Monday, Monday...

 This morning after fitful sleep I am relieved that the Houston area was spared the effects of Hurricane Laura. Slowly but surely friends along the coast in Louisiana are checking in on FB and relieved each time I see a notification that they are safe. The news certainly is showing the destruction that happened from wind, rain and tornadoes. 

The fence people are here working on the fence and while they were doing that I was out working in the flowerbed in the front yard. The doldrums of July hit and with the exception of watering, not too much time was spent out there. I did take notes of what can be done to improve the weed situation with the cardboard. It is an on-going process learning about what does and doesn't work. I would still be out there working but the wasps were swarming and one doesn't really want to be in the midst of that. Mike the mower man has cleared a path for me in the flowerbed since my easy to thread weed eater isn't proving to be an easy to thread weed eater, well at least to me. 

***************

Thursday night was a very late night but for a very good reason. Man, once the sun goes down and people turn off lights and go to bed, it is pitch dark. The road work on I 26 wasn't too bad and everyone behaved and followed the signs. The flight arrived early and since airline travel isn't back at its peak, I didn't have to wait in the cell lot, they let us pull up to the curb and wait. 

Watching the ferals is certainly interesting these days. Punky's bunch are putting on weight and playing hard. They were so under-nourished when she first brought them down. Now they are interested in treats and a little interest in food. We can rescue them now and won't have to bottle feed. The fab four plus Boo do not know what to do with these little ones and many times run away if a little one shows any interest in them. Sometimes you just see flashes of color as they run around chasing one another. Mama Cat is trying to take back control of the backyard. Boo is the interesting one these days. She keeps the cat protocol and she is interested in the littles.  

Tomorrow we begin outdoor services again, until the weather turns and it becomes too cold to do so. What a sanctuary or using modern day terms, what a worship center. We are being led by a dynamic pastor and prayerful deacons while doing the new normal that comes from the virus is navigated. Everyone is considered, the old, the young and the in-between with options one can feel comfortable with and still feel a part of the church.  A story that got press early in the beginning of the year, wow, that seems so long ago, was a Methodist church in Minnesota asking those 60 and above to go to other churches because the plan was to have a younger church, the church needed to look younger. The kicker to this whole thing, while the church was not meeting for about 18 months as the church planter began to make connections in the community, they wanted the 60 somethings to maintain the grounds. Mow the grass and shovel snow. One older member of the church said, they want us to be silent partners, to financially sustain the church and then after several years, we can come back. Yes, I believe that is somewhere in the book of Acts. The Lord added daily to the church, well only if they were young and had the look. Uh, yea, you're not going to find that in the Bible. Being in that senior age group now, this is not a hill I am going to die on or stake my claim to. I like what Pastor Bradley says, the great commission still works. He doesn't focus on any age group to join because he doesn't want to limit who God wants to bring our way. I once got a close up view to a couple in ministry that were older than most of the others that they worked with in ministry. This couple worked overtime to look like they were in their thirties when their actual age was in their late fifties. Y'all, all the energy given to looking younger will just age you. Sometimes I wonder if some pastors think they want a younger looking church because it might be easier to boss them around or impress them with leadership. When I worked for the minister of married young adults, it was my observation that the MYA knew exactly what they wanted in ministry both to them and from them, they were not afraid to dog your steps, continuously asking. And us older ones should know when it is time to let go in leadership terms. I am reminded so many times that when we hang on we just might be keeping someone younger from what God has called them to do. Basically, if we all would follow I Corinthians 13, we would all be in better shape.  

**************

Roy is hooked on outdoor church. He loved being outside, surrounded by mountains and birds in the distance giving backup to our worship team. 

We are waiting on the refrigerator repairman. He was supposed to be here at 10:30 but he called and asked if noon would work because a call in Hendersonville is taking longer than expected. We took the truck in for an oil change and inspection at Jimmy's. Roy has been working on getting me set up for the 21st century on the computer. I have a microphone, faster internet speed, camera, speaker and light. I am getting ready for Wednesday when Community Bible Study begins. 

Inez and Cuman brought us tomatoes and dahlias yesterday afternoon. Feeling like a tomato sandwich is in the works for lunch, at least for me.  

 

Two Storms, One Asteroid To Come...

  It was like a GEICO commercial as I cleaned out my spice rack, rather shelf. The one about the aunt problem... I stood there looking at expiration dates on the various types of spices and most of them were expired. When the trash bag goes out to the bin in the garage, it is going to be a heavy bag. The cinnamon sticks that had expired get to stick around because they are used for fallish holiday fragrance for the house but everything else...gone. Now there is a little room, no a lot of room for several spice/sweetener related items that have a place to go. 

This morning instead of waking up to fog we woke up to a drizzle with rainy overcast skies. Since moving here five years ago, there are very few mornings that come to mind that included rain. Rain around these parts seems to be mainly in the late afternoon and early evening. Oh yes, sometimes overnight. The kitties are not too happy about the rain and I have been careful to put their treats up on the top shelf so they don't get too wet eating. I'll go out in a bit and feed them. 

We had a couple of flickers this morning and then while in the garage, the power went out. So thankful for our generator. Duke estimates power should be restored by 5:00 pm. On Tuesday, the propane truck comes, so that will be timely. We had kind of a scare a week or so ago and I probably wrote about it but it looked like someone was trying to siphon propane. Blossman assured me that it is a very difficult thing to do along with sustaining injuries if one tries to do that. I just looked at the outage map and we are on the very edge of power being out. 11:53 and power is restored. The kitties will be happy to return to eating. The generator just came on when the bowls were ready for consumption. 

I think we can return to the phrase, in these uncertain times. We are keeping a watch on the gulf today. There could be two storms possibly in the gulf at the same time. Really, it is 2020, would we expect no less from hurricane season? Roy has access to sophisticated radar interpretations and while I'm advising him in my limited capacity, he asked, what is your gut feeling? Well, he asked that late yesterday afternoon and it was feeling hunger cause I forgot to eat lunch. I was so busy trying to get all my errands ran yesterday that lunch time took a backseat. I didn't have an answer for him. 

*********

I was able to get out early enough to work again in the flowerbeds, yard and quarry. Just about have all my quarry work done. Broke up more rocks and extended the flat stone area in front of the swing and added a few more steppingstones to get down into the flowerbed in the front yard. Moved the pallet that has been holding all that rock and will decide what to do with the remaining pieces. Knew that had to be moved before Tuesday when the fence people should be here. Got more weeds pulled and gathered. Letting those dry out on the driveway so that they will be easier to put into a trash bag. The fab four were interested in what was happening and once again my presence disturbed their breakfast. When it is cool enough to get back out there, the early red geraniums in hanging baskets that have just about played out could go in the trash. I might move them to the back where the ladders are and see if they pep up a bit. Red geraniums are not usually my first choice, preferring the pink ones but early in the season red and white is just about all that is available. Then I came across a great sale at a produce stand and added white and pink with a couple of reds to the group. Hey when the plants are $2.00 you aren't choosy. The sunflowers that have played out came down this morning. So the back has dahlias taking precedence.  

*******

Once again Sunday afternoon turned into a total relax session. One thing that got done, trash down to the road. Oh, and started laundry. After church I made a quick trip to Publix to get more ice cream and ironically salad. Great reminder of the Sunday crowd at the store and by all means get things before Sunday or that can wait till Monday. 

This Sunday we begin outdoor services again. Love those and really looking forward to meeting on the softball field once again. God's sanctuary. 

Bits and Pieces of Trivia

 After a few too many sleepless nights I decided to once again take a sabbatical Sunday. Buddy has been a restless camper which makes me a sleepless camper. I feel great but I staying home this morning is one of the best things I can do for my immune system although emotionally and spiritually I miss being with our church family. 

