Sleep Patterns and Changes by Era.

 Sleep Patterns and Changes by Era.

 

Have you ever started reading something of interest and got totally off the subject into something that was even more interesting? Well, that happened today. In fact, can’t even remember the original subject of interest, but will tell you that the discovery that humans in history used to sleep in two increments is just amazing. Even in ancient history—as in Roman days and before—the sleep patterns were in two cycles. That was pretty amazing to me. The man who was researching this dual pattern originally found records of criminal activity during one of the two sleeps. It seems that criminals took advantage of the pattern to avoid discovery while they stole livestock and other things. But even before the Middle Ages, society expected two cycles of sleep to be attended by those who were in higher society. Not too sure about the slaves and workers, but they were probably just as prone to that cycle as everyone else. And the sleeping arrangements were hilarious—a large platform held family in order of age—girls on the side of the mother and boys on the side of the father arranged according to age. And even strangers taken in for the night were allowed to sleep with the family. Now bedding could be anything from the ground, with or without a blanket, and covered over the foundation by some type of vegetation or hay—along with whatever bugs and stuff that might be down there—or just a platform with the same type of bedding. The platform might keep the moisture off the bedding, too.

 

The researcher also expected that those who slept in two different cycles were more likely to remember their dreams since they did not sleep as long as we tend to do today. They were also less likely to be hungry when they slept in two cycles as long as they ate a meal in one cycle. Hmm. And guess what made the drastic change in our sleep cycles—the Industrial Revolution when folks had to work for a set number of hours during the day. Clocks were also more common by then, as well as alarms or bells to tell the time of day.

 

Sitting here wondering what it would take to change back to those cycles when it occurred to me that retirement pretty well does that. This stupid pandemic also has changed things so that folks who work at home—online or otherwise—can sleep at different hours and not even lose an hour of work in a week. Who knows? Maybe this much unsettled social life can make a deep difference in our lives that won’t really hurt us. Many an older person complains about not being able to sleep after a few short cat naps. But maybe those catnaps are equivalent to the cycle they needed in the first place.

 

Reading online is always bringing some strange facts to the forefront. It can be fun and enlightening at the same time. But maybe the neatest things are the medical discoveries or experiments. For instance, some scientist believe that they have found a way to cause the spinal cord to produce new neurons that will make nerves to rejoin a severed spinal cord. To me, that sounds like a wonderful possibility! SO many people have suffered spinal cord injuries in one or more areas of the spine. To give them back their mobility would be a miracle.

 

Our skies look as if they were rinsed in dirty water, and the temps are to be 27 tonight with a high of 47 tomorrow. Oh! Joy. Twenty degrees for Wednesday night with a high of 34 on Thursday and then 16 degrees on Thursday night with a high of 44 on Friday. Every time it changes from the 60s to the teens, it hurts a body part or my attitude. Or both. Now if those two sleep cycles could be changed around until spring—just hibernate through this winter, ya know! You have undoubtedly heard the joke about the woman who wanted to be reincarnated as a bear. Sleep through the winter, having her cubs while she is sleeping, and wake up hungry and able to eat all she wanted while wearing her very own fur coat. And no one would be critical if she was roly poly fat!

 

Thompson did not want to eat again today, but he was more than willing to share the chicken pieces from my taco salad. The beans and rice were great, too, but he did not get any of that or the avocado or sour cream.

 

Speaking of avocados: Kate Ellen should start growing avocados on her little farm in Kenya. Apparently, those are the high dollar crops wherever they are grown, but especially in Kenya. Each one is worth about seventeen cents in U.S. dollars—which translates to a small fortune for the number a tree might produce. Of course, one has to guard the tree to keep the thieves away from them. Nevermind, Kate does not need any further problems with thieves. It is about all she can do to rescue starving pigs and dogs—not to mention children.

 

The world is becoming stranger every day, but it is definitely interesting. May God bless our nation and families. May we realize the need for gratitude to Him and to those around us.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved this day and for many more.

