Forgetfulness...And That Other Stuff!

 This is really not a new post. I am just kinda tired and doing a rerun.

Forgetfulness is not so bad.  In fact, it is actually pretty handy as a reason for not showing up somewhere or otherwise not doing whatever was expected.  Someone will ask me, “Don’t you remember that we wanted you to . . .?”  Well, the answer is usually no.  A deep sigh or a shrug of the shoulders just means that one of us is forgetful.

 

And then there is that hearing thing.  Sometimes people think that they have told someone something, when, in fact, they really just thought about it.  When we all become mind readers, we will probably have other problems—confusion comes to mind.  But when the person who sits in the chair across the room from us hears about half or less of what is said, well, that can cause some interesting situations.

 

“Why did you move the truck?”

 

“Didn’t you say you needed to move the truck so you could mow?”

 

“No, I said I will take the truck to be washed after I mow.”

 

Oh, life is definitely more interesting for the forgetful, the hard of hearing, and . . .what were those other things?

Happiness Is Getting a Good Laugh!

 Happiness Is Getting a Good Laugh!

 

The lady who is going to start cleaning my house for me came a bit ago. We are going to get along just fine! She told me a story about her husband telling her that a fortune teller told him that he would not live beyond 40 years old, so he did not want to get married. She told him to go find a different woman. He changed his mind pretty quickly about getting married, and then lived (so far) to 67. So now she tells him that he owes her for overtime! That made me cackle!

 

My dogs like Maria. They did not jump up on her and she sat down easily beside Thompson. He didn’t mind. Sylvia wanted her to play tug of war, but Maria did not fall for that gambit! Thompson would not have let them anyway. He refuses to let Sylvia growl. Go figure.

 

Skip McBride said that the weather forecast is kind of iffy. Had to tell him that it is no more than we should expect. We are, after all, in Texas. But the forecast went from 3 degrees to 6 in less than an hour. But this is for the coming week. Rain, snow, and buttercups are in the forecast. Or maybe that was buttermilk.

 

Sent off for a snap front house coat/dress. It is a size 3X and is not going to be all that much too big. Jennifer was shocked at that. But you have to figure, the folks in the Philippines are teeny tiny people. They would not know how to deal with a body that normally wears a 1X. Not sure they could even house someone that size! Oh well.

 

Had none of the homegrown dog food left this morning, and gave the dogs some lamb and rice canned dog food. Wow! Sylvia could put your eyes out with that odor! They do really well with the stuff made with veggies. Thought maybe some freeze dried food might work, but Connie told me her girls would not even touch it, so canceled the order for my dogs. Then Jennifer reminded me not to be purchasing things off of FB because more often than not they are scams. Such is life and the criminal element. And such are the old, forgetful folks who buy things that sound too good to be true.

 

My friend Lisa Carden was asking for prayers for her mom Sue who may have had another heart attack. She is quite old and has had health problems for as long as my memory serves, but she is a sweet lady. God knows what is best for all of us. We just have to trust Him.

 

Bought cauliflower and broccoli to make another salad tomorrow. Still have two good apples and plenty of craisins to put in there, plus some pecans or walnuts. That kind of salad just makes me happy. Yes, salad can make some people happy. It does not take much, you see. The sparrows on the front porch don’t get much in the way of treats, but they still sing every day. Might have to give them a slice of Oat-nut bread with flax seeds and see what happens. Not expecting the hallelujah chorus, mind you, but at least it might give them something to cheer about.

 

Thinking about a nap. You know, those times when a person will lie down intending to be there for 30 or even 60 minutes until someone calls or comes by unexpectedly, and the person lying down has to talk on the phone or groggily answer the door. It’s a toss-up: do you want to lie down and maybe be disturbed, or do you just want to spend the rest of the afternoon being disturbed period!

 

Some of the reading material on FB includes articles or links to articles that interest me. One today included a special private school of children who had significant problems. These children are not appreciated by public schools for various reasons—among which is the lack of teachers qualified for those positions. Can’t imagine how difficult it must be to be a parent of a special needs child. There are special situations where parents can be paid to teach their own children and care for them after a certain age. Sitting here wondering if that has been around for long.

 

My oldest child just sent me a text that said that if he were to give up sarcasm, that would leave interpretive dance as his only means of communication. Giggling! Wonder how interpretive dance would look in text format.

 

Sometimes texting comes across as pretty strange when the words are somehow reconstructed as different words with totally different meanings. Even checking to see that everything is spelled correctly does not always help. Have read a series of posts where folks were trying not to be insulting and ended giving it up as a bad attempt. When one son tried to say Wow, it ended up as Moo somehow. His mom was not impressed. Have any of you ever been embarrassed or impressed by a text goof?

 

Lance always sounds so excited to say the word “snow” that it makes me laugh to think he still acts like a kid when he thinks of snow. We really did have some great times when the kids got to play in the snow. One year the lake froze solid, and the ground froze down to the water pipes throughout the city. It was a problem for the adults, but every kid in WF had an absolute ball playing in the snow on the streets—no traffic, after all. Every parking lot was a skating rink or a place to pull kids around with a four-wheeler. Our children never forgot that snow storm! Drifts deeper than they were tall! And daddy did not go to work during that time. No traffic hardly anywhere until they finally got the roads plowed. This part of Texas is not used to snow or deep snow. We don’t keep trucks to plow and barely enough to put out sand on the bridges and overpasses. So, life gets pretty simple when we get snowed in. Yes, he has good memories of snow!

 

Let’s remember to pray for joy, laughter, and happiness right now. Life tends to be pretty solemn, and we could use a good smile and a happy laugh. May you all rest tonight and be full of joy. You are loved.

Weather Forecasts and Other Fun Stuff.

 Weather Forecasts and Other Fun Stuff.

 

The weather here in Central North Texas has been awesome today. Yes, of course, the wind has blown. It would not be Dickerson Hill over Lake Wichita unless the wind blew and the shtuff flew. But it is still nice outside. It makes it feel as if spring might soon be here. Unless we look at the weather forecast: a high of 25 degrees on Thursday with 8 degrees that night. Snow is in the forecast for that day as well. Let’s pray that the electric lines remain strong and the current flows. The hens will be cooped up for several days this coming week with that kind of cold. The old woman will be wishing for spring sure enough!

