A Week Catch Up

 It was an ordinary day that held the high percentage of rainfall from tropical depression Fred. From the weather reports, the consensus indicated, lots of rain but for a TD, it would move quickly and not hang around. Thank God for that forecast because I don't know how our area would have survived. At last check on the rain gauge this morning, we received about 8 inches of rain yesterday afternoon and into the evening.

The afternoon held lunch plans with a friend I met in book club. On Monday when we confirmed our plans I said if either one of us feels iffy about the storm coming through, let's cancel and reschedule. At the time I thought, she must think I am a big baby about some rain, but I remembered she has a home in Florida, so she is probably acquainted with the hurricane type rain and forecasts. Tuesday morning she texted me that several intersections in her part of town were flooded, so we rescheduled lunch and I am so glad we did. 

All afternoon we had a steady rain but then the skies opened with such hard rain, nothing was visible when looking out the windows. I had stayed upstairs most of the afternoon. Then, I went downstairs and for a moment I thought I was in Transylvania County, land of the waterfalls in WNC, because waterfalls had been created by so much rain in our backyard. We had a river running through it. The design of our home is done with drainage going to the left and right of our house and that design was doing its job on overdrive yesterday afternoon. For this, I am so grateful. 

Roy was having an extremely busy day at the office and wasn't responding to texts, calls or emails. I felt if I could just talk with him, the anxiety of the storm would dissipate once hearing his voice. Finally, in the late afternoon, early evening I used our emergency plan to contact him. Spectrum had sent out a warning we were close to loosing our internet and such due to the storms. I wanted him to know that if he couldn't reach me, it was most probably due to this situation. Just talking with him, giving him an update and reporting what I was doing to keep my eyes on the situation helped me tremendously.  Buddy, of course was close by and she had been since the rain began pelting the house. The kiddos, some were in the garage, some were situated above the fray and a few others were underneath the front porch. After feeding them this morning, it seems that there has been too much togetherness and they are picking on one another. 

Seeing pictures and videos of Canton is breaking my heart. Stores have returned to the area, local farmers markets have started and a good vibe of local economy...all probably set back if not destroyed. The Pigeon River overflowed. Mobile homes were floating by, huge boulders around the edges of the lake further out were moved just as if they were a pebble. I cannot help but think how much worse it would have been around here if there weren't field and land being greater than concrete and buildings. 

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My first chance to get back to blogging. Had a lot to do getting ready for company on Thursday. The first part of the week began feeling a little draggy and tired so it takes longer for me to get things done. Today, I am not feeling dragged out but the morning is young and the chores not done, yet. 

Thursday afternoon my brother, niece and her friend came to visit for a long weekend. Doug loves The Leicester Studio Art Tour, I do too. We met at Blue Rooster and began days filled with eating and shopping. Tour guide is in my wheelhouse, food prep is not so I was happy to have family that takes the food in the raw and prepares it for evening snack/meals. All the fun wore me out and I realized how little time I spend with others since all the pandemic stuff began. 

Our fourth Sundays in the month are fellowship and prayer Sundays in The Joy Class. Brenda did our brown bag, get to know you thing and she hit it out of the park. So warm and compelling as she told how her family had shaped and molded her into who she is today. We all love Brenda! Tripp, a recent high school graduate, also came into our class and shared about his next adventure, college, at Fruitland Bible College. We love Tripp! 

The photos coming out of the Cruso area in Haywood County show the mass devastation that happened from TD Fred. Access is limited due to the number of bridges that washed out or were compromised. Homes destroyed, lives torn asunder. 

Laundry is calling out to me but I am trying to ignore the call. So is a grocery store trip and that call I am taking. Just the week catch up from one very grateful person. 

Fred Rain Is Here

I have never been much of a Mary of Bethany type and have had no inclination to look deeper into her story. The Mary of Bethany types I have met, a dime a dozen as it seems, they were pretty much right out of the cookie cutter. I would add the exception of good friends who tend to Mary type but in our conversations and friendship they defied the cookie cutter talk. Most talk the same vernacular and can work up a holy look in a half a minute. Their voices go from regular to that soft sweet tone that at times have made me want to wretch. Maybe I feel this way about so many of them because for the most part, they do not care for me or a little bit of me goes a long way with them. Maybe it happened because there was too much amusement and delight on my part, not the Bible kind, of asking questions of them, letting them trip up and tie themselves into a corner and when the wiggle room has been used up, they can dismiss me or my kind with a flip of the hand and with a, oh only truly spiritual people would understand. Every once in a while, there were those Mary of Bethany types who were not cookie cutters or defied the mode of the way of the spiritual thinker types. That was my understanding until recently.

This summer before returning to Lifeway material, we’ve been studying women in the Bible. We got through a grand total of four. Looking in depth at Sarah, Hagar, Martha and Mary slowed down the pace that was originally planned. So many times, I say, let’s look at them in real perspective not in the Sunday School characters we have heard of all our lives. This summer studying these women has made an impact on my thinking and knowledge of them and if you asked me at the beginning of the study who would I have the most trouble with, yep it would be Mary.

So, these weeks leading up to the lesson, have not been filled with moments of, can’t wait to get back to Mary of Bethany. Even household chores took precedence and that is saying something mighty powerful to studying her. I was foundering and one night this week mentioned to Roy the dilemma presenting itself. He began to share his thoughts about Mary and he said one thing that opened up my heart to get a better look. Appropriate, the one thing because you know that is what Mary is known for, the one thing that will not be taken from her. She took on a different look being a catalyst in the three situations we have to see briefly into her life.

As I blogged about the little kitty who began as Helen and renamed Malynn, little mighty warrior, because the name change came from the circumstances of her life changing and throughout the six weeks she had been around, I never thought she was a beautiful cat until the day she went home with Morgan. That little kitty’s life so dramatically turned about. Seeing the pictures when I got home, that is where I saw just how beautiful this little kitten is. On Saturday morning, I began to see through my stereotypical thinking of Mary and seeing just how beautiful her life is and what we can learn from her. Anointing Jesus with the expensive  nard  perfume and the reaction it brought in Jesus and the act seemed to be the last straw for Judas. She gave an extravagant gift to a Savior who is the extravagant gift from God. Yesterday, we looked at all the worship happening there in John 12, highlighting Mary, Martha and Lazarus. I am so glad that God took the time to change my preconception of who Mary is and how He uses her example to help, change and transform. 

Our choir director is teaching a class on how to read music. I had to miss the first one but arrived yesterday with my tambourine shoes on, cause word in the church hallway, percussion and rhythm instruments are used in the instruction. The class was good and Debbie is so patient and even helped this pre-beginner. I've noticed math is involved but I will set aside my prejudice against math, for now. 

Biggio is back with The Feral Fam and he greeted me yesterday afternoon. He lets me pet him and while he is rubbing against my leg, I try to walk over to the food and bowls but he makes the path difficult. I didn't feed the Feral Fam until I got home from church last night. We had a members meeting at 7:00 about plans for future building and improvements. Yes and amen for new HVAC! Our Sunday School class will be cool enough for all of us hot mamas, I mean for us older ladies that run a tad to the warm side of temps. 

Got errands ran in between the threat of rain. Most of the Feral Fam are resting in the garage, hiding out from the evening rain. The two white and black kittens are playing more together. Watching the comings and goings, the fighting and the playing, the gentle meows and the gutteral growling can keep me occupied when there is other stuff to take care of. 

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Fred rain has entered the atmosphere. So far, not too bad. Meeting a friend for lunch at noon, so hopefully no flooding or rockslides or mudslides. Thinking of Fred, reminds me of I Love Lucy when Little Ricky, starts playing the drums...rather rhymical without a change in the beat. Everybody is moving to that monotonous tone. Ethyl says, Fred, Fred, Fred, Fred, Fred to the beat. Always makes me laugh.

