Tuesday, July 31, 2018

A Rainy Tuesday Does Not Get Me Down

It is a cool Tuesday morning...cool as in temperature, not like Tuesday is the coolest day of the week kind of thing. From all weather accounts this afternoon will begin a rainy and stormy three days. I'm thinking I might get out to run an errand or two but it could be that I won't because that ensconced feeling is all over me. Buddy is out for her second tour of duty of porch protection i.e. porch napping. Cali and Riley were post and fence sitters this morning waiting for breakfast. Got them fed and Camo made an appearance for a quick bite. Cali put herself between Camo and Riley, so something has gone one but not knowing the minds of cats...who knows? I could dedicate what is now called the third chapter of life to feral cat studies. Well, I won't go as far as studies but I will go with the point of observation.

Last night in all my workout and working at home beauty, I met our new neighbor as she dragged her garbage can up the road. They have a much further walk and I am feeling grateful for being a little lower on this hill or ridge. She has the most beautiful name, Nancy. They are from Savannah and have been everywhere man because he is in the military. They just came from Hawaii and she worked at the humane offices because there are thousands of feral cats on the islands. So, she knows how to trap feral cats, get them fixed and released. Wow, they moved to the right place. She has seen Cali and Camo up by their chicken coop and said there isn't anyway for the cats to get in. That's good. They are also in the process of clearing the back part of the gravel road. So, until all of nature and vermin move on, it would be nice to have the cats around to keep things at bay. The groundhog made an appearance in the upper part of the yard yesterday afternoon, but he kept moving on and not down.

We sang Come To The Altar Sunday morning in our worship with the congregation. The choir has been learning it in practices. It is a much more enjoyable and worshipful experience seeing the words on the screen instead of the sheet music. There was a lot of flips which I guess the correct term would be codas. We are learning Reckless Love as well. A couple of Sundays ago the students who had gone to camp shared that with the congregation. Beautiful song.

Well, I got out to go to the cleaners and then stopped by Publix cause there was a wreck so decided to pick up a few things. Good thing I took my rain jacket in because it was pouring when it was time to leave. Oh my...but the closer to home, the less rain...at least we are getting a little bit and that always helps.

This morning the sound of a huge truck seemed to be rather close and there was a big dump truck across from us in Mary Joyce's parking area. Big trucks rarely come up are one lane road. Then came the beeping of backing up and I thought poor guy, turned on wrong road and now he has to get down to the main road going backwards but he was moving the truck around. When I got home today I see what he was doing. Our new neighbors had crushed rock put on their driveway.

Last year I did not count foggy mornings in August. They, whoever they are, say that the number of foggy mornings in August shows how many snowfalls we will have in the winter. It is an inexact way of figuring that out cause it can be foggy here but not down the road,

There is a little bit of sun and with temps in the 70's think I'll go pull some weeds. Until the next blog post...

Monday, July 30, 2018

Trying To Understand Cats And Other Things

I know nothing about cats! I thought I did but not anymore....they keep you on your toes. Buddy will get me used to a morning routine and abruptly, it becomes that is not what we do anymore. So, I do have that experience, but this adventure with the Feral Fam and then Feral Fam descendants has been a lesson, no many lessons that are teaching me more about my relationship with God and I am seeing so clearly that I believe my decisions and choices are wise ones but maybe not...not from His vantage and knowledge and wisdom and power. Since November all I have wanted to do is to help this little family of a Mama Cat, three kittens and a Dead Beat Dad...well, truthfully, I have not wanted to help him as much cause it seems he could pull his weight on some things. Through snow and cold and rain and heat I've been concerned and hopefully helped them survive winter. I have never done anything harmful to them or caused them to be afraid...but they are afraid of me. They have let me into their world, barely and the only one of these cats I have ever been able to touch was the little orange kitten who died this week. Camo is the most skittish around me but she is not around that often. Cali talks with me, sometimes loudly. She brought her three kittens to the deck early one morning and let me catch a glimpse of them. Then a week later she brought them here and stayed around. Of those three kittens, she only has one left. One night at dusk, I saw Camo with her four kittens in the side yard, but probably, those four kittens didn't survive. Mama Cat has been gone for weeks and MJ shows up maybe once or twice a week in the evenings to happen upon hopefully something to fill his belly. That young, playful kitten is now an adult, although a young adult, cat. His eyes have lost that playful dance and his continuous roughhousing with his sisters. Cali plays with last young un, Riley. They play in the tent of napping and play in the tube and cube. Riley and Robby played with the toy I had left out there for their mom and uncle and aunt. The toy scared the siblings but these kittens took up with it, not a problem. Some nights we play laser tag and Cali will join in for a bit. The past few days Cali's old and fat boyfriend has been hanging around and this morning I broke up in the nick of time...a touch me in the morning...then just walk away.... moment between Cali and Fatso. My goodness they were going to do it right under the living room window...really! Go up under the tree like last time...oh I tried to break that up too...Lisa P was here and we had just returned from the Living Proof Live event in Boone. I had to go outside and throw bad lemons and yell, not on my watch! There is no love loss with Cali and Camo. Their tolerance has dissolved into aggressive behavior toward one another. I just watched an encounter and those beautiful eyes of Cali can turn deadly in a moment. They got into it the other night and they have worked out some kind of uneasy truce. Camo has always been a sneaky cat...just like her Mama.
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This was supposed to be a rainy day but alas there is sunshine on my shoulder but only when I go outside. I went to workout with Taylor this morning. Boy, I wasn't feeling it...to workout and I cut the session short. I woke up with arthritis in my right thumb and it has hurt all day. Several of the things we do require a strong grip and that wasn't happening. We won't be meeting the next few weeks because Taylor had a death in the family and is leaving for New York today.

Yesterday was such a good day at church. Our lesson was good, the service was good and then the Sunday night fellowship and choir was good. After church I needed to pick up the pie I had ordered for the fellowship and my friend Lois came with me. We had lunch there and it was delicious. Came home to take a twenty minute nap and then get the trash and recyclables ready for  toting down to the road. Had a few delays and didn't make it to church until 5:25 to help get things set up. Our class was in charge and we have a good time doing things together. Lots of laughs and fun in the midst of work and serving.

