Pray for Rain

Fire can mean many things to people. It can be warmth, comfort, fuel for cooking food, and destruction. With the dry conditions here in Texas come fires.

Yesterday afternoon one started across the road from one of the pastures where Behm has cattle. It quickly jumped the road and burned several acres on this place. He came home, ate a quick bite, and we went back to check the "hot spots". We got back home around midnight. I didn't sleep very well because I was listening for the scanner to page them out again.

The fire started again around noon today and burned in the other direction. It came close to several homes, but the Volunteer Fire Departments saved them. The combination of gusty winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation means bad news for firefighters. The Forestry Service reported it burned around 400 acres yesterday.

There are still some places that could start again. It looks like it might be another long night.

Etsy

I started selling on Etsy 2 years ago. I haven't sold much, but I'm not nearly as talented or artistic as most of the people on there. If you want to find unique, hand-made items check it out. There are a lot of talented people on there.

Exciting News

Sonya has exciting news
here.

I'm very proud of her!

Back to the Real World

Back to work today. 2 days off was not enough time to get caught up on everything I need to do, but at least I am lucky enough to have gotten them. Behm had to get out in that mess both days. Sometimes I feel like a prisoner to the courthouse, but I have a great boss who is understanding about road conditions. Thanks Tracie!

Dieting

I think I have discovered a new diet that works. I've named it the C.O.P.D.E. diet. Can't Open Package, Don't Eat. The older I get the harder it is for me to open food packages, i.e. chips, cookies, lunch meat. If it takes too long to open, I decide it's a sign I shouldn't be eating it. I just need to figure out how to market this idea.

Snowman

No snow today, but we have ice. Schools and courthouse are closed, so I get to stay home!

Old school pic time for Sandi & Sonya! Probably the biggest snowman they made in Texas. Check out the toboggans & I think Sonya's coat was a little too small!

Fire

This is what Behm did yesterday. They paged Joy VFD at noon and he finally got home around 6. Everything is so dry here, I'm afraid we're going to have more of these. There is a chance of rain today, even though it is supposed to be freezing rain. We'll take any moisture at this point.

This picture was taken last summer at a fire across the road from us. I didn't go to the one yesterday. I know if I see it, I'll be more worried. I worry enough as it is and don't need anymore wrinkles than I have.

Signs

These signs were on an old building at Post Oak. I remember the general store at Antelope had signs like these on it too. The paint used back then must have been really good because these have weathered a lot of years. I'd be wealthy if I could find the formula for the paint on the better ones and use it in a beauty product.

Can't Stay Focused

I had great plans for today when I woke up. I was going to tackle "the room". I have spent all day finding treasures to put on ebay and etsy. Of course this meant stopping, taking pictures, listing, and finding a place to put them so I can find them if and when they sell.

The room is still the same. I'm confident I will make enough money on what I found and listed today to build a new room or at least enough to go buy more stuff to throw in the one I have!

Tag!

Lauren of http://bettymaeartistry.blogspot.com/ tagged me.


Tag...you're it...
Here are the rules.....

*Link to the person who tagged you
*Post the rules in your blog
*Write 7 random things about yourself
*Tag 7 people at the end of your post and link to them
*Let each person know they've been tagged

1. I am a spoiled only child.
2. I have always loved to read, but I'm getting more selective in what I read.
3. I've worked in 5 different offices in the courthouse since I was 18. When I began working, I was planning on buying a canopy bed for Sandi. Life interrupted those plans and still no canopy bed for her.
4. I could be a hermit easily. Never getting out of the house is a good day for me. Maybe that goes back to #1.
5. I hate buying clothes.
6. I love auctions and garage sales.
7. I don't make decisions easily. That being said, I'm not tagging anyone. It's just too difficult a decision.

Swimming Pool

The swimming pool at Jacksboro was built the same year I was born. Mama & Grandma Kinney would take my cousins and me there in the summer. It was a 45 minute drive one way. It's where Sandi & Sonya learned to swim. Sonya worked as a lifeguard there during high school. My grandchildren went to the kiddie pool.

Now it sits empty & closed forever. It needs repair that the city feels is too costly. Laughter mingled with the splashing of water will no longer be heard there. It's sad and lonely, but still hopeful that one day it will be loved again.

Pack Rat

I am a pack rat. If someone gives me something I won't use it for a while. This is a perfect example:



Sandi gave me this toilet paper on my 50th birthday. That was 5 years ago! I keep saving it back to use in an emergency. It has come in handy. I looked at it Sunday & realized how old it was. I think it's time to use it before it deteriorates from age! Maybe she'll give me some more on my next birthday!

