Distractions and Discipline, Might Have to Attend Bad Sunday School Teach School

 Our Monday already has some distractions to contend with but mostly laugh at. There is a little bit of snow falling, won't stick, but when really small flakes fall I noticed something. Notice is my One Word for the year. In the midst of these small flakes a larger flake or two make appearances. Instead of the gentle fall those bigger flakes come in like bomb divers. Falls straight to the ground without a whiff or a waft. 

GMoey was a tad lethargic yesterday and even before we left for church we had to do a clean up on aisle 9, the stairs, of cat regurgitation, translate that from GMoey. He has stomatitis and his teeth will be removed in February. We keep dry food away cause he swallows it whole, then we see it later in a different form as what went into his mouth. This morning we called the vet and he has an appointment later this afternoon. I was able to get some of those treats that come in a tube...liquified, in him. He has kept that down, so he is getting some nutrition. Calling the vet to talk about getting him an appointment, I was calm, gave facts and kept emotions on an even keel.  When they called back with a time, that is when I went into my nervous Nellie voice...then apologized cause I realized what I was doing. Almost, yes, almost held it together. 

Our other excitement didn't involve me except trying to help Roy figure out what the ruckus and noise was in the kitchen. This mechanical roar came from under the sink as he was fixing his coffee. He is pulling out cleaners and such while I got a flashlight. I think garbage disposal when weird noises come from the sink/dishwasher area. Finally, Roy realized his size 14 foot had tripped the in house vacuum cleaner that we never use. The plus is reorganized side of the cabinet and consolidating a few bottles of carpet cleaner. 

We studied Nimrod and the tower of Babel yesterday. Got a later start to the lesson so I kind of rushed through it but I also got us distracted by taking a bunny trial that may or may not get me sent to bad Sunday School teacher school. Cause there are times even though I be older, I have a childlike  I mean a childish sense of humor. Maybe I will share that, maybe not. Anyway, it is entirely different when one focuses on building the city being the main point. It wasn't the tower. The city kept the people from doing what God had spoken, disperse, go populate the earth, not gather together in a city not wanting to leave those social confines. The tower of Babel does have a spiritual sense in that it was considered a religious building to meet God on the tower, in the air...if He was needed. The tower was a distraction, a way to unify the people, one common goal and played on the age old fear of, God might not keep His promise. That tower was waterproof, you know, in case of flood, climb tower. Nimrod's spirit and influence is still at work today. Unify, distraction, and God cannot be trusted. Now, here is where I took the turn...I was talking about a conference and a noted SBC type had attended. Not the type of conference you might find a SBC type...much less a woman SBC type. So, let's see how can I say this without really saying it. Hay, my favorite fragrance in the fall. Yes, hay...Hay. What do you use to keep rows in your garden straight and weed free? Why of course you use a hoe...Put Hay with the h*e and that is the last name. Mentioned the sing songie chant you can hear at concerts or games, Hay....hoe.... Or even better yet, say as in a greeting or shouting across a distance, Hay....h*e. I am so glad the class was laughing...cause I specifically prayed, this week, asking the Lord to give me strength, not to make fun of a name. But, being the immature elderly woman that I am, "Oops, I did it again!" In our class we have lots of laughs and yet we learn God's Word and His truths. Yes, the name was a distraction just like the tower...ooh, good spiritual turn there Nancy. I am thankful that when we talked about the oven fired bricks and that the people were kind of proud of their invention, I did not sing...they made a brick house, they were mighty mighty...only Nimrod was called mighty three times in Genesis and once in a minor prophet who escapes my remembrance right now. 

This came up in Memories on FB. 

Broken hip recovery fun.

I am having fun and keeping myself amused by talking to realtors who want to re-list the house. Uh no...we love Courtney Wade McEachern! Then the telemarketers. Just now a call came in about our factory warranty on a car we don't own anymore. I start the conversation with a very weak hello. So this guy goes right into the spiel and as he is talking I start to fake cry and say, they told me you wouldn't ever call me back but you have and this means so much to me and gives me great hope. That is when you start reeling off fake instances of very bad break ups and the fake things that broke your heart. This guy is trying to break in my crying letting me know I have him confused with someone else. My response? My one true friend said you would call with a disguise at first to see if I will take you back. I will but in all fairness I need him to know I've gained a little weight topping the scale at the highest ever about 402 pounds and my good leg ain't working well. I have just three more payments and those dentures will be mine again. Silence on his end. I think he must have hung up. I have always had the ability to entertain and keep myself amused.

Ah, recovering from hip replacement surgery can make one a little bit crazy. This happened in 2017. As you can see, my maturity level is still....the same as it was only now I know it is wrong. Okay, I knew it was wrong talking about the hay, hay, hay name. 

Last night our church had the member business meeting. Roy had to fill in to give a report cause the chairman was recovering from surgery. Lots of business to take care of  and all the while a football game was being played. Many in that room had the thought in the back of our minds. If the meeting had gone on any longer I might have taken advantage of, "does anyone else have a question?" I was prepared to ask, for church minutes in perpetuity, if snacks would be served anytime soon. They would probably revoke my re-up being a Sunday School teacher for the new calendar year or be sent to bad Sunday School teacher school. 

Named For His Fifth Grade Girlfriend

 It is one of those non productive days. Oh, yes, there is plenty productive things that need tended to but a bit of relaxing after a few attempts to get going have done gone and went. I culled through some books and several have formed into a stack of books to be given away, the discovery of books forgotten tendered the action of them returning to the shelf to be read or given away on another day. 

Last week bitter cold with snow in the forecast. Today, this week, much warmer and rain. Today was supposed to be filled with rain but it more overcast and drizzly. We even had a bit of fog this morning. Tomorrow is the day that begins the deluge. We had a bit of a drought going into winter but think the seasonal precip is taking care of that. Roy just went out with all the smushed egg shells to put in the garden where his veggies grow. Adding calcium to the soil. 

We did our Wednesday thing of Publix but we weren't needing a lot. Just got some of the dinners Roy likes and a few other things. Highlight of the trip was seeing our friend who went to University of Florida and we have a great time giving one another a difficult time about football. Last year, baseball as well. She works there and we don't see her often. 

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I think this hair thickener is working. I can see some growth and filling in. Of course I should have taken a before picture. I've also read that castor oil is good too. Organic is the best, so I have read. 

Yesterday I learned on FB that a friend from a long time ago has passed away and is dancing on the streets of gold. Knowing Frank, he and Daryl Armstrong have organized a volleyball game on the courts of gold. I met Frank playing volleyball. I played on a co-ed USVBA team and we named ourselves aptly, Controlled Panic. Seeing Frank play intermural volleyball at church led me to meeting him and then inviting him to join our co-ed team. All those years playing only certain friends come to mind, Les, Ruth, Kent, Daryl and Frank. Team members came and went with job transfers or maybe even a better offer to play. We consistently won our division. Ironically, just days before Frank's cardiac arrest he and I set over to the side of the gym talking. He and Carolyn were newlyweds. He was finishing up his degree. Frank loved volleyball and he shared that he would like to coach, maybe a small to medium size private school team to start with. Then his "event" happened and he was never the same, physically or mentally. If I remember correctly they had lost him twice on the operating table. His wife Carolyn has taken care of him these last forty years or so. I have thought of them so often over the years. 

Think the lesson for Sunday is in the fine tuning stage. These two chapters are the bridge between Noah and Abraham. At first glance, I thought, you've got to be kidding me, but so much from this beginning is so much today. I was reading about the culture of learning another language and the mistake that is made all too many times is, you can know the correct usage of words but you don't have the culture of a language unless you immerse yourself into the culture. Made me think about modern day church culture and where it is headed or making a return circle. Being a young believer in the 1970's felt like we were breaking though all the old church norms. Youth musicals and mission trips. Modern translations and paraphrased versions of the Bible came out. Bibles didn't always look like Bibles...then we, grew into adulthood and began those responsibilities and meshed into the way of church, if we were some of the few that still attended. Every generation thinks they have found the new or better way of loving God and people, but like Solomon reminds us, nothing new under the sun. The minister I worked for used to tease me by saying, your generations response to God's blessings or miracles is to always sing, How Great Thou Art. Replied with his generations example. Well, yes, but your generation when you comes time to be the older ones will sing, How Great Is Our God and just maybe no one will sing with you when singing, sing with me. 

