Rims, Spark Plugs, Zinnias and Books

 After several rainy and stormy days it looks like the next six or seven days will be nice with moderate temps. It was downright hot yesterday afternoon. Well, not in the mountain term. Friends in Houston living in those feel like temps of 115...well, yes, that is truly hot. 

The open pasture across the road and behind the houses is being prepared for hay baling. Something I didn't think we would see again. Lots of fields are preparing for hay cutting. Since these days this week are relatively rain free. The fragrance in the air is so sweet. 

We dropped over at some friends last night. Had a great visit with wonderful people. 

One thing I know is this, I don't like car issues. We took the Mustang to the guy that all recommend to fix or straighten the rims on the Mustang. At first we thought we could just buy steel rims and replace the aluminum ones. Ha, no can do. Yesterday, we were in downtown Asheville two times after not being there for about nine years and worth the trip. All four rims were bent and the guy performed miracles on the back right passenger side rim. He said that's where you put the worst one when getting tires, so that makes me think that this was a known problem but no one said a word. We have been looking for solutions for over a year. I would think if a mechanic knows his stuff, they know what causes the problem. Where we have gone since 2017 should have said something. Last year it all began over a diagnosis that we got a second opinion on and had fixed elsewhere. Two months later calling to let us know the part was in, we told them it was fixed. Wanted to know where we went and we withheld that information. After taking the Mustang for the rims when Roy started the car the check engine light was on. Dang! In everything give thanks, repeat 100 times. This morning he was able to take it over to our new mechanics and they are replacing spark plugs and a starter coil. It has been misfiring. I had noticed that but what do I know? Well, not much but I can usually detect the not normal in the Mustang. 

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And what a difference spark plugs and ignition coil make. Last September is when this all started but we had been hearing the tire noise for much longer than that. Of course the former automotive shop had us down for a total replacement of very expensive parts but didn't address the issue. To start the journey of Mustang healing, a friend's husband trusted and long time mechanic did the initial work...then when knee replacement indicated he might retire, another local shop was recommended. They did the oil change and noticed the rims were bent. In joy we put the top down late yesterday afternoon and took a drive. It was the first drive in a long time that was totally fun. For this we give thanks! 

This week has not gone the way I anticipated. We are working on VBS stuff in class on Sunday so I am not preparing a lesson. That takes so much pressure off to enjoy the week. I should have had three books read already but sadly I am close to only finishing one. Yet, having a few mechanical issues resolved is so welcomed. 

The highlight of the week is with cooler evening temps, we have opened windows upstairs much to the delight of The Boys. I could not help but think of those long ago and treasured summers at my Grandma B's home out in the country. Those plastic curtains whirled with the breeze. In my bedroom I slept at the end of the bed to keep my eyes on the neighbors. I've written about this before but I never really knew people who drank beer every evening of their lives. I felt certain I needed to be ready in case they came over and bothered Grandma. She assured me they wouldn't and they never did. Beside my watch duty, I always loved the fragrance of the outdoor air at her house. So these past few nights sitting on the daybed with the windows open have been so restful. When it is dark I turn out the light and just watch the big fir trees move in the gentle breeze. 

While it was cool this morning, we put some zinnias in an old stump. I had read about how to do this, like it was really complicated, ha. Now, we need to add some water to the plants and the seeds. Then we shall see how this really works. 

Nice cool evening so I put on my garden flannel shirt. Roy and I dead headed roses and pulled a lot of invasive vines and weeds. Fed the Feral Fam including the kittens that Cutie moved while Mike the Mower Man was here. 

Think I'll go upstairs and start a new book. Finished up with Miss Budge for the time being. I love some of her writing and other times I am skimming cause too many words. 

Joseph of Genesis, Man About Egypt and Man of Many Coats

 This morning when Roy and I discussed, oh let's say Joseph cause that is where I am in teaching, I asked him what the normal SS lesson would be from these passages. His response, learning to lay things down for the Lord. Well, yes, if you have been a life long Sunday School attender this would be a theme one would be well acquainted with. My counter was, I think what we need to teach and learn is, something meaningful, coat, was taken by Joseph's brothers, he was sold into slavery and he began life as a slave in a military man's house. Never once do we see Joseph vow revenge to make his way back to Tara I mean Canaan to take back what is rightfully his and then destroy his brothers! He had their example from how they rid the land of Shechem of all the men and boys, then taking the women and children as well as possessions into their own household. They did that in response to their sister being raped... Joseph could have said if and when he made his way back, I will do to you what you did to others and me. Now, I don't know but, this theme would be a men's retreat theme cause they are all so h3// bent on being manly men, fighting men. But Joseph lets men's retreat planners without a theme that they like. Joseph kept looking forward, he knew God was with him and he set his actions and best in the present. So, he became the best menial task servant possible in Potiphar's house. We don't read that on breaks Joseph regaled his friends of talk about a stolen coat and the sweet, sweet revenge he will be taking one day. 

I have several friends who grew up in military houses. Their father, at this time of life of military leaders, were career officers. The stories they told ran the gamut of the best childhood ever to we grew up as soldiers. If the home is being run by military procedures you can be noticed for your excellent grasp of them or you are horribly slovenly, thus spending a great deal of time doing KP. Working at Potiphar's was probably very hard, but yet God is with Joseph and Mr P notices how well Joseph works. So promotion time to personal assistant. I was a personal assistant to a very wealthy widow. I knew a lot about when and where money went and how much she was worth. I remember one thing she always asked, please tell me when my checking account goes below $30,000. I just don't feel good unless there is $30,000 in the balance. I would agree but my goes below number was $30.00. She had a home in Jackson Hole, WY where she spent most of her summers. One year she fell and broke her hip. She called and asked me to go to the house, I had a key, and get several items out of her underwear drawer. She wanted clothing that she used when she had broken her other hip. I felt so uncomfortable rummaging around her underwear drawer to send the items by Fed Ex overnight. When I called her back to confirm the package was on its way, I told her how weird I felt going into her bedroom and going through her underwear drawer. She put me off and said oh good grief Nancy. You know everything about my financial situation, going through my underwear shouldn't even embarrass you.  This story just to show how much you know about your employer's life when you are truly a hands on, in the home personal assistant. Soon Joseph was over everything, home, property, crops and flocks. Mr P only had to worry about what he was going to eat or maybe menu choose what he was going to eat. We do not read that Joseph tells anyone he is working so hard in order to return to his family and take care of a family matter, oh and get some clothes to bring back to the job.  

We don't know how soon Mrs. P was sneaking peeks at Joseph because we are told that Joe was very handsome and well built. I played tennis with a woman who had the best ever, good looking husband. Several times Roy and I went out to eat with them. When they came into the restaurant, the place would almost come to a stop cause they were two very beautiful and good looking people. Then the place saw Roy and me and everything returned to the normal chaos of serving food. I was always happy that the hubby talked so much cause I didn't have to sneak peeks of him. I hung on his every word. Is it hot in here? Oops, I digress. Anyway Mrs. P lets Joe know she is available any time, any place or whatever. She gets bold and says, come, on sleep with me. Verse 8 says Joseph refuses and then begins avoiding her at all costs. Basically, Joseph we are told, refused, avoided and finally had to run. Being the fine, fine woman that she is Mrs. P calls out to the servants, men, who she has sent away to come and see what that Hebrew that her husband brought home has attempted. It just seems like these guys would have known what was going on and maybe knew someone who had the same experience with her. She is blaming this on Mr. P since he brought Joseph into the home. This seems like a weak attempt at having an alibi. Since I have seen and read several mysteries and cop shows, it seems to me that when someone comes to violate a person, usually the attempter tries to get the attemptees clothes off before disrobing. So, she has his cloak. She told the servant men one thing but says to her husband, Joseph tried to fool around with me. Most of the commentaries I have read think that Mr. P was upset because he was going to have to take over all those responsibilities he had given Joseph. This was a death sentence offence, but Mr. P had Joseph thrown in prison to save face.  

Mrs. P has betrayed her husband using the cloak meanwhile betraying Joseph by telling a story about his cloak. There is a whole lot of betrayal going on. She is betraying herself. 

Joseph is thrown into prison. Once again we are told that the Lord is with him. Joseph excels in being a model prisoner. He moves up in the ranks and trust of the warden. Because the Lord is with him, his service makes the warden's life a bit easier. We also meet the baker and butler in prison, thrown there by Pharoah himself. They have dreams and Joseph interprets them. Thus they come to pass and although he asked to be remembered by the butler, he totally forgets him until Pharoah has dreams. Then the butler remembers. I'll stop here and say, although we don't hear from Joseph too much while he is in prison, we don't hear him saying, now I have vengeance concerns for my brothers and the butler. No, Joseph continues to serve, with forward looking eyes and presence. He is not wasting energy on the past. He remembers but it doesn't take up every moment of his life. 

There are so many who have decided to keep looking back. They are frozen in a time which clouds every decision, word and thought. There might have been so much more enjoyment in work and fun in between. It is easier to stay frozen that moving forward. The longer the frozen the harder the thaw. Recently I read a few books that put this all in perspective. Chad Bird is one of those authors. Also, the Miss Budge series is insightful as the main character begins to thaw out and she is seeing the Lord is in  those small details of life. Her hard rule living brought no joy, not even in the suffering which spiritual  rule makers and followers adhere to, cause you know suffering is so spiritual, especially when one doesn't want to make any changes. I've reread some Charles Swindoll books and to a lesser extent Luci Swindoll quotes and how the both of them hate legalism. Being legalistic, you can't manage to move forward. When frozen in time, you're being held in past by words or the voice of one from the long ago who were critical and not very encouraging and your sense of ideals, that you feel unable to attain, is what impresses you, be it money or beauty or artistic talent or even the gift that God has given to someone else, but not you. 

