Friday Findings

Yesterday about this time it looked like my cell phone might be on its last legs. So I went to the Google and followed instructions. Think that did the trick but think I will be researching new iPhones to be prepared.

Love end of season shopping and the deals have been good. It is The Anniversary Sale at The Nord and due to a glitch in their system for the pre-sale to card holders, they gave ten points for each dollar spent on the first two days for the lack of access and trouble caused. That got me a $20.00 note and I used it the other day to order fall/winter flannel shirts and with the anniversary price and the note, both shirts priced under $50.00. Some Keen shoes I liked at the beginning of spring and summer went on sale on their website and got a really good deal on two pairs of shoes. Sounds like I am loading an ark with two by two savings. In the past Soft Surroundings was a go to but lost interest when they opened a store in Houston and I associate Soft Surroundings with a difficult season of life...now I see where they are opening a store in Biltmore Village, in the fall maybe... They do have unique clothes so maybe I'll go there before or after hair salon appointments. They had some fun flannel shirts last year and when two colors..another ark reference totally unintentional, went on sale...boom, I was all over that.

This evening on the front porch the air held the yellow of goldfinches and the red of cardinals flashes as they wing toward....well, whatever they are winging toward. The lightning bugs in the background lit their flight paths here and there and over yonder. With the Feral Fam taking so much attention my attention to the front feeders and bird bath has been remiss. The hummingbirds were buzzing about this evening around their feeder...with them being so territorial, it is an interesting study.

Today on the way to Tractor Supply and CVS a mama turkey and child crossed the road...to get to the other side. They sauntered but they were not slow. I had stopped to let them get across safely and was about to take off when a wing fluttering beside the road revealed another turkey child, so back to a stop. Only this turkey was not able footed and had a gimpy leg. He or she struggled to make it across the road but with determination, it made it to where mama turkey waited. It did not help that at that moment the thoughts occupying me were about that little orange kitten. He has gone onto glory land. The last time I saw him was yesterday when Cali had positioned him in the metal rolling plant cart with him being sandwiched in between the side and a galvanized plant container. The past few days he looked more like a little old man cat than a kitten. Even if I had been able to get to him yesterday he probably would not have made it. I saw him eating some of the probiotic stuff the other night but it might have been too late. On Sunday morning before church I observed what look to be a goodbye ritual in the cat world. Riley who had taken to protecting her brother and staying with him instead of knocking him over and trying to play, put her head across his neck. Cali was on top of the railing keeping watch and then she came down and held him close to her...I just knew when I returned home, he would be in kitty heaven. He made it till yesterday and today once again Cali has kept her distance and made sure her remaining kitten does the same. I watched them tonight eat and then play a bit on the deck. Watching Cali and knowing her history of growing up, being the odd cat out with the siblings, she still has a playful instinct and probably it is a teaching tool as she and Riley chase and wrestle. But Cali can shoot a mean mom look in a second when she has had enough.

Last night I got to watch the choir and orchestra of HFBC in concert in Costa Rica. So blessed by the music and the worship. Sang along on a few songs. I miss singing Total Praise. The pictures posted by friends on the trip have been so fun to see and so interesting with back stories and how the choir and orchestra were able to help. And now I am watching tonight's concert. It is looking like it is warm in the church....great worship.
**********************
I'm finding it difficult to begin a task because Cali and Riley have been so entertaining playing in the tent and and tube and cube. Buddy has done the porch and is now rocking a nap in the back window.

This year the elementary school and high school I attended have both been demolished and new buildings are taking their place. Comments from alumna for both schools have been interesting and some thought provoking. I would have loved to walk through Parker before the demolition began. Westbury Baptist Church met in Parker and then moved onto the high school, Westbury, before being able to build the church on property. Across the street from Westbury, the church had purchased a house used for Wednesday and Sunday night church activities. Mission Friends or Sunbeams, I guess is what we were called back in the day met in the garage...I remember learning how to make butter from cream and my first exposure to Christmas in July as we gathered gifts to send to missionaries to give out at Christmas. It took that long back then for things to be shipped and delivered.

The day awaits...well, it has really begun and soon it will be the afternoon. It is a day with no schedule and that is a favorite for sure. Emailed Mike the Mower Man to see if he will weed eat the very front part of our property. From the house you can't see that area because of the slope but when you get to the bottom of the road, there is nature in all its glory taking over once again. I think having that whole area in day lilies would be beautiful.

Thursday Thoughts...About Cats And All That

Glorious sleep! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, early to bed...10:30 and later to rise...8:00 am...makes this one more nice. And Buddy slept in even later not getting up with me but coming downstairs closer to 9:00. We truly are easing into the morning and into the day. Toast and coffee seemed like an easing into the morning kind of breakfast complete with honey, butter and cinnamon sugar.

Buddy is having a porch day. When she was out there earlier, Cali and her two kittens were on the front deck. They had a major stare off and it was called on the account of the Fed Ex delivery and ironically the delivery is probiotics and snacks for cats. The little sick orange kitten had found a cool and probably comfortable place in one of the rolling carts with plants on it. He was left behind when Cali and Riley ran from the Fed Ex guy, so I came inside got my gloves and figured this would be the best time to get him and get him to a vet. Dang, that Cali is fast and by the time I got back to the front with gloves on, she had him whisked away. She isn't as friendly to me right now because she knows I have an interest in that kitten, but she doesn't understand it is for his welfare. She has him hid well. I'm keeping my work gloves in my pocket just in case another opportunity arises.

So when you bring in a new or new to you piece of furniture there can be a lot of rearranging going on and that is what has been happening. Changed chairs in two rooms, took out a desk, added the children's student desk and now it seems that I want to move a small little table and maybe for today that will be it. Man, I sure do rest more in between than back in the day.
******************
On this foggy Thursday morning I believe that our little orange kitten has crossed over to kitty cat heaven. I believe it happened sometime yesterday because Cali and Riley moved about the area that includes other yards and neighbor's hiding spaces. Cali and Riley were on the deck early waiting on breakfast and when it is just Cali and now down to one kitten brood, I try to help her health wise. So, in the mornings they get some of Buddy's expensive prescription cat food and a probiotic chaser. Cali's old and fat boyfriend hangs around for meals sometimes, so if he is around...just plain old food cause he licks the platter clean. I have watched Cali this morning playing with her last kitten, who has boundless energy and now Cali has to help expel it so that nap time comes sooner, play in the tent of napping and the cube and tube with Riley. The same things she played in and with along with her siblings. Cali is a mom and she isn't even a year old yet, she has lost two kittens, she fights the odds of nature winning and she has a fat and old boyfriend cat who looks like he looses more fights than he wins. She is dependent on our supplying food and drink yet since Robby fell ill and my attention was directed at scooping him up and getting him to a vet...well, she doesn't come as close anymore. MJ showed up last night for a quick early evening snack and he has gone back to wherever he hangs out now. Haven't seen Mama Cat for over a week and Camo hasn't been around either. I try to imagine they have found someplace better to live and eat but the odds are not in that scenario.

Oh I am feeling it today from all the furniture moving I did yesterday but I'm pleased with the results. A desk will be finding a new home and an arm chair will likely be following with an exit as well. I also went through books and while I have collected some to take to the used bookstore, I didn't purge like the great book purge of 2011. I regret now some of the books that I gave away. So caution was the watch word.

I had thought about going over to Waynesville this morning but I have talked myself into postponing that jaunt till next week, even though Blue Rooster will be closed, Barber's Orchard will be open.

The book we are reading for book club, Delicious, is a good read. I think I am at the heart of the mystery of the story, so I stopped reading last night and decided today is the better day to read that portion of the book. When it is late in the evening, I tend to skim books instead of truly reading.

The sun is burning off the fog, so I will get out and run a few errands soon. A lovely day in the mountains.

Snow Cones, Reunions, Meetings, Cats and Pie

Imagine the surprise of seeing a Hawaiian Shaved Ice stand by the eye doctor office. On the way back from the office, I pulled in and ordered. I hope my face didn't register the deep disappointment when she handed me basically a snow cone. Not shaved ice, not like Bahama Mamas or Bahama Bucks, a VBS snow cone in a styrofoam cup. Sometimes if I am really craving a shaved ice, getting an ICEE is about the closest thing to one. It's good to remember that the fried chicken, pies and coconut cake are better here. Oh and it is a whole lot cooler here than it is in Texas these days. Something to really be thankful for.

Today at workout we did a new routine that I really like and we re-visited an old routine to see how much improvement has been made. Happy to report, a whole lot of improvement. Because the gym was a little crowded when we first began we had to make adjustments which meant doing ropes was the last thing. It is better for me to do them first thing while still having arm strength to make it all work.

Lunch today was special because I defrosted the little hamburger sliders Roy made me and I used a yellow tomato to match the mustard. Delicious all the way around.

