Moving day...

I've not moved my blog house in awhile, and maybe it's time to keep up the trend---not disappoint folks. ;)  Found a site called Weebly, which is free (unless you upgrade), and very easy to manage.  Beautiful templates and artwork.  Pretty much a no brainer.

As I've said there, this will be my book review blog.  I have work to do here to tidy up, but in time it'll be done.  

That said, please join me at Cracked China.

Gone fishin'

Taking a blogging break.  A little Internet housekeeping probably in order.  If my site goes private in the meantime after you read this, not to worry.  Will be back up soon.  :) 

'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up' by Marie Kondo

I have to admit to reading lots of de-cluttering books in the course of the last few years.  Most have the same theme threading through them, and mostly we know all of what they're telling us.  We just want to postpone the inevitable, which is that the cleaning must take place.  But, from time to time, someone hits onto a topic that's a bit different.  Marie Kondo in The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up has come up with a trick that might be the one thing that finally clicks with me.  

She says to take up each item in your house and ask if it brings you joy.  At first thought that sounds a bit over-the-top, but if you think about it, it makes sense.  Of course the idea of putting all of your clothes, ALL of your clothes on the floor and going through them item by item seems bizarre.  But that's what Marie asks you to do.  Then you do the same with your books, on down to your special mementos.  Each thing you ask of it if it brings you joy.  Yes, you heard it.  Joy.

And if you think about it, we have houses full of stuff that fills space, and we don't even like it much.  

Since finishing Marie's book I've taken up corners of the house and asked the question.  I've not piled up all my clothes to sort, but with a houseful of humans with me, I might have to alter her style to work for me.  Maybe I'm not radical about this cleaning thing, but Marie Kondo has inspired me in her book called The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.  And on a humorous note, I downloaded the ebook to read.  No clutter there!

(i received this book free to review from bloggingforbooks)

'The Duck Commander Faith and Family Bible'

The new Duck Commander Faith and Family Bible (NKJV) which is edited and graced by Phil Robertson and his son, Al, is wonderful.  Full of the stories we've grown familiar reading and then some, but with even more heart.  I love these guys.  And I secretly have a crush on Phil, but we won't go into that.

The Bible has sections of special topics such as:  Compassion, Marriage, Faith, Forgiveness, Happiness, Solace (which sounds so appealing) and much more.  Scripture is sited and personal stories go along with all of the topics---all relevant to that particular section.  There are cross-references and so much extra material to study by.  Really an excellent Bible, and while I don't usually read Study Bibles, I would heartily endorse this one.  For anyone who's a believer in our Lord Jesus Christ and a fan of the Robertsons, this is a beautiful Bible to own.  It's extremely well-done.

And love this on the book jacket:  "Happy, happy, happy are the people whose God is the Lord!"~Psalm 144:15 (extra happies added)

(i received this book free to review from booklookbloggers)

Having a love affair with parentheses

Had promised myself to not get frazzled this week, and have already broken my promise.  Figured today could be spent with cleaning (not in a mad-woman sort of way, but quietly), but that's not happening.  Called my mom to ask her a banking question, which set the ball rolling. She was very sweet (which is her nature now), and we got squared away, but it involved me going to her bank, which I didn't have on my schedule.  Had to go to ours as well, since their mobile app didn't accept two deposits last night.  Then had to pay Mom's bills, get stamps, which happily have reindeer on them (had mild anxiety attack because of too much to do), bought her groceries so we could deliver them either tomorrow or Wednesday (pumping for Wednesday).  Now in bed resting.

Dang.

I do figure, though, if I stay home tonight (have to delay grocery shopping 'til those checks clear), then tomorrow can pass in a routine sort of way, except for doing our Thanksgiving shopping, which ought to be fun, and I really mean that.  Having to shop around for turkey deals though, since our store isn't having one.  Got a mid-sized one at Target today when I got Mom's stuff (store brand, $.89/pound) to roast on Thanksgiving Eve to save for Thursday to add to the bigger turkey I'm planning to roast then.  One isn't enough.  Well, if I could buy a 30 pound turkey it'd be enough. :)  Not happening.  There's not such a bird.  Is there?

Then probably on Wednesday will take Mom her things, help her bathe and do her hair in preparation for her to go to her sister's with my oldest brother for Thanksgiving.  And get home in time to go to church, which I'm really looking forward to.  A quiet spell in the midst (or at the end of) my busyness.  The least one is an acolyte this month, so she has to be there anyhow.  Incense would be nice too, but not holding my breath.  Would be delightful, though.

