Small Town Living

Found on the Texarkana FB's site. The man had been pulled over for speeding*. He explained to the officer he was having a "bad day" and was on his way to a funeral. He then commented he couldn't even get his tie tied. 

So, this happened. 

*The article didn't state if the guy still got a speeding ticket. I will tell you, around here, on any given Sunday morning, if a police officer pulls someone over and the motorist says they are late for church, there's a good chance the driver will get off with warning. 

Didn't I Hear It Was 117 Degrees There?

I'm Arizona bound tomorrow--provided my flight takes off at 6 a.m. Otherwise, I'm making a mad-dash to Dallas to catch my 8:30 a.m. flight to Phoenix because, American Airlines changed my flight and "helped" me by giving me an earlier flight. I originally had a 10 a.m. flight which would have been a great continency if the Texarkana flight is nixed. Crossing my fingers and toes this flight isn't cancelled. 

And don't even get me started about how American Airlines "helped" me by changing my flight home by giving me 30 minutes to go from terminal C to terminal E at DFW to catch the last flight of the day back to Texarkana. I waited on hold 90 minutes remedy that batch of chaos. 

This trip has been nine months in the making. Bliz, Pammy and Bucky and I are staying at an AirBNB in Tucson where we hang out by the pool and sip adult beverages for three days. We are doing this in Arizona because Bliz was already using her vacation to Dad-sit while her mother is gone for a spell, so she was already in the state. Next time I'm holding out for Maine, Greenland or the Southern Hemisphere--anywhere cooler than Arizona. 

Random Texarkana

A lovely and large hospital in Texarkana where
Buckaroo works on Tuesdays.
 

The kids and I are on Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas for health insurance. As of July 1, the hospital (and its affiliate services and doctors) in Texarkana--which happens to be the only hospital in a 70 mile radius--no longer takes Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. 

I'll wait here while you read that again, scratch your head and process what I wrote. Take your time. 

Here's the funner parts of the above paragraph: health insurance companies won't let folks change policies outside of "open enrollment"--which happens to be around November. Therefore, we are stuck with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas for our health insurance. We can also change insurance next April and be added on to Marty's garbage perfectlywonderfulandhowcouldIhavethoughtanythingotherwise? health insurance when his company has their own open enrollment. 

And the funnest part: the only insurance the local hospital (and its affiliate services and doctors) will take--other than Marty's health insurance happens to be their own in-house insurance (available in November!). Guess what? The price of their own in-house insurance just went through the roof. 

___________________

Luna is home from the hospital. Marty, Polly and Buck all got happy greetings. The Overlords crept in and stared to see if they were welcome. When Luna didn't growl, Roosevelt gave her a nose-boop-hello. Leon (our resident thug) carried away one of Luna's prized toys and didn't look back. 

Luna still isn't speaking to me for abandoning her. Her health is sorta better, but it is relative. Last Sunday night I wasn't holding out much hope. I'm more hopeful right now but right now Luna will eat a few ounces for Polly, and only Polly. 

___________________

This past week--and I swear I'm not making this up--I went hunting for the airport. Why? Because the City of Texarkana (Arkansas) moved it. I'm glad I went searching, because next week my flight leaves at 6 a.m. and given one now has to drive two miles down some winding country road, I might have missed it. By the way, there's still one gate. I hear TSA at the Texarkana airport is still ultra-militant and it doesn't matter if I have a Known Traveler Number. TSA Texarkana Arkansas doesn't honor it. Plus,  everyone checks their carry-on for the first leg of this flight. I'm curious to find out if the new airport has a  jetway or if the airport is still using the metal staircase in homage to 1954.  

Oh yeah... next week I'm heading to Arizona.   

Luna Update

Too sick to lift her head.

Luna is in the vet hospital, under sedation and being pumped full of antibiotics. She's going to be there until probably Wednesday, when she will walk out with a full and miraculous recovery. Right? 

Right??? 

I think Marty is more worried about me than her. The Overlords are looking around everywhere for her. They are so unnerved by the change in scenery, that they aren't even willing to steal her toys right now. 

Doc. P. said I can call "any time" but I doubt he means it. He also said I could stop by if I needed to, but cautioned it would be harder on Luna if I did--especially if she wasn't ready to go home. 

When I checked yesterday afternoon, she still hadn't eaten anything. Doc is supposed to "reevaluate" her this morning and will give me an update when I call at exactly 8 a.m. for an update. 

Back and Forth

I'm home from my first June vacation--a bittersweet time with Marty and extended family. Yesterday, Marty and I drove through multiple thunderstorms in six states during our eight hour travel, coming home to what Buck and Polly swore was a "clean house." It probably was and I just missed it. We also came home to kittens who have doubled in size but have some unfortunate (but curable) issue that now needs to be addressed by the vet. And, we came home to an ailing Luna, who is only worse for wear. Polly had taken her to the vet last week where she found out Luna had lost 5 pounds in two weeks.