This past weekend in Houston, a reunion of former AstroWorld employees was held. Didn't recognize a soul in all the pictures. AstroWorld was just about the most fun I ever had working. I didn't socialize a lot when I worked there because the big picture was about making as much money as possible for that first year at Baylor...that never happened. I worked a lot of double shifts. I was in rides, so that was tons of fun. AstroWorld is where I met crazy friend Debbie, who only worked there for two weeks and then had her mom call in that Debbie had her appendix removed and could no longer work the rest of the summer. Only after our freak reunion when our mutual friend Jackie reintroduced us, did I find out the truth, she didn't like working there. I had dated a guy that summer who worked on the Alpine Sleigh ride. Of course I cannot remember his name but I remember he was very handsome and because we both knew ours was a summer...love like, our last date was the end of the summer party that AstroWorld had at the Astro Hall. If he is in any of those pictures, I did not recognize him.
********************
Tuesday evening and I think our little bit of rain has come and gone. We had a great view of lightning from the front porch. Buddy has retreated upstairs and I just finished my delicious supper of tomato pie. Mike the mower man was here today and I was so glad to see him cause I was considering bailing hay. Now, I can go down and check on Roy's apple trees. The apples are looking good from the front porch view.

This morning I saw Cali and Riley but no Robby. That is until I was leaving for Hendersonville. He was sitting on the driveway and once again I tried to get him and he scooted off almost into Cali who was not happy with the attention I was paying him. I was happy to get him off the driveway and away from ants. He looks like a little old man cat. When I got home this afternoon he was asleep on the back deck. I didn't have gloves on but I reached out and I did touch his head before he had a hissing fit and we woke up mama from her nap under the deck. I am happy to say he ate some of the probiotic today. There have been such loving times with Cali and her kiddos in the past couple of days but this afternoon, she seems for this time to have moved on from him...until I pay attention...then she is a hissing and growling mess, that I don't want to get entangled with. Camo and Mama Cat haven't been around and MJ shows up about every five days. They seem tired of the flavors of cat food, so I don't put as much out and really they don't need as much in warmer weather. All the interesting lives of these Feral Fam cats. I asked today at the vet if I got a hold of Robby, could I bring him in...yes, call first. I ain't going to try to get a chill pill down a feral cat. Buddy is tough enough.

I picked up my desk at Southern Chicks and met Lynda there in the parking lot. We have a mutual friend Carissa from Houston. We went to Starbucks in Ingles and had a delightful time talking and sharing. It was so enjoyable but she had an appointment and I needed to get back and pick up Buddy's meds. We are making plans for the future, once life slows a little schedule wise. The oral surgeon's office called and had to change my appointment for next week but at least it won't make me change my appointments with my dentist to complete this whole implant journey.

The rest of this evening I plan to read, both my book club book and some magazines. Earlier I looked over the lesson for Aug 12th. That is the next time I teach. Revelation....oh boy.

Hope It Fixes His Problem....

All week the forecast has been for a rainy Saturday, so you know, you plan accordingly. Last night when the storms came through it braced me for the coming day knowing we could encounter that type of weather today....it is a beautiful sun shinning day. A little breeze with the sun. This makes me not want to stay inside and clean the house like planned. Although a little of that is getting done, no make that very little, most of my time has been outside. One project is spray painting the boards for the useless tub that will soon be known as useful but maybe not known as a tub. Okay, a storage tub...haha...Think the spray paint is getting to me although I am wearing a mask.

Because of the forecast of rain, I got the plants from Reems Creek replanted in the flowerbed by the driveway by using the places that Nathan had used when separating the weed guard material he put down. Patiently waiting for those seeds he planted, which are now growing but felt the need to get more color in that bed. Long range goal, that the bed is covered by flowers entirely, like a meadow of wild flowers. Bought more zinnias and more black eyed susans.

I really like the book we are reading for book club. I haven't read as much as I had hoped for this week but maybe tomorrow I'll get a good chunk read. Again, I have to sing the praises of the tomato pie from The Baked Pie Company. If they had it on the menu today, I might just be at the pie company picking up some. For lunch today I made a BLT with tomatoes generously given to me by a friend. Delicious!

The little orange cat of Cali's is hanging in there. He is skin and bones but today he moved more and climbed back up on the deck railing. When I first got up and looked out the window to see if any of the Feral Fam were waiting on breakfast cause it was later than usual. Didn't see any of them, so we settled into our morning routine. When I went to top off my coffee, there was Cali and the kiddos but Cali was working on that orange tabby. Almost like she was doing cat CPR on him, trying to get him to respond to her. Riley, with unbounded energy began to attack, I mean try to play with him. He held his own but he didn't initiate in play like normal. By this time their food had arrived so Robby is left to fend for himself on the deck. For a moment it looked as if he had become entangled in the fencing they play on, so I went toward him...he didn't move...his little blue eyes filled with fear and he began to shake. I don't know that he would have moved but I heard Cali coming up behind me and she was making it clear she did not want me messing with her kid.
***********************
Another round of rain this afternoon and I timed it perfectly to take a nap. Loved our church service this morning. Our music minister's sons and wives have a group, The Shine Effect. They played the worship music this morning...with lights and fog, oh it made me think of First Baptist sometimes with the fog. The students had gone to camp for there was a camp reflection service and it was so good with the videos, testimonies and music. Our interim pastor got  up to the pulpit and changed his sermon to just one verse in the Psalms about singing a new song, he talked less than five minutes and wrapped it up.

Before leaving for church this morning I watched a touching moment with Cali and the kiddos. Robby, isn't doing well. I think parasites is his trouble and this afternoon I Googled what I can do to help him. I just have to hope he gets the special food I will put out to help him get nourishment and flush the parasites out of his system. Anyway, he sits all balled up and his sister sat next to him with her head over his neck and Cali set up on the deck railing keeping watch over him. I halfway expected to find him dead when I got home, but he is still moving about. I just went out back with the doctored food and he was around, so hopefully, this will help him. That Fortiflora stuff must really be tasty cause Buddy eats much more of her food now.

I taught Sunday School this morning. In the back of my mind I had an example of a false emergency to illustrate the same thing about false teachers...Several weeks ago Roy left my black Columbia lightweight jacket in the backseat of the convertible and since it is black, it just blended in with the backseat. I was driving along one day when I felt something touching my neck and when I looked in the rear view mirror I could see a black sleeve coming up from behind my shoulder...so I kind of freaked thinking the sleeve would have an arm in it and grabbing me...I reached back to grab the sleeve and pulled the whole jacket toward me and I was pulling hard, so it was overkill. Scared me for a moment and then of course I began laughing.

Now to catch up on my book club book and start another one that I ordered a couple of weeks ago. Nothing too pressing this week and it feels like a good break is at hand.

Finally! Friday!

Overcast with a little bit of fog this morning. We got about three inches of rain from Sunday night till last night. I had bought several Carolina Lilies and needed to get them in a flowerbed. So yesterday evening, with a cool breeze and cloudy skies I began the work. First I had to clear out the small flowerbed of these weeds that smell a whole lot like basil but they don't look like basil. And holding true to North Carolina weeds and vines, it didn't want to give up coming out of the ground. Man, I hacked and pulled for a good bit of time, then I tried to get it all cleared up and in a lawn bag before the next stage and of course I was keeping an eye on the sky. Went back to the garage and got a shovel and the lilies. With the rain weed eradication is a bit simpler but it still doesn't help digging a hole into the soil. Moisture seemed to be increasing in the air and off in the distance a little rumble of thunder. Just in case it was just lightning and thunder, I watered the lilies and as I headed up the stairs with my gardening tools, a few cool drops of rain began their descending and as soon as I got into the garage, the heavens opened with rain. Thank you Lord for holding off the rain to safely get inside and thank you Lord for the rain so all the flowers and trees get more nourishment. Now to get some day lilies to finish off that little flowerbed. It was hard work and it made me more appreciative of the three flowerbeds that Nathan and Andrew have put in for us. I have a couple other shade loving plants but where I want to put them needs for a return visit from Nathan and crew...so I better get a call to him and see when we are on the schedule.

Again, there is so much to learn and it has been interesting to learn the way of feral cats and their interactions with one another and sometimes with me. All the chaos going on in the backyard these past two weeks disrupted the mostly quiet and peaceful patch of land known as the backyard. Truly, for all intents and purposes it looked like the kittens had been lost to predators or just life as a wild cat. Cali brought them back for a very short time on Sunday but on Monday she had them playing and napping on the deck which really is the perfect playpen for them. She was playing with them yesterday, but it was more probably a teaching session. In doing some research I found out some useful information in helping them. This morning I brought out the play tube and tunnel in perhaps of using it as a way to trap them and help them. They are kind of interested in it but more interested in nap time. Cali has always had such beautiful green eyes yet more and more she has to use her mean mom eyes and her protecting stare. These totally change her appearance. But every once in a while you see those beautiful Cali eyes that have captivated me since November.
***************
Life certainly has kept me away from the blog this week. I still find myself mesmerized by these kittens. I think the little orange kitten, if he doesn't get over whatever he has is probably not long for this world. It is futile to try and get him. He can still move quickly if he has to and Cali is being an eagle eye for any interaction with me and her little one. Riley jumps around and tries to get him tTheo play, but no dice...he just sits and wants to sleep. He does go out into the yard and gets water but I don't know if he is eating anything. I have tried to trap him so I can get him to a vet but he is not falling for it. Hopefully, he just has a little digestive problem or something cause I saw Cali go through this too.

