Celebrations and Echoes

 I streamed the Celebration of Life service for Gerald Ray Friday afternoon from Houston's First Baptist Church. His creative touches and his gift for helping us remember was so evident in the service. He had sat down with his daughter Kristy about a year ago to go through what music, who would speak and details planning for that great and glorious morning, fare thee well. The family sat in the center section and those who have been in Gerald's choirs over the years sat all around them. What a wonderful and thoughtful touch.

Being Gerald's choir at First Baptist was so special. That is when I started making friends at HFBC. Everyone told me that I should meet Peggy Bain cause we'd be good friends. She was recovering from major knee surgery and was out of choir for a while. We finally met at a Camp Sponsor meeting for Camp Houston. She came up to me all 5'1" to my 6' and said, heard you're funny. My very cool response, can be. She asked me to rewrite the words to Do You Love Me for the Clean Cabin Girls. Said, yep, I'll do it. I cannot tell you how excited I was, really thrilled and enthusiastic. Even call Roy from my car phone on a thirty minute plan cause why would I need more minutes? Told him I had finally met Peggy and that my friends is the start of a beautiful friendship. Yep, right there in choir, who knew? I loved the songs we learned even the ones that were loved by the musical type but not the average choir person. I was remembering the signs that Gerald had to help us with those memorized words. The video of Wonderful Name, yes I remembered to sing soft on the first Jesus just like many of you. Gerald had such a good reading voice. I told him once I would pay him to record reading a book cause his voice was so kind. Gerald told Peggy and me about all the tapes people sent to him of their singing or songs they wrote. If he didn't like them, he threw them out the window of the car. Peggy and I said if we ever recorded a tape for him we would call it, Going Out the Window With God. 

While our home was being built in Rancho de Five, my job was to go through stuff we had moved from the townhouse to the condo to discard or donate. I did one clean out early on and once we were closer to moving in to our new home, there had been delays due to shortages, I went through everything again. The wadded up Kleenex in a zip lock bag did not make it through the second round. If one looked closely enough a small note could be seen and if one was so inclined to be interested the small printing said, tissue used for drying my tears at Trevleyn's memorial service. That little Kleenex filled baggie was a remembrance that I needed to hold onto, for awhile, out of honor for her life, her love in serving her Lord and I just wasn't ready to say goodbye. We were not close but Peggy shared the greatest and funniest stories about Trev before she became so ill and the fatigue kept her from doing a lot of things. Joining choir was a such a time as this moment in life. It seemed so difficult to make friends in a large church and Sunday School was less than desirable for us. Too competitive on accumulating stuff, too much. I was a late bloomer in that regard. When I joined choir and when the CLC gym was built that is when we made friends and a big church felt less lonely. 

I have had all kinds of echocardiograms and stress tests beginning in 2009. They have come a long way technologically since then. In fact, this was the best experience ever and I have to tell you, I wasn't expecting that. I had to go to Mission Hospital to have the test done. From the front desk person to the nurses performing the tests I was so pleased, but when you have friends specifically praying for everything, all I could do was take in the wonder and blessings that the Lord gives. A humorous thing, I was sitting by an older woman in the waiting area, older than me and guessing she might be about 88 or so. Her phone rang and her ring tone was, The Thrill is Gone by BB King. If I was drinking water or anything, I would have spit it out laughing. Nurse Katherine came and got me from the waiting area and she said to Roy, we will try to have all this done in an hour, we will be overachievers. As we went toward the echo lab, I told her my husband will love that because he is an over achiever but as for me, I just chieve. No under or over for me, I am just a chiever. We hit it off, you know best friends for the hour or so and talked about a lot during all the prep. She asked me why I said my husband is an overachiever so I told her. Passed CPA exam the first time back in the olden days when you took all four parts of the exam over the course of two days. He went to grad school working full time and got a MBA in finance. Then he decided to apply for Law School and was accepted despite the fact he was in his early forties. He was laid off in the middle of law school but worked contract jobs, graduated and passed the bar on the first try. He was one of the first Accredited Petroleum Accounting holders in the county. He took the Certified Internal Auditor exam, given world wide and he was in the top five of over two thousand people that took the exam that year from around the world. His specialties, Sarbanes Oxley, Risk Control and Compliance. That is why he is an overachiever. She was blown away and after writing this afresh this morning, I am blown away too. I added my overachieving was being on time for my appointment. They did the echo and added all the stuff in my IV to make my heart react as if I were exercising. I needed to reach a certain number and I was about twelve points below where I needed it to be. So, I was pumping heart softies, pedaling my ankles and feet as well as doing a one landed jumping jack. I might keep checking out America's Funniest Videos to see if I am on cause it was foolish looking on that table with my left arm overhead. I got the number up to 129 and we ended the session, one point above the requirement. In the procedure I got to watch the screen as well as they explained or merely reported what they were seeing. The nurse said to me, if you had any other of the nurses here, they would have stopped everything in defeat and a long afternoon would be ahead of me going to the heart cath lab but she knew I could do it. The scheduler forgot to tell me not to take my beta blocker twenty four hours before. They left me to change back into my clothes and she would escort me out to the waiting room. Before taking me out there, she took me by the shoulders and told me, now who says they aren't an overachiever. We almost made the hour time limit but we were over just be a few minutes. A concern though, my BP was through the roof which is unusual for me. Most of the time my BP is normal or in a very low range. This was very high. They asked me if I was nervous for the test, no I said. Do you have something you are stressed over? Yes and Sunday night didn't help that. 

I was so tired afterwards and kind of hungry since I had to semi fast. We stopped to pick up a milkshake and then continued home. I was told my heart had just run the equivalent to a 5K race. Easy evening around home, even got to talk with Peggy for a few minutes.  

Just Put a Ribbon in Your Hair and Act Happy

 Roy and I were riding around the countryside yesterday taking in all vibrant greens and the once plentiful blooms of spring have winnowed down into a few flowers here and there. Mostly, the flowers are along the roadside. My friend Inez told me once that her sister called them God's flowers. I agree whether He uses the wind, birds or squirrels for distribution. Several years ago in the ditch/culvert daylilies appeared. Mike never mows over them and what started as a small plant has grown into one that likes the wide open spaces. As we took all of this in, I made the comment about what a difference eleven years has made. In 2014 while here looking for a home to purchase I could not get over how many junkers I saw. Not classic cars or trucks but cars and trucks duct taped together or so it seemed. Now, there are more Lexis', BMWs', Mercedes, and the like hitting these back roads in the country. One of the other observations I made so long ago was over the price of groceries. There is a local to other southern states grocery store chain that was the queen bee for so long. Nothing, like having an H-E-B or Kroger in Houston where sales were good and eating was cheap, well cheaper than here. That in itself seems strange right here in the middle of produce fields and orchards. Then in 2017 Publix changed the landscape in the grocery world when it opened in Weaverville. The local store across the road from the new store, cleaned up and semi-modernized their store to compete against this latest foe. When store colors are brown and beige, it is hard to compete with green and white and yes bright interiors of Publix. Publix brought in more BOGOs to entice the unbelievers in. Some converted quickly and there are others who swear by the local store whose prices might be a little lower but not by much. Recently, local has advertised a few BOGOs but still penurious in sharing the discount. 

I realized this morning while attempting to put a bowl away in a bottom cabinet I bent over and looked like my Grandma B. What an honor of keeping the don't bend your knees tradition in our family. Need to start wearing a house dress to complete the total look. 

The heart monitor people called yesterday wondering why I hadn't activated the monitor. Well, because it hadn't arrived but blessed be the name of the Lord and He is a right on time God, as we were speaking it was delivered. I have this leftover symptom from the October sickness and every once in a while my rims of the eyelids want to stick together which kind of fuzzies things. Yesterday was a bad day for it and with all the books and notebooks littering the daybed I was having a difficult time of focusing on instructions and calling etc...  I read the booklet and finally put it all down because it would look different to me the next morning and so it did. My most difficult feat was getting the template in place. Roy had gone outside so I got a piece of handy dandy scotch tape and got that template taped and placed in order to get that monitor thing going. These monitors are getting easier and easier to use. Gone are the days of having to have a landline and calling in fits, bits and afibs for the record. I don't think I ever did one of those correctly nor the thirty day monitor I was wearing during the whole grief time when my mother passed away and her weird and odd graveside service. There are many changes in medicine these days; mainly ones I don't like but upgrading heart monitors...I am all in for change. 

