comfort and joy

The children were shining at FUMC today as they led our worship and the 3rd graders received their child friendly bibles.  I overslept and missed SS even after making food for fifth Sunday.  The kids were all fantastic and I got a hand slap from every single one of them as they proudly stood in front of all their backpacks being blessed.  Right down the line!

Reaves and I had a very special day yesterday because we got to dance in the rain to Lizzo.  Both of us have moves on us, just saying.  She stuck her little tongue out and caught raindrops and then we had another tea party on the back porch with the Santa dishes.  She ended up pouring the water all over herself because she was already wet anyway!  Then we had some art therapy with happy and sad and angry faces.  We talked and shared and Lauren got a break to browse the dolla' gentral.  Best day ever.

My yard finally needs a haircut thanks to generous rain.  I'm about to pull up my political signs because the election is next week and everybody has already made their minds up.  Easier for the mowing crew, ya' know?   Same for the water hose.  My back porch is the hidey hole for everything gardening and the 'mater cages are already pulled up and stored there.  That poor little bed has one dying sunflower but I have peaches that are almost ready.  Have to check 'em every day.  

"May the Lord bless you and keep you"   ^j^

hunt and gather day

I am the world's worst organizer.  I try to keep up with what I need from the store and make as few trips as possible.  Today was a dolla' gentral AND Kroger pickup day.  The cashier as the DG is my favorite, named Molly.  She is always upbeat, happy and efficient.  Their aisles were blocked in most directions which means they got a truck lately.  I got two outdoor chair cushions for half off and some mouse traps among another hundred or so bucks worth.  Molly mentioned to me that she has a five month old who needed sleepers so she stocked up at WalMart yesterday.   I will definitely buy something for this kid.  In my book she is associate of the year.

Same for those Click List folks at Kroger.  They are pleasant and explain things well like "did you see the out of stock."  Yes, I did.  I pulled up in front of their loading area because it was raining and I know they appreciate not having to walk all that way.  Speaking of being nice, I read something on Facebook today that infuriated me.  

My friend Kelly at Paws2Care posted that someone had pulled into their office, dropped a cat and drove off.  This is not the pound, people.  It is a hard working group of volunteers who do the best they can and have to follow the rules.  They are overwhelmed with animals in their system but put rescue, spay and neuter as top priorities.  They have helped me but it took some effort on my part to take ownership of the situation with my two new cats.  They even transported my beloved chocolate lab to Illinois when I moved.  She went to a good home and is a therapy dog with a special needs child.  It broke my heart to re-home her but I knew she would get hit down here with all the traffic.  She was a birthday gift from a very special friend who adopted her through a shelter in Arkansas.  So to whomever dropped that cat off, they would have helped you.  It's the coward's way out to dump and run.   My birthday fundraiser will be for them again this year.  Please donate!

It's finally raining a decent downpour which may help the corn and definitely the beans.  They were kinda' pathetic a couple of weeks ago.  My flower beds are loving it too.  And for me?  I have a screened in back porch to sit and listen.  My doors are wide open and the JBL speaker is feeding me all of my favorites.  For a hundred bucks, you can't beat the sound.

Veterans, from 9/11 on, I apologize for the vote on your benefits.  I've always been a Jon Stewart fan and I am really impressed with how he has brought public attention to this kind of unkind governmental response to those who served.  Particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Get 'em Jon!  Shame on you GOP.

A couple of days ago I was so depressed that I felt like nothing mattered and I'm not normally that way.  Celexa saves me from having regular meltdowns.  By the grace of God, that has lifted and I am able to appreciate the little things again rather than dragging through a day.  

I kept the faith, and it was returned to me in the form of grace ^j^

misty

I woke up early and went to see good old Doc Turner.  He lives in Jackson but works here four days a week.  He described the monsoon they had and said that his yard was so hard the water just stood there, like on concrete.  No soaking in.  We had a light and pleasant shower that wasn't enough but refreshing anyway.  Until the humidity hit!  Tonight is supposed to be the big one with HEAVY rain carrying into tomorrow.  Yay.  I just hope it ain't like Missouri or Kentucky.  

