Lanterns, Doves, Kale, Plans

 

The lantern is another Christmas gift for Tommy. The Vont lantern came two to a box. So, I got it and told him that part of that box was mine. He appears to love it when he has to go into a room without light to find something for me. Yes, he gets to go search dark rooms. 

Plus, he can hang it in the laundry room since there is no light in there. It is so much  better than a flashlight that cost $1. He also hangs it under the kitchen sink. I will tell you about that another day. He had to live forever without light before he appreciated it. Before, he said he did not even need the tiny, cheap flashlight. His lay here for months before he would use it. Sooo stubborn!

When I was in Cullman last week, I pulled into my yard as I do every time we go. Right there a few feet from the car was a dove. I loved my doves. I suppose they decided to stay at their location. Then, Tommy has doves, too. They built a nest on the water drain right under the gutters. I love doves.

In December I planted kale the woman who works for research brought me. The cover came off a few weeks ago and the kale was looking like it did not want to live. We went out Sunday and I cut kale for the potato soup that has carrots and cheese in it. The kale is tough, not sure why. I put it in salt water, but bugs were still stuck to it. Plus, there were little patches of tiny dots. I cut those off and scraped off the bugs. I was glad I did not have to buy a huge bunch of kale or any at all. I love a garden.

Tommy might have a lighter or two, probably not. But, I came upon matches and bought some. They came 20 in a box and 10 boxes to the package for $1.07. He exclaimed when he saw them, "Why did you buy SO MANY boxes?!" I am trying to get together lighting options and fire making equipment. This quest started in November.  The only candles I will use are tealights in a saucer in bathroom or kitchen sinks. I am afraid of fire. He is cavalier about candles in candlesticks. 

I do have battery-powered tealights and batteries for them, the round kind of batteries. Then, there are the fairy lights I got for Christmas. Power outages do occur. He says I worry too much. I have spent a bit over $20 so we can at least see. 

Next is a grill. I will use money earned from Amazon for that and buy a small gas grill. 

Are you prepared to have light during a power outage?

Since it is MLK Day, all my plans for calls I need to make are on hold. At least my plans for light are about done.

Caution and Doves

It seems that red onions have been found to be the cause of a salmonella outbreak in many states. Since red onions were part of what was given to me, I am tossing those beautiful red onions. When I gather them up and toss them, I will wash my hands. I was looking forward to eating them, freezing most of them, and enjoying them this winter. 

Tommy has a pair of doves that have nested in the top crook of his drain system, right up against the brick.  He gives me a report on what they are doing when he goes out. The other day Daddy Dove was sitting on the railing of the ramp. I warned him the snake would get him if he did not go away and quit sitting on the railing. Daddy Dove did not listen, but at least he did not poop on the handrail. 

At my house, I had doves. Sometimes, they sat on the scuppernong arbor that was 9' x 18' . Since it was solid grapes arbor of vines, not just a wire or post with grapes, they had a solid, high, safe place from the cats that stayed in my yard in the huge oaks.  Occasionally, in the winter I would see a dove sitting on the ground with its wings spread out. I loved my doves, so now I have doves  in the yard again. I love the sound of doves.

It is so wonderful having a functioning phone. Tommy does not mind one bit if I need his phone or carry around his cell phone. The night before I talked to the doctor, I slept with his cell phone in a bowl. It has such a tinkly little ring, I was afraid I would not hear it ring. My phone has always had a good, hearty house-phone ring. 

Are you eschewing red onions right now? Do you have doves in your yard or have ever had them? 

Sleep, Weight, Doves

I am not sure whether I go to sleep easily lately or I am just passing out. Sometimes, it tales me less than 30 seconds to sleep. However, I sleep long and well, and awake feeling like I have not slept in days.

When I went to the doctor on Tuesday, I had lost another five pounds in about a week or two. Now, that bothers me. I have fears of what it could be. I don't think I am eating so much less. And, I do remember I am weighing on different scales each time. Scales are on my wish list now. Maybe in December.

A little before dusk today, we left to pick up a few specials. There were four doves sitting on Tommy's fence. I wonder where they sleep. For twenty years, I had a pair of doves that sat on my scuppernong arbor that was 9'x18'. They would sit in the yard with wings outspread. I also miss the cardinals that I could see right outside my picture window.

I have never heard doves here, so I wonder where they live and coo.

Even with all the sleep I get, I have no energy after eating. I am going to get a new gastroenterologist and have the colonoscopy I am past due having done. When I went to the urologist this past Tuesday, he assured me I had no bladder problems or kidney disease. So, he did not know why my foot and leg were swelling.

Tonight, I am going to make the blueberry muffins I promised Tommy and myself. I now have the ingredients for Jello salad and green bean casserole. I will get it done!