~ ~ ~

On a curious note, second son is helping a friend slaughter/kill/process/execute (what's the right word?) chickens and turkeys tomorrow.  Interesting, but not so much that I need details.  Just thought it was an odd thing to make note of.  On the upside, he might get paid in poultry.  Organic, and probably happy meat.  We'll see.

~ ~ ~

Will toddle off now.  Talking settled my spirits some.  I can hear middle daughter puttering around in the kitchen, cleaning and such.  Bless her heart.  She's got music on her headphones, so is mindlessly tidying up.  Such a help.

Take care and be kind to yourselves.  This is supposed to be a happy holiday, remember.

Saturday evening

Sat out with the chickens this morning.  Nora and Anastasia looked down-right pitiful.  Their pin feathers are coming in and they look all prickly.  Madelyn has almost finished filling out again, and she must've been aware, because she was strutting around, and being a glutton with their treats.  No need to rub it in.  Milk, whose molting is almost over, was being the darling she always is, hopping into my lap so I could cuddle her.  I do love that chicken.  Sweet Nora hopped up for a second, but was so bedraggled, I think she just felt too cranky to be hugged.  Besides, I've read that they feel a bit sore and uncomfortable when their new feathers are coming in.  It's all an education to me, since they didn't molt last winter, being that they weren't even a year old.  

~ ~ ~

So thankful for my Woodboy to have work in the shop, enough to get us caught up and allow for turkey and all the trimmings.  God is faithful whether we are or not.

~ ~ ~

And looking forward to church in the morning, as always.  I got orange tulips and white roses for the altar vases, gifted by some friends' daughter's birthday.  They'll be the last official flowers before Christmas, since we'll just use greenery (holly and magnolias) until the poinsettias are bought.  The paraments will be green, so I figured the orange/white would look pretty.  Fall-ish.

~ ~ ~

Now to keep my head on straight for the coming week.  Was at a neighbor's house today and she'll be alone, I think, and I'm not sure whether to invite her or not.  I'm not the most gracious inviter-of-folks-who-never-come-over, and generosity as a hostess isn't my strong-suit.  And with our son's fiance coming, I'm a bit antsy about that.  Just a bit.  Have promised myself to NOT get overcome, and inviting more folks gets me anxious.  Might be the right thing in a Christian spirit sort of way, but this is where being an introvert is a true hang-up.  I could be really great at being a hermit.

Not going to fret about it, though.  Enough on my plate.

Friday noon-time

A drizzly day, which always strikes me as a gift.  Went out just after seven this morning to let out the chickens.  A mist was in the air, the sun was breaking through the clouds just a bit, and the hens were beginning to make noise.  Damp, not so chilly, though it was only in the high thirties even then.  But there's a huge difference in twenties and thirties.  Almost warm.  

I always speak to the girls before I open up the coop, taking off the safety latch that keeps the monsters out----slowly opening the door so's I don't scare them.  They sort of mutter back to me, a quiet hen-sound.  Then begin eating ravenously the bread I always give them as a morning treat.  Some leftover seed from our Conure.  Two are in the throes of molting now, the other two finished for the most part, and we're not getting any eggs at present.  They're busy making new feathers, and have no energy to make eggs.  I understand being a chicken is hard work.

So.  Only at home with two youngest girls, and we'll have a quiet day.  Leftover chili for dinner---actually made of Moose, from meat brought home from fourth son's work.  His bosses go hunting every fall, and they gifted their employees.  Makes me shudder to cook wild meat, but it's really very tasty.  You just have to get over the fact that it's Moose.  Bullwinkle.  You know.

I need rest today.  Turn off worries, which really aren't worries, but preoccupations that cause my mind to stumble along.  Things about Mom.  Our children.  Things I can't change, but have to either accept or deal with in my head.  Life.  

Off I go.

Mental anguish

I'd really like to know what it is in a person's life/past that causes them always to take the blame for things.  That's a real problem I consistently deal with---being presented with a situation and taking on the responsibility for it not working out.  All the time.  Heck, it could be something I don't have anything whatsoever to do with, but I figure I'm guilty.

