Today

Today was a day I will never forget! On 9/11, 2001, I was with a class of 11 and 12 year old children. I went into the bathroom and knelt on the concrete floor and prayed for guidance in what to say and do. In 2023 at ATU in the Ross Pendergraft Library, I listened to Deena Burnett describe her 9/11! Her husband called her from Flight 93 , the hi-jacked plane, and told her to report to the authorities what had happened. She got the phone book and thought—who do I call?!

I am so glad I took time to hear Deena tell about those events and what came afterwards in her life. When bad things happen we can be stuck forever in that sorrow and live with bitterness or look for strength and guidance. Deena had 3 little girls to care for and she pushed forward to create a good life for them. Deena is an Arkansas girl and she still lives in our state. I was inspired to do better just hearing her story. Be vigilant or hate will turn you into what you despise! Love overcomes darkness

 

Thursday

 Blogger won’t let me load an image. Every few days something doesn’t work. It’s quite irritating as I always think it’s something I’m doing and its blogger is not working.

I’m giving up today.

Well, I decided to see if blogger was working and it is. Above is a picture of my chicken bread. In the south there’s a saying about poor food. It’s vinegar pie and chicken bread. The vinegar pie is made with vinegar when the housewife runs out of vanilla. Momma made it and it is good. Tastes a little like cheesecake. Chicken bread is made with water and no egg just baking powder and salt. We had cows so we had milk. I have never eaten chicken bread.

Hump Day

Ada’s cowboy boots were too small. She got two new pair~~brown and pink. I’m sure she loved the tassels.

Sigrid came to visit yesterday. She did some homework before heading back to Conway. She said school was getting doable. Last semester was so hard. She had 18 hours and every class was extremely demanding. This semester 14 hours plus she has a base of knowledge she’s building on. She came because the owner of the clinic she where she interned called her and said she wished she had some eggs. I gave Sig two dozen to give her. I’m sure Sigrid didn’t tell her she’d have to drive to get them. The plus was I got to have her with me most of the afternoon.

I’m making two big pans of corn bread for my chickens. I give them a treat everyday. They are spoiled fowl! I had milk that was bad, corn meal in the freezer I would not use, eggs from my hens. The corn meal wasn’t self rising. I bought it by mistake over a year ago. When I saw my mistake I put it in the freezer. So I’m making chicken corn bread! It’ll be enough for their afternoon treat for several days as it’s two big iron skillets of bread. 

I walked 30 minute this morning. It’s not easy but it’ll harden my bones. At the Lake I saw hawks. They’ll move back up here when it’s cooler. I still stand guard when I let my chickens out each evening to eat greens and bugs.

I enjoy jeopardy everyday. It’s my favorite tv show. They are in reruns which I don’t like. I know the results. September 14 the new season starts. I’ll get back to my old routine. Roots is reruns too. 

 

Tuesday

Last evening, Eric and Laura cooked hamburgers and onion rings for Astrid and Logan. They worked in the heat all day. They put the roof on the donkey pole barn. The siding was the wrong color of red. Not what they ordered. The sides will wait til the exchange is made. I was invited to eat. Laura made the onion rings homemade. They were really delicious. Eric’s grilled burgers are always good. I was happy to be included.

Softly the evening came with the sunset.  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The waterline is done plus the roof. Astrid has worked so much in the heat that she has a heat rash. But she kept helping. Today she left before 7 pulling the trailer to return the digger. Then she came back and left for work by 7:30.

Siggie has been in town today. I was pleased she came by and stayed the afternoon with me. She’s doing her homework now.

Laura sent watermelon rind to my little flock. They had a hen party.

In honor of Dolly Parton, Laura and I made Ada a Dolly dress. Well, Laura made the dress andI crocheted the color. The skirt is made from scraps like Dolly’s coat was. I sure hope the children don’t laugh at Ada like they did Dolly.

 

Monday Feels Like Sunday

Laura walks here like I used to do daily. She walks faster than most joggers. I found today that I can walk 30 minutes if I carry my stick for support. So some days I am going to try it. It’s hot but the sun has switched angles to the earth so the mornings are bearable. 

My Red Maple doesn’t have red leaves…those are dead leaves!🍁 

I made Amy Patsy a Bible bookmark for her birthday. She’s using it. 

Astrid gave her chickens left over watermelon. Oh, how they love it. She and Logan ran their water line to the barn and the donkey pole barn they are constructing. They were so exhausted at the end of the day. Temps hit 100. Astrid told Laura her watch said she had 24,000 steps. She and Logan had to carry the water tanks to the new spots. He used some of the pipe he had, but bought pvc pipe too as they couldn’t get fittings for the other pipe on Sunday. Today, they are nailing tin, Astrid said. It’ll be worth the labor after it’s completed.

Ingrid said GM is sending Justin to financial school. He’ll be trained to do the loans on cars at dealerships. I’m excited for him. Now, he’s in sales. 
 

Sunday

My blood pressure is really low today. No idea why. I’ll be glad when the 16th comes and I have the ultrasound of my heart. 

Sigrid used ai to put her head on Logan E’s body showing her with his parents and graduating from Tech. She put it on their refrigerator at home. When Logan’s mother found it they all had a laugh.

