Mostly Rain With A Little Wind

 A beautiful sunny morning has greeted us. Cooler than yesterday but it seems the bottom will drop out on Saturday night. Cold temps and a hard freeze. This is the first ease into the morning day in a while. With appointments and such, guys coming over to give estimates on some work, I welcome the relaxed entrance into this day. 

We voted for the first time as NC residents. Our voting place just down the road and we arrived when there was a bit of a lull. Pretty exciting, really. As we make our way through those firsts of feeling like with Roy here, finally at home. Poll workers were very nice and the whole process took about ten minutes leaving us time to trade out for the truck and go to Lowe's. Picked up a ladder and new numbers for our new trash can. Living the wildly exciting life! No, really. 

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Preparing for a hurricane is different here than on the coast of Texas. Mostly rain and wind but the difference is the elevation that makes for landslides. A different perspective for sure than just flat land. Mike the Mower Man was here earlier this week mulching our leaves for us and getting some yard debris taken care of. We need to semi clean out the gutter on one side of the back porch so we will semi try to get some of that taken care of. We will do this before the rain hits this afternoon. We punted apple orchard trip and will push that to next week. 

Last week I was talking to a friend here and she said who knew that ten years ago that you'd be here and living a totally different way of living than what you had been used to. She was correct. In fact Roy and I had talked about this very subject all through last week. Think it is due to the fact we are coming up to the one year anniversary of deciding to retire by the end of the year. Great decision in hindsight. Roy is much more relaxed, still focused, but not stressed. He would have been miserable in Houston and would have probably looked for contract work cause he wouldn't have enough around the house to keep him busy. Here, there is always a project or something that needs attention. 

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The rain continues from the outer rain bands of Nichole. Think the heaviest rain is yet to come. A year ago today I was at Asheville Cardiology getting an echo and stress test. Glad a year later to be home to enjoy a rainy day. Today, I will begin writing out the lesson for Sunday. We are in Micah. In several weeks we begin the book of John. I've enjoyed teaching from the OT but ready for a change, although we are six months in John. 

We successfully cleared out the gutter on the back porch. No one was hurt not even off balance one time. We made some crude clearing of the leaves out of the gutter by using a kid rake sideways. 

At Tammy's getting my haircut, we got to talking about how easily it is to get inundated with volunteer jobs at small churches. I realized that part of a standard of M&G, talking about getting volunteered at church was coming true for Roy, better known as Ed in Mildred and Gertrude. I got so tickled thinking about that as well as telling stories of how we took real events that had happened in our lives and twisting them just enough for no one to really recognize who it might be. Last week in our lesson in Haggai, we looked at how we can spiritualize our reasons for not doing something...we sound good or so we think, but God knows. This week in Micah we are looking at the coming judgement for Israel and Judah and the bad leadership going on. Crooked politicians and priests that fleeced the poor people of the land and money. The theme of justice runs throughout Micah as well as the other minor prophets. A couple of years ago the theme to teach was idolatry. Guess this week's lesson is more like, don't let this happen to you kind of thing. As the priests took bribes and such, I can't help but think back to Kyle Lake's book on prayer and using the Lord's name in vain. We usually trend toward someone cussing but he wrote that we are the worst at using the Lord's name in vain with unneeded repetition in prayer as well as over using prayer to quiet a room, fill in time, cause we have always done it this way and my very favorite announcement prayer. One thing I remember Roy studying in 1999 as we drove to Nashville. He was joining the Stephen Ministry. The thought that prayer should be used to open and close a meeting or session was challenged and suggested other ways because you never want people to think that opening and closing a meeting as a sign that it's time to leave. Instead we need to know and experience that this is a sacred moment not the sign of a meeting being over. 

I think the rain has finally let up a bit. We sure needed it and in our area we didn't get the big heavy rains that causes waterfalls in our back yard. 

Also, I lost the Merry Christmas Darling contest this year with CourtneyS being the winner. 

Saturday Morning Catch Up

 November 1st will feel like April 1st temp wise today. Roy is resting from a vigorous and focused job of entrance, exit and keeping Fall Festival participants safe from other drivers last night. Sounds like the Fall Festival was a hit and heard that maybe a thousand or so participants. That is a large number when it comes to this rural area.  

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Once again a weak beginning on Monday and hopefully a wrap up on a Friday, so it truly doesn't become a week. Intentions are there but then life needs to be lived and glory be, that means something to write about. This afternoon as well as tomorrow afternoon we have tree trimmer guys coming out to give us an estimate to thin out some firs as well as trim up some of the bigger trees. Andy was here last week trimming the shrubs and such in the back as well as putting out pine straw. Fertilizer is an expensive deal this year, so we are going with some natural solutions. Our neighbor offered some of their compost for our flower beds. We love their horses and what they contribute to the beauty as well as the flowerbeds. The leaves have been doing a rapid drop and we use those as well. Our neighbors aren't interested in the leaves and let us rake and take all we want. Wait a minute....no really, most of their leaves come onto the driveway so it's more a sweep than a rake. 

We took a little trip to the Costco on Wednesday. Filled up with $2.97 gas before going into the store. We had a lovely time picking up a few more holiday items and then the very necessary items. We bought a ham and it is the best price we have seen. So Thanksgiving meal will be ham centered. Batteries and flashlights on sale but the best thing or one of the best things we bought was pumpkin strudel muffins. Never tried them but I have started looking at Costco influencers and their reviews on products in November. These are a hit and don't know if we or rather if I can wait a couple of weeks when we go back when a new sale starts. I 26 was rather beautiful going and coming. Lower elevation so much brighter color than what has come and gone in the mountains. A bonus always is this, we had a relatively easy traffic trip, one overturned tractor trailer but nothing toxic or liquid or messy. 

Yesterday, I made the trek, a fun and beautiful trek, over to Burnsville. Lamp Post Vintage Market is getting ready for the big Christmas reveal and that means I was able to get in before the official kick off tonight. Pretty much had in mind what I was looking for and I came away with everything I went to get, mostly Christmas gifts and such. Since we still have two rambunctious young cats, no Christmas tree this year but we have a small table top one we can use. My mom would already have her tree up by now because she loved Christmas and spent many an hour sitting still and watching the lights on the tree. Stopped in Mars Hill on the way home at the Ingles for a couple of things. 

I realized while writing about Christmas and how much my mom loved it, she will have been gone from earth eleven years on Tuesday. I miss her everyday and so wish that she could see and visit or live here but I think she knows her kiddos are doing okay. I'd like for her to see the spring flowers, tulips and such, then the zinnias, roses and dahlias we have planted. It has just been recently, she has shown up in my dreams and that right there makes me so happy. 

We will wrap up Haggai on Sunday. Such an interesting minor prophet. Not much is known about him but he got the people off their butts and out of remodeling their homes and the temple construction started again.  

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The morning holds a little bit of rain and it is welcomed in these parts. We thought we were going to do some chair painting yesterday but the wind was too much. Instead we put out tulip and daffodil bulbs. Another highlight of the day, we officially took down the playpens were the boys slept at night. They have transferred to the bonus room for their nighttime slumber. It is so nice to have the entrance area back or semi back to normal. We will probably bring a cat tree in from the back porch but then again, we might not. 

Two tree guys are supposed to come today and give us estimates on thinning out some firs and trimming a few other trees. We shall see if they really get here so until then....

The Boys Disputing

 The Boys are busy chasing a toy or a decorative pine cone but they are behaving after a raucous morning of fighting with some play involved. We changed our plans yesterday and headed out Waynesville way. We'd considered going over to Costco, but that will happen in the next few weeks before the busy time of holidays. I mentioned yesterday we had gone to Publix and witnessed the shout off in the parking lot. For Southern Gospel music fans one could say it was Shouting Time, but not in heaven...right here on earth. Before the Publix, we went over to Big Lots with a 25% coupon. We needed to pick up a few necessities. Like a spatula.  We have tiny ones but not regular size. Somehow, this news is not shocking to those who know me. A new sink strainer, cause you know we live the exciting life...living on the edge. 

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Overcast and rainy on a Monday morning. Love it! I am easing into the day and delighted with the promise of no plans. 

We had quite the domestic dispute yesterday afternoon and long into the night. No, not Roy and me, but The Boys. Someone, G Mo, got a little rough and caused one of those pitiful cat screams, Mr Mo. We went to investigate, no visible marks but certainly an emotional one. Mr Mo hid under the kitchen table not even tempted by the rattling of a treat package to come out. I Googled it up and read about when cats have disputes and what we can do to make it move along and back to a peaceful coexistence. They kept separate for the afternoon and into the evening. Finally, they were in the same room together, did the nose touch thing, so that is good and did play a little. The domestic dispute put the cabash on trying out the sleep in a room together at night or share a playpen at night. This morning The Boys have reconciled. Eating together, both food and treats, as well playing and chasing one another. The sound of the thundering paws are back and we are so thankful for that. 

