The Coordination and Crowning of Becoming An Old Lady

 We dined sumptuously on eggs, bacon and sliced strawberries for the Coronation of King Charles and Camilla yesterday morning. While we weren't the keenest watchers, I was more interested than Roy. Loved the music and the ceremony. Didn't care about all the goings on with the royal family because all the experts in the world really are only making guesses and sometimes educated guesses about the thoughts or feelings of major and minor, working or non working royals. All the troops and the pageantry in the returning to Buckingham Palace or wherever they returned to was the most interesting. Maybe they returned to Windsor...not a clue. Anyway, Roy has been calling the Coronation the Coordination. When you think about that, it's not too far off in meaning for the celebration. 

The youth of the church we having a fund raiser for camp so we headed that way to look around at the craft vendors and pick up some pie for later. We headed home to put away the pie and feed The Boys, then off to TJs and a quick trip at Ingles. We bought more tomatoes at TJs with a few other annuals for small containers. We ate a quick lunch and Roy went to work out while I finished up the last part of the lesson for today. We were able to do a little more work in the flowerbeds in the evening. We've been painting the chairs out front. One chair and two footstools are done. Have two more chairs to paint. 

I made the big dive into being an old lady today, you might even say I was baptized by emersion, into dressing like I haven't the sense to look both ways before crossing the street. With the upcoming appointment to the cardiologist yet, needing comfort and on the first Sunday that we could truly wear spring and summer clothes temp wise, I didn't want to wear boots. Yes, I know that statement is shocking. Every winter into spring, leaving the socks behind, I do have a little swelling around my ankles but it dissipates. This year, that has happened but it is also happening because my heart is not pumping blood efficiently to the lower limbs. Wanting to be active before the appointment, I needed to wear compression socks...so I did, with sandals. The sandals are not cute strappy sandals but comfort driven and I do believe I remember my Grandma B wearing a leather version of what I wore yesterday. Thank you Clark's brand. At least I tried to coordinate colors and not wear white socks or anything like that. Also this week, while out in the yard working, I wore a red and black buffalo checked flannel shirt that didn't match a thing I had on. Ah, the life. I blame the fact I have been going to Roy's doctor appointments with him under the guise of getting breakfast. Haha! No, I think it could be that some of these things that I thought really mattered, don't. Don't get me wrong, I can dress up or whatever in a minute but if I don't have to, why? Roy says he thinks whatever is cute and fine. He is looking more at the softening of my attitude and approach to life. That's all that matters these days. I am in the process of gathering my flood style pants to give away. When you grew up tall and hardly any pants were long enough, so you always had on high waters...I can't think I am wearing anything fashionable and I've tried. Giving up and moving on. I am on a clearing out bent and have made headway. Headway, that I can tell, that's for sure. 

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We did the weed pulling thing yesterday with the ground being wet from our rain. The side flowerbed is the worst. Well, it is the worst because we truly can see all the weeds fully. It is also where perennial wildflowers come up, so sometimes it takes longer to remember is this a plant or a weed. I use the photo plant identifier and that helps most of the time. I think we lost all our butterfly bushes during the crippling cold of Christmas. Went back to work in the yard after supper. More weed pulling, some dead heading of roses and putting together another raised flowerbed to put around the last plum tree. We ordered an 8x4 bed to put around the maple tree. We also have a couple more small 3x3 galvanized rings to put over by the forsythia and where the sunflower seeds will be planted. 

I don't know why I started thinking about GA's this week. The whole Girl's Auxiliary experience doesn't hold a bunch of happy times, but I can remember some of the things I learned. Like, at the house the church bought across from Westbury High School, when our church met there. We had Sunbeams, GA's and guess RA's there during the week. From that little house I learned how to make butter by shaking a jar of cream as well as being introduced to Christmas in July as we brought Christmas gifts to be shipped overseas to children around the world. My cousin's churches usually did Awana which seemed to have a little more of a fun element to it. Of course it is not surprising that those things we did in GA's seemed a bit more serious. I also think it is not a fond memory because I didn't really know very many others participating. We attended early SS and church and most everyone my age went to late SS and church. The same for choir, I wanted to love it but I didn't read music and felt so inadequate. My mom once saw the music minister from our church Ron Lowrey at a church reunion, I was a young adult then. She said his face lit up when she mentioned my name. I will always be thankful that he did that because, she dropped me off for choir and I hid in places around the church until it was time for her to pick me up. He didn't know me. I saw where an ensemble had a reunion, probably 25-30 years from the time they were high schoolers at church. I came across a blog written by one of the members. She had gone on to be very successful in business and life, but in high school, she was considered sketchy. Her observations were spot on because even though most hadn't seen each other in years, they fell or were placed back in the pecking order of back in the day. She said she wanted to just drop the music and leave. These "friends" just picked up where they had all left off but she stuck it out and sang for the church that Sunday morning. 

After several thunder boomers and rain, Mike the Mower Man was able to make it out this afternoon. Now, we can begin in earnest to take care of more gardening stuff. 

At The Week End

 Roy is off to pick up community cat number 4 from the spay and neuter clinic. We shall see if this was a boy or a girl, but it is the one I wanted to name King. I was pleasantly surprised that he was caught in the trap, thinking it would be one of the Feral Fam who has been around for a while. Roy has become a cat whisperer. Don't think he especially wanted that added to the resume but he has such a calming influence. 

While Roy was at deacon's meeting last night, out of the blue my friend Philippa texted me. Had a great text conversation that included her coronation plans, she is from the UK. I told her my feelings were hurt that as a Monarch, I had not received an invite but alas, my passport needs to be renewed. Maybe it is just as well. Philippa reminded me I could go but not get back in the country...and with the crack down on non working royals being kicked out of their apartments and homes...it is just good to catch it all on the telly. I also texted with my brother. His doggie passed away, she was fourteen years old and had been by his side through his life these past twelve and a half years. Oh, those little fur babies. 

This week's lesson is difficult. It is always hard to read how Jesus was treated as they marched him back and forth between high priest, Pontius Pilate and Herod. Just read up on some history of Pontius Pilate and that just might make it into the lesson. And the political dynasty of Annas being high priests for years maybe even generations has that modern feel in politics or families in power these days. 

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This morning Roy released Kingsley back into her world outside. He said that beautiful cat didn't stop to greet relatives or eat, she raced out of that cage, meowing and howling as she ran a circle up to the gravel road, across the backyard and retraced her run. She was making noises this morning in the garage and we knew she had gotten her rest and she was ready to leave the safe confines of the garage. Maybe her name should be Towanda! 

We also went to stuff envelopes at church for VBS and other activities. Just took about two hours and had a good crew as well as a fun crew working together. I think envelope stuffing was the skill that got me my job at First Baptist cause it sure wasn't balloon tying or presentation. Great snacks as well. Afterwards, we went to Sam's to get the potting soil on sale except there was just one bag left. We got it and more lemon water. Love that stuff. Introduced Roy to that deliciousness. It is just a seasonal item at Sam's but I also subscribe for a delivery every six weeks or so. Peach Raspberry is the bomb diggity. 

Tuesday afternoon we went to visit a friend in the hospital. While we were there, the staff had been able to get a necessary procedure for our friend scheduled and down to surgery in a split second. We were able to help carry everything that needed to go with them because another room would be assigned. We prayed and laughed and visited. Here is a unknown fact to us, valet parking at the hospital here is free. What!? Back when we were going to the Med Center for stuff, it was $14.00. Probably a lot more now. 

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We officially began painting the chairs out front this morning. Amazon makes it way too easy to order stuff in the midst of working. Two more raised beds and paint for the chairs. Used to have to stop and go to the store. Now it will be here Sunday and Monday. We got four of the other flowerbeds prepared for spring temps so that we can plant. 

After a relatively laid back schedule we jump into appointments next week. Sometimes it feels so overwhelming. At long last the cardiologist appointment is this week and I'm hoping we have a plan of action or something.

Another sign of spring, neighbor Nancy and I see each other outdoors. A package was misdelivered to us so we got to get in at least a forty minute conversation. 

Not much else to write about or rather what I can write about...have to think on these things but I will end this long, rambling post with this. Carolyn shared a recipe for best pancakes and yes, they were that. Big, fluffy pancakes. Those along with our regular eggs and bacon, sometimes, made for a very nice Friday morning breakfast. We painted and planted with tons of energy this morning. 

Encouragement and Generosity Go Together Like Soup and Sandwich But It All Starts With Gratitude

 Tried the jalapeño rice last night. It comes in those individual servings so it is easier not to over eat and stuff down rice. With the coolish temps, it was welcoming with some turkey chili. The rice was very well flavored, just enough but not a lot of spicy hot. So, if you see some at the grocery store it is well worth the try. 

It seems a rarity to have two days that are rainy, foggy just a bit, and cloudy. Rainy days and Mondays don't get me down. I worked diligently on Sunday's lesson. Have about 3/4 of it written out and will finish up the writing today. Then I'll have the afternoon to read or finish up the always something projects. Roy has always said there is always something to take care of around here, but didn't feel that way in Houston. Once it dries out a bit, we need to open the vents for the crawlspace. That's the closest I get to it. 

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Well, the day got away from me yesterday but feeling a bit satisfied that a few smaller projects got taken care of and finished writing out Sunday's lesson. Roy had a good dental appointment in the afternoon. 

May holds a lot of appointments or so it seems. Getting them all on the calendar to make sure we don't overbook or something. I was just looking at the memories from this day on FB. It is when I saw a bear in the Cracker Barrel parking and it also was a day in 2011 of going through books because I think I was in phase one of getting ready to move out to Rancho De Five. I am including one paragraph from a blog post in 2011.