Our travels took us to the East coast of Florida, where we hung out for a few days. We then went to our old stomping grounds, the West side of Florida where we visited Marty's Uncle Sunshine, who though near 80, is still one of the most positive and dynamic people I've ever met. And as much as I loved seeing my brothers, I doubly loved visiting with Uncle Sunshine. 

One of the great (or icky--you decide) aspects about driving is the amount of conversation possible. I'm not gonna lie, I had a few talking points chambered for Marty and I managed to get most of them in before we made it to Alabama on our drive to Florida last week. Marty and I have a few changes we are implementing. It's long-term plan and requires a lot of moving parts, but the outcome is promising and I recognize necessary and best for the Sunshine family. Sadly, part of that plan means I might giving up a few things, but I'll be okay. More on that when there's more to share. 

It turns out I'm at that age where I take pictures of birds when I'm on vacation. I'll spare you and only post two. 

For the record, that is not an owl.
That's an Anhinga. 

A pelican hanging out on Matlacha Island

My little brothers at a nature preserve
somewhere in Palm Beach County Florida. 

The view from the Airbnb on Matlacha Island

Buckaroo Update

Buckaroo, 14 years ago

Buckaroo* had an interview at the hospital today. For this volunteer position, he bought a brand new button-down shirt, and helped himself to one of Marty's ties and dress shoes. Starting next Tuesday, he'll be working in the ER two days a week helping with patient intake. He's doing this in preparation for his EMT program which starts in the fall. He'll be going to the University of Arkansas (Hope campus--30 miles from home).  

This is on top of is "real" job at Lowes--which he more or less hates but it pays well. At Lowe's he works in the garden department. It is typical that I will get a call at least twice a week while he's working asking something about plants. "Mom, I have a customer here who wants to know about potting soil." or "What's the best fertilizer you recommend for tomatoes?" Lowes would like Buck to work full time. Buck's bound and determined to pass EMT school so he can get away from Lowes. 

He's got such a great reputation in town for being industrious, that past week, Bob who owns the local quilt shop needed help setting up shelves and asked Buck to come over and take care of it. Sometimes Tessa the Realtor has odd jobs for him, like would he sit open a building going up for auction in a questionable part of town for a few hours? Or is Buck willing to clean out some big debris at a vacant home and take it all over to the dump? 

In addition to his working, he's raising the two kittens in our home. One of the kittens, Leon, came to us a bit feral. Buck is doing his level best to civilize this guy. Given Leon is currently curled up sleeping on my shoulder as I'm typing this, AND purring--that's a new activity for this cat--I think Buck is doing a pretty good job. 

Actually, I think Buck is doing a pretty good job at life in general. 

*Okay, I'm not supposed to talk about my young adults on this blog, but whatever. They don't read it and probably won't until I'm dead--and probably not even then. 
 

Welcome to Texas

It isn't the first time I've heard a similar story lately. The other one was in Texarkana, and the woman was sitting in her recliner, reaching out to folks on FB because she was too terrified to move and wanted someone to come over right then and there and remove the critter. A stranger came to her rescue.  

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm a bit creeped out by this story. So, as I was posting this, I felt faint movement at my feet. I might have screamed and jumped back. The kitten in question wasn't phased and has gone back to batting at my toes. I'm certain if the occasion arose, these two beasts will vigilantly guard our couches. 

Adulting Reprieve

My father-in-law was sent home with directions to see his primary care physician--advice he may or may not follow. But for now he's hanging on and plans on doing life his way. 

Marty and I are back on track for vacay later this week. I even went so far as to book a hotel for our first stay. I haven't packed yet... Perhaps that will come after my Adulting Reprieve is over. 

I've been up since 2 a.m. sitting with Luna, who just wants pets and rest. The kittens Overlords see it differently and have been doing their best to cheer her up all night. They even gave back one of their hostages Luna's toys. 

Don't let the lack of movement fool you.
 Thugs and the Clawsfather are in a short regroup before their next adventure.  

Adulting

 We've been having a few hiccups around the o'le Sunshine place. 

Luna is ill and I'm afraid her best days are behind her. Doc P gave her some meds, but she can't keep them down. Right now we are on a watch and see regimen. She sleeps most of the time. She drinks a little milk and hangs with me. About 237 times a day, the kittens bounce in, bring her greetings and joy and drag out whatever Luna toys they can carry when they leave. Most of Luna's toys are bigger than them. 

My father-in-law was rushed to the ER this morning. He's 89. I don't have further news. Marty and I are slated to go on vacation to another part of the country later this week, but instead, we might be going back to Arizona. 

Polly asked me this morning what to do if Luna takes a turn for the worse while we are (hopefully) on vacation. She already knew the answer, but was looking for a way out of that kind of hard decision.   

