July 2

Ingrid’s Justin has a birthday today. He’s 24. He loves to fish. I hope he gets to go fishing today!

Went to my favorite pharmacy—C&D—and had intern Isaac check my blood pressure and sugar! Didn’t even feel the stick! Blood Pressure 106/68! I give Isaac an A+❤️

Greg and Erin took the children to a museum in St. Louis Tuesday. It was interactive. Ada loved it. Clayton invited his friend Tyson along. Greta wasn’t excited about it so Greg paid her $50 to go with Ada through the exhibits. 

Today they headed to OK City to a big water park. Hope the children enjoy it.

 Clayton and Tyson

I’ve been having episodes with dizzy or disconnect spells. I’m sort of concerned. Laura went with me today to Dr. I had ekg and it was ok. I going to wear a heart monitor.i want to be well.

July One

Half 2026 is history. Gone. I hope I live a better life the second half. Not better for self but for others. 

The world is large; the world is small. From a short distance from my yard, one can’t see my lantana. Even when you stand near, you don’t see the completeness to the blooms. You have to lean in. You have to lean in to feel for others. If one builds up a shell around yourself, you’ll cease to feel. Lord, I don’t want to be a terrapin. Recently (5 days ago) a twenty year old girl carried her 6 week old baby and walked into the Arkansas River. Well, she told her grandmother that was her plan. Grandmother reported it and the policeman went to the River. Her car was there about 5 feet from the water. I felt the sadness. Many could possibly DID something. The search continues but they have not been found.

This morning a former student told me who the GREAT grandmother was. I taught her in one of my first classes. She was short and the sweetest girl. She developed diabetes and died young. The connection to that girl and baby made me feel more deeply. The world is large, but if you care it’s smaller. So many of us have shells. They shield from caring.🫶🏻

 

Arkansas—The Natural State

 

Richland Creek

Falling Water flows into Richland and Richland Creek dumps into the Buffalo River! The Buffalo River is a National River, America's first designated National River. Stretching 135 free-flowing miles, it is famous for its towering limestone bluffs, crystal-clear waters, and world-class canoeing and kayaking.

Paradise is in our own backyard! One can travel far on vacation but there isn’t anything more spectacular that Falling Water Falls and Richland Creek! Erin’s family is vacationing this week. They have day trips planned! They always include our hidden gems Falling Water and Richland Creek. Clayton and Greta jump from the Falls. Ada is still a little afraid but she can jump from the huge rocks on Richland and side down nature’s water slide at Six Fingers! They take a picnic and enjoy the cooler temperatures and mountain air! Arkansas truly is the natural state💎

Falling Water Creek

Monday

Logan got a promotion!

I’m copying the post because I want to keep it. 

Meet Superintendent Logan Roberts!

We’re proud to recognize Logan Roberts, a superintendent who has been a valued member of the Kirby Specialties team since 2014.

Logan holds his Master Plumber License, but his knowledge and experience extend far beyond plumbing. He is a well-rounded construction professional who brings technical expertise, hands-on ability, and strong leadership to every project. 

As a superintendent, Logan plays an important role in managing daily jobsite operations, maintaining schedules, coordinating his team members and subcontractors, and ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and according to Kirby’s standards. His broad construction background allows him to understand the full scope of a project, anticipate potential issues, and develop practical solutions that keep work moving forward.

Logan is known for being dependable, hardworking, and willing to step in wherever he is needed. Whether he is operating equipment, assisting with technical work, leading a crew, or coordinating with project managers and customers, he approaches every responsibility with professionalism and a commitment to doing the job right.

Outside of work, Logan enjoys spending time with his wife, Astrid, working on their farm, and riding dirt bikes.

Thank you, Logan, for your years of hard work, leadership, and continued commitment to Kirby Specialties!

I want to try this handbag. I couldn’t get the written pattern but maybe I can do it from the photo.

This young squirrel has been eating under my bird feeders. He’s on probation. If he doesn’t climb the pole to the feeders, I said it was okay. We’ll see what he does.

Ada read away her weekend.

 Clayton celebrated being 18. Doesn’t seem possible.

