Battles, Skirmishes and Beetles

 Our portion of patchy fog has cleared. Guess July is getting us ready for August fog where we count the days for days of snow or inches of snow. I've heard both used but clearly in the eight years here, it has never been spot on. Extended forecasts are calling for a wet winter although I don't know if that means rain, icy rain, sleet or snow. Guess it is up to us to decide. 

There is a tiny change in Willie, the youngest Feral Fam cat indoors. He is beginning to climb into our laps even when the chance of food is nil to none. Willie get his afternoon whipped cream faithfully on schedule and that little special attention has calmed him down as well as growing out of his cat teenaged years. Neither Mr Mo or GMoey care for the stuff. Willie is still quite the bully especially to Mr Mo. This time last year we were concerned because Mr Mo was such a bully to GMoey but then GMoey got bigger and suddenly all interest in bully type moves recessed into the distant past. Willie has the biggest head and he uses it to push away Mr Mo from the food dishes. He also uses his big head to get past me. 

Berry picking the past few days has been quite fruitful. Oh and I know it's bad. We have been beating birds to the berries but somehow we are loosing the war with japanese beetles. We had a good clearing of them but their reinforcements entered the picture. Last night and will do so again tonight in the front yard, but I am carrying with me a bucket of Dawn and water, so dishwater to pick off bugs and put them in the bucket. In an all out offense, I trimmed back every rose bloom and any blackberries that do not look like they will produce. Scorch the earth policy. We also tackled the war against bagworms last night. We found the organic stuff to rid them from our firs, thanks Bev, and we began that battle in earnest. Also, with all the sunflowers in the side flowerbed and being just a few weeks away from all the sunflowers blooming in the front yard, I have been cutting off the heads of the spent blooms and putting them in the garage to dry out. I am leaving a majority of the seeds for the birds. I love watching the gold finches eat seed from the big heads. They are totally camouflaged by the yellow and the cats never spy them being relatively close. Also, breaking news on the plum trees that were mislabeled, he thinks they are cherry trees. So that would be two cherry trees and two plum trees. I think he is right cause the fruit sure looks like cherries. We will keep an eye on this breaking news. The beforementioned quince tree is really just a crab apple tree. Misidentification on the iPhone app. This gardening is such a wonder and we enjoy the serendipity of all we plant and grow. Some planned but most a happy ending. 

Another chapter another week in Jeremiah. I love chapter 31 but I got so engrossed with verse 21 about the road signs to return and we also looked at Jeremiah 6:16 where the people are given the chance to choose at the crossroads which direction they will turn. They chose their choice but even in judgement God gave grace to them when about 50,000 returned back home after the exile. We stand at cross roads everyday, minor decisions, and we have those impact decisions, like choosing between CBS core group leader training although I would be in NC because of Roy's generous gift or the gift...I chose NC and I think in hindsight, it had to be a yes/no decision cause once I made that decision, no looking or turning back. 

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I find Willie's stash of pinecones in a lot of places but this morning I found two small pinecones that had been put into a book. He usually puts them in my muck boots or hides them among pillows and such. 

We spent the morning in Burnsville trying out Pig and Grits for breakfast and then for a quick trip to Lamp Post Vintage Market. Stopped at Publix on the way home. Pig and Grits did not disappoint. Breakfast was delicious. After a snack type lunch we went to Ducketts and Lou Lou had canned greasy beans. So beans, strawberry sauce, and blue lake green beans that Roy wanted to try. 

They began work across the way placing the cinderblocks in place. Looks like hard and hot work. We are having a bit of higher than normal temps this week. July is the hottest month around here so August will be hot but not as hot as now. 

Roy picked his first green pepper and a bucket of tomatoes. Some are green cause they are so big and too much for the plant as well as little buggies that think someone has prepared a feast for them. We still battle the japanese beetles but I find it so satisfying to knock them into a bucker of water with Dawn detergent in it. We have not won the war as of yet but we have the battles down to skirmishes. 

Recoup, Rest and Read

 We met a feral cat lady yesterday and she had such good stories and of course sad stories of helping feral cats. I have learned so much from helping The Feral Fam, many of the lessons are spiritual in nature. I was telling her about King Herod and how he tried to kill the baby male kittens and I felt for sure he had killed HP. This is the first year that July 7th rolled around and I forgot that this is the last time I saw HP in 2021 or 2020 I don't remember. The cat lady said most probably KH had killed HP because she was no longer interested in what he had to offer. She wasn't filled hormonal urges after being spayed and he could not deal with that. She said many male cats just go on and look for another fertile cat but some take the rejection personally. 