 

Have tried to rearrange and clean out the office a bit today so that Jennifer will have a place to work when she has time. She and David (don’t know his last name) are the only two who do whatever it is they do with the customers. It has something to do with invoicing and getting the bills paid by the ones who buy things from the two companies. Anyway, David would really have a time to try to keep up if Jenn is not helping and doing her part.

 

Looking at my house from a different viewpoint, apparently clutter is my middle name. Lewis hated clutter, but it just happens wherever the old woman works—or plays. Dusting is going to be a major portion of cleaning this house even once. And dust has been one of the things with which some of us struggle mightily. Others of us watch the stuff accumulate and just shake our heads. You can guess which one lives here.

 

Rearranging the office was like a treasure hunt. Flower seeds that arrived last year and were stuffed in a padded envelope might do wonders if they get any rain this year. Then there was the heater purchased last year that never got used before the weather turned warmer. Guess it will get used this week!

 

Connie gently scolded me this morning when she asked if the dogs had been trained to stay off my bed yet. The answer is that they are being talked to and persuaded. They look at me for permission at this point. Let’s hope that my persuasive skills improve. They won’t be allowed to jump on me when we get back home—or on the bed.

 

Have thought often of my friend Roger. He had that quadruple bypass surgery and then had to have some fluid removed from around his heart lately. Remembering how it was when Lewis had that surgery makes me hope that his ribs went back in place the way that they should. Our little Rachel was so happy to have PawPaw home. Then she popped up on the bed and sat down on his chest. Tracy got her up quickly, but Lewis said that must have been just exactly what he needed to pop his ribs back into place! He would never admit that it hurt, but he did think that it helped.

 

Made some more broccoli salad yesterday. It was so very good. Would rather have that than a banana split! May just have to get online and order some more veggies for this coming week. Know the hens would love some bok choy. This old woman likes it, too. By the way, if you can find a delicata squash, try it and let me know what you think. It is better than sweet potatoes ever hoped to be.

 

Fed the dogs the last quart of homemade dog food this morning. Guess a certain old woman needs to get busy and make up some more of the stuff. Will have to include liver on my order to Market Street. It’s always something. Have canned foods, and frozen foods are so easy most of the time, but fresh produce is just the absolute best. Think the dogs agree when they get something they like.

 

Ok, have to tell you about my niece Becky. She teaches up in Gentry, Arkansas. Not sure which grade she teaches, but this is a relatively small school. She starts the kids off every morning with a prayer, so they are used to seeing her pray. The other afternoon she had her head down and one of the children asked, “Mrs. Becky, do you have a headache?”

“No, I don’t have a headache.”

“Then why do you have your head down?”

“I was praying,” replied Becky.

“What were you praying for?” asked the child.

“Three-thirty,” answered Becky.

Sat here reading that and just knew my mother would have been absolutely bent over with laughter. She taught Sterling’s children to pray—well, she tried. She and Dad had an old car that they called “Old Hope So” because they had to pray that they would get wherever they were going. The car started out brand new for them, but Daddy was not much on mechanical stuff like that. Lewis tried to tell him what he needed to do, but Daddy was pretty stubborn and did not want to spend one penny more on that kind of stuff than necessary. So, they ended up praying a lot about whether they would get back home when they left in Old Hope So. Then all of Sterling’s kids used the car when they left home and needed one. Think the old car has been rebuilt a couple of times since then. It just makes me smile to think about the car that Granddad Kennedy bought for my mom.

 

Just got off the phone with my dear friend AnnaBeth. We have semi-similar backgrounds—country girls, ya know. We have seen and are more than familiar with an outhouse, chickens, killing pullets and dressing them, growing a garden, and other things that mattered to us. We also attended the same church for years. She was raised as a Baptist, too. We laughed about hearing the old hymns in our heads and humming them to ourselves. Her sister, who became a Catholic, said she suddenly heard one of the old hymns in her head about standing up for Jesus. The old woman on Dickerson Hill was humming Leaning on the Everlasting Arms the other day. Sterling said that he really misses those hymns, too. Funny how life comes back around to some things. It is good to know that God is in charge no matter what. We have to do our part to love others and behave as well as possible, but we still know the end of the story.

 

My day has turned around and made me just a bit happier this evening. May you all find joy in whatever you find to do, and may life be satisfying in all its many aspects. May God be with you. You are loved.

Accomplishments!

 Accomplishments!

 

Barry Thomas came today and replaced the flood lights on the deck and replaced the plug box behind my desk. Not sure what was wrong with the deck light, but the plug in behind the desk had a burnt spot on it where it had become too hot at some point. Now it works correctly no matter if two things are plugged in at the same time. Yay!

 

Had to go to Sutherland’s to get the halogen bulbs for the deck light, and picked up an el-cheapo leaf rake while there. It is totally plastic, but it will probably outlast me. Anyway, going out the door, a man looked like the neighbor down on Texas Street. Asked him if he was Mr. Acuna, and his wife explained that this man was his brother (who is not quite as tall as the neighbor). While we were talking, she agreed that she knew a housekeeper—her! So will call her tomorrow (she was kind enough to put her name and number in my phone while we stood there) and let her give me an estimate on this mess of a house. Would like for Jennifer not to have to worry about keeping house while she is here. Besides, a good housekeeper who knows what she is doing is well worth the time and money!

 

Just finished eating din-upper. Have some broccoli salad, but am saving that for lunch or something tomorrow. Have to use up three eggs that were in the nests today. One of the hens broke an egg, so all three were messy. An omelet maybe or just plain scrambled eggs would be ok. Will have to go get some oyster shell tomorrow so the hens will eat what they need in that department. Sterling was telling me how the old folks would save up their egg shells, bake them in the oven, and then crush them to feed back to the hens. Oyster shell is much simpler. Besides, that many eggs are not actually consumed around here.

