but we have to just grin and bear it when they either are late or have an emergency that keeps them from coming to their office at all. Shaking my head.

 

The sun certainly does go down rather soon in the day lately. Sat out on the deck the other evening and watched the daylight fade away and the darkness take over. It reminded me of how the leaves slowly fall around here, and the grass turns brown(er). Then there is that entire corner of the yard that is full of fall asters that are as high as the top rail on the fence. They only bloom in the fall. Donny Anderson used to ask me if he could cut them every time he came to weed eat. Nope, would not let him. He thought they were weeds and did not understand why anyone would want them around. Not neat enough to suit him, ya see. Patty does not have even one flower in her yard. She used to have ivy in her dining room, but has not one green thing in her house now. Not sure why.

 

Took Patty’s trash bin down to her earlier, and we talked about her new bed that is supposed to be delivered tomorrow. Surely hope that they actually get it here and put it up for her. It is a queen size instead of a king. Then she said she is going to have Breegle put in laminate flooring in her bedroom. She will have to have some throw rugs so the dogs can get enough traction to be able to get on the bed with her. Had to laugh. Those two dogs are just as spoiled, or more so, than mine. She lets hers eat off her plates. It took me forever to get Hanan to quit that! But he would share his food with them anyway. Oh well.

 

Went out to check for eggs one last time for the night and discovered my little drill left out there! Lewis would have laughed at me since putting up tools was supposed to be my job. Rolling eyes here.

 

Happy to tell you that Mariellen Rose is now on some kind of stuff that is not chemo. She may be doing better according to her daughter. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts for her and her family. Not a whole lot we can do for ourselves sometimes, but prayers help and good thoughts sent to others can’t hurt. Jenn was saying that Gary’s favorite aunt has something dire wrong with her and cried when they all had to leave. She will be in my prayers. Know she is loved by Gary and his family and her husband. Her only daughter just lost her husband to cancer, and she may leave Chicago and move to Colorado. So many folks are going there now. Reminds me of Austin. It will get too expensive to live there—Idaho is the same way. But you can bet it won’t be like that in Wisconsin! Too danged cold!!

 

The sun is almost down and a book is calling my name. Will put my hens up shortly and see if the dogs will skip the last meal of the day. Think they had too much to eat today at breakfast.

 

May you all rest well this night. Find joy in awakening, and praise God for life. You are loved.

 

 

Thumbtacks and Yelps.

 Thumbtacks and Yelps.

 

Some folks know how to use all the different aspects of online searching to find whatever they might need. And then there are old ladies like me who try to use a few of those services and end up with sixteen tabs open across the top of the computer and not any smarter for having looked at whatever information might be contained therein. Looking for a reasonable and easy to talk to roofing company was my intention. Could not figure out how to use Yelp, that Ticktack thing, or even get Siri to talk to me on my phone. It was just one of those days. Eventually, despite freaking out and sending a message to my daughter, one company was definitely rejected. Four other roofing companies were not even listed in our area. But eventually one company that has been here for 40 years had someone talk to me as if she knew it was necessary to explain only the basic necessities. Yep, going with that company if they send someone out and give me a reasonable bid for a new roof.

 

Billye Ruth told me she thought a metal roof might be better. The lady at the roofing company wanted me to consider heavy penetration roofing—at a slightly higher cost than regular roofing—but worth it if the insurance premium went down by 25% because of the quality of the roofing. Can you see the rolling eyes here? This lady was the second one to tell me that they could probably get more money from the insurance company. Nope, that does not interest me. Feel as if the company has done right by me, so why would it make me happy to mess with them? One good thing was that no money has to be paid on completion of the job. My bank will let me pay them with Zelle—think that is what it is called. Whatever it is, no credit card use means no fee for using it. Hate credit card fees on everything. It seems most companies figure those fees into the price of things they sell without mentioning it. Oh well. Not much sense in feeling irritable about it.

 

Got a Medicare 2022 book recently. It explains regular Medicare and the Medicare Advantage plans. You have to understand that reading stuff in those books is pretty plain. You either like the basic stuff or you want something just a little different. My sister-in-law insists that the Medicare Advantage plan yours truly has chosen is NOT Medicare. Oh, joy to the world! As long as no one else is paying for it, my choice is not going to change. My glasses will be free whenever my backside gets down to Eye Mart to have them fitted. The eye exam at Dr. White’s office did not cost me anything, either. Now, all that being said, this young lady with a terribly high voice—think Minnie Mouse—told me that the $412 should not have been paid at the hospital for the injection in my spine. Argh. She thinks it will be reimbursed. That would be nice.

 

Whatever has happened around here is not nearly as trying in circumstances as what BR (BillyeRuth) has dealt with lately. A freaking badger tried to get her, and she had to climb up on the back of a car to get away from it. Meanwhile, it shredded her old dog! Poor baby died just a short distance from her house trying to get away from that critter. BRs friend shot the badger. Sitting here hoping that thing was not rabid. It’s buried, so there is hope that nothing else will be contaminated if it had rabies. BRs lady friend wanted the claws off of it for some unknown reason, and the young man told her he would show her where he buried it if she really wanted those three-inch claws! Shaking my head. On top of everything else, BRs bird (parakeet) died. She said that the dog and the bird were good company for her. Think we need to find her another dog. A young boy recently told me that his aunt wanted to have a baby and needed to find a home for her Pitbull. Not sure BR would want one of those, but at least it would be a good guard dog and might enjoy her company, too. The other problem BR found was that something is killing her chickens. She only has nine left of her original hens. She thinks a raccoon is getting them—and it even got one of her young chicks that she sent off to get from a hatchery. Yep, needs a good dog.

 

Had a sack of potatoes that needed to be used up, so the dogs got some chicken, ‘tators, and mixed veggies. They have had their dinner, thank you very much. And someone over there on the couch has some flatulence. Whoo boy!

 

Washed a bunch of blankets and stuff lately, and today the water bill came. Gracious! Going to have to take laundry into consideration when budgeting around here. But as long as the dogs live with me, they are going to have a clean couch cover and blankets that don’t smell like a dog! Guess griping about the water bill is pretty useless with that in mind.

