Just Thinkin'.

 Just Thinkin’.

 

Sitting here trying to decide if anything got done today—nope, nary a thing! Oh, the bed gets made first thing, but otherwise nothing has been accomplished. Guess who doesn’t seem to be concerned about the situation. Big ol’ grin. The dogs don’t care. They have been fed. The hens seem happy even if they only laid a half dozen or so eggs. Thought it was only four eggs until remembering that one carton was filled and placed in the fridge earlier. Probably should keep some kind of count, but not sure it matters to anyone—certainly not fussing at the hens about it. Didn’t go get the mail, but did make a quick trip to Taco Bell earlier. Chicken Fiesta Power Bowl! Mighty tasty and just hits the spot. Anyway, that is about the extent of efforts for the day. Getting lazier by the day.

 

Tried to work the Walmart site today to order groceries to pick up. Nope, it won’t work for me. Not sure what they have done to that page, but it won’t allow me to shop. Oh well. Maybe Market Street would do even if it is more expensive. Or just wait another couple of days until Jennifer gets here. Patience.

 

Cindy just left a few minutes ago. We had a good chin wagging session. Her family history is pretty interesting. And she comes from a rather large family. We talked cook books—Betty Crocker cook books! She wants some for her grandsons. Those things are hard to find and expensive on the book sales sites. Maybe some will turn up somewhere in one of those resale shops like they have for the Woman’s Refuge.

 

Made some stuff today with rice in a package—and forgot to vent the package. It popped! Oh boy! Wasn’t too difficult to clean up the mess, but it made me feel pretty stupid. Getting senile or something. Sigh

 

Downloaded and installed the updates for the iPhone today. Read something about how important it was, and the site gave directions. Easy peasy! Anyway, that is one less thing that Jennifer will have to do this weekend. Just the price of gasoline is bad enough along with the traffic on the trip here, so hate to have her have to do anything extra. The kids are so sweet to come here and check on the old girl!

 

Thought about giving the dogs a bath today outside, but just did not feel like doing it. They are good about standing still for it, but it is kinda hard on a person to bend over or even sit in a chair and lean over them. And then getting them to stay outside until they dry is a bit tricky, too. As it is, they wade in their pool and then track inside the kitchen going to the living room. Such fun.

 

So proud of Thompson and Sylvia. They got two more rats! Sylvia left hers near the coops, and the hens were carrying it around. Did not want them to eat it and threw it in the trash bin. Bleah! Those chickens will eat almost anything!

 

Have started another murder mystery that is connected to the last one read about a couple of days ago. Honestly, this sounds SO much like small town politics and gossip mongers. Small towns have a special place in any book ever written about gossip. No number of rumors have ever flown as high and as viciously as they do in small towns. Oh, Hollywood and D.C. have their very own published versions, but small towns can beat them all for the speed and inappropriate details spread about even the most mundane affairs of people, animals, or crops. What! You didn’t know that rumors could be spread about crops? Why certainly! How much of that anhydrous ammonia do you think it takes to grow a crop of that stuff that they sell for high dollars? Ahem. Think that stuff is sold by the ounce or something, too.

 

Took my husband’s cane outside while locking up the coops for the night. Jennifer swears that she is going to get a call about the dogs knocking me down again and breaking something. Trying to be careful here, but it goes against the grain. At least my gait is much better than it was there for a while. Walking for any distance might get to me fairly quickly, but just being able to walk standing up straight makes me happy. Sometimes it makes me happy to realize how very blessed this ol’ woman has been. Healthy, even if not wealthy, is one of those rare things today for a person over 70 years old. No reason to gripe—not that a reason is ever needed for griping!! But smiling at my dogs, laughing at the hens, enjoying a visit with Cindy, or a talk with one of the grands, these are some of my favorite things.

 

Let us remember in prayer those who are ill with either this virus or the various maladies that so often beset us. Let us pray for those who mourn the loss of their loved ones. SO many have been lost this year. May God bless this nation and those who love Him.

 

Rest and be happy. You are loved.

From An Old Blog Post.

