Finally, A Blog Post

First of all, something I learned yesterday and not at church but in the kitchen. The room that is merely where I pick up something to drink or assemble something for meals, no real time is every spent there...well except in winter when I tend to cook. Anyway, after zonking out for the afternoon, a big ol' nap, cause Buddy and the heat caught up to me, I began to get the trash ready to go out. I had found some really old blackberries in the freezer and had let them defrost in the sink. The plan was to put them down the garbage disposal but I looked at the container and decided the whole thing could just go into the trash. Well...I put the container in a bag before putting it in the trash bag and went about collecting from the various receptacles around the house. That being done, I pulled the trash bag out and blackberry juice went everywhere...all over the floor, my pants, my bare feet and on the kitchen chairs. Goodness, I carried that bag out so quickly to the garage and came in and attacked the juice before it could stain the hardwood floors which are a light color. Then I realized I was making juice footprints, so put on the old gardening shoes and went about cleaning up the mess. From all the 2020 episodes or Dateline I now see why people get caught when they cause blood splatters in the home or business. That juice was everywhere! I mopped and cleaned up everything and I am keeping an eye out for any missed splatters. So what I learned is, go with the original idea of garbage disposal and then throw away the container.  Better yet use your frozen blackberries in a timely manner.

These past few weeks I have stuck around home mostly keeping an eye on Buddy. Last Saturday I got her into the vet on an emergency visit. They gave me some meds for her and if they worked, they would call a prescription into the compounding pharmacy down the street from them. The combo meds have helped Buddy so much. She has night dementia and really bad arthritis. Looks and acts poorly during the day, comes alive at night with super cat powers. Since she doesn't want to sleep in the bed anymore I don't feel as guilty about shutting the door after she leaves the first time. It has worked out pretty well but there is usually a 3:00-4:00 am window where she cries outside the door. Sometimes I let her back in and sometimes not. No matter the door shuts again or stays shut cause she can't settle at night. The past few days she has seemed a little more lively and that is a happy sign.
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Just when I think we might be on the road to recovery Buddy has a bad night. It wasn't the worst night she has had but it did make changes for today. Sticking around home instead of venturing off to where I had planned to venture. So, I will work on the lesson for Sunday and re-mop the kitchen to make sure all the blackberry juice is taken care of.

This past weekend was the studio tour and even though I didn't get to as many sites as in years past, it was a productive day. The past few years I begin at Addison Vineyards where several artists display their craft. My favorite is a self taught blacksmith. I have bought several different things from him over the years and he saw me looking at a gate he made. He asked if I was interested and I always am but big pieces like that are always expensive. In the words of The Godfather, he made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Being in the Mustang meant coming back later in the truck to pick it up but I continued on with the day by going out to Sandy Mush. Love the artisans whose studios are out in that scenic beauty. Found a couple more things and had a wonderful visit with the Biltmore blacksmith. Also an herbalist who is new to the tour had her studio open. Very interesting woman. On then to Twisted Laurel for lunch, came home got the truck, got the gate and this morning I finally unloaded the gate. Only thing I put a huge gash on my shin trying to get it out of the bed of the truck. Okay, maybe not huge, but a nice sized gash. I thought maybe it could be used on the front deck but the gate is too wide for that. It is probably going to be more of a decorative thing. So until it gets a home around here, it will be in the garage awaiting further placement.



Buddy and I were watching the evening playtime of Strawyer and Mr McBeavy last night. Sometimes it didn't look like play with Strawyer but then he would return to his normal personality of gentle giant of a cat. The more I look at the Mr I am thinking his father was Mr Meany. Facially and body type is making me think that but Strawyer includes him and keeps watch over him when danger seems to be in the air. Mama Cat showed up on Sunday after a three week absence. She looked like she has been in several battles. Saw Camo once last week. It's mainly the little family of three. This morning the black and white cat was back and I think that is Cali's son that our neighbors adopted. They try to keep him in but sometimes he escapes into the great outdoors.

Weather alerts are sounding off on my phone and thunder is resounding so now to close this and go check on the skies.

Could We Take It Any Other Way?

A relaxing Sunday afternoon that included a nap on the back porch, a little reading and a light lunch was much appreciated. The little family of three hangs around the ladders and plants in the side yard. so it is a continual jockeying for the coveted spot under the flowerbed chair. They seem to take turns so that is a nice thing. Buddy spent most of the afternoon on the porch, moving from sleeping spot to the next as the spirit or the warmth of the sun moved her.

Last week Buddy had a bit of a health scare and although she seems better I don't know if we are out of the woods yet. I was anticipating another good night's sleep after the successful night of rest on Saturday, but it was not to be last night. The vet is calling today for updates and maybe the continued use of the muscle relaxer, for Buddy, not me. It has calmed Buddy, but she is so lethargic. It was a welcomed sight to see she had eaten some of her food during the night and the treats she had ignored. We just spent a good amount of time sitting together this morning. She has not given any indication she would like to go out on the porch this morning.

I went into Sunday School prepared to teach but a little concerned for the last part of the lesson since I had not written it  out and had only jotted notes because of the additional concern for Buddy. During my prayer time Sunday morning I told the Lord, I am depending on You, but this morning I am really depending on you. He didn't fail me. We looked at the facts of Ecclesiastes and then looked at those nuggets that get overshadowed by vanity, vanity...under the sun...everything is meaningless. We were looking at these twelve chapters from a different vantage point and asking the Lord to open up His Word to us. Karen B gave us a great example as she told us about a group tour she went on to NYC. Instead of staking out the seats they sat in the first day, they changed seats often to get different perspectives of the city. I asked if anyone wanted to change seats with me and she said, the bus driver doesn't change seats. That quote is going into my journal. We finished the one and done Sunday look at Ecclesiastes with Chapter 12 in the beautifully written description of what happens as we age...Solomon the great builder of buildings, gardens, homes, navies and cities deconstructed the building process as a building falling in. I had a "you are old moment" Saturday morning at the vet while giving details to them about Buddy's behavior, I said something to the effect that what I had just told them...couldn't remember what day that behavior happened. The young vet responded, it's Saturday. Today is Saturday...well, I knew that and thought about responding, well, it sounds like you are listening to every 5th word...Okay, back to the chapter at hand... I also found a rather humorous view of what those verses mean. Funny, I never noticed or paid attention to those verses in the past but now...they have my full on attention. We ended the lesson though contrasting the ending verses of Psalm 92...where we that are older are to flourish in the courts of the Lord and still bear fruit. Velda gave us a perfect example of that to end the lesson as she recounted a shopping experience and small details became very useful as each person involved in the story contributed to a good outcome. It was also a monumental day, Inez read out loud from her Bible which had a great in-depth look at the verse we were reading.

During the week while studying, many times my remembrance of August 2014 came to mind. Roy gave me a month here to help me health wise miss the hot August of Houston. While here for that we also had on our schedule to begin the search for a home here. Originally, we thought about a condo for just summer/fall but Roy realized a house would be better especially for whenever he retires. In the midst of searching there was so much time to read and write or just sit and think. So the good ol' blog became a diary of sorts of comings and goings, roads, wonders, cows and of course the mountains themselves. In this period of time I experienced the kindness of God like never before and the scripture I was reading was mainly out of Ecclesiastes. On the outside of mountain bliss, circumstances all kinds of chaos was happening, it was the month of "come get these boxes" by my father a message delivered to us by his posse along with phone calls of investigations of being falsely accused of elder abuse and all other kinds of horrible, untrue accusations. In the midst of this, God's kindness...just a very little example...I do not like tunnels and would cringe beyond cringing while going through the tunnels on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There was always someone with me but during that month, I drove through 11 tunnels by myself, knowing God's presence as I was going through lightly, the valley of the shadow of death. I know, hyperbole....but I hated tunnels.

Last night in choir rehearsal we had the nicest surprise. Our pastor came in and just wanted to thank us for leading our church in worship on Sunday mornings. He appreciated our hard work and the passion we brought to the music, both with the congregation corporate worship as well as our piece prepared for each week. He thanked us again...and we thanked him for coming in to encourage us. It was refreshing the simple thank you and not adding a teaching moment to the mix as some pastors are wont to do.

Buddy is fussing, over what I don't know. Her imagination is not captured by treats this morning. She has been on the front and back porch. She has sat in my lap a lot. In fact, she is here right now and typing is difficult. She has never been much of a cat that rubs against you but she has become one over the weekend. Last night I got a lot of her putting her head against my face. Into the day we go, just me and Buddy, living in the mountains, taking it one day at a time...like we could take it any other way, ha!

Celebrations, Cake, Buddy and Ecclesiastes

The rain cooled air has dropped the temps with breeze and we didn't even get any rain to enjoy the evening cool degrees. Buddy has been on the back porch all afternoon with intermittent naps between keeping an eye on Mr McBeavy. After a fun birthday yesterday it was an ease into the morning kind of day. Buddy took advantage of the available lap and I began reading up on Ecclesiastes.

Needing to run a couple of errands, one being grocery shopping for staples...not like for a stapler which is probably what most would think I needed. Anyway, picking up mail, prescription and a brief stop at Publix were quick enough and got home to put things up and check on Buddy. She was upstairs but when she heard the familiar sound of a porch door, she made her way slowly. In fact she spent the greater part of the afternoon asleep on the daybed.

