Cooking Again.

 Cooking Again.

 

The dogs, especially Thompson, are pretty good to let me know how they feel about what is put into their food bowls. Not sure just what it would be in English, but in dog it went something like this: Rrrrach. Spttttph. No, he would not eat what was in his bowl this morning. Sylvia must have been hungry. She ate what was there and looked around to see if anything had been missed. Oh well. Had some beef and some chicken frozen and ready to thaw/cook for dog food. Sweet potatoes and chicken; beef and rice. Both types will get a bit of navy beans mixed with it tomorrow, but right now the beans are on cooking. For my own lunch, it was beef and rice with a dab of butter and salt. Not bad. Still have broccoli salad left from yesterday, but that will make a good supper. Forgot to put the apple in it, too. May just slice some up to go with it later.

 

That sixteen degrees was dadgummed cold this morning. At least the wind was not blowing a gale. Even so, it hurts all the way to my bones in this kind of weather. Fingers ache and toes groan, and the old woman just carries on! Guess a few other folks feel this way, too. Connie said she woke up with a horrible headache and felt as if she could not get a deep breath. Think that might accidentally be partly the residual of that case of covid she had. That stuff is truly horrible.

 

Waiting for a load of groceries to get here around two or sometime thereafter. Just don’t want to get out at all. Was looking at the prices of the meat and found an eight-pound prime rib roast (Angus) for $143.89. About dropped my upper plate. Anne said the price of meat was out of sight, but that is surely ridiculous. Connie called Bill Brown Beef and got ten pounds of hamburger for $3.75 a pound. We are going to split those ten pounds so that it will be used up before it gets to stay in the freezer too long. Going to have to talk to Jennifer and find out if she or Lance want any meat. Have no idea if they deliver to Henrietta, but will still talk to Anne about it in case she wants some meat, too. It comes—at least the hamburger comes—in one-pound packages. An entire roast—the larger ones—is a bit too much for me to eat during a week and would have to either freeze some of it or share it with someone. Yes, two someones live here and sleep on the couch, but have not taken to cooking roast beef for them just yet. The pork prices are still affordable, but the beef is a bit much generally speaking. The dogs don’t mind eating pork at all.

 

Jennifer sent a calendar to me by UPS this morning. It had all the family birthdays written on the dates. She knows how my brain works—or doesn’t work. Some people have no trouble at all remembering dates and things that have to be done on whichever day they are scheduled, but my mind is very object oriented. A calendar helps me to decide what is needed when. Using Jacquie Lawson e-cards has made it easier for me this year: have already sent birthday cards that will be delivered on the right day. Great big smirk here on my face! Will have to check to be sure all the dates are covered, but they probably are. It should not be so hard to remember Landon’s and Tracy’s birthdays since they are both on the fifteenth of a month—nine months apart.

 

Despite the cold weather, the hens are still laying eggs like champs. So happy with them. At least they are not getting wet. Right now, a bunch of them are out in the side lot looking for goodies. My opinion is somewhat biased, but they are such pretty creatures! Rhody molted and grew her feathers back in with an additional shade of red. She is just stunning! Short little body and perky little tail feathers just make her stand out. Of course, the rest are shades of black or black and white.

 

Saw that huge eagle on the post the other day and keep watching to see if it comes back, but so far it has not. Did not bother to warn Patty about it. She goes out and shines her light around to be sure that nothing can get her doggies at night, and she looks around during the day to be sure that they will be ok as well. Coyotes or bobcats don’t really care if a person is outside or not. They will grab a small dog and take a quick hike before a person has time to even feel shocked. A lady over in Burkburnett took her little Yorkie out to her front yard for it to do its business, and a coyote slipped out from under one of those low-lying cedar looking trees and grabbed the dog, slung it sideways, and took off. It was a champion Yorky, but it was a bite or two for that coyote. Another lady who used to live out at Lake Arrowhead had her horse come in with claw marks all over its neck and back from a cougar! And folks don’t think those things are in this part of the country. Surely someone would argue that a bobcat could do that kind of damage, but they are generally not that big and wouldn’t land on its back. Would not want one after me or my critters.

