Just Reading.

 Just Reading.

 

Sometimes it pays to be careful what you are reading. The latest book on my Kindle is called Powerless Homestead. It shows the results to three different groups who are trying to live through the first aftermath of an EMP strike. This is where those guys and gals who are called “preppers” come in handy. If one has nothing associated with modern society—no power whatsoever—then how do you try to live? After the tornado in 1979, we had nothing in the way of power—no phone, electricity, gas, water. It was scary, but we knew that it was not that way EVERYWHERE! However, what happens if it should take place tomorrow? The book is gripping. Remember we mentioned how it was in the days of Noah when there was no godliness. Hmm. Well, it could happen that way if at least one part of the world were suddenly made weak in this way. And the entire world? What would things be like if the entire world were suddenly wiped powerless with a magnetic storm? Would it be dog eat dog?

 

Have thought several times that living off grid might be a lot of work, but might be nice and quiet. But you can bet your bippy that someone would want whatever you had—livestock, crops, or whatever seems useful. Even a water pump—the kind with a handle—might seem awfully important. Well, the only thing that will really matter when it gets down to it will be what happens to your spirit—the one God gave us. No one is going to take the physical body anywhere. Only a few have been “translated” or taken up by God. We even know that Moses died because an angel had to contend with the devil over the body. Elijah—a big difference.

 

Anyway, it is an interesting book. Maybe the old woman is a gutless coward, but living through such times and situations do not appeal to me whatsoever. But then there is one’s family and friends. About all any of us can do is live in the present day with the attitude that we will do all that we are able to live uprightly and with honesty and kindness toward others. That is what we can believe that God would expect of us.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Lazy Sunday.

 Lazy Sunday.

 

Ok, Jennifer gave me a tool that digs bad sticker weeds up by the roots. Poke it over the middle of the plant and step on the little lever. It WORKS!! The only problem is that one has to actually get out there and DO it! Sigh. Putting the weeds in a bucket and dumping them is the easiest part. Getting out there and poking the middle of the weed and stooping over to pick them up is the hard part. Sheer laziness not to get it done while the ground is semi-soft.

 

Patty just called me to tell me that Cody the insulation man came to her house to pick up the beeper he left at her house. Meanwhile, he killed a cottonmouth at the end of our road! Scary! The lake is drying up and the snakes are moving! Just SO glad he killed it. Tony Zupkus has always said that we don’t have any venomous snakes out here. The problem with that idea is that a girl who used to ride horses with me ended up in the hospital from being bitten by a water moccasin out here on the lake. Duh. Yes, we have innumerable water snakes that are just snakes and not harmful, but don’t try to tell me we don’t have venomous snakes on this lake!

 

Sterling was going to try to keep a shirt on his body long enough for them to go to church today. He can’t use his guitar because the strap goes on his shoulder, but he was just looking forward to being able to go to church. Those folks have been so very good to him and Jacqui. The couples have been bringing them casseroles and all sorts of good things to eat. Sterling can cook, but Jacqui still is not allowed to pick anything up with her right hand even though she is working it, soaking it, and otherwise trying to get the fingers to move like they’re supposed to move. Carpal tunnel is bad enough, but to have the joints on three fingers repaired at the same time has to be pretty painful.

 

Sterling has been staying out in his shop where it is warmer than inside the house. Jacqui has to be cool and the cold hurts the shingles for some reason. So, he tries to stay busy in the shop making little rocking chairs, benches, and assorted things folks ask for. The boss at the lumber yard wanted him to make a twelve-foot table for his house. He said they had one eight foot long, but it was not big enough for the entire family to get around. The one Sterling made is so heavy that he can’t lift it without a chain hoist. So somehow, he used that and got it loaded on a 16-foot trailer to haul to the lumber yard on Monday. Simply can’t imagine a kitchen or dining room big enough for that sucker!

