Attitude With Catitude

 A cool morning in the mountains. Mount Mitchell has a feels like temp of 32. Glad we are not up that high. 

This weekend we have made some adjustments with The Boys. Three kitties with strong personalities and they need to get co-exist peaceably. We eliminated the dining room draperies due to the use of them for fighting and attacking purposes. For now, we will not hang any curtains or window treatments up. Besides the ones that were there covering for hiding and fighting were looking bad. With those windows facing south and covered up by the porch we should be okay throughout the fall and winter but come spring, we will need to act like this is something we care about and get window treatments post haste. 

It is always a difficult thing to accept when one cannot find cute footwear just because one wears a larger size. Did someone think, well those tall and big girls don't want fashion, they want function. So, no cute boots for you! Yesterday, we needed to kill about twenty minutes so we stopped at this huge discount shoe store. I have been thinking for years that I have missed out on something good but because of timing could never stop. I know now, I have not missed out on anything. It was a tad disappointing. Not too much in my big ol' shoe size and the prices were not all that discounted. 

On our way to Flat Rock, we made a first stop to pick up my new glasses. They are so lightweight that I had to double check I had taken them off before falling asleep. 

Roy was fortunate to catch a kitty that has not gone to the ASPCA. I think it is a girl, but then my track record of identifying cats is rather poor. The ASPCA has contacted Roy to get appointments for more cats from the colony. We are slowly but surely bringing the number of, hmmm let's see, active cats. The ones who have had kittens seem a little depressed in not knowing what to do with all this open time of not being pursued or feeding the family. The ones who have gotten in before having kittens, seem to pick up with their former self and go back to being playful kittens. It is kind of fun to watch. The little kittens are getting bigger and since we are so close to Fall Festival Day, with three of the siblings being black kittens, we are thinking of their safety. If we can get them to five pounds, we can take them to get fixed. Well, my record is intact. Black and white kitty that went is a boy. Gee whiz! That still saves his life from being chases eternally by Radley. With no action for him, maybe Rad will move on to the other colony across the road or the one past Mary Joyce's house. 

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Day two of recouping is a lot less painful than day one. Although, I ended up being on my feet a lot more than I was supposed to because of Mr Mo. He has been having a few issues that in my non professional opinion had nothing to do health wise but more to the relationships with Willie and GMoey. We were able to get him in to the vet at 2:00. Roy took him, but I answered all the questions via phone. Came home with some antibiotics for him. When Roy let him out of the carrier, he quickly went and hid. He finally found him after our supper, got him to come out from underneath the bed and then he quickly went back. So, we fixed up the front bedroom for him to have a quiet night. I stayed in there with him. He used the litter box, drank water and ate, so I felt good about leaving him in for the night. What is it with cats, that when you shut a door, they are no longer interested in anything but that door and what it opens to. Mr Mo cried a little before he fell asleep but I think he is well rested not contending with Willie. 

There is some drama with The Feral Fam too. Toupee has gone back to her earlier role of cranky cat. The kittens are coming to supper when I whistle and that upsets Toupee. We have to keep her from taking swipes at them. Radley's presence causes a lot of stress for the Fam, especially with the availability of females going down every week or so. I think only Cutie and maybe one other cat are the only remaining females that need to take their "spa" visit. Beanie and Fido are loving sitting in our laps. I think it is the best sleep they get. The other members of the Fam are getting friendlier, so we like that. Roy has been approved as a cat rescuer or feral cat field marshal or something cause now he can bring cats in, more than one at a time and more often than once every two weeks.  

Hit or Miss Blogging

 It has been hit and miss for morning blog posts or reflections. I started a post on the 9th but decided to punt on it and begin once again. I might cut and past a couple of paragraphs, but I haven't decided. It is cooler now than writing a week ago. We are beginning to feel that fall like temps and they are so welcomed. 

The Boys have calmed down a bit because of the calming treats we got from Chewy. Still a lot of chasing but in a playful way, not a determined to bully kind of way. The Feral Fam, they are pretty much the same except for a couple of developments. We haven't seen Toup Jr for over a week. I think she moved onto another feral colony because she was being shunned by her family. She abandoned kittens and they passed without, as much as we can tell, another look or touch by her after birthing them. We had the sad discovery of them. I think from all these years of feral watching, the fam was not too happy with her. They didn't let her eat with them or nap around them. She kept to herself. The good news is, Beanie after several years of being friendly toward me has started sitting and napping in my lap. Is it love or just the fact if he is there Fido can't be in my lap. I think I know but I will believe it is love. The biggest surprise is Chanel or as we've been calling her, Cha-nay-nay. She let me pet her on Monday night, well as long as Fido was around. She is the one that got a conduct cut from the ASPCA. Something got her a couple of weeks ago and I've wanted to get close enough to see how she is healing. She is healing nicely and I can confirm that because she sat close by and she let me pet her without Fido or Beanie last night. They say that cats can sense things, more than we pay attention to but Monday night I was concerned for a dear friend who had fallen on Sunday and was being prepped for hip replacement surgery. She wasn't out of my mind or prayers all evening. I went about the normal stuff outside, feed the kitties, pull weeds and stuff like that. When I sat for a moment to rest, that's when Beanie jumped into my lap and that is when Cha-Nay-Nay ventured close for pets, multiple times. I think they sensed my concern and lack of focus...okay my kind of lack of focus. Since the melanoma diagnosis, Mr Mo naps right on top of the mole, which is usually covered by compression socks, cute compression socks and jeans. I carried around a joy and happiness this week with the breakthrough in getting closer to The Feral Fam. Cutie is still keeping a watchful eye on me when around her kittens. One of them let me pick him up and take him to the dinner platter. He is the runt and since he has discovered wet cat food, he is gaining weight. One of the kittens is so adventuresome and has been eating with the big cats for almost two weeks. When Cutie calls her kittens after she has eaten, that adventuresome kitty defies the call but when he rejoins mom and sibling, she gives him such a swat on the head. 

Yesterday, we dropped Mustang Sam off at Jimmy's and good old Sam needs some repairs and new shoes. Oh boy! We are still waiting to see if they can get the parts to do the repair. We are waiting to hear this afternoon if any progress has been made. Told Roy, with insurance payments, his dental work and the car, October expenditures will be up. 

Well, I'm officially a southerner, an old lady southerner. I had orange chicken and rice for lunch. I thought I had dropped a small piece on my pants, so I picked it up and put it in my mouth. It was dirt. It was dirt from an outside chore, not realizing a small piece of dirt had temporarily found a respite on my clothing. They say some southerners eat dirt, well I did but not by choice.    

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Last week we had our first women's Bible study, the first in a long time. The before Covid thing. We are studying Galatians taught by David Jeremiah. We had good discussion afterwards and left the building to take in the wonder of lightning filling the sky. The clouds and purple hues are breathtaking. Last night we had our second meeting and it was so good. I have never been a huge fan of Galatians, more of a Philippians type girl. His preaching/teaching style is so enlightening giving us the back story of Paul and how he was answering his accusers.  

It's funny sometimes we don't even remember to miss something or an activity. Like the study last night as well as once a month fellowship lunches after church or if it is a month of a fifth Sunday, Sunday night fellowships which have started back up. The lunches especially are such fun. In our study last night David Jeremiah said, the gospel brings joy. Sometimes we miss the joy in what the Lord has given to us for life in Him. Been looking at legalism for the lesson on Sunday, how the leading priests and leaders brought down the excitement of a paraplegic being healed after his friends lowered him through the roof. Those leaders had a front row seat. It could have been a life changing experience for them but they chose otherwise due to the fact their comfortable way of life should not be disrupted or disturbed. Also they liked being holier than everyone else and ironically, took great pride in that accomplishment, which honestly is filthy rags.  It was interesting last week as we shared where legalism while growing up made us look at ourselves and the gospel in a different light. I remembered the offerings envelopes with the boxes to check, Bible read daily, contacts made, giving, lesson studied, present, worship attendance etc...  It all added up to 100%. I struggled with checking the boxes especially, contacts made. I also didn't understand if present meant attendance or if I had brought a present. After a bit I realized it didn't matter if I checked or didn't check boxes so it became a distant memory and for a short while part of a M&G script. 

We will pick up the Mustang today, with new shoes but will have to bring it back for the other work. They are waiting on parts from Ford, with no ETA on them. It is suggested we just use the car locally and not push it. Dang! With a great weekend for top down driving. Before retirement, this is when we would consider buying a new car but I think we will see this thing through. We have discussed getting a smaller truck. This is not a decision we have to make anytime soon, and for that I am thankful. 

Our plum trees have produced a ton of plums. They are American plums, which means they are about the size or a little larger than grapes. About the size of muscadines. I researched how to  freeze them and I think I will also make a compote to freeze for winter months. We didn't freeze any of the peaches we bought this year. Instead we enjoyed them all summer long. The Amish peaches were just so juicy and delicious. 

Anticipation, Thankfulness and Gratefulness

 A lazy Labor Day morning. I like it! This morning at breakfast, Roy and I were talking about nine years ago on Labor Day. I was finishing up my month long visit given to me by Roy for a milestone birthday. While here, I had searched for a house to buy with the territory stretching from Waynesville to Burnsville. Little did we know but God did, the home we would purchase was about a half a mile away from where I was staying. Searching the ends of the earth, well maybe searching between the villes, and what we loved was only a little ways away. The house we eventually purchased was off the market and pending until it wasn't. God and His timing, for sure. That particular Labor Day we drove around the area and were so surprised that not too much was open. Actually closed for the holiday while at first frustrating but we knew it was also refreshing. I had a book about literary places in and around Asheville and we were kind of following that trail. It led us to Marshall and we searched and searched for Penland's. To no avail, we couldn't find it and concluded it must have closed since the book was several years old. Well, guess what, it isn't. Inez and Velda helped me discover the wonder of downtown Marshall which included Penland's. It was there, we just didn't look hard enough. Also discovered the hardware store and the quirky, funny owner. Fast forward and I am friends with the owner of Penland's, not only friends but she gave me her phone numbers and told me if I ever needed anything or anyone to give them a call since Roy wasn't here full time yet. I never had to but it gave me assurance. One of those unexpected blessings. Little shout out and appreciation Georgette. Thank you for being a friend. 

