Moody Monday's: Baby Fairies and Christmas

tlpoague

I woke up this morning feeling like I was sucking air through a clogged straw. My head pounding with each attempted breath.
"Not again..." I muttered, as I mustered up the energy to crawl from my cocoon.
I have been battling this cold for three day now. Today it hits like a roaring lion. But...I am stubborn! I refuse to admit  I am getting sick. I will simple tell myself that I have a mild case of allergies brought on by the snow that visited us last night.
To jump start my creative juices for the day, I decided to revisit a few of my earlier blogs after my bible study. (I need all the help I can get since my mind is short of its air intake and not firing all it cylinders.) While reading, all I could do was laugh at my warped sense of humor that Mr. P. cringes at when I slip back into my redneck ways.
This thought led me to baby fairies. Yup! I said baby fairies.
It began like this...
While visiting my daughter a few days ago, she asked, "guess what?..."
And a humorous story began.
A friend thought she may be pregnant so, she inquired the help of my daughter to take her to the store to invest in a few boxes of pregnancy testes. (They really should sell these in the bulk since some parties can't seem to believe the first one.)
This friend, frightened at the prospect of the outcome, coaxed my daughter into taking one with her.
(By now I am snickering. I can see where this is going.)
Pokey, my daughter, feeling pretty confident of her outcome said, "okay, let's pee on the stick."
(I think I snorted, while trying to suppress a laugh, when she said that.)
Time passed quickly. Then they checked the sticks. One had a blue line, the other didn't. With disbelief and thinking there was a mix up, they tried again.
By the third time, there was no doubt.
Calmly my daughter tells me, "The baby faerie hit the wrong damn person."
There was no suppressing the laugh. I snorted so hard laughing that it's no wonder I am sick now.
Composing myself, I couldn't help but ask, "So...you're about four or fives weeks?"
Pokey looked at her friend and fired off, "Don't you hate it when your mom is right?"
Then she looked at me and added, "It's all your fault!"
I beamed with pride before I said, "I hope you have twins! Two girls would be nice to add with the two boys. I think you will do fine."
I guess it was time to explain to her the miracles of God's gifts he bestows upon his children. There isn't any protection in the world to block something like that.
(If you didn't believe in God, then remember to never say the words..."I will never...". Because somewhere down the line, that never will happen.)

It was a night I will never forget. A mix of caster oil, a midnight phone call, and a race to see which would happen first...the baby or hospital. Check out...
Silly Sunday's: Pokey and baby Jr.

Thanks for joining me for this weeks Moody Monday!

Moody Monday's: Homemade Applesauce for the Holidays

tlpoague

A fragrance of cinnamon and cloves tantalized her taste buds as she closed the kitchen door to the cold, barren world of snow outside. She let the perfume and warmth engulf her, as she discarded her coat at a near-by kitchen chair on her way to the stove. A golden mash bubbled in the pot sending out plumes of smells that made her mouth water. She was giddy with excitement. It was her favorite dish. Her mother's applesauce she had made for the holidays.
I have many fond memories as child gathering around the table in preparation of making or processing food to store for the winter months. (Last week I shared "How To Make Snack Sticks")
Today, I wanted to share the process of making and canning my own applesauce from the apples I had gathered from my sister's apple tree. (I realize I am a day late posting this for a Moody Monday, but a slight injury held me up from writing yesterday and most of today.)
I began with peeling the mountain of apples. (This is where I can hear my great-grandma's voice scolding me for not peeling them the right way.)

Photo by tlpoague
My mini mountain of apples to peel.
The water has fruit fresh in it to keep the apples from turning brown.

Photo by tlpoague
The handy apple peeler/corer for those mountains of apples.
My grandmother would be having a stroke using this.
"Too much waste," she would claim.

Once I had the apples peeled and sliced, I placed them on the stove to cook down. It takes about two hours for the amount I had, which was roughly two gallons.

Photo by tlpoague
The apples sliced and ready for the pot.

Photo by tlpoague
I have roughly two gallons of apples to cook down.

Once the apples were cooked to a mush, I separated the juice from the pulp. The juice I stored in a pitcher to place in jars later and placed it in the refrigerator. I, then, mashed the pulp through a colander to create the creamy sauce. (For a faster process, the pulp can be ran through a food processor.)

Photo by tlpoague
The apples and juice that I have separated.
The steam is still rolling off them.

Photo by tlpoague
The apples have been pureed and are ready for the sugar and spices.

Photo by tlpoague
The juice is ready to be drank or also canned.
For now it is going to the fridge.

