The Blessings of Generations.

 The Blessings of Generations.

 

Seems to me that some reading back in days when things struck me as strange—well, stranger than what is just the normal weirdness—read somewhere in the Bible about the blessings of generations. God had it recorded in Ps.14:5 “. . .for God is in the generation of the righteous.” Mom used to talk about how God blessed a man unto seven generations if he was righteous—meaning that his children and their children would be blessed beyond the times of the righteous man—so long as they remained righteous themselves. Then we think about poor ol’ Job. The man tried to be righteous as he thought of righteousness. And truly, we cannot really say that he did things that were easily condemned. Yet God allowed Satan to tempt and try him almost to the point of death, yet Job did not blame God for his sorrows nor in any way curse God for the things that Satan did to him. Yes, Job was so discouraged that he even wished for death, yet he did not take any action to remove his life himself. He kept thinking that he must have done something bad. Even his so-called friends blamed him for his problems and suggested that he was just not facing the truths of his sins. But after Job was restored to health, and after he had forgiven his friends for their blame-calling, he was able to remain blessed for four more generations—seeing more great-grands than most of us could consider. Wow! God multiplied the blessings more than Job could have counted. But we never learn how his descendants were blessed. Do you ever wonder about things like that? If Job was so very blessed, do you suppose that the blessings were gone by the time the fourth generation began to grow up on the earth? My guess is that they were blessed unto the seventh generation by the righteousness of Job. Just a thought.

 

Sterling called today and assured me that he would try to see a doctor tomorrow. He sounded less tortured, but still miserable. He suggested that pontoons for his mower would be the only way to get the grass cut. Five inches of rain in the past two or three days. And here we sit drying out and dusting the winds with ashes and smoke. We are still praying for rain for the grass, the lakes, the cattle ponds, and the creatures trying to live in this intense heat. May God bless us with general and gentle rains for a week or so to remove the damage done to crops, cattle, and the cares of those who must live without water. Texas and Oklahoma need God’s blessings desperately right now.

 

The water put out for the chickens has to be changed at least once a day because of the wild birds, but they need it, too. Seeing my chickens walking about breathing (panting) through their mouths makes me wonder how they have survived in this heat. Walking out to throw a bag of trash in the bin had my feet burning from stepping on the concrete. And you know it is too hot out there if the dogs don’t want to go out or stay out only long enough to take care of business. They lie down on the floor under the AC just like the old woman does when she takes a nap. Too hot to move around!

 

Woke up from a dream this morning that the chickens had not had their coop door shut. Got up and looked. Everything was fine. Stupid dream! Oh well. Sleeping is overrated. (Not!)

 

Thought the house would get vacuumed today, but so much for what thoughts do! Maybe in the morning will be cooler and something will get done to improve the cleanliness of the house. Here’s hoping.

 

Let us be grateful for all the many blessings that we are given—friends, family, shelter, and beauty around us. Even the creatures God gives us to sing us awake in the mornings are such a blessing! The dogs would have their own opinion about the squirrels, but we can understand their outlook when listening to those bushytailed rats! Mosquitoes, rats, and assorted spiders and biting flies don’t feel much like blessings, but they have a purpose in the long run. Just be thankful we don’t have to wear fur coats in the summer!

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Stupid Hot!

 Stupid Hot!

 

Got up and let the chickens out, got coffee made, got dressed to go to Sutherlands, drove to Sutherlands, bought small AC for living room. Took out credit card application, used $50 gift card and 20% sale price to buy the AC. The AC is ½ the size of the one that had stopped working. Could not lift the old one out of the window toward the yard, so guess who let it down on the living room floor (to be removed by someone who actually has younger muscles). Finally got the new AC put together and lifted into window. It weighs about the same as a bag of chicken feed since it is only a 5000 BTU unit. But it does blow “cooler” air. Left going all night, it may actually cool the living room down to a temperature that can be survived. Anyway, the reading chairs are in that room, so here’s hoping it cools the room.

 

Was sound asleep when Jo Ann Hobbs called to let me know the countryside over here was on fire. Appreciated the call, but then spent time praying for the firemen and hoping the danged fire did not get over the road. About the same time, Spectrum went down and nothing worked right. Oh well. My phone still worked, so Jenn knew I was ok for the time being. Thanks to those who prayed for us and this little old neighborhood.

