Happy Easter 2024!

  Happy Eas✞er!

to our family and friends

near and far, 

old and new,

close and estranged

from The Asbell Family!

Dear Reader, As we observe Easter, let us examine ourselves and truly see weak areas that need to be strengthened so we can increase our testimony. Let us live like we truly experience the redemptive love the Father has for us. He offered His only Son.

Father, we ask that You show us our hearts and convict us of where we need to work so we can become brighter testimonies of Your love. Please help us to become resolved to make the changes in ourselves as necessary. Thank You for Jesus and for loving us so very much!

My love to all!

Therefore, brothers,

since we have confidence to enter the holy places

by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us

through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,

and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

let us draw near with a true heart

in full assurance of faith,

with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience

and our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,

for he who promised is faithful.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some,

but encouraging one another,

and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:19-25

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How I Start Off Plant Cuttings

I recently shipped a young friend a box of cuttings, plants, etc from our farm to get her started at her new home. She asked me if she could put the plants on her porch to protect them from the deer. This was my reply. I am sharing it here in case it helps another new gardener. Take what you can use and leave the rest. My love to all!

I don't know the light conditions of your porch, so I'll tell you what I do. I start my cuttings off in pots in the house. They stay inside in bright but indirect sunlight until I have good root growth.

Then I harden them off right against the north side of our house. I try to do it on an overcast day if possible. I use a 20-minute timer on my phone to remind me to check on them. If they look good, I reset it for another 20 minutes. I move them back inside as soon as they look like they are starting to droop or wilt. Once I get them to 5-6 hours, they are hardened off and can stay outside. If I have a lot of plants (like the 250 tomato plants I am selling this year), I will leave 2-3 out instead of all of them. That way I don't lose too much if things go wrong.

Once they are hardened off, I leave them on the north side of my house for about a year, sometimes two. They get some direct light (about 2-3 hours) but it is mostly bright indirect light there. The cooler side of the house helps protect them from too much heat/drying out while they are getting established. As they grow, I plant them in 5-gallon buckets with drain holes. 

The buckets can be placed in kiddie pools with an inch or two of water (enough to be taken up into the bucket as needed but not so much the plant's roots stay soaked.). I learned this practice from a master gardener. 

If it rains, I have to drain some of the water out of the kiddie pool, but I use my heel and crush the side of it down to let water out. If you know you won't use the kiddie pool for anything else, you can drill a hole in the side of the pool at the height you want the water. My pools get recycled to my waterfowl or dogs, so I don't put holes in mine if I can help it.

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Please Pray for Katelynn aka The Pampered Princess

March 23: Katelyn is HOME! She still can't stand or walk, but she is making progress towards that daily. She has outpatient PT for the next several weeks. Please keep praying for her.

March 11: They approved the insurance for Katelyn (spelled with one N) to stay in rehab longer. She will go home soon and then do outpatient rehab for six weeks. Katelyn can still not stand or swallow well, but she is improving in moving from chair to bed/bed to chair. Mr. Duman has been very good to the family, and JoLynn is able to work from the hospital.

March 3: Katelynn is doing well with the therapy. JoLynn asked us to pray that the insurance company approves more rehab so they can get her walking.

Feb 16: Update from JoLynn: The Pampered Princess moved to rehab today, she will be getting 3 hours of therapy Monday thru Saturday. She has lots of work ahead for the next 4 to 6 weeks , then we will be in out patient therapy for a very long time but they think she will be able to walk again. Mommy is in rehab too to learn the best way to take care of her Princess and manage her calorie intake and feeding tube.

Feb 12: Update from JoLynn: After 41 days in ICU The Pampered Princess is in a regular room 🙌😀 has moved to the Neuro Science Unit room 704 . God is so good ! Thank you for all the prayers we will soon be on our rehab journey to home

Feb 10: I texted with JoLynn. Katelynn is on an upward track, but the progress is very, very, very slow. She was able to have a few sips of Pepsi a couple of days ago.

Clint and I were able to continue working on a big project that had been put on hold due to the rain, but now we can do the work. That makes it hard for me to update about Katelynn. If she has any significant setbacks, I will post the prayer need.

I do know she has some fears about standing and walking due to the number of falls she has had, so please pray for her peace and sense of security. One of her lungs still has some gunk from the pneumonia to clear out.

JoLynn has been able to work from the hospital. Her boss is a Christian, city official, and owns a business in our hometown. From what I have observed over the years, he has always been very good about working with JoLynn as she cares for Katelynn.