     Once I had the applesauce pureed. It was ready to add the sugar and spices. (I like a zip to my applesauce, so I added cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and ginger, with my sugar. Then it was time to add them to the sterile jars. (This can either be hot or cold packed. I used hot jars since my sauce was still hot.)

Photo by tlpoague
Applesauce is packed in sterile jars and ready to be processed.

I then gave my jars a water bath for thirty minutes after the water came to a rolling boil. (Be sure to check and see what your canning is for your area. Each area varies.)

Photo by tlpoague
The jars are packed in a hot water bath.

Photo by tlpoague
The end product...homemade applesauce for the holidays!

Photo by tlpoague
Here are two jars of the apple juice that I canned.
Later it can be drank, or made into jelly.

Thanks again for stopping by this Moody Monday. Sorry for the delay. A kink in my neck prevented me from being able to write and have this posted on time. (It much be all that crocheting I was doing...) But...I couldn't wait another week to share this wonderful treat.
*With Christmas just around the corner, these would make great gifts to add to a basket of homemade goodies.*

Moody Monday: Prepping For This Winter From Apples To Making Butter

tlpoague

Isn't it odd how fast time seems to get by you? In an instant weeks have passed before you paused to realize how long it was since you last called a loved one, enjoyed a quiet moment, or in my case, wrote a post. This is how my fall went...with sneeze, suddenly, here was winter knocking on my door.
For as long as I can remember, my life wasn't measured much by calendars or clocks, but by seasons. There was a fishing season, hunting season, and a couple harvest seasons. There was a time dedicated to when you would go out and load up on wood or coal. Many of these memories were wrapped around family gathers to help with the work load.
This year, my hubby and I decided we would try our hand at canning, drying, and making a bit of butter. Of course it had been decades since some of us had done anything like this. There was nothing more interesting than dusting off the cobwebs of the brain and getting back into the swing of things.
Many a phone call was made to my mother, as she endured her cancer treatments, to reassure myself that we doing things properly. (Sorry Grams, I know a few of them apples and pears weren't pealed paper thin.) With each pass of the knife I could hear a small voice in my head chastising me if I tried to hurry. I could only imagine the chaos I would have endured had my great-grandmother witnessed my quick tips for making apple sauce and jams.
Between my dad's gift of pears, and my sister's gift of apples, I had plenty to keep the hubby and I busy for weeks. We began with the traditional task of hand peeling them until we realized that we owned an apple peeler/corer. This make the task so much simpler and quicker. Soon ideas began to develop. How could we speed up the mashing process?
It didn't take long till we had a rhythm going. Mr. P. would peel and core the apples while I ran them through a shredding process. Then it was off to the stove to be cooked into sauces or jams.

Photo by tlpoague
A small sample of our sauces and jams.

Suddenly we were hit with the canning bug. Soon I found myself peeling potatoes to can. Along with making soups, chili, and salsa to add to our collection.
Of course, horrified at the idea of the pressure caner popping its lid, I got it in my head to multi-task by making caramels and bread. Mr. P. decided to add butter to the list.
I didn't realize how simple it would be to make butter. The process was amazingly easy.
Step one: Gather some real cream.
Step two: Add half the cream to a butter churn.

Photo by tlpoague
Here is Mr. P. prepping the churn for me.

 (Now it is time to crank it till your arm falls off.) If you would like a quicker version...

Photo by tlpoague
Mr. P. thought this would be quicker.

You could try the drill method, but it didn't take long for the batteries to wear out.
Instead, the fastest and cleanest version was to mix it in a food processor.
Step three: Drain the solid from the liquid. (The solid is your butter and the liquid is the buttermilk.)

Photo by tlpoague

Step four: Knead in a little salt and place in a butter dish. Then refrigerate or freeze. (You can add a little sugar if you would like for a sweeter butter.)

Photo by tlpoague
Here is a small sample of the jam, bread, and homemade butter, we made while waiting on our canning.

Photo by tlpoague
Our grandson wanted to join in the baking fun.

Photo by tlpoague
Bit by the canning bug!

Naturally since I didn't think I had enough to do, I found myself crocheting and sewing in between projects.

Photo by tlpoague

Photo by tlpoague

I have to say, it has been a busy fall. Next week I will share with you the process of making your own snack sticks. Thanks for joining me for Moody Monday. Hope to see ya again soon.

Moody Monday's: Atonement

tlpoague

Have you ever been in a situation where you regret saying some of the things you did to someone you don't know? Have you caught yourself scratching a spot bald and asking...
“Why in the world did I say that?”
“Where did that come from?”
Or, a moment where you realized the foundation you build your beliefs on were distorted?
Suddenly you see yourself as a fool, looking for a means of escape.

photo by tlpoague

(Before I continue, I just want to state that these are only my thoughts and views on this, so I understand that not everyone will agree or believe the same.)