Little Dogs and Speedy Bullets!

 Little Dogs and Speedy Bullets!

 

Patty’s dogs, Roxie and Rudy, need toenails trimmed, and yours truly volunteered to take them after tomorrow. Both of them are so sweet, but they will have to go in a bag carrier each so that they can’t get away. Roxie is as fast as a speeding bullet when she knows she is about to meet up with me after Patty lets her out. That little critter is finally going to bed with Patty now. She was Donny’s dog and slept on his shoulder all the time since they got her. And Patty is also trying to help them lose weight—and it’s working. She is carefully trying to divide whatever they get so neither one gets more than the other. Kinda suspect they are eating off of her fork, too. To each his own. Have seen my crazy son-in-law chew up a dog treat! “It’s made with people food!” he says. Whoo boy!

 

Raked out the hen house again today while these two dogs barked and scratched and otherwise had hissy fits about a rat. It got away, but they did not see it leave, and that means their happy little tail-wagging hinnies were right in my way! Oh well. It is more or less raked out and the detritus removed. Clean water is out there, and they now have a head of purple cabbage. Was trying to give them some leftover stuff made for me, but the dogs would run to get it so the hens could not have it. NOT that the dogs really wanted it, ya see.

 

Called Mataska Roofing and talked to Debbie who said that they would have someone out here next week to re-nail these two shingles that blew off the roof. They can’t do it this week because of the expected winds. But it makes me happy that she was glad to send someone out.

 

Currently both dogs are standing on the couch looking out the front window and doing that low growl that says that they are the most vicious animals on the hill. The old man from the church house has been trying to reinforce the wooden fence between Jerry’s place and his granddaughter’s house. That wind just about laid it on the ground! And these dogs think that he is just as much out of place as the black and white kitty that keeps walking through there. Surely hope that cat never gets too close to them. They really don’t like kitty cats.

 

Have something called Mongolian beef put out by Voila in the microwave. Just felt like something with meat in it was going to be good. Here’s hoping. At least it doesn’t take much effort to put it in the microwave.

 

Looked at some of the so-called news and just feel for those who had another tornado down in Florida. Think it snuck up on them! And then there are those who are in for more snow and blow out toward the East Coast. Let’s face it, weather is so tricky just about everywhere. We are sitting on the edge of another drought, so praying for rain is not unusual around this part of Texas. If it does not rain, you can bet the price of beef will go up even more than it has already. Cattle have to have grass.

 

It seems my blog is not filled with happiness and sunshine right now. Sorry about that. Let’s just hope that the old woman gets in a better mood pretty soon. Time to plant flowers can’t be soon enough.

 

Let us remember how blessed we are as a nation, as neighbors, as friends and as family. God has given us the best life anyone can expect. May you find happiness in remembering the best of the loves in your lives. Be still and know that you are loved.

Groceries and Recipes!

 Groceries and Recipes!

 

Connie Cooke went to Sam’s today and picked up some things that she ordered for both of us. They did not have carrots, thank you very much. Rice could only be shipped to you. But maybe they had some things INSIDE the store that did not show up on the webpage. Who knows? Anyway, she brought me a rather large package of chicken breasts and some animal cookies. Seems the two dogs and a silly ol’ woman have become addicted to animal cookies.

 

Tried something using eggs, milk, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese (grated), and some stir-fry veggies that were cooked long enough to get them edible and covered with the egg mixture, and then stuck the frying pan in the oven until the veggie and cheese mixture browned. Don’t think it is what John Rhodes called Frozia, but it was more like a frittata. Whatever. It was safe to eat and did not give me indigestion at least. Going without coffee for a couple of days may result in the grouchiest person on this hill, but if the headache goes away, then griping might have accomplished something. But what? No one but the dogs realize that this is griping when growls are heard around here. And they are pretty used to the situation.

