Alive not Well

Saw this on FB and chuckled. This is how I shop when I find yarn on half of half. Sort of like— my cup running over!

We’re having some warmer days. I’m thankful.

This is baked oatmeal I made in Helen’s little pan I inherited. It stuck to the bottom. Next time I’ll try a parchment paper circle in the bottom. I’m sure nothing ever stuck in it when she baked. I like baked oatmeal for a different breakfast.

1 cup oats

I cup milk

I egg

1/4 cup of maple syrup. The pure stuff.

1 large chopped apple. Don’t peel it. A couple smaller apples would do.

1/2 cup chopped pecan.

Sometimes I add a handful of raisins. Can add a little cinnamon.

1/2 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

Teaspoon vanilla.

Bake in 375 oven for 30  to 35 minutes.  I’m not sure how many servings but I eat it in about three days. Bake in an 8 by 8 square pan. I decided to use Sister’s little pan that stuck. She made banana bread in it. 

I also make chocolate oatmeal for breakfast out of oatmeal. 
 

Making It

June and her baby boy are out in the big pasture. I think his name should be Ezra Carter after June’s father. He held the carter family together and when Johnny Cash was crippled with addiction, Ezra came to his aide. He did not cast him out. Ezzie would be a good name. He’ll finally go to a new home because of his sex, but we will have sweet memories of him.

Mrs. Claus served hot chocolate to the students at Dardanelle Elementary. I think they got to watch a special movie. One of her special little boys looked up at Laura over his glasses that always slide down his nose and said— you look a lot like my speech teacher! Amy the elf dished up the marshmallows.

Astrid finished her fourth pillow. She is just learning to sew. Quilt blocks are not easy if you ever tried it. It’s all those corners that must meet.

I have been referred to the ortho clinics I requested. I still am not sleeping. Each day I seem to fall lower. I am hoping for a sunny 🌞 day ahead.
 

Doctor Today

I went to check on June and her baby boy yesterday afternoon. They were doing good. 

I went to the Doctor. She is referring me to the Orthopedic Doctor I would like to see. I’m just keep pushing on. She took some X-rays for the radiologist to see. 

Tonight my friend Kay is picking me up and we’re going to check out the Christmas lights.
 

Carriage Ride

Logan and Astrid took a ride in the carriage over the weekend. It seems the  perfect thing for them to do.

June had her baby. A little boy this time. We were all nervously awaiting.  There are coyotes here and it was the coldest weekend. Theyis in the little shed and hopefully the wild coyotes won’t be aware of him. 

Laura helps children speak correctly. This weekend some of her students and former students had a choir program. She went and several made selfies with her. We’ve know this little girl nearly all her life. Her name is Gilliah. She always has a big smile. 

I have a doctor appointment Wednesday…therapy today. I’ll try to keep an eye on our new baby.
 

Movers not Shakers

 

Ingrid watched the Nutcracker ballet for her birthday in New Orleans and then enjoyed dinner at the Chophouse. When she was a little girl she dreamed of living in Manhattan and writing books. One year for her birthday, she and  Laura went to New York City and took in a show. They walked the streets of New York City. Ing loved it. I think Justin made this all this happen. 

This was a day trip to New Orleans! They spent the first half of the day exploring the French Quarter/Garden District and Cafe du Monde. They love living close to so many neat places.  New Orleans I think was only an hour away.  

I don’t really know what this is…lol

Excitement in Galla Meadow….Logan and Astrid moved the big carport to the donkey pasture. They had to straddle the old well and pump plus miss my clothes line and all my trees. I watched out my windows as it was so cold and my knee slows me down. Getting all the ties out of the ground wasn’t easy, as Pop had secured it. Then they pulled it with connected log chains. Every few feet. Logan would reposition the tractor and Astrid would hook the chains again. They’ll have to really fasten it down now. They may add sides…not sure. They straddled the fence because we will finally add another pasture to the Meadow and each will have shelter. Donkeys don’t like being rained on as they were originally desert animals. 

Graduate

Logan and Astrid worked on the gravel under my carport. They will move the other one to the donkey pasture soon. Piper is a little lazy. She hitched a ride over here when they came. The other dogs ran and walked. She seems quite pleased as if she’s the favorite Corgi.

Logan graduated. We did not attend. But Sigrid shared pictures. Now, I’m praying Logan finds a career path that’s rewarding. He has degrees in chemistry and geology. Sigrid made A’s and one B. that’s something to boast about. She and Logan will move to Conway so she’ll be closer to UAMS and he can be centrally located for job hunting. 

Ingrid has started her new job. She only drives 30 minute now. She likes that better. Traffic was really awful getting to the other clinic.When she resigned they offered her a huge amount to stay but the drive was too much to bare. She works in a heart clinic. I think she finds the place in the heart to fix with problems like A Fib.  She got her hair lightened too. Both she and Siggie are blonds again. 