 

Really, really need a nap. Could not sleep last night. Read on the Café d’Vita can that it contained no caffeine. Uh huh. But it is Mocha—that means it contains chocolate which contains—you know the answer to that. Oh well. Time spent reading is never wasted—well, unless the reading material is something like the 2021 IRS tax forms! SO very glad that is not one of my concerns.

 

Picked up six eggs today! Pretty good since at least three are molting. Rhody’s backside looks so funny with the pin feathers on her back looking like a pin cushion! At least she is not being harassed by the other hens.

 

Need to call one of the boys and get some feed put in a bin, but just don’t have the energy to unlock the gates or bring the truck up. Getting lazy in my old age.

 

Let us pray for peace and guidance in our thoughts and actions. Let us be grateful for all the blessings—and for the animals that make our lives so full.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Old Habits.

 Old Habits.

 

My grandmother once said that saying thank you was easy and should be done more often. And if it was worth saying in person, it was worth saying in writing. So, some of us of a certain generation learned to write thank you notes. Oh, and at the Academy of Mary Immaculate, the sisters taught us to write all kinds of other types of notes: invitations, requests, announcements, and assorted types of formal notes that meant much back then to those receiving or sending them. It was a different way of thinking than we currently consider. Now baby announcements are sent via email or some other kind of electronic note, but graduation announcements cost a small fortune, and only grandparents get one for that reason. Yours truly no longer has a book containing all the birth announcements or graduation cards sent to us. Sorry. Certain things just have not survived house renovations and other such changes. And all the pictures have pretty much gone into storage somewhere along the way. Ah, well. They should have been labeled at some point, but we said the same thing when our great-grandfather’s pictures were tossed because no one recognized the folks in them. Such is life. But one thing has NOT changed. Saying thank you should be done quickly and in writing as well as audibly to those who have given you either the gift of time, lodging, food, or whatever else might have been helpful to you. Which reminds me that a letter needs to be sent to my cousin Betty to give her the story of how her brother introduced me to his friend Lewis—the man who married me in spite of my dumping a cup of hot coffee in his lap—accidentally, by the way. All kinds of things need to be written down for others, but especially for our children.

 

Today has been another goof off day. Have done absolutely nothing at all. In my head—which is a good place to get messy—my new Christmas cacti have been repotted in a container that will adapt to all four of them and still leave a bit of room for the lavender plant and maybe even the African violet. Not sure that the watering routine would be good for such an adaptation, but if wishes were fishes . . . But at this point, the container to hold these plants has not surfaced beyond my imagination. That is probably about all the work that will get done today. Deep sigh. Does this tell you how lazy an old woman can get?

 

My niece and her family stopped by on their way back to Denver to pick up some eggs. She said she would think of me every time she had one for breakfast. Wanted to ask her why she thought eggs were only good for breakfast, but didn’t want to keep her. Her boys are really growing! And each one spoke to me sweetly. Some parents do a good job of having children respond to adults.

 

Sylvia and Thompson are lying side by side looking out the front window. Not sure what they think they will see—or hear—but ears are perked up and bodies are fully propped up against the back of the couch. Sylvia has the last of the newer toys to chew on. She has not quite got all the squeakers out of it yet. But she is dutifully working on it. She behaves as if it is her job.

 

Will get busy in the morning and see what the different roofing companies can tell me about their services. The insurance company did not mess around about getting the check here, so the sooner this roof is repaired, the better. Just hoping that the Yelp reviews are accurate. Jenn told me to not just trust one set of reviews. So, we will see what is up with each company before actually accepting a proposal. Here is hoping that this is the right way to do this.

 

Have been watching the sparrows out front that have been taking things and sticking them in a bird box on the front porch. Not sure if any of them intend to get in there for any actual reason, but they keep sticking things in there as if making a soft nest. Strange bird activity. But then, the nandinas bushes at the corner of the porch wiggle every so often when all the sparrows take off out of there. They seem to shelter there pretty often. Saw a small snake in there last year that was undoubtedly going for a sparrow luncheon. Just had to remind myself to watch when it was time to clean the dryer vent out that comes out right there next to the bushes. Not too happy to share my space with a snake no matter how small it is.

 

Believe it or not, we have only two more days of November. Doesn’t seem like this year had hardly begun when it was nearly over! But then, remembering when the children were in school, it felt like the school year lasted forever! It may seem that way to my grands now, but somehow don’t think so. Life is so very different for them. Well, truly life is so very different for ALL of us now. Not better, not worse. Just different.

 

Ok, will ask for prayers for some folks: Carole, friend of Keith Mattson, is going through rehab for stuff relating to various illnesses. She is going to go to her son’s home to stay until they can build her a place on their property. It sounds as if she is going to need almost daily medical care for a long time. Anyway, whatever the prognosis may be, let us ask God to bless her and her family. It can’t be easy for any of them. And we can thank God that Keith has been there for her to keep her spirits up. Will ask again for prayers for Kathy Jarlsberg—leukemia. Have not see a post from her husband this week, but know that both she and her daughter have ongoing health problems. My friend Vicky J. and another friend or two have RA. This crap is like waking up and having hot pokers in hands, feet, back, and neck. Yes, there are medications for the pain and symptoms, but the medications can cause almost as many problems as the rheumatoid arthritis. A lady I knew from online, Ardie, died recently. She had pictures of her hands and feet posted online—totally warped. Not sure if she just got sick or if something else was the problem, but know that the RA was making her suffer horribly. Let’s pray for those with such illnesses. Our world is messed up pretty badly, but when our bodies hurt, it is much harder to take joy in life than when we can feel half way decent.

 

Every time someone tells me, “We just can’t get things like that right now,” it makes me wonder if the supply chain is truly broken or if folks are just not sending things out because of prices. The longer we go without things, the sooner we can figure out what we can do without. Just another way of looking at things. May have to learn to dig for earthworms to feed these hens!

