Sunday

Astrid had a pumpkin carving party. Afterwards the chickens had a pecking party.

Ada’s church had a hayride and she and Greta enjoyed it. Then at the soccer game she had a cousin friend to play with. Here they are sharing their seat.

I am filling my bird bath twice a day. The birds are so thirsty! All day they are flying in for a cool drink! His eye is on the sparrow!

 

Saturday

 

Astrid decorated the Powell farm for Halloween. It’s a spooky farm.

Sigrid is going to wear the poncho I made her…well, maybe, at least she modeled it. I made it last year.

I had my bird bath by the water hydrant but it wasn’t in view of my porch seat. I moved it so I can watch the birds getting a drink. They are really congregating there. Not much water to be found.

Unexpected gifts, ones I never dreamed I’d receive, have come to me from my cousin Mike Sneed. When our dear Winnie passed, Mike offered to share family treasures with me. Today by American Express a package arrived and inside was my Grandpa Powell’s cane. It’s too beautiful to even use. I often must use a cane now. I think this one could only be carried to church. R. M Powell was born in 1883 and passed in 1954. I am honored to use his cane. When I held the grip, I thought, he held this once. Amazing👩‍🦯‍➡️👨‍🦯‍➡️

Grandpa and Grandma— young and old!

Friday

A wild man from Florida—Rick Mahan and his wife Debbie Kay came to see me today! Debbie Kay brought me a box of Aunt Pearl’s devotionals! Ricky brought a big bear hug! I love getting to see them when they visit Arkansas! May the Lord bless them with safe travels home again to Panama City, Florida! ❣️They both prefer Arkansas to Florida, but moving is hard on old folks.

I walked this morning to the little watershed~~Galla Lake! I looked across the water and my eyes fell on the one orange tree! It was gorgeous among the green leafed and bare limb trees! Today I hope my light will shine like this orange  tree! I may not be the best, but let me be MY best today.  Lord, thank you for forgiving my errors yesterday! New day— new chance!

My favorite tree the Tupelo Black Gum has turned to its deep plum color. It’s my favorite fall tree. The leaves will fall soon because it’s really dry here. The leaves can’t hold on long.

These are the devotionals Deb brought me. Aunt Pearl was a Pentecostal minister. I plan to read them. We can glean bits of knowledge from other faiths.

 

October 22

Sigrid is a puzzler. She and Logan E have that in common. She is a math person too. The two skills are related. She had two tests last week and this. She scored 92 and 100 percent. Well, you wouldn’t want a dummy filling your meds.

Greta will be driving in less than a week. Seems time has flew by. Laura and I went to her volleyball game last evening. We must have been bad luck as they lost. So they got second in regionals. They will play in the state tournament next week. Hoping for success.

I voted yesterday.  The ballot is stronger than the bullet. Abe Lincoln

Erin saw two flocks of wild turkeys today. My dad loved wild turkeys. The threw corn to them and they stayed near his house. He never killed any of them.

My fire plant is turning red. Siggie gifted it to me. It’s special to me. I planted my pansies yesterday. I pulled all my purslane up. It is too cool here now for it to bloom. I put some donkey manure under the pansies.

I was sick of this monster. I was afraid when I saw him that I couldn’t get someone here to eliminate him so I used the pick ax. Sort of like Lizzie Borden, but I only used one whack. Sorry, if you think I’m the monster. Logan and Eric came and finished what I started.  Some armadillos carry leprosy. Never touch one!

 

Hump Day

Ada is wearing a hand me down jacket. It was Astrid’s, then Ingrid’s, Sig’s and I think Greta wore it too. Ada had to dress herself as Mom wasn’t home. Hopefully, her pant leg will ooze down as she walks. She called staying with Greg —Daddy days! Greta’s volleyball team beat Huntsville and they play today at 4:00. Laura and I are going. I’m excited. They play Pottsville.  

I planted my pansies and ripped the purslane from its pots yesterday. It was still alive but needs more heat to bloom. I put donkey poop on my pansies. I put them in a pot that had purslane in it.

