Black Angels

 We saw what it was like to live with a disease without a cure.  Tuberculosis was just that in the early 1900’s.  No cure.  No antibiotics.  Get it and then wait to grow weaker and weaker.  Many states opened hospitals called sanatoriums.  We had one at Booneville, AR.  They were TB jails.  Contain and conquer.  In Arkansas the sanatoriums had lots of guests.  I’d never thought of what it was like in a big city like New York.  Statin Island had a big “hospital”.  Nurses often tested positive after working there a while. All the Caucasian nurses soon quit.  What to do?  Enter the black angels!  That’s what this book is about.  It has a happy ending!

Zeta Day

My sisters and cousin Winnie came today.  It was Mike Sneed’s first time driving curvy hiway 7!  He drove it like a NASCAR pro.  Sigrid’s Zeta’s were celebrating their Founders’ Day at the  Russellville Depot.  Cousin Winnie is a Zeta, too, so she and Sigrid are sisters and cousins! I am blessed beyond measure.  Best sisters.  Best cousins. Plus my sweet Siggie🍓

 

Persimmon Snack

Phinnie growled and when I looked to see if there was an intruder, I spotted this fellow eating persimmons right off the tree.  I tried my new camera but he was pretty distant.  I enjoyed watching him having his snack.

 

Mockingbird Takes a Bath

I watched this Mockingbird take a bath this week.  I love how he has his feathers all fluffed in this first picture.  I’m not having as many birds.  Maybe there’s lots of seeds to eat and bugs.  I’ll take my hummingbird feeder down soon as I think they are flying south.  

 

Leaves Falling

My Red Maple has only a few leaves clinging, but now wild Goldenrod is the star of my morning walk blooming brightly. Sumac has put on its seeds.  These seeds are ground into a prized spice in India!  Should I try to make some Sumac tea?

 

We Gathered

Cousins gathered once more!  We remembered happy times past and cherished sad times too. Sisters Helen and Fleta provided the main meal. Others brought desserts. Our DNA spotlights our “sameness”.   Today, we were blessed.  Back row l to r:  Bob Knight, Frankie and Sarah Powell, Sue Gwaltney Bockelman, Donnie Powell,  Helen Powell See, Fleta Powell Aday. Front l to r: Betty Powell Renfroe, Virgina Powell Montgomery, Jimmy and Stella Powell.

 

Maples

Maples are turning red but leaves are falling fast!  There are 7 types of maple trees in Arkansas. Sugar maple, black maple, big leaf maple, box elder maple, red maple, silver maple, and striped maple.  My grandmother’s name was Gertrude Maples!  The name came about by “living near maple trees”.  Maples’ Motto: Non vi sed virtute!  Translated: By force and prudence.  I think it means one would use force but would proceed cautiously!  I guess plan your attack and carry it out so you succeed.  

 

Predator

Isaw these two when I took my walk.  They try to freeze and think it keeps me from seeing them.   

Astrid has chicks in this brooder.  A hawk lands on top wanting to get the chicks.  I let my chickens out each day.  A coyote or fox caught one in broad daylight.  Now I only have 7 chickens.  Astrid is going to gift me 5 pullets.

Exercrochet or Bikerknit

 I saw this and thought “that’s what I need”.  

Sunflowers

Ada’s brother and sister are so much older than she is that she has to play by herself at home.  She has a big imagination and sometimes the friends she talks to are invisible.   I think she is teaching Darlene something here.  A word that describes her is happy!

She loves her new dress and sunflower purse.  

 

Fog Walking

Today I walked in the fog!  Fog reminds me that all of life is not black and white.

The temperature was below 50.  I loved it.  I’m tired of sweating.

Yesterday, I mowed in the late afternoon.  It’s probably the last mowing for grass.  I’ll have to mulch leaves later.   Logan fixed my push mower.  He’d gotten blades but the size I needed was not available.  He cut a half inch off the end of the blades.  He used a grinder to trim them.  Glad to have my push mower again.  I use it on my lane.  It’s about an 1/8 of a mile and mowing the sides with the push mower is great exercise.  I can mow some with the Kubota but I’m afraid of mowing on a slant and most of it is at an angle.  It’s bunch of trips pushing to do it all.  I don’t know why I love keeping outside so cleaned up but hate cleaning house!

I carried my snippers and bushwhacked a trail through the woods by Galla Lake.  I will have a new route for fall and winter.  I can’t walk in the woods in summer and spring because of all the ticks and chiggers.

 

Nuclear Med Week

The first full week of October is Nuclear Medicine Week!  My Ingrid takes pride in her profession to be.  This week she’s been at Arkansas Children’s learning and exploring the paths of this career!  She’s almost finished and her goal is to help save lives!