Write, Read, Delete.

 Write, Read, Delete.

 

When a person has an attitude that even upsets the dogs, it is better not to share with others, one would think. Such is the situation around here right now. Have hoped and prayed that things would even out and that maybe some kind of answer to the problem would appear out of the blue or out of the MRI. Whatever. Will attempt to find humor or at least reasonable thoughts as soon as possible, but the gratitude quotient has been less than satisfactory lately.

 

Tried starting on Romans again, but Paul’s tortuous explanations had me shaking my head again. Still, it was worth a try to get my mind in other territory for a bit. Have about decided to download the King James version on my Kindle so reading after dark is possible. Love my big print Bible, but it is just difficult after a bit to keep my eyes clear enough to appreciate what is on the page.

 

Shona Leos just sent a Christmas dinner to me in two large paper plates. She had AJ place them on my front bench on the porch. Wow! Had to start with the pink fluffy stuff. Absolutely love that stuff! Nibbled on some of the other stuff, but will wait on the meat and sides until after returning from Barnett Road. By then the appetite should be up there with the goal posts! Such sweet neighbors! God surely has blessed me!

 

Messages today from family and friends remind me that this old woman is so blessed. Sister-in-law must be feeling quite a bit better from her text. SO thankful that she is recovering from the repair to her hiatal hernia! Have heard that it is a rough recovery, but she is a tough bird! Thankful that she has Sterling and vice versa. They needed each other.

 

Guess the fangs need to be brushed again until returning the uppers and lowers early tomorrow. Getting old has been an adventure, but some parts of it have certainly been challenging! Still, God has some reason for leaving me around yet. May He guide me when stubbornness takes the lead, and may He forgive me when my hard-headedness gets me into trouble.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

A Good Sleep.

 A Good Sleep.

 

A shot in both hips yesterday led to a good night’s rest last night. Took a nap after Judie Brunson brought me home and then fell asleep last night and did not even have to get up once. That in itself is pretty amazing! Anyway, looking forward to getting over this mess. Have to go on the 26^th for an MRI over on Barnett Road. Maybe by then driving won’t be such a problem. The x-rays of my shoulder and hip only showed arthritis and bone spurs but no cracks or breaks. Not much telling what the back images will show in the MRI.

 

Sterling said that he and Jacqui were going shopping today for a twin-sized bed for him. His bed has about lost its integrity and stability. Can just see him ending up on the floor some late night and coming up cussing! Better to go find a solid built bed now than to get bucked out of bed! Surprised that he has not thought about building one for himself! Bet it would be a good bed with shelves for books along the headboard! He can build anything that comes to his mind. Wish that talent had been passed on to this old woman. Sigh.

 

Spoke with Shona this morning and she was very concerned because her mother’s phone was saying it was out of service or some such. It worried her, of course. Her sister found out that the bank had canceled the card that pays all her mom’s bills instead of one that Shona had had them cancel for her to take care of her mom’s account. Anyway, things are getting all squared away on that front so that her mom will be able to keep the phone number that she has had forever. Remembered getting a phone for my parents to have in the nursing home. Daddy would go to the nurses’ desk to tell them to call me even after the phone was in their room. He was deaf in one ear and could barely hear out of the other, so he knew the nurses would get in touch with me. It was just a bit hard to handle at times. Going over there was easier sometimes than sending him a message. At least it was easier to check on them. They knew the doctor and many of the folks in the home there in Henrietta. After they finally settled down and Daddy decided the meals were good, they did pretty well. The only thing that really irritated him were the so-called baths. “Why! They use a water hose to wet us down instead of letting us get a real bath!” was his complaint. Bet they used a hose rather than try to get those old folks up from a tub—just a shower instead of a sit-down bath. But the idea of a water-hose bath really does not sound all that great. Understanding does not make it all that easily appreciated.

 

Sterling used to raise baby dairy calves that would quite often get the scours. He would buy the kind of yogurt that had the good stuff in it (like Greek yogurt) and put it in with their milk replacer. It would get the calves back on track overnight. However, the old woman uses Greek yogurt for the opposite effect. Just a few pain pills can mess up the works pretty quickly. The pills that prevent the problems can have adverse effects almost as quickly as the pain pills can make the problems in the first place. That old saying: “If it isn’t one thing, it’s another” comes to mind.

 

On FB lots of folks are showing pretty wreaths and decorations in various colors. Still think that the sight of a newborn kid (the goat kind) is about as good a decoration as a person can find. Olga’s daughter and her husband have little goats all over the place where they live. That has to be enough to cause smiles for miles!

 

Maria told me that my hens seem pretty happy. Their rooster has a tendency to herd them into the coop about the time that the sun is going down. So far, the girls have delivered a couple of eggs in the baskets sent with them. Will ask Julian to come get some of this oyster shell to put with their feed so the shells will be harder and won’t get broken in the nests. Have never given away all my hens at once, but somehow these girls are special to me. Just happy that Julian is going to be the one to keep the ice off their water this winter and not the old woman.

 

Judie B. was reading a good mystery book the other day when she was out hauling me around. No bad language and no sketchy acts of immodesty is a pretty good recommendation for a book. Honestly can’t see why people can’t just enjoy a good story with realistic thoughts and kindnesses instead of the garbage usually found in today’s books. Currently reading a series of mysteries that have no cursing or sex scenes. Imagine that! This series looks at all that nature and life has to offer as coming from God. It does not have any “preachy” language, but it does seem to have a good handle on common sense. How can we live life today without acknowledging the source of all good things? Yes, even the fog that covers the land or the water that floods the rivers? We just have to take whatever comes with courage and the attitude that things will improve eventually.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Thinking about the Blue Toad.

 Thinking about the Blue Toad.

 

When the children were little, the old woman had to tell good night stories before they would settle down to go to sleep. Not the three little bears or Goldilocks, but made-up stories based on things they knew. We had many adventures together concerning rabbits, fish, ducks, and assorted critters. Sometimes those critters got names and adventures of their own in my stories. For instance, Ma Bell was the mother rabbit we found running loose in the neighborhood after the young couple who raised rabbits could no longer afford to feed their rabbits. Not sure whether the man or the woman turned them loose, but they would have certainly been coyote bait very quickly had we not caught the one female rabbit. As we took her inside the house, right on the living room threshold, she dropped a baby bunny. She went on to have six babies—enough for each of our three children to have one in each hand. We made up a litter box for the mother rabbit, and she used it like a champ. But we really did not have a good place to keep her since she would make noises in the night that kept the children awake. Finally put her in a very small closet in the bathroom where we had a telephone plugged in on an upper shelf. Got up one morning to find that the mother rabbit had chewed up the phone cord to go into her “nest” for her babies. That is how she earned the name of “Ma Bell.”