I am an applicable style teacher and while I wish I could give you four ways to achieve like Joseph or Don't Be a Mrs. Potiphar in three easy points. But I can look into these passages and apply them to whatever is facing you and however you feel like your past has been stolen from you. How fortuitous to see two Esau McCaulley quotes this morning.

That interior voice that only speaks to you only of your failures and shortcomings is not the voice of God.

Sometimes you have to tell your testimony to yourself to remind yourself of how far God has brought you. 

Joseph is the first mention in the Old Testament of "the Lord was with him." We don't know if Joseph had a wrestle with an angel experience or a Hagar experience of the God who sees me, but he knew the Lord. He knew the Lord was with him. 

Finally, a story that has it all...lots of Bible stories have it all but this particular one emphasizes clothes. Favored son coat, a cloak is all you get Mrs. P, orange is the new black prison clothes, the prison release change of clothes and finest linen, from Pharoah but not Eileen Fisher or J Jill. I remember something Peggy, Gertrude, said to me a long time ago. We were doing a Mildred and Gertrude thing for Jersey Village Baptist and we had a set phrase to interrupt the meeting and start our performance. The lady accidentally said the phrase and I came in making my way to the front, but I noticed her panicked face and knew it wasn't the cue...so I just sat down at one of the tables and said to them, uh we need to be paying attention to ________. Quit looking at me I am sure you've seen a beautiful woman before. Afterwards, Peggy said to me, isn't it fun what you can get away with saying while wearing a costume. She was and still is right. I don't think Joseph's clothes were costumes but it is tempting to think about after reading an article about the Imagery of Clothes in these passages. 

Yep, fancy coats and ultimately man about Egypt. Joseph's story is just beginning and it is multi layered. 

Thoughts and Dead Heading Roses

 In the midst of several projects this week. My attention span for such is usually limited, so I try my hardest to limit distractions and as they say, keep my nose to the grindstone. Yes, and that is why I am blogging this morning, cause you know...distractions. Roy has gone to workout after having his workout cut short yesterday. Since we have schedule conflicts with his workout in the next few days, I suggested he go and then do the Wednesday shopping at the Publix. I know those rude people are going to miss me. He is a much better shopper than me, I just come along for the ride, mostly. I did make a quick list for him beyond the usual purchases. 

After several days, we had our first sighting of Beanie, a long standing member of The Feral Fam. It is not unusual for him to be absent for several days, but he had been gone a night longer. Roy said Beanie ran into the garage when he opened the door to put out dry food. Yay, happy to know that Beanie is back in the fold for a while, I hope. We also have a young black and white cat hiding out in the garage. I think it is Boo Boo Kitty. She always looks like she wants to trust us but at the last minute her feral ways come into play and she runs. Like a vet told us several years ago when a feral cat wants to come in and find safety and you rarely see them, it has been traumatic experience that will put them in. Long ago Riley was that way and didn't come out for seven days. 

Sometimes when pondering deep thoughts and such, I think about how life comes full circle in so many areas. Studying and teaching Genesis might do that to a person. Watching the ups and downs of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, although they knew, saw and believed God's faithfulness and the bad decisions of Lot, Esau and a few of Jacob's sons might bring that attention to those thoughts. Maybe it's due to the fact that we are purchasing our final resting places tomorrow. Just happy that although we won't be here, being in heaven, we will have our places in the grand state of North Carolina, but more specifically in the mountains of North Carolina. And we are near the softball field, so that's kind of fitting as well. I always loved playing softball and when we were first married Roy played on the church team. He enjoyed the friendships and fellowship, mostly. Let's just say what Excel is to me, is what softball is to Roy. We both had doctor appointments this week. Nothing bad, mostly good but the whole medical system is so different now. Roy needed a tetanus shot. Last year I did too but they gave it to me in the office. This time for Roy he had to go to the pharmacy downstairs, fill out more paperwork, they had to go through the system online to see if he had one in NC before, uh no. They looked at Texas but gave up cause we had been waiting for almost 45 minutes for him to get a shot.  

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I told a friend yesterday that this past week I have really felt old. Many reasons for feeling that way. The highlight of feeling old was backing up when I thought I was going forward. At least it happened at home and the big container that holds hoses and outdoor junk took the brunt of the hit. So no structural damage to the house. We will have to get the truck to a body shop and get an estimate. All last week I kept thinking, we need to move that container. Yes, the wonderful gift of procrastination paid off. 

Yesterday, and now his name escapes me, but he and his family are missionaries. He grew up at Newfound and when they are home on furlough or break, he usually preaches one Sunday. That one Sunday was yesterday. I love to hear him speak because he is so honest with his thoughts and feelings yet he is so honest and enthusiastic in the work that they are doing. God is doing something special with them and their outreach. Most missionaries I've heard throughout the years are boring and stick to a script. Hey, he showed their churches with lots of tambourine playing. Has anyone ever been called to serve just for the tambourine playing? 

I finished reading The Swamp Kings a week or so ago. Wow! The legacy, if you want to call it that for crime and shenanigans, is almost unbelievable. The downfall of this generation for not getting away with everything that their ancestors did is, social media. I had to quit reading it before going to bed. It kept me from sweet dreams and a good nights sleep. I am finishing up a Mildred Budge book. I have read all the books out of order, mostly, but the plots aren't that difficult to follow. The beauty of the books is observing the ways that Mildred grows, letting go a lot of rigidity and realizing that legalism rather than relationship has governed her life. It all fits in with the readings from Charles Swindoll on legalism as well as the insights garnered from the book by Chad Bird, Limping With God. Thanks Sandy for posting about this book on FB. I mainly got it since it deals with Jacob but the layers on this story has been most rewarding and edifying. We can live in a joyless circle, even when we know that joy is a strength, a fruit of the spirit and doesn't come with happiness but can be experienced in some of the lowest times in life. Years ago a friend told me about her pastor who was the most joyless pastor she had ever seen as well as the least thankful. He rarely if ever thanked his congregation for participating or initiating, or anything associated with growth. Not in numbers but in spirits and hearts. She realized this influenced her attitude. She finally left knowing if she didn't that she would go down a road she didn't want to travel. She wanted to be joyful approaching her quiet time or Bible reading plan. She wanted to be expectant in the Word and sing praises to the Lord in joy, not in duty. When she left her church she also had to leave her job...there at the church. She lived in the Chicago area and we lost touch soon after making her move. I think of her now and then because I thought she was so brave. You didn't see people making those kinds of decisions like that back in the olden days. 

Yesterday, I read about a Houston friend that is going into hospice, at home. I thought about our friendship and her influences on others, me included. Sometimes the blessing of working at a church is the people who become friends. Talented in design, presentation and artistic endeavors, as she volunteered those gifts at church. She was so helpful when we built our home in Cinco Ranch. I loved those times as we went to look at furniture, or talk with the builder reps and then usually wrap up our time with lunch. Lots of laughing for sure mixed in with the serious business of home decor. Her specialty, French country, my taste rustic chic, with a touch of arts and craftsman. Her patience is to be commended. She and her hubby came through the Asheville area early on in the adventure of the mountains. We all had lunch together and a wonderful time. We both began heart journeys around the same time. I always laugh and tease about the apple picking ladder she bought on our behalf to hang in the entry way of our home. That ladder never made it to the wall and lived nearby the fireplace in CR. Since there are many apple orchards in our area, we brought it up here. Lived by the fireplace for a while and now located in the dining room. It is a proud apple picking ladder that holds some of the finest sock monkeys and a lumberjack, for that dining experience ambiance. 

Dead headed roses this evening. Didn't really make a dent but it is a start. Spot came over for dinner so I had to help guard his bowl from the others so he could eat his supper. 

Weeding and Planting...With Lots of Rain

 This past week has held lots of weather patterns. Storms to light rain, warm to very cool temps, lots of sun and lots of darkened skies. As I watched the weather patterns from the front bedroom, I was entertained then scared by watching the clouds. This is the first time I have seen a weather system move into our area from the west but the clouds in the sky moved rapidly east. When those skies opened with heavy rain, my goodness, in the nine years of living here, seeing beyond the middle of the front yard proved difficult. Just a silver sheet of precip. 

Yesterday, we planned a quick stop in Weaverville, then head over to Burnsville. A giant oak tree had other plans for those of us hitting the roads. Around 5:30 am, this oak toppled over near the Alexander bridge making access to the bridge harder. Power lines also went down with the oak. Around 8:45 am someone posted an all clear...but it wasn't. We made a quality decision to tack the first part of the trip to the end. We headed over to the road taking us in the scenic back way into Madison County. We were not disappointed by our decision. Yes, it added time but I hadn't been this way in years. Of course more homes being built and we saw one home with a driveway that pretty much went straight up to the house. Bet winter is fun and bet all your vehicles are 4 wheel drive. Once we hit town, a train stopped progress, well for us. It was kind of fun to grab some pics. We got to Pig and Grits a few minutes before they began serving lunch, but we were able to sit at a booth with a menu and try to narrow down all the delicious choices. We ended lunch with banana pudding...so good...and went over to Christy's Crafts. Great visit and brought home some wonderful things. Then quick stop at TJs for more zinnias. All in all a fun day and the road home was oak free, as far as the road is concerned. The Boys and The Feral Fam were all happy to see us or rather see us for the ability of food being provided. 

We got a lot of work done in the front. We planted zinnias and marigolds. Then we prepared the bed where we put wildflowers and such. The official start gardening is after Mother's Day but we cheated a bit and put in a few things before Mother's Day. 

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Good Monday morning. Taking the opportunity to ease into the day because the end of the week holds early morning wake-ups. Roy is going over his to do list, not from me, but his own. He is motivated that way. I kind of keep my list to myself and only I know if I got things done or not. 

