This and Maybe That

SURGERY...?

Well I was supposed to have hip replacement surgery the last of April, but this is the year 2020, year of the dreaded coronavirus, and everything shut down in March, all surgeries and procedures, just everything. So, there I was, needing surgery and not going to get it. Is that my life or what?!?!? I feel like it is. I know, I KNOW there are so many people that have it worse than me, my word, people have DIED from covid19 and not being treated for other conditions, and died from everything else you can imagine. I AM still alive, but it seems like everything I have every planned has been postponed....pity party, yeah maybe. I hurt. I'm not a good patient. I don't want to sit around, I don't want to lie around, I want to make a garden, can some beans, dig and plant flowers, go camping, go on little road trips, good grief! I want to mow my yard!

Julie has been very good to keep my yard mowed for me this summer. She has been a sweetheart. All my kids are sweet to me, doing whatever they can to help. My grandkids too. I just want to be able to do it myself! hahahaha

Finally, I got back in to the doctor in early May, and what did he say? Lose 20 pounds then we will do surgery. You have got to be kidding me. I know I am overweight, but 20 pounds, really? Joe Combs talked me into going to his doctor in Springfield (Dr. william Duncan), so I did, and he said I was a little over what would be ideal, (I'd lost 10 pounds) but he thought it would be okay. Scheduled surgery for......September! Backlog of all the surgeries that were postponed because of the virus.

The lady that scheduled the surgery said they did have a cancellation list and she would call me if there was a cancellation and I could get in sooner. I wonder though how many are ahead of me on said list...and I don't want anybody to die or anything like that for me to move up on the list, but maybe if somebody doesn't have such a severe case and decides they don't want to have surgery right now in the midst of all this stuff that is going on....back on up there, I'll take your place buddy!

It seems the virus is spiking back up, and I don't know what I think of that. I am not scared of it. I might should be, but I'm not. Bob and I and the rest of the family have been all over the country, all over Missouri, Arkansas, some have been to Maryland, Florida, Alabama, Nebraska, Minnesota, Kentucky, Tennessee, on and on....I just don't know what to think. If I do get it, I get it. If I die, I'm paid for.

So...here I sit some more, I'm losing more weight, and I think I'll continue to try and lose until I get to where I am comfortable with it. I'm trying to gather up equipment I might need after my surgery, I don't know how much of the stuff they recommend is really necessary, but I am gathering up a pile of stuff. I feel silly in a way. Also cleaning my house out some. I need to clean it out and throw half the stuff I have in the dumpster anyway, but I need it cleaned out so I can get around easier with a walker after surgery, and need to move stuff I use the most around where I can get to it better.

I have never liked fall and I don't want to wish my life away, but come on September!!!!!!!!

I HAD IT!!!!

Hip Hip Hooray!

I have had osteoarthritis for several years now. My hip has hurt literally for decades. I have it in my neck, my spine, my hips, knees and of course my hands. My hands are already feeling a little numb from typing.

So, I have just had it, and I thought that was that. But my left hip really started hurting more and more the last couple of years, so finally at the start of this year I went to the doctor and complained of it. Sent for X-rays and the findings showed I have severe bone loss and advanced osteoarthritis in my hip. So, off to an orthopedic doctor, who looked and the X-rays and said I needed a hip replacement, but for the insurance to pay for it, I would need to jump through some hoops....first, a shot into the hip joint to see if that helped, and then some physical therapy.

When he gave me the shot, he used an ultrasound to see where to place it, and he saw a large bone spur in my hip socket also.

The shot has given me some small relief for a few weeks now, but seems to be wearing off slowly. Now I am doing a few exercises in physical therapy, strengthening the muscles around my hip so it will be better I guess when I have the surgery.

I have an appointment in late March with the surgeon, but can't have surgery until at least late April, because a person has to wait 3 months after a shot before they can have surgery.