 

Want Sharon Dickerson to know that the bull-headed person was very careful to do the unloading of the feed this evening. Thought that a teenager would be over to unload and pour the scratch in the bins, but never heard when he or they were coming, so got it done. The boys work constantly, so it really is asking an awful lot for them to drive all the way over here.

 

Tomorrow is a bank holiday. Not sure which other places might be closed for the day other than the Post Office and city services. Read online that the Animal Services is closed for the time being for everything except emergencies because they have lost so many workers for one reason or another. This pandemic is biting our backsides big time. So many restaurants and other businesses—including grocery stores—have lost employees or can’t hire anyone to do the work they need done. Connie said that she had noticed that all the employees in United were all young kids. Most of the time that translates to lack of experience or lack of real work ethic. Maybe not work ethic if they are willing to show up to work!

 

Thompson refused to eat today for some reason. I cooked the last of the chicken in the deep freeze and put some veggies together to mix with the chicken later. But that is going to keep until tomorrow. Enough already for one day! He can have kibble if he gets hungry tonight.

 

My hair is beginning to grow out again and has decided to curl a bit more than usual. Then sleeping on it makes some real Dagwood spikes in the back. Alfalfa and his hair cuts were longer than mine, but it definitely has a mind of its own. Sitting here wondering if anyone remembers Dagwood and Blondie or Alfalfa and Our Gang. So many of the things in my memory are not even on the radar with younger folks. Oh well. History and events we never heard about would make us all feel pretty ignorant if we look back far enough.

 

Still have to let the water drip in the sink tonight, but tomorrow may actually be a decent day again. When it gets up to 64 degrees, going outside is not bad at all if the wind is not blowing a gale. But Friday promises to be a mess with a high of 43. Well, that is a mess around here. Some places would be happy to see the temperature that high. But some of us get gripey every time the weather changes anyway. Old Bones!

 

Don’t have a whole lot to do around here tonight other than putting the hens up. They have fresh water and feed, so they have nothing to gripe about at the moment. At least they have a good attitude! Watched them flapping their wings like wild ducks when they ran across the yard this morning. They are so very funny. Someday maybe a video of them might make it to my blog. We will see.

 

We know that the standoff in Colleyville did not end well for the man who was holding the rabbi and others hostage, but we can praise God that the rest of them were able to come out unscathed. The world becomes more insane every day. We know who is to blame ultimately, but it is up to God’s children to do their best to show His love to others. Let us do our best.

 

Rest this night and awake with joy. You are loved.

Colder Than . . .!

 Colder Than . . . !

 

Yep, the wind has blown since sometime yesterday evening and has not really let up yet. First noticed the wind when Sylvia got so restless and wanted in the chair with me! My papasan chair is not that big, dear hearts! Put the Thunder Shirt on Sylvia and also on Thompson, but it really did not seem to help her that much. He lay down and was still enough, but she had to be touching me or trying to get in my lap! Poor baby. Put her into crate, but she whined and shook and pawed the door of the crate. Finally gave up and let her lie down next to me. Had not planned to let them on the bed since putting the electric blanket on there. So much for good intentions.

 

Cari Guidry just came by and picked up a couple of dozen eggs. Have enough eggs left now to try to make that dish that Mary Rhodes suggested. Frozia or something like that. It takes quite a few eggs and lots of bread crumbs and cheese—more than one kind. Anyway, think that is what will be made tomorrow.

 

Because of the wind and really cold weather, Lance stayed at home this weekend. Nothing needs attention that he really needed to come anyway. Piddling things can always be done sometime in the future. Barry Thomas Ice will do the deck light maybe this next week if he has time to drop by. Then it may be necessary to call the teenagers to come put the scratch feed in the bins in the middle coop. Not in any hurry as the sacks are in the back seat of the truck rather than in its bed. My sister by another mother suggested that the feed could be taken out in small containers. Sitting here shaking my head. She said the old woman is “bull headed,” and is obviously right. Maybe by Tuesday the weather won’t be so crazy cold and miserable. Here’s hoping.

