Tommy would have frozen to death outdoors! I began to nurture “Tommy” when he appeared in my garden in late Fall. A “volunteer”–not one of the tomato plants I enjoyed during the Spring and Summer. There are numerous blooms so–with TLC–I may have tomatoes in a couple of months?! ~~ The sensor for my indoor-outdoor thermometer (hanging in a tree) says “30 degrees.” However, the thermometer on the table outside the door says “28 degrees.” ~~ Houston weatherman predicts a very cold week!! ~~~~~~ (Couldn’t sleep; out of bed early!!)

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The warmest place in my trailer: Sitting at the computer, in front of the electric heater!! I have a minimum of heat during the night so the trailer was frigid this morning!!

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Astonishing, unbelievable, remarkable, etc., etc.! It’s difficult to fathom the change in temperature in twelve hours. Hey, I’m not complaining!! The afternoon sunshine feels wonderful!!

Sunshine this morning!! Oh joy!! According to weatherman “low of 31 degrees” (last night). He predicts freezing temperatures for tonight. After many days of “gloom” and rain, I’m overjoyed!! Weatherman says it will be cold all day and all week.

The morning was spent at the laundry room ($6,00). Home just in time for lunch in the dining room. After lunch, and social time, I filled seven bird feeders–and picked up downed tree limbs. The rain gauge indicated we had almost four inches of rain the last two days. Now (at 3:00 PM) it is “tea time.” ~~ Clothes to put away a little later; starting the new year with everything clean. ~~ It is so delightful to spend time in the yard!!!!!!!!!!

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This is curious!! That seed was wet, and dumped from the feeders before refilling the feeders. But I sprinkled it on the patio “in case” the birds or squirrels might want it. No sign of birds at the hanging feeders. Isn’t that strange??

If I remember French correctly, my blog title (à vôtre santé) says “to your health.” Naturally, I am concerned about the welfare of my feathered friends. That’s why I was out in the yard–in 53 degree weather–to refill the feeders.

Like the view from my front window?? I love the view!!!!!!!

Noisy, loud rain pelted the trailer all night. I wondered if it was hail. About seven AM, we had lots of lightning and thunder!! The pictures were taken from the steps into my trailer. The sidewalk, and patio, was covered with an inch (or more) of moving water. The local weather-woman says we will see sunshine this afternoon. I’ll believe it when I see it!!

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Three Quarters & Counting (my age) and I’m loosing some of my skills. Many hours after I wrote the following blog message, already in bed for the night, I realized that I used the word “pin” incorrectly. Spelling, and vocabulary, has always been easy for me. At the time I wrote the blog I was confident that my “play on words” was accurate. This is frightening!! It is my hope, and prayer, that I do not lose my memory!!

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Seriously, I received the following… as an email message (at 11:30 PM). This message (Bummer) had been published and the following blog message had been corrected. Without being aware of my faux pas, a friend sends this.

I have good news for you. The first 80 years of your life are the hardest. The second 80 are just a succession of birthday parties.  Once you reach 80, you’ve got it made. Everyone wants to carry your baggage, help you up the stairs, find you a seat, get you a cup of coffee. Everyone is so nice. And, if you forget your telephone number, or promise to be three places at the same time, or you can’t remember how many grandchildren you have, you need only explain that you’re 80. 

 

Being 80 is a lot better than being 70. At 70, people are mad at you for everything — they want you to do everything, and know everything, and blame you for everything. If you act foolishly, you’re in your second childhood. Everyone is looking at you for symptoms of softening of the brain.

 

Being 70 is no fun at all. At that age, people expect you to retire to a house in Florida, and complain about your arthritis. But if you survive until you are 80, everyone is surprised that you are still alive. They treat you with respect, and kindness, just for having lived so long. Actually, they seem astonished that you can walk and talk sensibly.

 

So please, folks, try to make it to 80. It’s the best time of your life, people forgive you for anything. If you ask me, life begins at 80!!

                                                                                                                                                                                                          Anonymous

It’s a cold, rainy night; the clock says eleven PM. I’ll make several corrections to this message published mid-day.

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Another dark, cold, rainy day in East Texas. I’m “penned in” again–in my less than (<) three-hundred square foot trailer. All morning, I have been reading the sixty-four page book titled One Foot Makes a Difference, by Orville L. Schinke.

Orville lies in bed–in a convalescent home in Livingston. I speculate that he is “pinned out.” Few, if any, manuscripts will be written. (Correction: penned.)

“Orv” and his wife, Marge, moved to our CARE Center barely four months ago. Half that time, he has been in the hospital or convalescent home.

I am more than (>) eager to “pin” a new message while the weather keeps me in my comfortable “pen.” The title of Orville’s book, One Foot Makes a Difference, refers to the distance between our head and our heart. I’m not certain exactly what words to type but my heart dictates that I prepare this blog message. (At 11:00 PM, my head dictates that spelling errors must be corrected.)

My “heart” is bursting with gratitude for four recent phone calls. People care for me and took time to call!! Fifty years ago–in a square dance club–a friendship developed between myself and Christine. A young man named David K entered my life approximately thirty-six years ago–during a very dark period in my life-history. It has been years… but he hasn’t forgotten. ~~ Seven years ago, I purchased my 2006 KIA Sportage–and the former owner, Charles, called (again) to inquire about my health and well-being. ~~ Four years ago–while traveling through the New England states (with my 2006 KIA and 2004 T@B teardrop trailer) –a thoughtful, considerate young woman, Debbie, extended her hand in friendship.

Today I “got acquainted” with a man through his writings. Maybe (as I wrote in an earlier blog) a grandchild, or great-grandchild, will research my name and “get acquainted” with a woman they seldom, if ever, saw. “One foot makes a difference”: Head, heart!!

Greater than, less than…. Maybe this message doesn’t convey what’s in my heart?? People leave an imprint on our lives–both good and bad. It is my prayer that–in this New Year–I share kindness, consideration and love. Furthermore, I want people to know that my (good) actions come from a love of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. “What Would Jesus Do?”  My sincere apology if I said–or pinned–hurtful words. (Correction: penned.)

Suggestion: Read Orville’s book.

Captured by Grace, details about the life of Louis Zamperini.

Quite honestly, I would probably have to drive over sixty miles to a movie theater showing the movie Unbroken. But–courtesy of my television set–and Daystar—I watched Louis Zamperini tell his story in a Billy Graham film.

Check it out?!

Today, the Rose Parade honored Mr. Zamperini.

Footnote: It’s possible Louis Zamerini and I worshiped in the same congregation: First Presbyterian Church Of Hollywood. My husband and I worshiped (1978-1983) under the ministry of Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie.