# 6 UNCOMFORTABLE UPDATE

This is post number 6 in the marathon.


One of the highlights of my day was to begin with the trip out to feed the cats.  Vern would come bounding to greet me with great excitement.  It seemed she was leading me to the dish in case I might have forgotten where it was.  She would purr and let me scratch her behind the ears.  She was our "forever kitten".  Her mother was David and Vern was the exact clone of her mother except Vern never grew beyond kitten stage.  The other kittens born around the same time as Vern quickly tripled her size.

Cats come and go around here.  I never know how many I will have to feed in the morning, but I always knew Vern would be there.  One morning about four weeks ago, Vern did not show up for breakfast and I can only hope someone thought she was a kitten and scooped her up to take her to a good home.  The other cats seem to sense my lack of enthusiasm for feeding time these days.

# 5 NOT JESUS

This is post number five in my personal marathon.

Here is one of my 2012 submissions to the Julie Kay Portrait Party.    I dropped out for a bit due to all the other stuff going on in our lives but little by little I am getting back into the program.  And, no that is not Jesus:)

# 4 IT'S BEEN A WHILE

This is my fourth post in the marathon.

I have not shared any of my artwork for a while.  These are my note card designs.  It is nice to be able to send cards to friends and family that are my own creations and that reflect my love of farm life.  Yes that is a cow and a rooster in the barnyard scene in case you were confused:)

# 3 BABY OH BABY

This is post # 3 in the marathon.

Polly had twins!!!  Born on Ash Wednesday, they are named Ashley and Ashenhurst.  Of couse I don't know yet if they are girls, boys or one of each.  Sorry for the graphic photo, but you can see they had only been born a short time before the picture was taken.  Our Billy goat, Tandy Kid, may be gone but definitely not forgotten.  We had hoped he had done his job well before leaving. We're not sure but Elizabeth and Tina might be pregnant also.  We're watching closely. 

# 2 RAISE THE ROOF

This is my second post in the marathon.

Our Tulsa house needs a new roof.  We have gotten quotes from three roofing companies ranging from $4800 to $7500 and none include all the work needed.  Each has extra fees for guttering an eave work and several have wording in the contract that allows for extra dollars to be applied if they run into this, that or the other while putting on the new roof.  It was getting scary until my bil found the name of a fellow who lives in a small town nearby who does this work and has a good reputation and wonderful references.  That roofer called last week with the lowest bid of all. 

This roofer's price is for everything.  This roofer does not have a contract.  "My word is my bond" he said.  "The price I quote is the price."  Plus we did not need to be worked into a lineup.  They started the work yesterday. 

"Should we be there to pay you?"  I asked.

"No.  You check the work and when you are satisfied you can pay me."

"Will you need cash or a cashier's check?"

"No.  Your personal check will be fine."

Of course I am jumping the gun posting this glowing report, but we just know we have found the right man for the job.  He comes highly recommended and we know why.  He is a contractor from the "good ole days" who works on a handshake and takes pride in his work and his word. My son is sending us photos of the work in progress and they expect to finish today.

# 1 LET THE MARATHON BEGIN

March 9th will mark the 7th year of my blog, FOOLS RUSH IN.  It was my desire to have 70,000 visitors by that date.  I have already exceeded that number.  I hoped to have 100 followers.  That number has also been achieved.  My desire to reach 2000 posts by that time is another matter.  I am short 52 posts that I need to reach in 16 days.  This one counts as #1.  I need to post 3 1/4 blog entries per day.  Bear with me as I go for it.

CABIN FEVER

What is a cure for cabin fever?  How about a trip to the nearby Cabin Creek Battleground?  We have lived here six years and planning to find this historic site.  Yesterday as the cabin fever hit us both, I grabbed the camera and off we went.  The battleground was not an easy place to find. This was not a day for a reenactment of the battle, but we did see where that reenactment takes place and we were able to quietly walk in the area of the last two Civil War battles in Indian Territory (Oklahoma), on Cabin Creek in July, 1863 and September, 1864.  Click this link to read about this historic battleground involving both "colored" and "indian" troops.

 

 

These are not beautiful, scenic photographs but the highly wooded areas give you an idea of what the entire area must have looked like a the time of the engagements.  The cleared area in the last photo are where the reenactments take place and the field is marked with flags of the different regiments.  Picture four is a shot of the creek. You actually get a sense of walking on hallowed ground as you imagine those who fought and died in the very spot you are standing.

QOTW 02-20-12 ...IF YOU JUST SMILE

Question Of The Week 02-20-12

What makes you smile?






“Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”
~ Mother Teresa 

GOODS AND SERVICES

 
Is it just our local area WalMart or is yours out of everything?  Are other stores running low on inventory too.  At first I thought it was a re-stocking day but returning the next week, the things I needed were still gone and this week the same.  

You can be sure that those items will reappear sometime but in smaller packages and at much higher prices.   Obviously transportation costs are delaying restocking because the trucks make fewer trips to deliver the replacement items because they can't afford the fuel to transport?


We have been running out of services for a long time and now it appears we are running out of goods...

If only we could run out of "bads"!

QOTW 2-13-12 HELP!

 Question Of The Week 02-13-12

For what do people typically ask your help?

JUST PICTURES

Enjoy a look at these pictures posted on 1-1-11.  They tie into my post from Wednesday.

