Saying So Long 2020

 Good Tuesday morning! The sun is out and the temps are warming up quite nicely. That's good because we have a few outside chores to do today. The ferals are fed, Buddy has had treats and now is settled in on a bed that receives full morning sun. I've folded up Christmas shirts ready for storage but waiting on a couple to be washed before putting away Christmas clothes for the year. Didn't get to wear everything but with limited social outings, my festive wear for the most part, MD Anderson Christmas t-shirts from long ago, along with a few Baylor Christmas shirts. Ironically, those are the shirts that hardly saw the light of day in Christmas pasts. 

We ventured out into the world yesterday when we felt the ice had melted and the roads safe to travel. Thinking back to six years ago when we were getting the house ready here to live in. There were frozen mornings that we got out in without a thought of ice, frost or snow. The Lord was with us when we had no knowledge of what we were doing while driving winter roads. The sky looked like a snow sky yesterday afternoon to the north and Roy was a tad concerned but I assured him that had gone past us or rather around us and was moving into TN. Using Houston weather knowledge doesn't do one a bit of good here in trying to figure how what in the Sam Hill it's going to do. I saw some pictures on Twitter and Smoky Mountain National Park had beautiful snow once again. The elks and their beauty accentuated with a backdrop of snow and ice. Almost all the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed due to snow and ice. It is kind of nice being located in a bowl shaped area. We can enjoy the snow on the mountains that surround us, enjoy from a distance. 

Today has been a day filled with filters...cleaning the water filter in the crawlspace, the refrigerator filter the dryer vent outside, new LED overhead lights for the kitchen and we worked again on straightening one of Roy's apple trees. We worked in the garage and even made taco soup. It was delicious! Tomatoes from summer and corn from this past summer added to the regular mix. 

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It is now Thursday, the last day of 2020. This morning Buddy and Hector Protector touched noses through the screen. Here's hoping, since there wasn't any growling or hissing, this is off to a good start. Buddy wasn't particularly happy, but it could have been worse. 

Here we are at the end of 2020, certainly one of the most uncertain years in recent memory. I have narrowed down my word for the year to several choices and leaning toward one in particular. Just haven't made a final choice. Several people choose themes instead of words and that might be a direction to go as well. 

The rain has stopped for now and probably into the early evening. We can get cardboard to the landfill to recycle and make a drop off at Goodwill too. We have taken care of most of our projects so that is welcoming to entering 2021 a bit relaxed. Of course there is always something to take care of or maintain here. 

There is so much hope that things will be different in 2021. Some are not hopeful for 2021 and others a little too hopeful. It is important to remember that days and times and moments aren't the hope but the Hope is in the one that gave us days, times, moments and seasons. He knows and we need to trust Him. 

Happy New Year! 

Extendomatic Post

 The day after Christmas hasn't gone the way we planned. To be honest, we didn't really have any plans other than when the temps get above freezing to go the garage and get the Christmas storage containers and begin to put away Christmas. Unfortunately, the Christmas truck will be going straight into the garbage can. We have several small projects to do. This morning we also encountered computer issues. It is after noon and Roy is just now taking a shower. He doesn't do life that way but I reminded him, he is on vacation and there is no harm in taking an easy time as morning comes to you. He did get part of the computer problem solved and he has ordered something that will be delivered Monday, Lord willing, to rectify the issue. 

We worked on his humorous speech most of Christmas afternoon. We forgot to open presents, so we will do that this afternoon. His speech made me laugh and with Roy not leaning to the funny side of life, you know he has come up with something rather clever. We were fine tuning his thoughts and adding the segways he needed in between the subject matter. He has mainly been doing evaluations in Toastmasters, so it has been awhile since he has concentrated so intensely on crafting a speech.  

We are still below freezing but snow is beginning to melt away with the sun. Reports on road conditions are the usual, main roads fine, but secondary roads, slick as ice because, there is ice. We are truly old now, because we comment on the trucks and cars going too fast on our road. They are driving like it's a sunny July day. 

It is officially bleak winter season when it comes to produce stands. Barber closed Christmas Eve afternoon. So we wait those months of January and February, but March brings a few stands beginning to open. Once spring arrives, they are all almost open except for the apple orchards which begin in July and August. Thankful that we froze strawberries and peaches this year, so opening those will bring a bit of the warmth of summer to us, even if it is just in taste. 

******

Sunday morning brings an icy driveway and rumors of patches of ice along the roads. We are now taking a sabbatical Sunday. Gave the kiddos a little snack this morning and then opened the garage door for them. Some stay behind and others run out into the cold and snow to frolic a bit. You would think these cats would not like the snow, but they play in it by chasing and tackling each other. It has been fun in the evenings going out to the garage and playing laser chase. We had a full house last night with the exception of Junior, Radley and Bobsey. 

We opened Christmas gifts yesterday afternoon and had a blast. My brother and Brenda's gifts for us are all wonderful. This year I have struggled with being organized with Christmas gifts, but soon, New Year gifts will find their way to their designated places. 

*****

Sometimes it is difficult to find quiet moments to write, but I am not complaining. This time of year we get more ease into the morning kind of days. So many times we have appointments and such to take care of. Both of us are getting caught up on our rest. Yesterday, we got most of the Christmas decorations put away. That meant disturbing the sleeping corner for the ferals but we were able to get it back into place and dare I say, with better sleeping conditions. All the big stuff has been done, now we just need to do some of the smaller stuff. Leading the exciting life, we might take some cardboard over to the recycling truck at the landfill. 

