Seriously?!

 Seriously?!

 

This is the kind of weather that makes an old woman wonder about her sanity. How could she think it would be nice to have chickens all year around? So hot in the summer that the sun broils her brains (whatever is left of them) and so cold and windy in the winter that only a truly dingy person would be outside!! Oh well.

 

Today the old woman was not the only one out and about. About six men came and finished building the wheelchair ramp for the young girl across the street. None of her joints work, so getting into or out of the modular home is not handy! Poor kid. But now she can get in and out. The men were surprised to have four dozen eggs left in sacks for them as they were finishing up. Then the new couple across the street in Jerry’s house were over there a bit ago. Took a pad of paper and pen and met the young woman while getting her number and giving her mine. Told her about the eggs and that they were free. She seemed enthused, if frozen!

 

Guess David Sewell got to come home, but do not really want to be around him or Maggie as the virus that causes pneumonia can be contagious. See. There we go again with the paranoia.

 

Talked to Sterling last night and found out that his former mother-in-law Betty True who is 97 had fallen and is now in a coma and on hospice care. Kinda sad for the entire family. Think Marion, Carla, and son Ricky are the only children of the six that are still living (plus Darlene in nursing care). Not sure. It’s rough to lose most of one’s kids, but Betty has grandchildren and great-greats out the wazoo! And they all love her. Not sure it would be worth living that long, but she used to be very active. It’s one thing to lose mobility, but would prefer not to lose my mind.

 

It just keeps getting colder. Have the cabinet doors open and the water dripping. Certainly hope that is sufficient to keep the pipes from freezing. Even went into the back room and got another heater to put near the washing machine pipes. We will see.

 

Got the turkey roasted and the meat stripped off the bones and bagged up in Ziplocks. The dogs really like that stuff for some reason. Imagine turning down venison for turkey! If it were not such a task to haul these carcasses around and put them in freezer, oven, etc., the old woman might do this more often since turkey is generally cheaper even than chicken.

 

Sat and looked at some books of pictures. So many good memories! FB has a neat way of getting folks to buy those things since we post so many shots of things that matter to us. And it’s not like anyone else would want them—at least not the ones taken around here!

 

Having a salad for supper. Got into Grayson’s box from Nuts.com and started on the pretzels. No, they are not good for me, but just try to resist them!! Sent him another box that will get there the 16^th of this month—just a wee bit late for his birthday! Maybe he won’t care. It’s not like he is going to come get them!

 

Trying to stay away from the news on the computer today. Nothing on it is going to make my day, so might as well ignore it. SO very glad that we can know that God has things planned out in HIS time and in the way He wants things to go. He is trustworthy.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

 

 

Nibbles!

 Nibbles!

 

WHY do we need nibbles when the weather gets too cold to go to the store to pick up apples or something that is not too full of calories and loaded with sugar? Just sat here and nibbled on some Chex cereal—maple brown sugar! No, did not “need” anything of the sort, but tell my nibbly little brain that! Sigh.

 

It was doggone cold this morning, but covered up with a great big hoodie that Lance and Tracy got for me and went out to care for the hens. Took out two heads of cabbage and checked (kicked) the water bowls. Tomorrow the bowls have to be dumped and refilled, but the container in the coop did not freeze and is still full enough for another day at least. Just did not want to put an extension cord in the coop this year for their heated bowl. It always worries me when dealing with electricity. Just one tiny cut in a wire can cause all kinds of problems. Not worth it.

 

The wild birds visit rather often for handouts. They eat up every sunflower seed they can find, but then, my hens are rather fond of those seeds, too. A little expensive, but they probably add to the protein and fat content enough to keep the girls healthy. Right now, it just makes me happy that they are getting out and about and eating the cabbage and whatever grass they find. Currently the wind is not too fierce either.

