Success, Watched Over and Boxes

 Success came this morning as Roy captured two kittens for the trip to the ASPCA. He has been working all week getting them comfortable to eat in the carriers. Our Feral Fam is getting less and less fruitful and for this we give thanks. Cha-Nay Nay still wants pets and time in my lap so that is a good thing. Coco is still in the consideration stage. 

For a little over a month now something has been weighing on me and that something was wrong with our well. The flow of water ebbed, fast to slow. I asked Roy is he had noticed the water pressure being lower and the ebb and flow thing. He thought the pressure was just low in the kitchen. I wanted us to get it checked out but he said he thought it was nothing. In my heart of hearts, I thought it was something but quit saying anything about it after a bit. Now, I would like to say that I specifically prayed about this situation, but I do believe it was a subset under a larger heading, to give us wisdom and to give thanks. Saturday afternoon, we were pulling up dead flowers when a water well service truck came up our road. He was looking for a particular address but while he was talking with us I decided to ask him about the ebb and flow situation. He was very frank and serious when he said, y'all really need to take care of that. Not a good situation at all for the pump and burning out the electrical unit. I asked, if he could look at it after taking care of the problem at the address he was looking for. He and Roy went to the crawl space...ugh...and looked. He said he had all we needed on his truck and he would come back if he had time. He left and Roy sheepishly looked at me and said, wow, his wandering led him straight to us. I said, he is an answer to subset 7 prayer under wisdom and watchkeeping. The problem at the neighbor's well was a plumbing issue so he was able to work us in. I might have done a little praise dance in the front yard. He got it all installed and changed out the electrical unit. PTL! May I say the water pressure has never been so good as we've had since the repair. Another plus, our well part under the fake rock is very well insulated. 

Our day began rather early yesterday. We had a number of errands to run and we decided we would run them in the most scenic way. The colors, bright and beautiful. The traffic not even bad. The morning quite foggy in places but even the fog nestled in the valleys brought a splendor to recognize and take it in. One of our stops was Johnson City. It has been a while since we headed any farther than Unicoi. Unintentionally, we seem to be doing a Sam's Club tour. The one in Johnson City is chaotic to say the least. Got what we came for and self checked ourselves out of the building. We rewarded ourselves with a lunch from Pals. Such a beautiful day and such beautiful sights, well except for the Sam's parking lot. 

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The kittens that went to the ASPCA were just a tad bit under weight, so they came home. The good thing out of the trip is that the scheduling person helped Roy and after their conversation, gave him more dates to bring the Feral Family. The trip wasn't totally nonproductive. 

I spent a good part of yesterday reading and studying for Sunday. One person wrote that the first ten chapters of Mark are like an introduction to the book and finally at chapter 11, the beginning of the message happens. We just studied the triumphant entry into Jerusalem or at least it seems that way cause we took two quarters to study John. The fig tree is the hard part to ponder through. Then Jesus speaks of forgiveness while standing in prayer.  I read a great example how bitterness and hurt hinders prayer. What does one do to not harbor bitterness or if you sense bitterness from another person, what happens when one doesn't have a clue why the other is upset? Makes an awkwardness for sure. 

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Well, we had another go with the panic alarm on the house only this time it was not my fault nor was it any cat that pushed the button. This time though, even though I was panicking trying to get the notification not be sent to EMS,  I got it done with 1:35 left on the clock. Roy called in to the security office and made sure we had done it correctly. I now live in fear we will lose our security alarm privileges if we do not use our time and security wisely. 

This morning a surprise phone call from CourtneyS... just improved a good morning. We have that running storyline that seems to only interest us on being the first each Christmas season to hear, Merry Christmas Darling, then call to report the first by singing the lines. I get the better end of the deal since she has a beautiful voice. That is how she opened the call, but quickly said, no not really. Whew! What a great conversation covering all the importance of HomeStar Runner, and of course Teen Girl Squad! She called to let me know there is a revival of box emails at HFBC. Although I noticed, no good and sturdy boxes were mentioned. CourtneyS... must mentor new staff on proper box email etiquette. Don't forget the all important closure knowing the boxes, both sturdy or flimsy, the need to know they found a good home is supreme!

