Choices.

 Choices.

 

For years our family eschewed any pork products. Meanwhile, my daddy told me that he and Mom had discovered that even their old false teeth could chew pork loin or whatever much easier than beef. And while he was here, Sterling said that he managed to swallow gobs of beef on his roast beef sandwiches simply because that is what his wife used to make his lunches. He could not really chew it, but he did not say anything since that is what he had eaten for so many years. Well, Dear Hearts, let me tell you that plastic teeth simply don’t do a very good job of cutting through slices of beef unless it is already falling apart. Therefore, the beef roast that was put on this morning is going to get to sit in the slow cooker all night tonight. The potatoes are already done, and some carrots might be added to the pot, but otherwise, this is a major trial by error of cooking a roast long enough to hope for some tenderness. Can hardly ask for better beef than Bill Brown Beef out of Megargal, TX. But it is still beef and more chew than some of us old folks can handle. Market Street will be delivering a pork loin this evening, so don’t feel too sad for me. Know how to cook it and KNOW it will be tender enough to chew!

 

Talked to Carol Thonton today. She has a friend who was wishing her back could be repaired like mine was. Carol said the doctor had already determined that her spine was not a candidate for surgery. Think that is the same thing they told my sister-in-law, BR White, and some others. The bones can’t be crumbly if they are supposed to hold something together. God just blessed me with strong bones and not too much damage from arthritis. Yes, there was some “residual” slippage or something, but such is how things go. My left side is going to tire before the right side at least for a while. But my guess is that by this time next year, yours truly will be outside in the flower bed! At least that is my hope. SO want to have a solid bed of flowers out front again! Right now, it is going to be a hit or miss situation with bachelor buttons, bluebonnets, poppies, and dandelions! Whatever it will be, plan on enjoying it!

 

Dr. Blackwell came at noon today. She dug up a mint plant that we are hoping is the right kind of mint. She also dug up some chives to plant to use in cooking. No, Jennifer, Mom did not even bend over to pick up the digger thing. At this point, some of us are still trying to behave, ya know. Did have a sudden flash of love when Kissi told me that the last thing Hanan asked of her was to take care of his mom. No crying, but dang that caught my breath! She and her husband both have good memories of that guy.

 

Eight eggs today make a pretty good haul. It is never certain there will be any, of course. But usually, the girls give me enough for a breakfast if that is what is on my mind. Sterling is still gloating over those little lovelies that went home with him to Arkansas. He was bragging about how they stand up and wave that yellow center! Yep, healthy hens lay good eggs.

 

This bluebird box that Sterling built and hung on the front porch may never attract a bird of that hue, but it makes me smile to see it swaying in the wind. Sparrows and wrens keep trying to take over the other box, but it is totally empty right now. Think the door is too low to keep baby birds inside, but it is just how it is made. Know that wrens will make a nest in a wreath if nothing else suits them. Can’t remember what kind of birds made a nest in the door wreath when Jenn and Gary lived on Smoking Wood Court, but they began to go in a different door just to keep from disturbing the birds. Some people!

 

Took a short nap and opened my eyes to find my legs weighed down by the head of one butterscotch colored dog. Sneaky Sylvia. She knew better, but she managed to get up there close enough to put her chin on me. Oh well. At least they are still staying on the floor and not jumping on me.

 

Feeling quite sorry that Cindy Jones has had a place on her left hand removed. She can’t get it wet or anything. That would be difficult. She is thinking a long-sleeved glove taped around at the open end so she can get a shower or whatever. Simply have trouble imaging how to do much of anything with one hand. Let us pray that the growth won’t come back and that she will heal completely and quickly.

 

Decided not to go get any groceries and just let the store deliver them. Dear Hearts, when your “exercise” makes your muscles sore from one end to the other, driving is not any fun at all. Sterling tells me that this marching and swinging of arms is good for all the muscle groups—pretty much what the PT lady said as well. Listening to 70s rock and roll might have been a little TOO encouraging. Silly ol’ woman who thinks she is still nineteen!

 

Sent a very brief thank you note to the dentist and hope he gets it by Monday or so. Wondering how many people tell their doctors or dentists how much they appreciate their work. Guess that is something that should be done for the surgeon and PA at Dr. Kern’s office. It does seem he must be about the best in the west, but what experience this old woman has had would not be a definition of all that is great. Know that the drugs they were giving me kept me totally looped out. It is amazing how little comes to memory now. Don’t think this is an effect of aging but of the drugs themselves. Dilaudid is a type of morphine substitute, and Dear Hearts, it works. On the other hand, would not be able to tell you what was happening for a few days there at all. Oh well.

 

Have been wondering about my friend Roger Thonton and how he is doing. Know he attended the last group meeting of classmates, but have not seen him otherwise. He and Susan stay busy, however. They used to go to the Zone here in town sometimes to play games and whatever. Of course, that may have stopped when the remodeling was finished on their house. Think they might have been trying to stay out of the way or something.

 

The wind is blowing pretty good today, but the birds are sounding quite cheerful, so maybe it is not too bad for them. And then there are those pretty black hens out in the side lot. Ah, love those girls! They are enough to make me smile every day. By next year it will be soon enough to decide for sure whether or not to raise any more chicks. The feed is so terribly expensive. And the doves are the fattest around. Too bad doves are not all that terribly appealing to me. Right now, a purple finch is trying to decide whether or not to make a nest on the front porch. Guess the bird has better nest making ideas than the rest of us.

 

Won’t keep straining your eyes. Keith manages to use a couple of neat photos and some poetry to keep us entertained. Loved the story of the boat his dad made that is now a flower bed. Some things are just worth keeping around and filling with even more love!

 

Please remember those who need extra love and consideration right now. We can pray for all who we can’t touch otherwise. Let us be willing to give that love. Rest well and remember: you are loved.