The butterflies have invaded the backyard. Always fun to watch them and the hummingbirds. I trimmed a tree and pulled a few weeds out of the million I could have chosen to pull. All the plants I planted a week or so ago are doing well. Soon blackberries will be joining in with the peaches and I saw that Barber's Orchard is picking apples to be ready for their August 1st opening. The next couple of months are really fun around here.

This past weekend on my high school website we found out that the woman who had been the Dean of  Women when I was there had passed away. She lived to the ripe old age of 103 and had been driving and playing golf up until she was 97. I didn't have an encounters with her in high school. didn't get caught....but anyway, a tennis friend was her great niece by marriage. So when I Googled the obituary of Rivers Lodge right underneath her obit was my tennis friend's obit. She had died in 2016 from cancer. I was shocked! This friend was fun loving, kind and enthusiastic about everything. She came from a big Italian family and she fed any and everyone. She and I both lost interest in tennis around the same time, she went on to play golf as her recreational sport.

Just had a BLT and it was soooo good! Going outside to find the Feral Fam and if any are around I'll feed them.

Friday, July 27, 2018

Friday Findings

Yesterday about this time it looked like my cell phone might be on its last legs. So I went to the Google and followed instructions. Think that did the trick but think I will be researching new iPhones to be prepared.

Love end of season shopping and the deals have been good. It is The Anniversary Sale at The Nord and due to a glitch in their system for the pre-sale to card holders, they gave ten points for each dollar spent on the first two days for the lack of access and trouble caused. That got me a $20.00 note and I used it the other day to order fall/winter flannel shirts and with the anniversary price and the note, both shirts priced under $50.00. Some Keen shoes I liked at the beginning of spring and summer went on sale on their website and got a really good deal on two pairs of shoes. Sounds like I am loading an ark with two by two savings. In the past Soft Surroundings was a go to but lost interest when they opened a store in Houston and I associate Soft Surroundings with a difficult season of life...now I see where they are opening a store in Biltmore Village, in the fall maybe... They do have unique clothes so maybe I'll go there before or after hair salon appointments. They had some fun flannel shirts last year and when two colors..another ark reference totally unintentional, went on sale...boom, I was all over that.

This evening on the front porch the air held the yellow of goldfinches and the red of cardinals flashes as they wing toward....well, whatever they are winging toward. The lightning bugs in the background lit their flight paths here and there and over yonder. With the Feral Fam taking so much attention my attention to the front feeders and bird bath has been remiss. The hummingbirds were buzzing about this evening around their feeder...with them being so territorial, it is an interesting study.

Today on the way to Tractor Supply and CVS a mama turkey and child crossed the road...to get to the other side. They sauntered but they were not slow. I had stopped to let them get across safely and was about to take off when a wing fluttering beside the road revealed another turkey child, so back to a stop. Only this turkey was not able footed and had a gimpy leg. He or she struggled to make it across the road but with determination, it made it to where mama turkey waited. It did not help that at that moment the thoughts occupying me were about that little orange kitten. He has gone onto glory land. The last time I saw him was yesterday when Cali had positioned him in the metal rolling plant cart with him being sandwiched in between the side and a galvanized plant container. The past few days he looked more like a little old man cat than a kitten. Even if I had been able to get to him yesterday he probably would not have made it. I saw him eating some of the probiotic stuff the other night but it might have been too late. On Sunday morning before church I observed what look to be a goodbye ritual in the cat world. Riley who had taken to protecting her brother and staying with him instead of knocking him over and trying to play, put her head across his neck. Cali was on top of the railing keeping watch and then she came down and held him close to her...I just knew when I returned home, he would be in kitty heaven. He made it till yesterday and today once again Cali has kept her distance and made sure her remaining kitten does the same. I watched them tonight eat and then play a bit on the deck. Watching Cali and knowing her history of growing up, being the odd cat out with the siblings, she still has a playful instinct and probably it is a teaching tool as she and Riley chase and wrestle. But Cali can shoot a mean mom look in a second when she has had enough.

Last night I got to watch the choir and orchestra of HFBC in concert in Costa Rica. So blessed by the music and the worship. Sang along on a few songs. I miss singing Total Praise. The pictures posted by friends on the trip have been so fun to see and so interesting with back stories and how the choir and orchestra were able to help. And now I am watching tonight's concert. It is looking like it is warm in the church....great worship.
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I'm finding it difficult to begin a task because Cali and Riley have been so entertaining playing in the tent and and tube and cube. Buddy has done the porch and is now rocking a nap in the back window.

This year the elementary school and high school I attended have both been demolished and new buildings are taking their place. Comments from alumna for both schools have been interesting and some thought provoking. I would have loved to walk through Parker before the demolition began. Westbury Baptist Church met in Parker and then moved onto the high school, Westbury, before being able to build the church on property. Across the street from Westbury, the church had purchased a house used for Wednesday and Sunday night church activities. Mission Friends or Sunbeams, I guess is what we were called back in the day met in the garage...I remember learning how to make butter from cream and my first exposure to Christmas in July as we gathered gifts to send to missionaries to give out at Christmas. It took that long back then for things to be shipped and delivered.

The day awaits...well, it has really begun and soon it will be the afternoon. It is a day with no schedule and that is a favorite for sure. Emailed Mike the Mower Man to see if he will weed eat the very front part of our property. From the house you can't see that area because of the slope but when you get to the bottom of the road, there is nature in all its glory taking over once again. I think having that whole area in day lilies would be beautiful.

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Thursday Thoughts...About Cats And All That

Glorious sleep! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, early to bed...10:30 and later to rise...8:00 am...makes this one more nice. And Buddy slept in even later not getting up with me but coming downstairs closer to 9:00. We truly are easing into the morning and into the day. Toast and coffee seemed like an easing into the morning kind of breakfast complete with honey, butter and cinnamon sugar.