 

Sterling and Jacqui are really enjoying the new church they are attending. Sterling gets to play the old gospel songs—plus a lot of that new stuff—and once in a while he will get the kids started on some of the stuff like we enjoyed as kids. Jacqui gets to ride along on the children’s bus to keep things calm and cool. Seems there is some kind of regulation that demands a rider to go along with them. She likes kids and the responsibility.

 

Stilton Jarlsberg said that he and his wife were celebrating their wedding anniversary today. Seems they have been together nearly 50 years, but only married 28 years ago because they wanted to have a honeymoon in Hawaii. Go figure. He did not mention anything about health issues, but you can bet that those have not gone away. Anyway, we can continue to keep them in our prayers.

 

Granddaughter has a soccer game tonight. She sprained her ankle in one of the last games she was in, so she has to wear some kind of brace with it all taped up. Can’t imagine playing on a sprained ankle, but today is totally different from what things used to be. Lance said the worst thing about tonight is that the stupid stadium was built so that folks have to face north and south instead of east and west, so the cold wind will freeze their bodies. We decided the architect should be made to sit in the bleachers for several games in both winter and summer. Sounds about right, don’t you think?

 

Expected this water bill to be a bit higher, but don’t really think anyone read the meter. Next month should be interesting. Then there is the gas (natural) bill. Last month it was nearly $80. This month it is $118.49. And no, extra clothing probably would not help. My feet turn to blocks of ice in the winter!

 

Read an article today about a young Jewish woman who had to get away from the strictures of the community by going to a gym to run or otherwise exercising there. She finally divorced her husband and started working. The community she lived in did not even allow their children to learn the English language—and this was in New York City!! We are talking about a group that was the most restrictive Jewish sect around! It is really hard to imagine girls not being allowed near boys or not allowed to go beyond 8^th grade. And the schooling was not anything like what our children learn today. But all of the parents, grands, etc., were survivors of the Holocaust. Their idea of keeping the children so restricted was to prevent the same thing from happening again. Kind of self- destructive to my way of thinking, but whatever.

 

Really know less than the usual stuff. Have been watching the sparrows that have stuffed the bird house on the front porch. It is funny to watch them go in and out and sit on the perch. They cleaned up all the nibbles put out for them, so maybe some bread crumbs would satisfy them now. Can’t imagine how they can keep warm enough in this cold air. But the nandinas bushes seem to just explode with sparrows when disturbed. God made some wonderfully adaptive creatures.

 

Let us remember to pray for peace. It is worrying to think that some nations today don’t care what happens to those who live upon the land as long as the nations get whatever it is that they seem to want. Resources, ease of transit, redistribution of beliefs, or just plain ego—men are pretty ruthless. Sad.

 

Rest this evening/day and find joy in whatever your hand finds to do. You are loved.

Philosophy and Foolishness.

 Philosophy and Foolishness.

 

Steve Higgs has written a series of books called False Gods that have been quite interesting to me. Of course, they are filled with magic notions and fantastic creatures from werewolves to witches, but Higgs still causes me to think about some things that man has grappled with for years. Back in the 50s and 60s there was a movement centered around Nietzche’s “God is dead and we have killed him” idea. Not many of us on this page believe anything of the sort, but Higgs has developed a storyline that introduces the idea that there are only sons of a supreme ruler on an alternate Earth—those who are somewhat benevolent toward mankind and the others that despise mankind in all his weaknesses. In his storyline, both types intend to keep mankind beneath them. Then Higgs introduces those humans who find value within man—within the life given to man. He presents the problem: How can we retain any system of values in the absence of a divine order? In the latest story, three teenage girls have a father who is a dedicated pastor and a mother who is a senior officer in the local police department. The girls surprisingly began to discover their abilities to manipulate the forces of nature. They were very obedient to their parents and suddenly found themselves in complete opposition to the beliefs in which they were reared. At this time in the story, the world had suddenly become aware of what was considered “supernatural” beings. Of course, there are the two sides to reactions: hatred and shock, surprise and appreciation. The book is called Terrible Secrets and the intention of the girls to help others has all kinds of repercussions. The book reminded me of the Salem Witch Trials and what happened to men and women all over the earth at various times because some were considered different or whatever or had knowledge of different plants that could be beneficial to mankind—leaves or bark of the willow tree giving man the benefits similar to our aspirin, for instance. Yep, it would be easy to understand how those in the 1800s would be astounded by the things we take for granted today. And how many of us would want our aspirin in the form of willow bark tea? Thoughts?

 

The snow and sleet we got last night did not stick around very long this morning. No great loss, but the ground really needs some deep moisture. At least it is not terribly cool this afternoon. And the hens are out scratching up the entire east lots! Not sure just what they find out there, but they must find something interesting.

 

Sitting here thinking that a list of questions for the seventh of February would be a good idea. Everyone has said something different about what to expect, so my mind is a little uncertain about what preparations to make either physically or mentally. Just need a great big shot of positive attitude, for sure! But at least Dr. Kern’s PA is easy to talk to.

 

Still have not heard from Barry Thomas to find out if he is going to be here tomorrow or next week to install the deck light and check the wall plug behind my desk. Hate to call back and make his feel pestered. But then, have not seen any sign of Mataska Roofing this week either. Maybe tomorrow.

 

It seems like a good time to study. Only so much imagination and philosophy will hold a person’s interest if it is a bit warped. Let’s remember what it says in 2 Tim. 4:3- 4: For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Don’t think Steve Higgs would consider himself a teacher, but he certainly does write with an entertaining slant. Marvel Comics is just about the same kind of entertainment, but most kids today have never opened a Bible. Wish we could change that, but maybe God will help those who can see the deception to even a small extent.

 

May you rest well and awake with joy. You are loved.

 

NOT Liver!

 NOT Liver!

 

Giggling and thinking of my dear daughter who despises anything to do with liver. Bet she would not even feed her dogs or cats anything to do with liver!

