Just Visiting.

 Just Visiting.

 

So, Patty has happy puppers, the lady who came to pick up a couple of carriers will have unhappy cats to carry to Colonial Veterinarian, and the old woman will be trying to find more folks who like eggs. Thought the hens only laid TWO eggs yesterday until looking in the long coop. Seven eggs with one broken all over the other six. So now six washed eggs are in my fridge. Guess scrambled eggs for tomorrow’s breakfast. Lance told me that eggs are only good when scrambled. Reminded him that his wife knows what to do with them—cheesecake!

 

Shona came over for a nice visit. Her family was watching a really boring movie in her estimation. It reminded me of all the football games that have been played out in my living room. But it only got better after Lewis got headphones so the neighbors did not have to listen! Not sure what kind of movies kids watch these days, but since my TV is never on any longer, it just would not bother me at all. They have those tablets and things to watch. Much quieter.

 

The old bones are achey today, but not planning on putting any of that expensive stuff on the joints until the weather warms up. Think this cold is what makes everything hurt! Could definitely use another 20 degrees on top of the 20 we have currently. That wind was pretty bad the other day, but with lower temps, the wind feels a bit like sandpaper trying to remove the skin! Winter gripes!

 

Finished deboning two chickens this morning before putting another one on to cook. Then deboned the last chicken this afternoon. It was a lot of work, but much easier than a turkey even putting two chickens at a time in the oven. Guess this is the kind of work that is good for me and for the dogs as well. It’s not as hard on my as vacuuming or mopping anyway. Even so, as soon as the weather gets semi-decent, will get the floors cleaned one way or another. Just wish this old woman were not such a clutter bug! It amazes me that some people just manage to keep everything looking neat and tidy all the time. Not here! Sigh.

 

Got a little bit of reading done today in Revelation about the two witnesses. Don’t know why my idea was that these two came before the Tribulation. Still have some reading to do to understand what is to come. Is it necessary to know? Not really. But if the knowledge is there to be gained, why not question and wonder and search the scriptures. Maybe that is a job for some of us right now in this time.

 

Really don’t know much today except that the weather is going to be on my mind until things thaw out around here. Not sure when that will take place, but it can’t be too soon to suit me. The hens keep going to their old drinking bowls and only find ice, but they have water inside the long coop, so they are not really thirsty. The bowls are habit forming just like a coffee cup is for me. See cup; want coffee. Silly ol’ woman!

 

Be grateful for all the blessings of our days and nights. We have so very much for which to be grateful.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Vet Visit.

 Vet Visit.

 

Patty’s dogs have been registered and examined and poked, prodded, and otherwise had their nails trimmed and anal glands expressed. They were SO glad to get home to their mommy! She had bought these two carriers on wheels that made the trip much easier, but still, it was a major undertaking. The old woman is glad to get home.

 

Just put on a pot of vegetable soup. Need to vacuum and mop, but not sure either thing will be done. My hands hurt even though wearing gloves protected them from the extreme cold. My truck said it was 19 degrees inside the truck! Not sure what it was outside in the wind, but did not care to know either. Just do not appreciate this cold stuff. Not going to start a comparison between the extreme heat of our summers with the cold wind right now. At least our winters are not like up north in Wyoming or Michigan! Can still see the ground. Our cattle might do well in barns, but we still have to feed hay this time of year. Ranchers and farmers never have it easy.

 

Used some cream stuff that Jennifer bought for me to help with the pain in my hands and hip. It works, but could never afford to pay for it myself. Little bottle is $75!! Why can’t things that work be made cost effective. Talked to a lady at the vet’s office who had to go back to work because her SS did not cover the cost of her drugs. Need to be glad that the old body works fairly well despite the arthritis.

 

Shona Leos sent some supper across the road last night. Oh boy can that woman ever cook! Would gain weight like a champ if eating like that on a regular basis!! Her Spanish rice was extra tasty! The taco was good, but boy that other stuff would make a person sit up and take notice. Such a sweet neighbor!