This is Logan E.’s family. Sigrid had a class with his sister is how she met him. His sister is in Physical Therapy school now. 

My knee is not better. I will make an appointment Monday with my doctor and try to go to the Orthopedic Clinic in Little Rock. I am worried about caring for my chickens and having to have help. I’ve always took care of myself. I went to work at 15 and have lived an independent life. My future scares me. 

December Slipping Away

Sigrid and Logan finished their tests yesterday. In pharmacy school everything is hard and everyone is smart. Sigrid has to do a lot of studying. Logan’s classes are are difficult too. They will have a little break.

The school where Laura works is in the football State finals tonight in Little Rock. Their mascot is a sand lizard. Dardanelle sits right on the Arkansas River. It’s one of the oldest towns in Arkansas. 

Sweet Gum tree against last night’s pretty sky.  I liked the way all the sweet gum balls were so visible.

Black Gums I’m Galla Meadow

 

Santa is Busy

Logan helped Sigrid move her stuff out of the dorm. She’s almost finished with her first semester at UAMS. 7 more to go…then Dr. Siggie!

Santa was at Ada’s school last tonight! She told Erin—you know all those Santa’s aren’t real. They’re just actors! The real Santa is still at the North Pole😍

My mailbox is by Laura’s house. That 1/4 mile through Galla Meadow. Half mile there and back. I have to go on my Mule to get the mail now. Even that short distance is out of my range. At least last night I slept. 🛌 I have tried to live a healthy life. I’ve never smoked, drank, not exercised, and always tried to eat a balanced diet. What for …. To hobble around in pain. 

Cold air is coming  my way this weekend. Fleta was going to come down but she had to keep stuff from freezing in Helen’s old house so she said maybe next weekend.

Sigrid’s feller Logan E. Graduates this weekend. His degree is chemistry. He’s just a nice young man. I’m thankful Sig has him in her life.

 

December 11

Aldi Russellville 

Well, today our new Aldi’s store opened. I’m going to shop there but I’ll wait til the hoopla dies down. Laura leaves for school about 6:30. They open at 9 I think. There were people waiting in lawn chairs. I guess they’re giving something to the first so many that enter. I hope to buy fruit and canned vegetables there. They will be the closest store to my house. Groceries have really skyrocketed under our new leadership. Many things have doubled in price. Last man buying pays the tariff. That’s the consumer—me.

Astrid has two of her Christmas pillows finished.

Sigrid had her hair lightened. I used to do this too. When hair is ash blond is darkens over time. Lightening it boosts your confidence.

I try to feed the birds even when my knee hurts. I see lots of little wrens. I have Cardinals and woodpeckers. Not so many Blue Jays. 

I hurt my knee night before last while asleep. It feels like something is caught in it. Nothing knocks the pain. I got up at 4:30. At least, I can walk without the walker. It was nicer yesterday and I wanted to work outside but my knee said “no”.

I was thinking of books I really enjoyed reading and the series by Elizabeth Stout about Olive Kitteridge was really good if you haven’t read them. I’m still reading the Boleyn Traitor. I am reading it at a slow pace. I read after going to bed and just a few chapters.
 

1958

 Christmas 1958–I was 8 standing in front of our first tv. It was bought at the Ostasco store in Green Forest. We had to turn the antenna outside and all we saw was a snowy picture.  

Momma made my skirt. It had a button on the waist. She had made the button holes, gathered skirt, no zipper just a placket opening.  With just fabric and a button she could create a skirt. We were poor. I don’t think I knew it.

My Ingie is 24 today. She is glitz and glitter and glamour and gold. She’s a star on my stage. Happy Birthday, Ingrid’s Elizabeth! I wish I could give you a diamond as big as a 👠 shoe!

Little girl, little girl, where have you been?

Gathering roses to give to the queen.

Little girl, little girl, what gave she you?

She gave me a diamond as big as my shoe.

Dear Friend

This is my dear friend since 5th grade, Jonell. She’s lost one of these sisters. She’s the eldest and in the blue shirt. We’ve been pals since 5th grade. Her cousin is my cousin, but she’s a cousin through Vingina’s mother and me through her father. As we age, more and more we lose many we love. Our cousin fell and broke hip and hit her head. She already had dementia. She’ll go soon. Her brother called me today to let me know. Our circle gets smaller and smaller. Finally, it’ll be my turn.

This is a dough cover for bread. My dear Amy Patsy wanted it for a Christmas gift. I made it yesterday. These are called flour sack towels and are inexpensive. You can buy them at Walmart. They don’t have lint and are light. They are cherished by bread bakers.

Physical Therapy today. I have rode by bike already. Will have oatmeal and go lift weights.