Feb 10: Praise report on The Pampered Princess … her sleep results are in, No oxygen required at night, she will use a regular CPAP at night but otherwise lungs are healing , the Doctors are amazed at this progress, we will be leaving ICU in next few days waiting on a bed to open up, by end of next week we should be transferred to Rehab with a plan to go home first week in April. She is starting to eat, food has to be chopped real fine but she enjoyed a baked potato tonight, Chick fil is in her near future

We are blessed to be on this journey but it is not going to be easy on her, we thank you for all the love , support , and prayers, keep the prayers coming

Feb 6: Update from JoLynn: The Pampered Princess is having a milestone day, this afternoon was able to have her first sips of water and did great, swallow test tomorrow and working for Chick fil a first of next week, qualifies for rehab therapy and should be coming out of ICU by end of the week!

God is blessing this girl and answering our prayers daily while I was at lunch today her nurse did her hair

Update from Jeanie, Katelynn's Aunt: Katelynn is doing so much better. Please keep the prayers coming. She has a lot of therapy ahead to learn to eat, drink, sit up alone and ultimately walk again. We are so thankful for the power of prayer. ...With God all things are possible,” (Matthew 19:26)

Feb 5: Update: The Pampered Princess had a good night, she is talking a lot, asked her Doctor this morning “did you bring Chick fil A”

hoping to get a swallow study done in the next few days so maybe some Pepsi is in her future this week.

Feb 4:The Pampered Princess has passed her test and now is on regular oxygen. God is good!!

Feb 2: The Pampered Princess is having a good day… music therapy, physical and occupational therapy, just got her hair washed and blow dried, now busy coloring, I see a nap coming this afternoon. Doctors say pneumonia has cleared in her right lung, still have some issues with the left lung, her high flow oxygen has been turned down to 10 and they are begining to make plans for her leaving ICU and moving to the neur floor possibly end of next week. God is good

Feb 1: The Pampered Princess is having a good day, all cleaned up, hair done, watching some Price is Right waiting for therapy this afternoon. Tremors are improving and high flow oxygen down to 15… a little progress each day.

Jan 31: PTL!! BIG UPDATE: Today is day 32 at CHKD, day 30 in ICU and we finally have answers all the labs and tests have come back No autoimmune diseases our respiratory issues are from a severe case of the flu, and our mobility problems are from a vitamin deficiency and Carnitine deficiency - this converts fat into muscle, she is storing fat instead of building muscle and is painful to get up and move around, she is getting her vitamins replenished and when she can eat and drink will be on a high protein, low-fat diet. Her respiratory is slowly improving high flow oxygen during the day, bi-pap at night, and chest x-ray showing improvement, today will have PT with a goal of sitting in a chair for 1 to 2 hours, being in bed has made her extremely weak but should be able to recover. Her road ahead is still a long one and we will be here 6 to 8 weeks depending on how she progresses but we are beyond thankful for answers and for all the support and prayers from you all. Continue to keep her in your prayers and give thanks for the miracle we have received.

Jan 30: The Pampered Princess got good news… MRI shows nothing new but did not give an answer for tremors, they made an adjustment to her VNS and are adding a medication in the morning time that should help. I washed again today .. got to keep her beauty treatments going

thank you all for your prayers God is good" <--I was unable to get this to post last night. I dripped water on my keyboard while preparing Thai basil cuttings for rooting.

The Pampered Princess had a restful night and is headed down to her MRI, the nurse asked her was she ready to go, she shook her head yes and whispered Target. Praying the Doctor get the answer to the tremors today.

Jan 29: The Pampered Princess is resting this morning , back on high flow oxygen, getting all her seizure meds, had to have ativan around 4 so she is getting some good rest …praying we can stay seizure free today and keep making a little progress with respiratory and physical therapy

I just posted for the 28th. I apologize for not updating over the weekend. I was very tired and we were very busy. -W

Jan 28: PM UPDATE: The Pampered Princess is in need of your prayers just had a seizure, Neurologist changed her seizure medication due to tremors and obviously she still needs it. She had been 2 1/2 years with no seizures . A rescue IV had to be put in her foot since her veins in her arms are not cooperating from all the other ivs. I am afraid the staff tonight had to see the ugly side of a Momma that fights for her child but they are on the case now. Going to be a long night!"

AM Update: The Pampered Princess is getting a little stronger each day, chest X-ray shows some improvement , going to continue high flow oxygen all day, bipap at night to give her lungs a rest, should hear from some labs middle of the week

in the chair and watching Barney

Update Jan 26: Update from JoLynn: The Pampered Princess is having a better day, sat in the chair for over an hour, had speech therapy, told the respiratory therapist no in a loud whisper and is on a trial of high flow oxygen.