And She Lived Happily Ever After

 Junioretta, became a mom on July 3rd. She gave birth to kittens underneath the front porch near the hydrangea bush. She looked to be carrying a large load of kittens. You could see her misery the week before she bingoed. Because of her size, it seemed like she would have at least four to five kittens but on Monday, July 5th, she brought her two kittens into the garage and secreted them in a tiny space with a buffer of garage things to protect them. I heard them for days before ever getting a glance at them.  Then the constant crying was replaced with periodic meowing for mom. Junioretta, while so young herself, stayed with them almost twenty four seven in the garage. She had them in several select places and finally as they were nearing four weeks, she moved the two toward the front by the door where the kitties slept on a shelf behind empty coffee cans. I was able to pick them up at that point and realized something was wrong with their eyes. Almost completely matted shut. This sounds like a case for Dr Google and I found how they could be helped. Whenever I could get to them, I cleaned their eye area and applied antibacterial cream around the edges of their eyes. The little orange kitty, cleaned up better than his calico sister. His eyes remained open from that time forward, but he still got a cleaning and cream whenever he could be captured. Those kittens were so undersized for their age and truthfully, didn't think they would make it once Junioretta let them go outside. I told Roy, I am not going to get emotionally involved with these kittens and I took care of them but did not go with the next step....until, I couldn't live with myself if I didn't. 

The kittens, whose temporary names were Helen and Keller, began their outdoor adventure. Helen tagging along behind Keller, who could see and lead the way, they spent a lot of time under the truck in the shade and Junioretta stayed under the truck as well or sometimes under the Mustang. I hadn't seen Keller for almost all of Wednesday but they disappear into the wonders of getting behind or under things, so I wasn't concerned. Poor Helen, she was all alone and didn't seem to know that she was baking under the hot sun on the asphalt of our driveway. I would pick her up and bring her back into the garage where a small box that she could enter and exit might keep her safe. Thursday morning, I was prepared not to find her or find her dead. She just didn't seem like she would make it. Much to my surprise, I found Keller instead, tummy down and all four limbs sprawled out, dead close to the garage door. Something had attacked him and went for the vulnerable stomach area. I will spare the details but I got him onto a small shovel and placed him in a cardboard box without seeing too much innards. After changing out of my jammies, I went outside to search for the body of Helen. She was alive and nursing with Junioretta, under the back of the Mustang. 

Since the kittens had become a little more mobile and spent time under the cars, I always honked and banged on the car before starting it. My gut feeling on Thursday was to get the hose and spray underneath just to make sure. I am so glad I did because Helen flew out from underneath the car and headed to the side flowerbed, with only one eye opened partway. I got her, brought her into the garage, got some food and water and a stuffed bunny. Placing her with all those things in the big box, in the gorilla yard cart, then to the smaller box before I left to take care of my errands and to think through what the next step for Helen would be. Of course I knew the next step, but I had to get emotionally prepared. I am not over the disappearance of Hector Protector and also with Buddy aging rapidly in the past few weeks, I didn't know if I could do it. I also see how God was preparing me for this moment. Rarely do I ever watch videos on FB, Thursday was the exception, but there were three kitten rescue videos that got my attention that morning. I watched them, the rescue of abandoned kittens and the difference these little ones made in the rescuers lives. God was softening even more my already soft heart for these members of The Feral Fam. 

Helen was all cuddled up with the stuffed bunny when I returned home. No, that came later...when I returned home, Helen was on the driveway with Junioretta on the steps of the back porch. That's when I put her back in the box with the bunny. Sorry...for the mix up in the story.  The next step, find the pet playpen, dust it off and clear it of any spiders and their webs and bring it into the house, setting it up in the living room. I found Hector Protectors favorite blanket and put it inside with some food, water and a makeshift litter box. Even with a disposable litter box, Helen would not be able to get in and out of it. A box top from Chewy's made a nice solution. Without any pet shampoo I did what animal rescuers do, I used Dawn. I also had some flea spray from Wondercide with a lovely lemongrass scent. No harsh chemicals. Helen didn't fight me while she got her bath. In fact, she kind of liked the spray on her. We were drowning those fleas left and right, she was covered in them. She got a gentle but good face washing to further clean out around her eyes. We sat together, sprayed fleas and dried her off. Her little paws shook with not fear but being chilled by the air. Living in a garage and being on a driveway had not prepared her for the cooler and welcoming climate of a home. 

She cuddled up the her new friend Bunny and slowly but surely made her way onto the soft blanket and that little baby fell asleep probably for the first time ever, safe and not bothered by fleas. I watched her, so did Buddy but not with the love I had for this little one, and I knew Helen could not be her name. Her eyes were open, getting better. Off to Google names and I found her new name, Malynn with a change in the spelling. Malynn means, strong little warrior. The next logical step was calling the vet to get an appointment, Monday 9:00 am, first available. Within the hour they called back, Friday at 3:30 opened up due to a cancellation. 

Thursday night was a rough night, for Buddy which affected me. This ancient of days cat began acting like a teenage kitten. She was trying to climb curtains, sit on the top of our iron bed railing, she cleared off papers on the desk and tried to hide in nooks and crannies, where she is nearly impossible to rescue. I finally put her in the front bedroom and closed the door to get my two hours of uninterrupted sleep. Since I had an early appointment on Friday, I got up even earlier at 5:00 am to move Malynn and playpen up to the bonus room and then to sit with Buddy like we do most mornings to give her a sense of stability and normal. 

When it was time to leave for the vet, I went out the front door as not to alert Junioretta her kitten was in the crate. Once Keller died, Junioretta lost interest in Malynn. Junioretta would only be interested like a child wanting the toy someone else has, then once getting the toy, show no interest. Off to the vet where Malynn snuggled underneath the blanket. Our vet is still practicing original Covid protocols, so the tech comes to the vehicle to take info and take the animal into the office. When Morgan learned that Malynn was a calico, she fell in love sight unseen with her. She knew Malynn was a rescue and asked about her coming home with her. Then when Morgan saw Malynn, she was head over heels in love. I pondered letting Malynn go. In the big picture it would be the best decision, but my heart was now wrapped up in Malynn. But Buddy, cranky, grumpy Buddy who has been by my side these last sixteen years, especially when I was so sick. My sidekick that rescued me out of a deep depression, it would be best not to have another cat with her one person outlook, although she barely accepts Roy as part of the deal. The vet came out to discuss Malynn, upper raspatory infection, maybe some parasites internally and went back in and took a sample. Morgan brought Malynn out and I asked her, was she serious, did she want Malynn. Morgan hesitated with a, really? Yep, and then we talked about Buddy. Morgan is well acquainted with Buddy. Malynn went home with Morgan that evening and I can only think she will live happily ever after. 

I took a few pics of Malynn, hugged her goodbye and returned home to Buddy. I put up everything while Buddy searched for her mortal enemy, little tiny Malynn. It wasn't until later I looked at the pics we had taken. Oh my goodness, that kitten who really never looked pretty and for whom I took as maybe a special needs kitten, was beautiful. She had gone about life always with her head facing downward, probably trying to discern where to walk. Her fur matted over. Before we left for the vet we had been playing. She was climbing the side of the playpen net, having a great time. She played outside but nothing like this. She probably wasn't getting enough nutrition from Junioretta and all the other Feral Fam eat almost everything in a bowl. 

God prepared me for twenty four hours of helping this little one from unwanted by mom and poor eyesight to a little beautiful mighty warrior. She has a place in my heart and for now I am keeping her little bunny who was on the way to Goodwill, when rescued for service in the cat kingdom. 

Malynn also helped me, she crawled into the corner of my arm just like HP did, even as an adult cat. The first member of the Feral Fam I was smitten with, Cali, was a calico. The cat we grew up with in Houston, Kitty, was a calico and as my brother said, it was meant to be. Malynn pulled me out of my sadness of losing HP and gives me hope that someone found and rescued her and she is living happily ever after, too. 

Thoughts on War with Japanese Beetles, Kittens, Lack of Sleep and Other Subjects

 The weirdest thoughts cross my mind from time to time...like...I have been wondering lately how do we know that salmon cat food tastes like salmon or tuna or beef or chicken. I mean who tastes the stuff to sell flavors to cats? Maybe it is all the same but the forms therein is different, shreds, meaty gravy and pate'. Why I think about this, no idea but the thought has crossed my mind more times than I would like to admit to. This I do know, I ain't going to be the one to taste the stuff so that I know. 