 

MONDAY, JULY 28, 2008

Old Age and Sissies

Not too long ago the years didn’t matter much. We watched the children grow up and leave. Then we watched the grandchildren arrive one by one. Then we began to see our older relatives and some older friends leave this old world. Somehow it didn’t seem we fit the old age picture just yet.

Now we drive down the highway and excuse the silly driving of someone by noticing that it is a grandma or grandpa driving. Well, guess what! Who do we think is driving our truck or car? Some proud grandparents we are! But we are still not quite old, just older. We aren’t some silly teenagers or one of those soccer moms or baseball park pops. But when did the distance to the back of the stores get so long?

Don’t we still hold the door open for older folks or ladies with two children in tow? Oh, but that young man held the door for me today and smiled. Somehow I don’t think he was flirting. Sigh.

Just when did we get old? Was some moment set there to unfold just at the right time to tell us that we couldn’t claim youth as an excuse any longer? And how are we supposed to continue to do the things “normal” people do if we suddenly find ourselves older, weaker, slower, and otherwise easily befuddled?

No, old age is definitely not for sissies. We have to earn those grey hairs with courage and persistence. Like learning to walk as a child, getting older takes a certain kind of practice to develop that delicate balance between proud independence and common sense. But at least we can still drive!

Just a Bit Tired.

 Just a Bit Tired.

 

It’s been one of those days. Made a trip down Kemp Street and did not find what was needed in the first store and tried another. More expensive and not exactly what was needed, but brought it home anyway. Did not go to Tractor Supply, but Jenn warned me to W A I T on her! So will wait.

 

The guys came to give me an estimate on redoing the messed-up windows—the windows will just STAY messed up. The $3K was a bit out of my price range—and pretty ridiculous anyway. That was just a bit unsettling. Last year they probably would have done it for a thousand. It will just remain messed up. May get some kind of flashing to put over it to prevent leaks, but otherwise, not gonna do a danged thing.

 

Then the Fed-Up man brought some stuff that Jennifer ordered for me. Thank you, dear, for all the good stuff! Even had sense enough to only bring in a little bit at a time rather than try to haul it all in at once. Thought happens here once in a long while. Sigh

 

Patty called and had me come down to take out the trash and talk a while. She was really tired, too. Think she was pretty emotional today. She had to go see her lawyer and think about some stuff that bothers her. She behaved as if a good cry might have helped. Understood. We both miss the ones that have meant so much to us today. Neither of us cried right then, but know she planned to head to her bed as soon as the door was locked behind me. So sorry that she is grieving so hard, but Donny’s death was such a shock to her. She said, “It was not supposed to be like this! I was supposed to die first!” At least everything is fixed to take care of her needs until she is gone. Donny’s son and daughter-in-law are both good to her. She told me about the memorial and that she would probably not go. Covid and crowds. Nope.

 

My old body is tired today and just ready to relax or at least not do anything extra. Fed and watered the hens. Will shut the doors around 7:30 or slightly later. Then the tired body will go to bed.

 

Dogs are happy enough tonight.  Sylvia is still taking apart a stuffed lamb that is just slightly longer than my hand. The squeaker is dead, but it still has some stuffing left—all over the couch! Then there is a wobbly wonky ball that makes really strange gargling noises. It startles me every time she moves it. Thompson does not even care. Sleepy dog. They played hard this morning while it was cool. They ran around the swing where yours truly was sitting. Thompson chased Sylvia, and then they turned around and did it the other way. Entertainment is so cheap around here!

 

Still reading along on the murder mystery, but have not even tried to finish it in any hurry. It’s a Southern thing, ya know. Arkansas and razorbacks! My cousin John would understand, and his wife Wham would just laugh at me.

 

It’s Monday and have only vacuumed one floor and washed two loads of laundry, so it is not a high energy day. Still have one load in the dryer to fold and put away. Ah well.

 

Cheated on lunch and had a chicken fiesta bowl—at least, think that is what it was called. Pretty good. The dogs did not appreciate not getting a taste. Such is life.