 

Our children were born from 1970 to 1979, so the last child thought that he was just as big as the first one. But we thanked God that the older two were very good about watching over him. When our first child was about five years old, he had already been cautioned about snakes out in high grass or anywhere near things that could provide cover for a snake. The old woman was relatively agile back then, so when that child screamed in fear and fell down among the cucumber vines, she sprinted to the fence and was about to heave herself over it when a grin appeared on the child’s face. “It’s a frog, Mom!” he said. Whew! What a relief! After he brought the “frog” into the house, we had a discussion about whether it was a frog or a toad. But meanwhile, little sister sat in her little table chair playing in blue finger paints. Her first request, of course, was “See, see!” So, the “frog” was placed gently on her table amidst the water and the blue finger paint while a trip to the bookcase helped the oldest and Mom to discover that our “frog” was in actuality a toad. Returning to the kitchen to get his toad, the older brother discovered that the toad was missing. It had hopped down from the little table to plop across the linoleum floor—leaving behind blue toad prints. It was easy to find the toad with its blue underside. Of course, the next question from the oldest child was “Can we keep it?” Some discussion about toads and what they ate ensued, but the little boy was happy to know that the toad could take up residence in the flower bed near the back door. For years afterward, the boy guaranteed that any toads found in that vicinity were the famous blue toad!

 

As the children got older, they were more aware of how the wild animals around us needed a bit of help once in a while. They brought up a duck from the lake that had its mouth pierced by a fish hook. They took that duck to the next-door neighbor so that he could remove the hook from its bill. Then they put the duck in a small pool of water and fed it some oatmeal. Two days later, it flew off and quacked all the way back to the lake! Another duck (a female) had been attacked by something and just needed to recoup and rest, so the children brought it inside the yard and let it stay until it felt like leaving again. Strange as it may seem, that duck must have had a mate because it came and lay down beside her. And for years after that, those two ducks—or some just like them—came back every spring to get into the chicken feed and mess up the water bowls.

 

We always had a dog, but one of our dogs had a sneaky habit. He would leave our yard and bring things back to the children. One time it would be a baseball, and the next time it would be a ball glove. The oldest child told the dog that they really needed a bat. Believe it or not, that silly dog brought home a bat the next day! Not sure whose equipment that dog was stealing, but the kids thought they had a real ball player in the guise of a dog!

 

We were so very blessed to live out here on the hill above Lake Wichita. Yes, we had to watch for snakes and other varmints, but we had plenty of room to walk and enjoy the wild flowers and a place to fly kites. And the children were always ready for their dad to get home from work to tell him of their latest “finds” among the wild animals. No phones or video games in those days kept our children entertained, but what they got instead was fresh air, an acceptance of the nature of wild animals, and plenty of adventures that made God’s world valuable to them. Truly wish that kind of life had been available to all children. Nature is just another blessing from God.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

A Visitor and a Phone Call or Two.

 A Visitor and a Phone Call or Two.

 

Barry Levy stopped by this afternoon to pick up some jars for canning and to just visit. It was fun to get to know him better and to hear him talk about his children and his wife. Some folks are just pretty doggone interesting. He brought some salsa that he made that he promised would be “mild.” Might just have to open a bag of taco chips to try out this batch he has made. LOVE salsa and chips. Sometimes the salsa at Pioneer up on Maplewood is just a tad too spicy, but a bit of cheese sauce with it calms the burn to make it mighty edible. Living dangerously is starting on the salsa and chips before the waitress gets the drinks brought around!

 

Sterling said that boiled egg won’t work with this surgery Jacqui had. Told him to make her some scrambled eggs WITHOUT pepper in them. It took him a minute to understand why no pepper makes a difference. He will learn. Hope he remains to be a good nurse for Jacqui. He is as kind as a man could be when taking care of her, but men don’t always think of things the way a woman would.

 

David Baxter, Sterling’s son-in-law, had a heart attack recently, and they had to use the paddles to bring him back. He normally heads up their family painting business, so it may be that Becky has to take over that job and let her brother Danny do all the screen printing by himself. Just praying for them is all the old woman can do, but it is my desire that they will be able to live long and happily.

 

The weather has been quite decent today without the wind and whatever pollen has been in the air lately. Patty said that just breathing has been very problematic. Understand completely. My allergies have been going wild with itchy eyes and stuffy nose. Oh well. God has blessed me with the strength to walk and the determination to keep going.

 

Michelle Malay has an abscessed tooth and needs to have three of them pulled. The dentist does not have a payment plan, so she is supposed to come up with $1500 right up front! She is on some heavy-duty antibiotics for the second round after having a sinus infection. You can almost bet the sinus infection was caused by the abscessed tooth/teeth! Please pray for her that she can handle both the money situation and the health problems.

 

Thinking about the books by P.K. Adams based on the true life of the first woman who became a doctor in Medieval Germany has left me shaking my head at some of the stupid practices that were considered “helpful.” Imagine that bloodletting was considered good for a person. How many men and women would have had more years of life had the practice been totally abandoned!  Those first women who changed the way medicine became part of the lives of every man, woman, and child have to be admired and appreciated. When we think about how “germ” conscious we are today, we have to be amazed that this woman believed that vinegar and washing one’s hands made it possible for women in childbirth to avoid infections from nasty hands and nasty water.

 

Cousin Betty down in Garland called to say that her son-in-law was somewhat better even though he still has a blood clot in his heart. At least he does not have to work. He sold his business as an electrician some years ago to his nephew. Thank you for your prayers for him. Kevin is a good guy and a good husband and father according to Betty.

 

Scraps usually put out for the hens to eat now have to go into the trash until the old woman manages to arrange some kind of compost bin. Will have to think about how to do this without doing any digging. Managed to plant an amaryllis bulb in a flower pot that got moved into the living room recently. Then planted some tiny bulbs in another flower pot and put them into the kitchen window. Here’s hoping they sprout and do well. It occurred to me that it would be possible to have a flower bed in the back yard now so that even some asparagus roots could be planted back there. The hens nearly wiped out the yellow irises before Jerry Hobbs moved them for me. They ate the things down to the roots! 

 

When the old woman gets over whatever is causing the problems with this left hip, have so many little “jobs” that need to be taken care of. The front coop with be a good place to store some of the smaller stuff that clutters up the workshop. Wish it were possible to get the two coops cleaned out good right now before we get any snow or heavy rains, but these things will just have to wait. Patience is a virtue—and a necessity as well.

 

Sterling told me that it is supposed to get down to 17 degrees up his way tonight! He reminded me to keep an eye on the temps so that the water could be dripped to avoid freezing any water lines. Need to set a reminded to check for freezing weather! Definitely do not want to have frozen water lines!

 

Found a “scarf” like thing that works for cleaning my glasses. Jennifer gave it to me and it got set aside before it actually made sense to have around to use as needed. Did not even realize that was how it was used! My sweet girl probably shakes her head to think that her mom is so ditzy. Sigh.