Yesterday afternoon had a bit of sadness to it, my last haircut with Chloe. She and her husband are moving back to Florida. He is a craftsman brewer and with that all but drying up around here due to Covid protocols, they are moving where there is a bit more financial stability. Chloe already has secured a stylist position there and her son is happy to be near a beach. She is passing me on to her friend Jennifer and we met for a few minutes. I need to ask longevity questions...like are you moving anytime soon? Chloe and I have a great relationship as stylist to client to friendship. I will miss her. She trimmed the last bit of highlights out of my hair yesterday, so I am left with a few natural blonde streaks, some gray but mostly dark hair. We'll see how long this look stays but if I didn't do this now during a distancing and lack of socializing, I'd never know what was under all the highlights. Now I know. Saturdays, in Biltmore Village, would not be a regular choice but with this being the only opening Chloe had and the fact that there are few to none tourists, parking wasn't a problem. With heavy rain and flash flooding being forecast, I planned on taking the truck but when the blade of the windshield wiper flew off, Mustang Sam became the choice. If someone sneezes, Biltmore Village floods. I called Roy and asked him to pray for the trip there and back and finding high level parking. God heard his prayer. Kind of funny, Roy was questioning my need to go to the bookstore. What? Oh, there are so many Biltmore choices here, Village, Biltmore Park, Biltmore Forest...Only a few things get me out in "weather" and a haircut qualifies...sometimes. 

With storms in the area our evening turned coolish and I really should have changed into gardening clothes and do some work...but I was ensconced on the couch, with a book and Buddy. That is until a phone call. It was Brenda and she had made the TN peach pudding. She invited me to come over...right now and get some while it was hot. I only thought I was ensconced on the couch. Oh my goodness! We both agree that was some good cobbler/pudding. And Brenda was generous to send me home with a to go.

This morning while gazing out the back window and making coffee there was an unusual sight in the backyard. Lo and behold, a turkey was casually grazing. Quickly, I looked for the kittens and they were mesmerized by the big bird and visions of wild game danced in their heads. For the most part I seem to protect them from birds, not protect the birds from them. In this instance this is all about hawks, not song birds. I help the birds out then as well but the mockingbirds seem to have matters in their world with cats under control. The turkey moved on down the gravel road but a little later he or she had returned for snacks. This time, the turkey made their way down the steps and the kittens were encircling the unknowing or fazed bird. Once again, to distract the cats, I went outside, in my jammies and chased the bird out of the yard and into the open side flowerbed. Finally, the turkey moved up into the pasture above us and the kittens forgot about the one that got away. It was quite the exciting morning. 

The last dream before waking up this morning involved Greater Tuna. Greater Tuna is, well, different. Two men play all the parts in the play...taking place in the third smallest town in Texas, Tuna. In my dream I was on a game show and had to name at least four characters from the play. I woke myself up yelling, Vera Carp! She was my fourth to be named. I woke up before learning what I won...probably some used weaponry from DeDe Snavely.   

Being inspired by my friend Sharon Z, I purchased an air fryer. It was delivered yesterday. Haven't brought it in from the garage yet, because I need to make room for it on the counter. We have no counter or storage in the kitchen. When we bought the house, who cared? But now with distancing one needs distractions, so a little more cooking is in the works these days. Not to have to turn on the oven is a huge plus. Since my comings and goings are at a minimum, the game of beating GPS distance time has taken a backseat. Now, my game is, beat the estimated power usage sent each month by Duke Energy. Beating the estimate by being much lower. So, air fryer will help with that game. 

We are having more foggy mornings than non foggy mornings. Don't know how that will play out this winter. I have seen a mild winter prediction and a wintry prediction. If winter is somewhere between the two, I'll be happy.

  

Firsts But No Fists

 Yesterday, all my troubles seem so far away...Oops, yesterday had a sense of normalcy to it. The weather looked to be cooperative and so it was off to the Waynesville area. The apple orchard has been open nearly a week and I had yet to make a pilgrimage. I planned for quite a bit of stops but as the day progressed, some of those stops were nixed for another time. A pleasant surprise awaited with no lines at Barber's. Picked up the much missed apple cider donuts first, then headed over to the produce area. Picked up corn, a cucumber, early honey crisp apples and some pears. Took the back way over to Belk and Michaels. Had an all important birthday $10.00 off coupon. I debated on making a stop in Hazelwood, but motored on into downtown Waynesville. Seems so strange, there is traffic but Waynesville looked like a January afternoon not an August one. Found a parking spot quickly and went to Mast. The last time I was there the entrance and exit were marked, you stood in line until a spot opened up for you to be in the store, but it wasn't like that yesterday. People coming and going as they wished and there was plenty of hand sanitizer for all. With it being in the early afternoon I took a chance and headed to the Blue Rooster. Social distancing spacing for the tables. Wednesday means fried chicky day, so along with collards and warm applesauce made it an easy choice. A cup of their loaded baked potato soup completed the meal and of course the coconut cake, but it was a to go item. The skies were clouding up and there was a steely gray sky in the east. Made a quick trip to Duckett's for peaches, decided not to stop at the Canton stores that are fun and made my way toward home. Dropped off donuts and produce to a couple of friends and made it back safe and sound. 

