Rainy Days and No Cows

 A beautiful sunny morning! So welcomed because the day will be warmer and tolerable even if there is a breeze or a windy breeze. Just stay out of the shade. Overcast days do not bother me and in fact I am probably more productive on cloudy days turning my focus to the myriad things to take care of, that sometimes, I don't take care of as quickly as I should. With a warmer day in store, closer to 50 degrees, I will open up the garage cause those kitties need to be outside in the sun playing. Wow, I just sounded like my mom. 

This past week I have been working on two blog posts that may or may not be posted. They are serious ones. One post in particular has been written and edited since the fall. Not the fall of mankind but the fall of the year. Nothing earth shattering in these serious posts and I take my usual position of being a fence sitter. Bad thing about being a fence sitter, you get it from all sides.  

Mustang Sam communicated to me that he was going into deep sleep mode to conserve the battery. After getting this news I decided it had been quite some time since Sam had hit the road. The truck is driven more in the winter because of hidden ice or slick roads. Since the day was beautiful and sunny, Sam and I hit the road over to Madison County. The kitties paw prints were all over that car, so I did a little bit of a cleanup and it was a limited cleanup because the hose is disconnected to the faucet. It was a bucket kind of thing, not a bucket list mind you, just two buckets and a micro cloth mop bought specifically for this chore. Too cold to get my hands wet. To finish this chore, the destination in Madison County, the car wash across from Ingles. Included in the communication from Mustang Sam were the instructions of how long to drive to charge things up. This worked perfectly because the drive over that way is one of my favorites and with the choice of several ways to get there, made for a beautiful drive. One of the instructions was not to run the A/C while helping the battery charge up...that was easy to do on a coolish day. After doing the cleaning basics, I made a stop at Ingles for strawberries, salt and pepper. Yes, my salt and pepper are out of date. Who knew? I didn't know or expect expiration dates, especially on pepper. 

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Yesterday, I got some unwelcomed news. The owner of the pasture across the road has sold it. The family leasing the land for their cows have removed the cows and yesterday took down the fence. Most probably it will be homes built across the way. Kind of sad how the rural is becoming less rural everyday. They'll probably take down the barn so it is my intention to take as many pictures of that barn and pasture. We are deciding if we will make a next step or not. You know the day will come as more pasture land is being developed and we were fortunate to have nearly six years of this pastoral view. Maybe we will add fencing to the front like we had talked about but tabled that project. I do know we will not use the same fence company that put the fence in the back. 

Finally almost a month later, I got Brenda her Christmas. I am so late or is it I am very early for 2021. Got to visit with her a bit and she is doing well almost a month later from having a knee replacement. 

More articles are being written concerning, especially women, enjoying the simplicity of life wearing a mask. Or more so working from home, not having to dress up, wear makeup and keep hair maintenance rolling. Buddy and the Feral Fam don't seem to care what I look like, they just want their food and treats. Roy likes the natural color of my hair, so, for now I am content with every five or six weeks getting a haircut. 

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Our rain has arrived. An overcast, warmish kind of day but we've been warned the warmth is not here to stay. Well, of course not, it is January. I'm rereading Keepers of the House and this seems like a good day to curl up on the couch, with my coffee and cat. 

Simplicity

 When I fed the Feral Fam this morning, the younger kiddos and HP were snuggled in the blankets, flannel, old sweaters and sweatshirts. The corner of the garage has become a little slice of warmth for the kitties. Up off the ground with kitty beds and other soft things help them. Several years ago when Riley decided to come into the garage every night to sleep, nothing soft, nothing bed like could entice her. She chose hard places to sleep. Maybe she knew she would give up garage life and didn't want to accustom herself with soft when she knew life would be rough. That is a lot of thinking to attribute to a feral cat, but nonetheless, nothing could tempt her. This group has taken up every offer, warm place to sleep, food, warm cat houses outside and toys. In the early morning, okay early for me, some wait out on the rocks like groups in the past. Now, with porch steps, they sit on that top step and crane their necks when they see the kitchen light has come on. I look out the window and especially Boo who has developed quite the sad look, motivates me to get treats out to them sooner than later. Before doing that though, I make sure I have left out treats for Buddy. Some mornings she is right there with me but here lately, she has been more the late downstairs arriver. 

After several attempts to rearrange and clean out my closet, I finally got serious about the job yesterday. Still some work to do but the basic plan of attack went into practice. Funny, the things one discovers that have been put away, then totally forgotten about. Happy to find several pairs of tennis shoes that can be used this spring as well as several pair my feet don't care for anymore. Yes, looking at you Asics. The next scheduled work in the closet is a drawer with leggings and another one that has shirts. I've seen on Facebook classes being offered to become a minimalist. Seeing that my attention span is rather short these days, twelve weeks of classes don't interest me, but I do know that I don't need so much of what I have and possessions are held rather loosely in my hands. Some people binge watch shows, I binge shop oh lets say leggings and shirts. The leggings thing was from a couple of years ago and the leggings I bought for clothes that have been given away a long time ago. If I was to analyze the binge it would come from the chaotic childhood we experienced. I never knew when, but I knew it would be happening, that my father would go through my stuff and decide whether I should be allowed to keep a pair of shoes, a notebook or a dress. He read my diaries and had a way of punishing me for my thoughts. I had to get really good at hiding the notebooks or I wrote the opposite of what I was feeling and experiencing. Every once in a while I come across a diary from the way back and it is filled with happy slappy gushing...lies...well maybe not the slappy, cause I did get hit in the face a lot, sometimes a slap or it would have been a hit with a fist or a hairbrush or some other object within reach.  As an adult I overcompensated when it came to stuff to fill that long ago void. There was a huge tree or shrub that had gotten out of hand in our backyard. It was tall and wide, in the corner. I got to working on that corner, cut out small branches to form a "secret" place in view. I smoothed out the dirt to make a level floor of sorts and built a low bench to be a table or a place to sit. Whenever I could, without being detected, I would tear off sheets of aluminum foil and take it out to my play area. I used the aluminum foil to wrap up notebooks and then hide them in holes I dug. Of course rain kind of destroyed that thought, and I had to figure out something else. This was the choice spot for reading library books or sometimes I climbed up in the trees to read. The Helms who lived on the corner grew cucumbers every summer and they had so many they told us, pick em on your side of the fence. Wow, what a great snack raw cucumbers and salt. I don't think I would think that was a very good snack now. 

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When I went to sleep last night, the snow was falling at a heavy and quick pace. It didn't seem to be sticking. This morning, what a lovely surprise to find snow scenes. A few of the Feral Fam sat out back on the rocks, watching for the kitchen light and hearing the alarm turned off. Slowly, several of them made their way to the back steps. Buddy was quietly eating her treats, the coffee was being made, so I went out to the porch and gave treats to those kitties. HP had been in the garage but heard the door opening to the porch. HP made his way through the group and came onto the porch as per usual and just like he owned the place. 

The sun is showing and the snow is slowly melting. The sound of it coming off the roof startles me the first few times, then gradually, I get used to the noise. When we have snowy days, I dust off my copy of Explorations by Wilma Dykeman, well known writer here in these mountains. I love the way she puts together sentences and thoughts. She not only wrote the definitive book on The French Broad River, she wrote fiction, nonfiction and had newspaper columns, one of which the NY Times carried. Early civil rights activist. 

My pair of Unlikely hiker boots arrived on Saturday and I am wearing them today. Haven't hiked in them but they are certainly comfortable boots. 

It is a little after noon and most of the snow has melted. It was certainly beautiful and it slowed everything down just a bit. I have just about decided on my theme, word for the year and I am leaning toward simplicity. Simplicity has meaning on so many levels. 

Sleep, Snow, Books and Nooks

 The sound of something like a garbage can being dragged down to the road awoke me way too early this morning. I have no clue what caused the racket but maybe the neighbors have left for out of town or in our case, left for out of rural and took the garbage cans to the road. Who knows? Nothing is missing around the outside of our house. Everything looks in place over at Mary Joyce's. I couldn't go back to sleep so I got up and began the day. With the warm up yesterday and the cool down last night, the house had all kinds of pops and creaking sounds going on. 

Buddy is asleep in the window and HP is asleep on the back porch. Got an old bed out that Buddy stopped using and added some flannel jammie shirts that don't match anything to the bed. I had the porch heater on but it seemed to disturb more than help HP. 

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Saturday morning, early on we had sunshine, now the skies are a pewter gray and the snow alert on my phone just sounded. I don't see any snow falling and I am not even going to add yet, because I don't believe it will be happening around here. +++I sit corrected, there are a few flakes falling now. 

