Weekly Reader, Maybe Two Week Reader

 The morning rain has moved east and supposedly this afternoon we will have a few more showers come in. We took the opportunity to work some outside. Roy put together a fire pit/raised garden ring and I cleaned out some big planters and started our tomato experiment. Is there anything we can't learn from social media. At TJs, they had veggie plants and although it is too early for our area, the call of tomatoes is in the air especially with the warmer than normal temps. This experiment is totally mobile and the plants can be moved easily to warmth and away from frost fear. It didn't take long for me to cry uncle and to surrender to the heat. We placed the fire ring, cut some lilac and came inside. After lunch Roy went back outside to finish the second ring. 

While spring is evident all over the countryside there is a period of time that if you didn't know the season, several tree sprout leaves that are in a fallish hue. Red, gold and light orange. Sitting on the daybed in the front room with the double windows. just seeing those colors brought this to mind. If I had been sick and lost track of seasons and time, it would be quite perplexing to say the least if this was my only view. Since it isn't, I have seen the daffodils and tulips make the early spring entrance, red buds and dogwoods bloom out, peach and plum trees filled with blossoms and now apple trees going from bloom to little apple buds. 

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We nearly had another "alarm" incident this morning. Woke up at 3:00 am, couldn't sleep. Got up and read. Roy woke up a little after 4:00 am and we had a regular, not morning before coffee conversation, and that is what threw me off on the morning routine. Cause I am the alarm disarmer but Roy has promised me again and again he always checks the monitor to make sure the alarm is disengaged. Emersed in a good book I hear Roy, maybe yelling my name or is he talking to the cats? It was me whose attention he is calling out for...turn off the alarm! Hurry! Whew! We made it without having to verify with the alarm company that it was a mistake. 

After reading Mildred Budge books, I am going the complete opposite now. Started The Swamp Kings, history of the Murdaugh family in SC. The stories of the family coming into prominence, along with their many faults and flaws goes hand in hand with Jacob and his family. Throughout the narrative we see all the deception and scheming that takes place. Jacob has a divine encounter and change for him begins but it is still in his family, with his sons. 

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Ah, the temps of winter return for today and tomorrow. We brought in the tomato plants and covered them against the lows and the possibility of frost. With the rain on and off all weekend everything is looking so green outdoors. Every color of green on the prism is being represented by various trees. Once it gets a little warmer we are going to cut back some plants that have grown behind the hydrangeas and the deck. Have to pick a day like today where it will not be as warm so that we don't have to battle the plant as well as bugs. 

We sang Heaven Came Down yesterday morning in church. Oh my, it has been many, many years since I have heard the song much less singing it. What I remember is back in the day, at an age before I could participate in youth activities at Westbury Baptist, the youth choir came home from a mission trip. They sang all the songs and Heaven was one of them. Ron Lowry was our music minister and he set the joy of singing into many. One that comes to mind is Mindy Scott although many would know her as Mindy Klassen. That Sunday night that was devoted to the report of the trip was probably the only Sunday night I paid attention. I remember how soft the voices were on, "sins were washed away" became bolder with "and my night was turned to day, heaven came down and glory filled my soul." While most memories at WBC are not good, this particular one is. That Sunday night is the first time I heard the song, Amen. 

Yesterday, I posted a blog post from 2009 titled Thank An Admin. I think I do this every year because the truth in it is still relevant as well as truth. I looked at some of the original comments by the admins to look at what life for them now looks like. Interesting, for sure. 

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HVAC checkup time. Roy and the tech are outside looking at the downstairs unit. We have two of the three boys put up and it looks like rain. Cooler as well. If we get a chance this afternoon we might put out some of the plants we purchased this week most probably in a raised bed but we might do the bag of dirt thing. 

I think I will close this less than stellar post. It has been a couple of weeks in the making. I like the slow days now. We finally tackled a couple of projects this week. We are also doing a massive clean out. Found tons of stuff that needs to move on. Lots of pandemic interests to keep me busy at home and the truth is, now they don't hold the same interest. So, off they go. 

Life, Lilacs and Learning

 A week of firsts. First official visits to produce stands in Haywood Country, first purchase of SC strawberries, first day of many to come of wearing capris and first few days of above average temps. The apple trees have blossoms this year. Think the peach trees survived the one time frost and the plum trees are finished blooming out. Hopefully, we will have a fruitful season. 

Yesterday we drove over to Canton and Clyde. It is one of my most favorite drives and the scenery did not disappoint. Dogwoods blooming out is such a beautiful sight. We went to Christopher Farms to try the frozen, made locally, pot pies. Then over to Ducketts for strawberries and to check the inventory of Lou Lou's canned products. We were looking for her salsa. It is fabulous. 

On Monday we grabbed up some of the buy three get three bags of garden soil, then a brief visit at Hobby Lobby. I needed raffia for a cat toy. Oh, we got two more fire rings for raised garden beds at Lowe's. So Roy will be putting those together in the coming days as we ready for the middle of May and tomato planting season. We will probably do red and green bell peppers and maybe carrots. 

Today, we did the Publix thing and stopped for BBQ at 6 Pigs. No banana pudding today but that's okay. We ate our lunch after unloading the car. Back to Mars Hill and TJs. Got a beautiful hanging basket of a vine like flower as well as some plants. I read about a way to temporally get plants ready for the season and able to get them out of the cold if it dips which looks like that will be Sunday. We shall see. While doing the Publix thing, wisdom discount day...what a mess. We encountered a couple that were rude, rude, rude! I surely fail the Lord when I am in a grocery store, sometimes but Wednesday was not one of those days. The man nearly took me out with the cart so that he could get to the bran cereal. Uh, no thanks but my ankle and calf were clipped by the cart. No, I am sorry for hitting you...nothing. I then determined they might be from up north but she had on a t-shirt designating her as a Big Bend National Park volunteer. So most likely they were from Texas. So I turned the other cheek and blocked them on two aisles and unknownst to Roy about the whole situation, he cut off the escape route after they found themselves behind a slow, very slow cart pusher and shopper. These aggravations are getting fewer and fewer but it is a reminder to keep a renewed mind. Kind of like out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks holds true for out of the abundance of actions...

The kind of crazy, druggy guy is out of rehab or wherever he was. Saw him walking along the road Sunday and last night the crazy guy saw Roy at our gate to the driveway. He both hurried into the garage as the crazy guy came up our road and headed toward the neighbors. We called them but all were out in the barn and didn't call back till later. Guess they saw him the other night coming up to their farm, but they have two German shepherds going crazy to get to him.   

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Our Friday rain is a gentle one. Just enough to water plants and make the roads slick. This spring I have been proactive with the gardening unlike the past two years. No diagnosis of what the heck was going on with me health wise, but this spring I have more energy to do the things I have come to love, which is gardening. The lilac bushes are in full bloom and I hope after today's rain I am able to cut a few of the flowers of to bring inside. Ah, the fragrance. The hybrid hydrangeas are experiencing a banner year and that means the snowball bushes are not too far behind. Haven't seen the plant man who the past few years been a pioneer in the area on the river road that I call the truck flea market. Got flame azaleas from him as well as a few other plants the past few years. So many of the shrubs and flowering plants we put in several years ago are now mature and showing off this spring. Fall has always been my favorite season but living here, spring is giving fall a run for the money. 

These Feral Fam members are entertaining yet frustrating so many times. Fido comes into the garage at night, helps serve the dry food in the mornings and then comes back with Roy into the garage for his own breakfast. Coco is coming around and letting us pet her gently but it has to be her idea. Cha Nay Nay demands lots and lots of pets yet will ignore us at other times. Last night she sat on my lap for the longest time. Don't know if that was more to keep Beanie off my lap or what, but she of all the cats in the Feral Fam, the spiciest cat taken to the spay/neuter clinic cause she got written up, is a great purer and so affectionate. Squeaky is a nuisance to Fido and Cha Nay Nay, but he is a cutie and practically lives in the cat tree that is slowly falling apart. We are looking to replace it for the Fam. 

In the spirit of women's basketball Roy and I have added the Caitlyn Clark shrug and questioning pose after calls and no calls to our lives when we have small disagreements or if I am just feeling funny and want to make Roy laugh. The shrug and questioning could also look like an arm low level praising of the Lord. I watched part of the draft on Monday evening but those kinds of shows are usually not a first or fifth choice. CC has a lot riding on her shoulders for the hope of women's basketball. I hope she doesn't get hurt the first week of the season. Like I have written before I probably won't watch games cause my interest in bb peaks at March Madness time. 

This week as we get ready to cross the river tributary of the Jordan River, Jabbok, with Jacob I have looked at a couple of instances where his experience can help us learn so much in our relationship with God. His twenty years with Laban are bookmarked with encounters of the spiritual kind. The first preparing him for his season of life on the horizon and the second, life changing as his name changes as well as the way he deals with life. He is giving up depending on his wit, persuasiveness and charm. No longer the deceiver, no longer a mad schemer of getting what he wants, on his terms and his understanding. Chapter 31 is so powerful as Laban accuses and Jacob confronts, vents, treaty and leaves. This Sunday we will jump a little into Romans 12 to see how the experiences in walking with the Lord intersect with Jacob and with us. Roy is finishing up the portion on Noah and the Ark, and the beginning look at Nimrod and the tower of Babel. He was asking me what I emphasized with the lesson, for Noah's time in the Ark, me, asking what about the animal poop? For Nimrod and Babel...how much nothing has changed. The gameplan is the same today as it was in the former years. I also had this great revelation to make Roy laugh, Noah walked with God, but were the requirements different to float with God? Just an observation. Yep, it wasn't the tower that is the main theme, it is living in cities and not dispersing throughout the land. The theme is the cities and what the significance meant.  

