Rest In Peace, Mr McBeavy

One of the sweetest cats that ever graced this earth came to his untimely end yesterday morning. Mr McBeavy was hit by a car. When Buddy and I were coming home from her new vet, I saw a dead animal in the road and I thought for that moment it might be him.It also looked like maybe a fox. This morning the fears of it being him were confirmed. My neighbor's husband stopped to look at his remains and from what he could see, he knew it was the Mr.   How to put this politely, he was too far gone to be able to bring him home and lay him to rest by an aunt he never knew and a half sibling that he loved. 

This means that none of Punky's first litter has survived. 

Mr McBeavy, he watched over his mom and this last batch of kittens. He would play with them and keep them from wandering too far. He helped Punky bring them down into the yard from where she had them hidden. When the kittens were small and would hide in the cleft of the rock, he sat at the top entrance and kept watch over them. When fixing the meals for the feral fam in the garage, he would come in, didn't get too close to me like Strawyer and Punky, but he loved climbing anything and everything. Too many times I had to shoo him off the Mustang, he loved sitting on that car. Well, he had good taste. Just this week I was able to capture a few pictures of him with Edee. She eventually took a nap with him just like he did with Strawyer on the front porch when he was that same age. He was Mr Meany's offspring but I didn't hold that against him at all. In fact, he was the total opposite of his dad. 

My last encounter with the Mr was this week and it was a good one. Like all these ferals they know when I whistle, food and treats are involved. He would run like the wind toward the whistle and was ready to chow down. The last time I was near him, he put is nose to my hand and purred. 

At first I named him Bevo, because of his burnt orange color of the University of Texas but then changed his name to Mr McBeavy cause that cat walked among the branches of the trees like no other feral cat before him. He loved flowers, his half siblings, his mom, he adored Strawyer, and I hope that he loved, which is relative for a feral cat, me. I sure loved him.

Rest in Peace Mr McBeavy.

When Pets Rescue Us

A good friend is not far away from my thoughts and prayers today. She is saying goodbye to a fur friend whose health has declined in the past week or so. Last night as I crawled into bed at the ungodly hour of 1:30 am my thoughts were not on just watching LSU beat Clemson for the National Championship for football, although I was pretty happy about that, no my thoughts were about my friend and what she faces this afternoon.

This past August when Buddy gave us a good scare, there were afternoons when I just sat here and cried. Buddy has been apart of the family since 2005. Now, in 2005 when we first got her she fooled everyone including the vet because we all thought she was a boy...thus the boy name, but in surgery they discovered she had duped all of us. Buddy arrived right after recovery for hysterectomy surgery. My emotions were kind of raw and I was not in a good state of mind either. What was to be just a life convenience surgery became a possible cancer diagnosis because of a tumor they found on the ultrasound. They wouldn't know anything until the surgery was done. But Buddy, I don't know, she changed things and thoughts for me. She got so much attention from me and unlike Tiff our dog who bonded with Roy, Buddy bonded with me. Buddy rescued me. A change and marked difference in me can be charted upon Buddy's arrival into our lives.

These cats and dogs rescue us in a way, even if they aren't a rescued animal. They carry us through hard times and difficult seasons with their presence. Many will say cats don't do that, but oh my friends, they do. During the scariest days of heart issues, Buddy didn't leave my side except for the necessary trips she needed to make.

My friend's family rescued the streetwise, but affectionate cat from neighbors who neglected him. At first he just came into the garage and ate, then he would come into the house but want outside for his wandering ways. The funny thing about this cat, he wanted to come inside and use the litter box, then wanted back outside again. When the neighbors moved, my friend's family became the guardian of this sweet kitty and assured the neighbors if they wanted him back once they moved, they would return him. They never heard from the neighbors again. After a period of time and decisions, he came to live with my friend. He has been a good companion for her. He has seen her through those tough times and his presence has made good times even happier.

It felt strange not to be there in support for her because Roy and I were present for other fur babies of hers that went across the rainbow bridge. She is in that place of grief where if you begin to talk about an animal that you loved so much, you'll tear up... Even with Cali, the feral kitty that became such a huge part of life yet I never once petted her until I found her on the side of the road, hit by a car. It took several days to compose myself and I can still cry over Cali and Riley. Today the vet office sent an email reminder that it was time for shots for Riley. I would call them but since the vet we kind of liked there is on an extended leave of absence, we are trying a vet office that has come highly recommended and is closer to us. Buddy will see the new vet on Friday. It is time for a steroid shot and nail trim. We had her blood work done while back in Texas, so I am feeling good about this appointment coming up. 

Buddy, has grown friendlier over the years to friends and her temper doesn't show as much either. Last night, she was upset about something and she had the big eyes. I have not seen that in a long time so I got her off the couch and let her go cool off.

It is so difficult when we have to say goodbye to our pets. They bring such joy and companionship. Our hearts break but we can keep close to our hearts their memories.

All Feral, All the Time...At Least For This Post

With all the chaos of getting back home and unloading the truck only to stop that process to enjoy life in general, the regular and routine have called me back to reality. Thankfully, there is not too many pressing schedule busters in the next few weeks. I made a small dent in getting stuff put away on Sunday and now my attention is drawn back to the chores at hand.

There hasn't been an update on the ferals of late, so let me jump in and tell what they've been up to...being cats, yes, that is what they have been up to with a few jumps and lumps in-between. The group is accepting Mama Cat's remaining kitten, somewhat. It eats with everyone and shelters a bit but then things turn serious and they chase it back to the top of the gravel road. Sometimes when all the kiddos are eating together and seeing three black and white kitties reminds me that several months ago those loose dogs killed it as they rampaged in the backyard. They have grown and are in that very fun stage of playfulness. At night, if they are out in the back, the red laser light becomes the object of attention as they chase it about, around and up the hill. Even Punky still joins in the play and that is unusual because the older they get, the less attention they pay to the light they can never quite catch.