We got a Christmas card and letter from my friend Beth. It was so good to hear about all that has been happening this year. She lives off the Puget Sound. Her daughter is a sculptor and has major works all around the country. Like so many of us, Covid made us tackle those projects we have been putting off for years. I was thinking that this year I tackled and organized more projects than ever before. The front garden project, putting together a desk and creating a corner in the bonus room if by chance Roy ever has to work from here. Our large monitor has stopped working and Roy is in the process of getting all that solved or at least trying to solve. The chair we ordered for the desk arrived yesterday and Roy put it together. Very comfortable.

This month when books have had a coupon or gone on sale, I have been stockpiling them for reading in January. Usually, January becomes a contemplative month for me and usually that is when I do the majority of any writing, with the exception of this year. I worked on short stories just to challenge myself and it was an enjoyable process. 

We are down to less than a week of 2020. I noticed on Twitter and a little on Facebook that people still are in the arguing season, even during Christmas or winter break. Not only arguing but more so making unkind comments to heart tugging posts. I think my favorite video of the season has been the three little boys in East TN, that marked themselves with markers so they could be bad guys. When the little boy who is marked up the most and doing the talking says, complete with contrite facial expression, we need to think about what we have done...love it! 

Merry Christmas To All and To All a Good Nap

 

Merry Christmas! It is so very early and our household is asleep. So quiet on this early morning. The snow arrived just as forecasted and when it first started falling and sticking to things it was a heavy snow. Not dusting but the flakes filled the skies. With the backdrop of the dark sky and the temperatures falling as fast as the snow, we went from a balmy 51 to 29 in just a matter of hours. This morning it is 17 with the feel like temperature of 6. It also looks like we got more snow than forecast. It is still falling but it is a gentle descent. 

With the exception of 2010, when we were still tourists, Roy has not been here when it has snowed. He could hardly be contained as he went about taking pictures. He wasn't wearing his boots so that impeded his progress, then the falling snow covered his lens too quickly. We broke away from watching Auntie Mame, a favorite of ours. 

I've been looking for a quote by Wilma Dykeman on snow. It is really about the first snow of the season and how it slows us down and how snow quiets all the noise. I watched last night people driving on the road in front of the house. It certainly was slow going. The temps dropped so fast the water on the roads didn't dry fast enough, thus some icy and slippery roads.

The snow has started falling again, small flakes but enough for it to sound like rain at times. 

Well, Roy and Buddy are up now. Roy made Christmas biscuits and they were delicious! I pulled out some strawberry freezer jam to top them off and the hot biscuits made the jam melt just enough. So delicious! I have been taking pictures and encouraging Roy to get out outside and take some. He doesn't realize even with the temps below freezing, we have warmed up to 19 degrees, the snow will blow out of the trees and he won't get the pics he wants. All the ferals are accounted for, even Punky. 

Thinking of this season, and Mary treasuring and pondering all that happened, I decided to take an inventory of those things pondered and treasured this Christmas season. As much as we think they should, the holidays can look different each year. Okay, I know you are thinking, but you're saying this after experiencing snow for Christmas Eve and Day. Well, that was an extraordinary in the ordinary. The quiet times, the fun times, the contemplative and silly times have all been welcomed. Roy said this morning, you are so preoccupied with snow and cats...well, yes. Not often to have snow and those little and big kitties keep me entertained, the yard free from snakes, mice and squirrels, unless the squirrel is dead. I mentioned to him now he is experiencing what I experience a lot with him, especially on the phone, when he is at work or he is crafting a speech. He gets so distracted but really I would say focused. I am treasuring that the Word of God is active and alive and each year without fail, the Lord leads me to experience something new from the old, old story that brings life and light. Treasuring the time I have been able to live in some of God's most beautiful creation. Roy laughs at me when we are running errands or going somewhere because I say, this is one of my favorite roads. I don't usually say that on I 26 though going toward SC. That is too little of road for so many people. 

We had a delicious Christmas lunch. The kitchen is cleaned up, laundry going and Buddy has settled in for another nap. Nap, that sounds good. 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good nap.

Merry Christmas Eve

 

Winter arrived at 5:02 am and thankfully, we slept right through it. The first day of winter and now the start of enjoying longer days brought fog and cool temps. The fog has burned off but it was rather thick. The forecasts have been all over the place for Christmas Day. Snow, might have snow, no snow and now we are back up to a 60% chance for where we live. I also noticed if we had bought the house on Fern Trail we would be in the 95% range. Several weeks ago when the plumbers were here installing the new garbage disposal, somehow the subject came up about Balsam Mountain. I mentioned the snow and he mentioned a lot of retired oil and gas executives live out that way. That is something I never heard and makes me even more happy we didn't buy out that way. We love our home and where we live. 

Friday morning became rather frantic around here because I misplaced my phone. When it comes to having a phone nearby or on me, I am OCD because it is a life line. Really the frantic being based on getting the call from Larry with the update on Brenda and her surgery. I looked, searched and then prayed my prayer, Jesus You came to seek and save that which was lost and my phone is lost. First I hooked up blue tooth and music played, so this confirmed the phone was in the house. I kind of knew that but you know the all important confirmation...then find my phone came to mind. Got on my iPad and sent a ping noise. I heard it, so phone location upstairs. I found it on the soft stairs that Buddy uses to get on our bed. I thought the phone had probably fallen out of my pocket, but I would have heard it. Thus the mystery solved because the falling phone wouldn't have made a noise when it landed on the soft stairs. 