 

Yesterday my head felt as if it were swollen from my nose down to below my throat. Kinda thought the old woman was coming down with something. It never fails that someone who is sick will come around about the time my own feel bads are kicking in. When Mary said she had covid, it immediately made me think that my throat irritation might be something other than just sinus drainage. Paranoia will get ya every time! Other than being cold from the top to the bottom (feet, not the rear), the old woman is in good shape—well, she has a shape. Nevermind.

 

Grayson laughed at me because his birthday gift was sent to me rather than to him. He said he accidentally charged something expensive to his mom’s account and has not heard the last of it yet! We fixed that on my account, at least. Only my credit card is on there now. But discovered today that the dog food for my two bed warmers and totally non-silent alarms is much, much cheaper on Amazon and on a recurring order. Have been paying nearly $20 for an 8-pound bag of Purina One lamb and rice at United. Amazon is charging me a little over $9. Can we say “markup”?

 

Sat reading Lehman Straus’ description of one chapter in Revelation. You know, people don’t realize that there is quite a distinction between Jews and gentiles even in the future. Those Jews who try to show others about God will be persecuted and despised and killed. But they will also be rewarded for their witness. None of us want to be around then, but still. The times foretold for the future are just worse than any horror film we could imagine. So glad that the church will be taken before any of those circumstances begin. I never believed in the “rapture” because the word was not in my Bible, but when it says that two would be working together and one would be taken—well, what do you think it means? In the twinkling of an eye, we will be changed.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Preparations.

 Preparations.

 

It is supposed to get cold in the next few days. Since this is Texas we are talking about, not much telling what it will do or when it will do it. But being an old woman with a streak of paranoia, the feed bins are full to the brim, have a water pitcher ready to haul water out to the coops, and the outside faucets are covered. Still getting eggs for the time being. Not much telling how cold weather will affect the hens.

 

KNOW how cold weather affects me: achey, breaky joints! Poor Thompson let me know this morning when his back knee did not want to bend. Poor baby. Wish this pain med would work better and last for 24 hours. Patty wanted me to take her dogs to the vet this afternoon, so that was my plan. Then some things happened and it did not get done. Did not go to the meeting at Pioneer either. Probably just as well. My friend Mary was diagnosed with Covid. Just lovely. John (her husband) came to pick up eggs and brought cabbage. He knows that is not necessary, but he does it anyway when he is at the store. He has been taking care of Mary since her latest knee surgery, but now he is sick and she is, too. No bueno. Just hoping that the “pneumonia” that David Sewell has really is that and not something else. Doesn’t take much to wipe out an old person like some of us.

 

Shona wanted to see the lake, so with Patty’s permission, we walked down to her place. It is so pretty and green. By the time we headed back, Shona was sniffing and snorting like happens to me this time of year. The pollen count is only eight something, but juniper really can do a job on a person. Patty came out and sat with us and kept wiping the tears from her eyes—allergies! Have decided it is better not to be around anyone when my allergies are like this. Just miserable! And if some germ came floating by, that would just about do the trick! Oh well.

 

Jenn called me yesterday to tell me that the voice on her car told her to watch out ahead and avoid the BIBLE! She shook her head and found it—a pothole! How she got Bible out of pothole is still a curiosity!

 

A package planned for Grayson’s birthday was delivered HERE today instead of to his house. Sigh. Jenn had my toaster delivered to HER house! Giggling. We might be kin to each other!

 

Sat and read from the book on Revelation by Lehman Straus again today while not working (not that the work is going to get done anyway). Wish this book had been around for me to read years ago. But maybe an old woman is more receptive to it than a young punk. Just a thought. Sterling said that he enjoyed the book so much that he ordered another copy for himself.

 

Speaking of Sterling, he finished another table today and was about to go get another load of wood before they get snowed in. He also had propane delivered and filled up some back up cans of fuel for his generator. Then his new renter went and bought a generator for their RV. Sterling helped him put it together, but said that it did not have the kind of plug that fits the RV. Not sure what the guy will do about that. Nothing in an RV runs on 220. Oh well. Not my problem, and electricians are cheap. NOT!