As far back as I can remember, I have always loved to read.  I don't know if my love of reading came to me naturally or if it is due to my mother's love of quiet.  No matter, every summer there was a constant;, trips to the swimming pool daily to tire us out and trips to the library weekly, with checked out books keeping us occupied quietly in the afternoons. I think my brother and I were nonstop, full of activity and most days would find us having a fight or two or twenty.   My mom told me that as a toddler I would climb out of my crib and get every book I owned.  I would then put all the books into the crib and then climb back in either reading or just sitting there happy to be surrounded by my books.  When Roy and I traveled doing joint venture auditing, what I missed most while on the road were my books.  I couldn't wait to get home and see my books.  In this season of life I'm having to cull through our books and only keep those that are memorable, those that I re-read and those that are valuable.  Oh and I am keeping most of the books I haven't read yet.  What has me thinking so much about reading and books?  I am reading Pat Conroy's book, My Reading Life.  It is interesting the influences that frame us to be readers or non readers.  His mother's early influence of reading became a fully supported love by the time he reached high school and met an English teacher that changed his life.  That English course navigated and determined the direction life would take for Pat, writing.  So this book has gotten me to reflect and ponder my own reading life and that is why I'm wondering if I always loved reading or if reading helped my mother experience her favored atmosphere of quiet.  Who knows, but no matter the source of this love, I'm so glad to be a book loving reader. 

Because of the rain in the latter part of the week and the coolish to cold temps at the first of the week we punted on several of our plans. The week coming up seems to be more sunny and warm. Think Roy is really ready for the warmth of spring into the warmer aspects of summer.

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Oh Monday morning, cool and beautiful. Roy was able to catch one of the youngest kitties this morning and he or she will be ready tomorrow morning. This will be the fourth one caught and fixed. He used the humane trap they gave him.

We hit Erwin on Saturday and found some huge Cherokee purple tomato plants. Looking forward to tomato summer. On Friday we went to Duckett's Produce. They had more strawberries and the last batch we bought were so sweet. During the week the strawberries come from a farm in Columbia SC. Still love Strawberry Hill strawberries but these others were such a sweet treat. We've used Lou Lou's salsa for making spaghetti sauce. Just about everything she cans or makes is just so good. We picked up more strawberry sauce for those winter days that remind us that spring is coming.

At first, last week when I began studying John 18:1-11, I debated on maybe teaching something else but so glad I stuck with it because in studying I learned so many things, both historical and spiritual. This is something I don't usually think about, but it felt like such an oppressive week and each day held a spiritual battle. Even Saturday night, only slept about three hours and had the strangest and bad dreams. I apologized to the class and if I napped during the lesson, they were free to nap as well or leave. Two people said, your best lessons have been when you've had a lack of sleep. Hmmm....truly, that was encouraging to me. Although, a good night's sleep is treasured these days. Haha!

If you do not read South Main Baptist Church's blog usually written by Greg Funderburk on Monday mornings, you're missing out on a good word. His first few sentences will draw you in like a favorite book. This morning his topic is The Courage to Encourage. He writes of the generosity of encouragement. His words reminded me of Erwin McManus's encouragement:

A life of gratitude makes us WHOLE,

Overwhelms us with LOVE

And moves us to LIVE GENEROUS lives.

Greg Funderburk's thoughts along with Erwin McManus thought from his book Stand Against the Wind, seem to go hand in hand this morning. I always get tickled when SBC people talk about generosity and fail to mention there are more ways than not to be generous. Our pastor's wife did the children's moment in church yesterday. She did a beautiful job of teaching the kiddos, you might not have money but you have gifts that can serve the Lord and others. She talked about a camp experience last year when the kiddos visited a nursing home and what joy they brought to the residents. Being generous starts with gratitude. These past few weeks, many times while looking at FB, friends from long ago all the way to today, seeing them has filled me with so much gratitude for them, their encouragement and their love. You cannot help but be filled with love and like Erwin says, move us to generous lives.

Great Reading and Great Memories

One of those surprises came on Saturday. We've been going through books and such and I came across a book by Erskine Caldwell. I think I bought this book when we were tourists, not sure, but I can say, book bought, came home, put on a shelf and never looked at again until Saturday. I was thumbing through it and then realized it was a memoir of sorts with Erskine's observations on the early 20th century in the south. His father, a minister in the Presbyterian church as well as the secretary of their home mission board shared story after story with his son about churches he was sent to in order to help them. Some successful and some not so much. One story in particular grabbed my attention, the church who was divided over hardwood floors and carpet. Neither side would tithe or place offerings in the plate cause what if it went for the other sides wishes? The electric company was about to shut off the power due to no payments. Two divorces happened over this issue as well as a death and one left paralyzed over carpet and hardwood. The issue with hardwood said the carpet people, you can hear heels tapping along to the hymn and God certainly did not like this display. It was disrespectful to the Lord. From what was written, these Presbyterians hymns were not happy or fast in any way. No When the Roll is Called Up Yonder, no I'll Fly Away. With the sides so divided Erskine's father decided they were too worried over traditions and religious practices, instead of being in love with the Lord and serving His church. This church with over two hundred members, disbanded and the church building fell into ruins. His father said, poetic justice would have been an Assembly of God or Pentecostal Church buying the church property. Oh what singing, oh what shouting, on that happy morning when we all shall rise. I used this story as an example of what not is unity and love that Jesus prayed in the John 17 prayer. 

Yesterday, just like times ago, I took off for Burnsville. By myself. In the past few months I wasn't feeling comfortable enough to go by myself but the last few weeks have been good. Roy wasn't particularly interested in going yesterday but would have if need be. As always the drive there and back, beautiful. The greening of the trees with the multiple colors and shades of green are pretty gosh darn exciting to me. Made a couple of stops but the main goal, Lamp Post Vintage Market. Totally different shopping trip cause I bought mainly clothes. I also ran into Marissa, who had Turkey Creek Grill when we first bought the house. She was so welcoming and friendly when we moved here. Her daughter is getting ready to graduate from college. Time certainly flies. On the way home I stopped in Mars Hill at Ingles and then headed to Marshall and stopped at Penland's. Love that store! Came home with a book, like I need another book. Books are never about need as an adult, but in school that is a whole different thing. 

A couple of Fridays ago when in Hendersonville for Roy's Doctor appointment, we ate afterwards at the Fireside Restaurant. Andy, the Doctor, had recommended a place in downtown Hendersonville but since we were in the truck, it was a no go for this visit. Think we had a divine appointment. The tables at Fireside are very close and in fact, the older couple they sat us next to weren't happy about the table seating. Soon after, another couple was seated on the other side of us. I could hear their conversation and could tell they were tourists as they discussed getting back on the Blue Ridge Parkway. When they kept calling 25 a little country road, I felt like I needed to be like "Philip with the Ethiopian" in Acts and explain that 25 was not a country road, especially as you get closer to Asheville. The couple had moved to the Charleston area from California and first trip exploring the WNC mountains. We had a lovely conversation and we had that moment of, oh wow, we are talking with a brother and sister in Christ. Before we left I did ask one question to see if my tennis radar is still sharp. Yep, big time USTA doubles player and we both shared some tennis stories much to the boredom of our husbands. Just that morning of Roy's appointment I had prayed and asked if the Lord would provide a Holy Spirit guiding moment, since that is what we were studying on Sunday. Yep, there it was. We will probably never see these people again on this side of heaven but what a lovely way to eat brunch. 

Speaking of tennis, my good friend from tennis years, Marti and I have found one another on FB. She has posted some great memories on my timeline from those days. This pic is from a women's ministry event around Christmas time. I bought the table and Mary and Marti decorated it. I told the WM Director about the table décor and she said, we have a lot of fine designers in the church but I told her, you ain't seen nothing yet. That was certainly true. I have a picture of church friends standing around the decorated table with their mouths hanging open. Victorian hot chocolate pitchers, one pitcher to two people, a Victorian Christmas tree as the centerpiece and Mary brought the good stuff, real silver. I am ever so grateful for Mary and Marti, not just for a fun evening, but for a lifetime of great memories on and off the tennis court. 

 

Three of these pics are from the ranch, but the tennis court one, I believe Mary and I are duplicating a pose we saw on a tennis retreat brochure. You can tell from the pic who had classical ballet training and who got kicked out of ballet class cause all I talked about was playing softball. I am thankful that I no longer have to wear that knee brace. I believe the ranch pics are from the time we were celebrating our tennis friend Ann, whose husband had been transferred to the Netherlands but she was back for a visit. This is also at the time when Roy had a job interview in California and then one in Long Island, NY right before Thanksgiving. This is the beginning of how the story begins for Roy turning down both of those jobs and staying right in Houston and working for EPD. A story for another time... I had a pic of Mary, Marti, Ann and I baking Christmas cookies and candies that was a fav but it got stolen in the robbery in Mobile. 

Our third boy has been fixed and we have another appointment in May. This time they gave us a trap instead of using a carrier. It is easier for them to work with the humane trap. 

This rainy and drizzly day have been perfect. Got some studying done, got the outline for the lesson arranged. Also, been doing some reading and even got in a short nap. Ah, the life. We say it so often but living here saved my life and Roy certainly has been enjoying the fruits of his labor. Soon enough, it will be after Mother's Day and he will get those tomatoes in the ground. 