Saturday proved to be a picture perfect weather day. Roy and I decided to drive out to The Farmer's Daughter and have a late lunch. Great social distancing as we sat in the corner and for the longest time we were the only ones in the room. Delicious as always. We went to both Amish stores and enjoyed the scenery. There is a new alpaca farm on the backway to Troyers. We drove through Johnson City but only stopped at Barnes and Noble. The welcome center at the TN/NC state line was so festive in Christmas decorations. It was worth the stop just to see everything they had come up with. Lots of photo ops for sure. Buddy was happy to see us since we had been gone most of the day. The ferals were happy too because their regular supper time had been delayed about an hour and a half. 

Just got off the phone with our mechanic and as we suspected the Mustang needs new tires. They are coming from Texas. TJ said the Mustang will be ready on Wednesday. Merry Christmas to us! 

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Greetings from rainy WNC! The rain and the temps are supposed to turn into snow and cold after the sun goes down. We have one errand to run and then we can stay home, ensconced. We ran all our last minute errands yesterday, which included Penland's. Always such a fun place to shop. Got the last bit of groceries we needed as well. We picked up Mustang Sam and he rides really nice in those new shoes. I never was a fan of the tires that came with Sam. They were for speeding and for fast starts at lights. Really, we got the Mustang because we wanted a convertible and after trying out the competitors, we fit in the Mustang the best. Tall people with short leg room in a car makes for grumpy tall people. 

The chances for snow, snow, snow, SNOW are increasing. Maybe 2-4 inches beginning tonight. Maybe more on Christmas night. Ten years ago we were at the Biltmore for Christmas and it snowed nine inches on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We had waterproof boots with us and we were some of the few who could go out and enjoy the snow. 

Roy has been busy with tech things that need to be done here. Got new speakers hooked up to the TV, put together the new vacuum cleaner and cleaned up all the cords around the computer. He has a couple more chores like that to do. We had to take a door off the hinges to get the gray chair out of the bonus room and Roy is anxious to get the door back up, so as soon as I finish this post that is our next thing to do. 

In the feral world some are taking advantage of the garage but this morning HP wanted on the back porch. He came in settled in on the daybed and finished up his morning grooming. He checked out all the nooks and crannies of the porch and then wanted to go back with his family. I let him go because if he knows it is a come and go situation, things might work out well. When we left to do errands yesterday HP stayed in the garage but didn't want to go into the garage last night. Baby, Gramps and Bootrey took advantage of the added warmth. HP wants to come in the house and I don't know if Buddy is ready for that. Although HP can't make up his mind on what he wants to do. Somedays, he is my shadow outside and other days, he will not give me the time of day. It is a work in progress though. Such a sweet and beautiful cat. Bobsey was giving me the let me in too look, but he still doesn't trust me so that would be difficult. 

Well, it is time to hang a door instead of hanging the green. Merry Christmas Eve!

Relief From Troubled Times

This is the Christmas letter I sent to our class this year. Thought I would share it on the blog. Merry Christmas!

 December 2020

Merry Christmas Joy Class! It has been a while since last gathering together in Sunday School and how I miss gathering, but more so, how much I miss y’all! Some of us were able to gather and paint Christmas barn quilts and each of us remarked, the joy in seeing one another, the joy of laughing together and the joy sharing prayer requests and praises for answered prayer.

This summer in the midst of all this COVID-19 stuff, I found myself mainly reading in the Psalms. I needed the comfort of God’s Word and having the assurance of His presence. The passage that I kept going back to is in Psalm 94, verse 13

You give them relief from troubled times.

We have certainly seen troubled times both in our country and in our lives. Roy wasn’t able to travel for the first six months of the year with directives from his company and the state of Texas.  I had to stop watching the news because it upset me so. All the protesting and some would say riots in Asheville this summer, was a little too close to home. Anxiety and worry would preoccupy my thoughts and then I remembered, God gives relief in troubled times. His relief came in expected and unexpected ways, but always through His Word.

Now we are in the midst of a different kind of Christmas season. The activities and parties and music we are so used to being a part of, is really for this year, a memory. People are approaching Christmas differently and creatively. Decorations went up sooner for some, more than usual decorations went up for some and others don’t quite have the energy or desire to decorate.

Psalm 94:13 keeps me comforted and then as I turn toward Advent and Christmas, Luke 2: 18-19 filled out that verse I carried in my heart and mind. The shepherds have come to the manger, in Bethlehem, to see Jesus. The scripture says that after seeing Jesus, the shepherds told everyone what had happened, with the angel and then seeing the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. The people that heard the story from the shepherds were astonished and this….

But Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.

This Christmas, might be a little quieter and subdued. We can be like Mary, keeping the wonders of this season, treasuring them in our hearts. Let’s think about them often. Ask the Lord to give you eyes to see miracles in the everyday. Treasure the joys of the season, with or without the usual accoutrements. Let God speak to you in the little things. Ask Him how you might serve Him and others that might look differently this year.