Now on Thursday we begin with the chance of rain today and ending by the afternoon. Except for VBS there isn't anywhere we need to be today and even Roy is rejoicing in some down time. He is working on his lesson and soon enough I will be doing the same thing. Got some of it written out yesterday and know the emphasis and direction of the lesson. 

It was chicken night at VBS and it was really good. Clean up went quickly and I was able to get home, pick some blackberries and get the Feral Fam fed. Chanel looks to be doing good and no hesitation of acceptance upon her return. She even came close to me which I thought might take several weeks to happen. The big surprise is Fido, he climbed onto my lap for about five minutes and purred so loudly. Took a pic to make Roy jealous. 

Just saw on FB that my faux cousin passed away yesterday, suddenly. I've always called her faux because we didn't even know she existed until 1978 or so. She was the daughter of my Uncle Bob who was my Great Aunt Amy's second husband. When Uncle Bob's wife died from cancer her request was their two daughters be raised by her sister and husband because they were unable to have children. So I think for a long time Karen didn't know about us nor we her. I don't know when she learned about who her biological parents were. I do know this, she was loved and beloved in her community. She retired from teaching and being a librarian at the high school she attended and graduated from. Reading so many condolences on FB, of former students thanking her for the investment she made in their lives. 

Once again and forever always to be thankful not driving I 10 through Louisiana to get here or back to Houston. If we were making that drive I think we might just be going on I 20 instead. Even the usual detour route is closed for bridge repair or in some cases rebuild.  

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Friday and we are both VBS free. Haha! My food service and clean up duty done. I cannot participate for the Friday evening family night due to heat as well as being around a bunch of kiddos which wrecks havoc with my immune system. Roy doesn't need to take pics so he has been set free as well. We are both easing into the day. 

The other day coming home from getting our hair cut, a chicken crossed the road...really, in front of us and I swerved not to hit it. Most chickens around here don't usually get into the road but stay in yards. Definitely a first. 

Coming home from VBS the other night, a truck parked across the way was kind of on the new road for the pasture soon to be development. At first thought, maybe the guy in charge of the work checking things out but once I pulled into our driveway, the thought crossed my mind maybe he was looking for stuff to take. When last seeing him, he was on the way down the newly created road so I haven't a clue if for good or for evil intentions. With the rain and who knows what else has caused some delays. After the cinder block was delivered and one morning of cement trucks, not a creature has stirred over that way unless we think the truck guy was a creature of ill intent. 

We picked about a half of bucket of blackberries last night. Think we are even if not a little ahead of the birds, wasps and japanese beetles. The birds keep rather busy with the sunflowers, so that works. 

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Back to Monday of a new week. Hit and miss posting because of VBS and keeping rested. The obituary for my faux cousin Karen is posted. She is older than me but I thought we were around the same age. Oops. Anyway, she has had a tremendous impact on the community. Well, since it is Monday that means there are things to do and I guess I'd better go and get started. 

 

Full Circle

 The pasture across the road got a delivery of cinder blocks this morning. Soon the aforementioned pasture will be referred as the development. I liked the cows better. We have made and are in the process of decisions of any additions to make the yard more private. We feel like it is better to make these decisions before people move into the homes. For a quick minute we contemplated moving to east TN, but our Saturday trip reminded us that just cause land is near mountains that does not translate into the cooler temps of the mountains. If we were younger or just starting out in life, the holler makes sense but alas we are not starting out...

First night of VBS in the books. The whole church looks wonderful decorated as a castle Our Sunday School room held the same vibe. Roy is taking pics and I help serve and clean up after supper. Roy said the VBS songs are really good. I will get home earlier than Roy this week so I picked blackberries last night after feeding The Feral Fam. Got almost a container full but mad that after doing so much to deter japanese beetles, the evidence of their presence is there among the berries. The dried out remains. For so many blooms and young sprouts of berries, we have lost more than we would like to these hordes. The bug bags are working and killing them by hand is too. While picking berries, Fido climbed the trellis and sat there watching me work. He must have been missing Roy and their nightly trips out to the front yard to trim back tomato plants and water when needed. 