Cats, Learning, Retirement and Play

 There is joy this morning at our home. Roy trapped Fido and they are off to the spay and neuter clinic. We have another appointment for tomorrow and we are looking to capture another member of The Feral Fam, maybe Barney or Toupe Jr. If we caught Toupee we wouldn't be able to take her in because we think she has kittens up on the gravel road someplace. Whereas all this stuff usually brings me to a halt, Roy the plan man has a plan for The Feral Fam to give them peaceful and well fed lives here at the Monarch Minor Manor. At dusk, Blazey made an appearance. He hasn't been around for a while. He missed supper so I took him a few tidbits and he let a few other Fam members join him. He and the youngest, not a kitten anymore, of Toupee hang out sometimes. In other Fam news I am about 90% certain that King Herod has gone onto wherever bad cats go. The last few times we saw him in February, he did not look good. He was nowhere to be found when the few females that still hang out here went into their time. Radley has been around so I figure he is the victor. The black cat population has decreased, the group better known as the Quads cause they quadrupled  in number. Willie's mom passed, we know not when and where but the reason we brought him in and the fact that he is so darn cute didn't hurt his chances. A month or so ago, one of the black cats ventured too far to the road and we found him in front of the mailboxes. So our little band of Fam is decreasing and we are involved with helping with no future increases. 

With our friend recently retiring, Roy and I have talked often about his first year of retirement life. Although, he is not scheduled and his only "work" projects are getting homework done for Community Bible Study. He signed up for a course to know and understand investing. He has nearly completed it. What I like so much as Roy uses his time and materials wisely, an old check off on elementary school report cards, is his early rising to pray and have a quiet time. Some mornings he is up as early as 4:00 am but never later than 5:30 am. If you really know Roy, his whole life, well as long as I have known him, he is about the things of God. He might have a ton of initials after his name, from degrees, accreditations and such but you wouldn't hear that from him, I am the one who tells about those things because I am just so dang proud of him and what he accomplished in his school and work life. If anyone spends time with Roy, you'll see his heart and now the new addition to himself is, he does the work and things that he feels and knows it is God driven or ordained. One of my favorite memories is, Roy decided he wanted to play racquet ball. He didn't hang out at the courts but he bought a book first to read about the sport. He wanted to know the how and why of shots and how to correctly implement them. Most people get a cheap racquet to start the process, Roy bought a book. Roy became very good at racquetball and loved to play. We joined the Y and First Baptist had racquetball courts in the Christian Life Center now known as the Fitness and Recreation Center. He started playing tournaments and he loved how these macho muscled up guys were already counting on a win when they learned he was the opponent. Only Roy didn't play the power game cause he knew he could not win nor compete, so he played the finesse game thus winning many tournaments. He played mixed double racquetball, too scary for me and I had just started tennis, with a friend from the softball team at church I played on. She was a racquetball champion who could play the power game. He set her up for the kill with his finesse shots. Fun to watch for sure. As he continues his life being retired, he is learning a whole lot about gardening and by default, how to care for cats. He is a cat whisperer. The Boys know the schedule and follow him around. Mr Mo waits for him to go upstairs and sits on the chair by the stairs, to be carried up. Mr Mo doesn't always stay up there but he loves being close to Roy. 

I just read there is a degree for Play Therapy with children. Dang, I missed out on playing officially and degreed. I mean, my whole approach to life is, make it fun. Even the very hard days and occurrences, there has to be an element of fun for me to even stay interested or get through the best way possible. Yes, even when studying for a SS lesson, I make it fun and somedays, are such a surprise for me that it only can be God ordained. I'm so glad that Jesus gives the gifts of joy and peace. Yes, I do know the difference between fun, joy and happiness but sometimes in the goodness and the kindness of the Lord, well, all three get intertwined for such an adventure. Many times it happens while studying and many times it enters into The JOY Class on Sunday mornings. So thankful in dreary and weary times, the Lord shines through and we get to delight in the land of the living. 

Last Friday night the class of 73 from high school had their 50th reunion. Invited other classes to join and since our class did not have a reunion, several took up the offer. I've been looking through the pics posted and it is difficult to find familiar faces...cause all our faces are older than when in the beginnings of the prime of life. I just messaged my friend Randy asking if he and his wife made the reunion. He said yes and it was tons of fun catching up with everyone. Lot of the guys are recognizable but there were many who look too much alike, bald with the moustache/beard/goatee thing happening. 

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Day two of operation get em fixed is successful. Roy caught three Feral Fam members, Beanie, who is already fixed, Toupee, we think she has kittens on the gravel road, and one of the black cats...Roy thinks it is Barney. So, he took Barney and he picks up Fido this morning. Spot, the twin of Fido, is going to be happy to see Fido once again. Spot was mopey all day with the absence of Fido. 

We ran to Lowe's yesterday afternoon to pick up a few supplies to complete a project. I am especially thrilled that the dinning room table is just about free of things other than the decorations that should be there. Makes me so very happy. 

One project has been changing the litter box situation for The Boys. We got out the big, looks like a bench, covered litter box and put it in the downstairs bathroom. It takes up more room but it is manageable. Trying to contain litter dust and only deal with little grains of litter from off their paws. They are using it but much study and sniffing went into the whole process by the boys. Mr Mo and GMoey probably spent time in that big covered box as kittens cause the mamas would use it as a place to protect kittens in the garage. Back then only blankets not litter boxes. 

Sam's, Produce Stands and The Feral Fam

 We are once again Sam's Club members. They had an offer we couldn't refuse. $10.00 for a year membership. After our haircuts, we made our way over to shop and get a complementary card for Roy. They were pushing for the premium membership the whole time. We offered up that if we enjoyed our shopping experience, we certainly would give some consideration to upping to premium. Why we were missing out on free shipping, huge discounts with glasses and contacts and I forget what else. We walked away with the card and with a cart or as they are called buggies here, to look around and shop. It was a pleasant experience all around. No one wearing pajamas and slippers, good selection of things we like, better book selection than Costco and potting soil. We still like Costco better yet we were not put off by the experience. Not a bad deal, spend $10.00 to spend $194.00 checking out. 

Reminded me of my last time getting the $10.00 deal when offered by a tennis friend to be added to their membership. Went to Sam's to do just that and well....I didn't know the name of her design business so, without batting an eye, I began to tell a story of how this was my first day, that I was in tennis clothes because my first day included taking our client out for a game of tennis while the workmen measured for window treatments, floor coverings and fixtures. My first day also included coming to Sam's getting the coffee essentials and I knew my first day would be my last if I returned to the office empty handed simply because I forgot the name of the design firm I had just gone to work for. I remembered the boss's name, Betty Magee, that's it. I got the membership add on and I was feeling pretty proud of myself, thinking on my feet like that. Loading the car up, the Lord got my attention and reminded me what I called thinking on my feet was called lying by Him. Was it worth it to lie for a $10.00 add on? Boy, well when you put it that way Lord... Being pressured to update yesterday, well, it was nothing. 

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After a very dry week, we had rain overnight and this morning. The sun is doing its best to shine through and will probably make a showing here sooner than later. While wrapping up the notes for the lesson tomorrow and as I contemplated all of the meaning of these previous chapters, then reading chapter 17 once again, it hit me in such a different way. As written before, the relationship Jesus had with His disciples has seen the spotlight this time through John as well as how much the religious leaders hated Him. Not a bad view from the upstairs window while contemplating these things. After a good rain, all the shades of green show out. Yesterday, while driving to Canton we could see the greening of the mountain side and all the brown and bare is consumed with new life almost to the tops of the mountains.  

We finally made it for our first visit of the produce stand season this year, to Duckett's. We were not disappointed because Lou Lou is selling her canned greasy beans again at the store. They are so good! She has a couple of new items. We picked up the mashed strawberries for biscuits or ice cream. For a brief minute we thought about going to Christopher's Farm, but decided to head back home cause we had things we needed to do at home, projects to finish as well as start.  

While sidelined from blogging I did get some things accomplished. Here is one you didn't see coming, I finally color coded all my t-shirts. I'd even given many away, but still needed those popular colors in drawers to find them easier. The other project is just about done. We have been searching for a wooden cabinet at antique stores and a few thrift stores. Never found what we needed, well once but we waited too late and someone else bought it. While talking to my brother the other night I told him about the search and I was just about ready to empty a bookcase with doors to solve our too little of space pantry problem. Move the heavy bookcase into the dinning room, arrange a few things and go on from there. He mentioned we could turn the dining room into a room we actually use except for accumulating things we don't know where to put. A wonderful idea except if we decided to sell our home in the next few years, it would be difficult with the dining room being used otherwise. We did that in our Cinco Ranch home but that dining room was the strangest room to be used for that. Early on, we should have expanded the kitchen and just have a big eat in kitchen. From this conversation I decided not to move the bookcase but to move the books. I found two places to display books as well as filling in the empty spaces. Worked beautifully. Now I need to find some art deco fabric to cover the glass in the doors. Redneck ingenuity. Really who cares? This kind of stuff is not a high priority these days. 

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Home from church, I took a nap with Willie and Mr Mo, had some delicious strawberries and soon will pick up the book I am really enjoying but so slow, really. When reading slowly, it is written by the point of view of different characters and it takes me a bit to remember who this person is. 

We try to gather another member of the Feral Fam in the morning. Hopefully, we will be able to get the one Roy calls Fido. She follows him all over when he is outside and has even rubbed against his legs. She is one of the twins. 

This will have to do for now. Glad to be back blogging. 

Hoping Problems Are Resolved

 Happy Easter Monday! It is a coolish, sun-filled morning. After a Friday and Saturday of rain and a cool beginning to Easter Sunday, this continues to be a banner week weather wise. The sound of a small pinecone rattling against the floors is the background noise of the morning. The Boys are playing nice and I hope that continues until the second morning nap. 