Merry Christmas Dear Friends

The Cat Castle, Criticism and Recycling

 My brother called Saturday evening and we had a wonderful catch up conversation and dare I say a few laughs. He is in the homestretch of house remodeling and rewiring. Once it is safe to do so, I will go visit him. His house is looking fabulous and his neighbors and town sound like a lot of fun. He made a batch of our mom's banana bread and by the pics looks just like Moms. One thing that is poignant, after years of being busy, staying occupied by stuff and on the go, we both have settled in to our mother's view of contentment. She was a homebody and was quite satisfied with being at home. 

For these days and nights of colder temps I am renaming the garage, The Cat Castle. I offered accommodations and even fixed a new bed from an under the bed storage container and old blankets. It was a hit because everyone fits in that bed and when they want a break from the crowd, the usual blankets are nearby. This morning when I opened the garage door, the wayward cold cats came running in and the castle guests pretty much stay put until they saw treats were being offered. Just got breakfast out to the crew except for Radley. He spent the night in the garage, is well rested and hopefully not on another hunt for a squirrel. Meanwhile in the house, Buddy has discovered the electric blanket and she is very happy with this new knowledge. I was cooking yesterday...please, do not be shocked by this statement, and immensely preoccupied by the preparations. Buddy was doing the whiny meow thing and so I just ignored her. After fixing, eating and storing my lunch, I couldn't find Buddy. Looked in all the usual places, no where to be found. In desperate times one does desperate things, so I began vacuuming to scare her out of her hiding place...nothing. The treacherous task of looking under beds began, then going through my closet. No Buddy. Treats do not entice her anymore, so I resorted to just calling out her name. A little bit of panic set in...but I prayed this prayer that Jesus has answered every time even though it might be taken as out of context. The prayer, Jesus, You came to seek and save that which is lost and Buddy is lost to me. Will you show me where to seek and find? Amen. I went back to the job at hand of folding clothes on top of the bed and as I reached for a sock, I felt Buddy. She was under the covers and even though the electric blanket wasn't on, she was very warm. Last night she was so happy, warm and content which always means, we both get some sleep. 

I often think of a courageous friend, much younger than me, but we always enjoyed a Nordstrom lunch together. Without giving a whole lot of details, she wasn't happy at the place she found herself along with her family. Instead of just hanging around, she began to research other options that would fit the needs of her family. She and her husband found the place where they felt they could serve, contribute and soak in the atmosphere of holy. Over the years we met several times for lunch and I came away frustrated with myself, because I was hanging on, complaining and generally not growing in any area of life. Well, except I did improve my criticism bent, as well as snarky observations. Believe me, those never need to be improved, at least for me. Most days, when I found myself without much to do or think about, I would ponder my lack of action and movement. Didn't do me one bit of good. This morning I saw a quote that said something like this, God shows you the path, you have to move your feet. My feet weren't moving, no they weren't even beautiful, because how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. No good news came from me, in fact in some ways, I was looking for others to be miserable like me, not with me. Moving to North Carolina solved a whole lot of this inside of me. Here, there is always something to be done. Even though I am not all that creative, I feel more creative on the inside. Hindsight tells me, I should have done something differently than what I did. If I was so adamite about my complaints, I should have done something about them, not sulk nor want someone else to do something about my complaints. These thoughts were prompted by this morning from Jeremiah 17

Wisdom from the Lord

5 This is what the Lord says:
“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans,
    who rely on human strength
    and turn their hearts away from the Lord.
6 They are like stunted shrubs in the desert,
    with no hope for the future.
They will live in the barren wilderness,
    in an uninhabited salty land.

7 “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
    and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
    with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
    or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
    and they never stop producing fruit.

9 “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,
    and desperately wicked.
    Who really knows how bad it is?
10 But I, the Lord, search all hearts
    and examine secret motives.
I give all people their due rewards,
    according to what their actions deserve.”

I do not want to be a stunted shrub, but be a tree with roots that reach deep into the water. Never stop producing fruit even in heat or long months of drought. 

Well, I am sure the bathroom floors are dry now and ready for some polish. I feel like I am also hoarding boxes, good sturdy boxes for the sending of Christmas gifts...I don't need all these boxes and not willing to give the time for them to find a good home. Once I know which ones to use, the rest will be recycled. 

All Is Calm...Don't Know About That

Every season holds beauty around here and winter scenes, even without snow, are quite spectacular. This has been the most stay at home year, you know because of the obvious reasons and really a year ago in August I stayed close to home because Buddy had one of her swooning periods where she seems so close to crossing the rainbow bridge. Guess August 2019 was good practice. Barbers Orchard will be closing down for the season on December 24th. Always a bit sad when that happens but it won't be long till February when Florida strawberries hit the stores and soon, not too far behind, South and North Carolina strawberries begin to make their appearances heralding the soon arrival of produce stand season, the most wonderful time of the year. 

 I would sing In the Bleak Mid Winter this morning, but it isn't even winter yet and an overcast, rainy, could have some ice kind of day is not bleak in my book. The backdrop of gray just accentuates the bright colors of the season. The truck Christmas decoration on the front porch is holding its own, still looks like a truck even though it is taped together rather delicately. The tree topper blew off the tree so when I feel like getting out in the rain, I'll fix that. The front that is moving in isn't supposed to be a huge wind event, and for this I am thankful. 

Things that make you officially old? I would have to say that today I am beyond excited because the cordless vacuum cleaner is out for delivery. We have one downstairs and believe me, once you have been set free from the cord, you do not want to go back. Yes, we could bring the cordless vacuum upstairs, but the downside to this freedom is the time limits that the thing holds the charge. Got a deal, so ordered it up and it will soon be here. That sucker will be charging in no time. 