Sunday held lots of fun and deliciousness. After church Brenda, Lois and I went out for lunch. The fried shrimp was our unanimous choice. We left way too full but I had two errands that had to be done, so I waddled to the car and began the drudgery but I also knew that upon completion of these errands, there would be strawberry cake. I made a quick check on Buddy before going over to Brenda's to celebrate with strawberry cake. Brenda knew how tired I was and sent me home to take a nap...which I did.
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It's Thursday. My attention has been elsewhere. Buddy wasn't her normal cat self Sunday night...and normal isn't really a definition cause Buddy changes normal several times a day. It was an up and down night and I finally settled in a chair downstairs, which seemed to help Buddy. Monday, Buddy was still struggling so I kept close by. Monday night, I was concerned that she would not make it through the night. Her breathing shallow and labored, neurological facial tics, and she was so warm. It was a night of crying and praying. Buddy was wobbly and struggled a bit on Tuesday but seemed to have some improvement. On Wednesday, I felt I could leave for a couple of hours to get my glasses adjusted and to run to Walmart...for a few things. Got home to a sound asleep Buddy who was more than happy to move her nap out to the back porch. She stayed there all afternoon and into the early evening. Last night was a tough night but not a rough night. She has started coming back upstairs after a little bit of not coming up this way. She had a few moments of thinking she was lost and she had a few moments of fighting things that are not there. She and I have been having some good talks this week, about life together these past fifteen years. This morning after lying on my lap for a bit, she has taken her sleepy self out to the front porch where personally, I think it is too hot. There have been several times in the past two years that seemed like Buddy's time on earth was up. Monday night is the closest to that fact. I'm keeping watch and hope she pulls through like she has done in the past. It is now Friday morning and Buddy had the best night last night that she has had in a long time...which means I got sleep from 11:00 to 3:30. She came upstairs mournfully crying and sat at the end of the bed...with the low tone whimper. I got up and sat her on the bed and once I settled in, she got right beside me and stayed there until 5:30 and I got up at 7:30. This morning she has been perkier and as always she is eating well and staying hydrated. She takes after me with the eating well...hydration, she gets from Roy.

I was talking to our neighbor Nancy yesterday afternoon. They have had lots of animal drama happening up on their farm. From the death of their goat and having to put their puppy down because of a large tumor on the spine. Their horse Zoe had a near death experience while they were away all day at a horse show in SC and they had to decide whether to have the surgery at UT Knoxville or put the horse down. Zoe had the surgery and is still in Knoxville with a detailed and elaborate wellness plan once she gets home.

This morning, once again I was looking at Ecclesiastes for the lesson on Sunday. Lots of directions to take the lesson but no clear direction on what to include. This morning the Lord brought it together and I feel better about it all. Now to get it written down so I don't forget. So that's what I am going to do now...It has taken almost a week but finally a blog post. 

Happy Birthday Buddy!

This is the first picture of Buddy that was on an email to the staff at Houston's First Baptist from Lisa Lewis. Her cat had kittens and she was looking for a home this little gray kitten, who at the time was thought to be male. I fell in love with this face and called Roy to tell him about a picture of a kitten that had stolen my heart. Long story short, Buddy came to live with us. She was born on August 4, 2005. Does that make her a millennial cat? 

Buddy is fifteen years old and in cat years that means she is nearly 80. She is somewhere in her late 70's but I am too lazy to do the specific math. She is definitely slowing down and has dementia moments especially at night. Nothing like that mournful cry at 2:00 in the morning. She is even more than before a whiny meower. If she was human she would have already had a hip replacement but there are days she moves and jumps like a ten year old cat. Buddy has always had a bit of a temper but things that used to make her take a swipe at me, well, they don't seem to bother her anymore and she knows I think, that I am trying to help make her comfortable.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Buddy that Peggy took. She caught that iridescent shine of her gray fur and that little smile. 

My life changed for the better when this little gray kitten came in my life. I don't know, it was like the Lord added her to help me and this little cat has helped me process and think through so many things. When I was so ill she hardly left my side, sleeping next to me all day and following me to the bathroom or kitchen. She is also the little sneaker that has hiding places and doesn't reveal them easily. Many a time I have called this cat and she remains stealth and silent as I desperately search for her.  

Buddy doesn't like change....of hardly anything but she survived two major moves and she has flown more than me in the past five years. She loves her some time on the porches, front porch in the morning and back porch from the late afternoon on into the evening. She'll work you for a treat, it is a constant that is for sure. In the midst of not liking change, she herself has changed her routine. Her favorite napping places remain unused. After nearly 15 years of sleeping on our bed with us for 95% of the night, she now sleeps elsewhere. It took some getting used to on my part but the quality of sleep has improved for both of us.

So, Happy Belated Birthday Buddy! I started the post on Saturday but I was enjoying my birthday festivities and was too tired last night to finish this up.

Fruits, Veggies and Isolated Incidents

August 1st, opening day for Barbers Orchard. On the first day I am not going for the apples, it is more for the produce and honestly, the baked goods. Inez and I decided we needed to go to opening day, so we met at church and headed over Barbers way. Lots of cars but it wasn't too crowded. The line for the bakery wasn't too bad and once the woman with a large order got it all paid for, the line moved quickly. Taking care of the most important purchase of apple cider donuts, we were able to peruse the fruit and veggies. We got that done and decided lunch would be at Haywood Smokehouse. It was delicious as usual. Before heading home we decided we should make a quick stop at Duckett's in Clyde. We got lemon melons and right now mine is cooling off in the refrigerator. I took our bakery purchases to the truck and I felt the breeze with a hint of fall in the fragrance and temperature. Some of the first trees that show the change of color, well the top leaves are beginning that precursor to autumnal pigmentation.

The late afternoon held some rain but mostly lightening and thunder. The temps cooled down and made for a pleasant late afternoon on the back porch. Buddy was interested in the little family of three but soon the urgent need of a nap overtook the curiosity. I need to move one of the little chairs for flowers alongside the one that is already outside near the porch cause all that little family loves the chair. The zinnias that occupied the chair have seen better days especially since they've been smashed down even with the soil.
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The wonderful, good beginnings of Solomon is on my mind this morning. In a few minutes I will begin writing out the lesson for Sunday. In the past few days several words and phrases have stood out and so I have studied with those words leading the way. Buddy has decided she wants to contribute to the blog this morning, like most mornings when I sit down to write. The call of the window has overtaken her desire to contribute. Think she made the best decision.
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No, the call of the window did not get to me like Buddy but the call of writing out the lesson for Sunday and a few errands took precedence. Also, the supper invitation from Brenda was too good to resist, so the blog post kind of fell by the wayside.

It was shocking to read of the untimely death of a young woman's husband this week. She worked in the ED Suite, as it was known back in the day. She might have been an assistant to me for just a little bit of time before becoming the full time admin for Married Young Adults. I don't remember. She was falling in love while she worked at First Baptist and married this fine young man. He died of a cancer I had never heard of. Then this morning I read about the owner of The Pink House passing away this past week of breast cancer. She had been fighting the fight for a long time. Sadly, The Pink House is going through the closing process. Over the years we had found several pieces of furniture and all kinds of interesting things at her local shop.

Brenda served a delicious country supper filled with veggies and her homemade rolls. Yum! We visited for a bit after supper. Roy had called but I hadn't heard the ring cause I don't have good coverage at her house. He had spent the afternoon out in the yard with the sprinkler guys. Two of the seven zones of our sprinkler system had never worked correctly because they had been wired wrong. The lines were not color coded nor labeled. In the midst of the work they must have cut the cable in the yard. Roy thought it was the modem and took it in to Comcast but it wasn't that. The sprinkler guys are coming back this afternoon to finish up the work. Roy is at a seminar and will head home quickly after it is over.

I have been out in the yard cutting up weeds and pulling up flowers that have done bloomed. It is a dried up mess to deal with. The trees that needed extra watering got attention this morning as well. It is looking like it might not rain this afternoon but if it does, it's because I watered trees and a few plants.

Last night just as I was falling asleep I had the first major afib moment in over a year. I have gotten so used to being in rhythm. There were a couple of things on my mind but nothing too troubling and although the last couple weeks have held some added stress, it didn't seem like anything that would knock me into the world of irregular beat. It could be that I had caffeine after 2:00 yesterday. But today, I can feel the fatigue from my heart working overtime when it didn't need to. My prayer is that this is an isolated incident.

July 31st...Where Did The Month Go?

The end of July is coming to a close. This summer has gone by quickly but August holds Barbers Orchard opening and all the goodness contained there. Lora and I have made tentative plans to meet there for a peach/apple slushie and who knows what else?  Oh apples, yes. Well, not so much in the beginning. But by the end of August the honey crisp are ready and available for purchase. Yahoo!

We looked at one song last night in choir from our Christmas music. It is an enjoyable song and fun to sing. All the music we worked on last night was so good, several songs we have sung before and a few new ones, well new to me.