 

My dogs think that they have been cheated on each trip to Patty’s place. Both dogs now think that they have to get on me and get loved on. Rudy puts his paw on me and drags my hand back to himself if it stops moving on him. He reminds me of a cat. He was the one who did not trust me, but now he sees what he was missing when Roxie gets petting. Then my dogs have to run their noses all up and down my pants and over my hands to see what they missed. Isn’t it a good thing we don’t greet folks that way!

Really know less than anything worth talking about—not that that has ever stopped me before! Still, would not want to wear out all these words on uselessness. One last comment: folks who hack accounts should be hung out to dry over an alligator pit!!

 

Connie believes our prayers have helped her feel better. At least she is less congested. The pollen count and air pollution are terrible right now, so if anyone is sneezing or coughing, the ragweed and milkweed can confess their complicity in ruining the quality of our air! Pray for rain!

 

Let us pray for peace, even now before we lie down at last. Let us be grateful for all His blessings. Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

 Rat Patrol Again.

Rat Patrol.

 

Thompson is a good ratter! A moved piece of wood uncovered a mother rat and six little ones. Thompson took her while he left the babies to be killed another way. Bleah. Then Sylvia indicated something on top of the coop. Looking up in the apricot trees revealed a network of rats and mice swinging from one tree to the other and on beyond to the elm tree hanging near the tops of the apricots. For pity’s sake! Two rat traps are now on top of the coop for tonight’s foray into the rat patrol. Tomorrow a couple of old -fashioned spring traps will be purchased and nailed to the trees or to an adjoining section of the fence. Peanut butter will probably do as bait, but we will see.

 

It has been another goof off day today. Nothing really has induced me to get busy. Was planning on cooking turnips, but that did not work out well. So tuna fish it was! The dogs appreciated the water out of the cans poured onto their dog food. Neither one was all that enthused about the yogurt offered to them, however. Go figure. Maybe they are feeling as picky as yours truly. It makes me wonder if anyone else gets this way. Nothing is really all that appealing. Oh well.

 

Maybe tomorrow will be a good day for reading or something. The book currently in my Kindle and partially read worries me because the main character has been falsely accused of murder with no other suspects in sight. That can happen, of course. But the only person who could possibly have any evidence proving her innocence is a teenage boy who took a video of a river—and got tired of messing with the job. That sounds about right for most teenagers, but especially one who resented being told to do “everything” his father demanded. Guess the book needs to be finished to get the best results.

 

Waking up at 4:30 every morning or so is part of the reason for an attitude on some people—this old body, at least. Maybe those who read this blog will forgive my attitude for the time being. Let’s just say that being thankful for the beautiful day today was about as comfortable as a gripey person could get. One hen on my lap to tell me about her thinking made an interesting little note for pleasure, but watching the dogs play was just as good. Tonight, my attitude includes gratitude for small and large blessings. May all of you have such goodness to enjoy.

 

Rest and be happy. You are loved.

 

Being Still.

 Being Still.

 

Mother used to say that if yours truly was still, it was either sleep or illness that got me that way. Well, today it is neither sleep nor illness. Some days are just meant to be quiet and still. The dogs seem to be happy, the hens laid more eggs than usual, and it has not been so terribly hot today.

 

This morning the second curtain set came down off the east window. The hardware was removed and the new hardware installed. NOT an easy task. Anyway, the drape is on the window, but the hardware should have been just a smidgen higher on the facing of the window because this drape touches the floor. Sigh Maybe later it will get removed and raised a bit, but not right now.

 

Looking at the way the window comes out from the wall was just infuriating. That idiot carpenter totally messed it up. So, on Monday a call will be made to see if a decent contractor can come and reinstall both windows the way they should have been done. Patty gave me the name of a good construction company, so let’s hope that they can get to this little job soon. It would be so nice not to be concerned about a leaking window or window frame. Anyway, it can’t possibly cost any more than it did the time the two doolollies came and messed up the entire wall.

