Cleaning Up Around Here!

 Cleaning Up Around Here!

 

Cleaning outside is almost as hopeless as cleaning inside. Turn around halfway and something else needs to be done! It just amazes me! But at least the little coop is ready for the DE to be spread under their roost. It is less trouble than wood shavings.

 

Set my coffee cup down this morning while sitting out on the deck. Red jumped up and checked it out. Don’t think she likes hot coffee from the way she shook her head! See the big grin on my face!

 

Decided to finish this before the old woman gives up for the day. The thermometer on the deck said 117 and the lid on the DE can burned my fingers when lifted. Dadgum! Be so glad when this mess breaks. Poor hens were panting out there. Watered the ground for them and told them to hang in there. Know it is worse for them than for us.

 

Kissy came by and picked up eggs and said she was going to Dallas for a concert with her sister and soon-to-be in-law. Never think of someone going to Dallas that it doesn’t make me want to pray for their safety. That place just scares the living poo out of me on a good day. The traffic alone is a bit much even when one of the kids drive. Day or night, it is always too busy! So, will be praying for their safety tonight.

 

Just took a not-intended-to-be hot bath. Have not even turned on the hot water in months now since the water in the lines stays so hot. Oh well. This, too, shall pass.

 

Texted Stephen today about the roofing we talked about. Hoping we can work it out so that the materials won’t cost me anything. If he decides to come help, that is a different thing. It looks like some boards and flashing might be necessary, but otherwise, it is just a matter of putting it up there with a bit of insulation and plastic and/or flashing to keep it from leaking on them. Have about nine pullets who stay in the middle coop and six that go inside with the big girls. Who knows why.

 

Got the living room and kitchen vacuumed but not mopped. Just ran out of energy. Bending over a few times seems to pull that stupid muscle. Squatted down to turn the front faucet on for the birds, and it made me realize that squatting is getting a little bit out of my range of motion or something. Go figure.

 

Wasted three eggs making cupcakes/muffins this morning. They were not very sweet. Had some cream cheese stuff to put on them, but that did not help much in my estimation. Should have stirred in some chocolate chips. At least it was easy to get them out of the plastic mold and set out to cool. Not sure what that stuff is called, but the mold is easy to use. Jennifer gave me a donut mold that has not been used yet. Maybe as soon as it gets cooler.

 

Going to go lie down under the AC and just rest for a while. Might read tonight, but right now the body needs to be still.

 

May you all find reasons to be happy with life and with those you love. God gives us so much and so many reasons to appreciate the life He gives us. Let’s be thankful.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

A Working Man's Word.

 A Working Man’s Word.

 

Recently, Patty asked a man to come out and give us an estimate of what it would cost to have insulation blown into our attics. The guy didn’t call her back over the Labor Day weekend, and she said the holiday was probably the reason. He called her back and was supposed to be here between 4 and 6 today. He did not call or show up. We won’t use him now at all. Meanwhile, a lady from East Texas set up an appointment for 9 a.m. this Saturday. To me, if a man—or anyone—says they will be here, that person should keep the appointment or at least call and say why it can’t happen. If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing right—and if a time is set, keep the freaking appointment! Lewis never wanted to be late anywhere. If we had to be late to somewhere we absolutely had to go, we called ahead or let the person know we were not going to make it. My parents were the same way. It is an ingrained habit in our family. Not doing what you say you will do is the same thing as lying. Just my opinion.

 

Jennifer said they got just a dab of rain. That’s more than this hill has seen. And the heat has been plum discouraging! Actually, think WF has taken the record for heat this week. Even Death Valley was not as hot as we were. Makes me wonder. Oh well.

 

More pullet eggs today. It just tickles me pea green to pick them up out there! At least two hen eggs have been in the nests as well. Think the CooCoo Marans are laying again. Looking at their combs, those two hens look brighter red than the other Marans. That is supposed to be the clue to which ones are laying. Red hopped up in my lap this morning and wanted some of my coffee. Jennifer thought she should have had some, but not sure that would be good for her. Just because Jennifer’s dog Luna drinks HER coffee does not make it good for a chicken. Niece Lesli said that a disclaimer would have to be posted that the eggs here were not 100% decaffeinated. That made me laugh.

 

Have sneezed some more today, but felt somewhat better. Then Jennifer made the comment that she thought her husband Gary was just having allergy symptoms, too, until he tested positive for Covid. So did their son Reece. So far Jennifer has tested negative. She suggested that some tests were here, but think those were tossed. Figured they were out of date by now, but she said that they don’t go out of date. Oh well. If it matters, a call to my doctor would probably tell me how to get another test box. Just hoping that this stuff will go away and leave us alone. Patty said that for her, this makes it worth having her groceries delivered. Picking them up works so far for me. As long as nothing is heavy, it is not much of a problem.

