Tigers, Toupe Jr and Toupee

 What a great morning to be a Tiger, a LSU Tiger that is. Last night I did my part for the team much like 2019, only follow on Twitter or the ESPN app. I did watch the last out but the game cast on my phone was faster than our TV. After the second game in the series and Roy was a little down over that score, I reminded him that after a blowout win like Florida had, it is difficult to come back the next day and that baseball/softball theory proved to be correct. Since we were outside working when the game started, we didn't see the two runs that the Gators got, but we did see a deer in the pasture that soon will be houses while we were discussing if we or should we outsource getting a dead hydrangea removed. When we see wildlife, animal not partying, we are grateful and I took that as a good sign that LSU would win the world series. That deer was there for a second and was gone just like that. Yes, I know that is what deer do but still....

We were able to get Toupee this morning into the clinic and we transferred Toup Jr from a carrier into a trap for twenty four hours. She expressed her displeasure about the whole thing through biting into and through my thick leather gardening gloves. She got me good but we got her into the trap. Now we will slide some water and food in which should be okay cause we use jar lids. I was just watching Toupee's  kittens playing in wild abandon in the backyard. The little decorative long grass plant is getting ready for another round of kittens playing in the long green leaves. By summer's end this plant will be almost a straw color and war weary with extended hide and seek for kittens and some of the younger cats. Kingsley, Toup Jr's sister who is fixed, is out there having the time of her life playing as opposed to being stalked by male cats. Toupee still calls for her kittens much longer than most mama cats do and I am glad she had such a cute last litter. 

My brother sold his home in TN and has moved to the great state of Missouri. He posted a few pics of taking the first load and it reminded me so much from back in the day when he moved from Houston to Atlanta. He has always had happy feet, even as a child. Both of us have learned there are different reactions to childhood trauma. He would leave the house and be gone all day while I decided to stay holed up in my bedroom with my books. He had bike flight while mine was book flight. His home in Missouri is beautiful and shocked me that he didn't buy mid century modern but a home built in 1914 with arts and craftsman vibes. But when you fall in love with a house, there is no hope to look at anything else. Here we loved the views and the layout but could have done with a larger bathroom and closet. We have worked around the negatives. I do miss our CR bathroom though. Oh well, I don't miss the heat of Houston, that's for sure. 

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This week we got two of The Feral Fam for fixing and for a better life. I am sure that Toup Jr and Toupee might disagree with that right now, but in the long run, happier lives. Love that Toupee didn't bolt from the carrier when we let her out and after a bit of grooming she must have wanted to look good for the kids, she gave that mama cat call out to her bunch and those kittens came running. Although they are older, they still respond to the call. They were lost without her presence. The afternoons have been rather warm so The Feral Fam seek shelter in the shade of the gravel road. Later in the evening we brought out the food and I whistled. Here came Toupee a running for supper followed by Coco and Chanel. Soon her other kittos sauntered over to the food dishes, sleep not too far from their eyes. After a delicious dinner, life came back to the lethargic kittens and frolic was the name of the game. 

Tuesday, saw my doctor for the yearly wellness check. My first year of getting the draw the clock thing and then the can you remember these three words. I almost drew a clock radio with digital numbers for the clock. On the second round of what were these three words, I couldn't remember the third word, mainly because I had moved on to the clock. Remembered it began with a C. Drat, but I do remember that I chieve not over or a, chieve. I feel like I answered all the questions enthusiastically and my questions were answered by the doctor and his staff. We've known our doctor since he was a youth at church and know his parents. You are asked about your meds, sometimes at different doctors several times. I can't pronounce half of them so it seems my answers go with the name, then I say the generic version. While there waiting for a tetanus shot as well as a booster for pneumonia my phone buzzed but I didn't answer. My friend Bev was concerned over Toup's bites on my fingers. Just happened to have the appointment so that worked out well. On Wednesday, lunch at The Blue Rooster seemed to be where to celebrate the farthest day from the next doctor appointment for wellness check. Fried chicken and coconut cake. 

Had an early wake up around 3:00 am but I was able to work on the lesson and so some reading before returning to bed. Don't have these kinds of nights much anymore and for this I am thankful. 

The fields where Dr King had bison, Watutsi cows, and other animals looks like nothing has been in those fields for a while. Made me kind of sad. I hadn't driven back that way for quite sometime.  