 

So glad that the fire departments or the county firemen were able to put out the fires that started when the electrical wires hit the ground yesterday evening. Know that some parts of the county were without power, too. We should be so thankful for these men and women who are first responders! They do a good job! Prayers for them during times like these would certainly be appropriate!

 

Sitting here having black olives for a snack. They would be great with cream cheese stuffed into them, but somebody is too lazy to stuff them. Easier to just grab one and eat it plain. We used to call the stuffed black olives Texas caviar. Some folks think that black-eyed peas are the Southern version of caviar, but it is not the Texas version! But then, melon balls made from watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew are Coyote Surprise! Coyotes love melons! They are as bad as terrapins and birds and bugs ever hoped to be.

 

When the dogs went outside this morning, they had a couple of walleyed fits. A big dog food bag had blown over into the yard near the truck. That had to be removed. Then a big piece of torn up paneling was in the corner next to the road and the flower bed where the sunflowers grew last year. Just flipped it over the fence and said “be gone”! Bad attitude wears pretty well around here! Fully expected the clothes from the neighbor’s yard to be out in the side lots, but she must have got them taken in before the big wind hit. Michelle thought the woman was on meth or something since she was out there hanging out clothes when it was trying to rain—NOT that we got any moisture out of those clouds. Sigh

 

Well, a couple of shingles came off the roof, so maybe a call to the roofing company might be in order on Monday. Not sure that it will help it now, but it can’t hurt to talk to the lady about it.

 

Counted thirteen hens several times before number fourteen managed to come in behind me from the workshop. Guessing that she has been hiding out inside the shop. Will have to look closely and see if she is also hiding eggs. That would be about parr for these Coocoo Marans!

 

Have decided that my dogs don’t really like Brussel sprouts unless they are sharing them with me. Weren’t things always better to you if they were on Mom or Dad’s plate? One time Sterling was sick for about three or four days and would not eat. Finally, Mom asked him what he wanted to eat, and his reply: “Can I have eggs and toast off of Daddy’s plate?” Daddy made toast and eggs look so good! And Mom made the VERY best sandwiches for herself. She always asked us first if we were hungry or wanted anything before she ever got something for herself. And we just wanted ONE bite of her sandwich! Poor Mom!

 

Absolutely know nothing fit for sharing this evening. Sylvia keeps asking—every so often—for treats to be hidden in her treat holder. Thompson has some kind of horn from a deer or critter of that ilk. My first book of the day is finished and another one started, and it will be about like that for the next couple of days. We don’t exactly cause any rumbles around here. If the temperature gets down below the 20 degrees that is in the forecast, you will hear more moaning and groaning tomorrow. About the only skill practiced at this time is the indelicate griping that only comes with winter, summer, blowing spring, or a hot fall. Guess that makes it year ‘round, doesn’t it!

 

Let’s be thankful we don’t live near the latest underwater volcano and the resulting tsunami. Our lives are pretty interesting as it is with freezing weather, wind storms, tornadoes, mud slides, droughts, and other types of weather. We never have to suffer with just the same ol’ dull things in life. God gives us the most interesting variables and variety.

 

Let us be guided by love and compassion. Let us appreciate the love of these special creatures that laugh and chase around us with such special furry attachments to us. God knew we needed them even if He only gave them a few years to stay with us.

 

Stay warm and rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Thoughts and Visits.

 Thoughts and Visits.

 

Vickie called me today to let me know that she and her husband have both got Covid. Kinda glad she did not make it over here to get her eggs. Ken had to go into the hospital and seems to be doing well, but they want to put him into a full-time VA care hospital. Vickie says they don’t take good care of their patients, so she is not too happy about that situation. However, Ken fell before she called for the ambulance, so maybe it would give her some time to rest. He does not sleep on a regular schedule, so she gets awakened in the night much like she would if he were a baby. That old saw of “sleeping like a baby” is so much silliness. Babies wake up every two hours unless they already are getting something solid other than just milk.