Just looked over the first fall reading list from Square Books. Now all of these lists are online but I remember checking the mail with the hopes the latest Dear Reader would be in the mailbox. When the anticipation was nearly taking over, there it would be. Slowly, I would go through all the new releases and circle books that I was interested in. This is before Amazon and before local bookstores carried little known genres. I would order from Square Books and when that box came, it felt like Christmas and nostalgia wrapped together because the books were wrapped the individually with brown paper. Square Books is celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. For so many years we made a detour to Square Books in Oxford MS on our way to Nashville or to Asheville. Such a fun detour, at least for me, and throughout those early years I've experienced stories from their local Mississippi authors that were probably self published thinking about it in hindsight. That is where I found Augusta Trobaugh novels that are such delightful, thought provoking and funny reads. Ya gots to love good stories that have all the elements needed to flesh out characters and the dailiness of life.
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I found myself on some back roads yesterday in east TN. The rolling hillsides, all manner of crops, dairy cows and the like certainly drew me in. From time to time I had to stop and enjoy the view. A good smattering of old farmhouses mixed in with newer construction. It was one of those times where the view is committed to heart not a camera. Numerous fields with hay in preparation for baling. There is nothing like the sweet fragrance of hay in the air.

Last week a friend and I were commiserating over the decline of customer service at The Nord. The Nord in Charlotte since my first visit there has been referred as the sub par Nord. The selection, the restaurant and finding someone to help with a purchase is a constant consistent. Sounded like from my friend's observations that the Nord near her in Texas is experiencing the same problems. That prompted me to go online and see if this was a universal problem or we were just fortunate to have the sub par experience. No, it seems like the general consensus is huge decline. The Nord has a great online presence but traffic in the stores has decreased. Now you'll find most sales people looking at their phones and standing around. One interesting comment from a review that Nordstrom's problem is lack of training for their personnel, nothing like it has been in the past when training and service were recognized by those in the industry and those outside of it. I had also heard that the stores are taking more of a Nordstrom Rack mentality...which is great at a Rack store but not so much in a signature store.

Our class finished up with the study of David by looking at Psalm 23. There is so much in that Psalm for daily life. We begin looking at Solomon this week and it's funny, after talking to my friend Carole yesterday she mentioned her class's study of Ecclesiastes, it looks like in a couple of weeks we too will be spending a Sunday in that book. They had twelve weeks, so feeling pretty good about just the one. We are looking at wisdom and how God blessed Solomon to rule with wisdom this coming Sunday. 
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We might get some rain this evening. We got enough yesterday that I didn't have to water anything. Don't want the wind gusts though.

It is a good thing I got new glasses today because I wore navy leggings with my black and white dress. Oops. The navy discovery came though while still wearing the old glasses. Oh well... So that meant I didn't cross my legs today at the funeral of Shirley Israel. I didn't know Shirley very well but she had always been kind to me. So, I got my new glasses, ate Mexican food for lunch, ran over to Marshall for a quick stop, came home and then went to church.

Well, I should fix supper...thinking of a Cuman D tomato but no runny eggs on the side.

Sunday Night Top Off

Buddy wants out on the back porch. She hasn't a clue that it is 1:15 am. Who knows what creeps around at night and maybe a screen wouldn't be enough to keep her from harm. This is hard on both of us and I can only hope that she will soon settle down and sleep a couple of hours. I am torn on whether to take her to the vet or not. She needs her nails trimmed, although she let me trim them a little without any fuss. She could probably use a steroid shot but after the last one which caused her such stress and over a week to recover, I hesitate. This little Buddy will be fifteen in a week or so and these past few months have been difficult for her. I used some organic lavender to calm her down a bit knowing that essential oils can be hard on cats. She finally went back downstairs and went to sleep. Meanwhile I was wide awake. So, all in all I think I got about three and a half hours of sleep last night. Two hard nights in a row of sleep deprivation doesn't make me that alert.
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Well, the above was several nights ago. Buddy did well two nights in a row and then last night was a rather sleepless night. So it makes Sunday truly a day of rest for me. Even with a good dosing of meds yesterday the dementia fought through the fog and Buddy was chasing invisible foes altering that with some blank stare time. We went downstairs around 2:00 am, gave her some treats, set the Dwell app on the book of Luke and waited for Buddy to settle, get on my lap and fall asleep.

My hair appointment was changed this week, so I went Thursday afternoon to a new stylist, to me, at the salon. She and I hit it off and we are happy with the new association. Christine is doing a lot of seminars and classes, really cutting back...haha...on her chair time. Before the appointment I had lunch at La Cantina and did a little window strolling through Biltmore Village. They are fixing the brick sidewalks not to be such a tripping hazard.

On Friday such a delightful afternoon with friends from Houston. They had been in the area and we met for lunch and then came back here for a bit. We did a little drive by sightseeing and ended up in Marshall. Always love a trip to Penlands and there is a fried pie lady from Burnsville that brings fried pies to the store during the week. She had brought 54 of them and when we were there Friday afternoon. four were left. Got the strawberry fried pie and it was really good. The girls left for their cabin and I began writing out the lesson for Sunday. It felt like it would be a little different than usual in the prep this week.

It pays to go to choir practice...well, sometimes when you get homegrown tomatoes from a friend and another friend is inquiring about an Asian cuisine lunch sometime. It's all good.

I am hoping for a good sleeping night but I'm not too sure. Buddy is downstairs starring at the wall. I will go get her in a few minutes if she doesn't come upstairs soon.

Weather, Psalms, Cats and Gardening...It's Tuesday!

It must have rained off and on all during the night and you'd think I would really be knowledgeable about that because it was another long night with Buddy. Around 2:00 am I got up, came downstairs and let her sleep in my lap. Sleep didn't come for me so I read and listened to scripture. Finally, after a little over an hour, I went back to bed only to be awakened around 4:00, 5:15, 6:20 and then finally getting up around 7:00. 

The first time I read about Dwell was on Twitter. So to the app store to check it out. About $30.00 a year with a seven day free trial. What I like about it is, different voices can be chosen for the reading as well as background music. There are playlists, like I listened to all the parables last night from the gospels. Then started the book of Mark. Such a wide range of choices. Usually I keep away from audible because my attention strays and then if a book, I have to re-listen cause I have lost a huge chunk of the story. The playlists are divided up by subject or by the book. Think Dwell is sticking around after the seven day free trial.

This Sunday we are studying Psalm 23 as we take our last look at David's life before moving onto Solomon. Sometimes teaching very familiar passages is harder because they are well loved, often memorized and our attitude, while not with malicious intent, we can skip over meaning and new meaning just due to familiarity. Yesterday, while working on the front bedroom and getting things together for a Goodwill run, I thought about the 23rd Psalm, remembering maybe my first memory of it. Seems like my cousins and I were given children's Bibles by our grandparents. The cover was Jesus with all the little children. Inside the cover was Psalm 23 and the back inside cover was The Lord's Prayer. So it must have been around the second or third grade being at my grandparents for part of the summer and being able to go to VBS at their church. It seems we were studying Psalm 23 and by the end of the week we were to have it memorized for the all important star by our name of completing memory work. Upstairs, in the bedroom I slept in while there, I remember sitting by the window gazing out on the gas station on the far corner and memorizing the Psalm. When I got to the part about, "yea, though I walk through the shadow of death, Thou art with me..." back in the day the King James version is all we had...but somehow I began to think that the cedar closet in that bedroom was the shadow of death. We weren't allowed to open that closet door and with my grandmother reciting the poem, Little Orphan Annie...which is complete with goblins, before I fell asleep each night, the closet became shadow of death...goblin home. I do remember that I memorized the Psalm and was so happy it was on the inside cover so I didn't have to thumb through the thin pages to find it each time I did memory work.

I am trying an experiment today. The little family, Strawyer, Punky, and Mr McBeavy come into the garage now and then when their food is being prepared. With all the rain from last night and trying to make the screen around the porch not be too attractive to investigative scratching, I left the backdoor to the garage open. Punky came in and guess Straw and the Mr have come in as well. Trying not to bring attention that it could be a big deal being in the garage out of the rain. It is just so stinkin' wet and almost have had three inches of rain. They are looking for a dry spot so they are getting an option other to hanging off the ledge around the porch. **Update** It looks like at least for now, Nancy's ark I mean garage is closed for business. Punky and the Mr just left for the great outdoors and Strawyer, he might still be asleep in the garage but I will go check in a little bit. **Update** Strawyer wasn't asleep in the garage and had probably gone out wandering before Punky left the friendly confines.

Just read an interesting article about the new CEO of Barnes and Noble. He has been successful in turning around bookstores in the UK. With the recent closings of Lifeway stores I read the article with those closings in mind. I avoided Lifeway stores if at all possible. They were stark, cold, full of junk and the arrangement of the books didn't facilitate browsing. I had found better selections at the nearby Barnes and Noble store. It might happen that B and N will warm up a bit in tone and arranging books for more browsing opportunities. This will be interesting to keep tabs on.

I broke my vow of not assembling anymore furniture but it wasn't too difficult. Ordered teal chairs to go with the dining table on the porch. Most of the time metal chairs come assembled, but not these. It was a quick assemblage before the rain and storms came last evening. 

Before the sun came through the clouds and after the rain it was a brief attempt at weeding the front flowerbed. It is overgrown with grass and weeds in the very front part. I'm thinking of making up some of that vinegar, Dawn and Epsom salt mix to spray carefully around the plants. I worked till the sun made the temps too difficult for work. Even in the low 70's with a breeze cannot compete or overcome the sun at this elevation. As evening draws near, I will get back out there and get the weeds that did get pulled into trash bags.


Wrapping this up and thinking and studying Psalm 23.