Think the plane landed in yesterday's lesson. I am at a frustrating point right now. My usual notes up to the present consisted of three main words with an arrow onto the next point. That's when I had a great memory now, being so easily distracted, I over write notes. Yesterday, I stuck pretty much to going through the verses and talking about the importance or what can be learned. So when I looked down at my notes, I had covered several pages. With the tendency to sometimes go on a bunny trail, it is important to me to cover several wonderful things I found in the week of study. We got through to Joseph loosing his boss suit and being sold into slavery by his brothers. That family had a whole lot of hatred bubbling up and now to the boiling point of acting on that hate. Joseph must have been lonely with way older brothers and a baby brother. The brother's lives changed upon the arrival of Joseph, moved away from Laban, Joseph and Rachel kept to the back of the family groups in the anticipation of meeting an angry Esau, and now the tunic that placed Joseph as the boss in his father's favoritism. 

A week or so ago Fido had a problem with one of his back legs. Looked like maybe a sticker or something but it was a slight bit of a wound. Had some meds and got them into him. An afternoon of rest and he was good to go. Spot's wound is looking better and he is letting Roy get closer to him. 

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I so enjoyed seeing Mother's Day pictures of friends who attend various churches, mainly back in Houston. The family pictures or at least moms with kids pictures, standing in front of various backgrounds that the churches provided are so special. Not so much the new idea anymore, but on one Sunday morning there is joy. Joy in taking the time to go to church with mom or the joy of celebrating her. Flowers given out, prayers for mom, grandmothers, aunts or women who have invested in lives etc...  Taking care of feral cats is not the same as motherhood but we feel a sense of doing what the Lord would ask. Early on I read that if the Lord brings them your way, do your best to help them and if they move on or don't survive, you did the good thing of taking care of them. Even with the Feral Fam and The Boys, Roy has them on a schedule. As much as we can, we try to keep to the schedule cause it is helpful for outdoor survival and indoor survival, mainly for us. Mr Mo, GMoey and Willie know when bedtime is and they hang around us waiting for the call of snacking that is the reward of going to bed. 

With the cool temps yesterday morning, we got some work done out front. Weed pulling, trimming up the shrubs, and planting some miniature roses. Things grow quickly here and that includes weeds. By the end of the summer the shrubs that were trimmed will be back to the size they were. The peach tree is loaded and the apple trees aren't too far behind. The blackberries also have lots of blooms and the tomato plants are growing nicely. Two days after Mother's Day, the official planting time. I have already written that info but it is good to remember when the official planting season begins. 

Near Hit But It Was a Miss

Exciting times around here as we dodge storms in the area. Well, we didn't exactly dodge them but around us no hail or wind damage. Mars Hill and Barnardsville got hit and I saw a picture of the freeway between Mars Hill and Weaverville during the storm and the road looked like winter had hit with so much hail, large hail. The first storm of the day had intense rain and the sky got dark rather quickly. The wind picked up and we had a couple of thunder bunders. Then the late afternoon, sun came out and dried up all the rain and the itsy bitsy spider...oops. Last night we got Fido, Beanie and Coco in for the night. They weren't happy but I bet around midnight they were happy to be high and dry. So the middle of the night storm was intense lightning and thunder. It woke me up and knowing going back to sleep would be difficult, I got up and worked on my lesson and checked radar every few minutes. Even after the storm had mostly moved on, we had quite a bit of rolling thunder but soon everything settled back down. 

 This has been a social weekend, well more so than usual. We had our first meeting since forever for Women's Ministry. Had breakfast together and had a great time. Then today, since Roy is taking pics for VBS, we went to the lunch and training after church. Visited with friends and once the regular meeting was over, Roy and I were free to leave. 

With two days of rain everything has greened up even more, if that is really even possible. This next week I'll be out in the garden dead heading roses. They are blooming gangbusters this year. Also need to get the supplies for Japanese beetles because they will be showing their unwanted selves soon. 

Don't feel like I landed the plane on the lesson. We circled a bit about the first few verses and I threw myself off when I had trouble pronouncing a word because in my haste of writing out notes I misspelled a descriptive word. Even though writing out notes helps me remember, I do need spell check. Since childhood I thought spelling is just the ability to memorize letters not a skill set. Once that got deciphered we moved on. We've slowed down and are a little behind what Lifeway has scheduled. We will get into Genesis later since that is next on the docket, but our pastor is still going through the book of Acts. Kind of like the same time frame that Brother John used in preaching through Revelation. Reference for long time members of HFBC. We will wrap up the last part of Chapter 35 and then move onto Joseph. 

We added a trip to Sam's for our regular routine. Cat litter on sale and Fancy Feast restocked. Roy got vitamins and our all important snack, cashews and we were on our way. Although we had another reminder that I can't throw anything like I used to. Roy didn't think the salad mix should go in the cooler...uh, yes it should... and I admit to being frustrated but as I aimed to throw the bag into the cart, it slipped in my hand and hit Roy on the chin. He was not happy and I was telling him, I was aiming for the cart, not you...I am throwing like a girl. We both busted out laughing cause he knew I don't do things like that and my recent history of throwing things to him or out in the yard has been abysmal.  Ugh! First stop of the grocery stores was Ingles cause they have Pepsi Zero and Zero Sugar Sunkist on sale. Roy went in and took care of that. Then we went to Publix. I had an interesting near encounter. We pulled into a parking spot next to a hoarder car. The backseat was filled to the top of the car with stuff. The older lady got in her car just as we pulled in. She started the car and then sat there...another older type woman was honking her horn to get the lady to backout to no avail. We began our trek into the store when at that time hoarder lady started backing up. If I hadn't glanced down for a split second she would have run me over, but I saw her backup and brake lights light up and I used my hand on her trunk to move and jump out of the way. In the distance I can hear a woman cry out thinking I'm about to get run over. I made it out of the way and the woman just kept backing up as another car on the row behind us is backing up as well and the driver makes a maneuver to dodge her car. At the time I thought wow, that was interesting but Roy told me last night he thought she would run over me and it scared him. I remember at the time thinking I should hit her trunk with my fist to warn her but something or shall I saw Someone encouraged me not to. Most people would stop their motion but I think she would have sped up. Other than that, the shopping trip was uneventful. Our Wednesday reward, BBQ from 6 Pigs BBQ across from the post office. Delicious!   

The Wednesday Wrap Up on Thursday

 It has been a little bit since we have had dense patchy fog and this morning the fog is slowly lifting. After a mostly rainy day, fog comes along and covers the land. The sky was so beautiful last night with the rain gone and the bright white clouds rolling along. The setting sun cast a brightness atop the mountains in the distance. It was as if we were experiencing three spheres of weather and treated too verdant greens and crystal blues. This afternoon, I will get some sunflower seeds planted as well as some seeds for wildflowers. The roses this year are budding out something spectacular. Vivid pinks, sunny yellows and bright red roses. Sometimes it is too much to take in, but I take it in. So thankful for our Creator who has given us these colors painting the landscape. 

At the beginning of the year as I started blogging, I tried to capture some memories of the long ago. I felt rather strongly about this and blogged a bit more than I have in the recent past. Now that we are in spring, I give the growth and weather updates. There is a mention or two of lessons involving research and study, usually. When I first began blogging I took up topics that I felt strongly about and I sometimes still do that. But now, it is a more settled time and more of time for me doing something that I love. There are topics I would cover now but wisdom dictates that wouldn't be prudent. Ah SNL...back in the day reference. 

Roy is finally in Genesis on Sundays. My class is slowing down a bit as we round the turn into studying Joseph. We are at Bethel with Jacob right now as he is in the last lap of becoming the next patriarch after his father. Jacob has been dragging his feet as of late, taking his time to arrive where he has been called to live. This morning Roy and I were talking about Lot, cause that is where he is at and then chapter 35 where we are. The difference we noticed was in the road trip. Lot couldn't wait to divide off and live his own life with all this stuff and the nostalgia for his time in Egypt. Jacob's road trip is full of moving on and then sputtering. Being a devote of Michael Card's teaching using our imaginations to see the scene we are reading in its entirety. Moving those tents back then did not include pop up tents or campers. We were remembering some of the trips that we took here before living here. The journey was never too much. Roy and I would make that first day of driving, the hardest one and we got in the habit of going to Chattanooga because our niece was in college there. The next morning we took the back way to Asheville with a slower pace, then vacation really began. Now, that we live here and even with several trips back throughout the years, that journey doesn't hold the same alure it once did. The world has changed and we have changed. 

I behaved at Publix and didn't see or run into the rude couple. We actually shopped like we were adults and our cart didn't look like we eat the same as college students. On the way home we did our Wednesday lunch stop picking up 6 Pigs BBQ across from the post office on the river road. Delicious! They will also be at the Madison Market next weekend. After eating lunch we headed to Ducketts. They just got a new shipment in of plants and we wanted to check out what they had. Year before last I bought plants from them and was thrilled with the price and the outcome. Best $20 spent yesterday was a tray of zinnias and the flat includes 36 plants. That that was a great deal. Also picked up another hanging plant for the front. On the way to and back from Clyde, we saw a large panel truck that had ran off the road as you are going up the mountain from Clyde. Looked like a back broken axel. Must have been the theme of the week cause several rigs have slid off the road and into a culvert. 

While we planted zinnias, the Feral Fam had a wonderful time chasing one another in the tall grass. It looked as if we had planted kitty cats. It was hard not to tear up because Cha Nay-Nay would have been out there with the others chasing each other and then the hose as Roy moved over the yard to water the new flowers just planted. 

Woke up at 3:00 am and couldn't go back to sleep. Got up and worked on the outline for Sunday. It is one of those lessons where you could go point to point to point or mainly focus on two highpoints. Think I am going highpoints. 