I have a question for all of you oppose medically necessary abortion and say hell yeah to automatic weapons. Does the embryo have more rights than the weapon owner who goes ballistic and kills kids?  I say what I say here as a mother and healthcare practitioner.  My daughter went on birth control at 16 because it's what she needed at the time.  She loved the guy to pieces and I could see it coming.  Since I worked in the lab I could get her a pregnancy test pretty easily.  I came into her room today and looked over at a home kit that had been sitting there for who knows how long.  "Whose positive test is that?" I asked thinking it was one of her friends.  That's when things got real.  She was scared.to.death so I did an HCG and pronounced her not pregnant.  We turned a corner at that point and she became a believer.  It was not meant for her to have a child until the time was right according to God.

Mommy Kim sent me a picture of she and Reaves shopping for school uniforms and we both cried.  I think that has been on my mind as well....her going to "real school" and being vulnerable.  We are all coaching her on how smart she is and how many friends she will make.  I like the uniform concept.

I ate fried sweet corn last night and was scared I had a blockage but things are moving now...lol.  I read the stats today on how long the average ostomate lives and it hit me in the gut.  68-70.  But I'm not average and I try to do right so I'm going to hope for a few more years.  This ostomy is a pain in the belly, but it saved my life.  I keep wondering why I'm still here in spite of those odds.  About a week before the big blow up I went to the ER in the middle of the night and told the doc I had diverticulitis. I lost control of the trusty old Camry and was headed for a big ditchbank.  I made my peace with God and he helped me wrestle the car back on the road.   Dr NoGood did a CBC then told me that I did, indeed not have diverticulitis.  There were records from all my previous scopes with the same interpretation but he didn't bother to look.  "Your white count is normal."  No CT.  Nothing but a quick CBC.  A few days later my family said that I turned kind of a funny color and wasn't eating.  That's because there was a huge small bowel obstruction that was infected.  That's how I got from there to here.  

Praying for not 8 inches of rain here ^j^  Hope you are the same.  

careful what you pray for

We have a pretty decent chance of rain over the next three or four days which will be swell as long as it's not 8 inches all at once like in St. Louis.  Bubba and I were talking today and he remembered one year when that happened in August and the bottoms flooded destroying that portion of the bean crop.  That was back in Daddy's day as manager working with Mr. Neely.  It seems like a hundred years ago.

The surprise lilies are up which always reminds me of when Daddy died on August 2nd, 2015.  Tommy picked a bunch of them and set them on a vase by Mama's chair.  It had been hot as hades but the Lord provided us with a cooler day for his funeral.  I was late as usual and came into the church to be greeted by so many folks who respected him.  With both he and Mama we did visitation prior to the service, same day.   It was much easier on all of us. Since them almost all of their friends have died but their legacy lives on.  I swear sometimes that I hear their voices whispering around this old cabin.

Oscar and I went for a walk this morning which is something he loves and I rarely get around to.  There was corn on one side and beans on the other.  My turn around point is at an old field road that leads back to the levee.  That part never floods.  There are irrigation rigs on much of the crop but there's nothing like a good old fashioned rain to perk things up.  We found a turtle carcass on the side of the road but otherwise it was just us and the wind and sun.  

Happy hump day to you and yours ^j^ 

covid covid everywhere

Several of my friends who have been vaxxed and boosted have still come down with the virus.  So far I have dodged it but it made me realize that I have become lax when it comes to masking up.  I dug my mask out and it now sits on the dash of my car.  I do not want this thing.  Lauren and Reaves were here Sunday and LP tested positive on Monday for the flu.  Like, who gets the flu in July??? We had a great visit though, and Reaves was easy peasy until it came time to leave which is usual.  She was doing flips on the couch to stall while Lauren was sitting in the car.  My friend Mamye was here and she told her that Santa is watching.  You should have seen how quick that kid high tailed it to the car!  She was past the point of tiredness where Lauren and I both know means she's going into the "zone."  I looked at her mama and said "I think she's there."  We played hard the whole time and even had a tea party with the Christmas china.  She opened the door to the china cabinet and found the whole set.  Then she asked why it was hidden!   There was fun with the water hose because it was scorching hot and she almost sprayed Uncle Bubba but I shut it off.  I told her he would be REALLY mad if she did that..lol.

I'm quarantining for a couple of days because of the flu exposure and catching up with household duties.  I do have a summer cold so I tested myself for Covid at home and I am negative.  I had planned to attend my dear friend's funeral today but all things considered I skipped it.  I know that her family will understand.