 

Michelle came by this morning and picked up her twenty pounds of hamburger. She said she needed to go back to bed. She is not resting well at all. Every time the weather changes, she hurts all over more than any other place. Kinda like the old bones of our grandparents when they knew the weather was about to change because of whichever body part that started aching. It really was not a joke.

 

Sure ‘nuff supposed to get cold for a while. Not looking forward to all this freezing weather. Went and got scratch this afternoon and thought I would try to get Lance to pick some things up at Walmart tomorrow if he comes. He said he would try to take the hose off the front faucet for me as yours truly can’t get it to budge. At least the laundry is all done and nothing is too much to anticipate until Tuesday of this next week when they do the stress test and then the other test (echo-cardiogram) on Thursday. Such fun.

 

Talked to BillyeRuth and got to hear about her new baby chick coop that her friend is making for her. Also got to hear about her naked neck rooster who has gotten old enough to start chasing the hens around. She said he is the funniest looking thing. However, was disappointed to hear that she has let one of her cockerels become a full-fledged rooster that just happens to be mean as all get out. She said his eyes don’t even look like something living, but something kinda weird. And when she has used her stick on him a few times, he has wobbled over and sat down so that she thought she had killed him for sure. BR does not need any weapons to protect herself outside with that darned rooster out there! Just go near a hen and see what happens!

 

Just looked outside to check on my hens to find all fourteen of them right out in the corner of the side lot where the sunflowers grew up last year. They were happily scratching around in the grass and dirt. Doubt seriously if anything edible is out there, but they seem happy enough to scratch around there anyway. Since their coop got raked out again today, they should be doing ok for a while until they get it full of stuff again. Moved the grain barrel over a bit so that they would be less likely to hit the target of the top of the barrel. Messy! Anyway, should probably find something to put on the top that can be moved off every morning, but not sure what that would be. They have fresh water in the heated bowl to keep them semi-happy with that situation. Have a bucket here in the house so they can have a refill in the other pans near the house, too.

 

The weather here is not anything like as bad as north or east of us. It is supposed to get down to 29 tonight and then up to 46 tomorrow. Back down to 20 and up to 58 the following morning. We have a roller coaster for weather. Some people would call that stupid cold, but at least maybe we can live with it. The hens have a treat ball and another head of cabbage to keep them happy. Would like to see them play with the ball, but probably won’t stay out there with them. The wind is going to be a problem. But then, it IS Texas.

 

My brother Sterling just called a bit ago and told me he has the crouping crud. He and Jacqui have had that stuff a couple of times in this past year. But he says it makes his hernia hurt, so he guesses he will wait until the crud is over and then get it fixed. Meanwhile, they have had a nice day today and are expecting about two inches of snow tomorrow. His youngest son Terry has been down at his brother’s farm blowing out the chicken houses with his rig—a large tractor with a huge fan on it to blow out the dust, feathers, and whatever needs to be removed from the floors. Can’t imagine having something that big blowing out all the crud! But then, they don’t keep chickens as long in their houses as they used to. But think the size and age of broilers has already been a topic here. Just know that a chicken on my granddad’s farm left his place at 8 weeks and might weight a little over two pounds. Danny’s chickens go out around 7 to 8 weeks and can weigh anything from 6 to 8 pounds! Now, dear hearts, that is a BIG difference. That is why a couple of 6.6-pound chickens cooked up for the dogs makes a LOT of dog food. Of course, the price for these chickens is crazy compared to the twenty-nine cents a pound we used to pay.

 

Have some Korean beef something or other in the microwave. Not sure just exactly what it is called, but it is fairly tasty but VERY spicy! Five minutes is pretty quick for making a meal. Thinking back to when my family liked tacos and stuff like that. We sometimes had tacos twice a week. And Lewis liked them as much as any of the kids. As long as he had a great big glass of tea with lots of ice, he was pretty happy to put his feet under the table in the evenings.

