Spring Weather in January!

 Spring Weather in January!

 

It was 68 degrees today here in Wichita Falls, Texas, and it is the 12^th day of January. Yep, kinda weird. These two big dogs seem to have enjoyed it somewhat. They have been running up and down the fence at every excuse—cars, noises, invisible threats to the freedom of mankind! And to top it off, the old woman forgot and left the door open to the big bathroom and Thompson brought a roll of TP to the living room. However, he did not get to eat any of it before it was noticed. Ah well. Maybe next time. WHY do dogs like those rolls of paper? Even a couple of sheets of paper on a roll, be it TP or kitchen towels, makes my crazy critters happy. They play with it and throw it around when not chewing on it. You’d think it was enough that they had a fresh cottontail rabbit last night! Nothing on it was eaten, but the fur certainly got its share of slobber. Guess it was just the thoughts that made them happy to catch it and drag it up onto the deck last night. Shaking my head here.

 

The hens have been relatively happy today. A few eggs were turned in as their portion of the deal we have, but mostly they went around the yard on their clucking work, scratching whatever came up the easiest. Two different people have been promised eggs, but neither can come pick them up right now. Vickie was supposed to come today. Who knows what is going on with that lady? The other person was going to come when we got our meat delivered, but the young woman who delivers the meat has been somewhat iffy about when she could get here. Umm. That is not one of the attitudes that anyone would appreciate, but sometimes we have to deal with others with patience. Such is life.

 

The dogs have appointments with the vet’s office in the morning. The secretary called this morning to let me know that no one is allowed to come inside, so a call to them when we get there will allow the vet techs to come get the dogs to take inside. They really will need two people to get these two dogs. Sylvia will NOT go anywhere without Thompson. And dealing with her can just about be traumatic if she has to be drug through a door. It may mean that yours truly will have to take her to the door and hand the lead to someone from there. If they both did not need their nails cut so badly, no way would this trip be worth the trouble.

 

Both dogs finally ate their food today. Sylvia was hungry this morning and ate all of hers when it was put on the feeder table. Thompson just was not interested in food. So, he got his food this afternoon. Guess it was ok because he ate it all and has not asked for treats. Their coats are so pretty and soft. Mixing up people food for dogs is both expensive and time consuming, but they are worth every bit of it. Healthy and happy dogs: the finer things in life have four feet and either bark, meow, or neigh. Someone like Brenda Jones might say that baaaahs belong in that line of sounds, but goats and sheep of any origin are not quite as much fun as my dogs or Connie Cooke’s cats. Never have owned an alpaca, but some folks think they are pretty neat, too. But have also heard that, like chickens, it takes at least two to be happy. In my kitchen are potholders that say: Love is a four-legged thing.

 

My kitchen feels cleaner even if the dogs have walked across the floor several times today. Got some of the general clutter tossed or put away. That always helps my attitude! The sink is clean and white and the counters are wiped down. Can even see every burner on the stove top! Amazing! Tomorrow is another cooking day, but can think of worse things. Have a pound or two of carrots to cook to go with cooked chicken, so only the rice and some green beans will have to be cooked otherwise. May prepare Brussel sprouts instead of green beans. The dogs think those little round green balls are treats. Who would have thought such a thing? Can remember my children making faces when they smelled any kind of dish containing cabbage, turnips, Brussel sprouts or strong-smelling veggies. But they ate at least a bite. Think Lance taught his kids to eat things like that. But you can bet your bippy he never asked them to eat liver! Giggling.

 

It is not supposed to freeze tonight, so the faucets won’t have to drip all night. That is one of the bad things about winter—freezing temps and water pipes don’t go together well at all unless you happen to be a plumber just waiting for another job. Speaking of jobs, called our friend Barry Ice (an electrician) today to ask him about coming over to replace the light out on the deck. Have already bought the new lamp, but being an electrician is just not going to match my skill set. Barry said he MIGHT be able to get to it next week. The guy stays busy, so he must be making a living. Watched him grow up down in Bonita from the time he was just a little guy. And now all three of his children are out of college. Time certainly does get away.

 

Finished a good book and want to start another one in the same line by the same author. This last one was pretty silly, but it made me laugh out loud a few times. The dogs just look at me to see if the old woman is having problems or something. Guess more laughter is needed around here to keep them up with the different kinds of giggles and hee haws! My mom could laugh loud enough to be heard all the way down the street, but we always got a kick out of hearing her laugh. We knew something funny was in that book she was reading. Unless it was one of the pranks one of us had pulled on Daddy. The rubber tarantula under his easy chair was by far the funniest prank when it “sprang” out (attached air hose unnoticed) and Mom fake gasping and pointing! He finally decided it was funny, but not before Sterling took off for the back yard in case Daddy got really angry. It is still funny to me.

 

Don’t know anything world shaking—and am so glad that is the case! Life goes on in its usual mess and has enough folks to clean up or mess up without any help from yours truly. Do you suppose that means the old woman is pretty useless? Or does it even matter? Some of us just like to sit and read, laugh a little, and rest as it strikes the fancy. Seems like there are plenty of folks who work today just as hard as some of us did in the past, so whether or not we might be a little less useful in some areas, maybe we are still worth having around. Know that the love of others still matters, so will stick to that and loving these critters.

 

Rest and be grateful for all that He has given us. You are loved.