I got my board cut down to size so the next step is to paint these boards and make that tub space be at least a little useful. Two grocery store trips, a trip to The Baked Pie Company to get tomato pie and I got the last slice and a stop at Reems Nursery to use my bonus bucks. Got some more flowers and planted them in the bed by the driveway. Just watered the new plants cause it is supposed to rain tomorrow.

Finally this morning the SS lesson for Sunday came together. In a bit I'll look over the notes more and do more reading. This was a tough lesson to get into but we are back in familiar territory of false teachers.

Since March, Brenda and I have been trying to go to breakfast at Another Broken Egg. We finally got to do that yesterday. We both got the bananas foster pancakes and they gave us complementary beignets to start our meal. We ran over to Barnes and Noble, then drove over to Southern Chicks. I always find something there and that was true yesterday. The find of the day was an old Training Union sign. It is going up on the stairwell with my church sign that I found in a Lincolnton shop.

Well, that lesson isn't getting studied and feeling a tad tired from a fun day...but I'm hoping that little orange tabby is feeling better tomorrow.

Saturday And Sunday....

A beautiful Saturday morning came a little early. It was a rough start to the night with Buddy and she was in a full dementia swing. Bless her, she acts as if she doesn't know where she is during these episodes...lots of meowing and lots of assurance from me. She finally settled in the bonus room and about thirty minutes later she came to her regular spot happy, just like normal. We got a late start into the night but she slept all night so there is that additional rest. Sometimes when I am awake like that I get concerned for the little kittens outside. Cali had them on the deck after dark where we played a little bit of laser light chase. This morning she and Mama Cat greeted me with their ever so patient waiting for breakfast...but no kiddos. Got food out for them and I have been busy with other things but I just saw Cali heading across the front yard and into the land of the fir trees. So maybe she moved her kittens...I don't know cause this feral world is hard to understand in how they raise their kittens. I never knew Cali and siblings at this young of age, they were older when Mama Cat began visiting.

Last night I tackled some weed eating because Mike the Mower Man didn't cut the grass this week. I trimmed some in the backyard and started making a path to the flowerbed out front but dang, that new weed eater is heavy with a 80 volt lithium battery in it. Had to trim in shifts and drank a huge bottle of Peligrino while cooling off. Pulled weeds as best I could and need to get a call into Nathan. The flowerbed in front of the house is being overtaken by grass and I don't have it in me to do that extensive amount of work. The front flowerbed hadn't been watered for several days and so after cooling off, I put a Dr Enuff in my back pocket and I was down there watering for a good thirty minutes. Everything looks a bit perkier this morning. Going into the yard I have started wearing tall rain boots mostly because of ticks but if perchance I did run into a slithering enemy...well, I don't even want to think about that. I do have a new respect for those who work in the landscaping industry...the key is being very young.

I experienced a first yesterday, I cried in the lobby of our post office. The mail I should have mailed on Thursday went out yesterday. Picked up our mail and there was a mailing envelope in the stack and it was from my friend Betty. Betty grew up in East TN and in Crossnore NC. Love posting pics from around here for her to see. I decided to open the envelope in the lobby because you know, walking back to my car is so far...not. Betty had read on my blog that I collect hymnals, just for the love of them. I like to think about the people who sang from them and many of the ones I have collected are worn well from use. I can't read a lick of music, so of the oldest hymns that didn't make the cut as time progressed are tunes unknown, well at least for me. Betty sent me a shape note hymnal that had been her aunts. She wrote out the background story of the legacy that I was holding in my hands. I started tearing up reading her note which also included a pic of her beautiful cat. Wow! What a kindness. I looked through the hymnal when I got home and read verses and choruses to songs I didn't know and sang along with the ones I do. What a pick me up in that thoughtful gift.

Well, I see Cali is back on the deck. Don't see kittens but that doesn't mean they're not there or maybe they're not. Our backyard is a haven but remembering that it is surrounded by nature...

Now it is late afternoon and still no sign of the kittens. I heard a noise last night and came downstairs to check but there wasn't any animals out there or at least in the light. Cali and Mama Cat are hanging around, which makes me wonder from my research if Mama Cat has a new batch of kittens nd she took care of her grand kids so her new batch isn't competing for food when the time comes. I can barely think about this all. Of course Cali looks all sad to me but then I read a lot into cat actions that don't mean a thing. Meanwhile Buddy has wanted out on the porch again, so yes, I am air conditioning the neighborhood. Well an interesting development. Maybe she has her kittens hidden from Mama Cat. This is the second time I've seen her go to the land of the firs. She saw me this time so I went back inside. This morning she took a curious route and would stop and sit for a bit, like a distraction as she went along the way. So, there is still hope. Mike the mower man showed up today to mow since he was running behind this week and said last week he saw the kittens on the back part of the property at Mary Joyce's home and when they heard him they ran lickity split over to our backyard. Of course last week there were three.

On my way home from picking up pie for tonight's fellowship and a quick trip to Publix, I saw the plant man that we bought our orange flame azaleas last year had plants for sale along the river road. I unloaded and rearranged groceries and put up cold stuff to head back and see what he had. Nicest man, and I bought several plants from him. One more flame azalea too.
****************
Sunday afternoon. BBQ sliders for lunch and I'm watching the recorded service from First Baptist Houston. Lisa is singing the title song of their new album, That's When Worship Begins. Love that song and I have been playing the album since downloading it from Itunes on Friday. And much to my surprise this afternoon, I saw the kitties. Think Cali had them hidden and she has them playing along the fence line, just like she used to. Maybe all the mowing and weed eating coupled with our clearing of ground cover was just too much chaos and noise.

Last night was fun up at the Shed at church. Delicious food and great friendships...and the view ain't bad either. I only came home with cokes, so that is good that all the pie was eaten. When I got home I did a few things around the kitchen and headed upstairs. Buddy wasn't too far behind and she fell asleep in the bonus room. She barely woke me up whenever she came to bed and she slept the rest of the night. Glory hallelujah! That means we both got some rest.

I met our new neighbors, well they aren't new but are finally living in the house above us. Seem very nice. Their daughter is getting her horse today and they have chickens and ducks. He's thinking about getting a cow or two.

I am feeling a nap coming on, so I bid you adieu!

A Short Post....of Nothing in Particular

So, I didn't get everything done this afternoon like I had planned but that's okay. The day began with an eye Dr appointment and that means dilation of the eyes takes place. I dread that part of the visit every year. The drops burn and everything within you wants to squeeze your eyes tight but that only forces out the drops and the whole procedure begins in earnest again. At least the yellow dye they put in later isn't too bad. Yes, just one eye drop session with me answers the question, why don't you wear contacts...Nuh, said and experienced. Just a small change in my prescription and that is always welcomed news. With dilated eyes and sunglasses, I ran two errands and drove home. As I was unloading groceries Roy texted to let me know that my book club book had been delivered. There was no way I was going to walk down the road to the mailbox with dilated eyes, so back into the car, retrieved the book and then took a drive around the block.

Peggy had called while I was at the eye doctor, so I called her back and then she called me back. We had a great time catching up, hearing about her trip to Israel and all the other happenings of life. She saved me from what would have been a bad decision to get back out on the road with dilated eyes. It seemed best to take another day of rest, which has been most enjoyable.

It is fun to watch the next generation of the Feral Fam enjoying the tent of napping. This evening it has been the tent of playing. The two remaining kittens are out there now playing around with mom keeping a watchful eye on them and the sky. The little black and white kitten that was taken by a hawk which just makes me so sad thinking about it, strayed off from mom a lot and that last little trip...well, it wasn't good. This morning for a bit I thought the orange kitten might have been taken but he is here with his sibling. I don't think that Cali is the best of cat moms. The few times that Mama Cat is around, Cali acts like a kitten and wants to be near her mom only Mama Cat isn't having any of that. She wolfs food down and is gone...hissing and growling at her family all the way. I have learned way more than I ever thought I would know about feral cats and watching them. Well looky, looky...Cali just got in the tent with her kiddos. If this tent is rocking...don't bother knocking...cause there is a lot of wild playing going on and like every mom, she likes to have the kids wear themselves out before bedtime. Robby just got disciplined by his mom, big time. Those green eyes of hers can mean up something quick. She moved on out into the yard and the kids followed but it looks like they want to play behind the tent and she is having none of that.

Yesterday I got my haircut but we decided to wait till next month to get highlights. Had breakfast at Corner Kitchen and delicious as always. Did some shopping at the Southern Highland Craft Guild, looked around Williams Sonoma and then it was time for my appointment. I made a quick Target run and it might be the last one for a while. They were busy putting out school supplies. Kids don't go back to school around here until August 27th. Well, I might get in one more Target run before go time for supplies.

Tomorrow with no set schedule I can take it easy. Have a couple of things to take care of but for the most part it will be foot loose and fancy free. That means I can go to the post office at my leisure.