Roy arrived at 6:30 am to help fix breakfast after the sunrise service yesterday morning. I only made it to the last few minutes of breakfast being served. Only wanted eggs and bacon and they had some left. Ate quickly and then got upstairs to our room to prepare for Sunday School. I did something I rarely do, use music in the lesson. Weeks before Easter, I play grand Easter hymns and one in particular caught my attention this year. So, we ended class with Christ the Lord is Risen Today, full out organ with the little frills and trills. I don't know what that means to y'all but my interpretation is all the extra notes playing along with the deep rumbling of the bass. Reminds me of the organist at Grace Presbyterian for many years. At the end of the service she would play something grand and we would move forward to watch her make those beautiful sounds with her hands and feet. Most people talked through the epilogue of the service, but it sent me out into the world filled with the Word, both in scripture and music.  Easter deserves and has earned organ music as a thankful and sentimental look of Easter's past. With the cool temps of the morning, a slight adjustment was needed as not to be really cold. The adjustment came with a change of shoes, flats, but had to add socks and boots to complete the pink, black and white outfit. 

Following the quarterly, we jumped to John 20 for Easter Sunday. Mary Magdalene, Peter and John, their reactions to the news of the resurrection. The phrase for after Peter and John had been in the tomb...John believed but then they went home. That struck me as an odd thing to say but yet, it isn't. Did they go home wondering or home not to be falsely arrested r go home confident?  

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Well, a beautiful yesterday called us out to the yard. We moved some raised beds as well as doing a few other things yardwork wise. The tulips are just about played out after they brought bright colors this spring. Now it is time to get the flowerbeds ready so they are ready for planting after Mother's Day. Think we had dogwood winter over the weekend and soon we will have blackberry winter, then we should be good to go. 

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I haven't been blogging because of neck issues while sitting at the computer. It's a boring story but I'll just say we have been looking to resolve the issue with screen and distance and we might have found an answer. So this morning, this is the experiment and we shall see if our new set up helps. 

Of course when you cannot sit down to write on the computer all kinds of things enter my brain to write about. Now that I am sitting here, nothing comes to mind. Oh well, I am sure in the coming days something will develop. 

With yesterday and today getting into the 80s, we will probably not continue our raised garden bed work until tomorrow. We have cold returning briefly over the weekend and then things will get to hopping plant-wise. We stopped to pick up strawberries yesterday afternoon and the produce stand people said next week we could see more availability in flowers and veggie plants. We are still holding to the after Mother's Day planting schedule, but we are getting the planting spaces ready. 

Winter Then, Spring Now, Winter Temps Later

 What a wind event over the weekend! We were outside Saturday afternoon picking up things that might be blown about when the trees swaying and they were being blown about so much, got our attention.  They looked like they would snap in two. Many trees in the general area did fall, taking down power lines and the result being several fires. 

Congrats to the LSU Women's Basketball team! I'll admit, I didn't think they would win but they found a way. Since I only watch March Madness basketball and because I am and was such a bad basketball player, I never had too much interest in the game. Roy was telling me how and why LSU's defense was working. So it is always good to have someone who knows what is happening with commentary. It was fun watching them play this year. 

We made it through to the end of the lesson on Sunday. Whew! Really, I am surprised how much I have enjoyed the study of John. We are in the homestretch and heading toward Jeremiah and one Sunday of Lamentations in the summer. There was just so much to take in while studying and finally had to go with a few points out of the many. One is John 15:11, His joy in us and with His joy, our joy is overflowing. I read a quote from William Barclay about joy, internal as well as eternal, that is our focus to how we respond to and live life. Paraphrasing him, basically those who walk around dressed in black and mopey, they are a slap to the face of what not should be. It is not in our circumstances, it is who we believe and trust. I didn't fully develop the point too much but it is much easier to act all sad and mopey, than to be courageous and know who we believe and is with us always. Sometime, and this is Nancy commentary, I think it is easier to go sad than knowing and practicing the joy set before Him. Sad sometimes garners the response we'd like to see. I know both Marge Caldwell and Carole Lewis were both grief stricken while dealing with all the feelings and emotions of losing their daughters. I watched in awe as they navigated life. Oh there were tears and all that goes with grief, but at their core...Jesus, Joy, Overflowing.  This not a commentary on anyone else and how each one deals and plods through those tough days, but it is this, for me, when those tough, grief-filled times arrived, I remembered those two friends. That helped me so much especially with the death of my mom and then dealing with a deranged and evil father. My brother and I once discussed how we responded to the trauma of childhood differently. He'd get out into the neighborhood while I just froze, went to my room and spent copious hours shutting down, then putting all that trauma into individual compartments in my heart and mind. There for a few years as an adult, I went to my fearless zone, said whatever and didn't even care about one consequence, but a very good therapist helped me with that. I am forever grateful. 

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Our Tuesday took a shift of plans with trips to Burnsville and Erwin. Dropped off stuff at Goodwill, did the quick Walmart trip, love a smaller type Walmart, and then to the grocery store. Usually, we would do that later in the week, but opted to get everything done on one day. Stopped in at TJs and got more SC strawberries, then hit the Ingles for a couple of things they had one sale. Got started with unloading the truck and then ran over to see Inez and Cuman. Ah, such a happy afternoon. 

Today, my mom would have been 94 years old. I miss her everyday. Roy said this morning, she was one special person and she was. Alzheimer's took her way too soon from us.  

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Oh Friday, Good Friday. 

We went to Hendersonville yesterday. Roy had to do some additional bloodwork. Afterwards we went to The Fireside Restaurant for breakfast. I had been there pre-covid and remembered the food being delicious. We were not disappointed. We will make return visits, that's for sure. I have been following The Marketplace at Locust Street on FB and we headed that way to visit the store. It did not disappoint! Beautiful things, furniture and lamps. We will make return visits there as well. We made a quick trip to Southern Chicks and it was really quick. All the different fragrances from candles and the like made it difficult for Roy to breathe. I am trying my hardest not to buy décor items. I did find a pair of lamps that I loved but they were $526.00 for the pair. Oh my... Before we went to Southern Chicks, we stopped at an Episcopal church we had passed. Beautiful stone work as well as that welcoming red front door. Thursday their thrift store is open, so we walked around. Very well priced but didn't see anything that needed to come home with us. WE took the opportunity to walk through their garden area and what a beautiful sight. I would think it would be beautiful anytime of the year, but it was especially beautiful with spring blooms and the greening of the trees. So blessed to live within reasonable driving distance to see God's creation bursting forth.  

One More Thing

 I'm just about finished with one of my winter projects that has lingered into spring. Getting two closets cleaned out as well as bookcases upstairs. The delay in progress comes about when something is found that makes one stop and peruse. In the midst of books, I came across the 1989 choir and orchestra directory  I thumbed through the pages and remembered as well as wondered at the youth of friends and the fashion styles of the late 1980s. It was great fun! So you know, post haste, some of those pics went right to FB so we could all remember those times and people. Very rarely will you hear me say, I miss those days or I wish I could go back...cause even with the good stuff, I don't want to return to the days of yester-year. Am I sentimental? Oh yes but in this addled ADD mind, there is a difference. In the hurry to post, it wasn't until the second set of pics that I realized I had forgotten to honor the man who was in charge of it all, Gerald Ray. Better late than never but not, last but not least. What a privilege to sing in his choir as well as have great fun in choir. For this non-gifted musical person, choir has to be fun for me to learn and appreciate. What am I saying? Almost everything has to have some element of fun for me to love and appreciate the experience. 

Yesterday, we made the trip to Hendersonville for bloodwork and the reward, breakfast at Another Broken Egg. Delicious for sure. A quick visit to Lens Crafters for glasses adjustments and then, Barnes and Noble. Yes, I made it almost to April with a Christmas gift card from The Joy Class. Bought three books in three different genres and only had to add $2.03 to the purchase price. I realized I hadn't been in a bookstore until yesterday for the year 2023. Hope to change that up a bit.

We didn't make it through all of the lesson on Sunday, so we will finish it up and go into John 15 and then we will be up to date with the quarterly. In the commentary provided by Lifeway, the introduction to the spring study mentions that this is the time when Jesus is wrapping up earthly ministry and time is clicking down to His sacrifice, so He is making sure that the disciples are getting the "one more thing" from him. It just so happens that a book I'm reading fit right into the one more thing thought. Parents are dropping off their daughter for college to begin her freshman year. They graduated from Ole Miss as well as their older two sons, so this is the last child to deposit at Ole Miss. A daughter born to them in later life, so this time it is fraught with emotion. The mother is frantic with thoughts of, did I tell her everything she needs to know in her first eighteen years of life. So she is ranting off common sense know how, separate colors from light colors in the washing machine, you can always call home, don't forget to lock your dorm door...stuff like that. The daughter is mortified and embarrassed. Jesus isn't frantic in His one more thing but is making sure the disciples hear this so they will remember in the coming days. I also like that He used simple words that would draw them in, love, home, My Father, Life and a comforter. Words they can identify and understand. That is the emphasis of the lesson from Sunday and the one coming up, the simple words that draw us closer to the Lord. Teaching the big theological themes...well, I will leave that to those so gifted in understanding them and better yet communicating them. We began last week in John 13:34-35 and we will conclude this week's lesson with, friendship, joy and love. 

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While driving about in the country yesterday, we were able to find SC strawberries, not from Strawberry Hill but from another farm. They are so good and sweet, we didn't add sugar. Trees are blooming out again or maybe for the first time this season. Our dogwoods are just now sporting little blooms. The red bud trees kind of got hit by the cold temps here but the peach trees made it just fine. Strange and odd for sure. Sunday afternoon Roy put in the fertilizer spikes for our fruit trees and while out in the front yard, I heard a couple of quick honks. Theresa honked every time she drove by and as I turned toward the road to wave, I realized it wasn't going to be her. 

