"Twiddling my thumbs and questioning my life choices"

Today was a cranky day for me. 
I'm bored, that's the simple truth. 
When I get bored, I get cranky.

Goodbye roaring 20s, hello terrific 30s!

Today was my youngest son's 30th birthday.
That's a little mind-blowing.
My first son turning 30 didn't really affect me much, but when the babies start turning 30, that's like, oh my gosh, I'm getting old!

♥♥♫♪ Happy Birthday to you ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥¸ ¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday to you ♪♫•*¨*

 

Embracing the beauty of quiet moments

 I have nothing to write, nothing. 
It turned out to be a rainy evening, so walking was out. 
Of course our mornings rarely deviate. 
It was an all evening TV TV TV. 
I'm not really going to fuss it was quiet and peaceful and relaxing. 
I enjoyed it. 
It just didn't lend to making a good blog post.

“The youngest suicides are the most heartbreaking, for they have not yet learned that life changes.” — Norman Farberow

Our last store day of March, the year is flying by. 
Don't you tell me it's only three months in, blink hard enough and it'll be December again.

“The World Breaks Everyone” — Ernest Hemingway

The trees are killing me! 
Seriously, I’m allergic to everything that grows in Tennessee.

I woke up with the headache from hell. 
Nonetheless, I managed to fight the government and get Badger a new insurance card. 
Her TennCare doesn’t really cover anything we need, so we’ve just kept her on Cowboy’s insurance, and didn’t even realize her TennCare card ran out four years ago.

Finding peace in the embrace of nature🌳🌷

The days are pretty much the same around here. 
I keep repeating myself, but the only reason I even keep up with the blog these days is to try to know what the day is. 
If I am not putting pen to paper, so to speak, I would never know the day. 

Catching some good rays and spring vibes

We were up bright and early to head to Powell for Badger’s appointment.
We were early, as usual, but they must not have been all that busy today.
They took her on back there, and I doubt she was in the exam room longer than fifteen minutes.
I was happily reading one of the terrible, cheesy AI‑generated stories that Facebook pops up, looked up, and there she was back out.

Sip. Savor. Sunday.

Today has been hot!
We came close to breaking a record set in 1907. 
That was even before my grandmother was born.

Mood: pure relaxation

This was just a relaxing, lazy kind of Saturday.
Cowboy napped most of the morning, Badger was in her room, and I played on the computer.
Eventually Cowboy headed outside and worked in the yard a little bit.

“Give a Southerner a minute and they’ll give you their whole life story.”

This is going to be one of those short and sweet blog posts, or as short as a chatty Southerner can get.
Not a whole heck of a lot happened today.

I definitely feel I do have God in my corner. Chuck Norris

 

Vernal Equinox-Spring

 

Winter hibernation is over

Town day again, every Thursday like clockwork, unless something medical comes up.
It was one of our quicker trips, and we didn't stop for fast food.
Badger had dinner in the Crock-Pot.

March teaches us the beauty of patience

The meteorologist insists it was 50 degrees today. 
I strongly disagree.
Badger and I took a little walk, just to get out of the house and away from the TV.
The wind was blowing, and it was downright cold.

"The leprechauns made me do it."

My rear end is numb!
We’ve been watching TV since Cowboy went to work at 3 p.m., and it’s well past 11 p.m. now.
I don’t even want to think about how many episodes of “The X-Files” we’ve seen tonight.

Wishing you the luck of the Irish, today and always!

 

Snow happens, weather you like it or not

I sometimes wonder what our ancestors who first came to these mountains thought about our crazy weather.
Or maybe Ireland and Scotland’s weather is just as nutty.
I say Ireland and Scotland because those are the countries most of the settlers here came from.

Little feet, big mischief

Heron had to work today.
They had the regular bar crowd, and then some kind of St. Patrick's Day race.
I'll do a time jump.
He called late this evening, said he was off work, and going to his girlfriend's house for the night.

Springtime: when the world becomes your playground

The kids were up making noise at 8 a.m. 
If they were doing it earlier, I didn't hear it. 

Cowboy was already up, and he had me and Badger out the door, heading for Kodak by 11 a.m. 
We walked around the flea market. 
He needed a phone harness, or at least that's what he calls it.

“After all,” Anne had said to Marilla once, “I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.”

This is going to be one of those super quick, just letting you know I’m still alive type of posts. 
Absolutely nothing happened today, but I’ve been writing daily since 2002 for the most part and I’ll be doggone if I miss a day.