Ferals, Books, and Funnies

Something interesting with the Feral Fam this morning. Cali and two of her kittens were waiting on breakfast, with one of the kittens checking and rechecking the contents of the bowl...which was empty by the way. So, with Buddy being a little later for treat time, I went outside to get everyone fed and then welcomed by Buddy upon returning inside the house. A few treats and she was ready for porch time since the mornings have been cooler lately. As per usual I made a quick glance out the window to see progress and I watched a little kitten take the stance of aggression toward Mama Cat, his grandmother...who doesn't seem the least bit interested in that role. Mama Cat had just forced Cali from one of the bowls and Cali retreated as this is her role within the family. Her little baby boy stood up for his mom and Mama Cat, well, she left. That little orange cat seemed surprised and then made his way over to the bowl to eat some breakfast and soon his mom joined him. I think Cali lost her little black and white kitten to something the other night. She isn't using the deck or under it since the other night. She has found shelter for her little ones in a most unlikely place.

Buddy seemed to have a good night. The effects of the chill pill lingered on and thus we both got a good nights rest. We begin her new regimen today and hopefully this will give her some pain relief. Buddy has a few tremors every now and then and a little dementia. Hoping that along with the steroids, with the new regimen she can enjoy life a little longer. Buddy had one of those "I can't do this anymore" moments in the vet office yesterday when she tried to jump from the chair to the counter. She made it, barely but couldn't complete the jump. So Mira-lax in the water and probiotics and pain meds in her food...which gets complicated because she refuses to eat wet food. I took advantage of Buddy being upstairs to mix and cover her food with the above. Blends in well by color so hopefully this will help.

Yes, I know, my life seems to be dominated by cats this week, no most weeks. They come and go at will but expect to fed on time.

These two pics are many of the one Roy took up at Mt Mitchell a week ago on Sunday. A beautiful drive and a wondrous view along the Parkway and on top of Mt Mitchell. Watching fog roll along across the roads and through the meadows is enchanting and mesmerizing. Now, if the fog was rolling in and settling, we would have cut the drive short and turned around. You don't mess with fog in higher elevations. Not being a chicken but when lifelong residents of this area tell you they don't mess with it that tells you something. 

Got home from book club and we had a lively discussion and a great time. We have a new member so that's always fun. We read the book American Pie and our next book is Delicious! I came home to find Cali and her two kittens playing on the deck. MJ who hasn't been around for weeks is here, lying on the grill cover, sleeping unless something wakes him up. He used to do that as a kitten. 

Tomorrow is haircut and highlights. I might take a drive through the Biltmore Estate just to take in all the beauty after the appointment. You know, the beauty on the Estate...not my hair. 

I still can't believe I left my phone on my car instead of going through my usual routine yesterday. I am so thankful for the man and his son for finding it and waiting for the owner to call...that would be me. He might get a job out of the encounter though, cause the new member needs a roofer after getting the raccoons out of her attic. So today, you better believe I did the routine to remember to have everything with me when leaving the house. 

I will leave this post with this little funny. As I have written before my eyeglasses are my lifeline cause my vision is iffy at best. So last night, with Buddy in my thoughts when I got up to uh...let's see...use the necessitarium I thought Buddy was lying on the rug in front of the sink, so before washing my hands I bend down to pet her only it was a turquoise wash cloth...Buddy was deep in her blanket.  Don't worry, eye exam is Thursday. Not as bad as when I put toothpaste up my nose when I thought I was using nose spray in the middle of the night and when I looked up in the middle of the night and thought there was a bat on ceiling when it was just the A/C vent. Life is never dull. 

Phone Home...No Can Do

The day began very early and most Sundays are early days but this morning was especially because we needed to get to Charlotte. We left just as the sun was coming up and the drive eastward which is always beautiful was accentuated by a stunning sunrise through clouds and mist and fog. It is difficult to focus on the road when the scenery beckons to look....no gaze and the one who is driving cannot afford to take their eyes off of I 40.

Thankfully, the appointment for auto butler at the Ford dealership has been rescheduled. I was feeling a tad stressed over all the things going on this week. With appointments and such happening in the next few months I asked for a September appointment and just received confirmation that it has been rescheduled for then.

It is looking like the original Feral Fam might have finally broken ranks. MJ has flown the coup since he recovered from a fight where he experienced what looks to be the losing end of the fight. Camo, that stocky girl, hasn't been around either and there is evidence she has moved on. Mama Cat shows up once in a while for a quick meal. Cali, well, she has remained here....with her three kittens. Yes, Roy and I are grandparents. I haven't mentioned them but several weeks ago, early one morning I caught a glance of them as the three played on the deck and ground covered rocks, just like their mom and her siblings did...not that long ago. Orange kitten, probably Dead Beat Dad played a part, a black and white kitten, either MJ or the old beat up black and white cat and a black/white/ calico kitten... Orange cats are usually males and the other two, haven't got a clue yet but I do have names for them and they are names that can work either for male or female. Robbie, Ronnie and Riley. Last night we couldn't get anything done because we watched the antics of these kittens as they play and explore. Cali has acted like she hasn't felt well and since I have become the mistress of the mixed drink...for cats...adding Mira-lax to their liquids to help with that age old problem for man and beast. Buddy has done better since we began lacing her water with the stuff. Good grief, I have just given the care and constipation report instead of a death and diarrhea report. Cali has seemed a bit more spritely as they say this morning. She is probably thrilled with sunshine instead of rain. Yesterday, turned out to be a rainy day and the forecast had called for lower temps but no rain. It is true that I have fallen in love with these cats who happened upon the premises in November. Cali's kittens are much younger than she was when she showed up and Mama Cat needed help getting them through the winter. Cali keeps getting closer and closer to me but will not let me pet her. If she is hungry she comes running around the corner of the garage and greets me with meows that sound a little impatient. Sometimes she comes when I call her, not always though.

Roy made biscuits for breakfast yesterday and they were delicious! We eased into the morning and then took clothes to the Salvation Army and stopped in at The Twisted Laurel for lunch. Then onward to Publix, in the rain and then home...in the rain. Roy took a nap once we got home because he is still recovering from all the yard work he has done and even with all that work, made a tiny dent in all the flora and fauna that covers, no takes over everything here if left to its own devices.
********************
Well, it is Monday evening and I am exhausted. Now the decision to reschedule Auto Butler till September has really paid off. So tomorrow instead of fighting early morning traffic to the dealership I am hoping to sleep in. Taylor and I are back to our normal hour on Mondays again. Came home and Inez came over to help me with Buddy. She has to have a chill pill before seeing the vet. Supposed to create less stress on the animal...uh yeah, there at the office...getting it down her at home provides stress for everyone. Finally with the pill down her throat I was able to relax a bit before taking her to the vet. Then I did something stupid, I ventured from my regular routine of getting ready and realized about half way to the vet I didn't have my phone with me. I remember the last thing I looked at and felt I had put the phone down in the house. Upon our return...no phone. So I called my number looking for the sound but I heard a man's voice. He was saying I hope you are the owner of this phone because my son and I found it. Yes, I had placed the phone on the car and it had slid off onto the road. We decided to meet at the Moose Cafe parking lot. Nicest man, owns a roofing business. Not a bit of damage to my phone so the protective cover works. Wow! I was so thrilled that my phone fell into the hands of a honest person...through the course of conversation he and his family go to Biltmore Baptist and I told him I go to Newfound.

Buddy is facing some tough challenges that come to all of God's creatures when the aging process is happening. She is beginning to have some neurological issues and you can see some tremors and shaking. A little dementia has set in and she is probably in more pain than she lets on. Dr says dogs are so much better at letting us know a problem. She is doing ok but now will have to take some extra meds that are mainly going to slow her down even more. Hopefully, she takes after her human mom and responds to meds. Buddy has become a cranky old lady cat which isn't as bad as being a hangry cat. I felt like the Dr was preparing me for the inevitable decision that is to come when it comes to pain and quality of life. But, I can't let myself go down that road just yet.

I've got to read my book for tomorrow...so...where did I put my phone?

Finishing Up For Download To Happen

We fought through hard rain and lots of lightning and thunder in TN this afternoon. Our original plan was to be the heck out of Dodge before 3:00 but extended time in Academy threw our schedule out of whack, thus we drove through the rain behind a very, very slow driver...slower than safety. Once we got around them I used the white line on the side of the road to make our way but in the storm we discovered that our windshield wipers gauge the rain to how fast or slow they go. Wow! That is so helpful. We knew when the windshield wipers come on, the automatic lights come on which is wonderful because both TN and NC require headlights on in any amount, whether it be little or a lot, of rain. Once we were on the freeway and headed home, we beat the rain. We were safe inside when the rain and lightning passed over us. While it was raining Nathan stopped by to pick up yard trash from the July 4th shredding of ground cover that is taking over the whole backyard at a rapid pace. Leicester Lawn and Landscape is on the calendar to come and clear the land but we had a patch that needed attention immediately, so Roy and his arsenal of hedge trimmers, chain saw and new weed eater attacked on the early morning of independence. Several mimosa trees were attended to as well as fir tree overhang from the neighbors. He also trimmed the holly that impeded us. There was lots and lots of stuff all over the deck. We managed to bag some of it up for a later trip to the dump. Another casualty was the old rocking chair that Kate left us, more decorative than useful. The ants had taken over the chair and was in the midst of a building campaign. Hacksaw Roy took that apart in no time and was added to the pile of  trash. We realized that we had rid the yard of more than what we could handle, so we called Nathan and he came today and picked up the remainder of the stuff. We realized on the morning of the 4th that we would need to change our plans for the day and keep working around the house since there were several things on the to do list to be tackled. With that dedication we were able to get so much taken care of.

