Prep Work.

 Prep Work.

 

Ah, did ya know that pre-surgical work has to be done a week or more before surgery. Well, now ya know. Got a couple of swabs inside my nose—one of which smelled a lot like my old microwave after something burned inside! Bleah. The sweet nurse came to my truck and did the swabs and said they would let me know if the tests came back positive. Really hoping they were negative. Then we have a pre-op covid test just a few days before surgery. Guess that makes sense. Deep sigh.

 

Patty called the City of WF today to find out if they would come to her driveway next to the mailbox to pick up her trash bin. Yep, they will start doing that pretty soon. This way yours truly will not be hauling it up here across from my house.

 

Patty also is trying to find someone to come to her house to trim the nails on her two little muttniks. Suggested putting them in carriers and hauling their happy tails to Western Hills Clinic, but she did not want me to have to pick them up. Roxie might have been just fine, but Rudy gets spooked pretty easily. Probably better to just not get them away from their mom. Plus, Roxie gets excited and twiddles all over! Poor creature.

 

Have not been all that hungry today, but still have some broccoli salad to finish off anyway. Wish coffee in the afternoon did not keep me awake all night, but night owls would have nothing on me with any kind of caffeine after 10 a.m. Oh well.

 

Bought a book—actually meant it for the granddaughter, but Lance said thank you, so he assumed it was for him. It’s just fine. Maybe she will read it—or not. She really does not enjoy reading that much. The book’s title is something like Why Every Girl Needs a Daddy. Know I really needed mine growing up. Think Jennifer did, too. For that matter, every boy needs a daddy. Men have such an important place in the grand scheme of life. God knew what He was doing.

 

Absolutely as dumb as dirt this evening and just don’t really feel like talking or writing. Will suggest that all of us can pray for peace and healing in this world. God knows what we need better than we do.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Appreciating a Good Marriage.

 Appreciating a Good Marriage.

 

Having just read some things about a woman whose husband did not truly appreciate her and about his nefarious activities, my own experience made me feel that my marriage was one of the greatest blessings that God could give a woman. Poor Lewis might not have got the greatest, but at least he pretty well knew what to expect from me—well, most of the time. Except for moving the furniture around constantly, he knew he would have decent meals and clean clothes and relatively obedient children. A couple of times he came home to find fish in the bathtub or rabbits in the small linen closet, but he knew not to be too terribly surprised by what he would find around here. My point was, however, that other than his temper, he really did a pretty good job of being a husband and a daddy. He loved us. You know a man really loves his children even when he shouted at them when he did his very best to help them in their every circumstance.

 

 

Tomorrow is supposed to be Valentine’s Day which we never celebrated, but Lewis wore his heart on his sleeve for me and for his family. A heart picture just does not fill in all the spots that love changed us. Gratitude to the God who gave us to each other is about the only way that it is possible to express that love now. Know many a widow who feels the same way. Sue and Glenn, Sharron and Butch, Carol and Ron, and those like Olga and others whose husbands’ names never come to my mind now—those are the ones today who will remember and nod their heads. Silly red hearts just don’t cover all that love.

 

Rest and be grateful for the love and the memories.

Funny Uses for Music.

 Funny Uses for Music.

 

 

Ok, the truckers have a point, but the millions of dollars of commerce and the loss of wages for some people on either side of the border between the U.S. and Canada have spurred some freaky happenings. Specifically, New Zealanders have been inspired by the truckers to object strenuously to the mandates enforced in that nation. Yes, they probably have the lowest number of cases of covid and the lowest number of deaths as well. However, the funny part is the strange war of musical numbers that they have chosen in the fights. According to the BBC, New Zealand authorities are fighting protestors with music:

 

Authorities in New Zealand have been playing Barry Manilow's greatest hits in an attempt to dislodge protesters camped outside the parliament building.

Songs by the US singer are being played on a 15-minute loop, along with the Spanish dance tune, Macarena.

 

 

Guess what the protestors did? The demonstrators, who are angry at Covid-19 vaccine mandates, responded by playing songs such as Twisted Sister's We're Not Gonna Take It. The protests began on Tuesday when a convoy of vehicles drove to parliament.

 

 

Years ago, an audience of young people got very enthused over a band in the Petrolia School cafeteria who were playing the song, “Lucille!” Paul Patterson had to go out there on stage and practically unplug the musicians, so obviously, music speaks to some folks more than to others.

