Herding Kitties

 There are hard mornings and this morning is one of those. BBKitty and her sister Cami are letting the youngsters run amuck. We gathered them up this morning from off the driveway and put them in a box for the moms to pick up the kittens and take them back to wherever they had moved them. Last night they had them under the front porch. At least Cami is by the box but since they are quiet and napping she might not be so inclined to move them. I think one or two kittens are missing but we aren't too sure. We were able to help another kitten with their eyes, so that is always a good thing. All the other cat chores went well but chasing little kittens, while not hard is heart breaking. They are related to Camo and she always stopped caring at some point for her kittens so she let them fend for themselves, we assure, or she dropped them here. 

I am kind of struggling with this week's lesson. So many things to cover but I need to find those things that fit together and make sense in able to apply the lessons to our lives. 

Well, it is almost twelve hours later and we are doing the same thing that we were doing about this time this morning. Herding kittens. When we left the kittens this morning, we left them in a box that the mothers can get them out of. Late morning when we arrived back home the box was tipped over and the moms had them under a tree. This evening kittens have been moved hither and yon but it feels like their preferred gathering place is on the porch in the corner. We put a bed there for them. They are good moms but they have a lot on their paws for being first time mamas. Round 2, we just came in after finding the orange kittens and we think they have been among the blackberries all day. Family is now under the porch again. 

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And now for the latest update on kittens. Family has moved from under the front porch to under the back porch. Although it is noisier they are safer there. We've heard a few meows but the sisters are near so that is a great sign. I am not confident all the kittens will make it. Two look a little lethargic but we shall see. Maybe the older cuzbros will help reign in the younger ones with play. One of the little ones is bigger than the others and I believe that he/she is from BBKitty's litter which will be one month on July 1st. Last night we discovered that the kittens have once again been moved by the moms. We saw two of them yesterday when we fed the Feral Fam. The moms are around so that is a good sign. 

We don't know the places where the sisters take the kittens because they did not grow up here in the yard. With Cutie we pretty much know the progression. She has her kittens finding out about the gravel road and that is my least favorite growing up test that she gives her babies. By next week she will have moved on paying just a little attention to them. 

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Yes, this week it is all about the Feral Fam and the newest members. Last night one of the little ones ran freely about the food bowls. I checked on her eyes and she had one matted again. Since Roy had gone to church for a men's fellowship supper, I had to remember how to help a kitty without the extra set of hands. Brought her in the house, got some meds in her and got that eye cleaned up. GMoey was happy to see her and she scared Willie. These little ones are eating food. They are at the age but I think all the moving and such has them a little smaller than their age would show. We are seeing three kittens, Roy thinks maybe four. 

All the Feral Fam is on edge. They are keeping out of the way and hidden. Think their arch enemy is frustrated and attacking. We have not seen Spotty for three days. He does that but with the tension in the air, we just wonder. When Roy got home last night, he heard the sound of a brutal cat fight. He tried to find it but too far over past Mary Joyce's house. Cutie has kind of moved her tribe near the fence and on the rocks. That gives three ways to exit or hide. Thankfully, all four of her showed up for breakfast. 

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I'll wrap this up because this is going to be a longer story I have a feeling. Now four kitties on the back porch in a pet playpen. This morning around 4:30 when I was feeding the first guest I heard the mournful wail up toward the neighbors and the church of a cat. I hope it wasn't hurt or being stalked by the mean cat. We think he finally did Spotty in. We have not seen him since last Monday night. That Spotty was getting so close to trusting us. Now, we have these little ones to help. Calling the vet in the morning to see if we can get them in and on the way to health. 

Herding, Securing and Watering

 Oh these warm days but thankful for cool mornings and evenings. The other night we put the top down on Mustang Sam and took a ride through the country. Just so beautiful taking in the sights and fragrances. Saturday morning the Women's Ministry had a canvas paint party and we had a blast. Came with breakfast, devotion and planning. Such a joy to be around friends on a summer Saturday morning. 

Once again I saw birds in training from the front bedroom window. A hawk and a much smaller hawk enjoying their ride on the wind. Circling and floating all the while keeping an eye out for something moving on the ground that could become supper. Hawks don't really teach their young to hunt but the kiddos learn by watching their parents hunt and soon learn it is better to perch in an area to find accessible food. While the hawks glided in their circular pattern two of the young blackbirds were training and developing skills to keep hawks away from nests. Mockingbirds and blackbirds will chase hawks in the sky and it seems like the hawk should be the one in control and not being bothered by this distraction. 