Yep, it was a typical summer type activity doing all those things yesterday yet it didn't feel normal. The day felt a bit empty, not because of shelves and racks holding nothing but air, but the hovering of all the uncertainty dampened any bit of enthusiasm. Other than masks the apple house felt routine and ordinary. The staff visited with us as we made selections. The weekend had been a madhouse with lines out the door. Belk was out of the ordinary though. Each time in the past Belk has sent out a survey my main complaint is how junkie and piled the store always looks. Tons and tons of clearance items thrown this way and that. I won't go through a pile of clothes like that. Their chaos made shopping difficult for my mind to reason out where and what to find, but yesterday...the racks and shelves held only a fourth of what used to be. I have not been in a retail box store in quite some time. I was shocked. Only a couple of registers were open and we stood in line while one person checked us out. There were a few other staff but they were rearranging the empty shelves and could not open another register.  The two ladies in front of me visited with me. They were from the Franklin area. They both joked that the deeply discounted jewelry they were purchasing was for their dinning and living room, where it was a bit more formal attire. I had almost bought a pair of casual/dressy capris when it dawned on me, where was I going to wear them? Even with the 50% off and a coupon, they just weren't going to go home with me. 

There is a Michael's next to Belk and I was looking for some metallic acrylic paint and got the last set. Their store didn't look as depleted. There too, a lady who was picking up a bottle of paint for her husband and I had a conversation of these uncertain times. The store had maybe five customers when I was there. The clerk said the weekends are the busiest times. That makes sense. Mast was busy, but not August afternoon busy. Easy access to the candy dept. I looked through the clothes area but again, even with t-shirts and I wear those almost everyday now, nothing called out. So it was candy and a dish towel, things that are useful. 

Forgive me Blue Rooster for I have sinned. It has been since March 11th when I had my last visit. Penitence was three fried chicken legs, collards, applesauce, cup of loaded baked potato soup and coconut cake. The joy of the Blue just wasn't there. Oh yes, the food so delicious and so welcomed to this Blue Rooster fan. No locals complaining about the tourists crowding the place, no servers running around with platters and pitchers. It could be that my friend who worked there has found a better job, with benefits and visiting with her there always brought joy but it just made it a presence of sadness yesterday, yet the undeniable happiness in my heart that she is better off in her new place of employment.  

Duckett's felt normal as we looked at veggies and fruit. The peaches looked exceptionally good, so a basket came on home. 

***********

An overcast Friday morning. I need to go to the grocery store. The kittens were late arriving for their morning treat. They play in the evenings in the flowerbed next to the driveway and they might sleep out there too. Don't know. Sometimes they are on the front deck. Punky wasn't around but then I saw Bobsey looking in the porch door and Boo was over to the side. The rest of the bunch came running when they heard the door open cause they know treats will be scattered on the steps. I had just read that two German shepherds are loose in the area and had attacked a cat. That made me a little concerned and then thrilled when the gang gathered at the back porch. 

Worked on getting more corn cooked, shucked and frozen yesterday afternoon. Sweet potatoes have been a good price so of course I looked up how to freeze them and found the process to do so. Yea! Worked on the barn quilt painting a little and have two books going. Both stories are really good although the one written in 1949 has a quicker pace and plot. The other book, while good, is plodding a bit. 

***************

This is the first time since 2015 that I have not gone on the opening day of the Leicester Studio Tour. The artist that I like to visit are mostly sitting this year out due to Covid. The blacksmith is set up at the winery down the road so I might stop in tomorrow afternoon and see what he has. He should have a good selection because most tours and fairs have canceled this year. 

