Gates and Barn Doors.

 Gates and Barn Doors.

 

Growing up, we were taught early to be sure we had closed any gate we opened and shut the door on the feed bin or inside the pens where the ewes were taken to lamb. It should not be that surprising, maybe, that most folks don’t understand the reasons for shutting gates and keeping barn doors closed. Leave the feed bin door open and not only could an animal eat enough to make it sick, the expense of the wasted feed was not something to overlook. Then too, the gates to the pastures had to be kept shut to keep the bull and heifers on our land rather than wandering out to the neighbor’s pasture. Now sheep that are not raised around people and dogs will act more like deer than domestic animals and just leap over any fence—or go through the barbed wires. We had that happen at least once in my memory. The ewes would find a loose place in the fence and push until they got out into a different field. The stinking bull and some of the heifers were inclined to do the same thing. The big difference was that the ewes hardly ever suffered wire cuts while the bull and heifers had to have their cuts sprayed or otherwise doctored to keep the flies off. Yep, mighty important to keep the fences tight and the gates and doors shut right. Today Patty called me because the folks who have been mowing for her do not understand the gate principle. Her little dog was out for about an hour or more and Patty panicked when she called and couldn’t find her. About the time yours truly got down there, the little scamp started for the house from the far corner near Texas Street. Since she has been home, she is one tired out little dog. And Patty will be talking to the mowers the next time they come about shutting gates properly.

 

The small elm tree in the fence row out to the east of the house has small leaves coming on and what may be seed pods sprouting out. Anyway, it is just covered in tiny little finches of some kind. Much smaller and more active than sparrows, these things are really working those leaves over thoroughly. We are blessed to have so many kinds of birds around here—even if some of them are the boat-tailed grackles!

 

Talked to Sterling this morning. He said other than some soreness in her ear lobe, Jacqui is doing fine. He is staying busy making bluebird houses. Sounds as if he is happy enough. He is trying to wait out this coughing crud that they had so that he can go get his other hernia repaired. No sense going while he has the coughing crud! That is just asking for pain! But he did tell me that his good friend George may lose his wife. She has been ill for some time now, but she just kept going. She was the pianist for the little church where they used to attend. And Sterling has known them for a long time now. Anyway, please say a prayer for George and Carol for God’s will and their peace of mind.

 

Have a feeling this is going to be another hot, dry summer. The wind might keep the heat at bay for a bit, but the wind just makes some of us so very tired. Sometimes it reminds me that folks used to tell Lewis he should try living in the Southwest desert where there was not as much pollen. We went to Tucson, and his allergies were so bad that he could not quit sneezing! Nope, a change of scenery was not the answer! And with all the fires so far this year, not sure anywhere is going to be a good place to get out of that kind of mess.

 

Have been reading some about the mess in the Ukraine and just feeling so sad for the folks and their critters. It’s one thing to have to get up and leave in the middle of the night with no hope of coming back home, but the bully idiots from Russia are shooting at them constantly. ARGH!! Somehow things will have to be turned around and those people allowed to reclaim their homes and lives in their own country! Just have no answer to such terroristic seizures and atrocities.

 

We must be grateful that we are not having to duck bullets, bombs, and other forms of terrorism. Yes, some people are doing some really bad things right here in the U.S., but so far, we don’t have anyone trying to kick us out of our cities. Yes, we have no border security, and the folks on the border are under siege from the illegal aliens and drug mules, but at least they can fight back to a certain extent. Still, it is scary to think that “borders” can be pushed back by hundreds of miles if things go from bad to worse. Wonder what the suits in D.C. would think if they found a few thousand illegal aliens on their doorsteps. Sigh

 

Should be thinking of something more positive. It is the week right before Passover. Freedom from slavery was one thing that Passover symbolized first. Freedom from fear was the thing that Christ gave us when he was resurrected, too. We know that death is not the last answer because Christ rose again. And we can be grateful for the forgiveness provided by the Lamb’s sacrifice for our sins. Eventually the entire world will know that forgiveness when He returns and makes this world new again. Let us pray that His return will be soon—as it is the Father’s will in His time.

 

Remember those who are dealing with illnesses, sorrows, and the depression caused by our lack of vision. May God give us the insight to know joy in Him. May you all rest well and know that you are loved.