We had a bit of a false fall last week and this week the temps will be a summer revisit. Warmer than usual but the forecast next week hints that fall like temps will return. Sure do hope so. Roy's tomatoes are still going strong. We've given a lot away as well as freezing them for winter soup. Yum! I cannot forget that tomato sandwiches are the bomb diggity. Soon it will be time for autumnal foods, which I love and of course love writing autumnal. 

Next week is a bit busier than normal. While sitting in all that traffic on Wednesday, we were able to book our appointments for Mustang Sam and for the truck at Jimmy's.  We also have hair appointments so guess it is a maintenance week all the way around.  

It is exciting that two friends are starting a women's Bible study this week at church. David Jeremiah's, Galatians. No homework! Sounds good to me. 

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While Roy was at deacons meeting, I caught up with a Houston friend. Lots of laughs in between our telling each other of the daily events in life. The Boys somewhat behaved while I was on the phone but had a moment in the midst of our conversation, they experienced a bit of rough housing on the stairs. Then calm reigned throughout the household until Roy returned home. 

I began looking at the lesson for this coming Sunday yesterday afternoon. Think I will pick three events in our context chapters to look at. I know one of the three will be the friends in Mark 2 letting their friend in through the roof to see Jesus. 

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Oh Thursday, you got here so quickly this week. The forecasters tell us today will be the last hot temp day for a bit. We will take it! 

Yesterday, I had my much anticipated appointment with the dermatologist that had to be rescheduled due to the wreck and construction last week. We got there early, not because we are old but because I didn't want to miss this appointment for any reason. A major street is closed to get to their office, so with all the twists and turns and unknowns, we allowed for time. That office runs like clockwork though. All the staff is so pleasant and friendly. You know, like they like their job. The doctor? She knows her stuff and I told Roy she looks like a college cheerleader. He immediately felt the need to make an appointment with her. I go back for her to get the rest of the???? Guess I will call it the sample. Edges still had margins and she'll make sure it is taken care of which includes some kind of skin graft and a pretty big hole that will take six months to heal. She asked if I knew about compression socks? Yes, I responded and have some really cute ones. Six months of wearing compression socks so at least this is through the fall and winter months when socks are required to keep ones toesies warm. She explained that where I am in the big picture is this, it has been caught right before the melanoma would begin spreading to lymph nodes but she will send the sample to be tested. So in a little more of a week I'll go back in for a little more extensive biopsy and then return about forty eight hours later to see how it is healing. The doctor drew around the mole how far she will need to go out, so I came home with a tattoo of sorts. Just need to draw a smiley face on it. Through this whole summer process, too bad I don't have a paper to write on what I did on my summer vacation, God's peace has surrounded my heart and mind and kept me settled. I didn't take too many trips to the land of what ifs. While reading for the lesson this Sunday I cannot help but think of our Sunday School Class, The Joy Class, who have prayed over many a person and many request and when obstacles pressed in, we continued in praying. I am also thankful for so many friends who have prayed with me concerning all of this stuff. I am truly thankful and grateful. We will look at Mark 2, through the roof to get to Jesus. 

After the appointment yesterday, we went to Sky Top Orchard and then over to see Audrey for new frames and lenses. I didn't make the safe frame choice yet didn't make the choice where I have to look like the wild older lady whose only resort for fashion is her glasses. Then to close out this day of fun, we went to Publix. Now that is always an adventure on Wednesday when there is a discount for us older types. 

All three Boys are napping after a vigorous morning of chase. They are in their respective places to nap and for this I am truly thankful.     

Catching Up, Once Again

 With a rainy day forecast and me, with the attention span of a gnat, we decided that this morning we would endeavor to begin a reorganizing of the garage. We both have the propensity of piling things up or at least putting things on a shelf with no particular organization in mind. While going through one shelving unit we found multiple items that we needed over the summer. Well now those things have a place and hopefully we will remember that we put those things together, organized for quick finding. We opened the garage door while we worked and most of the regulars of years gone by had gone into deep hiding from the rain, so all the newbies were in wonder of this new thing. Of course this morning also held the traumatic collecting a cat to take to the ASPCA to be fixed. We caught two members of that trip and Roy nearly had the third, but he has not learned the knack of holding onto a mad, fussing cat. It is difficult but you just hang on for dear life. So none of these breakfast bunch cats were too keen in exploring the garage. Finally, a few came in, had a bite to eat and then went back to their outdoor hiding places. Fido came in but he was skittish for some reason. Maybe he was nervous about the organizing. After about two hours, we called it lunch time even though we didn't eat lunch until an hour later. 

We went to a funeral yesterday. A sister of a dear friend passed away. Once again, there is that feeling that you would have really liked to meet this person. But I know we shall meet in the sweet by and by. Roy cut in the line to talk with the family. He saw his friend with no one to talk to so he just went around everyone and started talking with his friend. I love Roy for so many reasons, but when he finds a buddy, he is loyal and fiercely concerned for them. 

I worked on the lesson for Sunday and still even though I loved studying Jeremiah, I am thrilled to be out of that long book and now into the shortest length book of the Gospels. We just cover the first thirteen verses but there is so much there to ponder, practice and apply. 

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Since we had rain for most of the day, at least into the early afternoon, that helped me to pull up dead sunflowers in the side flowerbed. We still have a few blackberries every once in a while. The Feral Fam was ready to run and play after being holed up for most of the day. The houses across the way are going up really fast and I hope the allure doesn't draw any of the Fam across the road. 

Our original Wednesday plans were changed by a wreck and construction on the freeway. We sat for about an hour but during that time I called the doctor office to let them know what was happening and at best we would be late...but the second call confirmed I would need a reschedule. Happy that they had an opening next week. This appointment was for the second biopsy of the mole on my leg. While I was really disappointed not to go ahead and get this taken care of but I am also glad we didn't have to drive through a bunch of rain. I have been encouraged by several who had this same kind of situation but several of the several have added that this type of melanoma can spread in five weeks. Next week is five weeks but I have a peace that passes understanding with all of this. Next week's appointment is in the morning, which I like a lot. 

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We went to bed at halftime and I think we made the right decision with the LSU vs FSU football game last night. It's going to be a long season or so it seems. Right now with the fight that Spectrum and Disney are having, I don't think we will miss ESPN all that much. Oh well. 

Saturday, we drove over to TN and made a stop in Burnsville before heading home. Christy's opened for the afternoon and we went to pick up the small table. It fits perfectly in the front bedroom. 

Getting over some allergies did not help teaching Sunday School yesterday. I took in a breath wrong and that triggered the tickle spot in my throat. Thus my thoughts were disrupted for the rest of the lesson. Who knows, I think I covered everything or at least made sense. I was telling a friend yesterday afternoon, many Sundays after church, in the car going home I tell Roy I am going to quit teaching. He just smiles at me and most Mondays you'll find me reading and researching for the lesson on the coming Sunday. 

Check- A -Roony

 Let's see, shop on Wednesday at Publix to get the "wisdom" discount-check. Roy leaving the cart, Houston friends, or the buggy, NC friends, in the middle of aisles with a lot of cranky wisdom types looking for an opportunity to snag a BOGO item-check. Okay, last week I slipped but only slid while opening the back door to bring the kitties their supper and now Roy has decided I cannot do that on my own for the time being. Let's see, I have done this way over a hundred times, one kitty, Beanie, gets under my foot and thus the slip sliding away happened so quickly. Although Roy does run interference quite well. So, that's a check a roonie as well. Oh yes and two days before my birthday I set off the panic alarm on the house and our wonderful neighbor saved our doors from the EMS break in and looking for The Boys outside in the wild. Old lady move-check. 

Now it is Thursday and Roy is on his way to the dentist office. The Boys and me, well, we are here at home. Most of them mostly napping with one on bully patrol or rather waiting for an opportunity bully patrol. Outside, Cutie has moved her kittens to the cleft of the rock and the sisters Coco and Chanel are spending a lot of sister time together. This heat is draining the energy out of all the Fam. We are keeping them supplied with water and treats. Some of their beds are in very shady areas of the yard and being under the coolness of trees with a little breeze is wonderful to battle warmth. Of course our heat is nothing to compare to what Houston and Texas friends have been experiencing. Nonetheless, it is usually not this hot at this time of the year. I just noticed Radley sleeping on the rock that has the cleft. He better be up to good rather than no good. Since he has become the alpha cat after ridding us of King Herod, he is becoming like King Herod. 

I've been recovering from a bit of the flutter this week, so add in the heat and it is a low energy week. I have been getting more reading done, yay! I have opted to give just a few minutes to Lamentations  and then onto the Intro of Mark. Next week we begin in earnest, chapter one. I am also finishing up one of the I Love Lucy books I bought myself for my birthday. Interesting and I keep seeing the nuances when I watch an episode. Vivian Vance is brilliant in her response with great timing reacting to Lucy or Fred or a situation. 