44th President

In the late 1940's or early 1950's, Daddy worked at a gas station that was next to a cafe that was open all night. One night, an African-American family came & asked if he would order hamburgers for them at the cafe. Daddy ordered for them. You see, in those days African-Americans were not allowed in cafes.

Today we saw a great moment in history! The inauguration of the President of the United States, Barack Obama! I know he will be noted in history as the first African-American to become President, but I wish our past had not made this moment a big distinction. I wish President Obama would be known as the 44th President, regardless of his race.

My family is made up of many races. My hope is that the days of prejudice against all races, religions, or sex are over. I pray that no one will ever have to face prejudice against them as that family who only wanted something to eat.

Slides

I was playing around with the slides I bought Saturday. Trying to figure out some way to transfer them to pictures for Etsy projects. This is one attempt. I held a LED flashlight under the slide and took the picture. I was surprised and pleased with the result. Kinda spooky!

Meet Flash

I'd like to introduce you to my photography mascot, Flash.



Saturday afternoon, I was outside taking pictures and kept hearing this rustling through the leaves. I finally spied him in the pasture behind where we live. I walked further down to look for something else to capture on film and I heard him again. So, I moved on further down and then he came out into the open. I followed him a while before he knew I was behind him. When he saw me, off he ran. I don't know if the zebra bag attracted him or he just wanted me to take his picture.

Shopping

I went shopping yesterday and it was a good day! The first place was an estate sale. I got this jacket & a shirt. Not sure it's me or if they fit, but both have Neiman Marcus tags. Maybe they will sell on ebay.

All of this came from that same sale.

• 3 boxes of old color slides
• a vintage splicer for movies
• a paperweight
• stamp holder (which is already in use)
• 3 sets of playing cards (yes, I already have a suitcase full, but they were only a quarter!)
• bookmarks from China that are made of bamboo
• zebra purse (which is going to be my camera case)

Total cost: $10.00!

I thought that was a good sale until I went to the next one. A school was having a fundraiser and I hit the jackpot there!

• 3 picture frames
• 2 vintage framed religious pictures. They were sold for fifty cents to raise money in the sixties. I have one similar that I sold to Grandma Kinney around that time.
• 1 Santa
• Hallmark wall hanging with the cutest little girls on them. To Etsy it goes!
• Cross-stitch & embroidery kits, unopened
• 4 metal things with 1945 coins in the middle. Not sure what they are, but thought I'd take a chance on them.
• 13 books. Some of them are old school readers with great illustrations.
• The first item I picked up is my favorite though. See the little guy in the middle of the picture? That's none other than Ric Flair of WWE fame! I think I'll keep him.

Total cost: $10.50.

I must have been in a buying mood because I went to Penney's next and bought these. I have been looking at that shirt for months & it was the only one left in those colors.

Total cost: $22.00.

After all that shopping, I decided to get my haircut. I usually don't buy that much stuff in one day, but I guess I went a little crazy! Spending all the money I'm going to save by not smoking before I even start saving it.

I'm Quitting!

I consider myself to be a person of average intelligence. I know that if you stick your hand in a fire you will be burned. I know that if I eat certain foods my colon will go crazy. I know not to walk in front of moving vehicles. I don't do these things. With that said, tell me why it is so hard to quit smoking.

I know with each cigarette I am cutting years from my life. I know that the quality of my life will not be as good if I continue to smoke. I hate the way my clothes and I smell. I know all the reasons to quit so why is it so hard to just put them down & never smoke again?

I've read all the quit smoking tips. All say to make a plan, set a date and tell your family and friends you are quitting. Okay, people here it is. On the world wide web, for everyone to see if I'm a failure once again: I am quitting smoking Monday, January 19, 2009. To paraphrase Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with no disrespect intended: I have a dream that one day I will be a non-smoker. Please pray for me to finally quit once and for all. Throw in a few prayers for Behm, he'll need them because I have a tendency to get really cranky when I quit.

Small Towns

You know you're from a small town when:

• you hear a siren and stop working to see which way the ambulance/fire truck/police car are going;
• the door to the garage of the funeral home is open and empty and you wonder who has died;
• you stop to watch planes fly over;
• you hear CareFlight and worry about who might be in it;
• you run to the grocery store to buy 1 thing and stay an hour because you were talking to everyone in the store;
• you are walking for exercise & everybody stops to see if you need a ride somewhere;
• you pull into the drive-in & they bring your drink before you order;
• you know the car in front of you is turning on a certain street without them giving signals;
• people call for directions to the courthouse & you tell them it's in the middle of town. . .can't miss it. It's between the 2 red lights;
• people call asking for someone who's name you don't know & they tell you they just moved to town from the country & work somewhere in the courthouse & you give them the right name & number;

Small towns have their disadvantages, but sometimes the advantages are greater.

