Scattered, Sleep and Stuff

 Good Monday morning! Thankful for an ease into the morning kind of day. I kind of overslept and for that I am truly thankful. Roy and The Boys were especially quiet. 

A lady in our Sunday School class passed away last week after a long stint in a nursing home. She was youngish, in her 60s. All throughout the years I've known her she has been on the sickly side. Her service is tomorrow. 

I felt so mentally scattered yesterday while teaching the lesson. After the familiarity of John, Jeremiah was a dive into cold water...which I assume will warm up as the weeks go on. The very essence of Jeremiah is accepting the often difficult and hard call of a prophet to a nation who didn't want to hear a word he said. During study throughout the week several commentaries showed how if he continued on with the role of priest like his daddy and granddaddy before him, his life would have been easier but not fulfilling. So in that chapter we studied as Jeremiah is prepared by God and given the assurances that He will not leave him and He will watch over His Word, I was drawn in also by the almond branch. The first sign of spring in Israel, blooming usually in January that gives the hope of warmer weather and fruit and veggies. Here, our first sign of spring is daffodils and even some years you can photograph daffodils in snow. The first sign of spring, then tulips, plantings after Mother's Day. This year I wasn't going to plant sunflowers over in the side flowerbed but it is profusely growing lots of sunflowers along with four o'clocks and a few other wild flowers. In fact this morning, the first bloom of the season for sunflowers showed out. I came to love gardening late but so glad I came to it before it is too late. But of course, I digress, the almond branch showing out after the dormant months of winter. Living out life sometimes can feel like that, dormant...where's God? Then, the first bloom of spring gives us reason to know our dormant season is not forever. We had a guest in our class yesterday. She said she loved to discuss and get into theological issues. Maybe that's what knocked me a bit cause I am more of an applicable teacher. Thankfully, she made great comments and we didn't do a deep dive and beyond my pay grade. 

Looks like the Yancy Farmer's Market still has spring onions. How did we go so far in life not knowing about spring onions? Perfect size for hamburgers and not a real strong taste. For this we are thankful. 

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Roy has missed two nights of watering plants so he is out this morning watering his tomato and green pepper plants, oh and flowerbeds as well. He has his companion "helping" him, Fido the feral cat who acts like a dog. Roy even pointed out that Fido has the coloring of a husky and this cat doesn't mind water at all. He is beautiful or maybe should that be handsome. He is the second cat in the line of several and hope to be many that we've had fixed. Fido is letting Roy pick him up a little and that is so encouraging. 

While Roy was at deacon's meeting last night, I watched The Shiny People on Amazon Prime. So many are commenting on it and while not a Duggar fan nor a fan of Bill Gothard, IBLP, I remember oh so well friends who got involved with that ministry. I happened upon it in the mid-seventies while single but couldn't afford to attend the seminar. A friend let me borrow her sacred book, don't let anyone look at it who has not paid the price of admission. Once I looked at it I was never so happy not to be able to afford to attend. I had lived and still influenced by this kind of thinking and living with my father except there wasn't anything spiritual about his reign of terror. Although for awhile I thought we might have attended FBC Hammond IN when we lived there because somewhere my father had picked up a few things. Thankfully, in a baby book I found out we didn't attend that church when I was a toddler. The other thing I remember from that brief encounter was being told, I really wasn't the type for the movement...guess it had something to do with my always too much and too often, non filtered words and thoughts. I remember asking several friends who really got into the whole thing, using the umbrella example of authority, what and who protected from the "rain" that is sideways and the umbrella isn't any good. I don't know if I will be able to watch the last two episodes though. 

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Well another punt day so our plans for today will now happen next week. That is fine by me. The smoke from Canada is thick here and yesterday afternoon we could feel it in our eyes and throats. The mountains could not be seen in the distance. 

Our Sunday School class was represented well by class members for Kathy's memorial service. It was a nice service. 

I have loved that several grocery stores have been playing Tina Turner to remember her and her contributions of great music over the years. While I had stopped wearing stiletto heels, I still had several pair from joint venture auditor work. I would learn the choreography from watching the VCR recordings I had and then when I knew it by heart I challenged myself by doing some of that hard chorography on the bed. Soon had to give that up cause, it was dang hard to do. As I have watched tributes to her over the weeks, I noticed as she got older, she adjusted Proud Mary chorography to make it a tad easier. 

Part of the reason we changed plans for today is because I woke up at 3:30 am and could not go back to sleep. Got up and right about now I am feeling the effects of a shortened nights sleep. When I woke up I thought about the lesson this Sunday and probably was too afraid to go back to sleep cause I would forget the point. Doesn't matter cause I forgot it even being awake.   

🎵Go K*ll the Fattened Calf 🎵

 I am about to share with y'all a wild story. Along with it being a wild story it also has a happy ending. Yesterday, Roy decided to go work out early and then run to the grocery store to pick up a few items. He loves grocery shopping and for this I am thankful. Our standard practice before driving the car up the driveway is to honk, bang on the front hood and do a visual inspection for cats or kittens. A couple of years ago, I had to spray water under the car to get the little ones moving. Roy even added to the ritual yesterday, he had to shut the trunk. When he got to the bottom of our road the mailbox was open, so he checked on that and with the shutting of the opening on the mailbox, he got into Mustang Sam and was on his way. It wasn't too long after Roy's departure that he called. His voice lowered and in soft halting sentences. My thought is oh no, he has been in a wreck but not that at all. With all the tree trimming going on around here by Duke Energy, parts of the main road become one lane take turns kind of thing. While stopped, a man in the truck behind him came up to his door to tell him he saw three kittens drop and run from underneath the car close to the former Exxon station. Roy was able to turn around and go back. He called me as he made the turn to go back and look for them. I went outside and searched long our road and the main road. We were both so upset. Roy looked all around the area, not a sign of them anywhere. He came back home and we opened the hood to see if there were any remains...nothing and for this we thanked God. Roy took some time to gather himself and retraced his route looking for them as he went along. I felt a hole in my heart cause I knew that one of the kittens was Coco, probably one of the Radley Juniors and a quad kitten. We call all the little solid black kittens quad for quadruple. There are many that have come this way over the years. I worked on my lesson with multiple breaks checking on Toupee and the kittens. In those breaks, I would go to the front yard and whistle the tune that calls them to feeding time. Those kittens know that tune. You cannot help but think that they didn't make it or they were injured and lost. My prayer was if found, people would be kind and help them. All day I checked on sites of lost and found animals...not a mention. We had brief but numerous rain showers late afternoon into early evening and that delayed supper time for the kittos. As soon as the rain let up, I fixed plates of yummy food and brought them out to the regular spot. Beanie and Toupee met me at the door and escorted me. I watched for a bit as the five remaining kittens came to eat supper and I whistled the food's on tune. Fluff Mo came running from underneath the deck and long with him he had three kittens, Coco, Radley Jr and Quad. I could hardly believe my eyes. I stood there a moment taking it in just in case this was some cruel trick of my imagination. No, they were there. Coco had some coral color paint on her but none the worse for ware. I hurried into the house and told Roy that the three who had gone on the great car adventure had returned home. He came downstairs and we watched them all eat. One of the big Quads arrived on cue to welcome the prodigals home with a fattened calf squirrel. As he came toward them I could not help but break out in song, 🎵Rejoice, rejoice our kittens have come home again, go kill the fattened calf squirrel🎵 After a bit of time, I looked out the window and all that was left of that squirrel was the tail, the bones of its arms and a few unidentified pieces. 🎵 Roy went out and got the plates as well as the bits and pieces but not the tail cause one of the kittens was using it as a toy and wouldn't give it up. Even though we consider near the former Exxon station nearby, that is a pretty good jaunt for kittens. Toupee, Fluff Mo and Beanie were not around that afternoon and maybe they went on a search, but really the three returning is quite the miracle. 

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We needed this lazy Saturday morning. For us, we have had a busy week. We ended up Friday with a trip to Burnsville. Christy's Crafts had an open house and Lamp Post Vintage Market had a restock, So many cute things. One of my favorite vendors had more of her flowers made from book pages. She trims them in red and they are just beautiful. We bought a table top desk top as we are making plans to redo furniture and make our home to accommodate our living. We stopped in Burnsville first and then headed over to Christy's. Found many cute things but only purchases a few. Our next stop, Mars Hill and we timed it just right to stop at the new Mexican Food Restaurant, Taco Fiesta.  It is something Fiesta not sure Taco is right. Yep, just checked it is Taco Fiesta. The food is good and I even had to get a to go box. Lunch menu good till 3:00. We waddled over to TJs for strawberries, onions, tomatoes and peaches. Then a quick visit to Ingles. The weather was great and we had the top down for most of the ride. 