Yesterday, oldest daughter had her day off and she drove me and the three youngest ones to the library.  We had a great time getting huge piles of books, but while I knew I had a fine to pay, she didn't know she had one.  She mentioned it as we walked to her car afterward, sounding surprised that she had to pay $5.00.  I admit, that IS a lot.  Coincidentally, just about what I owed. Anyway, automatically I thought it was because she'd checked out books for me in the past.  In the past, like a couple of months ago.  Now, consider, she's used her card since then, and my books had long been returned.  It couldn't have been my fault, but I immediately thought so.

And my mom's bank account is lower than she likes.  Truth is she's had two months of property taxes to pay, and my brother who sends her money hasn't sent any recently.  Her Social Security is her only income, and while it's low, she can live on it---that is, unless she has consecutive high bills.  Added to that is a $400.00 bill with the a/c going out a month ago.  But today when she mentioned wanting to move money from her reverse mortgage account, I felt guilty.  Like I've messed up on paying her bills or buying her groceries.  It's my fault (or so my brain says).  Nevermind the fact that she's had more than $600.00 extra needing to go out.

Is this common?  Anyone else haunted by this nonsense?  So hard to shake.   Sort of egotistical, but in reverse.  Gary gets so frustrated with me, of how difficult it is for me to do things for myself.  He'll say he's crazy about me---why can't I feel the same for myself?

Poor self-esteem on steroids.  It's like I have to justify accepting pleasure in all its forms.  I even struggled today with buying a Mrs. Meyer's candle in the new Christmas Clove/Orange scent.  Did I deserve it?  Middle daughter says, "Oh Mom.  Buy the candle.  It's only a candle!"

Glad our kids don't suffer with this.  It torments me.  Seems I've been listening long-term to the Deceiver.  Lord have mercy.  Truly.

'A Kitchen in France' by Mimi Thorisson

I've just finished reading Mimi Thorisson's beautiful cookbook called A Kitchen in France--A Year of Cooking in My Farmhouse and found it such a comfort.  With her husband's crisp and mouthwatering photographs highlighting her cooking, she makes every day a Feast Day.  I'm inspired, and encouraged to be a bit more adventurous in the kitchen.  And to take more care in preparing a meal.

Mimi takes the simplest of ingredients and creates a masterpiece.  And in reading through the recipes, she proves that the most ordinary bits and pieces can be woven together to feed family and friends in an elegant way.

With modern lifestyles being centered more on hurry and get-it-done in as short a time as possible, she brings old-style into our homes.  Her meals are definitely full of love.

I truly loved reading her book.  Every page is a delight.  And the way the book is divided into seasons is clever, telling us how to cook within a framework on what's available and fresh.  To cook within those parameters gives a bit of new-ness to a meal, not assuming all ingredients are at their best at all times.  I like that idea.  Plus, cooking within the seasons allows some foods to be looked forward to.

I wish her well, and truly offer thanks for sharing her home and family.  Gorgeous children, and a delight all around.   For more about Mimi, please visit her blog called Manger.

(i received this book free to review from blogging for books...many, many thanks!)

A cold, windy and bright Monday

After a very wet, drizzly weekend, it's nice to see the sun shining this morning.  Cold, though.  But come Wednesday, we're supposed to be creeping back into our 'more seasonal' fifties for the daytime.  The way this cold has blasted in, it's been feeling more like December.  Things seem to be a month ahead of time.  Usually, when I delay hanging out the Christmas lights on the porch, 'round about the second week of December, I regret it because it's hard to do that and wear gloves at the same time.  That's what it feels like outside now.  Below 30 degrees, a wind whipping around, and not friendly to fingers.  But I'm cozy in bed, tea tray abandoned, and a vanilla cookie candle flickering.  Planning my day's strategy.

Not in a hurry.  I've got all day.

Thinking of taking the kids to the library, since I'd like to postpone Monday, if I can.  Youngest son, the one who's rankling my nerves lately, and the nerves of every female in the house who has to live with him, might benefit from a pile of books.  Yeah, I'm an Introvert too, but not socializing with your own family is sort of taboo.  He could actually speak, yes?

I'm preferring females lately, and very grateful for having 3 girls of my own.  What a huge blessing, especially since I wasn't blessed with sisters.

~ ~ ~

Put a couple of new (not to me, but to my reader app) blogs on my feed.  The ones with the gorgeous photos, obedient children, clean houses, and not-a-problem-in-sight.  I figure I could use the encouragement, especially in the midst of my woodboy taking on the long-term project of cleaning out the attic, which commenced on Saturday.  There has been evidence of wildlife taking up residence up there (deceased now), and they (yes, they, not only one critter) left a bit of a mess behind.  I need bucking up, with the nastiness above our heads.  And as my sidekick said---we shouldn't be living like this.  Oh, so true.