 Roy had an appointment last week with a physical therapist. He had to go back on Friday in workout clothes. He also had an appointment with his doctor who happens to be in the same building. He is eating a more balanced diet. So Roy and his overachieving ways are on the right track. Roy has also been asked to be a district director in Toastmasters. We've been talking about it all week, whether he should do it or not and what kind of time will it require. He kind of threw me for a loop when he said he thought he might put the Texas house on the market in February....what???? I am all for that but I needed to remind him of all the things that need to be done before undertaking that action. Even though I did a good cleanout of stuff last December, there is still so much to be gone through and if the house went on the market in February, that would mean two extra moves for him. So this week we came to the conclusion, not to sell the house sooner than later but we will begin in earnest working on a timeline. Roy's appointments went well. The Dr thinks that his medicine is causing some of his difficulties and once she consults with the endocrinologist, they will probably change his medicine. She was concerned about his weight loss and frankly, I have been as well. The funny thing about Roy, is like all of us, we tend to lean into our strengths and kind of skirt around our weakness. Roy ordered his Christmas gift to himself Friday night and when he told me what he had ordered...I wasn't exactly enthusiastic.  One of the tests he did with the physical therapist was the good ol' step test and since he did so well, he decided to order a stepper thing when he got home. Welcome to the 80s fitness routine. The therapist is concerned about his lack of muscle mass in his shoulders, so you know the stepper thing will help that....uh no. Roy is motivated by passing tests. He is waiting on a series of exercises to be sent to him from the physical therapist that he is to do twice a week and I am willing to bet that there will not be step routines. Roy doesn't even listen to music and that is what made those classes palatable. Oh well, just another thing to go into a garage sale or a donation to Goodwill. I asked him how that step thing was going...after a couple of days and I would say, welcome to boring exercise. He hinted at that, but he knows I wasn't exactly thrilled that he ordered an old fashioned back in the day workout tool, so he has to keep the step exercise report, positive and happy but there are hints of buyers regret in his voice. He is just training for going up and down the steps here.

I was more sensible in ordering my Christmas gift to myself, books. Not just any books mind you, but books on this area of the country. Love learning about history here. Even though my fathers side of the family is from central Kentucky, there seems to be a lot of similarities to the Appalachian way of life. Very similar cooking styles and views on how to make do. With sticking around home so much you would think that I got a whole lot of reading going on, but no, that is not the case. While I have read some interesting books and have very interesting and entertaining books on the to be read pile, I'm feeling that books will be a January thing.  

Some of the Feral Fam are taking advantage of the garage. Early this morning, I opened the door and welcomed several into the fold. Gave them treats there and when I went out to feed them breakfast, a whole passel of them were cuddled and snuggled together in the back corner. I tried to take a quick pic but Junior escaped before I could get the picture taken. I know his rule of no flash photography, but the flash on the phone is off. 

Last week I got a box full of some of my favorite coffee that isn't available nearby, some special taco seasoning, HEB Texas Sheet Cake mix, and some boxes of spaghetti mix. Yes, spaghetti is available in the area but this particular brand isn't, although I saw some at the Mars Hill Ingles the other day. So that is good to know. A couple more boxes should be arriving this week too. Steel cut oats lower in carbs will be the main contents of the box. I don't eat oatmeal but Roy does and he needs this particular kind in his ever, ongoing quest of being an overachiever. 

The past few weeks I've had Christmas music on. Right now mostly the commercial favorites and it has been entertaining to listen and sing along with Bing, Rosemary, Perry, Dean, Andy, The Carpenters, Burl, Judy and the rest of the gang. Silent Night is on the regular rotation. While it is a beautiful song, it isn't in my top five of Christmas Carols we sing at church. Silent Night, good for the candlelight service and a Pageant processional to Bethlehem. Give me Hark the Herald Angels Sing, First Noel, Joy to the World...so joyful for the coming Messiah. Silent Night, the contemplative carol, but I got to thinking the other day...all is calm, all is bright. Don't know, but it seems it would be everything but calm. Finding the barn, which most probably was a cave, giving birth, giving birth to the Savior of the world and just when Mary might gather herself, shepherds have come upon the scene. Most likely, in my different thinking mind, I would be singing Mary did you know that shepherds would come so soon? I can't even imagine since I've never given birth, that it would be a little more chaotic than all is calm. Maybe some angels came and helped Mary and Joseph get ready for guests and God knowing how we would start claiming scripture, if this fact had been added to the Christmas story, we would be asking and claiming angels to come vacuum before accepting guests and visitors. I could offer a cordless vacuum to the angels, but so far, just downstairs cause the long awaited Dyson has not been delivered. 

This just in, new vacuum cleaner arrived! Cue the angels...come on now, I am cleaning bathrooms. 