 

Just went outside to check the water for the hens and found some very disappointed chickens who followed me around waiting for some goodies. Not today, kiddos! No more heads of cabbage left in the house for them. Will have to send a request to some boys who come visit every so often. Maybe they will come up with some squash or lettuce or something. These hens are not the least bit spoiled!

 

May you all rest well and find joy in your lives. We have plenty of reasons to be thankful to God for the many blessings. But love is the biggest gift of all. You are loved.

Dog Toys.

 Dog Toys.

 

Sylvia is a disaster looking for a place to happen when it comes to taking apart toys—especially the kind with the extra-large, extra loud squeakers. But just whisper to her that she is a silly dog, and she will do her best to lick your nose or anything else she can reach. Yes, she really is a silly dog. But Thompson does not fight with her over the squeaky toys—well, or much else, for that matter. He lets her get by with just about anything as long as she does not try to get into his dog dish at dinner time. He waits patiently for her to get her bowl before he goes into the hallway to get his bowl. Dinner time for dogs around here is jut a bit amusing. But this morning, the dogs got to go in the truck to McDonalds. Probably won’t do THAT again. Oh, the dogs thought it was just great. But three sausage-egg biscuits cost just a few cents less than $14. Now that is a bit much. Connie said that lunch at What-a-Burger was similar to the kind of expense one would expect at a sit-down restaurant.

 

My phone just dinged to tell me to expect light rain in the next thirty minutes. These phones have all kinds of interesting information. This morning the 360 app told me that Jennifer was in the middle of the Potomac River while Gary was at the Reagan Airport. Interesting. Just a bit later, Jenn let me know that they were at DFW. Whew! But at least Siri was able to tell me when Chase Bank was going to be open. Then the sanitation schedule showed that the trash truck would come today since it did not come on Friday. Yep, very useful little lady, is that Siri.

 

Other than the trip to McDs and the bank, my little white truck took me to Sutherlands for some stuff to go around the back door in the big bathroom. Also, got something that fits under the bottom of the door. Not sure what it is called or exactly how it is to be applied, but it did look as if some instructions were on there. May wait until Lance comes to see about putting it on the door. Jennifer would watch a YouTube video and do it herself! But she is a bunch like Lewis—handy and headstrong.

 

While at Sutherlands, had them load two bags of chicken scratch in my truck. When the lady asked someone to go back and pick up two sacks of scratch, a young man’s voice came back, “WHAT is ‘scratch’?” She looked at me; we both just about choked laughing so hard. She said that while she is not a country girl, she at least knows about chicken feed. The really bad part was the price. At the first of the year, scratch was less than $10 a fifty pound bag. Now it is $18.99 per fifty-pound bag. Dear Hearts, enjoy each one of those golden nuggets ‘cause those jewels are costing a fortune to produce. And that does not even take in to consideration the molting of at least three hens, plus the older hen that has stopped laying. Fourteen hens and only ten lay every other day. Could not afford to have animals on the hill if the hen count was 36 again! Sitting here wondering how many hens Billye Ruth has now!

 

Read a weather forecast somewhere today on one of those sites that tries to cause headaches. It said to expect a longer, colder winter than we have had in years. Well, surprise, surprise, surprise! Not anything more than we would expect—and not even blaming it on the danged Democrats! Ahem.

 

Had some wash going in the machine last night before it was really bedtime. Heard a ding, ding and went to see about the washer. It had maneuvered nearly to the middle of the kitchen floor! Guess ya know that those door stops did not a particle of good. Sigh Anyway, got that sucker shifted back in place and gave it a piece of my mind. Had so much to spare, ya know!

 

Just went out to pick up eggs and see what a hen was yelling about. Seems we were down to just corn giblets in the feeder. Not the good stuff with wheat, milo, and whatever. Yep, hard put to be a good hen when the food is just not all that great. Ah, well. The life of an animal on Dickerson Hill.

 

And just to send you wandering to another subject: Chickens on the Brain?

Going by the ounce, one has to consider that a whole chicken has some lost weight in the bones. But then, just how many ounces of a chicken is its bones? Anyway, the old woman bought two chickens and cooked them. Good chicken, believe it or not. Wondering where we are all going to start buying food when these supermarkets start trying to sell us ostriches instead of turkeys. Years ago, a chicken might weigh two pounds at the market. Now a chicken will weigh in at six pounds! And there’s another difference between this chicken’s carcass and one back 50 years ago: today’s carcass includes more cartilage than bone because the chicken is killed at four weeks. Anyway, the point is, the chicken was much smaller and actually had heavier bones fifty years ago. Oh! And young wives—the ones that actually cook, would be surprised that cutting up a chicken included removing organs and neck bone in a bag inside the chicken. And just so you know, some of us really enjoyed fried chicken gizzards or livers or even a heart.

 

Know about two-cents worth of nothing, so won’t strain your eyesight or shock your socks off.

 

Praise God for life and love. May you rest and find joy! You are loved.

 

 

Another Day in Paradise.

 Another Day in Paradise.

 

Just came back from picking up the groceries ordered from Market Street. A good reason for having things delivered is the back-and-forth walking from the truck to the house, and then from the parking place down on the east lot to the house. Then cooking up the five-pound package of ground beef (the cheaper, 73% stuff) to make more dog food. Watching to be sure the rice cooker did not splatter all over the counter, putting two six-pound chickens in the oven to cook, cleaning up a few dishes, tying up the plastic bags to use in the bathroom for trash, putting six packages of either ground chicken or ground turkey in the freezer to cook later—and finally, sitting down to see what the insurance company said. Have rooted through the files to see what article X—Conditions 7a. said about my duties after loss. Think that one is squared away already. Such fun. And the check came today. So there’s that. And yes, an old woman is tired and hurting. But still have to mix up the rice, the sweet potatoes, the hominy, the carrots with peas, and the corn for dog food before putting the results in plastic bags.

 

Cari’s mom gave me some sweet potatoes, but they did not last very long. Dogs are not the only ones that like those things! But still bought some cans of sweet potato. Should have been pumpkin, but that stuff is rather expensive. Need to find a farmer who has lots of pumpkins left over. Cows eat those things, however. Also bought two heads of cabbage. No, not for the old woman. These birds are spoiled almost as bad as the dogs. Last night they even had a heater on in their coop. But the grass was covered in frost this morning, too!