Although we are looking at Haggai, we spent most of our study time in Ezra, reading the background and the reason why work stopped for fourteen years on the temple. When we got to the part where the young rejoiced over the altar and foundation being repaired and rebuilt, the older set were crying because it wasn't as beautiful as Solomon's temple. I so to speak, really went off script talking about us older ones squashing the joy of younger ones in the church work or Lord's work. The example I gave was this; in high school pizza got us to youth group events...or there were other reasons we attended but you know pizza. Back then in the olden days of the early 70's pizza was kind of new on the scene of deliciousness. When growing up, my parents never ordered or brought pizza home from a restaurant. We didn't even know it existed outside of Chef Boyardee pizza in a box. Spoiler...it wasn't every good. Compared to now, pizza isn't the big draw. You can get pizza everywhere, including gas stations. Guess now, charcuterie boards might be the thing to bring 'em in. Nostalgia hurts one if one lives in the nostalgic world all the time that the good old days were the best days. It robs you of the here and now. Where I got off? Well, I kept saying pizza party? Nobody cares. It was the nobody cares part I should have stayed away from. The Lord keeps teaching me about off the cuff remarks and sometimes I am a fast learner but here of late, it is more like being a slow learner. I began thinking yesterday afternoon, oh my, I hope no one thinks I was talking about Fall Festivals cause it didn't enter my mind. Those weren't even a part of life for me until adulthood and our church had big Fall Festivals each year. Somehow though, along the way they stopped having them and joined the campaign of be the light in your neighborhood thing for All Hallows Eve. 

Since I finally joined the I had an oscophy group, my attention is now returned to the normal aches and pains of getting older. Since I was determined to think my hip pain was somehow related to all the digestive news of the last ten months, I endured. Have no choice anyway because the cardiologist has banned me from taking OTC pain meds like Tylenol and Advil. So the banality of arthritis returns with sprays and creams and such to dull the pain. The damp weather has made it flare up thus no comfort in sitting, standing or walking. Just put Bio Freeze on the spot and hoping for a good result. 

Even with on and off cool temps, we officially went with flannel sheets till spring. We had some cute fall type motif sheets on the bed, blue trucks with pumpkins, but I hated the feel of those sheets. I'm a flannel or crisp percale sheet type. Making the bed yesterday helped in the Mr and G Mo reconciliation cause they had never before discovered the joy of helping make the bed. 

Last year around this time I got into the journals, notebooks and paper accessories available for purchase on the internet. This around this time I am unsubscribing from those websites. Like I need to order anymore journals or pens or books. Hey! Let's keep books out of this...and pens...yes, let's keep pens out of it as well. 

The newest Christmas decoration? It seems to be a Christmas tree collar. Never known about them till this year. 

Since I just finished up a book, it is time to begin another. What? I don't know. I started the Book Woman's Daughter but there are passages that are difficult to get through. Just a little at a time. 

Onward!

 Oh Happy Day! Once again meals can be approached with normal everyday foods and back to drinking Zero Sugar Sunkist Orange. I celebrated with cranberry port goat cheese last night on mini whole wheat crackers. All in all here are my observations about my first oscophy type procedure. There is a lot of busy work paperwork involved and about half of it is never looked at. The actual staff assisting and doing the oscophy is much more pleasant and approachable than the front house staff. I know there are reasons because they deal with cranky and confused difficult people everyday, at least on weekdays. If ever I need another one, although it was a pain in the butt I mean it kind of clipped my wings but I will again do the three day prep because it made the main event just an event, not eventful. It also gave me a chance to get some minor projects taken care of since sticking close to home was prescribed. For the main event yesterday finally someone listened that the symptoms and pain I talked about ended, during the initial consultation in March, and the general consensus has been a whopping dose of stress and thus caused a major overload to all the systems in my body. In fact while waiting to be called back through the golden door there was a magazine in the waiting room that dealt with stress in grief and situations that are almost too much to bear have on our gastro system. In that brief skimming of the article these past months since last December came into a clearer view. I can verify that the prep part is worse than the actual procedure because we are put into la la land for it and truly, you cannot think about what they really do, so you just kind of skip over that part mentally. The Dr was just as he had been reviewed, all business with limited bedside manner and truthfully, that is the kind of Dr I needed on that particular day. He did listen as I told him the circumstances, given in brief form, that led me to this day. He stated that this then, is a follow up and not a present matter. Yes, thank you! To the best of my knowledge.

Upon coming too from the anesthesia, there was Roy and the nurse and in just a few minutes a Diet Coke was presented to me and all is well. The Dr tells us they found one little bitty polyp. ONE! They got it all and they'll have it tested but I am good to go for another 7-10 years. So going with my, gut feeling, all these years was good. He was kind of shocked that this was my first and I hope only oscophy. They handed me some souvenir photos of the journey, just like Disney. And I had a report online complete with more photos when we returned home.  

This did help rule out the cause of a few symptoms that have hung around and now we can almost say for certain they are heart related, the news of the valves. Knowing what I have to keep watch on is helpful and doesn't carry the full weight of concern that seemed to accompany and affect me through these months thinking it was gastro related. So, it will be keeping a log of when things are well and what sets off symptoms. The biggest things to watch is coughing and dizziness. Gee, every med I take says causes dizziness. That makes me laugh but not dizzy.

I don't know why or from what made me so ill this year. Symptoms traveled constantly head, stomach, heart and didn't stay long enough to merit a visit to the ER or Urgent Care. Strangest thing I've ever encountered. I do know there were two nights when I fell asleep, I felt certain I would be waking up in Glory Land. 

Roy made me eggs, bacon and canned biscuits when we got home from the appointment. Even had coffee which is usually not on the afternoon calendar. I told Roy today while thankful they let you strain the noodles and drink chicken noodle soup broth, it will be a while before wanting chicken noodle soup. 

Today must be old people fight in the parking lot day. We were leaving Publix, Wednesday is the senior discount day of 5%, a lady in her car and a man outside the car were yelling at one another. She was going the wrong way in the lot causing confusion and tempers for others. She pulled into her spot, sat there awhile and to top it off, she didn't even pull in straight. Then she pulled out her phone and Roy said, let's get out of here, I think she is calling the cops. We came on home, put up groceries and headed back out the door for Blue Rooster. There was a line when we arrived, so we went down to Tractor Supply and purchased a few things. Back to Blue Rooster, no lines. Delicious lunch then onward to Barber's Orchard. At the orchard an older couple got in a fight with each other because the man felt like they didn't get all the baked goods he had ordered. He yelled, she yelled back to appease him. Finally, he listened to her as she reminded him he had changed his mind on getting the apple cake loaf. Waynesville still has a lot of tourists, so we made our way toward home. The fall foliage at our elevation is at peak colors and the way to and from filled our eyes with such wonderful and colorful beauty. 

Winning and Prepping

 Sports weekend victories. All the teams we root for, Baylor, LSU and Astros won yesterday. 

Day three of low residue diet is going well. Tomorrow will be the difficult day or so it seems or so it has been said. While having an off week from teaching I was able to finish Empty Mansions last night. Non fiction that reads like fiction, except when all the accounting and math gets involved...so those chapters were mainly skimmed. The story of Huggett Clark is one of the more interesting stories of one of the richest women in the world with mansions she didn't live in, 5th Avenue apartments and lots of money and time, withdrew from the world, lived in a hospital for twenty years and then her mental state etc. called into question by greedy relatives toward the end of her life.  Relatives who didn't stay in touch much throughout life I might add. Reclusive, she liked phone calls and writing and receiving letters. Genuinely loyal throughout her life to friends and staff. Generous. Some thought she was slow or not mentally all there because she collected dolls, mainly Japanese and French antique dolls and loved, more than loved having precise and accurate little houses built for them. She loved studying animation, she was an artist and photographer. The author reminds us this is no different than coin collectors or vase collectors or any other hobbyist, she had the funds to go to the inth degree. Many believe her father was the richest man in the world having more money than John Rockefeller but not as much notoriety.  He also kept all his businesses as sole proprietor rather than corporations. Her father W A Clark was a Wyoming Senator as well as mine owner of copper, gold and such. One of the saddest and revealing stories in the book is the house he built in NYC. If he thought the marble and granite was priced too high for this monumental home to himself, he just bought the quarries. The aftermath of the home he took forever to build and then only lived in for fourteen years is a bleak story without a happy ending. That story is for another day. 

We would rate our tomato season as good. Our first and we made rookie mistakes but kind of got control upon learning what we did wrong and how to save the tomato season. The other day Roy harvested the last of the tomatoes and began breaking down the plants. We need to plant tulip bulbs and maybe we can get to that this afternoon or maybe later this week. 

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And now to celebrate the Astros sweeping the Yankees and going to the World Series. Being on eastern time it is so difficult to stay up to watch. So happy to see this good news this morning. 

I pulled out an old hymnal this morning. I think I bought it at an antique store. Here is the poignant thing that happened...that old Baptist Hymnal evoked such a fragrance of flowers. Don't know if the pages held that all these years after not being open. Great reminder of singing and worshipping God, it is supposed to be like a sweet fragrance. Astros win and fragrant hymnal, all for a clear diet day of JELLO, broth, water and clear sodas. 

Roy soloed at church yesterday. Got the report from Inez that he behaved himself. That's good. 

Well, chicken noodle soup broth is okay. 

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Today is the day. All the prep stuff stayed down with no throwing up. I am already thinking about my first meal afterwards and like a friend of mine, think I will lean toward a breakfasty late lunch. Yum!

Low Residue

 Roy is upstairs defrosting after taking Mr Mo to the vet for an ear problem. Now, they are both home. G Mo was pretty much my shadow while Mr Mo was out and about. Although I was trying to unload the dishwasher and such, he wasn't too much help. It didn't warm up Roy telling him it didn't get as cold as forecasted but watching the market, drinking hot tea and two cats on his lap should help the situation. 

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This morning it did get as cold as forecasted. When we woke up it was 27, so I went back to bed while Roy stoically got up to begin the day. Think we are on the upside now temp wise and should go back to seasonal temps. That electric blanket sure felt good last night. 