All of the above have happened to me.

Warped Greeting Card

One of my Warped Greeting Cards is featured on an Etsian's blog! Thanks & go check out her blog & Etsy shop!

http://www.luvmymonkeys.blogspot.com/

Sights and Sounds of Winter

Winter is my least favorite season of the year, but I'm trying to look at winter differently. Instead of the negative, I'm looking for the positive. My camera and this blog have helped tremendously. I'm always looking for something to post that might be interesting to someone or just a personal memory for me.

Today it is cold here in Texas. Instead of fretting (otherwise known as b****ing) about it, I listened to . . .

the crunch of footsteps on frozen grass . . .




frozen leaves shivering in the cold wind . . .




steam going through the boiler at work . . .




I'm trying to look at things through the eyes of a child, filled with wonder and delight at all of God's creations.

I'm often reminded of the time when I was keeping Mia when she was younger and it was a gray, dreary day. I said it was going to be a yucky day. Mia looked up at me with those innocent big brown eyes and said, "No, Gran Nan it's a pretty day. Every day is a good day!"

Help me Lord to be more grateful for all Your creations, whether they be gray & cold or bright & sunny, but especially for grandkids who make everything seem better.

Potatoes

I love potatoes! They are a staple in my menu. Fried, mashed, baked, scalloped, raw, you name it & I love them. My favorite baked potatoes are at Red Lobster. I love the salt on the outside of the skin.

Grandma Kinney made the best potatoes. Boiled with milk and butter added to them after they're done. Sounds easy doesn't it? Nope, no one has ever made them taste the same as the ones she made. It must have been her love she added that made them so good.

Letters

I bought a bunch of these metal typesetter letters at an auction last year. I don't know why, but I thought I could sell them on ebay. So far, no good. Maybe I will get some inspiration on how to market them. Underneath the desk hasn't worked so far.

Talking Dirt!

Let's talk dirt now. Not gossip dirt, but real dirt. Have you ever really looked at it, or is it something you take for granted? Whether in your house, on your car, or blowing in the wind, dirt is a part of our everyday life.

Dirt can be colorful . . .



beautiful . . .



cute . . .



fun!!!!



Next time you are cleaning house or walking outside, stop and take a look at the dirt around you. It might be inspiring!

Smoke in the Air

We went to visitation last night in Denton. When we were leaving there were fires (all we could see was smoke) in all directions from the house. Makes you worry about leaving, but at least I didn't have to worry about Behm going to fight fires.

This picture is from a fire last year north of the house. Low humidity and high winds again today. Hopefully, there won't be any fires today.

Before Behm & I were married, there was a huge fire in Clay County that burned a lot of acres. I was driving up to see him & before I got to 4 Corners there was smoke across the highway. I kept on going, but I know better now. The smoke was so thick you could not see anything. I just prayed there wasn't anything in front of me. I could feel heat on the window and looked over to my left & there was fire at the side of the highway...only 1 lane of asphalt between us. I will never drive through smoke again. Lesson learned!

Deep Thoughts Sunday

There is a sign on a gate going into a pasture I pass by everyday. It always makes me laugh. The owners live across the highway from it & I'm afraid to stop and take a picture.

"KEEP GATE CLOSED AT ALL TIMES".

I know they mean after driving through the gate, but taken literally:

How do they ever get into or out of the pasture if they have to keep the gate closed at all times? Deep Thoughts!

Saturday's Circlings

I got to see Sandi & Sage yesterday for the first time this year! We had a short but sweet visit. Tried to get 2 weeks of news in an hour segment.

Jackie wanted to see a picture of my bathroom wall. This was meant to be a temporary thing & I didn't want to tear the covers up. If you don't mind cutting them, I think it would work better with just one thickness of cardboard.





Went to Wichita today for my usual weekly visit. I had left my dress coat at the cleaners last week and they couldn't find it today. Wouldn't you know I need it Monday to wear to a funeral of an old friend of Mama & Daddy's, Edith Sanders. Her husband & Daddy worked for Bridwell Oil at the same time. It is a small world; Behm & Edith's son are now working together.

I'm thinking of listing some of my photos on Etsy. Any requests or suggestions?

Sonya, sorry about the game. I was hoping it would have turned out differently, but women's basketball will be great!