We studied Jeremiah 29 yesterday and I did my best to stay away from Jeremiah 29:11. Not that it isn't important but the simple steps that God gave the Judeans to thrive in captivity were so simple. Build homes, plant gardens, get married, have children and pray for the city you are in so that it goes well with you. Sometimes we forget there is work to be done to see the future and a hope from God. I kind of let my personal opinion of the verse and the over use of it show up in the lesson. I hate that I slid into that thought while teaching and reliving the thought of a Sunday School teacher that hit on this verse and prayer of Jabez once too often during the years. Oh yes and the dreaded mission statement obsession that I can't really be miffed with cause that mission statement stuff helped a friend to move more into her ministry. Back to the paragraph before digressing...found an interesting article about an exhibit in 2015 of small clay tablets from the Babylonian exile. Just daily life but gave great insight to the way though exiled and though not in their land, to the way life was lived and the religion was persevered.  I am convinced more and more that while there are spectacular moments with the Lord in life, the everyday in the day and noticing it is where the joy is and where our relationship with Him is found. Now we move onto Jeremiah 31, restoration and if memory serves me correctly, I think there are two verses about tambourines. Oh the joy!

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Successful trapping this morning. Roy got Chanel and Cha-naynay is not too happy about that fact. Think Coco and one of her siblings is the last of the female cats not spayed. Cutie, but she is great with kitten, so we will have to wait for her to make a trip. 

Another night of VBS in the books. It was BBQ night for supper and I stayed and helped the snack people by cutting strawberries. Came home, fed the Feral Fam and then picked blackberries. As friends in Houston say, there is tired and then there is VBS tired. I am feeling the VBS tired this morning. 

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Wednesday morning, still tired but it is a good tired. Roy has gone to pick up Chanel. I think the herbal supplement that the doctor recommended is working. About in week three and although my ankles and feet bear a lot of standing, the supplement and wearing supportive hiking boots have made a huge difference from yesterday to today.  Chanel is home and feisty. We will let her out a little later. 

I am so excited that one of the books on Vivian Vance and William Fraley arrived last night. I dare not pick it up cause I haven't written out the lesson for Sunday. The second book should arrive today. Hopefully, all the reading and studying and praying for this upcoming Sunday's lesson will all fall into place. We are in the midst of good news in Jeremiah, 30-33, so that is helpful. 

In the midst of the studying and working in VBS, there is an inside feeling in me that life is coming full circle. This is nothing profound or new, but just an observation. Well, more than an observation, more than a feeling, just a peace and contentment. Actually, the realization has been going on way before this week and there in the midst of joy, loss, repentance, rejoicing...just life really. I read an article today about a man's journey from a hard childhood into a productive and mannered adulthood. He was looking at real estate, looking to buy a house. He realized the homes he favored were older one story homes like his grandparents because his grandparents home brought safety and love in a rather loud and dangerous home with just one parent, that being his father. He shared that at his grandparents, they watched Wheel of Fortune, looked at photo albums of long gone family and heard tales of his Texas family on his grandmothers side. Nothing at all out of the ordinary, just routines of life, that made him crave that safe feeling. He would purposely get in trouble at school cause he would be sent home to grandma and grandpa, closest to the school and his father at work. Yesterday, I read about an experience a friend had and the full circle that God is bringing about in her family and ministry. So, I guess when God gave the Judeans a choice of deciding which path to take and now in chapter 31 instructing them as they go into exile to make markers along the road, so they'll know the way back. Ah, a full circle God. 

Olden Days and Rain

 Yesterday morning's capture of two kittens for neuter and spaying was quite a surprise. The ASPCA had said if we captured two, go ahead and bring them together. The bonus is, the two kittens were female. Roy has gone to pick them up. Calm has returned to breakfast this morning for the Feral Fam. The good problem that we have now is, not catching an already fixed cat. I know them better by appearance than Roy so my presence at breakfast is a tell tale sign something is up. Just heard from Roy they are boys. He thought when they sent over two female contracts that the two we caught...well, y'all know the story. 

We went to Burnsville yesterday to get a couple of things. We had planned to eat at a new to us place but neither of us were ready for a heavy southern cooked lunch. Another time for sure although the preference for us is the breakfast. A quick stop at Publix on the way home rounded out the morning. 

I have so enjoyed taking a look back at Houston from the 60s on FB. The openness of the city that developed into rambling subdivisions, stores and parking lots once on track, never stopped. Mentions of restaurants especially those along the edge of Main Street, flashy lights, torch lights, not a dim bulb in the midst. The mention of a few kiddy parks with rides and very docile horses brings back tons of memories of a shared growing up in Houston experience. Now where Harold Farb apartments were built, near Belden's on Chimney Rock in our early years in Houston there were trails with a few hills, man made, in the midst. Kids on stingray bikes or just walking and playing, our imaginations were the guide to the fun. If the water was low in Braes Bayou and if we were able to get our hands on a big piece of cardboard, we would wax the bottom of the cardboard and slide down the slopes till we hit the concrete slopes at the bottom before even getting close to that stinky, junky, stagnant water. Dinosaur bones were discovered along the big bayou that ran the length of Chimney Rock. That was exciting to watch. 