Blackberries and Old Friends

This past Saturday, I drove 56 miles of back country roads to Daingerfield Texas. Daingerfield consists of a Dollar General, an EZ Mart gas station and Greer Farm, the u-pick blackberry and blueberry farm. As a public service, y'all need to know: if one follows GPS , they aren't going to end up at Greer Farm.

Trust me on this one. This is where the GPS took me. 

Not Greer Farm

With a bit of perseverance and more help from a passing motorist ("Go on about two more miles past the railroad tracks, turn right at the second pond then take a left after a spell."), I made my way to the blueberry and blackberry patch. Apparently, there's a main entrance somewhere, because half of East Texas also happened to show up Saturday morning and they weren't on that same country road GPS insisted I take. Below is probably a quarter of the blueberry and blackberry bushes. Somehow I managed to get pictures without the swarming crowds. Not sure how that happened...

Greer Farm

More Greer Farm

Full disclosure: I sampled a lot of blackberries. 

After an hour of blackberry picking (and eating), I paid for my haul and opted to forgo the blueberry bushes. The blueberries weren't completely ripe and I had places to go. 

From Greer Farm (and yes, I backtracked to that back road once again) I made my way another 20 miles to Mount Pleasant, Texas where I met Melissa and Barrett for lunch. I've known Melissa for 25 years. We were friends in Mesa. Barrett is her 10-month old grandson (she has 6 grands). About fifteen years ago, they moved to Sulphur Springs Texas (near Dallas). Mount Pleasant is closer to her than me, but probably the best option for the two of us. 

After a lunch of laughing and bad Mexican food, I shared my berries with Melissa, squeezed Barrett and promised to do this again before December. Kenny Rogers said it best: you can't make old friends. I needed an old friend Saturday and didn't know it. 

By the way, I had two pounds of blackberries. They all went into a blackberry cobbler for yesterday's church get-together. It was my first blackberry cobbler and strangely enough, I couldn't find a recipe. So, I modified a blueberry cobbler recipe I'd made before. My audience gave it rave reviews, however, I prefer blueberries. They are easier to find (like the grocery store) and they don't take two pounds of berries to make the recipe work. 

There's enough cobbler left for Polly, who asked me to save her a bit. However, she'd better act fast because three others might get to it first and I'm not going back to Greer Farm any time soon. 

I'll Stay Home and Read a Book

Last summer Polly and I stumbled upon the Longview Arboretum. It happened to be closed that day, but the Powers That Be let us in* and invited us to wander around those beautiful gardens at our leisure. Two hours later, a very hangry Polly drug me out out of that green wonderland with threats to pick the ickiest nursing home she could find when the time came if I didn't leave right then. I've always wanted to go back.

This coming Thursday, the Master Gardeners are planning a field trip to the Longview Arboretum (90ish miles). 

And though I'm usually up for an adventure, I'm digging in my heels. You see, someone in the Master Gardener group decided to throw a side trip first. After all, if we are already going to Longview, why not stop by Mount Pleasant and see someone's garden there too? And that would make sense if Mount Pleasant was anywhere along the route to Longview. But, in this case, it is driving 70 miles out of our way to then drive another100 miles. ** 

Or, to put it in Arizona terms: if you are heading from Mesa to Tucson, take a side trip to Gila Bend first for a half-hour to chat with some stranger. Sure, it is technically on the way, but why???  

What I'm finding the most bizarre about this is that I'm the only one who finds this the least bit crazy.

And did I mention we are supposed to have thunderstorms on Thursday?

I'm throwing the maps out on here anyway. I'm not sure it really supports how crazy the thinking is behind the planning of this trip.   

Wake Village to Longview. All forest roads.  

 

Wake Village to Mount Pleasant and then to Longview.
Don't let I-30 fool you. It's 1 lane, and under
construction for the next 15 months.

*Pro Hack: when traveling around Texas, if you say, "I just came from..." and mention a place more than an hour away, the locals will move heaven and earth to accommodate whatever they can for the traveler. That includes opening up the Longview Arboretum for Wake Village residents on a day when the place is closed. 

**In the name of full disclosure I'm willingly heading to Mount Pleasant on Saturday. More on that later. I doubt I'll be seeing a garden. 

Plants

My pal Joy and I decided not to go for tea or lunch today. Instead, we walked around the plant nursery as our social event. She said she would only buy what she could carry. 

Joy's never been a mother.

I carried my lilies and her peppers and her hibiscus and a few other pots while she speed dated several other flowers she couldn't live without. 

The reason I was prudent today is I found a porch swing I think I absolutely have to have. Perhaps Marty and I will go back over this weekend and pick it up. 

Okay, I did buy this. Look at that color! 

