Cabin Fever

 Laura cooked on Wednesday, hosted on Thursday, sat inside and watched it pour Friday and Saturday.  She and Astrid planned a hike for Sunday.  Rain was supposed to be over.  Did not happen that way, but off the two went in the drizzle.

 First they saw the Boxley elk.  Laura said Astrid went down in the pasture toward them.  She held her breath that a big bull elk did not charge at Asti, but all was well.

 The hike they chose is called "hemmed in hollow".  It has water falls and steep climbs.  The water falls are only pretty during wet weather.  Which we had today.  I can see why it is called Hemmed In Hollow!.

 Here is a good view of the bluffs.

 Astrid climbed down to the water fall and Laura took her picture near the spray.

 They wore warm clothes and layers, took a water bottle, and snack crackers.  Laura said it was a great day.  Laura had gotten she, Astrid and Sig rain gear to hike in for Christmas.  She and Astrid unwrapped their's and wore the present today.  She said "I'll wash 'em and Astrid will rewarp 'em".  Some presents just keep giving.

 There was flooded areas but none where they had to cross.  They had a safe day, no mishaps.  I asked if they saw other hikers to which Laura responded, "two very old men. I am sure one of them is dead by now, because the climb out of the hollow is straight up and it about killed me."

And the Rains Came Down!

 The pond is full and overflowing.

 The garden is soaked.

 The culvert is busted from the falling tree.  It will be a high dollar repair.  As yet, we still can pass down the road.

 This is where the water runs into the culvert.  The hole the tree knocked in it is on the other side.  But last rain huge amounts of water went through the hole as the tree had the culvert blocked.  All the soil and gravel under the culvert is washed away and part of the culvert is gone.  It is a mess.

 The oak tree is history.

 Fleet walked 6 miles this morning...to Coin and back home.  Weatherman said rain was over as of today.  The tv weathermen are hocking products and don't do very well.  They are cheerleaders and want to spread doom and gloom if they can.  The news now will discuss something that is going to be on their channel that night in the news report.  They will have a spot about the "Voice" right in the News.  They will cut to a report and interview the persons singing on the show.  I have never watched it and don't want to because of the hype of the news people.  It is all ridiculous.

Before I could finish my little stroll, it was raining again.  That was a 9 a.m. and it has rained steadily ever since.

 I drove to the trail and I knew that part of it would be under water.  Prairie Creek runs into Lake Dardanelle at the  trail.  Above you see what Russellville sends down Prairie Creek, tons of garbage.  They sift it out here and pump the water into the Lake.  If they let it just run in, all this would go into Lake Dardanelle.

 This is the pump station to pump the water.  That big crane dips out the mess and they haul it away.

 Here you can see the filters at the Station.

 I walked 3/4 a mile and ran into a flood trail.

 I tried another route and look what I ran into.

Here is the third one I hit.  Jonell texted me..."turn around, don't drown!"  Well, that is just what I did.  By the time it took, I think I made 2 miles.  And it was raining on me by then and is still raining.

Tomorrow is a new day.  I say turn the page and move forward!

Slipped Away

Patsy
Sister slipped away
But I hear her still
Cigarette cough laugh
Oh, a bitter pill!

How could bitter
Be so sweet
slicing a rip
In the heart so deep.

Out of the strong
Came the sweet
Out of the sadness
Came the deep.

Out of poverty
Came pure gold
A life worth rejoicing
And being retold.

Black Friday

Well, Black Friday is here.  I hate crowds so I hate Black Friday.  I am laughing as it is raining on the sales.   Eric is good to go stand in line and buy for me, but this year I don't have anything I want him to stand in line for.  Last year, he stood and got my tv and we love it.  I looked through all the sales and wasn't very impressed with any of it.  Amazon has passed Walmart.  Most folks are like me and would rather have the pkg delivered to their door!

Thanksgiving was great.  Thanks for Laura and her bunch.  She worked all day Wednesday cooking and I appreciate it so.   I guess I could still do it all, but I am kinda doubtful.

 Greg took Erin and the kids out to supper for Erin's 36th birthday.  Greta drew this.  It says " I love Jesus" and has a cross.  Speaking of crosses, look what Astrid made for Erin's birthday gift.  It is really lovely.  If you click on the picture you can see it better.