January is the month I do take a step back and regular readers know this to keep my health on the up and up. You get a lot of time to think on these things and then think on this junk. I have watched a little more than usual episodes of I Love Lucy. I've written before how my attention is more attuned to Vivian Vance. She was the perfect set up partner for Lucy. I've been catching the series where she wants to dance and sing, but mainly dance, at the Tropicana. I don't know if she had any formal dance training but she found a few steps that worked with any type of music or dance routines. She was a ground breaking actress on so many levels and still brings laughter these days. I always feel a bit sad that she didn't break out or keep stretching in her comedy. She went with what brought her there and you can't argue with that but what if...? What if she had. We will never know but in the month of hibernation besides thinking of Nimrod and the Tower of Babel, my attention is drawn to this. Nothing new here but so good to ponder. 

My cousin and I had a delightful texting conversation yesterday. I had been studying or rather looking over my notes when Mr Mo decided he wanted to nap beside me using my arm as his pillow. I saw an interesting picture from the city where I was born and that led me once again on a Google street view and map extravaganza. Until yesterday, I hadn't been able to find a picture of the school that was across the street from my grandparent's house. Yesterday, I hit paydirt and wanted to confirm that the pic was really of the elementary school. 

The first pic is the school and the second one is too but I kind of modified it to be blurry and not sharp in contrast. The second pic is somewhat of my memory. To me, as a little girl this school was more cylinder shaped, it was kind of, as well as six stories high. The dormer windows at the top gave that impression as well as the basement windows. They stopped using the school for teaching classes in 1968 but it hung around into the late seventies and used it as storage. It was torn down years ago. The elementary school I went to was one story and had several pavement playgrounds. It also had lots and lots of open area for kickball and relay races. This school had hopscotches all around it, painted on the shell/asphalt pavement. Think it had tether ball poles too. The fire escape tube always mystified me. My father went to school here as well as his fifth grade girlfriend who I am named after. Go figure....

Stepping Into Warmer Days

 The sun is hiding behind the mountains giving a hint of gold and reds. The clouds are even in cooperation helping stage the handiwork and creativity of God. I think this is the last day of deep freeze for a while. The last night to drip the faucets. I like cold weather but making sure that pipes don't freeze for extended periods can wear on you. 

There are still patches of snow. Unusual for the front of the house because of a southern exposure and usual for the back of the house. Lots of shade and the trees around the pasture fence above us keeps the winter light at a minimum.  

Last year I made a serious dent in giving away books that have been favorites, either story or author. I have been a holdout on making the same dent into Ellen Gilchrist and Alice Adams books. Alice Adams, while born in Virginia, placed most of her stories in San Francisco. She wrote on the choices strong women have to make or at least back in the eighties. She is one of the first authors I read when my love of reading returned way back in day. Her books have made every move but I haven't reread them. Did a quick a Google search to refresh my memory on her writing. She passed away in 1999, I did remember that. Ellen Gilchrist wrote in similar fashion of using short stories with a theme to tell the story of Rhoda Manning. Rhoda Manning's adventures were loosely based on Ellen's life. At some point her stories became harder for me to read because of a turn in her own life. Still bought the books, read them and carried them about for every move. I am at a point where the books I didn't fully appreciate will be given away. Her first few books will remain and maybe I will skim them. I was mentioning to Roy of my intentions with these books. He remembered the night at the bookstore I discovered Ellen Gilchrist. It was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. We had Chinese food, bookstore and a trip to Sharpstown Mall, when it wasn't such a danger zone, to Shelly's Tall Girl Shop. Something in the food didn't sit right with me and there isn't a need to go into that. Good ol' Shelly's Tall Girl shop...expensive and my only choice for work and dress clothes. Thankful for layaway cause that's how I bought stuff. 

The following is from a blog post in 2021 that I reposted from sometime earlier in the beginning of good ol Monablog. It showed up in my memories on FB. This morning has not been the greatest morning for me. Just some circumstances that I don't particularly care for, a broken drawer that Roy says he can fix...guess cause he installed it. Haha, and when stuff happens it just makes everything else that is tolerable, just plain old worse. In the midst of this and believe me I am not trying to sound spiritual cause I'm not, I am remembering give thanks in all things. So, I complained and almost had some tears cause my insides want to have a grouch fest but the Word that gives life is saying give thanks IN all things. Don't think I am going to get to pout. So here is the blog post:

Yesterday, Soulprint by Mark Batterson was released. So I downloaded that puppy post haste. He has been putting portions of the book on his blog and I was hooked. The following quote is just in his introduction;

All of us start out as one-of-a kind originals, but too many of us end up as carbon copies of someone else. Instead of celebrating our uniqueness, and the uniqueness of others, we're too often threatened by it. We forfeit our uniqueness because we want to fit in. Instead of daring to be different, we sacrifice our soulprints on the altar of conformity."


The term soulprint refers to who we are, who we will be and just not who others see as they look at the outside in. It is a testament to God who has created us. Uniqueness is God's gift to us and our gift to God. We are created to worship God in a way that no one else can.

The above reminds me of my favorite Gail Godwin novel. Against the odds the main character is trying so hard in a new family situation, she's about 12 years old, and keeping her self unique among the status quo.

Do you think I get to be Christ-like and be grouchy? You know uniquely made to be funny, yet cranky, yet godly? After studying Mark for Sunday School I know that Jesus overturning the tables and cleaning out the temple wasn't done cause he was grouchy.

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A morning above freezing. Once the rain begins the remaining snow patches will melt into the ground. It has been quite sometime since snow stuck around for this long. We were able to get out and about yesterday. Grocery store where we saw Lois N and then we went over to Inez and Cuman's home. Great seeing everyone. Roy will probably get back to his workout routine this afternoon but he has been diligent and faithful in his home set up of exercise.

The blogger I mentioned in a post a few days ago no longer blogs. Heck, hardly anyone that was blogging when I started isn't blogging. It is the most consistent thing that is hobby-ish I have ever stayed with. The bloggers that used their platform have gone into podcasts. My attention span is still limited and thus hardly ever listen to podcasts. I just picked up Journeying Through the Bible and the way it is set up you can read short snippets or hang in there reading large sections. Either way, it is good.

Thinking On These Things

 Either we are getting a little snow shower or it is the frosted flakes scurrying off the roof tops and tree branches. 

My brother called last night and his Christmas/New Year gift arrived yesterday. Like me, he is blown away by the presentation of the product and the marketing of it, off the charts. The company is Spoonful of Comfort. You can send all different types of packages; birthday, comfort, get well and so on. After the soup, rolls and cookies are gone you are left with the wonderful memory of a silver soup ladle. We ordered the chicken noodle and tomato basil for him but we ordered the poblano soup for us. At this time both containers of soup have to be poblano. The soup can freeze for two months. His delivery was postponed when the snow and ice hit the Midwest. The company was able to get back the product from UPS and sent a new shipment. Wow! Great customer service. In fact Doug mentioned it reminded him of how Nordstrom used to be. And for us box lovers and box collectors, each box used in the delivery is a good and sturdy box, with attached lid. Box heaven I tells ya!