 

Looking on FB at some of the pictures and thinking about what Sterling said about some of the kids in the family made me ask at least one of them what she thought about living in the house where the Kennedys lived years ago. Sterling’s friend Carl had been living there and just recently died. Guess the timing was just about right since the kids had not been able to find the right place to live before that. Now they have a good place for car, truck, trailer, horse, etc. Hope the big trees out in the pig lot are still there. That was such a good place for a horse after Granddad got rid of the pigs. He got rid of the pigs because they kept eating anything that got inside that pen. Cats, kittens, puppies, kids—the goat kind, and anything that did not move fast enough. Did you know that a pig can go at least 30 mph for a short distance? Those suckers are faster than greased lightning!

 

Thinking that a short nap might be called for. Not sure that would help the back, but it couldn’t hurt anything. Might have to struggle with keeping Sylvia off my fuzzy, wuzzy blanket, but she can be persuaded to move on occasion. Good thing my dogs are semi-obedient.

 

Looking forward to hearing from my kids this weekend. They will be tired—at least the ones that have to fly home. But home is where the hearts are happy. My heart is happy right here on top of Dickerson Hill. May your heart find gladness wherever you are.

 

Rest and find joy in life. You are loved.

Just Thinkin' Again.

 Just Thinkin’ Again.

 

Looking back over the memories on FB and saw the pictures of Landon, Rachel, and Lewis. They were such sweet children. And they loved Lewis more than anyone around. And it was mutual. He thought that they were so grand! He bought his granddaughter a PINK B-B gun. Not just sure how well she could aim it or if it ever managed to hit anything other than a piece of cardboard, but it was the idea behind the gun belonging just to her! Girls like guns, trucks, horses, hens, flowers, and their Paw Paw!

 

Then saw a post from my friend Jo Ann Hobbs. She was a good neighbor while she lived across the street from me. Lewis and his silly old wife played with her grandbabies and tried to help her when we could. She was a widow and was trying to raise grandchildren. Then we got to meet Jerry and shook our head when they said that he killed his daughter. Neither of us believed that BS. He might not have been overly friendly, but he was kind to those little kids. Then they said that he “confessed.” We still did not believe it. Sure enough, the so-called confession was coerced. So many times that kind of thing has happened within the criminal “justice” system. So much is wrong within our laws that we hardly ever trust what is happening. About the only thing we can trust is that God will eventually turn injustices inside out and remove the blame and harm done. But now that Jerry has died from covid and the two strokes caused by it, the pain is obvious in his mother’s face, in her heart. May God give her peace.

 

My daughter and family are visiting Gary’s uncle in West Virginia. They have some really good friends taking care of the livestock and the home place. Kinda have a feeling that when they get home, it will be necessary to take the oldest dog to see the vet for the last time. Twenty years is a long time for a little dog to run around trying to keep up with everyone. But she is such a sweet little critter. Know that it will be a hard decision.

 

Have been trying to decide how to accumulate enough scrap meat or cheap meat to make dog food in some way other than by getting ground turkey, ground beef, or whatever to mix with rice and veggies. Most of the places that sell beef, bones, fatty chunks of meat and stuff grind it all up and make hamburger or something out of it. Even the bones are expensive! My granddad Kennedy was a butcher—as was great-grandfather Camp—but they knew how to use bones for stews and soups. Don’t think stew bones are even sold in stores any longer. Kinda think that dog food sold in the stores uses the “bad” beef and diseased meat from cows that have been injured, not to mention horse meat. Know my parents fed our dogs gravy and biscuits and the occasional rabbit that Dad would shoot. We did not buy dog food. Not sure it even existed like it is now. Maybe a net out there over the door to the hen house would get enough of those danged doves to make dog food! They certainly eat enough of the chicken feed!

 

Two dogs were my favorites once upon a time during my time at home. Tar Baby was a Poodle-Cocker cross and was as brave as a dog could possibly be. Freckles was a bird dog who adopted my horse and lived with her and never missed a step she took. Both were killed—either directly or indirectly—by cars. They went wherever my horse went, but that was not always a safe place for them obviously. These two dogs are never allowed to leave the yard, but they would given half a chance! And they don’t understand about cars at all. Right now they are on the couch play fighting. Silly critters.

 

Know very little today. Michelle Malay said she was feeling better; Patty called and wished me a happy Thanksgiving; and Anne has her daughter and family with her. Yep, that is the extent of my knowledge other than the weather report. It’s kinda cold and not going to improve in the next few days. It’s that time of year. Sigh

 

Will ask you to remember those who have to be out in the weather to keep things going for the rest of us. We can ask God to protect those who are serving us in whatever manner. And we can be grateful that we are still free. May God continue to bless this nation.

 

Rest and find joy in life. You are loved.

Foods, Folks, Festivals.

 Foods, Folks, Festivals.

 

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the U.S. Everyone and his sister will have company or indigestion or both. And then there are those who will be sitting around smiling at all the stuff going on in our families and among our friends. Oldest son, for instance, had planned on six at their table and will now have nine with the addition of some friends belonging to their children. Sterling said that his former wife Marion will have the entire hee haw gang at her house in Arkansas. That should be interesting. All those children and grands will add up, but at least all the women will have cooked something to bring, and Marion won’t have to handle it all by herself. Just washing up dishes can be a major chore—unless plastic, disposable cups and plates with associated plastic “silverware” are being used. Anyway, their entire family would make enough people for a small community! Give those grands time, and they will form their own city!

 

Won’t be long before it is time to go shut up the hens for the night. These two dogs have already had their case of the zoomies for the evening, and they might just get a treat before bedtime. They enjoyed the food they had today—sweet potatoes with peas, carrots, ground turkey, and rice. Lance said that he often put oatmeal in Aussie’s food, but he is still able to use Pedigree canned dog food. Not sure that is what made Sylvia ill, but we are not going to try that again for sure!