I love this statement. It is a welcome thing to see a pastor encourage coming to the Word with expectancy. Many a time I've heard a pastor say things about reading the Bible that were merely aside comments, although that is where truth is found, doing year through the Bible programs and quiet times are boring. Maybe in an attempt to say hey, I'm no different...this is hard to do, the OT can be dust dry etc...heard once you could not go to the Word every time and think you would receive a joyful or exciting word or even an eye opening word, just do the duty of quiet time. I always think of this book from the 1950s on how to have a happy home. Just put a ribbon in your hair and act happy. 

What is left of the pasture land across the road has been doing all the hay prep work and last night while dead heading roses, I watched just like in times past, in awe of how the work is done. Grabbed a couple of quick pics because each time I see this happening I think this might be the last time. What talented farmers in that they were able to maneuver around the stakes in the field. Some of our tomato plants have little tiny tomatoes on them. Yay! The bell pepper plants are developing nicely as well. While I was at Bible study, Roy did some trimming and shaping up on several shrubs. Sometimes taking care of everything is overwhelming. Yet, we muster up the strength. We just came home with more zinnias.  

For This We Give Thanks

 In the past few months several Houston friends from long ago passed away. Although through the years we lost touch it was merely a case of being busy people who knew if we ran into one another we would just pick up where we last stopped. All three friends were joy bringers and that joy came in different ways. The first friend was so generous with time and resources. Oops, I just dropped into 1960's Baptist speak. She helped many in the academic world, in completing degrees at the university and college level. It certainly helped that it was also her line of work and passion. Funny as all get out. Just last week my church friend passed away from ALS. She too, funny as all get out. When Roy and I first joined HFBC, she and Buster invited us over for dinner. Had a blast, until her son brought out his pet hamster and wanted me to hold it. All things mice or rodent cousin related is not a good fit for me. In fact I had a fit of trying to get away. Years later we were in the same Bunko group and that whole group of friends were some of the funniest and funnest times ever. On Friday, Peggy called to let me know my third friend, Gerald Ray, had passed away. He had fallen, broken his hip and as many have in their 90's, can't have surgery. He held on for much longer than expected and friends came to see him and sing with him. You see, Gerald was the minister of music at Houston's First Baptist Church for twenty eight years. One of the most creative and talented people I have ever met. What a gift God gave him and he shared it with the world. His hymn sings were wonderful. Ever busy for the Kingdom even after retiring.   

We know we shall see them again and we rejoice in that, but we are saddened that we no longer have access to their brilliant minds, academically, comedy, and worship-wise. For their lives, we give thanks.

We will begin the Psalms this Sunday but I did an intro last week. Kind of set the foundation with knowing in the Psalms God is always the center of all 150 of them. Roy's reading plan has had him in Proverbs lately and he said, the Proverbs are wisdom based, the Psalms, God based. We start with Psalm 1and it lays out that use of comparison brilliantly. I have always loved tree verses so I am extremely happy this week while I study. Words that are pointedly drawing me in, delight, not so, and of course the trees. Planted and fruitful, not withering in time of drought. 

With the rain we've had these past few weeks, all the veggies and flower beds are doing well. Some of those tomato plants are so very tall. I have most everything else planted and last week dead headed roses on several front yard and most of the backyard roses. Have more to do, that's for sure. 

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Second day of hurricane season and all is well. This is the first time since moving here that the thought of being hurricane prepared has entered my mind. Got to check the expiration date of the Pop Tarts. This past week, the last week in May, had cooler temps than normal and for this we give thanks. Now, the pattern looks to be normal warm temps in the daytime. I'd say we broke even in getting spring chores done. Still many remain but not as many as last spring. 

Yesterday was homecoming Sunday and not one of us wore a mum. Well, only Texas people know when there is a homecoming football game or as it is referred to now, HOCO, that girls get larger than life, several flowery pounds of flowers on a ribbon and sash. It didn't seem any different from any other Sunday but we had lunch afterwards. Back in the day it would be called dinner on the grounds. I am really glad that fellowship lunches and fifth Sunday evening fellowships are back. That kind of died under our previous pastor's watch, until it was revived again by church members. Other ministry that was cut back is slowly but surely coming back. And for this we give thanks. 

The wheel moves slowly here and maybe always has, but for medical appointments and such, that has been my experience. Once you are in the system it speeds up a bit but not much. Had my cardiologist appointment. EKG looked good but in the late afternoon to early evenings I experience more heart thumps than beats. Supposed to get a monitor and be scheduled for stress test and echo. Got the call for the tests, but treadmill test had been ordered not the other kind. With head shoulder knees and toes and hips...haha, I know that it would not be a long test. So, back in touch with doctor office and also check on a monitor. In theory all was resolved except the actual possession of a monitor and the scheduling call. For this we give thanks.

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Made a quick trip to Burnsville today. It has been over a year since I have been there. Went to the new location of The Find Vintage Warehouse. Very cute things. We had lunch at Pig and Grits and it was soooo good! Then we made our way home. Then I had the most fun conversation with a friend in Houston and that conversation gave me some pep cause of all the laughing. After supper I joined Roy out in the yard and we planted some flowers and picked some peaches. For this we give thanks.

Plants, Cars and Houses

 My mother always had plants whether they be houseplants or those that live outside. When my parents moved to Georgetown TX for a few years, she busied herself by constantly digging up and rearranging her flowers. In hindsight those years in Georgetown was almost like John on the Isle of Patmos. Except she didn't get any revelation about the future of the world, but most likely she received revelation about the coming years with my father, thus the busyness of her gardening. After the exile, my parents moved back to Houston and bought a house from a couple they knew from church. The backyard had good bones for gardening and wow, it became a showplace. She even grew some tomatoes in a small plot behind the garage. My brother has always followed in her footsteps gardening wise. They exchanged cuttings of plants and raised them to prominent places in their gardens. My gift in gardening was killing plants until I discovered the secret of southern exposure when we lived in the condo with dormer windows. Out in Rancho de Five, plants thrived as we faced south. Roy even put a rose garden by the windows of the dinning room converted to my reading room. Well, that is what I called it. When we arrived in WNC the secret to good gardening seemed to be due to seasons and not being so hot that nothing wanted to grow. It has been a pleasure with a few mistakes, gardening and filling the yard with all the goodies...roses, burning bush, snowball bushes, and azaleas. There are days I think of my mom and wish she was here to see all of this beauty planted by a, dare I say it, late bloomer. I would send her home with cuttings but with the Houston heat, may not make it. Okay, better, that she lived here. I think of her everyday and miss her. Happy Heaven Mother's Day, Mom!

It is a coolish day so we took advantage of that. After lunch we got the rest of the tomatoes planted and some of the flowers we bought the other day. Still have work but pace is all important these days. We are getting ready for several days of rain.

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It is always a joy to study and then teach The Joy Class and our new slogan...The Joy Class, we're full of it! I was so happy to see the class return the Sunday after teaching about husbands and wives. We actually finished I Peter today and I guess I will figure out this week where we will be in II Peter till we hit the Psalms. 

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Today, we took Mustang Sam over to the mechanics for his oil change and inspection. All good. Right after picking up Roy we went to Marshall's and Hobby Lobby before a trip to Lowe's for a few stepping stones. 𝅘𝅥𝅯 I'mmmm, not your stepping stone...The Monkees𝅘𝅥𝅯 Then a quick stop at Ingles and then onward toward home. Had a delicious lunch and a little down time before it began to rain once again. Took Roy to pick up the car and now we just got in from weeding in the side flowerbed. That is a job and a half because weeds and grass grow so quickly here. We filled up a trash bag and called it a night. 

We have been discussing a future move to a one story home with not so much yard. Still in the discussion stage, early discussion stage, very early discussion stage. But, in an email from Realtor.Com I keep up with the houses around the area and what is selling, a newly listed home outside of Burnsville close to Micaville came on the market. Oh my, this is the first house we have gotten excited about looking at photos. The basement is a huge selling point, thinking of our brood of cats. Finished out with a kitchenette. House has a beautiful view and at the end of a road with just a few other houses. I am sure we would see bear out there and deer. If we were younger...I think we would have made an appointment to see the house but we are not younger although at times living in the middle of no where might be nice. It has a generator like ours here, so yep, that is good. Roy wants to drive by the house but I think if we did that we would be on the road to temptation. So, anyway...we shall stay away...mostly. This is also the reason I am putting this out there so we won't go and see or investigate more and see. On the other hand there is a home in Roan Mountain, cute as can be, the price keeps falling and it hasn't been sold. Either bad neighbors or something tangible like that or foundation stuff would be my guess. I haven't a clue. There is a home in Mars Hill that looks interesting but for $50,000 more we could live out in the boonies like the first house I described. It is a beautiful house, close to lots of things, the only home for sale in that community but the bones of the house are so sterile. Cold gray is everywhere. Isn't it about time that the designers in the know say gray is out and beige or sage colors are in. Really, these fiberglass showers and bathtubs are horrible and if I am going to pay so much for a house, needs to be tile showers and whatever bathtubs are made out of, that is not fiberglass. 