Sometimes the most far flung thoughts tip toe into my thinking. Probably what started me down this road yesterday is, I gave some time looking at a half full snow globe that was given to me when I was probably in the 6th grade by the boy next door. It was full at the time. There is nothing special about it except maybe this is the first gift I ever received from an older boy. Now, if someone would catch a glimpse they might be thinking, is Nancy a hall full or half empty kind of snow globe person? I am neither. The only comment worth focusing on would be, why didn't she throw this away? From that thought somehow I rabbit trailed to my summer between sixth and seventh grade. When I arrived home from my summer with grandparents and cousins my mom had a surprise for me. While in Illinois, she and a friend made a round table out of a cheese barrel. My mom made the round table cloth for it and she bought a small rocking chair to sit beside the table in front of my bedroom window that faced the backyard. She painted it a lovely blue that went with the newly made round table. The lamp she got was not frilly yet it was cute and added charm to my reading corner. She made a pillow for the rocking chair and the big surprise was, new bedspreads for the twin beds. The white thin chenille bedspreads that had accompanied us from Illinois and Indiana arrived with us when my father was transferred to Texas. But oh my, the floral bedspreads, blue and white with a tad bit of green...I had never seen my bedroom be so beautiful. I felt so special that day, like my childhood room, by most standards was rather barren and utilitarian, was the announcement I had a grown up room. Well, as grown up as one can be in junior high school...whatever that means. 

As I have studied this week on the lesson, it has been difficult to get past Nimrod. He gets a shout out in Chapter Ten but when you study how rebellious as well as influential he was over the people, he made quite the impression the wrong way...What he instituted way back then is still going on today. Same strategy, nothing new under the sun. He is a type and there is so much there before even getting to God coming down and confusing the language. The phrase making a name for themselves keeps rolling around while studying. There is no lack of modern day material on the subject of being famous or making a name in whatever sphere of life you are in. A tennis friend came to mind. Her husband was an up and coming mover and shaker. He made all the right moves and his business continued to be very successful. They made the moves from the get go in their home choices. At one point he wanted his wife to only play at River Oaks and drop their membership at the U Club. She wasn't too happy about it but she dropped the club and the tennis league teams. So, I googled him up the other day. Still a powerful man, got what he wanted out of life at ROCC, even being President. Why am I telling you this? I don't know...no I know. There was a humorous story of a young fast track man who worked at this man's firm, but was leaving to go into Special Ops in one of the branches of the armed services. Many asked him wasn't he afraid of the toughness and difficulties serving in special forces and without hesitation this young man said, I worked for ______________, special ops will be a cakewalk. Tennis friend husband did exactly what he wanted to do, make a name beyond Houston, and his company is so involved in real estate deals all over the country and the world. I also think of two people, one from the blogging world and the other from various church functions and Bible studies. Both interested in starting successful ministries. Both talented and gifted, but there were others at the same time trying to do the same thing and somehow in all the politics of making a ministry name, the accolades and contracts didn't arrive. They are successful but not as much as they might want to be or as much as those who started at the same time. I admire that they still plug away at it. Building a platform, enlisting those who can help them make a way. So, what does this have to do with Nimrod? Well, we have to also watch out for those who want to make a name for themselves and we can get drawn into a web that we will so desperately want out of. Remember Nimrod was a world renown hunter...of both animals and I am sure of ideas and control. I remember a very talented young man telling the choir he led at the time about telling his father he wanted to be famous when he grew up. His dad, a very godly man said, make the Lord famous and you'll be satisfied and successful more than just plain old being famous. What wisdom! 

And they say FB can be a waste of time...yes, it can be but when you see early in the afternoon that church is cancelled due to the frozen tundra, not our truck, but when it is 6 degrees on a Sunday morning with snow still on the ground, ice is a hazard. In the past this decision was made on Sunday mornings and keeping up with closures as you look for the church name takes up a lot of getting ready time. It has been sometime since snow remained overnight. Our home faces south and even cold temps can't keep the sun from melting the snow. Except for this time. So, after I slept in, again, before and during breakfast our conversation revolved around staying alert and all the times being alert in the Bible was a good, nay I say, a very good thing. Being alert as these Boys are to sound. The sound of a treat package being opened, the sound of a can of food being opened, the sound of a small pinecone rolling along on hardwood floors and the sound of foot steps on the stairs. For those things, they are alert. When we want them to come when called, selective hearing. I think they take after Roy in that, selective hearing which is a whole nother subject to cover at another time. 

There is a warm up coming on Monday. We will close down The Garage at The Catmore Estate for several nights. Lows to be in the forties and fifties. A heat wave in January! This will be the last week without any appointments. Life picks up in February. 

Since we didn't have church today I was able to Zoom in with my LBS, think Sunday School class, this morning in Houston. Carole taught and of course the lesson was fabulous. Not only do I have things to ponder but a point in my lesson for next week got some clarification while watching. I came downstairs for lunch and Roy had moved a couple of chairs in the living room. So thankful for that but yet I cannot help but think he moved the chairs like I wanted in order to give up on my idea of moving the bookcases into the dinning room. Saw a picture and it would work well here. I'll have to think on these things.  

Snow Days Are Here Again!

 What a difference a full night's sleep makes. I went to bed early last night and slept right through till Roy got up earlier this morning. I was running on empty after the lack of sleep and taking care of stuff that took lots of energy yesterday. The reports of black ice this morning is ticking upwards. Even though we are above freezing, road temps can be below freezing especially in shaded areas of the roads. 

We used the first of the Amish ground beef we bought and froze into pound portions this week. We made sloppy Joe's and wow, what a difference it made in the taste. No antibiotics in the meat. 

I wrote about my collection of Mead notebooks the other day and I have quite the collection of another type of notebook with even narrower lines. I had a collection of planners and Bible study themed notebooks but just because one has the notebook or planner, does not translate into usage, thereof. 

It has been snowing most of the day. At times we couldn't see much past the road. The flakes huge, the wind rather strong causing the drifts of snow lying on the branches of our fir trees to be whipped up into the air, almost in a spinning fashion. Then the snow showers came a little slower with the snow not falling that quickly. I have spent a great portion of the day being mesmerized by the snow show. In between observing and napping, I have worked on the lesson for Sunday. There has been one snow plow come by not so much to scrape but to salt the roads. We have been below freezing since the later part of the morning. The roads will be dicey this evening with the low being 11 and the high tomorrow 18. I thought wouldn't this be a fun time to be staying at The Inn on the Biltmore Estate...big fireplaces with roaring fire, the beauty of lunch in the library taking in all the beauty while being ensconced in a beautiful and charming place. Snow tends to quiet things down at bit. More are being cautious on the road but even now while writing a loud motorcycle flashed by the windows.  My cat besties spent most of the afternoon with me. Mr Mo snuggled up close and GMoey wrapped up in a barefoot dreams blanket. He doesn't share too often. Fortunately, Mr Mo and I shared the long styled heating pad. Sure helps my hip.   

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Yep, since yesterday morning we have had snow on snow, snow on snow. The northwest backflow proved to be a strong one, sending bands or streamers down into the valleys and breaking containment in and from the higher elevations. These streamers wrung out the moisture, thus we received about three inches of snow. If the above sounds like I know what happens with a northwest flow, it is just this, I am a good listener when Hunter Ward gives the weather updates. 

Around 2:15 am I got up to check all the faucets to check drippage. All were doing fine but I felt compelled to stay up and come downstairs. This was one of those times where I could go back to sleep. Thought, I'll wait for the dishwasher to start and then I'll head back to bed. A quick glance out the window and it was still snowing a little bit. Then, before I knew it, the house went dark. I sat there counting the seconds for the generator to kick in. Then it did, light was restored. Duke sent a text estimating a 5:30 am restoration. Set the kitchen clocks and resumed the dishwasher cycles. The outage affected about 220 homes but you could see in the distance up on the ridge that those homes had not been affected. That young couple that moved in this week will have quite the weather stories to tell. The second house, two story, just dropped in price but saw the photographer over there after the cleaning had been done. The house has some nice touches but those two bedrooms upstairs are tiny. Finally, around 3:30 I headed back to bed and went to sleep with the welcomed drone sound of the generator. Guess Roy felt since I had been on duty it was time for the changing of the guards. He got up, let The Boys out of the bonus room and then turned on the coffee pot. The electricity came back on around 5:13 am. I got up a little after 6:00. The main road in front of our home has not been plowed or salted yet this morning. A few brave souls have driven by and driving safely. Of course there are the few that drive like a bat out of heck. Makes me want to sit on the front porch and shake my fist at them. You know, act like an old lady but this old lady isn't going to get frostbite to do so. 

