BEES, SPIDERS AND NUNS OH MY!

Recently Kenju of IMAGINE began filling us in our her spider now named Stella. Prior to that she also gave us a tremendous amount of information on their experience with bees. The best way to find all that is to type in "bees" at the top of her blog and hit search.

Today Sister Mary Martha writes about their bee disaster and about more than just transferring the bees. She writes about the unusual and unexplained transferring of Sister St. Aloysius.

UPDATE FROM YESTERDAY'S POST: URBAN COWBOY Nancy guessed it. Click to watch YouTube Urban Cowboy -- Looking For Love

I STILL CRY IN THE END

First my daughter and I watched the movie together years ago with her friends then my god daughter joined us watching it. Now when we get together we watch it out of nostalgia and we clap and hoot and holler and repeat the lines before they are spoken.

Yesterday clicking past channels the move was on so I watched it by myself. It appears a little different that way. I am a mature 63 year old woman and can see the absolute hysterical value of the film when the uncle dies in a tragic work related accident but his nephew still must go on and ride the rodeo the night of the uncle's funeral. And it's not quite a rodeo. It's a mechanical bull riding contest in a big local tavern.

Yet, as corny as the movie really is, when the couple jumps in the pickup at the end and he pops open the glove box, get's her license place and puts it in the back window on her side of the truck as they drive away, I still cry.

Do you know of what movie I speak? Do you have movies that affect you this way? I don't think I'll watch this one alone anymore because it's more fun with the girls. We just enjoy it corn and all.

PRIDE COMPETITION OUTCOME

It has been an exhausting five days for my grandsons and my son (one of the chaperons). They traveled to Indianapolis for their high school band The Broken Arrow Pride to participate in the Grand National championships. After winning first place in regional in St. Louis and State in Edmond, OK, they prayed to make the finals in Indianapolis as they competed among 90 other best in the Nation bands.

My grandson Dillon's comments on his facebook tell the story best.

DJH "Finals here we come!!"
DJH "oh yes finals wes epic"
DJH "Top 6 three years in a row!!!"
DJH "is tired"
DJH "couldn't have asked for a better day"

BAND OF AMERICA GRAND NATIONALS 2009 RESULTS

FINALS
96.60 Avon H.S., IN (Visual-TIE, General Effect-TIE)
95.25 L.D. Bell H.S., TX (General Effect-TIE)
95.25 Marian Catholic H.S., IL (Visual-TIE)*
94.50 Marcus H.S., TX (Music)
94.45 Carmel H.S., IN
92.75 Broken Arrow Sr. H.S., OK
92.50 The Woodlands H.S., TX
92.15 Lawrence Central H.S., IN
90.40 Center Grove H.S., IN
89.65 James Bowie H.S., TX
89.15 Wando H.S., SC
88.80 Centerville H.S., OH

Fan Favorite - Broken Arrow H.S., OK
Esprit de Corps Award - American Fork H.S., UT

HUNGRY FOR A GOOD SERMON?

My pastor has been my pastor for 30 years. That is almost half my life. Prior to that, my dad was my pastor for 20 years and other dynamic Methodist ministers fell between. My own brother is a wonderful Methodist minister but he has never been my pastor. But my pastor feels like a member of my family. He has brought my children into the church, baptized two of my grandchildren, preached to me with my parents by my side, buried my father, served us hundreds of communions and transferred Ron's membership into our church. All his sermons are excellent's but this past Sunday was exceptional. Click this link to listen to The Reverend Doctor Mouzon Biggs, Jr in a 29 minute sermon from November 8, 2009. He is a highly educated theologian. I do not post this for the purpose of proselytising but for sharing a dynamic person's ideas with you.

SO IT BEGINS

Today I had my blood work done for my cholesterol. The lab said I first had to pay $11.35. I assured them that my insurance paid 100% on lab work but when there was a fee it was $12.00 co-pay. It did not matter to them. They are now collecting 10% of the total lab fee up front on everyone regardless of insurance because of the Health Care Bill passing the House. My insurance carrier is going to be out added expense refunding the fees that are not part of my insurance plan.