 

Not watching any news or otherwise keeping up with the flames and smoke abounding in our world. We know that Satan keeps stirring the pot. But we also know that God will only allow some things before He will bring a sudden change to this world. May we live close to the knowledge that God is always with us!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Cousin John and the Roosters.

 Cousin John and the Roosters.

 

Cousin John and his sister came to live with us in Petrolia back when Little Rock was in an uproar with integration and kids feeling as if they needed to express their parents’ disapproval. Anyway, he was older than us and thought we were just “little kids.” That’s ok. Time keeps up with us one way or another. Anyway, it was John’s opinion that my “girls” out in the coops needed a rooster to make their lives complete. Well, he might approve of their situation now. Last night Julian and Maria came and took all fourteen to their little farm along with the feed buckets, the heated water bowl, the nesting boxes, and other assorted hen things. Maria has TWO roosters. Julian says that one attacks him every time he turns his back. Wouldn’t take the old woman long to cure that rooster of attacking! Last time a rooster attacked me, Billie Ruth got to watch him being clobbered a couple of times until he backed off. Just not going to be attacked by a critter.

 

Went to bed early last night and woke up at 5:30—naturally. Thompson wanted out anyway, so it was about time to get up and get some long-legged sleepers on along with socks on my feet. The wind is howling this morning, but the weather report says that it will get warmer today. We will see. Just hope that the hens are adapting to their new home and discovering that the roosters are pests. At least they will be loved. Yes, you can tell what is on my mind this morning. It will undoubtedly take awhile to adapt to this change, for both the old woman and the hens.

 

Finished reading the Lis Howell Complete Tarnfield Cozy Mystery set of six books. Truly enjoyed them and will look for more books by this author. Apparently, the author is much like the character portrayed in her books. Guess that helps to make the ideas even more believable.

 

Have bottles of water and those neat cups that the kids have given me filled with water on just about every surface near where the old woman might find herself, so, naturally, the one usually on my desk is in the kitchen awaiting a refill this morning. If it didn’t hurt so much just to move, that cup or container would already be in here in the office! At least with bottles and cups everywhere, there is no excuse to become dehydrated.

 

This morning my prayers have come back more than a few times to my sister-in-law. Jacqui is having surgery this morning to try to alleviate the problem with her hiatal hernia. Hers must be pretty bad to need surgery. Some of us have minor hernias like that, but don’t keep having problems like she has had. Would appreciate your prayers for her and for Sterling as he takes care of her. After a person hits the eighth decade, things can get drastic in a hurry. Well, for that matter, even five decades can force some changes in our “usual” behavior. Julian told me last night that in his head he is still 25 years old (he’s 72). And there was the old woman crippling along at 77 as if she might be ancient! May God give me patience and common sense to deal with life on a better footing.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Sniffing Mr Clean!

 Sniffing Mr. Clean!

 

Maria cleaned my house and mopped the floors with Mr. Clean. AH!! Lovely to be able to walk across clean floors that are not currently coated with dog hair. She also ran up to Walmart and picked up a few things for me. Meanwhile, Julian went to pick up chicken feed and hauled off some sunflower stems for me. Here’s hoping that he was paid enough. It certainly saved me from doing too much today.

 

Went out to the third coop and dug out the heated water bowl and strung the extension cord between the shop and the first coop so that the water bowl had electricity to it. Filled the water bowl and put out feed for the time being. With any planning at all along with keeping up with the weather reports, it should be possible to take care of the hens without too much tromping back and forth to the coops. Even though Mary gave me the phone number of a lady who might want the hens, it just doesn’t sit quite right with me to give them to someone who might not take good care of them. Maria has five hens, and it would be easier to give all fourteen to her and Julian than to some stranger.

 

The back surgeon requires a referral from my doctor, and then the quickest appointment with my GP is next Tuesday. It made me laugh to think that my back may be perfectly all healthy by the time it would be possible to see a doctor. But then, that might be ok, too. The main thing is to forget how life used to be and just handle things a bit more slowly and with less expectation of being able to do the things in the “usual” way!

 

Lance sent me a picture of a bunch of goodies plus the box with the flower bulbs sent to Tracy. He thought that his mom had sent the goodies. Nope, his friend David from New York had sent them. Kinda neat. Had never considered doing it the way David did with little containers of all kinds of neat things to nibble on. May have to remember that idea.

 

The weather report says that tomorrow will be warmer, but then this next weekend will be another cold one. All this ol’ person can do is keep up with the days of the week and which day the trash truck comes!!

 

Have been reading a series of books that include scriptural references from different books of the Bible. A person never can tell where knowledge may dribble into one’s mind. Did you know that some folks say that there were three Isaiahs? Did you know that the “Song of Songs” does not mention God? Yet three separate entities believe that those songs relate to God and His bride. Neat. God provides the backgrounds for life in nearly every thing to which man has set his hand. And God’s love keeps each thread taut to weave our world. Praise God!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Considering a Few Good Ideas.

 Considering a Few Good Ideas.

 

Monday afternoon, Maria will come shovel out the dog hair and dirt from this ol’ barn. It feels so irresponsible of me to need a house cleaner and helper, but such is life in the “fast” lane. Having dogs living in the house simply means that they shed inside as well as outside the house. The more they are inside, the more they shed in here! They don’t care where they shed and are probably totally unaware of the entire idea of shedding. Oh well.

 

Have been considering giving my hens to a new home. They are loved here and spoiled rotten, but getting out to take care of them has become increasingly difficult. Finding a safe and loving home where they can still remain “free range” hens may not be all that easy. Maria’s husband thought that they were very neat hens when he was here working on taking down the pagoda recently. But his hens were attacked by a coyote and had to be replaced. That worries me a bit. Not that the hawks, bobcats, coyotes, raccoons, possums, and assorted stray cats are not a problem here. Recently lost two hens simply because they got out and the old woman was unable to go get them. Thinking of Brenda Jones who has hens and sells eggs. Not sure she would want any more hens, however. Just really appreciate fresh eggs that didn’t come from a factory setting. Can’t stand the thought of animals being forced to sit in a cage and produce eggs whether or not they have any freedom.

 

My “turkin” hen has a tendency to jump the driveway gate and scratch out all the dirt in the front flower bed. She has already managed to dig down to the flower bulbs that should be coming up this spring. Silly girl. She strows dirt all over the place and digs holes like a danged armadillo! Don’t know what the old woman would do without them, but unless this old body gets over the major problems with mobility, it seems more sensible to stop trying to get out and about that much.

 

Going to look up a recipe for Spanish rice this morning. It just sounds so good to go with chili and tamales. Know it’s the weather that makes me think about such foods, but such is the way my mind works. And yes, that is a lot of carbs, but that does not happen often. Usually Brussel sprouts, cucumber, spinach in one form or the other and such as that. Still have some crackers that Jenn bought for me when she was here during the knee recovery.