June 28

Sister headed home this morning early. She was going to Aldi’s and Walmart to buy groceries for the week. In the morning she’ll be up at 3:30 to get ready for work. That’s pretty good for a 78 year old woman. She’s thinking she will retire at 80.

Yesterday we had a visitor. Fleta’s son George and his sweet wife Michelle drove from southern Missouri to visit. He took us to lunch and Fleta and I had our favorite ribeye. Food was good but the visit was a treasure 🤍

Go oft to the house of thy friend, for weeds choke the unused path.  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Logan ran over a big water moccasin in my drive. He had a big rat in his mouth. Nasty!

I got Fleta a gulf shores cap in Alabama. She got home safely. Said she’d try to come again end of July.

Saturday

 

Fleta brings sunshine to my life! I love my beautiful flower for my porch💛We miss Sister Helen tremendously. When she hosted us at Coin, AR, we had homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast and a feast for dinner! Fleta says often how much she misses Helen’s homemade banana bread! I tried to replicate the good feelings with pop the can cinnamon rolls from Kroger and Lois Rudd’s banana bread! I’ll take her out to lunch. Not my Sister but I’m trying❤️

Fleta’s son George and his wife Michelle came by to see Fleta and me. They were going to Mount Magazine. George treated us to lunch. I was so thrilled to meet Michelle. I know I yacked too much. She is really nice. And my lunch was a ribeye! Fleta will head home tomorrow. I’ll be sad, but she said last week of July she’ll come again. 

Friday

Sister surprised me with a birthday gift. She bought the flowers separately and put into the beautiful ceramic pot. I hope I don’t kill the pretty flowers or break the pot.

We went to Arby’s for dinner. Tomorrow I may treat her to a steak. 🥩 

Finished this granny ripple baby blanket! 🌸🌸🌸Completion is slowed by the warm weather .  It goes to my neighbors Jake and Maggie. They live in the house Larry built us in 1985. Their baby girl is coming in September.

 

Thursday

Fleta comes tomorrow! Yippee! I need to get the yard mowed today. It’s tall again.

Justin and Ingrid have an anniversary today. They married at the beach and now live right by the beach. Justin is a fisherman and he fishes in salt water now. We miss them being near, but it’s a beautiful place to visit to go see them!

Logans and Astrid worked behind their house making it smoother and drain friendly. Logan put the dirt in with the tractor. Astrid said they were adding gutter to keep the water flowing.

She’s deciding how she wants to fix it. She created an area with ai. She’s going to have some wood and some rock or tile I think. It’ll be her design. They do things in steps and pay as they go. 

June 24

In 2010 I bought 12 day lilies in the markdown flowers at Lowe’s. Only $1.00 a piece. I liked their name. I carried them home and Larry said he’d build me a garden around a Maple and he did. I didn’t know if they’d even live, but they did and each summer they bloomed. I took a pictures of my dreams yearly. Day lilies are like children as they grow they need more room. They need to live in a different place. First the timbers rotted and then the blooms looked sad. Not much left there now but the forgotten dreams.

Today at 10:00 I had a doctor visit. They wanted to scan all my cards. I gave them to the clerk. My drivers license expired June 14. After the visit and lab work. I thought I’d better go renew my license because really I no longer had one! You had to check in with your phone. I finally an accomplished that. I know the head of the revenue office. She asked how long I wanted it for. I said as long as I can get it for. So she gave me one that won’t expire until June 2034. I’ll be 84 if I’m still alive. But when I saw me I #@&$=+% about passed out. I look at least 76. Oh, dear, mercy me!

 

June 23

When I went to Alabama to see Ingie. Eric stayed here and did the chores. Ingrid discovered a straight flight from Fayetteville to Mobile. It cost less than the gas to drive 10 hours. Eric went last week. He stayed three nights and it was a good way to visit.

Ingrid picked him up and they they did things each day. They visited a big aquarium. Maybe near New Orleans.

Eric tried a cricket bar at the bug restaurant. Ingrid declined.

This reminded me of the time Eric told Sig he’d give her a dollar if she’d eat a worm and she didn’t even hesitate.

Butterflies love Ingie!