Now then, I've been admiring this vine that's been growing from the wood's side of my backyard fence. So pretty. And it is spreading all over the back fence. Lush. Deep green. Three leaves. Never saw a plant with a red stem before! (Quickly takes picture and puts it into the plant app) Well then. Never mind. 

A small potion of the poison ivy growing along my
back fence. There's enough oil to contaminate East Texas. 

Lessons in Gratitude

Last week I got a text from Corona Gail. "Let's have lunch today. Meet Deb and me?" You see, Lunch Bunch was cancelled that day. However, Corona Gail and Deb, the Queen of the Coronas were hungry. They thought to include me. Just me. Not 25 other people we all know. 

Just me. That isn't a humble brag. It is a floored realization someone thought enough to invite me to lunch. 

I process this often. Each time I'm overwhelmed in an abundance of gratitude. 

After living in the same place for 50+ years and then starting over, I never take for granted these kinds of invitations. The invite from Krissy for a Girl's Trip to Branson and another from Deb to tag along to Little Rock for the day. The plants dropped off on my doorstep from Master Gardener pals. A local writer sending me a sample from his book and asking for my opinion. Calls, texts and follow-ups from those who heard I'd been battling some sort of weird fatigue/infection (I'm better now). Even a simple last-minute invite for tea makes my heart swell.

But it isn't just the folks I met here. This entire experience intensifies how much I cherish the friends I left back in Arizona. I don't think a day goes by where I don't have flash memories of homeschool park days, meeting up for tea or lunch, hiking, chatting with a Bonus kid's mom, great real estate clients, and other moments with the ones who helped shaped me and loved me first. Moving here has given me a deeper appreciation for those I left behind. 

Here's the ugly truth: Though Texarkana was 100 percent Marty's idea--he was raving about this place as early as 2014--he doesn't like it here. I doubt, long-term, we are staying. This isn't the same kind of wanderlust we had when we were in Arizona and wanted out. I'm resigned to this fact and I won't talk him out of it. It's okay. There are legitimate reasons to leave--though it will break my heart to do so. 

A future move isn't happening today, tomorrow or next year, but I know it is on the docket when he retires. What I've discovered with this bit of knowledge I don't share beyond my family and this blog, is that invitations like Gail's last week are so much sweeter, knowing there may come a time when I'm going to have to start over again and navigate through new relationships again. I don't take these invitations for granted and I'm beyond grateful to be included. 

Wait for It...

A bit of humor for y'all. 

I've been under the weather this week. I missed Friday's Corona Night. When I texted Her Majesty the Queen of Everything Texarkana (Deb), telling her I wouldn't be there, she told me she'd been under the weather too and considered cancelling the entire festivities. 

Additionally, last Thursday, the two of us, had lunch with Corona Gail, who is now also a bit peaky. Corona Shelly and Corona Leah are also a little sick. I saw Corona Leah on Wednesday. Gail saw Shelly earlier in the week.

I pointed out to Deb we are spreading a new (ahem) Corona Virus. 

My Mother's Day Gift

I had to bring over a desk, but no biggie.
It worked out well. 

Not gonna lie, there are years where Marty and the kids have completely forgotten me for birthday and Christmas. To his credit, my dear husband has always made a point to remember Mother's Day. This year, he gave me the whopper of all Mother's Day/Christmas/Birthday gifts evah!!! 

You see, for weeks I was trying to finish my manuscript. Every time I'd catch the creative flow, interruptions happened. Though my loving family means well, my patience was on the edge when a few Saturdays ago, a family member came in for the seventh time, just to ask me if I'd seen the blue sock, or did I know we were out of milk, or what time was something going on downtown next week. At that point, Marty suggested if I truly wanted to finish the story, why not just run away from home. So I did. I moved three miles from our house to an AirBnB. 

What do you know?! For the first time in months, I didn't have Luna alerting me that her best pal, the Amazon driver, is on Arizona Avenue. Wait! The driver didn't stop. Why??!!!! Wait! Do you hear that? The driver is back. Wait! They drove by again without saying hello! The closed bedroom door only accelerated the challenge. Luna wants out. Luna wants in. Luna wants out. Wait! There's a squirrel! DID YOU SEE THE SQUIRREL!!??? To be fair, if the young adults are home, they often take her (after flopping on the bed and chatting with me for several minutes--unaware I'm typing and just nodding).  

Additionally, I didn't have the innocent comments such as "Hey Mom, because you aren't doing anything would you..." or "I don't want to disturb you but..." 

Or, "Hey Mom, Dad tried calling you a million times but your phone is off. So, he called me. He needs you to call him asap." (Me calling Marty only to find he figured out the password to our internet provider's web site on his own--because he originally set it up). Or... I can keep my phone on and have 387 text messages from well-meaning folk who feel the need to "like" every post on the text thread about what to bring to Deb's prayer group meeting three weeks from now. (Bonny: "I'll bring lettuce." Six others: adding a thumb's up or heart emoji to Bonny's text).