Strawyer is in and out. He wanders all over but comes back for brunch or an early supper most days. Mr McBeavy is still hanging out, playing with and watching over his half siblings. I was getting a little worried about Punky. She was not around yesterday or last night. The past couple of weeks, she has mostly stayed in one of the houses outside or on top of them. She is also a bit lethargic. This morning, she was the first to run into the garage and it sure was good to see her. I think she is also trying dodge male attention by staying in the little warm house. No room for two adult sized cats. Punky even came on the back porch for a second when I was giving them some treats.
***********
Continuing with the ferals, they got a late start this morning. Cold temps will keep you cuddled together. I noticed that the kittens had moved to the front porch with all the sun but the adults were no where to be found. Mr McBeavy hangs near the gravel road these days. I was getting ready to go upstairs when the loudest howl came to my attention. Heard it again, but nothing to see. An investigation outside in my jammies seemed to be the reasonable thing to do. Punky greeted me by running into the garage, the Mr made his way down...two of the black and white cats came near and then Strawyer appeared. His fur bloody on one side and his paws and legs covered in red clay mud. He didn't look hurt but it is surprising that he looked that way. He is so docile and not a fighter. Something must have riled him though. It is just a big hormone mess out there in the backyard and Punky is hiding out in one of the aptly named cat houses from her two suitors. She comes into the garage every chance she gets and I try to help her hang out in there but she isn't quite sure of the timing and probably me doing what she wants. Punky and Strawyer are in bad moods and have taken swipes at the Mr and the kittens. Mr McBeavy comes into the garage trying to scale anything that puts him up high yet he rolled around in the cat liter like it was a luxury. Strange but I still like him a lot.
*********
The wind is making sure we know its presence and with a little bit of rain we are getting a preview for tonight's weather. Talk amongst those who know or who are in the business is that we might just take a glancing blow but along the Blue Ridge Escarpment, they might get the brunt of everything. The howling wind has driven the ferals into their outdoor houses and under our house but the surprising, yet not surprising even of the morning is, Punky is now currently residing in the garage. I took out the food this morning and like always, the three came into the garage. Once the food is outside, they usually retreat to the great outdoors. Except this morning Punky came back in and headed to the corner where Riley once headed toward last year. I put out food and there is a liter box out there. I have checked on her several times and she hasn't stirred or given any indication she would like back outside. So, I hope she is enjoying the break and we will see what develops.

It is raining and the sun is shining so guess it is like what my mom used to say, the devil is beating his wife. I ran most of the errands yesterday and can enjoy staying home on this fine Saturday. Have the Sunday School lesson written out and studied but I plan to go over it again and fine tune. It feels good to be back in the swing of things after the holidays. Loved the break from studying and lesson prep but I was anxious to get back to it last Sunday. This week I have been in a normal routine or pattern so I feel much more prepared than last Sunday.

One last feral update, the lone black and white kitty from Mama Cat's liter, the others have been slowly accepting of it this week. At first it was for food and shelter, but like all of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names, never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games...all that to say, the kittens wouldn't play with him or her. Mr McBeavy would play a little but he is a teenager now and has his own life to conduct...yet he still watches over them better than Punky, who has taken to swiping at any and all cats who get near her. Today, they have all been playing together so this makes me happy for that lone kitty. So whether it be boy or girl, the name is Ranger for this little one.

Toothy Drama No More

We were on the road at 6:00 am. Misting rain and low lying fog made our travels a little slower than usual. Once we hit the freeway, the fog and mist were more intermittent and we were thankful for those little respites of plain old dark skies and roads. We stopped for breakfast at the Cracker Barrel in Morganton around 7:20 am and we both enjoyed pecan pancakes, eggs and bacon for breakfast. Got back on our way, with a quick stop at Shell to fill up the truck. The news says gasoline prices are holding steady...I differ on that opinion cause they are getting higher by the moment. The airport traffic was just beginning to pick up when we arrived and after that short and sweet goodbye as the police officer waved to me to move, it was over. An adventure beginning November 22nd concluded just like that and I awaited the phone call from the gate once through TSA and the long, long hike to the gate as I drove down the road and returned to the freeway. The sun began to shine behind me, since I was heading west and the hope of cleared up roads and skies awaited but just as I crossed over the Buncombe County line, the rain returned. Now, several hours later, the sun is out and the forecast for tonight could include a dusting of snow, fierce winds and cooler temps.

A funny thing happened on the way into the New Year, I got a toothache. I went to bed on December 31st happy and grateful that 2019 had been an uneventful year health wise with no cardiac events or lots of dental work. In fact, we almost made it to the new year with money left in our FSA. But around 3:00 am on January 1st, I awoke with a throbbing, hurting pain on the upper right side of my mouth. That is where the tooth that broke in 2017 is located...and it has been patched and keeping a watch upon, but suddenly, it decided to wake up, which in turn woke me up. I have a high pain tolerance but this breached the line of pain, quite a bit. I didn't know to go ahead and call the dentist office even on a holiday or to call the emergency number. Now I know and I was fortunate to be able to be worked in on Thursday afternoon. We have a plan and for now I am on antibiotics and over the counter pain meds. When the dentist told me studies have been done on combing Tylenol and Advil together and it was as effective but not addictive as opioids, I thought yea, right. But he is right, great pain relief without all the side effects of a narcotic. Yesterday, I was waiting for everything to kick in and start the healing and it is beginning to work. So talking and any movement brought pain, but thankfully, it is not like it was.
**********
The emphasis of life here of late is this tooth. The dentist office had a cancellation yesterday afternoon, so the tooth removal journey began earlier than planned. That is fine, I am ready to be done with this whole thing. The good news in the midst of it all is when my dentist was able to get into the "meat" of the socket, there was more room and hope for an implant. There were some doubts about the bridge work with the front capped tooth. Funny thing, the infection is what moved up the room before getting close to the sinus cavity. God can use anything or anyone. By the time I got home the pain of all the work began to hit and I was happy to get antibiotics and the aforementioned pain pills in me. This morning I am happy to have sat in the line at the pharmacy to get the new prescription dropped off on the way home.

Today is the first day since the first of November that I don't have someplace to be other than home. I love these kinds of days. The sun is out, the temps cool and not a lot of wind. We had a sleet/hail mini deluge yesterday morning.

Welcome Random Thoughts 2020

I am Nancy Mon and this is 2020. I couldn't make it to midnight and barely made it to 10:00 pm. This morning Roy is making biscuits and Buddy has just given up begging to be let out on the front porch. It is too cold and just checked the temp, it is 36 degrees. Maybe a little later when we won't be heating the whole neighborhood, a throw back to childhood with the admonition of shutting the backdoor cause we weren't going to air condition the whole neighborhood.

Happy New Year! Thankful for another year. 2020 will mark the fifth year of living in the mountains, That is a celebratory event. I have narrowed down my choices for my One Word and should make the decision before Monday. I could never keep resolutions but the One Word gives focus. Some years the word is more memorable than others.