I haven't checked the news yet today so I reckon it's time to face the reality of the day.  Y'all be blessed and hopeful.  Support each other with unconditional love.  And keep the faith ^j^

the muse

I've been silent lately, intentionally.  There is nothing I can say or do about this clusterfuck  of our lives.  It is beyond politics.  Why are we still "investigating" the Capitol riot?  I hope the end result is that justice will be done.  This is not a drill. We are here.

For every positive thought that I throw out there's an idiot with a gun intent on slaughtering innocents AR15 style. I realize that a properly hooked up with a private carry saved some lives.  I am so all over that concept.  Background check and red flag laws.  Proper training.  I may just get one to protect me from the zombies!

I'm listening to music and forgetting about the world for a few.  Remind me to tell you the story of Reaves flipping on the couch and Santa Claus ^j^

the check is in the mail

I have been blessed to do business with several folks who truly understand what it's like to live check to check.  When I owe them, they are priority even if it's a hundred bucks a month toward propane or the yard.  They truly understand that I'm making a good faith effort and trust me to do the right thing.  My mother told me to pay a little bit every month which is what she did all her life.  She was a great money manager and quite organized like Bubba is.  I, however, failed to inherit that quality!

I am idea person, if you will.  I get something on my mind and dream big then spend months trying to figure out how to make it happen.  Most of it never does, but sometimes....sometimes a dream comes true.  And when it does, I say thank you sweetbabyjebus.  I never thought that my car would be paid for.  I bit off more than I could chew on that one because I was desperate.   The  trusty Camry was not so trusty anymore.  Bubba went with me that day and test drove the Escape that is now my forever car.  Until somebody hits me.  I keep it service and half ass clean and use that back part for hauling stuff like mulch and groceries.  Garbage to the recycle bin.  Life is good.

I watched as much as I could stand last night of the hearing and shut it off.  There has been enough evidence there to convict any and everybody.  I hear some chatter that Pence might run in '24.  This man is not a hero.  He sheltered in place while our very own congress was being attacked by extremists.  The witnesses that have come forward have my admiration.  They are afraid of the consequences but they know right from wrong.  Some of them may be posturing for the future, but they seem to me to be very shaken by what happened.  I know I was.

Happy weekend y'all!  Love ya' see ya' bye ^j^

minute by minute

I ran off with an uncharged phone today and lost power about an hour into my five hour day.  I briefly considered coming home to get the charger but it was just too dang hot to get out so I felt the freedom of being phoneless for that time.  I was amazed at how much less distracted I was.  We sat outside and watched two parades of geese before it got too uncomfortable.  The fan helped a lot!

My front door doesn't shut well unless I slam it and when there's a wind or Oscar pushes on it, wide open it goes.  That is what I found when I got home.  The outside temp was 97 and inside was 84 so I'm assuming it wasn't open that long but....today's bill will be horrendous.  I'll get the news via text from Forked Deer in the morning.  

I've got my ready on to watch the January 6th investigation this evening.  I have watched all of the hearings thus far and can't wait to see what comes out next.  Meanwhile, Bannon is still on trial for contempt of court for not showing up.  There is really NO defensive strategy for ignoring a federal subpoena.  

My friend delivered sweet corn today and I love friends like that!  Share the bounty, I say.  I have no bounty because all of my stuff has died but at least I tried.  

Y'all be blessed ^j^

the kidney experts

The last time I went to the kidney clinic the lady up front said she did not need a co-pay.  Since then I've been blasted with 100 trees worth of paper telling me I owe 25 bucks. Compare and contrast that with my dermatology friends who did not charge me for a specialist visit.  I've about decided to stick with my PCP for basic blood work.  That's free.  He can give all the meds as long as I check in every few months.  

The world is on fire right now and Bubba said it's what the old folks called the end.   Fire and plagues.  Locusts and no harvest.  Inflation out the roof.  Gas has gone down about 20 cents here because TN stopped charging their part of the tax.  Umm..so what's going to pay for the infrastructure?  Our city streets are deplorable and will tear your car up in a hot minute.  Potholes everywhere!  I don't have the answer for this.  Dyer County is not a good place to live right now what with stagnant local government but there's an election coming up so we shall see.  The gangs are still alive and well because there is no task force for that.  We are pissing in the wind, speaking of which, there's been a howling hot wind blowing all day.  The dishwasher and washer are running now.  That's more on the Forked Deer bill.  It costs me about 250 a month at the moment to keep it halfway cool.  Such is life.