Also, in my last post I quoted Dr Jordan Peterson. I didn't have any idea of who he is and only quoted him for his views on false adventures. Which the topic still fascinates me. 

Last night I finished the trilogy of Miss Budge novels. There is so much insight to living in a way that brings glory to God with a few laughs and wisdom thrown in. 

 

The Right to Write or Something Like That

 Something I didn't appreciate at the time but in retrospect appreciate more is the amount of time, reading and classes we had on leadership when our pastor came on staff at Houston's First lo those many years ago. Many of the principles we learned are good for church work, business and life. Not that I am in a leadership position now except I do teach Sunday School. Reluctantly, guess that is leadership but I don't think of it that way.

Roy is going to workout earlier than usual today and get a couple of errands ran. While we will have an 86% coverage during the eclipse. The afternoon will certainly warm up. We did a looksee at the apple trees and such last night. Doesn't seem that any frost affected them with our two nights of dipping temps. The tulips out front are the most radiant and brilliant color than any before. Even the ones in the back look healthy. 

Surprise, surprise, we didn't make it all the way through the lesson yesterday. We got at a good stopping point and we will pick up with chapter 31 on Sunday. This look at Laban and Jacob is so interesting, so much to learn. Jacob probably his mom was the schemer extraordinaire but when he met his uncle, he truly had met the master supplanter and schemer of the family.  

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Thursday morning with rain but the apple trees are blooming. That is always a welcomed sight. Last night we had the worst wind. It woke me up enough to get up and check the view outside. Then I was wide awake so I retreated to the front bedroom to read. I was asking the Lord to calm the wind and when Roy got up and checked on me on his way to the bathroom, I asked him to pray as well. Roy was just like Jesus in the boat, sound asleep. I got tickled thinking about waking him up and saying, "don't you even care?" He probably woke up cause he was getting restful sleep with me away cause I toss and turn something awful, especially here lately. The wind died down with puffy gusts once in a while, but I would sing softly, peace be still. Maybe it was too much of a joyful noise to the Lord or maybe He heard my prayer. Think He heard my prayer. 

I saw the most interesting 11 second reel on false adventure. I watched it several times and tried to do some research but with an attention span of a gnat and needing full concentration for lesson study I left it for another time. Some of this I had been thinking about but didn't have a description for what I wondered about. The quote, "People choose false adventures if they don't choose real adventures. Martyrs, enemies and angry when unnecessary, those are forms of false adventures." Dr Jordan Peterson  I think you can really find lots of people on false adventures all around social media. They may have fought a real situation, like twenty years ago, long time over but they'll share quotes or their own thoughts on a situation that really no longer affects them. Most of them are issues that plague modern life but most of these people have been sitting on the sidelines for years. Like all the sudden in the midst of family pics and reports, the bold statement appears on their timeline..." I support those who love their cabbage patch doll!" I'm thinking, cabbage patch kids are back? Are there people who are being ridiculed for playing dolls? Usually there are other odd statements about things or problems that have long ago gone away or has been solved. There is almost a militant voice in these posts. Come on, cross me. Question me on this. I am prepared to defend cabbage patch kids but it doesn't seem like anyone addresses the strange and new stance presented. But this concept of false adventure rings true. Yesterday in class, yes it is Monday and I didn't use *****. I support the right to write into new days without using *****. I defend those who do this, so I guess I am defending myself. Anyway, in class yesterday as we studied Laban and Jacob, we got to the verses where Laban goes through everything looking for his idol gods that have been stolen. Rachel, uses I started my period for the excuse of not moving off her camel saddle. Those period stories can be helpful in times of need or in this case deception. He touches everything that Jacob owns and this is what sets Jacob off as he starts his soliloquy  of  wrongs done to him by Laban during the past twenty years. I was talking to Roy about the lesson last week and the whole touch the belongings really became important to me. Roy was like, this isn't a big deal. But to me and my voice tone gave me away yesterday when I told the class about growing up in a house where my father went through things in my room, touching it all and dumping the contents of the dresser into the middle of my bedroom. He found my diary on one of these tirades. I had written about what was going on in our family and how scared and mad I was over this. Man, once confronted by my words by him, I changed course and only wrote the opposite of what was happening. Like, " we are the happiest family. We are loved and wanted..." Well, by my mom yes but not my father. Side note, I wrote about what was going on and how we were being treated by my father. I wrapped the note up in aluminum foil and buried it by the gas meter in the backyard. Just in case something happened to us but more likely to me. Does this touching and dumping stuff fill my mind everyday. Nope. Have I gone to therapy to be given life tools to heal this trauma. Oh yes I have. But, I am not hitting FB or X today with some rage against the insanity type topic because it is no longer relevant to me. Best advice given was, you're reacting like you did as a child but now you're an adult and can deal, heal and solve the hurts.  Sometimes when I share stories of childhood, I've been contacted by others letting me know how much help they received from the blog post.  The telling thing about the whole Jacob vent against Laban concerns Laban's reaction to what Jacob has said...well be that as it may, everything is mine but your God has handicapped me from taking action against you. Makes me think, wow how powerful was that dream of Laban's? 

We are making a trip to Lowe's for more potting soil and a few other things. Roy will work out later this afternoon. Weed pulling is calling my name, but I may let that call go to voicemail. The week temps look to be warmer so all those things we have been putting off outside should get taken care of...again, might be a voicemail thing. 

Winter to Spring to Winter to Books

 We are in the midst of Dogwood Winter here in the Appalachian mountains. It comes every spring reminding us that winter isn't that far in the background. Our temps have been rather warm until yesterday when the cold wind blew in. In the higher elevations they got snow. Next on the spring look back to winter calendar is Blackberry Winter. Then we hit Mother's Day and Roy will be planting tomatoes. The warmup starts tomorrow. I don't think it got cold enough last night to harm any of the plants or blooms but tonight might be a whole nother story. 

I spent a lot of time reading and researching yesterday for the lesson on Sunday. We are with Jacob and Laban. Wow, Jacob gets schooled in schemes, deceit and lies, something he is quite good at himself. Jacob has the Lord on his side and the promises made to him as well as to his grandfather and father. Reading Laban's deflections and his proclaimed victimhood, reminded me greatly of my father and his tactics. I was telling Roy about the direction of the lesson or how it is shaping up, the Lord reminded me at every trick and turn of my father's plans, the Lord had been there for me/us bringing solutions or people to the crisis my father was creating. I never saw something in Gen 31:41b until yesterday, God saw your abuse and my hard work. If God hadn't been on Jacob's side, Laban would have sent him away empty handed. I never realized what a narcissist Laban was. He blamed, accused falsely, turned others against Jacob and then he became the victim, at least in his thinking. Then after none of Laban's gods/idols were found due to the clever thinking of Rachel...she had sat at the feet of the master...she used her period excuse. Ah, nothing like periods to set things a little askew. Jacob vents...really vents, finally. He and Laban make a pact and celebrate it with a meal. We don't hear about Laban again. 

 I have written before here recently that I am enjoying a series of stories and books by Daphne Simpkins. She is retired from Auburn, I won't hold that against her, as an English professor. The book, Kingdom Come, is the third book in the Miss Budge series. I bought it from Thrift Books and the copy I have is from a previous reader. Very fine pencil marks are made through the first two chapters. At first I thought, oh has the grammar police found something? No, it seems the marks are for some memorable quotes. I just mark through books, never thinking of making notations in the margin with pencil. 

Just read a great article on the silent treatment we have experienced or practiced. The original concept came from sailors. The silent treatment was used for those people on the ship that were obnoxious or just hard to deal with. This could go on for months and months. Those who experienced it sometimes would go mad with the exclusion. There was a time that the silent treatment could be used on me and the outcome would be the desired result. Now, I don't know, not so much. Well except Roy, who isn't exactly wordy at all. So, it isn't the same thing. My father went one year without speaking to us over some furniture, that had been given to us. One day at their house, while he had made a great production of ignoring me, I said to no one particular in the room, cause it was only him. I said, while you have spent this year fuming and angry over a triple dresser, we have been out and about, having fun, never giving a thought to that dresser. It has been freeing. He started talking to us after that. At the time I thought he saw the reasonableness of that statement, but he came to his senses only because his "possession" wasn't responding to his treatment and he might lose me... He didn't count Roy cause he never liked Roy for taking his possession away. 

Maybe I have stumbled upon a biblical thing that isn't talked about too much. While studying Genesis I have come to believe that the Sarahs and Rachels of the world are a pain in the butt. They might be beautiful but there are some personality flaws in them that could get on one's nerves. Who knows? But there is a lot more to learn from Hagar and Leah or at least that is the conclusion I have come to. 

Compost, Fires on the Mountains and Stuff

 Easter weekend filled with the regular Easter activities along with and most importantly the celebration of Resurrection Sunday, contained more than the usual events of the weekend. There was smoke on the mountains and in this case of Sunday the smoke was due to the fire on the mountains. One fire that was contained early in the process and it burned nearby friend's homes. Looking out our front windows we could see smoke that was black meaning water has been applied to the flames. Someone almost let the brush burning fire get out of control to the south of us. This not being the same fire happening in Leicester. There was a house fire happening in another area close by. In the words of Billy Joel, we didn't start the fire... On Saturday our neighbors gifted us with a huge load of compost via their horses. So Saturday late afternoon, we were moving compost to all the flower and veggie beds. I stayed off the incline cause last time, I slid down the mountain, well the incline of our side yard, on compost on down to the driveway. With all of Roy's fall and winter work with the raised beds, the compost will be the icing on the cake...so to speak. 

