Friday

 Yesterday, the beautiful Painted Bunting came by to eat at the bird cam. 

I let my chickens free range again last evening. I kept my shoes on. I saw a big coyote yesterday in full day light. I didn’t let them out until late. They only get to run around and eat bugs for an hour. 

July is ending. Laura and Eric go back to work in August. Their summer is ending. 

Thursday

I finished a baby blanket. Astrid needs two for a boy soon. This one might be okay for a girl or boy. The yarn is small and it’s a light blanket, very stretchy and soft. I’m making one with chenille yarn. I tried the royal touch pattern but this yarn is too heavy for that pattern. I’ll just do a granny square.

We got a nice rain yesterday. All the brown spots in my yard were green by afternoon. It’s amazing how quickly a rain can bring things alive. 

When I came home from yoga, it was clouding up like rain was coming. I left my car out for the rain to wash the dust away. I set my coleus plant out in the rain so it could have a bath.  My car looks better.

I’ve been reading about chicken hawks. They hunt in the morning midday and afternoon by 4 in the afternoon they have returned to their home roost ( usually).  I decided to let my chickens out. I sat on the back porch and crocheted. They love eating the green grass and bugs and their eggs are lots healthier to eat. I didn’t let them out ‘til 6:30. About 7:30 I saw a dark shadow swoop from the horse pasture and land. Then the bird swooped toward my chicken pen. I went as fast as I could (I won’t say ran) toward the chickens yelling and waving my arm. The worst part was I had on no shoes. Ouch, every piece of grass stung my bare feet. Well, false alarm, it was just a crow. I laughed as I hobbled back to my perch. I’m a shepherd and my flock is chickens! 

 

Middle of July

Yesterday, I mowed but just in the spots that weren’t brown. At the end of the chore, it sprinkled and wet the yard so I tried again to burn my sticks. I restacked once and most were history this morning. We’re supposed to get rain today. We need it.

I’ll go to yoga class this morning. I’ve had my coffee.

Laura made southwest crispy rice chicken salad for supper.  She brought me a bowl for my  lunch today. She made avocado dressing. I’m anxious to try the dressing as I’ve never tried it. She saved the scraps and my chickens got a treat. I rode over and picked the chicken treat up and lay in the pool. That felt good on my shingles spots. Then we lounged and we both read our books.

Read these two memoirs this week. “Strangers” is a new book and on NY Times best seller book. It’s setting is during the pandemic written about a marriage ending. She had no idea what was happening until “ bam” it did. All during lockdown. It’s a story of survival. A “Three Dog Life” is an older memoir that Stephen King recommended. Abigail’s husband is hit by a car and has a traumatic brain injury. He can never live at home again. Her dog gives her comfort, then a second and then a third! Enjoyed both!

 

Intruder

Ada enjoys cooking. She put together pizza for supper for her family. I am betting they were delicious!

Greta with her volleyball team. She’s on the back row on the left. Greta is 5”10” tall.  Volleyball will be the first sport when school starts. She plays basketball and soccer too.

I was threatened yesterday in my chicken house. A huge poisonous copperhead was lurking. I was so scared but knew I had to defend myself. First, I used hornet spray and then my brush ax. I wanted to call Eric to come, but I knew it would take too long. 

 

Brother’s Birthday

 

Sigrid long time friend turned 21. They have been good friends since early elementary school. Ellie had a big birthday bash. She flew home and brought her boyfriend John to Arkansas for the first time. I’m sure he was overwhelmed by all the hoop da loo. Ellie majored in journalism and has a job in Washington D. C. John works at the White House doing something. It was a busy weekend for Sigrid. She is  working at C&D today and Wednesday and Thursday. She starts 2nd year of Pharmacy School the middle of August. The one big thing that told me Siggie was used by her mentor was  — second week mentor went on vacation and Sigrid did her work for a week. Good grief. The lady wasn’t even there. When I taught, I had an intern nearly every semester. I probably had 75 to 100 during my career. I was there to help them take the final step before going into their first job. The biggest thing I feel you need to do is be present, be helpful, let them advance to full job responsibilities by the end. Going on a week vacation is deplorable I think.

Ada dressed for church Sunday. She likes putting on Sunday outfits. Then Greta had basketball at Rogers, AR. Ada can entertain herself. She’s pretending in the bleachers. 

Ada has a few books. This is only part of her reading library. Erin is turning Ada on to book listening. She loves it too. She just finished listening to the Hobbitt.

These are Astrid’s gardens. The white hydrangea is really pretty. She gets lots of food from her small garden space. Logan and she got back from their trip without a hitch. Camper pulled fine and the stuff inside worked. This was a rehearsal for October. They are going out west. I know through Utah but now I’m not sure which park they’re going to.

Well, the heart halter is off. It was sort of like wearing one of those ankle bracelets. When I taught I had 12 and 13 year olds that had them. Usually it was because they were run aways. When you teach children 40 years, you learn a lot about family life. Behind every troubled child is a family story. With the monitor there were always thoughts of can’t do this, can’t do that. I am also nearly finished with the shingles medication. I have chosen a cardiologist when I am asked about that. I will be glad to learn all about what’s going on with my heart. I am not nearly as energetic as I used to be but that could be normal aging.

My baby brother would be 65 today. He died very young, 61. 

Fluffy Butts—Chickens

We got a little rain. Missouri got floods. Ours wasn’t even a shower, just a good wetting, but that will keep the grasses alive.