Still lots of digging and pointing across the way. The work to shore up the entrance has been going on and we can't see that cause of the trees in our yard. The land they are working on for a house is a little more toward Josh. It just seems that if they found water or a reliable source they wouldn't be standing around a lot, talking on the phone and pointing. That is my non professional opinion. In other related news the house being built across the valley had lights on for the first time. That house has been in the building process for a year or so. Just checked on the guys across the way. Sitting in back of truck talking. That's all the news for pasture news for now. 

Our two who went for the clip clip are running and frolicking around in the back. All are happy to see each other and things picked up where they left off. Nap time now cause it is a hot afternoon with very little breeze.

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Saturday morning. Ah, easing into the morning. Had one of those nights of getting up at 2:00 and going back to bed around 4:00. Roy got up around 5:00 and finally I got up for the day at 7:00. A few seconds of life you'll never get back from reading the sleep schedule last night. Anyway, after a busy day on Friday, I was so ready to go to sleep last night. We ran over to Erwin and then to Unicoi to visit a produce stand I had read about. We were not disappointed. Took the scenic route and thoroughly enjoyed it. Late lunch at home, unloading and then putting away stuff filled out the afternoon. For this area, the temps are a tad warm to hottish. Heat does a number on me. We got a little rain in the afternoon so the evening felt cooler. We both picked blackberries and Roy checked on his tomatoes. They are doing really well. I brought out to The Feral Fam two toys for the backyard. They have totally destroyed the red sled thing, so we got a new one as well as a semi tunnel with enclosure type thing. After a great dinner, these cats were pretty happy with the new toys. Chanel is getting closer to us and we are hoping for a breakthrough. Getting Coco and Chanel to the ASPCA is high on our list. 

We had about a fourteen hour back in the olden days adventure. The internet went out around 6:30 Thursday evening. After working outside I came in and started to read. I wasn't looking for anything that would gain too much of my attention but much to my surprise that trip to the olden days before internet was a rather profitable use of time. I've been skimming or just thumbing through a book I bought in the spring, Enchantment. The author has another book, Wintering that I enjoyed. I have written before about the struggle with my attention span. Nothing interested me too much in reading yet I still bought books. My attention span included watching anything, even if it was only 35 seconds long. So, reading the book the author details those very same issues and while she, at the time of publishing, had not resolved anything, she was on the road. I have been feeling the very same thing and the unusual things that are bringing me back to myself pre 2020. I also picked up a book by Luci Shaw as she desires to end out this earthly journey well. She's still around at 94 years of age. Just checked her website. Inspiring and she wrote the book at the age of 84. 

The long awaited rain has finally arrived. We got the Feral Fam fed and hopefully they will spend the night under the porch or on the top of the porch steps. Roy replaced two drawer supports in the bathroom, so that is good. Think we both have studied our lessons and talked about the 29th chapter a lot the past few days. So with a bit of thunder, I'll bid ado till the chance to write comes around and I always welcome that opportunity with wide arms. 

Beetles, Bears, Bagworms and Battles

 The battle continues against the dreaded hun more commonly known as the Japanese beetle. Reinforcements for the fight arrived on Sunday but it wasn't until Monday till they could be deployed. Once setting up the battle bags filled with the aroma of food and s%x for them, I approached the rose bushes with a sprayer of water and Dawn. Sometimes I resorted to hand to hand combat cause the sheer numbers of those little pests just get to me. I broke up their orgies in the rose blooms and smushed them into the ground, on rocks or on my hands. Well, at least they died with smiles on their faces. 

I learned yesterday that Dr King's Carolina Bison land is on the market. I've suspected as much since the elk haven't been around and the drive a couple of weeks ago with empty pastures where the watusi grazed. The land just down the road is about $7 million for 126 acres, houses, barns and a stream. Hmmm...will they take a check? Ha! Still looking for the reason why all their operations have moved from the area. Think their offices are now in West Asheville. 

Studying Jeremiah this week is so much better than last week. It really hit hard how much Jeremiah endured and how hard and difficult it was for him at times. Yet in-between all the out of chronological order, Jeremiah remembered. This week we are in Jeremiah 29 which as most know includes verse 11. Statistically one of the most out of context verses ever. Right up there with the prayer of Jabez and the necklace verse. The necklace is in the shape of a heart, but it splits into two necklaces, half a heart each saying, may the Lord watch between you and me as we are apart. Ah, great friendship thought only in the Bible it was due to the fact that the two didn't trust each other. Oh well... 