 

Guess the old woman will put on some decent shoes and socks and go poke khaki weeds out front to try to eliminate those suckers. Still have about twenty stubs from sunflower plants that need to be dug out so the dogs won’t hurt their feet. Have to wear some heavy gloves to pull them up and out because the stalks have tiny little stickers all over them. Those things really irritate and hurt my hands. As lovely as sunflowers are, they do leave behind a terrible stalk.

 

Well, so far, the only accomplishment is defrosting a chicken, repotting three gerbenas, and talking with my brother on the phone. At least he and Jacqui were able to go to church today.

 

Guess the eggs need to be picked up now. Not much else going on since it is getting sweat-hot out there. The sticker weeds may have to wait until later today or earlier in the morning. Just praise God for cooler weather and praying for those along the upper East Coast where the wind is blowing and the rain is coming down in buckets. And Lord, we know those folks in Libya might not like us very much, but please give them respite from the horrors of those dams that broke and wiped out thousands of people who will never even be found again. May we be forgiven as individuals and as a nation. And may we be led to you.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Traskwood, Arkansas.

 Traskwood, Arkansas.

 

Sterling’s youngest son called him today to tell him about an older couple who lived in Benton County, Arkansas. He told them his family had friends and relatives in Traskwood. They could hardly believe that anyone as young as he is could know anything about Traskwood. Hello! Granddad Pollard was born there in 1900. He was one boy in a family of five boys and one girl. Now Lena (Elenor Lucille maybe) died from diphtheria by the time she was ten and really messed up Great-Grandmother Adria Captolia Pollard’s feelings about children, but she kept having more boys anyway. Then, when all other things—including a war—came along to her world, she lost her husband Peter to a “widow-maker”—a big ol’ limb that fell from the top of a tree. Another of the men in the family was a well digger and hit quicksand and died. Anyway, Sterling helped me reminisce about our favorite grandfather. His name was Leland Graham Pollard. His only child was Leland. The army insisted that daddy had to have a middle initial, so he took V after his grandfather Camp—Sterling V Camp. The V did not stand for anything despite what some dipwaddy wrote in a Montague history book. Guess his daughter would have known, and she said it was just not a name but a letter.

 

Remembering things that my granddad did when we were young just makes me smile and wish it were possible to hold his hand one more time. He told me on his death bed to take care of “Thel.” That was what he called Grandmother Pollard. He got a promise. We loved her, too. Sterling thought she was not all that and a bunch of hype, but we just have different outlooks. He looks at things differently because his love centered on a man’s viewpoint. It seemed to me that she did what she knew to do most of the time even if she could have done a better job. But who can say that they have always done their best? Certainly not this old woman. It has been in my thoughts more than once that Lewis could have certainly used a better cook, a better wife, a better partner, but he got what he got. And he did the best he could under the circumstances. He loved me. Pretty certain that was how Granddad Pollard lived his life. He loved Thel and did the best he could to take care of her. Could anyone ask more of a man?

 

Thinking about family and how our children are not ever really the same kind of people we are in so many ways. Have one really shy grandchild who barely opens up to talk. Smart as a whip, but not very loud about anything. Go figure. Definitely did not take that after his grandmother on this side of the family! Then one is a math whiz and has a master’s degree in business and finance. DEFINITELY not related by tendency to this grandmother!! One could talk to a fence post and get its family history! You guessed it—he is kin to me. Then there is the little beauty who loves critters. Yep. She might be kin. Just no chickens.

 

You know, God must look at His children and think about how they have turned out—or how they are still growing into the spirit of love that He wants. It makes me want to not disappoint Him. About all any of us can do is try. Not saying that we will ever do a perfect job even of trying, but we have the greatest example in our brother. You know: the one He gave for our sins.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Vet's Day--for A Sweet Dog.

 Vet’s Day—for A Sweet Dog.

 

Roxie went to the vet today. Honestly, felt so sorry for her. Explaining to her that she would not have to stay there might make me feel better, but not likely to help her feelings any. She does not get any food while there, to top it off! She is going to be one hungry little dog. She IS little, too! Picking her up is not anything like picking up Rudy with his 20 pounds of lead! Roxie even makes herself lighter to get in my lap when we visit. But she is home now and her mommy can relax. Let’s hope she does not have to go again for months!