Ponderings Of The Feral Fam, The Boys and Life

 Just a few minutes before dawn. We await the sunlight to go out and feed The Feral Fam. The Boys have been fed and this morning being a relatively quiet one with not one massive chase scene from downstairs to upstairs to under a few beds with the return downstairs for a brief moment, then back to the chase. These Boys are focused, that's for sure. GMoey is on the quilt, Mr Mo is on top of one of the living room chairs and Willie is on the bench, at the bay window waiting for light to see if any of the cuzbros are stirring. 

Yesterday, Roy had his first dental appointment to take care of crowning, once again, two teeth. At least they are on the same side of his mouth. We had a soft lunch and then headed over to the Publix for that five percent discount, wisdom discount, for us older folks. Mornings are not so bad on Wednesdays but by afternoon the Publix is filled with us older types. Some types are older acting than others. I chuckled at a friend's FB post. She and her husband accidently wore the same color and style of shirt. She went to Bible study, then hurried home to pick up her husband for an eye doctor appointment. No time to change clothes but I laughed when she shared she made mention that they were NOT one of those couples who dressed alike. There seems to be some core principle in us to explain to younger people, we are not trying to act old on purpose. Which probably just emphasizes, yes we are old (ish.)  So, let's see, where was I? Oh yes, the exciting times of Publix. While there, I picked up some meds prescribed by the dermatologist. I used the cream last night on my leg and this morning there is already a significant difference in this month long rash. Yes, once again I am proving that I am a card carrying older type, but not an AARP member. I just talked about doctor visits and meds and health wise, the emphasis on what is said or prescribed by a doctor overtakes our personality. 

Well, The Feral Fam is trying to play soccer this morning with a gray with pink feet vole. They don't eat them cause they make them sick to their stomachs, thus it becomes an amusement. One of the Quads has it and he is not sharing. Over the years we've had more black cats with a little tuft of white on their chests, some born into the family and a couple of them dropped or abandoned by our home. So we just name them all Quad cause there are so many. The kittens are asleep in the big flower pot bucket and Cha-Nay Nay is keeping an eye on the vole. Update- they left the vole right at the back door as a thank you. Oh the generous Feral Fam. 

Chanel, aka Cha-Nay Nay, is certainly taking a turn from totally wild feral cat to one who while cautious is becoming more trusting of us. She actively looks for me when I'm outside hoping for some pets and love. She is about the size of Buddy. The Boys are all big cats and weigh a lot more than we were used to. Beanie and Fido are certainly helping with this effort but now Beanie doesn't want to share time with Chanel. Toupee has returned to her default setting, cranky. She gets her own bowl away from the others due to the fact she is constantly trying to pick a fight with her family. The kittens are growing up so quickly we won't be able to call them kittens much longer. These cooler temps have made them that more playful and it always pulls me away from what needs to be done. 

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Today, Friday, is forecasted to be a rainy day. We sure can use some rain around here. Hopefully we receive enough to plant some tulip and daffodil bulbs this weekend. Helps when the ground cooperates. One thing we have taken note of, for the past few summers we have used plastic swimming pools to plant annuals. We take the used dirt and spread it around other flowerbeds. This year we didn't use the pools as much cause we added five raised beds. We will get the pools cleaned out and bring them in the garage to use for beds when the temps drop and The Feral Fam comes to the garage for a little more warmth. 

Had such a fun lunch with two friends from Houston, Charlie and Marilyn. We attended the same Sunday School class. They are two of the original Three Amigos. They have been up this way in their RV for the past few months. Lots of fun seeing them and lots of fun introducing them to Blue Rooster. 