Roy is now the teacher for his Sunday School class. This is his first week working on a lesson. We talk about Jeremiah and our lessons are taking different approaches. That means the Word is alive and active, that's for sure. My emphasis is on the almond branch as well as Jeremiah accepting the call. He puts his lesson on his iPad and I write it out by hand in a notebook. Helps me remember it better. Jeremiah has never been on the top hit parade but so far, yes just the first chapter and intro, but so far I am encouraged by the study. I bought several books months ago to prepare and it is funny that two of the books are recommended in commentaries as great resources of study. The third book is a very technical book but I did find something for the lesson in it. The into to the book is like sixty something pages long. 

Our garden is looking good. Lots of blackberries on the vines and tomatoes have little tomatoes showing. I need to go check the plum trees and the apple tree is right on course. At least we will not be overwhelmed with apples this year. Camo, now the matriarch of The Feral Fam made an appearance last night. I was able to get some food close by to her on the driveway. She ate keeping an eye on me because in all these years, she doesn't trust us.   

Roy is leaving to go workout and has added spraying water under the car as part of the morning ritual of leaving. Don't think we will ever quite forget the miracle of the kittens. 

The Days Await

 Hi, my name is Nancy and I am hooked on watching videos of apartments available in NYC, Brooklyn, Hells Kitchen, Williamsburg, and other places outside of Manhattan. Upper east side, Soho.... I have no interest in moving to New York but I am fascinated by the descriptions of what constitutes spaciousness. Almost every bedroom they show looks like it might have room for bunk beds, but the realtor says, room for a queen size bed. But I think the catch is...that is all there is room for, no chest of drawers, nightstands, a chair or even a small desk...sometimes the closets are bigger than the bedrooms. Of course the price is out of reach for many and thus comes the roommate situation. One person commented, yes living on the ground floor is a reprieve from stairs but if only you can deal with the sound of rats wrestling outside your window. That would be it for me. The other interesting note is commentary on kitchens. I did not know that dishwashers could be made so small. I am just happy to have an attention span again and while I try not to waste time, if I am going to view much, this isn't so bad.

The pasture, soon to be homes, but now, the pasture across from us was mowed, fluffed, and rolled into bales last week. Such an interesting process and the fragrance of fresh cut grass with the hay feel, is one of my very favorite fragrances. The man on the all purpose John Deere is an artist as he maneuvered around the stakes and flags marking houses or roads or whatever they are going to do over there probably sooner than later.  

We finished up John yesterday. John 21 is a favorite chapter and although in the quarterly we were mainly to cover the last half, we barely looked at that yesterday. Now, the challenge of Jeremiah. Several months ago I bought some books on Jeremiah. One of them is very technical and goes into the detail of the of all the kings and rulers of other countries and the timeline of it all. We kind of studied that last year in the divided kingdom but what has interested me is Jeremiah himself, his calling and through it all never seeing any results of his preaching and warnings, he stayed in the strength of God. 

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I have been feeding the kitties, main concern, and any other of the Feral Fam that join in. We found these great sectioned platters in the picnic section of a store, so that is what we use. I stay out there hoping to get these kittos accustomed to being with hooomans. I have a couple that will come up and smell my extended hand. Fido has let me pet him and he is a part of the welcoming committee when coming out the garage door to serve brunch and after supper snack. Fluff Mo is even braver about near me. Since Radley has taken over from King Herod banishing KH over the rainbow bridge, he has kind of become a snoot head. Guess it comes when one is the King of the Territory. He makes life for any non fixed male cat a life on the run. So when Radley comes down the backyard steps, the male cats scatter. An interesting happening last week, Beanie had just finished eating and he was having a sneezing attack. I saw the problem and right as I was making the move toward him, he came to me for help. Not only had he inhaled his food, he had inhaled a skinny piece of grass up his nostril. Picked him up and put him on my lap, then on the second try, I was able to pull that long skinny piece of grass from his nose. Think that is resume worthy. 

The sound of trees and overgrown areas is the sound of yesterday and this morning. The tree trimming part of Duke Electric is out working to cut back trees, take out dead trees and such for the upcoming summer season, well and winter too, because it has been about five years since the last major push to make the electric lines and such safe from falling trees. Our busy road is one lane for the duration of the trimming. Some of the equipment used looks like tanks. 

Just got in from feeding the kittos and misc cats. Now the back is a whirlwind of activity. Fighting, wrestling, some waiting for the right moment to attack and a few ready for the morning nap. The adult cats spread out from the top of the yard and across from fir trees to the buttery fly bushes. Some will join Roy out in the front as he works in the front garden. In a bit I'll be pulling weeds, the ongoing work of the side of the driveway flowerbed. It is at that point I am taking pics of plants because I can't remember if they are wildflowers or weeds. 

The beginning of these summer months where the sun coming through the fully leafed trees making odd patterns on the grass in the yard. Soon the yellow school busses will take a break and those luxurious carefree days even if we are not affected by the school year brings an inner joy even in the busiest of moments. 

Once Twice, Three Times Crying

 The Boys are so rambunctious this morning. It could be all Willie because Willie is a force to contend with or he is asleep wherever and whenever he stops long enough. He thunders along the upstairs hallway making it a highway of fun and adventure for him. Sometimes Mr Mo and GMoey participate but of late these boys who are now a year old think napping is a much beloved activity. 

The Publix was our first stop of the morning. Then we went to Reems Creek to see the Cosmos and Zinnia situation...nothing. So, we headed to Mars Hill to stop at TJs and see their flower situation...nothing but we did find spring onions, strawberries and tomato. Oh, almost forgot, first peaches of the season. We headed home via the scenic route and stopped at The Farm Connection. I've bought several trees from them and decided to see if they had the flowers we were looking for. Cha-ching, we hit pay dirt on both. So, have a little bit of planting to do and Mike the Mower Man just finished up the mowing. 

Today the last whistle blew for the paper mill in Canton, NC. It is shutting down because the world uses less paper goods now. Think paper plates, napkins and such. The second house we looked at while searching for a home around here was in Canton. Brian, our agent, took us right by the mill with all the white smoke and steam coming out of smoke stacks or some kind of steam exhaust. Roy was immediately affected. His father was highly allergic to paper mill smoke and so carried onto Roy. The home we looked at was underpriced for the amount of upgrades and improvements. We really liked it, except for the weirdly placed dinning room but the smell of money, paper mill, couldn't be reconciled with Roy's allergies. I love Canton, the downtown was making a comeback, a weekly farmer's market thrives, and new restaurants. I watched live as that whistle blew for the last time, it blew for five minutes and tears came to my eyes. Livelihoods, generational employment now winding down as the plant begins to close down all the operations. This affects several friends but the heart of the townspeople stands strong right now. 

The second time to cry was the news that Tina Turner has passed away on Tuesday. Oh my goodness, I love Tina Turner and her comeback in the early 80s inspired me as we were making a comeback ourselves. Totally different from each other, huge success publicly for her and our success was way more quiet and hardly noticed. Listening and reading as people share now on Twitter, Facebook or TV there is a universal admiration for her struggles, her victories, her recoveries and fame.

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Saturday morning and rain is forecasted this afternoon and evening. We have had sunny and warm temps all week and today and tomorrow, rain with cooler temps. The evenings have been so pleasant and last night I was able to get a bunch of roses dead headed without fighting off wasps and bees. The vine, not kudzu, that will take over every tree, shrub and plants and began working its magic in the roses. Dead heading and vine pulling. Added to the mix honeysuckle, which I love but not in the roses. Thursday evening we got most of the cosmos and zinnias planted. Roy got marigolds planted by his tomato plants. If the blooms and now budding berries hold, we might have a bumper crop of blackberries. The plums are coming along, as well as the apples. Peach trees aren't producing this year. This has been the farm to market report. Now back to you. 

Good dentist appointment, yay! Encouraging because good dental report usually means good heart report. On Thursday, my echocardiogram happened. Hardly anyone in the cattle call waiting room. Most of the doctors had taken time off. Got checked in, got height measured and I am down to 5'10". No comment will be made about my weight. Got echoed and left the building. All of which took about 45 minutes. A new record. My results were in my patient portal on Thursday evening. Some changes here and there but nothing troubling, well as I read it.  Friday, my doctor responded with his analysis and in nonmedical terms, I am hanging in there. The emphasis is still the less the stress is best. No long trips in the car, no air travel. 

It was sad to read one of the early day members of the church I grew up in has passed away. I read her obituary and learned so much about her that I never knew. Just memories of her being a VBS teacher and generally around Sunday School, choir and GA's. I shed a few tears at her memory from those long ago days. Shedding a few tears this week has been unusual. With different feelings in each instance. 

We finally figured out that Cutie, in and out of the yard now, has one kitten. Last year she lost every kitten and I am counting the ones we rescued and took to the humane society. Doesn't trust us but needs to eat. She keeps that little solid black kitten in hiding and it looks to be about the same age as Toupee's group. 