Roy had deacon's meeting on Monday night so he missed the Iowa/LSU women's basketball game. Fast paced but the outcome is not what we wanted for LSU. Although, the stress level of watching games has now gone back to the normal levels. We are rooting for South Carolina, now cause you know...SEC....SEC! But wouldn't it be a great story if NC State beat them in the semis? We will probably watch the games this weekend but then after the weekend...my interest in basketball goes back to nil until March Madness 2025. All the "stuff" that has been a distraction for the Tigers is a bit concerning. Just like last year the word, class or classless, is thrown around quite a bit. Oh yes, the code word that is quite racist in the tone. You saw it a lot including last year's victory in the Natty cause Iowa kind of losing was never a thought, until it happened. You see it this year in defeat. On a much smaller level, minute in this case, when I played tennis, volleyball and softball, it is difficult to beat a team twice, unless you are South Carolina. This year it would be great if LSU beat Iowa but in my heart of hearts, I didn't think it would happen. I did my part, I didn't watch all of the game trying to help the Tigers like I had done on Saturday. Ha! 

One thing that I have loved about this year's March Madness is seeing players who play with such joy. They are serious about their game but they love the game so much they can't help but overflow in joy. They do their "job" but have fun. We live in such a joyless world. Just my thoughts here, but I think joy is shut down so many times because others who want control can't control joy. Guess that is why it is a fruit of the spirit found in Galatians. Just look at the guy whose friends tore through a roof and lowered him to Jesus in the house. Only the Jewish leaders were upset cause joy overturned their world. They were at the house sitting up close to where Jesus spoke, not to know Him but to accuse Him and look for stuff to take Him down. Throughout my working years I was fortunate to work for several who were joyful in their approach thus influencing our approach to our work and jobs. I also worked with those who sucked the life out of you and that included joy. After sucking out joy they usually make a few new rules because what is a joyless approach to life without some legalism thrown in. It is easier to make rules than to live a life in the Spirit. 

Our area didn't get the storm and wind last night so all the tulips are looking good. The drop in temps certainly was felt today but more of a drop Thursday. We did our usual Wednesday thing of picking up lunch from 6 Pigs BBQ. They are set up on the River Road on Wednesdays. We got there a little after 11:00 and there was already a line. They sold out by 3:20. 

Last night there was a wreck on our road. It was dusk and hard to see from the house but looks like one car crashed off the road into something or one went off into the field across the road. Took a long time to clear it. Never heard a crash sound or anything but it was one of the quietest evenings in a while cause cars, trucks and motorcycles couldn't race down the road. Oh yeah, I just went old lady in that sentence. 

Mostly Weather

 Yesterday morning, I looked out the window and white flakes filled the view. It was above freezing and no precip yet. The blooms are off the trees because of the wind and floated down across the yard. Now this is the kind of snow you like seeing toward the end of March. In the backyard, where the wind doesn't quite have the effect as in the front, the petals have come to rest on the ground. What a beautiful sight to behold. 

Our rain came late in the afternoon Friday and has moved on. The rainy day forecasted for today isn't happening anymore. Cooler temps though. We need to get the fertilizer stakes in the ground for the fruit trees today or tomorrow. Today might be the day because LSU Women's BB plays tomorrow. I hope they play better than they did yesterday. Ugly win. While watching I mentioned to Roy several times that the expressions on some of the players for LSU gave the story that there might be some issues happening. Kim Mulkey said in an ESPN interview afterwards that she felt like there was too much selfishness on the court. Hmm...facial reading did not fail me yesterday. 

I finished the Cloverdale book last night in the Miss Budge series. Y'all, I almost always see the twist at least not to be surprised, but even seeing the twist early on...the story didn't play out at all how I imagined it to do. I loved the story, the wisdom, the funny and the twist in this novel. There is significant character development of Miss Budge and in some of her church lady friends. 

The seasonal produce stands and places are beginning to open up. Think we will try and make a trip to one of them. Spring onions are looking good. It is the most wonderful time of the year.

Every once in a while I see Bobbsey, an earlier member of the Feral Fam. Bobbsey is the twin of HP. When he is around there for just a moment I think it is HP, but Bobbsey has a dark nose. We saw him twice yesterday and once this afternoon. There is a Radley relative hanging around as well. Almost the same markings but not as furry. I haven't seen Radley in a while but he is a wanderer. 

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Whew, I had to do my part to help the LSU Women's Basketball team. The second half I stayed away from the TV and only kept up with the score on Google. Middle TN was a great team but it was so good to see LSU get some defense going and play together as a team. 

We did not get through the whole lesson this morning. Think we will just keep on moving through Genesis and not do an Easter lesson next week. One of the class members surprised us with banana bread, so moist it nearly melted in your mouth. Her husband made it for us and she had enough to share with other church members. The large container was nearly empty after the morning service. That is just one thing I love about our church but more specifically of our class. So giving and generous. We will pick back up with the dysfunctional family of Isaac. There is so much to be gleaned from their approach to life. That Rebekah was a wonderment of Type A temperament. She had her ear to the ground, knew the comings and goings of quiet conversations and was still able to kill, skin and fix up a meal from goat meat. She had purpose and a plan although the Lord probably would have preferred that she would trust Him and not manipulate circumstances to help in His work. Isaac, most commentaries believe, he knew what the Lord had told Rebekah while she carried the twins. He favored Esau, so he wanted to sneak the blessing to him since it would normally be his by being the first born. Esau was purely into the hunting as a sport of leisure. The family owned all kind of flocks so it wasn't necessary to have wild game for meat. He wasn't into the the family business. Jacob kind of had an interest maybe only to use in his duplicitous dealings. Well, that is until he has his Bethel encounter with God. 

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Our rainy Tuesday has arrived. Right now more of a heavy mist. I started another Mildred Bulge book, skipping to book three in the series. It pulled me right in and although it is answers things probably addressed in book 2, it comes as no surprise. The weather makes it a great reading day although there are several chores that need to be done. 

I watched a little of the NCAA women's BB championship last night. I finally decided to cut off the BB and go back to reading. I can only watch so much of Caitlyn Clark. Watched the last quarter of the UConn game which was good. LSU plays UCLA this coming weekend. It should be a good game either way it goes. 

Memories, Books, Hunks and Apps

 Monday mornings are usually the time I sit down to write but this morning I got involved with a card challenge. Some came easy and there were two that came with a great deal of difficulty, so off and on all morning until lunch I would busy myself with chores then come back to challenge. Finally before lunch, I solved it. The chore I chose was cleaning out a kitchen cabinet. So, time well used. We have been outside working on the flowerbeds and getting stuff together for the College Hunk haulers to pick up. There is a brisk breeze and the temps go below freezing this evening. Also a burn ban, not that we are planning on burning yard waste and such. 

Yesterday, I looked at FB memories and there was the famous March 17, 2012 post about the snake at our front door. I don't think the water moccasins have a welcome wagon for new neighbors, but he was sitting mighty pretty on the welcome mat. Roy took care of him and no other snakes ever visited us there. After all that happened with my father toward the end of March back then, it sure seems like it was a warning. 

Almost done with the Miss Budge book and this time it is cracking me up. The ladies are at a mission emphasis luncheon and one of the young missionaries asks Miss Budge if chicken spaghetti will be served. Nope, that is strictly a condolence dish cause it travels well in those aluminum throw away pans. No, for women's missions conference the dish is, chicken with prunes and olives. Ugh! That sounds disgusting but the conversation that takes place about the unjust inequities between men and women events at church is hilarious. For the same mission conference, the men are eating at a BBQ restaurant complete with banana pudding for dessert. The women have a fake meringue, artificial ingredient, damp crust piece of pie, sliced in lady sized portions. Then men have such freedom they can return to church with sauce on their shirts, while is some prune got on a blouse...oh for shame. Mildred and Gertrude had a retreat script for just such observations, the inequities and differences of retreats. Women, mostly are put four to a room, not men. Just two will share a room. Women do crafts, guys get to shoot guns or do crossbow target shooting. If a woman has a hearty appetite, well you'll starve at a retreat. Bring snacks, better yet and the profit would go to the Lord, sell them to the women who didn't plan ahead and find themselves faint due to hunger. I could go on but I think my favorite line in our retreat script was Gertrude telling us she was the last one in her room to be able to take a shower and clean up. By that time all that was left for her was one dry wash cloth. Then she pulls out the wash cloth for proof. Over the years M&G planned Sweetheart Church Banquets, using Abraham, Sarah and Hagar, Jacob with Leah and Rachel...you get the drift of this direction, don't get us started on Solomon...  We did a script for a church out in Magnolia, when Magnolia was just a bunch of pine trees. The lady told us there would be tons of young mothers there. Nope. We only did that young mother skit once, for all those older ladies, but it is a favorite memory of Peggy in the bathroom with leaves and tree limbs stuck in her hair and the fox tail showing from the waist of her pants and no one, not one lady said a thing to her. Like they saw this everyday. I was awaiting our cue and a lady sat by me and asked, now who are your people? She thought I was resident of the area.  

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The College Hunks arrived yesterday afternoon to pick up the recliner on the front porch, old carpets and a trundle bed mattress and the frame. The frame they will take to ABCCM cause it is still good. The chair is as well, but Buddy had scratched a place on the back that opened up the fabric. Were they college hunks? One out of three but they were all so very nice and helpful. Two of the guys loved our front yard with the blooming trees and soon to open tulips. Truly their help was reasonable and like the slogan says, stress free. So while four years ago I was celebrating phase one of the flowerbed I worked on during those ***demic years, now became final phase of shutting down the experiment. We are going to let the grass grow in the bed to become part of the yard again. We will probably move a couple of snowball bushes to help the reclaim back to grass. 

This morning Roy is getting new shoes for the truck. We bought Cooper Tires probably in 2018 and they have lasted. We could really wait a couple of more months, but thought we should get this done now and not later when it is hot. The waiting room is outside. 

