Oh There Was That Day, March 27,2012

My battle against weeds continues. It is a battle fraught with hope and discouragement, work, planning and then more work. While laying out cardboard yesterday there were a few tiny weeds trying to poke through the spaces that don't line up exactly. For now it will be a pull by case basis until the reinforcement rubberized mulch border arrives sometime next week. Since we had beautiful weather and pleasant temps, most of yesterday was spent outside working on the flowerbed. It is forecasted to be much warmer today, so that will limit the time but there are a few more boxes to be cut apart and laid out and eventually covered with the mulch. In the past when these projects are started, patience hasn't been a companion. It was rush, get this done and move onto the next task. Well, now I just say, there is time to get this accomplished. Teasingly this is called my job and my PE class.

It got too hot too quickly so outdoor work came to an end and a move indoors was necessitated. I did get some cardboard laid out. I thought about doing some work in the backyard. I wish I could tell you how industrious I have been inside but sadly, that would be fake news. But there are a couple of items on the to do list that have been taken care of.

Today marks the 8th anniversary of the day of the official separation began between us and my father. That day as I had spent most of the afternoon looking for my father because his cardiology nurse said he did not show up for his appointment. Long story short he came home and I was in his office...writing down phone numbers of his friends and the constable for that area to begin a search for him. I knew it would not bode well and that no matter what I said and showed him what I had written down. that once I left, the conspiracy thoughts would envelop any sane thinking he had left. We sat there in the family room and talked, I wrote down all his meds and then when I was leaving, he threw out the idea we should go look at assisted living for him right then and there. Health-wise that day had been a drain on all the meager energy I had. I also knew he was not serious about assisted living and with it being after 4:00, it wasn't a good time to start looking. He took that as an insult. I reminded him I was not well and dealt with serious heart issues and he pretty much accused me of faking an illness. He couldn't understand why I would not call the nurse at his cardiologist office, she was so smart. No doubt she was but my cardiologist developed the procedure that was saving so many lives, he was on the cutting edge and my father was furious I wouldn't talk to his nurse. Of course, it was an attempt to acquire information and thus turn into control for him. That day while backing out of the driveway and waving to my dad, inside me the thought came...this is the last time you will ever see your dad alive. And you know, it was. From that point on and on April 12th while being served with papers by his attorney, he severed his relationship with us, legally. Then his harassment began with bogus reports to the police, constable office and adult protective services. Roy has said to me many times during the last five years, North Carolina saved your life. In the midst of all the accusations of coming to his house, putting a tracker on his minivan, tapping his cell phone, turning on water, turning on the stove and stealing from his garage, I was in North Carolina so many of the times. My brother found out the yard person was setting a lot of that up to be able to embezzle money from my father and my brother put a swift end to that part of the story. My father's friend John, who was the closest thing to a pastor he had at the end since he was fighting with the church he and my mom had belonged to since 1960 or so, called me once and asked if I had read the letters my father had put on all his doors addressed to us. No, cause I didn't go over there. He said they were some of the meanest words he had ever read. He asked me, do you know your father hates you? Of course I did, his hatred began when I went to kindergarten and I was more interested in making friends and going to school than thinking of him. This I also knew, while any one of his posse spoke to me, they would soon find themselves in the position I was in. He turned on everyone. Everyone was cheating him, stealing from him and plotting an overthrow to take all his money. He fired the lawyer that served the papers. He got rid of most of his posse. I'm glad that John was able to stick with him to the end and that his friend Thelma was so helpful to him. Once she realized all he had told her about us was a lie, her attitude changed regarding his accusations. While all of this was kind of a shock to the system it was also so freeing. So much stress was entirely gone once he was no longer a part of our lives. Like I said he tried hard to make his deluded accusations stick and I think it was his way trying to get back with us, thinking we would call and confront him about the falsehoods, but we didn't take the bait. He could not call and say I was wrong and I am sorry. I thought we were free and clear, my father and me when the beginning of those days with my mom declining and then eventually passing away. He had instructed my brother and Nancy not to tell me my mom was in the hospital, possibly facing death. He was able to keep that news from me because my mother no longer spoke, just spoke gibberish, so it wasn't eventful not to speak with my mom when I called.  I just happened to be in the cardiologist office when the news was leaked to me and cleverly I might add. When I called my father, we spoke of clearing the slate, of forgiveness on both of our parts and we were able to walk with him during the sad days ahead. But, I took the bait, he just said what he needed to say to manipulate the circumstances in his favor. My father was a smart man and throughout most of his life the only thing that held him back was sadly, him. A little too late we learned about narcissism and only then could we eek out freedom in a survivable way. We didn't know his behavior had a name. It seems the meds he was on, he was on so many accelerated his hallucinations, fears, neurosis and once my brother and the wonderful assisted living place he had found for our father, took him off all those meds, our dad settled out a little. Like my father had never been diabetic, he told that lie for years. Doug had two good years with him until our father died on April 1,2017. Thinking back on this day of eight years ago, I don't think my father ever thought he would need help from anyone. He was a cunning and skillful lair. He was able to keep his lies straight and his fabricated ingenious stories in line for the most of his life. Sitting at his roll top desk, surrounded by file cabinets and organized papers, he was king of content, until he got older. He couldn't keep lies and stories straight. All those years of lying when there wasn't a need to caught up and he found himself mired in a mess he had concocted himself. I share this from time to time because this story has hope, this story shows God's faithfulness and just because we find ourselves involved with people whether they are family, friends or coworkers who suffer and yes make us suffer from a narcissistic personality disorder, there is victory. The practical solution is starving the narcissist but the truth and victory only come from trusting in God, asking for His wisdom and be as wise as a serpent but harmless as doves. Also there were years of visiting a therapist. She gave me a road map as well as the encouragement while entangled with duplicitous ways to be set free.

I was writing this on the 27th and have come back to it a little to make changes here and there. In the past years, I know I have written about this incident and the fallout we felt and experienced. Each year that has gone by, I rejoice in the victory of being set free and that God made it all possible. How he impressed Roy for us to pay off our home in Texas. We expected something bad to happen but it was to be able to free us up to buy our home in the mountains. If we had a mortgage the lenders would think this more of being a second home and not inclined to loan us the money. God weaved together the circumstances to be able to live here in much better health than I would be back in hot Texas. If I reflect on time in my childhood, and mainly that is to write or at times encourage someone who has a similar background, I can see the hand of God and how there were people He sent that helped me along the way.

Tomorrow, my father will have been dead for three years. Five years tomorrow, the moving van arrived at our home in the mountains. This year I am more aware that the bad times and the times of deliverance are bundled together in a time span of dates but separated by years.  It kind of has that biblical time line feel to it. The other day my brother and I were texting, catching up and we both mentioned and then gave thanks that at this time of Covid-19, we aren't stuck in a house with him, quarantined with him. "My chains are gone, I've been set free!'



 

Too Beautiful Outside To Stay In and Write

An infrequent feral visitor has been hanging around this morning and he is creating quite a stir. It has been several months, maybe even the end of last year since he has been around. So maybe he isn't feral but he still carries the equipment. Cat fighting broke the silence of our morning, twice. Buddy and I looked out the window and there was Frankie in the submissive fight position against this other cat. It seems like they move in slow motion and then accelerate to fight. Claws were in position to claw away at will. Frankie is normally the dominant cat. Now I see why Strawyer flights and not fights. He has come home a couple of times looking beat up and worn out. He picks his times carefully to come to eat. He knows if I see him I will make up a bowl for him on the spot. With Frankie hanging around and the infrequent feral, this usually means the coyotes are a little closer than normal. The animal kingdom hasn't got word on social distancing. Watching all the happenings has activated social distraction and nothing has gotten done this morning. Well, breakfast and then treats for Buddy.

The project desk got cleaned up yesterday. Dried up pens, gone. Papers that needed to be shredded...they have been shred. Rearranged some books but that is a larger project that needs dedicated time.

I made a quick trip to the Post Office. Roy had sent me a package. I went when the post office is closed for the two hour break. Love that the small post offices can shut down mid-day and then reopen.It was just enough of getting out and then upon returning, I brought the garbage bin up. Glad all that is taken care of because it is raining a good bit now.

Facebook brought up a very good and fun memory from five years ago, five years ago today the packers were at the house getting everything ready for the moving van. We are getting ready to celebrate living here five years April 1. One of the best decisions we ever made and not once have we regretted it. These have been some of the happiest and joyful five years of my life. Even in the midst of this pandemic, we are so blessed to be here and be ensconced by the beauty of the mountains. We have made wonderful friends here. I have spent more time in the last five years going at a slower pace, spending more time alone, and not eating out as much...so basically, I have been in training for this season of life for a while.
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It seems like I can't get back to this post. It was a beautiful day, so I was out in the flowerbed continuing my redneck work of limiting weeds. Work went well today and I wasn't as tired as last week. So that is good.

Buncombe County is officially on stay home, stay safe in about twenty five minutes. Essential businesses are open. I try to limit the essential visit to one day a week and take precautions.

Think I need to relax, so this is the post for now. All is well...

We Don't Learn Anything in Drizzle

A couple of months ago while working on a Sunday School lesson I came across a quote that grabbed my attention. We were having a lesson from Psalm 84 taking a break from the regular Sunday School lessons whose theme about 95% of the time was on idolatry and rebellion. At the time it just seemed like a good idea to take a break and look into the psalmist longing for the house of God. Not only longing for the house of God but gaining strength from the journey. I don't remember where I found this quote but here it is, "We learn nothing in drizzle but we can learn life lessons from storms." Guess this comes to mind because this morning is a light rain, drizzle kind of day. From experience we know we are more frazzled and impatient in drizzle because the aggravation factor is multiplied when deciding whether it is worth the effort to open an umbrella or put the hood up on the rain jacket. These past few weeks have held some storms and you can go out to YouTube,FB Live or church websites and find encouragement about the storms of life and the unknown to us but known by God. We will get out in drizzle, even though a drizzle laden errand is fret with frustrations but storms, we stay at home or shelter in place. If we happen to be caught out in a storm, we learn lessons for the future and come to know the joy of being in a place that feels familiar or warm or cozy. For the most part, emotionally, I am okay but there are moments. You know moments that catch you unaware like last night while watching HGTV and the commercial comes on that all the familiar faces from those programs we love, talk about home and staying home. Home so others won't get ill and before I knew it, tears welled up and the thought of being so far away from Roy hit me hard. Our schedules are in flux, being changed and knowing that Roy has a tendency not to take things like this serious enough...well, tears. Although these past few days in our conversations he is taking things seriously. No more Metro bus riding into the office where he is about the only person on the fifth floor. He is driving into downtown and most probably those drives will be coming to an end this week. He has ordered monitors and other necessary items to work from home. On Friday he did get a little panicked and said he was buying another freezer to accompany the one in the garage and the refrigerator in the house. I talked him down off that ledge.