All This Learning

 We have been forced into the twenty first century technology in fast food restaurants. The Burger King has been undergoing remodeling since last fall. Roy has been saying he sure would like to go get a burger there and today was that day. I hate ordering in drive throughs especially when we are going to order no mayo substitute mustard. He went inside and he was in there quite some time. When we finally got back to the truck I apologized and said we don't have to do that, we can do the drive through. No, he was emphatic cause you don't get to try and decipher words anymore through the poor speaker system you, use a kiosk screen to order. I would have been a mess. Anyway, he accidentally double ordered tomatoes and onion. It was delicious. 

It is now Thursday morning and a chance to ease into the day. Maybe I'll get the zinnias I bought yesterday planted under one of the plum trees. We are supposed to get rain this afternoon and that is perfect timing for getting plants in. Hopefully, we don't have the hail that other areas have received.  

Well, yes we got rain and we got hail, but our hail wasn't as big and rain really had the greater majority of things falling from the sky. There were several close lightning strikes. Soon enough the rain cleared for a few hours, then as dusk turned to evening, the rain and storms returned. Once again, pretty good thunder boomers and perfect timing for putting The Boys to bed. This time it was Mr Mo who was visibly scared. Roy held him and took him into the bonus room, but in all this compassion for Mr Mo, Roy couldn't find Willie. I began searching the rest of the house while Roy took on the massive task of moving everything around the corner unit because cats go in but they cannot figure out a way to get out. Roy made an opening and Willie stuck his head out... He was present and accounted for. Earlier some of the thunder even made Buster and Chubola retreat from their supper. Ah yes, more for Baxter but Roy took it out to the cats in the garage. Smart cats I might add. 

Something to ponder. I started receiving emails from a shoe company again because I looked on their website for a shoe in particular. Said shoe is considered a comfort shoe. Because of compression sock requirement many times I need to wear fashionable and attractive tennis shoes with my Sunday outfits instead of sandals etc... The shoe company was a main stay in my work shoe choices when I was working as a junior auditor and in offices. Those high heels and pointed toe boxes kept me in cute agony or is that acute agony? Of course now comfort wins out mostly.

I am in the zinnia mood. We went back to TJ's Produce and bought a flat of them. I worked on a few flower pots at the end of our driveway and will put some out in flowerbeds up front. Roy has the pepper plants to put in sometime over the weekend. 

Sunday morning I saw something that just touched me. There is a family that has recently joined our church and the elementary school aged daughter dutifully sits with her parents and her young sibling. Last Sunday she sat with friends. The two sisters she sat with are some of the sweetest kids ever. When the children went down to the children's moment during the service, she waved and gave her family the biggest smile. When they returned back to the pew with goody bags in hand, she smiled even bigger and gave a hearty wave. Blessed me to see that kind of friendship and life sprouting once again. 

A Lovely Tuesday

 We are on the hunt for the orange cat that was dumped nearby and he being like most Tom cats is looking for a harem. Only thing, we don't got no harem anymore. So, he picks on the male cats and some have missing fur on their ears and neck. I saw him chasing a Feral Fam member toward the road and that's all it took to get us out of the comfy chairs to the great outdoors. The hunt only involves a water pistol but Roy is going to contact the ASPCA and see if he can get several dates booked cause it will take time to get this rascal. 

I do not think I have ever taught on husbands and wives from the passage in I Peter 3 and I think this will be the last time. Dang, it is difficult but we muddled through. I did share that we decided when we first got married that we would not go to bed mad. Oh my, sometimes we stayed awake for days but that was way back when we were young. Now, we love sleep more than being right, so quick apologies all around and sweet dreams. After church Roy needed to go to VBS training and I tagged along. Delicious lunch. Got home to some hungry, hungry kiddos but happy they forgive when we don't keep to their schedule. 

So this thought comes to me in big church yesterday. Preacher Boy is preaching from Ephesians 2, being a masterpiece, the workmanship of God. Well, as I tend to do, I got lost in a train of thought that had nothing to do with being a masterpiece. When the preacher said something, the inflection was so familiar....yes, that is what I got to thinking about and somehow it was tied to Mildred and Gertrude. There were parts of the script we didn't even have written down, we knew it so well that when we rehearsed, yes we rehearsed, mostly we could skip over it and yesterday morning I could not even remember what I used to say. I went backwards from the middle of the script, going back through volunteering, two hour quiet times and the like. Then a bit of light, ramshackle house was a part then the window opened a little more..." I can't help it." You see I grew up in a small town in Alabama. My brother and I along with our friend Dill, had the most wonderful summer adventures. Our father was a highly principled lawyer. It was a time.....can't remember this part...but it ends that is when I met Boo Radley." Of course Gerti responded, that wasn't your life, that was To Kill a Mockingbird!" About the time I had discovered most of the dialogue of the script, came at a critical preaching moment and if I had acted out on my joy of finding most of that memory, I would have looked like I was rejoicing that maybe, just maybe I had found the Holy Ghost and encouraged the preacher boy to keep on going on another ten minutes. Thankfully, I refrained. He was pretty good though, just seemed a little nervous and I think because he was raised in the area, it does tend to make one a little nervous talking to a home crowd. 

Many of the reels from FB are very helpful, almost too much so. I believe if I took every exercise or stretch or whatever and did them all just five minutes a day, I would have time for breakfast, lunch and supper, then go to bed. Too many but seem so helpful. Once again I am going back to a tried and true...getting my brain to talk to my feet. You know it wants to give the silent treatment to feet and we must keep that conversation rolling. Learned that piece of info from bilateral knee replacements. Just took my brain and feet outside to see if Roy needed anything. He is working on the tomato beds and the bed designated for greasy beans. Yum! Fido was helping him until he saw I was going back into the house. Fido made a beeline to the door and let him in the garage for his 3000 meal of the day. 

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Mike the Mower Man is here and after he leaves we will begin planting some tomato plants. We ran by TJs Produce Market this morning, got some zinnias and marigold plants. Marigold to plant around the tomatoes. Stopped at Dollar General for small bags of soil. Big bags are way too much for us these days. Also got some corn and a cantaloupe.  Picked up a few things at Ingles and came back home. It was a later type night for us last night. Roy had a long deacon's meeting which meant I had all the chores last night. The last one for the evening, putting The Boys to bed was probably a little more stressful than I like but mission accomplished. Got all the cat food dishes washed and ready for today. 

We just came in from the yard. Roy planted some tomato plants. We also finished up with putting wildflower seeds out in a flowerbed. That sweet fragrance of cut hay and grass wafting through the air. Honeysuckle vines are showing a bit and blooming. Here it is an invasive plant but we keep it trimmed back. Fido had the best time out there in the yard with Roy. They truly are a beautiful sight walking in tandem throughout the yard.  

I better go do some studying. I've kind of worked a little on the lesson this morning but have a ways to go. 

Know When To Hold Them, Know When To Fold Them

 Our plans are fluid closing out this week. We've changed plans, made better plans and discussed several pending decisions. Nothing big but just those day to day, month to month and year to year decisions. Just life in general. 

About a month ago I read an essay by V Raymond Edman. Well, I read several of his essays on life, the encounters that come upon us and knowing when to let go of certain things. But, I will get to him in a little bit. I've been watching the news out of Houston concerning Second Baptist Church. We were members there when H Edwin came in 1978 because our apartment was nearby. We were probably the only members that left after a few months, because we bought a townhouse across town. Even if we hadn't bought a home we probably would have left anyway. H Edwin was a tough cookie and he laid down the law of how the church would be run as well as his personal idiosyncrasies that came with his pastoring. He brought nine staff members with him from his former church, leaving his former church in the midst of a building campaign. Through the years news of the church would pop up in our lives from friends who attended. Once they tried to change the name of the church, forerunner and ahead of the times, to The Fellowship of Excitement. Several marketing memories but only will mention the tag line, "you'll just feel good inside." While First Baptist was looking for a pastor, taking about five years to do, heard through the grapevine that Second had made the offer to First of becoming a satellite campus of their church. I will say that we appreciated Second during the year or so that Roy was on a project that required Sunday work hours, so we went to Saturday night church at Second. Again, a forerunner of the times. We were thankful for the opportunity for Roy to be in church and we usually met friends at Escalante's for dinner after church. Sometimes we joked that Saturday night church kind of felt like a circus. The baptisms were done during the choir special in a streamlined production. Last year H Edwin retired, right from the pulpit and read a letter announcing such and putting his son Ben as the pastor. I've read that the next morning when H Edwin came to the church his son told him to vacate his office and he was he was not to have anything to do with the church. There has to be some kind of story there. H Edwin was 87 years old and even though he seemed to be doing an okay job, you just begin to lose thoughts and points and what in the Sam Hill did I just say. Not comparing myself to the esteemed pastor but just teaching Sunday School this past year I see myself struggling to remember and make the point. When I was younger I used about three words then an arrow to the next point. Didn't use detailed notes. So our sister church and some members have filed a lawsuit over all the goings on, business meetings poorly promoted and the like. I hear that several have come over to the FBC side of things... It is a good study of human nature. 