Interruptions, Compost, Dreams and Plants

 It was quite the exciting day, but not in the usual sense of the word. HVAC maintenance time. We tried to get The Boys into the bonus room but only GMoey would go. Willie ran away like he usually runs for treats. Mr Mo went into the queen bed room, so I shut the door. The only cat out and about in the house was Free Willie. He is excellent in his choice of hiding spots. None of The Boys seems interested in going outdoors since they are well acquainted with the outdoors in their early life. It took less than an hour to check and replace filters and the tech was gone before 10:00 am. Roy found GMoey under the dresser in the bonus room, Mr Mo came out of the bedroom but getting Willie to show was a no go. He stayed hidden for hours and even missed the lure of cat food cans opening up for their lunch. In the middle of the afternoon I decided to try one more time to locate that hidden kitty. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I got out the red laser light and a tube of squeeze cheese. Well, it isn't really squeeze cheese, it is Churros and all three love that goodness in a tube. Mr Mo chased the laser light and I rattle the treat tube. Willie sauntered out from underneath the daybed in the front bedroom, ready for play and a treat. We would have bet money Willie was under our bed. Such is the life of a stealth kitty. Willie's fear when the routine has a new snag introduced is more so than the other two. I am not a professional cat phycologist but his behavior stems from his mother's protection. She probably had other kittens but Willie is the only survivor. She watched over him and rushed him off to safety anytime something alarmed her. Since he lost his mom at a young age, maybe he reverts to that behavior. He is the hardest to get to the vet and we are already planning and scheduling the weeks before his appointment to make the transition easier. Well, it won't ever be easy but without tipping him off. Also Roy doesn't have a poker face nor actions that would distract Willie Boy. 

With warmer temps we set out to get marigolds planted so that the tomatoes will benefit from their presence, well when the tomatoes are put into the ground that is. The experiment of planting in a small bag of potting or garden soil has been successful so far. We were able to move the plants in those two nights that were a bit colder than usual. Then bring them back out for the sun and the rainy Friday. 

This week I began studying to introduce Joseph on Sunday morning but it just seemed we could not make that huge jump from the good parting of Jacob and Esau to Joseph. Chapters 34 and 35 need to be covered. I tell ya, anything that has to do with Old Testament circumcision gets a pass over...oops that is kind of a pun, but not really. But, there is so much to the story and the family gift of deception, lying and scheming. Chapter 34 has it all. Passive Jacob, a daughter assaulted and held captive, sons with rage and tempers, and not stopping his sons from outright war over the actions of two. Despicable actions of the two sons. You do not see God's name nor His presence or influence in chapter 34. Chapter 35 brings remedy and repentance but getting through 34 has to be done. 

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Today has been a lovely day to haul dirt and compost across the yard. A good day to cut back old growth and prepare for new plants. Had a funny moment. I tried to use one of the footstools from the wooden chairs in the yard. It slopes as well as the yard. Too much slope for me and we got quite the laughs of me trying to figure out what was going on. In these situations I can laugh so hard that well, let's just say the result is not what is needed. Roy did a lot of work out there today and this evening he finished watering. We are supposed to get some rain tomorrow, so who knows but it really felt good being outside today. Last year I really missed doing all of this and the work and the lovely fragrances that arrive in spring. 

I don't know if it is because I am studying a lot on Joseph but the past two weeks I have had such vivid dreams. No one bowing down to me like he dreamed but I will say a few of those dreams might be a way to prepare a bit for days ahead. Nothing earth shattering just reminding me that there is a beginning, middle and end to stories. It's kind of like using prayer to segue from thing to thing cause that is just what has been done for eons of generations. Maybe these dreams will help me adjust, I have no idea other than the Lord has used dreams before in my life and I have learned to know the difference between eating popcorn dreams before bed and these of the last few days. 

Sunday after church was our fellowship lunch. Always delicious food as well as visiting with friends. It is one of the most fun things we do at church and it is so needed anytime and all the time. With school soon coming to an end, our attention turns toward preparation for VBS. The format has changed a bit so I won't be volunteering as before but Roy is taking the pictures for that week. 

This is such a colorful and verdant spring. The leaves of the trees are especially vibrant this year. It might have to do with a little more rain than usual. I am also ready to plant some zinnias. They have become one of my favorites. 

RIP Cha Nay-Nay

 These days with The Feral Fam have been especially poignant. Coco is trusting us more, even letting Roy pet her. She likes hanging out with Fido and he is showing her the ropes of in and out of the garage living. She hasn't stayed over yet but many a morning, after their private breakfast, she adjourns to her king size bed in the corner of The Garage on the Catmore Estate. Fido's brother, Spot or Spotty as I call him, is trusting us more as well. He has a huge wound on his neck and we would like to get him into a vet. There is also a couple who board horses with our neighbor that is very interested in him. He too enjoys the private dining privilege here at Catmore. Won't eat in the garage but he has one of us on guard duty to keep the others away so he can eat and gain strength. We hadn't seen him for a couple of days and we kept an eye out for him but we were slowly resigning ourselves to maybe his passing. Thrilled to see him! One of Camo's last batch got too close to the road about a month or so ago. Since The Feral Family harem has diminished the males from around the area are a bit disappointed to only find a table for one, meals. Hector Protector's twin Bobbsey has made a few appearances of late. He lives with another colony over the mountain. Radley is still around but not as much. Shows up about every week and a half for supper. 

Sadly, I believe that Cha Nay-Nay might be gone. It has been about a week and that girl never missed a meal as well as some pets and then time in my lap. As a young one, something got to her like something has gotten to Spot. Not as bad but she slowly healed. She stayed around here most of the time, with just a couple of ventures down the gravel road with Coco. Not out of sight from our backyard. This little spicy kitten who hissed her way into adulthood, all of the sudden wanted some interaction with the hoomans. Once again, Fido showed the way. As we worked getting the flowerbeds ready, Fido and Cha Nay-Nay helped us. Of course with too little stamina, I would sit down and the helpers joined me. She always touched noses with me, so I knew I was accepted by her. On those cool to warm evenings, she would cuddle up on my lap with her head tucked into my arm. I have always been partial to calicos. Remember Cali? We have looked everywhere for Cha Nay-Nay and I can tear up a bit when I think of her. The last time she sat on my lap and then had her supper, she came back to me and put her paws on my shoulder...like a hug. Then she went onto whatever plans she had for early evening. 

That first little Calico, Cali, never let me pet her but this little one opened wide her heart. Like all good ferals, she kept just enough of that wild spirit to remind me she wasn't totally domesticated. She didn't like to be carried. The one time she got into the house, she went nuts trying to get out of the house. 

She started out as Chanel but I realized soon enough she was more a Cha Nay-Nay. She was barely a year old. 

Last night Roy heard coyotes howling and he got Beanie into the garage with Fido for the night. We haven't heard coyotes for a while but their presence might just explain our lost Cha Nay-Nay. 

The loss has hit me hard. I still go out and whistle cause she always came a running cause the whistle means mealtime or snack time. The joy of getting involved and winning ferals over is challenging but oh so wonderful if it evolves but the loss is tremendous. 

Weekly Reader, Maybe Two Week Reader

 The morning rain has moved east and supposedly this afternoon we will have a few more showers come in. We took the opportunity to work some outside. Roy put together a fire pit/raised garden ring and I cleaned out some big planters and started our tomato experiment. Is there anything we can't learn from social media. At TJs, they had veggie plants and although it is too early for our area, the call of tomatoes is in the air especially with the warmer than normal temps. This experiment is totally mobile and the plants can be moved easily to warmth and away from frost fear. It didn't take long for me to cry uncle and to surrender to the heat. We placed the fire ring, cut some lilac and came inside. After lunch Roy went back outside to finish the second ring. 

While spring is evident all over the countryside there is a period of time that if you didn't know the season, several tree sprout leaves that are in a fallish hue. Red, gold and light orange. Sitting on the daybed in the front room with the double windows. just seeing those colors brought this to mind. If I had been sick and lost track of seasons and time, it would be quite perplexing to say the least if this was my only view. Since it isn't, I have seen the daffodils and tulips make the early spring entrance, red buds and dogwoods bloom out, peach and plum trees filled with blossoms and now apple trees going from bloom to little apple buds. 

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We nearly had another "alarm" incident this morning. Woke up at 3:00 am, couldn't sleep. Got up and read. Roy woke up a little after 4:00 am and we had a regular, not morning before coffee conversation, and that is what threw me off on the morning routine. Cause I am the alarm disarmer but Roy has promised me again and again he always checks the monitor to make sure the alarm is disengaged. Emersed in a good book I hear Roy, maybe yelling my name or is he talking to the cats? It was me whose attention he is calling out for...turn off the alarm! Hurry! Whew! We made it without having to verify with the alarm company that it was a mistake. 

After reading Mildred Budge books, I am going the complete opposite now. Started The Swamp Kings, history of the Murdaugh family in SC. The stories of the family coming into prominence, along with their many faults and flaws goes hand in hand with Jacob and his family. Throughout the narrative we see all the deception and scheming that takes place. Jacob has a divine encounter and change for him begins but it is still in his family, with his sons. 

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Ah, the temps of winter return for today and tomorrow. We brought in the tomato plants and covered them against the lows and the possibility of frost. With the rain on and off all weekend everything is looking so green outdoors. Every color of green on the prism is being represented by various trees. Once it gets a little warmer we are going to cut back some plants that have grown behind the hydrangeas and the deck. Have to pick a day like today where it will not be as warm so that we don't have to battle the plant as well as bugs. 

We sang Heaven Came Down yesterday morning in church. Oh my, it has been many, many years since I have heard the song much less singing it. What I remember is back in the day, at an age before I could participate in youth activities at Westbury Baptist, the youth choir came home from a mission trip. They sang all the songs and Heaven was one of them. Ron Lowry was our music minister and he set the joy of singing into many. One that comes to mind is Mindy Scott although many would know her as Mindy Klassen. That Sunday night that was devoted to the report of the trip was probably the only Sunday night I paid attention. I remember how soft the voices were on, "sins were washed away" became bolder with "and my night was turned to day, heaven came down and glory filled my soul." While most memories at WBC are not good, this particular one is. That Sunday night is the first time I heard the song, Amen. 