 

Sterling reminded me that Jacqui is going in for surgery on her hiatal hernia on Wednesday this week. Please keep her in your prayers.

 

Have the heater going in the bathroom so a shower will not leave me like a popsicle. Patty said that she took a shower and washed her hair yesterday and felt frozen most of the day. Her house stays warm, so the old woman is just going to have to be tough! Central air may be more expensive, but at least the rooms are not like a refrigerator!

 

Looking up at the bulletin boards above my desk. SO many good memories up there. God has blessed this old woman in so many ways. A good husband, sweet kids, friends, neighbors, and a home that has welcomed others for food and laughter. No longer make cookies to share with the neighbor kids, but still remember the kids’ delight in seeing those cookies come out of the oven. Recently heard from one of the neighbor kids who reminded me of those cookies. We never know what kids will remember about us.

 

Let us hold on to the love that we can share with those we meet and find in our lives. Let us praise God for His love that He allows us to share.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Just Little Things.

 Just Little Things.

 

Sometimes the little things are what can get to a person quicker than the big ones. This morning—or maybe yesterday—my favorite coffee cup from Padre Island got a chip right in the space where one drinks. Hate to throw it away, but know better than to try to use it and cut myself. Maybe a vase for flowers? Sigh.

 

Texted Shona since her trash was not out on the roadside. About that time, Albert came driving up and moved her bin to the road. He is taking good care of her, but today she finally realized that she—and probably her daughter—have covid. Dadgumit!

 

The dogs have been on a tear about mice/rats in the hen coops. Opened the third door today to have them go tearing into some panels and a long ladder leaning against one wall. Well, those things are no longer leaning, Dear Hearts. The old woman will have to close up that door tonight before the hens go down or it will be Katie-Bar-the-Door to get the dogs out again. Just glad the hens are used to these two dogs. Would prefer not to have them refusing to go inside just because the dogs are in there.

 

Getting more capable of moving around now, but it is such a difference from what has always been the “normal” for me. Can hardly stand up straight in the morning. Wish some of the energy and strength that we have as young people could be spread around more when we are older. Even so, it is a blessing to be able to walk and get around at all. Cousin John’s wife has had two hip and two knee replacements and still does not seem to complain. Gutsy lady!

 

It looks as if the congressional actions taken about limiting government offices to only those who are actually Americans may cause some upset folks, but when we think about the fact that our friends, uncles, fathers, and brothers and sisters have given their blood in defense of our Constitutional rights, how can we allow those from other countries (with or without dual citizenship) to have a say in how our laws are administered. Plus, the idea that those from other countries can prevent women from sharing equal status in this country just irks the living crud out of me. It has been difficult enough for women in this country to gain the rights of men as it is. And if a person just reads through some of the historical posts about women inventors, scientists, doctors, lawyers, and other professions, how can we allow anyone to prevent a woman from being whatever she seeks just because of her sex? Well, it does not take much to get an old woman hot and stomping, so we’ll just say that Senator John Kennedy has my appreciation.

 

Let us attempt to stay healthy and keep a loving attitude toward friends, family, and those with whom we associate. At least be kind even if gritting one’s teeth.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Still Thankful.

 Still Thankful.

 

Got up this morning to hear what sounded like little pebbles hitting the house. Guess it was sleet. But nothing was coated with ice and the water for the hens was not frozen solid as it had been a couple of days ago. So, that’s a reason to be thankful. No ice on the lines to stop the electricity.

 

Rolling over in the bed sometimes reminds me that the muscles are attached to the bones. Yep, aches over-easy sometimes. But the old woman can still walk—bent over a bit maybe, but still moving. Another reason to praise God.

 

The dogs are happy and relatively healthy. Thompson “talks” to me when it is time to be fed, but at least he is not too picky. Can’t get a dog coat on Sylvia, but still trying every so often. If she gets cold enough, maybe she will let me put a jacket on her. At least she gets in her crate fairly easily. Again, something for which to give thanks.

 

Patty and Roxie are doing better. They are sleeping almost all night and Roxie is taking her meds. They are happy. So, there’s that.

 

Shona has bronchitis and Albert is having to play school child taxi, but Shona is on meds and will get better soon. SO glad that Albert will take good care of her. Prayers needed.

 

Sterling says that he is sleeping better now than before. Maybe something is working for him with the blood pressure meds and such that he can get a good night’s sleep. Jacqui goes in for hiatal hernia surgery this next Wednesday. Prayers needed.

 

My children are dealing with life just like grown ups usually do, and that means God is showing them the way. May God bless them with common sense and patience.

 

The house has not totally collapsed or otherwise fallen into a canyon of dirt and dog hair, so at least the old woman can keep the dishes washed even if the floors are desperately dirty. Praise God.

 

The hens are still producing about two eggs a day. They come running if the back door is opened and talk to me about some treats. Still have a few treats just for chickens. Two eggs are better than none. Praise God.

 

Each day is another blessing in this life, so still have reason to be thankful. Being mindful of blessings can change each day.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Lack of Patience.

 Lack of Patience.

 

Since the turkey Max brought over last night needed to be cooked right then, the old woman stayed up a little later than usual to get that done and then get the meat mostly off the bones so it would fit in the fridge. Then today, all the good parts were put in Ziplock bags and placed in the freezer. Already had some ground meat with corn, mushrooms, and tomatoes cooked up for some meals, so three containers of that stuff went in the freezer and enough for two meals stayed in the fridge. You’d think someone around here liked to cook or something. THEN, this afternoon the old woman got hungry for a cookie and not any kind of ice cream. Made bar cookies—at least maybe they will be bar cookies if they come out of the pan one piece at a time. They are still cooling, so they have not been sampled yet. We’ll see if they turn out since the recipe got ripped in half and the print was so tiny that it was hard to read. Pretty sure none of the ingredients would cause an explosion. [Not very much of a bar, but tastes great!]

 

The wind was not blowing a gale today, so it was not terribly cold. Even so, going outside early this morning made me appreciate a good jacket or long-sleeved shirt. Wore one of Lewis’ old shirts. This one is maroon colored and was too tight on his long arms. It made me think about how difficult it was to find clothes he really liked and could wear well. One time, a very different shirt came home with me from the Big and Tall Shop that made me feel as if he might send me back. Funniest thing! It became one of his favorite shirts! It tried to be an orange rust, but was just bright enough to be pretty. Anyway, it looked good on him. Not exactly a church going shirt, but still one of his favorites.

 

Patty has called on her friend Roy to take Roxie to see the vet tomorrow. The dog is keeping Patty awake all night and acting as if she is miserable. Of course, that upsets Patty to think that the little critter might be hurting. Honestly think that Roxie is unable to settle down at night because her little mind is not well. Dogs get “sundowners” too. Anyway, we will see what the vet says tomorrow.