When I think about climate change I think about Al Gore's book An Inconvenient Truth which was a very intense warning about what was to come.  I think we're here.  I'm also reminded of the Costner movie called Waterworld where everybody lives on a boat because the sea level rose.  That was 20 years ago.

In spite of it all, things are hot but rosy.  I would seriously hate to be an HVAC guy right now.  We are all pushed to the limit in these times ^j^

the non- blog

I've been pouring out my heart and soul on the blogs for about 20 years.  Sometimes it gets me in trouble.  Mostly it's my therapy and I have a right to say what I feel.  Thank you Blogger.  I was offered free time on paid sites but I declined.  You are the essence of Google for an old gal who likes to write.  On any given day I get at least 50 reads, sometimes it's a hundred.  I love to listen to music when I'm blogging and of course, it depends on the day's mood.  If somebody has pissed me off you can be sure I'm silent for a minute.

I failed to attend the local forum for candidates in the county election but I watched it on the youtube today and I was impressed.  There was a big crowd ( most of them candidates et al ) and it was presented by the Dyer County Republican Party with a skilled moderator.  The one who went over limit was cut off by the guy who ran the rules.  I don't remember which one.  Ask me later.

We are bracing for a week of 100 plus degrees.  Oddly enough, I can take that without the humidity.  Joy has a giant box fan on the deck and it helps a LOT!  My yard hasn't been mowed in a month and still doesn't need it.  I put a check in the mail today for Mayberry today but I'm still behind.  Bubba and I discussed the price of propane this winter.  Summer sale price is 2.59 which is the usual winter rate.  Dammit!

The tank of my car is full at 3.57 which is a nice break.  I don't know who did that but, thank you.  The DHS class of '73 actually has a planning meeting on the books.  It's a start, ya' know?

My beautiful girls now have their own kitty and don't need a Rosie fix every week.  I figure Reaves will be an active kitty mom and I know Lauren will. She's already sleeping on their bed.

Be safe in the heat.  Remember who you are.  And above all, keep the faith ^j^

little runaway

Lauren I and got tickled while talking today about Reaves telling us she "ran away" when she was mad.  Because the cheese puffs were in Mom's car and she was at the store.  Pick your battles I say.  She ran around the yard about twice and tried to destroy the apple tree by pulling off leaves.  That took the steam off enough for her to settle down for ice cream until the puffs arrived.  Believe me, I will always keep them from now on.  LP said wouldn't it be hilarious if she had packed a little bag.  I told her I had done that exact thing when I was a kid.  I don't know what the reason was, but I "ran away" with a little bag to the closest tree line.  Bubba and Debbie went with me to make sure I was safe.  That was when one of us jumped up on the gate and waved a shirt in the air and the cows started charging us.   Man, we ran like demons! Debbie always said that it was me that caused it but I don't remember.  

Thank God we all have advocates.  Making your way through the healthcare system is difficult enough for the normal person who doesn't understand things like CPT codes and pre-certs.  I have been taking Prolia injections for two years since my Dexa-scan showed osteopenia. This drug is 10K per year with a hefty co-pay.  We shall access and re-group.  I have to say that it has kept me from broken bones through my occasional falls.  

I found out on Sunday that one of my favorite church families has moved to Colorado.  At first I said "Oh, no!"  But then I was reminded that it's where Mark has always wanted to live.  My bond with that family goes way back to when Lauren and Melissa were BFFs.  They met at church not longer after the move from California.

I'm ready for action y'all.  One more hearing left and either do something or move on.  This all is in Garland's court and I pray that he chooses wisely.  Our country is at stake.  I have already voted for locals and gubernatorial candidate.  Please do the same ASAP.  It's our only voice,

Keep the faith ^j^

and then it rained

Not much, but every little bit helps.  I slept through it and woke up to see that it was still sprinkling PLUS I had left the water hose leaking on one of the flower beds so there were puddles from that.  I ran off to church without an umbrella so I entered SS slightly damp but that's okay.  The lesson was great given by my good friend Vicki.  We are learning in worship about what it means to be a United Methodist.  Today was about the sacrament of baptism and we all reaffirmed reading from the hymnal and changing the narrative to we.   There is a big to do going on now with the UMC and churches becoming dis-affiliated.  I assume this to be because of the global conference not being held until 2024 when decisions may or not be made about LGBTQ issues, or maybe that was an excuse  To pull out, these churches are liable for apportionments and pastor's pension for two years.  I stand firm with my church and see no reason to join the pastor killers.  I learned about that today from Dell.