 

The heat today is just insane. The gauge on the deck says 117 and the boards are so hot they burn bare feet. Just a bit much. Patty said that this kind of heat makes it very difficult to say something nice, so like Momma said, if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. So, tonight may God bless all of you and give you rest. You know you are loved.

'Possums and Church Bells.

 ‘Possums and Church Bells.

 

Standing out at the side fence and heard a church bell chiming. Then a voice said, “It’s 12 p.m.” Years ago the State Hospital had a six o’clock whistle that sounded every evening, but this chiming and noon time voice is much calmer and nicer. Not sure if it will happen every day or if it will only be at noon, but it pleases me. The other “disturbance” to our normal routine was the barking that Thompson started and Sylvia’s hesitancy to enter the long side of the coop. Went in there and shifted a couple of pieces of roofing that were propped up in there to find a young possum. Thompson grabbed the head and Sylvia the tail. No more possum. It now resides temporarily in the trash bin. Glad the trash man comes tomorrow.

 

Have wet down the ground around the crepe myrtle tree in an effort to save it. The hens and pullets have taken that area over for cuddling down in the soft, moist earth. Can’t blame them. Anything is cooler than out in the sunshine. Have already had to give them clean water. Wish the hens could scare off the wild birds to keep them out of the bowls. Oh well. Thompson would not eat this morning, so the chickens got his bowl of food. Sylvia ate hers and did not want more. These dogs!

 

Filled the water tub to the top for the dogs, and they have been getting in and sitting in it. Cooling their bodies looks like fun! Glad the old horse trough is gone, but it was a lot of fun years ago. The grands thought it was just for them! Lewis really enjoyed watching them play in it and the dump truck full of dirt he had piled out in the side lot. They dug caves in that mess! And, believe it or not, they did not really track that much of it into the house back then. The dogs are not quite as nice about tracking stuff inside. Sigh.

 

Just finished ordering a bunch of stuff from United Supermarkets. Had to think about my parents and grandparents. They had no such conveniences during their lifetimes. If Grandmother Pollard wanted to cook fried chicken, she had to go out and catch a bird, clean it, fry it, and serve the entire bird at one time. No frozen pieces or special ways to make things easier. Now Mom could go buy a fryer and prepare it by the next day, but unless she froze it, she had no more than two days before she had to cook it. And going for groceries for my parents was an entire production: make a list, decide if any of the stores were cheaper and if it was worth making a side trip to purchase whatever they had on sale, get up early and take frozen water in Old Hope So (the name for their car), and then drive 22 miles in to go to the stores on Mom’s list. She tried very hard not to have to buy things from the little local store in Petrolia because of the prices. Those folks had to make a profit, too. This evening at six, this old woman will drive a mile up the road and let the store know to come load my truck. Then all the effort will be to unload and put things away. Definitely a much easier task for me than for those even ten years ago. We are so blessed.

 

Patty decided after we talked this morning that she was going to ask the same lady who came to clean my house after my back surgery if she would clean her house for her. It is just too much sometimes to do the entire house. Even one room at a time can get to be a bit much. She has two dogs, too. Her dogs may not go outside for a dip in the water trough, but they shed mightily. She says the dust bunnies are rampant! Personally, they don’t scare me as long as they are not rabid!!

 

It is almost 120 degrees out on the deck right now. Sitting here wishing my trip to United had been planned for later. Oh well. It will just be important to get the frozen things in the freezer quickly. The fresh veggies will not hurt to sit on the table until everything else is put away.

 

Just went out to check on the critters. The water was nasty again. Yes, the wild birds need water, too, but dang! At least the chicks did not take off when water was sprayed under the deck. They are getting smarter and staying in the shade.

 

Please pray for rain. We don’t need a shower. We don’t even need just rain clouds. Dear Hearts, we need a good soaking for two or three days. The ground is splitting open for lack of moisture. While we pray for the people who are being burned off the face of the earth in different countries and those who are being washed away in floods, this part of the world—Texas and Oklahoma—needs God’s blessings of a good soaking. Thank you all meanwhile, for the prayers for Diann Dennis’ granddaughter, Tami Yonts, and those like Karen S. whose son has so many disabilities. God knows our needs, but we must ask.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Baked Brains!