My war with the Japanese beetle is taking a turn for the good. The traps are doing their job especially in the front yard. I went out with some new spray from Ace Hardware last night and did a little mopping up as they say in killing any beetles resting on the petals of roses. Got all the rose bushes in the back sprayed and will need to do that in the front yard later today, if the rain holds off and it seems like the rain has been holding off for our area. If it doesn't arrive today, that means a trek through the front yard to water this evening. 

After not seeing or hearing the two little five week old kittens today, the thought of the rambunctious sound of a cat fight might have been a hawk grabbing those two little ones but this afternoon, they were under the Mustang with Junioretta. The past week and a half I have been working on their eyes and keeping them clean and not crusty. The calico has a more difficult time. I was feeling a bit discouraged because it seemed like nothing was long working but today, the orange kitten had eyes open and following mom around. The calico got to a spot where I could get it and I worked with it again and late this afternoon, the eyes were still open and seemed to be tracking correctly. Today, this is a victory and a lift to my spirits. Along with the return of Biggio who spent most of the day in the garage sleeping but met me every time I went out there for something or another. Worked on the back porch, picking up HP things and putting them away. 

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2:30 am

Buddy is having a rough night with her arthritis so we are both up since one of us can't sleep. She has been doing okay. She has finally settled nearby but for how long? The answer to the question is not long, but I was able to get some of that soothing spray for hot spots on her and that quieted her down for the rest of the night. 

We finished up with Mostly Martha today in Sunday School and Mary will be next Sunday. She will be harder to study for because I'm more drawn to Martha. I do look forward to studying this week.  

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With a three hour interruption from sleep last night and with a foggy morning, errands are being rethought and rescheduled. I am sleepy this morning. 

I think a church in Woodfin has closed. The lot always held too few cars for the size of the building. This church is on the way to The Fresh Market and one morning while passing by it, I watched the slow methodical steps of an elderly woman going toward the doors. She is the only person I had ever seen near the church. The sign is gone and the lot empty. 

Yesterday was National Cat Day and today is National Book Day. I celebrate both days but will not be posting any pictures. I went through a stack of books this weekend and weeded out the ones I will never read and then the others went to the most probably will read, someday, maybe. 

With the celebration of apple cider donuts, I hope to keep wearing the smaller sized pants I've ordered. I'm trying to keep the love of those apple cider donuts in check with healthy meals and exercise. The wasp nest near the outside stairs to the front yard is still there and keeps my visits to a minimum. Of course I can come around the back way to the front yard. I was so thankful for the rain on Saturday. 

I am so proud of Roy. Although, he became a DTM, Distinguished Toast Master, last year, the official presentation is coming up. Saturday night we searched through tons of photos on my phone to see if we could find one where Roy is wearing a suit. We narrowed it down to two photos we found from back in the day and went with the Baylor in the background photo and cropped me out of the picture. I worked with him on his presentation blurb and he worked on his speech. He did this in less than five years although not surprising to me because, he is an overachiever. Meanwhile today, I am trying to get dressed before 10:00 am. Hey, we all have our own hurdles to jump and I am just a chiever, not over or under...just balanced. 

Happy Saturday!

Truly wonderful getting a really good nights sleep last night. Only one wakeup call from Buddy around 1:30 am and before that and after that, she slept. What a wonderful gift from her. We both celebrated birthdays on Wednesday. This morning I had my first apple cider donut of the season. Yum! I'm usually at Barbers on opening day but it fell on a Saturday...I've been there on Saturdays before when it wasn't opening day...so, for this I could be patient. I went there after going to pick up sunglasses and then over to see Audrey to order some everyday glasses. Found such a fun pair of frames. Glasses will not be my last bastion of fashion, if I even have fashion these days, but I am not opposed to unusual or fun glasses. Unless someone else has to pick my glasses for me when I am old and gray,er, you will not see me in big red framed glasses or the like. 

This is a mix of blog posts so nothing is in order. Not something new to experience on the Monablog. Kind has been my thought process this past month...out of order and nothing new to see here. Probably so much is due to me missing Hector Protector. Yesterday marked one month since she disappeared. I am also sad over Junioretta and her little ones. I have tried to help them but I am feeling that they might not be long for this world. Too tiny to almost be five weeks old. 

 Tuesday night afib showed up like bad company right before going to bed. It wasn't a bad case but it felt like the kind of afib that will calm down on its own. It did, but it sure took its time about getting back in rhythm. I've kind of been expecting it to show up. The past few weeks have been rather stressful as well as getting so hot on Sunday, the two biggies for afib to rear its ugly head. This morning I am zonked, feeling physically tired from the wear and tear of last night. Feels like another good day to stay around the house and rest up. Last night while trying to think calming thoughts, praying and remembering scripture, sometimes those three things would make a turn down a rabbit trail, that wasn't especially calming. I'd have to pull myself out of the rabbit hole, and start back with praying and remembering scripture. Had my antidotal pill ready but only like to take that when the afib is really, really bad. 

Today is the youngest I will be for the next year, from today that is. Even with a pandemic lurking about, sixty six has not been bad. Well, it has been quite good, actually. Probably some of the best checkups and dental health, extended implant into the new year for insurance benefits. My eyesight has changed very little and maintained. That is always welcomed news.  

Against the odds, I think little old Buddy is going to make it to her 16th birthday tomorrow. I loved seeing her yesterday after toddling around, not wanting to make a jump to being on the back porch, on the mini trampoline, trying to jump up and catch the ceiling fan. Guess even cats give energy to what they want to do as opposed to what seems like a chore. 

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Biggio is back after being gone all week. He always comes back hungry but gives that great greeting when I come out of the back door. Got the kiddos fed, Buddy has been fed and treated. Need to finish up the fine points of the lesson tomorrow and then I need to pick up a few things around the house. Next week I will make a trip to Goodwill with books and a few tshirts. The kitchen table has study books and notebooks scattered about and I haven't put up the things I got at Big Lots yesterday. I do love me a coupon and cheap fall decorations. 

Pure joy returning home from the post office. Lisa sent pralines and a few other goodies for my BD. Also had several cards. Roy sent two cards and they both cracked me up. I was in the truck and that small parking lot with a big truck is always an adventure. The Alexander post office has great hours and if I worked for the post office, this is where I would like to be stationed. 8:00-11:30 then closed two hours for lunch, open up at 1:30 and close at 4:15. There was a lady in the lobby who didn't quite think the hours of the post office were to her liking. She was throwing a fit to herself, well it really wasn't to herself because it was out loud. 

Had a wonderful birthday breakfast at Brenda's. She outdid herself in fixing deliciousness. I was also the happy recipient of breakfast to go for Thursday. Yum! We had such a good time catching up. With the Covid year and things that keep us busy in life, we haven't had the chance for many opportunities to catch up with one another. 

Well, these things around here aren't going to get done if I don't get moving. Happy Saturday! 

Eyes and Feelings but Most of All, Kindness

 A rainy and overcast Friday morning. Think I will rearrange plans for today. We are having outside church on Sunday with just one Sunday School class at the picnic shelter. Love church on the ballfield! 

On Wednesday I had an eye exam at Carolina Ophthalmology. They are in the same building as my dentist and in April, went in and made an appointment. Very pleased with the staff and Dr Bryan. Came away with new info concerning my eye health and it was good new info. I did learn that my cornea has these, can't remember the name, in the back and possibly will have to have a partial cornea transplant after cataract surgery. He said I am not near that yet...love the yet. Told Roy this gives me time to pray about this and maybe God will be gracious that I would not need cataract surgery....ever, instead of yet. Sign of getting, older...it took two days for my eyes to recover from the dilating drops. He even used the weakest grade because my eyes looked so healthy. Thankful for that because it didn't burn as per usual. Yesterday, my eyes still hurt a bit and after going to look at glasses, I came home and took it easy for the rest of the day. Roy encouraged me to get glasses ordered ASAP because of a possible glitch with vison insurance. So did part one of that yesterday. 