Those Little Things

 Roy has his tomatoes and peppers planted. Most of the dirt is distributed but not out of the bags, just where it will eventually be. I waited till Roy got his "crops" in before working on the flowerbeds that will mainly have sunflowers. There were a lot of seeds to be harvested last year. 

We had some rain and a little bit of thunder passing through the other night. The thunder, well let's just say Mr Mo is not a fan. He sat near me most of the evening and didn't want to go to bed but Roy stayed in the bonus room a bit with him and got him settled down. 

We are 3/4 done with the flowerbeds that will be all sunflowers. We prepared three of the beds with half of the beds planted. I'll wait and add more seeds in a couple of weeks to keep the beauty of sunflowers going into the fall. The fourth flowerbed is the biggest one and only got top soil laid out in it. We took quite a few bags down last evening but our backs could only take so much, thus leaving one bed not competed. I still have zinnias to plant. We found a great deal on them at Tractor Supply. Reems Creek is usually my go to for zinnia plants but dang, they are really expensive this year. I know prices have gone up on everything. Hoping for TJs or a few other places to get in some in smaller packs. 

While we are out front whether it be trimming or weeding or planting, in the evenings we are usually joined by Spot and Fido. Fido follows Roy around like a little puppy. Spot isn't always out there but last night she was leaping and chasing and watching Fido and Spot do the showdowns like sumo wrestlers is highly entertaining. Good thing the irises are at the end of the bloom cycle because Toup Jr, Fido and Spot jump and playfully attack one another along that line of beauty. I tried getting a video but I think I heard Fido mention, no flash photography or videos. Toupee's little fam is just the cutest. She has been trying to get her babies to get closer to me without being afraid. This evening she did the mama call and they emptied out from under the grill cover. Then she moved toward me, right at my feet and mama called her babies once again. Several of them came over even knowing I was standing right there. They sat there for a good bit while Toupee got pets and some loving. Beanie sat by my left foot. It was all just wonderful.  

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Roy has gone to workout and pick up a few things from the grocery store afterwards. It is a coolish morning and hopefully, I can get some of the remaining projects knocked out and completed. 

We came home yesterday, exhausted. Running tons of errands and the traffic was, well it was very Houston-ish. Wrecks and construction being the main theme of traveling. Upon arriving home, I dragged my weary self to the living room. So much to be done and so little energy to do it. Afterwhile, I did go outside and feed the little kittens and Toupee. Took some pics and reminded myself of the need to dead head roses. 

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The Mama Cat post got priority as this one has taken well over a week just to detail life, the little things in life. I wish I could say that appreciating these little things are the proceeds of living a wisdom filled life, but alas, I think some of this appreciation comes from aging. I'll take it, that's for sure. I always want to see the little blessings, the little details, the little bit of timing, the little of a big God. What's that song, little is much if God is in it. Sometimes, we can't help but notice those little slights, little mean words, little backhanded compliments but if those become our focus, the Joy that comes through abundant life living will dwindle to a, dare I write it, yes, a little trickle. The pasture across the way was mowed yesterday and today they are fluffing the cuttings to bale up for hay. This morning as Roy and I worked outside, the fragrance that is sweet mixed in with the aroma of cut grass wafted with the wind in our yard. It was a pleasure to get a sunflower bed ready and get the red chairs in place. This will probably be the last time this pasture will be cut for hay. They will probably begin building the two homes they have marked out in the pasture. Sunday evening I saw about seven or eight deer in the pasture. From time to time we have seen a deer or two but a herd, no. So thankful to have seen them. 

We finish up John this Sunday and then we dive into Jeremiah. John 21 is one of my very favorite chapters of the Bible. Most like the ending where Jesus restores Peter as well as commissions him to feeding, teaching and leading the sheep. My favorite part of the chapter though are the verses about breakfast with Jesus. These verses helped me tremendously while navigating leaving the tennis and lunch world and wanting to do more with my life after our near miss of being in NYC on 9/11. Roy would have been in the World Trade Center that morning at a conference. In 2013 while on a trip to the Holy Land, I got to read these verses as we were there by the Sea of Galilee. The emotion as well as the deep truth that had so changed our course in life, well I had tears in my eyes appreciating it all. 

I was not exactly thrilled when I saw the schedule of Explore the Bible series, two quarters of time in John but this trip through the Word and Gospel of John has been one of my favorite studies.  

As we have been in the front yard more, working on planting and then maintenance of roses and such, one of those little blessings is watching Roy and Fido. Roy rolls out the hose to water new plantings and Fido is right there by his side. First Fido and Spot play with the hose, chase one another and get Beanie to join in as well, but Spot and Beanie tire of the game and go elsewhere. Fido sticks closely to Roy. I had come in the house being finished with my projects but happened to look outside as Roy completed his work. Fido is rolling all around his feet and Roy is petting him. Instead of a Roy and his dog, it is a Roy with his cat who acts like a dog.  

Fare Thee Well, Mama Cat

 In the fall of 2017, I noticed a black and white cat with three kittens sitting under the big fir tree in the corner of our yard. Sometime in 2016 I had chased that black and white cat out of the backyard cause she was eyeing some of the birds at the feeder. This time though, she sat there, looking at me, almost willing me to become interested in their life. The next time I was grocery shopping, I picked up some cat food, wet cat food. Buddy only ate dry and it was a prescription food for her finicky digestive system. I took some bowls of food up to the gravel road and while they stared at me, I was assuring them that it was good food and oh, I brought some water as well cause, tuna can make one thirsty. Our fall that year was a tad coolish and not being able to find the materials needed to build a temporary feral cat house, I went to Walmart and bought a children's tent. I set it up under the fir tree and put towels and blankets, lined it with pool noodles and cardboard. After just a little bit of time, the four of them trusted me enough to eat in our backyard and on the deck. Thus, I moved the tent down to the deck, put out some inexpensive throws so that their little paws would be a tad warmer as they ate. I started calling the big black and white cat, Mama Cat and her kiddos, Cali, Camo and MJ. Over the months, I kept watch during the snow and wet for those kitties. Our neighbors hadn't moved in yet above us, so the Feral Fam retreated up to the house and barn area there to keep warm, but they'd return for meals or to relax from the stress and threats of feral cat life here. Once, I almost coaxed Cali into the house, but she hesitated. Once MJ showed interest but Mama Cat was right behind him and just by her mama growl, he knew not to enter in. Camo never ever had one bit of interest in me. She was there for the food and as soon as she could, she left to live closer to our neighbor Mary Joyce. Camo had her first litter and I briefly saw her one time with them. I don't know what happened to them, but I never saw them again. Then she had Punky, Strawyer and a three legged kitten that our neighbor rescued and his name is Eric. Her only other kitten I ever saw was Charlie and she brought him over and left him, just like she had done with Strawyer and Punky. MJ, was killed by the dogs next door and Cali, well Cali was found on the side of the road, the day before Thanksgiving in 2018. She is buried underneath the big fir tree near the gravel road. Mama Cat has been a constant, though. Our relationship was a love/hate one. I loved her even though she hissed at me constantly, even when serving her food dish to her. Once she had a huge litter of seven kittens and during that time of raising them in the backyard, we kind of had a truce. She stopped hissing but probably because she was beyond exhausted. Once she had done her job with that large litter, she began hissing at me again. Fido and Spot are the last of her kittens she brought down to the backyard and garage. Mama Cat was always a huge cat, always pregnant or so it seemed. She had adjusted her life to the gravel road and only coming for supper and sometimes breakfast. 

These past few months I asked Roy if he had seen her. Feel like I should start singing, "have you seen her? Tell me have you seen her?" He said no, but other than Spot and Fido he has a hard time distinguishing the others. Last night after planting a few things in the front yard, and coming into the back, there she was. She was sleeping by the steps only at first I thought it was Cutie. Mama Cat lifted her head, I saw her face and knew it was her but she was emaciated. Her fur not groomed, every movement a struggle for her. I brought her some soft food, she wanted to eat it, but didn't. Brought her some milk, approached but didn't touch it. She let me come close to her, closer than ever, but her actions told me I was allowed in, but not to touch or pet her. Mama Cat was content to let me sit by her. She looked at me several times, and actually closed her eyes halfway. The sign of safeness and love from a cat. I cannot ever remember her expressing anything than a stone cold stare at me. I had to go into the garage and get the platter out for the kitten's supper and she had moved over to the pallet that the cat houses sit on. She ruled and reigned for years on that pallet. I gave the kittens supper, watched them a bit and kept her in the corner of my eye. Roy was in the front yard and I called to him to come to the back. By this time Mama Cat was on the top step to the porch door, just like always. She looked at me and even though I knew she wasn't long for this world, the way she looked at me I knew she had come at the expense of great energy to tell me goodbye. Big Daddy did that last year. Hadn't seen him for years but in feral cat years he was very old. He came, sat nearby and gave me that expression that I was seeing from Mama Cat. I sat there for a bit and when she saw easy passage because the gate was open, she slowly left the yard, but as she did, she stopped at the gate. She turned and gave me one last long look. I thanked her for letting me love all these kiddos of hers all these years. That they had gotten me through some lonely times, through the pandemic. She had given me Hector Protector, HP, and a few times she knocked the snot out of King Herod...whom I do not shed any tears for but the last time he was around was in February. He looked ill and ungroomed.  