 Baked Brains!

 

Honestly, so very glad not to live in Hawaii right now. The island of Maui is burning up with over 14,000 homes and businesses burned up. Texas has wild fires, but hardly anyone needs to go jump in the ocean to get away from them. However, the temp gauge for the top of my house said it was 107 up there earlier today. Dear Hearts, that is mighty warm! The gauge on the back deck said 117 degrees. And we even have some cloud cover! The hens and chicks found a damp area around a crepe myrtle tree that is trying to die and dug them some holes to lie down inside. Spraying under the deck is not enough right now to do them any good. They will even step in the water puddles from the hose just to get a fresh drink and some cool water on their feet. Poor babies! Yes, the wild birds appreciate the water bowls, too. They keep getting the water nasty and splattering it all over the place, but they need a drink, too.

 

The dogs have had hissy fits off and on all day. Not sure just what is bothering them, but they can hear so much better than this old woman. We look, but nothing seems to be out of place. Patty said that her two dogs have been on alert all morning as well. Go figure.

 

Talked to Michelle Malay this morning and she was suggesting that Sterling be reminded of how easy a bidet is to install. Pretty sure that Terry Gene (his youngest son) could do it for him. It would simplify things in the bathroom for Jacqui and eliminate the need for toilet paper at the same time. Had never thought about that. Not a bad idea. Anyway, called and mentioned it to him.

 

No eggs again today. Absolutely cannot blame the hens even a tiny bit. They are eating ok and have some green grass from over the grey water line, but it is simply too hot to lay an egg! So very thankful that Stephen was able to find someone to take the ten roosters. The feed price has definitely not gone down, and these critters are going through a sack of feed every two weeks. Expect the wild birds—doves and starlings—are the fattest in the county!

 

Reading in Acts today about the travels of Paul and how he ended up in Rome has made me think about religions in general. Paul knew that the Sadducees and Pharisees could never agree with one another, and of course, the idolators who believed in Diana and Jupiter would not have agreed with any Jew or other believer. Paul reminded them that it had been foretold: Hearing ye shall hear and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive; For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Acts 28:26-27 Paul had found converts among all the different people with whom he stayed. From jailers to even high government officials, God touched the hearts of those He called. We are not to despise those who call on God. Let their actions be seen as their witness.

 

All that being said, want to share Lewis’ favorite religious joke with you: A man wanted to be baptized to join a church, so he went to a Presbyterian minister and asked to be baptized so that he could join their church. The minister said that of course he could do that. But he first had to ask the man a question: Where was Christ born? The man thought a minute and said, Why, Paris! The minister said, No, that is not right. I can’t baptize you. The man said, “Fine, didn’t want to be no Prespertirian anyway! So, he went down to the big Catholic church and asked the priest if he would baptize him so he could join their church. The priest agreed to do this but just had one question: Where was Christ born? The man said, “Why, Tyler, of course!” No, said the priest, I can’t baptize you. The man said, “Well, shucks, I didn’t want to be no cathallic anyway!” On down the street the man came to a Baptist Church. He found the pastor. The man said, “I just need to ask you ONE question: Where was Christ born?” Why, in Palestine, the pastor said. Why! Shucks! I knew it was somewhere in East Texas, the man said!

 

No, the old woman does not often tell jokes—for a good reason.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

 

 

Just One Day.

 Just One Day.

 

Have been up and “at it” since early this morning. But no one would notice just by looking around this house. Took out an entire sack of stuff that needed to be pitched out of the file drawer in my desk. Still have only one drawer cleaned out. The file drawer still has stuff that needs to be looked at carefully—or semi-carefully—before it is pitched. The “file” drawer had quite a few things stuck in the wrong folders, but the last folder was one marked “memories.” Yep, had to read them and let a few memories leak out. C’est la vie. [That’s life.] Maybe soon the files will be thinned out and it will be easier for the kids to decide what needs to be kept and what can be tossed. Might as well get it sorted. Found the names of Lewis Walker’s parents: Rachel Riddle Dickerson and James M. Dickerson, both buried in Forestburg Cemetery. The stone mason who cut Rachel’s headstone put DickINson instead of Dickerson, but he died before he could come correct it. Guess she won’t really mind. Someday God will give us all a new name.