I mentioned the book I had been using for some of the study of Exodus but I found the essays and devotions relevant to this present time. This book was published in 1948 and Ray Edman was the President of Wheaton College. He was concerned for those studying and the lack of purpose or plan in their lives. Ray just might be a little upset if he could see today. His advice of declining days is spot on. After vibrant young ages once the 60's and 70's hit age wise, he saw too many hang on for dear life not ever wanting to give up a position or an honor or prestige. "To grow old gracefully and graciously is a triumph; not to do so is a tragedy. There are those who will never admit to themselves or to others that they have passed the period of their effectiveness and service; and with hard hand and harsh voice they insist on their place and position." He uses Samuel in the Bible as an example mentioning that Samuel had difficulty and adaption to demands of a new day. He includes a story about a professor at a seminary who realized he could better serve the Lord and students if he retired and that his concentration and wisdom could be used in an unofficial basis. Samuel opened a school of the prophets and he was able to train the young men no longer bothered by the problems of the present. He could pray for the future. "When days of active service are done; when prominence becomes obscurity; favor, forgetfulness, solitude, service, silence, ...it is comforting to know and challenging to experience newer kinds of service." One thing I told Roy is, I enjoy teaching, love the research, love the Word and love to have laughter in our classroom but for sure when the time comes, I will graciously step aside. 

Ruth Buzzi died today and her passing will leave a little less laughter on the former Twitter now named X. Sadly, many times her humor was so dated or there were times she took a recent joke and made it hers thus receiving rude comments from younger readers that she stole the joke. Others would say, she's old, let her have this little bit of fun. It seemed that she truly wanted to make others laugh. Others that come to mind who should have stepped back gracefully is Bob Hope, Milton Bearle and Lucille Ball. Ruth Buzzi was hilarious on Laugh In and her other endeavors through the years.  

We left early this morning for Troyer's in Limestone to pick up the antibiotic free organically raised chicken breasts. We love the ground beef, pork chops and steaks we've ordered from there. Roy got some Amish beef baloney for sandwiches. It is really good. Because we had seen the back up of traffic on the other side of 26, we took the back way over to Erwin. The way we know has a couple of bridges out so we meandered and wandered while taking in some of the most beautiful and scenic farmland. The barns along that route are picture worthy, although we didn't stop to take any pics. Think we will make that drive in the fall and Roy will use his camera and not our phones. Along with the beauty is still the ongoing cleanup from the Nolichucky river banks. One church we saw completely flooded and they are building a new church a little down the road. The new roadwork and replacement is a nice drive on 81. The river is certainly wider and there were many homes for sale. The resilience both in east TN and here in the WNC mountains is remarkable. Lunch from Pals, a quick trip into Food City, then back to the great state of NC and a stop at TJ's for strawberries and tomato plants. 

Our neighbors gifted us with two big bulldozer buckets full of compost. Until we both over did and it got hot, we were spreading that stuff from tomato beds, to blackberry bushes and to flowerbeds that are just waiting for some plants and some seeds. We need to get our bean trellis together and get those seeds in the ground.

Well, I should quit writing and get to work on the lesson for Sunday. Preliminary notes taken now to put it all in teaching form. Oh, our class has a new slogan...Sunday morning we were talking to one of the guys who stopped by to say hi and ask if we were behaving. When we feigned innocence one of our class remembers responded to him, We're The Joy Class! We're full of it. Haha! Of course we're full of joy...no, really we are. 

The Rest is History

 I probably say this every spring, but the colors are popping right now. The dogwoods have finished blooming and so have our red bud trees, but the multiple and verdant greens in the trees is certainly fabulous to take in from a window in the house or with the top down in Mustang Sam. Our service berry tree is blooming, well kind of. Every year we doubt that the tree has made it but each year Roy has the faith it will come through. Late arrival but certainly in the time span of spring. 

MB Haynes came yesterday to do the half yearly inspection. I don't like to be here so I took off to hide myself in the wonders of Marshalls. I probably wouldn't have used the term half yearly inspection except that I ordered some shoes from Nordstrom yesterday and half yearly is a very familiar term with Nordstrom shoppers. I'll probably write more on this in a bit. Also, it was so fun to shop in Marshalls all by myself. Don't get me wrong I love when Roy comes along but he sometimes cramps my spirit in the shopping realm. So I took my time in the paper goods section...and I know everyone is in suspense, yes, I bought unnecessary notebooks. I was there mainly for soaps, both bar and liquid. But I also bought some things for The Boys and The Trio, produce containers that keep fruit and veggies fridge life a little longer. I punted Hobby Lobby and went straight to the Publix and Ingles. Got everything with no room to spare in the trunk. The AC guy had left and we sat down for a delicious lunch of leftovers from our church's last Sunday of the month fellowship lunch. Country steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, creamed corn and dessert. 

Saturday morning we had a WM meeting. Got lots discussed and made some plans. Such an enjoyable morning with friends. 

Last Friday we bought tomato plants and bell pepper plants in various colors. Got them planted in the soil bags just in case we have frost before Mother's Day. We can move them to the front porch for protection. Gives us a two week start on growth. I am itching to get some flowers planted but I know better and I also know that the raised beds need to be prepared. We went to TJ's Mountain Produce and The Farm Connection. Love both of those local places. 

The blackberry bushes have blooms and that is always quite exciting. So in accord with nature this weekend will hold a slight dip in the temps. Blackberries need to have cold to help the bloom and thus produce those little purple tastes of delight. All the fruit trees have bloomed so we will wait to see what will develop. 

Mike the Mower Man has been here this morning, actually early for him. I need a fresh start in the front flower bed, so got all the brush and weeds out and left most of the plants. Although, I wasn't too worried about loosing plants at this point. A little later this afternoon the gutter people will clean out everything and give us a price on gutter guards. No gutter people, they'll come next week. The rain last week slowed them down a bit. 

We had a bit of a scare last week when Fido was not on his regular schedule. We were getting a little worried cause he had missed lunch and supper. Coco had been gone several days but that isn't unusual. She goes on a cat bender for several days, comes home, wolfs down food and sleeps for 24 hours straight. She's fixed so I am not quite sure what type of bender she might be on. Fido finally shows up right before his bedtime and since then he is back on schedule. 

This morning our neighbor told Roy that there was a black and white cat lying by the side of the road, close to the garage of the messy house. Roy went as far as he dared cause one never knows who or what group is living in that house. He wasn't too sure if it was a member of The Feral Fam. There is a colony across the road. This evening I think that the black and white cat might be Cutie. She doesn't hang around here like she did when she brought her kittens but would be around for mealtime. She also is one of those who could not resist the lure of the road. If it is her, she was a good member of The Feral Fam and the best mama cat out of all the mama cats that have come through the yard. 

I realized my Nord card is getting close to the expire date and since I haven't bought anything from them since 2022, I thought it best to use the card to keep it rolling along. Well, I just happened to find a pair of shoes that I have been looking for this past winter and glory be, they were in my size. So got new shoes and kept kind of current. The Nord doesn't really interest me anymore, which I never thought that could be. I don't know when they removed the pianos from the stores that kind of was it for me. 

*******

Foggy Wednesday morning. We had a surprise thunderstorm last night with a nice amount of rain. The loud thunder spooked The Boys and what has been an easy bedtime ritual was not so much last night. Willie got scared and wouldn't go in the bonus room. Of the three he is the least likely one to wake us up at night so we let him stay out. He woke up Roy scratching on the bonus room door wanting in with his cuzbros. 

We punted on a trip to Sam's and just did the Publix shopping thing. The gutter people came today instead of next week. Then just as they left the heavens poured forth a nice little rain. With a few thunders thrown in. 

This week in our lesson we are in chapter 3 of I Peter, talking about wives and husbands. I've been studying and I want to teach something else. Haha! We figured out how to get along a little bit ago in time. Basically, it comes down to self centeredness. On either party. This was more written with an unbelieving husband in mind. Anyway, after last Sunday as we studied we are to crave the Word I told the story of Ninfa. She made such great tacos al carbon that people craved them and as they say, the rest is history. 