In the recent years, the end of March and the first of April have been eventful. March 27th came and went before realizing the anniversary date when my father's cardiologist nurse thought he hadn't made it in for his appointment. After retracing routes he could have taken, I went back to his home and looked through his rolodex for phone numbers of his friends. He came in the house, saw me at his desk and as it is said, the rest is history. Even after explaining why I was there and what I was doing...this wasn't going to end well and it didn't. That date is the last time I saw my father, alive cause the bottom dropped out of his demented and evil mind. The end of March 2015 we were here waiting for the moving van to arrive on April 1st. A momentous and wonderful memory. Also on April 1, 2017 my father passed away. Quite fitting to die on April Fools Day. In 2018 I had my ablation for afib and a-flutter. Five years...wow! What a difference in life and sadly at Mission Hospital. 

Surely there is one more thing...but even now as I finish this up, Roy is making breakfast and I do not want to miss that. 

My Friend, Here's to the Closing and To The New

 A new week yet a closing week. This morning I am thrilled that the rain, if any, passed through in the middle of the night. The sun is shinning and robins are scattered across the front yard, gathering up worms for the meals for today. In a bit the other birds that hang around will get the taste of a new blend of seeds that we haven't used before. Oh happy day for the birds. The Feral Fam is happy for a full breakfast and are content in the backyard before moving up to the edge of the gravel road. Over the weekend we were able to complete a few projects and contemplate the timing of our next projects before the temps are way too warm. The main project involves painting, so cool of the morning and evenings sound about right. We attempt our projects now at a slower speed than we previously tackled them. Lot more rest breaks. 

After the rain ended on Saturday morning we headed toward TN, not so much with a goal in mind or a purpose but more so to enjoy the scenery and check on the progress of the mountains greening up. The splashes of purple, red and white blooms of the trees encountered along the way, well just icing on the cake. We stopped at a grocery store on our way home and had the most delightful surprise, a manager's special on tulips. We thought the tray of tulips held 12 ready to bloom plants but in fact much to our wonder as we began planting them we found that there were 24 or more plants. We had picked up two trays, so 48 tulips to plant in and around the others we have planted in previous seasons. No guessing what or where, we could fill in and know. That sounds like a Bible verse, Fill in and Know...

The closing week is a friend's last week of working full time in the business world of marketing and communications. On Friday afternoon, she will have officially retired. Though, she will probably do some contract work for other companies because she is that good. With the news of retirement, several have contacted her about that very subject. We have talked and texted especially since she is on the clock to see what the Lord has planned after corporate America. Never heard that phrase much in Houston, but it is used here a lot.  For sure travel will be on the list as well as reading and resting. Many times I am mesmerized with the concept of predictable verses consistency. We all carry those traits but consistent is on the higher end of the scale with my friend. She is consistent. I don't think she has ever taught a bad Sunday School lesson, she makes the points and lands the plane.  Creative, mindful, studious, quick to laugh, prayerful, passionate about the things of God, a good and caring friend, and in the words of Toddlers and Tiaras, she is the total package when it comes to II Peter 1:1-4. You can bet the farm that on predictability, with her, there well be a process...she'll choose Molina's for the pickled veggies they serve, Lupe's for beef fajitas, and Fu's Garden for orange chicken. No wonder we get along so well, those would be my choices too. Her influence is a major reason that we moved here as she introduced me to some of the most wonderful sights in these mountains. Our adventures at the Biltmore over the years holds a lot of funny stories as well as meeting the nicest valet parker, who she simply named Scrumptious. Yes, a very fitting name for that young man. Our Inn on the Biltmore stays, gave us the way to express our feelings toward camping, "my idea of roughing it is a slow bellboy." Sitting on the Veranda for a late lunch simply delightful in the simplicity of the menu. Split a salad, split truffle fries, and split a pizza. I think on our first road trip when Roy had deadlines and projects and he could not go on our planned trip to visit my brother and family, Dena filled in on the road trip to Nashville and we added Asheville just for fun. While stopping to gas up the car and for snacks, we happened upon a bathroom...quite memorable in Corinth Mississippi.  Since most of these are one seaters, we went separately to the facilities. Once we were back on the road having gone several miles, Dena said are you going to say anything about that bathroom? The one seater was actually a two seater but no metal stalls around either toilet. Cracked us up!  Whether we stayed at the Inn or at Grove Park on trips even down to Hampton Inn in Alexandria, LA, there are just too many stories and memories to tell, yep after staying in Five Star Hotels to the lowly hotels of Mississippi and Louisiana, we agreed with Paul;

4:11  Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am. (even Mississippi) Monarch translation

Here's to new adventures post career and I am hoping to be a part of a few of those adventures. 

Fair to Clear

 My high school class didn't have a 50th reunion. Many wanted to gather and wrote about it on FB, we just didn't have the class presence or leadership to do it. I remember who we should have elected as class President back then, but didn't. He had school spirit, whatever the definition of that is, involved, cute and popular but in our turbulent times of teenagerhood, we rebelled. Of course we did, we were the Rebels! The class of 73 has invited our class to attend their reunion. I have read through names of people in the group, most I am drawing a blank on but several names of those I remember have jumped out. Boy, we all look older that is for sure. Recognized the name of a boy, now man of course, and we were in drama together. He played the Tin Man and I was the Cowardly Lion. We talked a lot during rehearsals and he bought carnations at the Valentine fund raiser at school and were delivered in homeroom I think. We never dated or anything, I just thought he was an outstanding person. Just thinking about all the different directions that life went for each of us. Several surfer types were killed in a car wreck, I think it was right after high school. Don't remember. It looks like there has been several successful types and lives. There are people we meet in life where high school was as good as it got for them. Some still try to live in that world of make believe and such. Speaking for myself, lots of lessons learned from those years after high school...yep, lots of lessons but they have made life that much for the better I do believe. 

Roy had a great time target shooting, a tour of Madison County and lunch with Cuman. When he dropped off Roy here at the house, I was out in the front yard, raking up branches and limbs from the weeping willow tree as well as those limbs from all the tree trimming we had done recently. Our raised beds were delivered last week and hopefully, we can get those put together and at least get into the ready position when planting time arrives. We got a great deal on soil for raised beds, so we are ready. Mike the Mower Man came late this afternoon, fertilized and mowed the front lawn, also weed eating done in several hard to get to spots. The forsythia looks great and so do the new trees. Four plum trees, two peach trees and four apple trees in the midst of dogwoods, red buds and hopefully the service tree made it through. The two Japanese maples are beginning to bloom and the regular maple tree has a lot of leaves. A couple of weeks ago we bought some metal trellises for our blackberry bushes which by the way, are growing so well. Looking forward to those blackberries later this summer. 

We have decided that it is time to buy a new mattress. We had gotten so used to Tempur-Pedic but when we bought the house here, we realized we would need a king mattress that would fit going up the stairs. Well, now, we can get the separate twin mattresses that you put together with personal firmness and such. Don't know if we are going to splurge for the adjustable thingy, probably not. 

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We punted plans for the day and since it is so beautiful and warm today, we will probably get things done out in the yard. Roy has gone to workout and as soon as I finish up this post or almost finish the post, will work on the last section for the lesson on Sunday. I am rather enthused over the lesson which sometimes is not good because I am unable to articulate what I would love to share. 

Told Roy to be careful cause at the end of the road toward the old school, someone's cows have gotten out. He got up extra early this morning and then his CBS group were unable to get the link to work for their Zoom meeting. So, he is out and about earlier than usual. 

We also had our first top down in the convertible this afternoon. Such a beautiful day we took off toward Madison and stopped at TJs for heirloom tomatoes and a quick trip into Ingles for a few things. People on the river and just the feel of spring all along the way home via the scenic route. 

LSU women's basketball made it to the elite 8. We should have got tickets and gone to Greenville but alas it never occurred to us to do that. It was a really good game. 

Mike came back and fertilized the lawn and timing is great with incoming rain expected. 

Welcome Back, Hello and See Ya Later

 We are beginning to wonder and maybe say, welcome back spring. We have had a dash of winter temps over the weekend, bringing in The Feral Fam for garage hotel lodging. Looks like their checkout date will be sometime tomorrow. From our observations of the front yard, the forsythia and new trees have done well and maybe plants were not that affected by the cold nights. We shall know more as the season progresses. By the end of the week spring like temps will have returned. A happy hello for sure.

Mr. Mo is on my lap and GMoey was on my lap earlier, well several times earlier. Willie, brushes and rushes by with a quick hello, then off to the races of his own imagining. Feisty and young, GMoey and Mr Mo take turns running the ya yas out of him. Willie has gone upstairs with Roy in hopes of snagging a treat or two from him. 

We gathered together yesterday afternoon to say, see ya later, to Theresa. It was just about a full house. What was so touching is, and here is where I am going to sound old, really old, the young people led the music. Yes, said with the best creaky voice, the children led a song that we will sing on Easter, then high school and college age, led the worship music. What a wonderful sight, the legacy of Mama T. The pastor asked people to stand and then sit as he called out different areas of ministry Theresa was involved with. I got to stand twice, choir and VBS. Jonathan, former youth pastor at our church, also spoke and relayed several stories of ministry and laughs throughout the years. He noted every church needs a Mama T in the congregation. Jonathan, is at a church in the Upstate, so as per usual on I 26 on the weekends, he got stuck in really bad traffic due to a crash, but he made it. Kind of like how Theresa would just make it for sound check or the like. We all laughed or smiled, with a few slight nods of heads. Gosh, we are going to miss her something like crazy. One of her long time friends spoke for the family, shared a brief memory and read a poem. We, of course realize that she is with the Lord and just like it was said in the service, she just beat us there. 

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Last night I noticed a red and white light reflecting on the front window. I went to look and there had been an accident with a car on its side. Looked like an ambulance and several firetrucks. Several with flashlights checked for something in the pasture soon to be homes in front of us. We never even heard the screeching of tires or sirens. As fast as everyone goes up and down the road, we've not had hardly any accidents nearby. 