Feeling lucky?

 

“Sharing space across generations requires boundaries; otherwise, love and duty can turn into exhaustion.”

Thirty-three years ago today was the Blizzard of 1993. 
We had roughly twelve to fifteen inches of snow. 
Cowboy and I lived in a trailer park in Jefferson City.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do."

The days are long, and all I see stretched out in front of me is sameness.
Nothing changes, nothing will ever change
I put pen to paper just to remember what day it is, figuratively.

"Gravity is not my friend anymore."

I had a bit of bad luck this afternoon that turned into a bit of good luck.
 I was walking down the road, looking at the creek, trying to decide if I had a beaver or a log, and not paying one bit of attention to where I was going.

March’s secret? It always brings something new

Today was Badger’s weekly appointment in Jefferson City.
The house was spotless, and there wasn’t a single load of laundry waiting on me.
That’s one perk of the grandkids not being here all weekend.
I let myself be lazy and played on the computer for a while.
I’m still sorting through all my creative folders.

“The first blooms of spring always make my heart sing.”

Cowboy didn't set the clocks ahead when he went to bed last night.
He thought they would change on their own.
But the clocks didn’t change, and we were an hour behind.

Happy “spring” forward! Don’t forget to change the clocks tonight

I'm exhausted. 
I've not done anything, but I'm still exhausted.
We went to the White Pine Bookstore today.
That store was packed, wall-to-wall with people.
I would guess we were there for about an hour.

“That is one good thing about this world... there are always sure to be more springs.”

Badger went into the laundry room to clean the litter boxes and get the room ready so the cats could be locked in there until Sunday.
She’d probably been working for an hour or more when Raven came home. 
He told us he’d be spending the weekend at his former partner’s house instead of bringing the kids here.

McDonald's: A little guilty pleasure never hurt anyone

Today was the follow-up to Cowboy's procedure.
I think the drive to Powell took longer than the actual appointment.
Badger and I had gotten all comfy in the car to wait.
Then boom, Cowboy was back.

I can't adult today, it's Wednesday

I'll write just to keep up with what day it is. 
It's Wednesday, by the way, but there isn't a thing to write about.

Spring is in the air

Badger and I spent all morning cleaning the house, which is honestly stupid. 
Friday will roll around, and we'll have Raven's kids, and by Sunday night it'll look like we did nothing. 
That’s the point she made. 
But as I told her, we do live here from Sunday night to Friday night.

“Some mental disorders run in families, and your family’s mental health history may be an important clue for determining your risk of developing a mental disorder.”

Badger had her weekly appointment in Jefferson City today.
She brought me home my raspberry coffee that I love, and doughnuts for everyone.
That was much appreciated.

“There is no timeline for grief, and no way to fully prepare for someone’s death”

March came in like a lamb with near record breaking warm temperatures.

Your Wings Were Ready But My Heart Was Not

I can’t complain too much about today. 
The weather turned out really spring like and warm. 
Raven and the kids were gone most of the day, which left me a quiet house. 
I know that sounds like I’m a terrible person, but it was enjoyable.

No amount of time can erase the memory of a good cat

I've been told that I shouldn't grieve for a cat because they're “just an animal,” but to me, my cats are my babies, just with fur. 
I'm really struggling with Annie's death, even though I knew it was coming.

Until We Meet Again At The Rainbow Bridge

♥♥♫♪ Happy Birthday to you ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥¸ ¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday to you ♪♫•*¨*

"I regret nothing! (Said with a heavy sigh and unbuttoned pants)."

Badger's three-month check-up was this morning.
Because of the medication she's on, she has to have frequent check-ups.

Trying to stay calm, but coffee helps too

Badger was awake before 7:30 this morning.
Even though my nest is empty, some motherly instinct told me Badger was awake.
I got up at 8, came into the living room, and sat with her.
I think she would have preferred to be alone, but space is tight in this house. 

Take some advice from winter and chill out

Cowboy had his doctor appointment today.
I was surprised to see his results come back this evening. 
I hadn't expected it to be so soon.
It looks like he's prediabetic so we probably need to be figuring out a new diet.
Or at least I guess we do.
If anyone out there has been through this and have any tips please leave them in the comments.

I’m snow over it!

There isn’t anything to write today, I’m just trying to keep up with the days.
They all blur together lately.

