D.E. and Bessy Bugs!

 D.E. and Bessy Bugs!

 

Finally got around to getting my shower. Cleaned out the big coop this morning and put down another layer of D.E. (diatomaceous earth). As long as the old woman keeps working in the chicken coops, she should never be attacked by Bessy Bugs. The hens might not be thrilled to have the new layer of dust all over everything, but dear hearts, we do NOT have flies or odors in our hen house! Even the pullets have a nice fluffy layer of D.E. under their roost. They don’t know yet that it is for fluffing and dusting their feathers, but they will figure it out eventually.

 

The cartload of feathers, poo, and extra dust just about filled up the canyon the last hens dug around a peach tree. The tree is gone, but the hole is still there—well, it is full of shtuff, but it is still a hole. Not sure when the last time the front coop was cleaned, but it does seem to me that they can fill up the floor rather quickly. Too bad that stuff is not all that good for fertilizer. The poor irises are so sickly looking after all this heat and no rain. Who knows if they will make it until next year.

 

Was planning on making a carrot cake and got out a package of carrots and started peeling only to have the peeler break after about six carrots. That would have been enough, but it truly ticked me off. Really liked that peeler because it was thick and easy to handle with my old decrepit hands. Decided right then and there to order one from United along with some veggies. Had that sent online to United and then ordered another peeler from Amazon. Now there will be an extra one the next time one goes south! Still have not grated up the carrots, but maybe tomorrow that will get done.

 

Ordered a cheese cake from United, but they were out. Hmm. See, this old woman is not the only one who likes cheese cake. Need to get my daughter-in-law’s recipe. Hers are SO scrumptious! May get as wide as a door if eating is not controlled a little better around here! Oh well. But my taster and my desires have been changing a bit anyway. Did not even make coffee this morning. Decaf is not much on getting my motor started anyway, so it isn’t like it was a big miss. Just hogging the cold water lately. SO very glad that the temps are down some. Could go walking in a rain storm if the lightning did not frighten me so badly.

 

Patty thinks it is the neatest thing that my chickens will eat just about anything that does not eat them first. She sent them some cornbread and pinto beans the other day. Yep, they ate the cornbread first and then wiped out the beans. It is a good thing they don’t have gas. Can you imagine those eggs coming out the other end with a small explosion!! Giggling.

 

Feel so sorry for the folks in Greece where the flood is over the roofs of the houses. Just looked up the word “rooves.” When we were in school—so long ago—the plural of roof was rooves. Just like the plural of hoof was hooves. But now the word “rooves” is considered archaic. So that goes to show how it is when a body gets to be this old! Anyway, those folks over there have had so much rain that it is washing away towns while we cry and groan because the ground is breaking open in wide cracks from the drought. Lake Wichita may get much closer to the dam spillway soon if we don’t get rain. [It is both dam and spillway in case you might be wondering.] The wind off the lake just blows in about a half a foot of dirt every time the wind is from the south or west. Too bad we can’t use that dirt for something useful.

 

For now, let us be thankful for cooler weather and any moisture that our state gets to supplement the lakes and stock tanks. We can continue to pray for rain and for relief for those who are being flooded or shaken by earthquakes. May God protect the lives of those in this world.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Fish and Fried Okra.

 Fish and Fried Okra.

 

This has been a semi-busy day. Up early—though hardly early enough to suit those chickens! Got my day started and cooked up some liver and onions. Had that for “brunch” and then just came back from Chicken Express with three pieces of fish, fried okra, the stupid hush puppies, and a small container of mashed potatoes with gravy. That was supposed to be supper. The dogs like the hush puppies, so that got rid of those things. Still have one piece of fish and some fried okra left. So, tomorrow the rest of the liver and onions or fried fish will take care of meals.

 

This morning the young man from Oklahoma came and measured my house and Patty’s. She is going to have her attic cleaned out, disinfected, inspected, etc., and then have the blown-in insulation put in there. The young man said there were some boxes up there, so she wants me down there Wednesday when they start so yours truly can do whatever she wants done with the boxes and contents. No longer very strong, but putting boxes in the storage sheds should not be a problem. After they finish with her house, they will blow in the stuff in my attic. My neighbor Clint Robertson told me about what it would cost. He pretty well hit it on the head, and when we told the young man that Clint had provided the estimate, he went with that number. Thought that was pretty neat. We are making it easy on the company by having the two houses done at the same time. We are only walking distance apart, so that should make it easy anyway.