We said hello to spring at 5:24 pm yesterday and by the end of the week we might be saying hello summer with temps to be in the 80s. Think we would love to say goodbye to winter but there can be a few surprises in late March and early April. 

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The news of Duckett's Produce opening for the most wonderful time of the year, produce stand season, was the most welcomed hello of news. Soon others will be opening. Ducketts announced yesterday that the first delivery of strawberries from SC will arrive today.🎵 Jelly Jars cling, are you listening? It's a beautiful sight, strawberry buckets left and right, walking into a rural produce stand. 🎵

Another sign it shall be unto us, Roy and I have scheduled our haircut appointments back to back with Tammy. It's really fun but seems to be a part of the progression of aging. All the together trips. Actually, this is really the first time in our lives that we have consistently spent a ton of time together and it's going really well. Roy the workaholic and me being the play, meet friends for coffee or meals type. Then as part of that process we headed over to Publix to shop senior day with the 5% discount. While Roy brought in all the groceries, I defrosted some taco soup. Seemed like just the thing for a tad coolish day. It did hit the spot. I totally crashed after lunch. Always so sleepy in the afternoons after a morning haircut as well as a couple of nights of not so good sleep. I worked a bit on the lesson for Sunday. We are going through such familiar passages of scripture and love how God's spotlight to see the familiar in a whole new way. 

Not planning to saying goodbye anytime soon to breakfast fixed by Roy. He had to go to larger breakfasts in his health journey and just until recently, I had not partook but the last week and a half has changed my mind. Delicious, strawberries and oranges cut up, scrambled eggs and crisp bacon. Yum! He adds yogurt and oatmeal to his breakfast for him. One morning he even made some of his homemade biscuits. These breakfasts have certainly helped with that morning low, dip in energy I experience on a consistent basis. 

With the warm temps today, Roy is going target shooting. Cuman is taking him to Madison County and I gave Roy some yard art to use for targets...fall and old Easter decorations. Well, I am going to take advantage of this time so signing off for now. 

A Week's Worth of Thoughts...

 The past few days have held lots of energy toward fighting the good fight against a cold or allergies. Hopefully, I have nipped it in the bud as good ol Barney Fife would say. Really, giving the past two days with rest, while not easy to do, have been worth it. A couple of years ago I found these pills with elderberry, zinc and lots of other good stuff that you take at the first sight of symptoms. Feels healthier than Dayquil and the like.  Now I am behind in preparation for Sunday's lesson. Thankfully, the lesson for last week is ready to go with a brief interlude into John 13. 

I finished Beth Moore's memoir and it was really a good read. Laughter, tears, a dash of enjoyment with a strong message. Along with the video that someone posted on FB of a snippet of a church service and reading recollections of those back in the days with Beth being at First Baptist caused a bit of nostalgia. She mentions as well the beginning of the conservative movement in the SBC and one of the chief architects belonged to First. I never knew him but it was funny friends outside of the SBC kept asking me where would I go to church if the SBC split. That was an easy answer, the church with a gym. At that time it was the most honest answer I could give because workouts and such were more important then than spiritual growth. That soon changed though...whew! While Roy was still in law school, the last year and a half his study group was on Sunday mornings. I began to go to Beth's Sunday School class with the intention of going back to a couples class when Roy finished up. When that time came I kind of sheepishly asked him, " you don't want me to stop going to my SS class do you?" He was so kind to say, no, keep on, I'll find a mens class.  That was good because although at that time I didn't really feel a part of the class, nor was that important to me, but Beth's lessons challenged me and drove me to God's Word. I can't ever say enough thanks for that. 

Thomas Nelson Publishing and I must be friends again. Years ago, I subscribed to one of their newsletters and after awhile, I grew tired of them and wanted to unsubscribe. Well...they were none to happy with that news and sent a terse reply that I could never, ever, again subscribe. Thought it was overkill but then who knows. Now, all the sudden T Nelson is sending emails to me. Think they mainly have NIV which I used to use exclusively but when I retired I found NLT and I haven't looked back. 

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This week allergies or something have come to visit and I am trying my best to kick them out of the house. No cough due to cold, just runny nose and eyes. It is trying to slow me down and guess what, it has. Monday and Tuesday washouts, Wednesday went to the grocery store, and thankfully today my haircut was cancelled. Don't have to go anywhere until Sunday if I don't want to. In response to last week of getting meds timing down, Roy has volunteered to make breakfast for me when he makes his. I've been experiencing scrambled eggs, strawberries and oranges and two slices of bacon. We replenished eggs and bacon yesterday and oatmeal was on sale, so of course Roy got plenty of that. I am not an oatmeal eater unless it is in the form of oatmeal raisin cookies and he also eats yogurt along with all the above. Breakfast for Roy is a big meal and I am happy for that part he fixes that I eat. Yum!

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This morning Roy made biscuits and as always, so delicious. Catherine's Jellies and Jams have a small booth at Lamp Post Vintage Market and she had strawberry jam, since Florida strawberries are in the markets now. Yum! A most delicious breakfast to start this sunny and cool Saturday morning. On this fine morning The Boys are in a playful mood, even GMoey. Nothing like the sound of thundering paws up and down the stairs. 

One of my good friends from high school and church let me know since our class did not have a 50th reunion, the next class had invited us to theirs. Maybe if we were still in Houston, I might be interested but mostly not. The people and friends I knew back then, I still keep up with in some shape form or fashion. It is kind of like some of the FB pages that are groups about the town I was born in. We left when I was very young but I spent a lot of summers there. Funny, it has dawned on me that all these favorite places people remember or wish were still around, I didn't have a clue where or what. With the exception of Joyland and a pool my boy cousins belonged to, bus riding with Grandpa and being at work with Grandma...not much else. 

All these album memories of Carol King, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and now Three Dog Night memory posts on FB brings back a lot of memories. Had all the albums back in the day and still listen to Tapestry often. Even some of the looks from the 70s, not avocado green or anything but all the small print in shirts, jeans, sheets and décor. 

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Good grief, my lesson yesterday was all over the place but I think we finally landed. Didn't get to study like usual, so it was not a smooth lesson. Think I need to get my glasses adjusted cause they would slip just a bit, making it difficult to read the scripture. Thankfully, we got through it and we ended with Judas going out the door into darkness...what that meant, but reminded us that with him out the door Jesus began to speak to his disciples about everything He could leave with them, what they needed to know and practice. 

We went back to church at 2:00 for Theresa's Memorial Service. That deserves a separate post. But, it was so good to see very familiar faces again in the sanctuary. 

Dearly Loved, Theresa Baker

 I only knew her for eight years and the news of her passing devastated me. I cannot imagine the grief and sadness of those who have known her almost all their lives. No warning, no whispers of , "well, she has been sickly the past few weeks." No, it was texts of prayer requests for her on Friday evening and by Saturday morning the news began to trickle out a bit, Theresa had died, never being able to be resuscitated. Each one of us that texted or talked with one another said the same thing, shocked, stunned with time standing still. This was just a bad dream, come on wake up...We'll see Theresa up there on the stage, without a microphone because her beautiful voice carried through the church, all the way to the back row on Sundays. Now, we will celebrate her life with many others not just from church but throughout the county because she had that kind of effect on people, on Sunday afternoon. She leaves behind, two sons, a daughter in law, a grandchild and her husband. Brothers and sisters. Although, I would think that many would claim her as a family member because she was best known at Mama T. 

The summer of 2014 Roy gave me a month here in the mountains for my 60th birthday. The trip served many functions, to get out of that dagged gum Texas heat, to get me into the cooler temps of the mountains and away from the insanity with my father. A month to begin the search for a home here, never thinking we would return to Texas with a contract and a mortgage broker at the end of that August. Our previous trips were mainly staying at The Inn on the Biltmore Estate and staying close by, on the Estate. I would be rather miffed if we had to give any time to other areas nearby. Boy I didn't know what I was missing out on. Several years before, we had intended to get a condo around here for me to be out of the heat and stress of Houston/Katy. Beginning in spring and staying through the most beautiful parts of fall, then return back to Texas. Roy began to study this seriously and said, do you really want a condo or do you like the Biltmore experience. Uh, Biltmore and he said great cause that is cheaper than buying, furnishing and living here off and on. After my 2008 heart experiences that severely limited any coming and goings, Roy approached me again to think about buying something this way. We prayed about it for weeks and after those weeks he asked me how would I like to have a home here and when he retired, we would retire in NC.  In those last few days of that fabulous month of August, Roy flew in and Brian, our realtor, took us back to a home I was in love with but didn't want to get emotionally attached until Roy saw it. He loved it just like I did but for different reasons...being the practical man that he is. So the morning that we planned to return to Houston, we got the latter start due to the paperwork and such we filled out before making the journey back to Texas with the intentions of being back for Thanksgiving and Christmas, then the moving van arriving here on April 1st. Why am I telling you this in Theresa's story, well, it can be difficult moving to a new state, a new city, a new church and making friends. In the Appalachians, people can be wary of newcomers, especially those who come and then want to make everything like the place they left. That was not me, but this move was by faith. Roy told me I had to stick it out five years. Well, it didn't even take a year to know this is where we belonged because of friends like Theresa. 

Our church is the only one I visited during that month and we knew once I got up here we would move our letter to be a part of the oldest Baptist Church in Buncombe County. The first Sunday I visited, I remember hearing Theresa and her melodious voice. At that time the songs were contemporary, hymns and southern gospel. I also knew it wouldn't take me too long to join in with the choir. 

