Little Worries.

 

Little Worries.

Isn’t it strange how the things that often concern us are not anything at all as bad as some of the things we considered to be just mild irritations! Our lives just go right on despite how we might feel about things, and then one day we look back and feel astounded at the outcomes. Such is life for many—perhaps most—of us.

Today my sister-in-law and her best friend growing up—Beverly Nichols—came to visit for the afternoon. We discovered that Dava’s mom was one of the younger ones that lived out here at one time. Seems her mom’s mom might have been Beverly’s Sunday school teacher even. Small world. Anyway, there is some theory that says that of all the folks you know, some of those folks also know someone else who knows someone who knows you. Don’t remember what this is called exactly—something like spheres of acquaintance or some such wording. It is interesting how we do have an influence on so many people in our lives—in one way or another. It used to feel as if the entire student body knew someone who also knew me. And that was just after twelve years of teaching at a vocational school. It was not necessarily a bad thing, but it did throw me for a loop once in a while.

The boys got here at ten and read their assignments aloud. After we discussed Fahrenheit 451 and what to expect from it, the boys walked out and looked at what kind of work needed to be done in the yard. Discovered that my work keys were missing! Looked and looked! Thought it would be necessary to wait until Jennifer got here this weekend to find them as she can find ANYthing! Then took the clothes out of the hamper this afternoon before doing laundry and found them in a pocket. Whew! The CAT key is one thing, but my house key is also on that ring. Not something that needs to go missing.

Made lamb chops for din-upper. Had plenty of chicken salad left from lunch with Anne and Beverly, but did not want to wait and cook the chops tomorrow. They were just as good as can be. Lamb may not be cheap, but it is tender and tasty. And it will make another meal tomorrow. Old folks think about things like that if they don’t really want to cook that often.

My friend Beth Graf said that it is STILL raining in Mississippi. Had to tell her that Lake Kickapoo is so full that the gates had to be opened on the dam. SO sorry that it is flooding folks downstream, but some choices are not going to change. It can either be a little bit at a time or see if the dam can hold. Not a good idea to test that dam! Anyway, Beth hoped that the water is oozing down into the water table below ground level so that it would be there later. If the heat gets as bad as it usually does, it won’t take long to dry up every lake around. As it is, the humidity was something like 83% today. That is a bit like trying to breathe through a wet sponge! Poor Patty Anderson said that it is VERY hard for her to breathe right now. Honestly don’t know how she does it when just moving around takes her breath away!

Went back over to the MRI center to get the CD ROM for the procedure so it can go to a neurosurgeon’s office. Was not too thrilled to hear that from Dr. Blackwell today, but have to consider that things could be a lot worse than they are. At least walking is still not impossible. Anne brought me some major bottles of Gabapentin. It turns out she was taking 1200 mg a day! So now she is not having to take any at all. But then, Dr. Lim killed some nerves in her neck and back. Not sure that is one of my options. Would appreciate your prayers that things won’t get any worse in my back. Would love to remain independent as long as possible.

The piece of land at the end of the street is for sale—a sign is up down there. Hate to see a trailer house or circus tent moved in. Told Patty about it, and she said she would have Donny check it out. She is not happy about the prospect of another drug house down there either. Of course, who knows what will happen with Jerry’s place right across the road! Know for sure that it is not one of the things in my future. Too much expense and too much work. As it is, the boys are going to make a killing this summer just keeping the work done around here. Well, at least, if the sun does not kill all the grass, they will have mowing to do.

No broody hens today! But did notice a moving insect that might have been a “mite” in the little nesting house. Will be spraying it before bedtime tonight. Can’t have my hens itching! Next step will be a trip to Sutherlands for the diatomaceous earth. Maybe tomorrow or the next day. Just kinda tired right now, but if the boys are here tomorrow, they can help with it. God knew what He was doing giving guys these wonderful muscles!

Well, need to finish reading this book before handing it to the boys tomorrow. Found out—thanks to my daughter-in-law the librarian—that it was easy to get books from our local library on Libby. No expense and Kindle ready! They even have free movies. How’s that for a class act! Anyway, told the boys that a Kindle is not that terribly expensive. The iPad that Lance gave me is perfect for me, but my eyes are not as good as a younger person’s eyes. And even on a Kindle, the print can be expanded. The inventions of today are just wonderful compared to some of the things we have had in the past. Trips to the library for an entire arm load of books were a once-a-week enjoyment for us. But then, Petrolia to Henrietta was a good thirty-minute drive. Have not been to that library in years. Hope it is still well stocked and busy.

Tomorrow afternoon is the meeting for the Route 66 Group. Asked Anne and Beverly if they kept up with old classmates. They have lost more of them that were friends. And Beverly is the same age as the old woman! We had something like 37 students in our classroom in the Eighth Grade. It felt like wall-to-wall kids. Am pretty sure it was overwhelming to our teachers, too! Can you imagine just grading papers if an essay were assigned?! Baby boomers!

Whatever our days bring to us and to our families, let us be grateful for all the blessings. Rest well and enjoy each day. You are loved.