 

Finished a book last night and returned it to the Houston Library today. Think it is so neat to be able to check out e-books from the library rather than getting them from the Kindle app on Amazon. Sometimes a favorite author will have three or four books free in a series and then the next few will have a pretty good price on them. Sigh. Nothing like trying to finish a series and having to pay for the last three.

 

No reason to even look at the latest shootings or other things that are going on. Life is too short to focus on bad things. Just happy to not have the snow that Illinois is getting. Six inches of snow around here would also include ice on the electric lines!! Praise God for some dry weather. Let’s just appreciate what He gives us.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

No Mosquitoes!

 No Mosquitoes!

 

The nicest thing about this really cold weather coming up is the fact that we can run around outside and not be attacked by those nasty little blood-sucking skeeters! Now, if we have to TRY to have a positive outlook about cold weather, that should be the first thing on the list of benefits, don’t you think?

 

Lance and Tracy came today and did a few things for me that made me grin. They brought me a big container of Thanksgiving goodies along with cookies and a moon pie made by Tracy’s dad, Phil. He loves to cook all kinds of sweet things, and he is very good at it. Seems he and his brothers learned to cook in order to eat as they were growing up. So, Phil got to be the cookie and cake cook. Had never had a moon pie like that, but it was very tasty. Have not started on the cookies yet, but tomorrow is another day.

 

Lance covered up the faucets front and back for me. Think he also warned the neighbors across the street that it will be freezing soon. Monday night should be pretty cold, but tonight and Sunday night will only be 31 and 34 degrees. With the wind howling across this hill, even that little bit of frostiness can mess up the water lines. And the colder weather also affects some folks’ joints. And then there are folks like Roger who wears two shirts even in the summer time!

 

Tracy sat down and put the Houston Library connection on my iPad for me. Now the old woman can download books from there and not have to mess with Kindle unless they just happen to have something that really appeals to me. Houston Library is available to anyone in Texas! That is SO nice. It just amazes me at how much my daughter-in-law knows about all these different things. The woman could have a doctorate just in the different sources of information available through libraries.

 

Jennifer and Gary got home from Virginia this afternoon. At least this set of flights did not cause them to have to be at the airport by 2 a.m. That is EARLY, don’t you know! But then, the picture of the four lanes of traffic leading into the DFW airports before Thanksgiving were just about frightening! SO many people were leaving the day before Thanksgiving. Some things are worth the effort, but traveling right now just doesn’t really appeal to me.

 

Daniel Hernandez worked over my computer again to download something that kept the flashing lights from occurring. Not sure exactly what he said he downloaded, but apparently it worked. It makes me feel much less threatened by the possibility of the computer going down. So many things in my life are on my computer these days. Besides using Amazon Prime, all my banking is normally on my computer. It is just so much easier to pay bills and have things taken care of this way. Glad to have met Daniel back in college and later worked with him.

 

The kids helped me by mixing up some nuts and stuff to make little gift bags today. Sent some home with them and then one for Jennifer and Gary. Tracy made some comment about never having received the jar of apple butter that Grandma Joy made years ago. Kinda think the things that are sent down that direction have a tendency to get sidetracked occasionally. Know for a fact that it is easy to mess up who is supposed to get what.

 

The kids picked up chicken and ground beef for me at the store, so the old woman needs to get in there and bag it up or cook the beef and bag it this afternoon. Having things ready to use in a dish makes life so much simpler. Energy is never a given around here. Just moving around seems to hurt some days, so getting things done while still moving makes good sense.

 

We have so much for which to be thankful. Life and love and good health mean more than anything right now. Friends, neighbors, and good stores that cater to our needs make life better for all of us. For all the problems we might have in our nation, we are still so very blessed to have relative stability and calmness in our communities. Let us pray for those who make a difference in how our nation works and in how it is perceived. Let us reflect the love that God has given us.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Funny Fights.

 Funny Fights.

 

Speaking with Patty this afternoon, she gave me the blow-by-blow of her struggle with her trash can and the “stuck” sack that took ten big jerks to remove. Honestly had to sit here and just laugh! She made it sound as if the trash sack was fighting back!! Guess she finally got it out, but she had not quite made it out front to put in the black bin yet. Asked her if she wanted help since it was a bit bulky, but she obviously had something in mind—maybe a swift kick or some “fowl” words—before the sack went into the bin. It doesn’t take much to get the two of us laughing about silly stuff.

 

The postal person brought my mail and a couple of packages to the porch this afternoon. The Covetous pharmacy sent the dogs’ Rx (Bravecto) by mail, and for some reason one of my Amazon purchases came in one of those postal boxes instead of a bag. Have not yet got out the big mixing bowls to mix up the nut and fruit stuff that gets put together around here every so often. Since Lance may be here tomorrow, will get him to help just a bit putting the stuff in Ziplock bags. It makes good snacks and doesn’t have too many calories and very little sugar, so it doesn’t make me feel guilty for going through a bag every few days. And that kind of snack food is also a neat little gift.

 

It's about time to put the hens up—well, to fasten the doors up. Have one hen that does not feel up to snuff, but have no idea what to do for her. She might have picked up something from the wild birds, but it seems like the entire flock would be affected rather than just one. So, not really sure what her problem might be.

 

Patty was fussing about the news media saying that the National Guard deaths or injuries were the fault of President Trump. While shaking my head, it reminded me that California has decided to rename the San Andreas Fault to Trump Fault. Makes about as much sense.

 

Bought a gallon of pickle juice rather than buying individual bottles of P.J. that hold sixteen ounces. Mixed up in a measuring cup and put in the bottles, it saves money and makes the juice more convenient. Can’t really tell if the P.J. is helping or not since taking Calcium with Vitamin D3 and Magnesium at the same time may be part of what keeps the muscle spasms from being so motion stopping. Never have had anything as crazy as this before. The heating pad on my back seems to help, but it does not take away the spasms in my thighs. Go figure.

 

Was glad to hear that my cousin’s son-in-law was getting better after whatever caused his heart problems. Can’t imagine having a blood clot on or in his heart, but apparently that was what put him in ICU. He still has young children at home, so they will need him to get better soon.

 

Sterling and Jacqui were out looking for their two big dogs this afternoon. Becky gave them a big female dog that is the kind that looks after livestock, and they already had a young male dog that was bad to get out of the yard. Between the two dogs, they were about ready to give them both away! Their little Toby dog is about all the dog they need according to Sterling. Understand how he feels about trying to keep dogs out of trouble, but mine have been here from the time they were pups. It makes a difference when they have been trained from the get go. It is so hard to think of losing one of these two. Sylvia and Thompson both are so very loving. Stubborn sometimes, but loving.

 

As far as the old woman is concerned, the days of the week are messed up again. Know for a fact that tomorrow is Saturday, but it doesn’t feel like the weekend. Oh well. Can still be thankful that God gave me another day of life and love and apparently the ability to gripe just the same as any other day!!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Korean Barbecue?

 Korean Barbecue?