Update Jan 25: The Pampered Princess is ending her day on good note, fever has been below 100, and the bipap and her have maintained her oxygen level in the high 90’s, at 99 right now, she had her EEG this afternoon, hope to hear some results tomorrow. Thank you for the prayers

The Pampered Princess needs your prayers this morning, having trouble maintaining her oxygen level, is back on the bipap at 100% , has pneumonia in bottom of her lung, having EEG around 11:00. Keeping the nurses and doctors hopping this morning!

Update Jan 24: The Pampered Princess had a restful night after an eventful afternoon of throwing up, they changed her feed formula and she did not tolerate it , today we try another formula are on high flow oxygen and hoping to do away with bi pap mask, pt and ot therapy is in our schedule as well as speech therapy. She still is not talking just a whisper every now and then but they say it’s a time thing to let her voice box and throat heal, she is swallowing so that's another step in the right direction.

Update Jan 22: I asked JoLynn if Katelynn was still in ICU and she said yes. Originally, they thought she'd be out of ICU around the 12th-13th of January, but Katelynn was worse off than doctors originally thought.

Update from JoLynn: "The Pampered Princess is a little stronger today, lots going on, Respiratory therapy is being increased to work on getting the secreations out of her lungs, Physical therapy will be coming to get her into her chair for a couple of hours, speech therapy is coming to evaluate her swallowing abilities and a few Doctors will be checking to see how things are going. Thankful for small steps everyday."

Update Jan 21:

Update from JoLynn: The Pampered Princess made it 12 hours on high flow oxygen 😀😀😀and she whispered today for me to “sit down” beside her, so happy the boss lady is returning 😀😀😀. The Butler Boy stayed with her this afternoon so I could get a few things done at home and had lunch at Mammie’s it was good to be out but don’t like to leave her to long, but they were just fine❤️❤️❤️

Update from JoLynn: The Pampered Princess had a good day her 2 hour trial turned into 3 and she just finished her 4 hour, may try all day tomorrow. She is much more awake and alert today with sedation being completely gone, enjoyed lots of stories, cards playing, and Disney movies. She is slowly winning this fight!

Update Jan 20: Last night's update from JoLynn: The Pampered Princess working on another breathing trial, we played connect 4, cut some fruits, and read stories she still has not said a word but hoping she will tomorrow they say her throat is sore from the breathing tube for 2 weeks and all the secretions, but it feels so good to get hugs again.

Jan 19: Update from JoLynn: "The Pampered Princess had a restful night, she will be having 2 one hour trials with high flow oxygen today, she enjoyed the music man and tried to clap her hands, they are cutting her sedation back as well, she is able to sit up in bed today and gives the nurse a fight when she has to be suctioned, baby steps but slowly improving." Please keep praying for Katelynn.

Jan 18: "The Pampered Princess is resting this morning it was a busy night in ICU and thankful we were not in need of too much attention but getting a bath at 1:00a.m. Did not make for a happy Princess, we are still waiting on blood work to come back from outside labs, hoping to start trials on high flow oxygen to get rid of bipap mask and to try sitting up in bed for 30 minutes, taking baby steps on this road to recovery,"

Jan 17: "The Pampered Princess had a restful night but is having a bit of a rough morning dealing with lots of secretions in her throat, her chest X-ray looks better today, and her lungs are getting stronger but are requiring lots of suction and it’s making her scared. Praying that she can continue to stay with BiPAP mask and oxygen and not have to be put back on the ventilator."

Jan 16: "The Pampered Princess had a restful night, she was able to keep her oxygen levels up, possibly today will get rid of the mask and go to nasal flow oxygen. She was able to color a little bit yesterday and loved listening to Winnie the Pooh stories and hand-holding with Mommy and Daddy. Keep the prayers coming as we travel this very long road ahead."

Jan 15: Update: "The Pampered Princess is breathing on her own!! Praising God for answers to our prayers , Doctors will be discussing our treatment plan today and our long road to recovery." PTL! The Asbells are rejoicing!!

Update from JoLynn: "The Pampered Princess is improving she passed 2 2-hour breathing tests during the night and the plan is to take the breathing tube out this morning and switch to a bi-pap mask."