Cutie is in the process of getting in the last lessons for the four kittens before releasing them to make it on their own. She is taking them near the gravel road and showing the escape route under the fence. She sits back and waits for the kittens to start eating at the dish of food in the morning and evenings. They have grown and they are healthy from the looks of them. Before leaving for church yesterday, we were treated to a front row view of the BBKitty and Cami litters. Oh my, that's a whole lot of kittens. Two orange, a calico, two black and white, one gray...maybe two and a black kitten. Some of them are nearing four weeks and the others look to be three weeks. Cutie knows the lay of the land and uses it to the best situations because she grew up in our backyard. She learned her motherhood tips from Punky. Camo just dropped off kittens when she was tired of raising them. Such is the case of the two sisters...they don't know the crannies of safety but they have done rather well with what they see. I don't think any kittens have died under their watch...well, we helped a couple of times with the wandering ones. There seems to be something outside that is bothering The Feral Fam. Coco doesn't really want to leave the garage. The vet told me long ago with Riley, if they want to stay in they have survived a traumatic experience. Of course Fido comes and goes but he has wanted to be in the garage more than usual. Beanie is here for a few days and then he is off to wherever he goes for several days. He wanted in the garage this morning as well. Nimbus, our neighbors intact male cat is causing some of this trauma, I think but there could be wildlife in the mix too. 

It's kind of funny, well not funny, but I saw that a girl I went to jr high and high school with passed away last September. We didn't talk or anything in school nor did we ever after. She was popular and in all the popular things. She married her high school sweetheart and have been around the Houston area all this time. No obituary that I can find and not much about her. But, it makes me always wonder how it all turned out for her. Well, I know the ending but before that. 

We are still in Genesis studying the life of Joseph. After a 20 year period of time the brothers meet the brother that is no more, well in their minds. Joseph is second in command in Egypt. One description I read was this, we are in a unique position to see all that makes up the story in these chapters. We know Joseph is safe and the Lord is with him, Jacob and fam have probably had not the greatest of twenty years, we see God changing the brothers, and we know the plan that was for good. 

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This morning we have been herding kittens. The sisters are having trouble with a couple of the happy wanderers. One of the kittens on the run has the eyes matted shut problem so I was able to get him and get his eyes cleaned up and get some meds in him. The Camo III kitten has that wild streak that comes with their cat family line. We have discovered if we put the kittens we capture and recapture in a box that mom or aunt will come get them and go back to the pile. Except they are lively and don't want to be fenced in. Roy tackled the big tomato plant that needs more support. We did minimal work on it last night but today got everything secured. Now is cooling off and resting from herding, securing and watering. He had to finish out the last little bit of watering this morning cause we ran out of daylight. 

All in all, we are punting our plans for the day which is fine. Roy has leftover BBQ for lunch since 6 Pigs was in our area yesterday instead of Wednesday. Getting a few more boxes ready to take to Habitat. Another hot day is forecast but the evening should cool down. 

Finally Finishing Up On Friday

 While looking back at FB memories the other day a lot of things have happened on June 14th. The first time eating at The Blue Rooster, the beginning of the homes built across the road and the official home day of Mr Mo. Well, the official day not the leading up days bringing him into the house. Soon the pics of GMoey will hit the memories because he came in not too long after that. 

Some of the hardest lessons to teach on Sunday are the lessons that hit me hard during the week. Too many personal memories and stories seem to make it into the the lessons and then I spend a few days aggravated with myself over that fact. Also, in my personal study and reading the topics, while not chosen by me specifically, all have to do with do not become legalistic. It is very easy to step into that trap while covering it over with a false sense of spirituality. Like a description of P Pressler's in the New York Times obituary made by Dwight McKissic, a black pastor in the Dallas area, P Pressler operated under a cloak of control on many levels without anyone realizing there was rot at the root. My paraphrase of the quote. We were at First Baptist Houston in the "heyday" of all this upheaval to bring in all the conservatism. I am not political for the most part so when friends outside of the Baptist church asked me which church I would attend, conservative or moderate, my answer was I am going to a church with a gym. Can you see that strong spirituality in play here. Ha! I am only mentioning this obit because it supports my thoughts on legalism on steroids. We have all participated in legalism at some point and guilty of rule making just for the heck of rule making. Only the obit reminds us that the legalism on steroids hurt and damaged people. 