Cowboy went to morning church, came home, changed into his uniform, fed the chickens, and settled in the recliner for a nap before work.

You can't pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first

Cowboy got home at 6:43 a.m., which meant he was working a fifteen-hour shift.
He worked nearly a thirteen-hour shift on Thursday.
He woke up just a little before noon, ate his breakfast, took his medication, and went back to sleep.

Snooze mode: activated

I had a rough night.
I slept well until the wind chimes woke me up at 3 a.m.
It seems like nearly every house in the area has wind chimes, and they were all ringing at once.
I checked the clock, felt the cold bed, and realized Cowboy still wasn’t home.

Earth’s perfume after rain is unmatched

Cowboy was awake and gone by 8:15 a.m. to take the car to be checked.
I don’t know what exactly they looked at on it, but he was back by 9:30.
Badger had cleaned the litter boxes and was heading for a shower, so we told her to make it a quick one and we’d go get our groceries. 
She did, and we did, even though we had no menu planned and no grocery list.
 

Listen to the whisper of the wind, it tells tales ☁️🌬️

Cowboy didn’t come to bed until 2:15 a.m., which didn’t surprise me since his body still runs on his work schedule. 
He didn’t get up until 11:15 a.m. 
With him heading back to work tonight, I just let him sleep.

Hold your head high, stick your chest out. You can make it. It gets dark sometimes, but morning comes. Keep hope alive. Jesse Jackson

Coffee first, then we conquer the Monday chaos

Peacock did manage to come pick us up to take us to Cowboy’s appointment.
We probably should’ve let Raven take us or just driven ourselves.
After the appointment, Peacock dropped us off, went home, and sent us a picture of his house.

“I hope I left behind a legacy that people will enjoy. But whatever they want to say, I can’t predict.” — Robert Duvall

Have a HOOT this Valentine's Day!

 

Feeling lucky?

Thursday: the calm before the weekend storm

This was one of our faster trips to town. 
We made it back home at 12:30 p.m. 
We just didn’t need that many groceries this week.

♥♥♫♪ Happy Birthday to you ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥¸ ¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday to you ♪♫•*¨*

What the actual cluck?

We made it to our appointment.

Traffic is always a nightmare when we head into West Knoxville, but we made it without too much trouble.

Do you ever feel like a Tuesday sloth? Me too

 We are having false spring. 
The temperature made it to seventy degrees.
It was very windy, but when isn't it windy?

Dogs Make Everything Better, Even Mondays

I didn't wake up until time to take my morning meds at 8:30 a.m.
Man, that felt good.

Badger had an early morning appointment, so we were all up early.

Birthday mode: ON. Let the celebrations begin! 🎂🎈🎉

The day started at 6 a.m., which I’ll take over 5 any day. 
It does make me wonder if Raven realizes how easily sound carries between the three rooms when the kids are in his bedroom.

♥♥♫♪ Happy Birthday to you ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥¸ ¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday to you ♪♫•*¨*

 

 

Current status: Running on coffee and desperation

The morning started well before 6 a.m. 
Some of us can sleep through anything, but others of us hear every squeak and creak, which makes for a very long day.

Just remember: Every cold day is one step closer to summer

We made it to town. 
There was a little bit of snow overnight and the temperatures got below freezing, but nothing stuck this time. 
The only place we went was Walmart. 

I don't always play in the snow, but when I do, it's epic ❄️🐾

They were calling for rain this evening, so Heron sent us a text from work to make sure Lady got one more romp in the snow before the rain washed it away.
Badger grabbed her camera and the dog and headed to the backyard. 
Lady enjoyed her snowy romp, and Badger got some incredible pictures.

Will it be an early spring or six more weeks of winter? Only the shadow knows.-Groundhog Day

There’s snow place like home

Cowboy got to work, Heron got to work, and Raven’s kids made it home.
They said the roads were fine, which surprises me because it never got out of the twenties and we almost never have clear roads the day after a snow like this.
They must have really worked hard salting and plowing overnight to get things that clear.
The back roads and side roads are still a mess, though.

“I’m pretty much a good Catholic girl at heart and I believe in family. I also have a basic belief that God takes care of me.”

Cheers to a cavity-free smile!

Badger’s dentist appointment went well.
A quick cleaning, a quick check, and she was out the door, good until August.

Time was short, but we got enough groceries to see us through, plus chicken feed. 
We made it home at ten minutes to one, which was pretty good timing.

“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.”