 

Just put two chickens on to roast. It will be at least seven before they are ready, but the old woman probably won’t sleep anyway. If they can cool down before having to debone, it would be easier to do that tomorrow. We will see. Now have a humongous pot of soup to either give away or freeze or something. Do not really like soup with frozen potatoes. Doubt that Patty could be talked into wanting some of it. Maybe Maggie might come get some? She could season it to suit her and David.

 

Tried to take a nap. That did not work. Being tired does not guarantee sleep at all. The dogs always cuddle up with me—well, Sylvia does. Thompson really kind of likes to just know that the old person is on the bed. He guards from his nest.

 

Sylvia knows where the treat sack is and has been pawing at the chair. Not spoiled! Have often thought about the Israelites wandering around out in the desert for all those years. They had been spoiled to the fresh vegetables and things available in Egypt. But God gave them just what they needed. Our needs are quite often filled way beyond what we can understand. It is so easy to find different foods and things to drink in this age. Years ago, folks were lucky if they did not have to drink dirty creek water and eat whatever they could kill. Read one book about the first settlers in Texas and how they were malnourished because all they ate was dry corn. They had no idea how to give themselves the type of variety that the Indians had—berries and greens to go with fresh turkey and rabbit meat. They even had turnips in some places. The Indians were much healthier even though the settlers did not consider them to be “civilized.” Today we are too “civilized” by fast food and sweet drinks to be healthy. A bit of a turnaround on what we think we need and what we actually want. And corn today has been—for the most part—genetically modified. No bueno. Next spring maybe we can all plant cabbage and turnips! God gives us choices.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Comparisons.

 Comparisons.

 

We were told as children not to compare ourselves with others except to be thankful for being so blessed. This morning at the Feed and Garden Store, a sign made me realize how blessed the old woman is. Free Range eggs are $5 a dozen at their store. SO glad to be able to give these eggs away to friends, family, and neighbors. Also, am very thankful to be able to load that bag of wheat into the little trolley thing to haul out to the coops. It is SO much easier to load and unload. Don’t know why using it had not occurred much sooner.

 

Bought six whole chickens this morning at United near home. Today three of them will be put in the oven to roast so that the meat can be removed and put into bags to be used later. It is easy to freeze it in bags and thaw it quickly. The lady who helped load my groceries said that they used a pressure cooker to cook some turkeys that way. My pressure cooker went south some years back, but not sure a whole chicken would have fit in it anyway. It is later now and only TWO chickens would fit in the roaster, so that is what will be ready here in another hour or so.

 

Walked the east side lot and found the other antler piece. Sylvia is mighty happy to have it back, but you can almost bet she was the one who took it out there. Oh well.

 

Tomorrow Patty’s dogs will go to Colonial Vets to see about nail trims and whatever else she thinks they need to see them about. Roxie is still waking Patty up every hour or so for some reason. Let us hope the vets can figure it out.

 

Sterling said that his water is working now, but the city had to come replace the meter thing because it froze and blew the bottom out. At least he has water and pressure now. My washing machine is still waiting on the lines to thaw. Maybe by next week everything will be thawed out. Here’s hoping.

 

Looked at the news this morning and shook my head. Maybe the hostages might get some supplies or maybe not. Anyway, some supplies were taken into Gaza that were supposed to be of some help. Think if the old woman were in that place, just about anywhere in the world would be a better place to be rather than in line with bombs, missiles, rifle fire, knives in the hands of hateful men, and any other type of violence. If South Africa had a place for me, would go there! Move over, lizards! Actually, Big Bend would hold an entire city worth of folks if they just had water and food. Well, and sticks to roust out the rattlesnakes and hila monsters. And scorpions. And other sneaky, bitey critters. Nevermind. Maybe those folks would prefer the kind of meanness that they find in their part of the world.

 

For today, peace of mind is something to be desired by those of us who have our children on our minds or other stressors that we feel we have to handle ourselves. Too bad that we are not very good at letting God handle our problems. We always feel we need to help Him along somehow. As Lance tells me, we always have these “woulda, shoulda, couldas” in our minds. God doesn’t need our help. He just needs for us to ask Him.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

For Your Mood of the Day!

 For Your Mood of the Day!