 

The weather forecast calls for rain to begin in less than 30 minutes. Fine with me! We need rain desperately! The wheat is not going to live, much less grow unless we get some rain. The ranchers will have to either feed their livestock or cull their herds to have enough grass for their mama cows. And don’t think that will bring the cost of beef down in the stores because it won’t. They are not getting much for their livestock anyway.

 

Sylvia just scratched at the front of my desk because one of the Bento balls with a treat in it was on top of my desk. Silly dog. Silly ol’ woman bought them each a ball. Sylvia has dislodged and eaten three! Oh well.

 

Bought some Ozarka sparkling raspberry lime water the other day at Market Street. Not bad stuff. No sugar and just kinda nice and different. It is not like Bai coconut water, but it is still tasty.

 

The hens were out in the east lot when they saw me come outside to put out feed and move some things around. They needed clean water, naturally. How they can get it so nasty is beyond me. But as soon as the water is dumped, there they go after whatever is running across the dirt! Silly critters. It must be more interesting that way.

 

Seems the office personnel at Dr. Kern’s office all had colds or something. They stayed home for a couple of days to keep him from getting whatever they had. Smart. That is why they did not actually answer the phones so my H&P date could be changed. The hospital requires a patient to be seen two weeks before surgery, so it needed to be sent forward a week because of the surgery date change. Anyway, now it is at 10 a.m. on the seventh. Forgot to ask Jenn if she wanted to come up to be there for that or not. Probably not. All that matters to me is to be sure we know what to expect for the surgery and recovery and PT stuff. Connie was telling me about Medicare coordinated home care and in-home physical therapy. The in-home PT makes good sense considering someone would have to take me and stay until it was over. REALLY do not like the PT place they sent me to. The employees would wipe the table surfaces and not the handles on the machines or anything that really had to be touched unless they were asked to do so. Kinda like going into the room where Dr. Ohman did the shot into my spine—got in there to discover that the sheet on the table was the same one used for two people in front of me. Argh!

 

Just put some frozen chicken on to cook. Two very large chicken breasts just about filled up my biggest pan! Just amazing! The size of today’s pullets is just unreal!

 

The stuff coming out of the sky is sleet if it is anything! Thought it would just be rain, but rain does not come down and go click on the windows or the AC units! Betting that the roads get slick tonight if this keeps up. Please drive carefully, folks!

 

Have been noticing that my paragraphs might be spaced out correctly here while typing, but the final pages have no spacing beween paragraphs, so went to layout and put some spacing in there. We will see if that works.

 

Went by the State Hospital main gate where they are having the employees enter and exit now. A sign out there said: No Admissions Until Further Notice. Wondering if they are full; if the units have structural problems; or if they have a covid outbreak. NOT that anyone will say anything about it one way or the other. Patty doesn’t know anyone out there now to ask either. Hmm.

 

Both dogs just let me know that they were hungry again. Guess it is a good thing that enough food is already made up for them for a couple of days. Usually, they have one quart between them with all the kibble they want. This time Thompson wanted the good stuff and cleaned up all his kibble. Go figure. They are just like people who discover something they really enjoy and want more of it!

 

Reading just enough news to discover that we have promised some nations fuel in case theirs gets shut off by Russia. Sitting here knowing that folks would freeze to death without help, but wondering how involved we will end up. Someone is always willing to bomb a truck or two or a fuel depot.

 

Oh! That black cat just streaked across the back of Jerry’s place! Two infuriated dogs are telling me all about it and cussing it for all they are worth!

 

The rain/sleet has stopped. That did not last long enough to even truly wet the pavement, much less water the ground! Wow! We are going to have to fervently pray for rain!

 

Need to make a grocery list—AGAIN. Forgot some stuff the other day when at Market Street. Nuts! Not the kind of nuts you eat—just the expression of disgust. Know HOW to make salad dressing or mayonnaise, but have not done so in years. Mayonnaise is easy to whip up with egg, olive oil, a bit of sugar, salt, and vinegar, but do not remember the proportions. And that recipe book is long gone. Sigh

 

Have downloaded another book by Steve Higgs. His work is probably not for everyone, naturally, but he makes me laugh. Love this iPad or whatever it is that Lance gave me, but somehow yours truly managed to turn it up as a book would be positioned and can’t remember how to get it to go sideways again. Oh well. Jennifer will be here toward the end of February. Maybe she can help me.

 

Will ask you to remember how wonderful it is that we actually have seasons. We can all look forward to the one we enjoy, huh. Meanwhile, let’s ask God to protect and bless those who have to be out in the mess with snow, ice, freezing temps and the like. Extreme anything is hard on folks, but especially on those who can’t protect themselves. The poor, the aged, the homeless all need help and protection with food, clothing, and shelter. Like Robin Christian, if there is a way that we can help others through a food bank by serving or giving, let us do what we can.

 

Rest and enjoy the blessings we have been given. You are loved.

 

Ah! Liver!

 Ah! Liver!

 

Just put six quarts of dog food in the fridge. It contains rice, liver, bacon, a bit of olive oil, sweet potatoes, broccoli with cauliflower, two kinds of cheese, and a lot of effort! The one nice thing about making their food is that when my fingers get messy, guess what: lick ‘em off! Yep, it is quite tasty stuff even to me. As it is, they eat it on top of some lamb and rice Purina kibble. Their coats are glossy, and they have stopped scratching. So it works!

 

The hens wiped out two heads of cabbage already, but they are beginning to eat more of their mash pellets. That is what they should be eating anyway. May have to get some oyster shell soon, but it will have to wait until tomorrow. This old gal is getting a bit tired today.

 

Sylvia killed the squeaker in the unicorn that came today. Thompson ate its hand (hoof) off first. Killer dogs! Don’t know what the world would be like without these sweet creatures.

 

Posted about Sharon Dickerson’s niece, so you all know that she needs prayers if she is to recover. This covid crud is horrible—especially if a person already has other illnesses with which to contend. And diabetes and two stomas from cancer surgery can’t be a good start for healing. This situation is strictly up to God, but we can ask.

 

Finally on a first-name basis with the FedEx man. Chris is his name, and delivering packages is his game! He seems like a really sweet young man. Can’t believe how much he works, however! Seven days a week!