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I have decided that Isaac has middle patriarch syndrome...just like middle child behavior. Basically, he rusted away after dealing with some wells. There are particular habits of his that scream middle child but he is the bridge between Abraham and Jacob. I think Rebekah was a type A personality and had her hand in all things. I have most of my notes written for Sunday but I will take the rainy afternoon that is being forecasted to fine tune. Since my style of teaching is applicable, I want us to take home some different things to think and meditate upon, especially with Easter week coming. 

With the dip into the 20s, we weren't sure if the peach tree would be okay or not. Looks like the dip didn't hurt the blooms. We covered our new blackberry plants, much easier than you know a big tree. We got some more daffodils and yellow tulip plants last weekend. It is great to plant when the bulbs that have been previously planted start showing. You add the new plants among them for the next year. Mary Joyce would have been so happy with her daffodils this year. She planted a lot of white and yellow ones and they have popped out beautifully. When Mike was here mowing, he didn't have to mow Mary Joyce's yard. Don't know if Dave, her son in law, will be doing that or not. Haven't heard too much on what they are going to do or not do with her house. Our new neighbors across the way are outside a lot this week working in their, yard...although right now it is just empty space still with straw on the ground coaxing green grass out of the red clay. She has some shrubs in large containers either for easy access to move them with the next chance of frost or that's how they will stay. I kind of like that and during the winter while planning our gardens and flower gardens, I have come to this same idea. Only I think I am coming to it as ease rather than looks. 

My app on my iPhone tells me they predict a fall for me in the next year. I have not fallen since 2016 and I know pride comes before a fall, but this is more in the category of being up in my business. Of course what they don't know is my unsteady gate is related to my hip pain. We eliminated the chair, see above reference of recliner on the front porch, and I have been doing the hip flexor stretches. Those stretches have helped tremendously. I noticed that my right foot has been gearing toward the right while I walk...which tells me I am not walking in alignment. After being pigeon toed for most of my life, this is a different phenonium. I guess this all a part of the aging process. This week Monday, I felt horrible, Tuesday great, Wednesday okay, Thursday horrible and today great. 

A Good Place To Be

 Roy and I just came back in from the front yard. He added raised bed soil to several of the raised beds and checked on a few of the shrubs. The forsythia is blooming as well as the peach, red bud and dwarf dogwoods. The willow tree is all a buzz, really with bees hanging out in the top branches. It is true that bees are as busy as bees. Cha Nay Nay spent a lot of time with me out there as well as Fido, although he likes to help Roy. The clover is everywhere, the thickest and most prolific I have ever seen it. 

This morning we did the Publix thing. There was an older, really older couple that arrived about the same time as we did. They parked in the pick up or curbside grocery places. I told Roy every time we were on the same aisle with them that I wanted to yell in my best Gomer Pyle voice, "citizens arrest, citizens arrest!" We stopped at the BBQ truck across from the post office on the way home. Delicious! I was hoping for some banana pudding cause they had it one time last week at another site. No pudding but Roy got me a cookie. 

The lesson of laying down your Is*ma*l has had me thinking a lot more. Of other times, I let myself respond in not the best ways. Really powerful effect in how I respond or responded to things. There is a fine line of beating yourself up verses letting it all go to the Lord and learn of His ways. Sometimes we and most certainly I am guilty of responding, well that's just who I am. There are all kinds of personality tests to take and use for back up. But the whole Romans 12:1-2 doesn't take that into account. It is God working within us, our personalities, both real and imagined...ha, making us like Him. Using our brains, gifts, and personalities. 

******

Well, it must have been the fresh air but I have been up most of the night. Really have had a difficult time sleeping. I was productive though, cleaned out the pantry, worked some on my lesson and responded to a message. Since we had planned to go to Sam's and pick up some bagged soil, I just stayed away and if need be, if haha, I could take a nap in the afternoon. Only can get five bags at a time this round, so we picked up a couple of other items. The best being, our Sam's now carries the Fancy Feast cat food. Yay!

We got home and with the temps going into the high 70s, we did some of the prep work once we got home. The clover is taking over but that is a Mike the Mower Man task. We got some of the soil mixed into the raised beds, better distributing the egg shells into the mix. We won't be able to plant tomatoes until in May, but soil prep keeps one occupied garden wise, until the next stage of the process. 

Roy was able to get his workout in. So all in all with bags of dirt to be carried and toted, along with his regular workout, he did quite well. 

******

Fourth Friday in a row of rainy weather. I don't mind it cause it helps me sit down and get all my notes together for Sunday. This morning on FB memories, a post from 2009 reminded me of the difficulties with my father and knowing his actions, now seeing in hindsight, helped spiral my mom quicker into her dementia/Alzheimer's. He had called and as I debated on whether to answer or voicemail it, I decided to answer because we were so close to his upcoming heart surgery. 

It was the all too familiar ring tone of my father that momentarily stopped Roy and I from our cleaning duties yesterday. I hesitated to even answer the phone because there are times it is best the calls go to voicemail and then have time to pray and think before calling back. Sometimes time diminishes the drama or whatever was so urgent a couple of hours ago, cannot even be recalled. Since my dad is anticipating heart surgery sometime after March 23, I thought best to answer. He began saying what he always says, "Nancy, this is your father." Yep a little too Star Wars but I don't think he has ever seen the movies to enjoy the humor of his words. And the next statement always holds an element of surprise, "Do you have a few minutes to talk?" OK, at that point my brain is sounding the alert alarm and calling my body to all hands on deck. As he begins to talk I either heighten the alarm to Anne Frank sounding sirens or the three buzz sounds on the radio for the prepare alert during bad weather. He asks me about my blood type, which is O-. He says did you say B, did you say B? I have type B and type B's have more tendencies to get cancer. I'm sorry, but you are going to get cancer. Me thinking, what the heck? I again told him O-. He was rather disappointed to hear that news. Then he gleefully told me well, I wasn't out of the woods, I could get cancer. Who does this? It is usually an over worrying and micro managing mom who calls with this kind of information.

 In hindsight, I can see that narcissistic personality all over this. Roy also talked with him that day and found out that my father wasn't having valve replacement surgery but going in as an outpatient for some tests. I think this is the first time that my father dealt with Work Mode Roy. He is totally different in work mode. He gave my father some marching orders and out of shock in how talked to him, we remember my father doing everything that Roy demanded uh requested. How timely as we begin to study Jacob, the deceiver as well as being the deceived. An encounter with God transformed Jacob, sadly I cannot say the same about my father. I do love that his friend/caregiver asked him every time she saw him, if he really knew Jesus. She'd go over the plan of salvation with him on every visit.

I've been reading a biography on Donald Barnhouse, well known preacher in the 1940-1950s. His second wife wrote it and man oh man, it is powerful. This man really had a way with the scriptures but knowing the change in him, later in life not so bombastic but loved people God's way. I am also reading the Cloverdale or Cloverleaf novel of Miss Budge by Daphne Simpkins. Such a message given in the folds of a fictional church and friends. Along with the study and reading I did for last week's lesson, as they say, I have more than I can say grace over but in a reading world, it's a great place to be.

Maybe it is the rainy weather but The Boys are quiet this morning. GMoey is extra needy, Mr Mo is slinking around and Willie is more affectionate. Or maybe they've done something that we haven't discovered yet. Even Roy is napping but he had a busy Thursday.

It's A Small World or Is It My Little World?

 Monday morning after Daylight Saving change. The Feral Fam is having none of it but they'll soon adjust just like we will. It is easier to adjust when one is retired, though. While not minding the fall back portion of this thing, it was harder because it was dark at 5:00 pm and people who usually work past that hour hit the road with everyone else cause it is dark and time to go home. The first week of fall back traffic is horrible in Houston. 

I watched a reels, has to be short cause the attention span is not all the way back, on a way to approach getting older. Sometimes, when thinking of making a change in the house or in the yard that wouldn't have phased me one bit when younger, I have to remember that the change, like moving furniture, will be more difficult now or at least take a lot more time. The person speaking to a group on reels talks about how our world gets smaller as we age. Some fight it wrapping their personality and strength to battle against this phenonium. They are who they are because of their work or title. Well, that's what we tell ourselves. For years I repeated to myself what I had been told or called all my life. With a therapist and with the Lord, that doesn't even play anymore. Now, there are things that will trigger a response, but I now acknowledge that sooner than later. Others take and choose what they want in that smaller world and to me that seems the best choice.  When you're working there is all kinds of interaction but as one retires and then enjoys those retirement years, subject matter naturally declines. Truthfully, I did not like all the interaction one has at work so that was not a loss for me. But, our world has gotten smaller but it has gotten more beautiful so there is that trade off. Especially with warm temps of late, all the budding trees are doing just that...buddying but it looks like frost tonight and maybe next week or so. Our peach and plum trees are blooming all over. As an introverted extrovert, I am leaning more toward that introvert part of me. It is interesting how each of us choose to relate to the smaller world concept. Of course, with the smaller world we can take much more interest in us which is boring to others. The key is our view and observation skills in the daily life we each live. I love reading about others adventures on FB or their hobbies or whatever that is positive. 

Roy wanted more blackberry bushes so we got a couple and got them in the dirt. We also cut back the dead offshoots of our mature plants. We contemplated planting them in another part of the garden but realized the best place is with the others. The trellises we bought last year have finally come into play and got those arranged for the blackberry bushes to wind around them. You might say Nancy, this part of your smaller world is boring and you are correct to say that but the blog is written many times for me, to remember dates and details that get pushed to the back of our minds. 