Buddy is having a porch day. When she was out there earlier, Cali and her two kittens were on the front deck. They had a major stare off and it was called on the account of the Fed Ex delivery and ironically the delivery is probiotics and snacks for cats. The little sick orange kitten had found a cool and probably comfortable place in one of the rolling carts with plants on it. He was left behind when Cali and Riley ran from the Fed Ex guy, so I came inside got my gloves and figured this would be the best time to get him and get him to a vet. Dang, that Cali is fast and by the time I got back to the front with gloves on, she had him whisked away. She isn't as friendly to me right now because she knows I have an interest in that kitten, but she doesn't understand it is for his welfare. She has him hid well. I'm keeping my work gloves in my pocket just in case another opportunity arises.

So when you bring in a new or new to you piece of furniture there can be a lot of rearranging going on and that is what has been happening. Changed chairs in two rooms, took out a desk, added the children's student desk and now it seems that I want to move a small little table and maybe for today that will be it. Man, I sure do rest more in between than back in the day.
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On this foggy Thursday morning I believe that our little orange kitten has crossed over to kitty cat heaven. I believe it happened sometime yesterday because Cali and Riley moved about the area that includes other yards and neighbor's hiding spaces. Cali and Riley were on the deck early waiting on breakfast and when it is just Cali and now down to one kitten brood, I try to help her health wise. So, in the mornings they get some of Buddy's expensive prescription cat food and a probiotic chaser. Cali's old and fat boyfriend hangs around for meals sometimes, so if he is around...just plain old food cause he licks the platter clean. I have watched Cali this morning playing with her last kitten, who has boundless energy and now Cali has to help expel it so that nap time comes sooner, play in the tent of napping and the cube and tube with Riley. The same things she played in and with along with her siblings. Cali is a mom and she isn't even a year old yet, she has lost two kittens, she fights the odds of nature winning and she has a fat and old boyfriend cat who looks like he looses more fights than he wins. She is dependent on our supplying food and drink yet since Robby fell ill and my attention was directed at scooping him up and getting him to a vet...well, she doesn't come as close anymore. MJ showed up last night for a quick early evening snack and he has gone back to wherever he hangs out now. Haven't seen Mama Cat for over a week and Camo hasn't been around either. I try to imagine they have found someplace better to live and eat but the odds are not in that scenario.

Oh I am feeling it today from all the furniture moving I did yesterday but I'm pleased with the results. A desk will be finding a new home and an arm chair will likely be following with an exit as well. I also went through books and while I have collected some to take to the used bookstore, I didn't purge like the great book purge of 2011. I regret now some of the books that I gave away. So caution was the watch word.

I had thought about going over to Waynesville this morning but I have talked myself into postponing that jaunt till next week, even though Blue Rooster will be closed, Barber's Orchard will be open.

The book we are reading for book club, Delicious, is a good read. I think I am at the heart of the mystery of the story, so I stopped reading last night and decided today is the better day to read that portion of the book. When it is late in the evening, I tend to skim books instead of truly reading.

The sun is burning off the fog, so I will get out and run a few errands soon. A lovely day in the mountains.

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Snow Cones, Reunions, Meetings, Cats and Pie

Imagine the surprise of seeing a Hawaiian Shaved Ice stand by the eye doctor office. On the way back from the office, I pulled in and ordered. I hope my face didn't register the deep disappointment when she handed me basically a snow cone. Not shaved ice, not like Bahama Mamas or Bahama Bucks, a VBS snow cone in a styrofoam cup. Sometimes if I am really craving a shaved ice, getting an ICEE is about the closest thing to one. It's good to remember that the fried chicken, pies and coconut cake are better here. Oh and it is a whole lot cooler here than it is in Texas these days. Something to really be thankful for.

Today at workout we did a new routine that I really like and we re-visited an old routine to see how much improvement has been made. Happy to report, a whole lot of improvement. Because the gym was a little crowded when we first began we had to make adjustments which meant doing ropes was the last thing. It is better for me to do them first thing while still having arm strength to make it all work.

Lunch today was special because I defrosted the little hamburger sliders Roy made me and I used a yellow tomato to match the mustard. Delicious all the way around.

This past weekend in Houston, a reunion of former AstroWorld employees was held. Didn't recognize a soul in all the pictures. AstroWorld was just about the most fun I ever had working. I didn't socialize a lot when I worked there because the big picture was about making as much money as possible for that first year at Baylor...that never happened. I worked a lot of double shifts. I was in rides, so that was tons of fun. AstroWorld is where I met crazy friend Debbie, who only worked there for two weeks and then had her mom call in that Debbie had her appendix removed and could no longer work the rest of the summer. Only after our freak reunion when our mutual friend Jackie reintroduced us, did I find out the truth, she didn't like working there. I had dated a guy that summer who worked on the Alpine Sleigh ride. Of course I cannot remember his name but I remember he was very handsome and because we both knew ours was a summer...love like, our last date was the end of the summer party that AstroWorld had at the Astro Hall. If he is in any of those pictures, I did not recognize him.
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Tuesday evening and I think our little bit of rain has come and gone. We had a great view of lightning from the front porch. Buddy has retreated upstairs and I just finished my delicious supper of tomato pie. Mike the mower man was here today and I was so glad to see him cause I was considering bailing hay. Now, I can go down and check on Roy's apple trees. The apples are looking good from the front porch view.

This morning I saw Cali and Riley but no Robby. That is until I was leaving for Hendersonville. He was sitting on the driveway and once again I tried to get him and he scooted off almost into Cali who was not happy with the attention I was paying him. I was happy to get him off the driveway and away from ants. He looks like a little old man cat. When I got home this afternoon he was asleep on the back deck. I didn't have gloves on but I reached out and I did touch his head before he had a hissing fit and we woke up mama from her nap under the deck. I am happy to say he ate some of the probiotic today. There have been such loving times with Cali and her kiddos in the past couple of days but this afternoon, she seems for this time to have moved on from him...until I pay attention...then she is a hissing and growling mess, that I don't want to get entangled with. Camo and Mama Cat haven't been around and MJ shows up about every five days. They seem tired of the flavors of cat food, so I don't put as much out and really they don't need as much in warmer weather. All the interesting lives of these Feral Fam cats. I asked today at the vet if I got a hold of Robby, could I bring him in...yes, call first. I ain't going to try to get a chill pill down a feral cat. Buddy is tough enough.