Ada was dressed up for church today. She loves sparkle. Erin found her dress at goodwill. It still had the tags on it. She is wearing a bow Siggie gave her.

Asti and Logan have worked on their water line. Logan was hooking things up as Astrid dug the trench. 

Logan, Eric and friends enjoyed the Razorback game. Lots of free food and the tickets were free. I guess we won. I forgot to check that.

Saturday

I finished my second Granny’s Heart baby blanket. I think I have it now. The last one I know the border was wrong. Each row on the heart is different. You have to follow the instructions. I think I could do it all right now but I’m on to a different pattern. I’ll do another like this later.

Laura noticed Logan still had the plastic on his tractor seat. She said it reminded her of what her Dad would have done.

Laura sent me  this image morning of Galla Lake. She walks here some now as I used to do.  I miss all the early morning scenes. I love the fall color’s reflection in the water.

For Laura’s birthday she wanted a computer. She’s getting it all set up. She had to use her phone for ordering on line. She picked this from Best Buy. 

Yesterday, as I sat in the house I saw Asti heading out pulling a trailer. I know she loves having a truck instead of a car. She’d already been out to pick up this ditch digging machine. Second trip she picked up tin for the roof of the pole barn. They’ll lay water line this weekend for the new pasture. Asti works 4 ten hour days. She’s off most Fridays. Logan was at work. Astrid never thinks she can’t do something. It’s always I can. Today she’s mowing. I think Logan had free tickets to the Razorback game today. He got to take several friends. Maybe Eric got to go. 

Astrid had to unload the ditcher from the trailer. No problem!

 

Friday

I saw on FB my friend Syble’s family is having their annual reunion. Erin took me to it about 25 years ago. She took several photos of the attendees. The 9 siblings picture was taken that day. Syble is in the pink shirt. Bobby’s on the left rear in both photos. Bonnie and Betty Bernice are standing in front right. Taft is in the middle of the brothers. Taft is the eldest born in 1935. Bobby the youngest born in 1947. This family was a special one indeed.  Granny’s brother was their father. The five not pictured are greatly missed.

I am reading the true account of a black couples escape from slavery. She was the child of her mother’s master and her mother was at least 1/2 white. Her half sister owned her! From the pictures she appears to be Caucasian. They planned their escape around the rouge that she was his white master. She could not write so she carried her arm in a sling using that as an excuse to not sign her name. It’s a true account. I hope they make it out. 

Another book I read this week is Eve Plumb’s memoir. She played Jan Brady. It’s interesting but her life is really very sad. Her mother had her acting at a very young age. She started in commercials. Her childhood was abnormal to say the least. Her parents weren’t abusive or she hid that. Her mother was an alcoholic though. I kept thinking~~what a horrible life.

Ada has a new hairdo for school. She said her teacher would think it was obnoxious. With all her reading Erin has noticed she has a larger vocabulary! 
 

Thursday

 

Ada took a math quiz and scored 29 put of 30! She was really proud of the award. Doesn't take a lot to motivate children.

Greta had a volleyball game and they won. Erin said she played well.

I almost forgot to post today. I’m outside now. I let the chickens out so I am watching for predators. It’s so hot. The grass is brown. This weekend it’s going to be even hotter. We need rain. 

September Two

For Laura’s birthday she wanted to cover her couch and get a rug for the  room.  She ordered the rug from Amazon and probably the couch cover too. She was wanting a new couch, but this is an alternative to make do for a while. She’ll be adding some pillows.

Logan and Astrid are working on the donkey pole barn. It’s split by the fence and will serve two pastures. It’ll look good when it’s finished. Donkeys will be living the high life.

Erin spotted this street at Bull Shoals, AR. I’m sure it’s a nice place.

 

52

This is from FB. Top picture is 2nd grade I think. 

Laura was due August 31. My Mother decided that she needed to come and see me that day. She, my Dad, and Debbie Lee came. By the time they arrived down that winding mountain road I was in labor. Daddy drove a little Datsun truck. Really only room for three to ride. Gilbert didn’t come I don’t think. He would have had to ride in the back. He would have done that, but I bet he stayed with Patsy. My Dad was a nervous wreck. He wanted me to go to the hospital right then. Larry worked til noon, and I went to St. Mary’s in the afternoon. Dad went too. He paced the floor. Laura was born after midnight, so it was September 1. Momma said her Dad’s birthday was September 2. They stayed over night and went home the next day. Laura was little, under 7 pounds. I’d waited for her all summer and was glad to have her with us finally. I took off work 6 weeks but had to go back in October. She stayed with Helen Potts. 

The picture if four generations—Ada, Ethel, Larry and Laura I remember I made the shirt Larry has on. 

💚💛Top is what Amy made for Laura and below what Laura made for Amy 💛💚

 Laura’s friend Amy has a birthday tomorrow. Look what they gifted each other. Great minds think alike.

August Over

At Laura’s birthday bash, she surprised me with new quilted placemats. They picture my favorite things~~flowers, birds and honey bees! Perfect for fall! I’m took my spring one’s up and am already using these.