We spent the last day of 2019 doing something we love with people we love. Inez and Cuman picked us up and we enjoyed a day in the mountains of Madison County. We went over Doggett Mountain and made our way to Hot Springs. Roy and I have been over the mountain once, with me driving. I wasn't able to see all the views, so yesterday was great seeing everything and Cuman telling us the stories behind the different places we passed. Such a rich history, good and bad, up there in those mountains. We stopped at a church on top of the mountain to take pics and then stopped at a little prayer chapel along the side of the road. I had read an article several years ago about the three chapels that you can find in Madison County that are open everyday. So I have seen two of the three. We saw the turnoff to Max Patch. Roy and I want to go there in the spring. Beautiful place and views. We went through Trust NC and at that junction you either go right to Hot Springs or left down the mountain to Lake Juneleska. In Hot Springs we stopped at the old fashioned hardware store...they have just about everything you can think of and we went to the outfitter/trail supplies/tourist shop next door, well across the river. Of course, I found a tshirt and Roy found mints with a tiger on the front of the tin. Geaux Tigers! We had lunch at Smoky Mountain Diner and the food was delicious! The good news is, they are opening in March or April in the space that used to be the Turkey Creek Cafe. We had a nice conversation with the owner and after our delicious lunch, I say come Smoky Mountain Diner, come! After lunch we hit the road once again going to a couple of places along the river. Not crowded yesterday but in the warm months, stacked up with rafters and buses. As our day came to an end we drove through Marshall and then on lower flat creek by the day lily nursery. Great conversation, laughs and stories with our friends who have taken us in and loved us well. After spending a day hearing stories of people and the mountains I will endeavor during the next few months of our colder weather to read and re-read mountain books. Makes me a better tour guide for friends and  for some friends, to be able to charge resort fees. You know who you are!

2019 is being celebrated as the year with no cardiology appointments or bad flare-ups. Only one time did I have to take the extra meds to get my heart back in rhythm this year and it was in the summer. Heat not stress being the contributor. For this I am so grateful. I remember what the cardiologists told me in the long ago, if you make it five years, that will be good. It is a miracle if you make it ten. In the eleventh year, going into twelve. God is so good!

Growing up I remember singing the hymn, The Church is One Foundation, on the first Sunday of the new year. I looked up the verses this morning...

1 The church's one foundation
is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
she is his new creation
by water and the Word:
from heav'n he came and sought her
to be his holy bride;
with his own blood he bought her,
and for her life he died.

Yet she on earth hath union
with the God the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion
with those whose rest is won:
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we,
like them, the meek and lowly,
on high may dwell with thee.

These are the two verses I remember from those church days long ago....The middle verses are good too but I think we were the 1, 2 and last verse singing kind of church.

2019 is the year I began teaching full time as a Sunday School teacher. It is a joy and blessing to do so.

The biscuits this morning are so good. We had bought some bacon from The Fresh Market to go along with them. I had saved one last jar of the strawberry jam made by the lady in Roan Mountain. So although it is not a healthy breakfast, it sure was good and the way to start a new day, year and decade...on the decade I'm not too sure about cause there is dispute whether the decade has really started or not.

Welcome new year! Welcome Random Thoughts...you've been a wonderful companion for lo these many years.

Merry Christmas and Day After Christmas

Merry Christmas from the mountains. The scenery is the mountains but the temps today will be balmy and spring like. That is supposed to be the norm for the next few days. So we could have the top down on Mustang Sam today. That could happen in Houston almost every Christmas but it is a surprise and serendipity for here. Certainly not Christmasy feeling but for us Christmas has mainly been about the heart and our hope in the Lord.

Spending three weeks in Houston has kind of messed up Christmas decorating. We still have harvest themed decor in the house because we left before Thanksgiving. The blessing is, we won't have tons of Christmas stuff to put away...maybe the correct measurement would be in ounces. We have ounces of Christmas decor to put away.

Last night we went to our Christmas Eve service. It was a beautiful and worshipful service and the Christmas carol to end the service was Joy to the World, not Silent Night. Loved singing Joy to complete the service. We came home and texted our neighbors. We have been trying to exchange Christmas with each other and our schedules have not cooperated. This year we exchanged pies, homemade apple for us and Goode Company BBQ pecan pie for them. I was also able to thank Naia for doing such a fabulous job with the ferals.

This morning all the ferals greeted me except for Strawyer. He arrives in mid morning from his overnight dwelling. I think the kittens get on his nerves. Yesterday, FB brought up a picture from last year of he and Punky. Little kittens playing by the fir tree, wouldn't come near me for nothing. For just being a year older, Strawyer looks like an old cat but life in the wild will do that. This morning FB brought up the pics of Riley in the garage. She came into the garage last year and didn't leave for seven days. Then, the in and out began for several months. I didn't look at the pictures too closely because it makes me sad that her story didn't end the way I would have liked it. She and Cali truly captured my heart.

Buddy is thrilled by once again spending time on the front porch. She spent most of the afternoon there and she is out there in these chilly temps this morning. Yes, we are heating the neighborhood but happy to do so to see her feeling good and in seemingly good health. I feel better about her since visiting our Houston vet. Hands on and the direction we will take with her is more pronounced than the fear free vet here in Asheville.

Roy is continuing his de-stressing from the office. I think he needed this break with all the pressure and stress he has had the past few months. Deadlines before the holidays are never fun...well usually not fun when it comes to work.
******
Happy Day After Christmas! We had such a fun day yesterday. Having a warm day for Christmas here meant we had the top down on Mustang Sam. We had a leisurely morning before leaving for the Biltmore Estate. I had made reservations in November for the Deerpark Restaurant. We were a little early but that worked out well because the sheep and the cows have been moved to pastures nearby. Roy had his camera and took tons of pics. We met a cute young couple from Florida while taking pics. They are trying to figure out how they can move to the area. Lunch was fabulous. We totally approach buffets differently now that we a little older. Roy's approach was a little bit of shrimp and a gumbo looking soup, turkey and dressing....then he proceeded to fill up on desserts. So many to choose from but he sampled the eggnog cheesecake, fruit cake, cookies and five dishes of ice cream with either caramel or a fruit compote. My approach was apple and pumpkin soup, flat bread and olives, then prime rib, mashed potatoes, dressing, carrots and parsnips, collards and a tart/sweet cranberry sauce. I had ice cream and caramel for dessert and some of their sugar cookies. We waddled out to the car and drove around for a bit. The new layout is different and not being able to drive through the estate was a tad disappointing but we were able to still drive around the lagoon and to Antler Hill Village. All the stores have 40% off which I've never seen before. At The Barn Door which has made in USA  and local artisan products, we found a wooden advent tree that we will use next year. I would have never paid full price for it but with the 40% and then the pass holder 10%, made it a reasonable purchase. We saw deer along the roads and attempted to take a few pics of the bucks we saw. It didn't feel all that crowded yesterday but maybe with the new buses taking people from the house around the estate is working. Anyway, Roy said on the way home, this was so much fun, let's do this next year. It has been awhile since he has been on the estate since many times we have so much to do that we don't make the time to get over that way. We spent several Christmases at the Inn and always loved that.

Today, we have things around here to take care of. I'm still going through things we brought back with us, trying to find everyone's Christmas presents. Oh well, it's a work and usually if it isn't late, it isn't from me. Merry Christmas Week!

Happy To Be Home

The rain held off to get in and out of church, began sprinkling while at Twisted Laurel and then in earnest by the time we got home. The ferals are trying to keep their feet dry but they are fed and under the canopy in and on their houses. The past few days have been exhausting, with packing, loading the truck, leaving at 4:05 am and arriving at the hotel at 7:12 pm. Of course we got an hour tacked on in Georgia, so it is back to the eastern time zone. We arrived home around 1:00 pm yesterday and began unloading the truck and then going to the grocery stores and grabbing a late lunch/early supper while out and about. We knew that today's forecast was rain, rain and rain and nothing like loading groceries in a car with the precip hitting on and all around.