This morning Roy was telling me about his speech he is working on for Toastmasters. He told me he was thinking about it so much yesterday as he drove into work, once on the elevator he realized he was so caught up with the speech, he parked on the wrong floor of the parking garage. He had to go back and park on the correct floor. Then last night as he rode his indoor bike, he rode for 45 minutes as he mapped out his talking points. He worked on transformational moments in story telling. He used an example from Raiders of the Lost Ark. Last night I had a transformational moment. Buddy has been wandering at night again but it hasn't been too bad, meaning I haven't lost tons of sleep, just enough. Last night, she came to bed around 2:30 am and she was wet. Wet! Buddy isn't one of those cats that loves water, so out of the fog of sleep, I began searching for where she might have found water. In the hallway bathroom last Friday, I filled the tub partially. Although we have a generator, the reports of so much snow...didn't happen...made me a tad nervous. We are on a well so when the electricity goes, so goes the toilet, but we have  generator. Well, being an overthinker I took the forecasts of lots of snow and translated that into blizzard. When we didn't get the snow as forecasted, I totally forgot about the water in the bathtub. So, instead of just a groggy wake up, I now had faced a groggy, wet, wake up. Emptied the water and went back to sleep. 

The sun came out yesterday afternoon and I took the opportunity to go out and enjoy the sunshine. Now it is a different story when the sun is obstructed by clouds, cause it turns coolish rather quickly. I had gone to the road to check the mail and came back, sat down to take in the sun and vitamin D, when HP joined me. At first by my side and then on my lap. Little Biggio hung around with us, at a distance but every once in a while, he would chance a closer position. This morning when I went out to feed them, Biggio came up to me and began to rub against my boots. Such a surprise and a breakthrough. He has never done that before. And I will add I was wearing my I Love Lucy pjs with my black Bog muck boots with a fake furry bed jacket, fur is fake, the bed jacket real. I really hope I haven't tempted anyone to sin by that description and by that for someone to think they need to come and put me out of my fashion sense misery. The Post Lady just stopped here with a package, but before going out to get it must remember that now I have on a Baylor sweatshirt, with I Love Lucy jammie bottom and socks. 

I had kind of sworn off Merrill boots and shoes. These days in boots I need a size 12 and for the most part, they only go up to size 11. Lot of outdoorsy type shops stop at size 11. But they now carry boots and shoes named unlikely hiker. Oh there was a day, I was the likely hiker and even with knee replacements, the thought of hiking, even a short distance, just doesn't sound like fun. Does walking around Lake Louise in Weaverville count as hiking? I do like that.  Guess boots are my Covid choice for buying as was ice cream was my Covid choice for dessert. Now that it is colder, thankfully, nothing has replaced ice cream, but I am still loving boots. 

This wire basket is for sale and under the title of cozy book nook. Uh, it takes more than a wire basket to make a reading nook cozy. 

This is my messy yet cozy book nook, one of several in the house. Not a wire basket to be seen although in the great Covid cleaning purge I do believe one went to Goodwill. 

Lunch  was kind of picnic like, two cold fried chicken legs and some vegetarian baked beans. Needed some potato salad. 

That closet cleanout project keeps getting put on the back burner. I begin and then forget to return until later. Since I have become book oriented again, I was looking through my collection of LSU Voices of the South series. I have most of the series except for a few I wasn't interested in. This is where I met Elizabeth Spencer, Ellen Douglas, Shirley Ann Grau, and Louis Rubin, Jr. Before their time in writing about civil rights, pro civil rights. If you can get your hands on a book by Shirley Ann Grau, Keepers of the House, get it! Read it! I still remember the first time I read it, did not see the ending coming. Poor Roy, I woke him up to tell him about the book and the ending...it was that moving. 

None of the snow stuck, but it sure was pretty watching it fall from the sky. 

Try and Fake It, But Your Body Language Betrays

 Hair life is a lot easier without having to go to the salon and spend over two hours getting highlights every other month. Even though the hair salon I go to has the strictest policies and the cleanest salon, only have 50% occupancy and installed an air filtration system, I really don't want to sit there for that amount of time. Although most days when I look into the mirror, I wish I had just a little more blond mixed in with the gray and brown. Usually lipstick brightens my faded out look but you know masks. I am not complaining about masks at all. Love that I go so many places without putting on makeup cause most of my face is covered. Also they are so useful in the cold temps. 

This aging thing, this getting older so far isn't too bad. Last year most everything health-wise seemed under control, well except for the dental thing, see previous blog post. No heart issues, bloodwork good, knees working and the icing on the cake...my mental and emotional outlook stayed positive. We all have those little mental and emotional dips, but I didn't experience any big dips. Pandemic or not, I am never bored here. There is always something to do or fix or read or create. Since the temps have kept me inside these January weeks, I have all kinds of fun things to keep me occupied and amused. I am easily entertained. Not known for a very long attention span, that seems to be the one constant. Videos, unless they are short and funny, I just can't. Even reading could not interest me for a while but thankfully, wanting to read a book has returned. I have seen several talk about this on Twitter and while I don't think it has to do with getting older, it is somewhat troubling to me. Roy and I were talking about this last night as I told him about my lack of concentration. He assured me, that this is nothing new, and he is correct but things that would have totally taken my consideration in the past, hardly can be found an inkling of interest...I don't pay attention for very long. I don't always have on background noise preferring quiet but if it is going to be the TV providing the noise, it is mostly on shows from the 1960s and 1970s. It is just noise because I have seen every episode multiple times. If it is an episode I don't like, I turn it off or find another background noise show. Music in the background is usually instrumental. These are not nostalgia invoking. I do not think those days were the good old days. Adam Feldman in his book Journaling writes that nostalgia robs us of being present in today. When people wax nostalgic, so many times I cannot help but think of other things going on in life when this great and wonderful memory is resounded thus I cannot fully get into the moment or memory. Of course in my opinion, these days here in NC with the good and the not so good, are the favorite part of my life. These are some of the most contented and happy days, ever. Roy says on a consistent basis, North Carolina saved your life. Yes, it did. 

I watched an interview the other evening and it was obvious multiple plastic surgeries had happened for this person. You know, you can try everything to look younger and it is achievable but your body gives subliminal messages to others that betrays you. Many times older people sit around with their mouth hanging open, for no other reason than maybe mouth muscles have grown a little tired. Older people chew their lips and make faces. It is a battle I tells ya! As an older person, I fight this all the time, when I am awake and aware, other times, I just chew on my lips, stare or drive with my mouth hanging open. What? I used to wear rimless, titanium glasses cause you could barely see those glasses but it just advertises, hey, I'm trying to look younger here. So I adapted but I refuse to let glasses be the last bastion of fashion for me. That is what boots are for.😁Too many older women go with the wild glasses that just screams, not too much fashion left out there for me, so wild glasses it is. When we are younger we will wear glasses to look older and when we get older??? Well, let's just say when you decide on Lasik or contacts, look at what your glasses uncover, like a receding hairline or something. Or crowfeet around the eyes... or like my personal favorite, glasses hide the dark circles that came with this face from the beginning. Dang, I am chewing my lip as I write this. Stop it, Nancy! 

I am really enjoying Under the Gilded Moon and I believe I found a mistake. Some of the characters are with George Vanderbilt touring the house while still under construction. One person makes a reference to the organ in the banquet hall. Wait a minute...to The Google. I seem to remember that the organ was not original to the house, so I Googled it up. There might have been an organ bay, but I am not too sure if the house had an organ. Guess during Pass Holder Appreciation time when there aren't as many people, I need to ask about this. Nevertheless, it is not a detraction from the book if anything, my interest is more piqued. 

Hector Protector got some back porch time this morning. Ate some food, then rested on the daybed. He was a little too active this morning for me to leave him there while I am upstairs, so his family greeted him on the steps and everyone got a few more treats. Today will be a warmer kind of day temp wise so they need to get out and play before the drop in temps over the weekend. The rough and tumble world of play. 

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Friday morning, the word of the weather forecasts is a light dusting of snow. Now that the morning light comes through the look of the sky is a snow sky. Glad I got all my errands done yesterday. I try to get everything done one day a week to limit exposure to the virus. Lowe's earlier in the day is the time to go. Picked up a few things and then headed over to Weaverville for grocery shopping. I wasn't planning on a Publix trip, but went ahead while the temps were warm and not too many Instacart shoppers were in line. Came home to put all the cold stuff away and then ran over to church to drop a few things off. Filled up the truck and since I was almost there, I went to the Krispy Kreme to try one of those lemon dessert donuts. Yum! Worth the traffic and the trip. 

 One more thought on an older person mindset, it is true what you read on Facebook. If you have a favorite burner on your stove, keep good sturdy boxes cause you might need one, think you should start getting ready for bed at 9:00 and you feel like you're 18 until you get around people who are 18 and you know it is merely a feeling, cause you can't keep up or even care to keep up, you are definitely old.