We just finished cutting corn off the cob to make creamed corn. In the oven and just about done. We also got some corn cleaned and ready for the freezer. Roy's green peppers are producing and I found a recipe for stuff green peppers that are easy to freeze. Look at me, being all domestic minded. Told Roy is we don't get stuff like this done in the morning...I am out of energy by the afternoon. He did a lot of work on the corn and for this I am very thankful. We will let the creamed corn cool and then put it in freezer bags for individual servings. 

Just think, ten years ago I would have not been too excited about growing tomatoes and peppers. Having apple, peach and plum trees as well as blackberry bushes...nor would I have been too excited about having sunflowers, four o'clocks, zinnias and snap dragons in the flowerbeds...oh yes and cosmos. I am thrilled with a quiet life after living life in a constant state of anxiety, chaos and busyness. Too wrapped up in what others thought, sometimes obsessively, yet other times what others thought of me, well it was quite amusing. Been snubbed by the best yet truly, most snubs are not that well disguised...it is obvious almost to the point of wanting to be called on it so that this person can vent or be aloof. No thanks, not going to give them that pleasure. Gosh, there was a lot of that in Houston cause it seems to be accepted that this is a way of life. Several predicted that I wouldn't make it here and would find myself right back in Houston. Even when we were to stay home during the pan...mic, never bored. Sometimes I think it is a sin to tell God we are bored in this wonderful world He created. As Roy says often, there is always something to do. Of course he could be talking about chores or daytrips around and about. Mainly chores. As we begin to study Mark I can only think that Mark jumped right in without adding his background, or the sorrows he had seen, been snubbed and rejected by Paul, taken in by his cousin Barnabas. Peter had him around and he soaked all that in. He wrote the earliest gospel and Matthew and Luke used his writing to tell their stories too. Mark appealed to the gentiles and Romans in his writing. We should be no different than good ol John Mark. Yep, we all have stories and they are important but not so important to woller around in them. We don't need to get stuck on but what about my reputation? Well, we all have reputations but we might think about them more than others will. Mark got those vivid insights into Jesus' life and he includes them although we pass right over them. He didn't need to include his history, just that this gospel is about Jesus and emphasizes Him serving. 

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This was fellowship lunch Sunday and it was very fun. Got asked to serve and Tracy planned a taco lunch and it was a hit. When you serve the meal you get to see everyone and visit for a few minutes. Just as the crowd settled down I was able to sit down and eat lunch. I was starting to get hot which means afib is lurking around the corner. Lunch was great and we helped clean up afterwards. I got a nice nap this afternoon and now the rain is coming in a little at a time. 

We made it through the best part of Lamentations and the intro to Mark this morning. Fido wanted to go to church this morning. He jumped into the trunk and then he tried to get in the car door. 

A good book is calling my name. Not the good book but Steven Wales book. I have loved reading it. 

Peaches, Hay and Cats

 Another foggy morning in WNC or at least in our little valley. The builders across the way put in some gravel to be able to get their trucks onto the property. Looks like good weather ahead for building but we are so appreciative of the rain for our plants and trees. 

We were gone most of yesterday and had some happy campers when we arrived home. Food would be served to them soon enough. All the driving around yesterday rendered me tired and useless for the rest of the evening. 

Part of our travels took us on I 26 and it was so nice to use the newly opened lanes, smooth lanes, easier to maneuver lanes.  

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The speed of construction across the way has picked up quite a bit. These are small homes, being built close together but after seeing a tractor cutting the field for hay beginning on Thursday, I wonder if the the rest of that pasture is going to be used for maybe just one home. It would be located near the top like the other house being built over there. A large black screen barrier had been place to mark the land before any construction began. If only four houses are built over there, that seems like a win to us. 

We spent most of the day on I 26 only north of the city. We ordered Amish peaches from Troyer's. Originally, we had planned on getting an earlier start, but waking up at 2:00 am and finally being able to fall asleep around 4:20 took a toll on plans. Worked out though. As we made our way through the TN countryside, the fields were planted in abundance, soy beans (maybe), canola, and lots and lots of corn. During the pandemic, when fertilizer was not in supply, those fields were just about empty. Several of the large family farms and houses were for sale. Not the case yesterday and oh yes, we saw several large fields of tobacco. Troyer's was busy but not bad busy. First time ever we didn't buy bakery or snack items. Guess we are finally growing up. Maybe not though. After our haircuts on Thursday we ran over to Publix. The young cashier looked at our items as he checked us out and said, I want to come home with y'all. I love everything you bought which only made me give the standard response, our grocery cart many times looks like a college student's choice. All day throughout NC and TN the fragrance of cut hay wafted throughout. I think that is just about my favorite fragrance. 

Now it is Monday morning. This morning we caught two of the Feral Fam, but one had already gone through the procedure and the other one, Cutie has young kittens. We saw the kittens last week all packed together in a kitten bunch but in the past few days their presence is more noticeable. I put some food out last night for them, and boom they were all over it. Always fun to watch. 

This is the first time except for the Covid year that I didn't go to the studio tour. If I had gone I would have only gone to see the blacksmith. Have many pieces he has created and gave many as gifts. I did go over to Burnsville to Christy's and a quick pop in at Lamp Post Vintage Market. 

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Blogging gets interrupted by life these days. I am not complaining, just a fact. So I will end this endless post with this story. This morning, for the first time, Fido was not at breakfast. When Roy came in he looked upset and distracted. Not a usual for him. He said, Fido wasn't at breakfast this morning. I asked if he had whistled the familiar whistle to bring them to meals. No, but he had whistled and called his name. I suggested we go back outside to see if we could call him in. It was a limited crew this morning, mainly cause of yesterday morning trying to get a kitty for a trip to the ASPCA. I began whistling the call. We saw Toupee back on the gravel road and soon a few other Feral Fam came down the steps and into the backyard. Just as we decided to go back in the house, there was Fido. Called out to Roy, Fido is here. Now Roy will try and make you think he is indifferent to the Feral Fam but don't let him fool you. He got Fido's special dish ready for him and I returned inside to give them some time together. Back in the day, Roy would be amused with me when a favorite wasn't at breakfast or supper...he would humor me or give me a difficult time. He said, now I know how you felt when Feral Fam members are absent. That Roy, he is a good man and I love him! 

At Least There is That

 Roy has an eye doctor appointment this morning which leaves me with a morning to ease into. Last week, not so much and even though there are appointments to be kept this week and needful things to take care of, I always relish in a morning full of possibilities but choosing the quiet is usually the best remedy to start out the "work" week or the weekdays. 

We are keeping an eye on the dynamics between Mr Mo and Willie. Plain and simple Willie is a bully many times toward Mr Mo. Willie is much bigger, with very long fur and underneath that fur, a mighty girth. Yet, that cat can scootch or fit into just about any small opening, like under a bookcase or between close chairs. Nothing stops him. He has been a little bit more on the calm side. He has even sat in my lap several times and those several times had nothing to do with finding a snack from me that might just appeal to him as well. As we ponder maybe bringing in Fido that might help the dynamics and then again it might not we try to distract The Boys from anger fighting to just roughhousing. Fido is so easy going, like Mr GMoey. Ongoings with the Feral Fam, pretty much status quo except Beanie hasn't been around for a couple of meals and I dreaded what the narrative might be, but lo and behold, right after taking part one of morning meds I glanced out the window and saw him lying on a rock. His attention as well as Toupe, just coming down from the gravel road, fixated on the gate. The Feral Fam has been a little skittish lately. Don't know if it is Radley or an unknown, at least to me, cat looking for a good time. I carefully snuck out onto the back porch, although eagle ear GMoey was not fooled, and gave the kitties outside some treats. I was so delighted to see Beanie. He has been quite the affectionate cat of late, he has always let me pet him, but sometimes after feeding them at night, I sit on a rock and just watch them. Many times he joins me either sitting beside me or sometimes even sitting on my lap. 

Just one more lesson in Jeremiah. Actually, I have learned so much about the book of Jeremiah and well, here is your Sunday School answer, God. I have also learned that we as people or even as people of God can be jerks as well as make wrong decisions more times than we like to think about. Invested in ritual? God can blow that apart quickly and how we respond, well that is a whole nother story. Do you just want God to rubberstamp decisions? Jeremiah is the book for you because we just learned, God isn't in the scrapbook business of stamping or rubber stamping. Want the status quo? Want easy decisions, that might not be the right choice...there is plenty of that in Jeremiah. Want to go back to Egypt? Short answer is don't go! Plenty of biblical examples of what happens when Egypt is the destination but not of God's choice. The life of faith is difficult but it is the best choice day in and day out while here on earth, but eternal rewards, yep, there will be some of those too. 

I ordered three books, yes, I know...but one of them is for Sunday School study and the other two are for spiritual growth. I looked at Ragged this morning by Gretchen Ronnevik and her intro has me hooked. Actually, the first paragraph grabbed me because I have tried but I am not an early morning quiet time person and even though I artfully read my Bible and make notes in my journal from time to time for that early morning hour, many days it doesn't even seem to have an effect on me. Not God's fault but mine, being all distracted or overwhelmed or tired. The author is like this and none of the sugar coated cutesy cutesy women ministry stuff that seems to be all the rage, all the time. Not that this is related but in my mind it is. At the beginning of the summer I started reading a book, fiction, titled Rush. Ole Miss, moms are legacies in the most popular sorority at Ole Miss. Well to do girl and the other is from an ultra rich family. I stopped reading it cause the story is taking too long to develop and the more interesting characters haven't been given enough paragraphs but I digress. The legacy roommates use a designer for dorm rooms in decorating their room meant for three but barely has the room for the two. On FB this weekend I saw a dorm designer, at Ole Miss, who designed the corner room meant for three and actually for the first time ever, three roommates are sharing it. Very cute but wonder if this designer was the one used for the book? May have to pick it back up and see if it is interesting. I believe cute dorm rooms are a thing and fun, but sometimes it is over the top, just for the sake of being over the top. Boy, did I go down a rabbit trail, anyway, I think this book Ragged is just what I need. 