Only being older would make me think that this was a great day, our trip to Sam's yesterday. Parked close, got what we needed and an empty checkout, now that makes shopping at Sam's a little more tolerable. The only negative was cat food. Only had one choice of Friskies, The Feral Fam's supper, so we stopped in at Tractor Supply and found two pink boxes of Friskies. Has all their favorite flavors. I also, much to my embarrassment did an old lady thing. A young man asked if he could help us find anything and I mentioned the organic pesticide for bag worms. I could tell by his face he had no idea what a bag worm is. So, being an old lady in relatively good standing, I began to describe to him what they looked like and get this, I took it a bit further...I told him how that was my first job picking bag worms for family and neighbors, five cents a coffee can full. Mercifully, I stopped myself there, realizing I had just turned into Grandma D. She told long stories to grocery clerks about living in Illinois but she lived in Texas presently. Back to Tractor Supply, I told him that's okay, we would look for ourselves. I had lost interest in finding any in my ramblings, really. He said well, I never have heard of bag worms, but I have now. I thanked him on the inside for his kindness, cause he could have really gone another direction. Now I wish I had on an old flannel shirt that didn't match anything I wore and wore my hiking boots. That young man would have such a story to tell. 

I have also been thinking about the term, we want to live a simple life. We want to simplified lives. Yes, I would say we live a simpler life here but dang it is more difficult to do. We try to support and do support several local businesses but we might drive farther for that privilege and the goods might be higher in price. Growing food and we are so limited in what we grow by experience and knowledge, it hard work. Yep, did a mighty battle against those beetles on our blackberries. Daily battle. It is simplifier to buy blackberries at the grocery store or produce stand. Yes, we are still outsource types but we are trying to learn more. Well, this all fits in with Jeremiah 29, grow gardens...settle down. Gee, I wish we had seventy more years here although technically, we are not in exile. More like living in the promised land. 

Roy had his fitness evaluation this morning. He has gained weight but lost an inch in his chest. He was pleased with the report overall. 

This is a picture of the bear that has been roaming the general area. We have not seen him around here but he is just over the ridge or hill from us. Not sure what what to call the other side over our rise. Over six feet tall and he looks like he has raided quite a few birdfeeders and berry bushes. Someone saw him on her front porch cameras this morning. Wake up sleepy head. Good thing I am wearing a Baylor Bear t-shirt today.  I am sure he is familiar with the university. 

I've enjoyed being more observant for details while watching I Love Lucy. Lucy has brilliant comedic timing and I love that she used her friends to be extras from the time when she was Queen of the B movies. When Super Man was on, she didn't want the actor's name announced during the ending credits. She wanted any kids watching to continue believing in Super Man. That is really a wonderful fact to learn. As for Vivian Vance, I thought her timing and reaction was so good when she learns from Mrs. Trumble that Lucy might be Madam X, neighborhood cat burglar. 

The ongoing saga of our neighborhood information on FB has been about a concrete dalmatian dog stolen from someone's property. The woman whose sentimental dog was taken put out pleas on all social media. People were on the watch if that statue turned up on another porch. It was sighted, people confronted, said they ditched the dog at a nearby exit. The search was on but anyone could have picked it up and wouldn't have a clue. But, the woman that picked it up, not on FB, but her son is and saw the plea for the statue's return. They worked out a meet up, the returner was that found the dog was so nice. That is always good there are good people around still. The first sighting, at a house we pass everyday if we go toward Weaverville. Hmm...

I am in from the scouting report. Less beetles but still some on the roses. Took care of them and then checked the bug bags. They are doing the job. 