I'm ready to have it over with and start living again, as in....gardening, yard work, walking, whatever it is I want to do. Hope it works good.

Later.

I'm a Guitar Player!

Well, not quite! But wow! Bob came home a few days before Christmas and our anniversary and carried a huge box into the house. It was wrapped in Christmas paper so I'm not sure if it was a Christmas present or anniversary present...he says both. He had already brought me a bouquet of yellow roses, and now this huge box. He made me open it right then, and I suspected what it was, and I was right...a guitar!!! When I opened it and saw that it was really a guitar, I just started crying and sobbing. I NEVER react that way to a present, in fact, usually just the opposite, it seems no matter how excited I am on the inside, it doesn't translate to my outer appearance. Boy it did this time!

He has been telling me for some time that he was going to get me a guitar, and I said no, don't do it. Not that I didn't want one, I have wanted one for years and years! But now I have arthritis in my hands, and my hands go numb if I hold them up too long, from arthritis in my neck. I really don't think I can hold out long enough to learn to play it or play it if I learn!

But, Bob said, "Well, I got you a guitar, and if you can't play it, we'll let somebody else learn someday".....well okay, if you put it like that, I'll try!

He bought it from Robert Hammons. I had suggested that Robert might know of a good cheap little guitar if he ever got me one (a long long time ago) so I guess I can eat a little crow because it seems Bob does listen to me once in a while. Not only that but he spoils me, all the time.

I think the guitar is beautiful. It's a smaller used guitar, but well taken care of and Alicia says it has a beautiful tone.

Robert told Bob that I could look on youtube and learn to play it, then he messaged me on facebook and asked me if I was enjoying the guitar? I told him sure was, just flatpicking up a storm! He said if I needed any help with it he would be happy to help me. I might take him up on it sometime. I would love to just go visit Dee and him. I worked for them for a while, cleaning house and such and enjoyed visiting with them so much.

Well, anyway, we shall see what we shall see, I am very doubtful of learning to play at this late stage of my life, but it sounds like so much fun....next, the piano! HAHAHAHAHA!

Songs I LOVE LOVE LOVE

SONGS I LOVE…(no certain order except the first one is MY FAVORITE) I note the people/groups I like the best to hear sing each song, maybe the only people I have heard sing certain songs, but I like them sung by anybody... also...will update now and then and will always be my latest post on my blog. And most of them are in a post here somewhere on my blog. I LOVE MUSIC!

By the Mark---Dailey and Vincent

I Believe---Dailey and Vincent (with Jimmy Fortune)

On the Banks of the Promised Land---Karen Peck and New River

The Holy Hills of Heaven---Vestal Goodman or anybody

Rock of Ages---Vestal Goodman or anybody

O’ Come, Angel Band---Ralph Stanley

I'll Meet You In the Morning---Appalachian Express (I love the way they sing it)

The Far Side Banks of Jordan--Johnny and June, or Jimmy Fortune

Someday---Blue Highway or anybody

Revelation---Third Day

Living in the Kingdom of God---Dailey and Vincent

Farther Along---Johnny Cash or The Peasall Sisters or anybody

Cryin' Holy, to the Lord--Bill Monroe, of course

I Am Made Worthy---Primitive Quartet

Somewhere Over the Rainbow--by Israel Kamakawiwo

Gone Away---Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

Just as the Sun Went Down---James King

Beautiful City of Gold---Yvonne St. Germaine

I've Never Been This Homesick Before---anybody

Gloryland--by Heavenbound but especially the Laffertys

Peace In The Valley---Red Foley or anybody

Gone Home---Ricky Skaggs or anybody

Heaven's Jubilee---anybody

Rock of Ages---Vestal or anybody

You've Got to Keep Walking—Paul Williams and Victory Trio

When I Get Home---Newfound Road

You Raise Me Up--by Selah

Look For Me---Tanya Goodman Sykes

Where We'll Never Grow Old---Church Sisters or the Sprinkle Family or anybody

The Right Side---Flatt Lonesome

Didn't He Shine---Primitive Quartet

There's a Light Guiding Me---Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, or anybody