Thursday morning I was able to meet CourtneyS at Three Brothers Bakery for coffee and pastries. I was there picking up gingerbread men for Roy. We got the great surprise of Lisa P coming all the way over for one last chat and goodbye. She had sent a video of her writing Merry Christmas in the dirt caked on our cars, but the video wouldn't open for either of us. Then she stood by our table for the longest time and finally had to say something to get our attention....woohoo! Lisa P is in the house or rather the bakery. I was able to take the back way over to Memorial Bakery for some of their delicious Christmas cookies that I was taking back for our Sunday School class today. I came home, let Buddy out of the study since Jenn had been there cleaning and then made one last run to Buc-ees and HEB. I had done most of the packing on Tuesday and Wednesday, so we just needed to load the truck when Roy got home. He left the office early, picked up burgers from Hat Creek and then we began the arduous job of loading the back of the truck. We had bought several items for our home here and then I had found some stuff at the house that had to be left behind on other trips. To say that there wasn't one speck of extra room is the truth. We prayed we wouldn't have a flat because unloading the truck on the side of the road is no ones idea of fun. I had also purchased a few things as well...so it was way more packed coming home than going to Texas. Also having a liter box and travel crate for Buddy in the backseat took lots of room, but Buddy did well both going and coming. We didn't give her any sleepy meds for the trip home and she did rather well.

Since we had done the hard driving on Friday, we were able to be a little more leisurely Saturday morning. We stopped a couple of times in the Oocoee and at Barber Orchard to get the last apple cider donuts for us this season, oh and some apples. Once we got home there was little rest for us as we unloaded the truck and got back into the swing of things of life here. I had very little of a lesson but it was a group effort this morning and Kelly, our pastors wife, wrapped it all up in a bow for us. I let her say The End for the lesson.

When we got home from church and lunch today I began working through the packed items and realized I was fatigued and really could use a nap...and nap I did. In fact Roy tried to do a little office work and gave up and watched TV. Buddy, took a nap too but that is no surprise. Now we are having fun with laundry.

It was so good to be at Newfound Baptist this morning and especially in our class. We sure do enjoy one another and I missed everyone so much. Since I was asked to teach in Dayspring lessons I had learned in the mountains, Roy asked if I would be teaching on lessons learned on flat land...no, but maybe in the future. It is good to be home, even with the rain, even with a warm Christmas on the horizon and even with our lost trash cans from Waste Pro. Glad Roy is here to make that call to them. Maybe a neighbor accidentally took ours...who knows...but happy, very happy to be home.

Here and There....There and Here

This trip is winding down yet heightened activity these last few days. Really, there was more to this trip than just going to favorite restaurants. Spending time with Roy even in his busy days as he completes a project at the office before the year ends, seeing friends, experiencing Celebration, and going through things here at the house for Goodwill or for keeps has seemed like a whirlwind of three weeks. I did not account for several days I had to rearrange plans because of this upper respiratory thing that is hanging onto me. I do not want to bring it back home but it feels like it has plans to be home with us for the holidays. Last night, after coming home from dinner with friends, while sitting on the couch I heard a strange noise...almost a mechanical noise. It was everywhere I searched and I didn't want to awake Roy and then it dawned on me....the noise was coming from me. It is a part of the whole wheezing thing that is going on with this junk.

People ask if I have seen everyone I wanted to see or eaten everywhere I wanted to go and done everything I wanted to do...yes and no. I didn't get all my projects done, missed out on Los Tios and Fu's Garden, and Celebration and church helped me see those I wouldn't normally get to see. I don't know if I will come back during the holidays again. Schedules so tight and traffic, it is always a nightmare but with the holiday spirit, that doesn't seem to translate into the Christmas spirit on the road, it is challenging. Some of the places I normally like to go to while in town, I just didn't get there and really, have no remorse that I didn't make it to those places. Just like in the mountains though, I ordered online. 

Buddy has adjusted well and seems to be enjoying her time here. I hope it continues when we get back. I feel good to have had a real conversation with a vet about her and options for her future. It feels like we nearly lost her several times this summer, so I don't know what life we are on if cats truly have nine lives.

I felt like I over packed...in some ways I did, but I have worn almost everything I brought. With the temps fluctuating all over one had to be prepared for it all. I wore all the linen I brought and have had a few opportunities to wear flannel. A few new things are coming home with me, but there is an extra suitcase going back with us.

On Sunday my mind began that turn home and like always it is like a horse going back to the barn, the steps pick up. Hopefully the Sunday School lesson I've kind of worked on will fall into place on Sunday. Can't wait to return and see friends. I'll be happy to see the ferals.

I didn't need confirmation but it has been good to hear comments from friends, you look really good! You look like the mountains of NC is just what your health needed. As Roy says so often, NC saved your life.

Houston has changed so much since being here three years ago. Rancho de Five has all kinds of new buildings and roads. Yes, there is still a nail salon and Chinese restaurant on every corner. New grocery stores, easier access to freeways and of course a Buc-ees makes everything around here wonderful. So much has changed in me these past three years. A slower paced life in the country and stresses I felt or put on myself dissipate in the mountains but I felt them building up while being here. But I'm thankful for both the here and there and when I get home it will still be here and there. Thank you friends who took time out of your busy, hectic schedules to visit with me. I truly appreciate the time and laughter. Y'all made this time such a delightful treat. Thank you to my friends at home that let me know I am missed and are waiting for us to get back.

Stuff and Fun

Yes, truly it is darkest before the dawn. How do I know that? I was up most of the night with one of the worst coughing jags in recent memory. My prayer is and is reinforced after last night, that I don't ever get really sick and need help in the middle of the night cause Roy...he would not be helpful until too late. Last night I was coughing so hard I couldn't get my breath. It really scared me and Roy kind of woke up and said, you need NyQuil and went back to sleep. Buddy followed me into the kitchen, coughing woke her up, and at least let me try to drink some water...difficult to drink and then get choked at the same time...  Only when she thought I was okay did she start working me for treats.

I took Buddy to our vet here yesterday afternoon. With all the road construction, what used to be a quick ten minute drive turned into thirty minutes. The Dr and staff were happy to see Buddy and I told her my concerns with the care Buddy was given in Asheville. With Buddy being an older cat her weight loss can be attributed to several things. The Dr had blood work run and it was all good. She thinks that Buddy might be experiencing heart problems because of her respiratory rate. This would also explain why she is fatigued so much of the time. The Dr was kind enough to write down the questions I needed to ask and gave me a copy of her blood work to show the vet in Asheville. The visit gave me peace of mind because I want to take good care of my Buddy Cat, cause over the course of her life with us, she sure has taken care of me.