 

The weather feels as if it is about to change again. Well, let me correct that: my BODY feels as if the weather is about to change. This right knee matches the right hip, don’t you see. Crick, crack. Life is wonderful when one gets up in the morning to the sound of percussion instruments in one’s back and knees. Could be worse; at least the old body still gets up in the morning.

 

Saw a thing on FB about how folks reply in Norway when someone asks how they are doing: I’m up and not crying! That is about right for folks my age. It always amazes me when going out to the deck to look at the new day. Every one of them is different. A blessing to be able to open my eyes and see the daylight and look forward to whatever the day may hold. And then begins the prayer of thanks for the sleep and the wonderful rest that God gave me—and others. If a person has trouble sleeping, it is easy to understand why gratitude for rest means so much. Sterling says that he is up at all hours because of pain or nightmares. The Vietnam war gave so many folks horrible PTSD. That generation will be gone in another ten years most likely, but no one will ever understand what they went through in that country. Maybe the young men and women who have fought in Iran, Kuwait, and Afghanistan would have some idea, but at least they are welcomed back home when their tour(s) is over. Vietnam vets were hardly recognized and sometimes disrespected. Stupid.

 

When we started college in the fall of ’66, one of the things our house sponsors wanted us to do was have a “protest” about the Vietnam war. The old woman was not that old back then and her voice was loud and clear. “My brother is in that country because our president sent him there! My classmates are in that country for the same reason. Don’t you DARE pretend to represent those of us who support our families and friends as they fight that war!” Our dorm—nor any other—protested on the TWU campus. That war changed so many lives from that era in many ways. Those who left the country to avoid the draft were called names that did not really fit. Personally, how can one fight an unjust war? Just thinking about that: what war is just? WWII was a totally different situation. Millions of people burnt up in smoking furnaces. Entire countries gutted by Germany. And no, Russia was hit as well, but that does not give them the right to compromise the integrity of other small nations now. None of the wars since WWII have made the difference that is coming soon: The return of the One Warrior who will lead God’s legions. It may not come in my lifetime, but it is very certain to come because it is established in His Word. Rev. 19:11 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.”—vs. 16 “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” May this day come soon!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

A Blank Slate.

 A Blank Slate.

 

The insulation is now installed in the attic. We will see what effect it has on the heating and cooling of this house. The young man who talked to us this morning about the insulation that they sucked OUT of Patty’s house said it was full of insect and rodent excreta, so he thought that having it removed and the interior of the attic vacuumed out might help her breathing eventually. Anyway, we are both happy to have this little task finished.

 

Stopped by United earlier and they had flower bulbs and other pretty things on sale. OF COURSE, the old woman had to have some of them. Love flowers, colors, pretty things, and outside with anything that is natural. Guess that is one of the reasons that this bunch of chicks were some of nearly every color. The blue ones are interesting and the red ones are so friendly it is amazing. The Wellborns are definitely different, but they are curious about anything that is happening around them. The Marans are my safety net. The hawks think that they are crows and stay away. Wish that worked with the dingy doves. Oh, and another reason for ordering groceries to be picked up was the fact that those flower bulbs were right in the front door! Couldn’t miss them!

 

Well, the Route 66 Group met this afternoon and nearly caused a riot. We have laughed since it is all over about how six old women were about ready to nail this man’s hide to a wall. He shouted at one of our group for being so noisy. Not just quietly come over and ask us to tone it down a bit, but shouted about her big mouth and being so loud when he was trying to enjoy a meal with his friends. Two different men around us and one of our men were about to get up and clean his plow for him. Two of our women kept Roger from getting up, and then the waitresses got between him and our tables. We could just see the headlines in the Clay County Leader and in the Times Record News: Several Elderly Women Attack Abusive Male. No bail bonds required. Clay County always is good for some general all-around gossip about folks, but it made me wonder if the TRN would have us pegged as bullies since we outnumbered this guy. Oh well. Never a dull moment.