Revival---Third Day

Finally Home---Mercy Me

(Lord, It's) Just Another Hill---Easter Brothers

When Life is Over---Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver

On Heaven's Bright Shore---Alison Krauss

I Am Weary, Let Me Rest---Cox family with Alison Krause

I Can Only Imagine---Mercy Me

When I've Traveled My Last Mile---Dailey and Vincent or anybody

The Prettiest Flowers Will Be Blooming---

One Day at a Time---anybody

Other songs I love:

Cumberland River---by Dailey and Vincent (makes me wanna dance)

Music of the Mountains---by Dailey and Vincent

Roses in the Snow---Emmylou Harris

Ecclesiates 3

This was one of my favorite songs when I was a young brat. Oh, 13-14, thereabouts, can't remember really, it was long ago. I loved it. Several groups sung this song but I really liked the version sung by Judy Collins. Later in my life I understood it was part of a chapter from the Bible. Ecclesiastes 3, loosely copied, or paraphrased. Still love the song and the Scripture that suggested the song.

(SONG) Turn, Turn, Turn

(chorus)

To everything, turn, turn, turn,

There is a season, turn, turn, turn,

And a time to every purpose,

Under Heaven.

A time to be born, a time to die,

A time to plant, a time to reap,

A time to kill, a time to heal,

A time to laugh, a time to weep,

To every thing, turn, turn, turn,

There is a season, turn, turn, turn,

And a time to every purpose,

Under Heaven...

A time to build up, a time to break down,

A time to dance, a time to mourn,

A time to cast away stones,

A time to gather stones together...

To everything, turn, turn, turn,

There is a season...and a time

To every purpose,

Under Heaven...

A time of love, a time of hate,

A time of war, a time of peace

A time You may embrace,

A time to refrain from embracing.

To everything, turn, turn, turn

There is a season, turn, turn, turn,

To every purpose,

Under Heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose,

A time to rend, a time to sew,

A time of love, a time of hate,

A time of peace, I swear,

It's not too late...

To everything, turn, turn, turn,

There is a season...and a time

To every purpose,

Under Heaven...

And a time to every purpose,

Under Heaven...

https://www.google.com/#q=judy+collins+turn+turn+turn

(SCRIPTURE)

Ecclesiastes 3 (KJV)

1.To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5. A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6. A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

9. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

10. I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men, to be exercised in it.

11. He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

12. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

13. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.

14. I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

15. That which hath been is now; and that which is to be has already been; and God requireth that which is past.

16. And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgement, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.

17. I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

18. I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

19. For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

20. All go unto one place, all are of the dust; and all turn to dust again.

21. Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

22. Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

Millie Rose Case

Welcome to the world, Millie Rose Case, we've waited a while for another baby girl in the family, and you are a sweetheart! You look like your mama, and your big brother too, who looks like his mama and daddy both, funny how that happens! You look like your hair will be light, and your eyes look black to me, but most babies eyes look that color, we will see as time goes on. You are a tiny thing but look chubby which is sweet sweet sweet! We will get to meet you soon, and enjoy lots of snuggles! I cannot wait!

Mommy and Daddy kept your name secret until you were born, but this granny guessed. They told Gideon your name but told him to tell the grandmas or whoever asked that your name was Hank. Grandma Gwen went to help before you were born and asked Gideon what your name was and he forgot and told her. It sounded like Meewee to Grandma Gwen and so she was texting me and we were trying to figure it out. We guessed Mollie, and Maggie and Mary but none of those were right and Mommy and Daddy were laughing. Then one night I was sitting listening to music and I was thinking about your name again and somehow, the name Millie just came to me....I texted your Daddy just one word, MILLIE, and he texted me back a bunch of emojis, some were holding there heads looking wild, and some were saying "Shush" and I knew I had guessed right. So they hinted your name until Grandma Gwen guessed it too. Grandma Gwen and I kept it secret too until you were born. I was kinda sad I guessed it when they wanted to keep it secret, but the happy, funny outweighed the sad! HAHA

Funny thing, Gideon still calls you Baby Hank right now. I hope it doesn't stick but kinda funny if it does.