 

October 20

 

This is the plant Fleta fixed for my June birthday. I’ve really enjoyed it and kept it watered. It’s stayed as pretty as when she gave it to me. Frost is coming 😢

For 39 years the20th was my payday. I still love the day.

Astrid teaches at the gym where I lift weights. She teaches one class a week early morning. Last Saturday she taught Saturday morning too. Her turn out was good. Laura always supports her by attending. It’s an intense workout. I can’t do it.

This nasty hole digger was ant hunting last night in my yard. I called Logan asking for him to eliminate the pest. By the time Logan got here, he’d went in a big den hole. I may just use the ax next time he comes around. I despise them on the level of snakes.

Sigrid loves pickle ball. She gets to play at school as several love it. I taught pickle ball to my 6 graders 25 years ago. The game has been around a long time. It’s a cross between tennis and badminton. I’d play today excepting for my bad knees. You use a side step and I’d hurt my knee easily.

Greta’s Gobs won District and last night the won first game in regionals. Second game today. Erin stayed over night with me and has left for the game today. She has to work to so if they win she can’t watch game three. The Goblins have won the right to go to state. Last night the team stayed in motel rooms at fort smith. I know it was fun for the girls. They ate together at Olive Garden after the game. High school is a fun time.

Team with the district tournament trophy.

Monday

Kay got her hair and nails done, went to the chiropractor and for a massage before our Saturday shindig. I just tried to style my hair and wore clothes I had. I had a black jacket, but I told Laura Kay was wearing black so Laura loaned me her green jacket. Tech’s color seemed appropriate. Barbara and several others wore jeans and tennis shoes. I am older than the two Kay’s and Barb. Dr. Gordon is 90. She’s totally “ with it” still.

L to R.  Barbara Adams, Dr. Gordon, me, Kay

My friend Kay and I were honored this weekend to share in the induction ceremony of Dr. Patricia Gordon into the Arkansas Tech Athletic Hall of Fame as her invited guests. Dr. Gordon was inducted for her service! In the presentation she was rightly called “the Godmother of Tech’s women athletics”. She started sports programs there as a young professor with virtually no money—prompting, coaching, encouraging, laying the foundation to the athletic programs ATU enjoys today. She instructs Kay and I often to “just call me Pat.” It’s really difficult to put someone so revered on that personal level. Congratulations to our dear Doc Pat Gordon. She’s one in a million!

As an added treat, I saw my old friend Marty Barnes inducted for his basketball leadership at ATU. We shared memories of our work together at RMS in that old WPA gymnasium! I congratulate, Marty! 

ATU did a fantastic job with their ceremony.  I felt humbled to be in attendance! Thank you, ATU💚💛💚

Kay, Barbara, Doc, and Kay Woodiel

Abby Davis and Pat— Abby is the athletic director at ATU

Marty Barnes and I taught together in 1973.  Later he was ATU’s basketball coach.

Greta’s volleyball team is playing in the Regional tournament today. The game is at Mena, AR. Erin came by and will stay with me tonight. Mena is over 4 hours from Harrison. If Greta wins tonight, they will be in the State tournament. Hope they win. I’ll be able to watch the game on you tube. The team was conference champions and won the district tournament already. Go Goblins.

Stopover

Justin and Ingrid came this weekend for a stop over with us! Justin’s friend was getting married and Justin was proud to be his guest. It was wonderful to be with them and the briefness made more dear. 

May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

I add to the blessing “May the hurricanes stay away from Mobile🌀🌀

Last week Laura made my favorite ❤️ cheesecake❤️ There were several pieces and I have one more for today. Sister Fleta made another favorite of mine~~ carrot cake! She forgot to put it in the car. So she’s enjoying it today. I can’t be too upset with her because she forgot her blood 🩸 pressure pills too and I was afraid she’d have a stroke!

I’m dreaming of a slice of carrot cake with cream cheese icing 🥕🥕🥕