 

Vacuumed the living room a bit ago, and still need to mop the kitchen floor. Not all that enthusiastic, however. The dogs leave a mess around their food bowls that gets wiped up every day, but that does nothing for the rest of the floor.

 

Sitting here eating a few animal crackers. Just had a kangaroo. Why don’t they make some different kind of animals once in a while? Dogs, cats, rabbits, pigs, cows, and horses—even hay bales and saddles would be neat. Or they could make Marvel Comic characters or Star Wars characters. Can see it now, “Hey, will trade you a ChewBacca for a handful of Wookies.” Or a skunk and an armadillo? A turtle and a turkey? A hen and a goose or swan? Sigh. Just love critters, even in animal cookies.

 

Can sit here and look out the window and guess what time it is by the number of cars entering the State Hospital grounds. It’s almost time for the three-p.m. shift to come to work. They are not quite as likely to rush as the ones at one p.m. coming back from lunch. You would not want to get in the way of those folks!

 

Used to carry an old twin bedspread in my Mustang—and in the green Granada before that. Bringing the girls home from high school one day, we saw a guy on a motorcycle get hit and knocked off of his bike onto the hot—really hot—pavement. We stopped and put the bedspread under his head and arm without moving him. This was during a really hot (beginning of spring) day when the pavement was sticky from oozing tar. It can be just as dangerous as ice and snow, so maybe folks should think about keeping something in the back of the car all year long? Think the girls were horrified to see that guy get slid across the pavement like that, but we did not even try to move him. Memories sometimes can make me shudder.

 

Just ate a penguin! Did not know that polar bears and penguins were in animal cookies now! How about that! Well, maybe that is what they were. Could have been something else. Oh well.

 

Read about the Jarlsbergs again today. Their daughter is getting better, but Kathy is just a mess looking for a place to happen. Please pray that God will heal her and give her family peace. This has to just be horrible to watch her suffer through all the garbage they are doing to her. One poke right after the other and nothing that makes her feel any better. Just seems inhuman! Someday we are all going to look back at the way cancer is treated today and realize just how inhumane “treatments” have been! Barbaric!

 

Remember to thank God for the blessings He gives us, including good health, safety, loving kindnesses, and our families. Let us not only be grateful, but let us be as loving as possible to others that His love can shine through us.

 

Rest well and be joyful. You are loved.

Salad Days?

 Salad Days?

 

Some days nothing really appeals to one’s appetite, but today a chopped-up broccoli salad with pecans, grated cheddar, chopped fresh broccoli, some small slices of turkey, and craisins just hit the spot. It isn’t hot, but it is so very tasty. Even the hens appreciated the little bits of broccoli from the stalks. Speaking of which, lunch had chopped broccoli leaves and stalk, some bamboo shoots, beef slices, and some kind of spices to be considered Korean beef dinner. Whatever it was, it was definitely spicy. Not bad, but not the greatest either.

 

Yesterday the blog got typed up and posted in Blogger but not in FB under Common Sense. Guess no one missed it, so there’s that. Maybe things will be a little more organized this evening—or not. Jennifer and Lance think their mom is getting forgetful. Now, is that any way to think about your mom? Just realistic, maybe.

 

Sylvia has been cold all day. Tried putting her jacket on her, but it would not close under her belly. Guess who got too fat for her jacket. Ordered a couple from Chewy along with a treat ball for the hens. We will see how they react to it on those days when they can’t be allowed out of the coop. Kinda dread those days because it is going to be knee deep in cold and snow if they can’t be allowed outside. They have fresh water in their heated bowl and plenty of scratch and meal, so they won’t go hungry, but they may get bored. The little treat ball is supposed to keep them busy chasing it.