Talked to Peggy and Lisa yesterday. Not being much of a phone talker, I forget to call others. Peggy is always so good about keeping in touch so I surprised her yesterday. She was working on photo books and by the end of our conversation, she was outdoors pulling weeds. Lisa called while the usual Sunday routine of taking the garbage bin down to the road but the VM didn't show up till much later. So we got about an hour of conversation in...which was good and always fun.

In trying to be disciplined just a bit...I gave myself a list of things to accomplish yesterday. It wasn't even an aggressive too much to do list and even with the laid back feel, only a few things were taken care of yesterday. Most importantly the strawberries were sliced up. I bought some raspberries, a fruit I don't usually buy and enjoyed some of those in yogurt and cereal this morning.

As most of y'all know Roy is the book smart kind and I am common sense smart. I was talking to Roy as he was doing laundry. He told me he was going to put bleach in with his clothes. What? No! Stop! He didn't know you only use bleach with white things...oh man, he would have looked so colorful in his acid wash, tie dye clothes.

My neighbor Nancy texted me this morning. Cali's kitty, Canvas has been missing for three days. She is an indoor/outdoor cat. We are both afraid that the coyotes got her. Frankie, the mean dude cat, has been hanging around here at night and in the early morning. That kind of confirms that the coyotes were back. I have seen all the ones I care for today, so that is good. But I am sad about Canvas...I am sad for Nancy and her family.

Well, I think it is time for a late lunch. I am eating by expiration dates, so I have a salad planned for lunch. We are not in a drizzle friends. We are in a storm but this Psalm gives great comfort and hope, Psalm 84, we go from strength to strength...we are going through the valley of Baca. God gives grace and glory, no good thing will He withhold. We are so blessed when we trust in Him.

Self Distraction/Self Distancing/Self Detention=All The Same Thing

We have enjoyed some warm temps, with very little wind and lots of sunshine today. It has been one of those days that makes staying indoors very difficult. So, even though I had told myself last night, no working in the flower garden today but when everything pulled me that way, I gave into the work. Instead of using the tarp to pull down bags of mulch, I carried it down the old fashioned two by two. All in all I finished up some of the bare spots and then one of the outdoor rugs that is a part of my red-necking of the mulch and flowerbed. I was just about done when the unexpected happened. I slid on the incline of mulch and landed on my right hip. Yes, the right hip that I broke in 2016, That rubber mulch really cushioned the slide. Maybe the only bad will be bruises from my leg landing on my keys that were in the right pocket. I told Roy that when I played softball I believed that God only gave me 3-5 slides so I must not have used them all up. The area is supposed to have rain tomorrow and Monday so I will take a break and work again when Wednesday and Thursday are forecasted to be beautiful. I took several of the flat stones for the back and made a little pathway from the stairs to the flowerbed. Not so much to walk on but to keep my from stepping into an uneven part of the yard. Oh and for good measure I rolled some of the big border rocks from the flowerbed under the front porch down to the edge of the flowerbed. Need a few more there as that flowerbed under the porch is going to become part of the yard. Cheaper and easier than trying to keep it weeded. Nothing but burning bush in it anyway.

While resting this afternoon I began reading the stack of magazines that has accumulated over the past few months. Started with Garden and Gun.

Roy had cabin fever today so he took back the air filters to Costco. The A/C company put in this huge filter thing in the attic. Because Roy's allergies have been kind of bad the past few years, he runs the AC fan quite a bit to keep the air circulating. So hopefully this will help the motor not burn out. He did a little shopping because he hadn't bought any snacks. What! I mean I got snacks purchased the first thing and then worried about meals. Ingles chicken legs and thighs in the deli dept has become a go to for me. I had some the other day and put everything else in the freezer.

Buddy spent most of the day on the front porch and hopefully all that outdoorsy time will help her not be so restless tonight.
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Outdoorsy time for the win. Buddy was quite the sleeper last night but I also think as the temps cooled down she stuck around for warmth. This morning I made another batch of orange rolls because the expatriation date is getting close. They turned out better than the other day and for those of y'all and I know there isn't one person worrying about this for me, but I have heard the refrigerator motor...so now I have new things to listen for.

I have been online church hopping this morning. So many good and needful words and songs and then you know, there are a few that I skipped over cause I kind of know what is coming from them and truthfully, their words weren't helpful before the cornavirus and now certainly not feeling it in a time of a pandemic crisis. Highlight was hearing Lisa Pierre on the HFBC webcast. I miss hearing Pastor Bradley...and going through the book of Mark.

Because I can never remember the correct term of self distancing, I am calling it self distraction cause distractions are how I operate and get things done, eventually. Like right now I would really like to be outside working on the flowerbed but I need to take a day off. Folding laundry isn't holding the same fascination but it needs to get done. This afternoon seems like a good time to clean and organize my project desk. If I don't behave, then I'll put myself in self detention.  Last night I got back to the book that grabbed my attention but while the story is so good, the violence in the book is more than I can handle. So instead I am just skimming it to see if I can find the story soon enough. This mornings self distraction led me to look for any ponytail accouterments because you know I might be sporting a ball cap and ponytail in several months. Yesterdays self distraction, I found some dry shampoo spray that I didn't care for, but now will use because ain't going to see anyone. Got to find the silver lining in all these things and days.

A Taste of Texas email came last week and since I have been craving steak, I think I have written about this, I ordered four steaks and some decaf cinnamon coffee. Should arrive sometime next week.

Slid update, no bruises and feeling good. Rubber mulch is where it is at.

So that is all for now. 

At Home...At Peace...Ate Robin Egg Candy

Good morning! It is a lovely day so far, well except for seeing a possum, this is not a Teen Girl Squad reference, hanging out under the porch. Just saw the tail but for a moment it looked like a skunk. I had not had any coffee yet and Roy called and talked way above my level of understanding...so it was a lot of uh hah, yes...really...hmmm.. reactions on my part.  I don't mind a possum at all but you don't usually see them in daylight. Hope I don't have a rabid possum scooting around. I think I will choose to believe that it was out all night partying and late getting home. It must have moved on though because the kitties are hanging out under the house a bit and they usually get the heck out of the backyard when they see a possum.

A report on the ferals, I am calling the gray cat with blue eyes Frankie, after Frank Sinatra. Ol blue eyes doesn't hiss at me as much now. He is not around all the time, which I like cause I don't care for him, but especially when it is cold, I don't mind feeding him. The past couple of days have been seasonal but when he showed up this morning, he got his own bowl of food. Keeps peace in the feral fam cause he and Strawyer do not get along...thus Strawyer got his own bowl of food too that he shared with Punky. The kitties just look at me and eat and most of them will do the trust eyes with me, so that is encouraging. I brought out the kiddie fishing rod and they sort of play but their favorite is still red laser light at night. Camo hasn't been around for months so I assume she is no longer with us. Mama Cat shows up once in a while.

Buddy and I got into a little tiff yesterday. I tried to trim her nails and in the past she has been cooperative but not last night. She got a few good swipes in and retreated downstairs for a bit. Came back up and slept on the other couch meaning I got in a few hours of sleep on my left side. Around 2:00 am, she came to bed, slept on my arm and guess we have made up. When I fell back asleep I dreamed I had a huge fight with Beth Moore. About what, haven't a clue but we were yelling at one another...then when I woke up from the dream, I was in afib. Dang! My heart went back into rhythm after about forty five minutes and then I went back to sleep. So it was funny when a friend texted me this morning about Big and Boo Mama's podcast with Beth she listened to last night. My friend also had a weird dream about meeting Bernie Sanders and his wife...so self distancing is having an effect, strange and odd dreams. In real life, I am not mad at Beth, nor would she care about that, so I wanted to make that clear. Oh and my friend, she doesn't know Bernie Sanders.

Is anyone else washing their hands before they wash their face?

After working in the flowerbed yesterday, I am taking today off. It is supposed to rain this afternoon. Tomorrow though, I hope to be back out there finishing up my project. After years of using bird feeders that looked like a porch swing, I have now purchased some that look like a picnic table. The swings finally rotted out. It is good to have an open feeder because if you put meal worms in with the birdseed, blue birds and woodpeckers will come and eat.

How come bird feeders is two words but birdseed and birdbath are one word?

It seems earlier this year and I know we will have cooler temps several times, but off came the flannel sheets and cool cotton sheets replaced them. I am also putting up my heavier flannel shirts put keeping a few handy. Not quite ready to give up flannel shirts and boots, but we are nearing that time.
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Saturday morning...beautiful after a night of scattered rain. I ended up working just a bit in the flowerbed yesterday because Mike the Mower Man was here and I wanted to get the border around to keep extra grass and seeds from going into the uncovered part of the bed. 28 bags of mulch remaining and as Roy said, take your time...you don't have anything else to do...and that isn't totally true. So far the coffee maker and ice maker have received deep cleaning and there is more to be done around here. I also have stacks of stuff that needs to be gone through. And of course books. My attitude toward being self distancing is not to go overboard on any one thing cause that is how one gets bored quickly.

The ferals have had snacks but I'm getting ready to go out and feed them brunch. Buddy is on the front porch and a very happy camper. She was a little restless last night but not too bad. Now that it is warming up she doesn't stick so close by which I welcome so I can sleep on my left side some.