The topic for last week's Moody Monday was about the fall and the Feast of the Lord that we as Christians are to celebrate. To add to that subject is the Day of Atonement.
The Day of Atonement is a day that follows ten days after the Feast of the Trumpets...aka...Yom Teruah. That day we are to cease from working. Neither eating or drinking from sun down of the ninth day to sun down of the tenth day. It is a time to pray, honor the Lord, and atone for our sins.
(Since I am new to understanding the rituals of these celebrations of the Lord, I have found myself stumbling around trying to understand it all.)
The thing is, I have been led to believe that as a Christian, we don't need to honor or celebrate the same rituals as the Jewish Nation. It is only in my research lately that I have come to realize that we are indeed suppose to be following these rituals and celebrations the way God wants.
I have known that as a Christian it is important to adhere to the Ten Commandments, to love the Lord, and to love your neighbor. I was taught that Salvation is only achieved through Jesus. You go to church on Sunday, if you can make it, instead of Saturday. The main holidays of the Lord were Easter and Christmas.
But...how does one accept the thought that everything they have been taught could possibly be wrong?
I know it was a difficult pill for me to swallow.
It is like a puzzle that I am slowly putting together. All the pieces are there but the picture isn't finished.
So...I began to question what I had been taught. That began with Matthew 24.
I also started to understand that as a Christian, if you don't know God's laws, you don't know what sin is. Or how you could be sinning towards God. This was clear in the books of Deuteronomy and Leviticus. But...again I say but...if you don't understand the roles the fallen angels, nephilim, and their descendant had then or now, understanding any of the Old Testament is difficult. (I will try to place links to the videos that have helped me in my research. I would love to hear your thoughts and views if you watch them.)
So...one may ask... “what does this have with atonement?”
We know it is wrong to steal, lie, or cheat. To do so leaves a mark on your reputation. When you have been busted for any of these, no matter how small the crime, an apology is forthcoming.
Let's say just for a moment, you have realized that all these years (for those that do believe) you have been worshiping the Lord the way man taught and not Yeshua's way. How does one atone for that?
This is a question I will leave you with, for each of us is different. We have different ideas, beliefs, and views about what is right and what is wrong. In the future though...ask yourself...is this man's traditions...or God's will? The answer may surprise you.
*Note* Since I can't get it to load a video, here are the links of the YouTube videos mentioned above.
Rob Skiba's Archon Invasion Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8dUQOaSmSE
Arthur Bailey's Introductions to the Fall Feasts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTz2aSsgnc8

Moody Monday's: Falling for Fall

tlpoague

Today is the first day of fall. A season I love...and not just because my birthday is coming up soon. It holds so many special memories of hard work, family coming together, and joyous moments.

I love to get up early to watch the sun rise over a background of changing colors. Smelling the harvest upon the shifting cool breeze, I imagine tasting my favorite holiday dishes. I can feel the change of the season deep within my bones. Eyes closed, I listen to the migration of the birds. Their sounds can be heard for miles. Words can't describe the feeling of enjoyment in those few precious moments as I sit there, sipping my coffee, praising God for his canvas of artwork.

photo by tlpoague

This last weekend was a celebration of sorts. It was a non-stop garage sale for three days along Hwy 36. I glanced at a few but mostly hung out with my sisters. We talked of nothing important, chatted with the customers, and soaked up the last bits of summer sun, before the cold of winter sets upon us.

I decided with the changes in the air it was time to do some of my own. Yesterday, I took the time to do some cleaning, decorating, and re-organizing. (It was pretty hard not to do it the Redneck way.)

photo by tlpoague

It reminded me of the times, as a child, we would scurry around to clean before company came. Company meant a time of hard work celebrated with food, fun, and long cherished stories. It was a time when the women would gather around the table, and stove, canning precious food for the winter ahead. The men would gather their guns and head out for some hunting. The children annoyed by the thoughts of school and missing out in the fun, would dash home, eager to be a part of the activities.

photo by tlpoague

I remember my grandmothers, aunts, and mother, teaching me the trades of being a homemaker. There were sewing and crocheting lessons, canning fruit, veggies, and jams, and prepping the meat harvest the men brought home. I still remember the stories that were told, legends that were created, and the laughter.

This weekend is another celebration. It is called the Feast of Trumpets.

It is a time to purge the old, both physically and spiritually, to make room for the new. It is also a time to come before the Lord to give thanks for his blessing. To praise and worship him. A time when we should be watching for Jesus's return to gather his harvest.