Today is the kind of official beginning of the low residue diet for the next few days. So, the love of eating an apple in the afternoon will have to wait for several days. Truthfully, the low residue diet surely was my choice of eating while in my 20s to mid 30s. Lots of refined, processed food heavy on the carbs. Told Roy my serotonin levels will rise and I will be in a good mood over the weekend. The gastro office called yesterday to remind me when to stop taking Pradaxa and I took the opportunity to ask a couple more questions. Did some research into the low residue foods, so it is looking like white bread, pasta, mild cheese, bacon, meat and fish are in order but while I can still drink Diet Cokes, the Sunkist Zero Orange drink is out. We got some zero sugar ginger ale to sub in and of course we always have Dr Enuf around, except it has caffeine thus needing the ginger ale for evenings. I am drinking lots of water too. Roy made me some scrambled eggs that were out of this world good. 

This morning we were talking about the housing market and the message of housing starts and sales declining. Thinking about last year selling the house in Katy. It is always good to remember those journeys where listening to the Lord made all the difference in the world. 

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Here we are on a Friday morning. Today is the day for the warm up to begin and it is also the day that begins in earnest the low residue diet. Yesterday, was the cardio appointment. Closed the place down because I was the last patient to leave the building. Interesting waiting room as always. I am amused by people who work really hard or hardly at all maintaining their youth. One lady came in, big lady I might add, whose crop top days are behind her along with skin tight joggers. She sat across from me for a few minutes and I was ever so happy to have a book along to keep my attention. Wow, and it was cold yesterday even into the afternoon. I felt for her though cause every move she made looked to be quite painful for her and the wheeze to her breathing was belabored. Eventually, I was the only one in the waiting room. Had this happen before so got a little proactive to see if I was in the system. Yes, they were running late. All in all a good visit, but I did receive news I wasn't quite expecting with some valve issues. Right now, the ball is in my court so to speak and as the cardiologist in Houston told me, stay in the parameters set for you and you'll live better health wise. So, in a nutshell, I am going to have to cut back on a few things and make a few adjustments. 

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The Boys are eating once again, must be the weather. We are all easing into the day, even Roy. When he sleeps till 7:00 am, that's a sign. We have had some of the most interesting morning conversations of late. Thinking back on decisions we've made, both good and bad and funny things we have lived through and sometimes endured...the only way many times to get through those rough patches, a sense of humor to see life from a different slant. 

G Mo is becoming quite the lap cat. Didn't see that coming. The Boys have settled into quite a nice domestic life. The still chase one another and play but they nap now. Didn't think this day would ever come back in the kitten stage of life. 

I began looking through the minor prophets we will not cover on this go around and it looks like Haggai has won my interest and heart. Been studying a bit since the first of next week is otherwise occupadoed. This week has felt a bit freeing knowing I will not be teaching tomorrow and I have taken the opportunity to get some things done around here that have been put off too long. I am almost finished reading Empty Mansions, non fiction that reads like fiction. 

Roy is officially leaving the easing and heading out into the world. Fill up the car, workout and Publix is on his schedule. Put in the request for the goat cheese and Panera's autumn soup that can be consumed after next Tuesday. Looks like The Boys have chosen nap time. Guess I'll go work on a couple of projects. It is all low residue, all the time, at least until Tuesday. 

A Little Bit of Winter, Early

 

It seems we are in for a bit of a drop in temperatures by this evening. We will do our preps for the water faucets outside and the water filter is due for a cleaning. Guess by Friday, our weather temps will return to autumn. This cold snap is earlier than usual. 

This week begins prep for the appointment I have been waiting on since June. Because of several situations from the first of the year, I have to do an additional four days of prep with the big prep day on Monday. Hoping for some answers to several symptoms. Then again it all ties into the afib situation and I need to be observant of keeping that to a minimum. Right now it takes a lot of energy that I feel like I don't have in abundance here of late. Told Roy the other day, I build up energy for studying and teaching on Sunday mornings. Most Sunday afternoons for me lately has been complete and total rest. This week also includes a cardiologist appointment and the timing is good for that to be happening. Well, the gastro office just called for reminders and questions. Got my questions answered on how to count the preparing days and what meds to take the morning of. I made the caller laugh after she said, "we look forward to taking care of you." I honestly answered with, "I can't say that I am looking forward to seeing y'all but I am looking forward to being taken care of." A dawdling old lady would not have said that. 

We started Hosea yesterday but the main focus of the lesson was, what is your raisin cake? That phrase stuck with me. What do I hold onto that keeps me living and worshipping God as I ought? The use of the term raisin cake caused some research to take place. I also discovered an online library where you can borrow a book for an hour at a time online. No cut and paste but it added a deeper level of learning being able to use this source. I love when the class adds comments while teaching. Karen S made the brilliant point that Baal is a religion of convivence. Didn't need to do any prep to worship Baal. No preparation of sacrifices whether it be lamb or doves. To start the lesson, we went back to Exodus 32, the golden calf and how quickly the Israelites began to murmur and want action as Moses seemed to be spending too much time on the mountain. Then onto Jeroboam II, put calves at Bethel and Dan, the worship of convivence. Appointed priests and made their own festivals. Now we tackle Hosea after Amos and Jonah. Minor Prophets are so interesting. 

I am posting a few pics from last week. Roy downloaded his pics on our computers. I just chose a few to include. 

The Boys are doing well. They are getting old enough to act like cats, you know, sleep 16 hours a day. They have spent a lot of time with Roy as well. That is so welcomed because Buddy was so partial to me. Mr Mo has a vet appointment on Wednesday. He has a little growth on the front part of his ear. 

Autumn in The Mountains

 A coolish morning and The Boys are filled with energy. On the wood floors the sound of thundering hoofs, I mean paws, resounds throughout the house. It is when the thundering halts that gets our attention. They are slowly but surely being introduced to rooms in the house and so far so good. I am glad we waited to try this way instead of letting them roam free when they were so little and hard to find. With exception of the pitter patter of voluminous running, it is a quiet morning. Roy has gone to the men's prayer time at church, now that it is in the fellowship center rather than in the cold temps of the picnic shelter with the incredible view. 

According to LifeWay, we will be spending four weeks in Hosea. Truthfully, I don't think I have four weeks of Hosea in me. As I began outlining the lesson yesterday and after doing some research, we might only be in Hosea two weeks and maybe we will use the other two weeks to look at Nahum and Obadiah. We shall see. I need to promise the class not to say golly like Gomer Pyle but I might have so say citizen's arrest, citizen's arrest. 

On Monday Roy and I took off to see fall foliage off the BRP in Haywood County. Since lunch is the most important meal before looking at leaves, we stopped in at the Blue Rooster. Meatloaf for Roy and fried chicken legs for me. I was much too full to have coconut cake. The server told us that this year the fame of their coconut cake has spread and that good news is causing them to run out of cake sooner than later. She added though, they are buying apple cakes from Barber's Orchard to supplement the dessert menu, which is extensive. The apple cake from Barber's is delicious and reminds me so much of the apple cake my mom used to make. But cake discussion is a bunny trail, so back to fall foliage. The colors are brilliant this year. The reds are popping and the sun hitting the golden leaves is dazzling. The temps were cool and the tourists were few. All in all a great afternoon of leaf looking. Usually, we go to Devil's Courthouse and return on NC 215 into Canton, but we figured that might be where we would encounter crowds. Roy has yet to load his pics onto my computer and hopefully, he will get that done today. I know he got some great photos. 

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Feel like a new person, got my haircut yesterday. Came home to pick up Roy and we headed over to Publix with every other person in the tri county area. Okay, we don't live anyplace where it is called tri county but I like saying it. With Roy changing brands of oatmeal, we don't need to go to the Kroger as much as we used to. He has also discovered almond bars from Costco and he eats them more often than just plain almonds. It's always a work in progress. 

Doesn't look like the forecasted rain is going to happen today. We could use a little rain since it has been so dry and a gentle rain would extend the leaves staying on the trees. The other day I took The Boys out to the front porch. It has been a while since they've been out there. I sat at the table working on the lesson while they ran around and kept up with everything moving about because of the breeze. The neighbor's donkey was braying and the horses above us were in the pasture closest to our house. Their snorts and whinnies broke through all the way to the front porch. The sky and landscape both held those hints of fall in the air. Such a special time to enjoy the fragrances, sights and sounds of the country. 

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Warm Saturday, well eventually it will be. Going to get the warm weather stuff taken care of this weekend before the bottom drops out temp wise. We got all the zinnias in the front containers pulled out and put together another raised bed. Dead headed some roses and have several more to take care of. 

I read last night this is one of the more brilliant falls color wise in recent memory. The mountains along the freeway are ablaze with autumnal hues. What a delight and blessing to live here. I'm considering heading out to the Madison Market in a bit. It is one of my favorites. 

You Might Remember...

 Let me introduce myself...well, it has been a long time since writing a blog post. Partly due to first Roy having the crud, then I got it, then we had a few days where we both had it, I am still recovering and then that fire inside me to sit and write just wasn't sparking, thus the lull. Getting Mr Mo and G Mo acclimated to freedom in the house took some of the fire out for sure. This is all a work in progress. These boys play so hard and have FOMO to the inth degree. We almost have to put them in time out for them to rest. They are sweet and loving that's for sure but still young and not looking to be lap cats just yet. They wear me out but thankfully, Roy has the stamina for their antics. Right now, their favorite toy to play with inside is a little pine cone.  They get along really well and share, well for the most part. 