Suddenly

 Sunday morning, yes, it was a typical Sunday morning until it wasn't. It began around 7:00 am which is my usual Sunday morning wake up time. Buddy hadn't been especially cooperative for getting a full eight hours and I stayed up later due to the LSU unlikely win at Florida. The Sunday morning wake up went so much better than the Saturday wake up. Every once in a while my meds affect me with a little bit of lightheadedness. This was one of those times on Saturday, which really it is more of a movement kind of thing so it is more vertigo related than lightheadedness. With Buddy snuggled in the covers, I got up, went downstairs, turned off Christmas lights and then went out to the back porch to give the Feral Fam treats. These cats know the sound of the key in the door, and then the ringing of the bell attached to the door  and they make a beeline for the porch steps. Radley is usually right there among the group but I didn't see him. So, I whistled. When I whistle they know that food is being served. From up under the fir tree, Radley made his way down from the gravel road and what to my wondering eyes did appear but Radley with a dead squirrel in his mouth which I then emitted a little squeal. Not of delight mind you but of...take that dead squirrel back to the gravel road! Radley kept coming down to the yard and then stopped under the crepe myrtle. To play and throw around the dead squirrel. Quickly, I retreated back into the house because I didn't really want to see the glee these cats would express when Radley, the Alpha male cat, came to them with the bounty which is a dead squirrel. After retreating safely into the house, I began getting ready for church and didn't give the dead squirrel another thought until it came time to feed the cats before leaving. First a visual search of the yard from the kitchen window. Dead squirrel now located and duly noted for any activity by those cats with it. Getting the food set out like normal, I started to make my way to the garage but stopped to pick up several pieces of trash that had blown onto the driveway. About five of those cats left the bowls and returned to the squirrel while I busied myself with trash. "Don't Mess With Texas or a Texas girl in North Carolina." Radley and his cortege made their way toward me, Radley once again carrying the dead squirrel by having the head in his mouth, dragging the body along. They stopped about two feet in front of me...I wanted to move away but I was strangely transfixed by this sight. Suddenly, Radley began swinging that dead squirrel around, let it loose and the dead squirrel flew through the air and landed at my feet. I might have screamed a little and then mentally made a quick check to see if I had wet my pants. Reports back to brain central was, all is calm, all is dry. The cat cortege sat there, not moved by any of my outbursts. I thanked them for the gift and then left them to their own devices. Yes, Christmas came early here in the mountains. In a million years I would never have thought that a dead squirrel would be flung at my feet by a group of feral cats that live and eat in our backyard. Oh, they have brought me dead moles and snakes but usually leave them at a place where I will see them then they quickly take them back. Kind of a token gift. 

Yesterday at church, Pastor Bradley is preaching from Mark 11 and he read out of Luke 2 and Psalm 118. You know you'll be reading along with a preacher and then boom, something in the scriptures jumps out and grabs your attention. For a few minutes you don't mean to but you check out of the sermon and do a quick search of the verses following. What amplified word got my attention? Suddenly... Luke 2, shepherds in the dark of night, guarding their flocks when suddenly....SUDDENLY... an angel of the Lord appears to tell them about the birth of the Messiah. Then...yes you guessed it, SUDDENLY...there was a host of angels backing up the first angel, saying peace on earth good will to men...praising God! After the shepherds visit Joseph, Mary and Jesus, they hurried along to share the good news with others. Suddenly is defined as quickly and unexpectedly. Out of the ordinary night came the unexpected. Suddenly... Although, it was a sudden event for shepherds, I got to thinking, which can be dangerous, but the suddenly wasn't even a sudden thing for God. He had been planning this since before the foundation of the world. Was He so excited to finally let this announcement ring forth? His plan became the shepherd's suddenly. 

Suddenly is used quite often in the Bible when God is on the move. Suddenly is used at the Transfiguration, Jesus appearing after being resurrected, Paul and Peter experienced God's suddenly many times. John on the Isle of Patmos experienced suddenly. Jeremiah and Isaiah wrote about suddenly...we see it in Exodus, Proverbs...all throughout the Bible. Suddenly.

There are all kinds of suddenly in life, good, bad and indifferent but I am writing today about the suddenly in the announcement of Jesus' birth. Life changed in those two suddenly experiences for the shepherds. Out in the fields, keeping watch for danger but after seeing and hearing the angels, do you think that just maybe after that the shepherds kept watch for the suddenly of God. 

The last ten to fifteen years there has been so much emphasis in the church world on the big dream, the big mission and the big impact, but the big has never wooed me into the fold. Yes, the angels are a big deal announcing to the shepherds, but like them most of us, we see the miracles of God in our ordinary schedules, work, play, our ordinary lives; when God's suddenly shows up. 

Sunday mornings suddenly, a dead squirrel, became Sunday afternoons reality. Someone had to get the dead squirrel out of the backyard. The cats had seemed to have lost all interest in it. Its tail was nearly bare of fur but he hadn't been split open or eaten, he had merely been a play thing. We keep a children's gardening set for such a time as this, using the shovel and the rake to scoop up dead things and even disgusting things that come to find a place in the yard or driveway. I couldn't find the little rake so I had to push the squirrel against something to get it on the shovel, then deposit him into the trash bag and get the garbage bin out to the road. 

How many times have I read Luke 2 and never even noticed suddenly but I am happy that this Christmas, I caught a glimpse. During this Christmas season and into the new year of 2021, may we keep our eyes and hearts open for the suddenly of God. 

No Snow But Projects Completed

 The kitchen is getting back to normal. The garbage disposal began leaking. Roy cleared out everything from underneath the sink and we got a bucket in place. The plumbers were here yesterday and took care of that issue so now all that is left to do is put stuff back into the cabinet. The thought of sitting on the floor kept me from doing that yesterday afternoon, but it needs to happen. The plumbers were the nicest men, the apprentice is the main guys nephew. They thought it was the original disposal from when the house was built, which was 2005. So that is longevity. I think this sudden need of cooking during the Covid helped bring its demise sooner than later. 