 

Jennifer said that Arlington was hit pretty hard last night with high winds that took down trees and power lines. Guess it hit out where she and Gary live, too, because she lost electricity for a bit. Guess the water department lost power, too, because they turned everyone’s water off for a bit. Nothing like being in the shower when the water goes off!!

 

The weather is so much better that it seems silly to gripe, but 90 degrees is still pretty warm when one is working outside. That is the reason the old woman is staying in the house. Have chickens who would be happy to follow me inside, but just not too happy about cleaning up after them. One followed me out the gate this morning when we were going around the house and had to be caught and pitched over the fence! Good thing the young man shut the gate, or we would have had to herd the entire flock or tease them with treats to get them back inside the yard!

 

Went out to give the girls fresh water and pick up the eggs. This morning there were two hen eggs in the little coop, and this afternoon there were seven pullet eggs in the big coop. SO happy! They are going to be taking care of my family and friends very soon. The young man who came to measure the house was more interested in the chickens than he was anything at first about measuring. We talked chickens and how to protect them for a bit before he got down to business. Know exactly how he felt!

 

Originally, we thought the work was going to be done on Thursday, which is the day the Route 66 Group meets. We only meet every other month, and they all want to go to Bill’s Catfish House in Oklahoma one month out of two meetings. Have never explained to anyone why Oklahoma does not appeal to me—food or otherwise! But that does not really matter. Just enjoy meeting up with my old classmates. Barbara Matthews said this was rodeo weekend in Clay County. Can’t say that it appeals to me any longer either. Our lives change, don’t they.

 

A close friend is having to divorce her husband because he has something like Sundowners dementia. It makes me sad to think that these things can happen to us mentally and emotionally. But such is life. About all we can do is listen to our friends and pray that our children don’t have to deal with this from us as their parents. May God protect and bless us mentally, physically, and spiritually.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

Another Fire.

 Another Fire.

 

Stepping out on the deck this afternoon, the boards were so hot they burned my bare feet. Anyone with good sense would not step out there without shoes on, but such is life around an old woman who prefers to go barefooted all the time. Then Stephen called me this afternoon about another fire near here. The smell was all that was apparent to me. The smoke just looked like it might be part of the clouds. But there was a smoke cloud to the east and one to the west of us. It seems to me that if the sun were not enough, the stupid fires will do the job to burn us to a crisp. This has really been a rough summer. Don’t suppose it is finished completely.

 

The pullets and hens are doing their best to keep me in eggs. Maybe by the time the kids get to come over, we will have enough to send home with them. Not sure how the girls can stand to get in those nests right now, but maybe it is softer than the holes they are digging under the deck. Walked out and gave them some frozen corn today. That made them happy. But so did the can of dog food that my doggos refused to touch. The looks those two dogs gave me were really something. Sylvia had one of those looks that told the old woman that she should know better than to put that in HER feed bowl! Guess it must not taste good at all. Sterling said that he bought some kind of dogfood at Walmart that neither of his dogs would touch. He was going to give it to his daughter because her dog would eat anything! Poor critter.

 

Think my doctor sent a prescription to the new United for me today. It was one she had prescribed before that the old woman thought was a bit expensive. But it is not going to mess me up the way Aleve has. Read the directions and the counter-indications, Dear Heart—talking to myself! It might be more expensive to buy the stuff she prescribed, but at least it is less likely to cause bleeding ulcers! Really appreciate my doctor even if stubbornness and cheapskate are my middle names!

 

Told Patty today that my dogs are training me for a different kind of Olympic event—dog stepping. That is the one where tails, toes, and nose—and sometimes the butts—are placed in any pathway to one’s chair and anywhere one decides to go. Just try getting there without stepping on a dog part! And then apologize profusely when something gets stepped on.

 

Made some cupcakes (chocolate) yesterday and gave Patty four. She has to stand over the kitchen counter to eat them since they are chocolate—a no-no for dogs. She puts some chips (Pringles) on the counter next to her so that when Rudy wants some, she can hand him a chip. No way to explain to a dog that people food is not dog food.

 

No particular reason, but pretty tired tonight. Accomplishments = zero. Well, a load of laundry done. Big whoopee! A good conversation with my sister-by-another mother, Sharon Dickerson. She is at least healthy enough for the time being. She has an appointment to see an ENT on Monday. Jim swears she is deaf. It could be like what Lewis used to say—“I told you that.” Usually, he had thought something and thought he had told me. Oh well. Life goes on. It helps if we are not critical, but there is nothing to do for that situation if the other person is the one being critical. God bless all the marriages in this old world.

 

Guess it is time to wrap this up and call my kids and see how everyone is doing. So far only two down with Covid in the family. May God make this a healthy autumn.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.

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.