This morning Biggio greeted me at the back door. He hasn't been around for about five days. He was a hungry boy. Some of the older cats are no shows at breakfast now but usually see them for supper. Today it was the younger set and they enjoyed eating to their heart's content or until the bowl was empty without being swatted at by Punky or Mama Cat. Yesterday marked three weeks of HP being gone. I still look out the window hoping to see her but now, not as often. Buddy seems to be making a turn in narrowing down her world. She spends most of her time downstairs but in the late afternoons we have spent time upstairs, with Buddy being close by or on my lap. She seems to be doing okay with her arthritis. She can't have steroid shots anymore and it is difficult to get any of her pain meds into her. 

Got all the errands ran and now I should be doing something more constructive than writing on my blog. At least I am doing something as opposed to yesterday the afternoon held napping and having on in the background, The Making of the Mob. The series on how Al Capone and the Chicago Outfit came into being and thrived for many years.  

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Biggio greeted me once again and this morning breakfast was almost a full house. The kittens are growing up and have such cute personalities. The evening cooled off nicely and they were in the back playing with their toys instead of a piece of mulch. Junioretta's two are four weeks old today. Little and scrawny, just like Junioretta. Herod made an appearance last night but behaved. Since almost everything had been eaten in the bowls, I let him have the leftovers. Maybe he is just hangry a lot. Who knows. Reached out again to the cat man to see where we are on the waiting list. 

Read this tweet this morning and it so true.

Will Soto

@wsoto201

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12h

You know what compels me to listen to others? Their kindness. You know what compels sinners to turn to Christ? God’s kindness. You know what’s missing from so many interactions? Our kindness.

When Roy gave me a month here in the mountains when I turned 60, the "theme" that resonated over and over; God's kindness. I saw more about kindness in that month that maybe during my whole life. I hadn't really ever thought of kindness much. I do think I noticed it the months prior to Roy and I getting married because at every corner where my father thwarted, discouraged and truly was just plain mean, God's kindness met me (us) at every corner in preparation for the ceremony and life. 

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The fog counts, starting yesterday. Today, full on fog but yesterday seemed to be a 1/2 fog day. Must mark calendar because how many foggy mornings equals, according to local lore, how many snowfalls we will get this winter. Inexact science of course but it is fun to keep count of. 

We had church outdoors yesterday on the ball field. Beautiful views and good preaching. Our pastor is finishing up the Gospel according to Mark and then we will begin Ephesians. It did get hot out there and while I kept trying to arrange my chair in the shade for when the sun came out behind the clouds. Not even close to the shade. Heat affects me like nothing else, so when I got home, I cooled off on the couch for a greater part of the afternoon, just trying to get enough energy to take the trash down to the road. 

Over the weekend, for background noise which I usually don't want, but anyway...I had on the history channel on Pluto. One episode in particular of the documentaries they ran was about Charles Edward. He was part of royalty in England and Germany. He chose his Germanic ties in WWI and lost his English titles. His sister sided with England. After WWI, he lost his German royal titles. In his life he went from rich to okay, to prison as a WWII prisoner for his roll in the war and then penniless, dependent on relatives to support him until he passed away. Talk about a life of bad decisions. The epilogue of the show said, Queen Elizabeth has never visited the English village where he was born, distain for his decisions. I never knew about Charles Edward and it doesn't seem much has been written about him, just a reprint of a book published early on in the 20th century but he was behind some of the worst atrocities committed in the war. He was viewed as a weak man but he used that to mask what his role was all about.  

Saturday, I headed over to Burnsville and didn't come home disappointed. Found some cute gifts and a tin picture to hang somewhere in the house. Roy and I are beginning to make plans for what will come with him when he retires. I've heard there is a furniture shortage, guess due to lumber prices. Have a plan to move some things around and that means a loss of wall space to hang pictures. He kept the bookcases we had made by The Amish Craftsman, two wingbacks and a leather recliner that doesn't look like a recliner. Think that will all be able to be used here. Roy has given an end date to his employer, with the flexibility to retire before that date. It is all fluid, trying to get ready for all the scenarios, which really is impossible, but we like that feeling that we have a plan. 

Saturday evening I continued my war against the Japanese Beetle and did some damage to their population. Going to go back out there this evening and see if I can add to the casualties. Also need to trim back the roses they destroyed. 

O Glorious Days

 Oh glorious day! I learned of a farm produce stand mere minutes away from the house. Open seven days a week and maybe next year I will do a CSA with their farm. For those who might think that stands for something else, it means paying for a share, that helps with the funding of their farm and reaping the benefits of the hard farming work of veggies, flowers and fruit during the summer months. Since Roy should be here full time, we will put all that bountiful flavor to good use. Of course it is like any risk, some years great return, some years you only get beets. Some like beets, not this child. 

Yesterday was an early to rise day thus making it an early to bed night. My friends attending a conference at Ridgecrest had an early morning flight. So up at 4:00 am to get ready and feed the Feral Fam. Those that were awake and in the garage. Left for the "crest" around 5:00 am because the fog was like Foggy McFog yesterday morning. In these past few years, I have driven in some bad fog, but this was the worst ever. At least I was driving in a valley and not on the Blue Ridge Parkway or over a mountain. Vision was limited and had the thought of deer crossing the roads that took up every bit of attention I could muster. Sometimes, I knew where I was and other times...nothing looked familiar. Well, that was due to fog covering everything in existence. The fog was not so intense on the freeway but there were pockets that slowed us all down. Picked friends up and we made our way to the airport. Thankfully, the fog was not bad at all but one should always prepare for that here. Breakfast seemed in order and not missing the turn this time, I made it to Cracker Barrel only to see that they open at 8:00 am, not the usual 6:30. Off to Another Broken Egg, to enjoy the waffle breakfast. Once I began the drive back fog had lifted except for our area. Turned on Fletcher Martin, and engulfed with fog. 

War has been declared on Japanese Beetles! The traps arrived the other day and Neem oil has been used on roses, blackberries, ornamental cherry trees and such. All these beetles do is eat and have sex. The trap lures the female with food fragrance and male with sex fragrance...it's a win win trapping situation. 

This morning bears witness that cats do have a sense of humor, not playing around but a true sense. Breakfast was almost a full house this morning. Heard some growls and saw some swatting. These cats don't play when it comes to meal time, except today I witnessed something I've never seen. The more dominant and aggressive cats take over eating at the bowls with the younger ones and Boodos regulated to y'all get to eat the leftovers. Boodos climbed up on some storage containers to watch the frenzy of black and white fur with some orange fur thrown in. Boodos looked around and then made the growling noise associated with King Herod. Guess Herod needs trumpet like sounds to announce his arrival. The cats scattered and I have to admit I made my way quickly to the backdoor. With the bowls cleared and with food still left in them, Boodos calmly made his way down to the bowls for his quiet breakfast. He looked at me and did the half eye closed look. Seemed like he was saying, look huuuumannnn what I did.  

We have been discussing a new dishwasher for several weeks. This morning Roy went to Lowe's in Houston to hear what they had to recommend and I was going to Lowe's here to get a fan for our classroom and some more Japanese Beetle traps, not for our classroom but for the roses. Roy and I picked the same dishwasher and then when we talked learned this fact. Thankfully, it is one they have in stock, so bought it and will have it installed next month. I love the third rack thingy. 

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Beginning on Sunday, it will be time to count the morning fogs for our snowfall prediction. It is not scientific but it is fun to keep count. The kiddos got a late breakfast this morning. Buddy once again is napping after we had our quiet time together. She's a non participant for the most part, unless she was in deep prayer with eyes closed but somehow I highly doubt this. 

Sunday was a fine day. Pastor is wrapping up our study on Mark and the new series will be Ephesians. We had our fellowship and prayer Sunday in class. Choir rehearsal last night was productive and fun. Sometime soon Debbie, new choir director, is offering a learn to read music class. I am going to take it. Know it will not help my singing but it will stretch me for sure, making my brain work in an area that seems very challenging. 