 

Everything froze in the green house part of the coops. Guess that is no surprise since it does not have a heater of any kind in there. And then there are the holes in the top where the hail made it well ventilated! Oh well. Maybe in the spring it will be worth messing with. Only have one plant in the house—a spider plant. Well, and an African violet in the kitchen window. If the house gets colder, that one will have to sit on the dryer to stay warm enough. Have the humidifier on to keep enough moisture in the air, but not sure that will help the plants.

 

Anyone stepping inside my house and noticing the TV table would quickly understand that dogs live here just because of all the treat sacks and jars. There’s a dog brush, dog ball, sprays for hot spots, and assorted doggy things. Yep, this is definitely a dog house. Don’t know what I would do without them. They are so much company.

 

Absolutely know nothing of any value. Shuffling around here all wrapped up in my flannel shirt and hat whenever venturing out to get the eggs or check on the girls is hardly newsworthy. Did read one thing in FB today that made sense—shock of the nation! Someone complained that not one officer of the law or whatever came to help them while they were stuck in a traffic jam for two days on the interstate. The guy who wrote an answer to that complaint made the points that WE are responsible for our own safety. If we are dumb enough to drive in ice and snow, we should be prepared with shovel, kitty litter, extra water, extra lighting, extra food, and whatever else would keep us fairly safe for a couple of days. That made sense to me. No one is responsible for our decisions to get out in that mess. If we can get in it, we better be able to deal with it. When Donny and Jerry were here and able to be of help, it seemed wonderful to be able to get to the hen house or whatever. But without anyone in the neighborhood to help now, taking care of myself and the critters is up to me. Realistically, no one else is going to be here for me. Can’t see bringing fourteen hens in the house either! Can you imagine going into the bathroom and having to gather eggs?! There is not enough newspaper in Wichita County to keep the floor clean! Oh well. Folks in Europe used to have their cows living with them. Guess that would keep everyone a little bit warmer, but imagine the smell!

 

Will suggest that we all need to be grateful for the many blessings in this life. Thank God for the critters and the means to feed and care for them. Thank God for our families and the patience to rear the children and listen to their opinions! Then we can praise God that our families love us in return. Rest and rejoice in life, dear friends. You are loved.

Dog Toys.

 Dog Toys.

 

Sister-in-law suggested that we meet for lunch at Hunan’s today, and it really was enjoyable. She has to MAKE herself get out and about right now. Well, actually, she is that way quite often, not just right now. It is amazing to me sometimes how introverts would simply rather not be around other folks. Not that extroverts can’t feel that way as well. Sometimes it just feels good to keep to one’s self. And really, who could be better company than with our own thoughts and ways? We all need some quiet time and room to think. Too much noise or chatter can just be enough to make a person feel ill. Even if one’s job is being on the phone all day—in fact, maybe more so if one’s job is talking or listening to people on the phone—it is good to just get quiet and sit with thoughts that are comfortable. Anyway, we had a good lunch and visit. She needed to go to Aldi’s to shop for groceries and fill up her pantry. She said she was just eating things that were there in the house and not planning any meals. That has been happening around here some, but getting my groceries delivered has meant that different kinds of foods or meals happen more often than not.

 

Anne also brought my dogs a toy each. They are/were rubber squeaky toys. Now both toys have lost the top of the “bottle” that they were supposed to resemble. Think that Sylvia ate most of both of them. Only one little tiny piece of bottle was on the floor, so it makes me believe that some, if not all, of the other pieces are in her stomach. Certainly hope it goes right on through! One of our dogs kept eating some plastic rope toy one time. The piles of you-know-what were all decorated with little red pieces of twine looking stuff. Dogs, cows, donkeys: they all eat just about anything they can get in their mouths. Mom said that her daddy had an old Ford that had a rag top on it. The danged goats got on top of it and ate the entire top! Granddad Kennedy got rid of the goats because he didn’t want to just kill them. The price of goats would not have replaced that “rag top,” however.