When Roy got home from the eye doctor, we headed out to get some honey crisp apples from Barbers and maybe some apple cider donuts...oh and some corn. Anyway, we stopped at Ducketts on the way home. Lou Lou's fried pork skins are so delicious, so those and muscadine grapes for Roy. Oh yes, Lou Lou is canning greasy beans in smaller mason jars so there isn't any leftovers. That works for us. Beautiful drive home and we got more rain for a little bit of time, so tomatoes and such will all be so happy. We are coming to an end of blackberry season. We have put most in the freezer for tastes of summer this winter. 

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A successful trap of Coco this morning and off to be fixed this morning. She is still so young but the intact males had kind of started paying attention to her in the past few days. The days of taking kitties to the ASPCA to get fixed will soon be over. Coco didn't even get upset like most, she just kept eating her food. 

Last night beginning around 12:30 am, thunderstorms came through until early this morning. Got lots of good rain and cannot help think about Texas needing rain something awful. We lost power for a few minutes this morning, but not for very long at all. Mr Mo is afraid in storms so we have been paying extra attention to him this morning. Sometimes it is Willie that is his problem, but not so much this morning.  

We punted on our plans today and I think it was the best plan. Hey, instead we used up some of my birthday discounts around the area. So fun, hey I am easily entertained.  I am also thinking the lesson on Sunday is not going to be the Lifeway plans...although I will touch on that last chapter. 

Well, the kittos outside are waiting for supper and Roy put the children's fishing pole together and we will  play with them a little later. A couple of non family male cats came around this morning and were rather disappointed but they did leave with a trip to the food bowls, at least there is that. 

Fog, Construction and Just Stuff

 The sound of construction is in the air. No one worked on the houses across the road yesterday, but this morning the sound of silence is disturbed with the hammering and such. They will probably be adding the second floor today. In all the years here we have never had anyone dump garbage around our trash bins at the side of the road. Waste Pro doesn't pick up bags, only the approved and paid for containers. Roy put the bags onto of the cans. It was a late pickup, so whomever and we all have our suspicions decided to add two more bags. Roy just happened to be back out there to get the bins when a Waste Pro truck slowed down and took the two bags. We think we know who is the culprit but have no proof. 

Wednesday, we headed over to Boone. The wall of flannel shirts is back,$13.00 and I do love flannel shirts, so we returned to some of the most beautiful scenery along the way. We have not been up that way since before Covid. Roy wanted to also go to the Walmart there...yeah, I know, for reasonably priced App State shirts. He was also awarded employee of the day due to his efficient self checkout. I thought while looking at the map app, that a Mexican restaurant was nearby and didn't do any due diligence to actually find it. So all in all, in crowded Boone, App State hasn't even started the semester yet, was a fun little trip. We punted on Mast General Store in Valle Crus so we would have time to stop in Burnsville to see Lamp Post Vintage Market's new addition, The Saw Mill General Store. It did not disappoint and we came home with t-shirts and peach strawberry jam. We ran by Davis Farms for muscadine grapes for Roy. 

We captured a female Feral Fam member and so now we only have one or two females that need to be fixed. The colony of cats in our area includes members that come and go and those who stick around here or across at Mary Joyce's house. 

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Happy Foggy Friday! After a day or so of no construction sounds, the sound has returned. Guess all the muddy red clay needed to dry out a bit before welcoming trucks and workmen and workwomen. There is a chance of rain this afternoon so guess they are trying to get in as much as possible. 

I tried the peach/strawberry jam yesterday and it is delicious! Also, we need to get our flannel shirts and t-shirts washed and ready for wearing. Most shirts we have bought on one day in a long time. Just saw on FB they added over 500 flannel shirts to the wall. Looks like another trip to Boone in the future. Not just for flannel but there are a couple of other stops we want to make along the way. With our highs in the 80s, the temp in the Boone area while we were there topped out at 68 degrees. Much apologies for Texas friends having to read that. 

Looking forward to wrapping up Jeremiah. Just a couple more weeks, one for Lamentations and we will soon be in the Gospel of Mark. This week the chapter we are in, yet once again holds lessons for us today. 

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I like to look at pictures online of the city where I was born. Most of my memories of the city, not of family, are a little gray. Some places I have vivid recollection, like Joy Land amusement park. I remember a drive from my Grandma B's home over to our grandparents home in the city. There was a stacked but short water tower, it was black, so probably around factories or a rail road yard. Located near a rail road track that the road went under. So in these pics I look for that and I look for no particular reason except I remember that. Most times I look at my grandparents home from street view or Zillow. When I think back about their house, in my mind it was huge! But it was only 1404 square feet. I noticed this time that the Dunn's house just one house down from them has been torn down but most of the other houses are still standing with most of them built in the early 1900s. 

After last week's gob smacking report and a promised referral, it feels like I am on the road to getting this on the way. Heard from the referral dermatology office and have an appointment and...PTL, it is in August, not September or October like I thought it might be. Another plus of an August appointment, the doctor office is near an apple orchard that we love, but haven't been to in a while. 

Thinking back on our trip to Boone I realized that all that road construction past Burnsville is complete and such a nice drive. OOAK Gallery closed last month so I didn't even notice Micaville as we headed toward our destination. Love the three mile cut through road which is really four miles long, very picturesque. Our next trip I want to go to Crosnore, thinking of you Betty, and look around a few other places. The Italian Restaurant is under new ownership in Newland, so I don't quite know what that means. Most Italian food is off the menu for Roy, now.   

Becoming Aware, Reluctantly

 🎵There's got to be a morning after.🎵Yes, the morning after a birthday before a milestone birthday next year. It was such a fun day. We did a lot of my favorite things in and around the area that brought great joy. Barbers Orchard opened this week and honestly, we did not go for the apples, like so many others there, apples plentiful, bakery line long. Only ginger gold, which we have a ginger gold tree here and don't eat the apples. This year, they sold peaches and nectarines from their orchards. So donuts, peaches and nectarines were our purchases. We thought about corn but will return for corn and probably a bakery item or two. We drove by Haywood Smokehouse considering lunch but it was so crowded, onto other adventures. Ducketts Produce, the next stop and Lou Lou had made tomato pie and that's what is for lunch today. Also picked up salsa and greasy beans. Oh, muscadines for Roy. He loves those grapes. Southern Porch was busy for lunch so we decided we would drop by home, to drop off stuff and head out to Mars Hill. We really like Taco Fiesta and that is where we went for lunch. Had the Pollo Popeye...delicious! You have to go to Ingles afterwards especially the weeks the Zero Sugar Sunkist Orange sodas are on sale. We wrapped up the afternoon in Marshall with a stop at Penlands. I got the last copy of a book about a revival that happened in Madison County and then we were on our way home. We were welcomed home by The Feral Fam and The Boys. Not because of happiness of return but supper would be on time. 

The birthday date was fine but the week has been a hard one. Had a mole scraped for testing. Didn't hurt until bedtime. Guess the lidocaine wore off. Tuesday, yearly eye exam, prescription changed, probably cataract surgery next year but otherwise, eyes doing well. It was an extremely sunny day Tuesday, so I holed up in the darkest room in the house all afternoon. Then we come to Wednesday, and Wednesday rocked me to the core. I did a truly old lady thing, nothing minor like talking about bag worms or telling some boring story or telling a story once again. No, this truly put me into the elderly category. We were leaving to run a couple of errands and like usual set the alarm. Only I got a notice from the security company, did I want to the alarm to go off...no, thank you I responded. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. So we left feeling spritely and youngish only to get a phone call at Publix from our neighbor. She asked if everything was alright. Yes, thank you. She then tells us that there are three sheriff cars and an ambulance in our driveway. They were waiting on the fourth sheriff to be able to break down the door and go inside. She was able to get their attention to tell them we were not home and they asked to talk to me. They kind of gave me something less than a lecture but something more than don't do this again. Why he said the next thing, I'll never know but...we thought an elderly lady with cats was inside, unresponsive. Why gee, why did he think there might be cats? I think I grocery shopped in shock, miffed with myself over not being careful or observant. I told Roy on the way home, today marks a significant journey on getting older. Later on in the day, talked with our wonderful neighbor who also happens to have a beautiful name, Nancy. She said they asked if we were elderly by any chance. She responded well, they fit that category by age but they don't act like elderly people. They are constantly on the go or working in their gardens. That lessened the elderly blow. It is hard getting old. You have to not look old in facial expressions, don't have a trite phrase to say that was funny in your 40s but now, just a tired rendition to both speaker and listener, breath through your nose, don't fall asleep everywhere, remember to keep your symptoms and health to a minimum of discussion and oh there is so much more...that I've forgotten which is a sign unto me, elderly. I have told three people about Wednesday cause it knocked me for a loop and thankfully two out of the three had their own embarrassing elderly moment of recent days that made me feel like I wasn't alone. Almost feeling like the last part of this birthday year, we will give you something to remember. Thursday, I felt confident to just stay home, keep the keys with the alarm button put away. Then we come to Friday being out almost the entirety of the day, but so happy to report, no alarm situations instituted by me. The unexpected result of this old lady escapade is, lots of picking up of stuff that needs to be put away. Roy and I are both pilers but we are different in what we accept and don't accept. We are opposites in this view. We threw ourselves into clearing those piles of books and papers as well as other things. Then lo and behold, I dusted...which is not one of my favorite chores. I take after the thought of Leanne Morgan, funny people don't keep their houses immaculate, cause we are busy being fun. 