Roy grilled our steaks later that evening and we sat on our front porch watching our neighbors in the distance shoot off some beautiful fireworks and we are able to see Asheville's firework show from our porch as well. We were treated to and Buddy especially loved watching the fireflies that came near. She spent the greater part of the evening running about close to the screen.

On Monday we made the Costco run to Spartenburg and then had lunch at Longhorn Steak House. On the way home we stopped by our favorite peach orchard and got a half bushel of peaches. When we got home we had all the stuff to put up and I needed a short nap. We ran over to see friends and took some peaches with us. I mean who doesn't love peaches? Tuesday we were off again on a mountain adventure to the Moses Cone House near Boone and Blowing Rock. We didn't do GFM this trip, just some lovely driving along the parkway but we did go to Boone and everyone and their cousin was in town. It was crowded just like in March when Lisa and I were there to go to LPL with Beth Moore. We both got a little sun on us with the top down cruising through the mountains but on the ride home we raised the roof cause heading into that western sun was a tad warm.

Roy just told me he would download his pics when I get off the computer, so I am getting off now.

Just Another Day In The Mountains...We Are Blessed!

So many last minute things are awaiting my attention but most mornings before getting started into the day I sit down, take a few moments of quiet and write. Sometimes it is a blog post, sometimes a journal entry and other times just a moment to remember or wonder as I write. With a usually short attention span nothing keeps my attention long but writing, that is another story. Monablog has been going strong or at least somewhat strong here of late, for eleven years. There is such joy to be found sharing a funny happening or maybe even something embarrassing. This blog has been a godsend in those hard days beginning in 2012 with my father and accidentally kept a record of the experiences. In 2008 when I first was diagnosed with my heart issues coming from the virus that attacked my heart and got this whole journey started, many of the important details that time diminished are there on the ol' blog. Earlier in the year I went back and read those posts and much to my joy I re-read the details and miracles that happened in that span of time. There were times I wrote about "church world" and  writing to understand what the heck was going on. Oh and then there are posts that have been written that will never see the light of day, but what a catharsis on various subjects and feelings. Roy was good counsel with he'd advise to wait twenty four hours before posting or make the post a little lighter and on a humorous side...and always take the high road because it is less crowded up there. So this morning with stuff to do I sit here in the chair and write, because it fills my spirit and gives a umph to the day. So much that needs attention, yet it feels right to sit here and type out a few words. I'd rather do this than have longer time in a small town I'm stopping in later on in the day.
**********************
Good Sunday evening! After a beautiful day of sunshine we've had a few evening showers which is wonderful because we don't have to water the flowers. I'm drinking a smoothie and settling in for the evening. On Friday I did get the later start and gave myself enough shopping time as well as supper time. Ate at the new pizza place and it was delicious! Headed over to Charlotte and checked into the hotel. I worked on the last few things on the Sunday School lesson for Sunday morning and read some of my book club book. Roy's flight got in on time and that was good because it was a late flight. On Saturday morning we decided to eat at the CB in Morganton and then we made a quick stop in The Weathered Home shop. We came on home, checked on Buddy and then ran a few errands.

This morning we went to Sunday School and then left afterwards because we wanted to hit the road and go to Mt Mitchell. We ate a quick bite here at the house and then jumped into Mustang Sam and headed that way. What a delightful drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway and through Craggy Gardens. We had never been on that part of the parkway. We went onto Mt Mitchell where we climbed up the path to the observation area. I did not have any problem with stamina or leg strength going to the top but I did have to keep a watch on my heart rate. Roy was taking a lot of pics and I hope he downloads them soon. We decided to come back the way we came so that Roy could get some tunnel pics. We treated ourselves to ice cream when we got closer to home. Such a fun afternoon, beautiful and so happy to remember that all things are created by and through and for Him.

Roy has been doing a little work and I have been doing a little resting. I think all the cats in our lives are happy this evening with full tummies or have been given a lot of treats. Buddy is already down fo the count. I am not too far behind her. What a fabulous day! We are so fortunate to be in the middle of this great mountain area with our senses filled to the brim with beauty.

Road Trips, Real and Imaginary

At our book club meeting the other night we were asked this question, "what would we travel or road trip across country to experience? We are reading a book about a journalist turned food critic/writer making her way to NYC from San Francisco on the back roads to experience pie. We read about her initial journey with a friend, the interlude as she writes and works in NYC and now we are reading about her second jaunt to find out why people like pie, all the ways people make them and just the experience of meeting people through this story. Our answers were various and off the top of my head I responded produce stands...not farmers markets but stands along the side of the road and guess that would mean back roads cause produce stands unless owned by an orchard aren't usually found along the side of an interstate highway. They asked about my favorite produce stands in Asheville and I couldn't answer that because all the produce stands I love are away from Asheville and some in nearby states. If I could work it in while traveling back roads I would visit independent bookstores too. Now there is some time well spent.

With all our rain and storms this week some of my adventures have been sidelined and probably that's for the good because there are those last minute things that need to be taken care of around here. It has been good for SequishShawn to get some road time in because this is the season and the reason for a convertible and Mustang Sam makes those back roads rip roaring fun. The drive type can be set for normal, sport, track or comfortable. Right now the setting is sport which makes the switchbacks and winding roads a pleasure to drive. Added benefit the fragrances that fill the senses, thank you Jon Denver, except when those fragrances be skunk, sewer or bad smelling livestock.

During the night in the haze of sleep the sound of distant rumbling roused me from sleep. The sound of storms in the distance soon became storms in the here and now. A couple thunder boomers were a little too close for comfort. Those only make Buddy nervous and she leaves. Many times it needs to be pondered, should I follow her? Does she know something I don't know? Her mindset is probably every cat for themselves. I wondered about the Feral Fam in the storms and hoped their abode was staying dry. This morning with it still raining I wasn't really looking for them but a familiar sound got my attention while enjoying that first cup of coffee, it was Camo and Cali sitting on the back doormat, making noise to draw my attention. Feeding of the Feral Fam was a full house with mother and son keeping up a constant hissing and growling at one another. Cali came into the garage and sat while food prep took place...it makes me wonder if she feels more of an affinity with me than with her family. Probably not, just taking the chance for a few minutes of dry. She is the least afraid of me and the last one to vacate a bowl when I draw near. 

Once the rain stopped it was off to the dealership to get Mustang Sam's license plate. They put it on him and off we went to parts known and unknown to do a few errands and enjoy the cooler temps from all the rain. Most everything has been unloaded, just a few more things but maybe that can wait till tomorrow. Got the kitchen cleaned up and all the cats of the near and far world fed or treated. Had a long fun conversation with Lisa P and now waiting for Roy to get home after a retirement dinner for a co-worker...or is that former co-worker?

Tomorrow is supposed to be a drier day. Of course with the evaporation rate here by Sunday we will be looking at the sky and clouds trying to detect if any of the wet stuff will come our way. I find myself immensely  satisfied and happy. God is so good!

What A Day Holds

The sounds of summer fill the air as Mike the Mower Man mows the yard. The fragrance of summer will fill the senses of cut grass mingled with the aroma of cut hay, which seems to have a sweeter scent. Mix the two together, what a lovely bouquet. With what seems to be an army of lightning bugs in the evenings, colorful splashes of blooming flowers...higher temps and thunderstorms, summer has certainly taken up residence here. Also an aside, with the Feral Fam keeping up regular visits to the backyard, the squirrel visits are more sporadic and yesterday the first chipmunk of the summer showed up for a quick minute or two before Mama Cat made her presence known. Cali hasn't been around for several days and since learning of her expanded territory, maybe she prayed the prayer of Jabez, she might be otherwise occupied. Still, she might be otherwise in another world, since she doesn't look both ways before crossing a road. MJ and Camo are around this morning though.

The past few days have filled with a busier schedule or disciplined time at home to study and to read to where I needed to be for book club. Happily, I got book club reading done last night. By God's grace the Philippians 1 lesson came together for Sunday and even had it typed out by Friday evening...in which I stayed up too late. Saturday morning meant finishing up studying and adding some new notes to the lesson. Then I found the song the choir sang Sunday on You Tube and practiced with the tambourine a couple of times. Our Sunday School class had a party Saturday night and Vivian asked if I would lip sync a song with back ups...so Ain't No Mountain High Enough got played several times to hear the words and think through choreography and additional actions that conveyed the message, we do not think we are Diana Ross and the Supremes. This kind of comedy usually falls into two camps, making sure no one thinks we are the artist or we perform with an audience knowing we are simply horrible but it is up to us on the stage to exude confidence and think we are the best that ever came down the road. When Peggy and I do our Christmas Dance, would be an example of the later category.
***********************
A quiet Wednesday morning with all the Feral Fam kiddos greeting me as I served breakfast to them. Cali was asleep on the deck when I came downstairs. It is so good to see that little wanderer. The weather forecast is rain beginning around noon. We had several good showers yesterday complete with lightning and thunder. The first storm that passed through moved more to the south but our area received lots of lightning. The rain let up enough to make a safe drive to book club and got home with threatening skies and rain.