I picked up my desk at Southern Chicks and met Lynda there in the parking lot. We have a mutual friend Carissa from Houston. We went to Starbucks in Ingles and had a delightful time talking and sharing. It was so enjoyable but she had an appointment and I needed to get back and pick up Buddy's meds. We are making plans for the future, once life slows a little schedule wise. The oral surgeon's office called and had to change my appointment for next week but at least it won't make me change my appointments with my dentist to complete this whole implant journey.

The rest of this evening I plan to read, both my book club book and some magazines. Earlier I looked over the lesson for Aug 12th. That is the next time I teach. Revelation....oh boy.


Sunday, July 22, 2018

Hope It Fixes His Problem....

All week the forecast has been for a rainy Saturday, so you know, you plan accordingly. Last night when the storms came through it braced me for the coming day knowing we could encounter that type of weather today....it is a beautiful sun shinning day. A little breeze with the sun. This makes me not want to stay inside and clean the house like planned. Although a little of that is getting done, no make that very little, most of my time has been outside. One project is spray painting the boards for the useless tub that will soon be known as useful but maybe not known as a tub. Okay, a storage tub...haha...Think the spray paint is getting to me although I am wearing a mask.

Because of the forecast of rain, I got the plants from Reems Creek replanted in the flowerbed by the driveway by using the places that Nathan had used when separating the weed guard material he put down. Patiently waiting for those seeds he planted, which are now growing but felt the need to get more color in that bed. Long range goal, that the bed is covered by flowers entirely, like a meadow of wild flowers. Bought more zinnias and more black eyed susans.

I really like the book we are reading for book club. I haven't read as much as I had hoped for this week but maybe tomorrow I'll get a good chunk read. Again, I have to sing the praises of the tomato pie from The Baked Pie Company. If they had it on the menu today, I might just be at the pie company picking up some. For lunch today I made a BLT with tomatoes generously given to me by a friend. Delicious!

The little orange cat of Cali's is hanging in there. He is skin and bones but today he moved more and climbed back up on the deck railing. When I first got up and looked out the window to see if any of the Feral Fam were waiting on breakfast cause it was later than usual. Didn't see any of them, so we settled into our morning routine. When I went to top off my coffee, there was Cali and the kiddos but Cali was working on that orange tabby. Almost like she was doing cat CPR on him, trying to get him to respond to her. Riley, with unbounded energy began to attack, I mean try to play with him. He held his own but he didn't initiate in play like normal. By this time their food had arrived so Robby is left to fend for himself on the deck. For a moment it looked as if he had become entangled in the fencing they play on, so I went toward him...he didn't move...his little blue eyes filled with fear and he began to shake. I don't know that he would have moved but I heard Cali coming up behind me and she was making it clear she did not want me messing with her kid.
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Another round of rain this afternoon and I timed it perfectly to take a nap. Loved our church service this morning. Our music minister's sons and wives have a group, The Shine Effect. They played the worship music this morning...with lights and fog, oh it made me think of First Baptist sometimes with the fog. The students had gone to camp for there was a camp reflection service and it was so good with the videos, testimonies and music. Our interim pastor got  up to the pulpit and changed his sermon to just one verse in the Psalms about singing a new song, he talked less than five minutes and wrapped it up.

Before leaving for church this morning I watched a touching moment with Cali and the kiddos. Robby, isn't doing well. I think parasites is his trouble and this afternoon I Googled what I can do to help him. I just have to hope he gets the special food I will put out to help him get nourishment and flush the parasites out of his system. Anyway, he sits all balled up and his sister sat next to him with her head over his neck and Cali set up on the deck railing keeping watch over him. I halfway expected to find him dead when I got home, but he is still moving about. I just went out back with the doctored food and he was around, so hopefully, this will help him. That Fortiflora stuff must really be tasty cause Buddy eats much more of her food now.

I taught Sunday School this morning. In the back of my mind I had an example of a false emergency to illustrate the same thing about false teachers...Several weeks ago Roy left my black Columbia lightweight jacket in the backseat of the convertible and since it is black, it just blended in with the backseat. I was driving along one day when I felt something touching my neck and when I looked in the rear view mirror I could see a black sleeve coming up from behind my shoulder...so I kind of freaked thinking the sleeve would have an arm in it and grabbing me...I reached back to grab the sleeve and pulled the whole jacket toward me and I was pulling hard, so it was overkill. Scared me for a moment and then of course I began laughing.

Now to catch up on my book club book and start another one that I ordered a couple of weeks ago. Nothing too pressing this week and it feels like a good break is at hand.



Friday, July 20, 2018

Finally! Friday!

Overcast with a little bit of fog this morning. We got about three inches of rain from Sunday night till last night. I had bought several Carolina Lilies and needed to get them in a flowerbed. So yesterday evening, with a cool breeze and cloudy skies I began the work. First I had to clear out the small flowerbed of these weeds that smell a whole lot like basil but they don't look like basil. And holding true to North Carolina weeds and vines, it didn't want to give up coming out of the ground. Man, I hacked and pulled for a good bit of time, then I tried to get it all cleared up and in a lawn bag before the next stage and of course I was keeping an eye on the sky. Went back to the garage and got a shovel and the lilies. With the rain weed eradication is a bit simpler but it still doesn't help digging a hole into the soil. Moisture seemed to be increasing in the air and off in the distance a little rumble of thunder. Just in case it was just lightning and thunder, I watered the lilies and as I headed up the stairs with my gardening tools, a few cool drops of rain began their descending and as soon as I got into the garage, the heavens opened with rain. Thank you Lord for holding off the rain to safely get inside and thank you Lord for the rain so all the flowers and trees get more nourishment. Now to get some day lilies to finish off that little flowerbed. It was hard work and it made me more appreciative of the three flowerbeds that Nathan and Andrew have put in for us. I have a couple other shade loving plants but where I want to put them needs for a return visit from Nathan and crew...so I better get a call to him and see when we are on the schedule.