Implants, Squirrels, Coffee and Fog

 Yesterday's theme might have been the start of an impact, no, the theme is the start of an implant. Another one, but the first implant on my bottom jaw. We could have started this last year, but my dentist suggested we begin this work in January 2021. With the unexpected rework on the first implant from 1999, the budget as well as my mouth needed a rest. He said I have had all three types of implant work he does. Hope no one discovers a fourth type cause my teeth probably would want to cooperate and align. Dr. Hodges is a great dentist, funny, skilled, cares and has a great attention to detail, even the smallest ones that make a huge difference, but in the beginning stages doesn't look like the detail will make an impact or an implant. Waking up on January 1, 2020, to an abscessed tooth pretty much set the dental tone for 2020 and when January 1, 2021 rolled around, no tooth associated pain. Hope that is a precursor for the new year.  

Think word is out in the squirrel world that the ferals have killed or maimed several squirrels in our area. The battering about of a squirrel paw might have been the last straw. I pulled in a parking spot near a tree at the dentist office and immediately a squirrel ran up into the tree. The squirrel began working on an acorn but he was positioned at an angle to keep an eye on me exiting the truck. I made the call into the dentist office and they told me when to come into the waiting room. So, with those few minutes, checked email, texts and FB, while keeping an eye on the squirrel. With the sound of the latch releasing on the door, the squirrel scampered off as I got out of the truck and then I felt something hit the top of my head. Looking up, there was a baby squirrel at the tip top of the branches, watching me, maybe my response to head hit. Great diversionary work squirrels. After the implant work began being in the chair for an hour and a half, the sure footing of my steps had a little zig zag to them, but I remembered to look up into the tree before getting into the truck. I wanted to make sure a squadron of squirrels had not assembled to bombard me with acorns. I had safe entry into the truck. What an adventure. Could there be a squirrel mafia? I don't know but after yesterday, it seems likely. Just as I came out of the building, you know before getting to the truck in my zig zag step, the skies opened up with snow, snow, snow! The temps were above freezing, so it wasn't sticking but it was so beautiful to drive through. In Weaverville, the snow showers were much heavier so the few things needed from Publix, got picked up quickly and thankfully, didn't get behind an Instacart shopper so checking out was a fast paced endeavor. 

The Natty was on last night, Ohio State vs Alabama. I watched the first half, a lot more calmly than watching the whole game last year with LSU in it. Alabama has such a great team. This morning someone said they should be called the Kleenex team cause if one goes down, the next one steps up and in, and does the job. Not a great falling off. As a LSU fan, this isn't difficult to write because this year's Bama team, with returning seniors, accomplished their mission. My favorite play from the past season for LSU, the throwing of the shoe by Florida. 

Somebody on FB market is selling a recliner for $20.00. It is one of those big, overstuffed arms and head rest recliner. I kind of laughed thinking back when my brother was going through my parent's house and getting ready to put it on the market. Two big ol' same type recliners to sell or give away. But due to the wear and tear, and the odious fragrance and I'll let you come to the conclusion of said fragrance, he couldn't give those things away. Neither Salvation Army or Goodwill wanted them. So good luck to FB market selling your recliner. Hope always springs eternal. 

In yesterdays cold, snowy and wet weather, there isn't much that could tempt me to go outside. Ensconced and warm, I watched from the window the UPS driver deliver the package. I knew it was from Williams Sonoma. The coffee maker I ordered in November had finally arrived. So, yes, that delivery tempted me to go out and get that package. Normally, I would just go through the garage, but the door was at the perfect height for the cats and they had settled into their corner, so out the front door I went. This morning the old coffee maker probably made its last batch of coffee, but I keeping it for backup. Roy talked me out of bringing it upstairs to the bonus room and encouraged me to do a one cup Keurig up here. Takes up less space and maybe not as messy. 

Got the kiddos fed and opened up the garage door. When it warms up a few more degrees, I will go down to the road and pick up the trash bin. Too wet and windy yesterday to make that journey down to the road. 

A report on the resistance bands...the box after being delivered a week or so ago, has been opened! I repeat, resistance bands for exercise, recommended for Roy by his physical therapist have been opened and maybe kind of used on Sunday night. So this is the result when an over-achiever marries a chiever but the chiever is an overthinker. Roy wants to focus on the stepper platform and I'm reminding him, nicely of course, he needs to do the exercises and not concentrate on an implement used to test his fitness. The therapist has stressed, he really, no really really, needs to increase his upper body strength. As a practicing yet trying to not practice being an overthinker, my thoughts are this, he is going to get backdoored by something he didn't prepare or think about as he concentrates on what he is really good at doing. Of course this being said by someone who has always had upper body strength, but I did share with him from the not so long ago, knee replacements. Before surgery I concentrated on building quad strength, but not hamstring. That came back to bite me, right in the hamstring. Also, I did do a lot of upper shoulder and arm work cause that is very helpful as one rehabs, but I ignored core work and that, yes ladies and gentlemen, hindered me in my two weeks at the rehab hospital. 

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Wednesday morning and lots of fog, not just fog but freezing fog. I am still making coffee with the old coffee maker. I didn't get around to unpacking and then cleaning the new one. I had several projects going yesterday and that one didn't quite make it on the schedule. Like I have a schedule. I did some research on getting a single serving Keruig for upstairs and so far the reviews of the choices isn't giving me any assurance that these could be a total waste of money. Looking at other brands as well but so far nothing looks good. 

I did start reading a book last night, Under the Gilded Moon. The setting is Asheville and the story of a family who is resisting the offers being made to buy their land from George Vanderbilt. The story line drew me in immediately, even though I fell asleep reading it. Woke up and went to bed, only to wake up at 2:00 am, wide awake, so I got up and got back to the book. Several times already a reference to the Approach Road has been made and I can visualize that road. 

Everything Comes With Snow or No Snow

 

Sadly, there wasn't too much snow on snow, snow on snow...yesterday. It melted by afternoon and even when a few flakes fell late in the day, it was above freezing and didn't stick. The snow didn't stay around long enough for pictures or that might have been due to easing into the day. 

The kiddos are tired of garage life and are out in the backyard, running about which usually turns into a chase one another kind of thing. With low temps but no rain or snow, they need to get out and run off some of that energy. In a minute, I'll get out there to feed them but treats were distributed earlier this morning. Earlier in the week the younger ones were intensely playing with what I thought to be a piece of mulch or wood. They look as if they are playing soccer. Upon closer inspection from a respectful distance, the observation was, it was a squirrel paw. Ugh! Not too big of a squirrel by the size of it, but my concern was not finding the rest of the squirrel squired away in the garage. A mockingbird was killed last week and even though we learn from To Kill a Mockingbird, never to kill one, the ferals don't read. Again, the bird was spotted at a respectful distance but at some point that bird was in the garage with the evidence being, feathers. Around here I implore them not to kill the cardinals and so far, with the exception of a baby bird, they have abided by those rules or maybe it should be request. 

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The hope of warming into the upper 40s fills me with thoughts on what to take care of outside while it isn't so bitterly cold. The Feral Fam feeding, breakfast edition, has been taken care of. Full house last night in the garage as the temps dipped into the 20s. Excited to report a breakthrough with Biggio. He let me pet him this morning, briefly with HP right there, but that in my book is a breakthrough. Radley has greeted my extended hand with a nose kiss, so that is good news too. Buddy is settling in for a morning nap and this morning my agenda is wash my hair. This is a good morning around here. 

Read something interesting in the Wall Street Journal this morning, a question thing I have never noticed as a feature. It was about a grandmother when with her grandchildren took way too many pictures. The son wondered if his mom is missing out on real memories with the kids and what should he say to his mom. Sometimes, I have to remind Roy while he is in the midst of capturing beautiful photos, to take the time to soak in the scene. To look beyond just a picture. I love his photography and he takes lovely and thought through photos. The WSJ cited a study where groups of two were sent out into lovely scenery. One could take pics, one could not. They brought the groups back about a month later and the person who didn't take the pictures recalled and had a better memory of what they saw. Somewhere there has to be a fine line to be able to experience both. 