Jan 14: Update from JoLynn: "The Pampered Princess is having a good day, enjoying stories being read to her and lots of hand holding, she is not getting the breathing tube out today, but hoping for tomorrow. Praying her lungs are ready to go back to working on there own after 2 weeks on the ventilator ❤️❤️❤️she got to FaceTime with Mammie and her onions (what she calls her cousins)"

More progress! Update from JoLynn: The Pampered Princess continues to improve and the breathing tube maybe removed today 🙌 so thankful for answered prayers ❤️❤️❤️

Jan 13: Update: The Pampered Princess is definitely getting stronger she was able to do 30 minutes of breathing on her own last night and this morning for a whole hour, she will continue to have these tests until she is strong enough to come off the ventilator. She is definitely making progress and much more alert at times, working on taking bandaids off, her pulse Sox is always coming off and she tries to adjust her blankets around her stuffed animals all while her hands are restrained so she does not disconnect all the stuff hooked to her… look out nurses the busy body is coming back😀😀😀Praising God for answers to our prayers

Jan 12: Update: from JoLynn: The Pampered Princess has an early start today, heading to the OR for a muscle biopsy and bone marrow sample at 7:30, had a good night. They are adding steroids today to help with the inflammation of her muscles . Please pray that her lungs can build strength so she can get off the ventilator

Jan 11: More Progress! This morning from JoLynn: "The Pampered Princess had a good night, the ventilator setting has been turned down and so far she is handling it well, it may be tomorrow for her biopsy as the OR is very busy today, but she will have plasma exchange treatment, and dialysis today."

Jan 10: From JoLynn: The Pampered Princess has a diagnosis today: Polymyosits Nerve Syndrome it’s an autoimmune disease that occurs from a viral infection in the muscles . She has to have a biopsy on leg muscles to determine what stage we are in but we are taking the proper treatment and will be adding a few other meds. Myasthenia Graves results are negative 

pered Princess is getting her plasma infusion treatment now and will have dialysis later this evening , The Neurologist does not have a answer yet so the lower MRI will hopefully happen tomorrow he believes she is getting the proper treatment no matter which condition she has but his quote” she is still a very sick girl “ Keep those prayers going!!!

From JoLynn: "The Pampered Princess had a good night not much sleep but still good, preliminary MRI report shows no bleeding or tumors and the Neurologist maybe able to give a definite diagnosis today. She will have her plasma exchange treatment around noon." JoLynn also said that there were no issues while the VNS was off so the first MRI could be done.

Jan 9: I lost this update while trying to fix an HTML error.

Jan 8: Update from JoLynn: "The Pampered Princess will have her MRI at 4:00 today just of her brain, then do lower body tomorrow … it’s is safer for the VNS implant. She is considered stable, she was looking around this morning and able to shake her head yes or no to a few questions . Our prayers are being heard so keep praying."

Update from JoLynn: "The Pampered Princess had a pretty good night, her MRI should get done sometime this morning , her VNS will be turned off for this procedure making for a nervous Momma , praying she can get thru this with no seizures!!"

Update Jan 7: From JoLynn: "The Pampered Princess had a restful night, she had dialysis late yesterday and that helped with the fluid she was retaining, also had a ultrasound of the kidneys. The plan today is just the plasma exchange treatment and hoping for the MRI tomorrow and getting the puzzle pieces put together for a definite diagnosis of which autoimmune disease we have. Keep those prayers coming and enjoy your Sunday."

Update Jan 6: From JoLynn: "The Pampered Princess got her spinal tap around midnight , it went well and we should now results Monday. This afternoon noon she will have MRI, her VNS implant will be turned off for 2 hours, please pray she can get thru the MRI without seizures occurring."

Update Jan 5: From JoLynn: The Pampered Princess had her plasma infusion treatment, is going to have a spinal tap later today, and an MRI is going to happen tomorrow. The Doctors are still waiting on bloodwork to confirm myasthenia gravis but some testing is making them think another autoimmune disease.. she had 3 neurologists around her bed today and they are puzzled but working on answers. Keep those prayers coming for answers for our girl❤️

From JoLynn: "The Pampered Princess had a good night,they had to increase her sedation due to Miss Fiesty trying to pull on the tubes, she gave her nurse the evil eye everytime she did anything to her… she will receive her 2nd plasma exchange this morning, The Red Cross comes and performs this with this fancy machine that hooks to the port in her neck her blood comes out goes into the machine where it takes the bad antibodies out and puts new plasma back in. Keep those prayers coming she is winning this fight."