It's Beginning To Look Like Monday

This lesson on David and Bathsheba is not taking the expected direction. Oh sure, we will discuss the obvious but in the past few years the old way of telling the story is taking a different direction with many biblical scholars in the 'me too' era. Not that I heard this Bible story often growing up...you can kind of put it in the category including the woman with the issue of blood and any cutting off of foreskin Bible story. Those aren't the kind of stories to tackle with children but when you get into junior high and high school, the David/Bathsheba story is usually used as a lesson to thwart those raging hormones during the discussion of how far can we go before we are sinning when dating. Do they even discuss this kind of stuff anymore? But of course, I digress.

The lesson takes the turn in II Samuel 12, when Nathan is sent by the Lord to see David and confront him...only with a story. One of the few uses of parables in the OT. So Nathan starts out telling David an animal story. I don't know about y'all but that animal care commercial where dogs are in the snow, chained to a stake, cats trying to keep warm...all get to me so much so I have to turn the channel and this particular commercial must be one of the longest commercials time wise cause I flip back too soon. Not only does Nathan tell an animal story, but he tells a sheep and lamb story...of course, the sure way to a shepherd's heart. A rich man and a poor man round out the story except for the traveler that is mentioned who comes to see the rich man. Rich man doesn't take a sheep out of his herd to feed the traveler but takes the poor mans one little lamb. Of course David is livid, says the rich man should be killed and replace the lamb fourfold. Then Nathan says, Thou Art The Man....What has pulled my interest is the word traveler. Everything I have read concerning the usage of this word in reference to the story means, of course one on a journey, wayfaring man, one walking on a road or path. The traveler is also a reference to David, so he is a rich man and the traveler is the thought or process causing him to sin against Bathsheba, Uriah, baby and the soldiers killed in battle with Uriah. There are also variations on the depth of the word traveler known to those living in that time. The meaning could be one that passes by, then it becomes one who stays from time to time and the final stage is taking up residence. David was quick to confess his sin when confronted after about nine months of keeping his sin hidden. We can read Psalm 51 to gain insight into his heart. But sadly his best days are behind him as his family begins to fall apart and they are repeating the pattern of his sin where David doesn't or can't say anything.

The front flowerbed needs so much attention because the weeds are taking over the front part of that bed. I also need to check on the ginger gold apples because they are the first apples of apple season. Last year that little tree produced about 50 apples but production doesn't seem to be that many this year, although the apples look bigger than last year. One of the peach trees died so I need to get another planted, maybe in the fall or do I wait till spring, I don't know but I will find out.

From the window I am watching a mockingbird protecting his perceived territory on top of Mary Joyce's house. He is marching on the roof line like a soldier. Quite funny to watch. It used to be that the bird feeder in the back ran out of food before the front yard feeder but guess feral cats keep visits to the back at a minimum. Think the blue birds and woodpecker have moved on because almost anything that remains in the feeder is meal worms.

I have been thinking about the 50th anniversary of the moon walk in 1969. I watched it on a black and white TV. It seemed so unreal yet so monumental. It was the summer before starting high school. I had that anxiety riding in the pit of my stomach all summer, not about the moon... I already knew and knew from the first question in the interview I had not made it into the Rebelettes. Rebelettes were the drum, bugle and fife core of my high school, being before dance squads. The first question of the interview was, if you don't make it into the Rebelettes, would you play volleyball? So this being back in the olden days, tryouts would happen after school began. What if I didn't make it? Well, I did make the team and even before starting high school had my first official car date. Yep, in the summer of 1969 things were looking up for me after men walked on the moon.
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Monday morning is overcast and gray. We are under a flash flood watch and the rain is forecast to begin this afternoon. I might try and get out this morning for a couple of errands. Tomorrow the temps are to be in the 70's. That's a welcomed relief.

This weekend I watched two documentaries and learned about the theory that a Secret Service agent accidentally shot President Kennedy in the heat of trying to defend him and then last night about the rampant drug use for WWII beginning with Germany's usage. Never even heard of either of these things.

After church yesterday I went to lunch with Brenda and her cousin Jackie. Jackie loves books just about as much as I do, maybe even more. We had a lovely time and nearly closed down the lunch rush of the restaurant. I came home and took a much needed nap. I felt the beginnings of a sore throat Sunday morning and that is a sign I need to take a rest break. This past week I decided to finally tackle a few things here at the house that I have been putting off too long. Didn't go to choir last night cause still felt fatigued and Buddy was enjoying the back porch so much, didn't have the heart to bring her in early.  It rained during the afternoon enough not to have to water the front flowerbed last night. With the break in the temps from the rain cooled air, the little family of three kept together in the backyard. Strawyer joined in the rollicking play of Punky and Mr McBeavy. He usually watches stoically. I found one of Riley's toys in the garage and brought that out for the Mr. He played with that for a solid thirty minutes. As dusk overtook the sky, it meant it was dark enough to play red laser light and Punky still enthusiastically plays.

Lessons From Nature...Reacting And Responding

July mornings must be practicing and getting ready for August mornings. The past two mornings have been foggy ones. The fog burns off as the sun breaks through and in August we begin to keep a count of foggy mornings because the folk lore is, foggy mornings in August equal snowfalls in winter. It is an inexact science because some areas are foggier than others. A drive down the road tells that story, but it is beautiful as the fog lifts yet lingers on the tops of the mountains and gently lies  in some of the valleys.

How did I celebrate a good eye exam? By going to the Mexican restaurant and having chalupas. It wasn't so much the food as the restaurant leans to the dark side, not evil, but lighting. With dilated eyes and a bright sunny day, the choice was easy. I was hoping to make one stop on the way home but even with sunglasses, the best decision was to come on home.

Yesterday, a friend showed me her time lapse photography of a Monarch butterfly breaking free of the chrysalis and through metamorphosis becomes a butterfly. After emerging the wings on the butterfly look to grow right before your very eyes. All this wonder happened in her very own garden and she has seen this process more than once as the spring and summer goes by. When I got home I Googled it up to learn more and it is fascinating reading.This week in our own garden the butterfly bushes and the pollinator plants we planted in the spring are full of butterflies. This week I saw my first two Monarch butterflies. In Houston, I don't think any caterpillars ever crossed my mind as being good. They were the enemy of our plants and must be eradicated sooner. Here, I do research on the bugs and the like before declaring war on them. I can say with confidence that fruit flies are my mortal enemy because they cause havoc in this bountiful season of produce stands.

Nathan and Andrew came yesterday to chop up the fallen portion of the maple tree. We also discussed the fall plans for the backyard. I loved seeing Nathan's face when he saw how good the flowers are doing in the side bed by the driveway. The black eyed Susans started out as three small plants last year and they have flourished and taken over a good portion of a corner in the flowerbed. The queen Anne lace has just about played out in that flowerbed but the ones right behind the porch are still blooming. I asked Nathan why the tree split from the bottom and his interesting answer is this, with all the rain we have had since last year, the established trees have taken in about all the water they can hold. July is typically a dry month here and so far we've had two major thunder showers along with a few moderate ones. The maple tree had taken in all it could hold and thus the split happened as it expanded from within, something had to go.

It dawned on me last night that both of these phenomenons of nature, of God's creation, have been taking place in this creation named Nancy. It does help to have married into the name, Monarch. There is transformation and a shedding off of things that can't and aren't maintained because of growth, internally and externally. With God's Word there is always transformation when we allow it to dwell and reside in and with us. I am looking at these changes through the eyes of moving and decorating our home here. Many things that I thought were important to the house when we first moved have found other homes. I thought every bedroom should have a desk in it because I thought people will want to look at this view and write...no, that's just me, not many guests. Desks have been moved and given away. As a comparison my brother's taste runs mid century modern which is a sleek and minimal look. My taste runs in, cram as much into the room that it can take....it might be a short duration or it might be a long period of time but eventually, room contents begin to thin out. I think that is what's happening now internally and externally in me. Over the course of my life I have crammed this and that into my heart and spirit and have kept all this stuffing compartmentalized fairly successfully. But some of this has to go....  Living a much simpler life with more fun distractions is making the disposal or re-purposing easier of the junk I needed to live life in Houston. So much of what mattered there isn't even a blip on the screen here. Likewise, things that matter here might not make a dent on the top ten list of things needed to live in Houston.
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Once again the forecast is for rain this afternoon. We received a little shower but nothing measurable in the rain gauge. Semi tough night with Buddy but better than other nights. She has stopped sleeping in our bed which in one way is kind of sad and yet, it is freeing. She hangs tight in the winter to keep her little paws warm but there must too much warmth in the summer.

Yesterday afternoon I spent a good amount of time reading a Blue Ridge Parkway book, things to see, things you might miss and how to schedule out time. They offered advice on a 14 day trip beginning in Washington DC to long weekends or just a day trip here and there. The book even takes you beyond the parkway and into the Smoky Mountain National Park and into Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
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Fri-Yay, Thursday got away from me and I never got back to the post. I also had to let this set for a couple of days and let good sense overrule hurt feelings. I took out the portion of this post telling about a phone conversation and the resulting hurt, then anger and then finally some calm. As a rule anything that has a spontaneous burst of hurt and anger is transference from hurts long ago and rears its head unexpectedly. I have the choice to respond or react. This time I reacted and my impertinent response made some work for me. I have to think that this friend's digs at things that are important to me here or about a change in me due to living here has to come from a wish that I was still a running buddy in Houston. Knowing that the aftereffect of digs or bullying me to do what they want will be a bit of distance in my future emotions and response to them, I try not to take the Roy approach and just be done and move on. The transference happens from being told in childhood that things I loved, writing and creating, were things I was not good at and would NEVER be good in doing. I believed those lies for too long. So sometimes when I least expect it, after hearing what I consider to be a dig, I react but love those times when I respond, being in control. Hopefully the next time will be response.