I can't wait for the celebrations to start.

What are you plans to celebrate the first day of Fall?  

Moody Monday's: The Lengths People Will Go To Earn A Buck

photo by tlpoague

It is one of those rare, quiet mornings where I feel the urge to get up and tackle my day before the sun rose. I grabbed my usual cup of coffee and headed to the computer.
Have you ever caught yourself in a moment where you truly admit you are addicted to something? I sure did, I popped open Facebook in the hopes of getting a message back from a fellow patron. I was disappointed to not see the icon stating I had a message, but it didn't keep me from the thrill anyway. Once I browse through the added garbage that often shows up on my feed, I was off to do some writing.
This was halted by the thought of checking my posts on Bubblews.
“It would only take a second” I thought to myself.
Thirty minutes later I found myself reading a post that had been stolen from a previous post I had just read.
It amazed me the boldness (and length) people will go to make money. It also was a stark reminder how easy it is to loose your earnings to someone like this.
How hard is it to be creative? Something tells me that if you have to steal content to be a writer...you shouldn't be in that field. Find something that you are good at and let your creativity shine.
This led me to thinking about this weekend and the excitement surrounding it. If you are a reader that surrounds the state of Kansas, you may have heard of the Hwy 36 Treasure Hunt. All along Hwy 36 from the Colorado border, across Kansas, to the Missouri border, will be a three day Kansas wide garage sale.
I have met many people that spend a better portion of the year creating projects just for this sale. Some of them refurbish old items to give them new life. Others quilt, knit, crochet, or sew items to show off their talents. My favorites are the food...and of course the hidden gems.
It is very much like a treasure hunt. Short of a flea market, I don't think I have seen so many garage sales in my life.
If you are out and about this weekend, and in the area, I would recommend checking it out. You never know what you will find. As for me...well...I've got a few projects to finish in the hopes of making a buck.

The necklace, headbands, and tin can are a few of the projects I have made.
photo by tlpoague

Nothing makes a day of shopping more enjoyable than cookies.
photo by tlpoague

Each of the projects here I made.
photo by tlpoague

Homemade goats soap. It is the best I have found so far.
photo by tlpoague

This lady had loads of time on her hands. She crochet each one of these.
photo by tlpoague

What a cute Christmas gift to give a child this year.
photo by tlpoague

Moody Monday's: God Answers Prayer

Moody Monday's : God Answers Prayers

tlpoague

Welcome again to Moody Monday. 

We are living in a world that no longer wants-or sees a reason-to believe in God, or the teachings and salvation of Jesus Christ. Even Christians I have come in contact with are drifting away from their belief as they are daily tempted and tested by worldly thoughts and views. (These are only my thoughts, I don't expect everyone to believe the same as I.)

I found myself walking this line. I was in a haze believing in God, knowing Jesus is my Savior, but filled with questions and doubt. I started to see myself struggling in my faith. So, one day, I stopped for a moment to pray for answers to my questions and those others had asked me about God and the bible.

I felt a lingering doubt about God answering my prayer as I plowed my way through the Old Testament. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what any of it meant, or had to do with today's living. I can't explain why I had this doubt, only that some questions seemed impossible to find the answers too. To be honest, I was about to give up reading that part of the bible and move on.

A day or two later, I was bored out of my skull, so I decided to browse through some YouTube videos for crafts to create for our upcoming winter bazaars. Upon opening the webpage, there sat a single video completely irrelevant to the ones surrounding it. It was called “The Watchers” by LA Marzulli. Curious, I clicked on it.

My world was suddenly rocked. Things I thought I knew about the bible were cast aside as my eyes were opened to other possibilities and explanations. My questions and many more were answered. Hungry for more, I watched every video I could by LA. This led me to Rob Skiba's “Return of the Nephilim”. Suddenly things began to make sense once you added in the fallen angels, nephilim, and the descendants of the nephilim. God didn't seem like such a heartless soul out for a massive genocide on innocent people. Immediately I went back to re-read parts of the Old Testament I had previously skimmed through.

God's answered prayer didn't stop there. As I have mentioned in a previous post, my mother found out she has cancer. Since she struggles with taking prescription medicines, fears arose and questions were asked. She wanted to find other alternative forms of treatment but many doctors don't/won't accept it. We believed that it was through the power of prayer that she was able to find one that not only accepted it, but also encouraged it. It was also through prayer that she was able to take her chemo treatments with little side effects. What a blessing it is to see God at work, even as others continue to doubt.