 

Lance sent me a picture of the rat trap that he is making. It involves two buckets that are deep enough to drown a rat and a lid to prevent their release. Looking forward to trying this one. This morning it dawned on me while standing on the deck that the trap placed on the shelf out there was absent. Got out the flashlight and looked around and found it under the deck in a nandinas bush. It had been set off, but no rat was in its teeth. Rebaited it with peanut butter, so maybe it will be more effective next time. Of course, putting it back on the shelf may warn off the rat that set it off the first time. Oh well.

 

Got tickled just a bit this morning. JoAnn sent me a picture of her grandson in his Navy uniform. Her comment: “a picture of the little boy who used to come over and wake you and Lewis up every morning.” He really was a cute little kid, but invariably he would wake us up at sunup or almost before. His parents had no idea where that child was. He just wanted someone to keep him company. Lewis used to give gasoline to his uncle who was just a few years older than him. He had obtained a go cart from somewhere and learned to make it run. But no one ever bought him gasoline. So, he would find some change and bring it to Lewis for gasoline. Of course, Lewis never took his money. He remembered what it was like to be a little boy. Good memories.

 

Microwaved the last package of leftovers today, so tomorrow will have to include packages of veggies and maybe some tuna salad. Have a roast to cook, but not really in the mood for that. Isn’t it strange how picky we can be when we have choices!

 

Tried not to read too many articles on FB or AOL or the Jerusalem Post today. So many reminders of the horrors of this day 20 years ago. And now looking at what it going on around us, it is difficult not to feel betrayed. It is hard to take a deep breath and not think about those who were determined to prevent more casualties. Those individuals on Flight 93 had the determination and gumption to bring that plane down rather than to let it become a guided missile. May God renew that spirit of patriotism, determination, and self-sacrifice to save others from the terrors around us. Let us pray for those who have been kidnapped and forced into slavery. Let us pray for the service members who try to protect us. And let us each do our best to be kind to others—with wisdom for self-protection.

 

May you all rest well this night and remain safe from all disease and disasters. You are loved.

A Beautiful Fowl.

 A Beautiful Fowl.

 

Driving along Highway 79 going home from Sutherland’s Lumber, my eyes were caught by the sight of the most beautiful rooster. Have no idea why it was out there pecking around in that mown yard—acres of yard to a country place that one of those folks bought for their retirement into the “country.” No hens were around in my immediate vision, so it really made me wonder. Can see that some people have been “dumping” roosters and hens when they can no longer keep them within the city limits, but this may just have been one of those fighting cocks that escaped the clutches of his keepers. Whatever the reason for his appearance out there, it was my hope that he would be safe from the coyotes and other predators if he did not belong on that big yard for other reasons. Have read some reports that folks have woken up to find multiple roosters and a few hens out in their yards here in town compliments of someone who no longer needed or wanted them. That is a distinct possibility. Have seen the same thing happen with donkeys that folks could no longer feed. Eventually some dogs and cats end up under the same circumstances. Sad, just sad.

 

Just ran the shop vac here in the living room. Two messy dogs can’t seem to eat their “biscuits” without making a mess. If the old woman were any good at all, she would take them outside to give them treats. Then they could just dribble the crumbs off their mouths onto the couch after coming inside. Sigh

 

Bought two long dowel rods and the cabinet pulls, along with double sided screws (metal threads on one side and wood threads on the other end) to attach to the ends of the dowel rods. Had to go to another lumber yard to get the pretty hooks to hold up the rods, however. Sutherland’s had some pretty ones, but they were not looped deeply enough to hold these rods. Anyway, by 9:30 had the stuff home and started measuring, cutting, and fitting the hardware to the rods. Have ONE curtain hung now. Have to use the seam ripper to separate the one for the north wall because the AC unit is on that wall. Measured 45 inches from the top of the window to the top of the AC. That means all that length will have to be whipped back along the edges on both the front of the curtain and on the back of the lining. Such fun. Maybe tomorrow. Just a little tired right now. But was happy that the Skill saw and the drill worked just as needed. Had one stupid screw that had to be taken out with a pair of plyers! Argh! Bent the hook that was taken down, but it is still ok. Never can tell when something like that will be needed again. Now there is an entire sack of the little things that hooked onto these old curtains—and that is only HALF of them! If the dogs had not decided to get exactly under me every time the step stool needed to be moved, it would have been a much easier task. They acted as if they needed to help, but even after being told that their services were not needed by the handi-person, they demanded to get as close as possible to watch the proceedings. Silly critters.