Again, there is so much to learn and it has been interesting to learn the way of feral cats and their interactions with one another and sometimes with me. All the chaos going on in the backyard these past two weeks disrupted the mostly quiet and peaceful patch of land known as the backyard. Truly, for all intents and purposes it looked like the kittens had been lost to predators or just life as a wild cat. Cali brought them back for a very short time on Sunday but on Monday she had them playing and napping on the deck which really is the perfect playpen for them. She was playing with them yesterday, but it was more probably a teaching session. In doing some research I found out some useful information in helping them. This morning I brought out the play tube and tunnel in perhaps of using it as a way to trap them and help them. They are kind of interested in it but more interested in nap time. Cali has always had such beautiful green eyes yet more and more she has to use her mean mom eyes and her protecting stare. These totally change her appearance. But every once in a while you see those beautiful Cali eyes that have captivated me since November.
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Life certainly has kept me away from the blog this week. I still find myself mesmerized by these kittens. I think the little orange kitten, if he doesn't get over whatever he has is probably not long for this world. It is futile to try and get him. He can still move quickly if he has to and Cali is being an eagle eye for any interaction with me and her little one. Riley jumps around and tries to get him tTheo play, but no dice...he just sits and wants to sleep. He does go out into the yard and gets water but I don't know if he is eating anything. I have tried to trap him so I can get him to a vet but he is not falling for it. Hopefully, he just has a little digestive problem or something cause I saw Cali go through this too.

I got my board cut down to size so the next step is to paint these boards and make that tub space be at least a little useful. Two grocery store trips, a trip to The Baked Pie Company to get tomato pie and I got the last slice and a stop at Reems Nursery to use my bonus bucks. Got some more flowers and planted them in the bed by the driveway. Just watered the new plants cause it is supposed to rain tomorrow.

Finally this morning the SS lesson for Sunday came together. In a bit I'll look over the notes more and do more reading. This was a tough lesson to get into but we are back in familiar territory of false teachers.

Since March, Brenda and I have been trying to go to breakfast at Another Broken Egg. We finally got to do that yesterday. We both got the bananas foster pancakes and they gave us complementary beignets to start our meal. We ran over to Barnes and Noble, then drove over to Southern Chicks. I always find something there and that was true yesterday. The find of the day was an old Training Union sign. It is going up on the stairwell with my church sign that I found in a Lincolnton shop.

Well, that lesson isn't getting studied and feeling a tad tired from a fun day...but I'm hoping that little orange tabby is feeling better tomorrow.



Sunday, July 15, 2018

Saturday And Sunday....

A beautiful Saturday morning came a little early. It was a rough start to the night with Buddy and she was in a full dementia swing. Bless her, she acts as if she doesn't know where she is during these episodes...lots of meowing and lots of assurance from me. She finally settled in the bonus room and about thirty minutes later she came to her regular spot happy, just like normal. We got a late start into the night but she slept all night so there is that additional rest. Sometimes when I am awake like that I get concerned for the little kittens outside. Cali had them on the deck after dark where we played a little bit of laser light chase. This morning she and Mama Cat greeted me with their ever so patient waiting for breakfast...but no kiddos. Got food out for them and I have been busy with other things but I just saw Cali heading across the front yard and into the land of the fir trees. So maybe she moved her kittens...I don't know cause this feral world is hard to understand in how they raise their kittens. I never knew Cali and siblings at this young of age, they were older when Mama Cat began visiting.

Last night I tackled some weed eating because Mike the Mower Man didn't cut the grass this week. I trimmed some in the backyard and started making a path to the flowerbed out front but dang, that new weed eater is heavy with a 80 volt lithium battery in it. Had to trim in shifts and drank a huge bottle of Peligrino while cooling off. Pulled weeds as best I could and need to get a call into Nathan. The flowerbed in front of the house is being overtaken by grass and I don't have it in me to do that extensive amount of work. The front flowerbed hadn't been watered for several days and so after cooling off, I put a Dr Enuff in my back pocket and I was down there watering for a good thirty minutes. Everything looks a bit perkier this morning. Going into the yard I have started wearing tall rain boots mostly because of ticks but if perchance I did run into a slithering enemy...well, I don't even want to think about that. I do have a new respect for those who work in the landscaping industry...the key is being very young.

I experienced a first yesterday, I cried in the lobby of our post office. The mail I should have mailed on Thursday went out yesterday. Picked up our mail and there was a mailing envelope in the stack and it was from my friend Betty. Betty grew up in East TN and in Crossnore NC. Love posting pics from around here for her to see. I decided to open the envelope in the lobby because you know, walking back to my car is so far...not. Betty had read on my blog that I collect hymnals, just for the love of them. I like to think about the people who sang from them and many of the ones I have collected are worn well from use. I can't read a lick of music, so of the oldest hymns that didn't make the cut as time progressed are tunes unknown, well at least for me. Betty sent me a shape note hymnal that had been her aunts. She wrote out the background story of the legacy that I was holding in my hands. I started tearing up reading her note which also included a pic of her beautiful cat. Wow! What a kindness. I looked through the hymnal when I got home and read verses and choruses to songs I didn't know and sang along with the ones I do. What a pick me up in that thoughtful gift.

Well, I see Cali is back on the deck. Don't see kittens but that doesn't mean they're not there or maybe they're not. Our backyard is a haven but remembering that it is surrounded by nature...

Now it is late afternoon and still no sign of the kittens. I heard a noise last night and came downstairs to check but there wasn't any animals out there or at least in the light. Cali and Mama Cat are hanging around, which makes me wonder from my research if Mama Cat has a new batch of kittens nd she took care of her grand kids so her new batch isn't competing for food when the time comes. I can barely think about this all. Of course Cali looks all sad to me but then I read a lot into cat actions that don't mean a thing. Meanwhile Buddy has wanted out on the porch again, so yes, I am air conditioning the neighborhood. Well an interesting development. Maybe she has her kittens hidden from Mama Cat. This is the second time I've seen her go to the land of the firs. She saw me this time so I went back inside. This morning she took a curious route and would stop and sit for a bit, like a distraction as she went along the way. So, there is still hope. Mike the mower man showed up today to mow since he was running behind this week and said last week he saw the kittens on the back part of the property at Mary Joyce's home and when they heard him they ran lickity split over to our backyard. Of course last week there were three.