First A Nap and Then Install Reinforcements Against Beetles

 I haven't had an I'm a student at Baylor dream in a long time but that changed a couple of nights ago. The dreams are either I am back in my teens again going to Baylor or I am married but Roy wants me to go back and get a degree from Baylor. The other night, once again, married and my crazy friend Debbie and I are roommates, in Collins, freshman dorm. Nothing too weird about that at all and she has taken over our dorm room and left me very little space for me or my stuff. I woke up before anything was resolved but there were a lot of laughs in that dream. The month or so before moving here the Baylor thing came full circle for me with the Alumni By Choice certificate. Funny, for so long I held onto the thought that if I had been able to attend Baylor my life would have been better, great in fact but with that now feeling full circle, I began to realize that it would not have been the best thing for me to be there. It would have been a miserable existence that is for sure. Coming to NC a month or so after that ceremony, my addled brain, abused emotions, and all those hurts began to settle down, but now in the far recesses of my mind. This adventure that began in 2014 has been wild but in the midst of it all, I think I am who I would have been without all the abuse and sheer horror that could be childhood at times. Two times within the last month two topics on the I Grew Up in Southwest Houston Facebook group, have caused a little trigger in me. Someone posted the pic of the Six Flags of Texas Clock in the center of Sharpstown Mall, from back in the day, and it surprised me, the physical reaction I had to seeing it. That is where my father would bring me and tell me that our family didn't want me anymore and maybe if I was lucky, a new family would see me and want me to be in theirs. Of course the instructions contained the advice, it would be best not to cry. No one would want me. So seven or eight year old me standing by the clock, trying to smile and hope someone would like me enough to go to their family. Never, ever did anyone ask anything about me or talk to me like, are you lost little girl? With that evil grin we saw way too many times, my father would return for me and once again enforce the fact no one liked me, I would never fit in and I was doomed. The other memory was of Burnett Bayland Home. BBH was an orphanage back in the day and my brother and I were threatened constantly he was taking us there. Made the fake phone call to get us all worked up. Sometimes he acted like he was looking for a suitcase for us to pack a few things. I caught on quickly he wasn't going to do it cause there is no way he was going to let us pack our things in the good suitcases. With all this the truth remains, God was with me every step of the way, even when I didn't know His presence. I also know that meeting Roy, falling in love with him and getting married was the far better plan and boy howdy, do I know it. 

I think we bought our last bucket of strawberries yesterday for the season. As mentioned before this has been a particularly good season but free stone peaches being up next in the produce stand season makes the strawberry loss a little easier. 

This week's lesson is a struggle and it has been all week. Just reading over and over the travails of Jeremiah. No support cause everyone hated him from the Kings to prophets, priests, friends, family and his close friends. Yet he never wavered in his trust of the Lord. Wow! This morning I was feeling kind of down over the reading of all that goes on, but in the midst of it all, an encouraging praise would come forth from his heart, then some whining and then back on point and message. Not that I can identify with that. 

We are fighting the battle of the bugs, Japanese beetle and bag worms. Two traps for the beetles and the one by the blackberries is doing the job. I moved the other trap closer to the roses along the fence. When I can find more traps I'll be getting more out as well. Need to put one out front as well as another one for the back fence roses. Last year they weren't as bad but this year, they have returned and this time with a vengeance. This is also fruit fly season and those little buggers drive us all up the wall, especially The Boys who chase them down but have no clue if the fly survives cause they are so tiny. 

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Church was special in spite of the lesson in Jeremiah. The young man our class loves, preached in church. He is good. One more semester at Fruitland and then he is off to finish at Wake Forest, I think. The I think part of about Wake, not finishing. Our friend, K, joined our church this morning and great rejoicing was had all around. These things fill us with joy! Our pastor and family back from vacation. VBS starts in another week. 

There is a big bear in the area, over six feet tall and although we've never seen one close to the house, those blackberries outside, might be a draw. While Roy was working in that area picking and finishing up with some of the sunflowers we needed to clear, I kept a watchful eye. Several of the huge sunflowers toppled over and pulled themselves out of the dirt. Kind of helpful cause where they were, cleared a path for us to get closer to the blackberries.

It was one of those nights where I awoke in the middle of the night, couldn't go back to sleep, so I got up for a bit. Replied to a message a friend sent, reviewed the lesson one more time and did some reading. I should have mopped the kitchen floor while The Boys were in the bonus room for the night and Roy sound asleep. Made my nap this afternoon even sweeter. 

Reinforcements just arrived from Amazon to battle those pesky beetles. Means I have a battle plan to put into place.  

 

Just Stuff the First Week of July

 We are easing into the morning on this July 4th. Both of us and sometimes it is rare but Roy is truly coming to like the easing into the morning routine. We went to the deacon's picnic meeting last night. Truly a wonderful view from our church's picnic shelter. Looks like the old grill has become a little long in the tooth, so a new one was used last night. I forgot to take scenery pics especially as the sun began to set. 

