Fog, Earth Wind and Fire...and the Long Awaited Appointment

 A good Monday morning, albeit foggy. These have been some of the densest fog of recent memory these past few days. We have heard sirens several times and guessing it could be due to wrecks. One siren even had the sound like those heard in WWII movies. From the sound of it, people are driving much faster than they should in this fog. So says the old lady in me. 

I actually shared in Sunday School class a "My crazy friend, Debbie" story. It fit perfectly and the memory of that story came to mind while getting ready for church. Oh my, I wish with the story I could have impersonated her looks and speech pattern. One of my all time fav, about the pastor having the church staff build him a patio and deck all in the name of teamwork and spiritual gifts. 

Think this week is our last lesson in Amos. I wasn't too enthused about the Minor Prophets for the fall session with the exception of Jonah, but the lessons are so applicable to the current culture as well as the status quo in church world...mainly with pastors looking for a platform or a voice or popularity. I kind of stayed out of that and chose to look at how easily the world view can sneak into our lives and views...then totally surprised when we evaluate and ponder on these things.  

Last week we were gifted with the leg, tail and hip section of a squirrel. This morning we were left some squirrel innards. Oh yes, the joy of the gift but in this case it is better to give back to The Feral Fam as it was to receive squirrel parts. For sure, these are special and treasured gifts and we are so undeserving. So, back to the cats the innards went and I am happier for it. 

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The big day I've been waiting for since June. Hope all goes well, which it should because it is just a consultation but I should leave being on the road for something knowledgeable. It feels like the crisis point is in the past but still...  That's why it has been so important for me to go into this appointment the best I can both physically and mentally. Maybe the true test is doing all the paperwork they require...like I feel as if I have done this online as well as bringing in the same info. Oh well. 

Looks like this week the feral cat lady will be coming by to pick up any males we can catch. Several are friendly with us when they eat, so hopefully we will be able to start the process. We think we have more males than females, thus all the cat fights in the past few weeks. 

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Do you remember the 21st night of September.... Well, it is that day we like to celebrate with a little dancing and such. Good day to be driving around in the convertible playing this on repeat. G Mo had an appointment to finish up his shots as well as later in the day running over to Ingles for a few things.

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The appointment at the Dr office was neither good nor bad but expected. They gave me a date for the next appointment and once I got home, we realized it will not work for us. So, since then emailed them, responded to cancel the appointment when the automated machine call came last night and this morning I find an email wanting me to confirm the appointment, but sent a message back. I will call later and leave a message cause this practice is the hardest I have ever seen to actually talk to a real live person. I understand the need for this but it is very frustrating. The people that work at the facility are nice enough but this is the first time that I can remember being treated as an old person, not just old but probably treated like a dawdling old person, which I am not. Or rather I am not at that stage of old person level. So I wait. The appointment itself had good news that in just the physical exam everything felt right so that is good. The PA spent a lot of time feeling my heartbeat. She didn't use the stethoscope but just her hand. That was odd in my thinking but what do I know, I am just an old lady.  So, for friends who are praying for me and the results and ongoing adventure concerning all things that have to do with this appointment, no real news except the day finally came and went. Nothing physically to the touch felt out of place, just now to wait for anything internal and oh yes, a call back. 

No Worse For The Wear

 Oops, I did it again. Yes, last night while getting the sunflower heads off of the stalks and after pulling up a few stalks, it happened. Yes, I slipped and fell in the garden. Another instance of coming to the garden alone, but no dew on the roses, no sinking sand, just slippery sod. Roy was in the front flowerbed and I called out. He heard me and responded but didn't come to checkout the happenings. So I called him on the phone. While he was making his way to the slippery sod, I checked out my feet both straight, not leaning to the side. I fell on my good hip. No worse for the wear except a little sore this morning and no bruises. Working for EPD all these years, with safety moments every morning, Roy is very safety minded. I had to promise I would not do this without him being closer which to him means, he will do it. With the cooler temps I have finally felt good enough to get outside and work in the yard doing something that I love. Guess finding some level ground is a good idea. 

The clouds and fog are so beautiful this morning in our valley. Guess it is selective fog. With cooler temps we have the windows open and just now that September fragrance from the outdoors wafted into the house. I think it is my favorite fragrance. 

