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^