We finished up Genesis 21 and went right to Genesis 24 as we've taken extra time looking at the Plan B that was Sarah's idea and really hasn't worked out well as we read the story. Hagar and Ism*el are sent away with limited provisions. Abraham was sad letting Ish go, but we learn in Galatians that one life represents the fruitful spirit of God and the other the flesh. I had read an article on laying your Is*m*el down. I gave the example used in article about Dr Donald Barnhouse, a noted theologian of his day. Billy Graham said he never had known anyone like Barnhouse that had such a knowledge and grasp about the scriptures. I have never heard of Barnhouse and his remarkable change late in life. He said if you agreed with him on 95% of theology, he would spend the rest of his days beating you down about the 5% that y'all didn't agree on. He made enemies from every side of the spectrum. It's like rival football schools in the SEC, we may not like other teams but the thing that brings us together is, we all don't like Alabama. That may change now that Saban is gone...anyhoo... Late in his life, Barnhouse not Saban, decided to change. He made a new year resolution and his friends and enemies could not believe the change in this man. He was kind and loving, not argumentative and obtuse. Preaching the gospel was life in the Spirit, his approach to present it was just all about the flesh. I shared with the class that during the two weeks I had to study this, I had learned a lot about some of my approaches toward people and situations. The off the cuff remarks and the smart aleck remarks are the sins that so easily beset me. In this I realized something had been wrong in my approach. At First Baptist I encountered a vexing situation. It was maddening, frustrating, limiting, unfair and undeserved. It also hurt me deeply and I tried to avoid it and person at all costs. So sometimes when confronted with unfairness I resort to the off the cuff remark. Who am I kidding, I become relentless in taking every opportunity to attack, whether by off the cuff or witty and clever, curated smart aleck responses. (note, back in the day curated wasn't ever used or maybe not even a real word.) After a period of time, I came to the conclusion I was supposed to let this go and give it to the Lord, the situation which in turn stopped me from saying all those things that amused me. That's where I left it until a friend visiting me here in the mountains challenged and questioned me why. Why didn't I do this thing that she felt I was good with. Being that good Baptist that I am, my response and said in my best holy voice, I laid that at Jesus's feet. She said well I am going to pray that He shows you to pick it back up. That night, I was extended an invitation and my friend was sitting there with me at that time. She said, dang, I didn't even get a chance to pray about it and the Lord has already done something about it. You see, I would have said no to the request if my Houston friend hadn't expressed her question to me. In my holy voice I would have once said again, no I laid that down and gave it to God. This long story to say this, until these past two weeks I now realize it wasn't to lay down the thing God gifted me to do, it was to lay down the fleshly response to it and trust the Lord. My goodness clever words, snubs and snubbing, terse words and hurt feelings on both sides are a lot of work and takes a lot of energy. It was all about my approach, that is what God wanted, to trust Him with all of this. 

Our yard is so green, with clover. The tulips keep pushing through and soon those buds and blooms with show. Still have quite a few daffodils in the back blooming. Love those pops of yellow. 

It is now Tuesday and Monday wasn't nearly productive enough but I felt horrible. Shoulders hurt, hip hurt with just a general malaise. It was an afternoon of a heating pad and Bio Freeze. We switched back to cotton sheets yesterday and that made a word of difference in my sleep as well as not waking up sore with aches and pains. What a difference that little change made. 

Last night a memory popped up from several years ago as I remembered the youth musical in 1972, Natural High. Our church really loved youth ministry and that included youth choir. We did the musical and as I remember it was the first time they let girls wear pants, well pant suits. My mom made me a hot pink pant suit with white trim. Hey, it was the 70s! I shared the album cover on FB and tagged a few friends who were in choir back in the day. I listened to most of the album on You Tube and many songs I could sing just like yesterday, even singing alto. My favorite song from that musical is, My Little World. Listened to it several times remember the many, many times a great big God came right into my little world and the change...sometimes difficult but always for the best. I like the song My Little World better than with my earlier paragraph about our world getting smaller. That triggers the song It's a Small World Afterall. You can thank me later for that musical hint that might stay with you all day.  

Cat Wrangling and Other Such Stuff

 I'm cat wrangling again today. One of the cats discovered by our redneck solution, uh temporary solution, a small slit in the screen whereby gaining access to the back porch. I thought I was seeing the shadow of one of The Boys in reflection but no, it was a cat not in the hat but on the porch. My presence, compete with my disheveled appearance of hair straight up and flannel robe. Think a messy Aunt Bea or Granny Clampett. I opened up the screen doors and finally nutsy the cat gave up going against the screen and leapt to victory out the door. That's when I began looking for his access and found the small opening. Another hint was his going to that spot and trying to get out. Got a long piece of metal from when we got our metal roof and put it up against the screen, using some small flat rocks to hold in place, dag nab it...That way when Roy gets home from his unplanned trip to Lowe's after working out we can fix it but in case the curiosity that could kill that cat temps, I'll hear the rocks falling on the porch. Yeee doggies! 

Via my friend Pam, I discovered the joys of reading the Mildred Budge series. I started the first book written and it is kind of rough. Not polished like after writing several books of a character. So for now I have skipped that book and reading the Cloverleaf book. It's in the title and I cannot remember titles. Miss Budge is an older lady, retired teacher, never married but dutiful church member. She has a soft side but she doesn't show it often. She was working in the clothes closet at her church, she had parted with a few strong, respectful polyester blouses and hanging them up for the missionary conference where they helped missionaries and part of that help was good used clothes. The thrice widowed Liz came in, to leave her third husband's clothes and the two Sunday School members begin a conversation that softens up as they talk. Mildred begins to see beyond the facade of Liz and maybe she has misjudged her fellow classmate. Mildred ponders her change of heart and she places it right on the practice that church feels like home. Liz had told her that, it just wasn't a place to be for her. Mildred ponders this and goes through her duties and such quickly in her head. She had jobs, she knows where stuff is and she is always on the lookout for a mess to clean up or a speck of dust to destroy. She never had thought about the softer side of home, especially there at the church. That got me to thinking as well. First Baptist in Houston has always been a big church but it had a small church feel. There are so many opportunities to join others not just for study or volunteering and such, but being able to make friends while doing these things helped many get over that First is too big for me feeling. At First Baptist, I mainly made my first friends at the fitness center and in choir. I am so thankful for the vision that Brother John had to build up the Body of Christ, to be able to go out and do the work, both physically and more importantly, spiritually. Guess church is like home too when someone in the family is mad and at odds with other family members. I like thinking since I haven't finished the book, that good old Mildred lets some of that legalism go. I do like that she practices praying without ceasing and we get that look into her prayer life from the author. 

Roy brought home stuff from Lowe's and we fixed up the screen near the back porch door. We are thinking that we might try to find someone who can do kickplates to put around the bottom of the screens. For the most part the back porch isn't of interest to the cats but every once in a while, you have a cat that seems obsessed with the mystery of the porch. We got everything done before the rain hit. 

This week while studying for Sunday, no surprise here, but the lesson took a different direction. There is something about some of the phrasing or wording that gets my attention. I have been researching two of those phrases. I haven't found out that much about them but that hasn't thwarted my pondering and meditating on them. This whole story of Abraham has come alive for me. I remember we were doing the Patriarch study on Tuesday nights with Beth Moore and Katrina had hit New Orleans and we had many people in Houston sheltering. Franklin Avenue Baptist began having their services at First and office space was provided for their staff. It was looking like Hurricane Rita was on a direct path for Houston. We met that Tuesday night and Beth said, who knows what will happen but we will trust the Lord. Roy and I made the decision late that since everyone was headed west, we would head east kind of in the path of the storm but we felt we could beat it. We were heading toward Shreveport. All along the way our plan had been if we reach Beaumont and we don't think we can make it, we will turn around because that is the amount of gas mileage we would have. To this day, I have never seen this sign again, but while Exxon stations were packed along the route, we noticed this little sign pointing to a neighborhood Diamond Shamrock station. There it was, no line and as dark as pitch. We filled up and headed back to I 10 making our turn toward Shreveport in just a few miles. With the study of Abraham fresh in my heart, I told Roy we are like Abraham and Sarah, we are going someplace but we have to have faith that the Lord will get us there. Do you know that all through the years Roy and I have tried to find that gas station. It is nowhere to be found. I think we had a Hagar experience like she had when she and Ishmael were wandering aimlessly in the desert. God heard their cries, she saw the well. God heard our cries and we saw the sign. In commentaries I've read, the discussion is was the well always there or did God create that well just for her? I don't know about that nor do I know about that gas station we found, but it was all truly God. He is the God who sees and hears us. 

The second house across the way has sold and the people moved in this week. We were not around for their actual moving day nor have we seen them. It seems strange to have those houses there now. It is also strange not seeing Mary Joyce across the way. Her daffodils are blooming and she loved her little plot of flowers. 

The Boys are full of energy this morning. Thundering paws break up any silence around here. At least we know they are on the move and soon will come nap time.

Sweet Dreams of Baylor and Basketball

 We finally got around to changing out the batteries in the smoke alarms. Yes, that exciting adventure of dodging loud beeps. The hardest battery change out is downstairs and we conquered that one right off the bat. We thought those loud beeps would scare Mr Mo and GMoey but they diligently hung around with us because all hallways lead to the bonus room where treats may or may not be given out. This trip was a bust for the cats since being all wrapped up in the changing of the guard so to speak. 

We are having more foggy mornings at this time of year. I am reminding the month of August when foggy mornings are counted as days of snowfall, August has lied to us the past few years. It was 71 Sunday afternoon and I took the warm temp opportunity to go out to the raised beds where the tulips are planted. Those stems are up from the dirt, they arose. Now waiting for blooms. Daffodils are still blooming and that is so welcomed because that is what is mainly in the back. 

The Garage at the Catmore Estate closed Saturday afternoon, although Fido gets special privileges to spend the night. We got the garage swept out, at least good enough for the first pass and now are going through the blankets and such, shaking them out before we wash them. 