While they went to pick up a new disposal, I worked on the gate. It doesn't take much for the eye to miss the mark on the post across from it, thus the gate just opens and closes until they are synced. First thought was the frost on it because once the snow was cleared off it the other day, it worked. Finally got it done before they returned. It happened later in the day as well when I was trying to leave to run errands. 

A truly beautiful sight happened yesterday afternoon. Coming home on Monticello, in the middle of the day, a six point buck ran across the road, right in front of the car and I barely missed him. Thankfully his speed and my driving under the speed limit produced results we could both be pleased with. Only one other time has a deer ran so closely in front of the car, but it was a doe on an early foggy morning. The brief flash of beauty kept me in wonderment for most of the drive home. Then, on our road going up to the house, a gray and white cat ran across the road. Flashes of Mr Meany but I don't think it was him...maybe an offspring. The deer though stays in my mind, so powerful and really, he was a big deer that moved so gracefully as he was fleeing something or running toward does and deers, female deers.  

The forecast is rain this afternoon and evening. Maybe even some snow on Monday. 

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Last night I watched two episodes of The House of Windsor, a documentary on Netflix. Wanted to do that before watching the recent season of The Crown. The documentary tells of the near loss of the monarchy when the King left the crown for the woman he loved. Thus from this point forward the main drive of the monarchy is, don't lose the dynasty. They pronounce it den-as-ty and I like that. Until last nights viewing I didn't realize that great uncle Mountbatten was trying to keep Prince Charles from making the same mistake his great uncle David did...so pronounced and so schemed to keep him on the right track. Prince Charles, didn't seem to make the right decisions and of course always being in love with Camilla helped the disaster form. Now I have watched all the episodes and really has been so thought provoking for me. 

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Our coffee pot is on its last legs. A new one has been ordered and hopefully it will be delivered this week. I don't know if Cuisinart has stopped making this particular model because it was so difficult to find. Love not having to deal with a carafe. 

Roy had his appointment with the dietitian associated with his doctor office. It went well but she was quite disappointed in his limiting himself with carbs. I've written before, Roy is an overachiever and his process was going for the "A" from the doctor and staff verses healthy balanced meals and snacks. He and I had several long conversations concerning being more balanced in his eating. He was eating more Keto like and they had never told him to do that. One thing I said to him was, you're limiting yourself and in reality you are opening the backdoor to heart disease. As Roy told me about the conversation and visit with the dietitian, I could not help myself...to say...does anything she said sound familiar? Because even though I am not a professional, I remember lessons learned and changes that were made while recovering from the viral attack on my heart in 2008. He remembered. Roy can be so stubborn but I think his health episode while here got his attention. It sure was scary because he is rarely if ever ill. 

We didn't get any snow although I saw a few flakes mixed within the rain. The problem now is black ice on the roads. I am glad I don't have to get out and about today. They say the salt trucks have been salting all night long. 

The kitchen is back in order and a few other projects have been completed. I am never bored here. Now to finish up homework. 

 

Christmas Truck and Other Feral Thoughts

 The beloved red truck that we purchased at Big Lots is no more. The orange cats along with the help of Baby and Bootrey or maybe it is Boodos, attacked it this morning. Since Baby and one of the younger Boos spent the night accidentally in the garage, might be payback for the night being warmer, indoor facilities, food and water. This is why we can't have nice things. 

In the above picture Baby and one of Strawyer's sons are in the midst of playing in the truck. The other orange cat in the chair watches and Bootrey is out of range but he is there helping. 

The end result of playing, in the words of the beloved Patsy Cline, 🎶, "it fell to pieces"🎵

When it warms up a bit, I'll go out there and play the part of all the kings men (women) and try to put the truck together again. Yes the truck had a great fall...with some help of mischievous kittens. 

We had a cold night with a hard freeze. Some of the more shaded spots in the backyard still have snow. I usually take pictures of the first snow, but I had to be out the door and into Asheville and after fixing the gate to get out, I was running out of time to snap a few. It certainly was dusting to trace amounts of snow. This was a higher elevation snow storm. Some places in Madison County had 10 and 1/2 inches. 

Gone are the days of hardly watching TV. Roy introduced me to Pluto, a free streaming channel, and their classic TV channel plays Laverne and Shirley everyday, so far. Back in the day and even in the now time, I loved watching that show. The comedic writing was brilliant, the physical stunts award winning and mostly the chemistry of the actors, except toward the end...the California episodes should never be aired, is so watch worthy to me. Yesterday afternoon when I should have been working, I watched several episodes because they were some of my favorites. The dentist episode was on yesterday and Roy and I quote from it so often. 

The electric bill came and while Duke had predicted the bill to be around $87.00 they did not take into account the Roy factor and the bill jumped to $135.00. The electric bill is like a game to me, just like I play when filling up the truck and car getting the amount to stop on the even dollar amount. I mean I am not freezing or sweating here but when they send that prediction, in this area of game playing or just plain ol' playing, I become an overachiever from my normal chiever status. I was turning out lights behind Roy cause he has a habit of leaving them all on and turning down the heater before we leave but I missed some heater settings cause I had no clue he had jacked up the temps. Yes, opposites attract and he runs colder and I am certainly affected by heat. Thus, I did not win this round with the electric bill. That's okay, it's just a game. 