Rainy Days and Monday...Yep, That Was Yesterday...Once More

Taking a break this morning studying for the lesson on Sunday. That lesson be, David and Bathsheba. Ironically, several times this morning when looking out into the backyard, Strawyer and Punky seem to be recreating, you can also take this as a pun, the story of David and Bathsheba, but really no baths involved cause cats generally don't like water. Yesterday, we looked at 2 Samuel 9 and the kindness of a king. So we go to the high mark of David's kingship to the lowest point...which is coming up Sunday, Sunday, Sunday.

The several time delayed Sunday School party happened on Saturday afternoon. We had such a good time and honestly, such good food. We went with salads and desserts...not a bad combination. A no guilt meal. It was the first official party on the back porch and what a great way to break in the porch. Lots of laughter in between bites of our delicious dishes. We were trying to think of a way to make this our Sunday School gathering off campus but decided we would all show up Sunday morning and give this more thought.

When the weather people say pop up thundershowers I kind of dismiss them because we rarely are recipients of the needed rain. We live in an area known as dry ridge. Rain coming from the west many times splits before getting to us and goes north and south only to meet up in the Black Mountain area a little bit later. I checked the radar several times during the afternoon and that famous split looked to be on track....only...it didn't split. I was in the living room reading and Buddy was asleep out on the back porch. The room keep getting darker and brains here finally checked into the reason why this was happening. Dark clouds from the north gathered, the wind picked up and the air definitely had cooled off from 88 degrees. Thunder in the distance but how many times have we heard it and not see a drop of rain...well, it was a new day because the rain came tumbling in and it was raining very hard. Soon the waterfalls formed in the backyard and the river under the porch was rolling. I was talking to Roy on the phone when we both heard a horrible cry, more like a panic squeal. It sounded like a pig but no one around us has pigs, so I knew it had to be one of the cats. I ran out to the porch frantically looking around for where the noise came from, nothing. Roy thought it was Buddy. Buddy was sitting on my lap but that sound woke her up. In an hour we got almost three inches of rain, so I am thinking that maybe the water had reached wherever the cats were seeking shelter and that is why that horrible cry had been made. As the rain tapered off, Punky came out of her hiding place on the gravel road and she began that frantic cry that she makes for her kittens. She searched and looked while calling with no response. The fearful thought of a hawk getting Mr McBeavy (another name change for Bevo) frightened me that had taken place. Did some quick research and hawks can carry 60 lbs of victim....so now Strawyer could be in the mix. About fifteen minutes later, Strawyer strolled into the backyard. Still no sign of the Mr. The lightning had moved southeast so I went outside to check all the regular hiding places...no sign. My mood was sad and I trudged down to the road to get the garbage can. It is then I discovered that our maple tree had lost a significant piece of the tree, broken off from the bottom. The sound of chainsaws filled the air coming from up and down the road. Later that evening I went out on the back porch to check on Buddy. I heard a little bitty meow as a little white and orange face came out from underneath the grill. Mr McBeavy was present and accounted for. Took some food out and the family of three shared a little snack together. The life of a feral cat is so up and down. You don't see them for days and then they show up and hiss at you...well, that is mostly Mama Cat. After looking a bit closer at Strawyer, he was a little worse for the wear and looked as if he had been in a scuffle. When the mystery cat showed up later in the evening, I figured that the two of them got in a scuffle and that was the horrible noise we heard.

The frantic late afternoon deluge and cat missing in action was enough excitement for the day.

A Feral Update Of Sorts

Oh happy Friday! Well, truthfully, almost everyday is like a Friday but it seems that I should keep that regular view that we develop in our working life...unless one works weekends, then Friday might not be the Yay Day.

A lot has happened cat wise in the past week and with that comes mixed emotions. Thursday morning Roy could only remember seeing Bevo or as we started calling him, the Beav, at breakfast. Didn't see any of the gray and white kittens all day and when the evening rolled around, no kittens were playing in the backyard. By Friday morning, I had pretty much accepted that those kittens are probably not around. On that Wednesday night while sitting on the back porch I watched the kittens play on the driveway and even in the dark, all that white fur was accentuated by the black asphalt. The thought came to mind that Punky should gather those babies up and take them under the front porch. She had also just started taking them up to the fence near the gravel road. That didn't seem like a very good idea either but hey, cat world and cat thinking...are foreign to me. The paw under the fence game reminded me so much of Cali and Riley. They played that game for great lengths of time, never seemingly tiring of it. The loss of those three gray and white kittens hit hard. They were in the backyard earlier than any other litter. I had helped Punky rescue them several times and I had been able to pet them. They had restored joy in the cat world for me. Last Wednesday evening Bevo didn't seem particularly interested in playing and that probably saved his life. Punky called for those kittens and searched every nook and cranny, and by Saturday seemed to be accepting of the fact, they were no longer here. She and Strawyer watch over Bevo, but not like helicopter parent cats. Mama Cat comes and goes. Camo shows up and then is gone for days that is until recently.

The other night there was an uneasiness in the backyard. Strawyer and Punky sat near one another keeping their eyes glued to the upper corner of the yard, near the gravel road. This was whatever day that it seemed like Bevo had disappeared from the loving confines of the yard. Up on a rock sat Camo and her two remaining older kittens. This reminded me of the change of guard when Cali lost her kittens to rescue efforts and Camo took over the back forcing Cali and Riley to look elsewhere for shelter as Camo brought Punky and Strawyer to set up residency. One of her kittens is the spitting image of Mr Meany in the face, so that always unnerves me a bit. They watched everything that was not going on or going on in the yard. Camo's second kitten sat farther back near the fence. It remained this terse line of power till dusk. Camo and her two went back into the dense vegetation that is found along the side of the gravel road. Here is the shocker. Under that cover of darkness a black and white cat moved stealthily among the firs. Because of all the white around the neck, for a moment the brief thought of Riley came but no white tip on the tail. This cat has a mostly black face with a bit of white. It made me go back to pics of MJ to see if it was him, although I saw him get killed by dogs. This morning the black and white cat came very close, must be male cause his interest was in Punky, much to Strawyer's annoyance. I shooed him off. Where did this black and white cat come from?

Last night only one of Camo's kittens hung around the top rock. Camo seemed annoyed with its presence and took swipes at it. Camo didn't bring or nudge that kitten to come to the food. Now, I have decided not to do much with Camo's latest brood but dang...that sad face and that hungry look tugged at the heart strings. I shouldn't have done this at all but I took a little food up to where the kitten hides, not thinking at all of proper footwear and I hadn't changed my clothes. so I am out there climbing up that slippery incline, cause it rained all afternoon, slipping and sliding on pine needles with my casual shoes and linen outfit while making my way up to where the food needed to be placed. Only thing, I think Camo ate most of it.

The mole population is on the decline around here. When any of the cats look like they are playing soccer, I know they have a dead mole. The Beav had an especially good game last Friday with one of those little mole things. They'll bring them close to where they eat but I am so thankful they have stopped gifting me with the mole beside their dishes.

This morning they were all waiting for breakfast in their regular places. All of them...well except for Mama Cat and Mysterious Black and White cat. I took my time taking out the food cause Camo had been aggravating Buddy through the door on the porch and I don't take kindly to that kind of thing.
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As it happens, cat world changes at the least little thing. Saturday, when the Sunday School class was over for a party, all the cats were on display. Camo's gray and white kittens stayed on the upper corner, Punky, Strawyer and Beav kept their presence in the backyard. Sunday comes, only the little family of three is around and it is the same this morning. Camo has probably moved on for a bit but will be back like always.

In previous posts I have said how much I am learning from watching and interacting with these feral cats. Each generation is different but the fact still is, feral life is hard, even with help.

Part 2, A Continuation From Yesterday

Friday morning we were up early and headed to Black Mountain to have breakfast at The Blue Ridge Biscuit Company. We got there right before the morning rush. Loved breakfast as usual. Since Lisa has never been to Montreat, we made a kick jaunt that way. Truthfully, I have avoided Montreat in the summer due to camps and conferences there but traffic wasn't a problem...and finding a parking place, could have been a problem, but we did find one close to the store and Lake Susan. A worship conference was going on that week and two ladies invited us to the 11:00 gathering. We were tempted but had a whole lot to see and do that day. We did a little shopping and walking around, then we headed out to NC 9 to take the back/scenic way toward Hendersonville. The road begins winding and curvy but soon flattens out till it is time to go down the mountain. Wasn't bad at all. We went over to Southern Chicks and we both made purchases. Then we made our way toward Strawberry Hill for peaches, plums and nectarines...oh my! We also got some ice cream while we were there. We drove around, got some Jack in the Box tacos on the way home and went to the Biltmore to shop and to drive around. We headed toward home looking forward to an evening on the back porch. We also knew we needed to get up kind of early cause we had Blue Ridge GA and Mercier Orchard on our Saturday sights.