I think the appointment with the gastro office really did me in. Right after the appointment to even this morning, that whole thing has not set well with me. For the most part yes, the patients are mostly of our ilk, older, some elderly and some well, just some. It seemed like some of the questions with the PA were questions to trip one up. I do not believe in doing rote things and I had filled out paperwork two times online and had paperwork to bring in. Thus, I attach a list of meds to the paperwork but either the reception clerk mistyped in the info or this is standard practice, but too many of the dosages were wrong and as we went through the medications, a lot of corrections were made. Did she think I didn't know? Of course the question of what brought you in today? I explained about the symptoms and pain I had at the first of the year but hadn't experienced since March when all things related to the robbery and such were resolved, thus the stress conclusion by two of my other doctors. She assumed it was still going on and wrote thusly in the report. When I went to the scheduler the feeling of being railroaded into two different times didn't sit well. So, I chose one of the dates, only to change it once I got home. The phone call scheduler is much nicer. This week the scheduler called and wanted to know if I was willing for the appointment to be bumped out an hour and I was nice and pleasant with my response of, yes that will be fine...she was kind of surprised to tell you the truth. They must get lots of push back on any changes.  Hope that got written into the permanent record. Of course I realize that complaining about their attitude at the office is a typical old person kind of thing...but y'all this was almost oppressive in nature.

The Feral Fam is doing well for the most part. Mama Cat has launched her two kittens into cat world and they seem to be holding their own. Fluff Mo takes an active part in keeping watch and helping them. This week our neighbor helped a baby squirrel and then took it to a wildlife refuge place. 

Yesterday, third time was a charm in getting over to Little Switzerland. Roy had never been there. The drive is beautiful but Little Switz is a bump in the road. The little café there has delicious food. I was so hoping for orange cake but they didn't have any. The bookstore is a lot of fun to look through. Used books and saw a Gail Godwin first edition of one of her earlier novels but dang, didn't want to pay the first edition price. I had it in paperback but it went the way of Goodwill in the 2011 purge before moving to Rancho De Five. After browsing the store we headed over to an apple orchard that grows vintage apples that were popular long ago. We weren't interested in getting apples cause we have honey crisp and candy crisp apples from Barbers Orchard. Fun looking around and I found a Save the Monarchs sweatshirt. It will be cool enough to wear this weekend. We opted out of Mt Mitchell because my stamina was ebbing but I had enough energy to make a quick walk through at Lamp Post Vintage Market. There is a woodworking vendor and I love his little Christmas trees. He also had snowmen that were rustic and cute. May have to go back for a couple of those. 

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A lazy Saturday morning. The Boys are full of energy and we've tried all the tricks to get the yips out but it just one of those cool mornings that energizes. We are getting ready for probably what will be the first frost of the season. Got to get the lime tree in as well as several other plants like lavender and rosemary. We pulled up zinnias yesterday afternoon. Need to dead head roses but we shall see...how much energy Roy has. 

We conclude Jonah tomorrow. This four chapter book is really complex and layered with all kinds of disobedience, obedience, anger, joy...its gots it all! We only have this window of time in Jonah's life, we don't know anything other than where he lived, his father's name and his prophecy in II Kings 14. He seems to be grouchy that's for sure. Next week we start Hosea. We covered that book in The Gospel Project a couple of years ago, daunting no less for this simple minded teacher. 

The dreaded day has come for the pasture across the way. Trucks and heavy equipment are digging and leveling away toward the top of the rise. For now trees hide whatever is happening but we had this wonderful view for almost eight years and reluctantly I accepted that progress continues out here in the country. 

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Guess I will close this post and try to begin again. A bit of that fire is back, well maybe more like a spark. Off for an exciting Monday. 

 

Fog, Earth Wind and Fire...and the Long Awaited Appointment

 A good Monday morning, albeit foggy. These have been some of the densest fog of recent memory these past few days. We have heard sirens several times and guessing it could be due to wrecks. One siren even had the sound like those heard in WWII movies. From the sound of it, people are driving much faster than they should in this fog. So says the old lady in me. 

I actually shared in Sunday School class a "My crazy friend, Debbie" story. It fit perfectly and the memory of that story came to mind while getting ready for church. Oh my, I wish with the story I could have impersonated her looks and speech pattern. One of my all time fav, about the pastor having the church staff build him a patio and deck all in the name of teamwork and spiritual gifts. 

Think this week is our last lesson in Amos. I wasn't too enthused about the Minor Prophets for the fall session with the exception of Jonah, but the lessons are so applicable to the current culture as well as the status quo in church world...mainly with pastors looking for a platform or a voice or popularity. I kind of stayed out of that and chose to look at how easily the world view can sneak into our lives and views...then totally surprised when we evaluate and ponder on these things.  

Last week we were gifted with the leg, tail and hip section of a squirrel. This morning we were left some squirrel innards. Oh yes, the joy of the gift but in this case it is better to give back to The Feral Fam as it was to receive squirrel parts. For sure, these are special and treasured gifts and we are so undeserving. So, back to the cats the innards went and I am happier for it. 

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The big day I've been waiting for since June. Hope all goes well, which it should because it is just a consultation but I should leave being on the road for something knowledgeable. It feels like the crisis point is in the past but still...  That's why it has been so important for me to go into this appointment the best I can both physically and mentally. Maybe the true test is doing all the paperwork they require...like I feel as if I have done this online as well as bringing in the same info. Oh well. 

Looks like this week the feral cat lady will be coming by to pick up any males we can catch. Several are friendly with us when they eat, so hopefully we will be able to start the process. We think we have more males than females, thus all the cat fights in the past few weeks. 

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Do you remember the 21st night of September.... Well, it is that day we like to celebrate with a little dancing and such. Good day to be driving around in the convertible playing this on repeat. G Mo had an appointment to finish up his shots as well as later in the day running over to Ingles for a few things.

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The appointment at the Dr office was neither good nor bad but expected. They gave me a date for the next appointment and once I got home, we realized it will not work for us. So, since then emailed them, responded to cancel the appointment when the automated machine call came last night and this morning I find an email wanting me to confirm the appointment, but sent a message back. I will call later and leave a message cause this practice is the hardest I have ever seen to actually talk to a real live person. I understand the need for this but it is very frustrating. The people that work at the facility are nice enough but this is the first time that I can remember being treated as an old person, not just old but probably treated like a dawdling old person, which I am not. Or rather I am not at that stage of old person level. So I wait. The appointment itself had good news that in just the physical exam everything felt right so that is good. The PA spent a lot of time feeling my heartbeat. She didn't use the stethoscope but just her hand. That was odd in my thinking but what do I know, I am just an old lady.  So, for friends who are praying for me and the results and ongoing adventure concerning all things that have to do with this appointment, no real news except the day finally came and went. Nothing physically to the touch felt out of place, just now to wait for anything internal and oh yes, a call back. 

No Worse For The Wear

 Oops, I did it again. Yes, last night while getting the sunflower heads off of the stalks and after pulling up a few stalks, it happened. Yes, I slipped and fell in the garden. Another instance of coming to the garden alone, but no dew on the roses, no sinking sand, just slippery sod. Roy was in the front flowerbed and I called out. He heard me and responded but didn't come to checkout the happenings. So I called him on the phone. While he was making his way to the slippery sod, I checked out my feet both straight, not leaning to the side. I fell on my good hip. No worse for the wear except a little sore this morning and no bruises. Working for EPD all these years, with safety moments every morning, Roy is very safety minded. I had to promise I would not do this without him being closer which to him means, he will do it. With the cooler temps I have finally felt good enough to get outside and work in the yard doing something that I love. Guess finding some level ground is a good idea. 

The clouds and fog are so beautiful this morning in our valley. Guess it is selective fog. With cooler temps we have the windows open and just now that September fragrance from the outdoors wafted into the house. I think it is my favorite fragrance. 

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Thanks to my friend Karon, I think I have a new hair stylist and she is so much closer than going into Biltmore Village.  The appeal of making that trip also lost its luster when Corner Kitchen stopped serving breakfast. A lot of thought has gone into making the change and it was just me needing to take the time and make the appointment. Last haircut in July, so I was a bit of a shaggy dog. Tammy is so talented and she is also a great stylist. Came home loving my haircut and I booked my next appointment. 

The plan was to head over to Canton afterwards but instead I came on home. Ate a late lunch and then we went to the Les-Ter Farmer's Market. Our friends from church were selling homemade bread, handmade jewelry and lemonade. I had some of the bread last night and it is delicious! It was also fun seeing friends there as well. Next time I am not eating a late lunch so that we can get a hamburger from Wellsdale Farms. 

All the Feral Fam and The Boys are quite lively this morning. Charlie got up in the dogwood tree and had difficulty in finding his way down. So, he climbs a little higher. Eventually, Charlie made his way down the tree and as he is almost to the lowest limb, his tail caught his attention. He is in the Y of two branches, hanging upside down and grabbing his tail. G Mo has had his attention on his tail as well as Mr Mo's. 

I experienced a little hip pain from the slip on the sod the other night once I got into bed and laid on my left side. Mainly muscular but that pain sometimes with a little nerve pain shall we say, sometimes cuts right through to the bone. Finally, I got out of bed when I realized this pain wouldn't just fade away and got out the Bio Freeze. Thankfully, found the roll on kind and didn't have to use the spray...which is an eye opening experience on warm skin. Nothing like crawling back into bed with the perfume of the night lingering underneath and over the covers. Roy mumbled something like, what hurts? Hip. I told you not to garden alone...is it working? Yes, relief is overtaking the pain. 