We got halfway through the lesson on Sunday morning. We finished up with Lot and got tight into the birth of Isaac. Sometimes it is difficult for me to like Sarah. Tends toward bitter but at some point her faith is redeemed and recognized cause she makes it into the hall of faith in Hebrews. I feel more for Hagar cause she has been thrown into the drama and the time she tried to assert her newfound rank, well...Sarai didn't like that at all. I did remind everyone was Sarah was menopausal and the high temps and hot flashes made her a little cranky. Heck, it made me cranky with Houston heat and hot flashes. 

I had a Baylor dream last night. I used to have those dreams about four times a year and the theme of most of those dreams are as an adult going to Baylor. Last night's dream I was college age and navigating classes and such. My most rememberable Baylor dream is, Roy sends me to college at Baylor and he got a good deal on my room and board. Why? Because my room opened up as overflow in the cafeteria. Kind of like pocket doors.  

*******

The next night after the Baylor dream, I had a basketball dream where in Kim Mulkey kept asking me, "why didn't you play basketball?" Even in my dream I told the real story. I learned the game while in junior high and at that time, three players were in circles and could only shoot from those circles and guards stay on their own side of center court. Only the center, usually me, could travel the length of the court but get this, could only dribble three times and had to make some wild pass. I got so confused over the pivot foot and when and where I could dribble. In high school, the rules were changed, teams only had five players, no silly three dribble rule, but it was the pivot foot that got me, still. I was horrible at basketball, took fouls personally but I could block. Back to the dream, I mean nightmare of every few steps having Coach ask me why didn't I play basketball? In one segment of the dream when she asked why didn't I play for her, I reminded her I was eight or nine years older than her. Just as there is no crying in baseball, I have a feeling playing for coach would mean there is no crying in basketball. Believe me, I would be crying a lot. 

I am happy to report no notable dreams last night. I was tired. We ventured to Costco yesterday. Got the early start, really wasted no time there and got home after 2:00. Raised bed soil was on sale as well as other needed stuff. We bought several boxes of compactor bags that we use as garbage bags. Love the thickness and they hold more garbage. Bet you could have gone all day without reading that bit of newsy news. We had our $1.50 hot dog lunch with a strawberry sundae for dessert. Unloaded our ever so full cart, buggy and then went back into Costco for the dirt. Then, we headed home. We might give up the Costco membership because I 26 is just going to get worse with all the expanding and new construction. Next time we might opt to go to Greenville and that Costco and see if that works. We haven't been to Costco since September or October of last year. 

Tea Biscuits, Honey and Stuff

 The new tulip and daffodil bulbs we planted in the raised beds are finally showing stems. In the back several more daffodils have bloomed. Soon, those tulips will be showing as well. I love living in a place where you don't have to dig up the bulbs cause it is cold enough here for them to remain in the ground. The little blast of cold temps last night doesn't seem to have caused any damage. 

Monday morning found us up and out of the house earlier than usual. We needed to make a much needed and a much rescheduled trip to Sam's. This is the best part of the Plus membership, going before 10:00 am. It seems that we stuck to our shopping list and didn't pick up anything except maybe for a shirt. We were going to make a couple of more errand stops but our chosen route had a huge accident on it and people sat in traffic for two hours. 

Tuesday, we celebrated Roy's birthday. Started off the day with a shave and a haircut, two bits. No, just haircuts for both of us. Always a joy to see Tammy and laugh and visit with her. After getting all hair spiffy, we drove over to Burnsville for Roy's birthday lunch. He loves Pig and Grits! He loves their banana pudding so...we needed to go there since he doesn't eat birthday cake. He had the brisket and I had a lunch of sides which included, fried okra, collards, mac and cheese, coleslaw and the afore mentioned banana pudding. What is so ironic is that when we have gone before the parking lot is packed but when go inside tables are available. On Tuesday, the parking lot actually had plenty of close by parking but when we got inside there was a thirty minute wait. Y'all, it was worth the wait. After waddling out the door, we went to downtown Burnsville for a little shopping. Uh, that was for me not so much to celebrate Roy's birthday. Anyway, I think I had the most noticeable "stern" answers to a couple of questions mainly due to the fact, clearing throat, I am of the older ilk. Short, terse, stern responses with not so much patience. She could have been having a bad day or worried about something else, so I chose to say, oops, I must be wrong on the name cause that is not hard for me. Truthfully, that has been for all my life, being bad with names. Then, people more forgiving, now, not so much. Of course Roy is trying to help with clarification but all it is doing is prolonging the time cause I am in the ready to exit mode. The store was hot and heat really affects me, so for the sake of no afib, the exit is becoming more expedient. Whew, finally outside where I waited for a cool blast of wind but nope just warm, humid...to the Mustang and get that AC cranking.    

Wednesday morning we went over to Madison County to pick up the large mugs we special ordered. It was an beautiful drive and an exciting adventure driving up a mountain on a gravel road. So glad I had googled up the address and saw that the road was mostly gravel. Didn't know if we would need four wheel drive, thus we drove the truck. What a beautiful sight. Their home is beautiful with a copper colored metal roof. Great little private areas in the yard with benches and arbors and trellises. Two huge rottweilers greeted us at the door. We had a nice visit and such. Her husband's hobbies are wood working and metal work. He is building a shop farther down the mountain that we saw on the view up. We asked if we could take some pictures of the views but we would not include the house. That seems like the polite thing to do. Very gracious in our request and told us of a couple of things to look for on our way down the mountain. Roy and I talked about the land and views as we headed back toward the freeway. I mentioned that it was too bad we didn't know ten years ago of these places that existed, well except for the third house we looked at on top of mountain in Haywood County. Although, we would not know how to live with nature and such back in the day. Don't know that we are that good of knowing now. We do know that we are basically outsource people. We have seen a few deer and turkeys but never a bear on our property. These conversations usually end like this...if we were younger.... Oh well, we are not and we love where we live so all that other is just wishful thinking that isn't very productive.  

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Working in earnest on Sunday's lesson. Once again the fine folks at Lifeway skip over the birth of Isaac and go right to Abraham and Isaac on the mountain. So, it feels like one of those many, many times where the background material leading up to this moment needs to be looked at and talked about. Once again we meet Hagar and once again she is in circumstances that are mainly beyond her control but somewhere in the back of her mind she must be remembering "the God who sees." In this case He is the God who hears because He hears the cries of her son as well as her cries out there in the wilderness and desert of Beersheba. 

Out of the three Boys, Mr Mo is the least feral of them all. He has taken to sitting beside me in the afternoons or on my lap. He is still the neediest one out of the three. Jealousy plays a huge part in that. Since GMoey's teeth removal, we have found that he likes the squeeze treats in a tube like package. He and Willie love them, the Mr not so much. I try to take opportunities to give them what I have started calling it, squeeze cheese, individually. Sometimes that doesn't work out but it is finding those individual attentions that keep building levels of trust. I don't think I mentioned Cha Nay Nay's quick trip into the house. She got scared right off and was climbing the windows in the kitchen and in the dinning room trying to get out. She hissed her way out the back door. That adventure hasn't affected her need for pets and attention. 

Roy got his workout in yesterday afternoon. It was kind of touch and go cause it was a rather coolish day. He and a whole bunch of people had the same idea since he said the gym was really crowded. He wasn't able to get his balance work in. He also made a quick stop in at Publix. This week the bacon we like is BOGO so, he is storing up as many as possible. 

The other day, I was looking at FB memories and those stressful and trying times of getting my dad into assisted living to recover from a fall or a stroke. We never got the truth from him cause he told a different story of what happened to my brother. Looking back at what I wrote, now I can see the beginning of the end of our relationship with him. Those were some weeks that I was so tempted to treat him like he had treated me when I was growing up. God provided a way out of that temptation. He snuck in and out of that assisted living place and threw all kinds of fits and arguments. I knew then, he being a narcissist would not have done those arguments in front of people because there wasn't anyway he could redeem what he said to look like a victim. My response was even and not angry...that is the Lord by the way. He lost the argument that day but he found meaner and more evil to pull in just a few weeks. 

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Foggy Saturday morning after a chilly Friday with sleet then changing into rain. I wore my favorite beat up sweatshirt that makes me feel all cozy to settle into a day. I worked on the lesson as well as started another Mildred Budge book. I also made tuna fish sandwiches for lunch, something I have not done in a long time. I used to go over to the Fresh Market to get their tuna salad from the deli but when it went up to $12.00 a pound meaning I was paying over $6.00 for a half of pound, it got cut out of the budget. In fact going to The Fresh Market kind of got kicked out of the rotation due to the Publix influence.  Yesterday, I cut up dill pickles, more like chopped up dill pickles, a tad of pickle juice and Duke's. My sandwich was delicious. 

This morning I added a couple of tea biscuits with my eggs, bacon, and cantaloupe. Used honey from our neighbors bees. Great way to begin the day. 

Dormant Is Leaving, Hope On The Horizon

 Yesterday, late afternoon the sky to the north/northeast of us sure looked like snow skies. The steely gray overshadowed us either of the promise of snow or the famous dry ridge split with the promise of snow falling to the north of us. No matter, the sky was beautiful and when I tried to take a picture of it, the camera could not pick up the nuances and blending of colors. So, I just opted for the picture of our neighbor's horses. A couple of weeks ago I tried to take a picture of the steeple at the church just a piece down the road but it didn't turn out well. Yesterday, was the better day for picture taking. With the rise of our road from our point of view, all we can see is the steeple. Not the church building or the cemetery. Guess the lesson is look to what points you to God. Of course, I am going to leave all that kind of writing, right there. 