 

Put a piece of meat on to cook in the slow cooker. It was labeled “Korean Barbecue” and has an orange color to it. Dear Hearts, that orange is spicey! Nice, but spicey. Have another pork loin made with mushroom sauce that will probably make Thanksgiving’s meal. Patty said she was making soup for her dinner that day. Whatever works, huh.

 

Walked down to Patty’s earlier today. Roxie got to go wandering around while we sat outside and visited, but it got a little cool out there, so we went inside. Had to get the wasp spray out and kill a yellow jacket for Patty. We got to laughing about her making a dent in her floor when she accidentally knocked her oxygen bottle off the cabinet and frightened herself and Roxie. She said she nearly jumped over the refrigerator when that bottle hit the floor!

 

The old woman has been drinking pickle juice and lots of water to try to alleviate the stupid muscle spasms. Yes, and taking at least one muscle relaxer a day. A heating pad helps the lower back, but it does not prevent the spasms in my thighs. Go figure. Thought for sure that the blood tests would tell us what is missing, but guess not. Meanwhile, someone among my friends suggested zinc, so will order some of that to go with the magnesium. Sigh.

 

Cored some small apples given to me by Maggie Sewell and made them into apple dumplings. Not bad! They are not Mom’s apple pie, but they will do in a pinch.

 

Talked to Michelle Malay earlier and discovered that she had made a trip to the ER in Henrietta for her head—sinuses or tooth ache or both? She is pretty sure it is her teeth causing the problem, but the dentist is out of the office until sometime after Thanksgiving. Think that is just about true for all the doctors, dentists, and even the pharmacists. At least the postal folks are still on their routes.

 

The old woman lay down earlier and took a short nap. Thought Sylvia was going to lie down on top of me! She seems to think that “mom” needs her comforter right next to her. She really is not all that wrong about it. Sylvia and Thompson both are so sweet to me.

 

When Jenn and Lance get text messages from me, sometimes they are both included in one text. Today Jenn said that they had arrived in Charlotte and Lance made the remark, “And the scenery is just beautiful!” Of course, he was still down around Saginaw! Just being funny. My kids are funny.

 

Rachel let me know this morning that she and Damien are going to Japan in January. His grandfather got their tickets with his airline points, so they just have to pay for a place to stay and food. He has some friends who come to the kids’ house and they go to their friends’ house, so they will be traveling with people they know. That sounds good to me. Damien is a pretty good mechanic and does this stuff called “drifting.” It started out in Japan and they even made a movie featuring this kind of thing. Seems weird to me, but then, the Japanese probably think that barrel racing and bronc riding is worse.

 

No matter how grumpy we can get when our bodies give us fits, we still have plenty of reasons to be grateful each day. Patty laughs and says she hardly ever runs so short of breath that she can’t manage to gripe about something. The old woman just keeps on getting around while groaning and moaning, but at least watching the dogs, the hens, and the sweet little birds around here are enough to make her smile. A sweet little wren has taken up residence inside the middle coop. Feed and water is about all they need along with some freedom to fly and sing. It’s good that God gives us such freedom—whether it is to gripe or groan or squawk!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Fish and Chips.

 Fish and Chips.

 

The English call them fish and chips. We have fish, French fries, fried corn drops, and hush puppies. My dogs love hush puppies. The thoughts of fish and chips were just too good to pass up this evening, so a quick trip to Chicken Express finally got my fish. It took a while—probably because everyone else was ordering chicken! Anyway, the fish and the sauce for it are both in the box inside the fridge for tomorrow. So, there is that.

 

Thought that Michelle Malay would be here today, but she did not show up. Have to remember to send her ice machine home with her when she comes—whichever day that happens to be.

 

Planned to make cookies this afternoon and did not get very far. At least the butter will be ready to whip tomorrow along with the sugar, salt, vanilla, etc. Have not made cookies in ages! Have some macadamia nuts along with chocolate and caramel chips. Not sure just how that will turn out, but should be interesting.

 

Despite drinking pickle juice and lots of water, still having these interesting cramps. They make getting up and moving around very challenging. Keep trying to just walk more each day and find things to do that do not require bending down to tie my shoes or that sort of thing. Got out and scraped some dirt and hay away from the coop doors so that it is easier to open and close the hen house, but that only exercises the shoulders more than the legs. Oh well. Maybe eventually this mess will straighten up.

 

We got a pretty good little rain Sunday and early this morning. Lots of thunder kept me waiting for the dogs to start complaining, but maybe it did not bother them too much. Patty said that even Roxie did not fuss about the thunder! Still, the water bowls needed to be cleaned out and the metal water stand filled again. The leaves made such a mess in those things.

 

John Rhoads stopped by with a couple of cans of dog food that their little dog refused to eat. Mine thought it was ok when divided between their bowls. Still had their cheese on the kibble this evening for their meal. Maybe the other can of dog food with their morning kibble.

 

Briefly spoke with Jennifer this evening. Reece and Grey have one cat that has never seen a dog! Can’t imagine! Anyway, they will just have to deal with it. Jenn and Gary leave in the morning for Virginia—flying after all. The flight back home goes to DC and then back to DFW. Will be praying for the safety of ALL these flights during this time. SO many folks are heading home for the holidays.

 

Saw that Montana or one of those border states has been stopping big rigs and arresting drivers with fake CDL licenses. Scary. Let’s hope that they keep them off the roads!

 

It feels funny to think that it is already dark thirty by just a bit after six in the evening. The hens go up earlier with sundown and the dogs think it is time to call it a day. Good thing the old woman does not have any cows to milk!

 

Thanksgiving brings memories of home and so many thoughts of how my parents brought us up to pray and truly give thanks to God for all His blessings to us. Daddy didn’t use the “thee and thou” type of language, but he spoke to our heavenly father just as if He were among us—on ALL occasions. Maybe that memory makes Thanksgiving more blessed than all the different foods we ever had. We knew God heard our prayers. Let us pray with that same sense of gratitude today—and every day. As a nation, we are so very blessed. Let us become a blessing to others.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Three Eggs!

 Three Eggs!

 

Funny thing that when the girls are busy laying five to seven eggs a day, for sure everyone doesn’t need eggs. Right here before Thanksgiving, everyone could use some eggs. So, naturally, the hens are putting out maybe two eggs a day. Today, they produced three whole eggs! Yay! Will have enough for Michelle Malay to have a dozen next week.

 

Got up with the moans today, but can still walk at least. Taking Tylenol and muscle relaxers tends to mess up my system somewhat, but moaning messes up my attitude. About time to read something more uplifting. Have two sets of mysteries on my iPad, but one of them needs to be deleted. Too much unnecessary use of words even this ol’ woman would not use! Even when moaning and whining, it isn’t necessary to use language that would shock my mom.