 

Bought some heritage tomatoes the other day at Aldi’s. They are almost black and have a wonderful flavor! Wish these would grow on Dickerson Hill! Have to get Roger Thonton to try them.

 

This sunshine today was an absolute gift from God. Know it will at least be a good memory in a couple of days. But spring is not too far off—even if it only lasts a day. Meanwhile, we can enjoy our neighbors, friends, family, and everyone we meet up with from the mailman to the garbage collector. Keep our eyes away from the latest ship seized and keep those eyes turned to God. HE is in control.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Aldi Tators.

 Aldi Tators.

 

Not really supposed to have potatoes, but once in a while, the old woman buys four or five good-sized baking potatoes. They are quite expensive when bought separately. Found five pounds of them at Aldi today for less than the cost of those four or five singles. Kept out some and took the rest to the neighbor to use however. They would go to root over here.

 

Almost did not go to Aldi’s because of this wind. It just exhausts me. But wanted a couple of things from the store, so after the first little errand, hooked it on over to Aldi’s. Last time, Lance was with me and got me to buy some almond creamer flavored like caramel. Umm. They did not have any today, of course. But they had the spinach dip and goat cheese. Yum.

 

Saw a post by my friend Daniel Hernadez griping about how WFISD is going downhill faster than they can even build a new building. Surprise, surprise, surprise! Nothing really new there. Why do you suppose so many folks are home schooling or choosing charter schools? SO very glad none of mine are still in public school!

 

Went out a bit ago and cleaned the shelf where the nine hens usually do their thing while sitting on the roost above the shelf. When Jerry first built that shelf, it bothered me that he did not understand that roosts were supposed to go there. Eventually the old woman put the roosts in OVER the shelf and it really worked out well. EASY to clean. Dug a hole for the stuff and covered it with the dirt. Sterling suggested putting hay on top of that and then throwing on a layer of veggie trash for composting. Will have to buy some straw again. Sigh. Always something. At least the feed bins have enough feed to get the girls through this month. Probably should go get another sack before this cold spell hits. Oh well. Will see how tomorrow feels.

 

While at Aldi, found a x-large dog sweater. Thompson seems to think it is ok even if he did manage to get dirt on it already. Shona told me that she thought my house was clean—considering the dogs! LOL Yeah, might as well laugh. Dogs and dirt, fur, water drips, kibble pieces on the mat or floor, you name it! Especially the window decorations!

 

Have had a headache nearly all day that just keeps making me feel as if something is floating toward my nose and then my ears! Bet anything the barometer is floating around about the same way. So many folks get sick this time of year. David Sewell is in the hospital with pneumonia. Maggie says he is stubbornness personified. Won’t ask for help to save his life! Used to know someone like that!

 

The high wind the other day ripped part of the edge from my car port roof. Shona seemed to think that Albert might be able to fix it, but he has no ladder. Guess who DOES have a ladder! Shoot, if the man who helps me comes from Henrietta, it costs at least $30, so it would be worth it to pay Albert and get the job done before the danged thing actually breaks off. Will ask him this evening if he has time.

 

Going to make a pot of decaf and see if the hot stuff makes me feel better. Yes, bouillon would probably be better for me, but really prefer coffee even if it does not have a kick of energy. Guess the old woman is just tired enough to sleep tonight despite the coffee. Running around town did not used to make me feel tired. Old age is wonderful. It makes me realize how blessed we have been through all these years. Energy and ability do get stuff done has to be reapportioned now. Praise God we don’t have to pay for all of it at once!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Why Old Women Should Not Have Babies.

 Why Old Women Should Not Have Babies.

 

You remember your mother, or at the very least, your grandmother having leftovers in Cool Whip bowls in the fridge, right? You never knew what surprises you might find in there! Then there were the “science experiments.” Uh huh. They needed to be dropped, bowl and all, in the trash bin. Wwwwoooo! Around here the fridge gets emptied rather often, and no Cool Whip bowls are used to disguise any contents. Nope, what you see is what you get. That is not to say that the old woman remembers what might have been put in little bags and slid in the freezer section, however. That is why the Ziplock people put those handy little sections on the bags that can be easily labeled with a permanent marker. Have been thinking again about freezing some beaten eggs in bags. Easy toss of scrambled eggs some morning.