 

Lowry’s wife Diane said that it seemed my blog always skipped around about different subjects. Why shucks. My life is never on a straight line or even perpendicular to anything. That’s half the fun of being ADHD! If life were always set to a pattern, what would we look forward to each day?

 

It has been sprinkling today throughout the city and flat out raining in parts. We really need more of the flat-out raining part of this weather. Lake Wichita is basically a yucky mud puddle. So sad. It could be so much more if we could just dig out all that silt and use it somewhere to fill in a canyon or two. Oh well. We can just thank God for the cooler weather and all the moisture He will send us.

 

Let us be grateful for the times we are able to share with friends and family. The love we have for each other makes our world a better place.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

All That, and A Half Gallon.

 All That, and A Half-Gallon.

 

Yep, was about to chow down on some shredded wheat cereal when the first bite led me to give the entire contents of the bowl to my chickens. The expiration date on the carton was 9-14, but Dear Hearts, that stuff was blinky! Bleah. Used some half and half for my cereal. A little rich, but plum tasty in the long run. Such is life and expiration dates!

 

So, the insulation men were supposed to be here at either 10:30 or 11 a.m. Two hours later, Patty called the main office to find out that both of the guys—one from Oklahoma and the other from near Tyler—had had tires go flat on them. One was on the trailer that held all the equipment and bales of insulation. The guy with the big dumpster got here early and said he would be back about the same time in the morning to haul off the bags of stuff they vacuumed out of Patty’s attic. Apparently, the air conditioner people have been throwing their trash up in the attic rather than take it downstairs to put in the bin. Therefore, all that crud was choking up the vacuum cleaners. But the two men got it all cleaned out and a hole stopped up where a woodpecker had made a place to get inside. Or maybe it was some other critter. Who knows? They treated the attic with stuff to kill whatever and told Patty not to open the attic door for 24 hours. Oh joy! As if she would climb up there! Anyway, they are “supposed” to be at my house at 8 a.m. to fill the attic full of fluff and then go down and fill Patty’s attic with fluff. Here’s hoping all goes well tomorrow.

 

Cooked chicken for the dogs this morning and will feed them some of that tomorrow. They seem to do better with that than any other foods. The lamb and rice kibble is ok, but Thompson is just not impressed with kibble. It could be that his teeth are not as good as they once were. That happens to the best of us.

 

The news of rainstorms, flooding, tornado warnings, and assorted weather-related excitement just seems to continue to plague the East Coast. Those folks are getting all the rain that the center of the country could use so desperately right now. And now the hurricanes keep threatening the same areas of the eastern coast of the U.S. If it is not one thing, it is another to keep our country on its toes. Our infrastructure is taking a whiz bang beating. But at least we have not been hit by the kind of earthquakes that have happened in other places on the map. Saw an example of some folks who made their house out of plastic bottles that could prevent so many deaths. Not many folks in Texas would consider a plastic bottle house sturdy enough to deal with our wind storms. Not to mention that it would be pretty hard to build with those materials in some elite neighborhoods! Guess everyone just has to make their own decisions about what is an acceptable type of dwelling.

 

The lovely Senator Kennedy has been at it again reading nasty books in a Senate meeting. These are the types of shishkabob stuff that no one would want to read, much less let a child read. But some folks think it is terrible to ban any books. Guess the old woman is a fan of this type of censorship if it means banning books that depict sexual acts for the readership from Kindergarten through Fifth Grade! Parents really should have some input about what is allowed in the school libraries. Sorry. Not sorry. If you would not want to read this book to your mother, why would you let your child read it?

 

At one time in my life, the books that came from the library were decent without any suggestion of illicit sex or other out of wedlock situations. The little drug store down town might have had some “romance” paperback books, but those were not allowed in our home. Maybe my mom was a bit Puritanical, but growing up a little dumb had its benefits. Now Dick and Jane books have a totally different appeal to some really strange people. Isn’t there a scripture that says that when Christ returns it will be as it was in the days of Noah? Do you remember why only Lot’s family was saved? What happened when the two angels came to the village where Lot lived? Did they receive a warm welcome or were they set upon to be raped?