 

Rather hoping that my version of Life 360 is not correct. It says that Jennifer is still at DFW. Which would mean that she and Grayson have not left yet. Argh. Well, she did say that they would not get in until some time late tonight. SO glad she has someone dependable to stay with her critters and the house. As it is, she said the UPS man had dropped a package off inside the yard—not anywhere near the front door. Wondering how she puts up with those attitudes. We are so very blessed here in WF to have folks who care about their jobs. Oh, some places can’t get anyone to work for them at all, but that may change eventually.

 

Can’t even say what all has been accomplished around here today because it amounts to exactly zero. Woke up early enough to do something, but just did not wake up in the mood to do anything at all. Checked out some roofing companies; looked at the paper work on the insurance; thought about the “pergola” out front; thought about how to get the bushes transplanted into pots; played with my silly dogs; read a bunch; and enjoyed cooking up some bacon and mushrooms for a meal. Yes, that is a little different than most meals, but it is what sounded good.

 

Have thought about some of the folks that have been ill lately and have not heard from at least two of them. Sitting here hoping that Mariellen Rose—Ellen’s aunt—is doing ok. Not sure why her sons have not let us know one way or the other. It is difficult to face time when illnesses strike, but if we know others care, it makes a difference.

 

One of the neatest things about this time of year is the smell of wood smoke. It is not the least bit difficult to imagine a fireplace or even a wood burning stove. We used to have a woodburning stove in the kitchen. We hauled load after load of mesquite from over in Archer County and cut it up, stacked it, and hauled it in several pieces at a time to keep our house warm. Yes, we had gas burning stoves, too, but the wood was “free” and smelled wonderful. We put a fan behind the stove and heated the entire house that way. Yep, it was nice, but it had drawbacks, too. A flue pipe had to be replaced every so often. The burn box eventually had a hole in it that could not be repaired. So there went the stove. Oh, but it was SO much work. We did get quite a few laughs out of it, however. One day we were driving down the highway and saw an old cottonwood down by the fence just sitting there waiting to be cut into firewood. Lewis said, “Covet, covet, covet.” We both knew exactly what he was thinking and started laughing out loud. Yep, just any ol’ tree out there waiting to be hauled home.

 

All the hens are at roost in the metal shed; the dogs are willing to be still and quiet; and my memories of Mom and Dad’s birthdays make me think of how many times they celebrated Thanksgiving together. They were married 68 years as of July 31, 2012, but Dad died in October before Thanksgiving in 2012. Then Mom died in October the following year. Even so, celebrating 67 Thanksgivings was pretty special. Miss them sometimes very much.

 

We have so very much for which we can be thankful. God just continues to bless us over and over. We have to share that love with others in whatever way we can. May we give our Father in heaven reason to smile at our attempts to do what He would have us do.

 

Rest this night, my friends. Look for joy and comforts. You are loved.

Dog Food!

 Dog Food!

 

Guess who has taken up cooking for dogs? These two dogs won’t even look at kibble. Monsters exist! They are hungry! They are furry! They bark a lot!

 

Some strange looking sweet potatoes came to this house in the past couple of days. None of the ‘tators had teeth, but they could have scared a cow! Cari’s mom also brought green tomatoes that were spread out on hay in the greenhouse this afternoon. Here’s my fingers crossed that they will all turn red eventually. Anyway, the sweet potatoes, some rice, some peas and carrots, and some cooked ground turkey made four Ziplocks of dog food. Now have some in the fridge and some in the top freezer. Still have the kibble in the hall, but also have four cans of Pedigree chicken and rice that Thompson refused. Go figure.

 

Had a cream cheese-tomato sandwich on a burrito round. The amazing thing was that tomato! Home-grown, DELICIOUS, red, ripe tomato! Did we mention DELICIOUS? Roger Thonton grew some ‘maters. He brought me a few and grinned about having grown them. Some folks can herd hens; some folks can grow ‘maters! THANKS for the great tasting tomatoes!

 

Have had some Jolly Rancher candies in my desk drawer for nearly four months—maybe more. Really, truly, honestly need to eat these up before the end of the year. Did you notice the word “eat”? We can’t just pitch them (think of all those times you REALLY, truly, honestly needed a piece of candy), and we can’t give them away (they have, after all, been in that drawer for quite a while), and you really, truly, honestly should have passed them out on the street to random business people. In these situations, we just have to accept that WE (meaning that old woman) will HAVE to EAT that candy. Cruel, cruel world!

 

It took most of the day to cook the ground turkey, rice, sweet potato, and whatever else comes to mind when looking through the pantry. The dogs seemed to appreciate what they got. But they were probably pretty hungry. It’s been a long day, and those dogs did not even offer to lick the pans clean!! That’s ok. If they can stay healthy, cooking for my dogs each week will be worth it.

 

Took a hoodie out of the closet. It is chocolate brown with a rooster on it. Around the rooster it says, Chicken Whisperer. That is my kind of humor. Silly things do matter though. Life would be pretty dull if no silliness existed. Existential angst, ya know.

 

It’s almost sundown and the old bottle washer needs to hang up her towel for the day. In a few days or so, she’ll do the same messin’ around as she did today and even feel proud of herself!

 

May you feel ever closer to God. Let us keep our hearts close to Him. Rest and know: You are loved.

Roofing.

 Roofing.

 

So, the house needs a new roof, and Siri is not speaking to me again. Not sure what is up with that hussy. Anyway, got on the ‘puter and looked up a couple and then asked Patty who did the ones she had done in the past years. She recommended Arrowhead Roofing. Who knows if they are still in business? Any longer, the company may be around, but their workers may be gone, or the products needed for the roof may not be available. Such fun! If any of you in the Wichita Falls area know of a good company, please let me know.

 

So, Jennifer took Gary to the airport but was unable to even go inside to think about going with him to W.VA. She has a temp from a sinus infection. She hopes to be without the temp by Wednesday, but will not take any stupid chances. Honestly don’t think getting on a plane with a sinus infection is safe because of what the air in a plane does to us. But that is just me.

