Dealing with Life.

 Dealing with Life.

 

Sometimes it is just amazing what one’s mind can do to the body. It has been quite a while now that panic attacks have been affecting my choices: where to go or whether to go, who to be around, what to read or see on videos or movies, what to listen to when other people are telling about things that upset them, or just imagining what might happen around me. Panic attacks might affect actions, but generally speaking, if a person is not driving when it happens, a panic attack will not take one’s life. But boy can a panic attack affect one’s desire to just be still and stay quiet! Avoidance has become my go-to approach to some situations, but walking out to the hen house and picking up a hen should not trigger anxiety—or it does not make sense that it would. However, this morning the hen was dropped in the water trough while the old woman went to sit down to just breathe through one. Researching problems is usually a good way to learn to accept things, but such research also confirms that there is no way to predict when a panic attack will occur. Knowing that about three million people are in the same boat really is not all that reassuring either. So, in this case, such is life.

 

Have dust mopped ONCE today. Not sure if the floors are all that much cleaner, but have decided to get a couple of throw rugs to put near my recliner and office chair. At least going barefoot will not be quite as gritty despite the neuropathy in my feet. Had hoped the back surgery would eliminate that problem, but so much for what hope did. Gripe, natter, moan, and groan!

 

The wind is not bad today. In fact, the heat has not been all that bad either. Around here we have to expect hot and hotter as the month progresses, but it is not too bad early each morning. In fact, 71 degrees is just about delightful in the mornings. But that will increasingly go up as the afternoons hit triple digits. Ah, Texas.

 

Was thinking last night about the two young cowboys who were driving when first one tire blew and then the other tire blew. Then the horse trailer flipped them over. One horse had to be put down right there on the side of the road while the other horse will live. It might never get inside a trailer again, but at least the young driver won’t feel he killed his horse. His biggest problem is his concern for his little brother (ten years old). Those parents have got to have some real needs for compassion and comforting. Despite all the folks who helped lift that truck off the little guy, it would help the entire family if we pray for healing and for their peace. Let’s do that for them. Ponder Hulme is the little guy with four broken places in his back, broken ribs, broken arm and shoulder bone, and broken collar bone. Not sure just what kind of injuries his older brother had, but the hardest ones to heal with be his mind and heart. May God give that family peace.

 

Reading the “news” lately has been an exercise in horror. Of all the good folks who are helping others in this world, we get the stories that make a person just feel ill. About the only post that was enjoyable to me—somewhat—was one posted by Greg Dickerson of Quanah who asked folks what they were doing to make ends meet or what they were doing without in order to keep body and soul together. Staying at home topped the list, but others talked about eating leftovers for lunches, not eating out, stopping the fancy and expensive extras in radio and movies, making ONE trip to take care of several needs, and buying from Aldi’s in bulk or stocking up on things when a sale occurred. Around here, about the only real expense that can be eliminated would be homemade dog food, but that would mean the dogs would be back to those stupid allergy problems. Thompson will be eight and Sylvia will be six this month, so it makes me feel that they should live the last few years of their lives as comfortably as possible. Currently, there is a yellow muzzle lying across my left knee. Two beautiful golden eyes follow my face. Can’t ask for more loving creatures than these. The hens are actually a very real and very expensive extra. Their food, especially when wild birds get their share, has doubled in price this past year. But they are better fun than anything else that an old woman can enjoy!

 

So far, other than a sore arm, the tetanus shot and the antibiotics have not caused any problems, so maybe being kitten bitten was just a good lesson in what NOT to do! Know my daddy would have been shaking his head and telling me that it was just like something my mother would have done! She had a pet fox, a pet skunk, and raised children who picked up horny toads. Yep, very much like my mother!

 

Don’t have any earth-shaking news to share with anyone, so will just say that it has been enjoyable to see some of the great flower pictures posted by so many. Even Nikki Smith showed a picture of her flower bed with calla lilies blooming happily! How she even has time for that is beyond me, but maybe she had a tiny bit of help from her boys.

 

May you all find peace and happiness in what God has given us in this life. Rest well, my friends. You are loved.