We hit the road around 9:30 on Saturday. Lunched at Zaxby's in Murphy and then did the remainder of the trip to the outskirts of Blue Ridge, GA. The orchard carries a great cornbread mix. The meal is ground nearby and grits are available for purchase as well. Got some June apples cause I had never heard of them before. Of course apple cider donuts and fried pies rounded out the purchases we made. Such a fun place. We stopped all along the Natahala for pics. Supper was served on the porch, leftovers for Lisa and crackers and cheese for me.

Sunday, the day of rest...we went to Sunday School and church, most of church and then we went to Twisted Laurel for lunch. We had decided that we would hang around the house where I believe we all, includes Buddy, took naps. Lisa and I made it to choir rehearsal and then home. Cause Monday was going to be another busy, fun day.

To keep my hair appointments on schedule and because the stylist and I had conflicting schedules for the coming days, I kept the original appointment. Wasn't all bad because Lisa got to experience the goodness of breakfast that is found at Corner Kitchen. Then while getting my hair cut she was able to stroll about in Biltmore Village. Once again we met on opposite sides of the street, then began our journey to the next stop in Hazelwood. We shopped our regular spots, we added a quick trip to Mast General and by this time we were ready for a late lunch, early supper and of course we went to Blue Rooster. We were able to grab a few minutes of conversation with our friend there. What a joy. We came home with the thought in the back of our minds, tomorrow Lisa would be going back home. What a whirlwind of fun we had. We did a lot but not at a hectic pace. We laughed a lot and we talked a lot. We didn't solve world problems or even our own small worries, but the joy of a good friend, who sharpens you...priceless!

So, Tuesday morning came and we left for Charlotte. I dropped her off at the airport and went to the Barnes and Noble. Found a few good books and bingo....I had coupons. From there it was over to the sub par Nord. It was a necessity because the pants I had on would not stay up. I have lost some weight and the particular style of pants I wore, like other times in other colors, got to be too much of a distraction. So, found a pair of pants, paid for them and wore them around the store and places beyond. I had a margarita pizza at their bistro, went to the Chanel counter for foundation and then over to YSL for eyeliner. It was my first time being helped by a transgender person. I know I was staring but not for the reason you'd think....their skin was so smooth and flawless. The eyeliner color I wanted had to be ordered and it should be at our post office box. Then I pursued the mall and ended up buying two pairs of pants for Roy. I might have found a few things for me too....

I checked into the hotel because Roy's flight arrived at midnight and how wonderful for the Holiday Inn Express to pick him up at that late hour and deliver him to the hotel. I got some reading done and fell asleep. Roy texted from the airport that they were a few minutes away. It was about 1:30 before I fell asleep again. We had ambitious plans to get up early and head over to The Blue Ridge Biscuit Company, but when we awoke, the best decision that we needed sleep more than biscuits was made. The side note to that was stopping at Marilyn's Sweet Addictions and picking up a few things.

For the next four days Roy and I worked around the house. We had planned this because the porch was pretty much done and there was a lot on our part to finish up. We got a lot checked off the to do list and for that I am thankful. Roy even had time to make biscuits one morning. He made a triple batch and I froze the leftovers. Yahoo! I won't bore y'all with all that we got done.

Upon arriving home Monday from Charlotte, I was greeted by trucks in the driveway. It shocked me and I was frantically thinking of what to do and then I saw one truck said gutter installations. The crew was putting the final touches on the work they had done. Now to find or talk to Bruce to see about getting underground lines run out to the front yard to dispatch the water more efficiently.

Today, after spending the day at home on Tuesday, I got out and ran a few errands. It feels so hot at times and then a breeze picks up and makes it better. Got a good part of watering done in the back this afternoon and once it cools a bit, I'll tackle the front yard.

Fun, Chores, Fun, To Do, Laughter and Some Sadness

These past few weeks have held fun, chores, fun, to do list, fun, laughter and some sadness thrown in. Thus when all these things come together it seems like writing takes a backseat to the immediate. Oh from time to time notes were jotted and thoughts were constructed but nothing very disciplined. The evenings held time to write but after busy, long, fun-filled days, the energy to write dissipated thus games of tri peak solitaire and checking on Facebook and Twitter became the only activities on the computer these past few weeks. Today, although there are many things that need to be done, I'll take a little time to blog. I would say this morning but it is already afternoon. I did ease into the day slightly and firstly by waking up at 8:45 am.

Back to the way back, June 25th, I left for Gatlinburg TN. Lisa was there with First Worship at the Worship Life conference. The First Worship Team led the conference's morning worship and several also led breakout sessions during the afternoon. Since I 40 is a nightmare of construction, think I 45 Houstonians, the longer, scenic route called out and I accepted the call, only after checking with a few friends that gravel and narrow roads were not involved. They assured me, curvy, scenic roads awaited...with a few hairpin curves. The hairpin curves did not worry me cause in hindsight, I have driven on a lot more sharp curves but not knowing ahead of time, tight curves are about sixth on the list of top ten driving conditions I don't like. The road trip to Gatlinburg began around noon and the drive was breathtaking and panoramic. This was the first time in several years, in our tourist years, that I have driven through Cherokee and memories of those drives of long ago flooded my mind and soul. Then the drive through the National Park began and it seemed the good thing to put down Mustang Sam's top and enjoy the sights, breezes and fragrances of the mountains. It seemed like no time at all and the descent into Gatlinburg surprised me. Not surprising, all the traffic, both vehicles and pedestrians. Brenda had told me the route would just about drop me at the hotel and she was right. Texted and called Lisa while checking in but hadn't heard anything. So, I decided to go across the street and get a sandwich. Low and behold, right across the street stood Lisa P. Thank you Lord! She was coming back from lunch and sat with me while I gobbled down a sandwich. With a little rest needed from the trip and the heat there, we decided to meet up a little after 5:00 to walk about and have dinner. I hadn't officially checked into the hotel, just getting a parking pass, so when I went to the front desk they graciously upgraded me to a suite...sweet! Had a great view of the pedestrian bridge and the tower that kind of looked like the space needle in Seattle.

We ate our supper at the Cherokee Grill. Wow! The food was not touristy at all but it was fine dining in a casual setting. Our meal exquisite and delectable. I ordered the prime rib special and it was delicious. The desserts, well....fabulous and so tasty. We filled up on good food, maybe overfilled on good food and began our walk about. Inez had told us about a jewelry shop she likes there and we were fortunate that the owner had work to finish up, so she hadn't closed her shop at 7:00. We both found lovely items. We also walked across a bridge we could handle...over a small creek and we sat in an Edith Ann chair for photo ops. Such a lovely evening and the best, the next morning the conference started at 10:30. That is great planning! Met Lisa the next morning for breakfast. We both ordered the same meal, the junior-senior. You had to be under the age of 12 or over the age of 50 to order it. Four mini pancakes, eggs and bacon with your drink included. Now there is a deal!

The worship was so real that morning. I had been able to go to sound check, so I knew the music planned for that morning. Worshiped the Lord in practice and for the real. So powerful! I had been able to see John Bolin the day before and again, on the sidewalk of Gatlinburg. Such a joy to be able to call him a friend. Got to see Dora, David and Emma and made new an acquaintanceship, Ana.

After their set was over, Lisa and I left for home with a few detours thrown in for fun. Of course the drive through the National Park was fun. We tried to do Clingmans Dome with a few thousand of our best friends but the amount of people and the heat did me in and we were fortunate enough to get a parking place to take some pics. Each year I forget until the heat arrives how devastating it is for me. Fall, winter and spring...a walk in the park, feel good, have energy...the heat of summer arrives and my heart is working hard, energy zapped and that all familiar light-headiness sets in. It is the only time I retain fluid, summer. After a month or so I acclimate and thankful that the heat here is nothing like Houston, but it is difficult so many times for me to accept that the heat is my kyrptonite.  Lisa and I did experience such a treat, an elk, a young male elk took his leisure in the park along the side of the road and then crossing the road, I suppose to get to the other side. We got pics and Lisa took a video. After taking another detour through Cherokee, we headed over to Haywood Smokehouse for some fine Texas BBQ and some dessert. Ya gots to do that on vacay or staycay on my part. I will stop here for now, better get back to my chores...which are not as fun....

Contentment...Except For the Mud

In the middle of the rain some fierce sounding rain awakened me. It sounded like hammers hitting our metal roof. It was a fast, full on fury for a few minutes and then it subsided to less than a dull roar. I got up to check downstairs and see if anything was askew. Thankfully, nothing but a whiny cat wanting a midnight snack. It took a bit but falling back to sleep after a brief scare is always welcomed. This morning I slept in a bit and woke up in that groggy state, where it takes a little bit of time to begin to function. Buddy was waiting for me in the hallway, so we descended the stairs, she being much quicker than I. A quick check out back found Punky resting on a rock waiting for breakfast. So after getting the coffee started and Buddy treated, I headed to the garage to prepare a delicious Saturday morning breakfast for Punky and Strawyer. Soon after their morning grooming the kittens joined them out on the rocks. Lots of rambunctious playtime of slipping and sliding and chasing their own tails. The runt, whose gray patch on the top of their head that looks like a toupee,  hangs with Punky most of the time and only joins in occasionally. Poor Strawyer doesn't quite know what to do with these kiddos running around. Sometimes he playfully swats at them and other times he lets them come close and touch his nose.