 

 

When people have their minds on things other than griping about rules and regulations, we can find things that some people eat that we might never have known exists. For instance: Scientists say the plant enset, an Ethiopian staple, could be a new superfood and a lifesaver in the face of climate change. The plant is almost unknown outside of Ethiopia, where it is used to make porridge and bread. Research suggests the crop can be grown over a much larger range in Africa.

 

 

"This is a crop that can play a really important role in addressing food security and sustainable development," said Dr Wendawek Abebe of Hawassa University in Awasa, Ethiopia. Enset or "false banana" is a close relative of the banana, but is consumed only in one part of Ethiopia. The banana-like fruit of the plant is inedible, but the starchy stems and roots can be fermented and used to make porridge and bread.

 

 

Mariellen Rose’s niece, Kate Ellen, got scammed out of over $600 dollars when she was trying to buy a refrigerator for her little compound. That could just as easily happen here in the U.S., but sending money to Kenya is a pretty sketchy deal. Over there it involves government regulations or taxes on the taxes. Not sure just exactly what is going on with Kate and her family right now, but know they could use our prayers for safety and security.

 

 

Let’s talk about Kathy Jarlsberg. Stilton is trying so hard to have a decent attitude, but some of the things that have happened to his wife make me want to shake a nurse or kick a doctor. Can’t do either of those things, so let’s ask God to find the best solution for that family. It hurts to think that the family is in such limbo.

 

 

Science has always been fascinating to me, but lately the discovery of a skull that is neither Neanderthal nor more like modern man turned up in China. It is basically being called “Dragon Man.” A construction worker found it in a river while the area was under the control of Japan (WWII). He took it home and hid it in the family well. {Garf!} But he told his family it was there and where he found it. So eventually they may find more like it. The skull looked like it came from a really stocky person, so we may all have some ancestors that looked more like a buffalo than a Geisha girl!

 

 

Honestly have no original thoughts to share with you this evening. A very long nap seems so appealing at the moment, but it is just too early to go hit the hay. Sigh. At least the dogs are being good lately and not trying to lie down on my bed at night. Good dogs!

 

 Have just about given up on the idea of cooking food for my dogs. They both turned their noses up at ham and rice! We are going to go most of this coming week with just kibble and maybe a can of dog food shared between them. Who knows? Maybe we can all lose some weight.

 

 

Rest well and enjoy these next few days of decent weather. Remember to be grateful for each blessing. You are loved.

 

 

 

 

Strange Memories.

 Strange Memories.

 

Some years ago, soon after Lewis died, my friend took me under her wing and got me out of the house and caused me to think about some things that had never quite made it into my consciousness before. She said that the seasons often saw elderly folks dying off at a heightened rate—northers and cold snaps taking them when nothing else seemed to be part of the equation. Not illnesses, but a changing of the seasons. Honestly don’t think that we could blame very many deaths on seasons when that cold snap hit us back in February of 2021, but if a window was left open in the room of an elderly nursing home patient, the cold would have been enough to take life rather quickly. Even if all the patients had been camped out in huddles in a common living area, just being close enough to touch someone else might have been a help when the electricity and heating systems went down. Just thinking about what this stupid virus has done to people has made me wonder if some folks would not have been better off to at least be with someone rather than facing problems alone. Just a thought.

 

Have had the hose hooked up to the back faucet for a couple of days, but guessing that it will have to come off tomorrow when the weather is supposed to get a bit colder. It was nice to be able to just turn the water on for a change rather than having to haul water in a bucket. Such is life. Still have it SO much better than all my grandparents and great-grands. Great-grandmother Camp had a pump on their well—not an electric pump, Dear Hearts, but the kind that has a handle on it. Can you imagine how cold it would have been to get out there and pump that handle in a cold snap? Whoa! With all the stress that life has going for us today, we still have it SO much better than any of our ancestors.

 

Dr. Blackwell came by today, and we talked about a couple of things including the children’s books in my library. Actually, don’t have that many of them now, but what is there can go to their school where her husband is director. The ones by Tara Ross are great! Have a couple by Dutch Henry and want to get one by Diana Erbio to give to them. Really wish my daughter-in-law still had her closet full of children’s books to give away. Oh well.