Haircut, BBQ at Pig and Grits and a few errands. I had planned on going on over to The Find Vintage Market but truly like clockwork, the energy stopped thus meaning no trip to the new place. I was so disappointed but all these years I have learned to live within my parameters. With my heartbeat lowered it doesn't take much to drain me. We got home and Roy noticed one of the youngest kittens under the pallet. Both Cami and BBKitty will put them there if they are nervous for danger. In hindsight this is one that just got away. Later when Roy went outside it had moved out a bit and was crying. Beanie, such a sweet cat, was trying to comfort it as our presence was making the moms nervous. I picked up the little gray and white kitten. Eyes matted shut so I ran inside and got the cream to loosen up the mess. Got his eyes open and the kittens were in a big pile back under the tree, we got him back with the fam. Fed the moms and all the others that eat supper with us. Radley was up on one of the big rocks, so I got a bowl of food out to him. He protects this little family from the gray cat that can be so mean. He is just cranky cause his harem is diminishing. 

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I watched something magical from the front bedroom window the other morning. A black bird had two little ones being taught how to fly onto wires and stick the landing. Mom pulled back a bit and let her two kiddos have fun learning and flying. A mockingbird chased mom off the perch but she landed on a spot behind the mockingbird. The little ones became ineffective dive bombers trying to scare off the mockingbird. They have not perfected their style yet. Blackbirds leave and the two kiddos of the mockingbird land on the wire and the whole process is created again by a different species of birds. Blackbird came back and let the kiddos of the mockingbird attempt swarm procedures and like before mama mockingbird sits behind the blackbird. It looked like cooperation between two bird groups that really don't like each other. I felt fortunate to see the learning process for those baby birds who will soon be on their own. We see grownup cats act scared when a kitten arches its back and hisses. 

We picked up our order of Amish beef this week. Also had a dentist appointment and having a crown replaced is my first major dental work for the last three years. So that will begin in August. Again, we are dealing with the Mustang. Roy took it over to a shop that balanced the wheels and the thumping noise we heard was the sound of a tire cupping not the rims that we had straightened. Basically, we have two tires not even a year old, cupping because of the rims. One other issue has not resolved itself but we believe that there is an answer and it will come after the mechanic gets back from vacation.

Another baby kitten got lost but Roy found her. Got some meds in for respiration issue and cleaned out the eye boogers. Saw the orange kitten we helped at the first of the week and eyes are doing better.  

The Blade, The Cut and The Cats...Blade and Cats Have Nothing To Do With Each Other

 A little excitement was added to the day on Tuesday. Roy was going to workout but on his way he stopped in the nail salon close to the gym. He worked out for about an hour and then went back for his appointment. He likes them to trim his toe nails but he is not interested in the best part of the pedicure, the softening of the feet, massage and lotion but he does let them use a pumice stone on his feet to smooth things out. Thought it was all going well until Roy phoned. His voice was a bit panicked as well as weak. He tells me, they cut my foot and we cannot get the bleeding to stop and then he mumbled something, who knows what, and he hung up. He calls back and says pray. I offered to come over that way but he turned me down. Well, yes I began talking to the Lord immediately. You have to understand this is not regular Roy. Nothing flusters him. In 2008 when he had a possible diagnosis of ALS, he wasn't phased. In fact all his tests were during the time I was on a cruise. He wanted me to go and not to worry about a thing. He didn't have ALS, PTL, but something else that mimics it in the blood. The name is too long and too hard to pronounce. With this, I sent a text on our class group text asking prayer for Roy. He calls again, but it must have been a butt call. So, I call him back. His voice is sounding more normal but he is concerned with the bleeding and now this doesn't make any sense but he tells me he is going to walk over to the Sisters of Mercy Urgent Care. Uh, two bloody towels, bleeding foot, pressure...take the car. I talked him into that. His foot finally wrapped in gauze, bleeding stopped. He goes over to the Sisters of Mercy. Now, he will excel and overachieve there if he happens to run into any real sisters. Raised Catholic and it comes back to him in a heartbeat. He was a tad embarrassed. It was the tiniest cut. The nurse cleaned it up and put a little bitty round band aid on the cut. Then the doctor came in to see it and said she would need a bigger bandage cause the little dot would be too difficult to remove the next morning. The doctor did say the bleeding was more than usual in that he was nicked by a vein. I think it is and I will put this in a form of a math question, long leg + short person applying pressure = lots of bleeding.  Once things settled down and he was waiting to be released, I told him that The Joy Class was praying for him. He sounded a little choked up and asked me to thank them. I could not help think of one of the funniest stories I have ever heard and is told by Lisa P. The time she was given a gift certificate for a mani/pedi in a not so like normal place. The conversation she had between...and see, I cannot remember the name of the nail tech nor can I remember some of the things that happened, but I do remember this. Lisa P being asked if she wanted the blade. I asked Roy if they used the blade on him cause even about ten years ago salons still used the blade here. When the blade was applied I could not stop laughing thinking of the story that I remembered better back then than now. The Blade story is one I never thought I would ever forget and I haven't. It is just so many of the details and how those details come together to make one of the funniest stories. 

