Friday, November 29, 2019

Houston, Houston, Houston

Roy just left to take Sequishshawn to the dealership to have the fuel injectors looked at and get the oil changed. Oh and they said they can make another key for us. Somehow and someplace the other key came off the key ring. We doubled back at all the places we had been that day but no one had turned it in. So for the past three months I have almost been OCD with knowing where the truck key was.

Happy Day After Thanksgiving! Ours was quiet and after so many years of dealing with chaos and stress and usually some hurtful words, we love that we don't have to endure that anymore. This was the time of year where I counted down the days until January 15th, which was the day after my father's birthday. We've been enjoying our Thanksgivings since 2012. My last Thanksgiving in Houston was in the rehab hospital three years ago... Yesterday was a much better Thanksgiving in Houston, even though it is warm. Roy and I got a slow start to the day. He made biscuits, yum and we watched a movie. I got cleaned up and we headed over to Buc-ees, with hundreds of our closest friends. The place was happening. We got a few gifts for NC friends, a couple of things for ourselves and filled up the truck. Then we did our traditional jaunt to Bass Pro Shop. Since we don't have a Bass Pro Shop nearby, it was a treat. Their sales weren't that good but we did find a couple of things. I found a shirt that couldn't be worn here cause I don't know that it would ever get cold enough...packed away for home where I'll have ample opportunities to wear it. There were tons of employees with nothing to do but bug you about getting $25 off your purchase. A young man asked if I had a couple of minutes to learn of some exciting, new opportunities...hmmm....that used to be a hook line for Campus Crusade and Amway, but it felt safe that this would be Bass Pro related. They have partnered with a travel business to offer opportunities to travel and see things throughout the country, including cruises. Sadly, I had to inform him I am not a good traveler and I am quite happy being at home, which he took to mean Houston. He soon learned he had someone there who doesn't like to travel much unless it is a good road trip. So this marketing minded young man dangled the opportunity to spend time in the Smoky Mountains. I rebuffed the dangle with the words, we have a home there. I live there. It has taken three years to get me back to Houston to help Roy with getting the house ready to sell and some Dr appointments for him. Yep, it felt like home as I described the mountains and 441 that takes you from NC into TN and through the Smoky Mountains. He heard about the elk in the Cattaloche and the perilous drive to go up the mountain on a narrow gravel road, with no guard rails. He probably heard more about the mountains than he wanted to. He probably wanted his few minutes back. But for me it was wonderful to talk about the place I love so much. It made the warm temps bearable for the rest of the afternoon. We took a little drive around for me to see all the new things that have or are being built and then came home to begin fixing our Thanksgiving meal. The Cajun turkey from Popeye's was delicious.

The morning has started out a little foggy, so maybe Rancho de Five is wanting me to feel at home. Our trip back didn't have any fog but just a little rain. Buddy did better than we thought and since we got an early start out from Ooltewah, we decided to come in to Houston on Tuesday night instead of Wednesday. Houston welcomed us back with lots and lots of traffic...lots of traffic. It felt a bit overwhelming. A huge praise, we got through Baton Rouge without hardly any traffic but then just enough traffic to slow down and catch a glance at Death Valley.

One last thing before closing out this post, it felt a little strange at first being here. Roy and I picked out everything together when building this house. We pulled out a lot of furniture for the NC house and even though I came back twice a year at first, the house felt strange this time. Roy has changed things, which he needs to do, he is much neater about some things and I envy that. The job of going through things began in our closet and it wasn't too much like work at all while discovering long forgotten items. We will probably make the first of many Goodwill trips later today.

So, back in Houston...I remember that not only my health is better in the mountains, but so is my hair. Ugh....

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Part 2 And Other Stories

If I don't do anything else today I have already accomplished much...and that is the truth with getting the trash can down to the road. I did that yesterday but realized last night there was more trash that needed to be taken down there. Only it was the dark of night and cars with trucks passing in too much of a hurry as well as night time creatures that could scare me. Early this morning the rest of the trash and recyclables made it before the truck came by. I also got the birds fed and the kiddos taken care of. Buddy was happy for some extended lap time although we had a semi rough night where only sitting in the recliner on my lap made her happy. The recliner is good for twenty minute naps but nothing long term in sleeps. I carried her upstairs and she spent a good portion of the rest of the night there. She doesn't act like she feels too good and isn't eating her normal amounts of food. We have an appointment at the vets this week for her steroids and mani pedi.