I love book club. Not only did we semi discuss the book, cause there is so much else to talk about but we were treated to two of the pie recipes that the author came across on her road trip across the country. We meet in a couple of weeks to discuss the rest of the book.

The lesson for Sunday has been a harder one to study for. The quarterlies of today are so much better than of yesterday. While teaching in the student ministry those examples in the lessons were from the 1950's-1960's and were unusable. We just took the verses and discussed them in our teacher's meeting on Wednesday nights for the lessons. Studying for Philippians 1 was a great diversion to get away from overthinking this week's lesson. Yesterday while studying, I came across a devotional that was never completed because the author passed away before finishing it but his commentary and style of writing on Colossians was just the thing to open my eyes to the verses we are studying. It is too bad with a quarterly that we don't get to spend much time on background and the whys of what is written. That certainly helps me see why Paul wrote what he did. So for this week, we are going to look at the background of what was going on with that little church that Paul never visited and then we can understand why he then wrote on the preeminence of Christ in the universe, in our relationship to God and in our relationships with one another. So many of my study aids are still in Texas because you know, I thought the Lord asked me to lay down teaching...and I added the forever part but it was for a season. This could be a short season or a long season of teaching, I don't know but to be ready and willing seems to be the lesson for me in the here and now.

Yesterday, I was fixing a glass of ice tea. I used a lime squeezer to squeeze juice from a lemon and then a blood orange. The blood orange must have been too big to use in something meant for a lime and some of the juice flew out of the top and to the side instead of in the glass. I saw a few spots and of course cleaned them up. Last night I looked up and there on the wall and ceiling were more blood orange juice squirts and it did look like blood splatters on the wall...this fact I know from watching too much ID TV in the past. So last night I cleaned off the walls and ceiling only to see this morning some that I missed. That was a juicy orange.

Well, this day's adventure hold vacuuming and folding laundry. Oh and probably some rain. 

It's Official! It's Summer!

The first day of summer begins overcast with a hint of coming precip in the air. Little droplets of damp pepper the skin. The forecast is rain and most probably around lunch time. It is good to know that by watering the plants and trees in the front flowerbed last night, I have helped bring rain to the area. If I really wanted a downpour I would have taken SequishShawn to the car wash but he is on a strict seventy hours of no high power car washing, letting the new windshield settle in. In the back of my mind I had a little road trip planned for today but another rough sleeping night, although not as rough as the night before, seemed to call for a day around the house. Like, there is not anything around here to do...said no one here. I've been studying the Sunday School lesson I'll teach on July 1st. I have read the chapter in several different translations and read a little bit of commentary...do you ever feel like everything you are trying to take in resides outside your head and it isn't getting through in a narrative that your brain can take in. That's how it has felt the past few days cause the big words and I love big words, needed to be simplified for a greater understanding of a truth I love so much. So I have been meditating on God's Word and asking Him to open the scriptures, just a treasured time of prayer. Last night and this morning, a eureka moment has taken place. Maybe today I can get an outline written.

This morning I wanted to see the verses of a hymn and since I have collected old hymnals and books of songs over the years, there isn't any monetary value in collecting them just a love of old songs and eternal truths of the  hymns. This isn't an editorial over church music at all. Like today's music in the church world. Since singing hymns in church began as a child for me, sometimes I am more inclined to sing hymns by rote and not really take in the meaning. Being a good Baptist I know most hymns but only the first and last verse...oh maybe on a few the second verse. So, back to this morning, I looked in the bookcase and found the good old Blue Baptist Hymnal of my childhood and early youth. Found the hymn and read all three verses...read the verses and sang the chorus.

Well nothing brings joy like a tambourine! So excited, the back ordered tambourine was delivered today. I like an open one cause I have one that has Jesus' face on it and well, when I hit it, it just doesn't seem right. Then while accompanying Sheila E, Glamorous Life, Lisa P sent me a song she has the solo and lead on...so I did what good friends do, I called and played her song along with my percussion. We are booking gigs right now.
********************
Well, there has been a lot of life happening and thus getting back to the computer to finish up this post has taken a back seat. I won't bore you with the mundane and no I haven't been playing the tambourine the whole time. The idea came to maybe hit some of my favorite roads and places but lack of sleep kept me closer to home. Like a quick trip to the store cause those Ferals be liking milk a whole lot.

This morning I awoke refreshed because of a decent night's sleep. My plan was to head out but a phone call changed that decision when Gale asked if I could teach for her this Sunday. Two days to prep? Good thing I had slept in a little bit to be here to answer the phone. So I began pulling out the different translations of the chapter we are in and got a good feel for what is there. Quarterlies are so much better now than back in the day...so I just finished typing out my notes and that means I am 3/4 of the way done. This afternoon I decided a Turkey Creek hamburger sounded good and then I drove around for a bit enjoying the wind and the sun. Dead Beat Dad, the big orange cat, has been hanging around and when he is here, the Feral Fam scrams. He eats their food and I have to become the crazy cat lady and chase him out of the yard with my Grandma B's famous woooohooo yell. Tonight when I thought it might rain but didn't, I went outside to water the new plants and saw Cali. She melts my heart, so she got a bowl of milk and I stood there a bit to make sure Dead Beat didn't chase her off. MJ and Cali were hanging around and got in on supper as well.

It is getting way past my bedtime and Buddy has been asleep which means when I come to bed, she will get up or maybe she won't and will just sleep through the night. That would be nice.

Cranky....Yes, That Is Me This Evening

It was a no schedule day and it was a good day. There are a lot of those kinds of days here, lot less structure. Whereas I used to like having moments filled, now the quest for no schedule days is most desirable. The morning held sleeping in, eating a late breakfast, and reading. When Mike the Mower Man showed up, it was a quick transition to starting the day. I finally made it to the grocery store and loaded up on sale items. A couple of weeks ago I made Ninfa's Green Sauce and it was really good. So with avocados 5 for $5.00, it seemed the right thing to do...you know, plan to make more green sauce. I forgot the green tomatoes but there might be some frozen, but if not those are easily picked up tomorrow.

Tonight, all the Feral Fam were together again and it looks like Mama Cat and MJ could rumble at any moment. The best thing to do so that Cali can eat is to stand nearby. Cali is the only one brave enough many times to go ahead and eat while standing there. This morning she came around the corner to greet me with meows while coming out of the garage with food. She isn't consistent in letting me be near but it does increase. Tonight while working in the backyard Cali sat on the front stone steps resting but moved when dead heading roses had to be done in the front. It is a little nerve wracking when wasps, who will attack just cause you're breathing, and bees flit about but the dead heading means soon enough more bright pink blooms will make for plenteous pollination.

For supper it was boiled shrimp and then I sliced some peaches for dessert. Yum! Since it is warmer iced tea is the drink of choice, yes even over Diet Coke...which I have cut way back but still have one once a day. More so in the car and then I don't drink it all.
*****************
Once again it was a unsettled night with Buddy and to make matters worse my brain kept going on and on, thinking about all kinds of stuff. Not fear or dread but plans. It also doesn't help when I know I have to be up early, it takes longer to fall asleep. Another factor was waiting too late to wash my hair and shower...it wakes me up. So this morning it wasn't a cheerful greeting to the day, in fact I was downright cranky, especially with Buddy. No one wants a cat on their head. I got up and got ready to go to the dentist office. Nathan and Andrew were here really early trying to stay out of the warmer temps of the afternoon. The flowerbed looks wonderful and they planted a bunch of seeds as well.

I was out of the dentist office by 10:00. All in all it was a good checkup and only have to have some minor work done but it is scheduled along with the major work in October. A stop at Barnes and Noble and Home Goods, then to the grocery store closer to home. It has been a hot day so the top stayed up on Mustang Sam.

Cali hadn't been around much today but after watering the plants in the front yard I headed down the road to the mail box. Cali was lying there, not dead, but resting on our road. She began to act a little spooked as I walked nearby and as my neighbors dog barked at her. She turned and ran across the street to the cow pasture and I could hear a car nearing. You better believe some prayer was lifted for that little cat cause she ran across the road without looking. When I got back up to the driveway to finish watering the new flowerbed, she had made her way to the backyard and was eating with her sister. Buddy has been a shadow all day around the house. I have sat on her, tripped but not fallen and stepped on her tail a minute ago. I am so cranky I raised my voice to her....something I rarely do. She ran upstairs but we are on good terms cause she let me pet her on the way to last treat of the evening.

It is finally getting dark so I am seriously considering an early bedtime. Hope that is okay with Buddy.

Tuesday Morning Catch Up and Thoughts

Monday mornings aren't as early as they used to be. Workout time changed to an hour later and it helps with easing into a morning. It is especially welcomed because it seems Saturday and Sunday nights are not good nights for Buddy. Last night it looked to be a long evening in getting her to settle in but it went smoother than anticipated. Just a few hiccups at the beginning but soon she settled in for night time.