Update: Jan 4: The doctors made their rounds. Update from JoLynn: "The team of Doctors came in today The Pampered Princess is slowly improving she will be on the ventilator until at least January 12, she will continue with Plasma exchange therapy, and today she will get some nourishment through her feeding tube. She has a very long road to recovery but we are feeling very hopeful. "

From JoLynn: "The Pampered Princess had a better night last night, she is more stable this morning, she opens her eyes and shakes her head for yes and no questions, they will be doing an echocardiogram today and not sure what else until the team of Doctors make rounds this morning. I am sitting by her enjoying holding her hand."

Update: Jan 3: From JoLynn (mom): "The Pampered Princess (Katelynn Butler) had the port put in place today and received her first plasma exchange, there are so many things going on for our Princess but Doctors remain hopeful they can fix her, she is dealing with pneumonia, the flu type A, blood issues as well as the myasthenia gravis crisis we feel the love and prayers from you all and appreciate it so much❤️❤️❤️"

Wendy's note: Katelynn is 22, not 20 as I previously stated.

From JoLynn: "Todd and I want to thank you for all your prayers, support, and donations you are making our lives a little easier and we do appreciate you all!!! Keep praying and if your Church has a prayer list feel free to add The Pampered Princess to it!!!"

From JoLynn: "The Pampered Princess had a busy night but is more stable this morning, she gave us a big scare yesterday afternoon when they intubated her her heart stopped for 39 seconds but with chest compression came right back, she had red blood cells this morning and more platelets are on the way from Richmond, she has pneumonia but lungs are looking a little clearer so antibiotics are working, she has a lot to overcome but when the nurse tried to do her oral care she tried to fight it, and she opened her eyes when I was talking to her this morning. Everyone keep the prayers going."

From her aunt: "Update on Katelynn... yesterday was a tough day. She is a fighter and we know God is helping her. Keep the prayers coming. If you want to help with tunnel fees, food while Jo Lynn is out of work by Katelynn's bedside, please use Venmo. We thank you for the prayers and support. Keep them coming. She has a tough battle but God provides." If you would like to help out, contact me and I will tell you where to get the QR directly from her family for the Venmo account.

Update Jan 2, 2024: From JoLynn: "The Pampered Princess was unable to have surgery, her breathing is to unstable and her blood count is too low. She is being intubated right now to give her body the rest she needs. She will be receiving a blood transfusion later this afternoon as well. Keep praying !!!"

From Jolynn: "The Pampered Princess has been struggling with mucas, nausea, and keeping her oxygen level above 88, she will go to surgery late morning and the Doctor says we need to be prepared for to go on a ventilator and moved to ICU. Dr Ashe is confident once we begin the plasma treatments we will see progress in 6 days. Please send prayers for her!!"

From JoLynn: "The Pampered Princess had a restful day, still on oxygen, had her 2nd IV infusion, respiratory therapy , and lots of rest. Tomorrow they are going to do surgery to put her port for her plasma treatments and the feeding tube. Her color has improved and her arms are strong , it’s a slow process but she is a tough little lady. Hoping 2024 will soon be filled with good times."

Update Jan 1, 2024 8 a.m.: Update: From JoLynn: "The Pampered Princess had a better night, she is able to whisper this morning “I want to go home” , today she will with get a feeding tube or the IV port in her neck for her treatments. The Butler Boy took care of her last night so I could get some rest, thank you all for your prayers."

Update Dec 31, 8 p.m.: The Pampered Princess has completed her first of 5 IV infusions, with no complications , she is resting calmly, her cough and drainage has improved praying a restful peaceful night. Thank you for all the prayers , love, and support!! Happy New Year!

Update: Dec 31, 2 p.m.: From JoLynn: "The Pampered Princess' (aka Katelynn's) Doctor has a plan to get our Princess back to herself but she has a long journey ahead, she will begin IV infusion treatment today, Tuesday will be getting a feeding tube as she can not swallow, after infusion treatments are complete she will have to have a treatment to clean the bad antibodies from her blood, We expect to be here 2 to 3 week. Thank you for all your prayers and support."

Update: Dec 31, 8 a.m.: From Joelynn: "The Pampered Princess had a rough night but is considered stable this morning. We should see the neurologist sometime this morning praying for some answers to this excessive mucus, she is unable to swallow any kind of liquid or food, her seizure medication has been changed to IV form and not all of it converts so the dosage has been changed to accommodate, she also is on oxygen, her oxygen dropped to 37% last night during a coughing episode it took 2 teams of Doctors and nurses to get her stable, please keep praying!!!!" Katelynn's nickname is the Pampered Princess.