People here have loved and known Theresa so many years and I don't know nearly all or even half of the stories of mission trips, retreats, camp, choir, bus driving the senior adults...but she never met a stranger and she always greeted with abundant smiles. She could also look down, shake her head when one might say something one shouldn't but it wasn't too much too much longer she'd bust out smiling and laughing. Theresa once said to me, it's a good thing we aren't both sopranos, cause we would get in a world of trouble. Me not being a soprano has a lot more good things than that. That would be no range to even sing the lowest soprano note. Nope, it is the alto life for me. Many times after choir practice is when we got to visit. She told great stories and she had me all in when she'd begin, "well, one time....." We found out we had both been born in the Midwest and our conversation turned to shucking corn. I'd go with my cousins to farms in the area and earn 50 cents a bag picking and shucking corn. She had similar stories. One evening after choir Theresa and I were in the church lobby talking about this very thing when Debbie, choir director, walked past us. She turned and looked at us because she had mistaken shucking for another word that rhymes with it...we hurriedly let her know we were talking about working with corn.  A couple of years ago Roy saw some tambourine slip ons to wear over shoes and told me I needed to order two pairs. Why? Surely there is someone there with the same type sense of humor that would wear the other pair when y'all went to choir. Of course I first thought of Theresa, then Covid, so the tambourine shoes got put up for another time. 

Last Sunday in Sunday School, we didn't have a taught lesson, rather a sharathon of our friend Theresa. It could be 20 below and she would have on sandals or flip flops. I was told she didn't own a coat, said she didn't need one. Loved bling, lots of bling and her favorite color, orange. She is like no one else I have ever met and I am thankful to have met her on this side and look forward to seeing her. She'll probably say, girl, what took you so long! 

There has to be a thousand or more kiddos, teenagers and young adults touched by Theresa, her love of the Lord, her compassionate heart. I tear up while reading what others have written. So powerful, greater love, a new commandment love one another...she was all over that. There are a lot of tear stained eyes this week while we all prepare to honor a one of a kind friend. She was the heart and soul of our church. There weren't too many ministries she wasn't involved with. She loved Jesus and she loved his people. 

Our last conversation we had was a week before she passed away. We talked about clapping and she did her best to get everyone on the right beat that morning in church. She being a 2 and 4 girl, while I prefer the 1 and 3. A couple of Sundays ago when I once again joined in at big church, after my hibernation of January and half of February, she came out to find me after church. She said, it sure is good to see you back. Made me feel so welcomed and loved. 

I posted this picture yesterday of Theresa laughing so hard at the SPAM turkey Gertie and I made to have holidays on a budget. I told her she had won the door prize of this creation but she couldn't have the platter, we needed it.  Mash that SPAM together, put in a couple of chicken legs, complete with those little chicken leg hats. Stuff an apple and celery stalks in, you've got a meal. Theresa told me later she HATES SPAM, especially its lovely fragrance but she couldn't keep from laughing, as you can see here. 

Sunday morning while praying for our class prayer requests, I asked the Lord if he would tell Theresa hi for us and that we all miss her. 

I join the chorus of so many others expressing this, love you and miss you Theresa. We know you're singing in heaven and maybe if we get quiet one Sunday morning, we will hear your voice leading us in worship. 

Books, Nostalgia, Fake Naps and Meds

 Sunday, our pastor said, life is but a vapor. Vapor, box of chocolates...thank you Forest Gump. Anyway, in this season of life I would say life is but a vapo...Vicks Vapo Rub. It is fragrance du jour many days but never on Sunday morning. Just a few weeks ago Roy discovered Vicks Vapo Cream and I like it. Not as greasy as the good ol Vicks that mom rubbed on our chests and then pinned a towel around our neck but as effective. My Grandma B must have rubbed off on me here in the older portion of life cause she be lovin' some Vicks. It was a fix all for just about everything. 

I am almost finished with the book, Afternoons With Harper Lee. She certainly had a gift of wit and words and dare I say attitude. I wonder if she liked Vicks? Her friend that wrote the book and has traveled around the world giving talks on her work as well as other well known Alabamian writers. He was a professor for many years at Samford, then went on to great success at that other Tiger school, Auburn. The few times we have driven past Monroeville, AL, I have never been tempted to stop and do the tourist thing. For one, it is not the same with the exception of the courthouse. Still, not enough interest to drag me off the interstate path. Roy and I talked about, briefly, taking another trip to Israel. He has never been but it just doesn't have the pull for him that it has for others. I think it is the same thing as Monroeville. , it is not the same when Jesus was in and out of Jerusalem and Bethany and to the uttermost parts of the country. When it feels so rushed I have a hard time really taking anything in. Really, no time to ponder and pray with hundreds of new best friends. Early morning onto a bus until the evening...I'll be there when it is the New Jerusalem.

These Greeks that came to see Jesus in John 12 have held my attention all week. Lifeway once again, throws us in the middle of a story to fit their narrative, when it seems like we should at least spend a little time on triumphal entry. So, that is where we will begin on Sunday. Once again slinking in the shadows we will find the leaders intent on getting rid of Jesus and evidence of who He is. But in their midst truth is spoken and hopefully the disciples are picking up on what is to come...they didn't. 

I just finished reading Afternoons With Harper Lee. I liked the book a lot and now wishing to be a little more elegant in speech and witticisms that would rival many. Alas, I enjoy that kind of writing and the little stories told impacting the big picture of just about everything. Now onto Beth Moore's memoir. 

The Boys have been especially entertaining this week. We got a collar for Willie and he is accepting it. Mr Mo is the only one we cannot get a collar on. Maybe not so much the collar but the little bell is what bugs him the most. Willie is so fast we needed to be able to hear him.  

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This morning I am still stunned at the news of a passing of a friend from church. No warning, no sickness, nothing...Saturday, when I usually fine tune the lesson, I couldn't keep myself interested because I knew we would need to talk and share about our friend's life in Sunday School. I will do a separate post but nothing was the same Sunday morning, a cold wind kept a lot of us from honoring her by wearing open toed shoes cause she wore them year round, snow, sleet, sun, cloudy, sandals of flip flops. 

With the grief of losing a friend, but we know where she is with the Lord, my niece Erin sent pictures from her special engagement trip with then boyfriend, now fiancée, Travis. Pictures taken on the beach and oh I don't know, something told me it wasn't Galveston...no, Oregon. Haven't set a date yet, but my brother says it is a destination wedding. 

Besides the much needed kitchen mopping, thank you Roy for keeping The Boys in the bonus room so I could do this unassisted with little cat paws, I didn't do too much on Saturday. Finished the Harper Lee book and began Beth's memoir. What a gift of telling her life story in such a concise and understandable way instead of bogging down in details that maybe we'd want her to tell. I am almost finished with the book. Loved reading about her early days at HFBC and with seeing a video on FB from the long ago service at FBC as it was known then, brought up a lot of memories from those days. The choir, Gerald Ray, Brother John, and Felix Wagner. Roll the eight year of church memories here with my friend and those years from long ago, Beth's memoir, I was quite nostalgic Saturday night. The chaos from her childhood years with her father, brought to mind the same kind of chaos with mine. One of the best things my therapist told me early on was, you're still seeing yourself as a little girl when it come to your father, with little girl thinking...but you're an adult, and you can think like an adult, make decisions like an adult...The darkness turned to the dawning and the dawning to noonday bright. I was also reminded of several camps I went to at the Peach Creek Baptist Assembly Camp. Beth told us of her week being a sponsor with 6th grade girls. When she described the bunk houses and especially the bathroom, I pictured it completely as described cause lo, I had been there many times during my incarceration, I mean week long GA Camp or Junior Camp and some weekend retreats with our church in youth group. Ah, evening vespers at Peach Creek. 

Last week held a little bit of a heart issue and I felt pretty sure it was medicine related. Low blood pressure, a little lightheaded. It seems that one of my heart meds, now that I have gone the twice a day pills rather than one extended release pill due to drug costs, caused my problem. So, not eating a hearty breakfast, not even eating a non healthy breakfast, the fact was, I didn't eat enough to counteract the absorption rate and that knocked me to the bed a couple of mornings. I just happened to read an article on beta blockers and got the information of the importance of eating beforehand being especially important with the twice a day pills. No wonder it doesn't bother me at night. Anyway, think that is corrected now and Roy has included me in his hearty breakfasts for a few days. Scrambled eggs, bacon, orange and strawberries cut up.  

Hoping that The Boys having brunch just a few minutes ago will calm them down enough for a nap. Lots of hard playing going on. Fake naps, they're back to wrestling. 

A Happy Week

 This hasn't happened in a long time but a big hunting dog is roaming around, between houses and such. Roy went out to feed the Feral Fam and no one, not one of the family came to eat. The dog was just caught by his owner in our driveway. Hope we see some familiar Feral Fam faces today. I am so thankful we put up the fence, although I think that dog could jump it easily. One of the bigger black cats was found by our neighbor yesterday close to the road. Why they are drawn to that busy road, I don't know. So there is a stillness in the air this morning. I just saw one of the black and white cats out back on one of the cameras. Hope is rising. So thankful for the fence, that helps so much in keeping the dog strays at bay. 

My new definition of hope comes from our Three Boys. It matters not the time or the reason why, but if just but one person enters the space of the kitchen, one or more have hope that there might be some kind of food involved, meals or treats. It doesn't matter. A pretzel bag or a Friskies Treat bag, it all sounds alike to these boys. 

When Roy and I got home yesterday afternoon, a white truck was parked in the surveyed part of the pasture across the road. Didn't see any action but that day is coming soon enough. Saw on the first piece of property sold where a big beautiful home is being built, evidence of perking on the lower part of the property. Don't know if they were successful or not. 