Reaves and Lauren were here when I got home and LP was busy cleaning which I love.  They had gone by town before they came and picked out a kitten whose name shall be Simpson.  I had litter supplies so she took off to get toys and food.  While she was gone Reaves pitched a hissy fit because the puffs were in the car and the car was gone.  It was an Oscar winning performance!  I just let her work it out in the yard all the while telling her there's snakes in them fields.  Such.  A drama queen.

Humidity is way up in such a way that it's hard to breathe outside.  That's why I'm in here under the AC and chilling.  I am grateful for the ability to stay cool among many other things.  I'm beginning to think I need to mask up again and get some new hand sanitizer.   All the survivors have told me not to get it.  

Love ya' bye ^j^

the way it is

So, I noticed that Ivana Trump died coming down the staircase of her mansion and her family gets a pass on the hearings for now.  How convenient for them.  Not that I don't have prayers for a family when they lose their mother.  Nothing like that at all.  I feel sorry for poor Baron.  Can you imagine growing up like he did??

I showed up for early voting on the first day and have a sticker to prove it.  It was a 13 page ballot so I just scrolled through the judges except for the ones I know like Mark Hayes and Steve Stafford....no relation :0  When I approached the table there were stickers to point to like D, R and G.  As I left I chatted with the office folks and they said there had been 142 so far for the morning.  That's some serious early voting.  

I still have a mouse in the house spreading little turds in the drawers so everything is on the counter until that is fixed.  Sounds like a good night to let the cats in.  I've been doing the front end work on venues and whatnot for our class reunion and we'll have a meeting in a couple of weeks so I'm praying for some generous classmates to step up with the bucks.  I talked to one of them the other night for TWO hours and we are definitely on the same page politically.  Plus it's fun to talk to old friends while having a cocktail.

The drought continues here.  I presume that unless God decides to bless us with some rain, this year's crop will be toast.  If it does rain, it's too little too late.  Sunday would be my Daddy's 92nd birthday and I'm sure he will be having fried chicken and purple hull peas in heaven.  And home grown 'maters!

As for me, I'm out of everything so I'm about to make an order at Kroger and see what I get.  I do accept substitutions but my phone doesn't tell me what they are.  Hell....I may just go into the store and see what they have.

Y'all have a great weekend.  Remember who you are ^j^

barren and confused

I was late dropping Rosie off at the clinic today because I couldn't FIND her.  Cali was there as usual whining for food but Rosie was nowhere to be found.  Around 8 she showed up and I scooped her up so she didn't eat.  Off we went.  I noticed the carrier had water on the top and didn't really get why it was so heavy.  Seems as though there was a wet towel in there from where I washed the deck screen.  It was when I put her on the scale that I noticed it!  I should have taken it out right then.  They called about 12 saying she was doing well and I could pick up around four.  The girl said she was just waking up.  She didn't mew on the way home and I picked her up and carried her up the steps.  She went down them once but figured out pretty quick that was was walking all like a drunk person.  She's in her own personal recovery room which is Larry's old wicker two tier table..  She likes to hide on the bottom layer.  

Later, we took Pearl to get her nails trimmed because well...they were crooked!  It was a real mission, one that we both enjoyed.  They got right to it and we headed back to the cool air.  And yes, there was some wrestling but not as much as last time.  The tech tried to do it the easy way on the floor but she saw teeth and took her to the back.  Wise move!  

Tomorrow we travel to Ridgely for a visit with Marilyn and the chickens.  I think that Lake county has had some rain so maybe her garden is doing better than mine!   Ain't no rain in the forecast and my hose hauling self is weary.  

Don't forget that early voting starts Friday in Dyer County.  Our forefathers fought to give us that right.  For a long time women and people of color didn't have it.   It's your patriotic duty to stay informed and take advantage of that privilege.  

Y'all be blessed ^j^

crazy

I was driving by the courthouse when I saw some lone guy talking to it, or maybe to himself..  There lots of hand motions and I could tell he was saying his piece to whomever.  God maybe?  Who knows.  I thought about him later when I was at church and wondered what his story is.  