Update Dec 31, 12:30 a.m.: Prayer works! God made a way where there was none. She was admitted to the regional children's hospital. It was the insurance company that was fighting her admission due to her age. Please pray for quick answers, treatments that help, and rest for all of them.

Dec 30, 7 p.m.: Please pray for my friend JoLynn's daughter, Katelyn. She is a 20-year-old woman who was brain-damaged from seizures after her 6-month vaccines. She has the mental capacity of a 2-3 year old. She has been rapidly declining over the last few days. They thought she had Myasthenia Gravis but are now questioning that diagnosis. Because of her age, the children's hospital does not want to admit her, but due to her mental capacity, it is the only place she knows and feels comfortable. All of her doctors are there. They have cared for her since the seizures. The insurance is fighting admission. They are battling right now to get her admitted. She needs IVs because she can no longer swallow easily. She has lost her ability to walk and chew food. Even liquids are causing her to choke at this point. Thank you all for praying.

Plant Tags

(I am an Amazon affiliate. They pay me a tiny commission for sharing links. I appreciate everything you purchase through one of my links.) 

I gave up buying the write-on plant tags a good while ago. They quickly became illegible because of the outdoor conditions. That is very frustrating when you are tracking when you planted or propagated them, the source, the plant name and variety, and other info. 

My solution was to engrave tags I cut from aluminum drink cans. I do not drink soda, so I have people who save them for me. I do infrequently consume a health drink in an aluminum can, but I need many times more for my gardening needs. 

I cut the ends off of the cans with a sharp paring knife. Then I cut the tube down the middle with a pair of scissors. Then it is easy to cut off the tags in the size you need. After that, I use a ballpoint pen on a paper tablet to engrave the information I want. I punch a hole with a single-hole puncher. Then I use galvanized wire to attach it to the plant. I started doing this several years ago, and the plant tags are still legible. I am not losing pertinent information any longer.

If you do this, you do so at your own risk. You should wear gloves and work in a way so you do not cut yourself. However, I do not wear gloves and have never been cut doing this, but I take my time and try to do it when there are no distractions. 

If I am short on time and have a job that I need to do quickly that requires only a few tags, I will buy a pack of ready-made engravable tags. These ready-made tags are good in a pinch, but the cost adds up when doing hundreds of plants at a time.

Prophecy Update: Keep Looking Up!

https://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=6772

A massive altar for the red heifer sacrifice has already been built. See it in the video embedded in the article. 

My Amazing Husband

 

Chainsaw Clint has many talents including electrical, technical, construction, car repair, HAM radio, and even calming frightened and rearing horses, etc, etc, etc!!! He also enjoys the gentler pursuit of bonsai. When we were teenagers, he told me he liked bonsais. I kept that tidbit in my heart for nearly four decades and gifted him this bonsai four years ago. He has done excellent with it. He is in my phone as "Your Amazing Husband" for a reason!

Marty

My last picture of her. She was between my feet sleeping.

Four years ago, God gave me something I did not know I needed. Marty, a 10-year-old overbred chihuahua, was kept in a tiny cage most of her life. Yesterday, after four years and thousands of miles together, we had to say goodbye. 

She was 10 years old and arrived extremely bony with her bleeding bowels and dried-out coat. She had only a few teeth and the dog food the former owner sent with her was large hard kibble for large breed dogs. She was starving! She was blind in one eye and also had kidney disease. 

For a long while, she was terrified of everyone except me. Somehow she instinctively knew I'd look after her. Marty would cry if she could not see me. I left her behind on a weekend trip once and she grieved so heavily, that my children asked me not to leave her again. I could go get a shower and she'd be outside the bathroom door crying for me by the time I finished. I have no doubts that she loved me and depended on me. 

Marty was not accustomed to being petted, so she'd run from us every time we tried. She eventually came to love head, neck, and ear scratches and would even flip over for a belly rub. It was such a drastic change from her arrival state, but love does that sort of thing. I know because Jesus created a drastic change in me with His love.

In the middle of the night, she would shriek and take off running. She ran right off the bed sometimes. She did it with less frequency towards the end, but it was unsettling. 

Something about Clint coming home or into a room would set her off. She'd charge him barking frantically and snapping at his legs. She even bit him, but it wasn't very effective without teeth. Sometimes he could just leave the room and return two minutes later and she'd do the same thing. Then she'd be in his lap five minutes later or sitting in front of him staring at him like he hung the moon. If he went into a store, she'd stare in the direction he left until she saw he had returned. She loved Clint, but we never figured out why his entrance triggered her. Clint came to love our quirky old Marty very much.

