Playing Footsie.

 Playing Footsie.

 

It has come to my notice on more than one occasion that the floor has appendages spread about somewhat unevenly over its surface—that means stepping over two big ol’ dogs and dancing my way across the room or even sticking my feet under my desk. Occasionally, not by my design, my feet or ankles or legs get a tongue bath. Salt on the surface? Whatever it takes, these dogs have a serious issue with my feet and legs going without a lick bath. We have had cats that did this sort of thing, but each of them was not quite as persistent and the baths were not as extensive as those showered upon us by the dogs. And since only one ol’ woman lives here, the legs seldom go a day without a good lick bath. Oh well.

 

Sterling has a new doctor who doubled up on his prescription which now seems to be doing some good. Just talked to him and he said that he persuaded Jacqui to come out in the shop with him while he piddled around. They have been going out to eat most of their meals, but Sterling has lost down to 169 pounds of orneriness. Told him it would be nice if his sister would lose down that far. He thinks if she moved to Arkansas, she would lose weight. Kinda doubt that. But at least he has some help up there on his hilltop. His good friend George came yesterday and mowed the grass for him, and his son Terry did the weed-eating. Told him we would have to have that five inches of rain he got this past few days before we would even HAVE anything green around here! Danged dry and supposed to get hotter than blue blazes tomorrow. SIGH.

 

Got the feed put in bins this morning and put some DE in the trough under the chicks’ roost. They had enough cedar chips in there that it had not begun to stink, but the DE kills any kind of bug that might get up there. Every time a feed bin is moved, the hens chase the crickets and assorted bugs. You’d think eventually they would get all of them!

 

Have a shipment of furniture supposed to be here tomorrow. Looking forward to that! The couch should be the easiest to move around since it is not made like those long, heavy things. It has cushions that can be removed. Just hoping that it is also comfortable. Nothing like hoping.

 

Picked up some peaches and other veggies from United this morning. Ordered some Ritz crackers made with veggies. Not bad at all. Would be excellent with cream cheese or some kind of veggie dip. The peaches were freestone and white but quite tasty. Hope to use the seeds to plant this fall or next spring. Saw a video on how to break the seeds open and make the kernel sprout by putting it in the fridge for several days. Had forgotten that stone seeds have to have cold weather for a while in order to sprout. Learn something every day.

 

Patty was asking me if my kids would know how to take care of themselves if our country lost power supplies and all that involves. Thought about it for a bit and told her that in all probability, even the old woman might not know how to take care of water and fire in a way that would be safe. Have seen how water can be put through sand, gravel, etc. in order to strain out the bad stuff, but even then, it would have to be boiled. Being able to keep a fire lit might not be the easiest thing either. Of course, right now a magnifying glass and a couple of sticks would do the trick! In reading the book Dr. Zhivago, he went into the neighborhood and took down fence panels to keep their fire going. Imagine what would happen in a city like NY or even one of the CA places. Not enough wood in either of those places to build a decent fire. Or if there were, they would probably burn the entire city down.

 

It sometimes is too easy to think about the possibilities of an entire nation being brought down by power loss or by other means that return folks to basics. Not trying to be morbid or fatalistic, but knowing how to take of one’s self makes a difference. Self-reliance brings a certain degree of confidence.

 

Still praying for rain. It would probably be boiling by tomorrow if any came down. May God bless us soon with cooler weather. Meanwhile, pray for the children, teachers, and parents as school starts again.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.