 

Sylvia got sick this morning and did not do well most of the day. Thompson refused to eat the dog food. Something must be wrong with it. Anyway, that dog food is going bye, bye. Made turkey, rice, peas, and carrots for their supper. Now have to order more meat from Market Street so that they can have a decent supply without having to eat my food. Actually, their food was pretty tasty—at least the peas and carrots were tasty. Have a feeling that they might not want Brussel sprouts, but we will see what happens. They always eat them off of my plate, but they might not like them mixed in with their food.

 

After cleaning up all the mess from Sylvia and washing all the things on the couch, it felt as if a day’s work had been done already! Then went out and worked around the chicken pen to put up a board on the outside. Need to call a couple of boys to get the other two coops cleaned out really well now so that other things can be put in there—plants and containers for plants. Having a green house just tickles me pink!

 

Cari Guidry’s mom brought me some green tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and a couple of small, unripe melons. The chickens thought the melons were great, but no thanks to the green tomatoes. That’s ok. Those things will ripen in the house. And some of them are big enough to fry! LOVE green-fried tomatoes! Really appreciate the produce. The dogs will probably eat more of the sweet potatoes than they old woman will, but they are good for both man and beast.

 

Was really happy that the hens did not have to be picked up or otherwise persuaded to go inside the front coop. They are all up there on the south side close to the ceiling except for the Black-laced Wyandottes. They will take the lower roost, thank you very much. Athena and Rhody always take the high roost near the end close to the door. They are the oldest and the bossiest. It just feels good to know that all of them will go inside without being told to or persuaded. Sometimes animals just do things right without being told.

 

Have had a bit of a headache all day. Think the weather has to have something to do with it. One day it is cold; the next day it is hot. One day the wind blows from the east; the next day the wind blows from the west. Any way we go at it, the weather has to mess with us! Does it do this in other states, or are we just special?

 

The mailman was running a fast route today. He stopped at Patty’s just long enough to tell us he had a lot of packages to deliver. It made me think of Santa. Giggling. He does not look the part, but is as nice a guy as a person could ask for. So glad that he is our mailman. We had one years ago who was the grouchiest man either of us had ever met. Lewis said he acted as if each of those boxes might belong to HIM! He griped if they had a spider in there! And, dear hearts, if they got dirt or mud on them, he wanted it cleaned off so the numbers were easier to read. As if he did not know which box was which already! Oh well. Poor man. He died of cancer a year after retiring.

 

Guess it is time to do something other than just sit here messing around online. Will ask you to remember those who are traveling, those who have been struck with the violence in this world, those who need love and affection more than what anyone is willing to give, and those who are held down by depression and loneliness. May God comfort and give peace to all of us.

 

Rest well, find joy in life, and appreciate the love we have one for another. You are loved.

Travel Mercies.

 Travel Mercies.

 

Today is a good day to think about family and friends who will be or ARE traveling to homes among the various places around the country. Even if we did not have to consider storms, rain, snow, and assorted turbulence in the air, we might just need to say a prayer that everyone will reach their destination safely. And then, too, we should pray that everyone stays healthy. Eating and drinking can always be interesting, but flying and riding for hours in cars and other vehicles can be hard on body and mind. So, let’s just hope that the next week and a half are very peaceful and quiet. Let all the planes land and take off without problems, and let all the drivers be very careful. The rest of the grandmothers and grandfathers can look forward to the arrival of those wonderful children!

 

Think Sylvia got too much of something she did not need last night. Her tummy is upset. Poor baby. And she is just a bit of a glutton. Then any noise emitted from her body surprises her and makes her run! It is the sort of thing that just amuses little boys and one funny old grandmother. So, giggles have been heard here today.

 

Had to order treats for the dogs again today. Think the Chewy website was down for maintenance or something. Amazon took care of it. Now the dogs will have the mini marrow bones they like. They are not the least bit spoiled. Grinning.

 

The hens laid five or six eggs today like champs. They only lay about every other day, so in a couple of days a dozen eggs will have accumulated. Sent home a carton of 18 with Anne yesterday, and then she found out that her kids were coming to visit. Now they will have some good eggs to eat! Besides, these eggs are pretty in shades of tan and brown.

 

It did not seem as if this day could really make up its mind to be too cool, too windy, too misty, or just TOO. Right now, the clouds have not entirely taken over, but it is still a bit breezy. And yes, it is still a bit cool. It is not cold, but it is hardly shirtsleeve weather. At least it is not 120 degrees in the shade! See, some of us appreciate the cooler weather. It is just the one day that is 80 degrees and the next that is 40 that messes me up. Some of us would appreciate more stability—or something.

 

Saw a report from up in one of the Eastern states where some guy’s zebras got loose and can’t be caught. Did you know that a group—three or more—or zebras is called a “dazzle?” That is neat. But the critters can run 40 mph, so it is not like it would be possible to run them down with horses or anything along those lines. It is sad that they will starve to death if they can’t be rounded up and put in some kind of protective area with feed and cover from storms. They are, after all, an African animal.

 

It’s almost time to go shut the coop doors. Last night only four of the hens had to be taken to the little coop. Still hoping that they get the idea that they should go in there without being persuaded. It may still take a couple of nights for that to sink in. Or the middle coop may have to be shut up entirely to persuade them. Maybe tomorrow that might happen. Still have not put the electric cord over in the front coop so the heater and heated water bowl can be put in there. Love my critters, but they take a lot of effort to keep healthy and happy.

 

It seems to me that evening keeps getting here earlier and earlier. Here it is only 5:15 and the sun isn’t even showing. But that could be the clouds. Whatever it is that is causing the darkness, it makes me feel as if it is dark-thirty when it gets this way. Oh well. No one expects me to get up, go to bed, get breakfast, or any of the other timed affairs in life. It really does not make a bit of difference.

 

Will remind you to pray for those who are trying to protect us—health care, law enforcement, judges, and those who watch over our children in the schools. We need all of us working together to make our world a better place. Let us do our part even if that part is only to pray.

 

Rest, find joy, look forward to better days. You are loved.

Meals That Surprise Ya.

 Meals That Surprise Ya.