The girls were here when I got home and it was kinda' sorta' the same old thing until I talked Reaves into playing outside.  First she wanted to dig in the dirt where I plant my stuff but pretty soon it was like "Gaga, can we play in the shade?"  Thus became an hour of waterhose play on the deck.  She likes for me to be the baby sometimes but mostly I'm the Gaga.  This kid has a very vivid imagination!  Uncle Bubba and Sadie came by with supplies and she greeted him from the porch.  "Do you love him?" I asked.  Then tell him.  

That's how I roll.  Who knows which day may be the last chance to express love.   "Love ya' bye" is my favorite ending to a conversation and I got that from the late Louise Anderson.  

Love ya'...bye ^j^

sultry

As I sat on the porch listening to the cicadas do their thing it seemed like a William Faulkner novel.  I went for a walk earlier this morning and it was not bad with a breeze.  Oscar tried to eat some random critter poop until I got onto him.  He loves a good walk.

The cats showed up for food as soon as I got up.   Rosie is about to get fixed on Monday so we don't have a thousand kittens like we did at one time.  I kid you not!  It happened more than once up on the hill and the basement was their favorite place to deliver.  

The mail has run but I'm waiting for Reaves to get here to go check.  She loves that little ritual at Gaga's house.  We have new markers for her to do art with but it will mostly be about Rosie if she can be found.  I watched her climb a dogwood to catch a bird.  She lost!

Sometime's you're the windshield, sometime the bug ^j^

today's rant

Here in Tennessee, we have a governor's seat up for grabs.  The incumbent, Bill Lee is big on charter schools and whatnot.  Vouchers to these schools which are religion based will be handed out to those who choose to opt out of public education because they deny history and use selective curriculum to teach children. There is an amendment about that called separation of church and state.  Don't ask me the number, but I did listen in civics class with Mr. Ramer.

The biggest industry in Tennessee is healthcare which is mostly based in the Nashville area.  I worked for one of them for several miserable years.  IMHO having a governor who understands the ins and outs of healthcare strategy would be a plus right now.   I love JB Smiley and truly believe that he has a future in politics.  He will carry Memphis , no doubt.  But, I think Dr. Jason Martin is the guy for the job.

Early voting starts next week and I will be there with bells on.  There are very close races in all of our county elections but my mind is already made up.  You don't put signs in the yard unless you are super supportive.  I couldn't even get the last one in the clay because it was so hard, but it's flipping in the breeze out there as I type.  

Happy weekend folks.  Love the one you're with ^j^

why i hate summer

Despite all the lovely things about summer like growing things and swimming, I still despise it and start looking for fall around this time of year.  The South is in the middle of our third heat wave of the season and we are only two weeks into summer.  This I believe with all my heart is caused by global warming from our greedy corporate ways globally.  Yes, it's a real thing.  The summer that I will never forget is the one in about 1982 when my husband and I were living in a rental house and I got the bright idea to refinish furniture in the driveway with my Uncle Jimbo's help.  Beginning on July 4th we had seventeen straight days of temps at or above a hundred.  We got notified three months after we moved in that we had to move so the owners' son could have it.  I never even got all the boxes unpacked.  For the first time in our lives we had two bathrooms!  But, it was really too much for a young couple.  We found a smaller rental close to the hospital and the owner helped us to buy it.  Lauren was born shortly after the move and we stayed until she was four.  Then we came to the country.

Looking back, I can at least say that I owned a house once in my life.  I have been renting on the farm for 34 years but most of the time I'm grateful to have somebody else responsible for repairs and whatnot.  Home ownership is not for twice divorced widows on SS.  Also looking back, I realize that I should have socked some money away back in those days.  Instead, there was a Chapter 17 resulting from easy credit, like 30K worth.  The BK was one of the reasons we got back together.  Cheaper, ya' know.  

As I drove home I watched morosely at the beans that are frying.  Normally by now they would be green and visible.  They're just all hidden under the wheat stubble.  Reminds me of the tales of Dust Bowl days.  There are things I want to do and places I want to go but by the time I get home at 4:30 after getting in and out of a hot car all day I just stay home and try not to open the door to save the cool air.  

Hydrate, people!  All that sweat is your body losing water and it has to be replaced.  Trust me.  I'm almost a nurse ^j^

my house

Reaves asked me the other day why she always comes to my house and I never go to hers.  It was a thoughtful question from a baby girl who wants Gaga in her circle.  They normally come here because they like the farm atmosphere.  This something we need to do differently me thinks.  Their reality is in Jackson and this is an escape of sorts remembering old times and whatnot.  We also need a road trip somewhere, like to Heather's in AL.  She said she is like 10 minutes from the TN state line.  That's my kind of trip.  PLUS they have a pontoon and there's water everywhere.