 

Thompson did not want anything to eat this morning, but he finally ate some this afternoon. Just because Sylvia was eating was not enough reason to join her. He definitely has his own ideas about when and what to eat.

 

Talked to Lance today who was working away on his computer while he talked to me. He was at home with Rachel. She had to go see the doctor yesterday, but it was not the covid mess. She has an upper respiratory infection that has included her ears. They have a soccer tournament this weekend, but she will be unable to attend. Can’t imagine running around out in this cold weather. It’s all some of us can do to go outside during the really hard winds. My hens are close to the ground, but even they hide behind a shed door or somewhere not to get blown sideways! At least they are still laying eggs.

 

Years ago, we bought a humidifier to keep the air in the house from getting too dry during the winter. When we had a wood burning stove, we always kept a big pot of water on its top to put off steam, but ordinary heaters are not exactly the best place for a pot of water. It dawned on me this morning that my nose was dry on the inside. Time to haul out the humidifier again. Saline solution helps with that dryness, too. Just a little reminder to anyone who has forgotten the things we learned years ago. Funny how that happens.

 

No one is going to believe this, but yesterday a large eagle was out on a post in Jerry’s yard. Not a hawk. An eagle. Hawks are not that large and owls don’t have that body look to them. He or she may have been just passing through, but it was neat to watch it anyway. Have seen three hawks ganging up on an entire flock of pigeons, but this was just one eagle. Have no idea if it planned to hang around, but we surely have plenty of critters for it to snag for lunch. My hens are not stupid, however. They were hiding under the deck.

 

Just put some tea on to steep. What is it about winter that makes tea so tasty? Had hot tea with lunch while Anne had iced tea. Iced anything has never been all that appealing to me unless it was really hot. One year when my grandparents needed their house trim painted, Granddad came walking around to my ladder and held up a big glass of lemon iced tea. Never have tasted anything so good in my life! Did not even realize that thirsty was on my mind! Lewis was like that all year. He liked iced tea with LOTS of ice—even in winter. He never did really like coffee. But his parents liked the stuff when he was growing up. My parents mostly drank coffee. Guess it is a family thing.

 

All fourteen hens are out in the side lot enjoying scratching around in the grass. Other than having to hide out from bigger birds—and how often does that happen?—they have it pretty good. Eat, scratch around, lay an egg every 26 hours, and then eat some more. They have shade in the summer and a heated roost in the winter, so it’s not too bad a life for a feathered fowl. Well, except for molting. That would not be any fun whatsoever! So very glad we don’t have to molt! Can you imagine? We really would all be known as flakes instead of humans, huh?

 

Dumber than dirt today. Know nothing and don’t even really care. And my blog is not nearly as lovely as some of the pictures that Keith posts. Such is life.

 

Be happy with your life no matter what. We are so very blessed. And we have His promises for more than anything we could ever consider possible. Rest and rejoice. You are loved.

The Second Monday of the Week.

 The Second Monday of the Week.

 

Went to Eye Mart again this morning. This time the prescription from Dr. White accompanied me. So, now two new pair of glasses belong to yours truly. They work just fine, but it will take a bit to get used to them. My nose is adjusting, but my left ear has its own opinion of how a piece of plastic is supposed to rest upon it. While there, Brenda R. came to the front while the other young lady was trying to fit one set of frames to my lopsided head. Brenda said it felt as if this week was experiencing its second Monday! Asked if she felt everything was going to H in a handbasket, she replied, “Yes! And I am the bus driver!” We all three got a fairly good laugh out of that one. Had no idea that we needed a bus to go to H!

 

By the way, Brenda’s dad is having back surgery this next Wednesday. They will definitely appreciate any prayers for him.

 

Dr. Kern’s nurse called and told me that my surgery is dependent on Dr. Patel’s research and decision. But the other part of that equation is that any surgery will not take place until sometime in February—or later. Have to go to a consultation with the cardiologist on Tuesday, but don’t expect that to be a problem. Anyway, feeling calmer about the entire situation. Have decided that my attitude is more important than anything that could possibly be a source of worry. Positive thinking. Hope is a wonderful thing, ya know.