Keeping in mind Roy's cut and blood, I practiced precaution and didn't take my blood thinner this morning. Nor my horse chestnut extract. The lab opens at 8:30 and we arrived just about at that time. The lady that takes the blood and such is a great vein finder. So no incidents. We went to our favorite breakfast spot. Tried the California omelet and it was delicious.  Comes with pancakes, so what's not to like. After brunch, we made a quick run through Sam's and it truly was quick. Onward back north but it is called west, up the river road into Marshall where we pulled right in to park in front of the tag office and didn't have to wait in line. No entertainment this year by the hordes of people with title transfers etc... Once we hit the driveway I felt the tiredness hit. Like I had been drugged. Know it is the stress of things, driving and all but I did get a little bity nap out of it all this afternoon. 

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Each group of kittens over the years have a distinct personality yet very similar in growth cycles. This week the kittens are venturing out a little in the backyard. Of course, most of the time, under Cutie's vigilant watch. In the mornings when I serve a plate, a buffet of beef, chicken and seafood the little ones know when the sound of a door unlocking that most probably food will be presented soon enough. Now the two most reluctant kittens are not taking their time in approaching breakfast. Because we are trying to help these little ones, most of the time the plate is served with the big cat tunnel shielding their meal from other cats. We are working in more pate rather than flakes or grilled cat food. They are at that fun age and two of them are letting me get closer, especially when food is involved. 

After the two week break it feels good and right to be back studying for a lesson. We are back with Joseph and we find him in prison. Soon he will meet the butler and baker. Sounds like a law firm. Anyway, butler has a good result of his dream being interpreted, the baker...not so much. Anyway, Joseph asks to be remembered once the butler begins in Pharoah's service. But, the most supernatural and divine thing that ever happened in the butler's life doesn't even become a memory...he forgets Joseph. Two years Joseph does his job, well I might add, in prison maybe even wondering why he hasn't heard anything. Kind of like back in the day when packages were mostly delivered without tracking, you wait and hope but never knew the arrival. Joseph had that attitude...still serving yet still hoping. This time around studying Joseph, I am seeing how the wisdom he received from the Lord as well as natural talents got him the job overseeing the collection and then distribution of food for the people of Egypt as well as others in the world. It takes both parts all which unite in God's glory. Pharoah saw God was with Joseph. It took the miracle of telling what the dream meant to Pharoah and those God given natural, everyday insights on how something should be done or ran. Believe me, I am married to a plan man. My planning is more on the common sense side but Roy sees and within a magnitude and range with the tedious. I cannot remember if I have ever heard anyone teach or preach on this, it took both miracle and talent. Some church leaders don't like plans or programs, some church leaders say the days of miracles is over...some church leaders are high and dry stuck in the middle. 

I have found that I am studying in the front bedroom with the double windows that a huge hawk and I are on the same schedule. The hawk is looking for something for supper and is out floating on the wind currents to do so. The wind must be a rather consistent ride cause the patterns look to be the same. There are times the shadow of the hawk is what gets my attention especially if it flies closely to the window when one of The Boys naps close by. I think Cutie knows the timing of that flight each day because she will pull those kittens out of their full on play underneath shrubs and plants. 

One last cat thing. Willie did not want to go into the bonus room last night with his cuz bros. He stayed out all night and out of the three he is the best suited for that. He never came into our bedroom until 3:30 am and he didn't stay long. He wanted one of us to get up and let him in the bonus room but that was a no go. We shall see how things go this evening. It has been a while since one of the boys doesn't want to go to bed and be fed. 

Over Priced Conferences and Life

 I am fortunate that The Joy Class lets me take two Sundays off from teaching by helping prepare for VBS. We cut out lots of paper decorations and the fellowship around those tables is priceless. On the second Sunday I usually prepare a devotion but didn't this time. Our subtitle as a class might be willing workers cause we got things cut out in record time. This morning refreshed and ready to once again prepare lessons. We will return to prison with Joseph and his soon release. 