Either way, you are beautiful and welcome to our family, sweet baby Millie Rose Hank!

Softly

Softly, into the night

Gently, a breeze
whispers my name

My soul will then take flight

To far places unknown

Longing for that peace

which passes understanding

Hold me in arms so strong

Never to be forsaken

Love is waiting there

Beyond all

Tears are wiped from eyes

No pain will be known

No sorrow for things behind

Life in August

I haven't written anything in such a long time. It is hard for me to sit down and do it. Tonight I was reading some of my favorite blogs and decided to write down some of my thoughts. Nobody reads my blog, which I guess is the way I like it, I am such a private person and that is part of the reason I have trouble writing, but I do like to keep a little bit of a record just for my own reading. So if you found this and like my thoughts, welcome, if you don't, just move on along.....hahaha

It got up to 100 degrees here at our humble abode today. It was HOT. With the heat index I think the news said it felt like 114 or something, I believe it! My flowers were all wilted down but I didn't water them because the soil around them still felt damp, I think it was just too much for the plants. Hope it didn't hurt them, I love my flowers so much.

I had a surprise last week when I went out to the raised bed where we plant zucchini, there was an iris blooming. I am assuming it was accidentally included in the iris order I ordered and planted last fall. A reblooming iris. Such a nice surprise. I have never had a reblooming iris because honestly I thought they probably wouldn't rebloom for me! HA! This is August, it wasn't a color I had, but I really like it. The buds appear to be a very light lavender color, but when it blooms out, it appears white to me. I have been shopping for a pure white iris and while this one isn't pure white, it is very pretty. I'll put a picture of it on here when I can figure out how to get it off of my iphone. I cannot figure how to get my pictures from my phone to the computer. Last several times I have tried it just says "no new pictures" so I am stumped, although I haven't investigated it much.

Caiden stayed with me today while Julie got groceries and we had a good time. He rode the little 4 wheeler a while until it got too hot, then he wanted homemade play dough, so I made a small batch. He played on my phone and on the computer. He wanted to go to Joe's to get a piece of pizza and some Powerade so we did that, then stopped in for a minute to see Alicia at her salon. I think he was kinda lost without the other kids. Garrett, Emmett and Makenna stayed at their Grandma Carrie's house but Caiden was originally going to go to the eye doctor today to have his eyes checked so he stayed with Mommy, but I don't think he knew that, he just wants to come home with Mommy most of the time...anyway, Grandma Carrie had plans to take them all to the creek today, so Julie rescheduled his appointment so they could go to the creek with the others. She came home and got Caiden and then they joined the others at the creek.

While they were gone there, we got a call from Jessi, somebody from our little fire department had called him and said the old house on the property he bought at McClurg was on fire. Jessi was still at work in Hollister, so until he could get there, Bob and I went up there. It was totally engulfed in flames when we got there and the volunteer firefighters hadn't arrived yet. They finally got there and turned the hoses on it and had it controlled in several minutes. Of course it all burned. It was old and falling down and needed to be dozed way before this but Jessi was saving money to have it done. I know somebody must have lived there before, but the first people I remember living there was Jerry Combs and his family, then after they moved, Croc and his family lived there. It was sad to watch it burn.

I dug the tiny fan out of the camper when we got home and plugged it in on the porch and aimed it at Tigger's bed she sleeps on. I hope it gives her some relief. I have plans to build her a dog house to set on the porch for this winter. I am going to make it 2 foot square all around if I don't change my mind, and put one of those old couch cushions inside. That along with Tigger and the many "feral" cats we have that won't let you touch them but eat everything you throw at them will keep her warm for the winter.