There was an article in the Wall Street Journal about people who have moved from NYC in the past few months. With crime escalating and realizing they can work from anywhere in the country due to working at home, many have chosen rural or suburban living. Now this was funny, many who have moved realized their NYC attire did not translate well to suburbia or rural settings. Several designers were mentioned whose clothes truly are NYC and I haven't a clue to who they are but I feel confident that the wardrobe basic is black. Colorful outfits just say tourist in NYC. My favorite interview was with a woman who has gone to basic linen and tunic outfits, nothing bad there, but she wears her muck out boots with the linen in the garden. What??? I know linen is cool, I wear it a lot, but not when working outside. The interesting reaction to the article has been why is this news? Is there nothing else you can cover besides this? For me moving to a rural area, I welcomed work and gardening clothes over business casual any day of the week, except for Sunday. Don't get me wrong women know and do dress up around here, quite fashionable I might add, but we can get away with more comfortable and functional clothes. A friend from Houston asked me the other day if I enjoyed the early access to the Anniversary Sale at The Nord. First year not to get the invite and I haven't even looked online at it. A new Nord card in the mail hasn't even been activated. 

Better writers and thinkers have taken time to express their thoughts in these distracting, distancing and distorting days. On some small scale there has been some good coming through. I have a greater appreciation and love for our church here. I have tackled projects that are way out of my comfort zone. Not reading so much at the beginning of distancing helped because there is a very well, used comfort zone. 

 

Over A Few Days

 Last week I began a blog post and it got extended too long, although it may be added to this post. It just depends. I am seeing better today because yesterday was pick up new glasses day. I got a new pair for regular daily wear and ordered a cheaper yet cute pair for outside work. While the past few weeks has not held too much gardening due to heat, we are looking forward to highs in the lower 80s with a nice breeze. We had a little bit of rain this afternoon but clearly not enough so I will have to water the flowers this evening. 

The happy news is this, much to my surprise, the freezer I ordered was delivered on Saturday morning. Even the delivery man couldn't believe that we were getting it because the order had come in the last part of July. We chose this freezer primarily on the delivery date. Most freezers have a delivery date beginning in November.That early Saturday morning phone call that it would be delivered before noon took me totally by surprise. Once that freezer got fired up, so to speak, I have been moving stuff into it and rearranging the other two refrigerator freezers. Yesterday, when Publix had pizza on sale...I was able to buy the two for deal because there was plenty of space. 

After taking a sabbatical Sunday week before last, I was at church for the in person worship service this week. More seemed to be masked up. The sermon and music were just the healing words I needed to hear. Pastor is preaching from Mark, one of my favorite Gospels...Luke is my very favorite. The best surprise of Sunday came in the late afternoon. Brenda called with an invitation to supper. You do not turn those invites down. It was a fabulous country supper of fried okra, fried squash, fried tomatoes, tomato slices, meat loaf patty, green beans and corn. Even got leftovers to bring home which was supper last night. On Tuesday morning, I had been over to Brenda's for my birthday breakfast...which as many know was totally delicious. Really, has anyone had something bad at Brenda's? The answer is nope. Came home with breakfast leftovers and strawberry cake. 

Mama Cat's kittens are growing up. They still hang together for the most part but there has been rough play this past week. It seemed to be more than the usual playful antics. Lots of drawn back ears and hard tackles. Some of the planters on the front porch haven't been doing well and last night I saw the reason, the planters have become beds for a couple of the kittens. Hector Protector has become a little more docile and Radley and Bobsey are working on becoming alpha cats. Mama Cat has been a bit scarce these days, so Hector is hanging out with Punky. She seems to enjoy his company and even Strawyer has taken a liking to him. This morning the kittens have made the discovery that all the other kittens have, the fence and the trees. Several sat up on the top of the fence scanning the scene of their cat-dom. Every once in a while, the dominate black and white male cat saunters through, but he isn't around much, neither is Darth, but Darth seems to be a domesticated cat with all the equipment still in tack. 

This past week one of my favorite authors passed away, Shirley Ann Grau. I discovered her through the LSU Voices of the South series of reprints of southern authors. Her book Keepers of the House is one of the best novels ever and one of the best and first written in the 60's on civil rights. Elizabeth Spenser and Anne Rivers Siddons passed away last year. Thankfully, it seems Gail Godwin and Ellen Gilchrist are hanging in there. 