Day 3,134 of Self Distancing...I Mean Day 4

Day 3,134 of self distancing...uh, oops, no...sorry, day 4 of self distancing. Except yesterday, I went to the grocery store(s) for supplies. I found bananas, citrus fruit and dairy products. It is nice having Ingles and Publix across the street from one another. Got home, put stuff up and read a bit. Then, I decided to make another trip to Lowe's for rubberized mulch. The garden center area is practically deserted and when I walked past two people, I held my breath. I am also wearing my gardening gloves to load fourteen bags but a nice Lowe's employee loaded them into the truck.

Rednecking the front flowerbed is keeping me interested and active. I took down the twelve bags I bought earlier in the week on a tarp, four bags at a time. Spread out eight bags and laid down more cardboard. There are lots of breaks thrown in for good measure and it also keeps me hydrated and my hands not touching my face. When I finished up, I washed my hands like three times due to touching stuff having been brought into the house from the grocery store and fixed lunch. Such a deal on mesquite grilled chicken, six legs and thighs for $3.99. Had a couple of legs with mashed potatoes, stored a few in the refrigerator and froze the rest. Fixing the lunch thing exhausted me more than the outside work.

Our pastor's wife Kelly, called me Tuesday and confirmed what I think what we all already had guessed, our Easter Egg Hunt is cancelled. Good thing I bought a lot of candy that I like...and a lot I don't. She and Pastor Bradley are so wonderful! She is maybe 40 and loves our Sunday School class, so that's where she goes. We all love her and her enthusiasm for life. She asked me to send a text to our class letting them know if they need anything, she or Pastor Bradley would love to pick it up for us and deliver. Then she gave me the talk about staying home since I had mentioned going to Lowe's. I texted the class, don't let her find out if you get out and about...cause she is good at trying to keep you on the straight and narrow...except, I went back to Lowe's yesterday. But the good news is, I'm not going there today.

The Bradford pear trees are so beautiful right now. Along the ridge lines where there are so many, it almost looks like smoke from a fire. Our ornamental cherry trees are budding as well. The blending of the pink and white blossoms make a great photo opportunity.

So back to texting...our class is full of funny, funny people and one of my favorite things is to laugh with them. Like all good group texts, we were blowing up everybody's messaging. We hoped that we would recognize one another when we are finally allowed to gather with ten or more people. Thank goodness I had a highlight and haircut appointment last week, but several mentioned they might be wearing ponytails when we gather once again and I reminded them that if they saw someone who looked like me but with dishwater brown hair with a few gray hairs, it was me.

I have moved on from trying to catch the refrigerator motor running and have become occupied with the liquid underneath the truck...which was just run-off condensation but you know...it got my attention and held me in its grips for just a while.

So, this is the update here and I forgot to post it yesterday...I think it is really day 6 of self distancing because it began on Saturday...but you know time flies...

Keeping Focused In These Days....on refrigerator motors

I refuse to play anymore games with Buddy. She cheats at tic tac toe as well as BINGO. She will have to find another way to pass the time while we are self restricting our comings and goings during this pandemic.

Articles are encouraging men to shave their beards for health reasons during the Covid-19 crisis. I haven't broken my nazarite vow from the January period when such a vow was enabled for the non-shaving my legs. Will my health rise for the better if I shave my legs now? Seems like I will have plenty of time to ponder this but unlike Mary, I will not treasure these thoughts in my heart.

One of the ferals either Andy or Ranger accidentally spent the night in the garage. When the ubiquitous fragrance of cat poop hit upon opening the garage backdoor, I only hoped they had used the litter box. No, but they used the rubberized tree rings which is close enough. Those rings will be escorted out of the garage once I finally get dressed for the day. It is not my usual habit to stay in jammies for the majority of the morning, but since these are special times, special care to keep one attentive and interested is now being utilized here at the house. The likelihood of someone popping in is nearly 0, so extendomatic time for jammies is a new thing.

I spend a lot of time in the winter at home and doing so is always welcomed. I believe the term is introverted extrovert. But now with the emphasis on staying home, I am noticing things that have never had a blip on the screen. This morning for instance, after cleaning the ice maker, I have been obsessed with hearing the refrigerator motor. It hasn't come on, so I think, and wonder if all is well. The refrigerator door messaging assures me all is well, all is running and being kept cold or frozen. Only, the preoccupation of actual hearing the motor is making me a little OCD. Thus moving upstairs has helped a little. I haven't really ever been OCD about much, well, my tennis strings being replaced constantly was a little OCD, but other than that...Oh yea, looking for my purse in the car...yet, while traveling overseas, I tend to get OCD over, where is my passport...even when it is in my hands. Since then my new obsession is washing my hands and going through lotion. I think I have rubbed skin off the back of my hands because these little scab places are showing up.

In the midst of all this, I have taken the time to read math oriented articles about the virus. No one told me math would be involved but I'm thinking with all these resources being offered free online to help kids now out of school and thrown into the world of homeschooling, maybe I should return and try again in the math journey...well, I don't have much spare time for that cause you know, refrigerator motors are taking up any slack time.

It looks like our rainy morning might be over thus work can resume on the rednecking of the flowerbed. Probably just a matter of time before Lowe's restricts products and...thus rubberized mulch. So maybe I should make another trip to keep this project front and center. Note to self, only work in the front flowerbed in snippets of time due to the copious amount of attention now to be focused on the refrigerator motor. Hmm...Lowe's has appliances...a perusal might be helpful to see what kind of motors are available...just to listen to.

Buddy has asked not to be home schooled at this time. She is researching naps and how many can be taken in a twenty four hour period. I applaud her determination in her pursuit. Maybe this would be the time for adding college credits to the resume'. The most important thing right now here at the Monarch Penurious Path to Education is joining a sorority. I have pledged, Keepa Cuppa Coffee. Rush the past few days has been arduous but well worth the effort. My assignment was buying coffee filters because the sad reality revealed yesterday was, a low supply. I found only filters for 1-4 cups of coffee at Publix but I think my ordering off of Amazon this morning impressed my sorority sisters of whom I haven't even met or seen but know they must be around.

Back to the refrigerator motor for a second...you see, I have Pillsbury Orange Sweet Rolls in the refrigerator that must be used by March 26th. So, this morning, orange sweet rolls was the menu. Only they didn't come out of the can like usual, thus adding to the conspiracy of a non running motor. But when I made closer inspection of the pop open thingy, it was not the usual 8 roll can...See what can happen when you were raised by a conspiracy theorist. By the way jumping to conclusions was the exercise portion of the morning so at least that will get checked off the box. I see I have now been upstairs for thirty or so minutes and that means a surprise inspection of the refrigerator motor needs to be assessed. Oh the things one can become involved in and obsessed with. Tomorrow might bring obsessing over the HVAC system or on the time delay on Roku TVs.

For Now.....

It feels strange to be home at this hour. If this was a normal week the choir would be going over Total Praise before going into the service. I would have finished up our lesson in Sunday School. But, I am here at home looking out on the beautiful scenery and listening to Second Baptist Houston. As life changes to a new normal for the unseen future we are having a huge swell of support local businesses during this time so in that spirit I should really go from online to TV and watch a local service.

I can hear my Houston cardiologist in my head reminding me because of the virus that attached my heart in 2008 that I must always remember that I have a compromised immune system, no matter how good I feel and to act accordingly. Several years ago before having an ablation and dental surgery, my comings and goings were very restricted because if I had one iota of anything respiratory, neither the ablation nor the dental surgery could be done. They told me to err on the side of caution, no abundant caution back then, and restrict being in groups. Thus, came the season of just going to Sunday School and not big church. All shopping was done in non busy times. For the foreseeable future, I'll go back to that regimen.

The past few weeks have also held adjusting to a new schedule. Beside studying for a lesson on Sunday I am also facilitating the study of Taste and See on Thursday mornings. Although that doesn't require study time, I need to be familiar with the homework and discussion. Thus, my blogging time has diminished a bit. A post that has gone on for several days has been in the works, but now, with time gone by, I probably won't post it. It had a few updates on the ferals of the backyard. Every now and then someone down the road either lets their dobermans out or the dogs escape but they usually make a stop here...not like the other dogs that wrecked havoc but to eat. Yesterday morning, the cats flew under the porch with an urgency. I just happened to be downstairs and saw the dogs on the security camera. So out to the garage I go and I yell and bang on the door to scare the dogs off. It worked. We really need to put up a fence not so much for the cats but for me. It is beginning to be the time of year when I work outside a bit more and those huge dogs would scare me and I cannot escape with urgency underneath the porch. All in all the cats are doing okay. A little more adventurous toward the gravel road. The gray cat, Frankie, hangs around more and I don't really like him. He is a bully. Punky and Strawyer are around but not too much.

It didn't seem to hit here until late Thursday or early Friday, panic mode. On Tuesday and Wednesday stores had plenty of supplies, now not so much. My big venture out yesterday was to Lowe's to take advantage of the ten percent off for card holders. More rubberized mulch for the front flowerbed, redneck preparation to fight off weeds. This endeavor is keeping me off the streets and away from any virus. I keep waiting for all this rain that was forecast to water down the cardboard before covering it with the mulch. Yesterday, Mike was here finishing up by weed eating the backyard and helped with getting the mulch down to the flowerbed. That was a HUGE help. The dogwoods and ornamental cherry trees have buds and blossoms, so it won't be long till the yard looks like spring. Daffodils are in bloom all over the backyard and the Bradford pear trees are in bloom. Some blooms are whiter and some blooms are beige depending on the amount of frost or freeze the past few weeks.

Since I prepared for a bad winter, which did not happen, I had most supplies I needed. Picked up a few snack type items along the way cause these days I am more of a snacker than a meal prep person. And I am more of a mood eater. Plenty of food for Buddy and the ferals. As for books, y'all, I am set because the TBR pile is pretty high.

The reason for my redneck flowerbed prep, I am in the midst of a dental implant and learned in the first part of March that I will need another implant. Thus, in an abundance of caution, any big ticket landscaping is now designated for dental costs. The second implant procedure begins the first part of May.

Well, that is all for now.