Maybe this week holds a trip to check out a new antique/home furnishings, and yard decor that might be open or will be opening soon. Heard about it last week. Have noted a few more places to scout out in Morganton and Lincolnton. Guess the founders of these cities decided to get away from going with "ville."

Yesterday was Father's Day and as it has been the past six or so years, it came and went uneventful. That normally wasn't the case. It was a day mixed with unrealistic expectations, resentment and the ever present disappointment. Oh, that was just my father's feelings. Basically he made everything in life difficult with very few exceptions. While my brother was here we worked very diligently looking for good or happy times with Dad and we found a few, but it takes a lot of energy to do so. The sermon yesterday was centered on Father's Day and my internal reaction to one statement, children tend to take after their fathers, caused a few seconds of shock and then gratitude internally. But for The Lord, that statement might have been true in Doug and me, but thankfully we have taken more after our mom or it could be God stopped the development of that path for which we are eternally grateful. As Doug and I spend more time together, our conversations of childhood and those related subjects has decreased... Now it might be more of a wonder why or how would have life been but more so it is keeping in the present and expressing gratitude. Doug reminded me of something our father said often and I had totally forgotten about... You know there are times when people think they are prophets or if they say something enough, it makes it true but I guess my father would say I would be poor and not have much when I grew up and Doug told me I'd respond, well...I'll just marry someone rich. And while all this had been unremembered, this is what I had totally forgotten, my father would say, "dreams don't come true little girl, dreams don't come true." Like so many other things, he was wrong. Oh, I didn't marry rich but I married well which is way much better. Yes, I am aware that I ended the last sentence grammatically incorrect.

I taught our Sunday School class yesterday. Taught from one of my favorite chapters in the Bible, Acts 27. There is just so many treasures in that chapter.
*****************
Tuesday morning and all the cats in my life are happy after a little delay on breakfast for the Feral Fam and treats for Buddy. I went to bed early and slept in this morning. I was feeling the tireds yesterday after a hard workout and from the heat. Temps are rising. This sounds strange and that has never stopped me before, but a sign unto me other than the sore throat is when the edges of my eyes ache. I don't know how to describe it but it certainly tells me to step back and rest. And with that sentence the familiar sound of a lawn mower filled the air and this little chicky had to get downstairs and go to the front yard and wrap up the water hose that I left out going the full length to water the plants in the flowerbed out in the middle of the lawn. It is already warm outside but thankfully little but any sweating went on.

Safe-lite Auto came out to the house yesterday to replace SequishShawn's windshield. A large crack appeared a couple of years ago and it has been held in check but with him residing for now on the driveway, the heat caused the crack to expand. Have a couple of road trips coming up where he will be the vehicle to take and the line of the crack expanded more into the driver's line of vision, so made the call and got the appt set up. Wow! It was worth the extra $25 they charge to come to the house and it was just like the commercial. You can track their van as they come to you and they give you the estimated time. He pulled in just as I was raising the garage door. He was able to save my Mr Zips sticker and my HCTRA toll sticker. Took him about an hour and a half to replace it. Vacuumed the car and cleaned all the windows as well. So far it has been a positive experience. 
 or
Yesterday marked the day when Taylor and I started a more demanding workout. It was great and loved the new TRX things he introduced yesterday. Probably that contributed to the tireds all afternoon and into the evening. With all the hard work I am doing things again that not too long ago seemed just a dream. Never say never but I am thinking about tennis, I've written about this recently, and both Doug and Taylor are encouraging me to go back to it. Not thinking of games or matches but lessons and just hitting. There are several options here so I need to check into the one that would be best.

Started reading the book club book yesterday and so far it is an enjoyable read. It's nonfiction and the author tells her story with humor. She has me hooked reading about her adventure.

The day awaits without a schedule and this is a wonderful thing. Just a trip to the grocery store is all that is in the plans. Started studying for the Sunday School lesson for July 1st. Buddy has started her second nap of the morning and the Feral Fam rested on the deck until Mike the Mower Man came through with the weed eater.

Back At It

Hi, my name is Nancy and I used to be at posting on the ol' blog and thankfully my memory is not so far gone that I have forgotten how to do this. So many things are going on and have had my attention. When I thought to blog the tireds overtook and well...maybe a paragraph or two would be written and then abandoned.

My brother Doug arrived Wednesday. We met at The Blue Rooster for a late lunch and then hit Duckket's Produce stand. He also brought me my early birthday gift...rimmed bowls that go with our everyday dishes. So difficult to find since they don't make that pattern anymore. Made me so happy to see them and with the two we have, now have a set of eight. One of the things we were going to take care of while he was here was some paperwork but after looking through everything there wasn't really that much to take care of, so we played. Thursday we headed up to Grandfather Mountain. We ate lunch at The Italian Restaurant first...then headed up the mountain to the mile high bridge. It was a very windy day up there and it felt like the wind could lift you up off your feet and in the air, then down the side of the mountain. We didn't cross over the bridge but took pictures and met some nice people. We went to the animal habitats but we only saw the eagles...no other animals were out and about. Since the Linn Cove Viaduct had been reopened, we drove across it and back and it was just beautiful. Then over to Valle Crusis to the original Mast Store and Annex. The food truck guy was there and he has fabulous beef brisket, so we got a pound and a half. We remembered to bring a cooler. Mustang Sam makes a fun trip even funner! We were windblown and a little sunburned upon returning home, but the fragrances of honeysuckle and cut grass and oh cut hay filled the air and made us so happy. Yesterday, we eased into the morning and began our day in the late morning. Doug loves Sanctuary of Stuff, well I do too but I live here, and he finds all kinds of neat things for his daughters...early Christmas shopping. We took off to TN to eat at The Farmer's Daughter and shop at Mountain View. We also stopped at several produce stands and Doug has his meals planned for the next several days. We debated driving over to the Biltmore Estate but decided that we'd rather stick close to home. We ate my leftover pizza for supper and sat on the front porch and watched the cows move across the field and cars pass by. The lightning bugs gave us a spectacular show before we adjourned to the living room. This morning Doug left with a cooler full of goodies, a delicious lunch and memories of spending time with his sister. We are so blessed.

I have also joined a book club. Our first meeting was Tuesday night and it was a delightful time.

SequishShawn needs his windshield replaced so that appointment is set for Monday afternoon. The man I talked with, making sure what I had filled out on the form was correctly, on the phone was from Texas and somehow the conversation came around to Houston. He had grown up there and lived in nearby subdivisions to where I grew up...then we discovered we were both about the same age. It was a nice side conversation of places in Houston still around and those that are long gone.

This past week has seemed like so many friends are retiring and it still takes me by surprise because in my mind I think of us all so young and back in the day. The guy I dated off and on for six years retired last week from his work as a Methodist pastor. Sent congrats to him and his lovely wife who just retired from teaching. They are moving closer to their kids. A friend who has been a much beloved elementary school music teacher decided that this past school year was her last. She is so creative and the kids coming up won't know what they missed.

Keeping an eye on the sky as it looks overcast but radar shows no rain. Sure would be nice so that chore could be eliminated today. Feeding the Feral Fam in shifts today. Doing laundry and getting everything back in place. My reward for hard work, sliced peaches. Yum!

Living and Lists and Growth and Gratitude

Yesterday must have really worn me out because I slept till a little after 8:00 am. We got up, got Buddy some treats, at least three times and went outside to feed the Feral Fam without MJ. Cali is not here usually in the mornings, but Camo and Mama Cat have been regulars of late. I noticed last night that MJ was kind of walking about with a limp and got a closer inspection of a wound on his leg and on his tail. He was a bit subdued last night and was easily intimidated by Mama Cat. He has had the upper paw here of late. I think Mama Cat if she arrives first for food many times tries to eat as much as possible, leaving little for others. Camo tried to eat out of the same bowl this morning with her Mama and Mama slapped her right across the mouth. Camo withdrew a bit and Mama chowed on. Cali was over at the other bowl. Camo was just out there looking for any scraps leftover from this morning, which there is a little bit out there but decided to get her a bowl of milk for this warm afternoon. Put it in the shade but Camo will finish off a bowl in nothing flat.
*******************
Friday evening and the brother and sisters are relaxing in the backyard after their supper. I need to go out and water plants because it looks like Waynesville got the majority of the rain today. About an inch.

I ventured out to the post office and grocery stores today. Other than that, it has been a laid back afternoon. Been working on the lesson for June 17th in Sunday School. While going through a bookcase today there on the shelf was The Net Bible. So happy to find it here cause it seemed like after searching high and low it was in Texas. After reading through The Net Bible notes on our chapter, the ending of the lesson fell right in with the quarterly and a few other things that I have studied.

It looks like this years SBC convention is going to memorable. Yes, I know I have said that before but now Paige Patterson is not going to preach the convention sermon. That sure helps out and now it might just be controlled panic in the discussions of the future of our denomination. Gee, I can't use my answer from long ago, which kind of Baptist church will you go to and I answered the one with a gym. Now, I attend a church that doesn't have a gym...and that isn't important to me anymore. Well, good health is and I am a member at a gym or workout place...I don't know what to call it, but I like it.