President Obama looked our active and retired military and veteran's in the eye and said our benefits would not be affected one bit. So it begins.............(Nope, not really. It began last January. "It" being the freaking lies!"

What, you ask, is the big deal about $11.35? It is not yet the 15Th of the month. Think of the person who will be charged $11.35 and that might be the last money they have to make it until payday. I remember having times that I would have had to forgo the lab work until after payday with gasoline and food taking precedence.

NOT SO SUPER SUPER 8

We carry a Super 8 Motel book when we travel. Overall our experiences with Super 8 have been good. The prices are reasonable, the rooms attractive and spacious, they offer Wi-Fi internet free, continental breakfast, etc. That is why this Texas Amarillo East Super 8 surprised us. Our room was in a basement, the outlets and wires were exposed, there were two peep holes in the door. One was at about 3ft from the floor and the other about 5ft. The light switches were all located about 3ft from the floor. The safety latch on the door was broken. (That wasn't very comforting). Also the toilet tank was set up wrong and appeared to be ready to topple over any second. Did we protest? Nope, we got our much needed rest and left at 4:30 the next morning. Obviously the room was designed for "little people" and I had to feel sorry for them because they obviously get less than royal treatment at this Super 8.

O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A OKLAHOMA OK!

We arrived back home around 3:00 yesterday afternoon after picking up Slim from the kennel. Our trip to the West coast was fifteen days of fantastic but "be it ever so humble" home feels the best.

Daughter Terri and grand kids, Joey, Ian and Jasmine in San Diego, saw to it that Ron's 70Th birthday was one to remember.

We got in on only a brief part of his USS Mahan ship reunion in Tucson, AZ but it was enough to celebrate with old friends and check in until next year.

Our first stop on our trip was at daughter Chelle's where they offered relaxation and comfort before the heavy traveling began.

Our travels took us near the homes of four of Ron's shipmates from other ships and we got to meet up with a woman who was our neighbor when we lived in Kansas. She had returned to California a couple of years before we sold our place and moved back to Oklahoma, plus we found some old friends who had moved from California to Tennessee and back to California.

Our final stop before home was the highlight when we stopped to see my brother and Sil. It was good to share coffee and donuts and hug their necks. My Sil will begin her chemo on Thursday. She is a champ but what else would we expect?

Needless to say, Ron is much better and we were both delighted to get a medical reprieve for him so we could fly the coop for a while.

Five chickens were missing from our flock when we returned. It seems a fox got them (or foxes) the day before we got home.

The dog Cookie that we planned to adopt if still here was gone, so that decision is over. Hopefully someone else took her in.

I was awake at 4:00 this morning because we failed to change our clocks at home. That is so funny because we were changing time zones and were fixing clocks and watches the whole trip it seemed. Usually we don't have to change our clocks at home but usually we're not gone when daylight savings time kicks in. Anyway I looked at the clock and thought it's 5:00 so I might as well get up. I believe we will suffer jet (rather van) lag for a while.

I KNOW IT WAS MY FAULT BUT GEE

We had a lovely dinner at the Hilton East Tucson last week. Several of Ron's shipmates were with us at the table but each couple picked up their own check. Our bill was for $50 and I did not even question it because my pasta dish alone was $17 and Ron had steak plus we both had extra cost on drinks. I used my credit card to pay the check, add the tip and send off with the waitress.

The wife of one of our friends at the end of the table reminded her spouse to include a tip. He told here the tip had already been included because we were a party of 6 or more. My brain screamed "WHAT?". After all we were over 6 but we were actually two.

Discreetly I left the table and ran the waitress down. (Just how discreet is screaming stop thief stop thief!) "Was the gratuity already added to our total?" "Yes it was" she replied, "21%." "May I please have our ticket back?" and I marked through the tip I had added and changed the total. For some reason I wasn't even embarrassed, I was just mad because I had not seen the tip was added and because I had not considered we were a group of six or more. Wouldn't you think they would tell us or do a lot of people leave 41% tips? The other couples except the one had all done the same.