Cats, Jeremiah, and The Boys

 Roy the Great Cat Whisper and his able partner Nancy, who can tell the cats apart from others but is hit or miss determining male or female, ventured into the world of capture this morning as we have two appointments this week with the neuter and spay clinic for our Feral Fam. We actually caught three this morning but released two because we got the one that needs to go in quickly. This morning we were able to get Toup Jr.  We had a sad week with The Feral Fam. Been keeping a close eye on Toup Jr as she looked like she would deliver any day. I caught a glimpse of her early Friday morning and yes, she had her kittens. We try and figure out where they are in the beginning because most cat moms move their litters several times and you only see mom at one meal. Couldn't find them but kept careful watch. Soon we began to notice her a lot, like a whole lot. She hung out around the front so we searched everywhere for hidden kittens. She looked dazed and lost and we thought well maybe they were still born or she forgot where she put them. We kept listening for kitten cries. There is a bird who sounds like a kitten cry and we chased those sounds down as well. We finally found them and they had not made it. We placed them together in a shoe box and we wrapped them up and buried them. Where we found them is where we had searched previously. So if she moved them and moved them back, we don't know. It is the sad part of The Feral Fam life. Toup is like her Aunt Tupac, who had a litter and abandoned them and her second litter she pawned off onto her sister Cutie. That large combined litter was too much for Cutie and last summer we rescued and lost kittens. One of the saddest summers, a cloud overshadowed the back yard and gravel road. Since she would soon come back into her "time" we needed to catch her and we did. The other cats have not been socializing with her and her mom Toupee wouldn't let her near her group as they huddled beneath a table in the covered part of the back yard. For this we are thankful because she hasn't normally hung about for breakfast. Toupee was not there this morning and we want to get her in as well. Maybe tomorrow. Fluff Mo probably won't get into a carrier or trap again, at least for a while. We had him too but only one appointment. Update; Roy just got home and they told him if we trapped two in the trap, they would take both. Good to know. 

Funny thing about Jeremiah in Sunday School, there are so many different directions to go. I read Dena's class handout, she went with it's okay to question God from Jeremiah 12, Roy went with Jeremiah and Jesus, and me, well mature me went with four points but one of them was Jeremiah 13 about underwear. How God uses things we are acquainted with to show and help us. The comparison to the things we are acquainted with was putting the quadratic equation on the white board. I have no idea what you use the quadratic equation for and I am pretty sure I have never even used it cause the only part of it I understand is = 0. Yep, nothing nada. God may use math to strengthen Roy but I take it as a sign or maybe even a co sign unto me, that the math direction is not God's will for me. A funny from class, I went over to the whiteboard to discuss the comparison and looked at several faces and I assured them I had not stood up to show my underwear. We all had a good laugh. We looked on a more personal view, thus underwear, of God strengthening and preparing Jeremiah. God told him his friends, family and village were plotting to kill him, Jeremiah didn't know but he then had a plan for God to take vengeance and vengeance he could watch happen to them. God said, you have bigger fish to fry than this. Thus chap 12 how can you run with horses when you can't even run with fellow human beings. God never puts us in a horse race before we race against people. The afore mentioned underwear passage and we ended with Jeremiah 17, don't be a stunted shrub but be a tree. 

Roy's glasses are ready so we will be getting those picked up. I have a doctor appointment tomorrow.  

We just returned home and I smell of olives. Why? Well, the other day I was taking something out of the bookcase/pantry and heard something fall to the floor but could never find it. With that being said, I never gave it another thought. Until just a few minutes ago. The jar of olives had rolled under the office chair and when I rolled back, the jar cracked. Quickly, I picked up the jar and the liquid ran down the front of my jeans that gave a similar look as wetting your pants. Roy went upstairs when we got home and while coming down the steps I stood there and said I had an accident. In that bare few seconds of time, you could see him contemplating the future with a wife who may or may not have wet her pants. He said almost in a whisper, did you wet your pants? Nope had an accident running over a free range olive jar. I've been anointed and will carry the fragrance of olives unless I change my jeans. Oh the joy. 

The warm day has turned into a cool evening. We cut back a few plants that The Feral Fam played too hard on. Roy picked tomatoes and did some general work that we have been finding reasons not to do. 

Our Three Boys are enchanted with my most lovely muck boots. This morning one boot had been knocked over and nearby the arch insert as well as the regular shoe bed had been taken out of said boot; only to be replaced with several small and much beloved pine cones. Princesses find peas under the mattress and rural girls find small pine cones in their boots. Oh the life! Mr Mo and GMoey had vet appointments and what a difference between GMoey, laid back, Mr Mo, quiet but nervous and Buddy. Buddy was in a very bad mood when at the vet and after the vet. Got shots, mani/pedis, and all in all good reports. GMoey has feline stomatitis,  not too bad yet but still in a manageable. I mentioned to Roy not only did those Penny videos help me get my attention span back, at least longer span for viewing, and now from watching her journey with it, Penny's feline stomatitis vet and dentist visits, I am not overwhelmed with worry and such but keeping a careful eye on him. When we returned home, Mr Mo hid under the bed till he deemed it safe to emerge or maybe he just wanted some quiet time away from the Protégé. GMoey just wandered around as usual and the Protégé, he hid cause he thought he might be next for a vet visit. He can relax till November when his regular check up will be scheduled. The vet that saw the boys is the same vet that was so very kind and compassionate when we had to put Buddy to sleep. The tech remembered Mr Mo when his lip was torn open by a swipe from Mama Cat. 

Quiet Projects

 Watching the past few days of work in the pasture across the way, we have noticed that progress is slow at this stage. One part is marked off, the trees are in a heap waiting most probably to be burned and the big excavator has moved on and the work is being done by smaller backhoes, bulldozers and such. Red dirt is in piles and some of the piles have been moderated a bit. Man, if I was a kid playing in all that mess might just be a lot of fun. Of course the red clay stains on clothes would not be. Ah, thankfully the grown up in me prevails. Also, this lack of progress is not a complaint...take your time over there. When we had the porch screened in and such, there were lulls in progress and that also seems to be the case on a house in the distance as well as the house up on the hill across the way. The house in the distance has been in the construction phase for well over a year. 