April Will Soon Be Gone, Come On May!

 These cats are rumbling without the official, "let's get ready to rumble" announcement. They are due for a a nap. Thus we await the quiet time of the morning. I am pulling together my notes for Sunday and will begin writing out the lesson later this today. I'm thinking about connecting where we are in I Peter with the resurrection story from Mark. A couple of things grab my interest and am excited to study and learn. I am embarrassed that we only got through two verses. The last two weeks it been a lot of foundation laying of who and why of Peter and suffering. So, I guess the class has suffered with only two verses of coverage. I am not planning for Sunday to go that way. 

I think the rest of the pasture across the way will soon be filled with homes. Sad, but people need places to live. Although, almost every home for sale has had a reduction in price. There are a few that have come on the market and I guessed they would be under contract quickly. Most of those are older homes than what is being thrown together these days. 

This week hasn't had an early morning for which I am thankful. Next week there are several early appointments to be out the door for. So, what am I doing up so early this morning? I woke up around 3:30 am, fully rested yet hurting. Just the regular aches and pains but some mornings is worse than others. 

Several have suggested I do little vignettes on our kiddos in the house. So, guess I will begin with the first little one to be rescued from the great outdoors, Mr Mo. He started off being Monet when I thought he was a girl. As a kitten he never seemed afraid of me and would run right up and if I was sitting, he would jump or rather crawl, which hurts, onto my lap. It had been several months since Buddy passed and I was considering bringing in one or possibly two kittens. The schedule for that moved up when Mama Cat took a swipe at Mr Mo on the back porch step. I was putting out treats and Mama Cat being old fashioned believed in cat verses kitten protocol. Mr Mo was a little too aggressive for her old fashioned ways, so she popped him one slicing open his bottom lip. I didn't know the extent of the damage until I went outside and he ran up to me with that little lip hanging down. Called the vet and got him in. The sewed up his little lip and while he was there did the spay/neuter thing. In hindsight, we should have waited until um...things developed. He is the kindest cat. When I had a melanoma removed from my leg, he laid right by my leg for several weeks. While I am studying he cozies his way next to me and cuddles up for a nap. He is usually the first to greet me in the mornings as I open the bedroom door. When we brought GMoey in, Mr Mo picked on him unmercifully, that is until the day when GMoey grew into his size. Then Mr Mo wanted peace. They get along but every once in a while, there is a skirmish or two. Mostly playing...but...there are times.  He is a jealous cat and somewhat needy. He lets the other cats intimidate him to give up his food bowl to them. Mr Mo falls asleep next to me while studying. I hope that his interest or lack of isn't predictive of the lesson on Sunday mornings. 

Looks like this Easter Sunday will be a warm one. Finally all of the spring clothing hanging around in closets will get their cue to make an entrance. I am considering a floral dress but most likely I will wait to wear floral. Well, don't count me out on that. I am mood wearer of clothes. 

*******

It's after Easter. Taught I Peter with Mark for the lesson and now we are back to I Peter. This week's lesson is mostly written out except for the last part. That will be my project for the afternoon. 

This morning was a very early morning. Roy had his last check up for his cataract surgery and he is doing well. We were at the Dr office at 7:30 for the 7:45 appointment. He was finished a little after 8:00, so we headed to Moose Cafe for breakfast. I don't think we have been there since before Covid. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast. In fact, Roy ordered the all you can eat breakfast. It has been a while since I have seen him eat that much food. Then the next stop of the day in Mars Hill. We went to TJ's Mountain Produce and bought tomato plants as well as pepper plants too. Quick stop at Ingles and since it was just a little after 10:00 am and there were parking spaces we stopped in to pick up a few items at the new bakery. Wow, just had some focaccia bread with lunch. Very tasty. Since we were taking the scenic way home we stopped at another nursery, The Farm Connection and found the Cherokee Tomato plants. It is too soon to really put them out but we can do what we did last year, make cuts into bags of potting soil and plant them in there. If we have coolish, frost temps, we can roll those babies into the enclosed front porch. In fact just came in from doing the Cherokee Purple and the red, yellow and green bell peppers in two bags, then it began to rain. We are to get another break so we will be out there to finish up the work. Other than early and a Dr appointment, it was a fun morning getting out and somewhat getting back into the swing of things. I have been using the Rowe Casa elixirs every morning. I don't get as tired in the afternoons and it feels like I am revived, feeling a bit like I did before getting that stupid vaccine.  

Mike was here this week both mowing and removing a couple of damaged tree limbs. We officially had the tulips cut back and a few other yard things. With warmer temps we are just itching to get back into the gardening saddle. We have a couple of new raised garden beds to put together along with a trellis for greasy beans. 

It looks like the skies have cleared, so back out to finish planting in the potting soil bags the rest of the tomatoes. 

Observations Of The Old Kind

 Things I have officially done in the recent past that makes me certifiably old.

• I handed out cough drops on Sunday morning to a young mom. The saving grace the cough drops were not found in the corner of my purse all linty from a wadded up used Kleenex. 
• After applying blush, almost said rouge which ages one in colloquialisms, I forgot to blend it in on my upper cheeks along the cheek bone. Ah yes, rouged up and handing out cough drops
• Age defying skin care is not that interesting to me anymore. I have already defied age but not in the skin care way. It's like I say to those who have tried to sell to me over the years with face products, only 15 minutes a day doesn't interest me cause it is the time of the 15 minutes...upon waking up or before going to bed. 
• I'll be playing, from my phone, organ music in Sunday School, more specifically or most probably Christ The Lord Is Risen Today. It just seems on Easter Sunday majestic organ music needs to be experienced even from Apple Music. 
• Yep, I'm old. In the paragraph below I make a Leave it to Beaver reference. 
• I told Roy I thought the PO would be busy today with tax returns needing the proper postage. Silly me, silly old me, most, including us file electronically. 

It is in the times we live but I believe we are experiencing some kind of coup to leadership and governance...  No, not in the government but here in our home. As The Trio comes near to turning one years old, they are testing the The Boys better known as the power that be. There has been a whole of of shaking and wrestling once or twice a day between the two clans. The Trio have an advantage as they are siblings, grown up together, they wrestle and chase amongst themselves but are a solidified army if one of The Boys feign attack. The Boys are bigger for the moment and that looks to change. The Trio are from the lineage of Big Daddy, the original orange cat in the Feral Fam. For sure Willie is in the lineage of Darth and Radley. This morning Roy told me how Baxter decided to take on GMoey. GMoey has the most patience of The Boys but once a line is crossed he means business thus he will taking care of business. As Wally in Leave it to Beaver would say, GMoey gave Baxter the business. 

As for The Trio continued warm up to us, we are quite happy to report Chubola now will jump into a lap for some pets and then scoot off. She carries a little Lamp Chop sheep with her most of the time. Originally, Lamb Chop was a part of my collection but Chubola acting just like Buddy did, thinks any soft cuddly lamb of mine is to be shared by me with them. Buddy ripped their faces off, Chubola bats Lamby around like a soccer ball. This just in, Lamp Chop has suffered some facial type damage. 

Sunday and Monday night the full moon beamed brightly into our front bedroom. It was quite the sight to behold. I took a couple of pics because you know phone photos at night are so good. But I took in all that beauty. I could have belted out This Is My Father's World but didn't want to worry Roy. 

Roy surprised me by bringing home orange chicken for lunch. Not the same as Fu's Garden but it is tasty. He worked out after going to the Post Office, filled the car and take some stuff over to Habitat's resale store. 

Our windy day here has caused some trees to fall thus knocking out the power to 1068 homes. We are part of the 1068. Our generator is running but the time estimate for the power to be restored is 7:30. Well, it came back on at 5:01. 

I might add more getting old observations in another post but I will end this particular one with this thought. The other day Roy received a package and he hadn't ordered anything. He carefully opened it and it was from American Express thanking him for using their card for fifty years. Enclosed is a really nice throw. Such a nice thought but I told Roy that is the most expensive throw we will ever own, fifty years of charges. He gave it to me cause he didn't want it ever said he hadn't given me an expensive present. That is a pretty darn funny expression from him. 

  

It Has Been a Minute

 Well, it has been a minute since writing a blog post. There are always several subject matters rolling about in my brain but many mornings the quiet hides and then the day's activities and chores bid me come to take care of those responsibilities. That desire deep in my soul to write is on vacation or something. I am sure it will return. Roy has gone to workout and The Boys have settled into naps and soon The Trio will do the same thing. 