The fog is rolling in again this morning. Doesn't look to be as thick as other mornings this week. It hangs around a little longer in our valley. While driving over to Clyde the tree branches making that canopy of color was overwhelming, in a good way. I slowed down to glance at some cows grazing along the fence with all the colorful trees and grass behind them. I looked up to see behind me a guy in a white truck who was not all that mesmerized by the season. As soon as I could, I pulled over to let him speed away and speed away he did. For some reason yesterday, the barns along the road got more attention than normal. I got to thinking about all the history both agricultural as well as family history. A lot of the barns at some time became tobacco barns and none of them have any paint or color to them. There also several fields of pumpkins that mostly have been harvested but there were a few in the garden with lots of broken pumpkin pieces scattered about. Just look at all that autumn stuff the guy in the truck missed. 

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Saturday morning. Roy has gone to a breakfast meeting and then work day at church. Me and The Boys, well they are napping, kind of and I am easing into the day. Need to finish up the lesson for tomorrow and do a few things around here. Although, continued easing into the day is quite nice at this moment. 

For a little bit I had the Astro game on as background, not really paying attention while working a couple of projects. I was upstairs and checked in on the game via phone and what? The Astros won! And in a dramatic way, which is not so unusual. 

I am still pondering the term purposeful abandonment. The whole word abandon or abandonment doesn't sit well with me because for years that fear held me captive. Oh those childhood traumas that stay with us but at least it doesn't feel too clingy now. The other pondering of the week is the world of Pharisees trying to trap or trick Jesus by their questions or following He and the disciples around to find them breaking one of their many, many rules. Some times and in different seasons of life there are those who dog your steps trying to find something to exploit or there are those who have questions to trap you in a word jail. I've written before that I grew up thinking everything had the possibility of being a secret test. Those secret tests of my father...well, no one ever passed a secret test, well except for him. One time a family friend of my parents said to me, I was in high school, I think I know what is going on at your house but I don't know what to do about it. Well, I didn't take the bait because this was probably a secret test put in place to see how I would respond. I responded with a half smile and said thank you. I was so groomed by him. Ever once in a while, I will think something is a secret test, but dang the test giver has been gone since 2017. 

 

Purposeful Abandonment is Not Quiet Quitting

 It is that anniversary of closing on this house that truly brings out the thankfulness in me each year around this time. Well, there is also the cool temps and the leaves really beginning to pop color. It is truly one of the best times of the year. When we would come up here for Thanksgiving, we marveled at the remaining colors on the trees. People would say, you should have seen this place in October but being from the flatlands and fall days nearly nonexistent, we were thankful for those drab leaves with specks of a fall color scheme. 

Roy said to me the other day, something to the effect, I'm really proud of you. You are living out your dream. I thought he meant marrying him, cause we were laughing and joking around. While that is true, he was referring to moving here, taking chances and finding joy in the decision. Before breakfast this morning I just happened upon an article, "Purposeful Abandonment." It is a business article but the first paragraph speaks volumes to every area of life. 

"You won't grow until you purposely abandon what holds you back. 

Your attitudes, behaviors, abilities, and opportunities are responsible for where you are today, for the person you have become." Dan Rockwell