 

Dr. Blackwell said that the Clinic did not do a test for MSMR any longer because they just spray something in one’s nose now to kill any bacteria that might be there before surgery. Knowing how dangerous that infection could be, that approach sounds pretty reasonable to me. Guess the PA will let me know when she sees me this coming Thursday.

 

Saw an egg holder that Brenda Jones has on her counter that had all colors of eggs in it. But she said the two Marans from my house had not been laying. Can almost bet those girls are hiding them somewhere! My Marans have been laying for the longest! The hens taken to Paducah hid their nests relatively well, too. But it did not look as if Brenda had that much space for the girls to hide in.

 

Posted a note about Bruce Major. He had to have most of his stomach removed, so he is going to become quite slim and trim pretty soon. His recovery looks as if he has a very good chance of the cancer not returning, so now it will be more a matter of healing. He was the pharmacist at Albertson’s for years—until they closed or right before. Miss being able to ask a pharmacist questions—someone who already knows the meds being taken. Guess the insurance company would do that for me if asked.

 

Have never seen so many cement mixing trucks in one area before they started working on the road and guard shack over at the State Hospital. They may have it all poured by now, but earlier, maybe fifteen trucks took turns going down Kemp and pulling in to have their loads pumped into different spots. Dear Hearts, that is a LOT of concrete!

 

Have been reading a book about a disease called “The Heat” that is based on a future scenario where the death rate is something like 99.8%. Can’t imagine! That would be like maybe one thousand people alive out of a town of 100,000! Math is not really my thing, but in this book, the bodies just dissolve into grey dust rather than a normal situation of decay. The wild animals stop being afraid of mankind as well. That is believable. Take the monkeys in some of these places like India where they are considered little less than gods. The monkeys savage people and other animals—including dogs and cats. Shaking my head at the thoughts. It is almost that bad with wild hogs here in Texas. Those creatures are not afraid of anyone or anything! Their favorite snacks are rattlers!

 

On that cheery note, will say that my wildest wanderings and wonderings are pretty useless at the moment—nothing unusual, that is.

 

Pray for this world that God will establish justice and His love beyond anything that man can currently understand. Let us give of ourselves in the best way we can, even if that is only through prayers for others.

 

Rest well, and look for joy in the living things around us. You are loved.

Sunshine Happy!

 Sunshine Happy!

 

Outside today is plum beautiful! Every bird out there is singing about something. The thermometer on the deck says 72 degrees. And yes, it is still February! No matter how long it does or does not last, this weather is wonderful.

 

Cooked a ham yesterday and ground a bunch of it up a bit ago to make dog food. Connie was trying to make a point about the cost of this food in contrast to the expensive food in the big sacks. Yes, it is probably cheaper to just feed them kibble. But for now, at least, they are healthy. Yes, they have gained more weight than is probably advisable, but then, the same is true for the old woman who has been feeding them. Anyway, as soon as the sweet potatoes are cool enough to peel and mash, they will have another week’s worth of food in bags. Have half a ham left to make either dog food or people food with, too.

 

My friend Barbara Matthews’ brother died last night. He has been in a care home for a long time and was not in a good place—hurting constantly. Sometimes it is hard to let folks go when we love them, but the pain makes life unbearable for both the person hurting and the folks who have to watch them hurt. God knew what He was doing when He allowed us to have an end to this life.

 

Have you ever wondered why Christ said that the poor would be with us always? Does that mean there is no answer for poverty, or does that mean that there is more than one kind of poverty? We may sit in our homes and be so depressed that we think we might never find joy again as long as we live, while a poor herdsman in the Sahara may delight in having two goats and finding some good grazing for them where he can be out of the sun. It makes me wonder about poverty and resources and how those resources are used. Everyone who has an eye to read can see condemnation of huge churches that do not heed the call for helping those women and children who are hungry. But what if hunger for food is not the need that God wants filled? Not going to give you any of my thoughts on this subject. Would like to hear from you all. Know a couple of folks have opinions on poverty. Or just think about the kind of poverty that bothers you most.

 

Lance came up once and looked at the backyard and all the hens out there and asked me if there was something in my nature against the growth of green grass. Yes, the hens are out to get every little bit possible, but give the grass a month and it will be way ahead of the hens! Then it will be time to call the Smith boys and see if they have time to start up the big mower. Love seeing the grass all cut and clean looking.

