Using MSWord.

 Using MSWord.

 

Once upon a time, the old woman was a teacher. One of the things she taught was how to use Microsoft Word. She learned to set formatting and make macros and several other interesting adaptations to the program. However, what she might not remember from use has pretty well flown the nest of twigs in her brain. She never did know enough about Excel to make a difference—and really did not care. Access was only useful for making references to addresses and that sort of thing that could be combined with letter options in Word. So, it seemed pretty unnecessary to learn more about that program. But it has become a little frustrating to have to search for features in Word that should come easily to memory. But other things are still more important to some of us. So, if Google can’t tell me and the search feature on Word doesn’t let me do what is wanted, to heck with it!

 

Took a nap earlier. It is just too hot to do much other than the two or three things that were planned for the day. Therefore, the dust mop has been employed, the pork ribs are cooking in the slow cooker, the rice is on cooking, the bills are paid, and the dogs and hens have fresh water. Would love to have a hot tub or something out back, but had the boys put the water trough in the green house. It would easily make a hot tub with the temperatures over 100 each day! But that is a lot of water not to be used for something useful like watering the trees. A slight suggestion of a cloud cover hung around this morning, but nothing came from it except hope and a slightly cooler breeze. Napping does not cost anything, and that is about as good of use of my time as anything.

 

Had thought about ordering more water from Market Street, but decided to go ahead and use the water from the faucet. For a while the odor could just about gag a maggot off a gut wagon. Not sure what kind of chemicals they are using in our water, but they smell pretty rank. It’s too late in life to try to remain chemical free. Even the natural springs probably have plastic in them by now—or fertilizer. In the case of our city water supply, Lake Arrowhead is in the middle of fields of Holstein cows and their fertilizer. Or it used to be. The cows may all be gone by now and the milk station where they sold cheese may be gone as well. Made the mistake of reading an article about several thousand head of cattle that had to be buried. Not sure what killed the cows, but you can bet the price of milk and cheese will go out of sight. The article blamed the deaths on the heat and humidity, but yours truly is sitting here shaking her head. More than likely, someone put something in their feed that killed them. The complaint began with the lack of feed grains coming from the Ukraine. Had no idea that we were dependent on the Ukraine for grains for our livestock. Seems so very strange—and pretty unbelievable. But another article about the price of feed and fuel explained why the price of beef was going through the roof. Honestly, they are trying to make us go vegetarian or eat fake meat. Bird flu killing off the chickens is semi-believable. Even mad cow disease was believable. But the price of fuel! Dear Hearts, Texas still has oil wells. Not too sure about the refineries, but definitely got holes that can still be pumped out. Really need to stop reading the dang headlines.

 

Have my fingers crossed—that is to say “hoping”—that all my medical bills have been paid. Still have to go to the Barnett Clinic to get one more x-ray of my back on the 5^th of July. Hoping that the surgeon will be satisfied with what he sees. Not going in for any more surgery, for sure. It was worth it to be out of pain, but it was also very hard on my daughter to have to come take care of me. So very thankful that she was able to do so and still be able to do her work for the company.

 

The feeder that is usually full of lay mash was empty this morning. Not sure if my hens ate it all up or the wild birds swept in and consumed it. Just wish the wild birds would go away and leave this expensive feed alone. Carol Thonton told me the other day that she buys a couple of small bags of scratch to feed the wild birds. Can imagine that many folks do that sort of thing just to be able to enjoy some wildlife. Would be happy to donate about fifty doves and that many black birds if anyone would come trap them and take ‘em away, ho ho!

 

According to the gauge on the living room wall, it is only 102 outside on the east side of the house. The back gauge says 113, and the water from the hose takes a while to cool off enough to put in the chicken water bowls. Can remember taking a hot shower one summer with water just coming from the cool side of the faucets! Guess it has been worse a few times. Just feel for anyone who has to be outside working in this heat.

 

Just dumped a couple of packages of rice in the big tub where the rice is kept. Maggie Sewell has given me rice to use around here. It is probably USDA number one rice, but it makes good food, whatever its rating.

 

Looked off across Lake Wichita to see the haze of Sahara sand out there. Wish it was good for something, but can’t think of any good use.

 

It seems my attitude is still on the downside of disgust, so maybe we should just skip posts for a few days. If you don’t see a post for a few days, you will know that an attitude adjustment has not been applied successfully.

 

We should be grateful for each day that God gives us and try to share His love in whatever manner matches our capabilities. It is not easy getting old and gripey, but not everyone gets a chance to see another day of ouches and ohs! Let’s pray for peace, for rain as needed, and for those who need to be lifted up for healing and happiness to each new day. Guess that really is all of us, isn’t it?

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.