24 Hours and Back to the Land of the Living

It is good to be back in the land of the living cause yesterday I was having my doubts. I felt sure I had a twenty four hour bug but you know you can tell yourself all kinds of stories about fever and throwing up. Sunday afternoon should have given me a clue, I was fatigued and took a really long nap. I don't do that much anymore. I probably should have stayed home but I credited the fatigue to getting everything in order for our celebration Sunday and being pretty sure we would have a visitor to our class. Now, I do not worry in one bit about our class, so welcoming and friendly, but instead of a lesson our time would just be a devo-ette and not a very good one at that. If I studied like normal, I would want to teach a lesson, so it was trying to find a good but short way to close out Malachi and with us being finished with the Old Testament and going into the New.

Yep, I probably should have stayed home because upon returning home, I went straight to bed...so tired that I didn't wash my face or brush my teeth...I hate to share that but it is part of the story. It is a rare night that the washing of the face and teeth are not done. In the middle of the night, I woke up and had a slight headache, so I thought...wow, my blood pressure must be high or something cause I rarely if ever have headaches. When morning arrived, it might have been 100% but I was not. Thinking it was something to shake off, I went downstairs, made coffee and ate a half of a banana. Only half because the urgent called and I responded. After that episode I knew better than to drink coffee or finish the banana. It was a return upstairs to go to bed. I barely remember Nathan calling about mulch and even the thought of mulch was priming me to throw up. A little later I heard Mike unloading the stones for the backyard and I texted him that I wouldn't be out there. One word answered Inez's text and waited till later in the day to respond to Jennell. It hurt to look at anything. When I have a fever my eyes hurt and there was a hurting going on. Much, much later in the day, I got up, went downstairs, held my breath and fed the ferals. No breakfast made that bunch kind of hungry. I tried drinking, sipping a Coke but it didn't stay down either time I tried it. Now this is when the thoughts hit...maybe this is more than a bug. Maybe I am really, really ill. When my eyes can take it, I think I will Google it up, my symptoms. As the day turned to evening, I did feel better than I had in the morning. Should I get up, try some crackers and vitamin water...from the Amish, so you know it has to be good. Went downstairs and retrieved the crackers and a Dr Enuf as a chaser. Meanwhile, I am texting with Dr Inez and she was giving me some good advice. She was also encouraging me, if this was heart related which it wasn't but I knew I could not get dehydrated or it would be. That is when I went to Dr Google...dang, according to the good Dr Google, I was probably dying of ten common diseases and one very rare one. One of the symptoms was a bad taste in your mouth...I had that...but then I remembered I didn't brush my teeth the night before, so always, always brush your teeth even when you are so tired. You'll think you have a disease and the prognosis is not good.

I stayed up to eat a cracker or two. That went well...so I drank a little vitamin water...went well...a little Dr Enuf...still going well. With that, I watched my new favorite show, Home Town. It is kind of ironic that I like this show so much because, it is filmed in Laurel, MS. I dread going through Laurel. For a long time the interstate went down to 40 mph. So, you know that is a speed trap waiting to happen. The choices for stopping are limited, so I am happy to see Laurel in the rear view mirror. Now I want to stop and look around but I probably won't. That is where whether coming or going I am making the turn, think make time, toward Houston or I am excited to be on the way home to NC.

Thinking even though I have slept most of the day, going to bed around 10:00 pm would be good. It was except I woke up, wide awake around 1:30 am. Finally, at 2:00 I got up to get more fluid and crackers in me and wouldn't you know it, Home Town was on repeat that early in the morning. I think I have now watched all the episodes in the past few weeks. Around 4:00, it was back to bed and almost made it to 8:00 am.

Feel much better this morning and have stuff to do but not pushing it. I kept thinking about the lesson for Sunday, it is on the first Adam and the last Adam...all the big words are there, justification, sanctification, fortification, classification, modification...I need a vacation...  No really, just the first two words...but that is enough. When I signed up for teaching I said, no teaching out of Romans, unless it starts at Chapter 12 cause my pay grade isn't enough for teaching the first 11 chapters. I understand them personally, tripped up verbally. Well, God will make a way for Romans 5 to be taught by this ADD, tongue tied with the great themes, person.

Buddy was my constant companion yesterday. She rarely left my side...Roy said it was because I was warm, with running a fever. That's true but after I would throw up...she would take her paw and stroke my face at the jaw line.

So, a whole post on a 24 hour bug...lesson learned...go with your gut, even if it won't hold food or drink...don't read Dr Google, instead of planning on the next Sunday School lesson, you'll be planning your funeral service. Okay, I didn't get that far along...but you know what I mean...

Saturday Morning Quick Thoughts

Because the winter sun doesn't hit the backyard like in summer there is some remaining snow, lingering on evergreens, in patches of shade and the like but with a full day of sun it all should be melted by the end of the day. We might get a few more flurries this upcoming week...guess winter finally got its act together, of late, and now when our hearts and minds turn to spring, we have this late wave of colder temps and a few snow flurries. The temperature is 18 degrees right now.

One of my errands today is dropping off some stuff at Goodwill. It is the continuous journey of going through closets. From early on nothing has ever been held onto too tightly by me but maybe the exception is books. The last two book clean outs are barely a blip on the screen but it is the honest evaluation of so many of these books, I'll not read them again or they aren't in a genre that holds my interest. There are a few though, that will stick around a little longer. Back in the early days of my collecting first edition southern fiction, I came across memoirs and stories that aren't the predictable, stereotype niche of growing up poor or southern or whatever. I found a book several weeks ago that had been put away. It had been recommended by a young friend and I skimmed it when I first bought it but it has been in the depths of a box. I was somewhat excited when I came across it because it seemed to fit in with the Taste and See study that we will be starting in a couple of weeks. This thin book is drudgery to go through. It is one of those happy, slappy, snappy books written by a bright and bubbly persona that seems to include some not so good days in her story, mainly cause something has got to cut the cuteness and sweetness of the stories and observations. She is the typical women's ministry go to speaker type and I struggle with that constant barrage of imagery. There are several Christian authors who use this same blueprint and I have tried to finish their books and I just can't even though I am drawn to their subject matter. I'll skim the rest of the book but I can already sense that hers will be the same theme, different foods, other gatherings, and the same formula that this book has showed in the first three chapters. Such a contrast to Taste and See. Margaret Feinberg tells interesting stories, great Bible examples and with so much research. Each time I go through the book, I underline in different colors because her study is multilayered Maybe I identify with Margaret because she and her husband don't have children either and she is basically untethered to roam about and experience life without having to be back home to help with homework and stuff like that.

In the midst of the ordinary yesterday, and I love me some ordinary, I received an encouraging note. A long time friend, first time caller....  No, a long time friend messaged me that she is traveling the heart issue road and the upcoming procedures, the medicines and all the like...and that Monablog had helped her. She had gone back to 2008 beginning in September as I wrote through the twists and turns of my journey. For so many reasons I continue to blog, and now it ain't cool anymore but who cares? But when I hear from friends and strangers about how much either the heart stuff or things dealing with my father has helped them, I know that this little corner of the world, I am doing the right thing. You can survive a traumatic childhood, dramatic adulthood, making a livelihood, the scary-hood, and  new neighborhood and come out okay, better than okay. If some of the abuse and trauma, or the illness and recovery helps someone, my little heart and life are encouraged. Well, my heart isn't little but enlarged...but you get the idea. And if other posts have brought you laughter and joy, that's good too...and I cannot forget to mention all the boring posts...they have their place as well, cause boring posts are for me, to remember a day or an event.

One last observation and this will be of the feral kind, I watched Punky and Ranger eating this morning. On any given moment, Punky will chase Ranger out of the yard and down the gravel road. While the cousins have totally accepted Ranger, Punky has mixed reactions. Punky and Ranger found the food on the back porch steps earlier. As long as Punky was eating, Ranger would eat...if Punky looked up, Ranger looked up...because one never knows what a hormonal cat will do, continue eating or chasing. Last night as I was making my rounds, turning off lights and such...I saw Strawyer coming up our road...dang, he had been hanging out near the busy, mainline highway with constant traffic last night. These stubborn ferals....

We Finally Got Some Measurable Snow

I'm waiting on the snow that was supposed to start before sunrise this morning. When I woke up, I looked out the window to see normal conditions. Off and on throughout the morning there has been a few noticeable flakes drifting downward but nothing of merit. Now the forecasts are delaying the snow arrival, with warnings of deteriorating conditions beginning this evening and into the morning with the dreaded black ice forming along the roads. It seems that we live off a primary road so salting and clearing the road would take priority. The snow reports are coming in from the Balsam area, which is well known for the abundance of snow, more than other areas. Yes, once again, we are thankful for the people that made a better offer on the house we put an offer on...in Balsam. Yes, the Lord watched over us and kept us from making that huge mistake. Just looked out the window and snow skies have made their appearance and tiny, little flakes are falling, not drifting.

Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons have been spent up at the church house, in our Sunday School room. On Tuesday, I changed out one of the bulletin boards. Truthfully, this is not in my sweet spot so to speak. So how can one go wrong with a road map of Israel, Bible verses and a few decorative accouterments? Oh and a teal border around the board? I also began cleaning out shelves. On Wednesday, the afternoon was a lot more fun with Judy and DC there. We got halfway though the second bulletin board, finished cleaning out things and generally trying to make the room seem not so sterile and unkempt.

It is now late afternoon and the snow was late in arriving but has been cranking out the flakes for hours. The snow tapers off this evening. It is beautiful and although snow covers a lot, it is not that quiet kind of snowfall. I have been trying to get those little stubborn ferals into the garage. Strawyer hasn't been around for a couple of days but he showed up this morning. The kittens...well, I think they are under the house but who knows. I've seen a few of the cats that I don't particularly like, well normally, but when it is cold and snowy...I make the effort to make sure they are fed to help them as they burn calories to keep warm. Yesterday in the checkout line, the cashier who has ferals and I visited a bit while she rang up groceries and cat food. I asked her about her cat she has been trying to get trapped, and he had died last week...hit by a car. I told her about Mr. McBeavy who was hit last month. We both had a few tears drop as we lamented the way these cats work their way into our lives and then how they leave an empty place, especially when they are just so darn stubborn.