While doing more rearranging of the garage this morning, something of a surprise greeted me. Knowing that one of the storage bins was empty, I went through them looking for that empty one. It was the one on the bottom of the stack. I opened one of the bins and there was a metal bunny that had been on a stake. A rusty metal bunny, with a steel wool pad as the tail. My mom had given it to me when they lived in Georgetown. A few tears mixed in with the drops of sweat I had worked up in the heat. My mom gave me two bunnies while they lived there in Georgetown. The other one is in Katy. Sentimental for sure, because my mom didn't give a lot of "no reason for this gift" type of gift. It's not because she didn't want to, it was because the vice hold my father had over money and the price she would no doubt pay being nice to me. So, out of the bin and onto a shelf or wall seems to be the thing to do. 

This morning none of the cats were visible. I went out onto the back porch and out of every nook and cranny of the backyard, they rushed to the porch steps because they know treats are involved. Punky was right there with them but she didn't eat. She hasn't felt good for the past couple of days. The delicate sound of treats crunching is a favorite sound. Even Boo who is the most skittish of the cats, with every reason to be, has relaxed some with my presence. Could be hunger trumps human presence. So this group have all finally been named, Boo, Radley, Miss Priss, Hector Protector, and Bobsey. 

I am also older as I write this post. Celebrated a birthday last week and so did Buddy. She's napping this morning after napping on my lap. She is eating treats but that is about it. I vary the selection to keep her interested. It seems so strange for her not to be motivated by the shaking of the treat bag to get her to appear. Maybe I was feeling my age earlier in the week because I find myself watching documentaries in the afternoons. Sometimes the TV doesn't even get turned on or if at all it is around 8:00 or 9:00 pm but watching about Reagan, the Royal Family, Roosevelts and SEC football has held my attention .

More Simplicity, Fun, Play and Creativity

Life has certainly simplified since the middle of March. It looks to be that way for many. The HR department at Roy's office sent out an email looking for the positives in this seriously upsetting and uncertain time. So here it is:

I decided this week to see if I can find a bright spot – a silver lining as it were – to this pandemic.  Something positive, or at least interesting, must be going on.

Here is an admittedly un-verified top ten list from my knothole in the fence:

1. Pet adoptions are higher and animal shelters are emptier than ever; people are valuing the companionship and unconditional love of pets (especially dogs, no offense to other pets, but dogs are the best)
2. Bicycles and related equipment are flying off the shelf; individuals and families are riding like it’s the 1950’s again; I am dodging them on the way home every evening
3. Outdoor sporting equipment – canoes and kayaks, fishing gear, camping equipment, etc. – are booming; we ordered the last kayak available on Amazon and there were none available anywhere else, used or new; people are taking advantage of the great outdoors and getting that natural vitamin D
4. Jigsaw puzzles and board games are in short supply; you have to catch them when they re-stock the shelves; families are playing, sometimes for the first time ever
5. We are remembering or learning how to sew; even the novice seamstresses can sew a face covering and there are countless tutorials
6. Cooking is returning to the home kitchen and recipes are being shared like never before; even I have baked banana nut bread lately
7. The road trip is back; my son and daughter-in-law have rented an RV and are setting out this week on a family road vacation with built-in social distancing
8. The “to-do” list at home is getting smaller (or, in some cases like mine, getting larger, “while we are at it, let’s do (name that project)”); home improvement stores are enjoying brisk sales
9. We are getting new skills; I had never Zoomed or Door Dashed before COVID, nor had I ever given another human a haircut (!)
10. We are catching up on movies and television series that we always meant to see, but never got around to watching; the current series at my house is the new “Perry Mason”, but there are so many choices….

More family time, more creativity, more play, more outdoor time – it’s not all bad!

Notice that Roy highlighted 6,8, and 10. Ten not so much for me but I have scaled back on Andy and Barney cause I am getting too involved in the fact that everyone enabled Barney. One has to think creatively during these times as well as adding a sense of play. Play is not difficult for me and until it got too hot for me to be outside, loved all the outdoor time right in our own yard. I talked with my friend Bev on Saturday about a project and she was giving helpful hints and lessons learned from her experience.