Blowing a raspberry would unsettle her. We have no idea why. We tried desensitization training but she still found the sound disturbing. 

Marty loved to chase a cat. It gave her great satisfaction to chase one across the yard, off the deck, or out of the house. She'd go hard after it and return with her head raised, tail wagging with a jaunty little walk. Even on her last day when she was feeling horrible, sleeping almost nonstop, and vomiting frequently, she still chased a cat! 

There was not a male dog Marty did not like. She would dance and wag her feathery tail in such a captivating way to get and keep his attention. She would quickly hop into a box of puppies when a mama dog took a break. She loved babies!

I kept weight on the old girl by sharing whatever was on my plate. I'd have to chew it for her. After she ate, she'd sit and look at me until I acknowledged her. Once I spoke to her, she'd go lay down and sleep. I think she was trying to thank me. I am going to miss sharing my meals with her. Her coat became soft and shiny. She was a beautiful little dog. 

She was a lot of comfort to me when Maggie, my tiny white poodle, died. I often wondered if the Lord took Maggie so Marty could have a few years of being doted on.

When our other dogs saw Marty after her absence, they would fawn over her like she was royalty. 

When I would tell the dogs to stay behind, Marty knew that meant everyone except her. Due to her age and needs, she received privileges the other dogs didn't.

On Monday and Tuesday, she started showing signs that her best days were behind her. Kidney disease was stealing her quality of life. 

Since I am the person who works directly with the animals, I am the one who has to make the call to end suffering. It weighs on my heart. I struggle with knowing if I made the decision too soon or too late. With Marty, I know I called it right.

Marty traveled with us to 15 states in just 2023. She went from being cage-bound to hiking miles in beautiful natural settings. Not one time did she ever willingly go back to the Suburban. No matter how far we walked or how many boulders and hills we had to climb, she wanted to keep going. Knowing how much she loved it, we'd indulge her when she indicated she wanted to go a little further.

When you take in an elderly dog, you know the journey will not last long. My "old puppy" had four years of being our top dog and living like a queen. 

I am going to miss Marty and all of her eccentricities. I will miss having to look out for her as I go through my day. I will miss her companionship. In just four years, my little old lady dog stole my heart and earned her rest. 

Hannah Class of January 2024

Hannah completed her high school work in 2023, but with the way the paperwork and delays worked out, her diploma was issued in January 2024.

Video Sermon: The Most Hated Christian Doctrine

This is very good and worth a listen.

The hope which is laid up for you in heaven

We have suffered bereavement after bereavement, but we are going to the land of the immortal where graves are unknown things. Here sin is a constant grief to us, but there we shall be perfectly holy, for there shall by no means enter into that kingdom anything which defileth. -Charles H. Spurgeon (link goes to the sermon which is worth the time to read)

The hope which is laid up for you in heaven. Colossians 1:5

Please pray for S.

https://altmeyerfuneralandcremation.com/obituaries/steven-russell-conner/

Update 3/10: Steve passed away last night. I am heartbroken at the loss of a friend and for the pain his family is feeling. I am thankful he was my brother in Christ, is no longer suffering from that horrible cancer, and that I will see him again. Steve made Spanish class a fun class in high school. I can't think of those days without laughing. Please pray for Kaylyn, his wife, his stepchildren, his father, and his siblings. Some news just hurts like the dickens even when you are expecting it. It's taken all of my energy. I am headed to my room to lie down and pray for his family. 

*****

Please pray for our friend S. I went to middle and part of high school with him. He has been mentioned in the blog previously for cancer. He went to TX for a trial drug. His condition has deteriorated. He is in hospice. They have been able to help him with his pain level. He is still mobile at this time. Thank you for praying with me for S. 

He has told very few people outside of his immediate family which is why I have not shared his full name.

Fertile Egg Seller Recommendation

KingsHatchery on Ebay: I paid for 210 quail eggs. They sent 258. Of those, 215 hatched. That is an 83% hatch rate. I've ordered from them twice before and have another order on the way. They have packaged and put them in the hands of the shipper the same day each time. If you incubate or want to eat fresh quail eggs, I highly recommend this seller.

Any Day I Can Share the Name of Jesus is a Good Day

things could be worse

Please pray for Sarah

3/11 They discovered Sarah had a gallbladder leak. They knicked that when they made the repair to the knick to her liver. Crazy, huh? Also, when they gave her epinephrine when she coded, it burned her from the inside out. They did not feel it would heal well, so they did a skin graft which gave her another area that needs to heal. She is back home and resting. 