Thursday, I did get the report back from the mole and being that I was never in medical school, I hadn't a clue if they found anything or if they hadn't. Usually, it is not good to Google it up on medical stuff, but even Dr Google hadn't a clue what the heck the diagnosis was. There should be a section titled, what this means to the simple minded person, ah yes, that would be me. I sent the report to my nurse niece and she gave some direction. 

That Lou Lou at Ducketts, what can she not do? This year along with her canning of tomatoes, beans, salsa, pickles and beets, yuck, along with her baked goods she has added fried pork skins in four flavors. I am prone to liking pork skins with salt, so that is what I went with...not just any salt, but sea salt. I also had a slice of her tomato pie for lunch. I like this years version better than last years. 

I have studied the lesson for tomorrow. Going to a review and a few points before we get to chapter 36.  

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A foggy beginning to the day, Monday. Roy has dropped off another Feral Fam member to get fixed. He or she wasn't too happy about the situation. Roy is on his way to go workout since this afternoons forecast says rain that might be more stormy. I'm going to try and get some purple hull peas at a produce stand in a little bit. 

So now I have a better picture from the mole report. A picture that is a bit cloudy because I am waiting for the referral to go through and then contacted for the next appointment in the process. It was not the report I had hoped for but I am reminded of something that has totally helped me these past few days. I think this is from the Mark Buchannan book, Rest of God, but he wrote about how we need to be mindful that in the process there is a beginning, middle and end. Right now I am in the beginning of this journey. Actually I'm really at the pre-stage of looking at websites, reading brochures and such metaphorically of the journey, so I cannot or rather should not jump over to the end and scary middle. I am hoping the journey will have answers early on, take care of the issue and then I'll keep on. So more like a daytrip in the journey metaphor. I had sent a message to the doctor Friday night on the patient portal, that I wasn't quite sure about understanding the report because of the mixture of scary words in the midst of medical jargon. I sent it Friday night hoping for a Monday response. She responded Saturday morning and I am so appreciative of her taking time from her weekend to do that. 

Yesterday in Sunday School, my new friend Katrin made cupcakes for the class and a cake for me. A strawberry cake, one of my most favorites. This has been a wonderful few days of celebrating my birthday before a milestone birthday next year. In the lesson we wrapped up 35 and 36. I am kind of ready to be finished with Jeremiah and move onto the book of Mark. 

I had better attend to these restless Boys cause brunch is being served later than usual. Roy keeps them on a time clock, I get around to things. 

Battles, Skirmishes and Beetles

 Our portion of patchy fog has cleared. Guess July is getting us ready for August fog where we count the days for days of snow or inches of snow. I've heard both used but clearly in the eight years here, it has never been spot on. Extended forecasts are calling for a wet winter although I don't know if that means rain, icy rain, sleet or snow. Guess it is up to us to decide. 

There is a tiny change in Willie, the youngest Feral Fam cat indoors. He is beginning to climb into our laps even when the chance of food is nil to none. Willie get his afternoon whipped cream faithfully on schedule and that little special attention has calmed him down as well as growing out of his cat teenaged years. Neither Mr Mo or GMoey care for the stuff. Willie is still quite the bully especially to Mr Mo. This time last year we were concerned because Mr Mo was such a bully to GMoey but then GMoey got bigger and suddenly all interest in bully type moves recessed into the distant past. Willie has the biggest head and he uses it to push away Mr Mo from the food dishes. He also uses his big head to get past me. 

Berry picking the past few days has been quite fruitful. Oh and I know it's bad. We have been beating birds to the berries but somehow we are loosing the war with japanese beetles. We had a good clearing of them but their reinforcements entered the picture. Last night and will do so again tonight in the front yard, but I am carrying with me a bucket of Dawn and water, so dishwater to pick off bugs and put them in the bucket. In an all out offense, I trimmed back every rose bloom and any blackberries that do not look like they will produce. Scorch the earth policy. We also tackled the war against bagworms last night. We found the organic stuff to rid them from our firs, thanks Bev, and we began that battle in earnest. Also, with all the sunflowers in the side flowerbed and being just a few weeks away from all the sunflowers blooming in the front yard, I have been cutting off the heads of the spent blooms and putting them in the garage to dry out. I am leaving a majority of the seeds for the birds. I love watching the gold finches eat seed from the big heads. They are totally camouflaged by the yellow and the cats never spy them being relatively close. Also, breaking news on the plum trees that were mislabeled, he thinks they are cherry trees. So that would be two cherry trees and two plum trees. I think he is right cause the fruit sure looks like cherries. We will keep an eye on this breaking news. The beforementioned quince tree is really just a crab apple tree. Misidentification on the iPhone app. This gardening is such a wonder and we enjoy the serendipity of all we plant and grow. Some planned but most a happy ending. 

Another chapter another week in Jeremiah. I love chapter 31 but I got so engrossed with verse 21 about the road signs to return and we also looked at Jeremiah 6:16 where the people are given the chance to choose at the crossroads which direction they will turn. They chose their choice but even in judgement God gave grace to them when about 50,000 returned back home after the exile. We stand at cross roads everyday, minor decisions, and we have those impact decisions, like choosing between CBS core group leader training although I would be in NC because of Roy's generous gift or the gift...I chose NC and I think in hindsight, it had to be a yes/no decision cause once I made that decision, no looking or turning back. 

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I find Willie's stash of pinecones in a lot of places but this morning I found two small pinecones that had been put into a book. He usually puts them in my muck boots or hides them among pillows and such. 

We spent the morning in Burnsville trying out Pig and Grits for breakfast and then for a quick trip to Lamp Post Vintage Market. Stopped at Publix on the way home. Pig and Grits did not disappoint. Breakfast was delicious. After a snack type lunch we went to Ducketts and Lou Lou had canned greasy beans. So beans, strawberry sauce, and blue lake green beans that Roy wanted to try. 

They began work across the way placing the cinderblocks in place. Looks like hard and hot work. We are having a bit of higher than normal temps this week. July is the hottest month around here so August will be hot but not as hot as now. 

Roy picked his first green pepper and a bucket of tomatoes. Some are green cause they are so big and too much for the plant as well as little buggies that think someone has prepared a feast for them. We still battle the japanese beetles but I find it so satisfying to knock them into a bucker of water with Dawn detergent in it. We have not won the war as of yet but we have the battles down to skirmishes. 

Recoup, Rest and Read

 We met a feral cat lady yesterday and she had such good stories and of course sad stories of helping feral cats. I have learned so much from helping The Feral Fam, many of the lessons are spiritual in nature. I was telling her about King Herod and how he tried to kill the baby male kittens and I felt for sure he had killed HP. This is the first year that July 7th rolled around and I forgot that this is the last time I saw HP in 2021 or 2020 I don't remember. The cat lady said most probably KH had killed HP because she was no longer interested in what he had to offer. She wasn't filled hormonal urges after being spayed and he could not deal with that. She said many male cats just go on and look for another fertile cat but some take the rejection personally. 

Now on Thursday we begin with the chance of rain today and ending by the afternoon. Except for VBS there isn't anywhere we need to be today and even Roy is rejoicing in some down time. He is working on his lesson and soon enough I will be doing the same thing. Got some of it written out yesterday and know the emphasis and direction of the lesson. 

It was chicken night at VBS and it was really good. Clean up went quickly and I was able to get home, pick some blackberries and get the Feral Fam fed. Chanel looks to be doing good and no hesitation of acceptance upon her return. She even came close to me which I thought might take several weeks to happen. The big surprise is Fido, he climbed onto my lap for about five minutes and purred so loudly. Took a pic to make Roy jealous. 

Just saw on FB that my faux cousin passed away yesterday, suddenly. I've always called her faux because we didn't even know she existed until 1978 or so. She was the daughter of my Uncle Bob who was my Great Aunt Amy's second husband. When Uncle Bob's wife died from cancer her request was their two daughters be raised by her sister and husband because they were unable to have children. So I think for a long time Karen didn't know about us nor we her. I don't know when she learned about who her biological parents were. I do know this, she was loved and beloved in her community. She retired from teaching and being a librarian at the high school she attended and graduated from. Reading so many condolences on FB, of former students thanking her for the investment she made in their lives. 

Once again and forever always to be thankful not driving I 10 through Louisiana to get here or back to Houston. If we were making that drive I think we might just be going on I 20 instead. Even the usual detour route is closed for bridge repair or in some cases rebuild.  

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Friday and we are both VBS free. Haha! My food service and clean up duty done. I cannot participate for the Friday evening family night due to heat as well as being around a bunch of kiddos which wrecks havoc with my immune system. Roy doesn't need to take pics so he has been set free as well. We are both easing into the day. 

The other day coming home from getting our hair cut, a chicken crossed the road...really, in front of us and I swerved not to hit it. Most chickens around here don't usually get into the road but stay in yards. Definitely a first. 

Coming home from VBS the other night, a truck parked across the way was kind of on the new road for the pasture soon to be development. At first thought, maybe the guy in charge of the work checking things out but once I pulled into our driveway, the thought crossed my mind maybe he was looking for stuff to take. When last seeing him, he was on the way down the newly created road so I haven't a clue if for good or for evil intentions. With the rain and who knows what else has caused some delays. After the cinder block was delivered and one morning of cement trucks, not a creature has stirred over that way unless we think the truck guy was a creature of ill intent. 