Well, I had forgotten, but eight years ago today I had my hip replaced after tripping at the Cracker Barrel in Lafayette Louisiana. What is so eerie is comments made by friends who have now passed away. It kind of shakes you up a bit. 

Thursday, I ordered some larger pottery mugs from a lady who is a talented potter. Everything she makes and sells goes into a local ministry to help people. We like big coffee mugs and we are trying to get away from mugs made in a foreign land. We have several pieces of her pottery and we have given her pottery as gifts. We are all lined up for the March throw. Yahoo! 

Well, now to face the cold, cold day. Trying to keep the water flowing as not to freeze. Laundry day is certainly in order.

Nimrod and Poindexter

 Another cold morning but with it the hope and fact of getting above freezing today. It took a while for me to fall asleep last night but around 12:30 am I was awake again. I got up and moved into the front bedroom. We have heat pumps here and after the temps hit low, it just works to maintain with a few times of going to auxiliary heating. You just watch the dollars add up in heating costs. This has been happening since our recent descent into the freezer around here, but I haven't been awake. This means we are in the drip faucet stage and while we feel pretty confident about the downstairs, cause we program the dishwasher to run at 2:00 am, upstairs is a different story. Tonight the low temps are manageable but Friday into Saturday, another artic blast. Next week have highs in the 60s. Just like Texas NC weather can be all over the place but the mountain variable is certainly an interesting factor to all of this. 

Robin Blu is closing in Waynesville. Since they moved from their Hazelwood location I haven't shopped there. They are on Main Street and thinking about parking or the lack of kind of made the decision for me. Lord knows, I have saved a lot of money not going there. Always had the best jewelery selection as well as interesting journals, decor' and the like. They are open until the end of March but after eleven years, they are closing. I have been around for ten of those years. 

Talked with my cousin yesterday. She has always been such an encourager and supporter of my blog. In our conversation, text first, then talk...anyway she asked if I knew Grandma and Grandpa D's favorite scripture or life verse. No, I couldn't recall but I do remember that Grandma loved the song Precious Memories and Grandpa loved Out of The Ivory Palace. We must have talked for over an hour and with the conversation a lot of laughter. We also touched on the sensitive subjects when it came to family dynamics and such from the long time ago, but not for too long. 

So, studying Nimrod and the Tower of Babel is a whole lot more interesting than I originally thought. One of the resources I am using is a commentary first published in 1922. Meditative type thoughts on the major theme, yet while doing my own research yesterday, the author quoted a paper that was originally published as a spoof and as I read it, the spoof paper was to show how if anything is put into Christian-ease writing, we can be prone to believe it cause of the style. I asked Roy if he knew anything about this manuscript and my walking commentary said he had no knowledge of it. While this quote he used is really good, it is really false, so I won't be using it. The manuscript, spoof, was originally published in 1817. Guess not having the ability to Google it up caused the misuse. Even back in the day, people fell for this kind of stuff. You can find it all over the place today in all kinds of denominations, churches and leaders. It might sound good but it is not always the truth or even a half truth. Back to Nimrod, he is relevant in the twenty first century. His attention to control, his attention to elevating mankind to compete against God and win. I'm still studying so nothing definite to write about this morning but I will leave you with this and I don't know that I have ever heard this or not, but building the Tower of Babel in entrenched in the fear that God would flood and destroy the world again. The tower is not a tower of power in the beginning but a tower of fear and not trusting in God's promise. When talking to Roy about this I mentioned that it seems futile to build a tower on flat land between two rivers. Why not on top of a mountain? Well, practical living in the mountains answers that question, that's a lot of work bringing supplies and such up a mountain as well as this fact that anyone who has ever lived in a mountainous area for anytime at all will tell you, you are always looking for flat land. A garden on the side of the hill is hard, flat garden space in the yard...oh so much easier. The bottom line with Nimrod and his people...they wanted to make a name for themselves. Nimrod seems like a nerdy name just like the old board game Mystery Date. No one wanted to get Poindexter. Remember the song? Open the door for your mystery date." 

Being up all night coupled with the additional stress of trying to get the gate lock unfrozen certainly has taken it out of me. We tried to leave for grocery shopping around 11:00 am but the gate lock was frozen. Roy was going to pour hot water on it but I suggested we google it up. Hot water was not the answer. WD 40 or rubbing alcohol. Hand sanitizer works too but not for us. Truthfully, I don't think Roy used enough. So we linked all our outdoor extension cords for Christmas decorations and I got a hand dryer. That did the trick. We were finally on our way after we got everything else put up. After we got home and had a late lunch, I took a nap and it was a long nap. I'm still exhausted. I decided not to go to Bible study tonight because I will probably be asleep by 8:00 pm. 

We have another round of very cold weather. Tomorrow won't be too bad, maybe a dusting of snow, but Saturday the high is 17 and the low is 4. 

Be On The Lookout For The Presence of Wonder

 With a day of below temps Roy and I took our time easing into the day. I slept in a bit, he had a quiet quiet time and we just finished up a lovely breakfast. We discussed and pondered over Genesis 9 and 10. Hey, isn't that everyone's topic of conversation today? I love his insights into scripture. He is my walking commentary but there are some mornings I can hold my own and this morning, much to all of our surprises, well except for The Boys for they care not for any discussions other than, mealtime, treats, naps and being petted, I went step by step with Roy. Now, I'm exhausted and might need that morning nap that The Boys rave about. 

Several years ago before moving up this way, I had a quest. That quest was to find hardback notebooks made by Mead. The paper thick, the lines narrow. I had been told that Mead was in the process of discontinuing the production of both the regular and legal size. My job or obsession was to find and buy each and every notebook that could be found. Friends in different areas of town were shopping their Targets for me. In fact, on several road trip up this way, we stopped at every Target we could see from the freeway in the search. Finally, that day arrived that there were none to be found. Now, what to do with all those notebooks? Even if I journaled diligently each and every day, several pages at a time, I would never get through all those notebooks, until one day. In 2019 when I became the sole teacher of The Joy Class I discovered that teaching each week, that I did better with hand written notes. I remembered what I studied much better than printing out a lesson from a Word document. I used other notebooks until I remembered the container of hard back, narrow lined, thick paper notebooks. Perfect size and perfect notebook for study notes. Roy is using them as well, not for his lessons but for his quiet time reflections. Those notebooks were for such a time as this! We are both using the smaller size but those legal sized notebooks are just awaiting the call. 

January 14th went by without a hitch, just like it has for so many years now. At one time in our life, Roy's father, my father and our dog Tiff had January 14th birthdays. The hitch was always my father's birthday because you knew going in it was never going to be good, but some years were better than others. This year I stumbled upon some really good information on narcissists. In depth information that has answered questions that I put on the shelf a long time ago. It has given me a better insight in the nuances in their outlook and ways. Any celebration, even one centered on him was usually sabotaged and taken hostage. Narcissists usually accuse you of what they are actually doing or they form opinions on what you aren't doing right, not that you would ever do something right. One thing my father said consistently was, "my best isn't good enough!" He was talking about something he had done for the family in that vein, but after a while my brother and I both picked up on the fact, that he didn't do his best. We, our family, was not deserving of his best because we were all pitiful. In fact, why couldn't we be like the so and so family? My therapist told me that being a strong willed child is what probably saved my life. Roy and I were talking during the holidays about some of those gifts that were never good enough for him. Not knowing anything back then and thinking there was something that could be done to win him over, one Christmas I had a ruby and small, minute, diamond ring melted down. I had the small diamonds and rubies placed on an initial pin for the lapel of suits, were all the rage back then. His initials. Y'all I was so happy how that all had turned out and thought he cannot dismiss this gift, especially since it was sentimental and a sacrifice. Well, I was wrong...it was dismissed so much so that he told me after a couple of months, he threw it away. Insert emotional stab wound. I have no doubt that he did cause I never saw it again. As with anyone with any gifts or talents, natural abilities, sometimes those things we have been so good at, start ebbing in strength. Singers feel that, athletic abilities, but I think artists might not see the ebb as much. As for my father, he couldn't keep up with his lies and stories as he aged. That steel trap mind trained for any slight, or a chance to slight or hurt showed the cracks. He could be caught now, his adroit lying wasn't as convincing. I would say the big lie he started involving us was his downfall as well as I didn't speak to him again once he had papers served cutting off communication with him or for his behalf. I don't think he factored in, that we didn't respond, we spoke with his lawyer once, then had to threaten legal action against her. The last thing I told her is, you  see what he is doing to us, he is going to do the same to you and guess what, he did. With nothing to elevate his story, he had to make up more and more. It also helped that I was living in North Carolina. I wasn't there stealing his wallet, turning on the stove and running water. You starve a narcissist. There is nothing there to make them the victim which when their ways fail them, they turn it as harm against them. Over the years I have known a few more narcissists. Keeping a distance is key that is for sure. 