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Thanks to my friend Karon, I think I have a new hair stylist and she is so much closer than going into Biltmore Village.  The appeal of making that trip also lost its luster when Corner Kitchen stopped serving breakfast. A lot of thought has gone into making the change and it was just me needing to take the time and make the appointment. Last haircut in July, so I was a bit of a shaggy dog. Tammy is so talented and she is also a great stylist. Came home loving my haircut and I booked my next appointment. 

The plan was to head over to Canton afterwards but instead I came on home. Ate a late lunch and then we went to the Les-Ter Farmer's Market. Our friends from church were selling homemade bread, handmade jewelry and lemonade. I had some of the bread last night and it is delicious! It was also fun seeing friends there as well. Next time I am not eating a late lunch so that we can get a hamburger from Wellsdale Farms. 

All the Feral Fam and The Boys are quite lively this morning. Charlie got up in the dogwood tree and had difficulty in finding his way down. So, he climbs a little higher. Eventually, Charlie made his way down the tree and as he is almost to the lowest limb, his tail caught his attention. He is in the Y of two branches, hanging upside down and grabbing his tail. G Mo has had his attention on his tail as well as Mr Mo's. 

I experienced a little hip pain from the slip on the sod the other night once I got into bed and laid on my left side. Mainly muscular but that pain sometimes with a little nerve pain shall we say, sometimes cuts right through to the bone. Finally, I got out of bed when I realized this pain wouldn't just fade away and got out the Bio Freeze. Thankfully, found the roll on kind and didn't have to use the spray...which is an eye opening experience on warm skin. Nothing like crawling back into bed with the perfume of the night lingering underneath and over the covers. Roy mumbled something like, what hurts? Hip. I told you not to garden alone...is it working? Yes, relief is overtaking the pain. 

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Buddy has been gone for a year today. We were talking and remembering her quirks, tantrums and immense love she had for us, me in particular. A couple of days ago Bobbsey was around. He looks identical to HP except for his nose. For a brief moment, I thought it was HP. He hasn't been around for over six months, so his appearance is always a welcomed surprise. 

On Thursday we were heading toward Little Switzerland to visit the bookstore there and have lunch at the really cute restaurant. Not much there except for beautiful scenery. Roy has never been there and he was ready to take pictures except we were hearing a not usual noise with the Mustang. We pulled over and didn't see anything suspicious and went on a little farther when we decided to punt Little Switzerland and head back home. Upon inspection at home Roy figured out the noise being a little mud flap by the front left tire. It is working itself loose. I decided to head over to Canton to go to Duckett's and the Blue Moon Bookstore that opened earlier this year in downtown Canton.  Beautiful cool day with the fragrance of cut hay but then you hit Canton and the wafting fragrance of paper mill overtakes any cut hay fragrance. First stop Blue Moon Books. Didn't realize it was a used bookstore. Unusual in that it has cozy nooks for reading and the books are shelved beautifully and in an orderly fashion. In the front of the bookstore, regional interest and authors. So many books, so many books that looked like the shelves at home. Several signed and one signed by Gail Godwin...one of my all time favs. I've been thinking over the fact that many of the books I collected over the years need to find new homes but didn't want to just take them over to Habitat. Now, they can go to Blue Moon and while this is not a selling point for me, but store credit is given. The man running the shop that day and I had such an interesting conversation to all things books, especially the genre that interests me. 

The stop at Duckett's was productive. Had good looking peaches and also picked up some canned products by Lou Lou. She is also making tomato pies. Had a slice, okay two slices for lunch Thursday and wowsers, that's some good tomato pie. Think I might freeze several slices for this winter when fresh grown tomatoes are only a fond memory. 

We picked up our glasses yesterday and as our recent tradition, breakfast at Another Broken Egg beforehand. Roy ordered his regular choice but I ordered the pumpkin waffle with cinnamon butter and pecans. It was a great choice and although I like fall and all things fall related, pumpkin other in pie or maybe ravioli, I as far as I go with that pumpkin thing. This waffle, if we are nearby will be ordered again. Yum!

We have a couple of things on the to do list today so we will begin those errands in a bit. I realized the choir retreat would take a lot out of me and opted out but assured our choir director that I would use the CDs she made for us. The fine line of sitting and moving is just that, a fine line and I approach that line with the confidence of a tight rope artist...balanced of course but a few off balance scares to make it all interesting. 