The dermatologist call came earlier than expected yesterday in the late afternoon. The biopsy did show the spot on my arm was pre-cancerous but the biopsy removed it. So, didn't have to go back for a deeper or more extensive biopsy. All for that! What's funny is this spot showed up a couple of years ago and it had been removed by the lovely freezing method. So, not a blip on the radar for me yet I was concerned for another mole on my right arm. Nothing, all looked there... When we left the doctor office I told Roy that I felt the peace of God on this situation and it would not be anything. Just have to change out bandages and keep Aquafer on it for a week or so.  Can do! 

When I was younger I wouldn't have believed that I would be content being around home and not taking a lot of trips. The fact is, I have never been a good traveler and I now I can say, Hello my name is Nancy. It has been five years since doing any extensive traveling. It could be longer but hey, it is just a little after 9:00 am and had no plans of doing math this morning. Tuesday, the doctor making small talk as she was making the rounds so to speak of connect the dot with my moles and freckles asked if we had any travel plans for the summer. With a resounding, no, I think she was a bit shocked. Told her we have day trips planned but nothing extensive. Someday, I would like to go to the outer banks but you know talking of beaches probably isn't the smartest thing to do at the dermatologist. Besides, I would like to go in the fall time of year. We would probably do a vacation rental more than a hotel. 

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I've been thinking about the Sunday School teachers that influenced my life for the good as a child and into high school. Oh, I also had some teachers that influenced me for the bad but it wasn't so much about what they taught, more like their attitude toward the lesson and the class. Even thinking of teachers as an adult there are those who use gimmicks and such to fill their teaching time. Thankfully, there were just a few if only one of those. But as a kiddo Mrs. Gandy, Mary Jo Carleton, Margaret Simmons and Ryn Bower made huge inroads to how I teach today. All those teachers were serious students of the Bible but they had fun teaching God's Word and with that fun it made us all sit up and listen cause you never knew when something funny might just be afoot. Especially Mary Jo. She was one of my mom's best friends and Mary Jo could and would make everything a whole lot of fun. She gave great hints on how gum and Vicks Vapo Rub could be the very things of practical and wonderful antics both at home and to cars. Of course this is back in the day before security cameras picked up your every move. 

I think our new neighbors across the road are musicians, like rock and roll or whatever you call it now. They are good and the music while not in my wheelhouse of favorites makes me think I can request In a gadda da vida, , by Iron Butterfly. That would help me plant flowers quicker in the spring. 

We had our fourth Sunday Fellowship Lunch yesterday. Always a lot of fun to get to visit with friends. Our pastor has that nasty stomach virus that is going around. So we had a fill in Sunday morning. 

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Here we are on a Thursday morning. A beautiful sunshiny morning. People began moving into the two story house across the road yesterday. I can't help but wonder if they realized just how close they are to the road. After a rainy afternoon, the traffic was especially plenteous and noisy last night. I am thinking of bringing this post to a close and beginning a new post later today. I need to work on the lesson for Sunday, although we didn't get finished with last week's lesson, so we will start up again where we left off. 

Just a thought, but I wonder if the boring group suggested to me by FB, which I think is something else entirely, is based on them thinking I have a boring life. No, life is exciting and wonderous especially once again having the privilege of watching dormant trees and plants begin that hopeful journey into spring. 

Life Continues in the Mountains

 The Feral Fam, The Boys, Roy and I have had our breakfast on this chilly morning. It is warming up into the sixties this afternoon. The generator people will be in our area today and will be doing the spring maintenance this afternoon. Guess the countdown to spring is on but it seems likely we will have a winter blast in March or April. 

Yesterday, was the follow up and mole patrol appointment with the dermatologist. Originally, we planned lunch and such before the appointment but with Roy's new found interest of easing into a day, we just went to the appointment. The staff there is so nice and they get you in, looked at and out in a decent period of time. Had a skin biopsy of a place on my arm and had some pre-cancerous places on my upper lip. Those got blasted. So probably in a week or so I will know the results of the place on my arm. In my heart of hearts I feel that it is all good. The places I pointed out to her that I was a bit concerned about...yay, nothing! The spot she biopsied, didn't even get a blip on my radar. So thankful the traffic coming and going was manageable. I am also thankful that the close call with being side swiped by a huge truck and horse trailer along with being pinned in by a cube truck was escapable, barely. I did get ahead of the back end of the trailer as the truck changed lanes. Whew! Thank you, Lord!

GMoey is really doing well. He is playful and has energy. We've only had one throw up or clean up on aisle 9 as we call it. That was our fault cause we didn't notice that he got into Mr Mo's dry food. Stomatitis is one of those things that have no cause in why certain cats develop it. GMoey is becoming more and more of a lap cat, yay, and Mr Mo will actually come to you when called, mostly...he is still a cat. Willie is still the wild child but little by little, we are making inroads with him. He is not a study buddy yet, but he naps under the daybed when the other two nap beside me in the afternoons. They sometimes influence me into taking a short nap.  

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We have punted original plans till tomorrow. Not feeling it to mess with the bandage on my arm cause of the bleeding. Ugh! This afternoon though, I will have to deal with it but not so much in a rush. 

Roy has his new camera choices down to one or two choices. He saw the camera he really likes is cheaper at Walmart than Amazon. For the first time he is leaning toward a non Cannon camera. His favorite camera was stolen during his ordeal in Mobile...ooh, that rhymes. He just isn't that happy with the one he bought for here. Once he makes his final choice, I am excited to get out and about in spring. Cause we will be looking for scenes and places for him to practice his photography. 

We braved the old people at Publix on Wednesday. If you arrive a little bit before the horde, traversing the aisles is much easier. Especially since I am married to a cart blocking kind of guy. He is working on that but if he sees a deal, he is off to the races to the deal. Thus, I have just identified us as older types. We hit Ingles as well cause Pepsi products are on sale...and Ingles has a great selection of Easter candy. We also did another old person thing, Roy set off the alarm upon returning home. At least it was not the panic alarm and I was able to cancel the call before time ran out. Our regular routine got upset a bit and thus the alarm debacle. 

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The big reveal in changing the bandage on my arm was last night...yuck! That's all I am going to say about that but so yucky, I just stayed upstairs and didn't watch the first part of the LSU Auburn women's basketball game. I do think I am having a reaction again to the adhesive. I think Roy might have watched till halftime. I fell asleep rather easily last night after loosing a couple hours of sleep the night before. I had a nightmare and couldn't go back to sleep. I don't usually have bad dreams but have had three nights of having them. Last night, no. So thankful. 

With our day beginning rather foggy and now changing into rain, we will probably stick around the house today and get several projects finished up. Roy changed to a CBS night class from early Friday mornings. It makes it an much easier Friday morning that's for sure. 

For some reason a FB group that FB thought I would be interested in showed up in my timeline. You know...basically it is about being boring. Well, I guess to some there might be the thinking that truly, truly life now is too basic and too boring. The funny thing about the FB group is I think it is a cheap front to meet others cause why would you add at the bottom of your boring post, your dress size and shoe size or your age or fuzzy status. Not all do that but some. Now, I am not admitting to be being a boring person with a boring life. In fact, I totally feel the opposite, well about life. I can't help it if some fine me boring just like some find me a bit too much. 

He Still Overachieves But Now Starts In The Afternoon

 Good morning on this coolish but sunny Friday morning. Roy has an eye doctor appointment and I have the plan of taking the unorganized notes for the lesson on Sunday and putting them in a notebook in some kind of order. 

The flash of two cats running and chasing flew past the desk just now so I think it is safe to say GMoey is on the road to recovery from his dental procedure. He really is doing well. The vet was able to save his canine teeth but everything is gone. She said the teeth came out easily because they were in such bad shape. I am really thankful for those Penny videos of her stomatitis journey. GMoey, once we figured out how he needs to be fed and with the surgery is playful and active. He still takes the best naps in the afternoon but playing with toys and with his cuzbros has returned. He is not too crazy about his anti-inflammatory meds but he gets a churo treat as a reward. 

Once again, we ordered hamburger meat from Troyer's. A lovely drive through the farmland of East TN but there are several new homes being built in and around the pastures. All the fields looked like they are ready for the beginning of planting. One of our favorite barns is in the process of being torn down. Glad we got pics when we did several years ago. Beside the old, falling in barn, a row of old junky cars that must have been in the barn line the back side of the property. We arrived at Troyer's just before the busy part of the day begins. We picked up a few more goodies and then headed toward Erwin. It felt like Friday all day yesterday because our trips over the mountains into TN are mostly on Fridays. Stopped at Walmart and Food City and then rewarded ourselves for jobs well done we got burgers, fries and shakes from Pal's. On the way to TN we saw people working in one of the big flowerbeds at the NC Welcome Center. Over the years different flowers have graced those beds but my all time favorite is the poppies. 

Just looked out back and two unknown cats are sitting in the yard. A black and white I've never seen and a ginger cat that looks a bit like Charlie. Roy's presence scarred them off down the gravel road.  We have converted another feral cat to the fold of those who trust us. The last litter, the runt of the litter has watched us with Fido, Cha Nay Nay and Beanie. He started hanging close by and he meows a little squeaky meow. In the past week he now runs to us for pets and has his own little dish to be fed right next to Fido. I was calling him Boo Boo Kitty, but Roy's name for him has stuck, Squeaky or Squeak.  

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It is 9:21 on Saturday morning and we are already below freezing. What a difference a day makes. A cloudy day at that but our grass in the front yard is so green. Mike the Mower Man fertilized it at the end of the season last year. With all the precip, it is doing well. Roy continues to prep the beds that tomatoes will be planted in this spring, well in May. We are considering another raised bed to grow another vegetable, but we are still in the discussion stages in that, mainly what would we like to plant. 