Tuesday morning, I went to Walmart to pick up some bulletin board type supplies. Two guys at separate times fawned over the Mustang. It didn't use to make me nervous, but I've been reading about the uptick of crime here. Lots of break-ins and I'm just wondering if the car in our driveway last Friday night was a potential attempt? I don't know but I am going to become one of those "no turn around" sign people. I have them in my cart on Amazon. This morning I set off the alarm...first time ever here or in Texas that I have done so. I need to put a sign up to remind me. When that alarm went off...it scared Buddy and me pretty good, as well as the ferals outside.
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Friday, well, the snow is slowly melting and the roads are thawing and a few people are out and about this morning. All the road reports talk of main roads being clear. Although, I heard there is a patch of ice in front of the Leicester Post Office. Everyone is out in the back, kittens as well as Punky, Strawyer and the gray cat. I don't like the gray cat but he needs food just like the others...it has been a while since a morning has started with a hissing of a cat. Straw and Punk love my flannel pajamas and they were rubbing against my legs while I was fixing breakfast for them.

Since our class is having a celebration Sunday, I've been working on a short but sweet devo thought to wrap up our journey through the Old Testament. I was talking to Roy about the lesson and he told me about a situation he is dealing with...it was just the thing to hear, for direction in how to take us into Malachi for just a brief moment. The conversation also helped Roy to think through things when I gave him one example from our lives that would help with the resolving of this situation in the present. Sometimes when we have a benchmark moment, whether they be good or bad, those moments remind us what we did well and how we went wrong. And most importantly, God's grace in it all, past, present and future.

Well, time to wrap up this post. It's a beautiful, sunny day, but dang it is too cold to go outside and do anything.

A Monday Morning Wrap Up

If you like reading about the ferals living out back, you might like this post. I am putting this down for me to ponder and remember, these days of cats and roses. Well, the roses are dormant right now and by the looks of things at Tractor Supply, the time to plant is now. I am kind of having doubts cause we could still get a big ol blast of winter...like on Saturday.

This past week two unknowns in the cat world have been two black and white cats. The first one, I have only seen once but the second one, who I have been calling Darth Vader has been around in the late afternoons creating havoc amongst the peaceful dwellers of our backyard. He looks like he is someone's pet, thus the late afternoon timing and his coat is beautiful and shiny, not the look of a feral. He has not been interested in the "girls" nor in the food, although I saw him last night getting a snack. No, his pleasure is running all these cats into pandemonium.  The kittens head for under the house, Punky if she is around, takes flight up to the gravel road and poor Strawyer cowers wherever he can get cover. Last evening before Darth made an appearance, the docile Strawyer seemed agitated and began picking fights with the kittens. Not in the mating ritual but just out of pure frustration with his lot in feral cat life. He particularly picked on the cousin who has been accepted into the fam somewhat. I opened the porch door to see if cuz would take me up on relief and hospitality...it sat there, I think it is a boy but who knows, and looked for a long time, maybe contemplating. I hadn't seen that look on any of these cats since Cali. But that feral emotion and logic won out, and seemed reluctant to move on, but it did. The other kittens tried to help it out by diverting Strawyer's attention. Seems like everything came to a close when who with dark, can't see his eyes appear but Darth Vader and his provoking of fear. I couldn't watch or interact any longer, so I went upstairs, cause cat world is just that, cat world.

Today after the rain, the kitties are out and about. Playing, napping and eating. With the cold temps coming in tonight, they'll be bundled up warm with each other under the house. After yesterday, these moments of kittendom are so welcomed. And just like my mom would tell Doug and me, it's always fun until someone gets hurt. So all these kitties have been napping together, so sweetly and then one wakes up and has the yayas, and the play begins.
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Oh Monday morning, where did the weekend go? Not that it really matters cause when you're retired many times any and everyday seems very weekendish. Friday was Valentine's and our neighbors made a cherry loaf cake for us and Brenda brought by heart shaped Valentine cookies...all the above, very delicious. Friday afternoon I had several errands to run and once all that had been done, I came on home for a relaxing, Valentine's evening complete with cake and cookies. Only thing, it didn't turn out to be a relaxing evening. A little before 9:00, I went downstairs to get some treats for Buddy and when I came upstairs and looked out the window over the driveway, there was a car, a Jeep, silver, parked in our driveway, up close near the garage. It unnerved me a bit to see that because even our friends who have lived here all their lives, do not like coming all the way up to the garage. I called Brenda and she and Larry prepared to come on over. While I was talking with her, I went back downstairs and when I looked out the car was gone. It could have been a totally innocent thing, like someone being lost, or it could be something deliberate. With all the lights coming on the movement could have frightened the person off. Maybe I need to get one of those no trespassing/ no turn around signs for the driveway. I checked with our neighbor to see if they were expecting anyone cause they might be lost. He is active military and he gave me his number and said he would come down with rifle in hand. Saturday night I moved the truck closer to the other side of the driveway and that gave me a better view from our security cameras. It also made the driveway wide open with no truck masking a view.

Saturday, I hung around the house working on the lesson and also working on my projects a little bit. Got the some things moved around in the back because Mike will begin work this week on putting in some stepping stones/flat rock to level out the backyard and hopefully help in with less mud being tracked into the house.

We finished up Nehemiah yesterday. Next Sunday our class will have a celebration Sunday. We have made it through the Old Testament. We have birthdays and really, we just need a time to celebrate and fellowship. I might have a devotional thought on Malachi, but then again, I might not. I know I write this so often and every time I write it in truth, I love our class. We love one another, that is for sure. Our Pastor is preaching though Mark and his sermons have been so good. Sunday nights, we are going through I Samuel. The setting is casual and we have lots of question/answer/comment time available. Rob and Cindy had homemade cookies for us in choir practice. Delicious! What a thoughtful thing to do. What a nice way to end Valentine's Day weekend.

Back to the ferals for a moment...with a reprieve from rain, the kiddos are out there playing and chasing one another. Punky seems to be morphing into Mama Cat, cause Punky is in a bad mood most of the time now. Watching the developments in the back, it seems like the dangers of feral living is not so much from predators, although it is real, but from their own ilk or tribe. Like Darth, who causes havoc, Mama Cat who usually kills her kittens and just the territorial wanderings and markings that cats make. After about a three week absence, Mama Cat showed up Saturday afternoon. I haven't seen Camo in the longest time but that doesn't mean she is dead. That cat is just plain hard to see...thus her name.

Rain, Songs...What Are They Good For? Entertaining Me on a Rainy Day....

Hanging around, nothing to do but frown. Rainy days and Mondays, always get me.... Yep, that's it, rainy days on any days gets me, like in a sentimental good way. Today, I won't fight or resist the urge to settle down with a good book, maybe even The Good Book, maybe some hot chocky or decaf cinnamon coffee from Taste of Texas, in the bonus room, with fake fire stove heater going and wrapped up in a throw. Then when Buddy wakes up from whatever napping spot she has decided upon, she'll join me, either on my lap or on the pillows next to me looking out the window. Yep, those are my afternoon plans that might stretch into the evening. Then the song has to be changed to, I love a rainy night, love a rainy night.

Not all share the love of a rainy day...I probably only love a rainy day when I get to stay home. With all the rain we had over the weekend, a watchful eye is being kept of rivers, roads and rock slides. Being a Baptist and learning alliteration comes in handy. One lane has reopened through the Natahala, rain caused rock slides again, but read this morning that now power lines are down across the road and it is closed once again. The French Broad is up nearby but not near to coming out of the banks. I checked it out yesterday as I drove over to Weaverville. You can see a few new rocks and displaced dirt on the river road, but no slides as of this writing. This is looking to be the highest rainfall total for February around these parts and we aren't even halfway through the month. The forecast is for rain until Thursday.

Enough weather reports, whether they be boring or breaking. When I got home from church yesterday, well, after I got home from lunch with Brenda yesterday, my heart and thoughts were just so joyful. We have such a wonderful Sunday School class, full of supportive and funny friends. We love one another, pray for each other and rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. We are so fortunate and blessed, we are also so blessed that we get to have two Sundays in Nehemiah. So many books here lately have been the one and done variety. Nehemiah is so layered and deep, with so many different subjects we could rest on; prayer, leadership, how to's for enemy resisting, faithfulness and generosity.  As much as I love Nehemiah, it wasn't until last week I picked up on...this is Nehemiah's diary or journal...his memoirs.

Dena sent me a copy of the book, Culture Code Champions, by Bill Higgs. He is one of the founders of Mustang Engineering, a great entrepreneur, mentor, Believer, and innovator. When I first met Dena she worked at Mustang, leading the marketing and communications group. Over the years I have heard the stories and traditions that were started, developed and shared, all beginning at Mustang. Mustang had all kinds of swag and my goal was to have one of everything they stored in their goody closet. Didn't happen but I told Dena I would know I was close to having everything when I got the pic up sticks. They had the best pens and I found one the other day cleaning out a drawer. Happy, happy, happy! Roy, Mustang did quite a bit of work for the company Roy works for, loved his Mustang calendar, the shrimp boils and he was able to get a couple of framed prints of work that had been done for EPD. I think he misses the shrimp boils the most. Anyway, I read through the book on Friday, saw Dena's name a couple of times...I know her! I teased her saying, I don't work, but maybe I can put these principles to use with my little feral family. They are a stubborn group, that is for sure. But, I was able to use one example in the Nehemiah lesson yesterday. Unlike so many books in this genre, it doesn't have a ton of pictures of "look at me." None of, here I am starting the company, here I am speaking to the company, here I am at a conference....here I am with someone famous....  Very few pics but the one I love the most, is Bill standing with the receptionist in the main lobby. He makes a great point, the receptionist is as important as your biggest seller, most creative employee, or highest degree holding employee. She is the first face many times or the first voice of your company. She or he can make or break an impression.  I was telling Roy about the book and he bought it on Kindle. It is his delightful reading on the bus going into downtown and coming home. Last year I got to go with Dena to Charleston as Forbes Publishing celebrated the kick off as the book, in the beginning stages as being written by Bill. Such a fun time and enjoyed hearing the stories of Mustang and then from others who have started businesses and successes, inspired by Bill and doing it the Mustang way. Years ago I had a dream that I was hired by Mustang to be in charge of the goody closet. We laugh about it now, but it is one of my favorite dreams, that I can remember.

Looking out the window I cannot help but sing, "Who'll stop the rain?"