Another thing got taken care of last night, thank you Roy. One of my prescriptions needed to be filled while here and getting that done has been nearly a two week ordeal. Finally, after several trips to the pharmacy I sent Roy. Roy was able to get a thirty day supply of my heart med and it wasn't a moment too soon cause my supply was low, really low. It would be nice to keep constant with that med since it helps control my heartbeat.

Truly, when Roy says North Carolina saved my life...that is the honest truth. The extra stresses of traffic and general road rudeness has taken a little bit of a toll on me these past few weeks. And I have also learned that some of those places I long for when I'm in the mountains has more of a nostalgic longing than an actual one. Shopping at Macy's and the like...online has been a better source than the actual store. Usually, I would have gone to the Nord but once again online has been the best way to shop. Some of my favorite niche shops have closed. So, the good out of this is, I have saved money by not doing very much shopping while here.

Roy most probably will make the Goodwill run by himself this afternoon. We have worked hard on getting closets cleared and dressers cleared of things that need to move on. I have not touched the casita bedroom and probably won't begin there until another trip this way. Just that one small box of treasures hit me emotionally unawares and there is more sentimental in the casita bedroom than here in the house. I have found a few things I forgot about but will be returning home with us. Thankfully, most of it is going out of the house, not to North Carolina.

What A Great Decision

I am awake earlier than planned but that happens sometimes when you go to sleep earlier than usual. My energy level has been feeling a little zapped probably cause I am way more busy here trying to fit everything in. But I am having lots of fun and feel rather productive over the work I have gotten accomplished here at the house. I don't think I will get everything conquered on this trip but a good dent has been made.

Even the rain couldn't stop Laurie M and I having lunch yesterday. We always have had such good lunches at the Nord but we opted for Katy. We shut down the place with the lunch crowd as we got caught up. Today a fun excursion is in the plans. The rain has moved on and the temps are still to be cool, so another chance, another day to wear flannel.

We have an appointment with the vet for Buddy. The vet office we take her to in Asheville is so zen and it would be nice for her to be examined by a vet who isn't afraid of a cat. Well, afraid might not be the word but all their concern for Buddy's fear makes me think that somewhere her health check ups are being compromised. It will be nice not having to give Buddy any chill meds before taking her in.
***********
Thursday morning, sunshine outside and warm and cozy inside. I am dealing with allergies or something and went to bed last night at 7:30 after a hot bath. I would love to bring the bathtub here back home yet I am not quite up for construction so soon after the back porch over the spring and summer. We had a six foot bathtub put in when we were building the house. I was asleep instantly and woke up around 7:15 am. Hopefully all that rest will do me some good today. This is setting me back on getting stuff done but I only have an appointment later this afternoon, so totally resting today.

I had such a fun day in the country yesterday with my friend Bev. She is my friend who drew the beautiful pictures of the ferals and Buddy for me as she practiced her craft. Touring her studio was fun, feeding the alpaca boys was fun, eating a delicious lunch was fun but our conversations over the day was more than fun...wow, what a wonderful day. I felt right at home driving the narrow country roads to her home. Only difference is being flat...not going to go off the side of the road into a holler or drop. And what's not to love about river dancing alpacas? She has put some dates on her calendar to come visit and I am more than excited. The dates will coordinate with the Leicester Studio Tour.

Yesterday Roy was surprised at the office with a celebration of his twenty years at EPD. They had a cake reception, read this as probably a cake in the break room...well, there aren't break rooms in the offices, but they do have lunchrooms....anyway, Roy and two others were celebrated by coworkers. He was given a really nice plaque. Which is kind of funny because they'll be moving to their new offices soon and the goal is to rid offices and cubicles of lots of personal kind of stuff... Cleaning out the guest room closet the other day, I noticed he had brought home a couple of bags of games and decor he has accumulated over...well, over these last twenty years.

Today, I am going to try and go through some of the bookshelves to bring books back home, not that there is any room for them but anything that helps with studying lessons is coming back. Ok, and a few fun books as well.

Today my friend Carole is celebrating her one year bilateral knee replacement anniversary. We both agree we are so happy we did both knees at one time, better physical therapy and truthfully, a better use of down time. Yesterday, Bev greeted me with, wow! Your knees! You walk so much better, what a great decision...yes, it was. 

Shopping, Churching and Brunching

It is looking and feeling like a winter day out here on the prairie. The wind is blowing and rain is keeping a steady beat on the back patio. I just read an article on wearing winter whites that was interesting but I am doing my best to bring about Christmas gray as a fashion statement. My campaign began several years ago during a discussion in choir about what to wear for our concert. We could have started a church trend by dressing the part of a winter sky and ended the concert with a rousing rendition of Bleak Mid Winter. Always brings a tear to the eye...the tears are there for different reasons but that is a bunny trail. I'm all about the Christmas gray.

I was able to run all my errands in one shopping center yesterday. First stop, Petco to find treats that Buddy will eat. I brought treats with us but forgot to bring her favorite flavor and in all my forays into grocery stores, haven't found Morning Munch. I did find some treats though that she is eating and seems to enjoy. Keeping Buddy happy is important. She has done so well this trip and has taken up here just like she had never left. Even though I feel my Academy days are not a priority like earlier in life, since it is here and close, I made another stop. Always fun to look around. With all the former Louisiana folks living here you would think they might carry LSU gear but no. Had an interesting conversation with the man working in that area. He said he has asked to carry LSU and he knows it would sell well, but the powers that be keep it at Texas, Aggies, and some UH. No Baylor either. Then a quick trip into the Kroger. We were out of yogurt and I wanted to look again at cat treats. There was a lot of commotion in the front of the store and I began to wonder if I should keep to the back cause who knew what all of that yelling meant. I went to the front of the store to check out and soon realized what the yelling was about...getting you in line for checking out. The official lady with the hand held radio was making quite a fuss as she directed us to the fastest lines.

This week I will begin working on the lesson for Sunday School for the first Sunday to be back in the mountains. On Sunday, I taught in Dayspring Life Bible Study at First Baptist. I had been asked to teach on lessons I have learned in the mountains so we looked at mountain man Elijah to apply what he learned, where he had victory and the places of despair. Lisa P was at The Loop on Sunday too because she was singing in the morning services. Roy and I found our regular places on the back row of the balcony. Before teaching Peggy treated us to one of her new characters, Tammy Tourguide. She and Drew are taking a group to DC in the spring. While teaching in Houston I could feel the prayers of friends in the Joy class in NC praying.



After church Roy, Dena, Malcolm, Lisa and I met at Willie G's for lunch...only none of us realized that the restaurant had moved to a plush and swankier location. I have always loved their gumbo but we were surprised that now there was a brunch menu. So, what could be better than gumbo and some of the best pancakes ever? Not much on a menu I tells ya, cause it was all delicious. 



