Saving The World

I have been reading other blogs. Am I the only person who has time to read blogs? Shame should be felt as time flits away, however I can attest that work was accomplished and more will be accomplished before nightfall.

The primary thing of importance I learned today while spying into other people's lives was: EVERYONE LOVES NAPOLEON DYNAMITE! I'm not kidding. I read three blogs from people who were as different as night and day in their faith in their ages in their lifestyles and they all loved that movie. Of course, I loved it too.

Now it is time for me to use some of my valuable free time and get to work saving the world :-)

BLACK AUSTRALORPS

Here is a photo of two of the Black Australorps. Don't you think they look like little penguins? You will be surprised to know that the part that looks white is actually a very, very pale green and becomes a darker green as they grow.

Would you believe that there is finally a floor for my new bathroom at the house across the street. Ron has a fairly good work crew going finally and maybe they will at least get the bathroom done and we can get some running water over there.

I talked to Elenore this morning as she sat at the airport awaiting her flight to Chicago. She had talked to Karen and Nora was a lot better today. Yesterday it looked like Elenore would be arriving just in time to catch another wonderful childhood illness :-)

My eBay sales are going well and picking up steam. That always feels good to see that I am making a little money for my efforts. Christy and I made some eBay efforts together and the story is much too long to blog about it. Christy learned a side of her Aunt Ann she never knew before......

It is a beautiful, sunny, cool morning and all is well in our part of the world.

Two Twylas 

I Wonder

When I glance in the mirror and see myself in a wig, I wonder what Grandfather Mc thought when he looked at Grandmother in her wigs? Ron doesn't ever seem to notice mine, but I think he must.

When we go for long drives in the evening, I wonder what Grandma Myrtle said or did when she and Grandpa took long drives and she had to pee.

Sometimes I wonder.

CHICKENS FISH SNAKES

Great weekend. Mike was here. He is a good visitor. Grandpa managed to finally locate the perfect fishin' hole ready for all who come! So come on ya'll. Mike caught seven keepers and we took them with us when we took Mike home. This way Kit got to clean them. Is that dirty pool or what?

Hope could not stop clapping her hands with glee over the fish. Oh Thank you for the fish! she said. No, don't touch the fish! she ordered. The Fish are sleeping, she cried. These are my fish, she announced.

Don't you wonder how Kit managed to clean the fish without Hope knowing it?

We stopped in Nevada on the way back to Stark and bought ten new chicks. The black and white ones look like penguins. They are called Black Australorps. I have named them each Twyla. The red chicks are Rhode Island Reds and I have named each of them June. This way, when they grow up and begin to disappear, as often happens, I will still most likely have one Twyla and June.

Last night I went to put the big chickens to bed and tell them about the new arrivals. Before I could begin my bedtime tale, I was halted in my tracks as Phoebe did battle with a black snake! I was trying to watch the snake when Boss Hog made an appearance in an effort to rescue Phoebe and when my attention returned to the fight, the snake was no where to be seen and Phoebe and Boss Hog were on their way into the hen house. Perhaps now we know why egg production has dropped. Ron now is devising a trap to catch the snakes that might be stealing our eggs. Meanwhile, I forgot to tell the others about the new chicks so that story will remain for tonight...unless there's another snake. Oh dread and drat!!!

The black and white are Twyla and the red are June 

Mighty Proud Mike 

Heeeeeeeeeeeee's Baaa-ck

Now that ODD is unemployed, he has time to blog again. It's good to hear how well he is. If you could look at him, you would rejoice to see the stress lines gone and hear that hearty laughter once more. Oh, if only he could just go through life being a busy papa and not having to worry about things like food and shelter.

Meanwhile, his sister is not letting grass grow. She has led the charge with Turning Point and designed a prayer nitch in their church. You can just imagine how elegant and spiritual a setting she has created. I can't wait to see it. You'll have to read her blog to catch up on all her recent activities.

We've got Mike for the weekend and he and Grandpa Ron are behaving badly. I will state that Mike started it but I've ended up with two gross guys licking their left over food to keep the other one from eating it. No telling what they will think of next. Aren't grandparents supposed to set good examples?

Dear Mother

Good Thursday Morning to you!

We went to visit your favorite dentist-son-in-law yesterday. David has been working on Ron's teeth and called us to run over yesterday to put on a crown. Elenore, in the midst of payroll time, tax time, house catch-up time, still managed to provide us a pot of fresh coffee and fresh baked cookies. They are an amazing couple, always acting like they are thrilled for us to disrupt their daily routine. Anyway, there is never a way to repay their warm and helpful kindnesses. You can be proud of your two Pittsburg kids.

Your Twilight Zone kids are glad for nice weather and are hoping to begin mowing our rapidly greening eight acres. We're enjoying fresh asparagus these days and are seeing lettuce and onions beginning to pop up in the garden.

Boss Hog is growing some interesting tail feathers. I guess he get's plummage like the peacock does to attract the ladies. He really has some beautiful and colorful tailfeathers. I'll have to take a photo to send you.

Ron has gone out on his morning prowl so I'm needing to dig into my house work. Chelle, Mike and Hope will come visit us tomorrow and I want my housework all done so we can play.