This morning, before serving breakfast to all the ferals that hang out around here on a consistent basis, I gave them a little snack. One of the most captivating views that happen with these cats is this, they respond to the sound of the porch door being opened. I have a bell on the door and these cats become Pavlov's dog when they hear the bell and the sound of the sliding screen opening. I watched four kittens and Strawyer come running down the hill from the gravel road to the porch steps. It made me laugh, such a joyful sight. Knowing these cats and how they like to eat, I scatter treats on all three steps cause there must be some kind of pecking order. The more I watch Edee, the most aggressive eater of the bunch, I think that Mr Meany got in one last...uh, hook up with Punky cause her head, expressions and eyes look like Mr Meany and Mr McBeavy. Neither one of those cats ever observed cat protocol. Edee is carrying on the family tradition. Before coming back upstairs, I watched Andy, Edee, and Beanie play on those chairs meant for plants. They were playing some version of a game like King of the Mountain. Although this would be king or queen of the chair. Andy sat in the chair with Beanie close by, wrestling with a wayward piece of the wood coming off the back of the chair. Edee was close by, and if swatted would think that Beanie had been the aggressor. Andy reaches over the edge of the chair, takes a swipe at Edee and resumes his innocent position of merely looking out upon the horizon. Edee launches into an occupied Beanie and all out kitten battle begins. So fun to watch and yet Andy, just looks on from his perch on the chair most probably reveling in the fact that he is still the possessor of said elevated position. 

The rain is now coming down at a furious pace, so you know...got to have a rain song....so I'll choose Tina Turner singing, "Can't stand the rain against my window...." Also, when I went outside to bring in the Chewy's order...I broke out in a chorus of, "Singing in the rain, just singing in the rain." I did not have a glorious feeling, but could have done a medley by going into, "raindrops keep falling on my head...." Thankfully, I didn't need to bring it down a little into "I've seen fire and I've seen rain..."

To Sum It Up......

This mornings coffee had a hint of yesterday afternoons brew. Coffee has always seemed to be an early morning or late evening kind of thing. In fact, coffee resonates with me for those laid back days of no schedule or immediate pressings. On days of morning appointments or church, I don't drink coffee because it slows me down which seems to be the opposite of what it is supposed to do. With a bit of chill in the house yesterday, I decided to make some Taste of Texas cinnamon decaf coffee to take the edge off of the chill. That complementary coffee when dining at Taste of Texas is a great end to a delicious meal. Their coffee is now available in the gift shop and online. Man, that cinnamon coffee was the bomb diggity. Now we come back to the original thought of the paragraph, even with cleaning out the coffee pot, this morning a little bit of cinnamon lingered into the JFG coffee. Kind of sad to have just discovered this coffee and Ingles is not selling it anymore. To sum it up, coffee good, cinnamon coffee good, the best part of waking up is, you woke up....no, with JFG cinnamon hinted coffee in my biggest mug.

We are experiencing a lot of rain that has come up from the Gulf. Flash flood watches and warnings cover the area. We have a couple of waterfalls in the backyard that ebb and flow with the rain shower. It looks as if the worst of the rain is due south of us but living in the dry ridge area, we have seen a lot of rain. Knowing that the later part of Wednesday and all of Thursday held these showers, I got my grocery shopping done yesterday morning. I should have stopped to take pictures of the French Broad, fog and mist rising, making a most beautiful scene. This morning the fog is quickly overtaking our little valley. An interesting view from the front bedroom windows. To sum it up, don't need to go to Transylvania County to see waterfalls today, with several small ones flowing in the backyard.

This morning's Twitter feed is filled with all kinds of vitriol, bitterness, anger, defending, accusing and in the political realm, the pushing of books written by those in favor, opposed, disenfranchised, adoring...well, almost all the genres are covered. Platforms being strengthened and platforms in the early construction phase are following a building plan expressed by the current ebb and flow of righteousness or self righteousness or blatant disregard. I rarely if ever express politics or my lack of politics on Twitter, Facebook or Monablog. I have friends and family on the left and on the right and in between. There are friends who feel like I should make a statement or at least respond to where I stand. But here's the deal, before, during and yes, even after, I have never, ever used these outlets to express political views or lack of views. Early on when Monablog began, I did express some disapproval of "things" that I saw while working at a church. I did get some push back while tackling those themes. Then after a few years of not being involved in working at a church, those thoughts got pushed back to the back burner on my part and yes, there have been changes for the good in conditions of being low on the org chart. I do not believe anything I wrote changed that. Others who have a stronger voice and platform and God stirring hearts to do the right thing, made those transformations. These political times remind me of the big push for conservatives in taking over the SBC from the moderates and liberals. My crazy friend Debbie, who had Pentecostal leanings, would ask me when this is all said and done...what Baptist church will you attend? My answer to her never changed. I told her I would go to the church with a gym.

  

So, my thoughts and walk and belief, and not trying to be Sally Spiritual, is summed up in Micah 6:8. This is the fruit of abiding and walking with the Lord. Fruit is evident, so this is not an excuse for just thoughts and prayers. I am also a big believer in not announcing what or how you are planting for this fruit. This is also where I might veer from big church thinking, generosity is not just what you give to the church, a generous lifestyle is active in all areas of our lives. I love our pastor and his thoughts on reaching a community for Christ, sharing Jesus both internationally, nationally, and locally. To sum it up politically and spiritually, Micah 6:8.

I am probably thinking these thoughts because we are in Nehemiah for the next few weeks. It is a top five in books of the Bible...on my, nobody cares about this but me, list. One of the first books I purchased after becoming a Christian was, Victorious Christian Service, by Alan Redpath. The book cover says I spent $6.95 on it. Over the years, I have gotten that $6.95 back in multiples of study. It has been a joy to read through this book while preparing. Over the years Nehemiah has been used and taught for capital campaigns, building projects and the like but at the heart of it is, prayer, trust, being a leader who doesn't mind getting a little dirty in the process of helping repair and shoulder a load. Oh yes, Nehemiah was generous in all matters of life. One of the commentaries I read said, that some of what we find in Nehemiah, is probably from his personal journal and God has graciously allowed us to see Nehemiah in words that he might not have thought anyone would see. To sum it up, Nehemiah is a great book with so many layers.

On the feral front, with all this massive amount of rain, standing water, waterfalls and a general muddy mess, I fed the fam in the garage this morning, then left the backdoor open so they have the feeling of coming and going. I think Edee and Andy took up the offer, then when I went out there to get something from the refrigerator, Edee ran outside. Andy, he is still in his corner, doesn't move when I come and go and has let me see that he is there. I thought for sure Strawyer would stay because he has before. I am happy to provide indoor accommodations for them which includes, food, water and snacks...as well as indoor plumbing with a litter box. To sum it up, feral life is hard, trust is difficult but sometimes you have to go with your gut feeling and remember no harm has come to you by my hand, only food, drink and shelter. Andy is one smart cat.

Things To Do...Books To Read

Tuesday, a feeling of loss lingered around every nook and cranny. Probably from watching one of the kittens. Little Edee isn't well and I have been getting all kinds of probiotics in her as well as meds for parasites. It would be more effective if I could get it in her on a one to one basis but until she lets that happen...I have to trust she is getting what she needs in probiotic in the dishes she shares with all the other cats. She is still an aggressive eater and will push the others aside to get to the food. This morning I was hoping for some results toward a positive outcome but I've kept an eye on her and her siblings for a hint of positive. The all too familiar sitting near or close by has been going on this morning. She has always favored Mr McBeavy in her looks, especially her face but this morning in profile, she really looks like him. Of all the kittens, she has missed him the most. She spent lots of time in his presence. The adult cats have relinquished control of the back to the kittens. Punky is around once or twice and Strawyer is around a little less. I saw him the other day nearly all the way to the French Broad Community Store that now has another name. Anyway, he was looking in my direction when I passed him. He must have recognized the mustang because he was there in a heartbeat, as soon as I had parked.
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Now it is the first day of February. The past couple of years I have used January as a month to reflect, redirect, relax, and restore. It is a quiet month here especially with stores and such having winter hours. Instead of bucking that trend, I went with it. And it was a bit easier this year because of the whole tooth extraction, infection, implant thing beginning. The first few weeks I was a bit off kilter because of the strong antibiotics that had been prescribed. Since 2001 when I had a MRSA infection and it being at the beginning of those infections gaining nationwide attention, the last four months of that year were spent taking some of the strongest antibiotics prescribed and believe me, they did a number on me while healing things up. Since then on the few occasions of antibiotic treatment, it is a whirl of an emotional ride, being a little off balance and a general feeling of malaise. It is as if the thoughts are wearing me away to give into depression and depressing thoughts. So, as much as I could influence my thoughts and thinking, to take the old Bible phrase, I took those thoughts captive to Christ. Now, some days it was easier than others and some days it was downright hard and wearisome. The past Januarys was a sorting through and trying to figure out early life with a father who started hating me at the age of 5, just because I liked school and was making friends. The normal thing that parents want, but from that time onward, even into adulthood, life was a battle and so hard because with him it was all a battle and dominance. I now know the things that trigger my responses to arbitrary decisions being made for or concerning me without input as well as anyone speaking for me on my behalf without permission. I'm following the prescription, you have to starve a narcissist. Thankfully, in January of 2018 I got a hold of information that quickened the process because I found out what harm and strategies a narcissist will go to. Thankfully, I also came across information that helped so much in extracting yourself from a narcissist, and even though he was dead, it helped free my mind as well as take precautions with others who have a narcissistic bent. In January of 2019, I did more of a spiritual assessment and right the ship so to speak because I want to finish out strong.
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The fingers were willing but the will gave a mighty good fight. I've wanted to get back to this post and finish it up but distractions and some deadlines caused a lack of any time to sit down and blog. Today, with the rain falling and the errands ran, I'm ensconced till Friday morning. We are supposed to get a whole lot of rain with warnings and watches for homes in coves and built on the side of a hill or mountain. I've worked on the lesson for Sunday. We are in one of my favorite books of the Bible Nehemiah. We get to spend two Sundays in the book.