January is usually a quiet month for me. The past few years it has been a month used for introspection and when February hits, emotionally and mentally, I move on. This practice more so since 2018 as I tried to figure out, after my father's death in 2017, how he could have made so many of the choices he did and selfishly, I concentrated on how he began to hate me at the age of five and when I went to school. Thankfully, my college roommate put an article on FB in 2018 that changed the perspective to understand who he was. He is one of the meanest men I have ever known, one of the best liars that ever walked this earth, a sadistic father who delighted in seeing his children and most probably he directed this at my mother as well, be humiliated, bullied, embarrassed and ridiculed. Rarely if ever, did he step in to help or rescue when our ages were appropriate to do so. When he was in the hospital in February 2012, none of his posse was with him, his only option was Roy and me. I cannot emphasize enough the difficult battle that was going on inside of me. He never thought about the day that would come when he needed us to help him. Here it was and I wanted to walk out that hospital room door with the words I heard so many times before from him, "hey, you're on your own. This will make you stronger, stop acting weak and pull yourself up by your bootstraps. You don't have anyone to help you, so why don't you cry out to God. That's what you tell me you've learned." I knew if I said those things and walked away, I would have become just like him and everything within me constantly fights the thought of, oh my I just acted like my father. The choice became easier once I reasoned out the true choice to make. It was hard though, because he was a difficult man and even in need, he manipulated and spewed horrible words. He was a narcist to the bone. We were merely possessions or pawns depending on his mood but it had to cut to the core, that the daughter he despised, hated and loathed was helping him. I think that is why he responded legally, dissolving the relationship and then began the campaign of lies that lasted for several years. Today, I'm glad I did the right thing in that hospital room. 

Not A Lot of Snow...

 Elevations above 3500' will probably get snow today and we will get rain. By the end of the week almost every weather person in the area is forecasting snow, but the amounts haven't been determined. Too many unknowns. So for now, WNC keeps alert to slow or rapid changes. I don't know if buying an extended handle scrapper and snow brush will affect the outcome. Cleaning off the truck after a snow is hard work with just a short little scrapper. 

I took most of Monday for running errands. Early to the grocery stores and then a couple other errands in the afternoon. Upon arriving back at home, took care of the Feral Fam and came in the house, ate a late lunch and then crashed. 

This morning I am trying to wait out Buddy to be able to feed the ferals, as it is now, brunch time. They got treats earlier but with the drizzle and cold, I know they are hungry. I will also most probably open the garage door for them. HP is coming to love the convertible top so I am trying to persuade more blanket sleeping. Paw prints on the front and back of the car and white cat hair on the top. Look out ladies and gentlemen, the cat woman is on her way! But not today, sticking around the house. I was finally able to outwait Buddy and got the kiddos fed, along with stupid Frankie. He causes havoc and chaos when he is around. HP retreated to the corner where some new blankets had just been laid out for more warmth and comfort. 

There is a growing list of Houston friends who have Covid. Some are hospitalized, some having a harder fight, others with mild symptoms and those who have tested positive but don't have symptoms at all. I am almost afraid to look at FB or email, learning of another person fighting the battle. It is overwhelming. So when we are whelmed, especially when it morphs over into beyond, we must go to the Lord. And most if not all are doing so, cause there is no place else or anyone else to turn to. 

Sadly yet happily I have turned into that old lady that doesn't match. Now, I try to be fashionable and attractive when I am out and about but around here...well, gloves don't match, doesn't matter. Shirt doesn't match outfit...who cares? I'm wearing blue overalls, so it doesn't matter what I put with those but I have pockets for miles and can almost carry everything in one trip with these babies. Although, one cannot wait till the last minute to go to the bathroom cause there are a few more unbuttons and hooks to take care of. I wear my muck boots and call it a day. I'm sure the neighborhood kids think I am crazy, cause I sure would have thought they same thing at their age but right now, in the grand scheme of life...it doesn't matter and I am happy as a possum eating ticks or something to that effect. 

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Friday morning, it is snowing but it doesn't look like we will get as much snow as was forecasted. The snow is filling in nicely so that the yard now looks more snow uniform. I tried a new approach to help the ferals and I think it might be working. 

Several years ago we had a new HVAC system put in upstairs. I don't remember getting choices to choose from but I will say this, I would not select this brand or be told to install this brand again. I have figured out a way to keep it from running all the time, even on auxiliary heat when it is really not that cold outside. 

Not really being an early morning person, I didn't mind the early hair appointment on Wednesday and with so few people in the salon, the early appointment is the choice for the next few months. In between the hair appointment and dentist appointment, with time and not wanting to shop, I drove around the Biltmore Estate. Didn't do the garden/house drive but the one toward Antler Hill Village and the French Broad River. I parked at the lagoon for several minutes and took in the winter beauty. The young geese were out in the lagoon while most of the older geese were across the way, eating grain in a field. Some of the sheep had been let out of their barn and a few of the younger lambs were head butting and playing. Yea, playing is the word, not frolicking which is sometimes a word to describe sheep play. Some FB memories came up during the holidays and one was from 2013 when I was able to climb a hill that had been previously too hard for me, but having an ablation earlier in the year, helped my heart and to be able to climb it. 

Buddy has taken her afternoon spot to the morning. She is in the window of the bonus room, watching the snow or maybe even by now she has fallen asleep. Or maybe the ferals are out playing in the snow. 

In November we searched for another coffee maker like we have now. Ours is on its last legs and don't know if Cuisinart doesn't make them anymore or if they have been so popular there is a shortage. This particular one doesn't have a carafe, which I love. This morning got the notice that it has been shipped and should arrive sometime next week. For this I am very happy. 

 

First Sunday 2021

 The sky to the west looks like a snow sky but there isn't any snow in the forecast. Though we have probably hit the high temp already in this early Sunday morning. I was looking through pictures from the past couple of months and decided to post this particular one. Love the old barn and love the shadows from the tree across the road and that shadow kind of tells a story. Don't know the story but think it would be easy to make one up. 

People have talked about the weird dreams they are having during the pandemic. I have certainly been experiencing that but most of the time I don't remember them in the morning. This past week I had a funny dream and I do remember it and will write it out now. In this dream Anne Graham Lotz has come to our Sunday School class at Newfound and in the dream she has been coming to class for several weeks. One Sunday she tells me she loves coming to our class cause she gets all her Bible study homework done. What? Anyway, she says I want the class to meet my father (he is still alive in the dream.) So, we agree to meet him after he preaches at one of his meetings. Up until the time of meeting Billy, Velda keeps telling us how well she knows Billy G. That they are such good friends and she is excited that we all will get to meet him. So, in this dream, we are at the meeting and Velda goes close to the stage and hands Billy a note which he puts into his suit coat pocket. The meeting is in full swing, Billy is preaching and he reaches into his suit coat pocket and announces, the note must have something to do with his sermon. He reads the note out loud, the Velda note. He reads, "When you meet us after the meeting act like you know me." Velda. Roy said I woke up laughing. In the morning I told him the dream and he said no wonder you were laughing that is a great dream! 

This morning several of the Feral Fam were waiting on the porch for treats. HP came running up and came right inside the porch. HP is now sleeping on the daybed and Buddy is sleeping on a twin bed next to a window. Watching HP nap yesterday afternoon, seeing how quickly he went over to the daybed and soft blanket to fall asleep. HP slept for hours and it must be a welcomed rest knowing that on the porch with warmth and comfort, without the dangers that lurk outdoors, he is safe. Project introduction is not going as quickly as I had hoped. These cats will not cooperate in spending time at the screen door. 

New Year's Eve, Roy and I watched TCM channel. He doesn't love TCM like me and he doesn't particularly like the style of movie that was on but he watched without complaint. TCM ran the That's Entertainment series. Oh my, those tap dancers get me every time. I hold no grudges for getting kicked out of dance when I was younger because the instructor clearly saw my love of softball, not dance. Gene Kelly a fav for sure and for some reason I am intrigued by the tap dancing of Ann Miller. Legend has it that she was the fastest tapper per minute back in the day but others say a sound loop was added to give that impression. We watched a little of That's Entertainment, Part 2 but it doesn't hold my attention like the first one. 

All the Feral Fam was in for brunch today. HP was on the back porch and brought him through the house to the garage with Buddy napping upstairs. Yesterday afternoon they played so hard. With the rain stopping that and a warm day to welcome play, it was good. 

It's A Start

 Good morning from the mountains of Western North Carolina. It is expected that the day will be overcast and rainy. We took the Mustang yesterday to Mars Hill where we could wash all the cat prints off the hood. With the warmer temps, this seemed to be a universal idea. I think most of Madison County was there. Thankfully, we hit in between a rush and only waited for one car to finish. A new car wash toy is the dryer hook up to speed the drying of the car. We discovered it quite by accident when we didn't use all the time on the meter. Turned it off to try and conserve time for the next car and the dryer came on. With a minute thirty on the clock, Roy began the process, only he was drying the windows. No, dry the hood of the car. That's a pretty nice feature to the car wash thing when you are doing it yourself. Since Ingles across the way didn't look too busy we went over and to get Roy more Dr Enuf and the ever present need for buying cat food. The regular checkouts were filled with people and full carts or as they call them here, buggies. We went over to the self checkout. While I was reading instructions, cause I rarely use the self checkouts, Roy had already paid for the groceries and was ready to load them in the car. Wow! He said, I might be slow at the carwash, but I am fast in the grocery store. Just another good reminder we all have our talents and when we combine them, things usually workout better. 