 

Patty was saying that her friend Debbie had gone to Sam’s the other day and three Hispanic ladies walked in front of her with about fifteen children of all colors, races, and sizes. They were just running wild and bumping into people and getting into things. That is about enough to convince me to stay at home. Not that Sam’s is my favorite place to go. The only things that really appeal to me from there is the butter and cream cheese because of the prices. Have about four pounds of butter left from my last haul at Aldi’s. It is not worth going around a lot of people just to get butter and cream cheese. Mrs. Dash in the great big container might be pretty enticing, but not much else.

 

Flipping through some of the posts on FB makes me realize that so very many folks pray for others and care for others besides their own families. A post from Tami Yonts just about made me cry because it has been pretty rough on her lately. She is trying to recover enough to be able to take the infusions for the cancer. She is still one tough and warm-hearted lady. Her husband Mike has got to be right by her side as much as he loves her. Let’s pray for him and those like him who are caring for their mates and family members. Our lives are so short in the greater picture, but our love never really does anything except grow larger and stronger. May God give us courage and patience.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Clouds!

 Clouds!

 

No, not any moisture over this ol’ hill, but at least a few good-lookin’ blue clouds are centered around us. Looks as if Holliday might be getting a shower. Those folks must be prayin’ mighty hard to get some of this. A small section of rainbow crossed through a couple of those big clouds. Made me smile. We all need rain desperately. Even the ground cries out as it groans and moves.

 

Woke up right on time this morning—on time for what might be the question, but got out to open up the coops before the chickens were even off their roosts. Took a sliced-up tomato out for them later and had to watch my toes. Red jumped up into my lap later and wanted to share my coffee. Told her she is wild enough without hot coffee. Love having the few hens that want to be petted—just would not want all of them flocking me at the same time!

 

Ok, it is after 3 p.m. and the old woman has perspired through another change of clothes and a shower. Sneezin’ and snortin’ like a work horse in a field of ripe oats along with all the dust! Thought about going to get that flu shot tomorrow, but maybe after all the allergy stuff settles down a bit. This is just ridiculous!

 

The man who may—or may not—blow insulation in the attic should be here tomorrow afternoon to give me an estimate. It needs to be done—well, needed to be done for a long time, but such things just don’t always strike me as all that necessary. This year with the horrible heat has definitely changed my mind. And if this winter is anything at all like the one in 2021, that insulation might make a very big difference.

 

Picked up four pullet eggs today—one a very bright pink color! It just tickles me beet red to have four laying already. The big hens left two eggs for me. Not bad considering the heat that has tortured us all. Pretty soon may be using that “egg apron” that Jennifer gave to me. It is such pretty material with red and other colors (mostly red) on it with chickens in the pattern. The little pockets are so cute but just the right size for several eggs to hang from the waist band. Jennifer finds the neatest things to give to others!

 

The pollen count is 11.3 today, so maybe ragweed and whatever else is in the air are the reasons for this situation. Sterling said that they got rain yesterday just long enough to soak him while he was trying to mow. Today he is the chauffeur for his wife and sister-in-law. He is not a happy camper. But life goes on.

 

Doggie aspirin for Thompson and Aleve for me today. Dang! Getting old is not for wimps. Guess we should be thankful that the different pain killers have been made to fit in little capsules. Used to it took a bottle and lots of alcohol to take care of stiff joints and achy muscles! At least some things have improved.

 

Still praying for rain. God knows our needs, but the timing is in His control. We don’t usually see what He sees, so patience is one of the virtues we will need to practice until He opens the clouds for us. Meanwhile, we will praise His name!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

A Long Day.

 A Long Day.

 

Not sure just why this day has seemed so long, but the wind, the heat, the dust—including ragweed pollen—have finally gotten to me. The dogs have been a lot of company today. Sylvia has stayed so close that she may have coated me with palomino dog hair. Thompson is just concerned about the guy who has been sitting down the street on the porch of the old Speegle house. He kept walking back and forth and irritating both dogs. He was throwing some knives into things and picking them up. Oh well. Finally, some girl met up with him and they walked off. Good riddance.

 

Have to wait until it is time to close up the coops for the night, but think this is going to be an early night. Simply not interested in doing anything else today. NOT that anything useful really was accomplished. Got another chicken cooked for the dogs, but did not even cook anything for me to eat. Just defrosted some weird stuff that was made with macaroni, cauliflower, black olives, a bit of chicken breast, cheese, butter, and some four-cheese Alfredo sauce. The stuff may sound terrible to some, but the ingredients suit me just fine.