 

Talked to my sister-in-law today, and she is coming up tomorrow if nothing rips, rears, or ravels. We may go have lunch somewhere, too. Have eggs to send home with her. Need to get these eggs given to various and sundry and start saving them up again. The hens only gave me two yesterday, and today they were up early to give me eleven! Sweet feathered girls! Called Mary Rhodes to come get some, and she promised to give me her recipe for some kind of egg dish that calls for a dozen eggs, parmesan cheese, and bread crumbs. Sounded good to me.

 

Sylvia asked for some food this evening, so took both bowls and gave them each some extra wet dog food on top of the kibble. Thompson said, “Uh, no thanks.” Sylvia, however, ate hers and his as well. Kinda dread tonight’s gas reports.

 

No one can appreciate critters unless they really have them around them full time. These two dogs love each other and act as if the old woman belongs to them. Just don’t forget to close the bathroom door, ya know. Nothing like dog helpers. Connie says that her cats behave just about the same.

 

Read a few news items today that seemed as if they might appeal to me. Suffice it to say that some creatures are special to mankind and sometimes mankind is special to creatures. Horses, for instance, can be very careful not to step on children. That being said, at least two horses have enjoyed putting some weight on one of my feet. Never walk around a horse in sandals!

 

Went to Target today for the first time in a long time. Some lady got exasperated with me because she was trying to back out of a parking place. Had absolutely nothing to do with me, but she behaved (and used hand signals) as if yours truly was the cause of her frustration. Oh well. Some folks just vent at anyone around them. Two car lengths away from her and she behaved as if my breath was on her collar!

 

Roxie missed getting to run around outside today because Patty was trying to talk to a credit card company when the trash bin arrived at her carport. Yep, dogs expect a certain amount of visiting just like people do. But it was really too windy to be outside watching them play. Mary said that her husband John was out in West Texas where he said the wind was truly blowing a gale! And that, my friends, is why it is blowing so hard here. Someone forgot to put the gate back up on the fence between us and West Texas!

 

Thompson just snatched the toy from the end of the couch where it was hiding. Now he won’t let Sylvia have it, and she is giving him her opinion! Dogs and small children! They have so much in common.

 

We have so much for which to be thankful. Just clean water, good food, sweet critters, good friends and family make our lives worth living. God really loves us. Let us be grateful.

 

Rest well and find reasons to be joyful! You are loved.

Forgetfulness!

 Forgetfulness!

 

Went up to Eye Mart today without my new prescription. Knew that they could call Dr. White’s office and get it, but who knows when their technician will get around to getting back to Eye Mart with it. Anyway, saw one of my favorite students who has worked at EM forever. She went to work there shortly after she graduated from ACC. Brenda is one of the sweetest women around. She originally drove from Seymour to school four days a week. Now she and her aunt have moved BACK to Seymour and bought a house together there. It is a rather small town, but nice enough as small towns go. Most of her family live there and have forever. We talked about the fact that her father has had to have four back surgeries now from different accidents that have messed him up. But then, her brother broke something in his back just fishing. Brenda also needs back surgery, but she is putting it off as long as possible because her brother now needs a kidney transplant, so she will be needed to take care of him for about six to eight weeks while they stay in Dallas at a place similar to Rathegeber House here in WF. That means that she has to take a leave of absence from her work. She won’t lose her job, but she also won’t get paid. That makes paying bills and house payments a bit difficult. So far, they have not found a donor for her brother. She wanted to be a donor, but then they would have to have someone to take care of BOTH of them! Her brother said no to her being a donor. Please pray for Brenda R. and her family. Undoubtedly, they, like the Jarlsburgs, need all the prayers they can get. To be healthy and happy is such a blessing.

 

Went down to get Patty’s trash bin, and she let the dogs out to exercise during my presence. Those silly dogs are truly amusing. Rudy loves his mistress dearly. He ran up to her at one point and just launched himself into her arms. She just laughed and snuggled him.