 

Went down and got the mail for here and for Patty. We both received packages. Sat down and listened to Patty’s tale of woe about her ice maker. Seems the water line is stopped up. Who knew!! According to the book that came with the thing, the line has to be cleaned out with vinegar and then clean water twice a year. Hello! Mine has never been cleaned out any more than the water lines to anything else in this house! Anyway, she has a plumber coming tomorrow to see about it. She can’t move out the fridge at all. Kinda glad that mine has wheels under it. But meanwhile she had to take all the frozen stuff in that fridge and put it in the deep freeze so that the person could work on it. She just had this ice maker replaced, so she is going to be one ticked off woman if all that was wrong with the other one was a stopped-up water line!

 

Had intended to get two bags of diatomaceous earth, Seven dust, and sulfur the next trip to Sutherland’s, but totally forgot about it. Just as well. This trip was expensive enough. At least there is enough chicken feed out in the coop to last until Jennifer comes next time. If she brings one of the boys, may go ahead and get the stuff from the lumber yard as well. Manly muscles are so good to have around! In case anyone is wondering, the diatomaceous earth keeps the coop fly free and provides dusting for the hens. It kills bugs and stuff.

Just learned that young Russian Blues don’t have sense enough to keep from choking on feathers. Who knew?

 

Honestly don’t know much this evening. Tomorrow is twenty years since the terrorist attacks in New York and D.C. Still proud of the Americans that took that plane down in Pennsylvania! They stopped the intended target from being hit. Probably the Capitol. Deep sighs of grief and gratitude for the feelings that were engendered by those days. Too bad so many do not understand that we are currently being attacked from within. George Soros and company! Deep and destructive individuals that are supposed to be “Americans.” God save us from such!

 

Remember to pray for those who mourn, those who are ill, those who serve. Let us be grateful for all the blessings He has provided. Rest well, my friends, and know that you are loved.

 

 

 

Empty Traps.

 Empty Traps.

 

Four traps out there to catch rats, plus two bait stations, and the Dadgummed Norway rat keeps doing a tight-rope walk back across to the roof every morning. Today Sylvia saw the rat going across there and did not even bark. Guess she realized it would not do any good to gripe either. A trap now placed on the shelf on the deck and baited with a few grapes MIGHT do some good considering that those rats ate every single grape on the vine this year. We will see. At least the birds can’t get inside the trap to spring it.

 

Praying for rain. Lance reminded me that it is usually this terribly dry and hotter in August. The rhythm is off on our weather somewhat. Barbara Mathews reminded me recently that the Pioneer Reunion and Rodeo always gets rain, so in a couple of weekends we will probably get a downpour with mud up to the fenders of every stock trailer out there in Clay County. As long as Wichita County gets some of the rain . . . Guess it is not fair to wish for rain when it will affect their business. Know we had the kind of weather that is always expected for the big bicycle race here in Wichita Falls—hot and hotter.

 

Got absolutely zero done today. Tried to avoid drinking any extra caffeine, but still had one caffeinated protein shake and one cup of Café de Vita. Maybe that is the reason for feeling extra droopy today. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

 

Dr. Blackwell insisted that Connie come in for a Covid test since she was feeling so punk. The quick test revealed no covid, but they still have to wait for the longer version. Meanwhile, Connie is convinced it is a sinus infection. Hope it goes away quickly, but with the pollen count so outrageously high, it may not go away until we get some rain to settle all the crud in the air.

 

The wonderful okra eaten around here made regular meals seem unnecessary. Still have some put back in little plastic cups, but not sure it will be eaten by anyone other than a hen or three. Have grazed on grapes and some bacon, so that was all that was really necessary to keep hunger at bay. Oh, and cheese sticks. Both dogs and the old woman think that cheese sticks are fantastic. Will end up getting some more soon if Jennifer makes it up here in a couple of weeks. Have to share them every time a few sticks get unwrapped. My dogs are not spoiled.

