Comparisons and Differences of Degree.

 Comparisons and Differences of Degree.

 

My oldest Dickerson grandchild brought me a book this weekend called Fever, 1793. It is an eye-opening book with stories that make me think of New Orleans after Katrina or the damage to society caused in 2020 by this sickness. But we are actually blessed by comparison. We can still get food, we may have to have tele-visits by our doctors but they can still prescribe needed medications, and we still have—mostly—a semblance of public order in our communities. We are not condemned to anarchy or total lawlessness or looting by our neighbors. We still have clean water and electricity. Some things are just always going to be hard on us. Sicknesses of various kinds will always be a possibility if not a probability. But we also have remedies for pain and other problems. That has not always been the case in history. Today we should feel blessed that we have relative peace in our lives, at least in this nation and many others.

 

Philadelphia must have been horribly damaged by the yellow fever and the lack of sanitary disposal of wastes. But the mosquito was the critter to fear when yellow fever was prevalent. We have enough of other problems, including West Nile and whatever else is coming up from South America. But yellow fever has not come up to any large-scale problem in the U.S. since 1905. The last major epidemic came from the West Indies. And at least now we have a vaccine for it. Some things have improved in our lives.

 

It has been an unsettling day. The fire truck arrived early this morning and Donny ended up in the hospital. Patty was shaking so badly that she let me stay with her until Donny’s son was at the hospital with him. The dispatcher was trying to get Patty to do chest compressions! As if. Patty could not even get down on the floor, and if she had, it would have taken some major hauling to get her back up. Not like she could have done him any good anyway. It was not his heart. He was breathing and semi-responsive. Anyway, he has a brain bleed for some reason, and the doctor had not decided yet just what to do more after they drilled a hole in his skull to relieve the swelling. Please pray for Donny and Patty both. They are two very kind and sweet folks. No one could ask for better neighbors.

 

Good intentions did not get me to Tractor Supply today. Still don’t want to go. The hens are out of pellets, but they have mash, so they will just have to eat that. Mean ol’ woman! And it is still too hot to go anywhere. Maybe tomorrow.

 

The dogs got to eat half a box of chicken tenders this morning. Those things do not hold over very well. And yours truly only likes them fresh. Picky, picky, picky. So, instead of chicken tenders, the worthless cook chopped up a bunch of celery stalks and bread and butter pickles to add to cooked chicken that had been in the freezer. Mighty tasty. If it lasts too long, the dogs won’t mind helping with that as well. They might not eat the pickles, but such is life.

 

The hens have been eating the mint growing by the steps of the deck. Read an article that said that they also like rosemary and other spices, so will cut some for them tomorrow. And since a rat has been eating all the grapes on my grapevine, the girls got some picked off and thrown to them last night. This morning while yours truly was standing out on the deck praying, a rat ran across the electric line leading to the workshop. Probably should put a sticky trap on the shelf next to the grape vine. Sigh

 

The broody Copper Maran finally left the nest. Then she and one of the Cuckoo Marans got into it. Think they have to fight their way back into the pecking order, but the Marans are a little harsh with one another in my humble opinion. They fight as if they mean business—claw and beak and flogging all involved! The Marans will peck me when it is time to reach under them for eggs, but not the Black-laced Wyandottes. They are such a sweet chicken. Well, Rhoady is sweet too, and Isa just wants to be petted. Athena, on the other hand, does not want my hand near her! The queen of gripey hens is she, but she does not peck or fight. She just mumbles her displeasure about everything under the sun. She doesn’t mind walking by me and grumbling at me in that certain tone of voice. Not sure it would be worth translating into people from grumpy hen. Oh well.

 

Feeling as if the day has worn me out despite my lack of activity. Best laid plans of mice and old women were not accomplished, so imagine what things would be like if anything HAD been accomplished—or even attempted! Things could be worse.

 

Just spoke with Jo Ann, Jerry’s mom. She is having her other eye cataract removed tomorrow. Please pray for her as well. She has her hands full just taking care of herself and her husband. But she is very blessed to still have her husband with her. He has heart problems. Otherwise, he is healthy. So is she, for that matter. They are blessed to have each other.

 

When Rachelle posts anything about Jacob, it will also be posted here. So please keep him in your prayers. The last thing she said was that he was in tremendous pain from having the bone scraped and the abscess and infection removed from his foot. Simply can’t imagine!!

 

The birds still sing every morning. The bumblebees visit the trumpet vine out front, and my dogs chase up and down the fence to keep the boogers at bay. We can rest assured that God is aware of our lives and what we need. Rest well, my friends, and know that you are loved.