Where The Boys Are...On The Back Porch

 Another rainy morning this week. They are few and far between and it is a little cooler so just hanging around the house today, I am wearing an old favorite bum around flannel shirt. No jeans, but capris, no boots, well except muck boots when going outside. 

This past week I began gathering light and white clothes to put away until next spring and summer. Going through them and taking out items that have rarely been worn and getting them in a pile for Goodwill or someplace. We have some winter coats we no longer use but going to take them over to ABBCM when it starts getting a little cooler. We took a big box and a hamper full of gently used clothes over to a Goodwill donation center in TN. I don't hold too tightly to very much but some clothes that have seen better days, like the flannel shirt today, are comfy clothes for wet or cold days. 

I also began work on consolidating notebooks, pens, pencils and all things office supply that are in the front bedroom. Among these treasures a few notebooks filled with teaching notes from years past, including some minor prophet stuff that will come in handy after we leave Amos. Again, I was dreading Amos but the message is so clear and so much for today. Guess the last time through the Gospel Project, we didn't cover Amos. 

The Boys are napping on the back porch and Roy is upstairs ordering a few things from Amazon, mainly items for The Boys. 

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Monday morning, we greet with humidity and some fog. Once again, Roy and The Boys are on the back porch. I have been out there too but with the boys somewhat subdued and Roy doing his quiet time, the opportunity to come inside and blog presented itself. I am working through some thoughts that have me a bit down. One of which is, I think I used an example in the lesson yesterday that most probably was just for me but the joy of finding the song and the circumstances from the long ago, overclouded with happiness, I thought what a great example. So here is the context. My brain works in rhymes and music and trivia. Back in the day you wanted me on your Trivial Pursuit game but of course, I digress. While studying for the lesson, the thought came to me of a song from childhood, The Flounder in the Sea. I still have the album but it is packed away and no record player so Apple Music was the next choice. Y'all, the song, the whole album plus other albums were there. Kid in the candy shop listening to these long ago songs. My father bought a big stereo/radio system that was all the rage back in the day. It was a piece of furniture. To celebrate the purchase he bought my mom the album by The Four Aces, an instrumental album for himself and The Tinsel Town Players for me. That album had songs, nursery rhymes that I realize now had a good message along with some silliness to them. Ah, the perfect combination to hold my interest. The songs were perfect for acting out or singing along with. I did, oh probably 82,000 performances for my mom and whether she felt this way or not but to me she loved everyone of those renditions complete with costumes for her very own personal performance. I played the song for Roy and said the fisherman's wife is perfect for the illustration of the fat cows of Bashan, Amos 4:1. Over the course of the week, while remembering a time when my father liked me and the joy of finding these songs, some of their messages from those years back revealed how they helped me begin forming ideas about life. Be content with what you have, people in foreign lands and I had things in common, don't always go to the sky is falling when it isn't at all and such. Be helpful and kind. Don't be quick to speak. From a children's record to the lessons growing up in Sunday School, God began working and sowing seeds into my little children's heart. So yesterday, I played the song as part of an example. Yesterday afternoon I began thinking about that song and lesson and realized the song had a magic fish...who could grant any wish. Most of the class had smiles while hearing the songs but several faces indicated this could have been a poor choice. Since the afternoon, I have been beating myself up mentally and emotionally over this and the beat up continues on this morning. As well as the fact, the lesson in itself was presented disjointedly probably more so than usual. This morning, I am back at it, reading the lesson out of the quarterly for this coming Sunday. Told Roy, no musical or personal examples this week...Roy said, you just let the Lord lead you, Nancy. What's kind of funny to me, the very next song on my playlist is How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place, classical in two different genres. 

The countdown for the Dr appointment or consultation I made in June is quickly coming next week,  along with an appointment in October with the cardiologist. Just in case, for my own peace of mind, I am keeping the calendar clear of most things. Along with this I know how long it takes for me to recover when I do too much. The ringing mantra of the past fourteen years is, if you stay in the parameters we have set for you, where you live life, you're better off paying attention and staying within them. I can live a happy and active life. I had to make a few decisions for the coming week for things I would love to do. One of them is the choir retreat. With a lesson to prepare, Roy working at the fair and a few other things, I made the decision on Saturday night that in light of physical concerns....and to be the best for that upcoming appointment, choir retreat is a no go this time. 