Yep, we're still in San Diego with family and having a good time but I'm starting to miss Slim, the cats and all my fowl friends. We will begin our trek home on Sunday.

CONDOLENCES

Ron and I are still traveling but I'm trying to catch up on your blogs when I can find a computer connection. This morning I was saddened to read Dana's LIFE IS GOOD. Their dear Lucky was a long time companion and they have had to say goodbye. Dana's writing was a deep and stirring description of what it means to lose such a friend.

TID BITS OF INFORMATION

1.) Do you ever have a problem getting updates of posts from certain bloggers? Darlene was one I could not receive. I ask her to do the following and when she so kindly did, suddenly I was getting emails of her posts as she entered them. Try it for any you cannot set in your reader or for family members who won't take the time to read your blog but would if the posts were emailed to them.


"Go to "settings" then click on "email & mobile" you will see a box with the title BlogSend Address. Your own email address is probably already there if you have a copy of each post sent to you. You can then add a comma and type in my email address and it will automatically send me a copy of each of your posts."


2.) How are you on current events in government? Here is a way to find out.


Click here:

Pew Political IQ - Pew Research Center

Give it a try.

Only 2% get all 12 correct.


My son and my husband got all 12 correct. I missed one but I didn't really miss it, I read the question wrong. Honest!

3.) News of our week that I failed to mention.


Ron stopped me in the middle of my work Wednesday and said "I'm feeling lucky so it's a good time to go to the casino". We got ready and went there and he popped in $30 and won $500. I popped in $20 and lost $20. Anyway it was fun and we had a nice dinner in the restaurant. Ron celebrated with the All-You-Can-Eat frog legs. (Frog legs make me want to put little pants on them.)

4.) Funny grandkid story I forgot to tell.

Seven year old Hope visited and talked a bit about school. She mentioned that her best friend is Arianna. I told her that sounded like a nice name. "Why do you like Arianna?" I inquired. Hope grinned and said "Because she is evil..........." then she paused, grinned even wider and whispered, "...and I'm evil too."

ENJOY THE CHALLENGE

Thank you Joey for the award and the meme. I've done the best I can and am honored that you thought of me.

So here's what I have to do: Answer the survey below…you can only use one word answers!

We are supposed to pick six bloggers but I am passing this along to anyone who would like to do it.

Where is your cell phone? purse

Your hair? gone

Your mother? Impatient
Your father? Late
(both are deceased and sorely missed!)

Your favorite food? Cheese
Your dream last night? Frightening
Your favorite drink? Scotch
Your dream/goal? Now

What room are you in? Office

Your hobby? Poetry
Your Fear? Loss

Where do you want to be in 6 years? Gathering
(Our new pecan trees should be yielding by then.)

Where were you last night? bed

Something that you aren’t? Skinny

Muffins? Blueberry
Wish list item? Now

Where did you grow up? Oklahoma!

(Where the wind comes sweeping down the plains!)

Last thing you did? Cook

What are you wearing? Casual
Your TV? Flexible
Your pets? multitude

Friends? Family

Your life? Easy
Your mood? Skitso
Missing someone? grandkids

Vehicle? Van

Something you’re not wearing? wig

Your favorite store? Cato
Your favorite color? Red

When was the last time you laughed? Now
Last time you cried? Yesterday
Your best friend? RON!

One place that I go to over and over? bed

One person who emails me regularly? Elenore
Favorite place to eat? Casino

Let us know in the comment section if you will take the challenge so we can read your answers. This takes a lot of thought to come up with only one word.

FAMILY BIBLE GRAVE YARD

We attended an estate auction this weekend. We did not know the deceased but many people there knew him and talked about what a good man he was. Many things we purchased were small and we loaded them in the truck to bring home. One pile of stuff required us to go home and get a trailer and come back later.

Yesterday we returned to the estate auction grounds with truck and trailer to bring home the large stuff. As we were getting ready to leave Ron passed the trash bins and lifted out this man's Family Bible. We both stood there looking at it. We had not seen it come up for auction but could not believe no one bought it, even for a dollar.