FUTURE DRAMA

Trouble is a brewin' as Rooster Chicklet keeps his eye on two young roosters.  

Some of you may remember that Mr. Gibson hatched five chicks in September.  They were named Bonnie, Clyde, Huey, Huey and Huey.  It turns out that I was right about Clyde.  He is a rooster, but so is Bonnie.  They are starting to get in Chicklet's cross hairs as he works to keep them away from his ladies.

All three Huey's are hens. They stay close to their brothers and do not mix with the rest of the flock.  That will work nicely for now. This was an exciting week as two of the Huey's laid their first eggs.


It doesn't take much to guess the direction of this unfolding drama.  As the five young ones mature the greater interest Rooster Chicklet will pay to them and it won't be long until we have another rooster battle.   It is my hope that they can co-exist and maybe we can buy some more hens so each guy can develop his own harem.


If you remember Rooster Jack Bauer, you might be pleased to know that he free ranges over at his new home and has never attempted to cross the road back to us.  He's in Hog Rooster Heaven with his very large harem.

(My granddaughter Beth was here this weekend and spent a great deal of time stalking my chickens to catch this nice picture for my blog. Thank you Bethie!)

QOTW 02-06-12 FANTASY OR REALITY

Question Of The Week 02-06-12

How has your life been different than what you’d imagined?

MOLLY OR QUEEN?

My sister called shortly before dark Monday evening to share their unfolding adventure.  It seems an unfamiliar cat was trapped in a tree in their backyard.  It was frightened and crying.  My bil had made several attempts to rescue the feline at the exclusion of climbing up himself to retrieve it.  He has a heart condition and this would not have been a wise move. 


Sis told me her spouse was on his way to the fire department to see if they would or could help  They could not and would not.  So much for the stories of firemen rescuing stranded cats.  All they could do was suggest placing an open can of cat food at the base of the tree to entice the cat down.


There was a lot of unrest in their household watching the cat and keeping an eye on their dog each time he went out so he wouldn't eat the cat food. Plus they imagined the food would attract all kinds of critters into their yard during the night.  The next morning the stranded cat was still huddled in the tree with untouched cat food on the ground.

After searching google for possible answers to the dilemma they decided on calling a tree trimmer.  The man came out and using his proper equipment for tree climbing, rescued the cat.  The tree man gently placed the saved cat on the ground.  The beautiful calico sniffed the food then turned haughtily and walked away to what we assume was the direction of her home.  My sister who had planned on having this rescued cat in her life forever since it would feel such a sense of gratitude, was offended as, after all their trouble and expense, the cat just walked away.  "Bitch" my sister muttered.  

Thus arrived the question of what do you call a female cat.  Everyone knows a female dog is a bitch and a male cat is a Tom.  Does everyone know that a female cat is either called a Queen or a Molly?  This one was undoubtedly a Queen.  She did not bother to run away, she simply departed at her own pace very regally without so much as a "by your leave".

QOTW 01-30-12 R U ANNOYED?

Question Of The Week 01-30-12

What is the most annoying thing that someone could do to you?

LEAVINGS

This is the nice note paper Hope designed for me on her last visit.

Michael left this picture on my computer.  He was showing me how to use the camera.

Michael also left shirt and socks.  Hope left her cap and gloves.

Ryan left a pack of Monster drink.

Dillon left me interested in some sports programs. 

Beth left me with tales of her daring and hilarious adventures with her best friend Bruschetta. (nickname not her real name.)

They all left me hooked on THE BIG BANG THEORY, iCARLY and SPONGE BOB SQUARE PANTS.

They all left me, as always, with wonderful memories added to the list of grandchildren visits.  

TELL ME WHY BABY WHY BABY WHY BABY WHY...

 

Why,  why, why I ask you? Is it true this  "fad" started in prisons as a show of those available for sexual activity. I simply do not get the desire for this fashion statement and  will never understand how these people walk around.  The TV show COPS often portrays the criminal being caught when his pants fall off in a chase.  Can anyone explain this weirdest of all clothing choice?

That cartoon came to me in an email and I wish I could credit an artist. It is hilarious!

QOTW 01-23-12 TEACHING CREATES

Question Of The Week 01-23-12

If you had to teach something, what would you teach?

GETTING MY KICKS

This new year has started all wrong.  Commenting on another blog the other day I found myself sympathizing with their lethargy and said that I needed a "kick start".  There are chores to be done,  I have movies to watch, books to read, craft projects waiting, journaling and blogging  to do, meals to plan and prepare, exercise is calling me, watching my weight is totally neglected,  etc., etc., etc.  And so what am I doing...absolutely nothing.  Yes I have posted to my blog but not with the same enthusiasm as usual. Facebook is getting more difficult for me to understand and follow. Gradually I am getting lost in the world of Words With Friends which captures most of my computer attention.  For some reason my get-up-and-go has got-up-and-went.

If someone has a solution, then .....................KICK ME PLEASE!!

QOTW 01-16-12 TAKE A PEEK INSIDE

Question Of The Week - 01-16-12



What is in your refrigerator?






(Lots of healthy food?  Lots of expired food?  Unusual food?  Frozen food? Non-food? Beverages (alcoholic/non-alcoholic)? Strangest item? ..for instance we keep bait worms in the porch refrigerator. Nothing?)