On my way home from picking up pie for tonight's fellowship and a quick trip to Publix, I saw the plant man that we bought our orange flame azaleas last year had plants for sale along the river road. I unloaded and rearranged groceries and put up cold stuff to head back and see what he had. Nicest man, and I bought several plants from him. One more flame azalea too.
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Sunday afternoon. BBQ sliders for lunch and I'm watching the recorded service from First Baptist Houston. Lisa is singing the title song of their new album, That's When Worship Begins. Love that song and I have been playing the album since downloading it from Itunes on Friday. And much to my surprise this afternoon, I saw the kitties. Think Cali had them hidden and she has them playing along the fence line, just like she used to. Maybe all the mowing and weed eating coupled with our clearing of ground cover was just too much chaos and noise.

Last night was fun up at the Shed at church. Delicious food and great friendships...and the view ain't bad either. I only came home with cokes, so that is good that all the pie was eaten. When I got home I did a few things around the kitchen and headed upstairs. Buddy wasn't too far behind and she fell asleep in the bonus room. She barely woke me up whenever she came to bed and she slept the rest of the night. Glory hallelujah! That means we both got some rest.

I met our new neighbors, well they aren't new but are finally living in the house above us. Seem very nice. Their daughter is getting her horse today and they have chickens and ducks. He's thinking about getting a cow or two.

I am feeling a nap coming on, so I bid you adieu!

Thursday, July 12, 2018

A Short Post....of Nothing in Particular

So, I didn't get everything done this afternoon like I had planned but that's okay. The day began with an eye Dr appointment and that means dilation of the eyes takes place. I dread that part of the visit every year. The drops burn and everything within you wants to squeeze your eyes tight but that only forces out the drops and the whole procedure begins in earnest again. At least the yellow dye they put in later isn't too bad. Yes, just one eye drop session with me answers the question, why don't you wear contacts...Nuh, said and experienced. Just a small change in my prescription and that is always welcomed news. With dilated eyes and sunglasses, I ran two errands and drove home. As I was unloading groceries Roy texted to let me know that my book club book had been delivered. There was no way I was going to walk down the road to the mailbox with dilated eyes, so back into the car, retrieved the book and then took a drive around the block.

Peggy had called while I was at the eye doctor, so I called her back and then she called me back. We had a great time catching up, hearing about her trip to Israel and all the other happenings of life. She saved me from what would have been a bad decision to get back out on the road with dilated eyes. It seemed best to take another day of rest, which has been most enjoyable.

It is fun to watch the next generation of the Feral Fam enjoying the tent of napping. This evening it has been the tent of playing. The two remaining kittens are out there now playing around with mom keeping a watchful eye on them and the sky. The little black and white kitten that was taken by a hawk which just makes me so sad thinking about it, strayed off from mom a lot and that last little trip...well, it wasn't good. This morning for a bit I thought the orange kitten might have been taken but he is here with his sibling. I don't think that Cali is the best of cat moms. The few times that Mama Cat is around, Cali acts like a kitten and wants to be near her mom only Mama Cat isn't having any of that. She wolfs food down and is gone...hissing and growling at her family all the way. I have learned way more than I ever thought I would know about feral cats and watching them. Well looky, looky...Cali just got in the tent with her kiddos. If this tent is rocking...don't bother knocking...cause there is a lot of wild playing going on and like every mom, she likes to have the kids wear themselves out before bedtime. Robby just got disciplined by his mom, big time. Those green eyes of hers can mean up something quick. She moved on out into the yard and the kids followed but it looks like they want to play behind the tent and she is having none of that.

Yesterday I got my haircut but we decided to wait till next month to get highlights. Had breakfast at Corner Kitchen and delicious as always. Did some shopping at the Southern Highland Craft Guild, looked around Williams Sonoma and then it was time for my appointment. I made a quick Target run and it might be the last one for a while. They were busy putting out school supplies. Kids don't go back to school around here until August 27th. Well, I might get in one more Target run before go time for supplies.

Tomorrow with no set schedule I can take it easy. Have a couple of things to take care of but for the most part it will be foot loose and fancy free. That means I can go to the post office at my leisure.


Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Ferals, Books, and Funnies

Something interesting with the Feral Fam this morning. Cali and two of her kittens were waiting on breakfast, with one of the kittens checking and rechecking the contents of the bowl...which was empty by the way. So, with Buddy being a little later for treat time, I went outside to get everyone fed and then welcomed by Buddy upon returning inside the house. A few treats and she was ready for porch time since the mornings have been cooler lately. As per usual I made a quick glance out the window to see progress and I watched a little kitten take the stance of aggression toward Mama Cat, his grandmother...who doesn't seem the least bit interested in that role. Mama Cat had just forced Cali from one of the bowls and Cali retreated as this is her role within the family. Her little baby boy stood up for his mom and Mama Cat, well, she left. That little orange cat seemed surprised and then made his way over to the bowl to eat some breakfast and soon his mom joined him. I think Cali lost her little black and white kitten to something the other night. She isn't using the deck or under it since the other night. She has found shelter for her little ones in a most unlikely place.

Buddy seemed to have a good night. The effects of the chill pill lingered on and thus we both got a good nights rest. We begin her new regimen today and hopefully this will give her some pain relief. Buddy has a few tremors every now and then and a little dementia. Hoping that along with the steroids, with the new regimen she can enjoy life a little longer. Buddy had one of those "I can't do this anymore" moments in the vet office yesterday when she tried to jump from the chair to the counter. She made it, barely but couldn't complete the jump. So Mira-lax in the water and probiotics and pain meds in her food...which gets complicated because she refuses to eat wet food. I took advantage of Buddy being upstairs to mix and cover her food with the above. Blends in well by color so hopefully this will help.

Yes, I know, my life seems to be dominated by cats this week, no most weeks. They come and go at will but expect to fed on time.