On FB I looked at one conference, actually didn't really look at the conference but the comments. That is where I learned the base price of this weekend conference was $825.00, next level $975.00 and for an extra $300.00 you could do a Q and A with the leaders. The conference is walking in your calling which looks to emphasize doing podcasts, writing and speaking events. My opinion has always been when you go to a conference to learn how to do those things, they are already played out. That is a rather steep fee for a weekend. Many commented that the conference must be for the wealthy. I mean really, as far as the speakers for the conference goes, I didn't recognize too many names. So FB decided since I read the comments and then looked at the post, that I want to attend lots and lots of conferences. So I now can become a woman of excellence, a woman highly favored, a Bible based coach or counselor, I can run 40 miles with Jesus, Over I can find out who my biblical twin is, and the list goes on and on. I was telling Roy about this and I am especially laughing over finding my biblical twin. Mentioned to him that I must think this is a bunch of hooey cause of my age. Roy deadpan response, even when you were young this would be your reaction. It was so tempting to put in the comments, "I have found my biblical twin, the fatted calf!" But you know some Christians don't respond well to humor. For those into running you can also do a 40 day run with Jesus that incorporates running and Bible study. Also looking at most of these studies and conferences, there mustn't be any women worship leaders, haha, cause almost all the worship leaders are men. I would also add that most of these conferences are all white women. My views on this might be a little extra because of reading the book Churchy by Sarah Condon. The book published in 2015 holds up rather well and although many of the experiences she writes on is about motherhood, I totally could relate in other areas of life. She is spot on how we'd rather deal with the mess than the why of the mess or this is my mess, come join me, give an opinion but never resolve the mess we'd rather stew in. Oh yes, she was raised SBC in Mississippi so she gets this even in her role of Episcopal priest married to an Episcopal priest.  

Hope Mike the Mower man gets here soon cause our yard could almost be mown for hay. We did have a brief shower but no storms last night. We were concerned for the two mamas and the babies under the wood pallet. We pulled out an old patio table and a blue tarp. We covered the area with the tarp so that they wouldn't have to battle rain from above. Thankfully, it wasn't a deluge so we don't think they were washed out from underneath. We will check the Mustang again but that has become a habit since we first discovered their rainy day hideout. Cutie and her kittens are getting a little more adventurous in exploring the backyard. Soon enough, will be the gravel road test for those little ones. I hate that but so far Cutie hasn't lost a kitten due to the gravel road test. Other ways yes...

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Mike came late in the afternoon and cut down our hay field, I mean lawn. We were out there last night doing fruit and veggie inspections. All winter long putting egg shells in the compost and dirt looks to be paying off. After a non crop of apples last year, we have two trees with small to medium apples growing. 

I talked with a friend last night who has a whole lot going on, her whole family does. I am reminded now that people don't want you to say oh yes, I have things too, but they just need to talk it out. Decisions are made easier or maybe not easier but with more direction when it is all laid out in conversation. You as the friend also get insight in how to pray more specifically for the people and situations. 

One Week Cars, One Week Cats

 Operation get Fido in the carrier went well this morning. Roy and I have been praying and asking the Lord for wisdom on this cause there is so much that can go wrong. We decided that Roy should go out to the garage just like normal and I stood by in the kitchen waiting for the assistance call. Got it and we got Fido in with relative ease. Is he happy? No, he isn't but once Roy gets home with him, Fido will get to spend time with Roy to help with that as well. The past few days Fido wasn't eating much. He has so much fur it is difficult to tell until you pick him up. We discovered some chicken and salmon shreds that he has scarfed down. He will get his shots and a look inside his mouth to see if he has stomatitis like GMoey. 

I am almost finished with Churchy. Love the topics and how she tells her story, mistakes and all. There are many who like to cover over flaws, especially the little ones...that trip one up at some point in time. The chapter on seminary was especially interesting. Seminary, it was of the Ivy League variety. Each year early on in the semester each student told their story. First year she is sharing she lives in NYC, but is from deep south  Mississippi. Covers her ministry in life so far. Sarah mentions she did all this in a calculated move, urban, but from the country, first in family to go to grad school and married to a Episcopal priest, saying that she was the real deal and rounded in ministry. As the semesters and years go by she notices what she shares at the beginning each year as well as her fellow classmates, the story changes and it is honest so that they are getting down to the foundation of who they really are. 

Don't know why this thought came to me last week but I believe my mom would have been content to live life in their hometown. She enjoyed the simple things of life while my father wanted to enjoy the finer things but he sabotaged his efforts, then blamed her. Mom was comfortable with good friends but uneasy in groups, especially at church. I have no evidence except for what I experienced with father, but I think he made her feel inadequate and less than other women in the church. She would never be good enough, well none of us would ever be good enough... It is a tenuous journey where you're not quite on the mountain top nor are you in the depths of the valley. You have to find the road where both confront you but doesn't defeat you. The normal things that parents want for their kids was an up and down experience for my brother and me. If we were successful, our father would find some way to disrupt and then when we failed of course he was there to tell us we weren't good enough. While I think her choice would have been to stay close to family the outcome emotionally would probably be the same. 