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Buddy has been gone for a year today. We were talking and remembering her quirks, tantrums and immense love she had for us, me in particular. A couple of days ago Bobbsey was around. He looks identical to HP except for his nose. For a brief moment, I thought it was HP. He hasn't been around for over six months, so his appearance is always a welcomed surprise. 

On Thursday we were heading toward Little Switzerland to visit the bookstore there and have lunch at the really cute restaurant. Not much there except for beautiful scenery. Roy has never been there and he was ready to take pictures except we were hearing a not usual noise with the Mustang. We pulled over and didn't see anything suspicious and went on a little farther when we decided to punt Little Switzerland and head back home. Upon inspection at home Roy figured out the noise being a little mud flap by the front left tire. It is working itself loose. I decided to head over to Canton to go to Duckett's and the Blue Moon Bookstore that opened earlier this year in downtown Canton.  Beautiful cool day with the fragrance of cut hay but then you hit Canton and the wafting fragrance of paper mill overtakes any cut hay fragrance. First stop Blue Moon Books. Didn't realize it was a used bookstore. Unusual in that it has cozy nooks for reading and the books are shelved beautifully and in an orderly fashion. In the front of the bookstore, regional interest and authors. So many books, so many books that looked like the shelves at home. Several signed and one signed by Gail Godwin...one of my all time favs. I've been thinking over the fact that many of the books I collected over the years need to find new homes but didn't want to just take them over to Habitat. Now, they can go to Blue Moon and while this is not a selling point for me, but store credit is given. The man running the shop that day and I had such an interesting conversation to all things books, especially the genre that interests me. 

The stop at Duckett's was productive. Had good looking peaches and also picked up some canned products by Lou Lou. She is also making tomato pies. Had a slice, okay two slices for lunch Thursday and wowsers, that's some good tomato pie. Think I might freeze several slices for this winter when fresh grown tomatoes are only a fond memory. 

We picked up our glasses yesterday and as our recent tradition, breakfast at Another Broken Egg beforehand. Roy ordered his regular choice but I ordered the pumpkin waffle with cinnamon butter and pecans. It was a great choice and although I like fall and all things fall related, pumpkin other in pie or maybe ravioli, I as far as I go with that pumpkin thing. This waffle, if we are nearby will be ordered again. Yum!

We have a couple of things on the to do list today so we will begin those errands in a bit. I realized the choir retreat would take a lot out of me and opted out but assured our choir director that I would use the CDs she made for us. The fine line of sitting and moving is just that, a fine line and I approach that line with the confidence of a tight rope artist...balanced of course but a few off balance scares to make it all interesting. 

Where The Boys Are...On The Back Porch

 Another rainy morning this week. They are few and far between and it is a little cooler so just hanging around the house today, I am wearing an old favorite bum around flannel shirt. No jeans, but capris, no boots, well except muck boots when going outside. 

This past week I began gathering light and white clothes to put away until next spring and summer. Going through them and taking out items that have rarely been worn and getting them in a pile for Goodwill or someplace. We have some winter coats we no longer use but going to take them over to ABBCM when it starts getting a little cooler. We took a big box and a hamper full of gently used clothes over to a Goodwill donation center in TN. I don't hold too tightly to very much but some clothes that have seen better days, like the flannel shirt today, are comfy clothes for wet or cold days. 

I also began work on consolidating notebooks, pens, pencils and all things office supply that are in the front bedroom. Among these treasures a few notebooks filled with teaching notes from years past, including some minor prophet stuff that will come in handy after we leave Amos. Again, I was dreading Amos but the message is so clear and so much for today. Guess the last time through the Gospel Project, we didn't cover Amos. 

The Boys are napping on the back porch and Roy is upstairs ordering a few things from Amazon, mainly items for The Boys. 

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Monday morning, we greet with humidity and some fog. Once again, Roy and The Boys are on the back porch. I have been out there too but with the boys somewhat subdued and Roy doing his quiet time, the opportunity to come inside and blog presented itself. I am working through some thoughts that have me a bit down. One of which is, I think I used an example in the lesson yesterday that most probably was just for me but the joy of finding the song and the circumstances from the long ago, overclouded with happiness, I thought what a great example. So here is the context. My brain works in rhymes and music and trivia. Back in the day you wanted me on your Trivial Pursuit game but of course, I digress. While studying for the lesson, the thought came to me of a song from childhood, The Flounder in the Sea. I still have the album but it is packed away and no record player so Apple Music was the next choice. Y'all, the song, the whole album plus other albums were there. Kid in the candy shop listening to these long ago songs. My father bought a big stereo/radio system that was all the rage back in the day. It was a piece of furniture. To celebrate the purchase he bought my mom the album by The Four Aces, an instrumental album for himself and The Tinsel Town Players for me. That album had songs, nursery rhymes that I realize now had a good message along with some silliness to them. Ah, the perfect combination to hold my interest. The songs were perfect for acting out or singing along with. I did, oh probably 82,000 performances for my mom and whether she felt this way or not but to me she loved everyone of those renditions complete with costumes for her very own personal performance. I played the song for Roy and said the fisherman's wife is perfect for the illustration of the fat cows of Bashan, Amos 4:1. Over the course of the week, while remembering a time when my father liked me and the joy of finding these songs, some of their messages from those years back revealed how they helped me begin forming ideas about life. Be content with what you have, people in foreign lands and I had things in common, don't always go to the sky is falling when it isn't at all and such. Be helpful and kind. Don't be quick to speak. From a children's record to the lessons growing up in Sunday School, God began working and sowing seeds into my little children's heart. So yesterday, I played the song as part of an example. Yesterday afternoon I began thinking about that song and lesson and realized the song had a magic fish...who could grant any wish. Most of the class had smiles while hearing the songs but several faces indicated this could have been a poor choice. Since the afternoon, I have been beating myself up mentally and emotionally over this and the beat up continues on this morning. As well as the fact, the lesson in itself was presented disjointedly probably more so than usual. This morning, I am back at it, reading the lesson out of the quarterly for this coming Sunday. Told Roy, no musical or personal examples this week...Roy said, you just let the Lord lead you, Nancy. What's kind of funny to me, the very next song on my playlist is How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place, classical in two different genres. 

The countdown for the Dr appointment or consultation I made in June is quickly coming next week,  along with an appointment in October with the cardiologist. Just in case, for my own peace of mind, I am keeping the calendar clear of most things. Along with this I know how long it takes for me to recover when I do too much. The ringing mantra of the past fourteen years is, if you stay in the parameters we have set for you, where you live life, you're better off paying attention and staying within them. I can live a happy and active life. I had to make a few decisions for the coming week for things I would love to do. One of them is the choir retreat. With a lesson to prepare, Roy working at the fair and a few other things, I made the decision on Saturday night that in light of physical concerns....and to be the best for that upcoming appointment, choir retreat is a no go this time. 

A little Feral Fam report for those who follow the adventures of these kitty cats. Radley, the rescuer, has been hanging around and running off KH every chance he gets. KH still tries to come around but either Radley or Mama Cat chases him up to the gravel road. Mama Cat has let Buster and Baxter get out and about a little more, even taking them over to the food bowls. Charlie hasn't been around for several days but Toupee and Blazey are around often, mostly in the early evenings. 

The temps have dropped so it is time to go join The Boys on the back porch. 

Rain And Nancy Drew

 The rain continues this morning. It looks like we got rain overnight and the flowers, trees and sadly the weeds are rejoicing. It could be due to a faulty memory but rainy days here that begin in the morning are few and far between. Afternoon into early evening seems to be the time of choice for most rainfalls. Roy and The Boys have been on the back porch. Looks like the winter bedjacket I wear is being slowly but surely claimed as a possession of the MOs. 

We are at the end of chicken tortilla soup that we made and froze in the winter. Soon it will be time to prepare it. That is lunch today. Roy had planned on going to the gym but he is in a wait and see mode. On Mondays the time spent of the lesson for Sunday is usually reading over the lesson in the quarterly, then praying, reading and thinking on these things. Amos 3-4 this week and yes, the favorite snippet of a verse, you fat cows of Bashan. With his agrarian background, this is a complement from Amos to the women in Israel. It seems if one was overweight, one was seen as prosperous. Little late to that dance party, but living back then without running water and electricity does not interest me. 

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Good Wednesday morning. Life hasn't let me get back to blogging this week. I am trying to grab a few minutes this morning. Most of us around here think the back breaking heat is done and we look forward to the fallish days ahead. Nice breeze this morning so have the front and back doors open. 

There must be something in the air that has The Feral Fam and The Boys excited. I was treated to the most unusual entertainment yesterday morning. All the cats except for Mama Cat were playing like kittens with each other. Chasing each other around and such. These grown up cats rarely engage in this type of kitten play. This morning The Boys are a wrestling up a storm. Just fed them a second breakfast. 

Saw another unusual situation yesterday. Roy had gone to the gym and I was reading on the back porch while The Boys played. I saw a silver car, Audi, go up a ways on our road, then backed into our neighbors yard, off the gravel but on the grass. I am reading a good, I mean great, great and good book. Two of the main characters, love Nancy Drew books and they are trying to solve a mystery but life keeps getting in the way. So, with that fresh anointing of Nancy Drew thoughts, I switched into Nancy Drew mode. Went upstairs to take pictures. Called Ned Nickerson...oops Roy, he was almost home and told him of the situation. As he pulled into the driveway, our neighbor Nancy, not Drew, pulled on to our road. Parked her truck at her gate and called Donna, Mary Joyce's daughter to apprise her of the situation. Nancy went and talked to the man in the car while Roy and I had her back. Long story short, he was with Spectrum as a sales person trying to get Mary Joyce to return to Spectrum under the new government program of getting internet coverage to rural areas. Nancy called to confirm his story with Spectrum. Donna, Nancy and I had texts going and we've decided we have one good community watch program on our road. A side note, Mary Joyce has dementia and has conversations outside all day long with people we cannot see, but she does. Last night the group added another player, the cable guy. Mary Joyce knew enough not to unlock her door when he came a knocking. 