These two pics are many of the one Roy took up at Mt Mitchell a week ago on Sunday. A beautiful drive and a wondrous view along the Parkway and on top of Mt Mitchell. Watching fog roll along across the roads and through the meadows is enchanting and mesmerizing. Now, if the fog was rolling in and settling, we would have cut the drive short and turned around. You don't mess with fog in higher elevations. Not being a chicken but when lifelong residents of this area tell you they don't mess with it that tells you something. 

Got home from book club and we had a lively discussion and a great time. We have a new member so that's always fun. We read the book American Pie and our next book is Delicious! I came home to find Cali and her two kittens playing on the deck. MJ who hasn't been around for weeks is here, lying on the grill cover, sleeping unless something wakes him up. He used to do that as a kitten. 

Tomorrow is haircut and highlights. I might take a drive through the Biltmore Estate just to take in all the beauty after the appointment. You know, the beauty on the Estate...not my hair. 

I still can't believe I left my phone on my car instead of going through my usual routine yesterday. I am so thankful for the man and his son for finding it and waiting for the owner to call...that would be me. He might get a job out of the encounter though, cause the new member needs a roofer after getting the raccoons out of her attic. So today, you better believe I did the routine to remember to have everything with me when leaving the house. 

I will leave this post with this little funny. As I have written before my eyeglasses are my lifeline cause my vision is iffy at best. So last night, with Buddy in my thoughts when I got up to uh...let's see...use the necessitarium I thought Buddy was lying on the rug in front of the sink, so before washing my hands I bend down to pet her only it was a turquoise wash cloth...Buddy was deep in her blanket.  Don't worry, eye exam is Thursday. Not as bad as when I put toothpaste up my nose when I thought I was using nose spray in the middle of the night and when I looked up in the middle of the night and thought there was a bat on ceiling when it was just the A/C vent. Life is never dull. 

Monday, July 9, 2018

Phone Home...No Can Do

The day began very early and most Sundays are early days but this morning was especially because we needed to get to Charlotte. We left just as the sun was coming up and the drive eastward which is always beautiful was accentuated by a stunning sunrise through clouds and mist and fog. It is difficult to focus on the road when the scenery beckons to look....no gaze and the one who is driving cannot afford to take their eyes off of I 40.

Thankfully, the appointment for auto butler at the Ford dealership has been rescheduled. I was feeling a tad stressed over all the things going on this week. With appointments and such happening in the next few months I asked for a September appointment and just received confirmation that it has been rescheduled for then.

It is looking like the original Feral Fam might have finally broken ranks. MJ has flown the coup since he recovered from a fight where he experienced what looks to be the losing end of the fight. Camo, that stocky girl, hasn't been around either and there is evidence she has moved on. Mama Cat shows up once in a while for a quick meal. Cali, well, she has remained here....with her three kittens. Yes, Roy and I are grandparents. I haven't mentioned them but several weeks ago, early one morning I caught a glance of them as the three played on the deck and ground covered rocks, just like their mom and her siblings did...not that long ago. Orange kitten, probably Dead Beat Dad played a part, a black and white kitten, either MJ or the old beat up black and white cat and a black/white/ calico kitten... Orange cats are usually males and the other two, haven't got a clue yet but I do have names for them and they are names that can work either for male or female. Robbie, Ronnie and Riley. Last night we couldn't get anything done because we watched the antics of these kittens as they play and explore. Cali has acted like she hasn't felt well and since I have become the mistress of the mixed drink...for cats...adding Mira-lax to their liquids to help with that age old problem for man and beast. Buddy has done better since we began lacing her water with the stuff. Good grief, I have just given the care and constipation report instead of a death and diarrhea report. Cali has seemed a bit more spritely as they say this morning. She is probably thrilled with sunshine instead of rain. Yesterday, turned out to be a rainy day and the forecast had called for lower temps but no rain. It is true that I have fallen in love with these cats who happened upon the premises in November. Cali's kittens are much younger than she was when she showed up and Mama Cat needed help getting them through the winter. Cali keeps getting closer and closer to me but will not let me pet her. If she is hungry she comes running around the corner of the garage and greets me with meows that sound a little impatient. Sometimes she comes when I call her, not always though.

Roy made biscuits for breakfast yesterday and they were delicious! We eased into the morning and then took clothes to the Salvation Army and stopped in at The Twisted Laurel for lunch. Then onward to Publix, in the rain and then home...in the rain. Roy took a nap once we got home because he is still recovering from all the yard work he has done and even with all that work, made a tiny dent in all the flora and fauna that covers, no takes over everything here if left to its own devices.
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Well, it is Monday evening and I am exhausted. Now the decision to reschedule Auto Butler till September has really paid off. So tomorrow instead of fighting early morning traffic to the dealership I am hoping to sleep in. Taylor and I are back to our normal hour on Mondays again. Came home and Inez came over to help me with Buddy. She has to have a chill pill before seeing the vet. Supposed to create less stress on the animal...uh yeah, there at the office...getting it down her at home provides stress for everyone. Finally with the pill down her throat I was able to relax a bit before taking her to the vet. Then I did something stupid, I ventured from my regular routine of getting ready and realized about half way to the vet I didn't have my phone with me. I remember the last thing I looked at and felt I had put the phone down in the house. Upon our return...no phone. So I called my number looking for the sound but I heard a man's voice. He was saying I hope you are the owner of this phone because my son and I found it. Yes, I had placed the phone on the car and it had slid off onto the road. We decided to meet at the Moose Cafe parking lot. Nicest man, owns a roofing business. Not a bit of damage to my phone so the protective cover works. Wow! I was so thrilled that my phone fell into the hands of a honest person...through the course of conversation he and his family go to Biltmore Baptist and I told him I go to Newfound.

Buddy is facing some tough challenges that come to all of God's creatures when the aging process is happening. She is beginning to have some neurological issues and you can see some tremors and shaking. A little dementia has set in and she is probably in more pain than she lets on. Dr says dogs are so much better at letting us know a problem. She is doing ok but now will have to take some extra meds that are mainly going to slow her down even more. Hopefully, she takes after her human mom and responds to meds. Buddy has become a cranky old lady cat which isn't as bad as being a hangry cat. I felt like the Dr was preparing me for the inevitable decision that is to come when it comes to pain and quality of life. But, I can't let myself go down that road just yet.