Roy told me I needed to give this experiment, five years. I knew in year one it was the best decision of recent years. Basically, I felt like a prisoner, even beyond the heat keeping me inside most of the time in Houston. Building a house gave more freedom to move and exist for awhile and Community Bible Study gave the opportunity to serve. On the way home from one of our trips here, in our tourist years, Roy observed the difference in energy levels and interest in life and posed the question to me of buying a condo to get away from Houston and all the chains that bound me, to be up here for at least six to seven months a year. That wasn't difficult to respond to but by the time we got home, he decided that we should look for a house because he wanted to retire to the mountains. He also added it would be better for me to devote time living here rather than commuting. Thus the adventure started. The stuff that might hold me to Houston out of a sense of duty had been severed, my father had dissolved our ties legally and thus in the papers declared he would not accept help or advice from us. No speaking on his behalf. That had started in 2012 and we were talking about moving in 2013. Through the grapevine I heard that several of the usual gossipers at church or the ones who liked to be in the know, stated we were having problems and this was the beginning of the ending process. Nothing could have been farther from the truth. One brave soul (maybe not brave), a church friend in name or description only asked directly if this be so. Uh no. I reminded her while she was schlepping five kiddos to practices, sports and various other activities,  Roy and I had a lot more early years of marriage time. I even worked and traveled with him for several years.  If she put pencil to paper and used some math, the equivalent that she and her husband spent together might just even out. Through those years when I was here alone, we talked and texted everyday, several times a day. Our evening conversations were meaningful and not done in by small talk or trivialities. Yep, leaving the sure thing of what I knew. I wouldn't call the journey Abraham-esk but it certainly a journey of faith. The kindness and faithfulness of God just overwhelms me. So I'm thinking and thanking for those changes that have brought increased fulfillment. This also includes the timely visit from my friend Carole that helped me move forward even though I was already here. While she was here, she asked why I wasn't teaching a class and I told her I had laid that at the foot of the cross, because it had become fairly obvious in Houston, that wasn't going to happen. I'll never forget she said, well, I am going to ask the Lord to show you it is time to pick it back up. That evening, at a fifth Sunday fellowship, the assistant teacher, Judy, asked if I would like to teach every third Sunday. Later Carole said to me, I didn't even get to pray about this and the Lord moved. I love that story. Great reminder of waiting and timing when it comes to the Lord. Now, I am teaching full time, love The Joy Class!

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Went for my follow up appointment yesterday. The biopsy spot looks great but the conclusion all the other problems I've been experiencing is probably due to being allergic to some of the prep materials. Picking up some meds today that will help alleviate the pain and itching. After my appointment we went to the Hendersonville Sam's. It is lighter and brighter and bigger than our Sam's. More choices but checking out, only one regular lane open, so Roy self checked our stuff. He was awarded most efficient scanner for the day, being like an employee and all. One lady, I felt so sorry for her, she just wasn't getting this process and it began with how she scanned her Sam's card. The big purchase of the day, Fancy Feast cat food. Great price and not at our home Sam's. Since we were so close and since I hardly if ever get these, we stopped at the Jack in the Box for tacos. Yes, I am aware I wrote this sentence right after writing about cat food...the contents of Jack tacos...unknown. They were so good! 

Upon arriving home, we were greeted by very hungry cats, both inside and out. 

The Colorful Season

 Early Friday morning and up before sunrise. Willie has joined me at the computer although he tired quickly of supervising and is now napping. It is another very foggy morning. Think this is the worst fog year that I can remember since living here. 

Bible study was good last night, although Dr Jeremiah cut off before the CD ended. That just gave us a little more fellowship time. We have no trouble fellowshiping, laughing, talking and praying. We all had a great laugh that I as a former flatlander, don't always know when we are going over a mountain. I told them about the first two houses we looked at in 2014 and one of the kind of but not set in stone requirements, to be on top of a mountain. Oh foolish flatlander! At least it only took two houses for me to come to my senses. 

The ALDS is all Texas. We root for the Astros but we have some friends that root for that other Texas team. Don't think this is the matchup that TV wanted but it will be fun for those, "deep in the heart of Texas." 