 

Apparently, my doctor’s office is swamped with covid patients and folks wanting to be tested or treated or whatever. Just sent her a text to let her know three dozen fresh eggs are hers if she wants them.

 

Have called twice this week in order to change an office call at the surgeon’s office. The answering service said that they would be back tomorrow. Not a biggie, maybe, but the hospital wants him to see me two weeks before surgery. The seventh of February would be what we need—or a couple of days later. Not sure if Jennifer will want to go with me or not to find out what to expect. Such fun.

 

Also, need to check with Pinnacle/Santa Rosa communications to find out what speed my router is. Son-in-law said that it had to be at least 25gm or mg or whatever. Good grief. Have already forgotten what it was. And you can almost bet that text was deleted. Oh well. Life goes on.

 

Hoping to hear from Barry Ice soon to find out about the wall plug in the living room and to get the deck light installed. He is a busy man! But he is also very good at what he does. Just wish a carpenter would materialize who is as good at carpentry as Barry is good at electricity. Need the attic piece on the front porch reinstalled or whatever. Honestly! This is a good old house, but the old woman who lives here is just a bit hesitant to climb up and try to figure out what kind of boards are needed behind this drop- down section of the ceiling. Took down a neat little sign and brought it into the house because the wind was banging it against the front porch wall. Nothing like a whipping wind to make life interesting.

 

Hoping that maybe soon we will get some rain. Even a little bit would be better than none at all. But, of course, that will also help drop the temperature. Sigh

 

Brought my trash bin across the road and put it near my house, but still have to take Patty’s down to her place. Guess that should be done before the thought dissipates along with a few more brain cells. Funny how a person who never drank or smoked could be just as forgetful as some drunk down on skid row. Sad, just sad. But then, can still tell you how a verbal is used as a gerund. Giggling

 

The tail end of January and all of us are about ready for spring to get sprung! Some green would certainly be nice. Looking at the front flower bed and noticing the bluebonnets are still trying to spread out just a bit. Just need rain. Here’s hoping that God blesses us with rain in due season.

 

One of these days soon, an English lesson on words that are mistakenly used for each other is going to appear here. Reading things in FB sometimes makes my teeth hurt! That’s what an old retired English teacher gets for reading that stuff!

 

Pray for those who are ill, for those who mourn, for those who hunger and thirst. May God bless them all with healing.

 

Rest and rejoice in the beauty given to us. You are loved.

Another Monday?

 Another Monday?

 

Just going to spend a few minutes or so to tell you that it is definitely Monday. Typing that with a smile on my face. But it really is: heart doctor’s PA says things are great in that area, so that made this Monday pretty good!

 

Picked up my part of the Misfits shipment of food that Connie ordered. The only good parts were the three cabbages. Apples were beat up; sweet potatoes were not big enough to even cause gas; the spaghetti squash was hardly big enough to choke a horse; the avocados were green. Learn something every day. Connie said the comments on the site were complaining about the fact that the stuff was just thrown in the box, and stuff was mashed. Sure enough. Her cucumbers were smashed. So, if she orders again, we will be picky. Did discover that the “delicata” squash was very tasty. Had never had one before.

 

Went to Market Street after leaving Connie’s apartment and playing with one of her kitties. Snooky likes folks to play with her. Sweet cat! Amelia was not particularly interested in making my acquaintance, thank you very much.

 

Left Connie’s apartment and went to Market Street to pick up some more produce. The problem with having a “personal shopper” is that you can tell folks what size you want of something, but that is not necessarily what you will get. Oh well. Got home and used a plastic rolling thing to get things inside. That worked out pretty well. The FedEx man had left a package on the front porch, so that had to be brought in. An oil filled radiator seemed like a good idea when it was so dadgummed cold. We will see how well it works if February is any worse than January.

 

The weather has been weird again. It has not been all that cold at night, so did not even turn the heater on for the birds tonight. They can use a night without the little Christmas lights, too. Gave them a cabbage this afternoon. They will have it finished off by tomorrow evening. It is maybe not the best substitute for grass, but it keeps them happy. AND we have a chance for rain tomorrow. Boy! Do we ever need some rain!

 

Honestly know so little tonight that it is plum pitiful! After eating four tamales and a tiny delicata squash, my “hungry” was satiated. But sitting and reading just made me thirsty. Still have one more novel in this series called Reign of False Gods. Normally this particular author has a lot of humor and normal folks who have an attitude. What?! YOU don’t have an attitude? Ah, but these are strange times we live in, and it’s stranger that we can even read such stuff and not be shocked. Demons. Yep, they are believable. Have read about them in the book we have been reading since the printing press first came out. You do know that was in 1440, right? You remember that guy who came up with those weird looking metal and wooden racks?

 

My granddaughter just texted me to tell me she is at a rodeo in Ft. Worth tonight. She knows how rodeos used to appeal to me. Just love that she let me know she was there and thinking of me.

 

Will go finish this last section of this book before it is necessary to get a nice hot salt bath. Thinking the hot water might just accidentally make my back relax.

 

Please pray for those who are ill, for our nation, for our world. We have so many areas of life that need to be healed—our nature being foremost of the areas we can affect. Let us show love for others.

 

Rest and trust His wisdom. You are loved.

Resting.

 Resting.

 

Even the couch has seen an old woman lie down and soak in some sunshine! The dogs had to move over, but they seem fairly agreeable about the situation. We all three got in a good nap before someone had to step on me.

 

The FedEx man came a few minutes ago with the Bento balls for these two muttniks. The balls came with one treat ball already in the toy, but Sylvia has already managed to get the treat out of the ball. Even after rescuing it, she managed to get it out again. Kinda hope it is not going to be too rich for her tummy because she has chewed all around the edges of it. That sucker is NOT going back inside that circle!