 

Follow the temperatures to see your mood of the day. If the wind is blowing, stay out of other folks’ way! If the sun is shining and the wind is not blowing your hair off the top of your head, just grin and bear it! Someone is bound to be happy! All these moods may differ slightly with the upward or downward direction of the temperature gauge. Currently, on Dickerson Hill, the mood is restless with only a slightly discouraging word. If someone wakes up and her feet hurt with arthritis, all holds are barred!

 

It truly amazes me that the critters can tell us the seasons just by the way they react to the weather. Spring sees heels in the air out there in the pastures. Winter, however, sees huddles of fur out by the fences or in the draws where the grass grows a bit higher. Yep, we are not the only ones who react to the weather.

 

My hens are so spoiled that they expect treats or at the very least a head of cabbage when they see the kitchen door open. Not this week for cabbage. The kids in Jerry’s house brought over a package of doughnuts. The old woman nibbled a bit and gave the rest to the hens. Need sugar like we need more cactus in Texas!

 

May or may not see Hanan’s son on Friday. Rylan said that his Noni and he were going to be here and wanted to come by. It was fine with me, but if Sharon (Noni’s real name) feels like the rest of us, it might depend on the weather. Have not seen the kid in eight years now except for some pictures online.

 

Sterling called today to talk about things he had on his mind. We talked about joy and satisfaction and how those two things are pretty well connected. He builds things and feels satisfaction and joy as they turn out well. Sometimes it makes me feel like it would be neat to be able to make something with my hands. But no longer really want to sew or bake. And cooking is just one of those necessary things that takes up time and effort. The critters make me happy, but growing things provides quite a bit of satisfaction. In Texas, growing things pretty well is at the mercy of the weather. Oh well. At least we have good dirt.

 

The neighbor across the street finally thawed out somewhat—at least she has water. The drains were frozen, however. My washing machine has frozen lines and probably frozen drains. Guess sometime this year we will do something about that situation. Lance has the know-how to insulate things for the water pipes. The drains are a different thing altogether. We may have to ask someone’s advice about that. Just have to hope the water lines don’t break underneath the side of the house for now. Not that it helps anyone, but we are not the only ones with frozen pipes and drains. SO glad we don’t live up north!

 

Really would like to take a nap and wake up with the world turned warm. Not hot, mind you, just warm. Meanwhile, guess until that kind of dirt nap comes along, will just go read a good book. When God allows me to take that last nap, maybe the weather will be a totally different critter—or my attitude will have improved.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Finally Flannel Degrees.

 Finally Flannel Degrees.

 

It finally got up to 30 degrees on the back deck. Not sure about the front porch as the unit needed new batteries and doofless old woman could not figure out how to get the temp to show. Oh well. Can tell you right now that with the light breeze out the back door, a quick check of the nesting boxes was done in a flannel shirt and quick steps.

 

The neighbors just left to check into a motel so that they all four could get a shower. Not that they did not have another offer, but understand how they feel about using someone else’s facilities. Just not a great way to start out at a new place. Clint told Albert that he thought that the heat tape would work, but apparently Albert did not want to do it that way. And who knows? Maybe this is a learning experience for the entire shebang.

 

Have a heater on the lines for my washing machine. Kinda hoping that the drain pipes will work tomorrow and the water lines won’t have broken. Do not want to have to call in a plumber! Guarantee that if that call has to be made again, the old woman will go get some insulation stuff to put around those pipes under the house!

 

Have thought several times about having water put in out in the hen house. Thinking is about as far as it has ever really advanced because the ground between the house and out back is nearly solid rock and rubble. Once upon a time, years ago when she had more muscle in her back and a whole lot less going on between her ears, the younger woman dug a trench across there for a drain for the kitchen sink. It did not work out well and floated part of the back yard because the ground won’t let the water seep down. Go figure.

 

Considering we don’t usually have a really long winter, maybe all my thoughts are concentrating on things that are just temporary. That seems to be one’s tendency when the ride is rough!

 

One of the dogs has taken an antler outside and now we only have ONE antler between two dogs. Oh wonderful! Will have to go outside tomorrow and look for the other one. My luck, it will be buried!