Lots of loose cows on the road this morning according to the FB group I belong to. Can't help but remember that time I had a bull in my front yard and heard a snort behind me and I tells ya, I never moved so fast in these older type years. 

Roy has gone target shooting with Cuman. There is a little extra step in Roy's stride this morning. He picked up an bunny sign out of the garage for a target. Glad to help by providing the target. 

Several months ago I wrote about finding extra storage for groceries, like coffee, canned goods and such. We had been looking for a cabinet or pie safe or something to that effect. Finally, I decided to put up a vinyl cover over a bookcase glass doors. It looks pretty good, better than the gauze material we found at a super discount at Hobby Lobby. Roy, who loves to grocery shop, will buy coffee, oatmeal and power bars in abundance when BOGO happens at the Publix. 

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Saturday morning with a blazing fire across the way. Burning all the trees they tore down but to us, just across the street, we felt it was too close to the road. We headed off for our first errand and upon returning home, a sheriff's car was there. The blaze had toned down a bit and soon afterwards, they moved the burning bushes and trees, haha, more into a gully on the property. We had gone to Ducketts and it just seemed so sad not to see the smoke puffing out of the smokestacks. Train cars still surround the property but the employee parking lot is what hit me. Not one car or truck. It is truly over, hopefully at least for now with hope for their community another business will come in. Lou Lou, she provides her baked products as well as canned goods to Ducketts. We like her salsa to make spaghetti sauce as well as her strawberry sauce for biscuits or ice cream. Loaded up and Roy found spring onions. We love em. Arrived home to the toned down fire across the way. Still flames but nothing like before. TJs held our interest because they marked down all their plants as well as any other produce we might like to pick up. Got twelve nice sized zinnias for ten dollars. Picked up strawberries, peaches and once again a jackpot hit, spring onions. Since we were near the Mars Hill Ingles, we made a quick stop for a few things. Ingles has the best music of any grocery store and there was no exception. After having a math moment with Roy over best by dates of keto hamburger and hot dog buns, think his over simplification of dates being the difference of the dates, 6/26 and 6/29. It came to me at that moment to react in the way when my brother and I would tease my mom in the grocery store when we were younger. Only I did a much milder version since it wouldn't be too PC these days. Just then, the Pointer Sisters, We Are Family began to play and I did something I haven't done in a long time...I danced using the cart or as they say here buggy, for a little bit of stability. Roy didn't know whether to be happy or embarrassed because like saying before, haven't done this in a long time because I haven't felt the mood or the need to do such a thing. 

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Over the weekend we had great convertible weather but that has come to an end this morning with rain forecast all week. We need it and Roy is thankful not to have to water plants for several days. He never believed me until he got here about the evaporation rate of water. He has picked a few tomatoes, so it feels like summer is beginning to roll along. The gladiolas are blooming now so the yard is a burst of color. 

Both Mr Mo and GMoey are one year old. Willie, he is still such a baby in so many ways. I call him the protégé and the Mr and GMoey ditch him often because he is energy balled up in a very cute and furry cat. His tail is so fluffy and gives him away. He likes to hide under a throw rug in the kitchen but his tail never can quite get under it. He is a very smart cat and proves that fact constantly. 

While they are quiet and while Roy is working out, think I'll quietly continue to work on several projects around the house. 

Curated or Friendly Cooperation

 The never ending chores of dead heading roses is upon us these days. We have roses in about four different areas in the back as well as the front. Roy was able to get a good portion done last night while I was...planting roses. Okay, not big roses but miniature roses for containers. Also planted a few more zinnias, also in a container. The gnats were so bad last night it made everything a bit difficult. Our helpers in The Feral Fam were along our sides as we made our way around doing chores. The payoff for Fido was playing with the planting pots the miniature roses came in. He was trying to show Chanel how to play with them and even engaged playing with her. Ah yes, the step across generations in The Fam. 

We made a quick drive over to TJs in Mars Hill. Great peaches and picked up some strawberries. Also, I liked their zinnias and got a couple more to put in the garden. Made a stop then at Ingles. On the way home, since the top was down, we kept an eye on the sky cause off in the distance across the mountains we could see rain. The temps cooled and the sky became the lovely rain patina of gray. We made it home and it never rained a drop. Made the above paragraph about dead heading roses a little easier.