Yesterday, was the follow up appointment for tooth extraction and implant rod placement. The next few months are critical for the post to attach and fix itself in the bone graft. The mesh that he put in fell out over the last weekend and entangled itself in the remaining threads of stitches. So now we wait until May to see what's happening with it all. To celebrate a pretty good report I decided to have a late lunch early supper at The Biltmore Estate. When I was able to get a really close parking spot close to the winery, the Bistro became the choice. The Bistro is probably my least favorite restaurant on the Biltmore Estate but they serve a pretty good steak and fries. I also had a bowl of butternut squash soup...which was absolutely delicious. Then I made my way over to the winery and found infused oil oils for our Taste and See Bible study that begins in March. It was getting into the late afternoon so I decided going to Antler Hill Village will have to wait for another trip.

Little Edee is making great strides into health. She was puny and nearing the next stage of a slow process of death. The parasites got a hold of her, but with worming meds, probiotics  and canned pumpkin, she is returning to the land of the living. She has been playing and much more active. When her siblings were doing the death watch thing...I thought she was a goner, but she has never lost her appetite, so that is huge. They are all benefiting from the probiotics and pumpkin. Our neighbor Nancy brought down a bed for the cats this week. Her cats would rather sleep on the couch. I put it in between the two houses and it stays relatively dry. The four kittens have taken up residence in the houses, but not so much at night.

There are things to do and books to read, so for now...until the next post, ta ta.

Already Looking Toward Spring

February hasn't arrived and I am already thinking about spring...more specifically, the big front flowerbed's future look. I've stockpiled rubberized mulch rounds and edgers. Almost every time there is a 20% off sale and free shipping, a few of these are bought. Since I am trying to cut down the number of weeds that takes over, no more in the ground plants because we are adding big above ground containers. The front bed is really more a spring thing with the other flower beds more inclined toward summer and fall. So, the big less weeds experiment will begin in a few months.

For those who read the previous post, the garbage can was retrieved successfully as well as the delivery of LSU championship t-shirts. Why the mail woman leaves the door open to the mailbox is beyond me. Thankfully, I signed up for messages when items had been shipped and then delivered. So all is well with everything back where it belongs.

The clouds are hanging low over the valley this afternoon. A lot of the long range mountain views are merely clouds...thick clouds covering up the mountains. I was so sad to hear the news of Kobe Bryant's passing. So young as well as the other occupants in the helicopter. While throughout life I have had a love/hate relationship with basketball, mainly that is due to my ineptitude of being able to play the game...which always felt like a loss cause of being so tall. I blame learning how to play in junior high school when the rules for girls was only three dribbles and you had to pass the ball. Only shots that could be taken had to be in three circles by each basket. Now, as that tall girl, I played center and was the only player allowed to have full run of the court. So I mainly chose defense cause the three dribble thing messed me up. When the rules changed in high school, I was devoting my athletic ability to volleyball. Besides, I always took fouls personally, thus fouling out a lot.
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This morning I broke out the King Cake coffee that we brought back from Houston. We have Community Coffee here but none of the special flavors. It was a delicious morning coffee wise. The sun is out and hopefully by the time I get out and about the black ice will have melted. Lots of reports of slick roads.

Yep, I got out and took coats to ABCCM and books and shirts to Goodwill. I get in these let's clean out the stuff in January but the hardest part is letting stuff stay until April for the church yard sale. I  could put stuff in the garage, that is already messy but I am storing all the flat cardboard for the front flowerbed that will have artificial mulch in it as soon as spring hits the mountains. Looks like we will have spring like weather on Monday and Tuesday of next week with the highs getting toward 70 but the promise of cold lingers in the coming days.

Winter Supply- Coffee Creamer? Check

This Monday morning finds me easing into the day. I've done some reading and some feeding of the cats and some treating for Buddy. In the midst of all this morning easing I am thinking about this past weekend. Nothing particularly exceptional about it except the warmth of the memories and so much thankfulness for Newfound Baptist Church.

Saturday morning the Baptist Men of our church did a community breakfast. I haven't ever attended one and almost didn't this year except for the reminder from Judy C and a Saturday morning text that came at the right time. I was getting ready to turn over and go back to sleep when Inez texted and said they were going to the breakfast. Well, that was all the encouragement I needed, so I let her know I would be there but probably a little late. The breakfast was delicious and time spent with friends, priceless. After breakfast I headed over to Publix for a quick grocery trip. My usual experience isn't to go on Saturday but the trip was rewarded with seeing Velda there. At breakfast several of us mentioned grocery store trips but such serendipity to see Velda. We both like the same coffee creamer which Publix was out of. A little bit later Velda texted me that Ingles across from Publix had it and it was  on sale. The remainder of the day was spent working on the Sunday School lesson in Zechariah and then some for fun reading. Another unlikely of the day held watching two documentaries on TV. Unless it is college football season, I don't usually watch much TV on Saturdays. 

Sunday morning in class, there was an joy and excitement. We almost had everyone on the roll there. We welcomed back those who have been ill the past couple of weeks and rejoiced with our friend Patty that her procedure went well. Rumor has it that Brenda baked her a cake. Our class is appropriately named, The Joy Class. With Zechariah holding all the genres for prophecy, narrative history and apocalyptic, the decided approach to the lesson was narrative history for $500 Alex. We looked at three passages of scripture, return to the Lord, don't despise the day of small beginnings, and be so full of the Spirit that people want to walk with you in life because they can see God's blessings in us. Last Sunday I felt so tired and emotionally worn out over Mr McBeavy, I didn't go to Sunday night church or choir practice, so it felt good last night to be back in the swing of things. Pastor Bradley is going through I Samuel and it is a wonderful study. Choir practice was good and worshipful. We worked on new music that is exciting and challenging. As per usual, about 8:10 my ADD kicked in, attention span gone but tried to hold it together cause we have some new choir members. Ah, Behold Our God to the rescue...that is the song we finished out practice with.

My random thought of the past week has been, if we ever bought or built another house, during building or remodeling a lot more electrical outlets would be installed. In Katy we wish we had done that and added ceiling fans in the closet. Couldn't do that here, no room and low ceiling in the closet. If we ever redo our master bath, I'm thinking ceiling fan. That's probably weird but really, in the summer the additional flow of air would be welcomed when applying makeup. Every once in a while I think about having one of those old people bathtubs and showers put in, but common sense usually grabs a hold but a ceiling fan, it just might make the remodeling cut.

This coming Sunday we do a one and done stop in Esther. Started reading Esther last night and this morning read a commentary to get the historical facts. That is always a good place to start for me cause with so many repeat names and unpronounceable names knowing some background helps.

The whole retrieve the garbage can will be rescheduled for a break in the rain. I reminded Roy yesterday of the whole stress level that comes with trash can placement and removal. Uh, first thing, I shouldn't get so worked up about it and secondly, there aren't any HOA rules to abide by, so what if the can gets a little wet...well, that is not the stress. It is a busy road and one takes their lives into their hands delivering and picking up.

While we have rain some of the higher elevations are receiving snow. Everyone is keeping their eyes on the next two weather systems that will come though. Thanks to Velda, I have enough coffee creamer to see me through.

Rainy Days and Fridays.....

Ten degrees when I woke up this morning but the day promises to get above freezing and for this I am thankful. Today, holds getting out and about and then more study for Zechariah. Oh and maybe some fun reading too. Buddy is on the day bed in the front room soaking up the sunshine in nap form. The front room is the warmest room year round and even in the warmer months Buddy spends a lot of time in here. Sometimes when on the computer Buddy feels compelled to come over and sit on my lap or hands. Sunshine is the bigger draw for her this morning.

It is ironic that my favorite flannel shirt of this season is one purchased in Houston on our not quite annual or traditional stop at the Bass Pro Shop. Since there isn't one near us here, it seems more like a Texas tradition. With all the online sales happening I checked the website and on optional color shirt was available and yes, it was on sale. It arrived today and happy, happy, happy.

This was also a good day to get out of the house for a while. Since I hadn't been to Blue Rooster since last November and because they are closed next week, it seemed to be a good day to go and have lunch there. It was more crowded than I anticipated with this being an off season so to speak. Got to visit with Lora a bit and also enjoyed delicious food with coconut cake to go. Went to Belk with some reward dollars but didn't buy anything. This is a good time to visit Mast because there are parking places to be found. Found some good sale stuff and then moved onto Canton to go to Pigeon River Mercantile and first time going and not buying something. I was tempted but I'm remembering warmer days will be upon us later and they have had some cute linen tops. So, saving my $$ till then.
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It is a rainy Friday morning. With the forecast saying rain today, my plans were to have all errands and fun things done by today. In earnest this morning will come the writing out of the Zechariah lesson.

Mike the mower man came over yesterday afternoon to talk about the stone steps we want for the backyard. Think we have a plan in place and weather permitting work will begin next week. He is also going to put down the gravel around the outside A/C units to help the red clay from kicking up into them when it rains.

Watching the feral fam dynamics this week is rather interesting. No Mr McBeavy to keep the kittens under watch and care. Punky has taken up on the gravel road or over in the big firs of Mary Joyce's yard. Strawyer comes and goes and there is little to no interaction between the previously inseparable duo. Then there is a mystery cat that looks to be someones because the fur is shiny and bright, brushed, like a domestic cat. Nancy, neighbor, had mentioned this cat to me several times but I hadn't seen it until this week. Black and white cat but its face is totally black, nose and eyes included. It can be unnerving to look into its face. I've seen it twice this week, always on the gravel road looking down into the yard.

I am almost finished with the book about Pat Conroy. It is an enjoyable read seeing into his chaotic life that finally landed in some years of peace after marrying his wife Cassandra. Before reading the book thoughts about chaotic living had been given some thought. Those thoughts came from some tweets by people on Twitter...having immaculate houses and how that gives people some sense of control...but we all know that control is really out of our hands so we make perceptions of control. We all have control issues of some sort and thankfully mine doesn't lie in having a spotless, nothing out of order, sterile home. Sometimes I wish I leaned a little more that way but truth be told, I'd rather spend an afternoon reading, I'd rather spend a morning writing and I'd rather relax in the evenings than stress over a pile of books or a pile of paper.