We have this Holy Bible now and have no idea what to do with it. The family had filled in almost all of the information and there were many, many grandchildren. It is hard to believe some family member was not still living to take this heirloom. Whether they are religious or not, the family history should have meant something to them.

We all know that elephants make their way to their own burial grounds. Where do these huge Family Bible's go when they reach the end of their family ties? Is there a place to send them besides the trash can? I believe the words in the Bible are powerful but not the book itself. Still it disturbs me to see it discarded in such a way.

Do you have a Family Bible? Have you ever gotten rid of a Family Bible? Does this concern you at all or do you think I'm a crazy ole coot?

BREAKING BARRIERS

Someone dumped the stray dog in our area. It seems like a friendly old dog and has a collar but no tags. We run it off every time is shows up to sleep in Ron's shop or our barn somewhere. We feel sorry for the old dog but don't need another dog. This week Hope discovered this wayfaring stranger and the next thing we know, it is on the porch waiting for her. Hope has named it Cookie. (Probably because she's been sneaking it cookies to eat!) Any bets on whether we have a new dog or not?

ARE YOU SITTING DOWN?

Most of you know that Ron has been walking on eggshells since diagnosed with massive blood clot in a major vein to the heart. Well, he had his second CT Scan and now he is off the coumadin and the entire blood clot is gone. No, it didn't disappear because of the medication, it seems it WAS NOT EVER THERE! The Radiologist interpreted a large pool of blood at a point where the veins intersect as a clot. Actually they are now quite sure it was never a clot. Once we got over the shock of cancelled and delayed plans and fear of what to do if the clot moved, we were able to be elated, excited, happy and overjoyed! We are going to try to get reservations for a ship reunion the end of this month in Tuscon, Arizona and then we're heading to San Diego to see the grandchildren there.

We drove to Oklahoma City area yesterday and picked up Michael and Hope. They are on their Fall break and will be with us until Sunday. The perfect picker-upper -- grandkids!

Here is a picture finally of the Allis G tractor we went to get last week near Chicago. Ron and Allis, such a cute couple. And to think we almost didn't go due to health that was perfectly healthy health after all.

CHILDREN FOR BREAKFAST

"Ah, the patter of little feet around the house. There's nothing like having a midget for a butler."
W. C. Fields

"Anyone who hates children and animals can't be all bad."
W. C. Fields

"Children should neither be seen or heard from - ever again."
W. C. Fields

"I like children - fried."
W. C. Fields

Saturday morning Ron and I went to the cafe for breakfast. We were still recovering from our exhausting trip home from Illinois the day before in rain storms. For some reason it seemed to be Children's day at Mom's Cafe. Three toddlers graced our leisurely morning repast.

Toddler No. 1 was climbing out of the high chair. The devoted father was reading the newspaper and had his hand on the child but did not seem to sense that the movement taking place was an escape effort. He awakened from his trance in time to catch her as she almost plummeted head first out of the chair. If he had not caught the child, I was poised to spring to the rescue.

Toddler No. 2 was a screamer. A large family group was gathered and this kid was in Attention Heaven as all attempted to entertain this noisy child. The grandmother came up with a perfect solution. She gave the child a child-proof prescription bottle and a table knife and told him to try to open it. I kid you not! Well, it worked as the child spent the rest of the time quietly working to open the bottle. I'm pretty sure he'll be able to master any prescription bottle after this.

Toddler No.3 was a fairly pleasant child but one who refused to stay in his seat. The family allowed him to roam the restaurant and entertain the rest of us who did not appreciate it. The parents laughed with delight at what a cute child this was.

Our next stop was the grocery store and I realized we were not through with growing children yet. A mom was pushing a cart with an infant in the basket and had her toddler walking along with her. This was a hateful child and spent his time begging and asking for things then, upon hearing "no" would go into a rage and begin spanking his mother and calling her terrible names. Her response was, "O please dear don't do that. That's not nice."