 

Told Patty that the girls only produced two eggs today. She said after freezing their tails off in this bad weather, we were lucky they put two in the nests! It really was cold! But the temperature is supposed to be 70 tomorrow. Then on Thursday it won’t get but two degrees over freezing! Next Tuesday, the warmth will be all of 56 degrees! Have to see Dr. Desiree that day for a cardiac consultation. Kinda hope that is all he requires, but anything else would probably just be an EKG or whatever that is simple. By Wednesday of next week, it will be 64 degrees. Folks up North would laugh at us feeling that we are cold when it is only 20 degrees. Wonder if they have ever stood in that kind of weather with a north wind howling down from Amarillo type places. Saw that the wind that blew the flames in Colorado were as much as 110 mph! Now that is a stiff wind, Dear Hearts!

 

My across the lake sister, Cindy Jones, told me that Market Street had hams on for forty-nine cents a pound. Thought that would be good to put in the freezer for later, but went online to order some and the site informed me that they were not taking online orders for that product. Hmm. Don’t think it would be worth trying to walk around the store for a couple of hams, but it irritates me that they would not sell that online. Oh well. Such is life.

 

Took a picture of the dogs this morning. They were totally hidden in the blankets except for two noses: one blonde and one black. Love these silly critters. For some reason they were not overly fond of the FreshPet loaf from Walmart. Think it had been frozen and thawed. At least, it dripped fluid in the fridge that had to be soaked up with a towel! Have one section left to divide between them, and then no more FreshPet from Walmart.

 

Other than pulling the covers up on the dogs’ couch—not MY couch, you understand—this ol’ woman has not accomplished diddly squat. So envious of my friend Cindy who has been canning turkey and turkey broth. When she is not sewing, she is either cooking or canning something. Now talk about someone who gets things done!! Her daughter Nikki is a farrier. She stays very busy—beyond what one person would normally be able to do. If the boys did not help her with milking, feeding, and other chores, they would have to either give up keeping critters or hire a farm hand! All three of their boys are working now and still taking care of their animals. Stephen is still recovering from some major back surgery, but think he is on the mend at least.

 

Kinda thought that some critter was trying to dig under the door to the middle coop until it dawned on me that the hens were digging for worms there! The yard is filled with these fox holes and other assorted dips in the surface. Who knows where worms might be hiding? Leave it to my girls to find them—or at least to LOOK for them!

 

Told Jennifer about blowing out the dog hair from my keyboard, and she said that Lance blew CAT hair out of his keyboard at work—a year after they had a cat up at the office to help everyone stay calm! Jenn had to order new keyboards for two in the office because those keyboards only last so long when being used five days a week. Can’t even imagine how much they use them. But then, that is what their work demands. Loki just climbed into their laps, over their shoulders, and onto the keyboards. But he kept the guys from being so stressed for quite a while. Year before last—2020—was a hard year. Critters have helped more than one office to stay sane.

 

The dogs have informed me that a strange truck and backhoe are in the neighborhood. It is a city truck, so they have probably got a frozen and or broken water line over on South Church Street. That line gives the city fits every year. It used to be a shallow line on Texas Street that was a major pain in the keester every so often. This time Texas Street seems to be doing ok. The water lines in this city have been there for ages, so it isn’t any wonder that they could break if the land shifts or if it freezes deeper than normal. Ah, such fun.

 

Honestly can’t say that any news is going to be forthcoming from this blog until a certain party starts reading the news again. About the only news—which is not the least bit new—is that Thompson thinks he needs to have his back scratched at every opportunity. Both dogs like to keep up with the neighborhood news—or create their own. The old woman just reads and plays games when she is not doing something else. Between the heater and the rising temperature outside, the house is pretty comfortable this afternoon. A nap was attempted, but the phone and the dogs kept interrupting. Oh well. Sleep will be thoroughly appreciated tonight.

