Rain, Rain, Finally

Sandy Creek

We had a series of thunderstorms roll through our area last night, with lightning and earthshaking thunder. We really needed the rain, but could have done with a little less fireworks. Thankfully, there was no tornado watch.

We had to make a trip to Quanah, TX this afternoon, and Sandy Creek is way out of its banks. Normally, it is ankle to knee deep and maybe 3 ft. across here near town. The Red River is beginning to rise also, takes a while for all the water to run down the creeks and tributaries. It was up quite a bit though. Sometimes there is only enough water in it to get your ankles wet.

Our rain guage measures up to 6 inches and it was running over the top this morning, so we don't know how much rain we actually got. The back yard looked like a mini-lake. We are under a severe thunderstorm alert for this evening again. Maybe we should start building a big boat-----nah--too late for that.

Trying to stay dry.......

Grandma in the yellow house

We are now Famous

Yesterday morning one of the organizers/promoters of the Mangum, OK Rattlesnake Derby was interviewed by Bill Hemmer on Fox News. Southwest Oklahoma is now famous! It was interesting and informative, but I feel the case for the number of rattlesnakes was a little exaggerated. We do not see one every time we go out for a walk, or pull weeds in the garden.

Timber Rattlesnake

There are areas where they are numerous, but like any sensible person I avoid such places. Leave that area to the snake hunters who capture them for the rattlesnake derby. One man who does this lives just outside our town. His name is Melvin Ishcomer (Chief), a full blooded Choctaw Indian, and he has won the derby every year for quite a few years now. The winner is the one who brings in the most rattlesnakes by weight, and he captures them all season long and keeps them in cages at his home until derby time. If one is spotted around town, just call Chief and he will come and get it.

Diamondback Rattler

When we first moved to Oklahoma I expected to see a rattlesnake behind every bush and rock. The closest I ever came was seeing one that had been run over on the highway, until I went to the Rattlesnake Derby! There were hundreds of them in a huge cage and believe me, I kept my distance.

The best part of the derby is the flea market. It has been advertised as the largest in the southwest, and I think it must be. We did not attend this year, but did last year and had a great time.

Watch out for those reptiles. I saw more in Illinois than I have here.

Blessings to y'all.

Grandma in the yellow house

Military

I have been thinking about all our military families and the sacrifice they make for our country, and hope we are all remembering them in our prayers, and whatever else we can do for them in gratitude.

I am so proud of my own family for our service to our country, not only the ones who have served in active duty, but the family members who have stayed behind and supported them. Beginning with my own generation, my husband Harold served in the Army in Korea, August 1955 to May 1957. Also Army vets were his brothers George and Bill, our son David, our Granddaughter, Jessica.

Serving in the Navy, my brother-in-law Jim (Betty's husband), my son-in-law Randy, and my grandson Jack.

Harold's other brother Bob, had to be different and go into the Air Force.

I have many cousins and nephews who have also served in the military, including my cousin Jerry who is a Viet Nam vet.

I thank God for each one of them and for all those who are on the front lines now.

Blessings and hugs,

Grandma in the yellow house

Marvin the Marvelous

Introducing the newest family member. His name was Marvin, but Patti, his new owner, said that was not macho enough for a big German Shepard, so he is now Marvel the marvelous. He arrived at the Oklahoma City airport at 11 P.M. Wednesday night after a flight across country from one of the East Coast states. He was totally traumatized by the flight, and meeting total strangers, then a 3 hour car trip to his new home. By Friday evening he was beginning to recover, and had made a trip to the vet, Dr. Melanie, and had his rattlesnake protection injection. He will have a couple more shots and tests to be sure he is in good health.

The photo was taken in the office which was really too dark to do him justice, but I will try to catch him outside next time I take the camera over to his house. He already seems to have bonded with Patti, and needless to say she is in love. When she was 5 years old she was already dragging home stray kittens and puppies, and has not stopped in 45 years.

It's ok to hug your pet. Makes good memories.

Blessings y'all

Grandma in the yellow house

AAAARRGH!!!!!!

I owned an HP photo smart printer/scanner/copier, well, technically I still do, but the monster has given me nothing but frustration and trouble from the beginning. I was to the point I wanted to stomp and spit. So I bought a new Canon with all the functions. Reason, my first printer was a Canon, way back when the scanner was a separate add-on, and it never gave me a problem. In fact, I still have it boxed up in storage. My ex-daughter-in-law mentioned that she needs one so I intend to give it to her. David said he will take the HP and see if he can get it operational.