This afternoon while looking through a bookcase upstairs where favorite books are housed, I picked up a book I was reading in 2012-2013 on Sacred Spaces. Building those in our lives and in the book I had written several lists and thoughts on the happenings of 2012 which remarkably was mainly about my father serving us papers to sever any relationship with us. This was in the midst of APS, Police and Constables calling to follow through with a complaint he had filed, false ones I might add. We were investigated thoroughly every time it happened and every time the same result, we hadn't touched any of his stuff or accounts or stocks or whatever. We had done what the court requested, no relationship whatsoever! Besides that would be morally against how we believe and act. I had done years of therapy so I was in a good place, but in hindsight, today looking at these lists and thoughts really showed me how far along I have come mentally and emotionally from such life long abuse, more so as a child and less and less as an adult...thank you Cheryl! I am also glad I took the time this winter when there weren't demands on my time or schedules to keep, to sort through and pray over the last few years. It was quite revealing what I learned and part of that learning was, I never ever want to put myself in any position to manipulated or on my behalf being spoken for...cause usually it has been my experience it's not what I would say or how I would respond. It seemed  after his death that I came across articles on narcissists and toxic people. Where I had made mistakes was ever thinking that the problems we encountered with him really had to do anything with either one of us, no toxic people are concerned about themselves and you're merely a possession or you have value to them to extract whatever thing they are trying to possess or acquire or they want you to "worship" them by building them up. No wonder I was tired so often as a kid. What a serendipity to pick up that book this afternoon and what an opportunity to be grateful for God's faithfulness and love.

Just as I had finished watering the flowers and plants it began to rain while rolling up the hose. It didn't rain much but I did my part trying to coax the rain over this way. Think I'll get cleaned up and then settle in and watch a few shows on TV. 

It's All Cool

A little cool front went through the area last night and today has been fabulous! A breeze, low humidity and temps in the lower 70's. It was pleasant enough to do some work outside, in the afternoon. I will finish up this evening by watering the front flower bed. Three days without rain and the ground is already dry. Because we had so much rain last week, the new sod never needed watering but today, it got a good soaking.

Mike the Mower Man made it here today as well. So all that high grass has been cut and he did some of the extra weed eating today. It can be like an overgrowth of a jungle if you don't keep up with things. The birds got their feeders restocked and Cali got a special treat of getting to eat by herself. She must not be a morning cat cause she missed breakfast but everyone else was present and accounted for. She was exploring the garage when I came back from getting the trash can from the road. She stuck closer as long as she could see food in her future. Probably, since it is such a pleasant day and sitting on the front porch is delightful that Mama Cat is sitting on the back deck waiting for supper. Maybe even Camo will be around.

I really like our interim pastor. He is a professor at an local seminary. The choir sang a favorite, Thou O Lord. The worship just builds with each repeat of Thou O Lord art a shield for me, the glory and the lifter of my head. We also have a new pianist and for Houston friends Rob is like a Jill pianist. Of course I always love Sunday School. We almost had everyone there yesterday...just missing a few.
******************
Well, our downstairs is cooling like a boss! Today Haynes came and installed a new downstairs HVAC unit. It is bigger and since the other one was loosing freon, this one is more efficient. It took them much longer than I had anticipated but the trouble was the new thermostat, so once they got that figured out, they were able to get that going and move on. It is hard to do anything constructive or even not constructive when you have people in and out of the house. Before the A/C guys got here, Nathan and Andrew were her early putting in a few sunflowers, but mostly sunflower seeds. The new sod is looking good and he seed sodded right be the light pole. We went over some flowers for the new flowerbed and I am excited at the possibilities. So I went out and watered the new seeds and plants after the sun had gone down behind us. MJ and Cali were hanging in the backyard. Cali got brave and explored the garage so I might be able to rig something up to catch her in there. The garage intrigues her. Tonight is the closet yet I have been to her and also she doesn't run every time I get near.

The little female cardinal still can't figure out the image she sees. All the birds are happy with full feeders in both the front and back yards. We are all happy campers around here tonight. Cool happy campers.

Playing And Having Fun

This is the first morning all week that the first look on the phone wasn't weather related, you know checking radar and running the future-cast radar. It's about trying to plan a day and seeing if it was an all day event of rain or a smattering of showers here and there. Yesterday, no rain around here and that was welcomed, except in a few weeks when we haven't had rain, we will be wanting it to return. 

Last night while we sat on the porch, MJ, whose presence has been noticeably absent, made himself comfortable on one of the rocking chairs on the front porch. Must have needed a break from his mama and sisters. Mama Cat has this habit of hissing before anything happens. Putting out food, she looks and hisses at you. She does the same with her grown kiddos but the hiss is worse than actions, cause now the kiddos beat her to the food bowls and she waits, being outnumbered. She hissed this morning while placing the bowls out and I scolded her a bit...really, hissing at me? You sit on the back deck looking pitiful in the mornings prompting fast food production...to the back yard. Hissing? Really? Think it is just a bad habit Mama Cat has fallen into. 

The Wall Street Journal has a great article today on older adults having fun...you know, where play is involved and the title of the article...An Overlooked Skill In Aging: How To Have Fun

Play, often associated with fun, does have some experts, although mainly focused on children. One of the few studies on play and older adults concluded that “playful older adults are psychologically upbeat: they are happy, optimistic, cheerful, joyful, positive, relaxed, and enthusiastic individuals.” The study, published in 2011 in the American Journal of Play, looked at 46 people, 65 years and older to come up with an “Older Adult Playfulness Scale” of characteristics.

Fun is different for every person. What makes you happy? What makes you laugh? What activities did you do in your youth? Fun is usually not being kept busy by someone else. “There’s a real sense of choice,” says Peter Gray, 74, a Boston College research professor and psychologist who studies play, primarily in children.

Psychologist Elizabeth Skibinski-Bortman, 71, asks each client at their first session: “What do you do for fun?” Some can’t think of anything. 

If you know me, having fun and playing around is ingrained in my DNA. If I had a dollar for times when the more serious ones in life have said, "Does everything have to be play?" Uh, yes. The article stresses that fun is different for every person. The thought of playing dress up with hats and gloves to drink tea and eat little sandwiches...is not my idea of fun. Probably stems from childhood cause having pretend tea parties wasn't the epitome of fun for me. Now do I like to go have tea, yes, but not in some silly costume. And the dress up girls who like to do this probably feel the same about things that amuse me. Lisa and I like ourselves a good dance party, just about anywhere. I was texting with her the other day and reminded her she needs to get up here so we can have epic dance parties in Mustang Sam. No ceiling to inhibit hand raising, both for worship and dance, play. 

The other aspect of this article is, fun is not usually being kept busy by someone else. Ya's got to be able to have fun when no one else is around. To look at our home you can tell, fun is the priority not the constraining element of everything being in place or arranged just so. I threw away a quote on a board that said, A clean house is the result of a wasted life. Yes, I believe that but didn't want to make our housekeeper feel bad. 

The article in the paper the other day remains in my thoughts, there is a get back to tennis class available at the Asheville Tennis Center. It is for those who used to play tennis or for those who never learned. It fills quickly and the price involves a racquet and tshirt. They had me at tshirt. The thought of playing tennis doesn't attract me but the thought of hitting tennis balls does. When I played league tennis, several leagues...like HLTA on Mondays, Tuesday night HTA, University Club Wednesday league and Friday Indoor League...the fun in playing tennis was lost in the seriousness of winning. Add tennis lessons and clinics each week along with working out to be able to do all these leagues and lessons....as the song says, the thrill is gone. But just to hit tennis balls for the sake of fun...yes please. I do know me though, the racquet that comes with the clinic would surely be replaced cause I got a little bit OCD over racquets and stringing. 

I'm so glad that Roy agreed the second car up here needed to be a fun car. SequishShawn is a fun truck but it will be nice to have Mustang Sam around for those tight parking place cases. Yesterday going to workout and then running a few errands made the boring exciting. Although I have remembered a few incidents when we had a convertible before...like driving down Memorial and a lizard fell from a tree into the car. Nearly wrecked trying to get said lizard out of the car before he secured himself some hiding place. I also remember coming home from Macy's with a room sized rug and rocking chair tied to the back and with the top down. Now Memorial is a fancy place to live and we looked like the Beverly Hillbillies as we drove home. Roy would not drive so I could sit in the rocker. Now that's when a lizard dropping into the car might have had another outcome and this story wouldn't be able to be shared today. 

So today as I have done things here around the house, that are not fun, but have to be made into fun. Also look for the playful things going on around you. I just wasted, or did I, a few minutes watching a female cardinal see her image in the truck side windows. She jumped from the bird condo in the tree to the rim of the window. She jumped side to side, even going to the back windows and then began the jump up until she reached the top of the truck and much to her surprise did not see that other bird up there with her. So, back to the bird condo tree and begin the process again and again and again. I have been checking on her almost every hour and she has not given up. 

The Feral's sans MJ are in the backyard. Buddy is here beside me and with the stops and starts of the day, I have to get back to making my housework fun. But I have almost had fun and am played out or at least I will be soon.