(1) The weather has been disagreeable. (2) My efforts are not appreciated regarding the plumbing problem next door and updating data about “Deep Well #2.” For two days (fifteen hours each), I “climbed the family tree.” With my head  in the branches, among the leaves, I am oblivious to the “outside world.” However, there are continuing, nagging problems from “being hacked” and I’ve forced myself to dig into paperwork. My depressions were heightened as I searched my “important papers.” That box contains so many negative memories.

Just thought I’d “touch base” and then hasten back to my other computer and continue a combination glad and sad project. Back story: When I called a friend-“cousin” to wish her a happy birthday, the phone was no longer in service. I emailed a genealogy acquaintance and her brief reply said my dear, dear friend-“cousin” passed away several months ago. She wasn’t ill, everything was fine. In the comfort of her home, at the dining room table (doing genealogy?), she went home to be with Jesus–and her husband who preceded her by several years. “Dear, dear friend cousin” was extremely helpful while I was compiling information about Frantz Families–Kith & Kin. This would be a long, long blog message if I listed all the things she (and her husband) did for me over the years. Bottom line: I am thoroughly documenting her ancestry. It is time-consuming because of many men and women with the same name, same location. Furthermore, source records (like Census) are full of misspelling. Felix appears as “Philis,” David appears as “Davis.” Each possible record needed to be analyzed for location and dates. Ancestry Member Family Trees list details after the person is deceased.  “Glad”  I can do this project for a friend; “sad”  to lose a family friend who shared my love of family.

Yours truly missed the anniversary yesterday. Frankly, I didn’t hear about the milestone because the media seems devoted to the seventy-fifth anniversary of the invasion of Normandy, France. “Normandy”… and President Trump visiting Queen Elizabeth and all the pomp and ceremony in London. ~~ Women with a voice plus the price paid for our freedom, by our servicemen. God bless America!

“Stupid old lady; what does she know?”  My neighbors may not verbalize their disdain but I detect it in their voice.  The landlady’s stepson advised me the water will be turned off at 4:00 PM. I asked if he was notifying the other people and (of course) he can’t (or won’t). Because of my recent research, I called two residents to advise them. One was bubbling with appreciation; one was arguing with me that he isn’t on “Deep Well #2.” I attempted to explain my recent interest and share details regarding my research. “You’re wrong.”  I suggested we work on getting it right. To be fair, maybe he doesn’t like to talk on the phone so he came over to see what I was talking about and said: “I’ll bring my shovel and dig the hole.” ~~ We did not find a “shut off” but we found the water line exactly at the location I had staked out.

The heat has robbed me of every ounce of energy!! I was sitting motionless in my easy chair; no TV. “Get up Lorraine; do something!”  To my credit, I accomplished numerous tasks before I “wilted.” Dozen of things await my time and energy but “too hot and tired.” The calendar hasn’t identified “Summer” yet–this is late Spring. (Poor grammar in that last sentence but you get the message?) I’m not complaining because I have my home; I am “high and dry.” So many families living near rivers. in “middle America,” have been flooded and reports indicate the rivers have not “crested.” ~~ TV news full of tragic weather news plus the mass shooting in Virginia Beach.  Here in Houston, Texas, vicinity a four-year-old girl’s body returned from Arkansaw where she was dumped along the highway. Dumped like garbage along the highway near Hope, Arkansas. Why are we experiencing so much violence? I turn to the scriptures for consolation and “hope.” Here is one of many:

31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

 

When I tried to fill in the holes? The soil was “hard as a brick” and I had to apply water. Reportedly, a contractor/plumber will be here on Tuesday morning to work on plumbing problem at neighbor’s home. **IF** contractor/plumber digs for the shutoff, damp soil will make the job easier. I see another problem: Imagine the obstacle of the tree roots .

Because we may face a period of time with the water shut off, I did two loads of laundry, one shower, and a handful of dirty dishes. Prepared fresh Hummingbird nectar after washing, and filling two Hummingbird feeders. In the yard, hosed and cleaned two bird feeders. Obviously, lots of water for the thirsty plants.

Note my combination of donation and discard. A lady-friend picks up my (very few) cans and aluminum. I asked if her”destination” also takes scrap metal. “Yes.”  My friend donates the money from cans and aluminum to our local SPCA. My combination donation and discard.

Also spent time watching “TV church.”

Today, I discard.

Wasted hours of my day updating the “Deep Well #2” list. I checked the names on the mailboxes, I walked up the street verifying addresses. Several people thought I was lost and asked if they could help. I explained my project. Two folks ignored my request for personal information for the revised list. (Waste of my time and energy?!) ~~ On the positive side: DISCARDS!!

That’s what I called myself when I went to a backyard neighbor for help. “I’m a buttinski.” He looked at me in a peculiar way so I explained I was trying to find information to help my nasty landlady and her nasty step-son (“help…” although it is none of my business). “Landlady and step-son” have been having major plumbing problems for months.  I decided I’d ask backyard neighbors if they had some answers. Sadly, no answers. Today (praise the Lord), a neighbor living a block away stopped by (to visit) and (being a long-time resident) she provided valuable information. When I went next door, to my landlady, and step-son, she snarled at me “Someone covered the holes.”  I confessed to covering the holes because her son-in-law said “OK.” (The value of my worth?!) Whether “they” appreciate it or not, I gave them details so someone (not Lorraine) can dig for, and locate the water shutoff. Not my business, but “buttinski”  will update the long-outdated information about recipients receiving water from two wells. “Who’s who.” True story: Everyone listed on the weathered sheet of paper (posted in the “well house”) has been dead for years. Property ownership has changed several times (according to the longtime resident lady-friend.) I’ll be knocking on doors to obtain current information.

Now to other events of the day?!

Reasonably early, I was outdoors working on the “discard” project.

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Longtime resident lady-friend stopped by and we launched into problem-solving. She led the way and we traipsed (in the heat) to the two “well houses.” (Previously unknown to “buttinski.”)

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The rain was absolutely wonderful. For the first time in weeks, I have the door open so I can “feel” and “smell” the rain. For a month, the air conditioner has been running 24/7.

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Three men stood around–in February–while one man dug.  The holes were quite a distance from the location of my calculation. Did they read the weathered sheet of paper in the well house?? Were they digging because someone said, “I think…” ?? I’m just an old lady; what do I know??