After brunch Roy and I went over to Whole Earth Provision Company to see if any Flax was on sale. Found a couple of pieces and we left to return home. Lisa had invited me to the Nord Night that evening but my socks and boots didn't cooperate and I got such a blister on my little toe. Tried on several pairs of shoes and boots, nothing worked so I had to decline the invite...Nord Night is such a fun event.

Well once again time to bring the post to a close. More catching up later.

Catching Up On Life In Rancho de Five

The second morning in a row that Cinco Ranch has thrown out the welcome fog to make me feel at home and like at home, I don't mind driving in fog but so thankful when I don't have to get out and experience it.

I have sat down many times to write a blog post but either distraction or a Buddy in my lap made it nearly impossible. Tomorrow makes the completion of week two here and the time is going by quickly. I'm trying to get everything and by everything I think I might mean restaurants, fit in with the time I have before returning home.

So, what has been happening here? Well, let's see...last Monday was Roy's colon0$caphy, early last Monday. We were finished up, uh, well there's no we in the finished up part, but we left around 9:30, made a quick stop at Three Brothers Bakery for gingerbread men and then headed back to the prairie for a mid morning breakfast at Black Walnut Cafe. Roy rested all afternoon. Monday evening was the women's ministry event at First Baptist. Dena came over to the ranch from the foreign land, the name for where she moved to, and we left from here to go to the event with a stop for dinner beforehand. We had a delicious dinner at Collina's which is close by the church. Lisa P and singers led us in such wonderful music before Lisa Harper spoke. Lisa Harper brought it! Her Christmas message from the book of Hosea. The Word felt so fresh because our Sunday School class had just studied Hosea and Gomer a few weeks ago. At the fun reception afterwards I was able to catch up with friends. Got some fabulous pictures. It's funny, I have heard Lisa several times before and although I enjoyed her teaching, I wouldn't have gone out of my way to hear her. So glad the opportunity came to hear her again and have the Lord change my heart. Dena stayed the night here and then got up early to traverse to the foreign land and get ready for work. I introduced her to JFG coffee and I think she liked it. Sent her home with a bag.

Peggy and I had lunch at Lupe's this past week. We got caught up and had quite a few laughs. Serendipity, that she had a gift card to Lupe's that she had found earlier in the week while cleaning out her wallet...probably from teaching days and it still had money on it...score!

Wednesday I was able to go to the last session of this semester of Community Bible Study. I took the long way to go about it but after going to the 1463 campus, I found my way to Second West, where the study is meeting. So fun to catch up with friends but especially wonderful to visit a bit with Linita. She is the teaching director of the Katy group and she is wonderful! I was able to sit in with a core group and I realized how much I miss CBS. Love the approach the homework takes with the questions and commentary. Afterwards I toured the display of trains and took a look at the bookstore, then off to Target and Home Goods.

Thursday morning it was up early to get going on some errands in high volume traffic areas. Who am I kidding, all of Katy and Houston seem to be high volume traffic areas. But I made it over to Macy's in Memorial City and shock of all shocks, left the store buying nothing. Sometimes I lament not being close to a Macy's but I realize now I have better luck with online shopping. Then I made my way to Barnes and Noble and finally to another check it off the list restaurant, Escalante's.

Friday I began writing out the lesson for Sunday in Dayspring. It was on several scrap pieces of paper, tablets and computer. I hand write the lesson so I am more familiar with things than just reading them off a piece of paper. Roy got home and we headed over to Costco. Love to shop me some Costco. We found several things...well, more than several things. But a great find was a heater fan for the back porch. We have one we got from Plow and Hearth, but think we will move that one to the front porch. Then we had dinner at Red River BBQ and got my chicken fried steak checked off the list.

It was a total laid back day Saturday. I did my usual routine in the mountains of not wearing makeup. I do that a lot more there than here. Anyway, I finished up the lesson and began working on the guest room closet, cleaning it out. Lots of spring decor and some of it is returning with me but most of it is going to Goodwill. Three years of not seeing or using it takes the sentimental out. Have one more big storage container to clean out in there. I found a wooden box I had forgotten about that had a few things in it that made me tear up. Notes from my mom or notes I had written to her. By the afternoon Roy had returned home from his Toastmaster training and also brought back with him Goode Company BBQ...jalapeno sausage crossed off the list.  We enjoyed, no we were thrilled with the result of the SEC Championship game, LSU 2019. Then we watched a little of the Ohio State vs Wisconsin game that was interesting until Ohio State came alive.

And that is where I will end this post for the day.

Sunday

It's a difficult thing to do, type, when a Buddy cat has napped out on my lap right in front of the computer. I will try and accept the challenge. It has been a full and fun day. Roy is doing his prep for tomorrow and has the Hallmark Channel on. The other night we watched World War 2 in color...my choice.

The day was much cooler than yesterday. Roy and I had gone to LaCenterra for breakfast at Las Alamedas and do a little window shopping until his hair appointment at The Board Room. The skies were overcast and it was a little misty...but we never got real rain, so we kept on going, running errands and just doing fun stuff throughout the area. Over to Old Katy and back to Cinco Ranch. We picked up some lo mien and headed home. Of course we wanted to get home in time for the game....the LSU game. It has been a lot of fun this year being LSU fans and that doesn't always happen. I asked Dena today when she stopped watching the game since she is an Aggie, she said at 21-0 but she did check in on it from time to time...whoop.

We went to the Cypress Campus today of Houston's First Baptist Church. The church and campus are so beautiful and inviting. Has a real sense of warmth. I was happy to see friends from days gone by and do a little catching up. Dena met us there for the one service for the day. Zac Hufty preached and his sermon was so good. Long ago when we were on staff together he was the middle school minister and he was fun to sit with in staff meeting. Roger Cullins is leading worship there and he too was on staff in the long ago day. I ran into him this morning and we got a quick catch up. But the best of the best of the best was seeing Jason Swiggart and family. First of all his youngest two are such fine young men. Back in that day they were kiddos and sometimes I went and got them from FBA and delivered them back to their dad in the office. Their older brother was my paid Wednesday night worker and his dad cut the salary I offered to him. What is the going price of child labor anyway? I loved catching up with Jason and Paige and our laughter and conversations started back where they left off. Jason is doing so well as a pastor. He has a shepherd's heart. I am so proud of him and how the Lord is using him. He said to me, you haven't changed and I don't know if that was an Excel reference or not...cause Excel was not my friend. I was so thankful for a hubs that could set up and send me a spread sheet while he ate lunch. Sometimes Roy would add all this fancy calculating things and that for sure gave me away that the work wasn't mine. Hopefully, we can grab some lunch in the next few weeks. What a total joy to visit and hug their necks. Roy was off to workout right after church, so Dena and I headed back to Katy to eat lunch. We finally settled on Lupe's due to the fact the restaurant we wanted to go to was blocked by In and Out traffic. Lupe's has the best beef fajitas bar none and fresh salsa....oh my....so good! After our great lunch we decided to go to Hurts Donuts and it was good and the donuts are beautiful, but not as good as all the hype. Plus, they had run out of dairy, so no cream for the coffee....it also seemed to be run by 16 year olds...that's an exaggeration but maybe not. Anyway I can check it off the list. I told Dena when she comes to visit I'll take her to some of the donut places in Asheville.