Roy and Fido are home. The vet office couldn't believe that Fido is a feral cat, so well behaved and friendly. He does have a problem with his teeth but not to the point of having them extracted. There is a process that we will have to do to let him become a member of the inside cats. He goes back in a month to get the second shot and his bloodwork should be ready this week or next. GMoey isn't feeling well and we might take him to the vet instead of Mr Mo. We shall see. GMoey looks like he is feeling better but we will make the determination in the morning. 

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Mr Mo got to go to the vet this morning. We think GMoey had a reaction to chicken cat food. Chicken has never agreed with him and since he has been doing so well...let's just say a good reminder not to give him chicken, again. It was a relatively easy catch and carrier with Mr Mo but the one we are dreading is in November when Willie has to go to the vet. He has not shed all his feral ways but he is moving forward in wanting pets and attention. 

I just went out to feed Cutie and her kittens. Right by the back door I hear tiny kitten meows but couldn't find any evidence of tiny ones. On another trip to the garage saw Cami with an orange kitten in her mouth. I almost thought she had a mouse so good thing I didn't scream. I quickly closed the door so as not to interrupt her process of moving kittens from under the front porch to the back. When I went back out a tiny black and white kitten is meowing his head off. I put him on the base of the cat tree and then I saw Cami's face underneath the pallet. So, I put him back so that he/she would find their way to mom. Hopefully, that is not where she is going to keep them for a while but no rain is expected for the next few days. Well, we found them again and this time the kittens were in the front bumper of the Mustang. We rescued the three and searched just in case there were anymore. BBKitty and Cami have had kittens. I think the orange one is Cami's and the other two will be a week old tomorrow. Good thing we did a search cause Roy didn't see the three at first. The sisters watched us place them close to where they had them before and we are hoping for the best. It is just so hard to see this kind of thing. Cutie and Mama Cat and to some extent Punky are great mothers. BB and Cami are babies themselves. We start back with getting the cats fixed on Monday. Most everyone is except for these young ones one of which both Roy and I thought was a boy have been fixed. 

Last week was a hard week dealing with cars and this week is a hard week dealing with cats. 

Happy Trails, So Long Farewell...as Darlene Says Ta Ta...Bye Bye

 This month a friend in Houston is moving to be closer to family and the loss of her presence in Houston will be Corsicana's gain. She is having a going away lunch this weekend and tears certainly will be shed in Life Bible Study on Sunday morning. It's harder to cry at Los Cucos cause the food is so good. Darlene has served the Dayspring Class and the Lord faithfully as assistant director. Assistant director is a catch all position for so many needed responsibilities and those "on the fly" decisions that occur here and there. Darlene certainly served above and beyond the pay grade. 

Seems like I have known Darlene forever but I first noticed her work ethic in the craft room where our class met. The dynamics of the room were changing from sitting in chairs to sitting in chairs at  tables. You had table moms and the groups were changed every so often as to meet ladies in the class. Peggy and I were not full supporters in the beginning. So being the mature people we are, we rebelled and sat at a table in the back meant for class check in. We were fulfilling the intent but not actually doing what class leadership wanted. We figured that Darlene, who as the assistant director, had to be the enforcer and she didn't like us. Really, how could we think that when we weren't cooperating. Peggy told her years after the whole table thing that we thought she didn't like us. She assured Peggy that she did and found us funny. It was our attitude and actions. We complied but we never separated ourselves like we were supposed to. 

Darlene made lifelong friends. Just ask Barbara, Nell, Patsy, Lou and a slew of others. Darlene loves her family and they love her right back. In 2016 when I broke my hip on the way back home from Houston at The Cracker Barrel in Lafayette LA, she made sure that when I left Houston this time that I went back on a better note than how the original 2015 leaving went. The class gave me a gift card to Cracker Barrel and a Psalm verse coloring book. In fact the gift card from Dayspring was more than what Cracker Barrel sent, a lot more. Before leaving class that Sunday Darlene came up to me and said, I wanted to appease the feelings from the last goodbye in the class. Blessed are the peace makers. 

One year, Darlene and Patsy came up here for a Thanksgiving vacation. They stayed at The Inn on the Biltmore Estate and I got to take them around the area. We had lunch at The Moose Cafe and we drove around Lake Lure and Bat Cave. We also came back to the house for a quick minute. Such a fun day. 

Several years ago while shopping at Robin Blu, I miss that store, I found a book on friendship and all the attributes of good friends, both personally and on a big scale, reminded me of Darlene. Darlene goes about life in a quiet mode but that quiet mode of life is treasured by her family and friends. Her behind the scenes style might get passed over by some...but many know and appreciate those things she coordinates and makes happen. 