Last week I wrote about the two big dogs and the related death of one of the kitties. On Friday I dealt with not feeling good at all. It was one of those at least I brushed my teeth and getting dressed days being just about any grooming for the day. Toward noon, I had gone into the garage to get some treats for the kitties and as I opened the back door, those two big dogs were heading for the gravel road and I said in my best old lady voice, " get out of here!" I texted my neighbor Nancy to let her know that those dogs might be hanging out in her ravine and to warn her cause her kids play down there a lot. She got in her truck and went down the road looking for those dogs. I caught her on her way out.  No sight of them. I had sent her a video of the dogs running from my driveway into our backyard. We made plans to notify different neighborhood groups we belong to and said goodbye. I came upstairs but soon heard a knock at the door. It was Nancy and she had the two dogs in her backseat. They were sitting by our mailboxes. She has worked with animals and said every sign pointed to these dogs being dumped out here in the country. Nancy went back up to her house and got her daughter, they took the dogs to an animal shelter. Two big dogs, a German shepherd and a German shepherd, collie mix. The cats are still on edge and on point for danger. The kiddos play near the cleft of the rock just in case the danger alert is sent. Punky and the gang are keeping Mama Cat at bay. There's a whole lot of hissing going on. Strawyer is back on the scene and can mostly be found hanging out on one of the rockers on the front deck. He doesn't seem too keen to the kittens.

We have returned to seasonal temps but that cold blast stole the remaining life out of the flowers still blooming. The late blooming sunflower is interesting. It is hanging in there although the beauty has long gone there seems to be a steadfastness to the fact that it is still standing. Flower head bowed down. Our lesson yesterday was the first half of Psalm 84 and we will finish up next Sunday. Love the study of the sparrow and the swallow in that passage, sparrow insignificant and swallow. That can encapsulate me so many times. Still restless but not as much as I used to be. We can be as restless as we want, going from thing to thing, more adventures, not settled and finding rest in God makes all those things, adventures and unsettled pale in comparison to what we find in the Lord. We left off with pilgrimage...those whose hearts are set on pilgrimage and I think this is the first time I noticed the heart set part. I am not a good traveler. I admit it and know I am a total pain yet I love to read travel books and love travel accessories. It's good to know that just my heart has to be set on pilgrimage.
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Last evening Strawyer came onto the back porch. Now, normally that would be a good start but with the schedule we have coming up, the timing is wrong. He was scared and I thought he might try tearing at the screen. Fortunately, our neighbor was taking stuff to their compost pile and she was able to help me get him to the great outdoors. Buddy has a vet appointment this afternoon for her shot and mani pedi. I do not look forward to giving her meds so that she might be a little calmer. She has me a little worried because her good appetite has disappeared for the last two days. She ate up her treats from yesterday that I left out for her sometime in the night. She ate a few treats this morning.

I am thrilled to have won the Merry Christmas Darling challenge this year. CourtneyS has won the past five years. I almost missed the win because the radio was turned down and I saw on the dashboard MCD. Snapped a pic and called to sing the mournful last few refrains to CourtneyS. She has been hearing it and me as well from a Herb Alpert recording. It was fun talking with her for a few and I lost her on a country road. The trip to Madison County was futile because the Tupperware lady forgot to give her daughter who works at the health center the cake carrier I ordered. We shall try again later in the week.