This afternoon I have taken it easy and putting up some of the purchases over the weekend. The house is a little cluttered but nothing that won't take about 30 minutes. This week I have some plans but I also have work to do here at the house. I also need to fine tune and write out the lesson for this Sunday in Dayspring LBS at The Loop campus. Carolyn called a month or so ago asking if I would teach one week while here. The lesson is somewhat written out but not in final form.

Well, Roy has turned in for the evening. He has to get up at 2:30 and drink more of the junk for his 6:30 appointment. Buddy left and has given up on remaining on my lap.

Houston, Houston, Houston

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

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

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

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

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

Part 2 And Other Stories

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

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

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

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

Sadness On A Thursday

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

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

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

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

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

A Little Snow And A Lot Of Cold

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

These Have Been Short Fall Days and Winter is Upon Us

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

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

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

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

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

Beginning and Starting

The look is winterish, the feel fallish, this with the foggy beginning of the day...really, the fog began last night, make for a wonderful stay at home day. Parts of the drive home from choir last night were rather foggy and difficult to maneuver. The fog has burned off and with our cooler temps beginning last week the leaf turning has sped up a bit. There is some loss of leaves from the heat from earlier last week and the wind we've encountered the past few days.

Fed the cats early this morning, well early for me. Punky was there to greet, Mama Cat was there to hiss and Mr McBeavy was fashionably late. Strawyer in the past few weeks has been a late arriver to  breakfast but because I like him so much, I'll open the kitchen back up to feed him. Punky and the Mr will finagle him out of his portion though. Mr McBeavy has a tried and true tactic, loving greeting by a rubbing of his head against Straw and then the Mr pushes Strawyer away from the bowl with all that head rubbing...all in the course of a cat hug. An unusual thing happened Saturday morning with Mama Cat. For those keeping a dance card, Mama Cat is the original cat to this brood. Two years ago in November, she brought her three kittens without their mittens, under the big fir tree on the gravel road. Since then we haven't seen another kitten from her, that is until Saturday. She brought with her two older kittens, one black and white and the other a solid gray kitten that is the spitting image of the gray cat that hangs around here from time to time. She let them come eat and play under the fir tree which had Mr McBeavy's full attention. She has not brought them back nor have they found their own way back. She and Camo only let a few of their litters survive. They are rather hard hearted in their treatment toward their kittens. Punky has a fit if Mama Cat gets too close to hers and then will chase Mama or rather Grand Mama back up to the wilderness of the gravel road. The kittens are about five weeks old and they mainly have stayed under the house or around the safety of the covered grill. Sometimes in the early evening they play on the porch steps with Mr McBeavy keeping a close eye on them and he also plays with them. He is a good cat.

I haven't ever had any kind of reaction to the flu shot that is until this year. The horrible headache, my eyes filled with pain, muscle aches and a bit of a rash usually says allergic reaction. At first the thought of aneurysm scared me but I Googled It Up and found the flu shot side effects. The next morning the effects lingered a bit but by the afternoon I was beginning to feel normal...or as normal as this one can feel.

Saturday was a full on sports day beginning in the afternoon. I had studied all week for the lesson on Sunday but hadn't written anything down. So, that was the first order of Saturday business. The kind folks at Lifeway gave us a reprieve of sorts. For weeks we have studied the rebellious Israelites and their practice of idolatry starting in the way back, early days to the divided kingdom days. Sunday the lesson was on Isiah 53, the suffering servant...Jesus. As a class yesterday we all welcomed the break and the lesson is a segway to some of the good kings of Judah. So, I was ready for LSU football at 3:30. They were victorious and beat Mississippi State. After that game I was able to see the end of the Baylor game against Oklahoma State and they too were victorious and stay unbeaten...Sic 'em Bears! Between the Baylor game and the Astros game which started at 8:08 pm, I reviewed the lesson, did stuff around here and got a tad bit of recreational reading in. I have to confess with the Astro game, I went to bed when the Yankees tied it up. You know I had to make the decision to be at least awake while teaching or totally invest in the game and be lethargic Sunday morning. Most times when the Astros are tied in the 9th it can go into extra innings. I would also like to add the best things happen to the Astros when I am not watching, so really, I did my part to help them. I woke up a couple of times in the night but wouldn't look at my phone to see the final score cause if they won or lost, it would wake me up and make falling back to sleep difficult. It was pure joy when I got up Sunday morning to find out the Astros were heading to the World Series and then seeing how it happened...more joy.

Friday morning the temp was 33 degrees when I woke up. I had given some thought going to the October Festival at the Amish store but the 33 discouraged that decision. Later in the morning when the temps began to rise I decided to stop  by the festival and find the three vendors I have bought from in the past few years. Arriving at the end of lunch time and at the beginning time when moms leave to be home or to pick up their kids was an optimum time. Found the vendors, bought a few things and headed on down the road toward Johnson City. Had a late lunch at Carraba's and made a last stop at the Barnes and Noble before heading back home.

Tomorrow, I will finally be able to get Mustang Sam into the dealership for the digital dash panel that has gone blank. Info isn't registering on the Ford Pass, so it must be more than a fuse. I will hook up Waze to the car cause the middle panel still works to know how fast I am going. Avoiding Woodfin for sure cause that is just a speed trap waiting. 

Spanning the Week

Nothing like a little unknown to begin a day. I had an email from Roy letting me know the alarm had gone off in the night...well, I forgot to set the alarm last night so.... I checked the app and I also had a text from the alarm monitoring company but nothing about an alarm. So as I am trying to find information on what all this means the distinct scent of something burning hits me like a brick. Panicked somewhat by the alarm news I try to hunt out the source of the aroma...all the while in my pajamas. Thankfully, it wasn't anything here at the house but across the road where tree debris is being burned...which I thought there was a burn ban but I guess since we have had some rain that  ban might have been lifted.

Early last week I thought I saw a cow in the dormant pastureland right across from us. Then a day or so later it seemed there was another cow and yesterday a herd was confirmed. Not as numerous as in the past but at least ten cows and one baby calf. That is such good news that for now it doesn't look as if that land will be developed for houses. Across from the pasture where the burning is happening, that looks like it might be making ready for development. I sure hope not but the good thing is if it is developed it isn't front and center from the front porch view.