I did water all the stuff today because hey....it was over a hundred.  I've learned to start the car ahead of time and leave the windows open.  I don't care if it rains.  I would welcome it!  The corn out here is burning up.  Beans are irrigated but that adds to the cost.  The rig is right behind my deck at the moment but not raining.

Every day is a new chance to make a difference ^j^

giving up the ghost

I had every intention of keeping those 'maters and squash alive out there in Johnny's box but I'm over it.  There are two in pots which I moved out of full sun to the herb bed for a break.  I'll water the back and keep that going but it's too much for anything else.  A hundred plus degrees for days on end.  I know the odds on that sort of situation.  Not good.

My power went out for about six hours last night after I went to sleep.  I woke up an noticed it was a bit warm and then when the box fan came on I realized why.  I'm figuring rolling outages by TVA.  Thank goodness mine was at night.  I just talked to a friend in Mempho who is without power at 5PM where it's the hottest place you can be except Mississippi.

My house smells like basil because I picked what was out there and will be drying it out and using fresh.  That has done well.  Cilantro is dead. Not a summer thing, but I have some dried and preserved.  I always remember my buddy Scotty telling me that it tastes like dirty dish water.

My thermostat is set on 75 and is showing 77.  I reckon that's God's way of telling me that the great heat wave of 22 will test us all.  ^j^

cat v dog

I had Oscar way before the cats came into the picture and he was perfectly content with dog food until I started putting out cat food.  I have decided that they will all eat the same thing because it would be a 24/7 job to keep up with it.  They all have fresh water and snack at their leisure.  Plus Oscar gets the good stuff when I cook.   They hang around so I guess they're happy with the gig.  Oscar goes in and out taking every step with me.  Cali is way too shy to come in the house but Rosie will come if there's petting involved.   Nobody has caught the mouse yet, BTW.

I'm actually glad to have a day at home with the critters.  Since I'm "almost a nurse" I've been steadily treating my abrasions from last weekend including debridement.  Lots of peroxide and neosporin.  My biggest challenge right now is the stoma which hurts when it feels like bothering me so I'm treating ulcerations around that area.  The adhesive from the wafer will tear yo' skin off if you're not careful.  I have a derm appointment tomorrow so I'm hoping that we can address all that.  I seriously dread the silver nitrate, but I know it will help.

I visited with some friends this morning and we talked politics.  Both of them are GOP and they love to pick on me for being a Dem however, as far as the local elections go....we are on the same page.   Miracles do happen!

We must maintain our independence from tyranny and oppression. It's what our founding fathers intended.  Enjoy your family gatherings and keep the faith ^j^

grace is amazing

Our summer sermon series is about how we got to where we are as Methodists.  Today Mary Beth delivered with an emphasis on John Wesley himself and his take on grace and salvation.  Any Methodist knows that his heart was stirred by a meeting at Aldersgate where the reality of all the graces came home to him.  She spoke about prevenient grace which is there for all even before we know it.  Justifying grace is when we realize the gift that has been given and accept it.  Sanctifying grace is a continuing thing where we strive to do better because we know that the Holy Spirit has blessed us and wants us to do our best to love others and accept them where they are.  Many people think of this as a means to get into heaven, yet in her view we should be enjoying it now and not waiting until we die.  I totally agree.  True ministry as Jesus taught us is about being blind to differences and meeting non-believers where they are.  It doesn't matter which doctrine someone follows.  There is one true God who loves us all equally and that's the bottom line.

The girls came for a visit yesterday and went swimming at Casa Moody while I was at the funeral home.  They joined me afterwards and we had a very nice visit with no tantrums.  I love it when that happens.  Reaves and Lauren both adore Rosie and take turns petting and bonding with her.  That kitty eats it up!

As we celebrate Independence Day, let us remember that the folks who fought to start our country and wrote the Constitution were pretty clear about everything and I'm not so sure their intentions are being met in this day and time.  Freedoms are being taken away in every direction by our very government which they founded.  Think about that one.

Y'all enjoy the fireworks and stay cool.  This next week will be a scorcher so stay safe.  Love ya...mean it ^j^