So today, I leave you with a simple request. If you haven't heard of LA Marzulli, or Rob Skiba, please take a moment to check out their videos. If you believe in aliens, ancient mysteries, and secrete societies, I think these videos will open your mind to a new understanding of our world in which we live in.

Have a great Monday! 

         

Moody Monday's : Back For More Fun

tlpoague

It's me again! Back from a long summer of craziness. I am still working on my book. What started out as a bit of a face-lift has turned into a major re-write. But...I just couldn't stay away any longer from my online family and friends.
To begin, I want to thank everyone for their support. A writer wouldn't be much of a writer if it wasn't for their readers and fans.
I would also like to state that I'm not sure how many posts I can post in a week, but I plan on continuing with Moody Monday's. It seem to be the one day a week I could set a goal and make it.
This summer has been a crazy one between the writing, crafting, and time spent with family.
I have been doing research to improve my stories and found some really interesting literature and videos that I plan on sharing at a later date. I guess you could say that it was one of the benefits of taking a sabbatical because I don't think I would have bothered looking a few of these topics up.
As for the family...we have had a few ups and downs. We have come to rely on our faith in God, and sense of humor, when we were given the news that our dad is dealing with congestive heart failure and our mother was diagnosed with cancer.
The humor part kicked in when my oldest brother mentioned that he didn't trust doctors. He wanted a second opinion and then fell off his horse, breaking his collar bone and fracturing a few ribs. (The rumor was he was going to teach his son the proper way to ride. It became a "what not to do" moment.) By no means were we laughing at the accident. It was his attitude towards doctors and the timing of the accident. He had hung up with mom only minutes before.
I think the highlight of this last week was the time I spent teaching my sister-in-law how to sew her first quilt. We now know just enough to get ourselves in trouble.
In closing, I would like to say that I am thankful for the time I have spent with my family. I am thankful for the opportunities I have been given to develop my skills. I feel bless to have such a wonderful group of family, friends, and online writers.
I wish you all the best as you enjoy your Monday.

Moody Monday's: Having Faith

tlpoague

It's Monday again! That day of the week that is often dreaded. A time to shake of the weekend slumber/fun and head back to the work place.

It is a day that often starts out on the wrong foot. A day where nothing seems to go right. A day that finds most in a slump of negativity. 

So, how does one get past that slump?

I could list a series of ideas but I can't speak for anyone but myself. Each of us deal with life differently. For myself, I seek the Lord. 

It may not be the answer for everyone..but it works for me.

I have been in a slump these last few weeks. I feel the clutches of negativity and stress digging its claws in.  I have tried to face it with humor. I have tried to overcome it with projects. I have tried writing about it. I have been tempted a time or two to post about it. But in the end, none of these methods have worked...until I prayed about it.

God has helped me along the way.

With God:

I have been able to face my fears of success/failure. 

I have set goals and felt the exhilaration of making them. 

I have learned that procrastinating only gets you so far before you have to do something.  

I have learned the path is much easier when trusting God to guide the way.

I have been flipping a coin as to continuing my writing online. I have many irons in the fire that make it difficult to find the time to mingle with everyone I have meet. I love the writing family that has surrounded me and supported me. I am grateful to be a part of it. I don't want to give it up...but, in the same sense...I'm not sure this is the direction I should go. I will continue to pray about. For now, this will be my last post.

I will continue to keep in contact as time allows. 

I will think of you all often. 

I will cherish the time we had together swapping stories, laughs, and support. 

I will always be grateful for the friendships.

I feel blessed with the opportunity to meet and correspond with all of you. 

If in the future you want to chat, just drop me a line on FB or email.

I thank you all for everything you have done to help me to grow as a writer. I wish you all well in your adventures.

Hugs,

tlpoague    

Moody Monday's: Kicking Fear to the Curb

tlpoague

I am in a mood this morning. It isn't one that can be quickly labeled. It is more like a swirl between the worlds of negative and positive. I am discouraged but not to the point of quitting. I feel determined but not at the level of success I desire. I am feeling encouraged and yet beat down. Oh, let's face it, I am a walking contradiction this morning.

I have been in a mood to write, but found myself lacking the desire to write online. I have tried to be sociable but find myself lacking in spirit. Could it be because I placed an unrealistic expectation on others, or myself? I have never been one that could smoothly fit in, because of that, it has become a stumbling block for me.

I have also placed upon my path the task of finishing projects I started months ago. This latest one was a quilt for my grandson to go with the log bed his grandfather made him.

Did you know you can sew a complete project with your thread threaded wrong? I didn't but found out the hard way this week. 