Looks to be a few days respite from rain although we have needed it. 

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Another foggy beginning to the day. If I don't have to go anywhere, the fog is always welcomed. There is a rhythm to the week days on the back porch. Our neighbor left on time for work and the new family left on time for daycare. The Feral Fam decided the driveway was better than wet grass, so their option kept The Boys to a calm morning, with both of them taking naps. Mr Mo on Roy and G Mo on me.  

Cool And We Are In The "Ber" Months

 A touch of fall is in the air, just a little bit. So, that is extremely encouraging. The Boys are on the back porch playing, then fighting, then resting. They would eat but they done cleaned their plates. 

Seemed like the crack of dawn, but it was only 8:00 am when we headed out to take the truck for inspection and maintenance. There was a little baby kitten other than the calico we were surprised by on Saturday. Another little survivor from Tappy's litter but our moods quickly changed when we came down to the main road and saw a white and black cat that had been hit by a car. I could not give into those thoughts and feelings in that brief moment. It was either Beanie, BJ or a cat from the feral colony across the way. Hoping for cat across the way. Dropped off the truck, ate breakfast at Another Broken Egg and then went to get new glasses. Lensecrafters had a deal we couldn't refuse, especially when needing multiple pairs for the both of us. Being so close to Barnes and Noble, one must make the stop and it was a fruitful experience, at least for me. Prescription pick up and a few more containers of BOGO butter rounded out the trip. 

I called out The Feral Fam for treats when we got home and it was BJ that had been on the road. Named her BJ because she was almost the spitting image of Beanie. Thus the name, Beanie Junior. A sibling of Mr Mo and for a feral pretty darn sweet. As a wee one, Roy fed her in the special kitten area with a few others. He protected those kittens from the pillaging of food by older cats. She liked to do the meet and greet in the mornings by rubbing around my legs and wanting a few head pats. She and Beanie were usually the first to arrive for morning and afternoon treats. The Feral Fam has been sticking close and it baffles me why BJ would go down to the road, except for the fact that KH, chased her or she was enticed by something that seems to be in residence internally for most cats, especially ferals. Fluff Mo and Beanie moped around a bit into the evening. Especially Fluff Mo, she was his running buddy. Just about thirty minutes ago our neighbor told us another of The Feral Fam had been hit. I looked from a distance and I think it might be Tappy. It is a sad bunch out on the driveway so I served them some funeral food just now.  

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We awoke to much cooler and very welcomed temps this morning. The Boys spent a lot of time snuggling then fighting then snuggling at first on me and then Roy. I gave treats early this morning to The Feral Fam to take a headcount. Didn't see Fluff Mo but he is a late riser. Hopefully all is well with him. When we figured out the kitty on the road yesterday was Tappy, we began looking for her two kittens that survived from her litter. I looked but couldn't find them but later in the afternoon Roy was able to locate them. Tappy had hidden them well, under a pallet that gave protection and insured that they would only come out when she called for them. Tuesday afternoon Tappy was calling for those two and Mr Mo perked up and ran to the door. He remembered and recognized her call. Once we located the two, Roy took them to an organization that finds foster homes for these little ones. We didn't even take a picture of them but sometimes it is just too sad to remember to do so. We haven't seen Buster and Baxter for a while. Mama Cat took them up on the gravel road. She has been spending a lot of time up there so that is a good sign. 

Roy's tomatoes are still in full swing and we also bought a 1/2 bushel of John Henry peaches on Monday. Getting ready to slice them up for freezing and then enjoying them in the winter months where the fruit of choice is limited to apples. While cutting back sunflowers and such we discovered the blackberry bushes are doing much better than we thought. We got them on the trellises and fence. We certainly enjoyed them this summer. 

For the first time in a whole lot of years, I watched part of the match at the US Open. Serena Williams certainly seemed to be on and very happy to learn of her winning the match while checking the news this morning. I always liked Venus and Serena Williams and their hard hitting style of playing tennis. I just might watch their doubles match today. Last week's lesson reminded me of so many tennis stories, so guess I was primed to watch. 

The other interesting thing I saw this week was an episode of Dark Comedy and this particular episode featured the life and comedy of Roseanne. With such a limited attention span these days, I only watched about twenty minutes of it. So interesting in how she moved up the comedy ladder with her, once again used term now twice, hitting views of life. She talked about the things that a whole lot of people could identify with. But then, the direction of the program took the viewer to that same talent that got her there was the same talent that destroyed her career many years later. I like watching the reruns of the first two and a half seasons but after that the show mainly seemed like a rift of inside jokes that had to deal with her life. Just a notice and not on any level of comedy professionally, one has to watch how they joke while getting older. Things you can say in your forties doesn't always look good when you hit the middle sixties and beyond. It just seems bitter or old or something so out of tune and designated to oh, that's what old people say. 

I just spotted Fluff Mo so the headcount is in. The Feral Fam members that I have any relationship with are all accounted for. Whew! 

A Saturday Vibe

 Good morning from the foggy valley. It's the kind of fog that counts for how many snowfalls in the winter. Word from most is a cold winter but we hear that almost all the time toward the end of August. We shall see. My eyes are looking for those signs, those hints of fall. Poplar trees are moving right along as well as sugar maples in color and then into winter transition. These welcomed cooler temps of the last week are so welcomed, just giving those of us who are autumn people that little extra spring into our steps hoping fall, not falls so guess autumn, to begin. 

Since the first of the year it has felt like I've dealt with an overwhelming general malaise. Not just physically but mentally as well. A few small flare ups of afib that haven't been bad, just annoying. Knocked out a few Dr visits and the next one comes in September. I made the appointment in June, confirmed in July and put on the cancellation list. Either the list is long or no one wants to cancel.  On Monday I took G Mo for his snip snip procedure and didn't leave the house until Thursday night for choir. Other than during the pandemic, this has to be a record of consecutive days at home. Friday, started out with me not feeling good but got better after breakfast. We decided to make a trip over to TN. TN is not charging taxes on food for the month of August and since the stores had a couple of things on sale that we use regularly, we headed that way. Just hit two stores and no Johnson City. On the way home we also stopped at Publix cause they have the butter we use two for one. I think we can clearly classify ourselves as older types when the big activity of the day is grocery shopping. Once September hits, hopefully we can make it to a couple of places for a day trip or two. 

Being around home this week there wasn't the excitement of the toddler and the dogs, but I did see the sister that was supposed to keep an eye on the guy, maybe 4 1/2. Thursday night was choir and afterwards Teresa and I visited out in the parking lot. Since I silenced my phone for choir I and didn't notice any vibrations from the phone, I was clueless to the texts Roy sent. It was later than usual so when I got in the car I called Roy and he told me it was now safe to come home. What??? He said look at the texts and sure enough he texted me about gunfire nearby, not like target shooting but like someone desired to scare or direct these shots toward something or someone in particular. He called the sheriff's office to report. Before they could arrive it all stopped. So, Roy called them back. Last night some people down the road were setting off big booming firecrackers and small ones as well intermixed with a few shot gun sounds. Sometimes as busy and as noisy as our road can get, the sounds of car or motorcycle intimidation happens, now a little more than usual. It sounds intimidating because those are the sounds in bigger cities that someone is sending a message. Haven't a clue if the same  here or not. 

It feels a tad strange after working so hard to pay off law school loans back in the day that now a $10,000 debt forgiveness would be possible. This is not a political discussion just a remembrance as Roy worked so hard to go to law school, at night. That meant four years rather than three. He finished the last three years without any paid vacation and working three jobs. When he was laid off, he lost his company car so we were down to one car. I picked him up at U of H four nights a week after classes. For everything else he depended on taking the bus, after I had dropped him off at the Park and Ride in the mornings to go to work.  Many times on the bus, he felt threatened but made the best of a bad situation. We scrimped and saved and finally was  able to buy him a small truck, paying cash for it because we knew after he graduated those loans would kick in. He took the least amount of school loans to just cover books, tuition and other incidentals involved for school. Some of his friends took out loans to use for living expenses. After graduation we owed thousands of dollars but his friends owed hundreds of thousands of dollars. Several loans, the interest rate was ginormous and seemed almost to have you in their clutches for an inordinately long period of time. Roy clerked in law school and assisted a lawyer part time after graduation. All that schooling made him realize he didn't really want to practice law in a courtroom. That's good cause Roy doesn't have a poker face. His specialty more so, contract law and he used his law degree in his work. Law school was a great decision for him. It matured him and taught him the way to think in solving issues and such.  Law school and Toastmasters were great decisions on his part. I will never forget the day those college loans were paid off. We had doubled up on payments, so we didn't travel much, didn't eat out anywhere too costly and cut back on other things to pay off the loans, early. 

Hezekiah part two has surely been eye opening. This week while studying for the lesson, I have learned so many things and insights into his life even more than expected. We start Amos next week so, it will have to be a wrap this Sunday. 

