This past week certainly has been pleasant. The hummingbirds disappeared almost two weeks ago. There has been heavy frost in some northern states already…and this is just September. I lived in North Dakota many years and September frost usually indicates a difficult winter. The farmers up north are struggling to get in the last of their crops.
Rodney Richardson came here from the Gainesville area for a second pesticide application. We are way ahead of the flea destruction game but as many have told me, it will be an ongoing battle. My pets are obviously more comfortable. I’m still keeping the white bowls of water out but the number of fleas idiotic enough to jump in (and can’t get out) is now down to a very few each day instead of dozens. Rodney said he has been getting lots of calls from the Ava area and that all have told him they read about him in the Herald. So, we do have readers even if we don’t have many contributors.
I popped in to Ron’s Carpets on Friday to commiserate with Phyllis over her loss and found a couple of rug remnants for my garage. There is just enough carpeting so that when voting goes on here we’ll not be directly on concrete from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Phyllis will be having a sale soon as she prepares to close down the business.
It is good to see River Stillwood’s column in the Herald and I was pleased to see that Crystal Lee feels well enough to tell us in the Herald how pleased she is with the kindness and helpfulness of we in Douglas County.
This time of year brings to mind the tractor pulled hay rides Willie put together in the 1980s. I stayed at home and kept the chili simmering for the return of the 20 or 30 who went on the rides. We had a campfire going for the inevitable marshmallows, which the adults enjoyed as much as the children. When we lived in California we hitched up our horses to pull a wagon in parades, and for Halloween fun. Sometimes we just rode the horses in parades. Such fun, such memories!
Peppie Lou passed on at age 33, her daughters at age 31 and 29. I do miss my horses. They were all born in North Dakota, went to California with us and ended up here in Missouri. When we first got here they were nearly smothered with ticks. We “painted’ them with used motor oil and never had that problem again. We also took in two stray Beagle dogs way back then and used the motor oil “treatment” as they were totally covered with ticks. Problem solved. Of course, a veterinarian would grimace at such a treatment. Even though it worked for us I can’t recommend this.
Big sticker shock for me this past week! Having been invited to a baby shower I went into Wal Mart to pick up something for the shower as well as something to donate to the Newborns in Need collection at St. Leo’s Church. Even as I saw the prices of diapers, bibs, socks, etc. I couldn’t believe them. Most of this stuff is manufactured in other countries for a fraction of the manufacturing cost in this country, to the detriment of our economy. For my babies (50+ years ago) I had cloth diapers that were used over and over again. Of course, rinsing them out was not fun. At one time I had to launder them on the old washboard with lots of bleach water. Frankly, I don’t know how new parents can afford to have babies with such costs as today. Perhaps it is best to get clothing and such at second time around stores, like on the square in Ava! I was in the hospital 4 days with my firstborn and the total doctor and hospital cost was less than $200. Nowadays parents are looking at several thousand dollars. Whew!
Bob and Dana Wagner came here Saturday and trimmed up a cedar tree in the back yard that has been beating me up every time I mow back there – then they removed the branches to a safe burn area. Good people! Good neighbors! I was already worn out when they got here from doing things in the house and cleaning the garage so they did all the work. Their little Jack Russell is still looking for a new home so please call 683-2038.
Jamey Herd has been having blood pressure problems and is still undergoing tests. Please pray that this situation is resolved, soon! Wanda Dugan says nothing much is going on up on this hill. The Dugans still have a few tomatoes and some okra in their garden and they have been busy like squirrels putting in wood for winter.
Never forget what a miracle you are; brain, nerve and bounding heart; the creation of God, with endless capacity for love, compassion and forgiving, through His Grace. Until next week, may God bless you and yours, may you be in good health……and do call me with items.