Roy finally received his exercise instructions from the physical therapist. Some of the exercises look easy but form is a must for them to work properly. Roy asked if I would look at them and help him discern what he needed to do. Y'all, I couldn't help it but since he had bought that stepper cause he was good at it while being tested, I casually mentioned these were all upper body exercises and not one of them involved a stepper recommendation from the physical therapist.  We ordered him some resistance bands and I found the one I had here that I used in the beginnings of my functional fitness sessions. Again, the talents we have from life experiences, we use to help one another. 

A memory from long ago came across my mind the other day. When Roy was in law school, time and money was tight. He had little to no vacation during this time, he was doing taxes and working contract at Anadarko. But, we knew we needed to have a few days away each year. The most frugal yet beautiful place to go, Fredericksburg, Texas. We would rent a vacation home, usually in the country but sometimes in the city so we could prepare most of our meals ourselves, with a few times going out for dinner. Staying in a vacation home let Roy continue to study, but not cramped up in a hotel room. In the country I could hike around the countryside. We did this for his last three years in law school. He went at night so it took four years to graduate. One afternoon we were window shopping in downtown Fredericksburg, standing on a corner waiting to cross the street and we were witnesses to an unusual sight. On one of the main crossroads a truck pulling a camper passed by but not only was the truck pulling the camper, but attached to the camper was a motorboat. Truly safety issues at hand. The unthinkable happened, the truck hit a dip in the road, the truck and camper made it but the boat came loose from the camper and it was rolling along on its own and came to a stop. The trailer had rammed into several cars parked along the street and came to rest in a Tahoe. The truck kept going on down the road and I wondered when will the driver realize he doesn't have a boat with him anymore. All of us on the corner and those further down the road were waving and yelling for the guy to stop cause he no longer had his boat and he better have some good insurance. There was a time I was like the guy pulling too much around, thinking I could handle things and proudful in telling myself that I was not only wise but efficient.  But, like the guy, I didn't account for any dips or obstacles. I would go along on my merry way, not knowing what I had left behind in my path. Then, once it grabbed my attention, so much time and energy went to repairing all the damage, whether it was to others or to myself. These days and after many mistakes later, trying to do it all or be it all or even dare I say, know it all...I am content to take smaller steps or advances. I try to stay in the present and not over think or over project. Some days are successful and some days not but the not days are thankfully becoming fewer in number. 

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Buddy is asleep in the window of the bonus room and HP is asleep on the back porch. I am trying to practice them getting used to seeing each other but this afternoon, they have ignored one another. I am taking that as a good sign. The sun is hitting the daybed perfectly to keep HP napping and warm. The same for Buddy in the window. Gee, maybe I should take a nap. When I got home from the airport run, I made some coffee cause I was feeling rather sleepy. 

We stayed up almost to the end of the Ohio State and Clemson game. That was kind of fun to watch. So was the Alabama game. We were rooting for Alabama, not because LSU is SEC, but because Roy doesn't like Notre Dame, at all. He does like the Rudy movie though. 

We picked up Roy's new glasses on Wednesday. We did the breakfast thing at Another Broken Egg and we got there early enough not to encounter the crowd that was waiting for seating. Since we had just been there this week, I was not tempted to go to Barnes and Noble. Now, reading an advisory for our area I am glad we didn't. Roy asked if I would not attend church this month in person and to grocery shop early in the day, during the week, and try to make it just a once a week option. I certainly will try. They are asking those of us over 65 to avoid large groups and have groceries delivered. I've seen the people that do the grocery shopping for you and I'd rather take my chances early in the day. 

2021, guess I am ready for you, well I have to be cause it is already 2021. Have books to be read, projects to do, plans for cleaning out a few drawers, please, don't be jealous. Planning on the garden for this year, all flowers again...I think. 

Saying So Long 2020

 Good Tuesday morning! The sun is out and the temps are warming up quite nicely. That's good because we have a few outside chores to do today. The ferals are fed, Buddy has had treats and now is settled in on a bed that receives full morning sun. I've folded up Christmas shirts ready for storage but waiting on a couple to be washed before putting away Christmas clothes for the year. Didn't get to wear everything but with limited social outings, my festive wear for the most part, MD Anderson Christmas t-shirts from long ago, along with a few Baylor Christmas shirts. Ironically, those are the shirts that hardly saw the light of day in Christmas pasts. 

We ventured out into the world yesterday when we felt the ice had melted and the roads safe to travel. Thinking back to six years ago when we were getting the house ready here to live in. There were frozen mornings that we got out in without a thought of ice, frost or snow. The Lord was with us when we had no knowledge of what we were doing while driving winter roads. The sky looked like a snow sky yesterday afternoon to the north and Roy was a tad concerned but I assured him that had gone past us or rather around us and was moving into TN. Using Houston weather knowledge doesn't do one a bit of good here in trying to figure how what in the Sam Hill it's going to do. I saw some pictures on Twitter and Smoky Mountain National Park had beautiful snow once again. The elks and their beauty accentuated with a backdrop of snow and ice. Almost all the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed due to snow and ice. It is kind of nice being located in a bowl shaped area. We can enjoy the snow on the mountains that surround us, enjoy from a distance. 

Today has been a day filled with filters...cleaning the water filter in the crawlspace, the refrigerator filter the dryer vent outside, new LED overhead lights for the kitchen and we worked again on straightening one of Roy's apple trees. We worked in the garage and even made taco soup. It was delicious! Tomatoes from summer and corn from this past summer added to the regular mix. 

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It is now Thursday, the last day of 2020. This morning Buddy and Hector Protector touched noses through the screen. Here's hoping, since there wasn't any growling or hissing, this is off to a good start. Buddy wasn't particularly happy, but it could have been worse. 

Here we are at the end of 2020, certainly one of the most uncertain years in recent memory. I have narrowed down my word for the year to several choices and leaning toward one in particular. Just haven't made a final choice. Several people choose themes instead of words and that might be a direction to go as well. 

The rain has stopped for now and probably into the early evening. We can get cardboard to the landfill to recycle and make a drop off at Goodwill too. We have taken care of most of our projects so that is welcoming to entering 2021 a bit relaxed. Of course there is always something to take care of or maintain here. 

There is so much hope that things will be different in 2021. Some are not hopeful for 2021 and others a little too hopeful. It is important to remember that days and times and moments aren't the hope but the Hope is in the one that gave us days, times, moments and seasons. He knows and we need to trust Him. 

Happy New Year! 

Extendomatic Post

 The day after Christmas hasn't gone the way we planned. To be honest, we didn't really have any plans other than when the temps get above freezing to go the garage and get the Christmas storage containers and begin to put away Christmas. Unfortunately, the Christmas truck will be going straight into the garbage can. We have several small projects to do. This morning we also encountered computer issues. It is after noon and Roy is just now taking a shower. He doesn't do life that way but I reminded him, he is on vacation and there is no harm in taking an easy time as morning comes to you. He did get part of the computer problem solved and he has ordered something that will be delivered Monday, Lord willing, to rectify the issue. 

We worked on his humorous speech most of Christmas afternoon. We forgot to open presents, so we will do that this afternoon. His speech made me laugh and with Roy not leaning to the funny side of life, you know he has come up with something rather clever. We were fine tuning his thoughts and adding the segways he needed in between the subject matter. He has mainly been doing evaluations in Toastmasters, so it has been awhile since he has concentrated so intensely on crafting a speech.  

We are still below freezing but snow is beginning to melt away with the sun. Reports on road conditions are the usual, main roads fine, but secondary roads, slick as ice because, there is ice. We are truly old now, because we comment on the trucks and cars going too fast on our road. They are driving like it's a sunny July day. 

It is officially bleak winter season when it comes to produce stands. Barber closed Christmas Eve afternoon. So we wait those months of January and February, but March brings a few stands beginning to open. Once spring arrives, they are all almost open except for the apple orchards which begin in July and August. Thankful that we froze strawberries and peaches this year, so opening those will bring a bit of the warmth of summer to us, even if it is just in taste. 

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Sunday morning brings an icy driveway and rumors of patches of ice along the roads. We are now taking a sabbatical Sunday. Gave the kiddos a little snack this morning and then opened the garage door for them. Some stay behind and others run out into the cold and snow to frolic a bit. You would think these cats would not like the snow, but they play in it by chasing and tackling each other. It has been fun in the evenings going out to the garage and playing laser chase. We had a full house last night with the exception of Junior, Radley and Bobsey. 

We opened Christmas gifts yesterday afternoon and had a blast. My brother and Brenda's gifts for us are all wonderful. This year I have struggled with being organized with Christmas gifts, but soon, New Year gifts will find their way to their designated places. 