 

Patty got her yard mowed yesterday and her house cleaned today, so she is feeling pretty sharp! About the only thing accomplished around here today is another good pot of Fiesta Soup. Mighty tasty. Will try tomorrow to get at least the bedroom, living room, and kitchen floors cleaned. Will dust mop before using the vacuum, then wet mop, and see how that goes. The wet mop always leaves things smelling so much better. If it rains as is in the forecast, this house may just smell like wet dog again. Sigh.

 

 Seems as if the West Coast is getting oodles of rain in the form of flash floods that are pretty dangerous for those living in the desert areas. Have seen what a flash flood can do in Arizona and would not want to try to cross a highway out there during that kind of flooding. Flash flooding can be dangerous in any area, but at least in North Central Texas we have some grasslands to absorb much of the rainfall.

 

Watched an episode on meat prices and what is going on in the local areas where beef is produced. It seems that we have four big packers of beef, and two of them are not even American. The folks who can do something about the situation believe that producers (ranchers) should be able to take their beef to local packers where they can get better prices locally without having to give a big cut to the big four. It makes sense to me. Not sure if the rancher out in Megargel (Bill Brown Beef) is still in production or not. Guess it would be worth it to check. Right now, this old woman cannot afford ground beef!

 

Fox News also had an episode about the SNAP abuse and fraud that was somewhat upsetting. No one wants to see anyone going hungry, but coming into a country and expecting the government to feed and house you and your family is pretty unrealistic; however, in any other country some immediate medical care and a food allowance can be given to illegal aliens. England has food banks that help alien families. Almost every European country has some sort of provisions for alien care, especially for children. It made me wonder what kind of provisions are made in any country in South America. Illegal immigration has been and continues to be a problem across the world. Well, maybe not in Russia or China.

 

Parts of Texas were settled by Germans who came here trying to find religious and political freedom. Those areas near the Hill Country are famous for the neatly kept farms and homes along with the famous churches. Near my home county of Clay, the German people farmed and raised a church near Hurnville that became a center point for an entire community. Many of their descendants went to school with my father and some of their descendants became my classmates. We became a stronger community with their arrival and their families. We can only hope that some of the illegal aliens that have come across the borders today will become good citizens and care about this land as home. The German folks brought their strong beliefs in God and community. Perhaps God will bless the latest arrivals with His grace.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Pickle Juice?

 Pickle Juice?

 

About the time things seem to be doing better, the twitchy, stupid muscle spasms hit again. Took a muscle relaxer this morning, but not anything else. Guess a trip to United for dill pickles might be next. Shaking my head. And somehow, we need to avoid salt.

 

My floors have a coating of dog hair on them again, and guess who does not feel like vacuuming. Sigh. May have to call Maria to see if she can handle another fur-lined house to clean. Patty says her floors are exactly the same, but we are looking for rain this week, so who knows if we will have a coating of mud on top of the dog hair! Oh well. Maria will clean Patty’s house tomorrow, so at least one house on the street will be dog hair free(ish). Well, Shona’s house has no dogs or cats in it. Can’t imagine how that would be. We have always had critters. But our mom did not have dogs that lived in the house with us—or a cat that lived inside 24/7. Different times.

 

Had a conversation with Patty the other day about phones and how their purpose has changed so drastically. We are told not to let the world corrupt us, yet some of us spend time either watching YouTube or videos and other “interesting” things on our phones. It is no longer enough to simply have a way to call home or to call our friends. Not much different is our usage of computers, for that matter. We check the weather report and see what the latest news from this place or that place might be, but we also tend to listen to the political stuff that could warp our viewpoint about how life should be lived. It is just inevitable that we find something to make us either fear the future or be concerned about the state of our nation right now. We mentioned the fact that pennies would no longer be minted. Sterling (and others) reminded me that eventually all monetary dealings would be digital. The mark of the beast is supposed to be something in our hand that would be the equivalent of monetary exchange. Without that “mark,” one could neither buy or sell. Things seem to be getting closer to the end days than we have ever been before.

 

Told Maggie Sewell the other day that some days it seems better not to post since my attitude is reflected in what my words become—not especially uplifting. Guess this might have been just one of those days. Maybe tomorrow will be a happier day. At least rain is in the forecast. Right now, we are wall to wall dust. Guess a bit of rain might make wall to wall mudpies!!

 

May your days be bright and happy; may your soul sing with joy.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Looking at the Calendar.

 Looking at the Calendar.

 

This afternoon, some butterflies were flitting around the fall asters out front. Taking a picture of them close up revealed the name of two as Queen butterflies. Who knew we had royalty flying around our flowers here in WF. They were pretty and it may be that one of the pictures was uploaded to Common Sense if things went right. Just taking pictures is about all the technical issues handled around here.

 

Asked Lance about his and Tracy’s trip to OKC on the train. Apparently, it was nice and easy. They saw the downtown library that Lance said was very big, the botanical garden, and the memorial next to the bomb museum. Anyway, getting to visit something different sometimes gives a person perspective on one’s own home and city. Most of my perspective comes from memories that have probably been warped by time and attitude.

 

Jennifer said that she and Gary would be driving to Virginia for Thanksgiving with his uncle and aunt. For sure, holidays are not good travel days anytime, but right now the planes may or may not be scheduled to fit the situations. Anyway, about all a person can do at this point is pray for safety for all those traveling.

 

Maggie Sewell came today and brought some goodies—cabbage, apples, and a butternut squash. She also mentioned apple dumplings that sounded wonderful. Actually, apple anything is usually pretty good. But cinnamon, sugar, and cooked apples make me think of Thanksgiving at Mom’s house. Funny how certain foods remind us of times, places, or people.

 

Sterling said that he and Jacqui both had eight o’clock doctor appointments this morning. Teasing him, reminded him that the older we get, the more we travel—but mostly to doctor appointments! It is just strange that no matter what is prescribed, we aren’t likely to get all that much healthier. Shaking my head.

 

Got the results from the tests taken last Friday. That does not mean that my understanding of those results has been enlightened at all. Some tests were labeled “abnormal.” Sounds about right. Have never been all that normal most of my life, so why should anything change? Eventually, if she has time to read the results, perhaps Dr. B will let me know what she thinks of the situation. Not going to worry about it right this red-hot minute. Have managed not to take anything for pain all this past week. That has to be doing somewhat better.

 

Need to rearrange some things in my kitchen tomorrow. The water filter jugs just take up an inordinate amount of cabinet top space. A large green jug is filled with kitchen implements that could easily go right under the cabinet. Just remembering where they are would be great, but you know the saying: out of sight, out of mind. Honestly don’t think they even have to be out of sight to miss out on the mindfulness situation.

 

Got ONE egg today. It was a pretty pink and even saw the old girl laying it. She was in a hurry to get it done and get in on the feed being thrown out to the others. It was still damp and had one of her belly feathers stuck to it. Have a feeling the girls are taking turns laying eggs—a different hen each day. Hmm. Now if they would all get on the same time table, we might be able to save up a dozen every few days. Sent two dozen home with Maggie, but only have four or five in a carton currently. Not like anyone is eating eggs around here right now.