 

Remember that big jar of animal cookies? Well, it has turtles, kangaroos, buffalo, horses, pigs, lions, rhinos, hippos, elephants, rabbits, and teddy bears! And they are not fattening ‘cause it takes each one a minute to tell me its name or species! Right!

 

Number one oldest child just called to say that he would not be coming this weekend because they are expecting horrible winds down his way. The wind does not blow around here, so have NO idea what he is on about.

 

Think a book is calling my name. Meanwhile Thompson wanted a pig and Sylvia got a buffalo! We are not the least bit spoiled around this house!

 

Will leave you with the information that the Jarlsbergs are not doing too well. Kathy had a hole drilled into her skull so that they could put chemo directly into her brain. They are giving her some kind of drugs that are making her laugh and be silly, so it is probably not going to be long unless God intervenes to heal her in this lifetime. Please remember them.

 

Rest and find reasons to appreciate the life we have been given. May God watch over you and yours. You are loved.

 

  

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood!

 It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood!

 

Grandson number two of the Ostands has either flu or that other crud, and he must have walked by his mom and breathed in that direction. Now Jennifer has it. We can almost bet that by sleeping with her, Gary will get it. Who knows! Pepper, their Chihuahua, may even get it! You know, not one thing we think about this stuff is going to help us get rid of it other than avoiding each other and washing our hands and keeping our faces covered. Life is going to happen no matter what, and we might as well just accept it.

 

Shelby just left after bringing by 25 pounds of hamburger meat. The kid has pleurisy—an inflammation around the lungs/heart area with fluids that cause pain like you don’t ever want to get. Had it as a child. Dr. Hurn thought yours truly was having a heart attack from the description my parents gave him. He came to the house and gave me an injection and put me to sleep since it was nearly impossible to breathe without pain. Oh! what a relief! But that is something not to be forgotten! Recognized her symptoms right away when Shelby told me what and how it was hurting. Not sure what Covid feels like, but if it is anything like this mess, don’t want any, thank you very much!

 

Still have a hen on the nest this evening, but the girls have definitely been doing their jobs around here. Need to make a couple of calls and see who is coming for eggs.

 

Made some more dog food this afternoon, and it even smelled good to me! Rice with Brussel sprouts and carrots and lots of chicken breast giblets mixed together with the water the veggies cooked in just made a perfect consistency to put into quart bags. We will see how the dogs do with it, but am betting they will eat it up.

 

Thinking about how dependent we are on our doctors and their abilities to prescribe medications. We know that different antibiotics work with different kinds of infections, and that it is not a good idea to give ones for hangnails to those with eye infections, but it seems to me that we should be able to access antibiotics and the information for which kinds work best for different infections. Get a couple of pandemics going, and the doctors will be more than just swamped. In India folks can go to the pharmacy and ask for antibiotics for what ails them without a doctor to prescribe for them. That seems pretty sensible to me. Now if you don’t know what is wrong, that is something else entirely. Sometimes it is just impossible to really know what is wrong with one’s self or one’s dog or horse or whatever. But seriously! Why do drugs have to be so hard to get for simple things like pinkeye or toe fungus!

 

Think the rice container is going to have to be refilled around here pretty soon. Have been using at least two cups of rice each time dog food is on the menu. And that is only for the dogs! Dr. Blackwell says that in order to lose weight or keep it off, the old woman needs to avoid anything white unless it is cauliflower. Now, that means chocolate is not white, and that brown ice cream should be ok, right? Yeah, right!

