Even though the book is not finished again, reading it now at over 70 has shown me some insights that were simply not there when it once became my assignment to read our nation's first novel. The language used by Hawthorne still irks my patience, but at least his intent can be seen with greater clarity. It is horrible to admit our faults at times, yet when freely admitted, perhaps they seem totally different to those to whom they are admitted. The Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale called himself from the pulpit the worst of sinners, yet his congregation compared what he said to their own faults. His loathing of his miserable self became a type of anthem to those who thought of him as a saint. It reminds me of some of those TV personality evangelists who take advantage of their audience and parade around as if they are truly sent by God to show how rich He has made them because of their superior virtues. None of us are truly immune to such showmanship. Someone even wrote a song about the man with the diamond ring--The Dire Straits called it "Ticket to Heaven." How can we not see the faults of our system of beliefs? Probably the same way that we cannot see our own faults. Being reminded of the two greatest commands: Love God with your whole heart--and your neighbor as yourself. How often do we hear those commandments today? Guess it depends on how we listen and to whom.
So it is a pretty day out there. The dogs and the hens have paraded around the yard in seeming happiness. Then Sylvia brought a new rubber ball inside. Guessing the twit across the fence did not like it. Not really sure. Have a nice collection of eight bright yellow golf balls if anyone would enjoy them. Don't think Donny Anderson plays golf any longer. Oh well.
Michelle Malay came for just a short visit and had to leave quickly to go take care of her business affairs. Even short visits are sweet, however.
Connie needed a couple of mulberry trees dug out of her flower bed in front of her apartment. Dug those up for her, and we took them out to the dumpster. Not really fond of mulberry trees for some reason. Mom hated the things because the birds invariably pooped bright purple on her clean sheets on the lines out back. And Lewis broke his arm falling out of one when he was a child. They are not particularly pretty trees in my estimation, but they do feed the birds.
Speaking of birds: the mockingbird has one egg in her nest on the deck so far. The colander apparently is just the right size for her, and she has stripped the cedar posts to fill the cup part of the nest with something soft and good for her babies. Am hoping that the chicks will not fall out and be eaten by the hens or killed by my dogs. And you KNOW that she is going to attack my dogs or me when we get near her nest. Such is the nature of mother birds--well, SOME mother birds. Killdeers always pull the old wounded bird trick to get possible predators away from her babies. But her little ones hatch ready to run! Some birds take a week or more before the babies even can get up to the edge of the nest. Not Killdeers! The nest itself is just eggs sitting in a little pile of stones. The eggs look just like more gravel! God knew what he was doing in giving birds a way to care for their young.
Cleaned out the little inside coop for the broody hen again. While changing the water and putting in more feed, she took off again and went back to the same nesting box. Then she had words to express about how she felt about being picked up again and moved back inside that stupid coop. Maybe a couple of days will make the difference for her attitude.
Connie's sister had a gardenia "tree" that she sent to my house. Hoping it lives. It was awfully dry, but the leaves still look ok. This one is supposed to be one that is tougher than the ones that come from South America. We will see. If it can deal with the heat that will be coming soon, it would have to be a pretty tough piece of vegetation.
My amaryllis is not doing any great opening exercises to show its blooms. May have to trim some vegetation around it to let it get more light. But then, have quite a bit of stuff on the front that needs to be trimmed back. The five-leaf ivy has a tendency to take over if given the chance. That stuff really travels fast!
Some of the smaller flowers have made seeds and are beginning to dry up just a bit. If they shake in the wind, it sounds just a bit like a rattlesnake--only not nearly that loud. But, dear hearts, my eyes are always on the watch for snakes out front. Next year the bluebonnets may not get to grow up in the cracks between the paving stones. They really are a tripping hazard, not to mention a place for lizards and snakes to hide. And no, lizards don't bother me. Snakes are just not particularly welcome. If they would just get the danged wabbits . . .
Walked out to look at the flowers and also the stuff that needs to be dug out next to the west end of the house. Have some of those darned khaki weeds that make stickers that hurt everything they touch. No amount of spray can kill them, so yours truly will have to get out there and dig them out. Oh well. Good exercise or something.
Just glanced out the window and noticed another cottontail making its way into the front yard. Went out and slapped my hands together to scare it off. Now it is in the Anderson's front yard so THEIR dogs can bark at it! Going to have to get out my slingshot. Not that it would hit the critter, but who knows.
If it stays dry this weekend, the grass has to be cut. Still have grass that needs to be whacked, too. Ah, such fun. Still, beats living in an apartment with no place for a dog or any elbow room. Realize that a body can't always depend on being able to do this stuff one's self, but as long as it is possible . . .
This coming Monday is Jennifer's birthday. The next week is Gary and Lance's birthdays. May is a busy month--and was once before, obviously. Still remember bringing them home from the hospital--well, ours anyway. Not sure Gary was even born in Texas.
Well, need to sit down and finish reading The Scarlet Letter so it will be easier to discuss it with the boys tomorrow. Then we will start on Nineteen Eighty-four--either the movie or the book for them, the book for me. Not a fan of movies, but it is better than nothing. Our society is getting closer and closer to the descriptions. Sad, just sad.
May you all find happiness in the many blessings given to us. May you find ways to express love to others. YOU are loved.
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