Who'll Start The Rain?

 GMoey is purring contentedly on my lap. A great cup of coffee and Roy is upstairs finishing up the CBS Online Bible Study that he participates in. Mr Mo and Willie are quiet, someplace and that usually means they have laid down for their second morning nap. GMoey is an early morning and early evening lap sitter. Mr Mo likes to sit on laps in the afternoons and Willie, well he has too much energy right now for lap naps. 

Like we are wont to do, we have changed plans that we had for today. We are still debating plan B or totally punt the plans. With the warmer temps in February, we have a few more options than usual. People around here say that when there is a warmer winter then March can hold some bad snowy weather. That plays havoc with crops. You want good weather for the strawberries and peaches. Thanks to Publix, pre-produce stand season starts in February with the influx of Florida strawberries. 

Lot of activity in the pasture soon to be turned into dwellings across the road. All the guys who have been out there over the past week begin at the knoll closest to the road and then look toward the southeast direction. It looks as if they are deciding where to put a house. The land didn't perk well so probably the house will need to be built in the lower section because there is a small water source there. After watching yesterday's activity, they might be plotting an entrance or driveway to where the house will be built. Once we see the direction of how this plays out might just determine if we go back to our plans of having a fence around part of our front yard.  

What an interesting day of trial watching. Defendant takes the stand, rambles and wanders throughout his explanation of things. Says he lied but he is not lying about killing two members of his family. On the beginning of the cross examination late in the afternoon, the sparring of two lawyers, one an assistant attorney general and one a disbarred attorney. Circling around the edge of the story both are trying to get to a point. It was so interesting watching it with Roy. He fills me in on the nuance of legal matters and I fill him in on watching the reactions and body language of the defendant. I might have it on as background noise today, but maybe I'll wait till the end of the day for re-caps. 

One person whose work led to the world discovering this small part of America, the lowcountry of South Carolina and this family dynasty, put a trigger warning on her recap of the day. If anyone has dealt with a narcissist closely or for any period of time, you certainly can see the patterns of lies displayed across the screen, which takes you back in your mind of dealing with the lies of the narcissist in your life. If one is not far removed from those days, I would think the difficulty of seeing the process would bog one down. Even after my father died, he had several lies that came from beyond the grave. Dang, didn't see that coming and the lies had to do with family. He was one of the best liars I ever knew. 

Today in Houston, it is Go Texan Day. All the trail riders are heading toward Memorial Park for their last campout of the trip before riding in the parade tomorrow morning. For several years living in our condo brought a close up view to several of the trail rides coming in. We lived near Memorial Park. So exciting when several friends participated in the rides cause you start looking for them and then do the frantic waving and calling out their names. When I was in elementary school, we had Go Texan Day. The only day of the school year girls could wear jeans to school. Our mom bought us Go Texan Bolo Ties and those blue ties made a white button up shirt a cowboy or cowgirl shirt. Think my brother still has his. Years ago, Roy worked for a man who had a BBQ cookoff team and we were given tickets to be a part of their blocked off area to eat and celebrate all things pre-rodeo. The food was good but usually the temps were the coldest of the year. One also came home reeking of smoke. That burnt wood fragrance ensconced in hair, clothes and probably boots. We went to several rodeo performances throughout the years but my dislike of crowds and country western music Later on Dena and I discovered shopping at the rodeo market and that was tons of fun. Go in and shop, leave before the huge crowds arrived for the carnival and rodeo.  

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Our energetic morning is off to a start. Well, Roy is easing into the day, but The Boys are in full throttle play. Even GMoey is involved this morning. The downstairs is a total rumpus room. They are so fun to watch. We are waiting for the forecasted rain this afternoon. Good for the new peach tree. 

Roy discovered blue cheese hamburgers at Publix. Only we have them made into quarter pound size cause the two big ones were way too much for us. We have rediscovered sloppy joes as well. The transition from winter food to springish food is in the works. 

I've decided I am in the Vicks Vapo Rub season of life. There was a time that wearing some Vicks during the day would have me undone, now...hey, now I'd rather breathe. Nothing like Ginger Essence and Vicks to make one feel so sexy, attractive,  no old but alive.  

Trial, Loss and Temps

 No Shrove Tuesday pancakes, but instead Shrove Tuesday waffles. Today, first day of Lent. 