Each year here that I have planted sunflowers, I had Darlene in mind. Like the sunflowers she follows the Son. Now in some of the flowerbeds, I don't even have to plant seeds, the sunflowers grow and that too is so much like Darlene. She is leaving a flowerbed of friends but soon enough in her new home, she'll plant those sunflower seeds and soon her love, devotion of friendship will have those new sunflower Darlene moments. They'll happen because of her friendship.

As someone who moved away from a strong home base of friendship let me share with you Darlene, at first it is difficult but in enough time because our times are in His hands, you'll have a greater love and appreciation for those friends back in Houston. You'll want to introduce the make new friends but keep the old friends to each other. That experience is such a joy. 

Happy Trials, Darlene! Until we meet again. Thank you for your friendship and patience with me. 

Cats, Reading and Other Stuff

 The brief heavy rain shower yesterday, convinced BBKitty to move her babies but we don't know where yet. Mamas move their litters often in the early stages of life. Well, she might have lost room service privileges but gained a sense of security. Over the years I have learned so much from The Feral Fam.  

There is high anxiety in the house this morning. Don't know if it is extended from last night when the three got into a ruckus. Nothing like tubes of squeeze cheese, treats, to calm a situation. I thought things had calmed down and when Roy came home from deacon's meeting, they all followed him to the bonus room for late supper and bed. This morning though, I could hear Roy coercing Willie to come out of the room. That is not a normal routine. I got up to help and spent a little time with Willie. It was as if he saw something we could not see and was afraid to go out the door into the hall. At first, I thought maybe he had hurt his leg and he let me pet him a little. Finally, Willie left but it was his exit, he jumped over the threshold like a horse jumping a fence and continued down the hall. He is eating and has come over to me for a few little pets but there is a tension. Roy has gotten everything into a routine for The Boys and it works flawlessly, except for when the routine is disrupted. We get teased about our cat's routine but truthfully it makes our lives much easier. ****we found the problem. Willie had gotten a hold of a bottle and his sharp little claws let some of the water out. Nothing bad but the sound is probably what got to him**** 

I am reading two thought provoking books and enjoying reading them as they complement each other. Churchy, by Sarah Condon is really worth the read. Her style of writing and my way of reading do not complement each other but I am powering through because in each chapter there is a nugget or a treasure load of truth. Also some rather funny insights into situations, especially at grocery stores. E tu Publix?  Looks like she and her husband are no longer in Houston. She was on staff at St Michaels and a chaplain at Rice University. Her husband was the rector at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church. Hmmm....I once dated a boy that went to that church. He broke my heart but that's okay, I can't even remember his full name. Looks like the Condon family is now in Nashville. Her insights into women's ministry are voiced by being a minority of most women's ministry women. She sees through the gunk and the show. Since our church just now has started once again women's ministry after nothing officially for five years, I am out of the loop in that area. Also a small rural church does ministry a little different than bigger or mega churches. Much simpler but oh so meaningful. One of the things she brings to light is while the message of the church is don't strive, trust Jesus, in every life except in women's ministry. She mentions so many Bible studies for women that are about more. More spiritual, more organized, more fit, and the like. Just like the famous Marsha, Marsha, Marsha line from the Brady Bunch, More, More, More is the theme of so many studies which in turn means more, more, more work and self improvement, less time for all those needful things to be a Proverbs 31 kind of gal. Yes, this is a very broad brushstroke and her book was written in 2015-2016 but it provoked me into looking back at a frustrating time of life. I have looked at what I could have done differently, how could the frustrations come to nil and things like that. Funny, while reading about the trap of being more, I could not help but think of the trap to be Moore. Beth Moore. Back in the long ago when people were looking to develop "speaking ministries" the tried and true approach of doing what someone who is moving up the ladder, so to speak, does. Beth taught Sunday School and somehow so many women at First Baptist thought that Sunday School would launch them into the Beth Moore realm of ministry. They would be discovered. I foolishly offered to sub for a new class that began in Life Bible Study and my offer to help was unfairly looked at as a jump to more or Moore. Nope, just trying to be helpful cause it hard to find subs sometimes. It is not like that now where I live. No platform building, although a guest preacher a few months ago talked about developing his platform...what??? Oh, he borrowed some mega church plan for his life. Ha!  Platform building is hard work, constant social media presence, presenting questions just to get some clicks and pounding the internet to see if your name shows up somewhere. If I could remember the guys name, I would mention it but I don't. Chad Bird, the author of the other book I am reading, writes from experience of taking a simpler approach to life after achieving his dreams and then his dreams broke him. If you are a big dreamer and visionary, you are needed but just as much are those who minister in obscurity on the platform of life. Just some thoughts on this foggy Tuesday morning. 