Yesterday, I posted a blog post from 2009 titled Thank An Admin. I think I do this every year because the truth in it is still relevant as well as truth. I looked at some of the original comments by the admins to look at what life for them now looks like. Interesting, for sure. 

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HVAC checkup time. Roy and the tech are outside looking at the downstairs unit. We have two of the three boys put up and it looks like rain. Cooler as well. If we get a chance this afternoon we might put out some of the plants we purchased this week most probably in a raised bed but we might do the bag of dirt thing. 

I think I will close this less than stellar post. It has been a couple of weeks in the making. I like the slow days now. We finally tackled a couple of projects this week. We are also doing a massive clean out. Found tons of stuff that needs to move on. Lots of pandemic interests to keep me busy at home and the truth is, now they don't hold the same interest. So, off they go. 

Life, Lilacs and Learning

 A week of firsts. First official visits to produce stands in Haywood Country, first purchase of SC strawberries, first day of many to come of wearing capris and first few days of above average temps. The apple trees have blossoms this year. Think the peach trees survived the one time frost and the plum trees are finished blooming out. Hopefully, we will have a fruitful season. 

Yesterday we drove over to Canton and Clyde. It is one of my most favorite drives and the scenery did not disappoint. Dogwoods blooming out is such a beautiful sight. We went to Christopher Farms to try the frozen, made locally, pot pies. Then over to Ducketts for strawberries and to check the inventory of Lou Lou's canned products. We were looking for her salsa. It is fabulous. 

On Monday we grabbed up some of the buy three get three bags of garden soil, then a brief visit at Hobby Lobby. I needed raffia for a cat toy. Oh, we got two more fire rings for raised garden beds at Lowe's. So Roy will be putting those together in the coming days as we ready for the middle of May and tomato planting season. We will probably do red and green bell peppers and maybe carrots. 

Today, we did the Publix thing and stopped for BBQ at 6 Pigs. No banana pudding today but that's okay. We ate our lunch after unloading the car. Back to Mars Hill and TJs. Got a beautiful hanging basket of a vine like flower as well as some plants. I read about a way to temporally get plants ready for the season and able to get them out of the cold if it dips which looks like that will be Sunday. We shall see. While doing the Publix thing, wisdom discount day...what a mess. We encountered a couple that were rude, rude, rude! I surely fail the Lord when I am in a grocery store, sometimes but Wednesday was not one of those days. The man nearly took me out with the cart so that he could get to the bran cereal. Uh, no thanks but my ankle and calf were clipped by the cart. No, I am sorry for hitting you...nothing. I then determined they might be from up north but she had on a t-shirt designating her as a Big Bend National Park volunteer. So most likely they were from Texas. So I turned the other cheek and blocked them on two aisles and unknownst to Roy about the whole situation, he cut off the escape route after they found themselves behind a slow, very slow cart pusher and shopper. These aggravations are getting fewer and fewer but it is a reminder to keep a renewed mind. Kind of like out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks holds true for out of the abundance of actions...

The kind of crazy, druggy guy is out of rehab or wherever he was. Saw him walking along the road Sunday and last night the crazy guy saw Roy at our gate to the driveway. He both hurried into the garage as the crazy guy came up our road and headed toward the neighbors. We called them but all were out in the barn and didn't call back till later. Guess they saw him the other night coming up to their farm, but they have two German shepherds going crazy to get to him.   

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Our Friday rain is a gentle one. Just enough to water plants and make the roads slick. This spring I have been proactive with the gardening unlike the past two years. No diagnosis of what the heck was going on with me health wise, but this spring I have more energy to do the things I have come to love, which is gardening. The lilac bushes are in full bloom and I hope after today's rain I am able to cut a few of the flowers of to bring inside. Ah, the fragrance. The hybrid hydrangeas are experiencing a banner year and that means the snowball bushes are not too far behind. Haven't seen the plant man who the past few years been a pioneer in the area on the river road that I call the truck flea market. Got flame azaleas from him as well as a few other plants the past few years. So many of the shrubs and flowering plants we put in several years ago are now mature and showing off this spring. Fall has always been my favorite season but living here, spring is giving fall a run for the money. 

These Feral Fam members are entertaining yet frustrating so many times. Fido comes into the garage at night, helps serve the dry food in the mornings and then comes back with Roy into the garage for his own breakfast. Coco is coming around and letting us pet her gently but it has to be her idea. Cha Nay Nay demands lots and lots of pets yet will ignore us at other times. Last night she sat on my lap for the longest time. Don't know if that was more to keep Beanie off my lap or what, but she of all the cats in the Feral Fam, the spiciest cat taken to the spay/neuter clinic cause she got written up, is a great purer and so affectionate. Squeaky is a nuisance to Fido and Cha Nay Nay, but he is a cutie and practically lives in the cat tree that is slowly falling apart. We are looking to replace it for the Fam. 

In the spirit of women's basketball Roy and I have added the Caitlyn Clark shrug and questioning pose after calls and no calls to our lives when we have small disagreements or if I am just feeling funny and want to make Roy laugh. The shrug and questioning could also look like an arm low level praising of the Lord. I watched part of the draft on Monday evening but those kinds of shows are usually not a first or fifth choice. CC has a lot riding on her shoulders for the hope of women's basketball. I hope she doesn't get hurt the first week of the season. Like I have written before I probably won't watch games cause my interest in bb peaks at March Madness time. 

This week as we get ready to cross the river tributary of the Jordan River, Jabbok, with Jacob I have looked at a couple of instances where his experience can help us learn so much in our relationship with God. His twenty years with Laban are bookmarked with encounters of the spiritual kind. The first preparing him for his season of life on the horizon and the second, life changing as his name changes as well as the way he deals with life. He is giving up depending on his wit, persuasiveness and charm. No longer the deceiver, no longer a mad schemer of getting what he wants, on his terms and his understanding. Chapter 31 is so powerful as Laban accuses and Jacob confronts, vents, treaty and leaves. This Sunday we will jump a little into Romans 12 to see how the experiences in walking with the Lord intersect with Jacob and with us. Roy is finishing up the portion on Noah and the Ark, and the beginning look at Nimrod and the tower of Babel. He was asking me what I emphasized with the lesson, for Noah's time in the Ark, me, asking what about the animal poop? For Nimrod and Babel...how much nothing has changed. The gameplan is the same today as it was in the former years. I also had this great revelation to make Roy laugh, Noah walked with God, but were the requirements different to float with God? Just an observation. Yep, it wasn't the tower that is the main theme, it is living in cities and not dispersing throughout the land. The theme is the cities and what the significance meant.  

Also, in my last post I quoted Dr Jordan Peterson. I didn't have any idea of who he is and only quoted him for his views on false adventures. Which the topic still fascinates me. 

Last night I finished the trilogy of Miss Budge novels. There is so much insight to living in a way that brings glory to God with a few laughs and wisdom thrown in. 

 

The Right to Write or Something Like That

 Something I didn't appreciate at the time but in retrospect appreciate more is the amount of time, reading and classes we had on leadership when our pastor came on staff at Houston's First lo those many years ago. Many of the principles we learned are good for church work, business and life. Not that I am in a leadership position now except I do teach Sunday School. Reluctantly, guess that is leadership but I don't think of it that way.

Roy is going to workout earlier than usual today and get a couple of errands ran. While we will have an 86% coverage during the eclipse. The afternoon will certainly warm up. We did a looksee at the apple trees and such last night. Doesn't seem that any frost affected them with our two nights of dipping temps. The tulips out front are the most radiant and brilliant color than any before. Even the ones in the back look healthy. 

Surprise, surprise, we didn't make it all the way through the lesson yesterday. We got at a good stopping point and we will pick up with chapter 31 on Sunday. This look at Laban and Jacob is so interesting, so much to learn. Jacob probably his mom was the schemer extraordinaire but when he met his uncle, he truly had met the master supplanter and schemer of the family.  

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Thursday morning with rain but the apple trees are blooming. That is always a welcomed sight. Last night we had the worst wind. It woke me up enough to get up and check the view outside. Then I was wide awake so I retreated to the front bedroom to read. I was asking the Lord to calm the wind and when Roy got up and checked on me on his way to the bathroom, I asked him to pray as well. Roy was just like Jesus in the boat, sound asleep. I got tickled thinking about waking him up and saying, "don't you even care?" He probably woke up cause he was getting restful sleep with me away cause I toss and turn something awful, especially here lately. The wind died down with puffy gusts once in a while, but I would sing softly, peace be still. Maybe it was too much of a joyful noise to the Lord or maybe He heard my prayer. Think He heard my prayer. 