With a little less than an hour to run a couple of errands and by gauging the sky while leaving, I decided filling up the truck and going to the grocery store were the priorities facing me with this time crunch. Sure enough, I had put the cart up and started the truck when this horrible noise, that I took for a motor type problem, began...no, it was only some of the hardest rain pelting the truck with a good force. It was a tedious drive back home, maybe not getting over thirty miles an hour. The rain let up just a bit and I was able to get the groceries in. Then, the deluge hit. In just a little over an hour the rain gauge measured around 2 inches. The rocks on the incline did their job but other little waterfalls formed. I was worried about the kittens, surely they were over under the grill. A white and orange flash caught my eye...drenched little kitten coming out of the cleft of the rock. I could see a gray and white face looking out from one of the bushes. I felt so helpless...what to do? Would Punky let me help them? The meows of distress were sounding over the pounding rain. I put on my galoshes and opened up the garage door, then the side door. Punky came out from a shrub carrying a kitten in her mouth. Almost too big for her to carry now but two other kittens followed behind. She was barking out, or should that be meowing out, orders left and right to those kittens when she put the kitten in her mouth down. They sat there on a rock while she came over to the garage and checked it out...she brought the kittens over near me but placed them under the storage tote. She went back for the other kitten. I got some towels and began drying off those kittens much to their dislike. That fourth kitten came out with her, then ran back into the bushes. Back Punky went to get that kitten...it wouldn't budge. She came back to the garage and meowed those kittens to follow her under the grill. The little kitten mewed constantly. I went over to the bushes and climbed up into them. The lightning and the rain was a bit unnerving and it didn't feel safe to be out there in all that mess. So, back to the garage, cleaned off the yuck and went into the house and onto the back porch. Punky stayed with the three while the prodigal cried in the bushes. When the rain let up just a bit, she ventured out again calling for that kitten. It took three times but finally that little one came down to drier spaces with mom and reunited with its siblings.
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That all happened on Saturday and it is now Monday. We got a reprieve from the rain that was forecast yesterday and it was a beautiful day. I've changed my plans for today just because....I like these kinds of days.

Buddy had a restless night Saturday thus that translates into one for me as well. All those awake hours aren't wasted but it does tire me out. On Saturday morning Roy had asked me to send him my taco soup recipe. Sent it with added notes of different things to add or not add. He told me later how he made the soup and to be honest...I got a little miffed over it. It sounded like he totally messed it up and made more work for himself than needed to be done. Such a minor and stupid thing for me to get miffed over but when one doesn't really cook but one has perfected taco soup, well guess my feelings were hurt. In those awake hours, after being so pious praying and thinking through the lesson for Sunday morning, I got to thinking about that taco soup debacle. Well, the debacle is mine, not Roy's. Sunday morning I apologized to Roy for overreacting to the whole thing and the story made it into the lesson, twice...what we meditate on...skews or blesses our thoughts, prepares us for the moment or moments God will use us..and by wanting Roy to make the soup exactly as written, well, that was me just putting "Saul's armor" on him. Told him later about using the illustration and assured him, I was the bad actor in the story...he came out smelling like...well...his version of taco soup.

Since I had the less than three hours of sleep kind of night, I left after Sunday School. Made a quick trip to Fresh Market and came home, ate lunch and took a nap. Before leaving for church earlier that morning, I snapped a few pics of the kittens at rest and then awakening to rough house with one another. Upon returning home, I saw two kittens resting on the rock, but didn't see the orange kitten nor the other kitten that I have named Bolt, for two reasons. Bolt is the kitten that wouldn't come down to the others in the pouring rain and looking back, he might not have been scared but rebellious. He explores farther away from the others and marches to the beat of a different drum. Even yesterday morning he still had all the red clay on his one side while everyone else had groomed and cleaned themselves up nicely. The second reason is in the middle of that gray patch on his back is a streak of white that looks like a lightning bolt...so his name is Bolt. Later in the afternoon, Punky was searching and calling out for those two kittens. She kept arranging the other two on the rock where she could see them. She kept going out onto the driveway, so I went out there and searched all the regular spots, no kittens. Her pacing picked up and her frantic passion of keeping Mama Cat away from the backyard intensified. A little later here came Strawyer coming out of the weeds and coverings of the ravine part of the gravel road and behind him, the two kittens. They certainly were disheveled and a worse for the wear. Maybe the call of the gravel road, that has called out to the multi generations of these cats was too much to resist. There was a very happy reunion of the four and mom joined in once she figured out her little family was together again. The two that hung around? Well, they were treated with a little snack. When I brought it to them, they went back into the shrubs but kept their faces where they could be seen. Really trying to get them used to me and socialize them. With all the kittens that have passed through the yard, I have been able to observe and interact with these more than any other litter. They came to the yard being the youngest and whatever the attraction has been in the past for the corner up on the gravel road, it isn't holding much interest these days. The terrain under the porch is very different than when it was the deck. So when the kittens were very young, they were under there but with all the rain in recent weeks and when construction was in their midst, it wasn't a good choice. Punky is hiding these kittens under the shrubs and it looks as if the cleft of the rock isn't a popular choice, probably because of the rain Saturday and the fact the kittens have grown since they first found solace there.

I was considering a drive to Otto NC to look at places there for chairs for the table on the porch but I think I can find what I'm looking for closer to home. It is just being consistent by checking on local shops. So there you have it, my life this past week, cats, studying to teach, and shopping for chairs in consignment shops and antique stores. Boring, maybe to others but for me contentment. Well, except for the muddy part searching for a kitty.

Thursday Is Catching Up Day

The long anticipated rain with brief thunder showers has arrived. The forecasters anticipated the rain, but the hour of arrival kept changing. They assured us to get all our errands and things taken care of this morning. While I was a bit later than I had hoped to leave the house, I did get my errands taken care of with time to spare before the deluge. Which has all of the sudden stopped. Wow, now it is really quiet except for the whiny meow of Buddy as she makes her way upstairs...ah, there it is, the rain has returned.

For the first time ever I experienced traffic like Houston on these back roads. Not from a tractor or waiting on big rigs or equipment to leave the job after getting it taken care of. No, the backup on these roads was from a semi that hit a bridge on I 26 nearby. The freeway was closed down and then finally, one lane was opened as inspections were being made for any repairs. Text alerts came for most of the day to avoid this whole area, all the back roads and other routes cause it was a mess. I made the decision to turn around and go back home to pick up Mustang Sam's registration and inspection papers and head over to Madison County to get the new sticker for the coming year. No one was in line when I arrived, so that was perfect. What a beautiful day to drive along the river road. The top was down and I pulled over to watch a hawk chase after a bird in the sky. Lots of maneuvering and evasive moves by the bird but it was looking like the hawk was going to have supper for the kiddos, so I stopped watching and moved along. It is kind of like the sticky fly traps out in the garage. Sometimes the buzzing sounds like little fly screams, which is totally weird, I know.

This morning Punky rescued what seems to be the runt of her litter from the cleft in the rock. That kitten is not as strong as the others, so if it doesn't get out first or second by standing on the other kittens, it cannot get out. Three kittens were out and playing but Punky kept searching for that fourth kitten. She came over to the hole at the top of the rock and went in it about three fourths of the way. She pulled out, no kitten. She came to the front of the rock where the little cleft is and maneuvered into that space. She pulled the kitten out with her and gave it a little bath and it was on the way to play with the others. Punky sat there a moment, almost enjoying the few seconds to herself....cause those four kittens rushed her like she was a quarterback and got her in position to have a little breakfast. Strawyer is demanding attention from Punky too, but in another way. His technique needs a little work cause Punky averts and he ends up by himself. He seems a bit puzzled to her aversion moves but she is not in heat and not interested in his practice runs.

Roy gave me the news that tomorrow will be an early morning for me...ugh! It doesn't help that last night was a rough one with Buddy. Dementia kicked in yesterday and all night long. She can't settle and she comes and goes. She had a lot of porch time today which usually helps her sleep well at night. Hopefully, that will make tonight a bit easier. The kittens are more lively this week and with the afternoon rain, they have a lot of energy this evening. They have been wrestling and running and jumping and falling off the rocks. Punky is close by and she barely a year old still wants to play. So I got out the red laser light and she had a blast running after it. Think she was ready for them to settle once it became dark but with all the lightning bugs, they can't seem to stop. Even tempting them with a late night snack didn't work. They'll be played out soon enough. Sure enough, I just went downstairs after a brief electricity outage, not even long enough for the generator to kick in, and there is Punky sleeping outside on the big rock cause her kiddos are sleeping in the cleft of the rock. She is being such a good mother, better than her mom Camo ever was. I'd almost go as far and say she is as good as Cali. Which, the little runt of the litter, well its actions remind me so much of Cali as a kitten.
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It be raining hard this afternoon. Note to self, ask for gutters for the back porch for my birthday. We caught a bit of a break earlier with light rain and the skies turned sunny. Now, gray skies and rain.