I ordered some used books from Thrifts and one of the most lovely surprises was a book that had a delightful perfumed fragrance. Inside a treasure trove of old church notes written on slips of paper as well as the mimeographed bulletins from their church. Even the way this person underlined favorite parts of the book is unusual and memorable. It is not a devo book as such but a daily book with thoughts from JB Phillips. I came to know the works of JB Phillips as a child. No not a protégée in Bible translation but my father had been given a hardback copy of the Phillips translation of the NT. He had no use for it since he presumed that only part of the NT you could believe were the gospels. So, since he had no use for me, he gave me his book that he had no use for. I can finally note something good but probably not kind from him. Being familiar with Phillips, I began looking for his sparse collection of commentaries. He or someone else gathered enough from his writings to publish this book as well as a devo. The devo truly is snail mail at the media rate, but it will be here sometime in the next few weeks. 

Beth Moore's memoir came yesterday from Amazon. I read the preface and I am hooked. I had started Afternoons with Harper Lee, another book that has pulled me in, and will try and wait to read Beth's memoir after the book about Harper. Just to think a couple of weeks ago I lamented not being able to find anything in the TBR stack that caught me. 

While Roy and I were out yesterday morning, I got a message from my cousin Becky. Hi Becky! Anyway, I quickly texted her back that I would call later in the afternoon. What a fun conversation and catch up that came from the heartbreaking news about my cousin's wife who had passed away. Dave and Jan came through the Blue Ridge in 2019 on a motorcycle trip. We ate lunch and had a visit one Sunday afternoon. The visit was enjoyable as we talked about family and family matters that clouded understanding of us in the next or next to generation. Funny, I had not seen either Dave or Jan since I was in junior high or maybe high school. They were dating at that time and I thought it was just so cool that they stayed a bit with the family and then left going onto whatever exciting awaited the rest of their day. My Aunt Leah, David's mom, and I had a great correspondence via letters in the 80s and 90s. She sent some great recipes and I used them. Of course that was back in the day when cooking interested me. Becky got me caught up on my cousin Lois. She is writing the script for their church's choir Easter music presentation. That is really exciting. We laughed about the taboos at our grandparents. If you napped, there was a perfectly good floor to nap upon. No napping on beds once they were made. The cedar closet in the back bedroom that Grandma told me never to look in. I need to check with Doug and see if he got the same instructions and I bet if he did, he opened that closet door. 

The Boys have settled down for a morning nap, probably the second morning nap of the day. Roy woke up at 4:00 am and couldn't go back to sleep. So he and The Boys have been up for a long period of time. Roy has gone to work out though. Willie is quite funny and gets on GMoey's nerves. Mr Mo and Willie will chase each other all through the downstairs and then upstairs. We picked up a new toy for them, a little more interactive. Willie can get to it faster than the other two yet I am happy to report plastic bottle caps, paper, and shoe strings do in a pinch for entertainment. 

Got the recap last night from the Murdaugh trial. It is straight outta southern gothic. Family dominated the legal systems for almost a hundred years in the Lowcountry of SC. Roy has no interest in the trial or story but I do consult with him over legal terms and such used in courtrooms. Yes, law school pays off in retirement as well. A sidenote is, the Penny the Cat videos and this trial has helped lift some of the brain fog as well as being distracted and unable to watch or listen to anything for very long. The brain fog had almost made a two year anniversary. Being so distracted and not having the ability to think through some important issues caused me great losses as well interest in books, movies and the like that others suggested I watch or read. I am going to try again at least reading recommended books.  Not much of a point to talk about loss with others because I have always had the ability to push through difficulties with snippets of normal occasionally. Also, I don't seem to work as hard to regain or keep people in my life who have expressed the desire not to be involved. I used to think I could not go on at least without trying. Now I know life is good and we live in a place that has places and things of immense interest. We've made friends and have good neighbors. Welcome to my most boring life, as others think, but I am thinking this seemingly boring life is exciting and full of bountiful contentment. 

Happy Awareness of Aortic Stenosis Day!

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Oops, didn't get this posted last night. So welcome to Thursday and it could be a record breaking day. The temp right now at 9:00 am is 65, with a high of 77. We put the top down yesterday on the way home from the store. 

Fat Tuesday...Well, Every Tuesday is Fat Tuesday

 For just a brief moment Friday afternoon, snow fell from the sky...then melted but it sure was a beautiful sight. Caught us by surprise just a bit. Now, we have clear sunny skies with spring temps next week. I learned the first year here, do not plant anything until after Mother's Day, but it is so tempting. 