Over the weekend there were a few cool breezes so I was able to transplant more sunflowers to the side flowerbed and able to do some more mulch work in the front flowerbed. So far, I have only planted one of the butterfly bushes and trying to determine where to place the other one. I was able to cut and bag more weeds. Got more work done in the garage too. So all in all, the weekend did have some productive moments. I took a sabbatical Sunday yesterday. Also making good progress on a book that has a great story line, so I am not barreling through it. Roy also assuaged the fear that our neighbor had over the fence we are having installed later this month. He must have thought we were having it built higher on the property but since it is a decorative fence, we are placing it much lower. But the offer to buy up to the gravel road is out there and we might take them up on it. It would probably cost more to have a surveyor come than the actual cost of the sliver of land.

This morning after reading about increased bear and bobcat activity, when I didn't see any of the ferals out back, I am not going to lie, a bit of anxiety hit. There is usually at least one of them out there. Boo showed up and after thinking Boo was a boy, Boo seems to be a girl. Strawyer is very interested in Boo these days. So, I threw out a few treats and slowly but surely they all began to meander into the yard. The other night, it was coolish and looking for a diversion, I pulled out the good ol child fishing rod and played with the kittens. They aren't into laser light but loved chasing the fish. While we were playing, my eyes just happened to lift to the sky...there were four hawks circling above us. The kittens saw them as well and scurried under the shrubs. I stayed out there on guard until the last hawk flew away. None of us were in the mood to resume the game.

Foggy Mornings Count

Beginning tomorrow, foggy mornings count. The folklore in these parts is, the number of foggy mornings in August reveals the number of snow showers for the upcoming winter. It is an inexact science, well it isn't science, but we can have a fogged in morning here but just over the hill, clear and can see for miles. In August I make note of the mornings and see what happens when winter begins.

Johnson City and the surrounding area held my interest for yesterdays adventure. Instead of the Mustang, I took the truck thinking I might make it over to a garden shop that has some cute trellis. But first thing, the places I needed to go to before fun. Glad, I did that although the necessary stops are fun. Stopped in at both Amish stores for the vitamin infused drinks they carry. Between the two stores I was able to procure four twelve packs. They were out of Roy's queso additionally both stores were packed. That is a bit unusual for a Thursday. Made a quick trip to the Kroger. Picked up a few things but not too much that was on my list. Even just a little over an hour away from home, you cannot help but notice the difference in what is deemed essential by people and what is not. The Kroger was a little picked over but oh glorious day, they had plenty of burritos and they were on sale. If I had more freezer room, I would have picked up a couple more than I did. I sensed an urgency in the stores and carts were filled. Now, I know it is getting toward the first of the month so that could be a reason, but it was an observation that didn't elude. After getting the essential errands done, I considered doing the fun part but after getting soaked to the bone taking groceries out to the truck...the option ceased and the trip home began. Looks like that area got a lot of rain yesterday. Clearly the good thing about getting home was getting packages in that had been delivered because it wasn't too soon after arriving home that we got some rain. At times it was a solid rain not just little sprinkles here and there.

The interns at Roy's office have come to their last day. This group did mostly their work from home but today they turn in lap tops and such. Usually, there is a luncheon and a send off but due to Covid, they're not doing the send off this year. Recruiting in September will probably be done online as well. Roy helps recruit from one university but the interns come from colleges in both Tx and La. He also works with them on presentations and office presence during their internship.  In one of his talks about interviewing and working for a corporation he offers this gift, if given the chance, look around, see if there are older workers in the mix because if there are, you want to be a part of the company you're interviewing with. Some may say, well Roy says that now...no, he has said this beginning in his thirties. Look around, observe and decide. Because if you are working for a company that holds youth as a core value, be prepared to make an exit as soon as you hit your late forties cause the time is ticking on your looks and value.
************
We had a doozy of a storm last night. It was unusual because the storm affected a large area when many times storms are hit and miss around here. The rain gauge looks like it is around 4 inches. Got up this morning to look out and see if there is any damage control that needs to be done. Everything looks ok, even the apple tree that is really, really leaning. The lights flickered last night while lighting and thunder made sure we all knew they were in town. Buddy and I huddled together in a chair and rode the thing out. By the way August 1st, foggy morning.

I was able to freeze another twelve ears of corn. This time I left the corn on the ears instead of slicing it off. I also transplanted the rest of the sunflowers to the side flowerbed. Fertilized them and gave them some water. My neighbors probably thought I was nuts watering since we received about four inches of rain, but want to help them get establish and growing.