 Here Astrid is holding it for me to get a picture.  You see those cards on the wall behind Astrid.  Those are old recipes that have been handwritten.  I think most of them are from Grandma Myrt, Eric's Grandma from Minnesota.  She worked in food preparation all her working career.  She was a manager not a cook.  During WW II she enlisted and served her country.  She was Eric's Grandmother's cousin.  When his mother's mother died of cervical cancer,  Grandma Myrt took Eric's Mom into her home.  Eric's Grandmother had a big family and his mother was one of the older children.  Some of the kids had to go to an orphan's home.  Myrt passed away many years ago, but her husband is still living.  He is in his 90s and just a couple of years ago, he drove here to see Eric.  He has visited here several times.  Eric's bunch have driven to Minneapolis to see him too. He and Myrt had no children of their own.   Grandpa Howard has given Laura lots of Myrt's treasures.

 Grandpa and Grandma Powell are listening to the guy's conversation.  I hope it was interesting to them.

 Astrid is waiting and whatever her Mom asks her to do, she is quick in response.  Such a good daughter.

 Ingrid is seated by the mashed potatoes, her fav.  She told me "I am sitting right by the mashed potatoes so I can fill my plate".  I made chicken gravy for her to put on them.  She likes to cook and was helping her Momma when I arrived.

 Sigrid set the table.  It was so pretty.  She also kept Clayton and Greta busy.

 Astrid gave Sig a break and took Clayton and Greta outside to play "hot potato".  I bet the Sisters recall that game.

Walking With Friends

 Sunday these ladies picked me up and we all took our walk together.  Larry's Momma loved to walk and often she and several of the grandkids and I would walk together.  I am so tickled that Ingrid is taking up the habit.  Greta is like Astrid she loves running.  Sigrid likes walking pretty well, too. So maybe the walking tradition will carry on.  Sunday, Astrid and Sky ran 3 and a half miles.  Laura jogged 3 and a half.  Ingrid ran 4.  And the slow turtle walked 2 miles.  We all finished within a minute of each other so it was nice.

Yesterday, I stayed inside and cleaned some of my piles of stuff.   I told Laura I needed to just bag stuff up and trash it, but it is hard to do.I have 3 closets of clothes.  I wear only a few things.  Maybe in the spring, I will try a garage sale again.  If Siggie would help me, I think I can try it again.

Today, I fell instep with another walker.  She said she weighed over 400 pounds at one time.  Finally, she asked my name as she said I think I know you.  Well, I had taught her husband (died of drug overdose) and their two girls.  I knew all the husbands family and her youngest daughter and I had a good bond from school  She confided in me a lot after she found i had known her Daddy and did not speak harshly about him.  I told her he had a good heart but lost his way.  I sort of felt ashamed about not being able to get the 10 pounds off that I wish I did not carry around after I heard this lady's story.  She has gained back about 50 pounds of the 150 she lost.  She has copd and has to use a steroid inhaler.  I told her "don't give up".  Hopefully,  this helped me to see I should "not give up".  I need to keep stepping along.  I thought of what  Helen said, "there is always someone worse off than we are".  Don't have to look far either.

Erin is 36 today.  The Lord blessed me and let me keep her as I felt when she was 4 that she was going to be lost to me...but we don't know the plan.  We just need to continue on praying and trusting that we can do things that please our Lord.

Little Church In the Wildwood

Helen had Fleet take a picture of the Coin Church and she made these ornaments for the members there.  They are so special.  The Pastor's wife is going to love hers.  When I think of Coin, I always think of that song about the church in the wild wood.

Hannah and Robert will always remember the "little Church in the Wildwood!" Even though, Coin Chruch is white!

Sugar Cookie Recipe

 Larry's Mom made sugar cookies and they were really good.  But you had to chill them and then roll them out and cut them out and the recipe made a big batch.  Laura's friend at work (the one whose brother is married to Fay Carpenter's daughter) said this recipe is good and so easy.  I think you could even cut it in half.  I am putting it here with the title I have so when I want to make them I can search on this blog and find the recipe.

Sometimes the Sisters get a little tired of posting but we really love the Blogs and staying connected with one another and Cuz Winnie who Helen now says is our Aunt!!   Helen we all understand those memory lapse as we all have them.

Happy Birthday, Erin

Erin, hope you have a great birthday.  I am so proud of you!

Keeping An Eye On Us

The day we went to Sam's we came home to find this set up in they yard.  Is the government keeping an eye on us?  Are they checking earthquake signals?  Do they think we are undercover?  Aliens?  Looks like they would have to get permission before putting this in my yard,  What do you think it is?

I was surprised to learn the real objective.

Pictures To Keep

 Got one new picture of Astrid and several of Ingrid.  Ingrid is cheering indoors now for Basketball so that is nice.  She loves it!  What I do is go to the FB page and get the pictures.  Some may be a repeat, but I love having the memories.

This was Homecoming parade, I think.

 I