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Not always a fan of the early morning rise, but this morning I kind of welcomed it. Last night right before falling asleep I learned of the passing of my friend's father. Beth and I were in 6th grade together but we became friends in high school. Her home and her parents were quite the respite for me. Her father, Bob, had such a great laugh and both he and her mom, especially her mom, made me feel welcomed. I loved spending time there cause we all laughed quite a bit. My first experience of eating Chinese food, not only first for that but the first for eating it in downtown Houston. Bob was an avid, AVID golfer and sportsman. Years ago, Peggy and I did a Mildred and Gertrude thing at Willow Meadows Baptist, the church that I began attending in 1971 that had a tremendous impact on me. Laid a great foundation as I have journeyed this life. We were asked by a Sunday School class and I was thrilled that Bob and Rita were a part of that class. I think this might have been one of the only times we stepped away from anything "blue" in our act. We did this cause I knew Bob and there is a great joke. We named three other golfing buddies from the class and told the joke about four men wanting to play golf on Christmas morning. Three of the men had to give expensive gifts to their wives to have the privilege. The fourth man, who we made Bob, says it didn't cost me anything. He told them on Christmas morning he leaned over to his wife and said, golf course or intercourse? The response from the wife is, be sure and take your sweater. That got a lot of laughs. I will also tell you at that same deal, an older man came up to me and said, do you see these tears? These are the first happy tears I have cried in weeks. My wife died and I wasn't going to come to the fellowship tonight because she loved them and it would just remind me she is with the Lord. But I came and I am so glad I did, you made me laugh and have joy. Thank you! From that point on in my heart, M&G always had a ministry feeling about it. 

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It's snowing along the NC/TN mountains. The Parkway in Haywood County is getting snow too. We won't, lower elevation but within the precipitation, you can find of feel a snow feeling. This morning the skies were that cold, hard gray snow sky. We dropped the Mustang off for a replacement part and then I dropped Roy off at his workout. I made a trip to Big Lots and Tractor Supply, with a last stop before Publix at Ingles. Please, please do not be jealous of my wild ways and the things I get to do. Roy met me at Publix, we grabbed some of his dinners and we headed home. Andrew was here cutting shrubs and bushes for the winter. Mike had also been here fertilizing the front yard. We grabbed a quick lunch and headed out the door for Marshall. We went to the tag office and there wasn't a line, no one parked in front...we didn't know what to do. The two ladies who work there continued their conversations and finally one said, come on up to the window. I promise you, we must have looked like deer in the headlights. Our next stop, Lowe's. While there, we got the call that the Mustang was ready. So, off to get the car and return home. What is so wonderful is that in this dreary misty day, the trees, beautiful against the steel gray of the sky. 

The trees across the way are turning colorful after this little bit of a cold snap. Really, the fall sunlight is a little different adding the colorful hues in golden light. Fall sunlight is also a huge problem while driving southeast in the morning. There isn't a visor shaped to curtail the brightness. 

As I try and figure out this reaction to the bandages on my leg, I thought I had come up with a clever innovation. I did not. All I will say is that when the cloth tape snapped it felt like something running over my ankle and of course my thought is, a mouse. Totally woke me up but I was relieved to see my innovation was a failure but I wasn't too upset about that. 

Carts and Queso and Other Observations

 This morning the victory of helping The Feral Fam is, Roy caught Spot, Fido's brother. He named him Spot because he has a dark nose and that is about the only way you can tell the two apart. Their markings are identical. Radley has one less competitor to chase about.

The traffic yesterday, at just about any time of the day, was challenging and sometimes just downright horrible. We had to go a much different route for Roy's bloodwork appointment and once we conquered the first round from the backup of a wreck, we also encountered a few backups on the freeway. Roy got his blood drawn and we went for a delicious breakfast. Hit the road again on our way to the Costco. Lots of road and bridge work. We finally arrived and got to shopping. Rarely do we go to Costco on a Monday and just the amount of people reminded us why. Roy found some deals on fleece jackets. I'm pretty set with flannel shirts and such, so nothing really appealed to me. We got some good deals on other necessities and such. I wasn't hungry after a huge breakfast, but Roy was so he got a hot dog meal and I got a strawberry sundae. Traffic on the way home due to construction which is progress but sometimes in the midst of it, one is only able to think of the immediate. Thinking back on our day, it came to mind last night that maybe something had been going on at the gas pumps there at Costco. Most people are patient in line and if a vehicle finishes at pump 1 before pump 2, most just wait till both clear and the next two cars pull up. That was not the case yesterday. A car pulled in and backed up to the pump, a little too close to us. The truck behind us moved in very close. The attendant came over and stood watch with his radio in his hand. The truck behind moved back away from us when the attendant drew near. We finished up but the guy in front of us had not. The attendant directed us out of our spot, thank goodness for the open lane at the ends of the station. I don't know if the thought of assault or robbery was in the attendant's mind or just aggravated that the guy kind of broke protocol. It is a good reminder to always be alert. 