 

Measured the drapes and figured out that the dowel rods have to be 80 inches long, the hooks at least as strong as the ones in the kitchen, and no hemming necessary if the rods can go above the current window curtains. Think that will work for both the light and temperature situations. If the heavier curtains can be pulled back, the other curtains beneath them would allow in enough light to keep from making my living room into a cave! Will have to put either a 1X4 or 2x4 up above the window frames for the curtain hooks, however. Have not used the Skill saw in ages, and can only hope it has a good blade on it still. Can’t remember if Jerry used it last or not. He is a disaster looking for a place to happen when it comes to tools.

 

Checked on Patty a bit ago. She said she could wait a couple of days for the mail to be brought up. Think my latest package is due here on Saturday. Not much comes in the way of actual mail unless it is a bill or something of that nature. The rest is usually junk mail. Such fun. She has been getting one bill right after the other associated with the hospital and doctors who took care of Donny for those days while he was still on life support. Know it is a bit much to take.

 

Read a silly book today that made me smile. One of the characters thought she was a great cook—specifically a cake baker. EVERYONE knew that to eat any of her cake was asking for a gastrointestinal disaster. But she always insisted on baking a cake for important occasions. The manner in which the other characters managed to dump her cakes or otherwise remove the evidence was pretty funny. So glad that knowledge of my limited cooking skills and certain disregard for any baking skills have never bothered me. Won’t foist any terrible food off on anyone. Once upon a time, bread baking and pie making were practiced with some distinction around here, but cake baking was definitely not among my attempts that were successful. Lewis’ sister Anne can bake a cake, make broccoli-rice casserole, and prepare any number of other dishes that anyone can enjoy. Scrambled eggs and bacon are my forte. Pretty sad.

 

Sylvia found it necessary to climb in my lap this morning while Thompson watched from the bed to see if she needed any advice or other help. Now this afternoon he is requesting treats and is not impressed by the ones on offer, but he hesitantly took it and lay down behind my chair to make a mess on the rug under my chair. Ah, Chewy! Why are your “bones” so terribly expensive! Sigh

 

Watched some of the series Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries last night. She is absolutely outrageous, but funny, too. It was during the days of the Temperance League when some people demanded that others stop drinking. And no one wanted to admit that each of them actually needed “medicinal” alcohol. Oh well. Eventually it will get that way about other things—other drugs or natural stuff, but never again alcohol. That only caused a type of crime that no one wants to face again. As it is, the drugs that are illegal now are causing so much death and destruction—not to mention murder and mayhem.

 

Hoping tomorrow will be an interesting and productive day. Have smiled each time my grandson’s latest pet has come to mind. Atlas is a six-month-old Russian Blue who discovered his reflection yesterday. He hissed and fell out of the window trying to get away from that strange cat. It made me laugh. Certainly hope the young cat does not get bored in that room. Reece will have to get him some kind of climbing tower and other exercise equipment. Cats need stimulation at that age—like small children.

 

Thompson just came over and smelled the package of cinnamon roasted almonds in the bookcase. He thinks it might be some treats. They are, indeed, treats, but not for dogs. Oh well. Disappointed dogs.

 

Have pretty much ignored the news on AOL or even the Jerusalem Post. It simply does not do to think about all the garbage that is floating on the mainstream media—or even the social gossip. We know that nothing will really improve or be remedied until God’s plan comes to pass. All we can do is pray for those who suffer or do our best to help in the areas where we can make a difference. My personal feelings are not going to change the horrors of man’s inhumanity to man. It is best to just appreciate the blessings God has given us in each day—from loving dogs to silly hens, honking geese landing on the State grounds for acorns, ducks attempting to sneak a bite of chicken feed, and doves determined to eat their fill at the troughs in the coops. They are only concerned with their own needs. It is simpler for them, but maybe their lives show us something basic. They have His hand in their lives.

 

May you all find rest and reasons to enjoy life this evening. You are loved.