Our adventure or maybe our ba-venture this morning with The Feral Fam turned out better than expected with a least little bit of drama. Roy got an appointment at the low cost neuter and spay clinic, signing up to take a female. Hoping for the best but realistically, we were probably going to only be able to capture a male. Roy had been diligent in feeding them in the carriers last week to get them used to them but realistically, since this isn't my first rodeo capturing a feral, I didn't think his plan was going to work. He didn't want me to help but after about five minutes, it felt like I should go out there and check on the situation. Roy looked a bit dejected and said, it didn't work. So, he put out more food and I was able to pick up Beanie and get him in a carrier, with a great assist of Roy. So, a little drama in the scattering and regrouping of The Feral Fam, but Roy is off to the clinic with Beanie Boy...the least aggressive male cat outside. I almost got Blazey, but his cat like reflexes evaded capture at the last second. Thus our Monday morning has begun. 

I would be remiss not to add that I was wearing the perfect outfit to be interviewed on the news while attempting to catch a cat. Muck boots, knee high, happy camper jammie bottoms, Snoopy t-shirt and my fleece PJ hoodie and the hoodie part has ears of a bear. I also had on leather long line garden gloves.  No, I don't have any pink rollers in my hair but my hair is standing straight up...you know tossing and turning bed head. Yes, the perfect opportunity to be interviewed saying, they seemed like such nice neighbors. Quiet and kept to themselves. Roy just texted, Beanie is in and we pick him up tomorrow morning. 

Since we are experiencing warmer temps and maybe the flu and such is low, I went back to big church yesterday. It felt good to get back into that regular routine after hibernating for a month and half. Last week I didn't leave our house/yard which is kind of unusual for me. 

I loved study John 10 and like mentioned before, the Pharisees and their actions and reactions to Jesus are predictable but really I have never noticed this before at such a depth. While talking about shepherds and their accurate use of a sling, reminded me of the time Peggy and I used a water balloon sling for Mildred and Gertrude. In theory, it should have worked, but you know...we didn't rehearse it and when it came time to use that prop, I shot a kooze ball into the back of Peggy's head, knocking her wig and hat onto a table of the distinguished guest of the women's ministry out in the audience. We may have or may not have wet our pants as we made our way off the stage in total laughter...If you ain't got a swing, you don't fling that thing...

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Beanie Boy returned home earlier and still seems to be in a dazed and confused state of mind. He is doing well, even let me pet him...so he is not bitter or so it seems. I gave him his own little bowl of salmon cat food. Now to make another appointment to take another kitty in. All the surgery and shots are free if they are community cats, and that is what The Feral Family are. 

I met a lady at Hobby Lobby, in the parking lot this morning. She and I have been messaging. She has a booth at Lamp Post Vintage Market and I asked her if she would like a couple of things that are moving on to someone else. She wanted to pay for the things, but I didn't want money. She makes these wooden bears that are so cute and I asked her to make one with Sic Em Bears on it. She picked up an old wooden trunk, some lamb stuff, a tea pot and a decorative ladder. Also some décor rabbits. Roy and I went into Hobby Lobby, no earthquakes were experienced, got some t-shirts and some little scripture signs that Roy likes. Then off to Tractor Supply to replace a peach tree that died at the end of summer last year. 

When we arrived home, we planted the tree and then filled a couple of indentations with the extra dirt and grass in holes that the Feral Fam had made in the yard. I made a huge sacrifice cause the son of Alex Murdaugh took the stand in the trial. Now it looks like I didn't miss much, so much better use of time. Think we will go back and get a couple plum trees to go with the ones we already planted. 

I need to get rolling here. Just got off the phone and I need to do some reading for the lesson this Sunday. I wish we were liturgical today, cause that would mean pancakes tonight. 

Anticipation and Contrast

 Happy Day After Valentines! We celebrated the day with taco Tuesday, a few good laughs, and tree trimming. Yes, we are officially old but very much contented. Roy gave me the cutest card and we discovered The Boys don't know anything about being a Valentine. Well, if chasing one another till all decide to nap and put this on repeat throughout the day, that is their celebration. Really, we are fortunate that they get along pretty much the whole time and they are quite entertaining. 

The much anticipated snow event turned into mainly a rain event over the weekend. If conditions had been favorable many say that we would have experienced blizzard conditions. The wind was a bit gusty but not sustained. I took the opportunity of staying in to go through stuff in the front bedroom for the second time. It proved to be fruitful in culling out more things to go to Goodwill. Lots of paper, paper products both cute or functional. Dare I say that some notebooks and journals, empty of course, made their was into the bye bye box.  I also went through some jewelry pulling out earrings and a few necklaces that I don't wear very often. 