I saw the most interesting 11 second reel on false adventure. I watched it several times and tried to do some research but with an attention span of a gnat and needing full concentration for lesson study I left it for another time. Some of this I had been thinking about but didn't have a description for what I wondered about. The quote, "People choose false adventures if they don't choose real adventures. Martyrs, enemies and angry when unnecessary, those are forms of false adventures." Dr Jordan Peterson  I think you can really find lots of people on false adventures all around social media. They may have fought a real situation, like twenty years ago, long time over but they'll share quotes or their own thoughts on a situation that really no longer affects them. Most of them are issues that plague modern life but most of these people have been sitting on the sidelines for years. Like all the sudden in the midst of family pics and reports, the bold statement appears on their timeline..." I support those who love their cabbage patch doll!" I'm thinking, cabbage patch kids are back? Are there people who are being ridiculed for playing dolls? Usually there are other odd statements about things or problems that have long ago gone away or has been solved. There is almost a militant voice in these posts. Come on, cross me. Question me on this. I am prepared to defend cabbage patch kids but it doesn't seem like anyone addresses the strange and new stance presented. But this concept of false adventure rings true. Yesterday in class, yes it is Monday and I didn't use *****. I support the right to write into new days without using *****. I defend those who do this, so I guess I am defending myself. Anyway, in class yesterday as we studied Laban and Jacob, we got to the verses where Laban goes through everything looking for his idol gods that have been stolen. Rachel, uses I started my period for the excuse of not moving off her camel saddle. Those period stories can be helpful in times of need or in this case deception. He touches everything that Jacob owns and this is what sets Jacob off as he starts his soliloquy  of  wrongs done to him by Laban during the past twenty years. I was talking to Roy about the lesson last week and the whole touch the belongings really became important to me. Roy was like, this isn't a big deal. But to me and my voice tone gave me away yesterday when I told the class about growing up in a house where my father went through things in my room, touching it all and dumping the contents of the dresser into the middle of my bedroom. He found my diary on one of these tirades. I had written about what was going on in our family and how scared and mad I was over this. Man, once confronted by my words by him, I changed course and only wrote the opposite of what was happening. Like, " we are the happiest family. We are loved and wanted..." Well, by my mom yes but not my father. Side note, I wrote about what was going on and how we were being treated by my father. I wrapped the note up in aluminum foil and buried it by the gas meter in the backyard. Just in case something happened to us but more likely to me. Does this touching and dumping stuff fill my mind everyday. Nope. Have I gone to therapy to be given life tools to heal this trauma. Oh yes I have. But, I am not hitting FB or X today with some rage against the insanity type topic because it is no longer relevant to me. Best advice given was, you're reacting like you did as a child but now you're an adult and can deal, heal and solve the hurts.  Sometimes when I share stories of childhood, I've been contacted by others letting me know how much help they received from the blog post.  The telling thing about the whole Jacob vent against Laban concerns Laban's reaction to what Jacob has said...well be that as it may, everything is mine but your God has handicapped me from taking action against you. Makes me think, wow how powerful was that dream of Laban's? 

We are making a trip to Lowe's for more potting soil and a few other things. Roy will work out later this afternoon. Weed pulling is calling my name, but I may let that call go to voicemail. The week temps look to be warmer so all those things we have been putting off outside should get taken care of...again, might be a voicemail thing. 

Winter to Spring to Winter to Books

 We are in the midst of Dogwood Winter here in the Appalachian mountains. It comes every spring reminding us that winter isn't that far in the background. Our temps have been rather warm until yesterday when the cold wind blew in. In the higher elevations they got snow. Next on the spring look back to winter calendar is Blackberry Winter. Then we hit Mother's Day and Roy will be planting tomatoes. The warmup starts tomorrow. I don't think it got cold enough last night to harm any of the plants or blooms but tonight might be a whole nother story. 

I spent a lot of time reading and researching yesterday for the lesson on Sunday. We are with Jacob and Laban. Wow, Jacob gets schooled in schemes, deceit and lies, something he is quite good at himself. Jacob has the Lord on his side and the promises made to him as well as to his grandfather and father. Reading Laban's deflections and his proclaimed victimhood, reminded me greatly of my father and his tactics. I was telling Roy about the direction of the lesson or how it is shaping up, the Lord reminded me at every trick and turn of my father's plans, the Lord had been there for me/us bringing solutions or people to the crisis my father was creating. I never saw something in Gen 31:41b until yesterday, God saw your abuse and my hard work. If God hadn't been on Jacob's side, Laban would have sent him away empty handed. I never realized what a narcissist Laban was. He blamed, accused falsely, turned others against Jacob and then he became the victim, at least in his thinking. Then after none of Laban's gods/idols were found due to the clever thinking of Rachel...she had sat at the feet of the master...she used her period excuse. Ah, nothing like periods to set things a little askew. Jacob vents...really vents, finally. He and Laban make a pact and celebrate it with a meal. We don't hear about Laban again. 

 I have written before here recently that I am enjoying a series of stories and books by Daphne Simpkins. She is retired from Auburn, I won't hold that against her, as an English professor. The book, Kingdom Come, is the third book in the Miss Budge series. I bought it from Thrift Books and the copy I have is from a previous reader. Very fine pencil marks are made through the first two chapters. At first I thought, oh has the grammar police found something? No, it seems the marks are for some memorable quotes. I just mark through books, never thinking of making notations in the margin with pencil. 

Just read a great article on the silent treatment we have experienced or practiced. The original concept came from sailors. The silent treatment was used for those people on the ship that were obnoxious or just hard to deal with. This could go on for months and months. Those who experienced it sometimes would go mad with the exclusion. There was a time that the silent treatment could be used on me and the outcome would be the desired result. Now, I don't know, not so much. Well except Roy, who isn't exactly wordy at all. So, it isn't the same thing. My father went one year without speaking to us over some furniture, that had been given to us. One day at their house, while he had made a great production of ignoring me, I said to no one particular in the room, cause it was only him. I said, while you have spent this year fuming and angry over a triple dresser, we have been out and about, having fun, never giving a thought to that dresser. It has been freeing. He started talking to us after that. At the time I thought he saw the reasonableness of that statement, but he came to his senses only because his "possession" wasn't responding to his treatment and he might lose me... He didn't count Roy cause he never liked Roy for taking his possession away. 

Maybe I have stumbled upon a biblical thing that isn't talked about too much. While studying Genesis I have come to believe that the Sarahs and Rachels of the world are a pain in the butt. They might be beautiful but there are some personality flaws in them that could get on one's nerves. Who knows? But there is a lot more to learn from Hagar and Leah or at least that is the conclusion I have come to. 

Compost, Fires on the Mountains and Stuff

 Easter weekend filled with the regular Easter activities along with and most importantly the celebration of Resurrection Sunday, contained more than the usual events of the weekend. There was smoke on the mountains and in this case of Sunday the smoke was due to the fire on the mountains. One fire that was contained early in the process and it burned nearby friend's homes. Looking out our front windows we could see smoke that was black meaning water has been applied to the flames. Someone almost let the brush burning fire get out of control to the south of us. This not being the same fire happening in Leicester. There was a house fire happening in another area close by. In the words of Billy Joel, we didn't start the fire... On Saturday our neighbors gifted us with a huge load of compost via their horses. So Saturday late afternoon, we were moving compost to all the flower and veggie beds. I stayed off the incline cause last time, I slid down the mountain, well the incline of our side yard, on compost on down to the driveway. With all of Roy's fall and winter work with the raised beds, the compost will be the icing on the cake...so to speak. 

Roy had deacon's meeting on Monday night so he missed the Iowa/LSU women's basketball game. Fast paced but the outcome is not what we wanted for LSU. Although, the stress level of watching games has now gone back to the normal levels. We are rooting for South Carolina, now cause you know...SEC....SEC! But wouldn't it be a great story if NC State beat them in the semis? We will probably watch the games this weekend but then after the weekend...my interest in basketball goes back to nil until March Madness 2025. All the "stuff" that has been a distraction for the Tigers is a bit concerning. Just like last year the word, class or classless, is thrown around quite a bit. Oh yes, the code word that is quite racist in the tone. You saw it a lot including last year's victory in the Natty cause Iowa kind of losing was never a thought, until it happened. You see it this year in defeat. On a much smaller level, minute in this case, when I played tennis, volleyball and softball, it is difficult to beat a team twice, unless you are South Carolina. This year it would be great if LSU beat Iowa but in my heart of hearts, I didn't think it would happen. I did my part, I didn't watch all of the game trying to help the Tigers like I had done on Saturday. Ha! 

One thing that I have loved about this year's March Madness is seeing players who play with such joy. They are serious about their game but they love the game so much they can't help but overflow in joy. They do their "job" but have fun. We live in such a joyless world. Just my thoughts here, but I think joy is shut down so many times because others who want control can't control joy. Guess that is why it is a fruit of the spirit found in Galatians. Just look at the guy whose friends tore through a roof and lowered him to Jesus in the house. Only the Jewish leaders were upset cause joy overturned their world. They were at the house sitting up close to where Jesus spoke, not to know Him but to accuse Him and look for stuff to take Him down. Throughout my working years I was fortunate to work for several who were joyful in their approach thus influencing our approach to our work and jobs. I also worked with those who sucked the life out of you and that included joy. After sucking out joy they usually make a few new rules because what is a joyless approach to life without some legalism thrown in. It is easier to make rules than to live a life in the Spirit. 

Our area didn't get the storm and wind last night so all the tulips are looking good. The drop in temps certainly was felt today but more of a drop Thursday. We did our usual Wednesday thing of picking up lunch from 6 Pigs BBQ. They are set up on the River Road on Wednesdays. We got there a little after 11:00 and there was already a line. They sold out by 3:20. 

Last night there was a wreck on our road. It was dusk and hard to see from the house but looks like one car crashed off the road into something or one went off into the field across the road. Took a long time to clear it. Never heard a crash sound or anything but it was one of the quietest evenings in a while cause cars, trucks and motorcycles couldn't race down the road. Oh yeah, I just went old lady in that sentence. 

Mostly Weather

 Yesterday morning, I looked out the window and white flakes filled the view. It was above freezing and no precip yet. The blooms are off the trees because of the wind and floated down across the yard. Now this is the kind of snow you like seeing toward the end of March. In the backyard, where the wind doesn't quite have the effect as in the front, the petals have come to rest on the ground. What a beautiful sight to behold. 

Our rain came late in the afternoon Friday and has moved on. The rainy day forecasted for today isn't happening anymore. Cooler temps though. We need to get the fertilizer stakes in the ground for the fruit trees today or tomorrow. Today might be the day because LSU Women's BB plays tomorrow. I hope they play better than they did yesterday. Ugly win. While watching I mentioned to Roy several times that the expressions on some of the players for LSU gave the story that there might be some issues happening. Kim Mulkey said in an ESPN interview afterwards that she felt like there was too much selfishness on the court. Hmm...facial reading did not fail me yesterday. 

I finished the Cloverdale book last night in the Miss Budge series. Y'all, I almost always see the twist at least not to be surprised, but even seeing the twist early on...the story didn't play out at all how I imagined it to do. I loved the story, the wisdom, the funny and the twist in this novel. There is significant character development of Miss Budge and in some of her church lady friends. 