 

Lance made cornbread and beans for their dinner tonight, and it looked delicious. What is it about good ol’ Southern food that just makes a person feel hungry? The only thing he didn’t have was chow chow. That is an essential to go with beans!!

 

Talking about the parents with Sterling today made me think about their birthdays and Thanksgiving. Mom’s birthday was on the 26^th and Dad’s was the 28^th of November. They were two years apart. We did not really celebrate their birthdays because of Thanksgiving except the year Mom turned 62. We had a cake baked and decorated and took out to her. She thought we had brought her a towel and stuck her hand in the box. She got a finger full of icing! She said it was the best birthday ever! Dad thought it was pretty good because they both had social security after that. Funny memories.

 

Let us look forward to being with our families and friends. We are so very blessed.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Does and a Roof.

 Does and a Roof.

 

Noise this morning turned out to be some little Mexican men on top of the house across from the open lot that belongs to the Leos family. That house almost burned to the ground several years ago, but Donny Anderson got there first with a garden hose before the fire fighters got there. They saved the house. Now maybe it will be a home to some of the Miranda family. Meanwhile, the Mexican music has been entertaining.

 

Driving up this end of Kemp to head for United, two young does ran across the road in front of me. Put on my brakes and warned the vehicle behind me as they scooted across those five lanes. Glad they made it. Some wild brush on one side of the road is perfect for bedding down, but the other side is roving territory for the bobcats out here. Could never have unprotected livestock out here, for sure!

 

Here it is 2:30 in the afternoon and having my first cup of coffee. Reece woke me up early (3:30 a.m.) to ask me about the Berlin Wall when I first knew about it and its history. Yes, it was an interesting “conversation.” He had a migraine for which he had just received pain meds and needed something to think about other than the pain. Seems the IV steroids were doing a number on him. Hoping that whatever he has to take at home will not have the same effect. Jenn said that he and Grey have to be at their house next week for Thanksgiving while she and Gary go to visit his family (uncle and aunt) in Virginia. Here’s hoping they have no trouble getting service on a plane. Anyway, Reece and Grey will take care of three dogs and three cats. Such fun.

 

Mary Rhoads had planned to bring her grandson to visit my hens, but never made it yesterday for some reason. Maybe today. Kids love critters and vice versa.

 

Mary also told me that she drinks pickle juice to keep the muscle spasms at bay. So, the old woman bought something called pickle juice in a small bottle--$2 for a SMALL bottle. Guess buying dill pickles would make more sense. But maybe the blood tests will let me know which minerals or whatever that my body needs. Here's hoping.

 

Got a head of cabbage to cook with some onion, an apple, and some sausage. Tomorrow is cabbage stew day around here. Looking forward to good cabbage stew! Who would have thought that an old woman would find something like that better than anyone’s t-bone steak!

 

The news has not looked horrible from this viewpoint, but have not searched it diligently. Some things are better ignored. Just hoping that things are getting back on an even keel around the nation with salaries being paid and benefits recovered. It is difficult to be happy when one’s bills are bigger than one’s hopes. At least we never have that problem with God’s promises. What he promises, He delivers—always.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Remaking the Bed.

 Remaking the Bed.

 

Have been using a big ol’ cozy comforter on my bed, but it has not been quite enough to keep me comfortable. SO, you KNOW that the temps will get warmer for at least the next few days! It never fails that if the old woman decides to light the pilot light on the kitchen heater, the weather warms up! Well, at least during Indian Summer.

 

Making my bed means lots of walking and stretching. Avoiding any kind of pain killer means that the making of the bed and the spreading of blankets is accompanied by groans, moans, and ouches! Circling a king-sized bed actually takes more steps than around a twin bed—if for no other reason than the difference in area around the frame. Last year, since the corners of the sheet set that just tickles my comfort bone started to slip off the corners, the old woman bought some elastic straps that have pinch style fasteners on each end. Here’s hoping that the second corner won’t really need any right now even though the straps are still handy.

 

Can hear the dove hunters out there blasting away this morning. Wish they had this flock of doves in my backyard. Lance managed to get rid of—or at least discourage—most of the doves while he was here. It means the hens are limited to just a few extra grains of wheat so no surplus will lie around out there. That means the old woman has to remember not to put out too much.

 

Put a five-pound chicken in the sink to thaw. No, it really does not appeal to me at the moment, but it needed to be cooked and used up. Have decided to just buy ground turkey from now on for kibble toppers for these two brats of mine. They really liked that fried turkey meat. Mrs. Dash seasoned it just slightly so it was not the least bit bland. A little bit even ended up being consumed in a sandwich kind of meal.

 

Need to hook up the water hose and fill up the water bowls for the hens. They make such a mess of the one in the coop, but it is just so they always have water. Sterling swears that they would rather have dirty water off the ground than clean water from a container!

 

Shona felt somewhat amazed and happy that her mom has had such a good attitude about staying with this woman for rehab and care. It might not be what either of them would really prefer, but living by herself will simply not work. The day will come, if we stay even somewhat healthy, that we might each need someone to live in and watch over us. Someone with a head for both business and compassion could do a wonderful thing by combining the needs of those who need help—of different kinds. Thinking that women in a shelter who need a place to stay could work for an older person so that the elder could remain at home. Two homes for two folks. Maybe that sounds like two buildings, but homes are not just real estate. They are an assurance of belonging. Wish someone would develop something like this here in WF.

 

Guess the biggest issue for joining elders with those who need a home would be the safety factors of character and maybe records of behavior. Even the women finding new homes need to feel assured that the elder is not going to be abusive or even tacky. It occurs to me that this system would work for both male and female who are in a shelter. We tend to think that only women have to leave a relationship, but know for a fact that it can go the other way just as easily. Anyway, background checks on both parties would have to include interviews with friends and neighbors, social services being used, and mobility both physically and socially (with a vehicle). The types of food available in an area might make a difference, too. Some areas don’t even have a tiny food store at all, much less a larger grocery store. Mobility in that case would include the ability to either shop online or actually to drive to a physical facility. Can’t imagine this whole idea would not make it so much easier for families to encourage their parents to remain at home where things are familiar. Maybe someone has the imagination and courage to implement something like this.

 

The shower last night felt good and made me relax quite a bit, but because some old woman moved things around in the shower stall, the shampoo without conditioner was much handier than the one with conditioner. The resulting “hairdo” this morning was curls everywhere that were not amendable to efforts of control!

 

Just ate brunch: Wolf’s Brand tamales in meat sauce. Yep, starting this day just right!! But since my iPad is charged up, maybe the book started yesterday will be about ready to give it up! Meanwhile, think about the One Who would never “give it up.”

Numbers 23:19 “What he says he will do, he does. What he promises, he makes come true.”

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.