I halfway expected to find her this morning somewhere in the side yard but she wasn't there. I think she has gone over the rainbow bridge but probably across the way, closer to Camo. We still see Camo girl every once in awhile. Mama Cat must have been about seven years old, which is ancient of days in the feral survival world. I'll miss the old girl. Mostly cranky Mama Cat but deep beyond the mistrust of a feral cat's heart, she found a way to let me know she was saying Goodbye and had maybe as much as she was capable of, letting me know she appreciated the shelter, food and love. 

Let The Planting Begin

 Happy Mother's Day 2023! Each Mother's Day since my mom passed away floods me with memories that shaped my mom's compassion, her humor and now in hindsight, I see how strong she really was in the midst of a marriage that would always disappoint and never be good enough in my father's opinion. I think she lost the "fight" over how my father felt about me and he made life difficult for her if she gave too much attention my way. I am proud of her though in her fight for my brother and although my father tried to inflict mental, physical and emotional abuse on him, my mom had learned how to manage against a narcissist. We loved her whimsey and her creative talents. Our first Christmas in Houston, first without a fireplace, she made one from construction paper, complete with a mantle so we had a place to hang our stockings, which she had made from felt. Roy and I were remembering her last night and it is rare that we don't laugh over a few particular stories. My mom didn't like to read out loud in Sunday School but she had a dream where she and her friends were sitting in the Sunday School room and the teacher asked my mother, where were they in reading the verses from the Bible. In her dream she responded, "how the hell would I know?" My mother didn't cuss, never spoke a curse word in her life and the closest she ever got to saying one was the time she told me I was acting like a jackass. I mean really, who wants their little brother tagging along with me and my friends to Astro World ? We laugh too over a Sunday lunch where she had prepared brisket, potato salad, claw, baked beans and rolls. My father asked her to pray before we ate and she thanked God for the especially fine church service, then a pause, and she adds, I'm sure it was fine even though I didn't attend church this morning cause I came home to finish up lunch prep. She never got to finish that prayer, we were all laughing so hard. What a wonderful mom! 

I got to see something rather special today with The Feral Fam. I know that all the mamas if they spend any time in the yard, know about the cleft of the rock. Today, I watched Toupee show and teach her young ones about the cleft of the rock and she made it a game. That Toupee is such a great mom. I told Roy about watching the good mama cat find safety for her kittens. He said, our icky neighbor, yes we have to love our neighbors as ourselves but these people are icky, their white pit bull dog got out and he had one of the bowls with food in his mouth out in the yard. He yelled at the dog, it dropped the bowl and went home. When we had come home from church, we left the gate to the backyard open and I was afraid that maybe that dog had been in the back. He hadn't but now the bomb shelter drill lesson for kittens had necessitated Toupee into action. Roy making an aside comment said, you can't herd cats but you can set a schedule somewhat, that they will follow, if they are in the mood to eat. Leading people just might be the same as he thought back on his working days...well, his official working days. 

The JOY Class is the bomb diggity! We did VBS cutouts for Hannah. We were happy to see that the things we cut out were not as intricate as last years. We got those babies cut out in no time at all. I think we will get a few more for next week so we will have a semi lesson, maybe. Two Sundays in a row, we have taken up an offering, one for a young man facing cancer and today two of our own from church going on a mission trip to Costa Rica. 

We had a Mother's Day sermon in church, taking a week off from Acts. I wrote a note to Roy about The Boys. I was glad they didn't serve me breakfast in bed for Mother's Day, cause breakfast would be a regifting...if you get my drift. Mr Mo took a nap with me this afternoon, so that was a very nice gift since these cats don't do that often. Now, sit in my lap, that is another thing. GMoey is the best lap cat ever. Mr Mo's birthday was May 1st and GMoey's is tomorrow. We are still trying to figure out an approximate date for Willie. 

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Had one of those wake up around 2:00 am kind of nights, so I got up and read a little bit. Also prayed a little bit. I am enjoying the book I am reading even though I have just started it. An author that I love has a new book out and while the story is interesting, one of the main characters cusses just about every other word. It is a part of the character but when one puts themselves in a position to constantly read or see those words, what if one Sunday morning in a lesson accidentally say a word I shouldn't. I don't think I am going to finish the book.

From time to time I pick up the Erskine Caldwell memoir when I need a short read and can pick up at anytime. Just read about his father, Presbyterian minister, who later in life decided he wanted to teach more than preach. He enrolled in college and got his undergraduate degree in Education and his masters in English. While he was in college he continued working as a pastor, he had earned his initial degree from seminary when he was younger, and he came to the church and asked, if for this period of time while he was in college, would they be agreeable to just have Sunday morning services, keep children's programming for Sunday and Wednesday night, but no services with preaching. The congregation loved the idea and during those years he was there, the church grew in great numbers cause Baptists and Methodists learned of this only Sunday morning service and they joined in becoming Bapt-terians and Presy-b-tists. I confess, after years in Houston where Sunday and Wednesday night services waned and was almost encouraged by the staff not to have them, there came a change. Sunday night became another opportunity to experience the morning message, but in a contemporary way. Lot of the Sunday night attenders were from other churches who wanted to hear Pastor Gregg. Then the minister I worked for revamped Wednesday nights, called it Mid-Link offering all kinds of classes and Bible studies for adults, choir, and children programming. The Wednesday evening meal was revamped, brought people in and then a young preacher coming up took over prayer meeting. Started small with a few of the older folks and then more and more of all ages attended because he was bringing the Word of God in an insightful and life applicable way. After years of working late Wednesday nights, when I retired, I was able to rejoin choir and loved that. Back in 2015 when we moved here, I realized that the Sunday and Wednesday night thing was alive in rural America...but it never has truly become a habit again for me, except when choir was involved. Years ago I read an article, either in The Atlantic or Harper's about electricity coming to rural America and the author stated he thought it was the biggest change in the 20th century because life long patterns of work on farms etc...became obsolete cause now the day and night didn't dictate life. He also stated that when this began to happen the church didn't make adjustments and what was once a captive audience for revivals, dinner on the ground, and services gave way to the enticements of all that electricity could bring. I wish I had kept the magazine but I am pretty sure it went with the great purge of 2011 of books and stuff getting ready for the move to Rancho de Five. 

This morning all the kittens are accounted for outside. We will begin the work of getting them socialized this week. Been reading up on the matter. Roy is already outside working on the raised gardens since we are now officially beyond Mother's Day...let the planting begin! 

Better Late Than Never with Fashionable Compression Socks

 Good morning from the mountains! Think we have a beautiful weather-wise day in store for the area. Yesterday, had those same elements and it was a convertible weather kind of day going to and from Duckett's and Pigeon River Mercantile. Duckett's had Dixie Bell strawberries and some beautiful plants. Since I was in the car and not the truck, I stopped at Pigeon River. They always have such cute things. Loved the clothes and the jewelery but the paper goods drew me in. She is carrying a brand that after reading about it yesterday, is taking the internet by storm, Magnolia and Pearl out of Fredericksburg TX. Oh my goodness...so expensive but oh so beautiful. 

Years ago my brother got a ticket in Canton and since then I am very careful in keeping the speed limit there. I had just came to the light by the Exxon Station when a truck from the opposite direction did the old timey flash lights on and off to notify of police officers ahead. Sure enough, it was a stop and check point. Looked like local law enforcement was in charge but there was a state trooper over to the side, putting on gloves and looking like he was ready for any incident that might occur during the stop. Had the top down, so this made the stop much easier. Asked for my license and I gave it to the officer. He went to the back of the car and came back. He reminded me that the tag was due in June and my response was, car already inspected just waiting for the paperwork to come from the state so that we can renew. He was a pleasant officer as he asked about my day and how fun to enjoy the temps in a convertible and then I was free to go. This only the second license check here in NC. The other on was on the river road during the month I was visiting and looking for a house to purchase. In Texas you need your license and proof of insurance, here just the license. It is emotionally jolting to the system to experience, but I was happy to drive away, at the posted speed limit, and enjoy the rest of the afternoon. 