 

Asked the FedEx man if he worked EVERY day, and he exclaimed, “Why yes! I work for FedEx!” Guess all the different delivery services are pretty busy. Folks have been ordering things that we don’t want to go out for. Have thought about ordering some things from Market Street, but will wait a couple of days. The box of stuff from Misfits is supposed to be at Connie’s sometime tomorrow. Hope it fits the needs. Then too, Shelby is going to bring a couple of packages of liver from Bill Brown Beef sometime this week. The dogs have just about gone wild over this latest batch of dog food. Cheese, bacon with its grease, rice, broccoli and cauliflower made up some good smelling stuff. Hope the next batch can be that good.

 

Jennifer sent me a text a bit ago asking how to get the smell of gasoline out of good clothes. Men don’t really think about something like that unless we say something and stand back and take the flack. By the time he had worked in that mess of nasty smells for nearly 30 years at Darr Caterpillar, Lewis appreciated it when his clothes just smelled like something clean. He used to say that Jennifer’s clothes smelled so good. Of course, he did not know that she used fabric softener with good smelling stuff in it. If any of you have some wonderful ideas about how to take out gasoline smells, please let us know. She tried vinegar, but maybe baking soda would have worked better. Sigh

 

This weather is strange. Tomorrow it is supposed to be up to 67 during the day and then back down to 30 that night. Four or five nights of freezing temps will not hurt us, but the back and forth can be a bit much. Oh well. If we did not have anything to gripe about, we would find something. The weather doesn’t pay any attention to us whatsoever!

 

Got tickled at my friend Michelle Malay. She said she would store the two or three walkers we had here at the house after Mom’s death. The one we bought for Mom was nice with a seat and brakes on the handles. It seems that Mother Malay thought it was pretty nice, too. She would sit on it on Michelle’s front porch and enjoy the sunshine in the mornings. That pleases me to think it was being enjoyed. Now it will come in handy after Dr. Kern gets through trying to put me back together. But since his office had to change the surgery date, it will be a bit longer before we really need it. Just glad that it is going to save us another purchase.

 

Just put another treat ball in Sylvia’s toy, and she is griping because she can see it on the counter out of her reach. Really don’t want to give her the one for Thompson. Guess it will depend on patience—both mine and hers! Silly dog. The directions say to wait until the treat dries before letting the dog have the new treat in its ball. Not sure how long that will take, but the barking is a bit much. OH! Slobbers will do the trick!

 

Had intended to stuff a sleeved thing for the bottom of the dog crate, but have only gotten to the point of bringing the throw pillows into the living room. Their stuffing is going inside that flat sleeve. Not sure it will work, but can always Throw a few stitches in the middle to keep it in place. Can’t remember what mother-in-law called it when doing that with embroidery thread. Shaking my head here. Leta Sawyer could probably tell me in a heartbeat! TACKING! Ah, the brain does work on occasion.

 

This weather makes me want to dig in the dirt! No, won’t even go outside and look at the spade fork, but maybe you can understand that it is a bit like wanting to go wading in a clear stream or walk in the woods. It feels as if one is closer to God when touching the dirt or enjoying the sounds of nature.

 

Talk about determination! If this were a critter, Sylvia’s ball would be killed ten times over! Have a feeling it will be a bit messy to clean up after, too. Oh well. Will hide them tonight—the toys, not the dogs.

 

Read a sermon by a minister who used to work on AOL with the high school kids in the rooms where we taught. He is a Lutheran minister and a teacher of special high school age kids. Sometimes we need to be reminded that folks have always been easily discouraged by the seeming lack of progress in their world. But we also need to be reminded that perseverance is a most commendable habit. Heads up and determined steps—or occasionally, simply standing still and waiting patiently for the next step. The most significant verse that meant something to me as a teenager was “be still and know that I am God.” Sometimes it is pretty difficult to understand that what is happening is in His hands. For all our worry and work, things are ultimately in His hands and in His plans. Let us rejoice in knowing that we are in His hands.

 

Rest well and enjoy life and what we can see of this world. You are loved.

 

 

Done, Overdone, Undone!

 Done, Overdone, Undone!

 

Started in the big bathroom and cleaned it, the bedroom, the hall, the kitchen, and then the living room. Dust mopped, wet mopped, and then vacuumed the rug in the living room before taking the rug out and wet mopping. Yep, this is called poooped! But made rice, cooked four slices of liver in bacon grease with the crispy bacon, mixed in two kinds of cheese, and broccoli with cauliflower for the dogs. Thompson ate every bite. Let me tell you, dear hearts, it does not take long to totally spoil a dog. He seems to think he is a gourmet eater!! After cleaning up all the things in the kitchen that were used to make dog food, it occurred to yours truly that it might have been a good idea to eat something solid. Not hungry and just had a pain pill, so tea and typing it is.

 

Vickie said that she is not better, but not worse either. Her niece wanted to come over, but she has Covid also. Vickie told her to stay at home and away from her house! She feels like her house is infested with the garbage after two weeks of this mess. She said she could not tell that the vaccine did anything for them at all. But who knows? Maybe it would have been worse without the vaccine.

 

Part of a Chewy order came this afternoon, and the dogs have spent a couple of hours playing with their new toys and making them go honk, honk! It is hilarious! Thompson would not leave me alone even after all the toys were taken out of the box because he could smell something “special.” Yep, ox tails wrapped in some kind of jerky. He took off with the one he had grabbed from my hand and went outside. Have not seen the ox tail since!

 

Talked to Carol Thonton today about this, that, and something else. She has not heard from Susan and does not want to disturb her and whatever she is doing for Roger. It is stressful enough to take care of a sick person without having to deal with others and phone calls. Anyway, we can continue to pray for them. God knows what needs to be accomplished.

 

To be quite honest, this old woman is too tired to think much this evening. Forgive me for being brief, but maybe it is just as well. Let me encourage you all to find rest and peace in this world. Our joy will come in an awakening. You are loved.

 

 

Nothing Much Done.

 Nothing Much Done.

 

The story of our lives? Well, for some of us: nothing much done. Certainly true today! Got a trip made to the heart clinic, and don’t have to go back. Think the little engine that could is still going strong.

 

The freeway going north is blocked for a part of it. That means one has to go across Jacksboro Hwy, under the freeway, and down to Eleventh St. It’s not bad, but it is not something that should stay that way. As if the highway department really gives a rat’s back leg what motorists think, huh.