Old Buildings

I love old buildings. I look at them and marvel at how they were built without all the modern tools to use and how they have remained standing through the years.

This is the Clay County Jail Museum being repaired. I bet the prisoners that were in jail during the 1800's would have loved to have used this for a jail break.



This building probably didn't even have electricity when it was built, but now has a satellite dish.



The Clay County Courthouse has lots of architectural details that are amazing to me.



Behm loves me because I'm such a cheap date. Take me somewhere where there are old buildings & I can look for hours.

Elvis

Elvis Presley was born on this day in 1935. I have always been a big Elvis fan. We always went to see Elvis movies at the drive-in, usually for my birthday. My favorite Elvis song is "An American Trilogy". It always gives me chills.

I saw him in concert twice, but I don't remember it. Mama, Daddy, Nora Lee, Garrett, & I went to see him the first time. That was before babysitters were invented, so I got to go also. He was at Spudder Park in Wichita Falls. Spudder Park was a baseball field and the stage he performed on was a flat bed truck. He had a pink Cadillac & some of his clothes were pink. Everyone sat in the bleachers. Mama said the women went crazy.

The second time he was at Memorial Auditorium in Wichita Falls. Hank Locklin, an older country-western star, opened for him. Mama said people booed him and threw things at him (Hank not Elvis). Hank told the crowd he was singing for the amount of time he was hired for & Elvis wasn't coming on stage until he was through. Mama thought the people were very rude.

Our youngest granddaughter's name is Presley. I have one wall of our bathroom covered in old country/western record album covers. The first time she saw it, she asked me "Why don't you have any Presley Elvis covers on the wall?" I couldn't tell her I have them under lock & key!

Miss Joyce

When I go with Behm to feed cattle, this lady used to make my teeth chatter. I grew up around cattle, but none of them had horns. Horns scare me. I think of all the damage those pointed things could do to my body and start to panic. Bones don't heal quickly when you're old! What? She doesn't look that scary? How about this view?



She is no longer with us, but now we have one whose horns are worse than these. No pictures yet. She hooked her horn in Behm's belt the other day & I think he had a little rodeo. Of course he tells me it wasn't anything to worry about. I'll probably just stay in the pickup at that pasture & take pictures. Oh, yeah, that's what I usually do anyway.

Back to Work

I haven't seen Mama & Daddy since Christmas Eve. I wonder if they remember what I look like. I'm glad it's a straight road to Jacksboro or I might not find my way.

Back to work today, if I still have a job. I haven't been back since the Christmas holidays. I'm going to be late today too. Have a doctor's appointment this morning. Hope I don't have to wait forever. At least they have good magazines to pass the time.

Ice

This was the view from inside my pickup yesterday morning as more freezing rain came down. Today is supposed to be in the 50's. Hurry up summer!!

Naked Trees

Naked trees waiting for spring to add some color to their life & more birds to fill their branches.



I wonder if they feel sad or happy for the break.



The saddest one of all . . . 11 more months until it gets to be dressed in its finest & seen daily. I hope it isn't claustrophobic!

Resolutions for 2009

My resolutions for this year are:

1. Lose weight
2. Keep on smoking
3. Drink less water
4. Eat more junk food
5. Keep using my treadmill as a dust collector

I've never been able to keep any resolutions, so maybe this year if I use reverse psychology I won't keep these!

Windmills

Windmills have always fascinated me. I have many memories of these tall pillars that would pump water from the ground to give life to people, animals, and vegetation. The feel of the wooden handle worn smooth from many touches. The bottom of the handle was usually still rough and splintery.

Grandma & Grandpa Kinney had a storage tank that sat on a metal platform that I climbed on, dreamed of being an acrobat in the circus , & spent many hours on with my cousins Cindy & Mike. It seemed so tall, I wonder if it really was. I'm scared of heights now, so I guess it's a good thing I didn't run away & join the circus.

I don't remember this, but Mama and Daddy do. When we moved to Windthorst, I was around 2 years old. Mama was hanging the washing out on the clothesline and missed me. She found me climbing up the windmill. She climbed up after me telling me all the way not to let go & carried me back down to safety. Daddy cut the bottom steps off the ladder so I wouldn't be able to do that again.

This has been a lifelong job for them, protecting me & carrying me to safety as they have always been there for me in every aspect of my life. I love you both!

On a lighter note, Daddy wrote a song when he was around 10 years old about windmills. It never made the hit charts, but maybe someone will see it on this blog & become a star.

"Blow windmill blow.
Pump them cows some stock water."