3/3: Update: Sarah is back at the hospital. Her mother just texted me. Her pain level is too high and there is an issue with her liver. Please keep Sarah and her family in prayers.

2/28: Sarah's mother texted me late last night to let me know Sarah was home and resting, but in a lot of pain.

2/25: Sarah has been mentioned in the blog before. Our family loves her. She is young and has had many major health issues, but she has a very strong faith and bold testimony for Jesus.

Sarah had a gallbladder attack on Monday, the 18th. She had to be transported to a heart hospital due to her CHD. She had surgery, and there was a complication. They did not find out until she coded twice for very low blood pressure. They finally discovered her liver had been knicked and she was bleeding internally. She lost over 2 pints of blood. They had to repair that. She is still in ICU and on oxygen. 

Please keep her in prayer as she fights to regain her strength so she can go home and take care of her special needs son, Walter. 

Thank you for praying with us for Sarah and her family. May the Lord bless you abundantly for remembering our friend in your prayers.

Thankful!

At 9:20 a.m. today, I had a phone call from Joshua. He and Caleb were in the direct path of a fleeing fugitive this morning. In an effort to evade police, the fugitive engaged a co-worker in conversation. She felt that something about the man was "off." She became scared and had someone secretly call the police. As the fugitive ran from the police, Joshua and Caleb almost hit him with the truck they were using. The man ran across the highway and eventually was apprehended. This man was wanted for stealing traffic cameras in Portsmouth.

I am thankful no one where my youngest sons (24 and 22 yo) work was harmed and that the police apprehended the man. 

Window Seat Space

I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

"the nearer a man lives to God, the more intensely has he to mourn over his own evil heart" -Charles Spurgeon from the sermon "The Fainting Warrior"

"O wretched man that I am I who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 7:24-25

Amaryllis

I bought myself a bulb to force so I would have some color in the house during late winter.

This is a double red amaryllis and there are still two bulbs to open.

Seed Organization Part 2

A few years ago, I reorganized my seeds and put the packets into folders in bins because no other organization method works.

 

Shortly before a singular audacious murine vermin invaded my containers, I had been introduced to an older gardener who kept his seeds in 5-gallon buckets in sheds! Can you imagine having enough seed of anything that you needed to store it in a 5-gallon bucket? Wow! He also had some recycled spaghetti jars full of tiny seeds. I thought that was cool too!

Then, the mouse got into my seed bins. I did not lose many seeds, but, oh, it made me so mad! Everyone in the house knew it because I fussed about it out loud. The nasty, stinking, whizzing all over everything, little vermin ate through some of my paper seed packets and chewed on a few of the mylar ones. (It did not seem to like the mylar and did not chew all the way into any of those.) It ate seeds that could have fed my family or livestock. It only got into one of the boxes though.

I have no problem with mice. They make sweet little contained pets for those who want them. Here, they can live outdoors as long as they stay out of my grains. If they get into the livestock feed shed, it's game on. If they come into my house, it's war! As long as God gives me strength, ANYTHING that comes into my home and steals from my family is not going to fare well. Our seed-stealing invader did not last long once I discovered the issue, and I spotted the destruction fairly quickly. I lost two seed packets.

Fed up, I decided then and there that I was going to redo the seeds into something chew-proof. So, I made some cosmetic jar purchases and rounded up some things I had saved for "just in case." I save all glass jars and bottles that have a lid because there are so many uses for them. I also save old bottles that held pills and had a few Rx bottles someone gave me. I also purchased some 4 ounce canning jars.

I changed everything over to appropriate-sized containers, and I am happier about it. It takes up less space and is much easier for me to manage. I don't have to bend over under the stairs and shuffle the file boxes anymore. My husband, right after his chainsaw injury, made me a double-decker rolling wooden cart that comes out very easily. It makes more efficient use of the space too. The top is for my cool-season seeds with some tools and fertilizers. The bottom is full of warm-season seeds with a few other gardening tools. It worked out so well, I KIND OF happy the mouse came so I'd redo it this way. Kind of. 

I was also really happy when I realized I had enough corn seeds to fill up a spaghetti jar. :-)

Anyway, that is what I decided to go to once the field mouse invited himself to my seed buffet. I think it is going to work out even better than the folder system. As I was working, I remembered my paternal grandmother, Elsie aka Buttercup, kept hers in containers also. She kept some Sevin dust inside to keep the bugs away. I add DE to mine. 

Happy Gardening to all!