Another fun morning at the tag office. This trip is for the temporary handicap placard due to the toll heat takes on me. Taking a chance that the line would not be long on the Monday before a holiday. The line was not long yet it took some time. Think a car dealership was there doing title transfers, so basically that particular clerk was tied up with all of that. The man in front of us soon went to the open line with his request. This man was wearing the tiniest tight shorts with an equally tight and short shirt/top/crop. He was very muscular and very blond. Never really got a look at his face but it would seem he was good looking. He starts the conversation with the tag lady and basically, he had come into the office with the piece of paper and when she asked for his ID, he had to go back outside to his car and he brought back a passport. More convo, no Apple Pay so he wasn't prepared for that. Cash, credit card or check she said. How about I give you the numbers and you can enter them into the computer? No can do, she said. He went back out to his car to search for a credit card...nope, none. He was going to have to do this by mail she made the conclusion after patiently answering his questions about the probability of his car business to be taken care of with the minimal output from him. So he surmised, so this trip has been in vain? Uh, yes for all of us, the lady, those of us waiting and of course for muscle man. If we played the game who is not from around here, well it wouldn't have even been competitive. We stepped up for our turn at her window giving her time to make those faces of, what in the world? Who comes to the tag office or even the DMV without ID? I think we learned that in Driver ED or at least it seems to be common sense. Bet these ladies could write a book about their experiences over the years. Just in two visits and we will have another one coming up in the fall, we've seen enough good people watching to last a long time. In the midst of all this a gentleman in line, came forward to ask about leaving a license plate and without hesitating at all, the reply, sure you can put it down over there but you'll have no receipt. I wanted her to say, put it down, go ahead make my day. Let's see who picks it up and uses it for other than good purposes. He quickly went back to his place in line. He kind of looked like the yoga butt cruncher from the last visit, but I don't think it was him. 

Roy and I made squash casserole for the first time and it was delicious. Between the two of us we chopped, sliced, whipped, beat, crushed, and poured all the ingredients into a Pyrex dish. Baked for 25 minutes. We also had some fresh veggies and turkey kielbasa. I was going to make onion, tomato and cucumber salad but will do that another day. Roy's tomatoes are coming in strong especially the grape tomatoes.  Think we have just now seen the last of strawberry season. This year's crop was so good! Seemed longer than usual but now we are into freestone peaches season. 

Watched Yankee Doodle Dandy this afternoon. Love to watch James Cagney dance. Now the Music Man is on in the background. Before all the movie watching, mainly me, we tried to get a couple of things taken care of outside. Heat stopped the work, then the threat of rain and then the rain came, nothing to write home about. Just enough to move the dishes toward the porch so that the Feral Fam stayed relatively dry. 

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Good morning, with a bit of fog thrown in. We punted our original plans for this morning. The Boys have finally settled in for their morning nap. Fast and furious play that sometimes develops into fights can wear one out. In fact, I could maybe ponder a morning nap, but that is really not in the plans. This week's lesson prep has been difficult. Roy keeps saying when you come up with your lesson plan, let me see it. Well, uh, okay. I was waiting for him to do that since that seems to be in the realm of overachiever. 

The ongoing saga of the land across the way, one guy showed up around 10:00 am and has been moving markers around and such but since there aren't any other guys around, no pointing but he does put his hands on his hips. Part of me wants to think, they can't find water but it is probably business as usual or the land won't sustain a septic system. Every delay is just another day to take in the beauty. Well, they found what they were looking for and have started putting in red dirt for a house or a street or something. Who knows? But Mike the Mower Man was here today and that is good.

We are having a hot spell but nothing at all like Texas, so I will keep those thoughts to myself. 

Remembering and Celebrating

 One night of volunteering for VBS, painting props and scenery. Did anyone get the number on the bus that ran over me? This ol' bod did not want to get up this morning and when the brain overruled the objection, the bod made it as painful as possible. Lower back ache and my feet, well they have failed me for now. It is several hours later and brain and bod are co-existing rather peacefully. Nothing like a little coffee, rub on detox gel and Jesus to get the motor running. Just good training that will be needed for VBS week. Like so many have mentioned before, there is tired and then there is VBS tired. 

Life has settled back in for The Feral Fam. With three females no longer attracting Tom cats, the Fam is down a bit. That's fine with us. Think we have another clinic appointment the week after next. Actually we have several booked appointments in July and hopefully some of the kittens and the remaining male cats get fixed. Not too many more to go. 