The seasonal produce stands and places are beginning to open up. Think we will try and make a trip to one of them. Spring onions are looking good. It is the most wonderful time of the year.

Every once in a while I see Bobbsey, an earlier member of the Feral Fam. Bobbsey is the twin of HP. When he is around there for just a moment I think it is HP, but Bobbsey has a dark nose. We saw him twice yesterday and once this afternoon. There is a Radley relative hanging around as well. Almost the same markings but not as furry. I haven't seen Radley in a while but he is a wanderer. 

*****

Whew, I had to do my part to help the LSU Women's Basketball team. The second half I stayed away from the TV and only kept up with the score on Google. Middle TN was a great team but it was so good to see LSU get some defense going and play together as a team. 

We did not get through the whole lesson this morning. Think we will just keep on moving through Genesis and not do an Easter lesson next week. One of the class members surprised us with banana bread, so moist it nearly melted in your mouth. Her husband made it for us and she had enough to share with other church members. The large container was nearly empty after the morning service. That is just one thing I love about our church but more specifically of our class. So giving and generous. We will pick back up with the dysfunctional family of Isaac. There is so much to be gleaned from their approach to life. That Rebekah was a wonderment of Type A temperament. She had her ear to the ground, knew the comings and goings of quiet conversations and was still able to kill, skin and fix up a meal from goat meat. She had purpose and a plan although the Lord probably would have preferred that she would trust Him and not manipulate circumstances to help in His work. Isaac, most commentaries believe, he knew what the Lord had told Rebekah while she carried the twins. He favored Esau, so he wanted to sneak the blessing to him since it would normally be his by being the first born. Esau was purely into the hunting as a sport of leisure. The family owned all kind of flocks so it wasn't necessary to have wild game for meat. He wasn't into the the family business. Jacob kind of had an interest maybe only to use in his duplicitous dealings. Well, that is until he has his Bethel encounter with God. 

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Our rainy Tuesday has arrived. Right now more of a heavy mist. I started another Mildred Bulge book, skipping to book three in the series. It pulled me right in and although it is answers things probably addressed in book 2, it comes as no surprise. The weather makes it a great reading day although there are several chores that need to be done. 

I watched a little of the NCAA women's BB championship last night. I finally decided to cut off the BB and go back to reading. I can only watch so much of Caitlyn Clark. Watched the last quarter of the UConn game which was good. LSU plays UCLA this coming weekend. It should be a good game either way it goes. 

Memories, Books, Hunks and Apps

 Monday mornings are usually the time I sit down to write but this morning I got involved with a card challenge. Some came easy and there were two that came with a great deal of difficulty, so off and on all morning until lunch I would busy myself with chores then come back to challenge. Finally before lunch, I solved it. The chore I chose was cleaning out a kitchen cabinet. So, time well used. We have been outside working on the flowerbeds and getting stuff together for the College Hunk haulers to pick up. There is a brisk breeze and the temps go below freezing this evening. Also a burn ban, not that we are planning on burning yard waste and such. 

Yesterday, I looked at FB memories and there was the famous March 17, 2012 post about the snake at our front door. I don't think the water moccasins have a welcome wagon for new neighbors, but he was sitting mighty pretty on the welcome mat. Roy took care of him and no other snakes ever visited us there. After all that happened with my father toward the end of March back then, it sure seems like it was a warning. 

Almost done with the Miss Budge book and this time it is cracking me up. The ladies are at a mission emphasis luncheon and one of the young missionaries asks Miss Budge if chicken spaghetti will be served. Nope, that is strictly a condolence dish cause it travels well in those aluminum throw away pans. No, for women's missions conference the dish is, chicken with prunes and olives. Ugh! That sounds disgusting but the conversation that takes place about the unjust inequities between men and women events at church is hilarious. For the same mission conference, the men are eating at a BBQ restaurant complete with banana pudding for dessert. The women have a fake meringue, artificial ingredient, damp crust piece of pie, sliced in lady sized portions. Then men have such freedom they can return to church with sauce on their shirts, while is some prune got on a blouse...oh for shame. Mildred and Gertrude had a retreat script for just such observations, the inequities and differences of retreats. Women, mostly are put four to a room, not men. Just two will share a room. Women do crafts, guys get to shoot guns or do crossbow target shooting. If a woman has a hearty appetite, well you'll starve at a retreat. Bring snacks, better yet and the profit would go to the Lord, sell them to the women who didn't plan ahead and find themselves faint due to hunger. I could go on but I think my favorite line in our retreat script was Gertrude telling us she was the last one in her room to be able to take a shower and clean up. By that time all that was left for her was one dry wash cloth. Then she pulls out the wash cloth for proof. Over the years M&G planned Sweetheart Church Banquets, using Abraham, Sarah and Hagar, Jacob with Leah and Rachel...you get the drift of this direction, don't get us started on Solomon...  We did a script for a church out in Magnolia, when Magnolia was just a bunch of pine trees. The lady told us there would be tons of young mothers there. Nope. We only did that young mother skit once, for all those older ladies, but it is a favorite memory of Peggy in the bathroom with leaves and tree limbs stuck in her hair and the fox tail showing from the waist of her pants and no one, not one lady said a thing to her. Like they saw this everyday. I was awaiting our cue and a lady sat by me and asked, now who are your people? She thought I was resident of the area.  

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The College Hunks arrived yesterday afternoon to pick up the recliner on the front porch, old carpets and a trundle bed mattress and the frame. The frame they will take to ABCCM cause it is still good. The chair is as well, but Buddy had scratched a place on the back that opened up the fabric. Were they college hunks? One out of three but they were all so very nice and helpful. Two of the guys loved our front yard with the blooming trees and soon to open tulips. Truly their help was reasonable and like the slogan says, stress free. So while four years ago I was celebrating phase one of the flowerbed I worked on during those ***demic years, now became final phase of shutting down the experiment. We are going to let the grass grow in the bed to become part of the yard again. We will probably move a couple of snowball bushes to help the reclaim back to grass. 

This morning Roy is getting new shoes for the truck. We bought Cooper Tires probably in 2018 and they have lasted. We could really wait a couple of more months, but thought we should get this done now and not later when it is hot. The waiting room is outside. 

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I have decided that Isaac has middle patriarch syndrome...just like middle child behavior. Basically, he rusted away after dealing with some wells. There are particular habits of his that scream middle child but he is the bridge between Abraham and Jacob. I think Rebekah was a type A personality and had her hand in all things. I have most of my notes written for Sunday but I will take the rainy afternoon that is being forecasted to fine tune. Since my style of teaching is applicable, I want us to take home some different things to think and meditate upon, especially with Easter week coming. 

With the dip into the 20s, we weren't sure if the peach tree would be okay or not. Looks like the dip didn't hurt the blooms. We covered our new blackberry plants, much easier than you know a big tree. We got some more daffodils and yellow tulip plants last weekend. It is great to plant when the bulbs that have been previously planted start showing. You add the new plants among them for the next year. Mary Joyce would have been so happy with her daffodils this year. She planted a lot of white and yellow ones and they have popped out beautifully. When Mike was here mowing, he didn't have to mow Mary Joyce's yard. Don't know if Dave, her son in law, will be doing that or not. Haven't heard too much on what they are going to do or not do with her house. Our new neighbors across the way are outside a lot this week working in their, yard...although right now it is just empty space still with straw on the ground coaxing green grass out of the red clay. She has some shrubs in large containers either for easy access to move them with the next chance of frost or that's how they will stay. I kind of like that and during the winter while planning our gardens and flower gardens, I have come to this same idea. Only I think I am coming to it as ease rather than looks. 

My app on my iPhone tells me they predict a fall for me in the next year. I have not fallen since 2016 and I know pride comes before a fall, but this is more in the category of being up in my business. Of course what they don't know is my unsteady gate is related to my hip pain. We eliminated the chair, see above reference of recliner on the front porch, and I have been doing the hip flexor stretches. Those stretches have helped tremendously. I noticed that my right foot has been gearing toward the right while I walk...which tells me I am not walking in alignment. After being pigeon toed for most of my life, this is a different phenonium. I guess this all a part of the aging process. This week Monday, I felt horrible, Tuesday great, Wednesday okay, Thursday horrible and today great. 

A Good Place To Be

 Roy and I just came back in from the front yard. He added raised bed soil to several of the raised beds and checked on a few of the shrubs. The forsythia is blooming as well as the peach, red bud and dwarf dogwoods. The willow tree is all a buzz, really with bees hanging out in the top branches. It is true that bees are as busy as bees. Cha Nay Nay spent a lot of time with me out there as well as Fido, although he likes to help Roy. The clover is everywhere, the thickest and most prolific I have ever seen it. 

This morning we did the Publix thing. There was an older, really older couple that arrived about the same time as we did. They parked in the pick up or curbside grocery places. I told Roy every time we were on the same aisle with them that I wanted to yell in my best Gomer Pyle voice, "citizens arrest, citizens arrest!" We stopped at the BBQ truck across from the post office on the way home. Delicious! I was hoping for some banana pudding cause they had it one time last week at another site. No pudding but Roy got me a cookie. 

The lesson of laying down your Is*ma*l has had me thinking a lot more. Of other times, I let myself respond in not the best ways. Really powerful effect in how I respond or responded to things. There is a fine line of beating yourself up verses letting it all go to the Lord and learn of His ways. Sometimes we and most certainly I am guilty of responding, well that's just who I am. There are all kinds of personality tests to take and use for back up. But the whole Romans 12:1-2 doesn't take that into account. It is God working within us, our personalities, both real and imagined...ha, making us like Him. Using our brains, gifts, and personalities. 