Last Friday upon returning home after breakfast, I decided to go to Burnsville. I also made a short trip to Johnson City. I just needed to get away. July has been a difficult month in so many ways and I felt like hitting the road. Driving around the countryside always helps me mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I found cute things at Vintage Lamp Post and had a delightful visit with the young freshman girl getting ready to head to App State in August. Really, it has been a week of delightful conversations. The checker at Ingles in Mars Hill and I talked about heart issues and we both gave each other some needful information. Her name is Ann and I will be looking for her upon any return trip. The Barnes and Noble in Johnson City have good stuff on the last chance sale table. Went to Hobby Lobby looking for a particular paper but didn't find what I was looking for. I didn't feel like going to Kroger or Troyer's so I just came on home. The drive and the time and even my singing in the car did a world of good and refreshed my soul. 

On Saturday, Roy sent an email from his Dr to me. Shocked the bejabbers out of me. Long story short, after discovering some health issues last July, Roy the overachiever changed doctors and began a year long process of getting back into a healthier range with his bloodwork. He is off most of the medications that were prescribed last summer but in this process, Roy lost a tremendous amount of weight. When I saw him for the first time after all his weight loss, I was shocked and thought he looks like he has cancer. He was struggling to get his weight back to around 170-175. He believed his weight loss was from one of the meds he was taking. To rule out anything else, the doctor had several tests prescribed for him. One was a stress test and what was so funny, he was on the treadmill longer than any other person in his age range and wasn't nearly tired. The nurse stopped the test saying, clearly his heart was not an issue. Bloodwork, which brings me back to the first sentence. The doctor writes, no markers were found in his blood for pancreatic cancer. What???!!!!  I called Roy and asked why he didn't tell me they were testing for this and he replied, he didn't know they were testing for this. He has gained weight and in his prescribed weight range. He still eats a lot to keep that happening but not like before. We are both so pleased that what was looking so dreadful last July hasn't been the case. We praise God for this news!

Encounters

 The fog is slowly burning off, the kiddos are fed, Buddy has been treated and now napping, and I have my coffee and easing into the morning. I think there was a full house for breakfast including Radley. His presence keeps King Herod at bay, so that cat is certainly appreciated. His months long absence gives me hope for HP but my mind tells me differently.  A couple of days ago, I pretty much thought Junioretta's kittens might not have made it. No little meowing sounds and she seemed a little more footloose and fancy free of her motherly duties. I encountered the truth of, very much alive and the two look so cute. I was able to get a quick glance, while Junioretta was being footloose. 

In the late afternoon I made a TJ Market trip for some peaches. They had apples as apple season is nearly upon us. Apple or apple cider donuts season...it's all good. I encountered Wolf River apples, a variety I've never heard of, so a couple of those were purchased. Just Googled It Up and it is an old time apple variety, mostly used for cooking but these two small apples purchased probably won't be made into anything other than a snack. 

Roy has had some interesting encounters with some of the older ladies at his condos recently. He calls them the hot smoking women because they are outside smoking in the hot temps of Houston. They are keeping him informed on things he needs to purchase to make life easier. They suggested to him last week after watching him make three trips from his car to his condo that he needed to get a cart to cut down on the wear and tear of multiple trips. We had one of those carts long ago when we lived at Post Oak Lane but it had long been sold in a garage sale. They are a little more costly than back in the day. The hot smoking women gave him this tip, get something with a more solid platform than just wire on the bottom. His cart from Amazon came yesterday and he needs to assemble it. Another tidbit of advice they have shared is about the grills one can use. Don't follow the instructions because they are wrong. They told him what kind of lighter to buy and how to use the grill. He has been making chicken and beef kabobs on Saturdays on the grill. Their expert instruction has taken a lot of wasted time out of the process. This is opposite of his encounters with some of the women at Post Oak Lane Condominiums. Our dog Tiff kept most of them at a distance but there was a lady on our floor who seemed to be making plans of removing me and replacing my presence with hers. After my encounter with the virus that attacked my heart and being on the road to recovery, the lady approached me as I sat by the pool relaxing one hot fall day. She asked if it was true, that I had nearly died and that the prognosis at that time wasn't too good for making it. Yes, I confirmed it was true, it was a near death experience but I believed I would live beyond the expectations of a life span given to me. She said, well in case it doesn't turn out that way for you, could you put in a good word with Roy about me before you die? Oh yes, that will be high on the list of last instructions. Gee whiz! When our home sold in May, Roy began looking for a condo and considered Post Oak Lane again. Ironically, that woman's condo was on the market but we weren't looking to buy. So either she found someone or she passed away or could have just moved. Guess I can take that off my list of things to do, ha!

Yesterday, I had two encounters of the Baylor kind because of wearing a Baylor tshirt. At Barnes and Noble I heard someone say, sic em bears! An employee followed Baylor basketball throughout March Madness and then as champions. A little later at the grocery store while entering to get a basket a gentleman said, I love Baylor University! He began telling me what a good education one could get there and how beautiful the campus is. Then at the end of his story he sheepishly said, well, I guess you know that already. Wow, that makes four encounters over the six years but two in one day...wow! 

Roy and I are looking into buying a new dishwasher. Ours still works but you can feel that it is making that final turn to its last days. We are both researching what we need and what will work. I am looking for shorter cycles. The one we have now is the longest running dishwasher that I can ever remember. Also looking for the quiet cycles as well. Of course I need to go measure the thing and that is what Roy would have done first. 

It feels like since the beginning days of discussing, then deciding to sell our Katy home to this week I have just had a feeling of being overwhelmed, overwrought and overthinking. Emotionally everything has felt topsey turvey. Not sad about selling the house or thinking that the last time I was there in 2019 was, the last time to be there. There is a happiness that is the result of selling the house, that frees Roy up in so many ways. I think selling the house is more of a marker to define these feelings. Partly, maybe, it is being able to come out of the restrictions of the pandemic only to think we might be heading that way again. Each spring and summer I look forward to the book recommendations for released or yet to be released novels. There hasn't been one list that I have purchased a book via the recommendation. It has been a sad experience. Unlike any summer book reading list ever. Has that stopped me from buying other books? No. Then this morning, while studying for our lesson next week, I read this...He restores my soul, from Psalm 23. Gave me a bit of an emotional adjustment...it does more than that because it is the Word of God, that doesn't return void, but calm overtook the overwhelmed, overwrought and overthinking this afternoon. Encountered the Good Shepherd, He restores my soul, I know His voice. 

Ding Ding Ding!

 After several attempts of writing about the whole HP thing, I just can't do it, yet. I write a paragraph or so and then have to stop with my emotions bubbling to the surface. So until that day, I have hope but reality says, she will not be back. For the first time in quite a while, the desire to write has ebbed. It will return but right now to sit here and type out anything is an exercise and not a joyful habit. 

I think that this feels like such a season of loss with a bit of change thrown in. Of course there is the obvious loss of HP but I feel a loss in another area of life that I can't quite write about now. Pondering and praying as I make my way through this. Part of the change being experienced is a happy one though. Roy is putting pen to paper on retiring. We have several scenarios to choose from or not as likely but still a reality that the scenario is directed by others. So soon, that countdown will begin and I for one, even with a loss of a paycheck change, is ready for this to happen. 