In the three days I was gone, I typed more than 20,000 words. I like this story much better than my last one. I like these characters better. This one is a mystery--which means the story telling is layered differently than a simple boy-meets-girl romance. My ending did not turn out the way I expected it to, but I like it better too. 

My manuscript is finished. It is now brewing on my computer drive, waiting for me to start the edits--in a few weeks, thank you very much. In the meantime, I'm building a quilt and playing with plants. 

Random Texarkana

 I've been under the weather this week. It didn't really slow me down until yesterday afternoon. 

Today I talked to a friend who innocently asked how the garden was doing. The tomatoes are great--I only have 90 zillion tomato plants. The spinach and lettuce are also thriving. My pepper plants are growing. The cucumbers are flowering. And I discovered something is eating my radishes and strawberries--which are at different parts of the yard. 

Unfortunately, the okra is also growing. Lucky Marty. 

Later, Luna sat in front of the storm door, crying to go outside. I saw what she was alerting to: a brindle-color cottontail. As much as I would love to have let her out to chase the bunny and bring honor to my strawberries, I didn't want to finagle a mangled rabbit out of her jaws. So, the bunny left on its own and Luna pouted. 

The veg garden surrounds the green house.
Most everything is in early stages. 

Bottom right is 8 more tomato plants, top right is okra, top left is strawberries.
The bottom left was supposed to be nothing. I was going to empty that plot and start over. However potatoes which did not grow last year are now cropping up. So, I guess it's a potato patch.  

_________________________

My bathroom has a garden tub. Between Polly and myself, I think we've used it three times. I have too much sewing stuff. Last March, while in Arizona, I borrowed my brother's jig saw with the intention of making this storage space. This past weekend, I made this. Fortunately, we are all meeting up in Florida next month. I'll give the saw back to him then. 

There's about 687 pounds of fabric and notions in plastic
Dollar General bins under that wood.
Eventually, there will be plants atop of that wood.


_________________________

 

And finally, brace yourself for kitten cuteness.

For the record, this is Buckaroo's desk. They were napping while he was at work. 

I moved them from the desk. Roosevelt's neck is fine.
His brother (Leon) doesn't weigh enough to pin him down. 

New Additions

Buckaroo zipped over to the tire shop today for a rotation. About an hour later, I got a phone call, "I'm at Petsmart, can you come over? I found a cute little kitten and I want your opinion if it is healthy enough to adopt." 

Well now, what's better than one kitten? A brother to keep him company. We have two new additions to our family. Luna is a bit disappointed they don't want to play with her, but I suspect that will probably change--most likely at three a.m. when the rest of us when want to sleep. 

Buck is the new papa of Leon and Roosevelt. 

Leon

Roosevelt

 

Luna also got a "big sister" toy today--a new cow baby doll--that she
is lovingly and proudly carrying around. 

 

Beds for Kids

This past week, I got together with several ladies to build beds. The ministry, Beds for Kids, is run by a pretty awesome couple. Their mission is to bring beds and bedding to local foster care kids. For my Lunch Bunch birthday this year, I asked for donations to this group instead of presents. I'm told five children got new bedding, complete with comforters, with the money given from these ladies. 

Anyway, we spent a few hours in a warehouse drilling, sanding and nailing. We made 10 beds. Here's two of the results. 

    

Today's Victory

I found an editor! 

Now to pop some Tylenol arthritis, slip on compression gloves, and get into the writing zone. 

 

Check out the New Century

I just reordered checks. Why? Because the 21st century hasn't caught up to some places around here. 

The City of Wake Village needs a check for the water bill. My bill arrives sometime between the first and the seventh of the month. The water bill is due by the tenth--no excuses. The City of Wake Village refuses to allow for payment via their web site. If I have a check sent from the bank, it will arrive late and then there's a $50 fee they add to my $50 water bill--okay, the bill is only $50 in the winter. Still! It's a nice little racket the city has going.   

My lawn guy only takes checks or a cash app (I don't "cashap"). He does not want a check sent from my bank either. He wants payment the day of service. 

Bowie County will take a check for the property taxes. Or, I can pay a $50 service fee to have them take the money from my debit card. 

By the way, I'm paying property taxes today. I have two checks left. One for Bowie County and one for the City of Wake Village. 

 

The Shreveport Rose Garden

Recently, my Master Gardener pals Maria and Joy (The same Joy who was the first person I got to know three years ago--she's now a Master Gardener), took a trip to Shreveport to check out their rose garden. Warning! Get three plant nerds together and prepare to have your eyes glaze over.  