We are seeing a few of the Feral Fam return. I sure hope Twiner and Dot made it. I've been working on getting them to get over being frightened of an interaction with me. For sure we've seen Toupee, her two kittens, Barney and Cutie. Cutie doesn't really hang out here anymore but maybe all the excitement drew her in for a bit. Both Twins and Beanie have been back as well as Radley stop in for food yesterday afternoon. 

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Back to normal with The Feral Fam this morning. The brief distress of the dog is now in the past. All were in attendance for breakfast. 

The big news around here is the paper mill in Canton shutting down in June. Over a 1000 jobs will be lost. This plant made mostly products like paper plates, cups and the like. Guess people are using paper goods like they used to. It is really so sad because the downtown area of Canton was making a comeback with great places to eat and interesting shops. I have several friends who have family working at the mill. This mill has been around since 1908. I read an interesting article this morning on the history of it. 

Even though the Murdaugh trial is over, the after affects as well as more indictments linger. For me it is an interesting look into generational issues, for a lack of a better word, that come crumbling down at some point. A video brought down this dynasty. Roy and I were talking about this just a bit this morning and if you are committing crimes and running several counties, it would be wise to keep up with technology. Also a narcissist in the mix throws a few curve balls. Unless one has had close up and usually long time dealings with one, it can be unnerving to find out that everyone and everything is just a possession. A possession that needs to be at their beck and call, one they can control, and when you are no longer needed...although there is always some usefulness of a person to a narcissist, they'll tuck you away. It is a hard, difficult fight to get away from someone like that but is worth the fight. 

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We finally made our trip to Burnsville. We planned to shop at Lamp Post Vintage Market and then go to Cast Iron Kitchen for lunch...only, there is no more Cast Iron Kitchen. They're gone and out of the restaurant business. The food there was farm to table, delicious and always good specials. This made us expand our horizons and so after saying we would try Rio's, we tried Rio's yesterday. Roy had the Texas fajitas...beef, chicken and shrimp and I had the spinach mushroom quesadilla. Those must not be ordered often because our server wanted to see where that was on the menu as well as when we paid, the cashier had to refer to the menu to find the price. There is one in Mars Hill that is fairly new and another Mexican restaurant is opening near TJ's in Mars Hill. Still no chili gravy on enchiladas but hope springs eternal. 

So many beautiful blooms now, kind of early for them and next week forecasts much cooler temps than what we have been experiencing. Enjoying them while they last. 

Scoops, LazMarMar and Power

 After some weekend temps that felt a bit winterish, we will now have spring for the week and then for the weekend, the dip in temps. Kind of feels like living in Texas. 

Roy got all the scoop yesterday while taking the garbage cans to the road. Our neighbor above us told us about the activities of the messy house below and to the right on the road. Don't think there is too much good happening and two pit bull dogs. Our neighbor below us on the road caught him up on the pasture across the way. The man who owns the property could not sell the large parcel so he is dividing it up for houses. Right now two are planned but our neighbor thinks they'll be nice sized homes and not like some that are thrown together. Anyone want to be our neighbor?

The JOY class is just so special to me. They put up with a bunny trail teacher and one that is not very organized in administrative details. So generous and truly a prayerful class. Lots of laughing together but we weep when one is weeping. We were able to get through half of the lesson yesterday so we will pick up with Jesus at Lazarus' tomb. The customs and practices of funerals and culture in the Bible is so interesting. The context and background makes the already alive Word, alive. I marvel at seeing the book of John so differently this time around. Some of the commentaries emphasize the deep friendship that Jesus had with this family, more so than how I usually studied in the past. The class was fortunate not to have me sing along with Karen Peck and The New River Band, Four Days Late. Roy got that thrill in the car as we went to church. But God...right in the middle of my most dramatic interpretation of the song, a flock of wild turkeys over to our right side, had their attention diverted from looking for food and deciding to fly in front and barely over our car. Of course to maneuver the car from a direct hit, the singing stopped. I must ask Roy is God answered his prayer to silence the SS teacher rendition of this song. I wonder if he fondly remembered when I first discovered this song, along with Get Away Jordon back in the day.   

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It has been a week since last attending to the blog. The mornings got away from me. But, this Monday morning, there is a respite. Because of Roy's allergies this morning our original plans of going out for breakfast, getting his glasses adjusted and a trip to the Barnes and Noble have been punted till later in the week. It's just as well, love a Monday morning...easing into the day. 

The John 11/12 combo lesson got done with just a few minutes over release time. I have certainly enjoyed studying about Mary, Martha and Lazarus. The question always asked, are you a Mary or a Martha? I think I am a LazMarMar, a little bit of each of them. Lazarus was at the table with Jesus in Luke 10 and John 12 and got that four day break from everyday life. He doesn't say a recorded word in the gospels but what an influence. 

Last year we waited too late to buy more forsythia to put along the side fence with the ones we planted in 2021. On Saturday we found several, not much to choose from, already. After church and lunch we planted three of the plants and then planted two trees. When spring actually arrives, we have several projects to redo the pandemic garden work that kept me occupied during those days of less travel and more prevention. 

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Lost power, generator came on, power returned, generator off, we are both wide awake and up early. The Boys started slowly with a rambunctious morning but they are in full play mode. All three of them are engaged in stalking and chasing. Think GMoey just left the group for a nap.  

Roy got the last forsythia planted yesterday afternoon in the warmth of 71 degrees. It is going to be a hard year for peaches after seeing a local orchard has lost all the peach blooms due to the high impact of the wind. Our peach tree still has blooms but the cold temps next week might zap it. 

I kept up with the Murdaugh trial over the past few weeks. Mostly I watched recaps but I did watch Alex's two days of testimony. I've read a lot of articles and interviews from the beginning of this family's influence in the lowcountry till now. I will probably write something on this later but for now I am thinking on these things. 

Who'll Start The Rain?

 GMoey is purring contentedly on my lap. A great cup of coffee and Roy is upstairs finishing up the CBS Online Bible Study that he participates in. Mr Mo and Willie are quiet, someplace and that usually means they have laid down for their second morning nap. GMoey is an early morning and early evening lap sitter. Mr Mo likes to sit on laps in the afternoons and Willie, well he has too much energy right now for lap naps. 

Like we are wont to do, we have changed plans that we had for today. We are still debating plan B or totally punt the plans. With the warmer temps in February, we have a few more options than usual. People around here say that when there is a warmer winter then March can hold some bad snowy weather. That plays havoc with crops. You want good weather for the strawberries and peaches. Thanks to Publix, pre-produce stand season starts in February with the influx of Florida strawberries. 

Lot of activity in the pasture soon to be turned into dwellings across the road. All the guys who have been out there over the past week begin at the knoll closest to the road and then look toward the southeast direction. It looks as if they are deciding where to put a house. The land didn't perk well so probably the house will need to be built in the lower section because there is a small water source there. After watching yesterday's activity, they might be plotting an entrance or driveway to where the house will be built. Once we see the direction of how this plays out might just determine if we go back to our plans of having a fence around part of our front yard.  

What an interesting day of trial watching. Defendant takes the stand, rambles and wanders throughout his explanation of things. Says he lied but he is not lying about killing two members of his family. On the beginning of the cross examination late in the afternoon, the sparring of two lawyers, one an assistant attorney general and one a disbarred attorney. Circling around the edge of the story both are trying to get to a point. It was so interesting watching it with Roy. He fills me in on the nuance of legal matters and I fill him in on watching the reactions and body language of the defendant. I might have it on as background noise today, but maybe I'll wait till the end of the day for re-caps. 

One person whose work led to the world discovering this small part of America, the lowcountry of South Carolina and this family dynasty, put a trigger warning on her recap of the day. If anyone has dealt with a narcissist closely or for any period of time, you certainly can see the patterns of lies displayed across the screen, which takes you back in your mind of dealing with the lies of the narcissist in your life. If one is not far removed from those days, I would think the difficulty of seeing the process would bog one down. Even after my father died, he had several lies that came from beyond the grave. Dang, didn't see that coming and the lies had to do with family. He was one of the best liars I ever knew. 

Today in Houston, it is Go Texan Day. All the trail riders are heading toward Memorial Park for their last campout of the trip before riding in the parade tomorrow morning. For several years living in our condo brought a close up view to several of the trail rides coming in. We lived near Memorial Park. So exciting when several friends participated in the rides cause you start looking for them and then do the frantic waving and calling out their names. When I was in elementary school, we had Go Texan Day. The only day of the school year girls could wear jeans to school. Our mom bought us Go Texan Bolo Ties and those blue ties made a white button up shirt a cowboy or cowgirl shirt. Think my brother still has his. Years ago, Roy worked for a man who had a BBQ cookoff team and we were given tickets to be a part of their blocked off area to eat and celebrate all things pre-rodeo. The food was good but usually the temps were the coldest of the year. One also came home reeking of smoke. That burnt wood fragrance ensconced in hair, clothes and probably boots. We went to several rodeo performances throughout the years but my dislike of crowds and country western music Later on Dena and I discovered shopping at the rodeo market and that was tons of fun. Go in and shop, leave before the huge crowds arrived for the carnival and rodeo.  

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Our energetic morning is off to a start. Well, Roy is easing into the day, but The Boys are in full throttle play. Even GMoey is involved this morning. The downstairs is a total rumpus room. They are so fun to watch. We are waiting for the forecasted rain this afternoon. Good for the new peach tree. 

Roy discovered blue cheese hamburgers at Publix. Only we have them made into quarter pound size cause the two big ones were way too much for us. We have rediscovered sloppy joes as well. The transition from winter food to springish food is in the works. 

I've decided I am in the Vicks Vapo Rub season of life. There was a time that wearing some Vicks during the day would have me undone, now...hey, now I'd rather breathe. Nothing like Ginger Essence and Vicks to make one feel so sexy, attractive,  no old but alive.