 

We are about getting pretty desperate for rain in this part of the world. If it does not rain soon, the grass is all going to turn up its toes and die! My hens need that green stuff to keep them healthy! Have bought a couple of cabbages since the price went down just a bit, but even so, veggies for both dogs and hens are doing a job on the budget around here! Wonder if dogs will eat cabbage if it is chopped up and cooked. Bought some dog food once that had duck and potatoes in it. Had not thought about putting potatoes in their food, but have a sack of those in the pantry. Hmm. Know for a fact that Thompson thinks French fries are nasty. He won’t even bury them. Will have to experiment with a small batch of liver and potato. Laughing to myself and seeing Jennifer’s expression in my mind! Giggling. She will read this and go: B L E A H!!

 

Michelle gave my dogs some treat bars that contain pumpkin and cinnamon and others that have apple and yogurt in them. Not much telling what dogs really think about these things, but Sylvia will eat some of the pieces of the bars if those pieces are put in her treat ball. Guess it takes a certain mindset to think that something is good if it is hard to get.

 

Once in a while, walking seems to be ok when out and about with the dogs and hens, but after sitting for a while, things seem to hurt more in places that don’t make sense. It would be nice to be able to sit or walk in a way that did not cause problems. Not much exercise going on at this house. Guess it could always be much worse. Just have to accept that life has its limitations.

 

Don’t really think anything in my brain or imagination is worth discussing, so will suggest that you find a good book and then share the story with the rest of us. Robin Christian reads good books and tells just enough to make me want to read the same book. Yes, a book report! The ones being read around here are, for the most part, cozy murder mysteries or some such. Nothing heavy duty or historical right now. Only so much reality is acceptable when the mind needs to take a load off. But if any of you have a good book you would care to share with all of us, please tell us about it.

 

The best book in the entire world has been published in about every language. It is also probably one of the least understood in some ways. Understanding the Bible takes more than just reading, in my estimation. Beth Graf told me about a minister who talks about portions of the Bible with an understanding unusual for folks today. He is a Scot and has an easy way of talking. And he makes sense. Will have to look up his name again as it never is in my easy to get to places. https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/most-recent-sermons  Alistair Begg.

 

Oh joy! Finally got the font to go back to black. Will tell you that what makes me thankful for ministers is not that they read or speak well, but rather that they don’t try to tell me what God intends by something that is written down by men. Am reminded of the woman at the well. Have read that story as interpreted by men a few times. The expression on my face would probably have made someone think that sour grapes were in my diet. Keep it simple is a good way to look at things. Dig deeper if history makes changes in the lifestyles, but still try to keep things and ideas simple. Honestly believe that God does not expect any of us to develop new languages or new solar systems. Let’s just observe what is before us and appreciate that God found it to be good in His sight.

 

Rest well and find joy in living. You are loved.

 

 

Spring Weather in January!

 Spring Weather in January!

 

It was 68 degrees today here in Wichita Falls, Texas, and it is the 12^th day of January. Yep, kinda weird. These two big dogs seem to have enjoyed it somewhat. They have been running up and down the fence at every excuse—cars, noises, invisible threats to the freedom of mankind! And to top it off, the old woman forgot and left the door open to the big bathroom and Thompson brought a roll of TP to the living room. However, he did not get to eat any of it before it was noticed. Ah well. Maybe next time. WHY do dogs like those rolls of paper? Even a couple of sheets of paper on a roll, be it TP or kitchen towels, makes my crazy critters happy. They play with it and throw it around when not chewing on it. You’d think it was enough that they had a fresh cottontail rabbit last night! Nothing on it was eaten, but the fur certainly got its share of slobber. Guess it was just the thoughts that made them happy to catch it and drag it up onto the deck last night. Shaking my head here.

 

The hens have been relatively happy today. A few eggs were turned in as their portion of the deal we have, but mostly they went around the yard on their clucking work, scratching whatever came up the easiest. Two different people have been promised eggs, but neither can come pick them up right now. Vickie was supposed to come today. Who knows what is going on with that lady? The other person was going to come when we got our meat delivered, but the young woman who delivers the meat has been somewhat iffy about when she could get here. Umm. That is not one of the attitudes that anyone would appreciate, but sometimes we have to deal with others with patience. Such is life.