 

The cold gusts of air today have not been very nice to those of us who have arthritis. Poor Thompson just hobbles along and uses the stairs up to the deck rather than try to hop up from the side. Know just how he feels. The wind last night just roared up this hill off the lake. Nevermind that the lake is probably three inches deep. It is still a body of water that makes the wind colder when it hits. Apparently, last night the wind was high enough and hard enough to put the internet service out part of the day over here. Not sure that it affected many others, but it definitely got ours. Made me realize how much time is wasted online most days. Oh well. It is my time to waste.

 

The dogs are over here playing “big mouth.” They seem to be trying to see which one has the biggest mouth. Silly dogs. Gotta love ‘em. They keep me company and make my life more interesting every day.

 

Now the hens are fun and flock around me just to see if any handouts are forthcoming. Today they had some little pumpkins that Kissy dropped off for them. It was not too difficult to split the things in half or fourths and slide them in the oven to bake them until they were soft. As to whether the hens will eat them—well, that is another question.

 

The egg count may go down considerably as the temps go down, but right now the girls are keeping everyone in eggs. All that expensive feed must be doing some good because they are some very pretty eggs. Think only one of the Black Marans is still laying that chocolate-colored egg. Only get one each day.

 

Had my head down in my hands for a few minutes and Sylvia came to check on me. Yes, tired and a bit of headache from the weather will do it. But who knew she was watching?

 

Grayson’s team that was working in downtown Ft. Worth yesterday during the gas explosion thought that lightning had hit their building. They have been having hard rains down there lately, so it stands to reason that they would be expecting a great big flash. Still have not heard if the ones that were hurt badly are going to be ok. Prayers are needed.

 

It sounds scary when one looks at the world situations. The Euro countries are wondering if they are going to be the next on the list for being invaded. Sitting here wondering if there is a nation on earth right now that is not enduring some kind of conflict—even Canada is concerned about all the illegal immigrants. Wonder if Australia has room for a few million immigrants from all the rest of the world. As many mean snakes, spiders, and strange animals as they have, a few million Houtis might be a good start on bait. Oh! Not nice! Sorry. Not sorry. We are supposed to be kind, but all the garbage that is floating around makes a person pretty fed up with that kind of violent trash.

 

We will just have to continue to pray and lift up the neighbors around us with acts of kindness. Let us try to develop the character that God would approve.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Paranoia Strikes Again!

 Paranoia Strikes Again!

 

Jenn called to let me know that there was an explosion downtown Ft. Worth. Have a DIL and grand working down there, but Tracy had already left work and Gray had worked from home today. Praise God! It was a gas explosion, and in a way that was a pretty good relief. We already know that terrorists are in our state big time, but can’t imagine why any of them would blow up a hotel. Even so, thank God they are safe. Now we must pray for those injured. So many families would be affected by an explosion downtown.

 

Have goofed off today. Did not even get the sheets folded and put away from yesterday’s laundry. But did get in a really nice visit with Shona and LeeAonna. Really have been blessed to get such good neighbors. Just hope the young couple that will move into Clint and Sandy’s house will be good neighbors as well.

 

Patty said the wind was blowing so hard that she didn’t feel she could open the door on the south east side of the house to let the dogs out. She let them out front near the carport. They did not stay out long because of the wind and cold. Told her that if she did not feel like taking her trash out, the old woman would come down and do it for her. That wind just about takes my breath away!

 

The wind has not seemingly affected the hens yet. It rained earlier and almost floated the yard away, but now it is just wind. The forecast is for much colder temps and generally nasty stuff. It is January in Texas, however. Who knows what we will get.

 

The turkey pot pie made last night turned out ok, but Shona made some stew that was much better. They have a man who has worked over there all day trying to create a ramp so that their daughter can get inside the house. Can’t remember what the condition is called, but none of her joints work. She is working online for school. Her brother is going to a local elementary and doing ok there.