The log bed Grandpa made Little J.
photo by tlpoague

I also found that I have this problem. It keep holding me back from things that are so simple to achieve. It causes me to doubt myself and question every step I take. He also likes to call upon his buddies to hold me back from overcoming this problem.

His name is Fear.

I felt it as a child when I would give my heart to the world to only have it crushed by his friends Envy, Ego, Rejection, and Criticism. It didn't take long for his friends and him to dig their claws in for a long party.

“You're too stupid.”

“You'll never amount to anything.”

“Why do you even try? You always fail.”

Those are words that hung out with Fear.

Soon I began to believe them.

Then one day I woke up with a feeling I never knew before.

Her name was Desire.

I desired to find a way to overcome Fear.

I desired to write, to sing, to finish something...anything.

I desired to achieve the things I had given up for various reasons.

Slowly over time, I have met those goals.

I may not be a famous writer whipping out books by the masses, but I still love to write and share it with others.

I may not be at a Martha Steward level in creativity but know I can do anything I set my mind to.

I may not be able to belt out a tune anymore, without causing the dogs to howl, but I still have the desire to try.

While on the phone to my mother and sister this week, I was telling them about my dilemma with my quilt. I feared screwing it up. I didn't want to cut the pieces then it be too short. I wasn't sure about the design. I felt I had no clue what I was doing. 

It is still a work in progress.
photo by tlpoague

Then it happened.

Most of my fears came true.

Some of the pieces weren't right. Most of them wouldn't sew together. It bound up, thread broke, and measurements were off.

I adjusted the tension. I tested my decade old thread. I tried to blame the interruptions I endured while studying my problem. (How is it that when trying to work, one endures more interruptions and distractions than watching TV?)

Then it came to me clear as a bell, (and the fact that I finally pulled out my sewing book.) I had been threading my bobbin and needle wrong. This had affected the tension to sew the quilt properly. My measurements were off because I was trying to rush it. The thread broke because it was too old but still usable if I took my time.

Now I had a cross road to choose from....give up, tear it all out and start over, or improvise and finish it?

I choose the latter.

It may not be perfect but I will finish it.

Before, Fear would convince me to quit. I would tell myself it was too much. I didn't have the knowledge. Before, I would just dream about it, not try. That was before.

Now...now I know I can do anything...just kick Fear to the curb.

Moody Monday's: Gardening Is Good For The Soul

tlpoague

I got into a mood this morning. I told myself, after a night of lacking sleep, that I needed to get more exercise. (I was seeing fluffy in areas that didn't need much fluff. If anything, they needed the elastic tightened.) I heard that housecleaning was a great form of exercise, but it sure wasn't cutting it for me, no matter how many times I trampled up and down the stairs. So...mood set, tools in hand, I headed out for the garden at six this morning.

It was a disaster!
All the hard work felt wasted as I stood there, hands on hips, surveying the tundra of weeds. With the help of our son, my poor hubby had struggled to till the plot. Then helped me sow seeds into the neat rows. Only to watch the weeds grow instead of our precious plants. (It was apparent that my seeds were too old.)
I wanted to admit defeat, but my soul said no. (And the part where certain critics wanted to say...I told ya so!)
As luck would have it, a small tornado came for a visit Saturday. It did a hop and skip over town, leaving signs of its presence behind in many forms of wind damage. Even a small plane was flipped on its top as it passed. This meant that most of Father's Day was spent squaring away the debris left from our visitor. (I am grateful that no one in our area and the surrounding areas were hurt.)

For my good fortune, this also meant that plants at store were on clearance. I grabbed as many flats as I thought would fill my precious space.
I wasn't too worried about the root plants or ones I could sow from seed for a fall harvest. Instead I felt a great joy finding hidden gems like Brussels sprouts in the broccoli and cauliflower, or green bell peppers in the hot peppers. Soon I had visions of my abundant garden dancing around my head.
This also meant that I wouldn't have to worry about being in short supply of exercise.

Here I was...bright and early...ready to tackle the weeds...and plant my produce.
The first couple of rows weren't too bad.

I didn't think my rows looked too bad.
photo by tlpoague

I had my handy hoe, with a fork on the back end, plowing up the weeds and pitching them in a bucket. I wanted to make sure some of them little critters didn't come back for a visit. I would come back, draw out a row, then fill it with my newly, bought plant. I had a pretty good rhythm going.
My hubby, feeling a might guilty that I was tackling such a big job, came out to check on my progress. It was then, with his kind suggestion, that I realized my straight rows had taken on a curved look. (Hmm, I was wondering why I was getting a bigger gap between a few of them plants.)
Horrified, I proceed to fix my mistake, while Hubby helped with planting peppers.