Another year, another SBC convention. Another convention filled with everything the world has to offer, well in discussions or arguments or whatever. Social media presence adds a lot now because before that one couldn't be sure on which side someone was on. That seems counterintuitive to write. I didn't watch any of it but read Twitter and saw pics posted on Twitter. If I was a SBC pastor and of course there is no way I could be nor do I want to be one, but if I was, I would think the convention attendance as a punishment, but then again that's just me. No attention span and I might have to bring a coloring book to keep me occupied. At this time of year, back in the early 80s when the conservatives fought back and won power, my non Baptist friend asked  if the SBC spilt what church would I go to and I answered, the one with a gym. I can now add "friendly cooperation" to my list of phrases or words that make me laugh or question all I have ever known...not in Baptist circles exclusively. Like it is aggravating to get an email from J. Jill or Macy's, even Duluth Traders telling me that they have curated a few clothing items that fit my style. So far, they ain't even batting a 1000, curated or not. But, I digress, back to the subject at hand. Maybe if everyone went over here, on a field trip, there wouldn't have been so much dissention in the ranks. Or maybe if everyone got a sugar high from beignets...Maybe next year everyone can agree over corn fritters or corn products from Indiana. Sugar crème pie...that will do the trick!

Dena and I stopped on one of our road trips to the Biltmore. All I can say is, we were disappointed. No pumpkins. Hardly saw a Baptist either. 

The results from my bloodwork are in and there are a few changes as far as this non medical professional can read but I'll wait for the dr appointment. 

I am deeply considering doing something unconventional in the arrangement of the downstairs. With the furniture Roy brought with him last year, we decided to move the couch into the front room and for now go with chairs in the living room. It works okay and we need to decide what we are going to do. Doug suggested that with our dining room that we never use, we could convert that space and sell the dining room furniture...only I am not quite ready to do that, sell the furniture. So we have a nice sized entrance way and we can move the dining room table there easily. We can use this front room again as an office and then get rid of one of the desks. We'd have to have the chandelier changed or lifted higher but it is totally do able. We don't entertain and most people who would see it wouldn't judge us or if they did it would be on the quiet side. Even if it was on the loud side, I don't know that it would matter much to us. Anyway, we are measuring and I think we have found a small couch. Getting things together to get a junk hauler out here. So these are the things that occupy me today as well as studying Jeremiah 7. Roy and I are in friendly cooperation as we discuss these plans. 

Onward!

 The overcast, foggy morning is giving way to June sunshine and today, the temps seems to be a little lower than usual. Always welcomed, cool morning, bearable afternoons and cool evenings. We have been dead heading roses in the evenings cause bees and wasps aren't around them like in the morning. Slowly but surely the vitality of flowers is taking over and with the vibrant green of trees and the grass make a lovely view. The morning after rain, a favorite. 

On Saturday night I watched TCM and they showed Gilda Live. It was filmed on opening night of the stage production in New York City. I had forgotten some of the language but back in the day I don't think it bothered me as much as it should have and now, brain fog makes it more likely if I see or hear these words...what if they pop in. Wouldn't that be great on Sunday mornings. Gilda Radner was so talented beyond comedic abilities. Rosanne Roseannadana was my favorite but really so were Lisa Loopner and Emily Litella. She used subtle looks and expressions. She said things, gave the audience a few seconds to realize what she said and would erupt in laughter. Even her over the top rock star persona, Candy Slice, would have that subtle relevance to it. When the road crew drags her off the stage, they push her back up so she can grab her bottle of Jack Daniels and they drag her off the stage completely. The temptation to make a face or something is there toward the audience. In my love of comedy, Gilda ranks very high as does Lucy. Only right now since Roy said he has trouble watching I Love Lucy because knowing the truth of what was going on with Lucy and Desi, he was a serial cheater, causes those episodes of jealousy or anger, he can only imagine the hurt Lucy was going through. That hasn't stopped me from watching but it has made me look at things differently. I never realized until recently the over the top comedy, which is funny, happened not with subtilty but with her eyes, making them huge in a reaction and the distortion of her face. Yep, it really wasn't done until Lucy and she is a trail blazer even today for women comedians. Of course Ethyl couldn't be as funny as Lucy, it was in the contract but I love how in comedic moments she used her voice and body language to deliver some pretty humorous scenes without over shadowing Lucy. When I read about Lucy's last series being cancelled, she thought no one liked her anymore but the truth being, no one wanted to see an aging legend doing slapstick comedy with the likelihood of injuring herself. Although Gilda used slapstick for The Judy Miller Show and her gymnast routine, she didn't seem to do that later in life, although she died when she was 42. I love this quote in one of her journals found after her death;

,“And then I realized what comedy is: It’s hitting on the truth before the other guy thinks of it.” 

I was never a big fan of Milton Burel or Bob Hope, they were very predictable and totally scripted, especially Bob Hope. I appreciated the comedy writing of Laverne and Shirley. Used all the comedic devices. Witty dialogue, they did their own stunts and used funny and creative standard comedic entrances. So I went down a rabbit trial on comedy and comedians where originally I was thinking after watching Gilda Live, several lines now in hindsight, unfortunately became truth in her last year or so of life but this bunny trail was kind of fun for me to go down. 

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🎵All the trees are, all the trees are gone and the sky is gray...no really Carolina blue🎵 Well, after returning from our full morning into afternoon, we came home to all the trees across the road on the edge of the pasture, felled and in a pile. We knew it was coming, but it feels so deeply sad. They have marked a straight line in the lower part of the pasture and can be seen from upstairs with upended ground. We've mentally and emotionally prepared the last few years for this day and as we prepared for this day, we also began to focus more on the backyard as well as making flowerbeds that draw our eyes away from across the way. Several years ago, we looked into having a fence put in and we might do that in the near future. Nothing like a tall fence but one that more of less draws the eye downward into the yard. We shall see. 