A little Feral Fam report for those who follow the adventures of these kitty cats. Radley, the rescuer, has been hanging around and running off KH every chance he gets. KH still tries to come around but either Radley or Mama Cat chases him up to the gravel road. Mama Cat has let Buster and Baxter get out and about a little more, even taking them over to the food bowls. Charlie hasn't been around for several days but Toupee and Blazey are around often, mostly in the early evenings. 

The temps have dropped so it is time to go join The Boys on the back porch. 

Rain And Nancy Drew

 The rain continues this morning. It looks like we got rain overnight and the flowers, trees and sadly the weeds are rejoicing. It could be due to a faulty memory but rainy days here that begin in the morning are few and far between. Afternoon into early evening seems to be the time of choice for most rainfalls. Roy and The Boys have been on the back porch. Looks like the winter bedjacket I wear is being slowly but surely claimed as a possession of the MOs. 

We are at the end of chicken tortilla soup that we made and froze in the winter. Soon it will be time to prepare it. That is lunch today. Roy had planned on going to the gym but he is in a wait and see mode. On Mondays the time spent of the lesson for Sunday is usually reading over the lesson in the quarterly, then praying, reading and thinking on these things. Amos 3-4 this week and yes, the favorite snippet of a verse, you fat cows of Bashan. With his agrarian background, this is a complement from Amos to the women in Israel. It seems if one was overweight, one was seen as prosperous. Little late to that dance party, but living back then without running water and electricity does not interest me. 

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Good Wednesday morning. Life hasn't let me get back to blogging this week. I am trying to grab a few minutes this morning. Most of us around here think the back breaking heat is done and we look forward to the fallish days ahead. Nice breeze this morning so have the front and back doors open. 

There must be something in the air that has The Feral Fam and The Boys excited. I was treated to the most unusual entertainment yesterday morning. All the cats except for Mama Cat were playing like kittens with each other. Chasing each other around and such. These grown up cats rarely engage in this type of kitten play. This morning The Boys are a wrestling up a storm. Just fed them a second breakfast. 

Saw another unusual situation yesterday. Roy had gone to the gym and I was reading on the back porch while The Boys played. I saw a silver car, Audi, go up a ways on our road, then backed into our neighbors yard, off the gravel but on the grass. I am reading a good, I mean great, great and good book. Two of the main characters, love Nancy Drew books and they are trying to solve a mystery but life keeps getting in the way. So, with that fresh anointing of Nancy Drew thoughts, I switched into Nancy Drew mode. Went upstairs to take pictures. Called Ned Nickerson...oops Roy, he was almost home and told him of the situation. As he pulled into the driveway, our neighbor Nancy, not Drew, pulled on to our road. Parked her truck at her gate and called Donna, Mary Joyce's daughter to apprise her of the situation. Nancy went and talked to the man in the car while Roy and I had her back. Long story short, he was with Spectrum as a sales person trying to get Mary Joyce to return to Spectrum under the new government program of getting internet coverage to rural areas. Nancy called to confirm his story with Spectrum. Donna, Nancy and I had texts going and we've decided we have one good community watch program on our road. A side note, Mary Joyce has dementia and has conversations outside all day long with people we cannot see, but she does. Last night the group added another player, the cable guy. Mary Joyce knew enough not to unlock her door when he came a knocking. 

Looks to be a few days respite from rain although we have needed it. 

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Another foggy beginning to the day. If I don't have to go anywhere, the fog is always welcomed. There is a rhythm to the week days on the back porch. Our neighbor left on time for work and the new family left on time for daycare. The Feral Fam decided the driveway was better than wet grass, so their option kept The Boys to a calm morning, with both of them taking naps. Mr Mo on Roy and G Mo on me.  

Cool And We Are In The "Ber" Months

 A touch of fall is in the air, just a little bit. So, that is extremely encouraging. The Boys are on the back porch playing, then fighting, then resting. They would eat but they done cleaned their plates. 