 

This house needs a good sweeping and mopping. Not to have had any rain, the dogs have managed to have wet paws and leave the prints all over the kitchen floor. Oh well. At least they are willing to go outside now. The temperature is back up to its current 42 degrees. Yay! Even the hens are happier. It was obvious that they were not happy being stuck inside the coops. But it was 13 degrees of freezing this morning! Just too cold for man or beast to be outside. However, the horrible wind that has been enough to cut a person in half was not with us this morning.

 

Thinking that my friend Carla must be getting better with this second round of the covidicrud! She is currently griping about her poor nose and needing tissues with lotion. Uh huh. Lotion on one’s hands and then wiped on the face helps the entire facial area. Of course, the same can be said about one’s other end when chapped. Lotions are wonderful inventions.

 

Listening to some kind of different orchestral music on Google that sounds like the songs we have enjoyed just put to violins, drums, etc. Enjoyment! Google can come up with some good stuff.

 

Just made some chicken salad a few minutes ago. Chicken breasts, craisins, pecans, celery slices, and mayo. Plum yummy and satisfying. The only drawback to this salad was trying to empty two of those stupid, small plastic bottles of mayo. Wanted to throw the dadgummed things before most of it was scraped out with a long-handled teaspoon. Finished it with a glob from a decent-sized bottle. Thompson kept watching me and saying, “Umm?” Snuck outside with a small sack of ribs and gave him one all to himself. We won’t tell Sylvia!

 

Keith Mattson has been posting something different from around his area until this morning. Think his DIL needed his car. But you know, the poem by Frost that he read was so relaxing. He has a good reading voice, and Frost is one of my favorite poets. Let’s get him to do this more often.

 

Kinda laughing at my girl whenever it occurs to me that she knows her mom very well—and especially that cup of coffee early in the day. The surgery is scheduled for the afternoon, and she exclaimed, “But that means you have to go ALL DAY without anything to eat or drink!” Honestly do not believe that will be my biggest concern that day, but if it is, great!

 

The folks on Wichita Whispers made some very good suggestions for the widow ladies who might need a helping hand. One lady suggested her husband in Henrietta for those around that area. Another lady reminded me that my insurance company has a number to call for whatever problem that might come up with my truck. Anyway, whatever problems come up in life, there is normally a decent answer for them if we just ask.

 

Please remember to pray for folks like Kathy Jarlsberg and her family, my friend Roger Thonton and his family, and those like Carla who have been assaulted by this stupid virus from Wuhan. Maybe the virus has mutated, but it is still knocking the socks off of just about everyone who is affected by it. Please pray for the nurses and doctors who have to be in the hospitals every day. Then finally, pray for the women who are pregnant right now and not able to go to a local hospital since so many have totally shut down their labor and delivery services. At least in Texas, in all the rural areas, it is almost impossible to find a hospital that welcomes babies into this ol’ world. Guess we all need to make the acquaintance of a good veterinarian! My brother tells the story of his brother-in-law taking his wife to the hospital the night before his wife was due to deliver because he had to go home and milk the herd. That night it came a blizzard and nothing could get out except the big tractors! His neighbor was Mennonite, however, and had delivered all of his own children. He was their emergency backup. Think Janice was pretty glad her husband took her to the hospital early.

 

Rest well this night and find joy in whatever life has to offer of beauty and goodness. You are loved.

My Friend from the Wizard of Oz.

 My Friend from the Wizard of Oz.

 

Talked to Michelle Malay this afternoon. She said she felt like a combination of the tin man and the scarecrow—needed WD-40 for her joints and was pretty foggy in the head and needed that brain. It made me laugh, but actually have a pretty good idea of how she felt. Yesterday was a “sore as a risen” day for me. Just five minutes of that stupid stress test and everything felt as if it had been put through a ringer! Oh well. Then today Dr. Kern’s nurse called and said they needed to change the date for my surgery. Will be glad to get it done and begin the recovery process. Not expecting this to be any fun, but at least maybe the weather will be more like spring and not so dadgummed cold. Tonight, it is supposed to be 13 degrees. When the young man at Sutherland’s this morning told me that we were at 6 degrees wind chill factor, it certainly did not come as a surprise!

 

Have not allowed the hens out today because everything is frozen outside. They don’t need to be in this mess. They have feed and fresh water—well, it was fresh this afternoon. They still managed to lay a few eggs, but none of them acted too happy. Gave them some hen treats and ordered some more treats on Chewy this afternoon when ordering toys with treats for these two dogs. Jennifer said that they have to have TWO treat balls to keep it from getting mean around here. Apparently, her dogs have a preference for one particular kind of treat ball. So, with three big dogs, she has to have one for each dog! But she also guaranteed the balls would keep them busy and entertained. Right now, both of mine are looking out the front window to see if that black cat might need to be barked at again.

 

Made vegetable soup today with some hamburger to go in it. Forgot to order onions last time, so the onions had to come out of one of those little bottles that says onion flakes. It’s ok like that. At least onion has not permeated the entire house. But then, had some ribs to cook in the oven at the same time. The soup won’t last long since it was not a huge pan.

 

This morning started off with a bit of frustration and stupidity. The stupid back (kitchen) door would not shut correctly because the little tongue thing was hanging out and would not go back in when the handle was turned. Lance told me to get my hammer out and hit it. That worked. So, the door was then propped closed with a chair while yours truly drove quickly to Sutherlands and got a new door knob assembly. It was one of those “smart key” things that included both the dead bolt and the other part. Now the key works on all the doors in the house—well, except for the bathroom door, and the screen door back there stays locked. Attempting to find someone to put the new door knob on led to the discovery that my good friend Roger had to be flown to Dallas for open heart surgery last month. And today he about konked out during PT and had to go to the hospital here and have some fluid removed. Please pray for Roger and Susan. They are a very special couple. Roger is the brother-in-law to Carol Thonton who also reads this blog.