 

The dogs have appointments with the vet’s office in the morning. The secretary called this morning to let me know that no one is allowed to come inside, so a call to them when we get there will allow the vet techs to come get the dogs to take inside. They really will need two people to get these two dogs. Sylvia will NOT go anywhere without Thompson. And dealing with her can just about be traumatic if she has to be drug through a door. It may mean that yours truly will have to take her to the door and hand the lead to someone from there. If they both did not need their nails cut so badly, no way would this trip be worth the trouble.

 

Both dogs finally ate their food today. Sylvia was hungry this morning and ate all of hers when it was put on the feeder table. Thompson just was not interested in food. So, he got his food this afternoon. Guess it was ok because he ate it all and has not asked for treats. Their coats are so pretty and soft. Mixing up people food for dogs is both expensive and time consuming, but they are worth every bit of it. Healthy and happy dogs: the finer things in life have four feet and either bark, meow, or neigh. Someone like Brenda Jones might say that baaaahs belong in that line of sounds, but goats and sheep of any origin are not quite as much fun as my dogs or Connie Cooke’s cats. Never have owned an alpaca, but some folks think they are pretty neat, too. But have also heard that, like chickens, it takes at least two to be happy. In my kitchen are potholders that say: Love is a four-legged thing.

 

My kitchen feels cleaner even if the dogs have walked across the floor several times today. Got some of the general clutter tossed or put away. That always helps my attitude! The sink is clean and white and the counters are wiped down. Can even see every burner on the stove top! Amazing! Tomorrow is another cooking day, but can think of worse things. Have a pound or two of carrots to cook to go with cooked chicken, so only the rice and some green beans will have to be cooked otherwise. May prepare Brussel sprouts instead of green beans. The dogs think those little round green balls are treats. Who would have thought such a thing? Can remember my children making faces when they smelled any kind of dish containing cabbage, turnips, Brussel sprouts or strong-smelling veggies. But they ate at least a bite. Think Lance taught his kids to eat things like that. But you can bet your bippy he never asked them to eat liver! Giggling.

 

It is not supposed to freeze tonight, so the faucets won’t have to drip all night. That is one of the bad things about winter—freezing temps and water pipes don’t go together well at all unless you happen to be a plumber just waiting for another job. Speaking of jobs, called our friend Barry Ice (an electrician) today to ask him about coming over to replace the light out on the deck. Have already bought the new lamp, but being an electrician is just not going to match my skill set. Barry said he MIGHT be able to get to it next week. The guy stays busy, so he must be making a living. Watched him grow up down in Bonita from the time he was just a little guy. And now all three of his children are out of college. Time certainly does get away.

 

Finished a good book and want to start another one in the same line by the same author. This last one was pretty silly, but it made me laugh out loud a few times. The dogs just look at me to see if the old woman is having problems or something. Guess more laughter is needed around here to keep them up with the different kinds of giggles and hee haws! My mom could laugh loud enough to be heard all the way down the street, but we always got a kick out of hearing her laugh. We knew something funny was in that book she was reading. Unless it was one of the pranks one of us had pulled on Daddy. The rubber tarantula under his easy chair was by far the funniest prank when it “sprang” out (attached air hose unnoticed) and Mom fake gasping and pointing! He finally decided it was funny, but not before Sterling took off for the back yard in case Daddy got really angry. It is still funny to me.

 

Don’t know anything world shaking—and am so glad that is the case! Life goes on in its usual mess and has enough folks to clean up or mess up without any help from yours truly. Do you suppose that means the old woman is pretty useless? Or does it even matter? Some of us just like to sit and read, laugh a little, and rest as it strikes the fancy. Seems like there are plenty of folks who work today just as hard as some of us did in the past, so whether or not we might be a little less useful in some areas, maybe we are still worth having around. Know that the love of others still matters, so will stick to that and loving these critters.

 

Rest and be grateful for all that He has given us. You are loved.