 

Have had a semi-sneezy headache for a couple of days now that would do to tempt an old person to have a shot of something liquid—like the stuff that Granddad Pollard would imbibe early on a cold day before hauling off to work or after coming home after a very long day. My head feels as if it is bigger than it is supposed to be, or maybe that is just my sinuses! You can bet that if my neighbor Donny Anderson were still alive, he would have something that would either reduce the head ache or cause it to call calf-rope!

 

Thompson has the deer antler now. Funny dog. Don’t know what people do who don’t have dogs. Well, for one thing their house might be much cleaner or at least less furry! Jennifer has three dogs and three cats in her house. Know the house keepers just love to TRY to clean for them. At least the floors get cleaned once before the dogs get to establish their next big mess. Around here, it is the old woman who makes more mess if she forgets to clean her feet on the brushes that Roger Thonton put on the back deck. Those things work very well—especially when she remembers to use them before going inside.

 

Having looked briefly at the news, noticed nothing has changed for the better. Folks are still pouring across the borders, and the Feds still think the states do not have sovereignty rights. Shaking my head here. WE give the Feds the right to help all of us, but the Feds do not see the need to help even one. They want the power to do as they please without consideration of the rights of the nation and of the states. Am sure Tara Ross could tell us where in the Federalist Papers that these things are discussed, but for now, it is just disgusting to see the warped approach. Sigh.

 

Let us trust that God is the same today as He has always been. Let us ask Him for peace of mind and for His grace in our lives.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Water Woes!

 Water Woes!

 

The neighbors in the modular home did not wrap the pipes under the house as they were told to do, so now they have no water. Don’t know much about buying or selling real estate, but the water works are a main concern for an abode in my book. And we all have to be aware of what kind of an effect the weather will have on the utilities—heat and cold. Hoping that Albert will be able to thaw their water line soon. Meanwhile, they get a bucket of water from me as needed. Praise God! Lewis taught me about keeping water dripping good to prevent this kind of problem. Sterling knows to let the faucets drip, but his froze between the road and the house. Still, if the faucets had been dripping good, that should not have happened. Not sure where he will be getting buckets of water.

 

Lance sent a text with picture this morning of the snow down there in Ft. Worth. Jenn said Osiris ran outside and said, “Oh! Food!” and started eating the snow! Crazy Husky! Just hope they have no trouble getting to work.

 

Went out later than usual yesterday morning and found some frozen eggs that had to be boiled and fed to the dogs. This morning, if nothing prevents it, have some bananas that need to be made into some banana bread with walnuts. It just sounds good!

 

One year since the Natural Grocers opened over on Lawrence Street, the old woman went in there and found dehydrated veggies that are good for making into soups. Bought some and used them fairly quickly. Don’t remember how much they cost, but it seems like they were fairly expensive. Anyway, Amazon carries them in two-pound bags, so now a plastic bottle contains an entire bag on the back of my kitchen counter. Love noodle soups, but really am not crazy about peeling veggies just for a quick bowl of noodles. This makes it a snap.

 

Guess a recipe for banana bread would be a good idea about right now. Well, might have been a good idea, but didn’t turn out all that great. Ate a slice and gave the rest to the hens. They haven’t died yet.

 

Have a really rotten attitude today. Think the cold weather and pain have a lot to do with it. Dear Hearts, get out in that wind and the stuff eats the hide off your face! So far have only picked up about a dozen eggs, but will not be surprised to see egg production slowing WAY down! Know it would bother me to sit on a nest and plop out anything in this cold!

 

Took some eggs and a stick of butter and set the sack in the doorway of the kids in Jerry’s house. Hope their water thaws out soon. Patty said that so far, she and the puppers are doing fairly well. She is getting online to fill out the paperwork for me to take Roxie to Colonial Vets. Not sure what is bothering that dog, but she is acting funny and as if her bottom hurts. We will see, but would prefer to wait until Wednesday when it is supposed to be warmer.

 

We all need to be grateful for electricity and natural gas—or propane. Honestly can’t imagine how my grandparents (and even my parents) managed to live back when they had outdoor potties and coal oil lanterns! Can actually remember when the Pollard grands got inside plumbing!! Had to take a few baths in a big ol’ galvanized tub in the kitchen so we could go to church on Sunday. See, we took a bath every Saturday whether we needed it or not!