We got a dusting of snow this morning. Sure was pretty watching it lazily falling in moderate flakes. The snow ended and now the sun is out. Wow, sometimes it feels like Texas with the weather but mostly not. A little more snow fell this afternoon but with the sun all evidence of snow has melted away. 

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This morning is either a heavy frost or a bit of snow. The way the sunlight is hitting our front yard the frost or snow flakes glimmer like small diamonds. A little bit of snow might be falling now and is more visible in the front, once again because of the sun. There is beauty even in these cold, 8 degree temps. 

"Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder." EB White. I've always loved this quote. There is a lot of undiscovered wonder or at least that has been my experience. Using my One Word for 2024, Notice. Last night while turning off lamps in the front bedroom, the view is filled with light. Now the light exposed is the light of all the homes that have been built in the last couple of years. For a long time it was not a welcomed glow, but in the cold evening the lights, especially the two homes that are the closest to us brought extra light for the road. Workers in the home that hasn't sold left the porch light and the upstairs lights on. It was nice. The people who live in the other house are making the home theirs, got their mailbox set and Waste Pro garbage and recycling bins to the side of the porch. 

Speaking of wonder, I wonder where I put a box that has some childhood relics of Sunday School past. I am looking for something in particular and won't need it until the following Sunday. You know, it is somewhere safe...so safe, I can't find the box. Speaking of boxes I ordered some fresh type food from a company I had never heard of but I took a chance. Had a package delivered for us and one for my brother. His order got caught up in the massive storm and the company emailed to let me know they had recalled the package from UPS due to the arrival past the expiration date. His delivery should make it tomorrow or Friday. But the boxes for this product are beyond good, sturdy box with lid. And there are quotes on the box as it relates to food or comfort or relaxing. Good boxes, delicious food and great quotes! That is a win, win, win in my mind. 

Hibernation Feels So Good

 Y'all know I am a Publix kind of gal but when Roy looked at King Cakes he was disappointed that the King Cakes at Publix are made in Massachusetts. What? Good thing I am not a fan of King Cake or I might just be very disappointed. 

The women's Bible study for this semester started last night. We are doing the study The Great Disappearance by David Jerimiah. We watched the intro and I am real excited about the study. Maybe I can quit saying if it's prophetic I'm pathetic, when it comes to teaching prophecy. 

From the FB pages that are a part of the city I was born in is always interesting. Lots of Wabash railroad stories, buildings and the like. The thing about the city seems to be a problematic solution of  what to do with buildings that were once beautiful and haven't been maintained is to tear the down and build a parking lot. Didn't Linda Ronstadt sing about this? Anyway, with diminishing population in the city I just wonder how many parking lots do they really need? Then some investigation from people who want to know are looking into the legality of the process and is someone benefitting from all these tear downs. 

Last night I pulled out a tried and true favorite for studying scripture, Warren Weirsbe. I turned to his commentary of Genesis 8 and no pun intended but he blew me out of the water with his insights. I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about what he said. Got up and wrote down some thoughts as well as read Genesis 8 again. Then I went downstairs to get the book and read his insights again. I think I will probably rewrite notes today because while what I have studied goes in hand with his, I just like the personal and applicable touch. He mentions several times, his wondering if the family got on each other's nerves that year or so in the ark. I've been wondering about all the animal poop. Guess they had to shovel it out through the 18 inch space for air and ventilation. Of course I'm thinking big shovels but I doubt that is what was used.  This time around studying Noah is totally different than any other time in the past. There is so much more to see, to notice. Notice is my One Word for 2024.  

Word on the web is the probability of snow beginning Monday afternoon and into Tuesday. Maybe even accumulation of a couple of inches. It is always nice, well it is nice for the first snow. I might better find my Wilma Dykeman book of articles she published in Knoxville and in New York City. Her essay on snow is just so beautiful. Gosh, I didn't realize until this morning she married into the Stolkey food family. Her husband kept enough interest in the business to support them but he was a poet at heart. I also liked her novel, The Far Family. 

Camo has been around more often but we have seen only one of her three kittens. That's not to say they have come to an unwelcomed end but she usually in the past has favored one kitten. We have not seen the black and white one but this morning saw the Camo-ish looking kitten. 

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Monday morning holds the hope of snow but the reality of it being mostly rain. Forecast models are all over the place but we are in our one place and don't have to go out. That is a very nice thing. 

Yesterday, I went with the Genesis 8, Warren Weirsbe thought of God with us and strengthening us before, during and after the storm. Cause there was a lot of work to be done post flood. Several in our class have been to the ark in Kentucky and added some depth to our understanding of what and how. I mean one can only eat chick pea and humus for so long. I am considering going straight into the life of Abraham with a little bit of an intro. 

I never have minded the month of January. I kind of like it. The beauty of winter and the treasures one finds in these chilly and cold months. Not being on the go so much has made inroads in down time with The Boys. Mr Mo hangs around me more and GMoey doesn't seem to get enough lap time even joining me in the mornings when I blog. In fact, he is on my lap right now purring away. The circle of social gets smaller now and maybe that is a good thing. The student ministry had a game night last night for a fund raiser to earn money for camps this summer. Since I limit myself in January and the first part of February to smaller type gatherings, we had to miss but we shall support. 

It is snowing all around us but not here. Kind of funny. It is colder in Houston than here. Oh well, tomorrow is a really really cold day. Glad not a string of them. 

 

Just Another Weather Update or So

 A low pressure system is in the area and it is producing lots and lots of rain. Lots of rain. We even had a big flash of lightning and the longest and deepest rumble of thunder I have ever heard. Flood watches and wind advisories. Temps are above freezing so no ice nor snow. It is still dark outside so it will be interesting how the driveways across the way have fared. The past few days we've seen several looking at the houses. The one story is under contract. 

I don't know if we should be worried but the Feral Fam is lining up two by two. Seems perfect for another week with Noah's Ark on the Sunday docket. It is fitting on this day of rain to be further looking at this story and lesson for us in the OT. Roy and I both have commented this is very close to Houston weather. Flash flood watches, torrential tropical or sub tropical rain for extended periods of time.  

I must truly be a grown up...I am so happy with this new vacuum cleaner. I thought the cordless one was good but wow, this corded Dyson is fabulous. With three cats, Willie having long hair, got things cleaned up right away. While we were rearranging things yesterday we were able to move the cat tower in front of a window. Willie and Mr Mo love it. GMoey, although is usually on it doesn't quite trust the new move. 

Just noticed that the couple looking in the windows of the one story house across the road are back this morning. Think they are taking pictures of the pooling of the rain water in the side yard that runs down not away from the house but toward the house. The first two vents on the crawlspace wall are covered with mud. The water draining from the two story house also goes toward the one story. They have someone over there now and just looking at the truck I speculate and of course I am not a professional but maybe some damage inside the home. Who knows? Too little of a driveway and too close to the road would be my first objections. So, this afternoon the young couple is back with a U Haul and unloading small items. Looks like they have a small toddler. Yikes! That close to the road. 

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Back to the tale of two houses...couple moved stuff in but didn't spend the night. Early this morning a car and a truck were parked in the two story house driveway with lights flashing. The temps have stayed above freezing so no ice but soon enough came a sheriff so the early morning was a blaze with yellow flashing lights from the car and truck and blue and white flashing lights from the sheriff. Yeah, this is going to be interesting for the future. 