Upon arriving home I had a quick lunch and then scooted to the grocery store while the AC guy was here. He was running late so the morning in Canton, while needed, didn't succeed at me being gone. Oh well, but the timing worked cause he was pulling onto the road just about the same time I was coming close to the house. Our trip to Sam's got punted into the later part of the week. We were both tired but we recovered enough to go back outside in the early evening and get a few things done. Roy worked on getting tomatoes planted and I fixed a new space for The Feral Fam. After about a week and half of not seeing Toupee's kittens, I spotted them last night. Right now she has them camped out underneath the grill cover with a safe escape route to underneath the porch. I thought she just had three but seems like there is a very shy one that doesn't leave the grill cover area. They are just the cutest with a calico being one of the four. The rest are black and white with one having the ubiquitous face that I have seen in other litters, kind of reminds me of Cutie. Well, just saw kittens at play in the back and there are two calicos.   

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While waiting for the bug man to come and spray outside, we did a little bit of work. Got some purple and yellow lantana in a hanging basket, got more dahlias planted and Roy pulled weeds from the ever prorogating weed flowerbed next to the driveway. When he left we stopped at Lowe's to get tomato cages and top soil to fill some of the raised beds. Went across the street to Dollar Tree and bought some purple pool noodles, also for filler in some of the raised beds. Back to TJs for green and red pepper starts and a few flowers for a small filler space in a flowerbed. 

Toupee's kittens mainly hang out behind and underneath the grill and grill cover...just like their ancestors before them. Roy was starting on our last raised bed for the yard while I worked hard at winning over a kitten or two. Toupee was close by monitoring interaction of which there was very little. But Fido and Barney played chase the fishing lure, kids fishing pole, with me. Fido was really into the game. Several of the kittens watched and two were actually contemplating joining in but after approaching Beanie cause they though he was their mom, they were a little skittish after that encounter. Roy got to a good stopping point before the rain. 

Tomorrow we are helping the children's ministry by cutting out things for VBS. We are serving, having fun and I get a little break that is needed. In fact, we might even do cut outs next week. After that we will finish up John and onward to Jeremiah. I love studying for lessons but this week as we have had appointments and we've completed projects, I love the feeling of not experiencing that nagging feeling of, better stop this now and get back to studying. We've made tremendous headway outside and the spring summer clothes transition is now complete. Yay!

Guess this week has been teacher appreciation week cause I have seen several posts where people thank a teacher for the influence they had on their lives. My college roommate is a retired teacher and she invited former students to get in touch and share what they are doing now. This season for me has been an overwhelming season of gratitude and I feel like the Lord is showing me places and seasons in life where I thought they were some of the toughest or most difficult seasons in life. My college roommate and I knew each other from church and school, but we didn't mesh well living together. I was a night owl, she an early bird. We only roomed together one semester. I got to thinking this week if she hadn't encouraged me to apply to go to SWSTU, I probably would have stayed home because I was being told I was too stupid for college. My father's chosen profession for me was ice tea lady in a cafeteria. I made him happy by going to interview for that job while in high school. Out of that interview I was told I was too smart for the job. They liked to give those jobs to people who might have some mental handicaps but would be able to work and hopefully provide for themselves. I was told you have your whole life before you, you're smart and personable, why would you want this job? I never told my father about that interview, just told him I didn't get the job. I felt if I told him, he just might do something to make me mentally challenged, I'd rather him think I was stupid and couldn't even become an ice tea cart lady.  In hindsight I see that I react to trauma by shutting down. Thus applying and then being accepted to college began the start of freedom for me. Even with the difficult the feel and taste of freedom emotionally was refreshing and although it was only for a year and I came home to go to U of H, it was that little jumpstart. I thanked her on FB. Till this week I had not been thankful for all the good that came out of that year and is a huge part of who I am now. Better realizing it late than never. 

This week's cardiologist appointment was hopeful but waiting to get an echocardiogram in a week or so to determine any course of action going forward. We had a good talk about some of the symptoms I've been experiencing off and on, not on a consistent basis. Good discussion about ongoing symptoms that have me puzzled. I am praying that the managing of all this can be the directive. I am learning to live with this compression sock thing right now and trying my hardest to make it work as well as trying to be somewhat fashionable. Ha! 

The Coordination and Crowning of Becoming An Old Lady

 We dined sumptuously on eggs, bacon and sliced strawberries for the Coronation of King Charles and Camilla yesterday morning. While we weren't the keenest watchers, I was more interested than Roy. Loved the music and the ceremony. Didn't care about all the goings on with the royal family because all the experts in the world really are only making guesses and sometimes educated guesses about the thoughts or feelings of major and minor, working or non working royals. All the troops and the pageantry in the returning to Buckingham Palace or wherever they returned to was the most interesting. Maybe they returned to Windsor...not a clue. Anyway, Roy has been calling the Coronation the Coordination. When you think about that, it's not too far off in meaning for the celebration. 

The youth of the church we having a fund raiser for camp so we headed that way to look around at the craft vendors and pick up some pie for later. We headed home to put away the pie and feed The Boys, then off to TJs and a quick trip at Ingles. We bought more tomatoes at TJs with a few other annuals for small containers. We ate a quick lunch and Roy went to work out while I finished up the last part of the lesson for today. We were able to do a little more work in the flowerbeds in the evening. We've been painting the chairs out front. One chair and two footstools are done. Have two more chairs to paint. 

I made the big dive into being an old lady today, you might even say I was baptized by emersion, into dressing like I haven't the sense to look both ways before crossing the street. With the upcoming appointment to the cardiologist yet, needing comfort and on the first Sunday that we could truly wear spring and summer clothes temp wise, I didn't want to wear boots. Yes, I know that statement is shocking. Every winter into spring, leaving the socks behind, I do have a little swelling around my ankles but it dissipates. This year, that has happened but it is also happening because my heart is not pumping blood efficiently to the lower limbs. Wanting to be active before the appointment, I needed to wear compression socks...so I did, with sandals. The sandals are not cute strappy sandals but comfort driven and I do believe I remember my Grandma B wearing a leather version of what I wore yesterday. Thank you Clark's brand. At least I tried to coordinate colors and not wear white socks or anything like that. Also this week, while out in the yard working, I wore a red and black buffalo checked flannel shirt that didn't match a thing I had on. Ah, the life. I blame the fact I have been going to Roy's doctor appointments with him under the guise of getting breakfast. Haha! No, I think it could be that some of these things that I thought really mattered, don't. Don't get me wrong, I can dress up or whatever in a minute but if I don't have to, why? Roy says he thinks whatever is cute and fine. He is looking more at the softening of my attitude and approach to life. That's all that matters these days. I am in the process of gathering my flood style pants to give away. When you grew up tall and hardly any pants were long enough, so you always had on high waters...I can't think I am wearing anything fashionable and I've tried. Giving up and moving on. I am on a clearing out bent and have made headway. Headway, that I can tell, that's for sure. 

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We did the weed pulling thing yesterday with the ground being wet from our rain. The side flowerbed is the worst. Well, it is the worst because we truly can see all the weeds fully. It is also where perennial wildflowers come up, so sometimes it takes longer to remember is this a plant or a weed. I use the photo plant identifier and that helps most of the time. I think we lost all our butterfly bushes during the crippling cold of Christmas. Went back to work in the yard after supper. More weed pulling, some dead heading of roses and putting together another raised flowerbed to put around the last plum tree. We ordered an 8x4 bed to put around the maple tree. We also have a couple more small 3x3 galvanized rings to put over by the forsythia and where the sunflower seeds will be planted. 

I don't know why I started thinking about GA's this week. The whole Girl's Auxiliary experience doesn't hold a bunch of happy times, but I can remember some of the things I learned. Like, at the house the church bought across from Westbury High School, when our church met there. We had Sunbeams, GA's and guess RA's there during the week. From that little house I learned how to make butter by shaking a jar of cream as well as being introduced to Christmas in July as we brought Christmas gifts to be shipped overseas to children around the world. My cousin's churches usually did Awana which seemed to have a little more of a fun element to it. Of course it is not surprising that those things we did in GA's seemed a bit more serious. I also think it is not a fond memory because I didn't really know very many others participating. We attended early SS and church and most everyone my age went to late SS and church. The same for choir, I wanted to love it but I didn't read music and felt so inadequate. My mom once saw the music minister from our church Ron Lowrey at a church reunion, I was a young adult then. She said his face lit up when she mentioned my name. I will always be thankful that he did that because, she dropped me off for choir and I hid in places around the church until it was time for her to pick me up. He didn't know me. I saw where an ensemble had a reunion, probably 25-30 years from the time they were high schoolers at church. I came across a blog written by one of the members. She had gone on to be very successful in business and life, but in high school, she was considered sketchy. Her observations were spot on because even though most hadn't seen each other in years, they fell or were placed back in the pecking order of back in the day. She said she wanted to just drop the music and leave. These "friends" just picked up where they had all left off but she stuck it out and sang for the church that Sunday morning. 

After several thunder boomers and rain, Mike the Mower Man was able to make it out this afternoon. Now, we can begin in earnest to take care of more gardening stuff. 