The feral fam, when not tearing up Christmas decorations, are so happy with their heated homes. I wish I could find a cover for their area that doesn't take up a huge amount of room. So far, not successful in the search. Once it warmed up yesterday, they were out in the back frolicking and playing. They play with toys as well as a piece of mulch. I should have got out the fox urine and sprayed that truck out front. Dang...oh well, can't cry over a deconstructed truck.  

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So far, the mail box barn has held the truck. Several were giving it a go to trying to dislodge the Christmas truck, but that gorilla tape did its job. 

I really enjoy this group of related ferals. They get along, well except for Punky who seems to always be in a bad mood. She is not around much and it just came to me while thinking about this, she is especially moody toward Junior and Jazzy, who are Strawyer's offspring. Radley, Bobsey and HP look after Baby, Gramps and Biggio. I've seen HP wrap them up in a full body hug to keep them warm. Mama Cat doesn't act like she feels well or maybe being a feral and age is slowing her down. 

Moderate, Sunshine, Rain, Snow and Sunshine

 We drove down the forbidden road yesterday and we are still here this morning. It has probably been five years since I last was on the road and although it had been a bit of time since the last visit, I remembered the twist and turns and felt certain we would end up on Bear Creek Road. The traffic on the road was a constant so...and there were several new, big and beautiful homes that have been built during the past years. So, it might not be as foreboding as the words of warning from the past and the warning was mostly for safety. It is a beautiful drive and Roy took some great pictures. 

The temps were good for working outdoors, so we finished up Christmas decorations. We only decorated the front deck and have a few nonlighted decorations up by the gate. Almost finished with the little bit of decorating I am doing in the house. It won't be too much to put up when the Christmas season is over and we move onto 2021. Roy also put in a new WiFi extender so that means the squirrels are running at 5G speed out here. You know that he did that not only for me in the now but for him in the later. The faster speed took all the buffering out of the Roku TVs. 

Roy is back up to speed and for that he and I are both thankful. Fish out of water experience for both of us. 

When we left yesterday to take some pics, see first paragraph about the forbidden road, I saw a little black and white kitten lying on the side of the road. My heart dropped and we made our way back to see if it was one of the ones we claim. The road wasn't laden with traffic, so we were able to slow down and take a good look. It was not one of the Feral Family but probably a part of Camo's feral family as she has taken up residence farther down the road. All afternoon as we worked I kept looking and making a head count even though I was 99% sure it wasn't one of ours. The closest in size and age might be Biggio. At supper all were accounted for and HP spent a little extra time with me. This morning Boo was waiting on the steps for morning treats. He has come a long ways, oh he still scatters when I walk by, but now not as far or as fast. 

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It is quieter this morning. It feels a little emptier too. Fixed coffee but just like a salad, one fixed for you always tastes better. I am taking a sabbatical Sunday. The past two weeks went by so quickly and we were busy or recovering during that time. We got so much done, all the major things and only a few small projects were not tackled. We got to go and do a lot of fun things, even ate out once or twice. Roy took lots of pics that truly catch the beauty of this area. 

Looks to be a weather week around here. Starting with rain this evening that might develop into snow flurries. The higher elevations seem to be the ones that will get quite a bit of snow, while we will have a dusting. Later in the week we might see a little more snow. That electric blanket we ordered sure is going to feel good at night. While it has been a little too warm for me, I do like setting the preheat selection and crawling into a warm bed. Then I shut my side off but being in the 20s, that blanket will be rolling all night long. During all this Covid time, everyone of my hair appointments has had rain and the last one had flooding. As per the course for appointments, Tuesday will probably have ice but I can choose roads that are more major and should be treated. Roy and I hit a patch of ice going up the mountain on Newfound Road right by the abandoned blue trailer, the one that had a dog chained up outside when people were living there, and we skidded and slipped about. That long ago training from my grandfather kicked in...turn into the slide and don't over adjust. Only after hitting that ice and silenced by the experience for several miles, we realized how close we had been to going over the edge. Ugh...thank you Lord for your protection and early driving lessons learned. Never needed snow and ice driving instruction too much in Houston. 

It was painful watching the LSU game last night, so much so, I watched Home Town. I also kept an eye on the Baylor game but their uniforms were almost too bright to watch very long. I am glad Baylor won with a no time left field goal. Of course I didn't see it cause I went to bed early. 

Last year we bought a locally made Christmas tree decoration that serves as an Advent calendar. Need to bring that into the house because I think this is the first Sunday of Advent. On the back of the ornaments that serve as the days are Bible verses. 

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Monday morning, rain has stopped, sun trying to shine, we have snow sky and we wait to see what will happen. We should only get a trace of snow but you never, ever know. The higher elevations will probably get the brunt of snow. Everyone is treated and fed and I have a call into the plumbing service for the leaky garbage disposal. If they don't call back, maybe I will try again or find someone else. Well, I will call this afternoon first before trying another avenue. 

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Tuesday afternoon, going to wrap this up. Let's see....I got a plumbing appointment for Thursday morning and I drove into Asheville this morning for my haircut appointment. Since it was snowing but not sticking and I took all major roads, I wasn't too nervous but extra cautious. It had been 11 weeks since I had a haircut. All my appointments since the lock down have had rain involved, today being no different except frozen rain. The last one was cancelled due to flooding in Biltmore Village, so it was a long wait. In the warm weather you can wait cause you just have visor hair, don't care, but fall and winter...well let's just say there was a whole lot of volume product going on.