"As it was in the days of Noah" is a phrase from the Bible that refers to the truth that the world will be just as wicked when Jesus returns for His Second Coming as it was during the days of Noah before the flood was sent upon the earth¹². The phrase is from Matthew 24:37, which says "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be"². The phrase is also found in Luke 17:26³

 

May God be with us and help us use His blessings wisely.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Just Little Tasks.

 Just Little Tasks.

 

Some things just need to be done when the mood strikes. That is how today has been—striking and moody both. Early enough out that the hens were happy to see me even before they hopped off their roosts, my first little task was throwing out some feed for them. They are all eating grain steadily now since there is not much in the way of grass for them to graze on. They cleaned up the grain in nothing flat. Drank my coffee and put a new drill bit in my drill and put up a new roost in the middle coop. We had just enough rain to make some wet spots inside that coop and more inside the long part of the barn. Keep thinking that it would be useful to just have the entire thing re-roofed, but the thoughts of the cost just put a quietus to that kind of thinking rather quickly. The long part is twice the length of the middle coop. It will be ok for winter to let them run inside, but it would never keep them warm or their water from freezing. Oh well. Just remembering how my grandparents out on the farm in Petrolia kept chickens out in one coop about the size of my front coop. They had neither electricity nor any other handy help. Granddad had to take water to them in the winter. Life goes on.

 

Aired up the tire on the Zero Turn and finally remembered to put some gasoline in it. Took it out and had to try several times to get the mower part started while it ran the motor for moving. Not sure just why it does that, but it takes remembering to open the handles so that the motor will turn over. If the handles are up, it won’t let the motor turn over. Go figure. Anyway, got the little patch of sunflowers chopped down. They had already given up the ghost, but the sticks just stood there looking ugly.

 

Walked down to the end of the east lots and used a pair of clippers to cut down a bunch of Western Soapberry shoots and scrub. These were mostly on the other side of the fence, but the guy who owns that land probably would not care even if he knew. Those silly trees are hard to get rid of since it seems as if each berry comes up twice!

 

Made some vanilla cupcakes and took some down to Patty. Told her she would not have to hide to eat one of these since they were not chocolate. Think it is so funny that she hides to eat chocolate and gives the puppers a Pringle as if that were what she was having!

 

Lance sent me a picture of his granddog today. Her name is Coti and she really does look as if she is posing for pictures! Rachel really loves the little stink, and it is easy to see why. She is just a real-life cuddle bug!

 

The man from the insulation business called today to tell me that the guys would be here at eleven in the morning. That seems awfully late in the morning to me, but what matters is that they get the job done and get is over with. Asked him to have them do Patty’s first so that she can get them out of her house before she gets too tired. Found my rubber gloves and a mask so that we can examine the boxes he said were in the attic. Hoping that it is just stuff we can toss in the dumpster! Have no desire to stir up spider or scorpion nests.

 

God gave us another moist day that felt plum good, even if the rain gauge did not measure more than one tenth. We may have some more hotter than hades days before winter gets here, but we will take any and all of these soft autumn days. It just feels like good walking or riding weather. Used to love to ride my horse on days like this. A few crisp days with cooler temps always gave Duchess a reason to do some bunny hopping. She never got too wild with the bucking, but she always let me know she liked the cooler weather. Guess bunny hopping and zoomies are pretty similar for critters. Wish my old body could do the zoomies! But nowadays it just pays to stay out of the way of these two dogs!

 

Let’s be grateful for all the blessings from God, but let us first remember that nothing political is going to change our world. It is up to God to let who He wants in office. Whatever we think or feel about anyone from mayor to president, it is truly not our decision or ballots that make a difference. God allows everything from storms to changes of office or changes of volcanoes. Be still, and know that He is in charge.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.