At The Week End

 Roy is off to pick up community cat number 4 from the spay and neuter clinic. We shall see if this was a boy or a girl, but it is the one I wanted to name King. I was pleasantly surprised that he was caught in the trap, thinking it would be one of the Feral Fam who has been around for a while. Roy has become a cat whisperer. Don't think he especially wanted that added to the resume but he has such a calming influence. 

While Roy was at deacon's meeting last night, out of the blue my friend Philippa texted me. Had a great text conversation that included her coronation plans, she is from the UK. I told her my feelings were hurt that as a Monarch, I had not received an invite but alas, my passport needs to be renewed. Maybe it is just as well. Philippa reminded me I could go but not get back in the country...and with the crack down on non working royals being kicked out of their apartments and homes...it is just good to catch it all on the telly. I also texted with my brother. His doggie passed away, she was fourteen years old and had been by his side through his life these past twelve and a half years. Oh, those little fur babies. 

This week's lesson is difficult. It is always hard to read how Jesus was treated as they marched him back and forth between high priest, Pontius Pilate and Herod. Just read up on some history of Pontius Pilate and that just might make it into the lesson. And the political dynasty of Annas being high priests for years maybe even generations has that modern feel in politics or families in power these days. 

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This morning Roy released Kingsley back into her world outside. He said that beautiful cat didn't stop to greet relatives or eat, she raced out of that cage, meowing and howling as she ran a circle up to the gravel road, across the backyard and retraced her run. She was making noises this morning in the garage and we knew she had gotten her rest and she was ready to leave the safe confines of the garage. Maybe her name should be Towanda! 

We also went to stuff envelopes at church for VBS and other activities. Just took about two hours and had a good crew as well as a fun crew working together. I think envelope stuffing was the skill that got me my job at First Baptist cause it sure wasn't balloon tying or presentation. Great snacks as well. Afterwards, we went to Sam's to get the potting soil on sale except there was just one bag left. We got it and more lemon water. Love that stuff. Introduced Roy to that deliciousness. It is just a seasonal item at Sam's but I also subscribe for a delivery every six weeks or so. Peach Raspberry is the bomb diggity. 

Tuesday afternoon we went to visit a friend in the hospital. While we were there, the staff had been able to get a necessary procedure for our friend scheduled and down to surgery in a split second. We were able to help carry everything that needed to go with them because another room would be assigned. We prayed and laughed and visited. Here is a unknown fact to us, valet parking at the hospital here is free. What!? Back when we were going to the Med Center for stuff, it was $14.00. Probably a lot more now. 

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We officially began painting the chairs out front this morning. Amazon makes it way too easy to order stuff in the midst of working. Two more raised beds and paint for the chairs. Used to have to stop and go to the store. Now it will be here Sunday and Monday. We got four of the other flowerbeds prepared for spring temps so that we can plant. 

After a relatively laid back schedule we jump into appointments next week. Sometimes it feels so overwhelming. At long last the cardiologist appointment is this week and I'm hoping we have a plan of action or something.

Another sign of spring, neighbor Nancy and I see each other outdoors. A package was misdelivered to us so we got to get in at least a forty minute conversation. 

Not much else to write about or rather what I can write about...have to think on these things but I will end this long, rambling post with this. Carolyn shared a recipe for best pancakes and yes, they were that. Big, fluffy pancakes. Those along with our regular eggs and bacon, sometimes, made for a very nice Friday morning breakfast. We painted and planted with tons of energy this morning. 

Encouragement and Generosity Go Together Like Soup and Sandwich But It All Starts With Gratitude

 Tried the jalapeño rice last night. It comes in those individual servings so it is easier not to over eat and stuff down rice. With the coolish temps, it was welcoming with some turkey chili. The rice was very well flavored, just enough but not a lot of spicy hot. So, if you see some at the grocery store it is well worth the try. 

It seems a rarity to have two days that are rainy, foggy just a bit, and cloudy. Rainy days and Mondays don't get me down. I worked diligently on Sunday's lesson. Have about 3/4 of it written out and will finish up the writing today. Then I'll have the afternoon to read or finish up the always something projects. Roy has always said there is always something to take care of around here, but didn't feel that way in Houston. Once it dries out a bit, we need to open the vents for the crawlspace. That's the closest I get to it. 

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Well, the day got away from me yesterday but feeling a bit satisfied that a few smaller projects got taken care of and finished writing out Sunday's lesson. Roy had a good dental appointment in the afternoon. 

May holds a lot of appointments or so it seems. Getting them all on the calendar to make sure we don't overbook or something. I was just looking at the memories from this day on FB. It is when I saw a bear in the Cracker Barrel parking and it also was a day in 2011 of going through books because I think I was in phase one of getting ready to move out to Rancho De Five. I am including one paragraph from a blog post in 2011.

As far back as I can remember, I have always loved to read.  I don't know if my love of reading came to me naturally or if it is due to my mother's love of quiet.  No matter, every summer there was a constant;, trips to the swimming pool daily to tire us out and trips to the library weekly, with checked out books keeping us occupied quietly in the afternoons. I think my brother and I were nonstop, full of activity and most days would find us having a fight or two or twenty.   My mom told me that as a toddler I would climb out of my crib and get every book I owned.  I would then put all the books into the crib and then climb back in either reading or just sitting there happy to be surrounded by my books.  When Roy and I traveled doing joint venture auditing, what I missed most while on the road were my books.  I couldn't wait to get home and see my books.  In this season of life I'm having to cull through our books and only keep those that are memorable, those that I re-read and those that are valuable.  Oh and I am keeping most of the books I haven't read yet.  What has me thinking so much about reading and books?  I am reading Pat Conroy's book, My Reading Life.  It is interesting the influences that frame us to be readers or non readers.  His mother's early influence of reading became a fully supported love by the time he reached high school and met an English teacher that changed his life.  That English course navigated and determined the direction life would take for Pat, writing.  So this book has gotten me to reflect and ponder my own reading life and that is why I'm wondering if I always loved reading or if reading helped my mother experience her favored atmosphere of quiet.  Who knows, but no matter the source of this love, I'm so glad to be a book loving reader. 

Because of the rain in the latter part of the week and the coolish to cold temps at the first of the week we punted on several of our plans. The week coming up seems to be more sunny and warm. Think Roy is really ready for the warmth of spring into the warmer aspects of summer.

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Oh Monday morning, cool and beautiful. Roy was able to catch one of the youngest kitties this morning and he or she will be ready tomorrow morning. This will be the fourth one caught and fixed. He used the humane trap they gave him.

We hit Erwin on Saturday and found some huge Cherokee purple tomato plants. Looking forward to tomato summer. On Friday we went to Duckett's Produce. They had more strawberries and the last batch we bought were so sweet. During the week the strawberries come from a farm in Columbia SC. Still love Strawberry Hill strawberries but these others were such a sweet treat. We've used Lou Lou's salsa for making spaghetti sauce. Just about everything she cans or makes is just so good. We picked up more strawberry sauce for those winter days that remind us that spring is coming.

At first, last week when I began studying John 18:1-11, I debated on maybe teaching something else but so glad I stuck with it because in studying I learned so many things, both historical and spiritual. This is something I don't usually think about, but it felt like such an oppressive week and each day held a spiritual battle. Even Saturday night, only slept about three hours and had the strangest and bad dreams. I apologized to the class and if I napped during the lesson, they were free to nap as well or leave. Two people said, your best lessons have been when you've had a lack of sleep. Hmmm....truly, that was encouraging to me. Although, a good night's sleep is treasured these days. Haha!

If you do not read South Main Baptist Church's blog usually written by Greg Funderburk on Monday mornings, you're missing out on a good word. His first few sentences will draw you in like a favorite book. This morning his topic is The Courage to Encourage. He writes of the generosity of encouragement. His words reminded me of Erwin McManus's encouragement:

A life of gratitude makes us WHOLE,

Overwhelms us with LOVE

And moves us to LIVE GENEROUS lives.

Greg Funderburk's thoughts along with Erwin McManus thought from his book Stand Against the Wind, seem to go hand in hand this morning. I always get tickled when SBC people talk about generosity and fail to mention there are more ways than not to be generous. Our pastor's wife did the children's moment in church yesterday. She did a beautiful job of teaching the kiddos, you might not have money but you have gifts that can serve the Lord and others. She talked about a camp experience last year when the kiddos visited a nursing home and what joy they brought to the residents. Being generous starts with gratitude. These past few weeks, many times while looking at FB, friends from long ago all the way to today, seeing them has filled me with so much gratitude for them, their encouragement and their love. You cannot help but be filled with love and like Erwin says, move us to generous lives.