LSU Baseball is out of the tournament but they gave it a good run. They weren't expected to go far this year as it is a young team and they are rebuilding. Sunday was a fun day to watch them, last night not so much. 

I was on hawk duty this afternoon. They circled and searched. Cutie got her babies into the cleft of the rock and I took the big black cat tunnel with four tunnels and waved it in the air like I just don't care. I felt like one of those figures that are blown by air in front of car dealerships. Thankfully, this was in the back and not in the front yard. 

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Sam's. Publix and BBQ...it was a good morning. I am thinking that we have the best fed and taken care of Feral Fam in the area. Roy is taking Fido in to the vet in the morning. Please pray that it goes smoothly to get him in for shots as well as an exam to see if he too, like GMoey, has stomatitis. I think we will begin to transition him to becoming an indoor/outdoor cat. Oh boy, I never ever, ever saw us with four cats inside. Surely there can't be any more cat fur to clean up than there is now. Daily vacuuming is also another thing I never thought I would do. 

We watered a few plants and chased off the mean cats this evening. We are tired but content. 

Some Weeks

 Some weeks are harder than others. Some weeks are pleasant. Some weeks hit right in the middle of the road. Most weeks chores, projects and even fun things take up all your attention leaving little time for reading or watching TV or just sitting on the porch and watching The Feral Fam. This has been one of those hard weeks but what is making it not so hard is remembering Joseph. Yep, he had hard years. I am remembering Joseph not because I am so spiritual or devout, it's because that is where we have been on Sunday mornings. With this break in the teaching schedule, I get to spend time in where we have been. So, here I am. Remembering that the Lord was with Joseph and He is with me too. Just keep looking forward and being thankful. This has been one of those harder weeks for many reasons and mostly issues not related to each other. Put them all together and I am fighting off a mood. I told Roy I am weary and he encouraged me, didn't tell me what to do or think about. ...I was telling him thing by thing of these unrelated things. Sometimes you just have to say what's bothering you out loud because it helps sort thoughts. 

Roy and I teamed up to dead head roses last night. Our first work, the rose bushes close to the house that haven't been dead headed yet. He also pulled some weeds while I trimmed up a few shrubs encroaching onto tomato and bell pepper spaces. We pick pick up the yard debris tomorrow after it has dried out and is easier to gather. A couple of rogue trees got into spaces where they cannot and do not belong. Mostly mimosa trees which are counted as invasive in this area. The tomatoes and peppers are growing in leaps and bounds. 

Since finishing up The Bride Room, Mildred Budge series, I began Churchy. Memoir of a woman pastor/priest along with her husband pastor/priest in the Episcopal church. She is telling her story of growing up Southern Baptist and how she became a minister in the Episcopal church. I loved reading Leaving Church, Barbara Brown Taylor and so that persuaded me as well as it qualified as a free book from Thrift Books to try Churchy. I have another book I am itching to get to and that is one recommended by my friend Betty. The Frozen River. 

I am trying to build a routine with The Boys. We have discovered the treats that squeeze out of the top of the packaging. At first Mr Moe didn't want to participate but once he got the full taste of deliciousness for cats, he is all in. The three of them sit on my lap or the arm of the chair and share two packages. We also put a little bit of medicine that is difficult to get into them in at least one of them and that would be beneficial. We call it squeeze cheese and they know how I say it to call them. Most of the time it only needs to be said once.

My new love of ordering is from Thrift Books and this afternoon I have loved reading bits from each book. Not as fast as Amazon but many times much cheaper. It is ordering ahead for anything that might help in our coming series. 

BBKitty let me put food in her little box. When I just came in her sister has taken over watching the flock while mama gets a little bit of away time. 

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This morning in Sunday School we helped cut out different things for VBS. We had fun and got everything done. Billy, baker extraordinaire, made blueberry pound cake for us cause cutting out things burns up the calories. Lots of laughter and conversations around those tables and of course always prayer. 

BBKitty is trusting me a little more, at least for food. Got some into her little hut. She was a hungry girl. Cami leaves when I come near. She is so like her Camo mama. Got food out for Cutie's bunch and all four came to the plate. 

We've had LSU baseball on in the background today. Lost their first game and beat UNC in the second. They will play tonight against UNC. 

Today being the beginning of a new week. Hope it is one of those some weeks that are delightful.