Last night I was looking at Macy's and Nordstrom online. Roy said he had heard from all his financial programs he follows that now is a good time to buy overstocked stuff from Macy's and Target. We have taken advantage of those opportunities, plus the discounts given as birthday gifts. Macy's has tons of stuff whereas The Nord, not so much. I mainly was looking to see what from last winter is still in style. Not that this would affect anything, still going to wear the same old stuff. Hey, I'm old and earned that right. The shacket is still popular although not too much of a fan...even in flannel. 

Roy had all the fun this morning going to the dump. The Boys are behaving out on the porch and time to get this finished up. 

Wrapping Up On A Wednesday

 The month of August is wrapping up with foggy mornings, the thick kind of fog. Although, we live in a small valley, so fog accumulates a bit more some days. Yesterday, I took G Mo to the vet for his snip snip procedure. The fog thick and early commuters along with trees being trimmed back on the river road made for a morning adventure. G Mo came through the procedure with flying colors and now the fun begins. No rough play for several days and that means keeping The Boys separated which is difficult. Now, they want to be together and G Mo came home famished from his procedure pre-fast. His diet should be light but the boy wants to eat. We let him this morning and then some meloxicam for the inflammation. Mr Mo is a tad lonely out on the porch without his cuzbro. Thus, he is wont to get into trouble like climbing up to the top of the screen. 

I would like to think maybe my email and comments to a national retailer of women's clothes helped change their policy. They have made pricing equal and they carry some big girl sizes in their stores now. These days I can wear pants in the smaller girl sizes but it certainly is welcomed. 

We are doing a two parter of Hezekiah. Such an interesting king and follower of God. We got to his prayer with the threatening letter all rolled out for the Lord to see. We looked at the threats that were made and how those tactics are the same time old tactics of our adversary. We also spent a little time discussing Hezekiah's tunnel. In 1988 it was not the spiffed up version that is available now. Our group went through it on an extra day we had in Jerusalem. The men who built it were short and fortunately for some reason, I brought the Eddie Bauer flashlight you put in your mouth thus freeing up your hands to cling to the side of the walls. 

Today, we need to slice peaches and get them ready for the freezer. We are loaded with strawberries and blackberries. Nothing like summer fruit in the cold of winter. The prediction this year is snowy December and shivering January and February. I have not seen any wooly worms to bear this out though. Someone put a picture of an asp, white deadly stinging caterpillar, on FB and said it will be a very snowy winter. Someone kindly told her, that is an asp and don't touch it cause it will burn and hurt immensely. When we were kids our mom wouldn't let us go barefoot in August because of the asps. Whatever trees that were in the front yard held an attraction for them to congregate. 

Roy sprayed the firs yesterday for bagworms. Even got up on a ladder to get the ones residing in the top. He will probably spray the apples trees for Japanese beetles this evening. Just have a few more ginger gold apples to pick and we are calling it quits for the season. 

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Day 2 of keeping The Boys separated has started. Let's just say no one is happy and I will leave it at that. 

In 1987 the book A Southern Family by Gail Godwin was published. I've had the book for years and it has made many moves. Yesterday, I finally began reading it. I knew in that long ago, a day would come when not satisfied with anything I am reading that it would come to the rescue. It was a slow start for me but I told Roy all the thoughts on patterns of life and such, well I loved to read that kind of thing back in the day. Now, not so much but I can appreciate her ideas. I think the story takes place in Asheville or maybe one of the smaller towns. I recognized some places as the characters describe where they are going or have been. Now in 1987 I would not have recognized anything relating to NC. 

I woke up last night and could not go back to sleep. Quietly as not to wake The Boys, I came downstairs and read. Slept in a little this morning.

Well, we put the boys to bed. We are exhausted from them as well as work outside in the side flowerbed. Getting those sunflower seeds ready to plant next winter. 

Just Stuff For Now

 Roy is out running errands and then working out. The Boys are on the back porch behaving and Mike the Mower Man is weed eating both front and back. After a couple of weeks with rain included it was a tad overgrown and messy. This leaves me here with my own quiet and thoughts. Really, my thoughts should be on Sunday and Hezekiah. I'll get there soon enough though. 

We have found a new house to play our game, "Would We Buy This House if We Were Younger." This one is in Burnsville, just a little north of the city. While higher than what we would like for the flood zone, I think we have determined that we would purchase this house if we were younger...it is tempting now to tell the truth, but no go, we like where we live. The Burnsville house has a small, I mean cozy second building that has kitchen, bathroom, great porch and such. A small stream runs in front of the property and yes, I checked to see what the flood zone rating is. Just a tad below the extreme level of the Flag Pond house. 

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We had such an eventful yesterday. Our plans were to head out early to Barbers Orchard, Duckett's and Pigeon River Mercantile in Canton. Coffee on the back porch with Roy and The Boys. Roy went to feed the Feral Fam and that is when the morning broke open. Two big dogs and a toddler with a battery operated riding tractor were in the backyard. After all the events of the day, we reviewed the security camera and the boy and the dogs spent a good deal of time on the front deck off the front porch. With new neighbors moving in and after talking with the boy, they headed up to the house of new neighbors. I will spare details since I wrote about this on FB but the boy returned home after getting out of the watch care of a sister and finding out the two dogs were not theirs and protecting the Feral Fam from attack we were exhausted. The Boys were frightened by the big dogs, who seemed very friendly, and would not come out from underneath the day bed. Add to this, we found three dead kittens. We gathered them up and put them where flies and other creatures could get to them and just assumed they had been killed by the dogs. It was quickly becoming a situation where we both said, we need to get out of the house for a bit. So, without further delay we headed over to Haywood County like we originally planned, just a little later. When we got home we began preparations for the kittens we found and soon realized the dogs had not taken their lives but neglect of their mother, who we really didn't even know she had kittens. These were very young maybe not even a week old. I did some research why cat moms sometimes do this and have a better understanding. We have help coming, so that is good. The Feral Fam population has thinned somewhat due to the change in food, almost always dry food and less interaction with them. In the garage it is easy to pet them and such, but they lose the trust somehow in the great outdoors. 

Today we need to get the corn ready to freeze and start slicing and freezing peaches. Every year I order Amish peaches from Troyers and they are so good. Lots of work but it will go faster this year since I have a helper.   

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We got the corn done on Sunday afternoon. All packed away in the freezer.

Since it is taking forever for this post, I'll close it for now. Tomorrow is the big day for G Mo, a little snip snip surgery. 

Cool Temps, We Will Take Them

 The sound of progress and the fragrance of tar is in the air early this morning. Progress on repaving the road paused then completely stopped as we received bountiful and needed rain. The rain lasted into the early evening. Made for good napping weather especially on the back porch. It even had an effect on The Boys as their roughhousing slowly came to a close and ending with them on the day bed with me. This morning we all started out on the porch enjoying the bit of cool we experience in the morning and evening. A cold front is forecasted to come through tonight giving us less humidity and lower temps. Oh yes, for the weekend that hint of autumn. For this we give thanks. 

Last night I watched the hymn sing at Houston's First Baptist. Mark Lowry streamed it from his FB page. I sat here and sang along with every hymn. Deep and meaningful words and along come memories of singing these as a child and teenager. Those words came alive so many times to help but I have to admit there were many more times I just sang, without paying attention to the words, by rote because I knew verses 1,2 and 4. Interestingly, here when we sing a hymn in church, we sing ALL the verses. I told the pastor at the time, if Just As I Am was sung the Sunday we joined the church, we would make our way forward on the last verse. It was fun seeing long time friends singing in the choir last night. 

Yesterday afternoon, while studying for Sunday, I learned a lot about the division of the Samaritans and the Jews. When it all started, what made the situation worse and then the eventual breaking point between the two groups. One commentary said that after both the north and the south kingdoms being in exile, there was probably just as much Jewish blood in each group. The religious rift was, Samaritans only believed the Pentateuch, none of the poetry, history or prophets. They didn't worship in or acknowledged Jerusalem because it was not mentioned in the first five books. Push came to shove and they built their own temple and had their own priests. Both groups shared Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob though. It's kind of like when rivals in the SEC meet in grocery stores or sporting good stores. After both sides talking about the greatness of their team or school, we can agree on one thing, how much we both dislike Alabama. (apologies to Alabama friends...it is getting very close to football season.)

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We have changed our plans several times already this morning and I think we have finally decided what we will get taken care of first and what can be done next week. This has been an odd week but a good week. It is a week I have needed to get back on track health wise. 

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And here we are on Monday August 15th. Funny thing about the 15th, this was Roy's original date for retiring. That news popped up on my calendar this morning but we have been talking about over the past few days. We are glad, except for being robbed, that the timing of Roy retiring in December happened. Roy sensed that he needed to be here for me and truly, that is the truth. Someone said the other day to me, I was worried about you and having Roy here all the time might be a difficult adjustment. No, it really has been a smooth ride with just a couple of minor pot holes...like forgetting Roy has the deep pause before he speaks and such. The stress in the office was palatable in his voice when we talked and he was dealing with political issues more so than projects or work concerns. When the part of the project he was working on neared completion, he and the company saw the timing of retirement and he jumped at that chance. He clearly sounds better and the stress level is minimal. 

Now it is Tuesday. The bike repairman has been here and left. Roy is on the back porch with The Boys and I just finished up breakfast. The sounds of road work greets us this morning and having that smooth road is worth the noise and the wait one can encounter with one lane open roads. 

The next few days brings cooler temps, our highs in the upper 70s. That is a welcomed temp. Last night when Roy picked tomatoes and I went through the sunflowers leaving some for the birds and taking some sunflower heads into the garage to dry over the winter, we appreciated the breeze that made the work more enjoyable. More work later but today errands are calling and we must go. 