Seemed like the crack of dawn, but it was only 8:00 am when we headed out to take the truck for inspection and maintenance. There was a little baby kitten other than the calico we were surprised by on Saturday. Another little survivor from Tappy's litter but our moods quickly changed when we came down to the main road and saw a white and black cat that had been hit by a car. I could not give into those thoughts and feelings in that brief moment. It was either Beanie, BJ or a cat from the feral colony across the way. Hoping for cat across the way. Dropped off the truck, ate breakfast at Another Broken Egg and then went to get new glasses. Lensecrafters had a deal we couldn't refuse, especially when needing multiple pairs for the both of us. Being so close to Barnes and Noble, one must make the stop and it was a fruitful experience, at least for me. Prescription pick up and a few more containers of BOGO butter rounded out the trip. 

I called out The Feral Fam for treats when we got home and it was BJ that had been on the road. Named her BJ because she was almost the spitting image of Beanie. Thus the name, Beanie Junior. A sibling of Mr Mo and for a feral pretty darn sweet. As a wee one, Roy fed her in the special kitten area with a few others. He protected those kittens from the pillaging of food by older cats. She liked to do the meet and greet in the mornings by rubbing around my legs and wanting a few head pats. She and Beanie were usually the first to arrive for morning and afternoon treats. The Feral Fam has been sticking close and it baffles me why BJ would go down to the road, except for the fact that KH, chased her or she was enticed by something that seems to be in residence internally for most cats, especially ferals. Fluff Mo and Beanie moped around a bit into the evening. Especially Fluff Mo, she was his running buddy. Just about thirty minutes ago our neighbor told us another of The Feral Fam had been hit. I looked from a distance and I think it might be Tappy. It is a sad bunch out on the driveway so I served them some funeral food just now.  

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We awoke to much cooler and very welcomed temps this morning. The Boys spent a lot of time snuggling then fighting then snuggling at first on me and then Roy. I gave treats early this morning to The Feral Fam to take a headcount. Didn't see Fluff Mo but he is a late riser. Hopefully all is well with him. When we figured out the kitty on the road yesterday was Tappy, we began looking for her two kittens that survived from her litter. I looked but couldn't find them but later in the afternoon Roy was able to locate them. Tappy had hidden them well, under a pallet that gave protection and insured that they would only come out when she called for them. Tuesday afternoon Tappy was calling for those two and Mr Mo perked up and ran to the door. He remembered and recognized her call. Once we located the two, Roy took them to an organization that finds foster homes for these little ones. We didn't even take a picture of them but sometimes it is just too sad to remember to do so. We haven't seen Buster and Baxter for a while. Mama Cat took them up on the gravel road. She has been spending a lot of time up there so that is a good sign. 

Roy's tomatoes are still in full swing and we also bought a 1/2 bushel of John Henry peaches on Monday. Getting ready to slice them up for freezing and then enjoying them in the winter months where the fruit of choice is limited to apples. While cutting back sunflowers and such we discovered the blackberry bushes are doing much better than we thought. We got them on the trellises and fence. We certainly enjoyed them this summer. 

For the first time in a whole lot of years, I watched part of the match at the US Open. Serena Williams certainly seemed to be on and very happy to learn of her winning the match while checking the news this morning. I always liked Venus and Serena Williams and their hard hitting style of playing tennis. I just might watch their doubles match today. Last week's lesson reminded me of so many tennis stories, so guess I was primed to watch. 

The other interesting thing I saw this week was an episode of Dark Comedy and this particular episode featured the life and comedy of Roseanne. With such a limited attention span these days, I only watched about twenty minutes of it. So interesting in how she moved up the comedy ladder with her, once again used term now twice, hitting views of life. She talked about the things that a whole lot of people could identify with. But then, the direction of the program took the viewer to that same talent that got her there was the same talent that destroyed her career many years later. I like watching the reruns of the first two and a half seasons but after that the show mainly seemed like a rift of inside jokes that had to deal with her life. Just a notice and not on any level of comedy professionally, one has to watch how they joke while getting older. Things you can say in your forties doesn't always look good when you hit the middle sixties and beyond. It just seems bitter or old or something so out of tune and designated to oh, that's what old people say. 

I just spotted Fluff Mo so the headcount is in. The Feral Fam members that I have any relationship with are all accounted for. Whew!