*****

Sometimes it is difficult to find quiet moments to write, but I am not complaining. This time of year we get more ease into the morning kind of days. So many times we have appointments and such to take care of. Both of us are getting caught up on our rest. Yesterday, we got most of the Christmas decorations put away. That meant disturbing the sleeping corner for the ferals but we were able to get it back into place and dare I say, with better sleeping conditions. All the big stuff has been done, now we just need to do some of the smaller stuff. Leading the exciting life, we might take some cardboard over to the recycling truck at the landfill. 

We got a Christmas card and letter from my friend Beth. It was so good to hear about all that has been happening this year. She lives off the Puget Sound. Her daughter is a sculptor and has major works all around the country. Like so many of us, Covid made us tackle those projects we have been putting off for years. I was thinking that this year I tackled and organized more projects than ever before. The front garden project, putting together a desk and creating a corner in the bonus room if by chance Roy ever has to work from here. Our large monitor has stopped working and Roy is in the process of getting all that solved or at least trying to solve. The chair we ordered for the desk arrived yesterday and Roy put it together. Very comfortable.

This month when books have had a coupon or gone on sale, I have been stockpiling them for reading in January. Usually, January becomes a contemplative month for me and usually that is when I do the majority of any writing, with the exception of this year. I worked on short stories just to challenge myself and it was an enjoyable process. 

We are down to less than a week of 2020. I noticed on Twitter and a little on Facebook that people still are in the arguing season, even during Christmas or winter break. Not only arguing but more so making unkind comments to heart tugging posts. I think my favorite video of the season has been the three little boys in East TN, that marked themselves with markers so they could be bad guys. When the little boy who is marked up the most and doing the talking says, complete with contrite facial expression, we need to think about what we have done...love it! 

Merry Christmas To All and To All a Good Nap

 

Merry Christmas! It is so very early and our household is asleep. So quiet on this early morning. The snow arrived just as forecasted and when it first started falling and sticking to things it was a heavy snow. Not dusting but the flakes filled the skies. With the backdrop of the dark sky and the temperatures falling as fast as the snow, we went from a balmy 51 to 29 in just a matter of hours. This morning it is 17 with the feel like temperature of 6. It also looks like we got more snow than forecast. It is still falling but it is a gentle descent. 

With the exception of 2010, when we were still tourists, Roy has not been here when it has snowed. He could hardly be contained as he went about taking pictures. He wasn't wearing his boots so that impeded his progress, then the falling snow covered his lens too quickly. We broke away from watching Auntie Mame, a favorite of ours. 

I've been looking for a quote by Wilma Dykeman on snow. It is really about the first snow of the season and how it slows us down and how snow quiets all the noise. I watched last night people driving on the road in front of the house. It certainly was slow going. The temps dropped so fast the water on the roads didn't dry fast enough, thus some icy and slippery roads.

The snow has started falling again, small flakes but enough for it to sound like rain at times. 

Well, Roy and Buddy are up now. Roy made Christmas biscuits and they were delicious! I pulled out some strawberry freezer jam to top them off and the hot biscuits made the jam melt just enough. So delicious! I have been taking pictures and encouraging Roy to get out outside and take some. He doesn't realize even with the temps below freezing, we have warmed up to 19 degrees, the snow will blow out of the trees and he won't get the pics he wants. All the ferals are accounted for, even Punky. 

Thinking of this season, and Mary treasuring and pondering all that happened, I decided to take an inventory of those things pondered and treasured this Christmas season. As much as we think they should, the holidays can look different each year. Okay, I know you are thinking, but you're saying this after experiencing snow for Christmas Eve and Day. Well, that was an extraordinary in the ordinary. The quiet times, the fun times, the contemplative and silly times have all been welcomed. Roy said this morning, you are so preoccupied with snow and cats...well, yes. Not often to have snow and those little and big kitties keep me entertained, the yard free from snakes, mice and squirrels, unless the squirrel is dead. I mentioned to him now he is experiencing what I experience a lot with him, especially on the phone, when he is at work or he is crafting a speech. He gets so distracted but really I would say focused. I am treasuring that the Word of God is active and alive and each year without fail, the Lord leads me to experience something new from the old, old story that brings life and light. Treasuring the time I have been able to live in some of God's most beautiful creation. Roy laughs at me when we are running errands or going somewhere because I say, this is one of my favorite roads. I don't usually say that on I 26 though going toward SC. That is too little of road for so many people. 

We had a delicious Christmas lunch. The kitchen is cleaned up, laundry going and Buddy has settled in for another nap. Nap, that sounds good. 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good nap.

Merry Christmas Eve

 

Winter arrived at 5:02 am and thankfully, we slept right through it. The first day of winter and now the start of enjoying longer days brought fog and cool temps. The fog has burned off but it was rather thick. The forecasts have been all over the place for Christmas Day. Snow, might have snow, no snow and now we are back up to a 60% chance for where we live. I also noticed if we had bought the house on Fern Trail we would be in the 95% range. Several weeks ago when the plumbers were here installing the new garbage disposal, somehow the subject came up about Balsam Mountain. I mentioned the snow and he mentioned a lot of retired oil and gas executives live out that way. That is something I never heard and makes me even more happy we didn't buy out that way. We love our home and where we live. 

Friday morning became rather frantic around here because I misplaced my phone. When it comes to having a phone nearby or on me, I am OCD because it is a life line. Really the frantic being based on getting the call from Larry with the update on Brenda and her surgery. I looked, searched and then prayed my prayer, Jesus You came to seek and save that which was lost and my phone is lost. First I hooked up blue tooth and music played, so this confirmed the phone was in the house. I kind of knew that but you know the all important confirmation...then find my phone came to mind. Got on my iPad and sent a ping noise. I heard it, so phone location upstairs. I found it on the soft stairs that Buddy uses to get on our bed. I thought the phone had probably fallen out of my pocket, but I would have heard it. Thus the mystery solved because the falling phone wouldn't have made a noise when it landed on the soft stairs. 

Saturday proved to be a picture perfect weather day. Roy and I decided to drive out to The Farmer's Daughter and have a late lunch. Great social distancing as we sat in the corner and for the longest time we were the only ones in the room. Delicious as always. We went to both Amish stores and enjoyed the scenery. There is a new alpaca farm on the backway to Troyers. We drove through Johnson City but only stopped at Barnes and Noble. The welcome center at the TN/NC state line was so festive in Christmas decorations. It was worth the stop just to see everything they had come up with. Lots of photo ops for sure. Buddy was happy to see us since we had been gone most of the day. The ferals were happy too because their regular supper time had been delayed about an hour and a half. 

Just got off the phone with our mechanic and as we suspected the Mustang needs new tires. They are coming from Texas. TJ said the Mustang will be ready on Wednesday. Merry Christmas to us! 

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Greetings from rainy WNC! The rain and the temps are supposed to turn into snow and cold after the sun goes down. We have one errand to run and then we can stay home, ensconced. We ran all our last minute errands yesterday, which included Penland's. Always such a fun place to shop. Got the last bit of groceries we needed as well. We picked up Mustang Sam and he rides really nice in those new shoes. I never was a fan of the tires that came with Sam. They were for speeding and for fast starts at lights. Really, we got the Mustang because we wanted a convertible and after trying out the competitors, we fit in the Mustang the best. Tall people with short leg room in a car makes for grumpy tall people. 

The chances for snow, snow, snow, SNOW are increasing. Maybe 2-4 inches beginning tonight. Maybe more on Christmas night. Ten years ago we were at the Biltmore for Christmas and it snowed nine inches on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We had waterproof boots with us and we were some of the few who could go out and enjoy the snow. 

Roy has been busy with tech things that need to be done here. Got new speakers hooked up to the TV, put together the new vacuum cleaner and cleaned up all the cords around the computer. He has a couple more chores like that to do. We had to take a door off the hinges to get the gray chair out of the bonus room and Roy is anxious to get the door back up, so as soon as I finish this post that is our next thing to do. 

In the feral world some are taking advantage of the garage but this morning HP wanted on the back porch. He came in settled in on the daybed and finished up his morning grooming. He checked out all the nooks and crannies of the porch and then wanted to go back with his family. I let him go because if he knows it is a come and go situation, things might work out well. When we left to do errands yesterday HP stayed in the garage but didn't want to go into the garage last night. Baby, Gramps and Bootrey took advantage of the added warmth. HP wants to come in the house and I don't know if Buddy is ready for that. Although HP can't make up his mind on what he wants to do. Somedays, he is my shadow outside and other days, he will not give me the time of day. It is a work in progress though. Such a sweet and beautiful cat. Bobsey was giving me the let me in too look, but he still doesn't trust me so that would be difficult. 

Well, it is time to hang a door instead of hanging the green. Merry Christmas Eve!

Relief From Troubled Times

This is the Christmas letter I sent to our class this year. Thought I would share it on the blog. Merry Christmas!