Got the roast in the slow cooker and I can take in the delicious fragrance of veggie and meat slowly cooking. A great accoutrement with a cloudy and chilly day. The forecast for March, April and May is for milder temps with above average rain. Might be the last roast of the season and I have the makings for one last round of taco soup. My winter mainstays for suppers and leftovers for lunch. 

Once again it is time to teach on Abram, Sarai and Hagar. This whole week I have thought of them in the terms of being on the Dr Phil Show or other shows like that. Both Sarai and Hagar being spicy and salty with their words.  

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We made it through the Abram, Sarai and Hagar scriptures yesterday. I told the class we were supposed to be in chapter 17 but I thought this portion needed to be looked at because we all need to remember and know that He is the God who sees me. Also since the least preached portion of scripture preached by men is the woman with the issue of blood, I figured I would give circumcision a pass in the 17th chapter. 

Roy was kind of down for the count Friday afternoon. The combination of eye drops dilating his eyes were stronger this time. He had blurred vision almost all day. I am so happy he made it home cause he said he shouldn't have been driving. Usually, there is not a problem with this. 

We are both easing into the day. I love how Roy has embraced this concept in retirement. Oh, yes, he still overachieves but starts in the afternoon. 

Food, Fun and Tooth Extractions

 Just finished looking at FB memories for February 8th throughout the years. In no special order, it was the day I was released from PT when I broke my hip, meaning I was ready to pack up and head back home to the mountains. In PT we were doing cane work and I came up with the name Cane-Nan because I was going to the promised land. It snowed on this date several times throughout the years. The memorable event of February 8th, my last babysitting job and I failed miserably. Peggy at home recovering from knee replacement and someone needed to be there to answer the door when PT came. I brought her breakfast from McDonalds but I accidently dropped her McDonald Coke while bringing it into the house. Like she said so many years ago, you get what you pay for...I don't remember if I left to get a replacement or not. 

We met our neighbors across the road yesterday afternoon. We were out picking up broken branches in the big flowerbed that I want to return to grass. Jessi and Mila were in front of their home and we waved. Why did Jessi and Mila cross the road? To get to the other side and meet neighbors. Had a pleasant conversation of this and that. They bought the lot next to them so they can garden and build a garage. Funny, until we met, I would say well, I guess the new neighbors are seeing first hand how loud the road traffic is. Last night traffic seemed especially noisy and I was concerned that Mila, a toddler, might have trouble going to sleep. Hmm...just meeting them changed my mindset. We talked about the beautiful sunrises and of course I had to tell her about produce stands etc. Jessi said, I am sorry we ruined your view and you know there was a day I was upset about that. Not now though. I have come to terms with that and I am learning to find and notice beauty other than in the obvious places. The two story house next to them is under contract and it looks like another house or two will be built higher up and to the right across the way. Our trees cover that view for most of the year, so that's good. 

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Christy's Crafts, Pig and Grits and Lamp Post Vintage Market were the destinations yesterday and we almost made it home in front of the rain, but alas we hit a couple of rain showers. I am really excited about the purchases at Christy's. Even in her area commercialism is rearing its head. Not houses being built but the quest is for rock. While we were there a neighbor came by and they were discussing the dilemma in their area. The new wrinkle for us is, someone has discovered muffler less cars and their joy of running those cars in the evenings and in the middle of the night. Our neighbor called the sheriff to see what if anything could be done. Until 4:00 am this morning, they had taken the night off. 

So, about yesterday...it was so fun! We tried lunch at Pig and Grits and it was fabulous. They have country fried steak which in Texas lingo is chicken fried steak. Pepper gravy, awesome. But the finishing off of the meal was the banana pudding. The best I think I have ever had. Oh my we left stuffed. We don't eat big meals like that anymore and my stomach reminded me that it needed advance notice before I stuff myself. Also more fat content than I eat and so last night I was getting pretty sleepy.  

And just like that it is Monday morning. Supposed to be a rainy day and that is fine by me. Rainy days and Mondays do not get me down, neither does the month of January but I have always marched to the beat of a different drummer. 

After church yesterday we had a senior adult Valentine lunch. Gosh, it still feels weird to think of myself as a senior adult. Soup and salad and great desserts. Oh and baked potatoes. It was such a good time of visiting with friends around the table. We don't get a whole lot of opportunities to do that. Oh and there was banana pudding for dessert, so it was all good. On the way to church the clouds laid on those mountain tops and valleys in such a unique way. I wish we could have stopped to take a pic  but as it is, rural roads have very little opportunity to find a pull off spot. 

It is that time of year and guess at that time of life where we have options from all kinds of tours geared toward the older set. Doesn't really appeal to me but see above paragraph referencing senior adult lunch. I'll never forget seeing some tour groups of the older set touring through the Biltmore Estate. Looks like they had been to the house and were in Antler Hill Village. Most of them were carrying the three bottle box of wine that they used to use from purchases at the winery and they were sitting at the Creamery wondering when the bus would return so they could go sit on the bus. None of them talked, just a way off stare of searching the parking lot for said busses. And most of the women wore white pants. What!? The risk of spillage goes up. 

It is Tuesday. Roy just took GMoey for this tooth extraction. GMoey has been feeling so much better since we feed him small meals throughout the day to keep him from vomiting. It is so encouraging to see his energy return and to rough house with his Cuzbros. Mr Mo and Willie were well behaved this morning upon learning breakfast would not be served until GMoey left for the vet. Willie hit that food bowl hard but Mr Mo ran upstairs just in case we decided to take more kitties. Think he has finally calmed down. 

Yesterday, both Roy and I took an easy day. Neither one of us was productive although I did some studying for this coming Sunday. Prone to ponder, Lord I feel it. 

Looks like all the rain has left and now we it is a coolish day. I like em like that. 

Authors and Books

 I just saw on FB a picture of 1967 cheerleaders at the junior high I attended. Back then junior high school was 7th, 8th and 9th grade so these cheerleaders would have been nineth graders when I was in seventh grade. What struck me about the picture was this, almost all the cheerleaders had long hair which had become the dominate look for the late 60's and into the 1970's. Just one cheerleader kept the teased bouffant or as we joked about the look back then the bouffant-y. Even then just kind of knowing fellow seventh graders, stories abounded about the one girl's look and that roaches had been seen coming our of her hair in home ec class. The roaches thing was an urban legend story told all over the country. Just one out of the eight cheerleaders. Seems like she kept the look all through high school as well, according to my addled memories from high school. 

My reading tastes have changed and what has felt like a desert of wanting to read has found an oasis at least one for the right now. Several times on FB the ad for Mildred Budge books would be in my timeline. A friend mentioned she had read some of the series and she has great taste in books as well as music. I ordered three of the books. Started the first one, good but it felt like the author hadn't found her dynamic, rhythm and timing. Upstairs I had one of her later books and it flows along and while being entertaining it also tells deep truths in the story without feeling like being preached to. Just some thoughts thrown out there, held together by strong characters, and some laughter. What I read last night hit me deeply. The reaction of a character named Belle is wonderful when called by a syrupy sweet member to see if she would like to come to the small group Bible study on Monday mornings, studying Leviticus and would she bake some cookies for the first meeting. She is asked all of this when the caller knows her situation with a husband who has dementia. Bella responds, no I am busy on Mondays, I don't want to study Leviticus and don't want to make cookies. A little time goes by and a deacon shows up at her house, just happens to be the husband of the lady who called. He interrupts her changing out cam lights in her ceiling. Mumbles something about he should help her but goes into the purpose of the visit. Wouldn't you know the husband with dementia is having a lucid day and carries on a conversation with the deacon, who just happens to be working toward becoming an elder before he is forty. The husband is now an elder emeritus and they have served in their church for years.  As a final insult to Belle, he brings up church attendance, she has missed five weeks in a row and then leaves her a card with the plan of salvation on it. Boom! It feels more spiritual to do those churchy le femme things but the spiritual thing would have been to help that lady change out the remaining light bulbs.   

With temps in the 60s, we worked in a flowerbed this afternoon getting things cleared. Roy also put more egg shells in his tomato beds. We also got The Garage on the Catmore Estate cleaned out a bit. Two of Camo's kittens have moved in with their cuzbros and The Feral Fam has taken them in. The third kitten of Camo was hit by car or got into something at the junky house down by the road. We found her a couple of weeks ago but hadn't written about it. We took care of her as she had already crossed the rainbow bridge. 

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Roy was home from deacon's meeting early last night. I like it when they have short meetings. The Boys sat with me as I read but when Roy entered the house all tranquility was abandoned. The chance of treats or supper hung in the air. GMoey is doing good with his expanded time wise meal plans. 

I read last night that one of my favorite authors had passed away January 30, 2024, Ellen Gilchrist. She made short stories into art form as well as a unique approach to novels and fiction. She had some of the best observations on tennis. Ellen Gilchrist was 88 years old. That only leaves Gail Godwin in my early trifecta of southern writers, the other being Ann Rivers Sidon. 

This morning Roy made the decision to put the other blockers under the refrigerator so that the never ending number of small pinecones can remain unhidden. The Boy hit those pinecones under the refrig and then sit there forever trying to extricate them. Roy had helpers this morning, Mr Mo and GMoey. Helpers is a relative term. 

I finished up the book I referenced earlier in this post. Laughs for sure, wisdom and lots of insights. I have started another one of the books which is short stories. Liking it as well. Very fast reading. I have also a couple of spy and WW II novels to read. Hopefully, I can latch onto something in those books that will keep me coming back. 

Had one of those nights where I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep. I read a little more for the lesson on Sunday. I feel a little better about the direction the lesson will go. 

Roy is upstairs yelling at The Boys, calling them meatballs. He calls them meatball, overgrown sardine can or fruit loops. They must be wanting to help him on his computer.