Got blood work done yesterday morning and had a great conversation about Jeremiah with the tech. She saw my notes when I left them in her chair whilst going down the hall to provide a sample to bring back. Then, Roy and I headed over to Fireside Restaurant for breakfast. They have a mural on one of the walls and we sat right below the waterfalls. We had a delicious breakfast and in particular the pecan waffle is my favorite. A quick text to Audrey to see if she would be able to help us with picking out new frames for Roy and she was available. We made our way back toward Asheville, Audrey helped us tremendously with finding the right fit for Roy, and then he and I went over to Barnes and Noble. I am trying not to buy a lot of books, and yes, it is a difficult discipline but I did find the magazine I was looking for and a wall calendar for the kitchen. Roy talked me into going over to Sam's and it was a quick trip cause this girl was fading fast. Some days are really good energy wise and yesterday was a good day, but once we got home...it all hit. So thankful that Roy understands the energy and the drained energy of heart life and he takes care of me so well. 

I was saddened to learn that a store I liked has closed and the building is for sale. I hadn't visited since the pandemic shutdowns. Unusual pieces done by local artists. Several other places have closed as well and it surely is the ups and down of retail but also gathering back steam after being closed down for so long. 

The immediate plan was to vacuum but when The Boys are quiet, I like to keep that peace. Guess that means going upstairs and begin writing out the lesson. Trying different ways to have notes cause Jeremiah and my large notebook aren't quite the right partnership. Onward!  

People Watching and Cats Too

 I am tired after a full and busy day. When we left the house this morning, a big excavator was sitting close to the road in the pasture across the way. It has been feeling like they are getting close to developing the land across the way. When we got home this afternoon, they had dug up some trees and look to be in the process of making a road opening off the small dirt/gravel road across the way. Right now our trees cover the area where the work has started. 

On the way over to TN, we stopped in Marshall at the tag office. I usually know not to go on Friday but we thought we would be early enough, but everyone else had the same idea and most of those who had business with the tag office had complicated paperwork, titles and all that kind of stuff, not just getting their tags for the license plate. One must amuse oneself when there is a long line. So I played the game of who in this line is not from here? One or two men in line stood out as, not from around here. Mostly men with long white beards, Harley t-shirts, bib overalls and a few in mechanic uniforms and I was feeling quite good by wearing my support Appalachian farmers t-shirt. One in particular with the impatience of a two year old, could not stand still keeping up with who might or might not be cutting in line. One man in particular who had come in and stood by us, at the end of the line was called forward for some special attention. Impatient man could not stand it and he yells out to the front, hey I was here before him! What is going on here. The tag lady explained he had been the first customer of the day and had to return with an official document, so she was taking care of him first. He calmed down a bit but the need to stand in the middle of the room took over his mind and to amuse himself while waiting, he began to do yoga. I knew right then and there, he wasn't native. The other men who looked and were from the area just stared at him as he did butt clenches in between his yoga poses. We all kept our giggles to ourselves but we were all looking at him and then looked at each other making eye movements like, what in the Sam Hill is going on with this guy. Roy was oblivious because he was all involved in market watching and the stock market on his phone. Finally, it was yoga mans turn. He talked loudly and authoritative concerning his antique car blah, blah blah...The man next to me whispered do you think he was trying to fart when he was squeezing his butt like that? I hadn't a clue and there had been no odor that took over the room. Whatever business he had come to take care of would not be done cause the Asheville office had put his paperwork on a shelf, then probably forgot about it. He was trying to tell the tag lady what to say and what to do as she called them on the phone, she looked at him and said, they'll hang up on me if I do that. She added I would do the same to them. She assured him he was on the top of her list to get this for him, asked his phone number and his one last grasp at finding some favor in this little bitty office, in a small town in the middle of rural Western North Carolina, he told her he trusted her and had faith in her more so than that Asheville office. She gave him a look and said move on, I'll call you. Once we had finished with getting our renewal and got back to the truck, I asked Roy to look up the area code he had said with his phone number. I had narrowed my guess to California and New York, but was heavily leaning on New York. Bingo! I guessed right. Roy then said, what was he doing with his butt? I didn't even think he noticed with his face deeply entrenched on his phone screen. Butt crunches, with a yoga move is my guess. Roy said, I thought he was trying to pass gas and there he was standing in the middle of the room! 

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While Roy was with some of the guys from church playing gin rummy last night, I did a few chores, very few and then spent a lot of time outside in the cool of the evening. I watered a few plants as well as watering the truck. I saw a kitten climb up in the area under the hood. So a couple shots of water to discourage such adventure was administrated. Yesterday morning, there wasn't hide nor hair of the kittens. While concerning cause there are predators from the sky and dangers on the gravel road above us, we left for most of the day thinking we would return to see them all. Came home and just a few were hanging around but last night I discovered the new playground. Our ornamental cherries provide coolness and a protected area of play. Trees to climb and a great place to nap. We put a mesh covered pet bed out there. The older cats love it and now too the young ones. 