I felt like I did my queso duty on Friday at a produce stand. We buy the medium salsa that Lou Lou cans. It is delicious and can be used in other food prep. We like it for our sauce that we make for spaghetti. A lady who works there started talking to me about the salsa and I shared with her how good it is for making queso. With a questioning look from her I said, cheese dip. Even the Mexican restaurants call it cheese dip here. So I gave her the recipe and I think she will like it the next time she has chips and dips, I mean cheese dip. 

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Roy got his bloodwork back and there is improvement in the areas of concern. We will rejoice at that good news. To celebrate after getting our haircut, we went grocery shopping. In all truthfulness, we would have gone grocery shopping whether he had his results or not. The music in the store was particularly good yesterday. While we were shopping in the cleaners and laundry aisle I heard a muted guitar rift. Muted cause we old people were filling that aisle and a lot of loud talking going on. Roy and I were in deep discussion if we needed to get a new Swifter handle, yes I know, we are such a wild, fun-loving couple. I had the extender Swifter in my hand to place in the cart (buggy.) I can't call it buggy yet since it is the description of choice for what you push up and down the aisles here. The muted guitar rift, so familiar to me...Bryan Adams and Tina Turner's duet of It's Only Love. Yes, right there in the Publix I played the Swifter guitar complete with the choreography. Did some Tina dance steps in response to Bryan Adam's part. Better than embarrassing Roy was this, I made a young person smile, really smile. I choose to think that she thought, I hope I am this rocking when I am 69 years old not the thought of some old lady was dancing, playing a guitar while having a stroke. In the past I have written that it is all I can do to not dance to Fame, which is played quite a bit around here but I could not refrain from Tina and Bryan. 

The color of the trees along our everyday roads are so beautiful. Full of color and red is truly popping. Roy harvested the last of his tomatoes on Saturday although he said some still have blooms. It was a very good tomato season for us and since this was our first attempt at bell peppers, I think that was good too. We pulled up the sunflowers and cosmos. Next up zinnias. 

After being gone a good portion of the day and coming home to an empty downstairs, The Boys, I went upstairs to see where they might be. All three were asleep on the daybed in the front bedroom. I was able to grab a pic. 

Fixage, Fido and Coffee

 Stories of fog lying low in the "ber" months is telling of whether winter will be cold and wet or mild and wet. Always count the fogs in August but, you know, old wives tales are scientific in their approach. There is the wooly worm to watch for signs as well as the inside of persimmon seeds, but only after the first frost. The first frost should arrive in the next few weeks. Loads of acorns? Lots of winter. The sign of high hornet nests can be indicative of mild or bad winters. Each day the leaves turn a little more colorful and the evenings hold a crispness. Flannel days are so close by. Just about have all the summer clothes put away and now picking out transeasonal clothing, that keeps you comfortable in the cool mornings but not burning up by afternoon. I once saw this term transeasonal merchandise at Lowe's many years ago. Not winter not spring, so here are some cute things to keep you occupied while you hibernate except for the occasional trips to Lowe's. 

Success! We caught a female cat yesterday! Chicky is a girl. Chicky is a scaredy cat. Thus the name. Fido waited all evening at the top of the driveway waiting for Roy to return from deacon's meeting. They went longer than normal so when Roy texted he was on the way home, I went out there to distract Fido because in the dark I don't think Roy would have seen him in the camera. Glad I did cause Roy didn't see him and Fido will stand his ground. 