I've got to read my book for tomorrow...so...where did I put my phone?


Friday, July 6, 2018

Finishing Up For Download To Happen

We fought through hard rain and lots of lightning and thunder in TN this afternoon. Our original plan was to be the heck out of Dodge before 3:00 but extended time in Academy threw our schedule out of whack, thus we drove through the rain behind a very, very slow driver...slower than safety. Once we got around them I used the white line on the side of the road to make our way but in the storm we discovered that our windshield wipers gauge the rain to how fast or slow they go. Wow! That is so helpful. We knew when the windshield wipers come on, the automatic lights come on which is wonderful because both TN and NC require headlights on in any amount, whether it be little or a lot, of rain. Once we were on the freeway and headed home, we beat the rain. We were safe inside when the rain and lightning passed over us. While it was raining Nathan stopped by to pick up yard trash from the July 4th shredding of ground cover that is taking over the whole backyard at a rapid pace. Leicester Lawn and Landscape is on the calendar to come and clear the land but we had a patch that needed attention immediately, so Roy and his arsenal of hedge trimmers, chain saw and new weed eater attacked on the early morning of independence. Several mimosa trees were attended to as well as fir tree overhang from the neighbors. He also trimmed the holly that impeded us. There was lots and lots of stuff all over the deck. We managed to bag some of it up for a later trip to the dump. Another casualty was the old rocking chair that Kate left us, more decorative than useful. The ants had taken over the chair and was in the midst of a building campaign. Hacksaw Roy took that apart in no time and was added to the pile of  trash. We realized that we had rid the yard of more than what we could handle, so we called Nathan and he came today and picked up the remainder of the stuff. We realized on the morning of the 4th that we would need to change our plans for the day and keep working around the house since there were several things on the to do list to be tackled. With that dedication we were able to get so much taken care of.

Roy grilled our steaks later that evening and we sat on our front porch watching our neighbors in the distance shoot off some beautiful fireworks and we are able to see Asheville's firework show from our porch as well. We were treated to and Buddy especially loved watching the fireflies that came near. She spent the greater part of the evening running about close to the screen.

On Monday we made the Costco run to Spartenburg and then had lunch at Longhorn Steak House. On the way home we stopped by our favorite peach orchard and got a half bushel of peaches. When we got home we had all the stuff to put up and I needed a short nap. We ran over to see friends and took some peaches with us. I mean who doesn't love peaches? Tuesday we were off again on a mountain adventure to the Moses Cone House near Boone and Blowing Rock. We didn't do GFM this trip, just some lovely driving along the parkway but we did go to Boone and everyone and their cousin was in town. It was crowded just like in March when Lisa and I were there to go to LPL with Beth Moore. We both got a little sun on us with the top down cruising through the mountains but on the ride home we raised the roof cause heading into that western sun was a tad warm.

Roy just told me he would download his pics when I get off the computer, so I am getting off now.

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Just Another Day In The Mountains...We Are Blessed!

So many last minute things are awaiting my attention but most mornings before getting started into the day I sit down, take a few moments of quiet and write. Sometimes it is a blog post, sometimes a journal entry and other times just a moment to remember or wonder as I write. With a usually short attention span nothing keeps my attention long but writing, that is another story. Monablog has been going strong or at least somewhat strong here of late, for eleven years. There is such joy to be found sharing a funny happening or maybe even something embarrassing. This blog has been a godsend in those hard days beginning in 2012 with my father and accidentally kept a record of the experiences. In 2008 when I first was diagnosed with my heart issues coming from the virus that attacked my heart and got this whole journey started, many of the important details that time diminished are there on the ol' blog. Earlier in the year I went back and read those posts and much to my joy I re-read the details and miracles that happened in that span of time. There were times I wrote about "church world" and  writing to understand what the heck was going on. Oh and then there are posts that have been written that will never see the light of day, but what a catharsis on various subjects and feelings. Roy was good counsel with he'd advise to wait twenty four hours before posting or make the post a little lighter and on a humorous side...and always take the high road because it is less crowded up there. So this morning with stuff to do I sit here in the chair and write, because it fills my spirit and gives a umph to the day. So much that needs attention, yet it feels right to sit here and type out a few words. I'd rather do this than have longer time in a small town I'm stopping in later on in the day.
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Good Sunday evening! After a beautiful day of sunshine we've had a few evening showers which is wonderful because we don't have to water the flowers. I'm drinking a smoothie and settling in for the evening. On Friday I did get the later start and gave myself enough shopping time as well as supper time. Ate at the new pizza place and it was delicious! Headed over to Charlotte and checked into the hotel. I worked on the last few things on the Sunday School lesson for Sunday morning and read some of my book club book. Roy's flight got in on time and that was good because it was a late flight. On Saturday morning we decided to eat at the CB in Morganton and then we made a quick stop in The Weathered Home shop. We came on home, checked on Buddy and then ran a few errands.

This morning we went to Sunday School and then left afterwards because we wanted to hit the road and go to Mt Mitchell. We ate a quick bite here at the house and then jumped into Mustang Sam and headed that way. What a delightful drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway and through Craggy Gardens. We had never been on that part of the parkway. We went onto Mt Mitchell where we climbed up the path to the observation area. I did not have any problem with stamina or leg strength going to the top but I did have to keep a watch on my heart rate. Roy was taking a lot of pics and I hope he downloads them soon. We decided to come back the way we came so that Roy could get some tunnel pics. We treated ourselves to ice cream when we got closer to home. Such a fun afternoon, beautiful and so happy to remember that all things are created by and through and for Him.

Roy has been doing a little work and I have been doing a little resting. I think all the cats in our lives are happy this evening with full tummies or have been given a lot of treats. Buddy is already down fo the count. I am not too far behind her. What a fabulous day! We are so fortunate to be in the middle of this great mountain area with our senses filled to the brim with beauty.