 

So, it was just me and the sister-in-law for lunch-upper today. Took some food down to Patty, but that was hardly enough to count. The broccoli salad was good; Anne’s rolls were delicious; the turkey was tasty; the dressing was tasty; and the conversation was interesting. Now the hardest part was watching these two dogs putting themselves up on the cushions that are supposed to be on the back of the couch. They think those cushions are dog beds. Nuh-uh. Anne couldn’t move that Sylvia didn’t want to be right beside her. And Anne just kept patting her. Haven’t tried the cherry or pumpkin pie, but tomorrow is another day. Will have to divide up the dressing to put in smaller bags to freeze, too. Just too much food for just a few folks. But Michelle was hurting. Understand completely. It hurts to move much when the body feels as if it is being used as a barometer.

 

Roger Thonton brought by some food from The Branding Iron last night that was breakfast this morning. Mighty tasty! Roger and his wife Susan are so sweet. Good friends like them are the best.

 

Will just tell you tonight that this ol’ gal is so tired and hurting enough that just thinking is a bit much. At least my pointy finger is not quite as sore, so there’s that.

 

It is almost time to put the hens away for the night. Have fed leftovers—not dressing with all those onions in it—to the dogs. They got enough to eat apparently, so now they look as sleepy as an old woman feels. Just not much point in trying to wish for life to be any better than this. We are so very blessed! God may let things in this nation go to your favorite handbag, but generally speaking, we know—at least some of us know—what we need to do to keep living a life that might be better than just accumulating shtuff and finding more thangs to show off. Nope, we need to be able to reflect the love that has been given to us in the best way we know how. Will leave it to each of you to find His way in your life.

 

Rest and be well. Find joy today. You are loved.

Meal Prep.

 Meal Prep.

 

Kinda fun to get in the kitchen and cook or chop up veggies or otherwise make things in the house smell extra good. Have the broccoli salad already in a bag and stuffed in the fridge. For the ladies or anyone who cares: broccoli crowns cleaned and chopped relatively fine, craisins enough to enjoy, crisp fried bacon enough to suit you, more than a cup of shredded cheese, two peeled and chopped sugar crisp apples, a bit of salt, two teaspoons (no more) of sugar, some dressing to coat but not float! Usually, the dressing around here is olive oil mayo, but right now it is Miracle Whip because that was what was in the pantry. Threw out the mayo because it was out of date in June. Oh well.

 

Mother’s dressing was always the best in the West. She chopped up onions and celery, sprinkled on some sage powder, salt, mixed up a couple of eggs with just enough milk to make it easy to stir in, then mixed in about two cups [or more, depending on the amount of corn bread] of the juice from the turkey. Baked for less than an hour, this stuff makes the entire house smell good. Don’t know why it has taken me this long to want to cook again. Hmm.

 

Was excited to see Athena in the nesting box earlier. If she is going to lay an egg, today would be a good day for it. She just finished getting all her feathers back from a long molt. But nothing has kept her quiet. If she thinks that they need something, she comes to the back door and yells at me! Crazy hen. Gotta love ‘em when they are like that, however. That is the kind of personality a woman can enjoy—someone as gripey as herself—at least in my case! It got pretty cool last night. Had brought my spider plant in, but noticed that the top leaves were curled up. Think it was the wind that had whipped it the other day. Did not consider that when leaving it out there. Sigh

 

Got the curtains in today for the back bathroom. Not in the mood to mess with trying to hand the hardware right now. Maybe later after the weekend. The curtains are a sort of turquoise blue that suits me. Have always liked that color pretty well. Funny how colors can affect your mood, too. These curtains in the living room are some given to me by Michelle Malay. Love the gold color. Used to have some light yellow curtains in here years ago that had irises imprinted on them. Very happy curtains! Well, they made ME happy.

 

Talked to my sister-in-law and was told a little about the court case going on and how the young man was found not guilty. So glad! Just hope that they protect him now that the trial is over. Can’t imagine the amount of hate in this country, and if your color doesn’t suit someone, woe be unto you! It just keeps getting stranger and stranger.

 

Honestly don’t know anything to share with anyone today other than the usual stuff. You know what goes on around here—dogs and hens, laundry and cleaning floors, meals and movies, books and nibbles. Yep, pretty standard fare. But it is never, ever boring.

 

May all of you enjoy this weekend and life. Let your joy lighten your little corner of the world. May God bless you. You are loved.

 

 

Cooler Weather.

 Cooler Weather.

 

Wore a jacket out to let the girls out of their coops. Just a wee bit later than usual, opened the middle door to discover that the five Marans had already entered the front coop. Hoping it won’t be difficult to get them to roost in there soon as the weather is about to get to freezing once in a while. Have not yet pulled the electric line over there to use for a heater and then for a water bowl that is heated as well. My hens don’t know how lucky they are. Some chickens don’t get heated water bowls and a flat-screen heater in their coop. These little feathered beauties are loved even if their “mother” is a bird brain part of the time.

 

Slept SO hard last night that it felt really good just to wake up. Whatever allowed that good night’s rest should be bottled for those nights when it just doesn’t happen. Even the dogs slept in this morning. And to tell the truth, it seems like it has been a short day even though it is slightly after four in the afternoon.

 

Thought some curtains were coming from Walmart, but they not only did not show up at my doorstep, they have not even shown up on my orders. Go figure! Won’t buy anything from their site again for sure! The kitchen curtains that did come in were not exactly what were expected. The only way that they could really be changed would be to put the valances on top and lower the bottom sections about four to five inches. Just not in the mood to mess with it.

 

Made some cornbread today. Jennifer had to remind me that ONE pan of cornbread would be plenty to make dressing since it will not be necessary to serve seven or eight people. It is so hard to remember not to overdo the ingredients or how many or much to make. Will just be happy if this turkey and dressing turn out good. Also, have a pumpkin pie and a cherry pie ready to go in the oven. The pumpkin pie reminds me of a Thanksgiving luncheon we had at the college. John Van Natta was so proud of himself for remembering to bring a pumpkin pie. He put it in the little fridge. When he took it out, it sort of splashed. We had to tell him that the frozen pie was the kind that had to be BAKED before it could be served. He was totally gobsmacked! But we all got a big kick out of his pie.