 

May you all practice the best health measures for yourselves and family, and may you show gratitude for the many blessings given to us. Remember to pray for those whose needs are beyond their own capabilities to secure.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

More Unrealistic Expectations.

 More Unrealistic Expectations.

 

In the summertime, Texans almost have braggin’ rights about heat, drought, varmints, and other uncomfortable situations. And, to tell the truth, we sometimes feel we have the same braggin’ rights during the winter—if not for the numbers on the temperature gauge, then we just have to talk about what we might expect to happen. Yes, Wisconsin and even Arkansas have colder temps during the winter than we normally do here in Texas. But we have the attitude down pat to say we can hardly believe it when the water lines freeze even at 8 feet down in the ground. The summer temps get much higher in Death Valley, but we talk about how the oil tends to boil out of our oil wells. And when it is dry, well, we might mention the trees whistling for the dogs. About the only thing we don’t talk about too much is the wind. Congress has us beat hands down in that area.

 

The hens let me know that they did NOT care to leave the coop this morning. It was only 15 degrees, but they were bunched together up on the roosts to stay warm and did not even venture out of the hen house until the sun had warmed things up considerably. Can’t say that anyone could blame them. Really wanted to stay in bed this morning!

 

The dogs have been out a few times, but they were happy to return to the warmth of the house each time. They both have jackets that are warm enough to keep them covered and dry, but if their feet and noses get cold, you can bet they will make a bee line to the couch in the living room. They would love to sleep on my bed with me, but the new rule to prevent problems later is that Sylvia has to sleep in the crate, and if he won’t sleep in the recliner, Thompson has to share the crate with her or go to the living room. Last night he went to the living room. It has to be hard to be a big dog.

 

Found my other knit hat in the closet, so now two are in places that are easy to notice. This haircut is going to remind me of why short hair is great in the summertime and not so great in winter. Oh well. Doesn’t take but a pinch of shampoo to clean my head.

 

Earlier the post from the Jarlsbergs made me feel that my family is so very blessed. The man of the family is trying to take care of everything and still be a positive influence when his wife has no stamina and little way to even help herself. Please read the post about them and pray for the entire family. It really has to be a difficult situation. Peace and health are great gifts from God.

 

My number one grandson has his 25^th birthday on the 14^th of this month. He is working full time and still trying to finish his master’s degree in whatever it is he is doing—something to do with finance maybe. Know both boys are ready to be finished with these classes! They are both as sweet as a grandson can get. Yes, the old woman might be just a wee bit biased.

 

Remembered to let the water drip last night. The water bill may be a doozy, but that is cheaper than paying a plumber. And the gas bill for heating the house may be something else again, but it is still not going to be as bad as the one my nephew got for heating his chicken houses last month. Can you imagine getting a bill for over $9K? That would put me into shock! Have heard that energy bills were going up, but the month before, his bill was a little over $400! Unreal!

 

Have tried to stay away from the news of any kind. So far, so good. The loss of some politicians, some athletes, and a person like Betty White seem to be keeping the news sites busy. Whatever we think of these folks and what has gone on in their lives, all we can do is try to be kind to others and live our lives as truthfully as possible. No matter what a person does or does not do, someone is going to find reason to be critical. If a person looks at how the people around Jesus Christ looked at him, it is easy to see that slander and lies were going to be believed by those who chose to accept slander and lies. It would not matter if He had healed every blind person on earth while He walked the streets of Judea, He would have been criticized and would have been otherwise slandered. Satan just has so much time before God the Father puts an end to his reign.

 

Rest well and remember to find joy in the life God has given you. You are loved.

Staying Inside.

 Staying Inside.

 

Dear Hearts, it is cold outside. Twenty-seven degrees does not sound too terribly cold, but just put a brisk little breeze on top of that cold air and see what happens. Goose bumps deluxe! Dread getting up in the morning! Have water in the heated water bowl for the hens, so no water will have to be hauled out there unless they happen to mess that one bowl up. Guess an old woman will have to bring the water pail inside so it won’t take a special trip just to fill it up and refill their bowl tomorrow morning. Trying to think ahead, ya know.