I still have a lot of weeding to do.
photo by tlpoague

Let me tell ya, by the time I was done planting them flats of plants. I had a burn in muscles I forgot existed. I didn't dare complain about it either since I had made such a big deal about needing exercise.
That much work called for a break. Since I had ran out of room for some of my hot peppers, I decided to share the wealth with my aunt and uncle. Snagging my bored nephew, we set off to the restaurant they owned.
I had just settled in with a sweating glass of ice tea when my elderly neighbor from across the street came in. We exchanged pleasantries before she finally chimed, “Girl, I didn't know what to think of you out there sweating in that garden. I feared you were gonna pass out. Don't ya know you shouldn't wear black in a hot sun? And that poor hat of yours fallin off your head. Ya really needed to tie it down with a scarf.”
It was my turn to chuckle at myself as I replied, “Well, when I started it wasn't that hot. As for the scarf...its around the hat.”
We both had a good laugh at my mistake.
Having a garden is good for the soul...and great exercise too!

Moody Monday's: Can you be your own dentist while curing acne with a cheese grater?

tlpoague

I have decided to step out of the box this week and post something a little different. I wrote this piece eons ago while writing for a writing challenge on HubPages. The challenge was started by a man named Stan Fletcher. He was well known across the HP community by his quick whit and sense of humor. At least once a month he would throw out a challenge to those interested in spreading their wings and trying something new.

I found these writing exercises invigorating, filling me with a faucet of ideas, and a chance to tap into another side of my writing. (I called it my warped, Redneck, dark humor.) 

If ever you find yourself lacking for an idea or challenge, check out...Stan Fletcher's Killer Ideas For Your Next Hub. 

(Just a note: what you are about to read is not for the weak of heart or weak stomach. Don't try this at home. This was simply a writing challenge.)

How To Be Your Own Dentist While Curing Acne With a Cheese Grater
Dear Mr. Stan Fletcher,

Just to let you know, I could never be my own dentist. I can’t stand the thought of using a foreign object to dig away at an abscessed tooth. However, I have been asked to be like a dentist to help someone else out.
Here is my idea of helping someone (in this case a poor teenager) to be their own dentist, while curing acne, with a cheese grater.

Open wide! This will only take a moment...
All it takes is a little imagination.
Children, bless their hearts, are plagued by a deadly chocolate disease that brings on a contagious case of acne. Their teeth begin to rot as their face pops out with spots, so it is handy to have some dental knowledge when dealing with high profile cases.

To get started you will need:

1 bottle of cherry flavored NyQuil (per child)

Fishing pole with heavy test line

Cheese grater (the hand held kind are the best)

One puke bucket (per child)

It will take a couple bottles of cherry flavored NyQuil to get the numbness going, followed by a bit of a buzz. Be sure to keep the fishing pole, with a heavy test line, and cheese grater handy. It also helps to have the puke bucket close by (it doesn't matter if it is for you or the kids).

Are you ready?
While they are experiencing a sugar high, dope them up with a couple bottles of cherry flavored NyQuil to prepare them for the dental work. Have them prop themselves up on pillows while lying on the couch in a comfortable position, head tilted back. Jaws opened wide, tie the end of a fishing line around the deteriorated tooth, making sure all the slack is taken up. Make sure to distract them with humorous pictures, or jokes, to keep their mind off the upcoming pain.

Now, once everyone is primed, give the fishing pole a hard yank. If properly prepared, the agonizing tooth should come flying out with ease. (Careful not to loose the tooth so the child may give it to the tooth fairy.)

Problem with acne? No Problem!
With the offending tooth out of the way, the parent is able to focus on the troublesome acne. Using a cotton ball dripping with rubbing alcohol, smear it along the troubled spots. This will not only clean and disinfect, but has a numbing agent to coincide with the NyQuil. A cheese grater with a long handle works best when scrubbing off the acne. Once the white heads have bled, reapply the rubbing alcohol to re-clean and disinfect. The child is now ready to face the world with a chipper smile and rosy face.

© tlpoague

Moody Monday's: God Only Gives Us As Much As We Can Handle

Have you ever heard the saying, “God only gives you as much as you can handle?” Do you believe it is true?

For myself, I would have to say yes. I think God only gives me as much as I can handle. 

photo by tlpoague

I often joke that I never have a boring life. There is always some kind of drama going on whether it is in my siblings families or my own. Last week I had a very good topic I was wanting to write about. Then it happened. That little thing that often derails the best of writer's intentions.