All for tonight, my hands are going numb from typing.

Shady Grove

When I was a girl, maybe a tween or young teenager, my Grandpa Toad taught me this song on the piano.
It doesn't really sound like this song when I hear it played with guitar and all those stringed instruments, but this is the song.
I loved it and it's the only thing I can play on the piano.
Oh how I wish I'd learned to play the piano somewhere along the way.
We barely had a music class when I was in school, if there was anybody to teach piano, I didn't know about it and I guess my mom wasn't really interested in anything like that, but I have always loved plunking on the piano.
Seems I would have picked it up somewhere through the years but I really don't think I have the apptitude for it.

Anyway, here is the song Grandpa Toad taught me to plunk out on the piano, still love it!

Shady Grove

chorus:
Shady Grove, my true love,
Shady Grove I sing,
Shady Grove, my true love,
I'm bound for Shady Grove...

Peaches in the summertime,
Apples in the fall,
If I can't have the girl I love,
I won't have none at all...

chorus:
Shady Grove, my true love,
Shady Grove I sing,
Shady Grove, my true love,
I'm bound for Shady Grove...

Once I was a little boy,
Playin' in the sand,
Now I am a great big boy,
An' I think myself a man,

chorus:
Shady Grove, my true love,
Shady Grove I sing,
Shady Grove, my true love,
I'm bound for Shady Grove...

When I was a little boy,
I wanted a whittlin' knife,
Now I am a great big boy,
An' I want a little wife,

chorus:
Shady Grove, my true love,
Shady Grove I sing,
Shady Grove, my true love,
I'm bound for Shady Grove...

Wish I had a banjo string,
Made of golden twine,
And every time I'd pick on it,
Is' I wish that girl was mine...

chorus:
Shady Grove, my true love,
Shady Grove I sing,
Shady Grove, my true love,
I'm bound for Shady Grove...

LOVE IT!

Jellin' and Enjoyin'

Today was such a beautiful day. The sun was shining bright, it was fairly warm, the redbuds, dogwoods, lilacs, violets, dandelions are blooming. And, the hummingbirds have arrived.

The grandkids were out of school today since it is Monday and they have gone to a four day school week.

A funny thing happened. Emmett came in while we were making the jelly and asked if he could dig up a purple flower and put it in a pot. I said yes, and told him how to fill the pot halfway full of dirt first, then dig up the flower and put it in the pot, then water it. So he goes out for a while, then comes in with the pot with the flower in it. A purple violet, like I had assumed he wanted? NO...a purple tulip! HAHAHAHAHA! I thought it was hilarious!

Julie and the kids came down this morning and her and I made wild violet jelly. It turned out so pretty, a light pinky lavender color for the white Confederate violets, which are these...

And a slightly darker purple pink from these purple violets...

It tasted good, but it has a slight lemon taste to me, owing to the fact the recipe calls for 1/4 cup of lemon juice for citrus to help with the jelling of the jelly! I don't know if the taste of lemon is really that noticiable or if I just knew the lemon juice was in there, so I tasted it....anyway, it's still good.

If it all doesn't jell up, we have some pretty, tasty violet syrup.

Next I am going to make some dandelion jelly.

P.S.- the jelly DID jell up, all except the last batch that I decided to put in only 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice instead of the 1/4 cup it called for...it is syrup still. HAHA! It will be good on pancakes, waffles or french toast!

The darker colored jelly is from the purple violets, it took me a good half hour to pick enough violets to make 2 cups which is what the recipe called for. Then I picked the white Confederate violets and it only took me about 5 minutes to pick enough of them to make 2 batches of the lighter pink jelly. Needless to say, I have way more of the Confederate violets in my yard than the purple. Most people might consider them weeds but I LOVE them!