As a child, my parents made it clear to me and my siblings that such behavior would not be tolerated. As a parent myself, my children knew the swift consequences that would take place if they misbehaved. We have always been able to take our grandchildren out in public and know that they would be polite and cordial to others and if they did not obey their parents, they were quickly removed from the opportunity to be a public nuisance.

Why did we encounter four toddlers from four different families and see there are no longer consequences for rude actions? If W.C. Fields did not like children in the 40's can you imagine what he would think of them today?

PARTIAL DEBUT

Ron and his brother arrive in East Peoria with the Allis G tractor. We had a good trip to East Peoria then the guys had a good trip to Chicago area to pick up tractor while Sil and I awaited their return. Our trip home with this prize was another story. You understand if you saw the severe weather corridor yesterday stretching across Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. The "Chief" did a great job charting us a path home that skirted most of the storms.

Ron's brother and sil admire Allis G in her trailer cage. We are still having severe weather with flooding and our newest tractor will have to sit on the trailer for a while. Hopefully we'll unload her soon and I can show some proper pictures. It was a good trip. We enjoyed the travel up and we have never been so happy to see our home.

Thanks to all of you for your encouraging words and support for us on this short trip.

A TRACTOR A TRACTOR MY KINGDOM FOR A TRACTOR

I was quietly watching television last night while Ron was on the computer. He entered the den with a look of surprise on his face and mentioned that he just bought a tractor. "Do we have to pick it up?" I casually inquire. He responds, "Yes." and when I want to know where we have to go to get this prize he responds, "Chicago -- next week."

Now may I remind everyone that we are grounded to our home place because of this blood clot Ron has in his Inferior Vena Cava. We have cancelled ship reunions and family visits because we're not supposed to be traveling. Now, suddenly, we're going to hitch our son-in-law's trailer to our 1997 Ford 150 and head for Illinois. Two old people heading to pick up a tractor because my husband made an offer he was sure would be refused. Instead it was accepted!

Ron and I met eleven years ago. For the first couple of months we maintained a long distance relationship. We corresponded via email and snail mail. We exchanged family pictures. The very first picture Ron sent me was NOT of his beautiful daughter or his grandchildren but of his 1947 Farmall Cub. I think there was a song out then about "She thinks my tractor's sexy" and I didn't then but I have learned.

I cannot even list the various tractors that have come and gone from our lives since we have been together. Plus we currently have a Case backhoe, John Deere, Ferguson, the Cub, and our Kubota. This latest prize is an Allis G. He has been looking and bidding and missing acquiring one of these forever. Now he has this sh*t eating grin on his face since he got over the shock of winning the bid. Look at Ron and you will believe Christmas is tomorrow.

While he is in utopia I get to figure out how to get the next CT scan scheduled quickly and make arrangements for the dog, cats and chickens, and find out if his brother and Sil in East Peoria will be able to put up with us next week, etc., etc. He does not worry. That is my job alone. He calls me his Executive Secretary. Oh well, we've needed to get out of here, so we shall soon be on our way. Besides who can resist such happiness on the face of their beloved?

SEASON PREMIERS

The commercials for the Fall television line up is always enticing. I am happy to be able to watch the ones I miss by going to Hulu.com.

FLASH FORWARD -- Two thumbs down (They go home at the end of the day as if nothing happened. The entire world passed out for 2 min. 17 seconds and catastrophes occur everywhere yet the FBI workers all had their homes when the clocked out for the day. duh!)

MODERN FAMILY-- One thumb up for good comedy. This is promising another thumb.

THE GOOD WIFE -- Two thumbs up. Perhaps just a chick flick but I really liked it.

TRAUMA -- Enjoyed the first episode but am reserving judgement.

THE JAY LENO SHOW -- It did get off to a shaky start, but he is on a roll now. Something great is going to have to show up opposite at 9:00 to get me to skip Leno. (The Good Wife might be the one.)

We always watch NCIS and it is going well with the new season, but we're not too sure about the new NCIS LOS ANGELES. Ron didn't like them saying they were going up to Pendelton from Los Angeles. He does tend to sweat the small stuff.