The place was wonderful and displayed several kinds of roses. We meandered the trails oohing and ahhing, snapping pictures, identifying different roses on our plant apps, while inhaling the fragrance. Every once in a while one of us would point out something like the color or petal variation while the other two stood around fascinated. Now then, I'm not saying that while standing next to the Ragosa rose, someone knelt down, dug her hands into the Earth and pulled out a teensy runner from the root and ordered me to open my purse so she could take it home. But it could have happened. 

The Shreveport rose garden--it has an official name, I'm sure--also has an herb garden run by the Arklatex Herb Society. It just so happens the President of the Arklatex Herb Society happened to be there weeding and planting in their patch of goodness. So the three of us snacked on various kinds of mint, cilantro, sage, dill, oregano, more mint, and basil while chatting with the nice lady about herbs. Plant nerds do such things. Now then, I'm not saying there was a stack of cilantro pulled out by the roots ready to be composted, but if there was, it is quite likely we grabbed several, rushed into the restroom, covered the roots in wet paper towels and took those plants home with us. 

Afterwards, the three of us vainly attempted to find an authentic Mexican restaurant. In Shreveport, Louisiana. Yes. Really.  

Given Maria is from Mexico and Joy and I are from Phoenix, we settled for Louisiana's gallant attempt at South of the Mason-Dixon line flavors instead. I had something with chicken smothered in Velveeta--which is not what the menu described, but whatever. I knew better than to order anything other than water. 

I took about 987 pictures. Here's four of them. 

This is a Cosmo Cloud, the most fragrant of the fragrant roses I've ever smelled. 
Oh my!

I'm going to find an Evergreen rose bush, and then locate
somewhere in my garden to put one. 

I'd like to point out, this rose bush has three different color roses. On the same bush! Squee! We were freakishly giddy over this discovery (as well as every other rose garden discovery).

Joy, smelling a rose. 

Birthday Month

The portulaca Corona Gillian gave me. 

Lots of wonderful folks in these parts helped me remember I had a birthday this month. 

A few weeks ago, Corona Gillian accidentally spilled that Deb, the Queen of the Coronas, was throwing a surprise party for me. Bless them both and thank you Gillian for the fair warning. The Coronas are such a wonderful group of women. They are all so thoughtful, loving and kind. Most of the time I wonder why they put up with me, while also wondering when they are going to figure out what a fraud I truly am. I'm ashamed to admit my gifts are still stacked beside my desk, awaiting thank you notes. I'm promising myself they WILL be written today!!!! 

In addition to my surprise party, the coordinator of the Thursday Lunch Bunch insists on celebrating everyone's birthday. And because she's a Corona, she knew I'd recently made it another year around the sun. Honestly, I didn't want the fuss--plus I was hip-deep in typing.. Therefore stopping, getting dressed, leaving the house and eating tends to be an inconvenience. But Corona Jenny insisted I pick a restaurant and tell her my favorite flavor of cupcake. I picked a pizza joint and I don't care for cake much, so any flavor worked because I wasn't eating it anyway. 

One of my stipulations for my Lunch Bunch birthday was no gifts. But I know this crew: that wasn't going to be an option. So, I asked for donations for a foster care charity run by the Church of Christ. That idea turned out to be a winner! I raised $180. A couple of days ago I got a nice note from the man who runs the charity, thanking me and telling me how the money was used. Squee! Win-win. I suspect more Lunch Bunch folks are going to do this in the future. 

There were other celebrations as well. My family loved all over me  and gave me a few more absolutely necessary garden whirly-gigs. Polly made a delicious blueberry coffee cake (not the same as the Lunch Bunch Wal-Mart cupcakes). Friends and brothers called from other parts of the country. And I am officially birthdayed out for another year. 

Book Update

A writer's friend: compression gloves. 
I own several pairs. 

Other than playing with plants--I do that a lot--I've spent quite a bit of time writing staring at my computer screen. Not fair. About two chapters a week flow out of my fingers when my hand isn't too swollen. 

After careful discernment, I've opted to go a different direction with the editor I originally hired. My gut screamed she wasn't the right fit for this story. Two weeks ago, I wrote her asking if she'd be willing to take on a different role in this project. I outlined exactly what I'd like. Incidentally, it would have been less work and the same money. However, I haven't heard back. That alone tells me I made the right choice.

It's really too bad, because I think she was the right fit for my young adult novel (already completed) and another story I'm working on that is more secular. When I met with her earlier this month, I suspected the idea of my main character offended her. He's a priest. That's his value system (just like if my main character were a vampire, he'd do vampiry things based on his value system). This book won't have the same religious undertones as the last one, but my main character is still a priest. 

By the way, I recently discovered Tylenol Arthritis. Pop two of those bad boys, rub CBD ointment all over my hands and I'm good to go for about 2,000 words. I'm got about six chapters left to write before I need to start figuring out the editing process. So, here's hoping a solution falls in my lap. 