Saturday, November 16, 2019

Sadness On A Thursday

Buddy and I have been on dog patrol since 4:00 am. That is the time yesterday that those two evil hounds disturbed the relative quiet of our backyard and killed one of the black and white kittens. The morning had begun with a beautiful sunrise and I checked the security footage and saw those two huge dogs running about the yard for a good fifteen minute clip around 4:00 am. I checked the live cameras and saw that the heated cat house and blankets that covered the pallet it sat on were thrown about and I steeled my courage to go out the door and see what had happened. There between the pallet and blanket was the black and white kitten, frozen in a running motion. I turned to go into the garage and get a towel to wrap it in and to put on gloves. I gently picked it up and turned it to see its face, eyes half opened and its mouth set, bearing its small teeth. Most probably since it wasn't mauled, it had its neck broken. Punky and Mr McBeavy didn't pay much attention to it and were more interested in breakfast but it seemed as if the reality of this little one being dead interested them more after my carefully picking it up and wrapping it in the towel. I laid it in one of the little chairs they all love, first Mr McBeavy and then Punky went over to pay their respects. It was so difficult to watch cause more tears filled my eyes but I took a couple of pics because I don't want to forget what their grief looked like. All morning Punky and the Mr kept close to the remaining kittens and yes, such relief to see that all others were okay. In the afternoon, keeping the kittens close by the cleft of the rock, Punky led them to the fence and the way underneath it. Of course I am thinking, no no no, don't go to the gravel road...nothing good happens there. But, it was a teaching experience, she was showing them escape routes because not long after that, climbing up on the fence with their half brother demonstrated another option. Edee, the calico, did not participate cause she is such a rolly polly, she couldn't find the opening to get under and then up to join the group. During the course of the day I could not help but check up on them. Punky sitting in the middle of the yard, with a deep stare and Mr McB on duty near the top of the property. Strawyer made an appearance and for this I was most thankful. He spends most of his time somewhere else and checks in once a day...for food. One of the black and white kittens was mourning too. It dug a hole in a flower pot, sunk deep into it and didn't move. Its siblings gathered round and stayed close for a long period of time...comforting. That particular kitten was the running buddy to the one that had been killed by the dogs. Last night as dusk turned to night Punky had the trio back at the cleft and she sat guard above them on a stump giving her a commanding view of the gravel road, the yard and the driveway. Once again I cried for that little one. That little one that Punky had pulled back under the house time and time again late in the night. The dogs cannot get to them when they are fully under our home and even though I have put up barriers before, I added to them yesterday afternoon.

Strawyer made an early appearance just now when I happened to go downstairs to retrieve a basket. He sat on the steps to the back porch and had just about given up on brunch. Today, he began to rub against my legs while getting the bowls and to fill one of them for him. He followed me into the garage as usual, continued rubbing against me and he even let me pet him, more like stroke his back. He was purring. I think he would give up the life and maybe just maybe after the holidays, we will see if he is open to living inside, of course without some of his equipment.

Back to the early morning patrol. I had gone to bed early in hopes of waking up to see if those dogs showed up. Maybe someone lets them out at that time of morning or maybe did they get out yesterday by accident? I have never seen the dogs and haven't a clue who owns them or if they are from down the street or over the hill and woods. I got caught up on all the news and Buddy slept soundly on my lap. To add to our patrol duties I was also facing a security issue and didn't know what to do. I also used that early morning time to read through the instruction booklet, didn't help. Went online...couldn't find an answer. Long story...all is well. Roy helped me figure it out and he said if we made a mistake, the alarm company office opened in about fifteen minutes. One more addition to the morning, I woke up not feeling very good. It feels like it is a short lived bug and for that I am thankful.

Our lesson on Sunday will not be the Lifeway lesson and so I have had fun studying this week. Truthfully, I enjoy studying and consider it serious fun. I began writing it out last night and will work on it in just a bit.

This will be a two parter post but there is somewhat good news to report concerning the dogs and cats

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

A Little Snow And A Lot Of Cold

We are in the midst of our first snowfall. It's not much and I have taken a few pics but nothing spectacular. The ground isn't covered and only a few patches of accumulated snow are found here and there in the yard. The kitties have their heated houses and they are in and out. Guess they are getting their paws warm and then bound out to play.

I am still on Cloud 9 from our class luncheon yesterday. We had such a good time and such delicious food at The Blue Rooster. Hopefully, our rambunctious spirits didn't ruin too many of their other customers meals. We missed Jennell and Gwen but we will have to do this again. We caravaned over the mountain and all arrived safely. After lunch Brenda, Lois and I made a quick trip to Barbers Orchard and then a brief shopping stop in the Hazelwood area. The weather cooperated with temps in the 60s but we could feel the coolness creeping in all afternoon. With the cold a coming, after dropping them off at the church I filled up the truck while the temps were bearable.

After an eight year drought, LSU finally beat Alabama. It was a good game, kept you on the edge of your seat no matter what team you rooted for. When they won, I cried tears of joy.