 

Have some more reading to do, so will tell you that we are so very blessed today. God loves us and has given us the best life has to offer—His Son!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Too Cold!

 Too Cold!

 

It is supposed to get worse, but today feels doggone cold enough! Have the water dripping—more like a drizzle—in the kitchen. That room is on the north side of the house, and doofless old woman forgot about putting dirt bags on top of the drain lines this year. It’s not like she did not know it needed to be done. Just did not do it. Oh well. Maybe after this spell passes Lowe’s or somewhere will have dirt on sale. Imagine! Buying dirt! But here on the hill, it is something that we have done for years. Cover lines with complete sacks (plastic and all) in order to keep the lines open. So far, the kitchen drain is ok, but would not want to try to push it with much water. The bathroom drain is fine, but it is covered by house. The new neighbors have frozen water despite leaving it drip last night. Just hope it is not the outside lines! Sterling said that the water between his house and his road had frozen up there in Arkansas. But they have plenty of drinking water. Makes me wonder what folks up north do about such as this!

 

Really glad that the old woman made the mistake of having Grayson’s snacks sent here to my house. Know these chocolate toffee-covered pretzels are definitely not good for me, but they are so very tasty. Might get into the beef jerky as well, but the fudge can just sit there until he comes by to get it. It has zero nuts in it. Why get fudge unless it is packed with some kind of good nut—NOT peanuts!

 

Surprisingly enough, my joints are not hurting too much this morning. Went out and strung the electrical extension cord from the workshop to the middle coop and then plugged in the water warmer for the hens. Put fresh water on the deck, and it froze within 30 minutes!! Put another head of cabbage out in the coop for them as well. They may have to stay inside tomorrow. We will see what things are like when the sun comes up. The hoodie that the kids bought for me came in handy while working out in the back. But got the hoodie and my gloves soppy wet messing with the water. Had to put them in the dryer. Oh well. Just so happy that the electricity has not been affected so far. Would worry about Shona and her family if it goes off. They do not have gas over there. All electric homes are great until the lines get taken down by ice and tree limbs.

 

Just went out and gathered eggs again. Last time two of them were so frozen that they had broken their shells. Boiled those and gave ‘em to the dogs. No waste that way! Will gather them up one more time before the hens go up for the night. The girls may be disgusted by their shepherd by the time this cold snap is gone. They are going to stay in the coops if we get snow or ice tonight and tomorrow. They will have plenty of food and water for the duration.

 

This is the time of year that it really pays to enjoy reading. Don’t know what other people do who don’t read! Sterling said that the controller for his TV and Jacqui’s TV don’t gee haw very well. He will be watching something when she turns her channel and it messes his up. Sounds like a tech problem to me. That’s one for the folks who have more TVs in the house than they can operate!

 

Just glanced up at the bulletin board above my desk at the card showing Rosslyn Chapel in Midlothian—south of Edinburgh. Jenn saw to it that we got to visit there while in Scotland. It is one of the intriguing places that are famous for some of the things caused by bad temper. The pillars inside the church are all ornately carved—some more intricately than others. One such pillar was supposedly carved by an apprentice when the master carver went out for some reason. When he came back and saw how beautiful and intricate the work was on this pillar, he became angry with the apprentice and killed him! Not exactly a reason to be famous, but it kind of figures that the guy must have thought the apprentice was making a better show of his work than the master carver was capable. We sat and petted the cat they had there inside on a bench. They have always had a cat in that place. This one was apparently used to being the center of attention and handling. Funny how cats seem to be universal in their appeal.

 

Someday animals will not be abused like they are today in our world. Saw the other day that South Korea had outlawed the use of dog meat. Shaking my head. They did not mention rats, bats, and elephants. Sigh. While being a vegetarian does not necessarily appeal to me, it is obvious that animals have the same feelings as we do. May all the dogs and cats be blessed during this cold weather with a place to stay warm and food to eat. Yes, and the same for the homeless on our streets. No amount of riches will ever take away the poor, but no one should be outside in this cold.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.