 

As it turned out, Stephen came and installed the door knobs for me. His son, Tim, came and we talked about what he has to do for the next tests he has to take so he can attend classes at VRJC. Not sure the place is called that now. It could be just Vernon College. The testing costs are almost as much as my first semester tuition for college back in 19>>. Not going to fill in those arrows. It was a L O N G time ago! And prices for everything have gone through the roof.

 

Speaking of prices: Sutherland’s has this thing for “friends of the family” that allows so much back on your purchases. Today, the door knob assemblies came to $48.99. Because my account had accumulated reward points, the entire assembly cost $17.58. That made me happy! Of course, probably spent twice as much as was saved at Sutherlands when buying things for the dogs and hens! Such is life.

 

On FB we have a nice group called Wichita Whispers that was begun by Debbie Dobbins. She is the sister of Don Dobbins who was the director of ACC for about ten years. Anyway, the question posed on that site was about who to call if one is a widow and happen to need a tire changed or a battery changed out. Got three or four good suggestions including calling my insurance agent. Will talk to him tomorrow if memory helps me along with that little job. Someone also suggested her husband if a person lived near Henrietta (twenty miles or so from Wichita Falls). That would be of help to my friend Michelle Malay since she is in pretty much the same boat and the old woman who lives on Dickerson Hill.

 

Two big heavy-duty trucks pulled up across the street today. Wondered if the guy who bought Jerry’s place was going to start work on it in this weather. Would hate to be out in this mess. The wind will cut right on through clothing and all! Anyway, they did not stay and went on their merry way. Not much telling when they will start doing some real work over there.

 

Found and lost a bunch of pictures on my phone. They were the ones that Jennifer sent to me on her trip to Maine and then along the East Coast. Eventually, maybe they will show up again. They were some really sharp shots of the ocean, lighthouses, old church ruins, landscapes, and assorted funny things the girls did together. That was one heck of a trip! Would not want to fly the coast that quickly, but know she must have enjoyed it.

 

Another trip to the heart place tomorrow for an echocardiogram is on the schedule. Such fun. NOT! But at least it should be a whiz to get accomplished. No stress and just a little goopy with the crud they use as if on a pregnant belly—with a slight upper change of location. Whatever. Then only one more appointment this month to see Dr. Kern and get the lowdown on all the procedures or whatever. Stephen told me to stay in the hospital as long as necessary and not try to act as if the world depended on me. As long as Jennifer can handle things from here, we should be ok. Lance may get “volunteered” to come on the weekends until the old woman can get around ok. Between the two kids, things should be just fine.

 

Well, the soup is reheated and ready to be consumed. Will ask you all to take care of yourselves in this weather and stay the heck away from anyone unless it is really necessary. Carla said she had no idea how she got this version of the omni-crud and wasn’t sure if she had exposed anyone, so let it be said that even three times vaccinated might not work [and one time with covid already] if it is meant to come bite you in the backside! Pray for everyone who is fighting this mess. And pray for those whose families have been hurt with losses.

 

Rest well and find joy in life and living. You are loved.

Danged Skippy!

 Danged Skippy!

 

It’s nigh on to four in the afternoon, and the wind is whipping anything out there in its path! Dadgumthewar! [One of Granddad Kennedy’s favorite sayings from when his son went into the Navy in WWII.] Finally got Thompson interested in eating. Beans and chicken. Was busy chipping up some chicken breasts and noticed that it smelled like wet feathers! HOW does that happen?? Plan to make chicken salad out of it for yours truly. Still, it makes me wonder what they did to it to get it to smell that way. Oh well. Guess it will be edible. If not . . . bow wow!

 

Had a few things delivered before it gets entirely too cold to get outside. Still have to put out food and water for the birds in the hen house, but plan on making them eat a head of cabbage and staying inside the houses tomorrow. Nineteen degrees with this horrible wind whipping is definitely a bit much! But at least it is not as bad as what Sterling says it is in NWArkansas with their snow, ice, and ten degrees plus wind. Brrrrrr!

 

Connie has found this site called Misfits Market that she is using to have a few things sent over so we can share what we find if it has a deal that we think we can use. We shall see. She has found a few things that neither of us has tried before like delicata squash. That is a winter squash, and we will just have to see how it turns out. We may have to find a way to laugh at ourselves later!

 

Jennifer says the dogs’ gas attacks are my own fault as they are not able to become acclimated to one kind of food before they are given something else, but it is mostly chicken based food—just with different veggies. So, tonight was Navy bean and chicken. At least Thompson liked it well enough to clean his bowl. Let’s hope yours truly is able to stay in the bedroom with them tonight! Or better yet, having to get up and let them go outside!

 

Jennifer had me order the covid test things from the post office. Now if they would send us some decent masks, that would be nice. The cloth masks are ok by me, but using the paper ones in the hospital might be just a wee bit better. Don’t want to lose my chicken mask that Cindy Jones made for me.

 

The old woman is rather gripey tonight, so will just say that the ones who have to make the hard decisions need to be in our prayers. Have told you about the Jarlsbergs. It just keeps getting more and more complicated and precarious for them. Let us pray for the best decisions and for God’s intervention in their lives. At least we know that Mariellen Rose must be doing somewhat better as she is back on FB and sharing recipes and such. It makes me glad to see her happier.

 

My friend Carla B has been fighting something not quite as mean as leukemia, but please pray that she will totally recover from whatever version of this stupid virus has hit her this time. Omni-crud or Croakvid is about the same thing. Tasteless turmoil without decent tea.

 

Let us remember those who are in need of warmth and nourishment tonight in our country. And then let us ask God to give those pathetic folks what they need in these foreign countries who are forced from their own countries by wars or ethnic violence. Yes, those on our borders seem to need the same concern, and maybe gang warfare in their countries would be enough reason to leave, but it seems a bit different to me when folks from Ecuador come here just to make a better living. Whatever the reasons, the children did not make their own choices, and too many of these people have been abused by gangs and drug lords on their way here—and even still. Only God can insure true justice. Perhaps concern for human needs and prayers for true justice should be ours.

 

Rest and find joy in life and living. You are loved.