We picked about a half of bucket of blackberries last night. Think we are even if not a little ahead of the birds, wasps and japanese beetles. The birds keep rather busy with the sunflowers, so that works. 

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Back to Monday of a new week. Hit and miss posting because of VBS and keeping rested. The obituary for my faux cousin Karen is posted. She is older than me but I thought we were around the same age. Oops. Anyway, she has had a tremendous impact on the community. Well, since it is Monday that means there are things to do and I guess I'd better go and get started. 

 

Full Circle

 The pasture across the road got a delivery of cinder blocks this morning. Soon the aforementioned pasture will be referred as the development. I liked the cows better. We have made and are in the process of decisions of any additions to make the yard more private. We feel like it is better to make these decisions before people move into the homes. For a quick minute we contemplated moving to east TN, but our Saturday trip reminded us that just cause land is near mountains that does not translate into the cooler temps of the mountains. If we were younger or just starting out in life, the holler makes sense but alas we are not starting out...

First night of VBS in the books. The whole church looks wonderful decorated as a castle Our Sunday School room held the same vibe. Roy is taking pics and I help serve and clean up after supper. Roy said the VBS songs are really good. I will get home earlier than Roy this week so I picked blackberries last night after feeding The Feral Fam. Got almost a container full but mad that after doing so much to deter japanese beetles, the evidence of their presence is there among the berries. The dried out remains. For so many blooms and young sprouts of berries, we have lost more than we would like to these hordes. The bug bags are working and killing them by hand is too. While picking berries, Fido climbed the trellis and sat there watching me work. He must have been missing Roy and their nightly trips out to the front yard to trim back tomato plants and water when needed. 

We studied Jeremiah 29 yesterday and I did my best to stay away from Jeremiah 29:11. Not that it isn't important but the simple steps that God gave the Judeans to thrive in captivity were so simple. Build homes, plant gardens, get married, have children and pray for the city you are in so that it goes well with you. Sometimes we forget there is work to be done to see the future and a hope from God. I kind of let my personal opinion of the verse and the over use of it show up in the lesson. I hate that I slid into that thought while teaching and reliving the thought of a Sunday School teacher that hit on this verse and prayer of Jabez once too often during the years. Oh yes and the dreaded mission statement obsession that I can't really be miffed with cause that mission statement stuff helped a friend to move more into her ministry. Back to the paragraph before digressing...found an interesting article about an exhibit in 2015 of small clay tablets from the Babylonian exile. Just daily life but gave great insight to the way though exiled and though not in their land, to the way life was lived and the religion was persevered.  I am convinced more and more that while there are spectacular moments with the Lord in life, the everyday in the day and noticing it is where the joy is and where our relationship with Him is found. Now we move onto Jeremiah 31, restoration and if memory serves me correctly, I think there are two verses about tambourines. Oh the joy!

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Successful trapping this morning. Roy got Chanel and Cha-naynay is not too happy about that fact. Think Coco and one of her siblings is the last of the female cats not spayed. Cutie, but she is great with kitten, so we will have to wait for her to make a trip. 

Another night of VBS in the books. It was BBQ night for supper and I stayed and helped the snack people by cutting strawberries. Came home, fed the Feral Fam and then picked blackberries. As friends in Houston say, there is tired and then there is VBS tired. I am feeling the VBS tired this morning. 

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Wednesday morning, still tired but it is a good tired. Roy has gone to pick up Chanel. I think the herbal supplement that the doctor recommended is working. About in week three and although my ankles and feet bear a lot of standing, the supplement and wearing supportive hiking boots have made a huge difference from yesterday to today.  Chanel is home and feisty. We will let her out a little later. 

I am so excited that one of the books on Vivian Vance and William Fraley arrived last night. I dare not pick it up cause I haven't written out the lesson for Sunday. The second book should arrive today. Hopefully, all the reading and studying and praying for this upcoming Sunday's lesson will all fall into place. We are in the midst of good news in Jeremiah, 30-33, so that is helpful. 

In the midst of the studying and working in VBS, there is an inside feeling in me that life is coming full circle. This is nothing profound or new, but just an observation. Well, more than an observation, more than a feeling, just a peace and contentment. Actually, the realization has been going on way before this week and there in the midst of joy, loss, repentance, rejoicing...just life really. I read an article today about a man's journey from a hard childhood into a productive and mannered adulthood. He was looking at real estate, looking to buy a house. He realized the homes he favored were older one story homes like his grandparents because his grandparents home brought safety and love in a rather loud and dangerous home with just one parent, that being his father. He shared that at his grandparents, they watched Wheel of Fortune, looked at photo albums of long gone family and heard tales of his Texas family on his grandmothers side. Nothing at all out of the ordinary, just routines of life, that made him crave that safe feeling. He would purposely get in trouble at school cause he would be sent home to grandma and grandpa, closest to the school and his father at work. Yesterday, I read about an experience a friend had and the full circle that God is bringing about in her family and ministry. So, I guess when God gave the Judeans a choice of deciding which path to take and now in chapter 31 instructing them as they go into exile to make markers along the road, so they'll know the way back. Ah, a full circle God. 

Olden Days and Rain

 Yesterday morning's capture of two kittens for neuter and spaying was quite a surprise. The ASPCA had said if we captured two, go ahead and bring them together. The bonus is, the two kittens were female. Roy has gone to pick them up. Calm has returned to breakfast this morning for the Feral Fam. The good problem that we have now is, not catching an already fixed cat. I know them better by appearance than Roy so my presence at breakfast is a tell tale sign something is up. Just heard from Roy they are boys. He thought when they sent over two female contracts that the two we caught...well, y'all know the story. 

We went to Burnsville yesterday to get a couple of things. We had planned to eat at a new to us place but neither of us were ready for a heavy southern cooked lunch. Another time for sure although the preference for us is the breakfast. A quick stop at Publix on the way home rounded out the morning. 

I have so enjoyed taking a look back at Houston from the 60s on FB. The openness of the city that developed into rambling subdivisions, stores and parking lots once on track, never stopped. Mentions of restaurants especially those along the edge of Main Street, flashy lights, torch lights, not a dim bulb in the midst. The mention of a few kiddy parks with rides and very docile horses brings back tons of memories of a shared growing up in Houston experience. Now where Harold Farb apartments were built, near Belden's on Chimney Rock in our early years in Houston there were trails with a few hills, man made, in the midst. Kids on stingray bikes or just walking and playing, our imaginations were the guide to the fun. If the water was low in Braes Bayou and if we were able to get our hands on a big piece of cardboard, we would wax the bottom of the cardboard and slide down the slopes till we hit the concrete slopes at the bottom before even getting close to that stinky, junky, stagnant water. Dinosaur bones were discovered along the big bayou that ran the length of Chimney Rock. That was exciting to watch. 

Still lots of digging and pointing across the way. The work to shore up the entrance has been going on and we can't see that cause of the trees in our yard. The land they are working on for a house is a little more toward Josh. It just seems that if they found water or a reliable source they wouldn't be standing around a lot, talking on the phone and pointing. That is my non professional opinion. In other related news the house being built across the valley had lights on for the first time. That house has been in the building process for a year or so. Just checked on the guys across the way. Sitting in back of truck talking. That's all the news for pasture news for now. 

Our two who went for the clip clip are running and frolicking around in the back. All are happy to see each other and things picked up where they left off. Nap time now cause it is a hot afternoon with very little breeze.

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Saturday morning. Ah, easing into the morning. Had one of those nights of getting up at 2:00 and going back to bed around 4:00. Roy got up around 5:00 and finally I got up for the day at 7:00. A few seconds of life you'll never get back from reading the sleep schedule last night. Anyway, after a busy day on Friday, I was so ready to go to sleep last night. We ran over to Erwin and then to Unicoi to visit a produce stand I had read about. We were not disappointed. Took the scenic route and thoroughly enjoyed it. Late lunch at home, unloading and then putting away stuff filled out the afternoon. For this area, the temps are a tad warm to hottish. Heat does a number on me. We got a little rain in the afternoon so the evening felt cooler. We both picked blackberries and Roy checked on his tomatoes. They are doing really well. I brought out to The Feral Fam two toys for the backyard. They have totally destroyed the red sled thing, so we got a new one as well as a semi tunnel with enclosure type thing. After a great dinner, these cats were pretty happy with the new toys. Chanel is getting closer to us and we are hoping for a breakthrough. Getting Coco and Chanel to the ASPCA is high on our list. 

We had about a fourteen hour back in the olden days adventure. The internet went out around 6:30 Thursday evening. After working outside I came in and started to read. I wasn't looking for anything that would gain too much of my attention but much to my surprise that trip to the olden days before internet was a rather profitable use of time. I've been skimming or just thumbing through a book I bought in the spring, Enchantment. The author has another book, Wintering that I enjoyed. I have written before about the struggle with my attention span. Nothing interested me too much in reading yet I still bought books. My attention span included watching anything, even if it was only 35 seconds long. So, reading the book the author details those very same issues and while she, at the time of publishing, had not resolved anything, she was on the road. I have been feeling the very same thing and the unusual things that are bringing me back to myself pre 2020. I also picked up a book by Luci Shaw as she desires to end out this earthly journey well. She's still around at 94 years of age. Just checked her website. Inspiring and she wrote the book at the age of 84. 

The long awaited rain has finally arrived. We got the Feral Fam fed and hopefully they will spend the night under the porch or on the top of the porch steps. Roy replaced two drawer supports in the bathroom, so that is good. Think we both have studied our lessons and talked about the 29th chapter a lot the past few days. So with a bit of thunder, I'll bid ado till the chance to write comes around and I always welcome that opportunity with wide arms. 