Writer's Blockage

It is 3:23 a.m. Luna has taken my spot on the bed. Again. That's okay. I was awake. I'm probably not going to sleep well-ish until I'm done with my latest project. 

My current goal is to finish my manuscript by next Wednesday. Head out of town, read and review it when I get back, and give it to my editor by our prescribed deadline. However, as it was once pointed out to me, no battleplan outlives the enemy. 

In addition to a needy dog, I have other humans in my home who like me enough to demand my time. My mom has some significant drama which requires a bit of attention and sympathy. I have a garden to finish up--and let me just say this, SQUEE! It's looking better. Also, I have an out of town trip tomorrow, something I planned a month ago. I'm leading it. So, yeah... I guess it's happening. And, its Birthday Month(TM), and people are insisting I act the part. 

However, biggest challenge happens to be I'm not great company even for myself. I'm writing about a dark and vile subject. And if I can be so bold, something which hit too close to home recently. (I was writing about it before I found out it hit our home.) Every ugly chapter where I have to write more about the villains spirals me further into an emotional abyss. Yesterday I wanted to take a Lysol shower. 

All for art, right? 

This Month's Electric Bill

 Behold! 

Hotel Crazy-fornia

Sing with me now: "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave..." 

For the third... maybe fourth... time I'm back on the Ladies Auxiliary text thread. And for the third... maybe fourth... time I sent a note to the president, explaining that though I love these opportunity to pray for y'all--thank you for that--I haven't been part of this group in more than a year and a half. Therefore, would someone kindly remove me (again) from this text thread. I don't need an additional 37 group texts every hour. I already ignore 67 group texts an hour from people I'm involved with.

Here's a Glimpse into Introvert Hell.

I got a wedding invitation in the mail today for two people I do not know. When I say, I do not know, I mean just that. This cute couple had their pictures plastered all over this invite. I've never seen them before. I don't recognize their names. We aren't Facebook friends. I'm not Facebook friends with anyone in their families--I checked. 

The location (Surprise! Church of Christ), date and time were on the invite. But there is no phone number or way to RSVP. 

What's a girl to do? Besides, I'm pretty sure I'm busy that day. 

Probably. 

Maybe. 

I'm not asking Deb, the Queen of the Coronas, or anyone else affiliated with the Church of Christ about this, because I'm willing to bet they got an invite, are attending AND did I mention I'm probably, maybe,  busy that day? 

This is Why I'm Awake

Sound Asleep

Around 2 a.m., I felt a presence nearby. I opened my eyes to see a figure hovering over me. I did what a normal, sane person would do under the circumstances. I screamed. 

At which point, Luna, who has the emotional maturity of a hungry and sleep-deprived toddler, jumped down from the bed, crying, running in circles, while looking for the closest toy she could find to bring her comfort. 

I opted to appease the dog instead closing my eyes again. So, I went to her, trying to soothe her. After all, as far as she was concerned, I'm the one who scared her. And the fastest way to get her not to wake up the remaining residents of East Texas was to appease her. 

And you know what the dog did then? She jumped in my spot, spread her weight so she was impossible to move and went to sleep. 

Book Club

After two years of book club, I finally drew the short straw and had to host. Hosting itself isn't difficult. We meet at the Church of Christ building. I know how to go to Walmart and purchase snacks. I can send out a friendly reminder, "Hey y'all show up." 

However, the book I ended up with, for reasons which are too long and complicated for this patch of cyber space, happened to be a Vietnam War-era novel. The Women was a fascinating read. However the majority of the ladies in this book club are all ten years or more older than me and lived through the Vietnam War in a way I didn't.

In addition to the anxiety of having to discuss a hot-topic with folks who have emotional attachments I don't have, my biggest ally, Corona Gail--WHO ORIGINALLY GOT ME INTO THE BOOK CLUB--wasn't planning on coming. No matter what I said or offered as a bribe, she wasn't willing to change her plans for a trip out of town with her husband just so she could spend two hours chatting about this book. "But..." I said, my eyes bulging as I stomped my feet. Gail patted my shoulder and gave me a big sister, "You got this." "NO I DON'T!" I wailed. 

Fortunately, Corona Joan heard the exchange, popped her head up and said, "Book club? What book club?" And then, with five days to go, Joan read all 470 pages and showed up as my emotional support human. 

However, Joan is younger than I am, so, there's that.*

Back to book club. Normally we socialize and eat snacks until there's a pause in the conversation. Then, the hostess says something like, "Who all read the book?" From there, the hostess has a list of questions pertaining to the book and our particular thoughts. There are even a few hostesses--doing their everyday disciple best--to relate how our how, as Christians, we identified to the story. (But there's only a few.)

