Halloween Fun

Old Spice and Wonder Bread

Sigrid and Liz at UAMS Pharmacy School say “ shake and bake”!

Astrid dressed for work as herself—Corgi Mom.

Greta is Dora the Explorer.

Erin had to alter Ada’s policeman outfit so she could go to the bathroom unassisted!

Ingrid is a pink lady from Grease at work today.

Princess Fiona is heading to Dardanelle Intermediate this morning.

Ingrid has made some new friends where she works. She’s coming November 15 and we’ll have Thanksgiving early. I’m to make dressing and mashed potatoes.

I notice every morning Manchi and Whiskey go to the fence and visit our neighbor horses. They stand there for 30 minutes peering at each other! Love your neighbor!

 

Purse for Fleta

Fleta wanted another smaller crocheted purse. It’s double thread cotton with one continuous thread so they are no connections to separate with age. 

Yesterday I attended a coffee with others who had retired from the school I taught at—39 years. Each had tales of cancer, tumors, diabetes, joint replacement, dementia and deaths, but also everyone was involved in projects to give back to the less fortunate! We may try to meet again as there were many who we would like to see again. It was an inspiring event…I feel I do so little for others.  Nearly everyone does things for family, but my friends were involved In outreaches to help others! I’m a dud.

Groundsel

The white plant is a Groundsel Bush I think. It’s a member of the Aster family. It’s called salt Myrtle because it is hardy and sea water doesn’t kill it. I think it’s amazing a coastal bush grows in Arkansas. The second picture is my neighbor’s Red Maple. By the time it all turns red the top will be almost bare.

 

Run, Run! See Opie Run💚

 Opie running in the Meadow made me think of the old Dick and Jane books.

Run, run, see Opie run!

October 27

Bees like Astrid’s Cosmos’ blooms.

We had a rainy weekend.  In fall the vegetation still needs moisture. We received about 3/4 an inch.

I finished a baby blanket. I am tired of hearts. I’m working on a granny square one now.

Looks like Logan and Astrid will have to pardon two turkeys.

One of Eric’s students presented him with this gift. He is bald. 👨‍🦲 

 

My Greta is 15❣️

Greta chose Red Lobster as her place for dinner for her birthday. She likes shrimp. Dessert was ice cream, her favorite dessert. Today her Mom is fixing chicken fried steak for the family. Her birthday cake is carrot. 🥕. I have blogged all Greta’s life and can look back at every birthday. A hearing device in each ear doesn’t slow her down. She loves church, sports, school! She’s the all around American girl. She’s in the honor society and loves her little sister. She can shoot a gun like a pro. She’s won shooting contests against men. I am proud of her and I am a member of her Greta Fan Club. Blessed birthday, Greta.

 

Black Gum’s Fall Beauty

Tupelo Black Gum’s are putting on their coat of many colors. The Black Gum is called nymph of the woods as it grows more graceful as it ages. Its fall color comes early and is unmatched. Old women who used snuff broke Black Gum twigs, chewed the end and used these as snuff brushes!   Gum sticks were also used as toothbrushes.  The gum twigs were dipped in salt or baking soda when used as a toothbrush.

I will go to Lake Dardanelle to walk as Laura does. I’ll go a mile  plus as she strides five miles. It’s cooler and it may rain today. Fall is here and winter is on her heels. Helen hated the cold. She left before it could depress her.

 

Elk

Fleta and I October 2025–two old ladies who can’t take selfies—

the pretty part of our trio has left the building!

Tim Ernest is a photographer who lives in the mountainous area of Newton County, AR. He took this photo of the Boxley Elk herd. In 1981 the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission stocked an elk herd of 112 there. They thrive today. Our elk were last found in this area in 1840. Now, one can sign up and a few people will be allowed to hunt elk each winter/fall. One can drive through the Boxley Valley and usually see them grazing in the Buffalo River Valley. The herd has about 450 elk today. 

There are cirrocumulus clouds.  They appear in ripples and are called a mackerel sky because they resemble fish scales. When I walk if I get tired of looking at the earth, I can study the sky and be intrigued. It’s Friday, happy day for all those that labor and toil as the weekend has arrived. For me one day runs into the next and I forget where I am.

 

Osage Orange

Came too check on my Sister. We walked down the old red dirt road. Osage Orange trees dotted the fence. I treated her to supper at the Tiger Drive Inn. Last time I ate there was with my mother over 30 years past. After Dad passed, I set a goal to come up once a month to visit Mom. She lasted three years longer than he.

Native Americans used Osage orange primarily for its strong, decay-resistant wood to make bows, war clubs, and tomahawk handles. We also called them hedge apples. The French called them bois d'arc (meaning "bow-wood"). That has been corrupted into bodark and bodock.

 

Going to See Sister

About eight I’ll head for Coin, AR. I’ll stay the night with Fleta. I’m going by the gravestone place to add the death date to Helen’s gravestone. I bought another chicken waterer yesterday so they’ll have water til I return. I don’t want someone to have to come and tend to them in my absence. It’ll be a sad visit. Poor Fleta is having to work in the home place daily. It’ll just be empty. My nephew is going to drain the water and turn off the utilities. Helen will probably be the last occupant. It’s really not a house to rent. It’s just too old.

Greta had several soccer games over the weekend. Ada enjoyed being there but she brings her own entertainment. She has zero interest in sports. Every child is different. It’s wonderful.

I’m getting ready for even older age. I’m putting a new carport near my house. Logan is helping me. He got gravel yesterday and will level the place. It’ll be near my side door. The old carport, he’ll move to the donkey pasture for their shelter. He put gravel near the barn so they won’t have to drive in mud making ruts.

Ada is spoiled. She has four big people who love her and care for her. Lots of help. She’s not always perfect. Her teacher said at first she thought Ada was a little behind in learning. She barely answered paper work questions. Then Mrs. Rook figured out Ada was a little lazy about “work”. Ada prefers play. Ada knows when a paper is not completed, she and Erin will redo it at home. Ada said—Mom, can we go to the park. Erin responds—no, we have to go home so you can finish your math. When they were going to conferences last week, Erin said—I wonder what Mrs. Rook will report and Ada said — may be good but may be bad. Youngest children are usually happy, loving  and full of joy. Ada is.

 

October Monday

Greta won athlete of the game in a recent volleyball game. She won a t-shirt. The insurance angency that sponsors the award is owned by Todd McKinney. He is my 2nd cousin once removed and Erin’s 3rd cousin. I liked the volleyball site and watch for Greta’s picture. She in a Bible Study for Christian Athletes here.

I burned the scraps from the barn door project yesterday.

I am wearing a brace but was able to walk to the pond yesterday. I also went to exercise class and rode my therapy bike 30 minutes.

The weeds are almost gone. The bottom picture is from my morning walk. I loved how the fog was coming up over the water. I’m glad I sprayed the weeds even though it was what really hurt my knee. Next year I won’t spray 5 loads in one day. I’ll space it out.

Laura had chicken noodle soup hanging on my mail box for my lunch. It was a good day. I’m going to Fleta’s tomorrow. I want to pay the grave stone place to add Helen’sdeath date to her stone. $200. I hate it when a person dies and there’s no date. Her kids will send or bring us some of her ashes.