This week we are in John 10, a personal favorite. We didn't get through all the lesson of John 9 which has to be one of the most moving chapters on Jesus, I Am the light of the world vs keep a bunch of rules and be miserable like us, Pharisees, way of worship. Alex, I'll take Jesus.  Healed blind man formally known as  blind beggar, gets thrown out of temple and synagogue life, is now taken in and loved by Jesus and that is how chapter 10 begins. Chapter 10 says He knows us by name...we don't know the name of the healed man but it isn't important, cause Jesus knows his name. I re-read a bit of Scouting the Divine to refresh the observations made about modern shepherding as compared to Bible times shepherding...only the technology has changed, the basicness of raising sheep is just about the same. Although the comfort is in this, Jesus is the Good Shepherd. 

The Alex Murdaugh trial is mesmerizing.  Makes me think of back in the day watching the OJ Simpson trial. I try to limit watching to just updates but there have been a few times, the live stream pulls me in. The alleged stories and I guess true stories from this family tree is unsettling at best. The sister in law, Maggie's sister, wow...credible and a witness one can have sympathy and empathy with.  

On Facebook I belong to several groups dedicated to the memory of the city where I was born. For a smaller type city with lots of industry back in the day, the architecture and planning of buildings and such seemed to be more than the usual size of town. Now it looks like so many of these buildings have been left to lapse into disrepair and are doomed for tear downs. 

We just got in from pruning the rose bushes. Always an adventure. Roy trimmed his apple trees yesterday, so we are in spring mode, well kind of. I like winter and not quite ready to be done with it. 

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The good news this week? Pluto TV has an I Love Lucy channel. This is extremely good news since I Love Lucy. Pluto hasn't been showing them in order but that's okay. Of course I am waiting for one of my all time favs, the episode where Lucy sings I am the queen of the gypsies. 

Today, after reading and studying, I'll begin writing out the lesson for Sunday. What a contrast although I think I have written this before. 

Just Catching Up With Stuff

The sun is out in all its brilliance. The Feral Fam checked out reluctantly last night from the Le Garage Hotel. This time around they were rather good guests with most of them using the three litter boxes provided. Progress!

After the vigorous thundering paws and spirited play, The Boys are napping in their respective places. Willie on Roy's chair, GMoey in the front window and Mr Mo trying to decided between downstairs with GMoey or upstairs in the front bedroom. Somebody in all the energy playing knocked over the lamp on Roy's nightstand. My bet would be Willie. Our bed is nothing more than a giant wresting mat at times. No tag team, just all out wrestling and every cat for themselves. 

John 8 turned out to be very interesting study. We are now onto John 9. Started reading the chapter this morning and will in earnest begin studying tomorrow. 

The Chinese balloon was all the talk and for those who got outside to capture it on their phones or with cameras, we thank you. When we went to bed it was over Missouri but Saturday morning, right over the Carolinas. 

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Just like New Years Eve, I went to bed before it began or ended. Well, it had begun, but I was watching King of the Hill. So didn't see speech or rebuttal, nor commentary or arguments. It is a good morning. When I saw it went 73 minutes, I was even happier at having a good morning. Today is hair cut day...yay! Then errands. The past few days have held lots or research on John 9, which means a lot of reading. 

Until last week I had no clue what is out there on reelz. Mostly junk that you can roll right through, but all these cleaning tips, decluttering advice, Dollar Tree buys and uses, I sleep in my car, I live in my van, we live in an RV with 18 children...okay I made the last one up. As I have been going through things once again, getting stuff ready to give away or donate, I am feeling good about tackling the task. Accordingly, you can do this in about fifteen minutes a day. When one has ADD, one cannot get anything done, really of merit in fifteen minutes because there are so many distractions. After several fifteen minutes, one can get back to the original task, although now the tiredness sets in. 

Joy, joy, joy...Roy went with me to Tammy's and she had enough time to give him a trim, a great haircut after mine. He has rebooked. Yay! His last haircut at the barber shop left much to be desired. The barber made a big cut into his hair and left it that way, almost like an oops. Good thing his hair grows out quickly. Anyway, I was so happy for Roy to meet Tammy and vice versa. He looks so good with his new haircut. 

Bank, and two grocery stores later we were home. I had a slight headache all day and when we came home, after lunch, I went to take a nap. Mr Mo came in and slept with me a while and then he was up and moving, so nap was cut short. 

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Expired Vicks still works. That is good to know. We might have lots of snow or we might not. The forecast changes hourly for the system that comes into the region tonight. I am hooked on the strawberry pecan salad from Publix. I bought some Skinny Girl dressing so that when the salad goes off sale, I can make it. Lot like the Amuse' salad but will make in individual portions. 