After babying this cut on my index finger all week, I finally felt brave enough to unpack our new shredder and begin putting the new cordless vacuum cleaner together. These two things do not invalidate the previous paragraph. The old shredder gave up the ghost last week. Then Roy purchased a new cordless Dyson for our Katy home. It was on sale at Target and they were running a deal if you had it shipped, thus I joined in on the cordless bandwagon. We have several vacuum cleaners here and I am not crazy about any of them. Looking like one or two of them will be going to the church yard sale in the spring.

  

Wonder or Wander

Lest one worry that I spend way too much time with cats, but when it is really cold, not getting above freezing, and even though I love cold weather, yesterday and today have been biting cold. Thus more observation time offeral life in the backyard. It looks like Punky and Strawyer have parted ways for a bit. She is avoiding me because of the whole pan banging incident yesterday. Everything I have read says that cats forget about other cats around day three. While there seemed to be some mourning of the Mr yesterday, he seems to be out of sight and mind for the kittens today. 

I almost put on a hat to go out and retrieve the recycling trash can this morning. Think I set a new record in how quickly I got down to the road and back. My ears were frozen, although lined Uggs made my feet roasty toasty.

The heaters are getting a good workout but they will get a reprieve beginning tomorrow as we slowly but surely warm up. The sun is helping heat the house this afternoon so hopefully the electric bill won't blow the budget this month.

I am also mired in Zechariah. Two weeks of short winded prophets out the door with this fourteen chapter book that uses all the literary forms in sharing the message. Once again, Lifeway has kind of picked weird verses to emphasize, but I am not complaining cause there are plenty there they could have chosen. Yesterday, I felt overwhelmed by the whole book and this morning I listened to the chapters on Dwell while eating breakfast. I am feeling better about being able to teach a lesson celebrating that God sent His Son and a few applicable points along the way. I am no theologian but if a lesson doesn't have stories with the facts...my mind wonders and wanders.

To counter my overwhelming-mess of Zechariah, I have been reading a book written by Pat Conroy's wife. I can never remember titles. I am a huge fan of Pat Conroy and his narrative style is a genre that totally envelopes me. I remember reading her first work of fiction, which at the time was titled Making Waves in Zion. Last night I read a couple of essays in another book about him, written by authors who knew him and his style. One of those writers is Anne Rivers Siddons, who at one time was one of my favorite authors. Her last two books had too many scenes with baths...it started getting on my nerves. But she passed away last year thus I can reread some of her first works and truly fall back in love with her writing style. Also, I just found out a week or so ago that Elizabeth Spenser had passed away. I enjoy her work very much. Elizabeth was 98 years old. Let me get back to the book at hand, the authors writing about Pat Conroy....well, now I don't remember where I was going with this, but....I liked the few essays I read last night.

When you have a couple of days immersed in thoughts and trying to stay warm, oh and also wearing all my favorite heavyweight flannel shirts, sometimes the oddest things come to mind. I have had a few laughs at some of those thoughts and others...some pondering without getting trapped in the hmmm....  It occurred to me that once my parents were empty nesters, my father wanted to travel and see things. Now my mom, she would go if she could see it from the car. She liked being at home working outside in her gardens...her flowerbeds were some of the most beautiful you would ever see. Once she passed away, we thought Dad would travel, one of his best friends a travel agent and could book him trips to all the places he wanted to go. He never made any trips except to the cafeteria, doctor appointments and grocery store. You know, he probably didn't want to travel that much but he used that travel bug thing to aggravate my mother...cause he knew it would cause great anxiety for her.

Today for the first time since January 2nd, I didn't have to take an antibiotic. Especially this last prescription that was rather strong. Antibiotics can mess with you in so many ways. Hopefully, I will not have to take anymore for dental work next month.

Great, Roy's dress pants I ordered for him have arrived. I hope that they were delivered to the front porch of else I am going to have to go down to the mailbox and with the number of people walking up and down the road, looking in mailboxes, I need to get out there sooner than later. Nearly 2:00pm and it is only 29 degrees. Yea! They were on the front porch along with the paperback book I do every year of my blog. Last year, I didn't write as much, so it is a rather skinny book.

Hot Chocky Is Sounding Pretty Goood

January 20th, the third Monday of January and it is supposed to be the saddest day of the year. It is supposed to be the most depressing because the whirlwind that is brought on from Christmas has faded and the anticipation of summer hits. Well, that is what the experts say. I have not turned toward summer yet cause it is the hardest season health wise for me. On this MLK holiday, I bet the kids around here are hoping for more snow. You see, around here snow surprised everyone this morning. It did not show up in the forecast. I thought at first my eyes were deceiving me when first spotting the tiny flakes of snow, but off and on throughout the morning bigger flakes have fallen. When there is a slight gust of wind, the flurries pick up a bit. The kittens are up on the gravel road frolicking chasing one another and snowflakes. It is quite picturesque as the three black and white kittens play, Edee, the calico, has retreated to one of the empty houses, surely to keep warm and to keep her eye on the food supply. The gray skies of snow are quickly being conquered by the sun's rays breaking through. Now it will just be cold, not getting above freezing today.

In an attempt to feed the cats but not freeze in the cold, their food was placed on the steps of the back porch, only Punky decided to race through the door and hide on the porch. Now, if the porch gave her warmth and if the porch wasn't straight up and down screen, she could have remained but she was already attempting to get out by scratching the screen. She also wouldn't leave if I held the door open. I turned on the small heater out there, for cool evenings not cold days, to keep me warm as I worked to get her free and keep the kittens out. Finally, I left the storm door open just enough for her to race out while I banged a frying pan with a wooden spoon. If those cats want to come in the garage, I am all over that, but the porch, with screens that cost and arm and leg to replace, no thank you.

With the sadness of the confirmation Saturday morning that Mr McBeavy had gone on to kitty heaven, Saturday's plans were altered by a mourning heart and distraction. Most of Sunday's lesson had been studied and written out, thankfully. In the midst of distraction, while preparing funeral food for the remaining cats, no I haven't gone crazy cat lady it was just their regular meals, I wasn't paying attention and cut my finger on the sharp edge of a cat food can. No biggie except the cut was like a paper cut, on the diagonal and because I take blood thinners, the bleeding would not stop. So no, when you see speckles of blood on the garage floor, nothing sinister had taken place. The cut is on my index finger, so writing, typing and the plan of tearing up boxes for recycling had to be put on hold. Anything with pressure caused that cut to bleed. I would also like to say, those band-aids that advertise being able to open and put on with one hand.....liars! This morning I checked the cut once again, stuck my finger in a bowl of hydrogen peroxide and then applied detox gel to the cut. I'm thinking the cut is turning a corner, because minimal bleeding and able to only use two band-aids and as you can see, I am typing.

Sunday, after church Brenda, Lois and I went out to lunch. A good time was had by all. I came home and took a short fifteen minute nap. Then I came up with such a good plan about garbage cans. In all the fun of LSU winning the Natty, with my friend Dena having to put her beloved cat  to sleep due to his health or lack of it, and with a few distractions that were unexpected here, I never was able to relay the good news that we finally, yes finally, received our new trash cans from Waste Pro. Roy had been diligent to call them because it looked like we had missed delivery while being out of town. What is ironic is, the day they delivered them down beside the road is a day that didn't see me leaving the house, but the next day, what to my wondering eyes should appear, new Waste Pro cans with our house number on them. Several neighbors told me when they saw the cans, they rushed out to retrieve them, but then saw the house number....the next day all the other neighbors had theirs delivered, to their doors. Oh happy day, the trash cans arrived and all anxiety went away....only about receiving them. Now, the new thing is, they are huge!  to reveal the plan that all have been anxiously wanting to know while reading about the arrival. Haha! Since recycling will be picked up every other week, if there isn't too much trash, I will just put the can out every other week for garbage. That can hold till warmer weather because the cat food cans don't stink like the summer aroma of old cans in the garage.

A strange thing happened last Friday in the Ingles parking lot. I had parked and safety wise I know it is not a good thing to check your phone, but the doors were locked and I needed to respond to a text. I should have gotten out of the car while there wasn't anyone parked next to me, but alas, I didn't so...after a while, a SUV pulled in next to me. We both sat there like, no you first but she once again gave me the sign of go ahead, so I did. This woman didn't look like anyone I wanted to fool with. So, when I got out, I said thank you to her and smiled. While walking toward the store I heard her open a car door and then yell, are you happy and what's going on? At first I thought she was yelling at the child in the backseat but as time has passed and rethinking this, I think she was yelling at me. I think she took my thank you wrong, like I was being sarcastic or something. Later, in the store, she was all sweet and nice with the kid...as they picked out a stuffed animal. That's when I thought, oh yes, not the child but me. Glad I didn't turn around when she yelled. She yelled loud because I have a partial hearing loss in my left ear and don't hear things behind me very well.

We studied Haggai yesterday. Four prophecies in two short chapters. Wow, a biblical thought for long winded, oft repeating of points preachers. If Haggai can do it, so can you. Blessed are the short winded because they'll be invited back, is what I heard a pastor say years ago. Of course, we don't deal with this really, anymore. In Ezra and Haggai, there are great phrases that I have latched onto. Yesterday, it was the phrase consider your ways....but in the colloquialism of the day it meant, put your heart on your roads. Love that! I didn't do a good job of teaching that point which usually happens when I love something so much, I don't express the application of it well. In a round about way it also fit in with my personal study of the difference in being predictable and consistent.

The emotion of Mr McBeavy's death is not as raw as it was Saturday. Still sad not to see him around the backyard anymore, playing with kittens and climbing through the trees. Strawyer has been looking for him. In hindsight this is making me remember finding Cali on the side of the road, but she was perfectly in tack, only a little blood coming from her mouth. Only a precise removal or shaving of fur that now seems to me, is how they prepare a cat to receive anesthesia. Now I'm wondering if someone caught her and put her down. We had a distant, not nearby, weird neighbor that stories circulated around him with animals. He moved about a year ago. Seeing the remains of the Mr on the road now makes me wonder.

The snow has stopped, the wind not blowing as hard but still brisk. Beginning to look at the lesson for this coming Sunday, to think on these things in the next couple of days. But right now, a cup of hot chocky is sounding pretty good.