We bid ado to Exodus and the foray into Numbers yesterday. I looked at the schedule for upcoming quarters and after The Psalms we are in Deuteronomy and Numbers. The wrap up just took a few minutes and then we began I Peter. Not so much the first chapter but a reminder of who Peter was and how he came about writing these two letters. We took a moment to look beyond just the facts of Peter's life but we looked at his emotional and spiritual life, his friendship with Jesus and how this apostle moved out of the limelight and into the work he was called to do. 

Our area got a less turbulent version of the storms moving across the country. We had some hard rain and just a tad bit of wind. Those two factors contributed to the power going out around 5:45 am. It came back on before 2:00 pm. The trees around here have not recovered strength from Helene in September. We've had wildfires, none to close to us, but close to where friends live. So truly, we have seen to quote James Taylor, "we've seen fire and we've seen rain."

Last week both Roy and I had the stomach bug rolling around these parts. Roy had a worse case than me but we are thankful that symptoms weren't around for several weeks as can be the case with these bugs. We were fatigued along with the usual stuff and finally by Friday we felt as if we had come out of the fog. Roy rarely gets sick, so I was constantly asking him how he felt. You know, if it was more than just a bug, but alas that is just what it was, a bug. 

Think Dogwood Winter arrives tonight with the temps falling due to a cold front. Last week in the 80's and this week, very cool maybe even cold. 

Tomorrow, is the funeral for one of our class members who has been in bad health for a long time. 

*****

Friday morning with rain chances later today. Love that everything is looking so green. The apple trees and lilacs have blooms. Mike mowed this week so outside in the front looks so springy. Guess the tulips are done having all the petals blown off on Monday. The side flowerbed is now a weed bed filled with mug wort and clover. We need to get those pulled but Roy was able to get the compost down around the blackberry bushes. 

Patty's funeral was Tuesday afternoon. In the little brochure they pass out to you upon entering the church had pic in it from her life. I've never seen that done before and I loved that idea. I met Patty ten years ago and she was rather sick even back then but to see her pictures from childhood and with her husband at those young ages always makes me think, I wish I knew her back then. 

Whenever we were studying the book of Mark I learned that Mark gives a majority of attention to how much Jesus was teaching, pouring into them and making ready His disciples. Moreso than the other Gospels. I got to thinking about something we can hear. It sounds good but it might be a rather simplistic and rather wrong. Over the years I've heard preachers and pastors say something to the effect of, we don't need a program, we have The Great Commission. That's true but it seems to me that those three years with Jesus in today's meaning and interpretation, well that was a program for training and teaching the disciples. A divine program to walk with the disciples, and change their thinking from fishing or tax collecting or whatever occupation to being kingdom minded. In other words it could be called seminary, a program. I read an article a couple of weeks ago on the push for pastors of small churches both in cities and rural areas to get their doctorate. The author said he thinks it is all about keeping the seminaries filled and in a positive cash flow. 

I never quite finished the complete switch of summer to winter clothes last year. The dreaded sickness that took me out for six weeks and then quite some time for recovery plus returning to normal energy levels slowed me down. Although a plus, this season of between seasons I truly went through clothes and the sentimental clothes are not going back in storage bags, most have gone on to drop offs and the like. I've started packing away true winter weight clothing, not that it won't turn cold again because it will, but the texture and fabric patterns are just too much for March and April. Of course I am not bringing out linen yet, but a few layering pieces might work. 

We had quite the lightning storm last night with a good amount of rain. Higher in the mountains they got snow. 

Well, back to studying I Peter. It's all about the suffering while rejoicing...hard to teach for sure. 

A Week or More of Rambling Thoughts

 After spending Thursday in below freezing temps, the good news is today we get above freezing and into the 40s. Don't think there is any residual snow or ice, maybe in shaded areas on the road and we kind of know where those areas are located. We opened the Garage on the Catmore Estate last night. The usual fam members took advantage of food and warm beds. 

The green stems of daffodils and tulips are breaking through the ground. Always reminds me and really almost everyone of hope. That the winter days will soon turn to spring days. Both the strawberry farm and the apple orchard that we love wrote on the recent ice and snow. It is before the plants break through and the orchards bloom. The ice and snow keep the ground warm, just like Psalm 147.

I am becoming very proficient in identifying the different types and meanings of cat vomit...or throw up. Earlier this week a new species of throw up entered the picture. Not serious and we were able to take care of the situation. Mostly it has been related to food consumption, new food being introduced and someone eating said food too fast. Today, Baxter discovered Aymie and Family, better known as Penny. 

I totally forgot to mention this, but on Valentines Day on our way to the Valentine's dinner at church, I saw in the rear view mirror a front license plate with LSU on it. I was telling Roy when the Toyota Tacoma started honking. We have a LSU Tiger sticker on the car but they had a truck with gold and purple stripes with LSU on the doors. We honked back and flashed the L sign back at them. Such a fun moment. There doesn't seem to be many LSU fans around these parts. Probably Baylor has less than LSU fans around here as well. Such a fun moment for us.  

We have a new playpen for The Trio arriving today. We haven't been able to get them interested in going to the bonus room with The Boys. This will give them more room to sleep. They are in it only at night. We have five out of the six eating together during the day. Mr Mo is not a fan of wet food so he eats separately from the others. Roy trapped Blazey and a smaller black and white cat for going to the ASPCA tomorrow. Blazey is HP's brother. He has been living the wild life for quite some time. 

Our lesson yesterday got us to the edge of the Passover experience in Exodus. I think I say this about every book we study, but so layered and so foreshadowing of the NT. It was also our pastor's last Sunday with us. He and his family will be serving at a sister church a little over an hour away but much closer to their family. It was a just right celebration for him and goodbyes. Nothing over the top. Maybe in church work that is the best way for it to happen. His sermon and goodbyes to our church, not over the top either.  

*****

Today is Roy's birthday. He was surprised to find two cards waiting for him this morning. I got up in the middle of the night to place them. In fact, I was happy to shop alone yesterday so I could buy him a card or two. I was going to leave a card and a bag of protein chips on his desk, but knowing The Boys, the bag would become a play thing. I do know this, the selection for birthday greetings for husbands is just about nil to none. Plenty of cards for fathers, uncles, grandfathers, brothers, someone who is like a brother or father to me but three choices for hubby. I also came across the generic term for a man. Oh the weirdness of today, in so many things and ways. I thought I was going to have to do a crayon crafted card. 6 Pigs BBQ for lunch. They are changing to Thursdays and for yesterday, how fortuitous that is was Roy's BD. Surprised him with two fruit tarts instead of cake, cause he ain't going to eat no cake. As a birthday bonus we put together the new Trio playpen with lots more room. They are still too rambunctious to The Boys for spending nights in the bonus room with them. This thing is huge and they have more room to spread out at night although, I see they scrunched their beds and blankets together. 

We have enjoyed the last few days of warm temps. 60s and 70s. A cold front comes through and it will be cold on Sunday. Lots of sunny days though to enjoy. We need to get out in the front yard and finish the project we started at the beginning of February. There is always a project or twenty to take care of. With the benefit of 70 degree temps, Roy cleaned the water filter in the crawlspace. 

Well, The Trio and The Boys are getting restless. GMoey just knocked things off the top of the bookcases. So, these rambling thoughts will come to a close for now. 

  

 

Getting Ready in Exodus As Well As Life

 A rainy Saturday morning and nothing is on the schedule. Yay! We will both most probably be working on Sunday School lessons today. Both of us in the plagues, but I am a few plagues ahead of Roy. Our teaching styles are totally different but we do help each other with the things we've studied or quotes we like. 

GMoey is helping me write this morning and it looks like he is going to settle in for a nap on my lap. That will be very helpful. Looks like we got everyone on the healthy side of life. We are cutting back on the probiotic drops that calms down the stomach. Thus, I don't think we have had a clean up on Aisle 9 in the last several days. 

Thursday, we went to the visitation of a friend's brother. We usually go to the service but I have found the last three times I have been ill has comes a few days after attending a funeral service. The parking lot of the small church was filled to capacity. We paid our respects and left turning over our prime parking spot to an older lady. Heck, I am probably older than her but my mind just doesn't want to process this info. Roy took me out to lunch at Bonnie and Clyde's. He and our friend Cuman eat there but I have never been. The food was really good. I was going to order the country fried steak but it came with brown gravy. This is the closest thing to chicken friend steak here.