This Alex Murdaugh trial has grabbed my attention. So many layers of deceit, love, friendship and greed. Perfect southern gothic novel. It's gots it all! I had it on as background noise yesterday and soon it took my focus and not what I was working on. 

The Feral Fam will get an early check in for the hotel this afternoon. Always like to let them in the garage when there is a chance of snow. 

Oh To Welcome February

 Wouldn't it be wonderful if our medicines we take said, may cause balance instead of may cause dizziness? Everyone of the meds I take notifies the user about dizziness. It is a wonder I can even walk with all the light headiness one can experience. 

While reading through the notebook my mom made me, that I saw for the first time how much friendship meant to my mother. She even wrote about my grandmother who found being a good friend and having good friends a priority in those busy days of the depression and WWII. My grandmother and her friend Ruthy were unlikely friends. When they were younger they met halfway between their two houses in a field. Each one of them with sandwich in hand to get in lunch and a quick visit before returning to take care of their chores. As they got older and making their way out to the field more difficult, they depended on their telephone conversations. Ruthy was very hard of hearing and my grandma wasn't too far behind in the hearing arena. Every morning and evening they talked mainly to make sure the other one was safe. My mom told us stories of her adventures with her friends while growing up. Her story of her friend who lived across the road were humorous. They loved to eat tomatoes and onions right out of the garden and they wondered why no one wanted to play with them after they had eaten their garden delicacies, on bread. My mom had a friend, with a car, but the only thing, once it stopped, even to let someone out of the car, it would die. So whenever this friend had a group with her, she would slow down as much as she could, and mom and her friends would jump out of the car so that her friend could get on home and the car could die there until the next adventure. Good thing these girls lived out in the country. These stories and memories of Mom had me take assessment of me. I used to be a really good friend to others but now I am a mediocre friend at best. I worked harder at being a good friend but not so much now. Reading and remembering her stories might just be the jumpstart I need to make some changes or maybe more like fine tuning. This is in no way written for others to say, oh that's not true...yep, it is. 

Just saw where Cindy Williams has passed away. She was Shirley to Penny Marshalls Laverne. A long time ago when their show was in the top 5 shows, a survey was done to see what, other than nostalgia, drove the popularity of the show. Women watched because they wanted to have a friendship like these television characters or they had a friendship like Laverne and Shirley and loved watching the adventures of these two in Milwaukee along with their family and friends. Sadly most wanted a friendship like what was shown on the show.  

We so enjoyed the 5th Sunday night at church. A group from a nearby city sang southern gospel songs and led us into spirited worship. First song, a Happy Goodman song and I so wanted to go Vestal Goodman with them but only one problem, I don't have Vestal's voice. I love southern gospel music, but don't listen to it much. Afterwards we had soup and sandwiches fellowshipping together. 

John 7 was the lesson yesterday, from Jesus' half siblings trying to push his buttons, to the Pharisees, Sadducees, and the crowd asking a whole bunch of questions. Not questions of trying to get to know Jesus better but in disbelief and accusations. 

Free Willie! Yes, we rejoiced that his recovering days have concluded. The Boys are once again free to roam about the house. The hissing has stopped and good nature play has resumed. Oh, there are few fractious moments but for the most part just boys playing chase. We picked up a few new toys for them and they are having great times with those little stuffed animals and such. I will have to say though, the favorite of them all are tiny pinecones or bottle caps. Every other day we go through the house picking these items up to be redistributed at a later time. 

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This morning because I needed to get out of the house for a bit, I chauffeured Roy to his work out and I then went to Big Lots and Ingles...meeting up with him at Publix. He has an appointment this afternoon and neither one of wanted to mess with the truck...so, great idea launched.  It has been quite some time being at the Big Lots. I went in only looking for one thing but came home with more than the thing I went for and they didn't have the item I had in mind. The pet throws were marked down half price, so I picked up four more to use if we need to with the Feral Fam. Looks like the hotel will open for them tomorrow with rain and a good chance of snow. 

John 8 is proving much more interesting than expected. John uses the Jewish Leaders trap with the woman caught in adultery, notice the man isn't even around or caught. From what I've read, it was a total set up and the leaders made her a pawn in their trap to trip up Jesus and the effect He was having on the people...then we go to Jesus proclaiming, I Am the Light. John uses this dark trap to contrast with Jesus, The Light. 

So happy that our generator is communicating with us once again. After a couple of round abouts, the link corrected and the notifications coming. It always disturbs the Feral Fam a bit but the older ones are used to it.