 December 2020

Merry Christmas Joy Class! It has been a while since last gathering together in Sunday School and how I miss gathering, but more so, how much I miss y’all! Some of us were able to gather and paint Christmas barn quilts and each of us remarked, the joy in seeing one another, the joy of laughing together and the joy sharing prayer requests and praises for answered prayer.

This summer in the midst of all this COVID-19 stuff, I found myself mainly reading in the Psalms. I needed the comfort of God’s Word and having the assurance of His presence. The passage that I kept going back to is in Psalm 94, verse 13

You give them relief from troubled times.

We have certainly seen troubled times both in our country and in our lives. Roy wasn’t able to travel for the first six months of the year with directives from his company and the state of Texas.  I had to stop watching the news because it upset me so. All the protesting and some would say riots in Asheville this summer, was a little too close to home. Anxiety and worry would preoccupy my thoughts and then I remembered, God gives relief in troubled times. His relief came in expected and unexpected ways, but always through His Word.

Now we are in the midst of a different kind of Christmas season. The activities and parties and music we are so used to being a part of, is really for this year, a memory. People are approaching Christmas differently and creatively. Decorations went up sooner for some, more than usual decorations went up for some and others don’t quite have the energy or desire to decorate.

Psalm 94:13 keeps me comforted and then as I turn toward Advent and Christmas, Luke 2: 18-19 filled out that verse I carried in my heart and mind. The shepherds have come to the manger, in Bethlehem, to see Jesus. The scripture says that after seeing Jesus, the shepherds told everyone what had happened, with the angel and then seeing the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. The people that heard the story from the shepherds were astonished and this….

But Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.

This Christmas, might be a little quieter and subdued. We can be like Mary, keeping the wonders of this season, treasuring them in our hearts. Let’s think about them often. Ask the Lord to give you eyes to see miracles in the everyday. Treasure the joys of the season, with or without the usual accoutrements. Let God speak to you in the little things. Ask Him how you might serve Him and others that might look differently this year.

Merry Christmas Dear Friends

The Cat Castle, Criticism and Recycling

 My brother called Saturday evening and we had a wonderful catch up conversation and dare I say a few laughs. He is in the homestretch of house remodeling and rewiring. Once it is safe to do so, I will go visit him. His house is looking fabulous and his neighbors and town sound like a lot of fun. He made a batch of our mom's banana bread and by the pics looks just like Moms. One thing that is poignant, after years of being busy, staying occupied by stuff and on the go, we both have settled in to our mother's view of contentment. She was a homebody and was quite satisfied with being at home. 

For these days and nights of colder temps I am renaming the garage, The Cat Castle. I offered accommodations and even fixed a new bed from an under the bed storage container and old blankets. It was a hit because everyone fits in that bed and when they want a break from the crowd, the usual blankets are nearby. This morning when I opened the garage door, the wayward cold cats came running in and the castle guests pretty much stay put until they saw treats were being offered. Just got breakfast out to the crew except for Radley. He spent the night in the garage, is well rested and hopefully not on another hunt for a squirrel. Meanwhile in the house, Buddy has discovered the electric blanket and she is very happy with this new knowledge. I was cooking yesterday...please, do not be shocked by this statement, and immensely preoccupied by the preparations. Buddy was doing the whiny meow thing and so I just ignored her. After fixing, eating and storing my lunch, I couldn't find Buddy. Looked in all the usual places, no where to be found. In desperate times one does desperate things, so I began vacuuming to scare her out of her hiding place...nothing. The treacherous task of looking under beds began, then going through my closet. No Buddy. Treats do not entice her anymore, so I resorted to just calling out her name. A little bit of panic set in...but I prayed this prayer that Jesus has answered every time even though it might be taken as out of context. The prayer, Jesus, You came to seek and save that which is lost and Buddy is lost to me. Will you show me where to seek and find? Amen. I went back to the job at hand of folding clothes on top of the bed and as I reached for a sock, I felt Buddy. She was under the covers and even though the electric blanket wasn't on, she was very warm. Last night she was so happy, warm and content which always means, we both get some sleep. 

I often think of a courageous friend, much younger than me, but we always enjoyed a Nordstrom lunch together. Without giving a whole lot of details, she wasn't happy at the place she found herself along with her family. Instead of just hanging around, she began to research other options that would fit the needs of her family. She and her husband found the place where they felt they could serve, contribute and soak in the atmosphere of holy. Over the years we met several times for lunch and I came away frustrated with myself, because I was hanging on, complaining and generally not growing in any area of life. Well, except I did improve my criticism bent, as well as snarky observations. Believe me, those never need to be improved, at least for me. Most days, when I found myself without much to do or think about, I would ponder my lack of action and movement. Didn't do me one bit of good. This morning I saw a quote that said something like this, God shows you the path, you have to move your feet. My feet weren't moving, no they weren't even beautiful, because how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. No good news came from me, in fact in some ways, I was looking for others to be miserable like me, not with me. Moving to North Carolina solved a whole lot of this inside of me. Here, there is always something to be done. Even though I am not all that creative, I feel more creative on the inside. Hindsight tells me, I should have done something differently than what I did. If I was so adamite about my complaints, I should have done something about them, not sulk nor want someone else to do something about my complaints. These thoughts were prompted by this morning from Jeremiah 17

Wisdom from the Lord

5 This is what the Lord says:
“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans,
    who rely on human strength
    and turn their hearts away from the Lord.
6 They are like stunted shrubs in the desert,
    with no hope for the future.
They will live in the barren wilderness,
    in an uninhabited salty land.

7 “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
    and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
    with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
    or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
    and they never stop producing fruit.

9 “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,
    and desperately wicked.
    Who really knows how bad it is?
10 But I, the Lord, search all hearts
    and examine secret motives.
I give all people their due rewards,
    according to what their actions deserve.”

I do not want to be a stunted shrub, but be a tree with roots that reach deep into the water. Never stop producing fruit even in heat or long months of drought. 

Well, I am sure the bathroom floors are dry now and ready for some polish. I feel like I am also hoarding boxes, good sturdy boxes for the sending of Christmas gifts...I don't need all these boxes and not willing to give the time for them to find a good home. Once I know which ones to use, the rest will be recycled. 

All Is Calm...Don't Know About That

Every season holds beauty around here and winter scenes, even without snow, are quite spectacular. This has been the most stay at home year, you know because of the obvious reasons and really a year ago in August I stayed close to home because Buddy had one of her swooning periods where she seems so close to crossing the rainbow bridge. Guess August 2019 was good practice. Barbers Orchard will be closing down for the season on December 24th. Always a bit sad when that happens but it won't be long till February when Florida strawberries hit the stores and soon, not too far behind, South and North Carolina strawberries begin to make their appearances heralding the soon arrival of produce stand season, the most wonderful time of the year. 

 I would sing In the Bleak Mid Winter this morning, but it isn't even winter yet and an overcast, rainy, could have some ice kind of day is not bleak in my book. The backdrop of gray just accentuates the bright colors of the season. The truck Christmas decoration on the front porch is holding its own, still looks like a truck even though it is taped together rather delicately. The tree topper blew off the tree so when I feel like getting out in the rain, I'll fix that. The front that is moving in isn't supposed to be a huge wind event, and for this I am thankful. 

Things that make you officially old? I would have to say that today I am beyond excited because the cordless vacuum cleaner is out for delivery. We have one downstairs and believe me, once you have been set free from the cord, you do not want to go back. Yes, we could bring the cordless vacuum upstairs, but the downside to this freedom is the time limits that the thing holds the charge. Got a deal, so ordered it up and it will soon be here. That sucker will be charging in no time. 

 Roy had an appointment last week with a physical therapist. He had to go back on Friday in workout clothes. He also had an appointment with his doctor who happens to be in the same building. He is eating a more balanced diet. So Roy and his overachieving ways are on the right track. Roy has also been asked to be a district director in Toastmasters. We've been talking about it all week, whether he should do it or not and what kind of time will it require. He kind of threw me for a loop when he said he thought he might put the Texas house on the market in February....what???? I am all for that but I needed to remind him of all the things that need to be done before undertaking that action. Even though I did a good cleanout of stuff last December, there is still so much to be gone through and if the house went on the market in February, that would mean two extra moves for him. So this week we came to the conclusion, not to sell the house sooner than later but we will begin in earnest working on a timeline. Roy's appointments went well. The Dr thinks that his medicine is causing some of his difficulties and once she consults with the endocrinologist, they will probably change his medicine. She was concerned about his weight loss and frankly, I have been as well. The funny thing about Roy, is like all of us, we tend to lean into our strengths and kind of skirt around our weakness. Roy ordered his Christmas gift to himself Friday night and when he told me what he had ordered...I wasn't exactly enthusiastic.  One of the tests he did with the physical therapist was the good ol' step test and since he did so well, he decided to order a stepper thing when he got home. Welcome to the 80s fitness routine. The therapist is concerned about his lack of muscle mass in his shoulders, so you know the stepper thing will help that....uh no. Roy is motivated by passing tests. He is waiting on a series of exercises to be sent to him from the physical therapist that he is to do twice a week and I am willing to bet that there will not be step routines. Roy doesn't even listen to music and that is what made those classes palatable. Oh well, just another thing to go into a garage sale or a donation to Goodwill. I asked him how that step thing was going...after a couple of days and I would say, welcome to boring exercise. He hinted at that, but he knows I wasn't exactly thrilled that he ordered an old fashioned back in the day workout tool, so he has to keep the step exercise report, positive and happy but there are hints of buyers regret in his voice. He is just training for going up and down the steps here.