Our lesson on Sunday was a one and done look at Habakkuk. There is so much to that book in just those three chapters and I wished we had more Sundays to study. On Friday I dropped something off at the church office and learned that we don't necessarily have to use Lifeway material. I am looking at Explore the Bible and a few other things. We have studied rebellion and idolatry so much this year, and yes, we all have those enter into our lives now and then but it is difficult to keep teaching the same theme and try to have a different type of lesson each time. This Sunday is all about rebellion once again, but I am leaning toward being rebellious and teaching on something else.

We had another small, little snow shower and now as the temps drop we keep vigilant on the backside flow that could bring back the snow. I am not too sure how that works but all the meteorologists talk about it up here.

I was saddened to learn on Sunday night the passing of Anthony Martin. We've known he and Mary from long ago softball days. He was always so fun, full of encouragement and you knew he loved his family. After reading so many of the comments on Facebook, he was beloved in his sphere of the business community. He was playing baseball in the senior league world series, he hit a double and was on second base when he collapsed.

With the cold weather I am keeping an eye on the kitties. I have fed them several times today to help them have the calories needed to help them keep warm. I have the kitty houses heated up for them. Strawyer finally showed up this morning and I also got a head count of the kittens. I kind of have names for them, at least for two of them. I'm thinking there are two males and two females but it is so difficult to determine between those black and white kittens...so it could be three males and a female. Anyway, the one female who I have named Edee because she eats all the time, every time and can almost out eat Strawyer, which is saying something.

Saturday, November 2, 2019

These Have Been Short Fall Days and Winter is Upon Us

It is one of those misty, overcast days here in the mountains. Right now it only looks like it is cold but if the forecasts hold true it will be a lot chillier this evening. The leafs are gently letting go and falling to the ground. The vibrant colors are muted after the rain yesterday and will be even more affected if the rain holds through during the day. On Monday and Tuesday of this week I went out and looked at the autumn pallet. On the Parkway the lower elevations still had the brilliance of fall but the coloring changed once I got above 3500 feet. Lots of dormant trees in the midst of the remaining embellishment of autumn. The Parkway drive was just to the highest point and then turning around and going back toward Waynesville and a late lunch at Blue Rooster.

Well, the Astros lost game seven last night. In my professional sports opinion, when they didn't take game 6 at home, I felt pretty sure the Nationals would win the World Series but I held out hope. I even did my part by not really watching because their wins came when I did my part of only keeping up on Twitter. Even with all the success of the season and the eventual individual awards that will come their way, it looked like there was some struggle with the mindset of being the favored to win team. So many of the comments by Nat fans sounded like Astro fans of 2017. The Dodgers get all the calls, MLB doesn't want the Astros to win...It was odd reading fan opinions and thinking wait, no, we are supposed to be saying those kinds of things.

This week our Sunday School lesson is in Jeremiah. Last week we were back in 2 Chronicles studying King Josiah. Our lesson is on the new covenant written about in Jeremiah...only Ezekiel 36 is the other portion in the OT that touches on this subject. Poor Jeremiah, he wasn't liked, he suffered as he warned the people but he got to announce this great good news from the Lord. As usual on Sunday afternoon just looking at the scripture for the coming week's lesson, the thought of, I don't even know how I am going to approach the lesson much less teach it. took up temporary residence in my thoughts but God is faithful and today I am so enthused about what I have learned and the truths of God's Word that have encouraged me this week.

Punky's kiddos are getting out and about the yard. She has kept this litter under wraps to the elements but she let me know about them early on. Sometimes I get to pet them a little. Strawyer has started rubbing up against my legs which truthfully, I never thought he would. Punky has been doing that for a bit as well as giving me a nose greeting to the back of my hand in the mornings. My, my...what cats will do for food. Mr McBeavy is so helpful with the kittens, playing, scruffing them from danger and watching over their wanderings. Mama Cat still hisses her morning greetings at the delivery of breakfast and Camo hasn't been around in a while.

It seems to take several days or even weeks to post these days so I'll finish up this post and hopefully begin a new one soon. No LSU football this weekend, Astros are finished with their season and Baylor won on Thursday night and the Sunday School lesson for tomorrow just needs some fine tuning.