The old one is uninstalled, and the new one is installed. Now testing time is here. It actually looks simpler to use and believe me I need simple! I am one of the technically challenged.

I believe I need chocolate after this ordeal.

Wish me luck............

Grandma in the yellow house

"Save the Earth. It's the only planet with chocolate." Source unknown.

A Dog Story

When Pepper and her sister Keeta were about 3 months old we decided they should probably be wearing collars. They would soon need shots and would need someplace to carry their tags, so we bought woven nylon collars. Within a couple of days the collars were gone. We found pieces of them all around the dog pen, so decided to try leather-thick leather. Same problem with disappearing collars. We decided they had to be chewing them off each other, so we bought chains. They still managed to get them off, and we put them back on several times. Finally Keeta's chain disappeared, and after looking diligently I finally found it under a layer of dirt and dust, she had buried it. Such determination deserved to be rewarded, so we stopped putting the chains on and just attached the tags to leashes so they would be displayed when they were taken for their walks. Neither dog ever again wore a collar of any kind.

I have to say, dogs are smart.

"To err is human, to forgive, canine." Melinda Dodd, Woman's Day Magazine-May 5, 2009

Blessing and hugs from

Grandma in the yellow house

Pepper's Obituary

Saturday was a sad day. Pepper had been sick for a month, with her condition deteriorating to the point she was in misery. The vet had given her the best care possible, but because of her age, 17 years, Dr. Melanie said she could not stand anesthesia and surgery for the colon cancer, and the nasal passage obstruction was inoperable. It broke my heart to make the decision, but I had her put to sleep. I cried the rest of the day, and several times since. David came over and dug the grave for me--he is a good son--and he and Harold laid her to rest. Patti came by after work and we cried some more, and then we thanked God for allowing me to have her for so long.

I plan to get a memorial marker for her grave. She is buried near her mother, Bandit, her sister Keeta, and Jack's pet, Gary the Cat.

My next few posts will likely be some dog stories.

Hug your pets. They are too soon gone.

Grandma in the yellow house

Fire!!!

High wind and dry conditions have caused wildfires to break out this afternoon. Several are burning up around OK City, but closer to home is the one at Electra, Texas where our grandson Jack lives. I got a call about 5:30 p.m. from Patti, and Jack had called her. He was out hosing down his roof, after taking Sandy, the dog, and her sisters to Wichita Falls to safety. He called again to let us know that the wind had changed direction when the fire was 7 blocks from his house, so he is safe for now. I do not know yet how much damage has been done, but it has been a lot. The picture is from Dallas Fox channel 4

We are also under a tornado watch this evening, and the wind has been ferocious all afternoon. It has been one of those "brown sky" days, with blowing dust and sand. A day to stay inside unless going out is absolutely necessary.

Stay safe y'all

Grandma in the yellow house

More on Pepper

Pepper had to go back to the vet yesterday morning. Dr. Melanie gave her an anti-biotic shot because she has stopped eating, and we can't get the tablets down her. In 3 days she has eaten a very small piece of steak, about 1/4 cup of honey-nut cheerios, and 3 beggin' strips. This is not good news. At 17 it may be a sign she is getting ready to lie down and call it quits.
She has lived a long life, and enjoyed it. One of her greatest pleasures has been chasing the neighbors' cats, not to actually catch one, just to enjoy the chase. A few times the cat has stopped running, and Pepper always stopped too. Party pooper cats!
Remembering some of the good times..........
Grandman in the yellow house

Not a good day at the yellow house

Talking about yesterday-April 1

Did not get the conficker worm in my computer--good news.

Bad news.

Harold had a spell with his heart. This is the second time his heart rate has gone up to nearly 2oo beats per minute, so took him to ER. He got emergency treatment to get the rate down, and even though the Dr. wanted him to stay overnight he insisted he come home. He has promised to take his medication faithfully so it doesn't happen again.

More bad news.

While we were at the hospital I called Patti to come to the yellow house and let Pepper outside. When she arrived Pepper was down and could not get up. She loaded her up and took her out to the vet, and after a shot and a start on anti-biotics she improved enough to come home also. We have a young woman vet who is great with small animals and I hear she is also good with large animals. She is certainly busy! She is concerned enough to call and check on her "patients" if she has to leave town. Well............Pepper is 17, very old for a dog so we get concerned when she gets a little bit sick. She may have to go on heart meds too, so she and Harold can take them together.

I have decided that tomorrow will be a better day.

Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."

"Don't worry; be happy" y'all

Grandma in the yellow house