We made a trip to Sam's. They had cat food back in stock, Diet Cokes with good dates, and my very favorite soup of the season, pumpkin butternut squash. I had noticed online that the hair products I use and rarely find at local stores, only online or salons, being offered at a great price for the shampoo and conditioner. I was so happy to find two packages. I have always been an easy touch for hair products but since it was recommended by my previous salon, I am firmly ensconced with its usage. After Sam's we went to pick up Mustang Sam and keep him around until the part that Tommy ordered comes in. 

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A development I hadn't expected has developed from the mole biopsy. I think it must have damaged some nerves because I am experiencing a lot of nerve pain off and on. The best thing so far in combating the pain, Bio Freeze. The last few nights I have had to get up and pay attention to the pain and while the night time wake up is exhausting, the good thing is, yes, Bio Freeze. Got a locally made balm too. It helps from keeping my skin drying out too much in this whole process. 

This whole coffee issue at churches is amusing to me. When Houston's First Baptist opened the new building thirty or forty years ago, the debate was whether coffee could be served in the Sunday School rooms. Spilt coffee on new carpet is in the list of seven deadly sins. Then about twenty years ago the coffee culture overflowed into First Baptist. It was the cool thing, carpet be danged! I always wondered who wanted beige carpeting in the entrance of the west side of the church. I think now it is engineered flooring. The staff at that time, we were all into the third place reference made by Starbucks. We wanted church to be the third place, after home and work. So, you know sitting in the lobby, narthex, vestibule, or welcome center of a church is where one would love to hang out all the time. It was a good concept except the bookstore, which provided delicious coffee had weird hours. I miss the intestinal couch that was there for years. Now John Piper has gotten into the out of date coffee debate. In a lot of churches coffee is a given and not a theological debate. I love how a few black pastors and leaders in black churches have put the debate into a truth reality realm. If one is actively involved in worship one cannot hold a coffee cup. 

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Roy had his first experience of a Feral Fam member not show up for two meals. It was Fido. He was not at supper or yesterday morning's breakfast. I was getting a little worried. Radley is a big meanie right now cause there are no women for him, well you know what I mean, no female cats available. We are down to just Cutie and Camo when she comes around. He keeps the non fixed males scared cause he chases them, hounds them and fights with them for his fast disappearing harem. Fluff Mo gets the worst of it right now. Sadly, Radley...uh sorry rhyme, chased Blazey right into the road and you can probably guess that ending. So, I am thinking Radley has caused him to hide or run. Late yesterday afternoon Roy had gone out to see if he could find Fido and yes, that trip was successful. Fido had gotten into the truck when Roy was unloading stuff and he missed being detected. Roy opened the truck last night to put a hat in the backseat. Out came Fido. Thirsty, hungry Fido. He was sleeping on some of the blankets Roy uses to cover the carriers when he takes The Feral Fam for a fixage. Y'all, he used another blanket as his bathroom and he didn't tear up the truck trying to get out. The closest thing to that is he was able to get the movable vent on the top of the dash off, but that was it. Even The Boys wouldn't have been that well behaved. My goodness, I am so happy Roy found him. Fido got a long time at the water bowl and Roy fed him and let him have as much as he wanted. The fact that Fido still wanted to hang around us and be petted by us says a lot. Most cats think you have it out for them and keep their distance at least for several days. Roy has started letting him in the garage when he is in there and we will work our way up to the back porch with the screen door so that they can get to know one another slowly but surely. 

I need to wrap this up, so I will and begin anew tomorrow. 

 

Going Into Fall Without A Fall

 Good morning from the mountains. The Feral Fam is having breakfast and our picky eating Boys inside the house decided turkey was a good choice for breakfast. This is a calm morning for The Boys and seem to be getting along. The calming chews are helping. Willie will soon be a year old. 