We finished up the plagues, well the first nine, yesterday. Throughout the study process last week I kept thinking about the Israelites. What were they doing during the plagues? Most probably they cleaned up dead fish and frogs, but after that, maybe they had time to ponder and think about all that Moses and Aaron were telling them. Maybe they were getting ready to leave and go to the promise land. I turned this question of what were they doing to, what am I doing? What are we doing? As the old report card said, grading you on using your time and materials wisely, am I doing that? I was surprised in FB memories today from the Monablog of the past, right before we decided to move to Katy. We were in the process of finding a lot and building a home in Rancho de Five. We felt that this was God's leading and in hindsight, I can confirm it was. 

"Today I did something that I did before we moved to where we live now.  Before we moved to our condo and when I found myself on this side of town, I would drive around and do a little stop and shop in the neighborhood.  Just kind of wanted to get the feel of it and did it feel right. The Play Neighborhood.  Did that today in what could be our new Play Neighborhood.  In fact I almost didn't take my exit on 99 for CBS and was going to go on a little further down the road like I was going home.  This was not a conscious decision, it just felt right.  Quickly I swerved for the exit and made it just in time to miss the devotion portion of the study.  I can miss devotional time but never an exit.  I always miss music and devotion and arrived just in time for core group.  After Bible study today, I found myself doing that very same thing playing in the neighborhood.  Since organizing for a probable/possible/surely it will happen move, I am trying to get things cleared out and put into modular plastic containers.  Yesterday I brought home four and a few other storage type things.  Ah, I am no professional when it comes to organizational terms.  Well, the four modular plastic storage drawers were filled in no time with t shirts and sweatshirts.  Here of late I like wearing work out togs, but just haven't had the desire to actually work out in them.  Besides the way to my heart besides journals and pens is a t-shirt.  Roy thinks I am high maintenance and maybe that is sometimes true, but when he goes on a trip, I just want a cute t-shirt from wherever he has been.  That is low maintenance any way you look at it.  It was serious clear out yesterday because I'm letting go of some t-shirts that have been in the collection for quite some time.  That's how serious I am about getting into the ready position.  So I went to the Katy Super Target hoping to pick up 4 more modular plastic containers and there were only 2!  Who else is getting organized?  Now I am going to have to make a trip to the dreaded San Felipe Target, it has not been my first choice of a Target in a long time but have heard it has improved since remodeling.  I thought about driving by the lot where we might build again to see what the neighborhood looks like during an early dismissal day, but decided just to head back into Houston. 


Buddy has been a bit feisty of late.  The other night, out of the blue she attacked my forehead.  Now I know side bangs may not be her favorite style for me, but I think the attacked stemmed from the fact that I had been laying on my left side and didn't turn over and change to the right side when she sat next to me and meowed into my ear.  I finally gave in because Buddy has me trained so well, and when I thought she was going to settle down on my arm, like she wants to do, she lashed out with one big old swipe of the paw.  My cry woke up Roy, who I call the enforcer when it comes to disciplining Buddy, he got me a Kleenex and he wanted to put a big honkin' band aid on the cut.  Yes, that will feel great ripping off the band aid the next morning and half my eye brow going along with it.  Hmmm...maybe that wasn't such a bad idea at all.  But he didn't act all enforcer like with Buddy and he decided he would rather go back to sleep than chase a cat in the middle of the night with a spray bottle.  Where is the love?"

So, kind of funny to read this getting ready post from a few years back. Really, the move to Cinco Ranch was a great decision for so many reasons. It also prepared us, but me mostly, in making the move from Texas to North Carolina. 

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We had snow this morning and several times those huge fluffy flakes fell. Most of it has melted because we are above freezing this afternoon. We cancelled the ASPCA appointments since we were worried about this morning being snowy or icy. Definitely snowy and having two, especially if they are females. recovering in the garage.  We will open the Inn on the Catmore Garage later this afternoon. The next two nights will be rather chilly, no I mean downright cold. We do not get above freezing tomorrow as temps hover in the 20's. 

Yesterday, was a huge win in the declutter project. In September while changing out summer to fall to winter clothes, I got sick. I was out of commission for over a month. Missing out on all of October in autumnal wear was difficult but it also put me behind in getting clothes out to Goodwill. Then the storm stopped all that kind of thing and when I was finally organized, no one wanted to take donations of clothes. This is also the year that I let go of sentimental clothes cause it ain't doing anyone any good in drawers and storage cubes. Got shoes as well. Now, that it will soon be March and that month can go a lot of ways temperature wise, I'll just be in the ready position to get winter put up and spring and fall out. Last week we took four small boxes of books to the Resale store of Habitat and we have two large boxes of books and other items to go. Guess we will do that next week if the weather cooperates. I also cleaned out a couple of dresser drawers, so this afternoon I am feeling uncluttered and free. 

A Catch Up For Now

 It has been some time since the last blog post. I have one written but now not current so, not posting. I find that if I want good study time most days there really isn't any quiet time for blogging. With Roy resuming his workouts there is a tad more quiet but The Trio and The Boys can be loud. Looks like most have decided on a nap which is just wonderful for peaceful moments to think. They two groups are blending together a little bit more. Roy has five out of the six eating together and they hang out together in the morning.

Speaking of The Trio and The Boys, we were dealing with some sickness with five of the six. We ordered some gentle food and probiotic and this Monday morning they are all feeling well. One gets creative to take care of these little ones without breaking the bank and five to the vet at one time, oh yes, that is a bank breaker. I missed our ladies brunch at church because someone needed to stay with the little ones and since Roy has gone above and beyond duty taking care of me and the long recovery since October, I thought his getting out and doing what he loves was the right decision. 

Sunday's service kind of held some nostalgic feelings. We sang Just A Closer Walk which of course harkened back to an Inspire Women Conference with the Mass Choir that wasn't so massive. Friends in the mass choir got tickled with the line, If I falter Lord Who Cares? Well, that set off our row in attendance cause we were friends with the mass choir all in about twelve in number. Then, I got to do a skit with Hannah to inspire....think I am going with inspire for the paragraph Alec, people to sign up to work in VBS. That was a lot of fun and now I know I can't do more than one page of a script, cause I can't memorize like I used to. We sang Jesus Paid it All for the closing hymn and I remember that hymn with anthem emphasis as we sang it long ago in the HFBC choir. Then, just one more nostalgic feeling, our pastor has been called to a new church that is closer to where he and his wife grew up here in North Carolina. In two weeks we begin the "interim" period which of course totally reminds me of those days of long ago when we went five years looking for a pastor at First Baptist. So, the morning filled with inspiring moments turned into lunch afterwards for a VBS planning meeting. I cannot participate due to health issues but Roy is the VBS photographer and he wanted to attend in order to have knowledge of where he needs to be to catch those timely and wonderful VBS moments. They did make a recommendation of no more Kool-Ade and then discussed snack items. I tells ya, some kind of off brand Kool-Ade and butter cookies that had holes in the center, thus eating them while wearing cookies as a ring, was good enough for generations why not now? I'm joking of course and we do have kids that attend from around the area who experience food insecurity. Thus healthy snacks are to be considered as well. 

Since rediscovering my love of reading I battle with reading for fun and reading for lessons. I just finished a book on Bunny Mellon. She was a Capote swan as well as a fashion/gardening trend setter of her day. My interest is not so much in her but that the book is written by the same author as Mrs. Astor Sends Regrets. Her style of writing and my style of reading are muy simpatico. I got into a few chapters in the book and I was hooked. You get a foundation, briefly of her early life and the early influences that defined her later in life. As part of the foundational knowledge, there is a fast forward of her estate sale. Sotheby's handled the sale and it took a week with her treasures divided into sections. One night paintings and art work and the next night furniture...etc.... She amassed an impressive amount of things or stuff. When she died, her service although planned out, held a few surprises as loved ones didn't give a kind word for her life. What they said according to the book was true. Her favor and attention was at her discernment and whim. She would drop friends so quickly, it was expected...it could be a friend of a few years or fifty or more. Bunny was buried in her cap and gown from the Rhode Island Art Institute. She was honored with an honorary degree from there. She had always wanted to go to college but she was pushed into that debutante life of searching for a husband. The jewelery she took to the grave was a small pinkie horse shoe ring that was of sentimental worth, not expensive at all. From her first husband of whom she truly loved and although he was wealthy, it wasn't enough for all she wanted to do in life. I also finished up The Devil at His Elbow, Alex Murdaugh. Very well done and probably the best book I have read in his life's genera. Put the Queen Mother book on hold and started The Woman Who Knew Everybody. Until now, I had never heard of her but that doesn't mean much. I don't get out too often.  

We got two more of The Feral Fam into the ASPCA this morning. They were not happy with their first road trip. But we were happy when we picked them up because we took in two females. We will be trapping again next Monday. Ah yes, next Monday when the temps are supposed to drop significantly. 