Since this post seems to be all weather related I will add that we get two days to dry out and Friday is forecasted to be a rainy day. Like I wrote before, this weather seems very Houston like but the kicker here is, rock and mud slides. 

One of my long time friends hit the milestone birthday and to the best of my knowledge she is the first of the group of us that hung out together. It is hard to get my brain around the fact that a lot of life has been lived since junior high school. What an impact she made early on in my walk with the Lord and her influence is still a part of me today. And we have laughed a lot throughout the years.

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Young couple spent their first night in their new home. Yay! It is kind of different to see the lights on over across the road. 

Black ice on the roads this morning. We don't have to be out and about until later today. 

 

Rain and Wind Here It Comes Again

 A sunny Monday and it is also a weather aware day. Tomorrow, rain and wind. Guess it is time to bring in the LSU flag for the season. Normally, it is down by now with the key emphasis on normally. Ain't nothin' around here being done normally going on nigh these last eight years. Just took down the few and really it should be very few Christmas decorations. Even though we don't celebrate old Christmas, I'll just think to myself that yes we do. 

Over the weekend I read two articles on the opposite end of the scale, loving living here and not so much living here. In between an article on what to do to love living here. I have never not, oh a double negative so early on this morning, loved living here. Well, in August of 2015 I came close to thinking what have we done, but that was an emotional summer and everything felt turned upside down. I do know that is the only time Roy had to make an emergency trip here and I am forever thankful for that. The people who don't like living here find it difficult to make friends. That wasn't the case for me. If you figure in Appalachian history, for years and years people come here and try to change everything to be more like the place where they came from. Seriously, don't get that. I will mention I miss our Rancho de Five home and if we could move it here, oh that would be wonderful. We can't so no extra storage and a small primary on suite bathroom, look who has been watching HGTV, is just fine. Very livable. Even with houses being built across the way, we have a great view of long range mountains. In the back, we can watch our neighbor's horses frolic. Yes, animals run and frolic here because it isn't so dang hot. Closer in we watch The Feral Fam. I talked with one lady randomly in the grocery store. She wasn't too happy being in the mountains, even at our lower altitude. I asked her if she went to church. Well kind of she said. You have to go enough times for people to notice you've come back several times. Also encouraged her if on first try, you miss, try another church. The article on loving life here resonated more with my spirit. The author describes certain scenes he passes while driving from Marion to Waynesville and I can picture those same mountain views. He and his wife like to hike and one of his loves is that they can get on a trail right outside their backyard. I'd feel guilty a lot if I lived there cause I would ought myself to death. I ought to be hiking and such, but I would turn toward the kitchen, make a hot chocky and pick up my book to resume reading where I left off. I'd feel more guilty about not reading than not hiking. We are making a list of day trips for this upcoming spring and summer. Limited hiking as I am more and more like my mom, "can we see it from the car?"

Yesterday, before class we are all visiting as per usual. One of the three Karen's in class, called me over. We have three ladies in the class named Karen, well two and the other spells her name with an o. This is not a descriptive term that we see used in a not so good way. Anyway, Karen begins to tell me about her mother's experience in our class last Sunday. Her mom was visiting. Y'all, I got a little nervous because Karen's mom was a pastors wife and maybe a tad more serious than me. Karen tells me her mom loved the class cause you learn and laugh. Instead of having lunch and learns, never did like them for various reasons, but our class could be a laugh and learn. Wow! That made me so happy all day. Put a spring in my step. I need to mention once again our lesson this week was on judgement. Yes, an important topic and all, but sometimes I think if your class are all believers, maybe just maybe we should reflect on Noah, who walked with God more than the people who rejected the Lord. Yes, we need to keep judgement in mind as we talk to those who do not know the Lord...well anyway, we looked more at Noah's life and obedience than we did at the scoffers and rebellious ones. And...what a perfect Sunday to pull out an oldy goldy, Rise and Shine. Around high school time, this song became a favorite of youth groups. Corny, rhyming lines with actions and claps, what's not to love except it will get on your nerves. I think only one class member participated with me and I am ever thankful Judy C. We have another lesson on Noah and the Arks, doesn't that sound like a 70s pop rock group? Just might have to pull out the second and third verse.  

One of the ladies in our class was baptized yesterday. Yay! Fun celebrating with her. After her baptism, Roy and I left due to the practice of no big church January for me. Keeps good health rolling right along. 

It is exciting around here this afternoon. We used the new vacuum cleaner and wow, what a great job! I, mean, we were inspired to move things around. We have been talking about this for months and today, we moved the recliner that is causing my hip problems out to the front porch. Can't put it in the garage cause the cats would mess it up. It has some life in it, just not for us. When my knees were so bad, I used the right side arm to pull myself up and out of the deep recliner which cause some stress to that side. In the midst of all this The Boys are not happy with the change. Buddy used to get so upset if just a chair was moved. They are not at that stage, but the displeasure is apparent. 

The LSU flag is put up till the fall. Sounds like we are going to get a lot of wind and rain tonight into tomorrow. Roy worked out and picked up strawberries this afternoon. We are batting down the hatches. I can use the time for study and reading. Until later....

I Need A Price Check

 Right cheer in the mountains we are preparing for ice and then rain but little to no snow. So 🎵no snow on snow, snow on snow...in the bleak first part of winter, ice is forecasted for us although.🎵 First winter reference to In the Bleak Mid Winter and as usual practice, cramming words onto notes. Yes, that seems to be my forte. Another unusual note on music...haha...oh Nancy... I didn't hear Mary Did You Know or Happy Birthday Jesus one time...no, not ever during the Christmas season. I did hear Shepherds Pipe Carol about six times and as I have written before I still know the alto note, ok, the alto two alto notes. 

Once again we punted plans because of temps. Roy didn't want to make a longer type road trip in these very cold temps, in case of car or truck trouble. Hey, not a problem. I may not be as flexible physically but I am more flexible emotionally and planfully. Yes, I am aware of a word that doesn't exist in the grammar world but in my world, it does. 

We stopped on our way home at the BBQ truck parked across the way from the post office on the river road. We ordered a rib plate and a brisket plate each with two sides. It was all very good! I used Goode Company BBQ sauce on the brisket. Ooooh, it was almost like eating at Goode Company in Houston. Think the food truck is named 6 Pigs. It there on Thursday and Friday. The man who BBQs and runs it is a fire fighter. I'm telling you fire fighters in my experience do some awesome BBQ. 

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No snow nor ice, just rain. Would love to get some snow but for this rain we give thanks. I woke up around 3:30, got up and read till Roy woke up. Then I went back to sleep and slept in once again. Now, here at 8:30 I am the only one awake, cause Roy went to take a nap and The Boys have settled into their second morning nap of the day. 

Wow, the news on the Stanley Red Cup that can only be purchased at Target is making the rounds. It reminds me of a Simpson episode where Malibu Stacy talks and it is just stereotypical phrases, "like I don't know, let's ask a boy." Lisa meets with the original developer of the doll and they try to get girls interested in it because of empowerment and encouraging phrases. Crowd lined up at the toy store to get this new edition, Lisa Lionheart. Only to be topped by the Malibu Stacy team introducing a new version of the doll, now with a new hat. Everyone runs to that display leaving Lisa a bit disheartened not lionhearted. That is what this seems to be. Stanley cups, now in girl colors. When we first bought the house here and when workmen came to the house, I had a Stanley thermos and work boots by the back door indicating that a man was in residence. Whenever more info on a husband had to be given I just said he works for an oil and gas company. Most of these guys took that phrase and had Roy working on the pipelines or offshore or drilling for oil when in fact he was in an office building in downtown Houston. 