~ ~ ~

So, that's my day.  And maybe fitting in some pre-Thanksgiving cleaning, though I'm not going to overdo that.  I figure when engaged son's fiance comes, we'll use lots of candles, since she'll be here after dark for dessert, and can camouflage any short-comings with shadows and flickering light.  Old bunged up houses need to be shown grace in bright light. so candles it is.

Enjoy your day.  A fresh new one is always a blessing.

Friday morning

A few of you asked what author Robert Benson had said in his letter to me---he thanked me for the note I'd sent him awhile back, said they'd had sickness in his home, and that he was glad his 'scribbles' as he put it, were of a help to me.  Imagine.  Scribbles.  Very gentlemanly, and kind, which is how he comes across in his books anyway.  Such a joy to receive.  I've never gotten a letter from an author before, but not sure as I've ever written one.  He puts his address in the back of some of his books, so is available, and he's in Nashville, which is just a hop-skip and a jump away.

~ ~ ~

COLD here.  Below freezing at night, for several evenings lately, but supposed to be warmer for Thanksgiving.  Hopefully before then.  Darn cold for the South this early.

~ ~ ~

Finished Jan Karon's Home to Holly Springs last night.  I'd bought it at the library sale--the only one of her novels I'd not read so far, and it was good to get the background story that leads into her newest book.  Had to laugh at the light swearing some of the character's engage in, if you want to all it that.  For years my husband has said he "doesn't give a rat's a**," and to read that in her books was a pleasant surprise.  And to find that Father Tim was more human than I'd given him credit for.  He's sort of larger than life in Mitford, and sometimes appears too good to be true.  Glad he's ordinary and messed up like the rest of us.  Not sure but this book is her most honest portrayal of him.  Online I found a very sweet interview with her here.  You might enjoy it---I sure did.

Appreciated that she got the Tennessee/Mississippi (Miss'ippi, as we say) accent down pat, but she's pretty good at that, even though she hails from North Carolina. :)  All Southern accents are not equal, by any means.

At the same sale, picked up a copy of Patches of Godlight as well, and have been thumbing through that one.  It's more of a read a bit, put it down sort of book, but I'm glad to have it.

~ ~ ~

Waiting for Gary to get paid from a couple of customers---down to gas and toilet paper money, so more in the coffers will be nice when these folks step up to the plate.  I told him he ought to say that his poor children will go hungry this weekend if they don't pay up.  Not sure as folks always understand the dilemma of the self-employed, though the two designers we're waiting for are self-employed as well.  'Course they have husbands who have regular jobs.  C'mon now. (he just texted me---one customer is coming before noon---hallelujah)

In a bit of a 'Stinky Pete' mood, nonetheless. Had a run-in with youngest son yesterday about his English work, and he had a bit of a trying attitude. Gary puts it down to him being 18, but I'm not convinced.  Moms and sons....not my finest hour.  The girls cut me more slack.

~ ~ ~

Will go now.  Tea-time is way over, and need to get it in gear.  Said son is at my mom's for the day, with English book in-hand.  He needed to get outta here.  Will tidy the house in preparation for everyone being home for dinner.  Something HOT sounds comforting, and comfort is a special need for me lately.  Take care.

Needful of silence...

Glad of some quiet.  I'm listening to Fabrizio Paterlini's CD called Autumn Stories---it's restful, and I need that.  The music is drowning out the sounds of the noisy people I live with.  The day was busy what with fitting in schoolwork with the kids, Hawthorne Berry tincture making/Elderberry syrup simmering and then leaving to tend to my mom's needs at 2pm.  We got back home at around 5, after picking up fourth son at work.  Too much away time.  And tomorrow afternoon I take middle daughter downtown to the dental school to have her dental appliance looked at.  She needs more rubber bands and an evaluation.  Her student doctor has changed, so that'll be interesting.  Maybe.  Thursday will find me at home making stew for dinner.  And that's all.  Staying put.

I ordered and am in-the-midst-of receiving the 3-volumes of Phyllis Tickle's Divine Hours prayer books.  The Springtime one and the Summertime ones have arrived, and maybe tomorrow I'll get the Autumn/Wintertime volume in the mail.  Here's a tiny sample from the Springtime volume.  