TWO AND A HALF MEN is going to have to lose the dummy (the ventriloquist dummy) if I'm going to keep watching it. Now that Jake is so grown up and not in as many episodes, it's getting dull.

Meanwhile I found a great little HBO series called THE NO. 1 LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY and am renting it on Netflix. Talk about an unexpected detective show.

Have you uncovered any diamonds in the new TV shows or do you have some movies to recommend?

Be sure and click on Jamie Dawn's photo on my sidebar for a rousing political comentary.

ALL OF THE BEST

photo of Lil Bear

I am sitting here on the couch in front of my laptop. Slim, the best dog in the world, is curled up next to me. She just scooted over a little closer to remind me she is here and I paused to scratch her ears.

We have fed the cats this morning. I never know if we will have five show up or twelve show up. I recognize the ones that were born in our barn, but often we have complete strangers appear for the one feeding of the day. We must be on some cat map for good rest on a long journey.

Soccer Ball had two new kittens. One was paralyzed and died. It was very sad. The other is perfect. A perfectly round and fluffy gray kitten with only slight white markings. It has the biggest blue eyes and is not afraid of me. I have named this kitten Lil Bear.

Also, for those interested in David and Goliath, the are doing very well. It is amazing how suddenly David took a growth surge and is now twice the size of Goliath.

Elenore Hen has hatched a second batch of chicks. Sadly Mr. Gibson and Rachel from her first batch were killed. A coyote got Mr. Gibson. The female guinea fowl killed Rachel. Chicklet still stays close to Elenore Hen and is helping her care for the new three. Since they once again are two blacks and one yellow, I have named them Mr.Gibson II, Rachel II and Chicklet II.

One of my grown black hens is in our chicken infirmary. She is egg bound and that is very dangerous. I gathered her up and soaked her bottom in a pan of warm water. It was easy to sense the relief as she settled down immediately at the comfort the water gave her. Next she went into the nursery box with her own feed and water and a warming light. I added some extra oyster shell to her feed because I read that lack of calcium sometimes causes them to become egg bound. She seems to be improving. Maybe she will make it.

The Autumn weather is so lovely and it is nice to go out first thing in the morning to see our glistening estate. I carry my walking stick even just to go to the barn because I need it to clear the spider webs out of my path before I end up with a spider web hair net.

Such is life on the farm this cool Wednesday morning.

Don't miss Jamie Dawn's most recent post.

Be sure to get in on Soccer Mom's captioning contest.

MORNING DEVOTIONALS

My earliest memories include morning family devotionals at the breakfast table.

Our family started out using the monthly Upper Room Devotional booklet with a special devotional written for each day. There was a scripture, followed by a Thought For The Day, followed by a story written by a different person each day, then a prayer. After the prayer we would sing together. Usually we sang the Doxology.

Every person was assigned a special part of this small, family worship service. I actually remember being eager to learn to read so I could read the scripture aloud someday or better yet, read the story.

I remember grumbling as a teenager that we shared this time as a family every morning regardless of sometime pressing need to get out of the house and go to school or activities or even church. Whoever heard of a devotional on Sunday? After all we're going to be worshiping practically all day anyway? I believe I actually said that out loud ONCE.

We shared this time even when we had company. Oh dear, my friends that spent the night were subjected to this embarrassing tradition. Even friends visiting from college were expected to participate in the morning devotional.

My parents changed to the yearly Upper Room Discipline for their daily devotionals and they would order each of us our own books for our families for the new year. Before they gave us our copy, mother would write all the family birthdays at the top of their birth date page. These persons always got an honorable mention in that morning's prayer. Names were also added to the prayer each morning of persons who were hurting or sick and in need of prayer. They would stay on mom and dad's prayer list until the various situations improved.

I give the Upper Room Discipline to my children each year and write in the family birth dates before sending them on. My book contains the names of persons needing special prayer as well at the birthdays.

When the daily devotional reading is done and the prayer has been said, I automatically hear my father's booming voice lead out with the Doxology:

"Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost."

(My precious papa passed away ten years ago this month. Both of my parents are gone but I still sense their daily prayer.)