The past few days have held quite a few look backs via FB and several FB groups that remember and write about growing up in southwest Houston. Lots of Westbury Square memories, restaurants from back in the day and hang out places both in nature or clubs or theme parks. Someone mentioned Charlies 517. Not southwest Houston per se but delicious food and for us the beginning of a love that started out kind of rocky, but oh so wonderful.  Roy took me there for lunch after he had returned from Brussels, don't know that it was a date, but it was eating during our lunch hour when we worked downtown. We both came away from that lunch a bit disappointed. To me Roy was too aloof and Roy thought I was the shallowest person he had ever met. Gee, it was meant to be. Several other places have been mentioned and just this morning a mention of the Confeddy House got some love. Now you know, it was not Confeddy but more like a group of states during the civil war, but a lady that played tennis at The UC, always called it that, Confeddy. She said she was from France but she sure sounded like she was from Central America. She and her tennis partner Vonda were a hoot. Vonda was from South Africa and when the two of them got to talking, it became very hard to understand, both having very strong accents. My favorite memory is how Alex called out balls during matches. She had two ways of calling them, besides the call being in her favor, the first way; giving you an explanation of just how your ball was almost on the line. The second way? She would tell you the ball was out, with the afore mentioned explanation and then she'd remind you, you must believe me cause my accent tells you I know how to believably call out balls. Her make up never smeared nor do I recall her sweating but after we booked our next game, she would take her racquet, put it underneath her arm at an angle then lift up the well worn, beaten up, over sized Louis Vuitton bag and leave.  

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It has been a full week and truthfully, I don't really have those kinds of weeks anymore. Yesterday, was a slow start. Ran over to TJs in the afternoon and we deadheaded roses and such last night. We had a rather warm day for this area but we can almost count on a cool down in the evenings with a good breeze. A lot of The Feral Fam accompanied us for our chores. Then relaxed with us while we rested. Fido will sit at our feet, so will Beanie...well just a little. It was a pleasant sight to see Toup Jr playing with Beanie. Roy has felt a bit of disgust toward Toup Jr, for abandoning her babies. She was really young and a lot of cats don't get pregnant the first go into catwomanhood, but she did. She was still a baby and she still wants to roughneck and play. I have seen a few other cats be immature toward their kittens but this was Roy's real journey into that darkness. I am glad we got her fixed and Roy isn't as disgusted by her abandonment issues.

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Once again we roll into Monday morning. Have several errands to run today. Then the rest of the week looks to be a quiet one, for which I am thankful. 

While cleaning out bookshelves and drawers I came across several items I had totally forgotten about. I wore the bad hair pin from the Metal Museum that my niece gave me. I also found a necklace but the length was too long for what I wore yesterday. I also found a book that Peggy gave me back in 1987. When you find fun things it makes the chore a little easier. I kind of rearranged furniture in the front room upstairs and that right there got me started on the quest. Of course that happened in the middle of studying for the lesson, but then ADHD makes life interesting and never boring...just a lot of projects in limbo in the wake. 

Jeremiah 18 is where we were yesterday, and I love studying the creative nature of God and Jeremiah response. Pottery was an everyday thing, there is a potter in every village. So God is telling go to the everyday work, the everyday ordinary and there I will speak to you. I told the class about 7th grade art and how I looked forward to the class but art wasn't my forte. Okay in the 7th grade, I don't know that I had a forte. Told them about the three process picture of background paint wash, stamps made by carving a potato and then painting a picture of an interest or hobby. I was at the end of my horse infatuation season, but that is what I wanted to paint...only thing, I couldn't draw nor can I now...Anyway, I talked to the art teacher and she asked me to draw a horse for her on a white piece of paper. She saw my dilemma, might have been good in kindergarten, but not so much in the 7th grade. The next day in class, she brought me my paper and said I think if you look closely you can find a horse in your work. Sure enough, in faint pencil lines, there was a horse she had drawn. Now I just had to paint it black. The teacher made an A and displayed her work in the display case outside the art room. I will never forget her kindness and I have thought of that experience many times since then. Only she could do this. If a classmate drew it, it was cheating. If I drew it, well if she was compassionate that day, maybe a D. I threw myself onto the mercy of that teacher just like I throw myself onto the mercy of God. When I don't understand the why and how of circumstances, if I look closely I'll find where God is in those painful days and know I can color in the details with His presence leading me. 

Our friends dropped by with veggies from their garden last night. Pretty exciting and have plans for a great July 4th lunch. 

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Even on the 4th, the guys are back again in the pasture across the way. Clearing a spot and look to be trying to locate the spot for the well. I think some surveyors are out there as well. Watching them on and off the past couple of days these guys get a good arm workout pointing here and pointing there. All of them in most of their conversations are pointing with both arms working into quite a thing. 

So here is to a good celebration today and tonight. We can see fireworks from all around, professional as well as some pretty good amateurs. The first July 4th here, not one firework could be heard but that has changed in the past few years but still not as bad as in Rancho de Five.