Just a quick catch up, for now. 

What I Did On My January Snow Days

 Greetings from cold NC. We still have some snow falling this morning but most of the storm has moved on out of the area. The snow is from the northwest backflow. I don't know what that means but after almost ten years here, I kind of know if only in my head. The snow in the afternoon was blowing in heavily from the south. Quite pretty. We had some sleet/ice fall in the early evening. The main road in front of the house has been scraped or salted but it is looking a little sketchy driving wise. Our road to the main one is solid white. We won't get above freezing today so I don't know about church in the morning. It is sanctity of life Sunday, so hope the decisions will be made with that in mind. You, know we don't want y'all slipping off the highway and losing your life type sanctity of life thought. Oops, next Sunday is sanctity of life Sunday...hmmm...well, you want us to be there next Sunday right? **** this just in, snow day tomorrow. No services so everyone can stay safe and off the roads. 

Y'all know that Peggy and I exchange recipes all the time...some of the time? Okay, every once in a while. She sent me a recipe for Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake. I think I have a similar one around here somewhere. Anyway, I got to thinking it has been over a year and a half since I've eaten at The Blue Rooster and last fall, I ate only three apple cider donuts. Oh how the mighty have fallen. 

The Jimmy Carter funeral was certainly an interesting view into the art of the snub. Even people, important people aren't really that good with snubbing. If some snubbing is going to take place it falls into these categories, oh, I didn't see you. Here is a good one, just don't acknowledge or be polite or something like oh my, this funeral program is just so dang interesting. Bill Clinton looked like he was reading a menu, deciding between the deluxe burger or the double deluxe burger with waffle fries. Nobody even mentioned Al Gore. He is probably thinking, hey I was snubbing too but just out of camera range or maybe he was being snubbed. The heater probably got turned up with the solid cold going on between Jill and Kamala. I mean everyone has snubbed or have been snubbed sometime in their life. Snubbing is an interesting story being told but not being told. For the love of it all, personally, I am a recipient into year three of a one sided continuing snub. How does someone do that? In the words of Whitney Houston, 🎜This is the greatest love snub of all....🎜Yes, children, adults even high ranking in a political realm snub. Guess it is something that continues with being a grown up.

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I didn't sleep like a sinner till half past nine, but we had a leisurely breakfast that included waffles. Very nice treat for a snow day Sunday. Lots of roads are still iced over but the main roads have been treated. We will get above freezing today and the sun is out. All the snow out front will melt but the backyard with lots of shade will take another day or two. I saw the professional scrape and salt trucks yesterday, but I also saw someone just being helpful. Had the scraper on the front end of the truck and a DIY salter attached to the tailgate of the truck. He seemed to be concentrating on the middle spots in the lanes as well as right in the middle. 

This afternoon we will clean out The Garage on the Catmore Estate. You know clean up any messes, check the linens and such. We aren't kicking them out yet but it wouldn't take much for Roy to say, shut it down. Nope, too cold. 

Roy is recovering nicely. But being the overachiever that he is, I'm keeping tabs on what he needs to do, what he is able to do and what he can't do. His answers are entirely different from a couple of weeks ago. The overachiever needing harder goals to accomplish but when one is married to a "cheive" person like me, the extra credit stuff does not interest me. 

******

Remnants of snow remain this morning. Icy patches on some roads. We got out the snow shovels yesterday and cleared a path up the driveway out to our road. Our road was dry until you get past the gravel road behind us. We got the trash can down to the main road in case of a Monday pick up. Got the beautiful Christmas wreath off the front door of the porch, so all two things of Christmas decorations has been taken care of. 

With a snow Sunday, I got a lot of things done. Made my two week portions of adrenal, vitality, infusion and elderberry into single serve containers. Makes the medicine part of the morning easier and faster. Started working in the front room upstairs and made a dent into things on my project desk. I finished two books last night. Both biographies, Lucy and the other Brooke Astor. Both interesting and thought provoking. I've mentioned before on the ol' blog that it is sad how Lucille Ball could not modify her appearance or her comedy stylings. She finally agreed with critics that she could not reproduce Lucy now as the younger one from the I Love Lucy days but she blamed fans for that, not that she kind of ran the schtick into the ground. Most of the stories in the book I had read from other sources but this is the first that I read of there being issues between Lucy and her writers. Again, this is later on from the I Love Lucy days, but Desi was a bridge that could make the verbal blows she dealt out, land softer on bruised egos and hearts. Now, the Mrs. Astor book, I knew nothing about her and found the book interesting on how she lived life and what came as she got older. She lived till she was 105. I googled it up, the ending, because the book only goes to the civil and criminal indictments of her son and a somewhat trusted friend.   

2025 and Other Stuff

 Happy 2025! I had written a post wrapping up Christmas and New Years here and well, it was too boring. Not boring to live but boring to tell. I try to have some original thoughts but they are becoming hard to manufacture when in a routine. We are in the eyes have it season with Roy getting cataract surgery the day after Christmas and this week they will do the other eye. We are all about eye drops and eye patches and a schedule for all these things. 

I'm in a funk but I don't know why. Sometimes I feel like I can't complete a sentence or a thought. The funk isn't from winter because I love winter. There is a lot of hope in this season but sometimes it stays hidden and hope arrives just when you need it. 

Since I have been so distracted of late I think that will be my One Word for the year. It can easily be changed into a productive or a spiritual connotation. It feels right even though I feel like I have been living a distracted life the past few years. Thankfully, I have regained some ability to focus but it has come with a lot of grace and a lot of work. You know connecting a thought or completing a sentence is a worthy goal. 

Wrapping up 2024. It seemed like one of the strangest years of recent memory. The county changed trash pick up companies and the last month has kind of been a mix of when will the old trash bins be picked up and when will we receive our new ones. That has pretty much resolved itself but for those who haven't received their trash bins some have resorted to stealing them from the side of the road. Last Monday was the last Waste Pro pick up and they emptied trash and recyclables into the same truck. I've heard it has always been that way but on the second to last day of a contract, not trying that hard. This was a year when a hurricane in the mountains happened. You can still see just how devastating it has been. It will takes years to recover is some areas of the mountains. I still have effects from my six weeks of illness. Had a short reoccurrence of the illness a couple of weeks ago, but it ended sooner than before if because of the supplements I'm taking. The never ending cough hangs around a bit, less and less thankfully. I've been taking a mixture of immune support, elderberry, antioxidant infusion, adrenal and tart cherry. It truly has made a difference. Also the cough syrup works! Thank you Rowe Casa.  

We made the realization that this spring when we plant veggies and such, we are going to keep it in a smaller, more accessible area of the yard. Think we will plant sunflowers over by the fence. We shall see. It's not that the yard is too much for us, but maybe, that comes sooner than later.

There were some losses this year, not in the usual way one would think of loss. If this was several years ago I would have fought to know the whys but at this stage, it is something that can take a backseat from now on. Sometimes these things happen because of a third party and you can be thrown in with a group just being guilty by association. It feels a little passive/aggressive intentionally. Been there and ain't anything new. Other losses come from someone outgrowing you or the friendship or vice versa, me outgrowing them. It is all a natural thing of life but it can be painful. In 2024 I just wanted to be done with the whole thing. Sometimes communication feels like a set up and not genuine. 

Our cats like to rearrange the rugs in the kitchen. It is mostly a small rug that is pushed and played with. They are non skid type but they are able to get underneath it and move it all over. One never knows where or where that rug will be. The play tunnels are moved quite a bit as well. 

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Friday. We are supposed to get snow and maybe some ice today and through the night. We've had little flakes of snow since Monday. The roads have been salted but there are still slippery spots. We headed out a little earlier for Roy's cataract removal appointment. Because of several cancellations he was taken back for preop rather quickly. On our way to the surgery center the tire pressure light came on. That happens in cold temps and we decided we were close enough to get there, then if a tire problem occurred we would call AAA. By observation, it was the front right tire. Roy took several steps back while assessing the situation and caught his heel against a concrete parking thingy. He fell backwards. Didn't hit his head and only the side of his right palm hurt. Roy did so much better this time in recovery He was awake and even drank some coffee. We got home much sooner than anticipated and the tire pressure light came on as we drew near home. He rested a lot yesterday. I did a lot of his chores thus no rest for the weary. 

Schools are closed this morning but by the look of it construction must go on. Big trucks hauling heavy equipment are prominent on the main road this morning. Roy cancelled his appointment with the ophthalmologist this morning. They gave us the paperwork yesterday and then did a quick consult with the Dr's nurse. I am thankful not to be out on the roads this morning.