 

Read somewhere that these ancestry places do not have any of the DNA sorted by Indian tribes. The same article said that nearly everyone claimed to be some degree of Cherokee. Waving my hand here. His name was Benjamin GreenBerry. Oh well. Probably a whole lot more of Irish/Scot/English in my heritage. And, as Daddy used to say, a boat load of German Dutch is in there as well. NOT that it means much of anything. Character is not in the genetics unless we have a genetic weakness toward certain things like alcohol, milk, or other foods. Certain family members cannot drink milk without having problems. Guess what! Most American Indians could not drink milk. Just thinkin’.

 

Nephew Terry Gene Pollard’s lady Stacey Ann is going to take Jacqui to the horse-pital tomorrow for her surgery. This is SUCH a relief. From the way Sterling sounds, he has no business driving anywhere or trying to do much of anything. Please pray for my sister-in-law Jacqui and for my brother Sterling. She is having carpal tunnel and joint repair on her right hand. Sterling has a gem-dandy case of shingles. The doctor told him maybe five weeks, but have since heard from others that this mess can go on for much longer. May God have mercy on him!

 

Overcast and cool until around noon today made it very helpful for most things, but autumn can’t come soon enough for me. Went out and tried to repair—put together—two water hoses. Might as well forget about it and just order a decent length and weight of hose. These two are pretty much shot. Think one was “repaired” by Jerry Hobbs when the end got cut off. Those things that clamp on like that don’t work all that well on old hoses. This one leaks big time! The grass doesn’t mind getting a little extra water—ANY water! Still, eventually God may give us a good soaking rain.

 

Thinking about all the “kids” that attended the same school with me and called one a bit ago. We talked about how hard life is on some of the ones who have lost mates. Quite a few of our classmates have already passed away. But then, we are getting older. Just glad to have had the opportunity to be of some help to my children and grands at one point or another. Lewis loved those grands—well, all three of our own offspring. But he loved to play with the grands and always made some way to make them feel special—even if it was just letting them drive his truck or something of that nature. Being a grandparent is a privilege. But making other people feel special is something we can do for just about anyone. Noticed the cards that were kept when a dear friend reminded me that she held me in her thoughts and prayers. Carla may never see me in person again, but she is in my thoughts as a special lady who makes me feel cherished. Not everyone can do that.

 

Being cherished is something everyone deserves but few actually have that feeling today. Husbands—or wives—who don’t show their mates the deep love that we all need just can’t ever know what THEY are missing. Currently know one husband and one wife who have had to file for divorce. God be with them because the mates have definitely failed in their purposes in life. Let us pray for those who have been hurt by the lack of love others should have given them—whether mates, children, or grandparents. Let us each show others the love we can give in whatever manner it is best for us and for others.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

The Centipede.

 The Centipede.

 

Patty’s littlest dog got her out of bed with one of those “ALERT” barks night before last. So, Patty got up to see what was wrong. Roxie had found a huge centipede—you know, the ones that bite. But Patty was barefooted and a paint can was nearby, so she banged the paint can down on it. The feelers were on one side of the can and the backend was on the other side. She felt it could not get out from under that can, so she went back to bed—only to get up three or four times during the night to be sure the feelers and butt end were still where they were before she went back to bed. Not much sleeping went on in her house that night. She planned all Sunday how she was going to remove that thing and put it in the trash to be hauled off. Then today she picked up the paint can and the thing wiggled! She promptly called me and asked me to come get rid of it for her. She had sprayed it enough to wet the flooring with bug spray, but you know how it is. Just ick!

 

Sterling is not doing all that well with this shingles mess. Talked to him about getting some help to get Jacqui to the horse-pital on Wednesday, but he is convinced he can handle it. Still wish he would call his youngest son or his friend George to get a bit of help that day. He just keeps on hurting. From what others have said, this stuff is totally miserable and lasts forever and a day. Cousin John says he still has the stuff after five years. They give kids shots for chicken pox nowadays. We just had to come down with the dadgummed things as kids. Nice little virus to carry around the rest of one’s life!