 

Last night some dip-waddies got stuck out on the lake bed. Patty called me and kept me updated on the number and silliness involved. They finally got everyone unstuck except the first truck. They got it out this morning. Dumb and dumber. Oh well. We had a bet on how soon it would happen as this comes along every time the lake goes down this far. Anyone with a braincell would know better, but some guys just use something besides brains.

 

Not sure what the temps were supposed to be today, but at one time a trip out onto the deck showed the gauge at 117. Yes, it is on the west side of the house, but it is also in the shade under the roof of the deck. The wind off the lake today felt like a sandblaster with all the dust and dirt. Shhhoooo!

 

Have not even attempted to look at the so-called news today. Not really worth the effort. Instead, will let you know that TWO of the pullets are now laying their little eggs. Super! Need to mark the fake eggs in the nest as they look very similar to the real ones. But the best news—if you like that sort of thing—is that the pullets are getting more friendly by the day. One of the “golden sex links” has feathers of bright red. So, her name is now Red. She likes to be picked up and talked to. It is so much fun when they are this friendly. Of course, it makes walking around them a little more iffy. They get right under my feet. Oh well.

 

Really don’t know much and have a sinus headache to boot, so will just remind you that all the many blessings in life are straight from the heart of our Creator. As we love others, we show His love to them.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Hot, Hotter, Hottest.

 Hot, Hotter, Hottest.

 

Yep, got just a little bit done inside the house and don’t plan on going outside ‘cause, Dear Hearts, it is hotter than a $2 pistol out there. Vacuumed and mopped the big bathroom, my bedroom, and the office. Left the vacuum in the living room while promising to get to it tomorrow. Maybe tomorrow won’t be so drastically hot.

 

A guy sent me a recipe for mayonnaise made with bacon grease. Guess it would be ok. Bacon usually satisfies a certain craving a person can get just from smelling the stuff cooking. The only thing is that there’s a terrific amount of cholesterol in bacon—among other things. Forget who it was whose biology professor said he should examine some pork bacon under a microscope. Yep, it has to be burnt to cook all the little things in there. At my age, you can bet that ingesting a few spiders, flies, and associated goodies from the dirt has occurred at some time during my life. And considering all the hoopla about plastics in the ocean, in the air, and in everything we eat, at this point, what difference does it really make? Didn’t like that statement when Hillary used it, but honestly think that when it comes to trying to eat healthy foods, it is very reminiscent of trying to pick up some boo boo by the clean end. Sorry. Just realistically not able to think of any healthy foods right now. Mercury, pesticides, and plastics in everything from water to carrots to cabbage! Someday it will be cleaned up.

 

Well, you know that it will snow or ice sometime this winter. May have to wait and put the grass seed out in the snow if this lack of rainfall continues. Sterling said he had Marion drive the tractor while he sat on the back side and threw out grass (fescue) seeds one winter in the snow. Best stand of grass they ever had that made good hay that year. Maybe that would work on this old hill. Surely have nothing growing now except a few tough and stringy weeds. If we don’t get rain, will have to start buying bottled water for the critters!! May have to buy those closed water tanks with spigots on it for the chickens so the dirty water won’t have to be changed. The dumped water has kept my crepe myrtle alive, but it seems wasteful to dump that water. Sigh.

 

Wish something happy and funny would come to my mind, but about the only thing mentioned to Patty today was repeating the fact that Sterling believes that everyone knows that he is on the level since he has his bubble right in the middle! She said her Donny was like that, too. Skinny little legs and top and noassatall, but a little bubble of a belly in the middle. Just made me smile.

 

Thompson told me he was ready for “supper.” Kibble covered in some cooked chicken just makes his day. It doesn’t take much to make him happy. Gave him a dog aspirin earlier for his hips. Getting old is not easy on some of us, dogs included. But at least he does not moan about it as much as the old woman. He was whining a bit last night, so he had an aspirin and then went to sleep. Guess that works for him.

 

Let us be thankful for all the many blessings of life and love that surround us. Enjoy your pets and your family and every song from the sky above. God gives us His music each day.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Yawning Again.

 Yawning Again.

 

Today would have been a good day to sleep away the heat. It wasn’t really bad, and tomorrow is supposed to be even hotter, but being lazy happens on hot days as well as good days. The chickens have been staying close to the deck where they huddle down in the wet dirt. Keeping them cool is a full-time job, to tell the truth. They dig “fox holes” wherever the dirt is not rock hard. And only water can make that happen right now. Still praying for rain for Texas. Oklahoma probably needs some, too!