Beetles, Bears, Bagworms and Battles

 The battle continues against the dreaded hun more commonly known as the Japanese beetle. Reinforcements for the fight arrived on Sunday but it wasn't until Monday till they could be deployed. Once setting up the battle bags filled with the aroma of food and s%x for them, I approached the rose bushes with a sprayer of water and Dawn. Sometimes I resorted to hand to hand combat cause the sheer numbers of those little pests just get to me. I broke up their orgies in the rose blooms and smushed them into the ground, on rocks or on my hands. Well, at least they died with smiles on their faces. 

I learned yesterday that Dr King's Carolina Bison land is on the market. I've suspected as much since the elk haven't been around and the drive a couple of weeks ago with empty pastures where the watusi grazed. The land just down the road is about $7 million for 126 acres, houses, barns and a stream. Hmmm...will they take a check? Ha! Still looking for the reason why all their operations have moved from the area. Think their offices are now in West Asheville. 

Studying Jeremiah this week is so much better than last week. It really hit hard how much Jeremiah endured and how hard and difficult it was for him at times. Yet in-between all the out of chronological order, Jeremiah remembered. This week we are in Jeremiah 29 which as most know includes verse 11. Statistically one of the most out of context verses ever. Right up there with the prayer of Jabez and the necklace verse. The necklace is in the shape of a heart, but it splits into two necklaces, half a heart each saying, may the Lord watch between you and me as we are apart. Ah, great friendship thought only in the Bible it was due to the fact that the two didn't trust each other. Oh well... 

Only being older would make me think that this was a great day, our trip to Sam's yesterday. Parked close, got what we needed and an empty checkout, now that makes shopping at Sam's a little more tolerable. The only negative was cat food. Only had one choice of Friskies, The Feral Fam's supper, so we stopped in at Tractor Supply and found two pink boxes of Friskies. Has all their favorite flavors. I also, much to my embarrassment did an old lady thing. A young man asked if he could help us find anything and I mentioned the organic pesticide for bag worms. I could tell by his face he had no idea what a bag worm is. So, being an old lady in relatively good standing, I began to describe to him what they looked like and get this, I took it a bit further...I told him how that was my first job picking bag worms for family and neighbors, five cents a coffee can full. Mercifully, I stopped myself there, realizing I had just turned into Grandma D. She told long stories to grocery clerks about living in Illinois but she lived in Texas presently. Back to Tractor Supply, I told him that's okay, we would look for ourselves. I had lost interest in finding any in my ramblings, really. He said well, I never have heard of bag worms, but I have now. I thanked him on the inside for his kindness, cause he could have really gone another direction. Now I wish I had on an old flannel shirt that didn't match anything I wore and wore my hiking boots. That young man would have such a story to tell. 

I have also been thinking about the term, we want to live a simple life. We want to simplified lives. Yes, I would say we live a simpler life here but dang it is more difficult to do. We try to support and do support several local businesses but we might drive farther for that privilege and the goods might be higher in price. Growing food and we are so limited in what we grow by experience and knowledge, it hard work. Yep, did a mighty battle against those beetles on our blackberries. Daily battle. It is simplifier to buy blackberries at the grocery store or produce stand. Yes, we are still outsource types but we are trying to learn more. Well, this all fits in with Jeremiah 29, grow gardens...settle down. Gee, I wish we had seventy more years here although technically, we are not in exile. More like living in the promised land. 

Roy had his fitness evaluation this morning. He has gained weight but lost an inch in his chest. He was pleased with the report overall. 

This is a picture of the bear that has been roaming the general area. We have not seen him around here but he is just over the ridge or hill from us. Not sure what what to call the other side over our rise. Over six feet tall and he looks like he has raided quite a few birdfeeders and berry bushes. Someone saw him on her front porch cameras this morning. Wake up sleepy head. Good thing I am wearing a Baylor Bear t-shirt today.  I am sure he is familiar with the university. 

I've enjoyed being more observant for details while watching I Love Lucy. Lucy has brilliant comedic timing and I love that she used her friends to be extras from the time when she was Queen of the B movies. When Super Man was on, she didn't want the actor's name announced during the ending credits. She wanted any kids watching to continue believing in Super Man. That is really a wonderful fact to learn. As for Vivian Vance, I thought her timing and reaction was so good when she learns from Mrs. Trumble that Lucy might be Madam X, neighborhood cat burglar. 

The ongoing saga of our neighborhood information on FB has been about a concrete dalmatian dog stolen from someone's property. The woman whose sentimental dog was taken put out pleas on all social media. People were on the watch if that statue turned up on another porch. It was sighted, people confronted, said they ditched the dog at a nearby exit. The search was on but anyone could have picked it up and wouldn't have a clue. But, the woman that picked it up, not on FB, but her son is and saw the plea for the statue's return. They worked out a meet up, the returner was that found the dog was so nice. That is always good there are good people around still. The first sighting, at a house we pass everyday if we go toward Weaverville. Hmm...

I am in from the scouting report. Less beetles but still some on the roses. Took care of them and then checked the bug bags. They are doing the job. 

First A Nap and Then Install Reinforcements Against Beetles

 I haven't had an I'm a student at Baylor dream in a long time but that changed a couple of nights ago. The dreams are either I am back in my teens again going to Baylor or I am married but Roy wants me to go back and get a degree from Baylor. The other night, once again, married and my crazy friend Debbie and I are roommates, in Collins, freshman dorm. Nothing too weird about that at all and she has taken over our dorm room and left me very little space for me or my stuff. I woke up before anything was resolved but there were a lot of laughs in that dream. The month or so before moving here the Baylor thing came full circle for me with the Alumni By Choice certificate. Funny, for so long I held onto the thought that if I had been able to attend Baylor my life would have been better, great in fact but with that now feeling full circle, I began to realize that it would not have been the best thing for me to be there. It would have been a miserable existence that is for sure. Coming to NC a month or so after that ceremony, my addled brain, abused emotions, and all those hurts began to settle down, but now in the far recesses of my mind. This adventure that began in 2014 has been wild but in the midst of it all, I think I am who I would have been without all the abuse and sheer horror that could be childhood at times. Two times within the last month two topics on the I Grew Up in Southwest Houston Facebook group, have caused a little trigger in me. Someone posted the pic of the Six Flags of Texas Clock in the center of Sharpstown Mall, from back in the day, and it surprised me, the physical reaction I had to seeing it. That is where my father would bring me and tell me that our family didn't want me anymore and maybe if I was lucky, a new family would see me and want me to be in theirs. Of course the instructions contained the advice, it would be best not to cry. No one would want me. So seven or eight year old me standing by the clock, trying to smile and hope someone would like me enough to go to their family. Never, ever did anyone ask anything about me or talk to me like, are you lost little girl? With that evil grin we saw way too many times, my father would return for me and once again enforce the fact no one liked me, I would never fit in and I was doomed. The other memory was of Burnett Bayland Home. BBH was an orphanage back in the day and my brother and I were threatened constantly he was taking us there. Made the fake phone call to get us all worked up. Sometimes he acted like he was looking for a suitcase for us to pack a few things. I caught on quickly he wasn't going to do it cause there is no way he was going to let us pack our things in the good suitcases. With all this the truth remains, God was with me every step of the way, even when I didn't know His presence. I also know that meeting Roy, falling in love with him and getting married was the far better plan and boy howdy, do I know it. 

I think we bought our last bucket of strawberries yesterday for the season. As mentioned before this has been a particularly good season but free stone peaches being up next in the produce stand season makes the strawberry loss a little easier. 

This week's lesson is a struggle and it has been all week. Just reading over and over the travails of Jeremiah. No support cause everyone hated him from the Kings to prophets, priests, friends, family and his close friends. Yet he never wavered in his trust of the Lord. Wow! This morning I was feeling kind of down over the reading of all that goes on, but in the midst of it all, an encouraging praise would come forth from his heart, then some whining and then back on point and message. Not that I can identify with that. 

We are fighting the battle of the bugs, Japanese beetle and bag worms. Two traps for the beetles and the one by the blackberries is doing the job. I moved the other trap closer to the roses along the fence. When I can find more traps I'll be getting more out as well. Need to put one out front as well as another one for the back fence roses. Last year they weren't as bad but this year, they have returned and this time with a vengeance. This is also fruit fly season and those little buggers drive us all up the wall, especially The Boys who chase them down but have no clue if the fly survives cause they are so tiny. 

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Church was special in spite of the lesson in Jeremiah. The young man our class loves, preached in church. He is good. One more semester at Fruitland and then he is off to finish at Wake Forest, I think. The I think part of about Wake, not finishing. Our friend, K, joined our church this morning and great rejoicing was had all around. These things fill us with joy! Our pastor and family back from vacation. VBS starts in another week. 

There is a big bear in the area, over six feet tall and although we've never seen one close to the house, those blackberries outside, might be a draw. While Roy was working in that area picking and finishing up with some of the sunflowers we needed to clear, I kept a watchful eye. Several of the huge sunflowers toppled over and pulled themselves out of the dirt. Kind of helpful cause where they were, cleared a path for us to get closer to the blackberries.

It was one of those nights where I awoke in the middle of the night, couldn't go back to sleep, so I got up for a bit. Replied to a message a friend sent, reviewed the lesson one more time and did some reading. I should have mopped the kitchen floor while The Boys were in the bonus room for the night and Roy sound asleep. Made my nap this afternoon even sweeter. 

Reinforcements just arrived from Amazon to battle those pesky beetles. Means I have a battle plan to put into place.  