The temperature continues to stay at or below freezing, and the wind howled all day today.
There isn’t anything to write about when you’re stuck indoors.

I don’t need coffee—I choose it… every single morning… forever

Another Keurig bit the dust, although that wasn’t unexpected. 
We knew there was some reason we stopped using the red Keurig.

Our morning started with a bleary-eyed Heron desperately shaking the Keurig, begging it for just one cup of coffee, just one please. 
Badger said she didn’t realize just how addicted to coffee we actually were. 
Heron had to stumble off to work without any caffeine. 
He works at a bar and pizzeria. 
Hopefully they sell coffee.

“When ill luck begins, it does not come in sprinkles but in showers.”

Badger had her appointment in Jefferson City today. 
I’d planned to go into the bank afterward because a store double‑charged me, but by the time we got to the doctor’s office, I decided I wasn’t in the mood to deal with a live human.
I called customer service instead.
It took the whole appointment, a full hour, to get it sorted out, but I think we’re good now.

He’s the Reason His Guardian Angel Drinks

 We didn’t have as early a start today. 
We were able to wake up at our usual time.
Traffic was still heavy. 
I rode all the way down with my hand cupped on my forehead and my nose stuck in the phone.
Badger said Cowboy nearly rear‑ended an old lady, but I pretty much had a blindfold on and tried not to see anything.

I'm on my second guardian angel. The first one quit and is in therapy

Our morning started out entirely too early. 
I think Badger was up around 6:30 a.m., and I got up around 7.
We were on the road at 8.
We got to the underpass and a deer poked its head out. 
Luckily Cowboy saw it and slowed down, and the deer didn’t try to leap out.
He saw our car and headed back up the railroad tracks.
It was a small bright spot in a morning that started too soon.

January state of mind

There wasn’t much to say about the day.
 It was another long stay‑inside winter day. 
The temperature never climbed out of the low forties, and the wind blew almost nonstop.
 It feels like we get more windy days now than calm days.

Remembering MLK JR

 

Some days just surviving is my greatest achievement

This was one of our rougher weekends with Raven’s kids. 
To tell you how bad it got, Cowboy even snapped this morning, and he usually just ignores the chaos. 
I won’t go into it, but it wasn’t a good morning, and I spent a large part of it out in my she‑shed.

January: the month of hibernation and Netflix marathons

I had a very restless night. 
Lately, that’s not uncommon. 
My nose was all stuffy, and I couldn’t breathe. 
Then I started coughing.

“January is like the monday of months.”

It’s Wednesday, and really, what more is there to say?
 Cowboy went for his lab work this morning. 
It was safety‑meeting day at work, so he headed in early.

Laundry is like a box of chocolates - you never know what you're gonna get

Badger and I have the routine down pat for the exterminator. 
It helps that the house was already clean, and all we had to do was clear off the kitchen countertops.
He was in and out quickly.

Currently accepting good vibes and jumper cables

Badger was awake before me this morning, which never happens.
It was her first appointment with the new practice, so she was up early.

Raven got home early too, but he sat in his car for nearly an hour.
He probably fell asleep.
I could never do third shift.
I don’t know how he manages it.

It's too early for this... but here we are!

I heard footsteps around seven, though I’d been half-aware of movement long before that.
I usually wake up early because I want to, but there’s a difference between choosing to wake up and being woken up.
It’s not pleasant to be pulled out of a sound sleep.

Don't call me a couch potato, I'm an armchair expert!

KUB pulled into my driveway at 8:12 a.m., and the work was finished by 11 a.m.
The technician was polite and looked around Badger’s age, maybe even Heron’s.
I had a brief moment of panic when he mentioned installing everything in either a basement or an attic.
We explained that my attic requires crawling in on your stomach, but I did have a crawl space.

O wind, a-blowing all day long, O wind, that sings so loud a song!

We’ll just call this a placeholder post because nothing happened today. 
Badger and I spent most of the day watching TV.

Basking in the glow of the winter sun

It felt like spring today, warm enough to hit the high sixties.
Badger and I walked down to the yappy dachshund house, and I didn’t even bother with a jacket.
It’s January, so I know it won’t stick around, but I’m soaking it up while I can.

Wishing you peace, love, and laughter in the new year

I hope everyone had a happy New Year. 
I watched the ball drop in silence because my computer has no sound.
I finished the episode of the TV show we’re watching and was in bed by 12:30 a.m.

Ring out the old, Ring in the new!!