The Call to Prayer (from the Vespers Office of March 31)

But I will call upon God, and the Lord will deliver me.

In the evening, in the morning, and at noonday, I will complain and lament, and he will hear my voice.

He will bring me safely back...

God, who is enthroned of old, will hear me. ~Psalm 55:17ff

Isn't that beautiful?

The last real silence I experienced (I kid you not) was when our oldest daughter and I went to William Faulkner's house down in Oxford.  The lack of noise on his property was incredible.  I looked up and saw a red-tailed hawk flying overhead, and the trees were the only noise.  Just leaves.  No traffic, or voices.  No household sounds.  Silence.  The earth's silence.

Interesting, but of my family here (including the boys who've moved away) there are only 3 of us who actually physically crave alone-time.  Me, oldest son and youngest son.  We're all, pretty much, introverts, but some of them need one another's company on a consistent basis.  Gary's one.  He's much happier when he comes home when he's had people about, or if youngest son (an introvert's introvert) goes to work with him.  And can my husband talk.....don't get me started on that one.

~ ~ ~

Moving on...

The best news, though, of the whole week is a letter I received from Robert Benson, who's one of my favorite authors.  In fact, his books are the reason I fell for the Anglicans.  I reviewed his book, In Constant Prayer, and that's all it took.  So special to receive a letter from a favorite, and that he took the time.  

Will go now.  Need to get two book reviews settled in my head.  And accept the fact that winter is on its way.  Supposed to be in the twenties tomorrow night.  So sad.  Doesn't seem a year since we went through this before.  Unfortunately one of the chickens, Nora, is molting.  She looks pitiful and when she fluffs up her feathers, a cloud of them come off of her.  Maybe the cold will encourage her new feathers to hurry up.

Take care.  And stay cozy.

Friday night

~by carl holsoe

A year ago today was when my mom had her stroke.  Goodness, this year has brought an  overabundance of drama, even not including Mom's lifestyle changes.  I won't go into all of it, you've heard it all from me before, but it is mind-boggling what the human spirit can withstand.

  Funny how hard times will either drive you to your knees or maybe to some bad habit.  I don't drink or smoke, so those things are out.  Just as well.  It's having such a taste of desperation with my prayers this past year that's cut to the quick.  I realize a casual attitude about prayer is pretty useless.  You either mean it, or you don't.  

I'm seeing what a waste of time certain things are, including some of the schoolwork our kids are required to learn, and I'm not kidding.  My view of the value of minutes has changed.  Everything is so fleeting.  Seconds can bring about such amazing things, both good and bad.  A stroke would be on my bad list.

This weekend we rest.  Cook and eat.  Nurture ourselves.  Sleep.  Read comforting books.  Wear socks.  Sit in the sun.  Keep sweaters on Pugs.  Run few errands.  Stay in bed later.  Drink copious amounts of hot tea.  Listen to good music.  Dance in the kitchen with Gary.  Bake cookies.  Love one another.  And I'm just getting started with my list...

Thursday

The best part of today was military son texting me, asking if I could give him a ride to work.  Last week I'd mailed him a letter getting mildly mushy (and following the Lord's nudging in writing it) and telling him I wanted to look ahead with our relationship---explaining my passion in how I've reacted to his lifestyle (and his oldest brother's), and how hard it is to see them living contrary to how we raised them.  But, that I still wanted them to come by, not to feel uncomfortable in being here, but that we stand by our standards.  All stuff he knows, but I wanted his fiance to be given the chance to read it too.  She wasn't raised the same, but she's not heard any of this from us, only what he's told her.  I stressed that I want him to be part of US.  We need each other.

And while tough love has its place, I'm more into just plain old love instead.  I'm tired of all the grief, and just want us to pull together.  Don't want to have to continually second-guess myself, asking if I'm being firm enough.  If you could've seen the two girls in the backseat of the Suburban with him while we were driving, you'd agree that I've made the right choice. At one point the least one had her head in this son's lap and he was playing with her hair.  Then they got to horsing around and tickling each other. Can't put a price on that.  I know he's missed us.  Sure know we've missed him.  (Brings tears to my eyes to re-read this.)

Family, you know.  Can't beat that.

He knows we disapprove, but to me, that doesn't mean you totally isolate him.  I realize some would disagree, believing that the isolation will cause a yearning.  Can't say as I'm convinced.