 

Sylvia has taken on a new habit. She has finally realized that she can reach things by standing up on her back legs. So, she has now tried to see what is on the deep freeze, the cabinet, the dryer, or anything above her head. Sneaky critter! Will have to be more aware of her abilities now.

 

Thompson had Sylvia’s favorite toy a bit ago, and THAT caused a regular bark fest! She has her favorites, but he could care less. He just picks one up and enjoys infuriating her. Typical male, me thinks. Not sure what she did with the toy, but they are no longer fussing over it. They have been fed and even had another snack. The old woman nuked a chicken pot pie and decided that it would be more sensible to make her own. Do not like that stupid crust they use. Bleah. Would rather have chicken and dumplings or make chicken and rice with veggies the same way it is made for the dogs—but maybe on a smaller scale. A sensible person would just share with the dogs—just not out of the same bowls!

Think there is one last book in the current series that are holding my interest. Then my plan is to try to find something among the movies available. Had the heater on here in the living room this morning and “lost” Sylvia. Looked over to see her cuddled down next to the heater. Told her that when we started watching the TV again, she would have to find a better place. She just gave me one of those looks as if the words were similar to what you hear on the Charlie Brown specials: Wah, wha, wha.

 

All kinds of flowers are coming up in the yard. Yes, they will probably get frost bit soon, but to see them coming up now just makes me smile. The bachelor buttons, blue bonnets, and some wild flowers come up in both the grass and in the cracks between the paving stones leading to the front porch. And the mint has still got the greenest leaves around—not to mention a wonderful smell. Love watching things grow—even the danged weeds. But the irises that Jerry transplanted for me last year look as if they are going to go great guns out on the west end of the house. Never have gone out to see how hard the ground is around the Jerusalem artichokes, but yours truly has no business trying to dig them up anyway. Sigh

 

Have ONE can of cranberry sauce and hope that will do it. Used to make a big pot of fresh cranberry stuff for Thanksgiving, but have not done that in years. Hanan liked the jelly kind—maybe. Not sure. Memory fails me. Yep, Tracy told me the story again. He wanted the kind with the can’s imprint on the bottom. That’s the jelly kind. Funny! Tracy was always sweet to Hanan and got whatever kind he liked.

 

Guess this old woman just needs to see about pulling curtains closed for the evening and seeing if the resident hawk is out there bothering my hens. He is not big enough to kill one—well, maybe not. But he could bother them. Not nice! Will get my critters sorted and rest for the last part of this day. Hoping the night is as restful as the last one.

 

Remember those who lack health and any other support in this world. May God give us His mercy and kindness to share with others in the way we should. May you all be blessed. You are loved.

Overdone!

 Overdone!

 

Yep, was feeling fairly good this morning even though only two hours of sleep actually took place. Have no idea why the sandman skipped my place. Anyway, by 4:30 the dogs had expressed their desire to be still on the couch. They had no idea that their “bed” was about to get stripped again so the covers could be washed. But it is done, the floor vacuumed, clean spreads on the couch, a rubber rug flapped against the rail around the deck and then stuffed into the washer. Have had about five loads today. That washer and drier have earned their keep!

 

Was cleaning the fridge and discovered that the hydrator was totally broken. Betting it will be impossible to replace the shelf even though the drawers are in good shape. Frigidaire is not even to blame if it can’t be replaced right now. Kinda hope it would be one of the parts that could be brought across the border from Mexico. Will think about it later.

 

Carla Beard sent me one of those greeting things from Jacqui Lawson—an advent calendar. Now it is going to take a day or so to get used to looking at it and then trying to follow it each day. The calendar on my desk—well, calendars plural—were given to me by Sharon Dickerson and Michelle Malay. Jennifer always sends me one from H&O—Lone Star Tool and Die. She is smart enough to put all the birthdays on it for me.

 

Cooked bacon to go in the broccoli salad; made beef, carrot, celery, rice dog food for these two animals. They approved cause it included bacon flavor from all the bacon cooked earlier. Yep, doesn’t take much to make them happy.

 

The hens laid several eggs today. It is a wonder they have not blown off the hill. Guess the wind the past few days has not really bothered them. And, too, they usually only lay every other day since it takes them 26 hours to produce an egg.

 

Pretty tired today. But Connie was quick to remind me that being sore and tired is my own fault since it is never just one or two things that get done each day. Nope, if the body will move, the floors will be cleaned! But only cleaned the kitchen and living room. The rest of the house is not in too bad of a shape. Just need to finish drying the furry rubber mats to keep the floors a little bit cleaner. Considering the state of the rugs, the floors can’t even begin to be as dirty as they would be without those rugs!

 

Talked to a young man from the insurance company to find out what my deductible is. Zero deductible. Not going to gripe and will just keep the current policy. Glad that Jennifer asked about it, so now we both can breathe easy.

 

Connie has decided not to come Saturday since she does not want to be around anyone else. Guess she will come over some other time for a meal. Sent two dozen eggs home with her for her and her sister. She has the best eggs available—the prettiest, too!

 

Honestly as dumb as an old woman can get. Took a short nap and feel a little better, so will put the hens up here in a little bit and then read. After that, let’s hope the Sandman will come visit early and do a better job than he did last night.

 

Kathy Jarlberg is hanging in there with the leukemia, but she truly needs prayers just to make it. She is having to have transfusions and plasma every other day or so. To top it off, she can barely walk, so her husband had to order a wheelchair for her. THEN their daughter ended up in the ER to find out that she has a tumor the size of a watermelon!! So, they are thinking of giving it a name and asking for donations of baby clothes—joking! Please pray for their family.

 

Will just tell you all that having read Tara Ross’ post about the mother of Thanksgiving today made me realize that this nation has focused its attention on expressing thanks for God’s blessings. Yes, it would be better without football or all macho stuff, but at least families usually get together. Some of us just don’t get out a bunch, but that is ok, too. We can call them and let them know how much they are loved. If you have family away from your location, let them know that you are thinking of them. Love between family members matters.

 

May God bless you and yours with peace. You are loved.