Siggie made a good grade in her internship. They offered her a job, but she has some work at C&D filling in for one’s going on vacation. She deserved her good grade. They had her work long hours and hard. One day she didn’t even get a lunch break. Oh, well,  it’s over. Hers was more about her working to help them. It’s supposed to be a varied learning experience not slavery.

Laura took these two pictures at Astrid’s chicken coop. She has flowers by the “windows” and a wreath on the door.the wreath says “ the fluffy butt hut”. Astrid and Logan are camping at Fairfield Bay. They took the 4 kids, ah dogs. But Eric is tending the indoor and outdoor cats. Laura is helping with the chickens and horses and flowers and gardens.  I would help too, but since they aren’t working, they don’t need me.

Astrid sent this of the view they have. Piper is swimming. She loves the water.

I get the heart monitor off tomorrow. I send it in. There’s a box provided.

Astrid’s Chicken Coop Wearth

Saturday

Laura made apple fried pies yesterday. I think  she sent them with Astrid and Logan. They took their new camper on a weekend trip to try it out. She brought me one. They’re called hand pies here.

P

My niece lives in north Arkansas. They have lots of deer and lots of fawns.

I made this throw for Laura a long time ago. It was ripped. She asked if I could mend it. I gave it a try.

Only time will tell.

I’m tired of not being able to”sweat” but it’s not much longer.

Friday

Laura interviewed for a job that would use her new degree. If she gets an offer that she fits her, she’ll go for it. She likes the job she has but retirement age is looming in her future. 

She has painted the living room and two bedrooms this summer. Her living room has high ceilings. Her Dad liked the satisfaction of painting as it freshens everything. I hate painting. Sister Helen loved painting too. I love the way everything looks afterwards—clean and fresh. Laura also hates clutter.  I have piles of it. I blame it on my poor childhood but my mother hated clutter so I know I’m lying to myself. I think it’s just your makeup. If Momma wasn’t using it she threw it away or gave it away. She didn’t want us to set things on her dining table, leave things in the floor etc. She really didn’t like much on end tables, just a lamp. Dad had pictures thick on the walls. I’m sure it caused her anxiety. Once I sat on the side of the dining table and it broke. Landed on the floor. She said tables aren’t for sitting. I think Dad fixed it. I probably popped up there. Bam! Beds weren’t to sit on after they were made up. Chairs are where you sit or just on the floor. She was all about being clean too. She’d looked through her bifocals at my neck inspecting me. The house was her domain. I love the outside.

I got Laura new shoes for her interview. They are comfortable Clark’s. She needed closed toe. You don’t wear open toe shoes to an interview. There’s lots I don’t know. She said— I’ll wear these the rest of my life! Well, maybe just interviews and funerals, I thought.🤭

I’m reading a Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas. Stephen King recommended it. 

I want to make this in a baby blanket. I am trying to figure out the pattern from the picture. I gave up but after I finish the one I’m working on, I’ll try it again.

Fleta had shingles February 28, 2020, ON her face. Things can always be worse. She got the antiviral. Thank heavens. She went up to Helen’s complaining of her forehead itching. Helen could see it was shingles. She helped get her to the clinic fast. Helen is no longer here to watch over her elder sisters. She loved helping. You knew you were not a bother. Three sisters, all different, but all the same! 

No episodes yesterday. But this morning I had to push the button. I have decided to use the cardiologist that my friend Kay uses if he’ll take me.
 

Yada Yada

My two girls are great mothers. I don’t think it’s from my model. I did a lot of correcting and lecturing about what NOT to do. Yada yada yada yada. I’m sure they tuned me out. Ada has summer workbooks. This one had a survey. She called, “Gigi, what’s your favorite ice cream?” Then she called Auntie Fleta and Auntie Laura. Fleta said butter pecan! Ada was excited and reported when finished—vanilla won! Excited about learning and doing. Ada and Greta playing with their similar fake glasses makes me smile. I’m thankful today for my two daughters. God’s gift, not earned by me!

The antiviral med has kicked in. Wow, I can think. I slept. Shingles is more than just a rash. It’s like an attack from a foreign invader. The pill isn’t making me dizzy. That’s the only side effect Siggie said to watch out for. Now, I’m not having the heart issues so I hope that doesn’t mean this has skewed my test. I know old people are so boring. It’s all about them….me. When we go to the bathroom. How much how often. Just like a baby again. Yuck. Yuck. No wonder everyone rolls their eyes at what elderly folks say. We’re infants again. All the unfiltered responses are one’s a young child would be told— don’t talk about that it isn’t appropriate! Good grief.

 

Wednesday

Well, my shingles spot is better. I guess the anti viral med was in time. I am overwhelmed by all my issues.  I will just continue forward.

Until July arrived, I was still having the Goldfinches coming by. I think they have flew on as I haven't been seeing them in a week. Mr. Squirrel is still doing clean up below the feeders. I remind him he's not allowed to climb to the poles. He's the first squirrel I had visit who stays on the ground. I doubt it continues, but there are a lot of seeds dropped to him.

I can't help but wonder what their conversation is about.

Halter Monitor

Astrid shared another of her pretty flowers blooming. It’s verbena, I think.

Well, the halter monitor is like a big bandage. I thought it’d be a halter. I wear a week. I was afraid I wouldn’t have episodes but I am.  I pushed the button once but I feel my heart racing and slowing.

But now I have shingles. I’ll have to call the doctor at 9. I had the shot. What else?!?!

 

Ada had Erin send this saying Gigi will think I have glasses.

Eric power washed around the pool. Looks better.  Laura saw 5 deer, bucks, crossing she only caught two in the photo.