Mine was a washing machine. It was one of those shinning moments where you have a houseful of company and things begin to go sour. My son had been washing his laundry when he noticed that the washer wasn't draining. Instead of intruding on his visit, we decided to post-pone the fix till after the kids left. This just happened to be the day I needed to post a Moody Monday. What timing!                            

tlpoague

“Well, no problem,” I told myself as I handed the tools to my hubby. “It should be a quick fix.”

Boy, was I wrong.

The filter of the water pump was full of garbage. Guess where the built up water went? Yup, all over the floor, despite the best efforts to drain it in a bucket. The smell was awful! I still gag thinking about it.

So, after cleaning out the pump and replacing it, I cleaned up a filthy mess. While cleaning this mess, I noticed that the drum of the washing machine wasn't spinning. It took awhile to analyze the problem and then find a solution. (There is a sensor inside the door of the front-end loading washing machine that becomes weak. When this happens, it won't spin properly.) This meant that we (the hubby) has to take apart the door and adjust the sensor to get by till we could order a new one. In the meantime, I was still trying to move things and clean up the smelly water mess.

By the time we had made a few more adjustments, finished the week's worth of laundry, and mopped the floors a dozen times, I was pretty pooped, but we still needed to plant our garden. I know, I know, it seems a bit late, but with all the weird weather we had been having, I wanted to make sure that the last frost was over so I didn't loose any of our precious plants. So, I figured...there is always tomorrow to write.

Never tell yourself that when making plans for the next day. For in my case, planning often doesn't go as planned.

Tuesday found me doing more housecleaning and helping the hubby finish a bed for our grandson Julius. I thought it turned out amazing. Of course this led to having the grand kids over for a bit. 

The grandson and his new bed.
photo by tlpoague

Wednesday was a surprise fishing trip. I had a great time trying to out fish Mr. P.. Naturally he caught the most fish while I managed to catch a lot of sun. To add to the excitement of fishing, we seen the largest snapping turtle of our lives.

I couldn't pass this opportunity up so I dug out my camera to snap a few photos. Just as I zoomed in to take a shot of the turtle, movement caught my eye. It was a water snake swimming towards my feet. For those that know me...I hate snakes! They freak me out!

I forgot about the turtle as I focused on the snake just inches from my feet. Mr. P. was doing his best to find a stick to scoot it away. (Have you ever had a moment where you have a deadly creature on the end of the stick and the stick breaks? Well...I did. Not once, but twice!) 

Mr. P. did his best to fling the snake back into the lake a bit further from where we were. This little critter wasn't impressed and proceeded to swim right back for my feet. The second time, Mr. P. poked at him till he moved on by. Of course, I think it may have been more productive if the sticks didn't keep breaking. By the time the excitement was over, the turtle had moved on, and I was done fishing. 

I am really not fond of snakes, no matter the size.
photo by tlpoague

We decided to head back home but first wanted to stop by my dad's, Big Nam, to see how he was recovering. (He had been really sick over Easter.) I was glad to see he was doing better. It was an enchanting moment of enjoyment to see the look on his face when we gave him a load of fish we caught. I was one happy french fry! By the time we arrived home, I hit the sack and slept like a rock. 

The stringer full of fish we gave my dad.
photo by tlpoague

Thursday we took off on a four hour drive to the doctor's for an over-night test. Along the way we had a lovely conversation about our week and future plans. (Our daughter had mentioned that she has a new job. This means that she will be moving a few hours away. I planed to get in as much time with the grand babies as I could before they move.) As for the tests... they seemed to have gone well.

Friday as we headed back home for a much needed rest, I received a phone call from our daughter. Our youngest grandson was admitted in the hospital for an over-night observation and more tests. He had been breathing too fast and had wheezing on his chest. As a grandmother, it was difficult to not want to control the situation. By the time I had arrived at the hospital, the doctor has determined that the little guy had viral pneumonia. They were keeping him under watch and administering medication.

Saturday, our little guy was doing much better. He was sent home. Needless to say, I think I have earned a few more gray hairs from all the worry. I am grateful that God answered our prayers. 

Our little grandson feeling much better.
photo by tlpoague

It was sitting here at my computer on Sunday, brushing off my keyboard, contemplating my next topic, and reading a few blogs, hubs, and bubbles, that I realized something very important.

No matter how busy I am, I need to find the time to write. This is important because to keep this talent in tuned, I need to use it. Not just talk about it...but take action and do it. The ironic part of it was that as I was catching up on some reading, I read an article from a fellow writer talking about how as writers we have a responsibility to write. This article really hit home. Sometimes it easier to get caught up in excuses than to just take that moment and...well...just write.

I look forward to seeing you all again next Monday for Moody Monday's.