The Boys have finally settled a bit. Rambunctious and playful, eat breakfast, try to eat my breakfast, groom and take the first nap of the morning. Been a bit reflective on Mr Mo this week. It has been a year since we brought him into the house. Mama Cat had taken a swipe at him and her nail connected with his lower lip. Got him fixed up and fixed in that appointment with the vet. He doesn't have a loud purr but it sure is sweet when he can get a good, almost silent purr going. This morning he spent a lot of time on my lap. 

The side flowerbed is filled with sunflowers and perennial wildflowers, along with some roses and azaleas. Although I didn't envision the flowerbed filled with sunflowers this year, that is what reseeding and birds do. But my goal of that whole bed being filled with flowers is now after all these years coming into being. On a much smaller scale I've wanted to recreate the field between my Grandma B and her best friend's house. At least the feeling of it. The added blackberry bushes adds to the story. 

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I should get this finished up. Roy just left for a meeting at church. The Boys and I took a nap this afternoon until someone started playing and it was not me. They were all banished so I could finish up my nap. 

Two weeks into Jeremiah and I'll have to say it is challenging. We looked at the first thirteen verses of chapter 2. So much there so little time and sometimes a lot of prep but not feeling like I got a point made. I think I did make some points today though, especially about the living streams of water verses making broken cisterns. I am thankful for a class that bears with me when trying to get my bearings in a new study. 

Bloodwork this week and with the news that Strawberry Hill now has their peaches, we might have to make the journey to the Upstate. The peaches that we've bought at TJs have been so good. 

Scattered, Sleep and Stuff

 Good Monday morning! Thankful for an ease into the morning kind of day. I kind of overslept and for that I am truly thankful. Roy and The Boys were especially quiet. 

A lady in our Sunday School class passed away last week after a long stint in a nursing home. She was youngish, in her 60s. All throughout the years I've known her she has been on the sickly side. Her service is tomorrow. 

I felt so mentally scattered yesterday while teaching the lesson. After the familiarity of John, Jeremiah was a dive into cold water...which I assume will warm up as the weeks go on. The very essence of Jeremiah is accepting the often difficult and hard call of a prophet to a nation who didn't want to hear a word he said. During study throughout the week several commentaries showed how if he continued on with the role of priest like his daddy and granddaddy before him, his life would have been easier but not fulfilling. So in that chapter we studied as Jeremiah is prepared by God and given the assurances that He will not leave him and He will watch over His Word, I was drawn in also by the almond branch. The first sign of spring in Israel, blooming usually in January that gives the hope of warmer weather and fruit and veggies. Here, our first sign of spring is daffodils and even some years you can photograph daffodils in snow. The first sign of spring, then tulips, plantings after Mother's Day. This year I wasn't going to plant sunflowers over in the side flowerbed but it is profusely growing lots of sunflowers along with four o'clocks and a few other wild flowers. In fact this morning, the first bloom of the season for sunflowers showed out. I came to love gardening late but so glad I came to it before it is too late. But of course, I digress, the almond branch showing out after the dormant months of winter. Living out life sometimes can feel like that, dormant...where's God? Then, the first bloom of spring gives us reason to know our dormant season is not forever. We had a guest in our class yesterday. She said she loved to discuss and get into theological issues. Maybe that's what knocked me a bit cause I am more of an applicable teacher. Thankfully, she made great comments and we didn't do a deep dive and beyond my pay grade. 

Looks like the Yancy Farmer's Market still has spring onions. How did we go so far in life not knowing about spring onions? Perfect size for hamburgers and not a real strong taste. For this we are thankful. 

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Roy has missed two nights of watering plants so he is out this morning watering his tomato and green pepper plants, oh and flowerbeds as well. He has his companion "helping" him, Fido the feral cat who acts like a dog. Roy even pointed out that Fido has the coloring of a husky and this cat doesn't mind water at all. He is beautiful or maybe should that be handsome. He is the second cat in the line of several and hope to be many that we've had fixed. Fido is letting Roy pick him up a little and that is so encouraging. 

While Roy was at deacon's meeting last night, I watched The Shiny People on Amazon Prime. So many are commenting on it and while not a Duggar fan nor a fan of Bill Gothard, IBLP, I remember oh so well friends who got involved with that ministry. I happened upon it in the mid-seventies while single but couldn't afford to attend the seminar. A friend let me borrow her sacred book, don't let anyone look at it who has not paid the price of admission. Once I looked at it I was never so happy not to be able to afford to attend. I had lived and still influenced by this kind of thinking and living with my father except there wasn't anything spiritual about his reign of terror. Although for awhile I thought we might have attended FBC Hammond IN when we lived there because somewhere my father had picked up a few things. Thankfully, in a baby book I found out we didn't attend that church when I was a toddler. The other thing I remember from that brief encounter was being told, I really wasn't the type for the movement...guess it had something to do with my always too much and too often, non filtered words and thoughts. I remember asking several friends who really got into the whole thing, using the umbrella example of authority, what and who protected from the "rain" that is sideways and the umbrella isn't any good. I don't know if I will be able to watch the last two episodes though. 