 

Have had some strange dreams lately. Have you ever dreamed about a store that has been gone for years? Do any of you remember Downtown WF before all the businesses left for the west or southwest side? A long, long time ago, there was a store downtown called The Fair. Daddy bought me a pair of boots in there—a size 5 ½ men’s boot fit a girl’s size seven foot. Daddy was determined that is where he was going to get my boots. The only other place he liked was in Henrietta. Had those boots for years until they finally wore out. But the smell of that store was leather—much like the leather shoe shop repair in Henrietta where Daddy bought leather to make bridle reins. Yep, certain smells and certain thoughts must trigger dreams.

 

Talked to Sterling the other day about the songs they sang at his graduation: This Is My Father’s World and Suddenly There’s a Valley were the two they sang. Do any of you have a memory of a song sung at your graduation? Mrs. Moon was the pianist in Petrolia, and you can almost bet she chose the songs. The church goers in Petrolia would have all been in agreement with those two songs. Can’t even remember if my graduating class had a song played the night of our graduation. Don’t think so. It might have been on the day of the Baccalaureate, but not the night of graduation. And you can bet no Catholic girls would have been singing This Is My Father’s World. Oh well.

 

Wondering if the Olympics will still be in existence for many more years. Never have heard so much controversy as when the games have been played this year. “You have been taking drugs!” or “Your pants are too baggy!” Good grief, Gertrude! Now if they want to get upset about something, why not just take the word “game” out of the entire deal? Let’s just get realistic and say, “My boots are better than your boots” or “My woman is taller than your man!” Used to think the tribes of South America were pretty barbaric with their so-called games. The winners got to eat the losers or something like that. Let’s hope it doesn’t get quite that bad.

 

Obviously know nothing of interest to discuss at the moment. Will let all of you just enjoy Keith’s pictures of the moon, the lake, the snowy streets, or his favorite café. Meanwhile, the dogs are going to have to keep me laughing by taking their toys out of the toy box for me to pick up for them. While THEY laugh!

 

Please remember to pray that God’s will be done. We have no answers to anything, but He does. Let us reconcile our thoughts to His ways.

 

Rest well tonight and look forward to life with joy! You are loved.

Just Winging It.

 Just Winging It.

 

Groceries are put away; a toll road fee disputed; and the x-rays paid for all means that today is almost finished. Market Street in WF does not have an active website today, so this old woman hobbled inside and leaned on a cart to pick up the necessities. It really would have been nice to be able to have that gentleman who loaded my groceries to just go home with me to haul them inside. Oh well. Then the toll fee was charged in Austin this past year. Hello! Have not even been out of WF in at least two years!! Yes, the tag was misread. Hoping it is taken care of now. The chest x-rays were to be sure that everything is clear to go forward. Certainly not going backwards if at all possible.

 

Jennifer called and said that Dr. Jensen had to put three of her ribs back in place. Honestly do not know how that girl does it, but she is quite a bit like her headstrong mother—bullheaded, gonna do it or die attitude! She came by her looks from Lewis’ side of the family, but the attitude is totally Pollard or Camp! Grandmother thought she could move the Grand Canyon—or at least her refrigerator!  And she was only five foot tall! Jennifer is slightly taller than that, but not much.

 

It is an absolutely gorgeous day with sunshine and not much wind. It could just stay this way, and we could all enjoy it! Even fastened up the water hose out back so the hens could watch as the water was sprayed into their water bowl. While it is this warm, will not use the lights or heater in their coop. They are tough little critters. But one has hurt her leg somehow. Who knows? Maybe the dogs ran over her. Maybe she will get better soon. Don’t want to have to put one down. They are so trusting and sweet.

 

One nice thing about making my own dinner. If it is too much, two dogs are more than willing to take care of it for me. Yes, it could be put in the freezer, but fresh is so much better. They agree.

 

Got some stuff today called Propel. It is basically just flavored water with electrolytes in it. Not bad at all and no sugar either. Sometimes it is just nice to have something different to drink without feeling guilty about sugar. This was peach flavored. Yum.

 

It seems this is a very, very good time not to watch the news or listen to the ones who want us to know that North Korea does not like us. Ditto for China and Russia. It reminds me that so many of the things bought for my dogs are made in China or some other Asian country. Sigh     

 

Have a book over there in the corner calling my name. It’s close to the bookcase where my Bible stays, so there is always a choice of reading material. You have heard the one about the little boy asking his older brother why Grandma was always reading her Bible. The older brother explained it this way: “You know how I have to study for tests sometimes? Yes, well, Grandma has a big test coming up. She is studying for finals.” Friends, if we only needed just a little bit of that book, it would be enough to know that Jesus Christ was born the son of God, died for our sins, and lives again so that we may as well. We may miss fellowship with those of like mind; we may miss the old-time hymns; but we may never miss the opportunities to be loving toward others. That is our job right now.