 

Sterling called this evening to tell me about the young woman who had stopped by my house to pick up the rocking chair that he made for her granddaughter. She sent him a picture of the child in the chair. They got to talking and she said she had had shingles seven times now. Her insurance won’t pay for the two shots a person is supposed to take for this stuff. He said that the cost was something like $200 a piece for the shots. Simply cannot imagine going through that pain seven times! But you know how insurance companies view such as that! People do not matter to companies.

 

Really don’t know anything worth mentioning right now. Trying to stay cool and cooking a bit for my dogs are the main topics of thought right now. Got a chicken cooked for the dogs and made some fajita meat for me with lots of good onions to make sandwiches. Turned out pretty good. Just don’t have much energy for the little tasks on my list right now. Need to gather up the buckets and baskets ready for the pullets, but that means going outside and messing with the dusty hay and standing around in the sun. Would much rather wait until the air is cooler and even wet! But have a feeling the other little pullets are going to start laying soon. Right now, have two pullets and two hens laying. Eventually it will be interesting to gather all the eggs!

 

Let’s pray for everyone’s safety on the roads this weekend and Monday. May folks use good judgment in driving and not drinking wherever they are! Let’s all pray for this nation to turn to God in our lives. We know that only He can give us the protection and love we need in our lives.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Little Errands.

 Little Errands.

 

Earlier the car insurance was paid via computer, so the next step was the inspection after being sure the insurance certificate was in the truck to hand to the inspector. Then a quick trip to United Supermarkets allowed me to get the registration packet completed. My truck now has a 9/24 tag on the windshield. It was also my intent to get the stupid flu vaccine before leaving United, but they insisted they needed that little red, white, and blue Medicare card. Went home to find it and took it back to the store. Well, glory be! Their computer system was down for the purposes needed to complete the transaction and get the shot. So that will wait until probably Wednesday—after calling them first to be sure the system is up and running! Anyway, at least the important part was finished for the truck. It still desperately needs a bath!

 

Other than those few little errands, nothing has been accomplished around here. Tired and sore muscles and gripey and grumpy from trying to keep things semi-organized. How can any old woman be this grumpy when the dogs are happy and the hens come to her to be petted? Have a red hen now who thinks she needs to be petted first before any other hen. She sits in my lap as if she were a cat or something. Sylvia is just a tiny bit jealous. But the hen does not get fed anything in front of the dogs unless it is a tomato or something the dogs will not eat.

 

Talked to Sterling this morning and to Jacqui as well. Sterling is still just about as ill as a person can get with the shingles—he started off with a kidney infection and a fungal infection on one leg. The medication they gave him for one or the other of those things caused him to really be sick with a rash all over. After that the shingles set in and just kept traveling. It is no wonder he feels so bad. Jacqui says that the surgical cuts are healed up on her, but she must do these exercises six times per day. That sounds about like every two hours to me! Thankfully, the women from the church are still sending casseroles to them so that cooking is not a number one problem. They are so blessed to have a good congregation at their church.

 

Patty was told that the Old Farmers’ Almanac predicts rain next week or so to continue for a while. May God let that be true and soak this land, filling up lakes and stock ponds. Have grass seed ready to spread in the lower east section of this place. But it must have water before and after planting. Then [shutting that gate] the hens must stay off the grass until it gets a chance to sprout good. Patty was watching her littlest dog walking to the fence to see my hens. She went toward the north and the hens just followed her along as if she were one of them and the leader! Funny critters. Chickens have such interesting personalities.

 

The current pair of glasses being used for the past two years are beginning to lose the coating on the metal frames. About time to get some new ones or get some clear nail polish and coat the frames where they touch my nose. Otherwise, black marks may look a bit like an early Halloween mask! Oh well. Not supposed to see the eye doctor until February next year. No sense in buying another pair before then.

 

Read three books in a series the other day and even downloaded a follow-up story to go with them. Hoping that Jennifer likes them as much as the old woman because two of them were not free! We share an account on Kindle. It usually works out pretty well since the books she likes are all scary and mine are silly. Scary does not work well for me with my tendency to worry in my sleep!

 

Have been wondering why the number of people who have seen the blog posts has decreased to less than 30 lately. Maybe everyone is busy. Anyway, talked to Jacqui so that she could figure out how to find the blog, so now maybe she will get to read it too. Not that anything said here is all that earth shatteringly important. Have made up my mind, however, to try my best to stay away from political posts the rest of this year and next. Can’t imagine anything less likely to be of consequence unless it is a matter of listing the latest states to call out the National Guards to deal with the illegal immigrants. As long as we no longer have any Southern borders, we might as well get used to having other nations invading our country and doing whatever they want to do. May God protect us.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.