An Attempt to be Positive.

 An Attempt to be Positive.

 

Some days we just need a laugh or two for perspective to get back to some sense of balance. Patty was frustrated and upset this morning and was growling at one and sundry. Not that it bothered me. The dogs could not even bother me today—despite the fact that they had to have another bath! But that is a tail [spelling correct] for another day.

 

We had a discussion about all the interesting things that have happened out here on this ol’ hill in the past 53 years. We have had two or three different attempts to steal the vehicles; two attempted suicides by patients; assorted attempts to enter the house; and one old man who just “came to visit.” My daddy came one day because he was concerned that we had no latches on our screen doors. He installed latches so that Lance could not get outside or anyone outside could not get inside without our knowing it. This was all because a man came into the living room while Lance was asleep on a pallet on the floor while my efforts were directed to cutting up a chicken in the kitchen. My entry into the living room with that bloody knife in my hand scared the wee out of that man who started back peddling back out my living room door. But still. It scared me. My baby was right there on the floor! Anyway, life out here across from the state hospital has definitely been anything but boring. And lately it feels as if we are taking our lives in our own hands by any attempt to get out on the highway when the employees over there are trying to get to work on time! They take the middle turn lane as a race track! Oh well. Anyway, someone let Patty know that the new construction over at the hospital was going to include a new guard shack/tower or whatever. They plan to have higher fences with razor wire on the top the way it is at the hospital in Vernon where they have the really dangerous patients. Apparently, the guy that was shot for trying to get in some lady’s house over on Rathgeber was the impetus for this new policy. But they are also planning to have new door security in each unit so that no patients can escape. Unless they change the direction of the entry and exit from the grounds, nothing they are doing should really affect anyone in the neighborhood. For sure it should not affect the two old ladies on Fenoglio Avenue.

 

Speaking of the name of this street: does it make anyone else visualize a wide street when the word avenue is used? Fenoglio LANE was what my impulse would have been. But then, the postal department wanted it to be avenue for some reason. Or maybe that was some dipstick in the city platting department. Over the years the different pictures on those plans have changed a few times. The last guy who came out to “survey” the streets just took measurements of what was here without referring to any of the older landmarks or surveys. Dimwaddy! The fact that we have never moved an inch and the address has changed at least three times makes me believe that the postal department has a lot to do with this stuff. Oh well.

 

Thinking about the names of some of the places that my family has lived reminds me of my Grandmother Pollard. She grew up on Frog Creek in Clay County. Thinking that is the northern part close to the Red River, but not totally sure. It must be east of Byers, too. She had family in Byers. The Dunns were part of the extended family. Mrs. Hickman was Mrs. Dunn’s sister and a friend to my dad. It wasn’t until we were grown that the connections were ever discussed. Actually, thought that no Pollards were kin to anyone in the area. And they were not. Just the Camps and Henrys were kinfolk—distantly at that. My great-grandmother had some half-sisters/brothers in Oklahoma that none of us knew. And it is just possible that her father had more children after Hazel, Leonard, and Jenny left home. He remarried even though he and our great-great grandmother never divorced. Who knows what kind of kin folk there might be in far corners! About the only sure thing is that none of them were kin to Genghis Khan.

 

Lance suggested that the grass seed to be planted would probably be available at Sutherlands. It was my idea to go online and order it, but the bulk bags would be easier to use if he is going to spread it. Even have a seed or fertilizer spreader that has been around here for ages. Surely hope it still works. Will check it before long. Could always spread it by hand.

Number One Youngest grandson just sent a post from a Tik Tok thing about this man who had rescued a pigeon that had flown into their window. He tried to launch the bird into the air; it went straight for the windows again—BONK! Had to tell him that the doves around here have some of the same problems. Quite often have to RE-rescue one or more from Thompson. Take it from him and throw it into the air. It flies too low and tempts Thompson to chase—and catch! Such fun with feathers and messes. Oh well. One professor said that pigeons were just feathered rats. Nodding my head and thinking the same about doves. They probably eat twice as much as the darned rats!

 

Have accomplished totally zero today other than bathing these poor dogs. Some days are just meant to be slower than others. Did not even cook anything. Drove up to Pioneer and picked up a catfish basket. The fish was good. The onion rings were from frozen. Bleah. Won’t do that again. Pretty disappointed in Pioneer. They used to have hot, fresh foods. Things change. Not always for the best. The dogs liked the hush puppies. So there’s that.

 

Really about as dumb as dirt tonight. Plan to finish reading a book and start another one. Never a dull moment when reading! The type of situation might not be one that would ever see this old woman involved, but it is interesting to see others attempt to adapt to the newer social standards. Guess, thinking about the great grands, maybe those standards are not truly all that new. And life goes on.

 

Remember to appreciate each day that God gives us. We have so much for which to be grateful. Rest and be happy. You are loved.