Great Reading and Great Memories

One of those surprises came on Saturday. We've been going through books and such and I came across a book by Erskine Caldwell. I think I bought this book when we were tourists, not sure, but I can say, book bought, came home, put on a shelf and never looked at again until Saturday. I was thumbing through it and then realized it was a memoir of sorts with Erskine's observations on the early 20th century in the south. His father, a minister in the Presbyterian church as well as the secretary of their home mission board shared story after story with his son about churches he was sent to in order to help them. Some successful and some not so much. One story in particular grabbed my attention, the church who was divided over hardwood floors and carpet. Neither side would tithe or place offerings in the plate cause what if it went for the other sides wishes? The electric company was about to shut off the power due to no payments. Two divorces happened over this issue as well as a death and one left paralyzed over carpet and hardwood. The issue with hardwood said the carpet people, you can hear heels tapping along to the hymn and God certainly did not like this display. It was disrespectful to the Lord. From what was written, these Presbyterians hymns were not happy or fast in any way. No When the Roll is Called Up Yonder, no I'll Fly Away. With the sides so divided Erskine's father decided they were too worried over traditions and religious practices, instead of being in love with the Lord and serving His church. This church with over two hundred members, disbanded and the church building fell into ruins. His father said, poetic justice would have been an Assembly of God or Pentecostal Church buying the church property. Oh what singing, oh what shouting, on that happy morning when we all shall rise. I used this story as an example of what not is unity and love that Jesus prayed in the John 17 prayer. 

Yesterday, just like times ago, I took off for Burnsville. By myself. In the past few months I wasn't feeling comfortable enough to go by myself but the last few weeks have been good. Roy wasn't particularly interested in going yesterday but would have if need be. As always the drive there and back, beautiful. The greening of the trees with the multiple colors and shades of green are pretty gosh darn exciting to me. Made a couple of stops but the main goal, Lamp Post Vintage Market. Totally different shopping trip cause I bought mainly clothes. I also ran into Marissa, who had Turkey Creek Grill when we first bought the house. She was so welcoming and friendly when we moved here. Her daughter is getting ready to graduate from college. Time certainly flies. On the way home I stopped in Mars Hill at Ingles and then headed to Marshall and stopped at Penland's. Love that store! Came home with a book, like I need another book. Books are never about need as an adult, but in school that is a whole different thing. 

A couple of Fridays ago when in Hendersonville for Roy's Doctor appointment, we ate afterwards at the Fireside Restaurant. Andy, the Doctor, had recommended a place in downtown Hendersonville but since we were in the truck, it was a no go for this visit. Think we had a divine appointment. The tables at Fireside are very close and in fact, the older couple they sat us next to weren't happy about the table seating. Soon after, another couple was seated on the other side of us. I could hear their conversation and could tell they were tourists as they discussed getting back on the Blue Ridge Parkway. When they kept calling 25 a little country road, I felt like I needed to be like "Philip with the Ethiopian" in Acts and explain that 25 was not a country road, especially as you get closer to Asheville. The couple had moved to the Charleston area from California and first trip exploring the WNC mountains. We had a lovely conversation and we had that moment of, oh wow, we are talking with a brother and sister in Christ. Before we left I did ask one question to see if my tennis radar is still sharp. Yep, big time USTA doubles player and we both shared some tennis stories much to the boredom of our husbands. Just that morning of Roy's appointment I had prayed and asked if the Lord would provide a Holy Spirit guiding moment, since that is what we were studying on Sunday. Yep, there it was. We will probably never see these people again on this side of heaven but what a lovely way to eat brunch. 

Speaking of tennis, my good friend from tennis years, Marti and I have found one another on FB. She has posted some great memories on my timeline from those days. This pic is from a women's ministry event around Christmas time. I bought the table and Mary and Marti decorated it. I told the WM Director about the table décor and she said, we have a lot of fine designers in the church but I told her, you ain't seen nothing yet. That was certainly true. I have a picture of church friends standing around the decorated table with their mouths hanging open. Victorian hot chocolate pitchers, one pitcher to two people, a Victorian Christmas tree as the centerpiece and Mary brought the good stuff, real silver. I am ever so grateful for Mary and Marti, not just for a fun evening, but for a lifetime of great memories on and off the tennis court. 

 

Three of these pics are from the ranch, but the tennis court one, I believe Mary and I are duplicating a pose we saw on a tennis retreat brochure. You can tell from the pic who had classical ballet training and who got kicked out of ballet class cause all I talked about was playing softball. I am thankful that I no longer have to wear that knee brace. I believe the ranch pics are from the time we were celebrating our tennis friend Ann, whose husband had been transferred to the Netherlands but she was back for a visit. This is also at the time when Roy had a job interview in California and then one in Long Island, NY right before Thanksgiving. This is the beginning of how the story begins for Roy turning down both of those jobs and staying right in Houston and working for EPD. A story for another time... I had a pic of Mary, Marti, Ann and I baking Christmas cookies and candies that was a fav but it got stolen in the robbery in Mobile. 

Our third boy has been fixed and we have another appointment in May. This time they gave us a trap instead of using a carrier. It is easier for them to work with the humane trap. 

This rainy and drizzly day have been perfect. Got some studying done, got the outline for the lesson arranged. Also, been doing some reading and even got in a short nap. Ah, the life. We say it so often but living here saved my life and Roy certainly has been enjoying the fruits of his labor. Soon enough, it will be after Mother's Day and he will get those tomatoes in the ground. 

Cats, Learning, Retirement and Play

 There is joy this morning at our home. Roy trapped Fido and they are off to the spay and neuter clinic. We have another appointment for tomorrow and we are looking to capture another member of The Feral Fam, maybe Barney or Toupe Jr. If we caught Toupee we wouldn't be able to take her in because we think she has kittens up on the gravel road someplace. Whereas all this stuff usually brings me to a halt, Roy the plan man has a plan for The Feral Fam to give them peaceful and well fed lives here at the Monarch Minor Manor. At dusk, Blazey made an appearance. He hasn't been around for a while. He missed supper so I took him a few tidbits and he let a few other Fam members join him. He and the youngest, not a kitten anymore, of Toupee hang out sometimes. In other Fam news I am about 90% certain that King Herod has gone onto wherever bad cats go. The last few times we saw him in February, he did not look good. He was nowhere to be found when the few females that still hang out here went into their time. Radley has been around so I figure he is the victor. The black cat population has decreased, the group better known as the Quads cause they quadrupled  in number. Willie's mom passed, we know not when and where but the reason we brought him in and the fact that he is so darn cute didn't hurt his chances. A month or so ago, one of the black cats ventured too far to the road and we found him in front of the mailboxes. So our little band of Fam is decreasing and we are involved with helping with no future increases. 

With our friend recently retiring, Roy and I have talked often about his first year of retirement life. Although, he is not scheduled and his only "work" projects are getting homework done for Community Bible Study. He signed up for a course to know and understand investing. He has nearly completed it. What I like so much as Roy uses his time and materials wisely, an old check off on elementary school report cards, is his early rising to pray and have a quiet time. Some mornings he is up as early as 4:00 am but never later than 5:30 am. If you really know Roy, his whole life, well as long as I have known him, he is about the things of God. He might have a ton of initials after his name, from degrees, accreditations and such but you wouldn't hear that from him, I am the one who tells about those things because I am just so dang proud of him and what he accomplished in his school and work life. If anyone spends time with Roy, you'll see his heart and now the new addition to himself is, he does the work and things that he feels and knows it is God driven or ordained. One of my favorite memories is, Roy decided he wanted to play racquet ball. He didn't hang out at the courts but he bought a book first to read about the sport. He wanted to know the how and why of shots and how to correctly implement them. Most people get a cheap racquet to start the process, Roy bought a book. Roy became very good at racquetball and loved to play. We joined the Y and First Baptist had racquetball courts in the Christian Life Center now known as the Fitness and Recreation Center. He started playing tournaments and he loved how these macho muscled up guys were already counting on a win when they learned he was the opponent. Only Roy didn't play the power game cause he knew he could not win nor compete, so he played the finesse game thus winning many tournaments. He played mixed double racquetball, too scary for me and I had just started tennis, with a friend from the softball team at church I played on. She was a racquetball champion who could play the power game. He set her up for the kill with his finesse shots. Fun to watch for sure. As he continues his life being retired, he is learning a whole lot about gardening and by default, how to care for cats. He is a cat whisperer. The Boys know the schedule and follow him around. Mr Mo waits for him to go upstairs and sits on the chair by the stairs, to be carried up. Mr Mo doesn't always stay up there but he loves being close to Roy. 