 

Sat out on the deck early this morning while it was still a bit cloudy and cool. Wonderful time of day for any time of year, but precious to those of us who have endured this horrible heat. The wind was enough to blow a body across the yard, but at least the blow torch was not lit. Anyway, the hens and chicks wanted to see what the old woman had in her lap. Gave them a few of my Italian green beans and a few bites of broccoli stems. They will eat anything on a spoon or off the deck. Sylvia was jealous and ate a couple of beans. Funny critters.

 

Gave Thompson a Benadryl today. Not sure if it has helped the itching that much, but at least he has been a little less actively scratching. Poor baby. Guess we are blessed not to have the spiders here that they have down at Jennifer’s place. Osiris, their big Husky, has a bad place on one leg that was swollen and oozing. The vet thinks it was a spider bite that made a cyst and burst. Now the dog is on antibiotics and antihistamine. See, we are not the only ones that have to deal with the bugs and wooly boogers!

 

Got a post card from Texas.gov today to tell me that it was possible to see what the local property tax rates were going to be IF the entity adopts its proposed tax rate. NOT that knowing will change even a tittle or dot of its amount that we have to pay out. My feeling is that the idea of transparency is just so much stuff that came out of the south end of a north bound male bovine capable of fertilizing an entire town full of cows! A lot of good it does us to object to tax rates! Our wonderful city does not bother to listen to even one idea suggested by the voters—to the extent that more votes are counted than were cast. Yup. Right there is your bona-fide package of shtuff!

 

No matter what folks think they remember and how much history we dig out of the past, people always think that the government means to do well by those of us who are just taxpayers. The only—definitely ONLY government that is meant to be just and fair is the government of God. Ten laws broken down into two commandments: love God before all else, love your neighbor as yourself. ALL things belong to God.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Finding the Scale!

 Finding the Scale!

 

Moved my computer to the office and out of the living room today because it is easier to cool that small office compared to the LR. Anyway, had to move some junk around to make room for the two dogs and managed to find the scales. Dang! Tempted to throw it in the trash bin, but guess it would not change the situation any. The old woman needs to scale back on giving in to the munchies. Some extra exercise would definitely help, too! Chasing chickens might be good cardio, but it won’t take off any pounds.

 

Had forgotten how much stuff is packed into this little room. Have a nice wagon in here that Jennifer got for me. Moved the shop vac to Hanan’s room, but may take it to the shop sometime in the near future. Got out and mowed a tiny bit over the lines from the gray water sources. Brought the two batteries in and recharged them so that they would be completely charged the next time a wild hair hits me to do any mowing or trimming of the grass.

 

We had the most beautiful clouds early this morning when the chickens were released. It was not really cool, but not hot either. Was so in hopes that something would stir up some rain. Then the clouds dissipated until they have slowly returned now at eight in the evening. Better to see some than none!

 

Have pretty well stayed off the computer except to keep up with the two games that interest me. Read my emails and then got busy around here. Will have to clean the living room good tomorrow and maybe decide what to do to make these dogs happy. They think we need to be in there so they can look out the windows. These two little cooling units can’t compete with the heat on that side of the house. And with only two or three more weeks of bad heat left, not sure if a new AC unit would be worth it.

 

Sterling is still not doing all that great, but it makes me wonder if he can’t hire this lady who has been living with them to take care of Jacqui while he is taking this powerful medicine. He says it makes him dizzy and unsteady on his feet. Can’t see him leaning over her and falling down being a good way to take care of either of them! Will talk to him tomorrow and make a suggestion. Really hate for him to drive her to the hospital like this, but he thinks he just won’t take the meds that day. Shaking my head. His son Terry Gene lives close enough to take her and help him. Hmm.

 

The bulletin boards in my office are covered with pictures of my family from birth on through having children of their own. So many beautiful blessings in those lives. Our days are never so full that they cannot be enlarged by loving thoughts and memories. Of all the blessings God has given us, our children, mates, friends, family make our lives matter even more. We know He gave them to us to teach us to love. May we never disappoint Him in that.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.