 

Pulled the last freaking turkey out of the freezer to let it thaw in the bottom of the fridge. Think the tag said it was a little over 19 pounds, so not quite as big as the last one. Will let it thaw a few days before trying to cook that sucker. Really think this old woman should stick to cooking chicken parts for the dogs. Lifting that kind of weight might be good for building muscles on a young person, but honestly believe the reaching out and slipping hot things in and out of an oven is not necessarily the best lifting form. Besides, a ten-pound sack of chicken legs and thighs defrosts in just a little bit!

 

Sterling said that we should try to have a better attitude about the weather as groaning, moaning, and otherwise whinging was not going to change things. We can have a good attitude no matter what—which is basically true. We know that someday we will have joy beyond anything we have ever known before. Someday WE, too, will sing with the angels in jubilation! May we keep that thought in our minds and the joy in our thoughts.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Learning the Hard Way.

 Learning the Hard Way.

 

The huge turkey was defrosting in the bottom of the fridge, and the pan it was in had the fluid in it that was to be expected. But when taken out of the plastic cover, the ice was still evident. So, it soaked a few hours in cold water. Then it cooked for six hours. Well, Dear Hearts, evidently that was not long enough. The wing bones are now cooking in a big pan along with some of the meat from the drumsticks. The rest of that big bird is back in the oven! Yes, this is just going to be dog food, but still, who would have thought that it was going to take at least another couple of hours to thoroughly cook that bird?! Oh well. The dogs will be eating venison for several more days anyway.

 

Read an article this morning about the banks not wanting any pennies. Hmm. Not sure if that just means a few or more than a dollar’s worth of pennies. A couple of men began collecting them back during WWII and filled up quite a bit of space in their basement with their collection. Their family was unable to find a bank willing to take their collection. Wonder what that much copper would be worth if it were sold that way? But it seems they used zinc in most of the later pennies. Guess my bottle of pennies would be pretty well worthless.

 

Saw and heard my good neighbors Clint and Sandy Robertson leave this morning. They had only lived there about 14 months, but they were gone quite often to take care of business or to go see their sons. Still, they were good neighbors. Have asked the Lord to watch over them and bless them. And the same can be said for asking for the new couple to be blessed. He is in the Airforce, and she is a nurse. Let’s hope that they enjoy living on this old hill.

 

Clint told me yesterday that someone had bought the corner lot where Mr. and Mrs. Hipp had their little store and station there on the corner of Texas and Kemp. It’s amazing to me that this hill has suddenly sprung to life after all these years. Just would like to see the house behind me torn down and cleaned up. It is such a fire hazard. But we have three of those out here now since Suzanne Priddy left. Her house is just going to wrack and ruin. She has an old car that needs to be hauled off—just like Bobby Wallers place has a couple that need to be recycled. Sad when folks die and leave behind trash.

 

Ok, the turkey pot pie is made and sampled; the rest of the turkey is cooked and deboned and put up to use later. Seems my turkey pot pie idea came straight out of Saginaw. Lance told me he made some for him and Tracy to take in their lunches this week. Mine had celery and mushrooms in it rather than mixed veggies, but that is ok.

 

Rachel and Damian are on a flight home this afternoon, and Jennifer and Gary are probably at home by now. Funny how my family scatters all over the place now that they are all grown.

 

May have to take Patty’s little dog to see the vet tomorrow. Such fun. Roxie is having problems and keeping Patty awake. Not good for either of them. But easily understood. Sylvia did this to me one night lately. Argh.

 

Wishing that something would work better for Thompson with his arthritis. Know how badly it hurts. But he is better than he was. Now if he would just stop chasing squirrels!

 

Let us count our blessings and begin to search our lives for the things that truly matter—our families, the critters, the green grass, the rain or snow, the folks who keep us safe or try to heal our wounds, and the peace we have in our neck of the woods and more importantly, the peace in our minds given to us by His love.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.