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Well another punt day so our plans for today will now happen next week. That is fine by me. The smoke from Canada is thick here and yesterday afternoon we could feel it in our eyes and throats. The mountains could not be seen in the distance. 

Our Sunday School class was represented well by class members for Kathy's memorial service. It was a nice service. 

I have loved that several grocery stores have been playing Tina Turner to remember her and her contributions of great music over the years. While I had stopped wearing stiletto heels, I still had several pair from joint venture auditor work. I would learn the choreography from watching the VCR recordings I had and then when I knew it by heart I challenged myself by doing some of that hard chorography on the bed. Soon had to give that up cause, it was dang hard to do. As I have watched tributes to her over the weeks, I noticed as she got older, she adjusted Proud Mary chorography to make it a tad easier. 

Part of the reason we changed plans for today is because I woke up at 3:30 am and could not go back to sleep. Got up and right about now I am feeling the effects of a shortened nights sleep. When I woke up I thought about the lesson this Sunday and probably was too afraid to go back to sleep cause I would forget the point. Doesn't matter cause I forgot it even being awake.   

🎵Go K*ll the Fattened Calf 🎵

 I am about to share with y'all a wild story. Along with it being a wild story it also has a happy ending. Yesterday, Roy decided to go work out early and then run to the grocery store to pick up a few items. He loves grocery shopping and for this I am thankful. Our standard practice before driving the car up the driveway is to honk, bang on the front hood and do a visual inspection for cats or kittens. A couple of years ago, I had to spray water under the car to get the little ones moving. Roy even added to the ritual yesterday, he had to shut the trunk. When he got to the bottom of our road the mailbox was open, so he checked on that and with the shutting of the opening on the mailbox, he got into Mustang Sam and was on his way. It wasn't too long after Roy's departure that he called. His voice lowered and in soft halting sentences. My thought is oh no, he has been in a wreck but not that at all. With all the tree trimming going on around here by Duke Energy, parts of the main road become one lane take turns kind of thing. While stopped, a man in the truck behind him came up to his door to tell him he saw three kittens drop and run from underneath the car close to the former Exxon station. Roy was able to turn around and go back. He called me as he made the turn to go back and look for them. I went outside and searched long our road and the main road. We were both so upset. Roy looked all around the area, not a sign of them anywhere. He came back home and we opened the hood to see if there were any remains...nothing and for this we thanked God. Roy took some time to gather himself and retraced his route looking for them as he went along. I felt a hole in my heart cause I knew that one of the kittens was Coco, probably one of the Radley Juniors and a quad kitten. We call all the little solid black kittens quad for quadruple. There are many that have come this way over the years. I worked on my lesson with multiple breaks checking on Toupee and the kittens. In those breaks, I would go to the front yard and whistle the tune that calls them to feeding time. Those kittens know that tune. You cannot help but think that they didn't make it or they were injured and lost. My prayer was if found, people would be kind and help them. All day I checked on sites of lost and found animals...not a mention. We had brief but numerous rain showers late afternoon into early evening and that delayed supper time for the kittos. As soon as the rain let up, I fixed plates of yummy food and brought them out to the regular spot. Beanie and Toupee met me at the door and escorted me. I watched for a bit as the five remaining kittens came to eat supper and I whistled the food's on tune. Fluff Mo came running from underneath the deck and long with him he had three kittens, Coco, Radley Jr and Quad. I could hardly believe my eyes. I stood there a moment taking it in just in case this was some cruel trick of my imagination. No, they were there. Coco had some coral color paint on her but none the worse for ware. I hurried into the house and told Roy that the three who had gone on the great car adventure had returned home. He came downstairs and we watched them all eat. One of the big Quads arrived on cue to welcome the prodigals home with a fattened calf squirrel. As he came toward them I could not help but break out in song, 🎵Rejoice, rejoice our kittens have come home again, go kill the fattened calf squirrel🎵 After a bit of time, I looked out the window and all that was left of that squirrel was the tail, the bones of its arms and a few unidentified pieces. 🎵 Roy went out and got the plates as well as the bits and pieces but not the tail cause one of the kittens was using it as a toy and wouldn't give it up. Even though we consider near the former Exxon station nearby, that is a pretty good jaunt for kittens. Toupee, Fluff Mo and Beanie were not around that afternoon and maybe they went on a search, but really the three returning is quite the miracle. 

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We needed this lazy Saturday morning. For us, we have had a busy week. We ended up Friday with a trip to Burnsville. Christy's Crafts had an open house and Lamp Post Vintage Market had a restock, So many cute things. One of my favorite vendors had more of her flowers made from book pages. She trims them in red and they are just beautiful. We bought a table top desk top as we are making plans to redo furniture and make our home to accommodate our living. We stopped in Burnsville first and then headed over to Christy's. Found many cute things but only purchases a few. Our next stop, Mars Hill and we timed it just right to stop at the new Mexican Food Restaurant, Taco Fiesta.  It is something Fiesta not sure Taco is right. Yep, just checked it is Taco Fiesta. The food is good and I even had to get a to go box. Lunch menu good till 3:00. We waddled over to TJs for strawberries, onions, tomatoes and peaches. Then a quick visit to Ingles. The weather was great and we had the top down for most of the ride. 