Had a nice break in the routine yesterday. My friends Eulalia and Phyllis are in town for a conference at Ridgecrest. They had quite the tiring journey, or maybe that is a lack of the start to the journey, when air traffic controllers kept the flight from taking off for an hour because of crowded air traffic conditions. The flight finally made it to Asheville. While I was at the curb waiting for them, an unusual situation developed. Since I was in the truck and that thing is not the easiest to maneuver, I pulled as close as possible to a pedestrian crossing for pull out room. A little car eased into a nothing space in front of me. The lady sat there for a minute, then proceeded to get her luggage out of the back. She stopped on the passenger side of her vehicle, pulled out her purse and locked her car. She went into the terminal. The loud speakers announce every few minutes that any unoccupied car will be ticketed and towed. At that moment I kind of felt all Gomer Pyle in the Andy Griffith Show, and wanted to yell citizens arrest, citizens arrest cause, you know...I don't fly often but I do know they will tow that car off in a heartbeat. I'm looking for the policeman that had just walked by on patrol. The lady came out, with her luggage. She was on the phone and she made eye contact. She asked, have you ever left your car parked at the curb here? Nope, I would not, could not leave a car. No park away, park away in the lot over thar. She says I'm alone, no one at the counter, and I left my credit card at a restaurant and no one is answering the phone at the restaurant. Ding, Ding, Ding!!! We have a winner! She was a scam artist. I should have asked what restaurant, but I said either go get your card and reschedule a flight or leave your car here for the most expensive flight ever. I could feel she was looking at me but I was not going to meet her gaze...wasn't going to give her money...nothing. Cause she was scamming in the soon to be rain. About that time Phyllis and I made contact but the lady in front of me moved on. Looking for another victim, seeking whom she might devour, I mean deceive. In retrospect, she was a bit too calm over this. If this was me, I would be trying to get my thoughts together and make my next good decision knowing that leaving my car at the curb was not the decision to make. Now back to the original thought, of picking up friends. We stopped at The Moose Cafe. We all got veggie plates and those veggies were sooooo good! I asked about a long time server there at the Moose and was so saddened to hear she had passed away last year. Robin had worked at the Moose for twenty five years and she was only 45 years old. She was tough and if one made the mistake of acting like a tourist or entitled or a problem customer, the ride would not be an easy one for the rest of the meal but if she liked you, it was a very fun and memorable experience. She and Peggy had a conversation that was quite entertaining and funny. 

Got the kiddos fed earlier and I was happy to see Boodos. He had not been around much and was a no show for supper last night. There are certain cats that don't make a habit of missing a meal and he is one of those cats. It was assuring though to see Radley or was it Darth hanging around in the garage last night. He gets great service from me because when he is around, Herod is not on the scene. 

This is our prayer and fellowship Sunday so I am using the time to get ahead on our study of Martha and Mary. I am also taking time to get a few things done here around the house. Like these catch up days. 

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Catch Up

 We have had rain at some point in the last few days and I am so thankful not to have to go out and water plants. Dead heading roses, really need to get that done but I just haven't had the will to. Need to, cause the roses are so beautiful throughout the summer but as of this morning just dried out blooms. 

We kind of finished up with Sarah and Hagar yesterday in Sunday School. Just saw a t-shirt being advertised on FB. The names of several biblical women are on the front to give you encouragement or is it to encourage others? Cause really, you don't look at the t-shirt when you are wearing it. The first Bible woman named on the shirt, Sarah. It said be like; In waiting be like - Sarah. Wait. Okay, yes, but Sarah was kind of snarky and manipulative and down right mean in her waiting for a child. If I was wearing this t-shirt, I would add Hagar to the list. So it might be, Know God like-Hagar. Saturday night I had a WWI documentary on for background noise. At first, it had my interest but the sound effects overtook the words being read from diaries or letters from that particular time. The words, the interesting part, could be understood cause of the sound distraction. I feel that way about Hagar. We get so wrapped up in Abraham and Sarah, and we should, but if we aren't distracted, we can learn so much from Hagar. Only woman in the Bible promised multiple descendants and only person to give God a name. She found herself in a drama she didn't create, she did have that short lived issue with pride that contributed to the drama but she ran right into God in her runaway to the wilderness, by a spring on the road to Shur. 

Last night I decided to wear a pair of capris that I had ordered early in the year and at a smaller size. The smaller size was too big. Nice problem yet I love these capris. I had to wear a belt to keep them pulled up and not falling down to my ankles. 

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HP hasn't shown up and I don't know that she will. I do know that the right thing was to set her free from the back porch. She wasn't eating much and that lively look about her was fading. Her right legs were healing up but I know the last few days on the porch, she gave me signs she was ready to go. Tried one last time for she and Buddy, but no luck. I also know she feared King Herod and she wasn't going to stay around here to experience his wrath. Junior has come back and recovering nicely. While fixing food he meows so quietly to let me know he was under the car and that is where I took food to him. Yesterday, he was surprised by Herod and chased a bit. I try not to feed KH.  Even Mama Cat has withdrawn to the gravel road. Punky hasn't been around for a couple of days and that is unlike her although she is at the stage of ditching her last litter to be on their own. Biggio comes and goes as well as Baby. Baby has been around but haven't seen Biggio going on day two. I do think I saw HP on Saturday evening in the far reaches of Mary Joyce's yard, back among the shrubs and trees. She hung out a lot at the Mountain View Church by us, so maybe someone claimed her. Daily, it is finding the happy in the hard when it comes to HP. I miss her. I can hardly stand to garden because she was by my side on most days. I am not ruling anything out because these cats disappear and then show up, but I am also a realist and know she could have gotten in the woods and didn't pay attention to her surroundings. I cannot think about her much, although I do. If I give in to thoughts, even the good ones about her, I will break down. I am not ready to do that holding onto hope she will return. Meanwhile I am doing the most I can to persuade KH this might not be a good place for him and he needs to move on. He has been on the scene for a couple of years and wasn't a problem until recently. 

Mama Cat just went up on the list. Just saw her carry a little snake in her mouth up on the gravel road. Mama Cat you have earned extra food and treats for that little act of kindness. Now, if you could just do that to King Herod, I will set you up for life. 

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Decided in the middle of the night to change plans for today and postpone those plans until tomorrow. I ran a bunch of errands yesterday. One was to stop in at Reems Creek and use the bonus bloom bucks accumulated over the past several months. I got some more zinnias even though the thought of gardening right now makes me sad because of HP and her absence. But the love of a deal and of zinnias overtook the sadness and those plants will be planted today or tomorrow. Had a Big Lots coupon so I got some more post lights to put in the back. Earlier in the day I made an Ingles run. Out more than I had anticipated but took care of those pesky things that occur weekly, like you know, buying food. At Reems Creek, finally found some Neem oil. Everyone has been out because the Japanese beetles are all over, on almost every tree and flower. 

This morning as Buddy and I eased into the day and as I read for the lesson on Sunday, all the bunny trails came together in a plan for Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Now to get those things written down and prayed over. Roy asked the other night who I liked best in the story, besides Jesus, cause you know that would be the correct Sunday School answer as well as the truth. First I teased with Lazarus cause he doesn't seem to have to do anything around the house but truthfully, Martha has been a favorite since I can remember and that would include back in the day as a kid learning these lessons. 

Tomorrow marks one week since HP has been around. Punky showed up last night but not looking too good. Biggio is still MIA. Right now the joy is gone cause HP is gone. Just going through the motions in getting them taken care of but here is a happy in the hard; for the first time in six days Junior came into the garage and ate at his usual place instead of wanting to be fed while hiding underneath the car. 

Still Concentrating On Cat World

 After several days of quiet the backyard this morning contained all the joy and glee that kittens can bring to playing. While these cousins haven't quite accepted each other as of yet, in their own groups they chased, tackled, attacked with brief periods, no make that seconds of rest. A whole lot of black and white flashing through the rocks and flowers with only the occasional orange and white making brief appearances. Some of the plants are a little worse for wear, but this is not their first rodeo with several litters playing in the same spaces from days gone by, intense hide and seek at its finest and well, the plants, hopefully, will make a comeback in the fall. Junioretta has moved her litter by the steps to the backdoor. Carefully, not gazing intently, I act like it is no big deal coming and going through the door but everything within me wants to take a long look. There is additional room so the kittens are not as whiny as over by the tool chest and weedeater. Junior showed up this morning to greet the newly free HP and he has been hanging around. He was in the backyard when King Herod showed. Junior ran away...tough Junior and now King Herod rules the roost in Junior's head. Junior still has a limp and he has lost a lot of weight. He was eating treats when that no goodnic showed his face. Later, seeing Junior under the Mustang, I snuck him a bowl of food and he wolfed that down in no time. I stood guard cause Mama Cat had gotten a whiff of the salmon/shrimp combo. No sighting of HP but don't expect one anytime soon. If nothing happens to her she should be back. Biggio just showed back up so maybe she will come in the cool of the evening to eat. Buddy has taken over the back porch now that it has been vacated. We really hoped that Buddy and HP could abide together but the situation reminds me of Barney and Earnest T Bass. Barney tells Andy, let me take him out back and work him over, and Andy responds he'd kill you. Even with HP not at 100% the likelihood of Buddy getting hurt is about 95%. I would eternally feel horrible if for the sake of ease in caring for these cats that Buddy was fatally injured and the vet told me that was a huge reasonable inevitable occurrence. 