 

Rest now while we are able. Find joy in each day. You are loved.

Under Construction.

 Under Construction.

 

Went to the Market Street site today and found out that it is being updated or whatever. So, a person who wants a delivery today or tomorrow can just get over it or log on to Walmart. A certain old woman made soup today with chicken, baby bok choy, carrots, celery, and some dough made into little drop dumplings. Not bad at all even if it was missing some milk. Not a biggie.

 

Made some more dog food this morning using boiled eggs and some Campbell’s soup that just did not suit my fancy. Chicken, broccoli, potato soup. Bleah. The dogs ate most of what they were given, but made it clear that they were not all that enamored of that particular mix. Oh well.

 

Just talked—well, texted—with Dr. B’s nurse. I have to go to the clinic out on Barnett for x-ray and some blood work, but will call Dr. Kern’s office first to be sure the timing is ok. It seems that sometimes they really don’t want to get that stuff too far out from surgery dates. Hmm.

 

My classmates are going to Bill’s Catfish place over in Okie land this Thursday. Saw that Roger and Susan will be going, too. Bet they are happy to be getting out and about with everyone again. Roger pulled through like a champ after having his quad bypass. Tough guy! And Susan has got to have some major patience to deal with the stubborn critter.

 

My little black hens are so pretty out in the side lot. The Marans have those black feathers that show out in the sunshine to have some glints of purple and copper orange on their necks. The Black-laced Wyandottes are pretty, but they have a totally different look about them. Their feathers don’t gleam like those on the Marans. But the dogs are just as different in their coloring. Thompson gleams in his solid black coat. Sylvia just shows up more when she moves against the brown background. Won’t be long until they will all be enjoying the green grass again.

 

The text message from the Michigan Bulb Company today said that they had 30 perennial bulbs for $30 including shipping, but yours truly just deleted the text. Unless the bulbs could be put in containers, no sense in even getting any. It will probably be late summer before digging is an option. Just looking forward to seeing green grass at the moment. Of course, then we will begin to watch the barometer for our spring storms. Such fun.

 

Have thought about buying some more clover seeds to spread in the east lots and shutting the gate so the hens can’t get out there. This clover is not supposed to grow over four inches tall and crowds out stickers. That would be great! My dogs get those doggone khaki stickers in their feet and just gnaw on them forever! But the clover seed is very expensive. Still, it would be great to have it covering that area out there. Have to think about it. Probably great rabbit fodder!

 

Listened to just enough news to realize that China and Russia are doing the same garbage that they have done forever. If Germany can’t get gas from the Ukraine, they will undoubtedly fold to any kind of pressure from Russia. The same goes for France. Could worry about it or just not think about it. Not much can be done in our particular position anyway. Guess turning off the news is probably the best bet! We depend too much on China and other countries for too many things—but especially drugs. At one time, our country produced almost all of our own drugs. My! How things have changed!

 

Feel sorry for folks living in Canada right now. Have you ever heard several truck horns blow at the same time? Horrible noise. Guess that is the idea, however. And now the numbers show that the omicron virus is backing off in most places. Quite a few schools have removed the mask demands. Eventually folks will get to make up their own minds. Not like they didn’t do that already.

 

Thinking about those who are ill tonight and have to deal with medications and the shortages of good nursing staff. Things will eventually work out for the best, but right now it is so very difficult to hire anyone for any position in any company. Let us pray that folks will be able to go back to work while they have dependable daycares or whatever is needed so that companies can meet the demands being made on them. It is not just little “mom and pop” places that can’t get helpers. And it is not just hospitals and schools that can’t depend on having the folks they need. Go to any grocery store or pharmacy and you will see the same problems—no one to work for them. Is it our government handouts that have caused this problem or something else? Unsure. But we can’t just clone teachers or nurses. It takes training and time just to learn how to operate everything from technology in the classrooms to technology in the patients’ rooms. Yep, sooner or later things will have to improve. But let’s pray that it is sooner.

 

May you all rest well this night and awake with a positive attitude. You are loved.