A long time ago in Houston, before a hurricane, I had gone to the grocery store not to panic buy but to pick up a few things we needed in the course of daily life. When the hurricane tracking maps came out that is when I shopped for a storm. We needed some bananas but the panicked shopper next to me was all in a tizzy. In a low tone I mentioned to her that these were the last bananas available before the rain and wind hit Houston. Never in a million years did I think that she would say anything out loud. I thought she would just pick up a few more than she needed. Her voice up several octaves she repeats what I just said. There was such a rush over to the bananas. I kind of felt bad I had done that but it kind of amused me. This came to mind yesterday as we stopped in Publix to get some strawberries and dinners that Roy eats in the evenings. With the impending...drizzle, with the chance of freezing rain, ice or snow, it didn't feel panicked. Felt like a normal Friday. While Roy checked out, I waited by the doors. I had gone back to check on something and upon returning the line behind him was a bit long. Easier not to plow through the line with the suspicious look from others that I was trying to deceive them and cut in line. Anyway, I saw the manager put in the code on the phone to make announcements throughout the store. How tempting to call out for a price check. There is something in my memory of a store in San Marcos my freshman year. Murrays, ran by Ma and Pa with the help of a couple of cousins. In my eyes they were all ancient. Way back before bar codes products were priced with a price gun. Ma worked the register and if we college students took too much time in an aisle, Ma would call for a price check on items that we brought with us to check out.  Suspicious that we had changed the stickers with a cheaper product, she wanted to make sure. Two lines to check out but only one was ever open. Ma would grab that microphone and call out for a price check on chips, beanie weenies and other food purchased by college students. That store was about the size of a 7 11 and didn't need a microphone to call out over the noise and chaos. Uh, there wasn't noise of chaos. Never many in the store. Texas State bought up that property long ago and Murrays is no more except for those fortunate enough to have shopped there back in the long ago.  Back to now...anyway, we had to go across the road to Ingles  but Ingles was a whole nother feeling. A bit of panic in the air, long lines to check out and some shelves picked over. Oh to know the code to call out for a price check or ask if the last bananas had been stocked before the snow or ice or freezing rain or....drizzle. I would have even had fun calling for clean up on aisle 7. 

Camo, Cramming, Noah and Weighted Blankets

 A lot of class pics have been posted on FB from way back in the day, mainly from elementary schools around the area in the late 1950s and through the mid 1960s. Sometimes, I have to look at the little plaque in the pic with the grade, teacher and school because all those class pictures resemble one another. It is the style of clothes, hair cuts and the like. It is uncanny because you think you've located someone in the picture that you know, but wrong school, wrong year, wrong grade and wrong teacher. There are a couple of guys who post in groups such as, "You know when you grew up in _________ or jr high and high school alumni groups. Also there is an Astro World group for former employees that I belong to where one guy in particular lives in the past. I mean, okay I didn't love junior high school, but it is interesting from time to time to see pics and such or remind you of people you haven't thought of in years and years. 

I also belong to several groups dedicated to history or remembering times, buildings, railroads and all the happenings in the town where I was born. We only lived there about a year and a half until my father was transferred to the Chicago area and then eventually to Houston. I spent a lot of summers there in that hometown but I realized being there with our parents, we never ventured out to anyplace other than over to a family members house. I remember The Redwood Restaurant and eating at the Steak and Shake one time. I don't know have the places they talk about but I do like looking at pictures from the late forties into the early fifties. I look to see if I can find my mom or my father in pictures taken in the downtown area or at the parks. So far, no luck.  

We crammed a lot into yesterday. Publix, and the Astro Van that nearly derailed us, haircut and Sam's. We came home exhausted but with a new vacuum cleaner. We have cordless Dyson that we love but with three cats, one with really long fur, we got a Dyson animal vacuum, corded. More power. Then the tough to reach places, cordless. Yes, it has come to this, I am swooning over a new vacuum cleaner. Roy found a really warm coat at Sam's. He has one but it is really nice. So, he got this one to look after the outside and stay warm. Stocked up on cat food. My weighted blanket with a hoodie came and can't wait to nap in it this afternoon. Those boys steal the blankie on the daybed.  

Other than animals two by two and Noah, I don't know that much about the flood. Maybe it was from living in Houston and fighting and surviving many floods throughout the years. While studying this week I have come across some unusual facts that certainly are interesting facts. I'll start writing out notes later this morning. My attitude has changed since Sunday morning when announcing that this week's lesson would be on judgement. Yes, I know judgement is part of the whole thing but I am not one who loves to teach on judgement. Oh yes, there are many who like to, though.

Camo has dropped off at least one kitten in the garage. The kitten, whose coloring resembles Camo came out from the back of the garage while I was in there. Scurried right back to its hiding place. I had seen Blazey down by Josh's, so I whistled and he came running. He ate two cans of food. He and Radley don't get along, both wanting to be the alpha male and the choice of females has dwindled dramatically. Roy decided to wait until after winter to take the rest of The Feral Fam in. As for Camo's other two kittens, we haven't seen them or her. This is nothing new, Camo gets tired of kittens quickly and then leaves them here. I am glad that she does that and doesn't just leave them out and about on their own. Later, we are bringing in Fido and Cha-Nay Nay for a little indoor time. 

Read about the recent trend in plastic surgery which I guess comes more from doctor perspective more than a patient. The trend is this, after surgery now, everyone looks the same. Several examples were shown and it looks like this could be true. It used to be that you kept some of the uniqueness, you were getting an upgrade. Now, not so much.   

Yesterday my weighted blanket Snuggies like thing arrived. Pulled it out this afternoon and gave it a try. Oh my goodness, I love it. Mr Mo and GMoey love it. Has a hoodie and a handwarmer and a pocket for your phone. Your legs aren't bound up like in a sleeping bag. So warm. Did I mention I love it?

Genesis, Playing In Ditches and Football

 Let's see, we had black eyed peas, collards, and ham for NYD lunch. We were going to fix cornbread but we got our timing out of sync, so we punted on the cornbread. We might cornbread tonight, though. The day is a bit laid back. We are not even watching football. Since it has been a while, I am breaking out the lesson for Sunday since we will be back into a systematic study of Genesis. Thinking to do a brief introduction and then go right into where we should be and that is Noah and the Ark. Should we sing Rise and Shine and Give God the Glory, Glory? 

Mr Mo and Willie finally gave up their wrestling match and have returned to their corners, well, Willie is on the highest perch of the cat tree and Mr Mo might be back on the heating pad. It is not turned on, yet. 

We are in the part of the year where for health reasons we skip out on big church. Too many germs and as this has been my practice since 2010, I continue with great success. Our class is very conscious of each other's health and take precautions. 

It looks like all the homes that are being built are in the final wrap up stages. The far home has been under construction for two years and the big home built across the road, up in the corner might be finished as well. Finishing touches on the two small homes in front of us with one of them under contract. Again, so close to the road with lots of noise and fast drivers. Mary Joyce's daughters and son in laws have been working inside her house this past week. I still find myself looking over to her house to see if a light is on or if she is sitting on her porch. 

Kind of ironic that a social influencer guy, kind of a pastor guy is writing on New Year resolutions and his take on them is that most resolutions are self centered. But this guy is working so hard to look young. He is middle aged, has the hair style, he stays on the lean side and he works hard at looking like life is easy. He is divorced and married a much younger woman...so he probably be working really, really hard to stay on that youngish side of her. As Steel Magnolias said about age, time walked right on across the face. It is an uphill battle with no victory. Soon enough it all catches up to you and time has passed you by...across your face and wherever else. Now for me, I try to look presentable except for when I am playing old lady outside working and nothing I am wearing matches. 

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Good morning! Sunny and warmer today, in the forties. Roy is going to work out today after having to skuttle his plans toward the end of last week of going to they gym. It should be nice and crowded today. He'll pick up some strawberries afterwards and for this I am glad. I'm eating mandarin oranges from a single serving container with eggs. Actually, it has been quite refreshing. No added sugar and we drain the juice. 