Quiet Sunday

Ron and hired worker are in the field tilling and turning and digging. I'm in the house working on eBay. Sirrius is on Bluegrass channel. I turned the volume up all the way for Man of Constant Sorrow. Tomorrow we head for Tulsa because, yes, the lien release on the Dodge finally arrived. We hope to have lunch with mother and maybe Tandy will be able to join us.

Incidents

I started out my day yesterday calling Print at 7:30 a.m. to find out what I needed to do for mother while I was in Tulsa. I’m happy to report details were taken care of and mother was very happy.

I drove to Tulsa and mother and I had lunch and a wonderful visit.

While in Tulsa, I drove to Promenade Mall, parked the car, went inside and walked around drinking in all the wonderful sights, smells, sounds of mall memories and raising kids, and buying all Chelle’s clothes at Express and my clothes at The Avenue. The Avenue is no longer there. I cried.

I called my friend Rhonda as I passed Owasso on my way to Tulsa and on my way out and missed her both times. I could only wave at her home from the bypass. I do that a lot now that I know right where her house it.

I am selling a few things on eBay buy not making any huge amounts of money these days.

I found bulgar wheat and pesto at Wild Oats in Tulsa. Made the pilaf recipe today with the bulgar wheat – after I spilled half the wheat on the floor. Guess I’m killing snakes too. Ask Elenore about scattering glass all over her kitchen.

I went to bed last night and FORGOT to put my chickens up. We awakened to Boss Hog crowing outside our window this morning. Luckily all ten of my chicken chlidren were alive even though one of the neighbor’s pit bulls was wandering around with them. What kind of a fowl farmer goes to bed without tucking in her livestock? Guess I'm just a bad flocker :-)

Last night we went for a drive and saw multiple herds of beautiful deer on the run.

Elenore and I paid for long distance breathing time this morning as we pondered all the work we should be doing.

Chelle called last night and has been having a most rewarding time at her workshop.

Tandy is shouting at the top of his lungs today, “Free at last, free at last, Thank God Almighty, I’m free at last!”

THINK I WILL

If you're looking for me, I've gone to Tulsa. Got up this morning rested and refreshed and it's beautiful day, so Ron said why don't you go to Tulsa and see your mother and I said, I think I will. Bye!

Beth's Annual Photo Arrangement -- Great job Beth! 

YOU GO GIRL!

Chelle, as you head out for the three day Emergent Worship Workshop remember the ole 1-2-3. This mom is quite proud of your efforts to stay deeply involved and active in the church. Chelle has had to make a place for herself in a community of "This-is-the-way-we've-always-done-it" politics and she seems to manage well without rocking the boat too much:-) This ancient and tired mother gave up on trying to squeeze in between the tight kissing cousins of our community. The "If-you-weren't-born-here" crowd won. So, I shall simply remain proud of Chelle and live vicariously through her. You go girl!

PESTO

Does anyone have an opinion on pesto? I prepared a recipe that called for pesto and it said I could substitute tomato paste. I did not have pesto, so I used tomato paste. Now, it was an okay meal but I wonder if pesto would have been better. Even looking on google I can't find a real description of pesto. Hello out there...help!

CALIFORNIA CREW

We had a fun phone call tonight from Terri. Joey was working on Physics homework and Jasmine and Ian were both working on a school project concerning China. Grandpa's face really lit up to get to talk to his daughter aka "The Kid" and to Joey and Jasmine. Ian was too busy with his project to take a break. Their teacup Poodle, Penny had a baby. Arrangements had been made prior to the pup's birth for a friend (?) to take the pup. Things did not work out and so now they have a new addition to their family. Rumor has it that Jasmine thinks this little puppy is way too labor intensive. We're sure missing them and hope to get to visit soon. Meanwhile, Jasmine is talking about wanting to make a trip out here by herself. Can anyone imagine Ron surviving a wait for his baby granddaughter to travel here alone from California? I'm actually doubting if either one of us could.

Travis on his way to first win of the season. 

Paul #1 in Series Farmer's of Neosho County Eaghl/05 

Lookie Lookie First Asparagus 2005 

Return to eBay

I have blogged long enough and now I must return to eBay and making some money. It is going to be a difficult task because Spring has sprung and my mind is full of fantasies. (However, I have not sat in a living room chair yet pretending to be swimming......!!! Yes, my grandaughter has a vivid imagination. Hooray!)

I did hear from Travis and he sounds busy and happy. What more would I want to know.

Mother was reading when I talked to her. She was looking forward to seeing Elenore and David tomorrow. Mother was not reading Harlan Coben, and I'm thinking she might like his writing. Elenore introduced me to Coben and I just finished the third novel by him. It was great! Where has this guy been? I'm bidding on two more of his books on eBay. (That's why I have to sell so I can afford to buy!)

The chickens are well. Boss Hog keeps the nine remaining hens close. Last night he let them stay up a little late because I put some new straw in the pen and they had to scratch around. It is funny when he tells them to come in. I need to record his language. Perhaps we should drop the study of Dolphin language and learn fowl.

If you drop by my blog, remember to keep Tandy in your thoughts. He's taking on quite a challenge and we're all praying for fantastic results!