Skylark

 

Fleta’s out of surgery and Helen said it went well.  She’ll call me later with more.  I had nervous energy so I cleaned my stove.  Helen said, “ oh, scrub the floor now”, but I made me a cup of coffee instead.

My friend Kay and I take turns treating each other to a meal out.  One month she picks and treats and the next, my turn.  I picked Skylark Cafe at Leslie, AR.  She’d never tried it, but it sure made her want to eat there again.  Dessert is their specialty.  We each had cheesecake.  Kay’s was called Mardi Gras Cheesecake.  Skylark Cafe is a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5 star eatery.

New Path

 Yesterday Helen took Fleta back for a checkup on her leg. Sister’s fibula has slipped apart.  Surgery Thursday and she’ll have a plate and screws.  She had planned to return to work today, but now she’ll be off 6 weeks or longer.  Sister is a tough old bird.  We’re hoping for the best outcome.

Holy, Holy

My friend Kay Lou loans me books.  Saw her yesterday and she showed me her new book.  I begged to read it first!  Being like a sister, she relented.  Wow, a history of the “Word”.

Bible is Greek for books—plural!  The Bible one reads depends on what books your belief accepts.  The first books were written on scrolls.  Most were on parchment, with the exception of a few written on papyrus. The scrolls survived as pieces- only a handful were found intact. Nevertheless, scholars have managed to reconstruct from fragments approximately 950 different “books”. 

The King James Bible is most widely-known edition of the Bible. It was printed in 1611, this edition of the Bible was commissioned in 1604 by King James I, but only after feeling pressure from Puritans and Calvinists.  James called a conference at Hampton Court Palace, during which it was suggested there should be a new translation of the Bible.  Early versions commissioned by earlier monarchs were felt to be corrupt.

King James eventually agreed and decreed the new translation should speak in contemporary language, using common, recognizable terms. James’ purpose was to unite the warring religious factions through a uniform holy text.

This version of the Bible was not altered for 250 years and is credited as one of the biggest influences on the English language. The King James Bible introduced a multitude of words and phrases now common in the English language, including “eye for an eye,” “bottomless pit,” “two-edged sword,” “God forbid,” “scapegoat” and “turned the world upside down”.

I have a need to know and learn.  I’m going to learn about ALL the versions of the Bible.  This  book is authored by Bruce Gordon of Yale Divinity School.  

 

Desert Life

 On my  morning walk, I pondered—is Arkansas turning into a desert?  Morning in 50’s, but by afternoon it’s above 90 degrees.

My family doesn’t own expensive heirlooms to pass down.  Laura passed these two keepsakes to Astrid.  The little dish was in her Grandparents Powell’s house hanging near the kitchen sink.  Larry’s mother,  created the cross-stitch especially for Laura. Pop made the cedar cross for Astrid.   Some of the most precious heirlooms are the stories passed down about our ancestors. They were just ordinary people, but extraordinary to me.

Dog Days

Astrid and Logan went to a once a year sale where folks bring their “junk” to sell.  I think it’s more farm like things not household.  They took all 4 kids.  The Corgis rode Wiley walked beside.  They didn’t have much room to put things they bought in the wagon.  Probably a shopping deterrent.

Greta was awarded at school for being positive.  She’s an 8th grader.

Ada decorated her room for Halloween.  Top shelf.  Ada and Greta share a room.  Their house is small.  They inherited it from Greg’s grandparents with a no sale clause for 10 years.  All Greta’s sporting balls take up a lot of the shelves!
 

Dry, Dry

Finished this baby blanket and started another. Can’t work outside.  It’s dry and hot. At least nights are cool.  So my morning walk is comfortable.

Yesterday and day before that, I tried walking a side trail.  Guess I got in seed ticks. I Remembered Sister Helen saying put bleach in bath water and get in it.  About a half to cup.  I did this and think I’m better.  I was scared it was the whole body rash returning.  Praying it was seed ticks.  I am not getting off my path again til frost.

This is my next baby blanket. Picture of finished one below.  Mine will look different as my yarn is bulky.  This one is for a boy.  Making it for Astrid’s friend.  White one is for Sigrid’s friend.  Gives me something to do.

 

Goose Knows the Way

 Today, I noticed the geese going south.  We think man is so smart.  A goose knows when to leave and when to stay.  He doesn’t get lost and stop and ask directions.  No google maps either.  It’s all in his head and heart.  Geese navigate based on experience, using landmarks including rivers, coastlines and mountain ranges. They may also use celestial cues such as the sun and stars. Geese have a physical compass in their head that allows them to tell north and south by detecting the Earth's magnetic field.

My Siggy

Sigrid thought she wanted bangs.  She went for a haircut but the stylist talked her out of cutting them.  She was afraid Sig wouldn’t like them and there’s no goin* back.  Well, she talked Laura into cutting them.  Laura just cut a few.  Hope Siggie likes them.  I think she always looks perfect.

At Five below Sig found a type writer for her IPad.  Only Five dollars.  I think I’d like one.

Astrid got her Turkey platter.  Sig did a coffee or soup cup.  Both look great.  They do these at pottery worx here.  Astrid loves art and painting.  Sigrid goes because she is a loving sister.

 

Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Soup

Dolly Parton's Stampede Soup 

Erin made this soup and Ada said it was good.  It’s a vegetable soup.  It has a can of mixed veggies in it but they are smashed with a potato masher hiding them. I’m worried about all that cream.  Wonder if you could just use milk.  Laura’s three girls used to love Dixie Stampede.  Eric would take them about once a year.  

Ingredients:

4 tbsp butter

¼ cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

½ - 1 tsp salt

½ - 1 tsp ground white pepper

14.5 oz can chicken broth

15 oz can mixed vegetables, drained

2 cups half and half 

Directions:

Make Roux: In a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour, garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper, and salt. Simmer for 1 minute.

Add Broth & Vegetables: Whisk in chicken broth and drained vegetables. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Mash Vegetables: Using a potato masher or blender, mash vegetables to your desired consistency.

Add Cream: Stir in half and half and simmer for another 5 minutes.

Serve: Enjoy with biscuits, cornbread, or your favorite side.

 

Booting

Our cousin Winnie Sneed sent Fleta a beautiful peace Lily.  Sisters may need this between them to keep the peace.  Fleta is sick of sitting in bed with her leg elevated!  Helen is trying to keep her still. 

Finally Fleta saw the DR.  She’s in a boot and he said she can return to work.  No, walking and only  sitting at work.  She’ll use her walker. . She thinks she’ll go back to work a week from today.  Helen will drive her a few days and help her get to her desk.  She’ll pick her up.  Helen told me she’s trying for a five star rating.  I think she deserves it.

 

Happy 100, Jimmy

 Happy 100th birthday to my cousin Jimmy Carter 💙🔵💙

President James Earl Carter>James Carter Sr.>William Archibald Carter>Mary Ann Seals>William Archibald Seals>Judith Powell>John Powell>Charles Powell Sr. who died in Stafford County, VA 1744

Betty Renfroe>G. W. ‘Cotton’ Powell>Robert M. Powell>Richard Powell> Henry Powell>Charles Powell  III, Charles Powell JR, Charles Powell SR who died in 1744!

Cleaning

Today dear friend Jonell Gatlin sent me an 8 x 10 of this photo of Larry and I from 1970– long time past! She has been my friend since grade school! I recall staying overnight and making omelettes for supper 💙  I cherish my friends, old ones and new.

With 20 trees in my yard it only takes a few weeks to get another big pile!  Burned them yesterday as it’s not forecast to rain for over a week.  Hope the “rain man” missed a shower as we really need one.