Been working on the Hagar lesson this afternoon and getting it written out. The sources I have been studying are full of interesting details and things that apply to our life. 

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The early part of the evening yesterday consisted of King Herod patrol. He was hanging out trying to get some food. If he is going to injure and maim and possibly kill the Feral Fam, I am not going to fuel his rage. For a brief second last night, I felt he might attack me. He was in the stealth position and creeping along, moving toward me. I had my big cane, long line leather work gloves and wasp spray to defend myself. I stood and his advances turned to retreat under the car. To keep him out of the garage where Boodos was hiding out and of course Junioretta's little fam is in the corner. Combined the food and took it to the back steps. Heard a rush coming from the top of the yard, around the fence and Darth was chasing King Herod. We all stood and cheered, well only I did, but if cats could or rather would do such a thing, they would have joined in. Poor Junior was hiding out in the decorative mailbox on the front porch for most of the evening. Still no sightings of HP but there is peace in my heart and spirit. I did the right thing. She was beginning to pace just like the lions and tigers at the zoo. Back and forth and circles. It was a sign she was ready to go back into her world. She still had a little weakness in her front right paw, but it seemed to be manageable. Mama Cat has vacated her staked out territory in the back for she and her kiddos due to King Herod. MC is one of the toughest and the oldest cat out there. She is mostly the aggressor against other cats, but in this bonding with one another over the fear of KH, she has been a little more friendly to the others. 

I do not like King Herod. He attacked Boodos and has Junior so afraid. Heard this faint meow, Junior under the car again, fed him and gave him water to drink. He was afraid of the fly buzzing around. None of the cats have been in the back today, because of KH. He tried to go after a kitten, but sprayed water on him. Didn't see HP so I hope she is hiding or maybe she found a home. She is so friendly, but if I find out that KH killed HP, I will be so upset. I don't think that but the thought crossed my mind as he tried to go for that kitten. 

Just before the dusk turned to dark, I think I saw HP across the way, deep into Mary Joyce's garden. Baby, who looks so much like HP, was on the driveway under the window. The peace of knowing I made the right decision to let HP be out and about is still with me and I know the right decision was made concerning her, although it was a decision but the hard of it was actually letting her go. 

Happy in the Hard, Cat Version

 Junioretta has brought her kitten(s) into the garage and I hope by her seeing that I noticed her, she will not move them or it. She has positioned herself in the tiniest of spaces. She was pregnant huge, so I wonder if something got to them under the porch or if she just had one or two. I am horrible at this, she probably has nine kiddos and just has them crammed into a little bity spot. This is the first cat to actually bring her litter inside instead of under the house or down the gravel road. Junioretta has never been a gravel road aficionado, so not surprised there. She has spent a lot of time in the recent weeks under the front porch. This I know about her kittens, she has one orange kitty. Boodos, is still hanging out in the back so that's a good sign that at least this morning and afternoon King Herod has been busy elsewhere. 

Walking on Water by Madeline L'Engle is just about one of my all time favorite books. I have marked my copy up in so many different colors that when I saw a copy in the bookstore several weeks ago, I purchased it with the thought of starting a new book or giving it away. Most probably it will be given away because I know in my markings and notations where certain quotes are. Think a quote or two will make it into this weeks lesson on Sunday. What an insight and profound way with words. She and Pat Conroy are two of my favorites, oh yes and late to the list Wilma Dykeman, an Asheville treasure and legacy. I have several books that I need to read, to learn and become better informed but I am having trouble not with the content but with the style of writing. Jan Karon and her Mitford series and anything written by Elizabeth Elliott, I have tried to read their books but their style and my brain do not mesh. So, this is not a new thing. I am hanging in there with these other books but it is a struggle. 

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Haircut appointment changed till 10:00 instead of 9:00 am. Still not as crowded as later in the day. I went to Target after that. It has been a while since going in a Target store. I got what I needed...and then some other stuff I didn't need. That's the Target way. Ran to Ingles and Publix, then came on home. I couldn't find HP on the porch. She wasn't on the daybed as usual. I began looking and saw her hiding under one of the chairs. Most probably from the weedeating Mike did. I got her out and sat with her awhile, even bringing lunch out to keep her company. As for her lunch, she ate a bit but not too much. I have felt like she is feeling ready to get back to life with her siblings and cousins. I took a slight nap out there and she laid out on my arm up against the pillows on her back. 

An afternoon highlight was a quick phone conversation with Lisa P. 

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This morning I made a "happy in my hard" decision. Last night, Baby came to the back porch and meowed and paced watching HP. HP paced, making circles of either the table or the daybed. I considered letting her out last night but each time I considered that, the neighbors on the road in the kind of trashed out house would set off one firecracker. They've been doing this since Monday and usually it is a total of four firecrackers set off at intermittent times. Makes me jump cause for one, it startles me and two, I think it is a gun shot. As the evening wore on, I sat in the living room keeping a watch until HP settled in on the daybed. I asked the Lord, kind of like Gideon, to confirm the feeling that HP was ready to be out with her Feral Fam, by having Biggio be around this morning. He has been absent for two days.  You know, he was front and center out in the back with Mama Cat, Junioretta, Punky and Boodos. Surrounded by a great crowd of witnesses, I went to the garage and put out a bowl of food where Biggio and HP usually start their meals, came back to the porch, hugged HP, told her I loved her, she is welcome back anytime but to go out and be happy with her Fam. I picked her up and carried her to the garage, where we were met by Biggio. He was one excited cat and she was a bit in shock. In fact, she sat there a bit looking at me like, really, for real? Yes. She came over to the now empty bowl and I filled it once again and she ate at bit. Did a brief meet and greet with the rest of the Fam. She went over to the corner by the garage door and introduced herself to two of Punky's kiddos and she went out under the door. The sound of meowing came from the driveway where she had just gone out. It wasn't her meow, so I checked and it was Junior who has been gone a week, greeting her. Him, with a definite limp but looks to be healing. They walked together and rubbed heads and moved around the stairs, so happy. HP looked at me and that meant a lot cause it is not an angry, you kept me holed up for a week look. I think she knows she needed help and this past week has been to get her back on stable legs. So far I have not gone out to look for her, cause I am sure she is out there making sure her places are still there. Happy, in my hard decision to let her go back to her life but I feel like she will come back in on the porch and not feel like she had been held captive, well yes, she was, but in luxury. Let's call it rehab. 

Junioretta has moved her kittens to another part of the garage. Hopefully, she chose more spacious accommodations.  Think this has given her a little bit of freedom, cause she needs a break. Little kittens are a whiny bunch. A noise in the garage got my attention a few moments ago. A broom and rake were knocked over. All the food is gone, so it must have been a full house this morning. 

Back to the Routine

 We left the house around 6:30 am. Fog being our companion until we got to the freeway. With sadness in my heart, I dropped Roy off at the airport and had plans of having breakfast at the Cracker Barrel close by. Missed the turn so onto Another Broken Egg. Made a quick stop at Ingles. The Feral Fam acted as if I had not fed them at 6:00 am, so I put out another few bowls of food. Checked on HP and then Buddy and sat down at 9:07. That was a lot of cram into those few hours. Happy to be home though, although it is quieter. 