 

Just Stuff the First Week of July

 We are easing into the morning on this July 4th. Both of us and sometimes it is rare but Roy is truly coming to like the easing into the morning routine. We went to the deacon's picnic meeting last night. Truly a wonderful view from our church's picnic shelter. Looks like the old grill has become a little long in the tooth, so a new one was used last night. I forgot to take scenery pics especially as the sun began to set. 

Another fun morning at the tag office. This trip is for the temporary handicap placard due to the toll heat takes on me. Taking a chance that the line would not be long on the Monday before a holiday. The line was not long yet it took some time. Think a car dealership was there doing title transfers, so basically that particular clerk was tied up with all of that. The man in front of us soon went to the open line with his request. This man was wearing the tiniest tight shorts with an equally tight and short shirt/top/crop. He was very muscular and very blond. Never really got a look at his face but it would seem he was good looking. He starts the conversation with the tag lady and basically, he had come into the office with the piece of paper and when she asked for his ID, he had to go back outside to his car and he brought back a passport. More convo, no Apple Pay so he wasn't prepared for that. Cash, credit card or check she said. How about I give you the numbers and you can enter them into the computer? No can do, she said. He went back out to his car to search for a credit card...nope, none. He was going to have to do this by mail she made the conclusion after patiently answering his questions about the probability of his car business to be taken care of with the minimal output from him. So he surmised, so this trip has been in vain? Uh, yes for all of us, the lady, those of us waiting and of course for muscle man. If we played the game who is not from around here, well it wouldn't have even been competitive. We stepped up for our turn at her window giving her time to make those faces of, what in the world? Who comes to the tag office or even the DMV without ID? I think we learned that in Driver ED or at least it seems to be common sense. Bet these ladies could write a book about their experiences over the years. Just in two visits and we will have another one coming up in the fall, we've seen enough good people watching to last a long time. In the midst of all this a gentleman in line, came forward to ask about leaving a license plate and without hesitating at all, the reply, sure you can put it down over there but you'll have no receipt. I wanted her to say, put it down, go ahead make my day. Let's see who picks it up and uses it for other than good purposes. He quickly went back to his place in line. He kind of looked like the yoga butt cruncher from the last visit, but I don't think it was him. 

Roy and I made squash casserole for the first time and it was delicious. Between the two of us we chopped, sliced, whipped, beat, crushed, and poured all the ingredients into a Pyrex dish. Baked for 25 minutes. We also had some fresh veggies and turkey kielbasa. I was going to make onion, tomato and cucumber salad but will do that another day. Roy's tomatoes are coming in strong especially the grape tomatoes.  Think we have just now seen the last of strawberry season. This year's crop was so good! Seemed longer than usual but now we are into freestone peaches season. 

Watched Yankee Doodle Dandy this afternoon. Love to watch James Cagney dance. Now the Music Man is on in the background. Before all the movie watching, mainly me, we tried to get a couple of things taken care of outside. Heat stopped the work, then the threat of rain and then the rain came, nothing to write home about. Just enough to move the dishes toward the porch so that the Feral Fam stayed relatively dry. 

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Good morning, with a bit of fog thrown in. We punted our original plans for this morning. The Boys have finally settled in for their morning nap. Fast and furious play that sometimes develops into fights can wear one out. In fact, I could maybe ponder a morning nap, but that is really not in the plans. This week's lesson prep has been difficult. Roy keeps saying when you come up with your lesson plan, let me see it. Well, uh, okay. I was waiting for him to do that since that seems to be in the realm of overachiever. 

The ongoing saga of the land across the way, one guy showed up around 10:00 am and has been moving markers around and such but since there aren't any other guys around, no pointing but he does put his hands on his hips. Part of me wants to think, they can't find water but it is probably business as usual or the land won't sustain a septic system. Every delay is just another day to take in the beauty. Well, they found what they were looking for and have started putting in red dirt for a house or a street or something. Who knows? But Mike the Mower Man was here today and that is good.

We are having a hot spell but nothing at all like Texas, so I will keep those thoughts to myself. 

Remembering and Celebrating

 One night of volunteering for VBS, painting props and scenery. Did anyone get the number on the bus that ran over me? This ol' bod did not want to get up this morning and when the brain overruled the objection, the bod made it as painful as possible. Lower back ache and my feet, well they have failed me for now. It is several hours later and brain and bod are co-existing rather peacefully. Nothing like a little coffee, rub on detox gel and Jesus to get the motor running. Just good training that will be needed for VBS week. Like so many have mentioned before, there is tired and then there is VBS tired. 

Life has settled back in for The Feral Fam. With three females no longer attracting Tom cats, the Fam is down a bit. That's fine with us. Think we have another clinic appointment the week after next. Actually we have several booked appointments in July and hopefully some of the kittens and the remaining male cats get fixed. Not too many more to go. 

The past few days have held quite a few look backs via FB and several FB groups that remember and write about growing up in southwest Houston. Lots of Westbury Square memories, restaurants from back in the day and hang out places both in nature or clubs or theme parks. Someone mentioned Charlies 517. Not southwest Houston per se but delicious food and for us the beginning of a love that started out kind of rocky, but oh so wonderful.  Roy took me there for lunch after he had returned from Brussels, don't know that it was a date, but it was eating during our lunch hour when we worked downtown. We both came away from that lunch a bit disappointed. To me Roy was too aloof and Roy thought I was the shallowest person he had ever met. Gee, it was meant to be. Several other places have been mentioned and just this morning a mention of the Confeddy House got some love. Now you know, it was not Confeddy but more like a group of states during the civil war, but a lady that played tennis at The UC, always called it that, Confeddy. She said she was from France but she sure sounded like she was from Central America. She and her tennis partner Vonda were a hoot. Vonda was from South Africa and when the two of them got to talking, it became very hard to understand, both having very strong accents. My favorite memory is how Alex called out balls during matches. She had two ways of calling them, besides the call being in her favor, the first way; giving you an explanation of just how your ball was almost on the line. The second way? She would tell you the ball was out, with the afore mentioned explanation and then she'd remind you, you must believe me cause my accent tells you I know how to believably call out balls. Her make up never smeared nor do I recall her sweating but after we booked our next game, she would take her racquet, put it underneath her arm at an angle then lift up the well worn, beaten up, over sized Louis Vuitton bag and leave.  

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It has been a full week and truthfully, I don't really have those kinds of weeks anymore. Yesterday, was a slow start. Ran over to TJs in the afternoon and we deadheaded roses and such last night. We had a rather warm day for this area but we can almost count on a cool down in the evenings with a good breeze. A lot of The Feral Fam accompanied us for our chores. Then relaxed with us while we rested. Fido will sit at our feet, so will Beanie...well just a little. It was a pleasant sight to see Toup Jr playing with Beanie. Roy has felt a bit of disgust toward Toup Jr, for abandoning her babies. She was really young and a lot of cats don't get pregnant the first go into catwomanhood, but she did. She was still a baby and she still wants to roughneck and play. I have seen a few other cats be immature toward their kittens but this was Roy's real journey into that darkness. I am glad we got her fixed and Roy isn't as disgusted by her abandonment issues.

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Once again we roll into Monday morning. Have several errands to run today. Then the rest of the week looks to be a quiet one, for which I am thankful. 

While cleaning out bookshelves and drawers I came across several items I had totally forgotten about. I wore the bad hair pin from the Metal Museum that my niece gave me. I also found a necklace but the length was too long for what I wore yesterday. I also found a book that Peggy gave me back in 1987. When you find fun things it makes the chore a little easier. I kind of rearranged furniture in the front room upstairs and that right there got me started on the quest. Of course that happened in the middle of studying for the lesson, but then ADHD makes life interesting and never boring...just a lot of projects in limbo in the wake. 

Jeremiah 18 is where we were yesterday, and I love studying the creative nature of God and Jeremiah response. Pottery was an everyday thing, there is a potter in every village. So God is telling go to the everyday work, the everyday ordinary and there I will speak to you. I told the class about 7th grade art and how I looked forward to the class but art wasn't my forte. Okay in the 7th grade, I don't know that I had a forte. Told them about the three process picture of background paint wash, stamps made by carving a potato and then painting a picture of an interest or hobby. I was at the end of my horse infatuation season, but that is what I wanted to paint...only thing, I couldn't draw nor can I now...Anyway, I talked to the art teacher and she asked me to draw a horse for her on a white piece of paper. She saw my dilemma, might have been good in kindergarten, but not so much in the 7th grade. The next day in class, she brought me my paper and said I think if you look closely you can find a horse in your work. Sure enough, in faint pencil lines, there was a horse she had drawn. Now I just had to paint it black. The teacher made an A and displayed her work in the display case outside the art room. I will never forget her kindness and I have thought of that experience many times since then. Only she could do this. If a classmate drew it, it was cheating. If I drew it, well if she was compassionate that day, maybe a D. I threw myself onto the mercy of that teacher just like I throw myself onto the mercy of God. When I don't understand the why and how of circumstances, if I look closely I'll find where God is in those painful days and know I can color in the details with His presence leading me. 

Our friends dropped by with veggies from their garden last night. Pretty exciting and have plans for a great July 4th lunch. 

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Even on the 4th, the guys are back again in the pasture across the way. Clearing a spot and look to be trying to locate the spot for the well. I think some surveyors are out there as well. Watching them on and off the past couple of days these guys get a good arm workout pointing here and pointing there. All of them in most of their conversations are pointing with both arms working into quite a thing. 

So here is to a good celebration today and tonight. We can see fireworks from all around, professional as well as some pretty good amateurs. The first July 4th here, not one firework could be heard but that has changed in the past few years but still not as bad as in Rancho de Five.