I just read there is a degree for Play Therapy with children. Dang, I missed out on playing officially and degreed. I mean, my whole approach to life is, make it fun. Even the very hard days and occurrences, there has to be an element of fun for me to even stay interested or get through the best way possible. Yes, even when studying for a SS lesson, I make it fun and somedays, are such a surprise for me that it only can be God ordained. I'm so glad that Jesus gives the gifts of joy and peace. Yes, I do know the difference between fun, joy and happiness but sometimes in the goodness and the kindness of the Lord, well, all three get intertwined for such an adventure. Many times it happens while studying and many times it enters into The JOY Class on Sunday mornings. So thankful in dreary and weary times, the Lord shines through and we get to delight in the land of the living. 

Last Friday night the class of 73 from high school had their 50th reunion. Invited other classes to join and since our class did not have a reunion, several took up the offer. I've been looking through the pics posted and it is difficult to find familiar faces...cause all our faces are older than when in the beginnings of the prime of life. I just messaged my friend Randy asking if he and his wife made the reunion. He said yes and it was tons of fun catching up with everyone. Lot of the guys are recognizable but there were many who look too much alike, bald with the moustache/beard/goatee thing happening. 

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Day two of operation get em fixed is successful. Roy caught three Feral Fam members, Beanie, who is already fixed, Toupee, we think she has kittens on the gravel road, and one of the black cats...Roy thinks it is Barney. So, he took Barney and he picks up Fido this morning. Spot, the twin of Fido, is going to be happy to see Fido once again. Spot was mopey all day with the absence of Fido. 

We ran to Lowe's yesterday afternoon to pick up a few supplies to complete a project. I am especially thrilled that the dinning room table is just about free of things other than the decorations that should be there. Makes me so very happy. 

One project has been changing the litter box situation for The Boys. We got out the big, looks like a bench, covered litter box and put it in the downstairs bathroom. It takes up more room but it is manageable. Trying to contain litter dust and only deal with little grains of litter from off their paws. They are using it but much study and sniffing went into the whole process by the boys. Mr Mo and GMoey probably spent time in that big covered box as kittens cause the mamas would use it as a place to protect kittens in the garage. Back then only blankets not litter boxes. 

Sam's, Produce Stands and The Feral Fam

 We are once again Sam's Club members. They had an offer we couldn't refuse. $10.00 for a year membership. After our haircuts, we made our way over to shop and get a complementary card for Roy. They were pushing for the premium membership the whole time. We offered up that if we enjoyed our shopping experience, we certainly would give some consideration to upping to premium. Why we were missing out on free shipping, huge discounts with glasses and contacts and I forget what else. We walked away with the card and with a cart or as they are called buggies here, to look around and shop. It was a pleasant experience all around. No one wearing pajamas and slippers, good selection of things we like, better book selection than Costco and potting soil. We still like Costco better yet we were not put off by the experience. Not a bad deal, spend $10.00 to spend $194.00 checking out. 

Reminded me of my last time getting the $10.00 deal when offered by a tennis friend to be added to their membership. Went to Sam's to do just that and well....I didn't know the name of her design business so, without batting an eye, I began to tell a story of how this was my first day, that I was in tennis clothes because my first day included taking our client out for a game of tennis while the workmen measured for window treatments, floor coverings and fixtures. My first day also included coming to Sam's getting the coffee essentials and I knew my first day would be my last if I returned to the office empty handed simply because I forgot the name of the design firm I had just gone to work for. I remembered the boss's name, Betty Magee, that's it. I got the membership add on and I was feeling pretty proud of myself, thinking on my feet like that. Loading the car up, the Lord got my attention and reminded me what I called thinking on my feet was called lying by Him. Was it worth it to lie for a $10.00 add on? Boy, well when you put it that way Lord... Being pressured to update yesterday, well, it was nothing. 

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After a very dry week, we had rain overnight and this morning. The sun is doing its best to shine through and will probably make a showing here sooner than later. While wrapping up the notes for the lesson tomorrow and as I contemplated all of the meaning of these previous chapters, then reading chapter 17 once again, it hit me in such a different way. As written before, the relationship Jesus had with His disciples has seen the spotlight this time through John as well as how much the religious leaders hated Him. Not a bad view from the upstairs window while contemplating these things. After a good rain, all the shades of green show out. Yesterday, while driving to Canton we could see the greening of the mountain side and all the brown and bare is consumed with new life almost to the tops of the mountains.  

We finally made it for our first visit of the produce stand season this year, to Duckett's. We were not disappointed because Lou Lou is selling her canned greasy beans again at the store. They are so good! She has a couple of new items. We picked up the mashed strawberries for biscuits or ice cream. For a brief minute we thought about going to Christopher's Farm, but decided to head back home cause we had things we needed to do at home, projects to finish as well as start.  

While sidelined from blogging I did get some things accomplished. Here is one you didn't see coming, I finally color coded all my t-shirts. I'd even given many away, but still needed those popular colors in drawers to find them easier. The other project is just about done. We have been searching for a wooden cabinet at antique stores and a few thrift stores. Never found what we needed, well once but we waited too late and someone else bought it. While talking to my brother the other night I told him about the search and I was just about ready to empty a bookcase with doors to solve our too little of space pantry problem. Move the heavy bookcase into the dinning room, arrange a few things and go on from there. He mentioned we could turn the dining room into a room we actually use except for accumulating things we don't know where to put. A wonderful idea except if we decided to sell our home in the next few years, it would be difficult with the dining room being used otherwise. We did that in our Cinco Ranch home but that dining room was the strangest room to be used for that. Early on, we should have expanded the kitchen and just have a big eat in kitchen. From this conversation I decided not to move the bookcase but to move the books. I found two places to display books as well as filling in the empty spaces. Worked beautifully. Now I need to find some art deco fabric to cover the glass in the doors. Redneck ingenuity. Really who cares? This kind of stuff is not a high priority these days. 

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Home from church, I took a nap with Willie and Mr Mo, had some delicious strawberries and soon will pick up the book I am really enjoying but so slow, really. When reading slowly, it is written by the point of view of different characters and it takes me a bit to remember who this person is. 

We try to gather another member of the Feral Fam in the morning. Hopefully, we will be able to get the one Roy calls Fido. She follows him all over when he is outside and has even rubbed against his legs. She is one of the twins. 

This will have to do for now. Glad to be back blogging. 

Hoping Problems Are Resolved

 Happy Easter Monday! It is a coolish, sun-filled morning. After a Friday and Saturday of rain and a cool beginning to Easter Sunday, this continues to be a banner week weather wise. The sound of a small pinecone rattling against the floors is the background noise of the morning. The Boys are playing nice and I hope that continues until the second morning nap. 

Roy arrived at 6:30 am to help fix breakfast after the sunrise service yesterday morning. I only made it to the last few minutes of breakfast being served. Only wanted eggs and bacon and they had some left. Ate quickly and then got upstairs to our room to prepare for Sunday School. I did something I rarely do, use music in the lesson. Weeks before Easter, I play grand Easter hymns and one in particular caught my attention this year. So, we ended class with Christ the Lord is Risen Today, full out organ with the little frills and trills. I don't know what that means to y'all but my interpretation is all the extra notes playing along with the deep rumbling of the bass. Reminds me of the organist at Grace Presbyterian for many years. At the end of the service she would play something grand and we would move forward to watch her make those beautiful sounds with her hands and feet. Most people talked through the epilogue of the service, but it sent me out into the world filled with the Word, both in scripture and music.  Easter deserves and has earned organ music as a thankful and sentimental look of Easter's past. With the cool temps of the morning, a slight adjustment was needed as not to be really cold. The adjustment came with a change of shoes, flats, but had to add socks and boots to complete the pink, black and white outfit. 

Following the quarterly, we jumped to John 20 for Easter Sunday. Mary Magdalene, Peter and John, their reactions to the news of the resurrection. The phrase for after Peter and John had been in the tomb...John believed but then they went home. That struck me as an odd thing to say but yet, it isn't. Did they go home wondering or home not to be falsely arrested r go home confident?  

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Well, a beautiful yesterday called us out to the yard. We moved some raised beds as well as doing a few other things yardwork wise. The tulips are just about played out after they brought bright colors this spring. Now it is time to get the flowerbeds ready so they are ready for planting after Mother's Day. Think we had dogwood winter over the weekend and soon we will have blackberry winter, then we should be good to go. 

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I haven't been blogging because of neck issues while sitting at the computer. It's a boring story but I'll just say we have been looking to resolve the issue with screen and distance and we might have found an answer. So this morning, this is the experiment and we shall see if our new set up helps. 

Of course when you cannot sit down to write on the computer all kinds of things enter my brain to write about. Now that I am sitting here, nothing comes to mind. Oh well, I am sure in the coming days something will develop. 

With yesterday and today getting into the 80s, we will probably not continue our raised garden bed work until tomorrow. We have cold returning briefly over the weekend and then things will get to hopping plant-wise. We stopped to pick up strawberries yesterday afternoon and the produce stand people said next week we could see more availability in flowers and veggie plants. We are still holding to the after Mother's Day planting schedule, but we are getting the planting spaces ready.