 

Connie just called me to remind me to get the hose off the faucet and put its little cover on. Then the faucets have to drip all night to prevent the water from freezing inside the house. Ongoing story from one winter to the next is this business of trying to keep things from freezing. If my house were in Florida, it would be hurricanes or tropical storms, so this might not be any worse. My friend Anna Beth lives in Mississippi and still watches the weather. Guess there is not a perfect place to live.

 

Had black-eyed peas, cabbage with ham bone, onions, and coffee for brunch today. Whatever happens this year, it won’t be because my diet was off on the first day of the year.

 

Have both a gas and an electric heater going at the moment. The bills may be out of sight, but that expense is not going to turn off either appliance. The older one gets, the easier it is to get spoiled to being comfortable. That is probably the reason an electric blanket is now on my bed.

 

Still not sure the dogs will stay off my bed, but Sylvia slept in the crate last night. Thompson took the recliner—as usual. He kept whining at me until HE got the recliner. Sitting up to read was not his idea of a necessity for the old woman who feeds him. Hmm.

 

Oh! A black cat just streaked across the road into the yard down on the corner. Both dogs would just dearly love to get ahold of that creature. Hope they never do! Always think of a friend by the name of Ardie who loved her cats. Of course, Connie adopted a couple of cats years ago from the cat shelter. They pretty well rule the roost at her house. When her cats lived at the shelter, the workers would let them out of their cages when they took the litter boxes out to clean them. So, both of her cats just go wild and try to climb the cabinets when she takes the litter box out to dump the litter. She said that is the only reason she can think of for their behavior because it ONLY happens when she pulls the boxes out to clean them. Habits are formed early, huh.

 

Had to put a lamp next to my desk because this day has been pretty dark. The clouds this morning looked like a comforter all rolled up to show one side as white fluff and the other side as deep royal blue. Strange looking clouds. Thought about going out to take pictures, but my pictures hardly ever come out all that good. Will leave the fine skills of Keith Mattson to give us the impression of good scenes in nature!

 

Connie’s animal cookies are going fast around here. They are not Scooby snacks, but they are just plum good. Doesn’t take much sugar to get me interested in cookies. These are plain, but crunchy is always welcome!

 

Spent part of the day on the Jacquie Lawson website looking through birthday cards and such. Sent some to the grands to arrive on their birthdays. Jennifer has to remind me each year of whose birthday is when. Yes, some folks are just easily confused or forgetful, and other folks get a big kick out of saying, “Now, Mom, we talked about this.” Rolling my eyes here.

 

Feeling sorry for the farmers and those who take care of livestock today. This is the beginning of the really nasty weather that makes grown men cry and old women wrap up in multiple layers of clothing so that having to go to the necessary room is sheer torture. Nothing worse than getting about half of the clothes off and desperately needing to go. Depends. That name had to have come from some woman out on the farm whose husband asked her if she would be able to go feed the cows with him. Her reply would have been, “Depends.”  Now if that does not make you smile or nod your head, you are a man.

 

My daddy, if he were still alive, would be on the phone early tomorrow morning asking if any of us would like to go out to Petrolia Lake to seine minnows with him. He always picked the coldest morning to ask us that since he knew the answer would be “Heck, no!” Wondering if he ever called his grandson Danny Pollard to ask him that. He called Lewis every winter and asked him that at least once during the cold weather. We always got a laugh out of it. Daddy and Granddad Pollard both had a wry sense of humor. Sterling and Danny came by it honestly.

 

Guess your eyes and patience have been strained enough. Besides, a book is right here by my elbow waiting to be finished. Don’t know what we would do without good books! Guess we’d just have to write a few.

 

Live with kindnesses toward man and beast. Remember to be grateful to the Creator for His love. Rest well, my friends. You are loved.