There was a bit of excitement around here on Tuesday. My neighbor Nancy called and said the little boy that we found on our porch last year, was missing. She was on her way home to help search for him and would we help as well. Roy wasn't here but I said yes, of course. Got my muck boots on and grabbed a flashlight to look under both of our porches. I began in our side yard and looked all around for him, calling him by name. Saw the dad and we was beside himself. Told him his son would be alright and I was getting ready to go across the street to see if maybe by some horrible chance, he has crossed over to see the houses being built. The little boy is four. We also have a junk house over to the right of us on the road. Lots of junk for a little boy to wander through and very dangerous. As EMS and sheriffs arrived, we all were focused on the same thing. Our neighbor Nancy arrived home and got out on her ATV to check all around their property. She found him in the upper pasture trying to feed her horses. Horses not too keen on a little one and a stranger trying to feed them. What a reunion when she brought him down to his dad. Meanwhile the mom pulled into our driveway, she'd been at work. She gave me the biggest hug and she was crying. I talked with her a few minutes and was able to share with her that our Sunday School class was praying for her little boy. Y'all, that is the first time I met her other just waving when we are in our cars. While sheriffs, EMS and the like showed up I hoped none of them had been to our house when I accidently pressed the panic alarm several months ago. Neighbor Nancy said she didn't recognize any of them. What a relief! 

Another exciting incident happened on Wednesday. A car going way too fast hit a curve wrong and ended up plowing into a house along side the road. Another reason not to live on top of these roads. The car was amped up, or in my vernacular, a hot rod, with bald tires. The guy wasn't wearing a seatbelt and heard through the grapevine he broke both of his legs. Grapevine update, he broke a hip and arm. We could see the ambulance and sheriff lights. 

One other exciting happening, but it depends on how you look at it, Cutie is teaching her kittens about hunting. She brought back a field mouse for one of them and he had a hay day with that thing until he and his siblings ate it. I am so grateful that they are not grateful and decided to leave the carcass at the backdoor. 

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Friday, with such great sales at Food City, we went back over the mountains into TN. Made a quick stop at Walmart beforehand. We shopped and it was early enough before the lunch rush to stop at PALS. They maybe famous for their hot dogs but the burgers are what we go for. Delicious! 

We visited Inez and Cuman on Saturday and had a great visit with them. She will soon be back in racing form. 

Roy caught two of the Feral Fam this morning, only one of them has already been there. He is hoping the staff can help separate the two and he'll bring Archie back home. Chicky, named because he or she is the biggest chicken, will come home tomorrow. We have no clue whether Chicky is a boy or girl but be that as it may, it needs this life changing procedure. We are intent on getting Remy in and he will be the last sibling from that litter. Fluff Mo needs to go so Radley will stop making his life so miserable. Then the four kittens and Cutie. We hate to take those kittens in to the shelter because it is October and October is not safe for black cats. 

Last night after feeding The Feral Fam, I sat on a rock, my usual spot, and watched the kitties eat. The ants usually don't bother me there but several got into my boot and had a feast on biting my feet, right one especially. Right leg is still healing from biopsy. I noticed more than usual swelling around my ankle and at 1:00 am I made the discovery of the ant bites; pain, itchy and swollen. Vicks to the rescue and it took the itchiness away. This morning, still dealing with the after affects of ant bites, certain ant bites I'm allergic to. These not so much. I don't think my foot would fit in a boot or shoe this morning. 

I am not following along with the quarterly right now in teaching. We were in Mark 4 yesterday and we didn't get through the lesson, so we will begin there next Sunday and might or might not catch up. It seems some very important basics have not been covered. So many times Lifeway puzzles me but the material is much better than in the past. 

This morning I opened a can of biscuits to go with breakfast. We hadn't tried the honey that our neighbor gave us from their bees. Oh my, so delicious! Just so good!

The pot roast is fragrantly covering our home while it cooks in the crock pot. When Roy gets home we will have a delicious lunch. Taco soup last week and pot roast this week, our tastes are transitioning into autumnal tastes.