Roy is now the teacher for his Sunday School class. This is his first week working on a lesson. We talk about Jeremiah and our lessons are taking different approaches. That means the Word is alive and active, that's for sure. My emphasis is on the almond branch as well as Jeremiah accepting the call. He puts his lesson on his iPad and I write it out by hand in a notebook. Helps me remember it better. Jeremiah has never been on the top hit parade but so far, yes just the first chapter and intro, but so far I am encouraged by the study. I bought several books months ago to prepare and it is funny that two of the books are recommended in commentaries as great resources of study. The third book is a very technical book but I did find something for the lesson in it. The into to the book is like sixty something pages long. 

Our garden is looking good. Lots of blackberries on the vines and tomatoes have little tomatoes showing. I need to go check the plum trees and the apple tree is right on course. At least we will not be overwhelmed with apples this year. Camo, now the matriarch of The Feral Fam made an appearance last night. I was able to get some food close by to her on the driveway. She ate keeping an eye on me because in all these years, she doesn't trust us.   

Roy is leaving to go workout and has added spraying water under the car as part of the morning ritual of leaving. Don't think we will ever quite forget the miracle of the kittens. 

The Days Await

 Hi, my name is Nancy and I am hooked on watching videos of apartments available in NYC, Brooklyn, Hells Kitchen, Williamsburg, and other places outside of Manhattan. Upper east side, Soho.... I have no interest in moving to New York but I am fascinated by the descriptions of what constitutes spaciousness. Almost every bedroom they show looks like it might have room for bunk beds, but the realtor says, room for a queen size bed. But I think the catch is...that is all there is room for, no chest of drawers, nightstands, a chair or even a small desk...sometimes the closets are bigger than the bedrooms. Of course the price is out of reach for many and thus comes the roommate situation. One person commented, yes living on the ground floor is a reprieve from stairs but if only you can deal with the sound of rats wrestling outside your window. That would be it for me. The other interesting note is commentary on kitchens. I did not know that dishwashers could be made so small. I am just happy to have an attention span again and while I try not to waste time, if I am going to view much, this isn't so bad.

The pasture, soon to be homes, but now, the pasture across from us was mowed, fluffed, and rolled into bales last week. Such an interesting process and the fragrance of fresh cut grass with the hay feel, is one of my very favorite fragrances. The man on the all purpose John Deere is an artist as he maneuvered around the stakes and flags marking houses or roads or whatever they are going to do over there probably sooner than later.  

We finished up John yesterday. John 21 is a favorite chapter and although in the quarterly we were mainly to cover the last half, we barely looked at that yesterday. Now, the challenge of Jeremiah. Several months ago I bought some books on Jeremiah. One of them is very technical and goes into the detail of the of all the kings and rulers of other countries and the timeline of it all. We kind of studied that last year in the divided kingdom but what has interested me is Jeremiah himself, his calling and through it all never seeing any results of his preaching and warnings, he stayed in the strength of God. 

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I have been feeding the kitties, main concern, and any other of the Feral Fam that join in. We found these great sectioned platters in the picnic section of a store, so that is what we use. I stay out there hoping to get these kittos accustomed to being with hooomans. I have a couple that will come up and smell my extended hand. Fido has let me pet him and he is a part of the welcoming committee when coming out the garage door to serve brunch and after supper snack. Fluff Mo is even braver about near me. Since Radley has taken over from King Herod banishing KH over the rainbow bridge, he has kind of become a snoot head. Guess it comes when one is the King of the Territory. He makes life for any non fixed male cat a life on the run. So when Radley comes down the backyard steps, the male cats scatter. An interesting happening last week, Beanie had just finished eating and he was having a sneezing attack. I saw the problem and right as I was making the move toward him, he came to me for help. Not only had he inhaled his food, he had inhaled a skinny piece of grass up his nostril. Picked him up and put him on my lap, then on the second try, I was able to pull that long skinny piece of grass from his nose. Think that is resume worthy. 

The sound of trees and overgrown areas is the sound of yesterday and this morning. The tree trimming part of Duke Electric is out working to cut back trees, take out dead trees and such for the upcoming summer season, well and winter too, because it has been about five years since the last major push to make the electric lines and such safe from falling trees. Our busy road is one lane for the duration of the trimming. Some of the equipment used looks like tanks. 

Just got in from feeding the kittos and misc cats. Now the back is a whirlwind of activity. Fighting, wrestling, some waiting for the right moment to attack and a few ready for the morning nap. The adult cats spread out from the top of the yard and across from fir trees to the buttery fly bushes. Some will join Roy out in the front as he works in the front garden. In a bit I'll be pulling weeds, the ongoing work of the side of the driveway flowerbed. It is at that point I am taking pics of plants because I can't remember if they are wildflowers or weeds. 

The beginning of these summer months where the sun coming through the fully leafed trees making odd patterns on the grass in the yard. Soon the yellow school busses will take a break and those luxurious carefree days even if we are not affected by the school year brings an inner joy even in the busiest of moments.