******

Well, it must have been the fresh air but I have been up most of the night. Really have had a difficult time sleeping. I was productive though, cleaned out the pantry, worked some on my lesson and responded to a message. Since we had planned to go to Sam's and pick up some bagged soil, I just stayed away and if need be, if haha, I could take a nap in the afternoon. Only can get five bags at a time this round, so we picked up a couple of other items. The best being, our Sam's now carries the Fancy Feast cat food. Yay!

We got home and with the temps going into the high 70s, we did some of the prep work once we got home. The clover is taking over but that is a Mike the Mower Man task. We got some of the soil mixed into the raised beds, better distributing the egg shells into the mix. We won't be able to plant tomatoes until in May, but soil prep keeps one occupied garden wise, until the next stage of the process. 

Roy was able to get his workout in. So all in all with bags of dirt to be carried and toted, along with his regular workout, he did quite well. 

******

Fourth Friday in a row of rainy weather. I don't mind it cause it helps me sit down and get all my notes together for Sunday. This morning on FB memories, a post from 2009 reminded me of the difficulties with my father and knowing his actions, now seeing in hindsight, helped spiral my mom quicker into her dementia/Alzheimer's. He had called and as I debated on whether to answer or voicemail it, I decided to answer because we were so close to his upcoming heart surgery. 

It was the all too familiar ring tone of my father that momentarily stopped Roy and I from our cleaning duties yesterday. I hesitated to even answer the phone because there are times it is best the calls go to voicemail and then have time to pray and think before calling back. Sometimes time diminishes the drama or whatever was so urgent a couple of hours ago, cannot even be recalled. Since my dad is anticipating heart surgery sometime after March 23, I thought best to answer. He began saying what he always says, "Nancy, this is your father." Yep a little too Star Wars but I don't think he has ever seen the movies to enjoy the humor of his words. And the next statement always holds an element of surprise, "Do you have a few minutes to talk?" OK, at that point my brain is sounding the alert alarm and calling my body to all hands on deck. As he begins to talk I either heighten the alarm to Anne Frank sounding sirens or the three buzz sounds on the radio for the prepare alert during bad weather. He asks me about my blood type, which is O-. He says did you say B, did you say B? I have type B and type B's have more tendencies to get cancer. I'm sorry, but you are going to get cancer. Me thinking, what the heck? I again told him O-. He was rather disappointed to hear that news. Then he gleefully told me well, I wasn't out of the woods, I could get cancer. Who does this? It is usually an over worrying and micro managing mom who calls with this kind of information.

 In hindsight, I can see that narcissistic personality all over this. Roy also talked with him that day and found out that my father wasn't having valve replacement surgery but going in as an outpatient for some tests. I think this is the first time that my father dealt with Work Mode Roy. He is totally different in work mode. He gave my father some marching orders and out of shock in how talked to him, we remember my father doing everything that Roy demanded uh requested. How timely as we begin to study Jacob, the deceiver as well as being the deceived. An encounter with God transformed Jacob, sadly I cannot say the same about my father. I do love that his friend/caregiver asked him every time she saw him, if he really knew Jesus. She'd go over the plan of salvation with him on every visit.

I've been reading a biography on Donald Barnhouse, well known preacher in the 1940-1950s. His second wife wrote it and man oh man, it is powerful. This man really had a way with the scriptures but knowing the change in him, later in life not so bombastic but loved people God's way. I am also reading the Cloverdale or Cloverleaf novel of Miss Budge by Daphne Simpkins. Such a message given in the folds of a fictional church and friends. Along with the study and reading I did for last week's lesson, as they say, I have more than I can say grace over but in a reading world, it's a great place to be.

Maybe it is the rainy weather but The Boys are quiet this morning. GMoey is extra needy, Mr Mo is slinking around and Willie is more affectionate. Or maybe they've done something that we haven't discovered yet. Even Roy is napping but he had a busy Thursday.

It's A Small World or Is It My Little World?

 Monday morning after Daylight Saving change. The Feral Fam is having none of it but they'll soon adjust just like we will. It is easier to adjust when one is retired, though. While not minding the fall back portion of this thing, it was harder because it was dark at 5:00 pm and people who usually work past that hour hit the road with everyone else cause it is dark and time to go home. The first week of fall back traffic is horrible in Houston. 

I watched a reels, has to be short cause the attention span is not all the way back, on a way to approach getting older. Sometimes, when thinking of making a change in the house or in the yard that wouldn't have phased me one bit when younger, I have to remember that the change, like moving furniture, will be more difficult now or at least take a lot more time. The person speaking to a group on reels talks about how our world gets smaller as we age. Some fight it wrapping their personality and strength to battle against this phenonium. They are who they are because of their work or title. Well, that's what we tell ourselves. For years I repeated to myself what I had been told or called all my life. With a therapist and with the Lord, that doesn't even play anymore. Now, there are things that will trigger a response, but I now acknowledge that sooner than later. Others take and choose what they want in that smaller world and to me that seems the best choice.  When you're working there is all kinds of interaction but as one retires and then enjoys those retirement years, subject matter naturally declines. Truthfully, I did not like all the interaction one has at work so that was not a loss for me. But, our world has gotten smaller but it has gotten more beautiful so there is that trade off. Especially with warm temps of late, all the budding trees are doing just that...buddying but it looks like frost tonight and maybe next week or so. Our peach and plum trees are blooming all over. As an introverted extrovert, I am leaning more toward that introvert part of me. It is interesting how each of us choose to relate to the smaller world concept. Of course, with the smaller world we can take much more interest in us which is boring to others. The key is our view and observation skills in the daily life we each live. I love reading about others adventures on FB or their hobbies or whatever that is positive. 

Roy wanted more blackberry bushes so we got a couple and got them in the dirt. We also cut back the dead offshoots of our mature plants. We contemplated planting them in another part of the garden but realized the best place is with the others. The trellises we bought last year have finally come into play and got those arranged for the blackberry bushes to wind around them. You might say Nancy, this part of your smaller world is boring and you are correct to say that but the blog is written many times for me, to remember dates and details that get pushed to the back of our minds. 

We finished up Genesis 21 and went right to Genesis 24 as we've taken extra time looking at the Plan B that was Sarah's idea and really hasn't worked out well as we read the story. Hagar and Ism*el are sent away with limited provisions. Abraham was sad letting Ish go, but we learn in Galatians that one life represents the fruitful spirit of God and the other the flesh. I had read an article on laying your Is*m*el down. I gave the example used in article about Dr Donald Barnhouse, a noted theologian of his day. Billy Graham said he never had known anyone like Barnhouse that had such a knowledge and grasp about the scriptures. I have never heard of Barnhouse and his remarkable change late in life. He said if you agreed with him on 95% of theology, he would spend the rest of his days beating you down about the 5% that y'all didn't agree on. He made enemies from every side of the spectrum. It's like rival football schools in the SEC, we may not like other teams but the thing that brings us together is, we all don't like Alabama. That may change now that Saban is gone...anyhoo... Late in his life, Barnhouse not Saban, decided to change. He made a new year resolution and his friends and enemies could not believe the change in this man. He was kind and loving, not argumentative and obtuse. Preaching the gospel was life in the Spirit, his approach to present it was just all about the flesh. I shared with the class that during the two weeks I had to study this, I had learned a lot about some of my approaches toward people and situations. The off the cuff remarks and the smart aleck remarks are the sins that so easily beset me. In this I realized something had been wrong in my approach. At First Baptist I encountered a vexing situation. It was maddening, frustrating, limiting, unfair and undeserved. It also hurt me deeply and I tried to avoid it and person at all costs. So sometimes when confronted with unfairness I resort to the off the cuff remark. Who am I kidding, I become relentless in taking every opportunity to attack, whether by off the cuff or witty and clever, curated smart aleck responses. (note, back in the day curated wasn't ever used or maybe not even a real word.) After a period of time, I came to the conclusion I was supposed to let this go and give it to the Lord, the situation which in turn stopped me from saying all those things that amused me. That's where I left it until a friend visiting me here in the mountains challenged and questioned me why. Why didn't I do this thing that she felt I was good with. Being that good Baptist that I am, my response and said in my best holy voice, I laid that at Jesus's feet. She said well I am going to pray that He shows you to pick it back up. That night, I was extended an invitation and my friend was sitting there with me at that time. She said, dang, I didn't even get a chance to pray about it and the Lord has already done something about it. You see, I would have said no to the request if my Houston friend hadn't expressed her question to me. In my holy voice I would have once said again, no I laid that down and gave it to God. This long story to say this, until these past two weeks I now realize it wasn't to lay down the thing God gifted me to do, it was to lay down the fleshly response to it and trust the Lord. My goodness clever words, snubs and snubbing, terse words and hurt feelings on both sides are a lot of work and takes a lot of energy. It was all about my approach, that is what God wanted, to trust Him with all of this. 

Our yard is so green, with clover. The tulips keep pushing through and soon those buds and blooms with show. Still have quite a few daffodils in the back blooming. Love those pops of yellow. 

It is now Tuesday and Monday wasn't nearly productive enough but I felt horrible. Shoulders hurt, hip hurt with just a general malaise. It was an afternoon of a heating pad and Bio Freeze. We switched back to cotton sheets yesterday and that made a word of difference in my sleep as well as not waking up sore with aches and pains. What a difference that little change made. 

Last night a memory popped up from several years ago as I remembered the youth musical in 1972, Natural High. Our church really loved youth ministry and that included youth choir. We did the musical and as I remember it was the first time they let girls wear pants, well pant suits. My mom made me a hot pink pant suit with white trim. Hey, it was the 70s! I shared the album cover on FB and tagged a few friends who were in choir back in the day. I listened to most of the album on You Tube and many songs I could sing just like yesterday, even singing alto. My favorite song from that musical is, My Little World. Listened to it several times remember the many, many times a great big God came right into my little world and the change...sometimes difficult but always for the best. I like the song My Little World better than with my earlier paragraph about our world getting smaller. That triggers the song It's a Small World Afterall. You can thank me later for that musical hint that might stay with you all day.