Today is my friend, Carole's birthday. I was reading her post recently on FB as she and a friend find different places and trails to walk. She wrote about playing in ditches when she was a kid and it just so happens I was thinking about playing in ditches as a child. Only, I was forbidden to do so. You know where this is going...anyway, we are in Genesis 6 on Sunday...Noah's Ark and judgement. The Lifeway commentary mentions those forbidden things and the writer is reminded of a childhood sin and judgement. That is how I got to thinking about playing in ditches. Houston is filled with bayous that drain into the Gulf of Mexico. In neighborhoods many have big ditches, they weren't quite a bayou but these weren't little culverts that can run alongside rural roads. Walking to elementary school, I had to go over a bridge that straddled a ditch. Always so tempting to stop cause some of the best weed flowers grew along the side of the banks. When there wasn't much water you could see all the treasures that people had dumped into it. My mom let me know that coming home from school I was not to stop but keep on walking past the temptation to wander into the vastness of what looked to be a lot of fun exploring. I kept that promise until the day I didn't. My best friend Leah Rae, her brother Brian and I had been exiled to their backyard by their mom. It was a summer day. The swing set soon lost our interest. We moved over to a pile of discarded stuff and we all knew that this junk would not build into a fort even as we tried every time we were exiled to the backyard. As we looked for something else to do, Leah Rae suggested we go out their back fence straight into the ditch. I was hesitant but the loophole in my first grade mind was, well I am not walking home from school. Of course the Bible verse resounds in hindsight, be sure your sins will find you out. Brian, younger than us by a couple of years, in the midst of exploring, slid down the bank into the murky water that probably was all of an inch or two deep, but it did the damage. Muddy socks and shoes. They weren't supposed to play in the ditch either...suddenly Leah Rae remembers. She tells Brian to take his shoes and socks off and we will use the time honored Indian way of cleaning socks. Uh, I kind of doubt now that it had anything to do with Indian lore or wives tales, but she told us to pick buttercups and use the yellow pollen on the inside to clean those socks. Don't waste your time doing this cause it didn't work. In our haste to hide our sin, Mrs. Montgomery calls out that it is time for them to come in and for me to go home. I was feeling pretty good about getting away with ditch exploration cause I wasn't muddy per se but I was a little dirtier than just playing in a backyard. There was no reason to cause Mom any undo stress, so no mention of this falling into temptation and there was a little bit of repenting and praying as I walked home. Well, my mom was waiting for me on the driveway. Her face told me that the jig was up. She knew. Drat the telephone! Drat Mrs. Montgomery! Drat that Leah Rae and Brian had ratted me out!

Well, no Alabama and no Texas in the Natty. Roy wanted Michigan to win. I was torn...in any loyalty to be a fan for several hours for either one of these teams. But, Michigan exposed Alabama's weakness and for all the game except the third quarter exploited them. Being in the eastern time zone, it is hard to stay up for games that begin after 8:00 pm. Watched Washington score the first touchdown and that was it. Although, when waking up around 12:30 am, the game wasn't over but Washington had the lead. Very few or even ever have I been a fan of UT, Texas not TN. We really didn't watch LSU play yesterday. Too nervous for them and in the past I have done my part by not watching games. So today, our LSU flag out front comes down until college football season begins again. 

Read there are two and maybe three weather systems in the next few weeks that can bring wintery weather. Yay! Would like to see a little snow but not a blizzard. 

Happy New Year, Too!

 Welcome 2024. Happy New Year! Greetings from the mountains of NC. No snow on this first day of the year but chilly temps.  The color of the sky to the south and east certainly have the elements of color that resemble snow skies. I slept in this morning, although it was not intended. If there were any celebrations at midnight with firecrackers around us, I slept through them. Although, at 1:45 am I heard a few. Sound travels differently here than on flat land, so I can never tell if they are close or at a distance. It seemed like someone realized they had five firecrackers left and just went outdoors to shoot them. Nothing like Katy NYE when fireworks fill the sky and the sound of continual celebration lasts two weeks past the new year. 

So far this morning I have experienced great laughing and a minute or two of being sentimental. First text, from CourtneyS. She and Joseph were sitting on the patio drinking hot chocolate around a fire pit, sent a pic when Joseph breaks into singing,🎵 logs by the fire....  I tells ya, Merry Christmas Darling is for all seasons, times and fire. First good laugh of the new year. Then I texted Inez wishing her a HNY complete with runny eggs and medium rare steak. She wished the same back except adding the phrase, WELL DONE. Had to give her props for the biblical reference on this new year, WELL DONE good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord. As I do every new year morning, I wait for the Blog to Print code to arrive so that I can print out my blog in book form. It came, I assembled and left the choice of the front cover to the first pic of 2023 that I posted on the blog. It was Theresa laughing so hard as I leaned in toward her with the famous Mildred and Gertrude SPAM turkey, complete with chicken legs and the little white chef hat things that all the finest put on their chicken legs. I may or may not have shed a few tears remembering my friend. She has almost been gone a year. I miss her, even though we never did anything together outside of church. Her presence and her love...servant heart, contagious. Her laughter, oh my, she is one of the best laughers I ever did know. Oh now, I have had the second sentimental moment of the morning. Just watched The Golden Band from Tiger Land, play at a rally this morning. As I watch I cannot help but think of the seniors in the band, playing at their last football game of the season. Their only opportunity in the future is when alumni come back for a game and play. The first few notes of Hold That Tiger and I am crying. I cry more over football and such. I am goofy but not as a Disney Goofy. 

Please excuse any typos as GMoey is helping me blog this morning. I will also blame any grammatical errors on him as well. I love my friends who are the grammar police and honor their commitment to correct any and all mistakes. But as for me and my house, Roy doesn't care about grammatical mistakes either, we will give great joy for those who correct but we will just continue to have fun. Well, the fun part is more me than Roy. I did make him laugh this morning by announcing I was an overachiever on the first day of the new year by sleeping in. I overachieved sleep. Most of the time I just chieve. 

Yesterday was the last of what I called field trip lessons liken back at days of excitement when a class went on a field trip. Just something in the air. We looked at Luke 24:17, Jesus asking the two on the road to Emmaus, what they were talking about. The lesson looked at our conversations, our what-ifs and our OCD approach to being prepared for conversations that never happen. These thoughts came about when I decided that my ONE WORD for the year is Notice or Noticing. Don't live in the past, be present in the moment and don't be afraid of the future. See what the Lord is doing in the moment. Don't miss those little things or His presence in the everyday. Last week I talked about a Christmas Eve sermon that a pastor didn't get to deliver, because he died of cancer before Christmas Eve. Yesterday, I used the ending of Kyle Lake's sermon that he didn't get to preach because he died in the baptistry when he touched a microphone. His sermon ending encouraged living and experiencing life, even used wiping a snotty nose of a three year old that didn't quite hit the tissue. He said live into that moment cause soon enough, the three year old will be wiping his own nose. This week I don't have any sermons not preached by a dead pastor.  I had seen an article on a children's book that is meant for all ages, Noticing. This led me to ordering it as well as a book, Holy Noticing. I like both books but I enjoyed the children's book better. Another thing that got my attention, on X formerly known as Twitter, a Bible publisher mentioned that maybe, just maybe your dry spiritual condition could be due to your Bible Reading Plan, or your BRP. Now I see BRP and I am totally thinking of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Oh, we could be on the Parkway with our BRP!  Anyway, I don't necessarily agree with that reason of a dry spiritual condition.  We get too trapped up in our legalism thinking our BRP should be boring and difficult. Thus we can brag about keeping on keeping on. I try to approach that discipline with joy and wonder. Not every time will have wonder but oh my friend, the times that do, blessing after blessing after blessing. Roy has found a plan that he loves and has been using it for over a year. The plan is going through the NT every ninety days. He says he loves it because everything, timeline related comes together for him. It is a delight in our early morning conversations, although I slept through that time today, to hear him tell of what he has learned or never seen before. He still reads the OT but his quiet time is NT. No BRP that dies in the throes of Leviticus. 

I read a new year greeting today and I will end with it:

"Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man"

Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanac, December, 1755

No thank you I have found the best man! Going on forty seven years best man. Happy New Year 2024! Yes, I realize I have taken his words out of context but better Franklins than a BRP stuck in Leviticus! Also, I may or may not have just sent some grammar friends into orbit.