Over the past few days we got so many things taken care of. Roy did yeoman's duty in everything he undertook. Sometimes things that need attention can feel so overwhelming. Friday morning we dropped off cardboard at the landfill and upon leaving Roy said, a trip to NC isn't complete until we make a landfill run. We went to Big Lots and Publix, then returned home. The man who installed our roof came around 4:00 to see about a leak that might have developed and he found the problem and fixed it. When he left we drove around a bit with the day being so beautiful and only in the high 70s. Saturday morning we went to Burnsville to see some photos Roy was interested in. We didn't come away with anything from that particular photographer, but we stumbled upon the Burnsville Farmers Market and he found what he was looking for there. It is a small market but they are trying to expand it. Burnsville was a happening place. After we got home we got to working in the yard. Roy cut branches back that are getting too close to the house and he cleaned the water filter. 

Seems this past year has held so much and one thing that has been startling strange is, the weird dreams I had. Think they call them pandemic dreams. Sunday morning, the last dream is memorable and I knew when I woke up I didn't want to forget it. In this dream I was interviewing a man, deep in Appalachia, in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I think I was a news reporter and the conversation centered around a field he was working in. Before he could even plant anything, he had to pull all this junk out of the field, old fence posts, metal discards, wire...and I asked the question, isn't it hard to have to do all that pulling out the junk and his response was, you have to find your happy in the hard. I woke up. Happy in the Hard. 

I can think of several situations going on in life right now where the desire to find the happy in the hard has become paramount. Cause, that seems to be the only way for me to progress. There are situations I am not understanding. Finding the happy in your hard is really the joy of the Lord is your strength. Last night dragging the hose across the yard to water plum trees was hard. The evening had not cooled off, I forgot to wear a headband or visor so sweat is pouring into my eyes. While pulling the hose, kinks had to be straightened and as always keeping an eye on walking with balance because there are little dips in the yard can throw one for a loop and definitely a fall. Growing frustrated with the whole process, I almost gave in to the hard to walk away and let the plum trees figure out how they were going to be watered. But, I needed to find my happy in the hard. So usually the first thought is, I couldn't have done this work five years ago. Happy to have good knees now. The work didn't need to be done at full speed, a leisurely pace accomplished the same goal. So the nozzle was set to soak once reaching the trees. Already so close to the road saving another trip, brought the trash cans up to the gate. Since both trees had been watered and Mike the Mower Man doesn't come till Wednesday, I was able to go around the house to turn off the water and today I will reverse the process moving back to the hose stand. 

Junioretta has had her kittens and July 3rd is their birthdate. I could hear them meowing in the straw behind the hydrangea. A few plants over that way need to be watered but didn't want to frighten Junioretta. First litter of kittens I have known where they are, man it was hard working in the yard last night but happy to hear their little meows. 

Boodos has been hanging out in the backyard, yesterday and this morning. He spends most of his time in the garage hidden on a shelf. Probably keeping a low profile because of King Herod. Hopefully, with him feeling more free to be outside, maybe, I sure hope that King Herod has moved on, at least for now. A respite from his presence sends a feeling of calm in the back. I am watching HP and she seems more ready to make a go of it on the outside again. Her front right leg isn't completely 100% so that worries me a bit. I'll really have to find happy in the hard when I let her outside. It seems she and Buddy aren't a possibility mainly on Buddy's part. 

After about 3-4 weeks, Dena and I got caught up on the phone yesterday. Yes, even life in rural America gets quite busy, just not with the same concerns as city life. Dena has had her hands full as well. 

This Sunday we will finally get to Hagar and her story. I find her much more interesting than Sarah but this time around, finding some nuances of Sarah has been encouraging. Sarah and Hagar are much more than flannelgraph characters from the Bible. 

I picked the first ripe blackberry from our blackberry bushes we planted this spring. They will not be yielding a huge harvest but oh that blackberry tasted so good. Wish there had been one when Roy was here. He inspected his apple trees and there will not be a bumper crop of apples this year. The ginger gold tree is leaning again, so we fixed that situation once again. 

Just The Normal Stuff

 Nothing to see here. Just a human with a hyper-extended knee from coming up the road too quickly pulling a trash bin. Too long of stride, dodging rain and the neighbor who comes up our road too fast and is usually distracted. So ouch! Buddy is trailing my every step to make sure I do not spend too much time with Hector Protector. At first I thought it might hinder me going to serve dinner at church, but then after a little rest, it was all good. 

I wrote this first paragraph on Tuesday and now here on a Friday is my first chance to sit and write. Of course I am busy with good things and that makes me especially happy. Because of scheduling conflicts, Roy flew into GSP in the Greenville area Wednesday morning. Oh the fun of I 26 and all the construction, but guess Roy is worth it. Even when they get the widening and bridge replacement done, I think it will not be enough infrastructure. Reminds me of 99 in Katy with the flyover being inadequate to handle the traffic from day one. His arrival by plane and mine by car were almost a perfect meshing. I only waited about ten minutes. They had landed but pulling into a gate took time. We immediately celebrated his arrival by having lunch at the Longhorn Steakhouse and then a fun trip to Costco. On the way home we stopped by Strawberry Hill. Last week for strawberries but we also got peaches, nectarines, cantaloupe, blackberries, corn and tomatoes. Yummy, yum yum. We got home and put up everything and made a quick, but late trip over to church. Roy wanted to visit with DC and I wanted to eat whatever leftovers they had since it had been taco Wednesday at VBS. There was just enough to make a taco a piece. 

On Thursday, we had a full schedule of things to take care of. We dropped the truck off at Jimmy's for oil change and maintenance. We were going to go out for breakfast but decided to come back here. HP is coming off of pain meds, so we wanted to make sure she was okay and not pacing too much. Roy made one of his delicious breakfasts. Then we were out the door to our insurance office to update a few things insurance wise. We met with Daniel, from State Farm. No khakis but he had on his Mississippi State bow tie in celebration of the Baseball Natty. Since NC State got rooked out of the deal, MSU was my next team to root for. We got all that taken care of and off to the T-Mobile store in the Waynesville area. They could not help us, we were going to have to go all the way over to Hendersonville Road to get a sims card. Sprint is now a part of T-Mobile. We have been with Sprint since the beginning and now, we do not feel any loyalty at all to this T-Mobile model.  First of all the stores feel old and not appealing. They don't have enough staff, which is understandable due to Covid, but one person working and the wait much longer than we had time to give. Yes, that sounds so first world entitlement problems, but it was more, we have so much to get done in a day. I have jumped ahead in the story though. After a no go help from T-Mobile we had lunch at the Blue Rooster. Time wise, I didn't even have coconut cake or take any to go. A quick stop at Duckett's for some greasy beans, then onto Champion Credit Union. Then we headed over to Hendersonville Road and I have already told the story and it was pouring rain. We stopped in at Jimmy's to see about the truck. Would be about 30 minutes, so I took Roy over to see Tessa's Shop Around the Corner in Weaverville. Okay, that was more for me than Roy. Then we went back to Jimmy's got the truck and headed home. We needed to go to the grocery store but I was done for the day. I went out to the back porch, sat with HP and I do believe I took a nap. 

Today, both Roy and I are happy for a slower paced day. The rain looks like it will be heading out of here by early afternoon. We have some boxes we need to breakdown and take over to the landfill. Yes, exciting times.

Last night while sitting on the back porch, the too common commotion of a cat being chased broke through the silence. Baby was up near the top of our neighbors fir tree with King Herod underneath it. Gee, it felt like it was a good time to water the bottom of the fence or maybe even through it. Herod moved on and Baby was able to get down. Herod hung around the garage trying to get some food, earlier and I had been on watch to keep him away. That is not for bullies! When all the chase noise happened, HP, moved closer to me and eventually on my lap. She slunk down almost knowing she didn't want to be spotted by KH. Roy, the enforcer, came out with the big water gun cause KH was moving closer to the porch. I checked on Biggio by camera cause he was asleep on the front porch. He slept till the rains came down and that rain helped diffuse the tense situation in the back.  Punky got her kiddos to safety and Mama Cat, she has introduced the little kittens to all the glory of the garage. This morning while feeding the Feral Fam, Baby came as close to me as he ever has. I am taking that as a thank you for giving him a chance to get out of that tree. The whole atmosphere changes when KH is near. 

HP is still hanging out on the back porch. I hope I am doing the right thing for her. We are going to try and introduce Buddy and HP tomorrow.