This morning I was taking notes as I read our lesson for this Sunday. We are beginning now with David, Samuel anointing him to be king and then David facing Goliath. From early on I have loved studying David and as is true with the Word of God, new things are grabbing my attention and thus I am thankful that the Word of God is alive and active. I was doing some research on Saul putting his armor on David. I have always heard it didn't fit David, it was too big for him but no, it probably fit, he just wasn't comfortable in it. Saul and Jonathan were the only ones who had swords, shields and spears. David was much more comfortable with his shepherd accessories. We can still experience "Saul's armor" today, but we've up charged the way we do it.
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The saga of the outdoor lights continue. Howard came by today to see of the new set of lights would work...it is kind of like the three bears, back plate too big, now back plate too small, but Howard said he had an idea how to fix it, so hopefully, it will be just right. We tried to get the kittens out but only Punky ran off trying to divert our attention on her. She had gone under the grill with her babies because mean ol' Camo came to the backyard. Camo is her mother...

Today, has been a day of taking care of all the little things that don't get done, so I am feeling somewhat accomplished today. Also did fun things like working on the back porch and studying the lesson some more.

We had choir last night due to the VBS schedule this next week. We worked on several songs and it was a lot of fun. Afterwards, I went to Turkey Creek because I have been craving one of their burgers. It was delicious and I brought home a slice of cookies and cream cake.

Porches, Punky, Precocious....

The ubiquitous of scenary here is little churches everywhere. They are mostly Baptist, Southern Baptist, but other affiliations of Baptist churches are represented. After Baptist churches, it seems like Methodist is in second place. Over near Roan Mountain most of those Baptist churches are Free Will Baptists, with a few primitive Baptists thrown in to vintage it up. That first month I visited here the number of churches dotting the landscape surprised me. I have written before about a little Baptist Church I pass several times a week and sometimes on Sunday mornings. The name used to be a bona fide churchy big word church that only someone who has attended church most of their life or at least VBS would know. It must not have worked for them because sometime late last year, the name changed along with a once a month sing a long added to the sign. A new start, a new beginning...only and sadly, the sign has changed, no more Wednesday or Sunday night services. Now granted, the most trucks, cause it was only trucks in the gravel parking lot has been four, but mostly three. And driving by after service, usually, there were three men standing outside the front door talking. The grassy area around the gravel hasn't been mowed in quite a while and I am wondering if the three gave up. I read a book several years ago whose title and author escapes me, but it was written by a man who put forth the question, what if one Sunday women stayed home from church? How would the church house react? This little church in dichotomy is most interesting.

This back porch has added such a dimension to nature. Since Punky brought her kittens down to the backyard because of all the rain, I am experiencing cat life up close and personal. None of the other cats brought their kittens down so soon. These are not weaned but Cali and Camo brought kittens to the back when they were six weeks old. Mike the Mower Man was here today and our neighbor was mowing the gravel road at the same time. Punky kept an ear to the sound and when she felt it was in her kittens best interest, she meowed but it was a meow...but she called for them in a low, purr, cat sound, nothing I've never heard. Not chirping like at the birds nor was a pure purr, and three out of the four obeyed her immediately. Of course there has to be the one who saunters toward mom but all it took was for Punky to stand up and that kitten came a running. After all the lawn noise Punky gathered up the troops but she was one short...so she went looking for that kitten. I have said several times I didn't think Punky was a very good mother, but I take that back after watching her this afternoon. Wow! She has them or had them, they move around so much, under the grill. Yes, the playroom of all the previous kittens. They love playing under and then later when they are able to jump to the top of it, sit there like kings and queens of the world.
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A new week, a new day. The reports of rain I believe are fading but maybe this afternoon we will get some. If not, it will be a early evening of watering all the flower beds. We had a glimmer of hope for rain yesterday but it went north of us. I got a few more plants put into flower pots in the anticipation but alas...nothing. We didn't have choir last night so yesterday after church was a great opportunity just to relax, nap and read...  My only responsibility of the afternoon, getting the trash can down to the road.

On Saturday a good bunch of friends drove over to TN to go to The Farmer's Daughter for lunch. I took the Mustang because the Kroger at Johnson City was calling out my name afterwards. They carry the cat food that Buddy will eat right now. Ann D rode with me to the restaurant and we had a blast talking and singing to Earth, Wind and Fire....oh and maybe a little Gladys Knight thrown in for good measure. By passing the Academy which is a new habit for me, I went straight to Barnes and Noble...a life long love and addiction to books. The three magazines I've been looking for all happened to be there and I had coupons. It was a great day to shop for books and magazines. If I had time, I was thinking of driving over to Roan Mountain but the tireds were taking over and the best use of time would be to return home, rest a bit and then finish up studying for the Sunday School lesson. There was so much to cover and in retrospect, maybe I should have zeroed in on two or three main points but all the background info was so important to the major points. Then, our new pastor's wife, Kelly, came into our class yesterday. So, I was a little nervous and more scattered than usual. She seems to have a great sense of humor and to be lots of fun. I never got a dour look from her, so whew, that's good. And on a side note, I love God's Word! How many times have we all studied or heard about Samuel and Saul? Each time, something new pops out to ponder.

These kittens of Punky are so fun to watch. Seems like they have grown so much in a week. She still hasn't introduced them to food other than what she provides. Punky hides under a burning bush shrub and watches the four play. I haven't been successful in getting the four of them with faces facing toward the camera so the three gray and white kittens are difficult to tell apart. Two of them I know their faces but the third one is content to do its own thing much of the time. Anyway, name contemplation is on hold until I can tell them apart. And by casual observation, I think there are two males...so far in the count. Each little family group brings different dynamics to observe. The other kittens in the past, have always played in and around the big rocks in the backyard but these kittens, until they are all too big to do this, have found a little, shall we say, a cleft in a rock, that is where they escape to when danger seems imminent or just me on the porch. When they have stayed in there too long, Punky comes over, looks into the cleft and calls them outside. But it looks like they nap and maybe even sleep there at night. Mama Cat still shows but not as often. Ever since Strawyer has become the alpha male, he is a pest to the female cats...When Strawyer is approaching her...by the way his grandmother.... for, uh, let's see...attention, Mama Cat is not interested and gives him a couple swipes to the head. He was stalking her last night up on the gravel road and before she made the turn to wherever she lives, she came back to him and gave him a little "what for." We are going on two weeks without Mr Meany and for this I am thankful. He was a slick one, wooing in the innocent and then biting them or taking a few swipes. He was a stray because he wasn't afraid of people. I warned the construction crew about him.... Camo is hit and miss. We don't see her for days and then out of the blue she shows up.

Buddy loves the back porch and she has made it her own, of course that is not a surprise. She still wants out on the front porch in the mornings, probably because of how sunny it is, but the afternoons and evenings, back porch is preferred. I got the ladders out that we bought for flowerpots and so far I have done two. Still deciding if I'll put a shelf between them. Then, the small green ladder from Maggie Valley, might end up outside instead of on the porch. I'll just have to see how things go as we finish up the details of the porch.

The Theme Was Rain.....

The theme, rain. The blessing, we needed rain. Another blessing, we have had intervals in between moderate to heavy showers. The gratitude comes from hearing that our weekend of rain will taper off and blue skies are ahead beginning tomorrow, oh and the highs in the 70's. All the new plants are a little more established now with the rain and then before all the water evaporates, it is time to finish up planting. Oh maybe I will throw in a little weed pulling...emphasis...on little.

We are thrilled that the porch that began in March came to completion on June 6th. It turned out beautifully. Over the weekend I began pulling out the things that have been collecting dust in the garage that we picked out for the porch during the last two years as we waited on Bruce's busy schedule. In that time preferences of color changed constantly but the design never wavered. This wouldn't be a white wicker themed porch. White wicker, really any color of wicker furniture is beautiful but since I like metal furniture, this was the never changing direction we would go. Now, I did capitulate when we found chairs that would fit in perfectly because they don't take up a lot of space but they aren't that southern look. So this weekend, I put together a day bed, the chairs and a table that came with the chairs....oh, and a decorative piece I found at the Biltmore Garden Shop, that they had taken apart. Now that thing was a bugger. After all the furniture assemblage we need to invest in better wrenches but the likelihood that we will be putting more furniture together is slim. We had put together this three year plan for remodeling, but since we had the two years in between, it looks like we will take a break in the plan because I don't know if I am up to a master bathroom remodel. I read an article that said the walk in bathtub thingy advertised on TV to senior citizens has become a "must" for the millennial. You know, it is so tempting but me thinks it is still an old person look to a home. We would want the whole bathroom gutted, new tile and cabinetry. That would include maybe the hallway bathroom too but just tile and new cabinet.

The porch is considered finished because this morning all the building scraps and materials were loaded onto the back of a truck and a little later, the porta john was picked up. It was a clear morning so it was an optimal time to get this done before the now, steady rain has hit our area.

So, the theme of getting some stuff done today is taking a backseat. With Bruce and crew here and then with a couple other distractions, the list of things to take care of today, isn't be checked off. Also, the usual schedule for studying to teach on Sunday will be accelerated this week because of Saturday plans. So, I am far behind with an iffy beginning.
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Theme today, cool temps and sunny. It has been such an enjoyable day to run errands and work outside. Of course coming in and resting on the back porch was needed. I brought home a wine cooler refrigerator to use for drinks on the back porch. It is tall and it holds 18 drinks, so I loaded it up with vitamin water and diet root beer. Tomorrow I will add some Topo Chico.

I'm going to wrap this up and post it. The theme was rain but today that theme didn't hold water.