With the advice from my awesome Arizona friend, I started this week's meeting with this statement: I was completely unqualified to lead the discussion. I explained I didn't know the Vietnam War existed in my lifetime until I was around 12. My generation was never taught anything about it in history classes. I asked for each member to share their experiences of living through that time and compare it to how they felt the author handled the main character's journey. Though I had pre-planned questions, they felt trite compared to hearing about the woman whose husband was a fighter pilot. His time was up in 1965. He opted not to reenlist. However, he went to San Diego two years later and found out several members of his squad had been killed in Vietnam. Another shared how someone she knew lost limbs bailing out of a burning helicopter. Another shared how her husband went straight to college from high school--something he hadn't planned on doing originally and he still was drafted. And the stories went on. 

Of all the book clubs, this might have been the most interesting. It certainly was the most impactful I've been to. Though I have zero desire to ever host again, I'd be happy to be Corona Joan's emotional support human even if she ever gets sidled with hosting a book about being a landlord or something equally traumatic. 

*Note to self: One day I simply must write about the age dynamic in the Coronas. It's a thing. 

See! I'm Not Making This Up!

THIS is a typical menu item around these parts. 

On some random Texarkana Facebook post, most of the residents are gushing about this particular restaurant (which will remain anonymous to protect the guilty) and how wonderful this "hamburger" plate is. I don't know it is a hamburger plate, because I don't see hamburger. I see a future call to the cardiologist. 

There's probably mayonnaise on this too. Okay, ick. 

My Christmas Present

With the winter weather (which included mostly teens and 20 degree temps, rain and a little snow), travel to Florida and Arizona, two medical procedures and recovery from those as well as the normal winter flu, it took a while to get the greenhouse up and running. 

This past Sunday, while Marty applied the first snake-away of the season throughout the yard and around the greenhouse, Polly and I planted a few starters. I have more to go--and plenty of land to do it in. Last summer I never bought veggies. I hope I can repeat that this summer. I still have one jar of pickles left too. But in the spirit of full disclosure, the rest of the pickles I made last year were too salty, so nobody is anxious to open these pickles. 

I planted flowers in pots to start them. Last year, I planted them from seed outside and gave the possums, armadillos, and squirrels a feast. I kept finding my spent flower seed casings on top of my mulch. Once they start sprouting, I will transplant them in the front yard. I accidentally sneezed as I was putting out zinnia seed so I am going to have about 287,000 zinnias. 

In order to pollinate blueberries, one needs two different types of blueberry bushes. Last year I brought back blueberry seeds from Michigan (I ate the blueberries and took the seeds). I will buy blueberry plants as well so they will pollinate. Pro-tip, if you want sweeter berries, make sure they are getting full sun. 

Speaking of bringing back seeds. A lot of my seeds I planted were experimental. I harvested seeds from plants I grew last year and the year before. I do also have store-bought seeds. 

Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, herbs and blueberries (just to see if I can grow a bush). I have garlic ready to go into the ground (those white round things at the bottom left). One clove will take 6-8 months and give me a full bulb. 

It's really warm inside too! Like a sauna. 

The pots in the back are flowers. The ones on the left are my outdoor plants that were brought in for the winter because we have to do that around here. 

Eventually I'll get shelves. But this works for now. 

The idea is to plant around the exterior of the green house. The two front patches are flower beds. Only one has flower seeds in it so far. The orange barrel to the left and the brown barrel to the right are different types of lettuce. The orange barrel in the back is spinach. The white fencing atop the barrels are to keep Luna from digging.  

Speaking of Luna digging, I only have dirt in my front two flower beds because I don't want to put in soil and have it sit, tempting Luna. She will leave it alone once I put in plants. But the outside structure is complete.  

Flower sprouts after two days! 

 

Random Texarkana

 I have writer's block. So, I made these. 

For a woman I know who is battling ovarian cancer. 

For a woman who's about to be a boy-grandma.

________

I came back from Arizona and slept for a week while the illness I brought back with me worked through my system. When I emerged from my pillow and walked outside, I found these daffodils in my yard! 

______

For St. Patrick's Day, a few of us Coronas went to the Banana Club (a 1923 underground speakeasy), to eat really awful corned beef and cabbage and hear a pretty awesome Irish band play. Not only did they play the Irish classics like "Danny Boy," and "When Irish Eyes are Smiling," but they tried their hand at Steve Earle's "Copperhead Road," and CCR's "Bad Moon Rising," along with two hours of other songs, all done with an Irish brouge.  Sorry, the pictures aren't great. I didn't want to use flash. 

They did kind of look like leprechauns. 

Pretty talented band. I can't remember their obscure name.

_____

I speed-dated hairstylists when I first moved here. The first one gave me a mullet. The second wasn't for me. The third wanted to charge me $400 for a hair coloring. Then, my pal Leah, told me about Crystal, who is located in the middle of nowhere, next to Gilly's Liquor Store. She does a great job, is reasonably priced and is a fun conversationalist. 

Welcome to nowhere Arkanasas.