I was more sensible in ordering my Christmas gift to myself, books. Not just any books mind you, but books on this area of the country. Love learning about history here. Even though my fathers side of the family is from central Kentucky, there seems to be a lot of similarities to the Appalachian way of life. Very similar cooking styles and views on how to make do. With sticking around home so much you would think that I got a whole lot of reading going on, but no, that is not the case. While I have read some interesting books and have very interesting and entertaining books on the to be read pile, I'm feeling that books will be a January thing.  

Some of the Feral Fam are taking advantage of the garage. Early this morning, I opened the door and welcomed several into the fold. Gave them treats there and when I went out to feed them breakfast, a whole passel of them were cuddled and snuggled together in the back corner. I tried to take a quick pic but Junior escaped before I could get the picture taken. I know his rule of no flash photography, but the flash on the phone is off. 

Last week I got a box full of some of my favorite coffee that isn't available nearby, some special taco seasoning, HEB Texas Sheet Cake mix, and some boxes of spaghetti mix. Yes, spaghetti is available in the area but this particular brand isn't, although I saw some at the Mars Hill Ingles the other day. So that is good to know. A couple more boxes should be arriving this week too. Steel cut oats lower in carbs will be the main contents of the box. I don't eat oatmeal but Roy does and he needs this particular kind in his ever, ongoing quest of being an overachiever. 

The past few weeks I've had Christmas music on. Right now mostly the commercial favorites and it has been entertaining to listen and sing along with Bing, Rosemary, Perry, Dean, Andy, The Carpenters, Burl, Judy and the rest of the gang. Silent Night is on the regular rotation. While it is a beautiful song, it isn't in my top five of Christmas Carols we sing at church. Silent Night, good for the candlelight service and a Pageant processional to Bethlehem. Give me Hark the Herald Angels Sing, First Noel, Joy to the World...so joyful for the coming Messiah. Silent Night, the contemplative carol, but I got to thinking the other day...all is calm, all is bright. Don't know, but it seems it would be everything but calm. Finding the barn, which most probably was a cave, giving birth, giving birth to the Savior of the world and just when Mary might gather herself, shepherds have come upon the scene. Most likely, in my different thinking mind, I would be singing Mary did you know that shepherds would come so soon? I can't even imagine since I've never given birth, that it would be a little more chaotic than all is calm. Maybe some angels came and helped Mary and Joseph get ready for guests and God knowing how we would start claiming scripture, if this fact had been added to the Christmas story, we would be asking and claiming angels to come vacuum before accepting guests and visitors. I could offer a cordless vacuum to the angels, but so far, just downstairs cause the long awaited Dyson has not been delivered. 

This just in, new vacuum cleaner arrived! Cue the angels...come on now, I am cleaning bathrooms. 

Suddenly

 Sunday morning, yes, it was a typical Sunday morning until it wasn't. It began around 7:00 am which is my usual Sunday morning wake up time. Buddy hadn't been especially cooperative for getting a full eight hours and I stayed up later due to the LSU unlikely win at Florida. The Sunday morning wake up went so much better than the Saturday wake up. Every once in a while my meds affect me with a little bit of lightheadedness. This was one of those times on Saturday, which really it is more of a movement kind of thing so it is more vertigo related than lightheadedness. With Buddy snuggled in the covers, I got up, went downstairs, turned off Christmas lights and then went out to the back porch to give the Feral Fam treats. These cats know the sound of the key in the door, and then the ringing of the bell attached to the door  and they make a beeline for the porch steps. Radley is usually right there among the group but I didn't see him. So, I whistled. When I whistle they know that food is being served. From up under the fir tree, Radley made his way down from the gravel road and what to my wondering eyes did appear but Radley with a dead squirrel in his mouth which I then emitted a little squeal. Not of delight mind you but of...take that dead squirrel back to the gravel road! Radley kept coming down to the yard and then stopped under the crepe myrtle. To play and throw around the dead squirrel. Quickly, I retreated back into the house because I didn't really want to see the glee these cats would express when Radley, the Alpha male cat, came to them with the bounty which is a dead squirrel. After retreating safely into the house, I began getting ready for church and didn't give the dead squirrel another thought until it came time to feed the cats before leaving. First a visual search of the yard from the kitchen window. Dead squirrel now located and duly noted for any activity by those cats with it. Getting the food set out like normal, I started to make my way to the garage but stopped to pick up several pieces of trash that had blown onto the driveway. About five of those cats left the bowls and returned to the squirrel while I busied myself with trash. "Don't Mess With Texas or a Texas girl in North Carolina." Radley and his cortege made their way toward me, Radley once again carrying the dead squirrel by having the head in his mouth, dragging the body along. They stopped about two feet in front of me...I wanted to move away but I was strangely transfixed by this sight. Suddenly, Radley began swinging that dead squirrel around, let it loose and the dead squirrel flew through the air and landed at my feet. I might have screamed a little and then mentally made a quick check to see if I had wet my pants. Reports back to brain central was, all is calm, all is dry. The cat cortege sat there, not moved by any of my outbursts. I thanked them for the gift and then left them to their own devices. Yes, Christmas came early here in the mountains. In a million years I would never have thought that a dead squirrel would be flung at my feet by a group of feral cats that live and eat in our backyard. Oh, they have brought me dead moles and snakes but usually leave them at a place where I will see them then they quickly take them back. Kind of a token gift. 

Yesterday at church, Pastor Bradley is preaching from Mark 11 and he read out of Luke 2 and Psalm 118. You know you'll be reading along with a preacher and then boom, something in the scriptures jumps out and grabs your attention. For a few minutes you don't mean to but you check out of the sermon and do a quick search of the verses following. What amplified word got my attention? Suddenly... Luke 2, shepherds in the dark of night, guarding their flocks when suddenly....SUDDENLY... an angel of the Lord appears to tell them about the birth of the Messiah. Then...yes you guessed it, SUDDENLY...there was a host of angels backing up the first angel, saying peace on earth good will to men...praising God! After the shepherds visit Joseph, Mary and Jesus, they hurried along to share the good news with others. Suddenly is defined as quickly and unexpectedly. Out of the ordinary night came the unexpected. Suddenly... Although, it was a sudden event for shepherds, I got to thinking, which can be dangerous, but the suddenly wasn't even a sudden thing for God. He had been planning this since before the foundation of the world. Was He so excited to finally let this announcement ring forth? His plan became the shepherd's suddenly. 

Suddenly is used quite often in the Bible when God is on the move. Suddenly is used at the Transfiguration, Jesus appearing after being resurrected, Paul and Peter experienced God's suddenly many times. John on the Isle of Patmos experienced suddenly. Jeremiah and Isaiah wrote about suddenly...we see it in Exodus, Proverbs...all throughout the Bible. Suddenly.

There are all kinds of suddenly in life, good, bad and indifferent but I am writing today about the suddenly in the announcement of Jesus' birth. Life changed in those two suddenly experiences for the shepherds. Out in the fields, keeping watch for danger but after seeing and hearing the angels, do you think that just maybe after that the shepherds kept watch for the suddenly of God. 

The last ten to fifteen years there has been so much emphasis in the church world on the big dream, the big mission and the big impact, but the big has never wooed me into the fold. Yes, the angels are a big deal announcing to the shepherds, but like them most of us, we see the miracles of God in our ordinary schedules, work, play, our ordinary lives; when God's suddenly shows up. 

Sunday mornings suddenly, a dead squirrel, became Sunday afternoons reality. Someone had to get the dead squirrel out of the backyard. The cats had seemed to have lost all interest in it. Its tail was nearly bare of fur but he hadn't been split open or eaten, he had merely been a play thing. We keep a children's gardening set for such a time as this, using the shovel and the rake to scoop up dead things and even disgusting things that come to find a place in the yard or driveway. I couldn't find the little rake so I had to push the squirrel against something to get it on the shovel, then deposit him into the trash bag and get the garbage bin out to the road. 

How many times have I read Luke 2 and never even noticed suddenly but I am happy that this Christmas, I caught a glimpse. During this Christmas season and into the new year of 2021, may we keep our eyes and hearts open for the suddenly of God.