For a mom, that is the hardest to contemplate.  Wanting to reach out in love, and being prevented from that.  No.  Glad Gary's understanding of how I feel.  He's tough, though.  Probably a good thing.

Now looking forward to a weekend off.  My mom's all set with groceries until Tuesday.  Gary's birthday is Monday, and the weekend is totally free from obligations.  I'm sort of giddy about it.

Tuesday night

Well, today was better than yesterday.  For one thing, it was oldest daughter's birthday.  She's so darned cute.  

On Monday I had my morning tea, as usual, but didn't pad the time with prayer.  Big mistake.  Teaching the kids their math was an exercise in futility for sure, causing our middle daughter to cry.  Oh dear.  After having a sweet prayer time the night before, I should've been paying attention, kicking the evil one's butt out of my life, but I wasn't paying attention, just assuming things would be dishy.  Well, they weren't.  Lesson learned, at least for now.  Make a note.

This morning, I got all settled with my tea and read the Morning Prayer in the Book of Common Prayer, and remembered what our priest said on Sunday about the website Common Prayer.  It has the Morning/Evening Prayers and also the Daily Office with the seven times to pray through the day. I did the whole nine yards, not bragging, but admitting that I need help.  You can't (or maybe you can) imagine how much better today was for me.  And think on it, it just makes sense that if you pray at particular times of day, sandwiching the hours with prayer---well, why wouldn't it be better?  A hard discipline, though, which is sort of sad.  

The only redeeming part of yesterday was going to a thrift store with the girls.  They were playing really great music, and at one moment, some song I like came on and I caught the gazes of the girls at different parts of the store and had the flashing thought of how cool it would've been if we'd started dancing right then.  Can you imagine how cool that would've been?  A mini flash mob.  I'll bet there's a lot of dancing in Heaven.  

~ ~ ~

Tomorrow planning on taking care of Mom's needs, then will be free for the rest of the week. I have nothing to do, no responsibilities until Monday when we'll do Mom's stuff again, and will celebrate Gary's birthday.  His last birthday in his fifties, but we won't talk about that.  It passes all too soon.

Take care all.  And take some time.

November first

Like lots of folks, woke up to a cold house this morning.  I think it was in the 30s overnight, but we'd been cooking yesterday, so the rooms weren't too chilly.  Turned on the heat and the old problem, not reconciled yet, of the blower to the heater not shutting off and the pilot light not re-lighting.  Gary went up in the attic to see about it, spent the day off and on working on it, figured out the part needed, went to the hardware to get it (a thermocouple), the kids and I prayed off and on, and yippee-ka-looga, he fixed it.  Heater is working a treat.  Didn't have to call a repair man, and we're all cozy tonight.  And it's nice when the price of the parts needed don't make you cry.

Yesterday took fourth son back to the wrist doctor (we went earlier in the week as well) for a ganglion cyst he's got at the joint.  Oldest daughter had one disappear a year ago.  Seems she coincidentally took a hefty antibiotic for a tooth extraction, and by the time the prescription was used up, the cyst was gone.  She'd had it for a few years, and suddenly it shrank and was no more.  Wonder if the antibiotic was the solution.  Our son is going the more traditional (and very expensive) route, and had it drained.  We'll see how that works...maybe fine.  Sure hope so since he's sunk so much money into it already, including an MRI.

So much non-news to share.  And on it goes...

My mother-in-law enjoys watching the Duggars and since we have eight kids (not nineteen, and not counting), she figures we'd enjoy it.  Well, frankly, they scare me, but the girls like to watch, but can't since we don't have cable anymore.  So sad.  Anyway, I see on today's news that another daughter of theirs has gotten married, so Gary's walking around singing to the tune of Mr. Rogers' 'Won't You Be My Neighbor?,' but has substituted the words to 'Won't You Be My Duggar?'  We sort of worry for the boys who have married into that family.  Not much independence in the situation.  Jim Bob rules, though he probably means well.  Shoot, he's the dad, he can rule.  I do appreciate their consistency and belief system, I will say that, but they still scare me.

Must go now.  Church tomorrow, altar flowers from us to our birthday girls (middle girl yesterday, oldest girl on Tuesday), and teaching Sunday School and keeping nursery.  Taking next Sunday off.  It's time for a long weekend with no obligations.  Good obligations, but change is good.  Needing a mental breath of air.

Take care, all.