Usual and Unusual and Unexpectedly

 Good Tuesday morning! We slept in this morning while not unusual for me, it is for Roy. So, before going downstairs I checked on him to make sure he was okay. Yep, just stayed up a little later than usual. 

We went to Costco yesterday. Roy likes the Kirklands brand of Kind Bars, so he was out and was almost out of smashed avocado spread for his eggs. Not only did we pick up needed supplies, we also found a very limited display of Christmas items. The small pre-lit birch trees were a good buy and we will use them on the front porch during the holidays. On the way home we stopped at Red Hill Orchard which is on the same exit as Strawberry Hill but in the opposite direction and only two miles down the road. We picked up peaches and muscadines. Roy freezes the grapes and has them as a snack in the fall and winter months. 

Last week we both had eye doctor appointments. Mine, as usual, quick and easy. Roy, well not so much as he has an eye that always brings in other doctors and such to look at him during the exam. He was there longer than me, he went the next day, and he goes back sooner than me. In the midst of appointments there were the Wee Ones that we had rescued from fleas and flies. We kept the clean, hydrated, fed and loved but the internal goings on were just too much to overcome. Our neighbor had guidance from her friend who is a vet and Peanut did not make it either. So, it is sad to report that one of the ones who did not make it was Bear. Just about broke both of our hearts. 

In related Feral Fam matters, we have not seen Sweetie. This is not unexpected but it is sad. This afternoon while cleaning out pics on my phone, I saw several of her as a kitten and when she was a little older. It broke me, I cried. She was one of the most beautiful cats around here. She was compassionate and kind to the others. She did not deserve this treatment by that mean old King Herod. 

On Wednesday last week, I met my brother Doug at The Blue Rooster for lunch and it was yummy. We then went to Sylva to look at a couple of antique stores and the bonus score was finding Asheville Popcorn, Bourbon Cinnamon Pecan, at the cheapest price yet. We stopped at Barber's Orchard and then tried to go over to Duckett's and Canton but they had a pretty fierce storm come through knocking out electricity and with the flash and crashing thunder as we started to get out of the car, we decided it was time to leave. On Thursday, my birthday, we went over to Burnsville stopping in at Christy's Crafts first, then heading over for lunch at the Cast Iron Kitchen and a saunter through Lamp Post Vintage Market. Such a fun day and I will do a separate post on the surprise that Doug brought. 

Trying to be a good choir member, I went to choir Thursday night. Think we might start having choir on Thursday nights and that makes Sunday a whole lot easier. Nothing like the beautiful voices of a choir singing Happy Birthday. 

We are still trying to solve the unsellable house mystery in TN. I just checked the listing and I see it is contingent. Zillow gives more of the story than realtor.com. We are not interested in buying the house but the contract, not under contract thing several times in the span of weeks got our interest. Being over that way on Friday, we did a drive by. Beautiful home but no for sale sign in the yard. It had been taken off the market on 8/2 and listed again on 8/4. My brother being involved in flipping houses said it was probably an inspection problem. I thought the back part of the yard was not terraced enough to prevent massive amount of rain and water getting into the house. More detective work and I found it is in an extreme flood zone and flood insurance would be needed for sure. There is a small creek near the property as well. Soon, we will have to find another listing to play if we were younger would we buy this house game. If we see House Hunters on TV, we play the game that before they even see the first house, we guess which one they will choose. 

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The Boys are wild this morning with energy. Roy is trying to have his quiet time but I don't think they want him quiet timing. The fragrance of asphalt is in the air as our road is being repaved. Hallelujah! Last night we were watering plants in hope of rain taking over. I began going through the sunflowers and getting the flowers that were done blooming for planting next year. I share the bounty with the birds and leave some or take some of the heads and put them in the feeders for them. While we were outside I got the chance to see and then get the two of Mama Cat's litter. Off and on the past few weeks I have seen them and heard them, but we assumed they were no longer around since no sign of them in the last week. From a distance, I thought they might have matted eyes and they do. Got some antibiotics in them and cleaned out their eyes. A little squirt of peppermint flea spray, not too much since they are young, and took them back to Mama Cat. She was nervous that I took them but I think she knows we are trying to help them and her. Once you clean out those eye buggers and get their eyes open, it is such a joy to watch them realize they can see. They are not weaned but they are both boys. 

I made crock pot applesauce yesterday from some of Roy's apples. Turned out pretty good. Think he was surprised when he got back from working out and picking up a few items from Publix to see the crock pot fired up. An unusual sight in the summer but a regular for winter. 

The temps are forecasted to be cooler beginning tomorrow. We might see lows in the mid to upper 50s. July is usually the hottest month in the summer with hit and miss relief in August. Counting fog mornings to keep tabs on how many snow showers we will have in winter. It's an inexact science but fun. As of yet, no wooly worms have been around.

Updates on The Feral Fam and The Boys

 We are exhausted with all our cat and kitten care. The third day in a row we have punted our original plans and adjusted accordingly. When spending time with the boys on the back porch I have been writing out and working on tomorrows lesson. Hopefully, I will not say so Elisha, Mr Mo and G Mo went out into the desert. Just an example, no desert in the lesson. The boys are conked out in sleep after a vigorous morning of play. We are too but the luxury of a nap isn't in the plans right now. The first check of the morning was on the little one that I didn't think would last the night. He did. He was really bad off yesterday and we worked very hard to get all those things off of him. I brought him to the back porch to dry off and much to my surprise he took several syringes of milk. I put him in the carrier with Lamp Chop and some water. Such a great surprise and joy to see him moving about. So, food was brought to him and he ate most of it. A little later he joined his sibcousins for inspection and the bucket brigade. In the garage we hunted down the deadly foes, flies. Just some small ones so the weapons of our warfare are fly swatters. We took out about five of them. Think there might be one or two more for the hunt. So, set free a few played then they all went to the cardboard box. Then some ate. Like I said a lethargic group for sure. We will get more kitten milk on our errands today. 

Last night we had just fallen into bed and almost fast asleep, the electricity went out. I jumped up to check and see if it was an area thing or just us. Looked to be area. It didn't last long but the generator kicked in. Such a good investment that's for sure. Soon enough power restored and we checked around and in the garage to see how the troops were doing. They slept right through it. Now a funny thought came to mind. When I was in the 7th grade or so, we went on vacation to Cherokee Village, Arkansas. We stayed with my grandparents in their air stream, which is already cramped with just two people. My mom and I drew the lucky straw and we both had to sleep up in the bunk in the back of the air stream. It was like sleeping in a crowded coffin. My brother and father slept in the table that makes out into a bed below us. Can I tell you it was stinkin' hot. No AC, no breeze and we are up in the heat sleeping in the size of a little wider space than a twin bed. My mother asked that a fan be turned on to keep the air moving up there, but my grandmother was hesitant, she just knew if the fan ran, it would blow a fuse. Finally, she gave in to our request and wouldn't you know it, the power went out about fifteen minutes later. Not just the trailer but the whole area. My grandmother wasn't a bit too happy and she berated my mom for causing the whole camping area to lose electricity. Now, it wasn't the fan at all but I cannot help but tell you that last night this story of the fans came to me as we left them on in the garage. I asked Roy do you think the fans did this? Uh, no.  

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All this began on July 29th and now it is August 8th. What a week! It has been a hard week with good interspersed throughout. The saddest news is five of the little kitties did not make it thus forcing us to make the decision to take the remaining ones to the humane shelter to give them a chance. Our neighbor had taken one from the crew to see if she could help it and thus helping us know how to fight the battle of flies and fleas. She had help from the vet friend and Peanut didn't make it but like ours passed away clean and loved. We had put up two more playpens in the house to help them but the four who made it regularly ate both from the bottle and wet food. The kittens were weaned but took both kinds of food. Cutie and the cat who abandoned her babies to her sister finally figured out their kids were on the front porch from time to time. Cutie sat and watched and cooed to them. Tupac watched for a bit and she was off. Both Roy and I shed some tears over these babies. Wednesday Roy took Beulah, Busby, Bizby and Joey B to the shelter. At the same time Sweetie is declining. I think she has a bacterial infection and since she won't let me near her, never has let me, we are limited in helping her. This is the result and work of one KH with his signature hip injury but this time he went after her throat and that seems to be what has caused her decline. On Saturday she briefly let me touch her back in a petting way but it was one touch and she moved away. Several days earlier she did the kitty eye blink which is an honor to receive from a kitty. She did it over and over. Highly unusual because I never could get her to respond to my eye blink in all this time. The Feral Fam has taken a hit this summer. The Fam is not happy they are being fed outside and not in the garage. Insult to injury, we are mostly giving them dry food and we sneak wet food to Sweetie. In these summer months they didn't really use the garage and for one, I am happy to have a lot less flies around. 

The Boys are doing well and even sleeping and cuddling up together for some naps. They both fell asleep on my lap last night. We are introducing them to house life and freedom a little bit at a time, well hours at a time but I do want them to sleep at night in the playpen cause mama here, needs her sleep. That time schedule got pushed back when the kittens came in and so much of our attention was deflected. Mr Mo now greets me on the back porch after I place them down. He comes running with or to me and sits for a quick minute before he is off to eat or conquer the cat tree/condo. G Mo is a very healthy eater and is an equal rival for Mr Mo. They are so fun to watch. 

There was so much more to the week but since this has mainly been themed around The Feral Fam and The Boys, I decided to begin another post later today or tomorrow.