The little family of three is enjoying the cat house and I haven't even plugged it in for warmth yet. Strawyer and Mr McBeavy spend the most time in it but Punky got some house time late yesterday afternoon. I turned the house diagonally to be able to see the front entrance a little better.
***********
Well, there has been a change...make that a family of seven. This morning after Nathan and Andrew finished laying the pine needles, trimming and cutting down the nearly dead plum tree, Punky and Mr McBeavy brought down two kittens from up near the tree stumps. Two black and white kittens and then I saw there was what looked like a gray and white kitten with another black and white one. Punky was putting them in the new house for the cats thus displacing Strawyer who was none too happy about their presence. Mr McBeavy, he has been playing with them and keeping them close at hand. Punky finally brought down the other two. I was planning on leaving but there has been a change of plans on that...more in the next paragraph. Anyway, I went out there to give some treats and Punky didn't seem to care that I was walking amongst her kittens. I hope she is trusting me but after yesterday's mishap, I didn't know if all trust was gone...yet you'll find out in another paragraph.

Punky accidentally got stuck in the garage for several hours. Because of her kittens being alone for those hours, she was frantic in the garage. So a frantic feral means I had some cleaning up to do. She had knocked down food and bowls, things on shelves. She also left a nice chunk of hair on the sticky fly catcher. As I began cleanup her little meow came from behind a few things. She was where Riley would sleep. Punky left in a scurry hurry to check on her fam. She left me with a very stinky garage. Nervous ferals fart a lot I've learned, Riley stunk up the vet office on her visit there.

When I started up the Mustang, the front panel where the speedometer and other instruments was a blank screen. Thought maybe I had hit a button or something. I turned off the car and began looking at Google to see if it wasn't serious and wouldn't have to call the dealer. Well, it is serious and there was a recall on these panels but we never got notice. After spending a whole lot of time on hold I was finally able to schedule an appointment for October 22nd.
**********************
Good Monday, yes it has been a while and Buddy is making this more difficult by stretching out in front of the lap top. We might be situated now. The morning temp is 42. A brisk morning for sure. Buddy has been out on the front porch and soon returned inside. I wore flannel for the first time, well outside of home, last night. Hopefully we have made that all important turn into the fall season.

Since the last post my attitude has adjusted about the far out date of October 22nd for Mustang Sam to get into the repair shop. I think I was having a very horrible, not so fun day last Thursday. My attitude was not in a good place. The pace of life is slower here and I need to remember that in the good and in the annoying.

There is kitten news but I think I will make that a separate post.

I am so thankful for our Sunday School class, the Joy Class. Yesterday, we had yet another lesson on idolatry. It's not that I don't think we don't have idols in our lives that need to be gotten rid of, but we have had so many lessons this year on idolatry and rebellion. I studied and prepared but felt like the lesson wasn't good. It was in  2 Kings 17 when the Assyrians defeat Israel and take them into captivity. Three friends encouraged me yesterday after the lesson and those words came at the right times cause I was beating myself up on the inside. I do love the studying during the week for the lessons and I love our class. We are a praying class, a generous class, a laughing class and a noisy class who loves the Lord.

.

What a beautiful cool Monday morning and the afternoon holds hope of rain. I survived teaching Hosea and the rest of the security cameras will be installed today.

The following is from a blog post I didn't publish last week and most all of it contains old and no news but the following paragraphs are just for catch up.

****We studied Jonah yesterday in Sunday School and this Sunday we will look at Hosea. Now, that is going to be the opposite from yesterday. Jonah, so familiar to us that we can overlook the multi layers to this book of the Bible but coming this Sunday, I don't think I have ever taught Hosea nor can I remember ever hearing anyone teach from it except maybe a snippet here and there. So truly, Hosea is a minor prophet... Last Wednesday when we had a new security system installed, God arranged...which is a major theme of Jonah, for the two techs doing the installation would be believers. I was outside when they pulled in the driveway and from the car came the sound of someone preaching or teaching...After frying and freezing apples I told Chris if they needed me I would be upstairs studying my Sunday School lesson. He asked what is it on and I replied Jonah. Well....how wonderful, he and Colin were listening to Greg Laurie in the car who just happened to be teaching on Jonah. So I Googled him up and read some of his Jonah notes and that my friends, turned the direction of how I studied. A great side story to this, Chris asked some questions about the book of Jonah, like he was seeing if I really was studying Jonah for the lesson on Sunday. Answered all his questions satisfactorily.

Last week held success in finally getting out some fall decor. Usually, I am on this by Labor Day but it took a little longer than usual this year. I bought some pumpkins from one of the favorite produce stands and have those outside on the front deck. I did a Johnson City trip last week which included both Amish stores. The new one was out of French burnt peanuts, so you know me and back road drives...it didn't take much for me to decide to go to the old store and they had some. Also tried a blood orange sparkling water they carry and yes, it is the bomb diggity. Not acidic like so many sparkling waters.****

On Friday my cousin David called. I don't think David has ever called and we haven't been in touch for years. He and Jan would be in the area and wanted to know if I would like to meet them for lunch on Sunday. Yes, of course, how fun! We had a good time of catching up and remembering. Dave and Jan travel quite a bit with car shows and racing. Not a bad retirement at all and when they aren't pulling trailers for their racing, they are touring about on their trike...a beautiful three wheeler motorcycle. We decided to go to The Farmer's Daughter in Chucky TN for lunch, southern comfort food and we had the opportunity to see if the leafs are changing...the leafs are still rather green with a slight touch of yellow and very few reds.


In preparation for the cooler temps I made taco soup. Gave some to Brenda and today I will get some into the freezer for colder days. I also fried up some apples so the kitchen was busier than normal. I have also watched more TV than normal with the Astros in the playoffs and LSU playing Utah State on Saturday. On Saturday night I happily went to bed knowing the Astros were up 1-0 and I am happy that they won the game. The ninth inning would have made me too nervous and would have had a difficult time going to sleep. I might have to head over to a local restaurant today to see the Astros since we don't get the MLB channel.

Yesterday, we studied Hosea in Sunday School. I was challenged all week preparing for the lesson. I am so thankful for two books that helped me get it all straightened out in my head and heart and on paper. We mainly looked at God's part in the story but we also spent time looking at Gomer's perspective and it was rather insightful and probably nothing you will ever hear from a pulpit. I had shared with Roy what I had found and he said, that is so interesting, I would go with that but if you were teaching men, I'd say, go the standard way. I reminded him if I was teaching men I wouldn't be in a Baptist church. Roy, the class and I got a good chuckle over that. I also have to write that I teach the most loving and supportive class. They are all such encouragers. Good thing I looked ahead at this week's lesson, which is on idolatry for the millionth time this year, cause the lesson could have gone that way...but it is all saved up for this week.

Collin, with Asheville Security helped, please read mostly did all the work in the set up, me put up the canopy that promised it was a pop up, no problem...I am always taken in by these descriptions. Ha! Anyway, we got the canopy for the little feral fam, I put in the stakes and put together the cat house. So far Strawyer is the only cat that has gone in but I hold onto hope that Punky and Mr McBeavy will go in.