I'm glad I didn't say, "I told you so!"

Bob thought it would be fun to let one of the chickens hatch little chicks. Once this hen started sitting or setting (I don't know which one to use), she was not very friendly. She would squawk and peck at you if you came near her. Bob didn't care what she did, he would pick her up to see if any of the chicks had hatched. One morning when he went to the barn to feed and water the chickens and to check on the setting hen, she was especially spatty and fussy, but Bob picked her up anyway and four little chicks fell from under her wings. She had two little yellow chicks and two black.

When I found out about the chicks, I thought we should bring them into the house and bring in the washtub for them to grow-up in. Bob wouldn't hear any of that. He said hens have had chicks in barns for many years and somehow they survive without being raised in a kitchen. The hen is very protective and if any of the other hens or roosters come close, she lets them have it. She has even pulled some feathers out of a hen that got to close.

The chicks do just what their mother does. When she scratches at the food on the ground, they copy her. It's so cute. And when she calls them, they come running and get under her wings. The chicks have been getting through the fence and the mother hen has a fit. When I saw this, I of course told Bob we should definitely bring them in the house till they got older. Nope. That didn't happen.

On Monday evening, Bob went out to gather the eggs and make sure all the chickens were inside. All but the mother hen was in the chicken house. She was huddled outside with all four baby chicks underneath her. It was beginning to rain, so Bob didn't think he should just leave her there, so he braved the pecking and gathered the hen and her chicks and took them inside and put them in one of the nesting boxes.

The next evening, once again the mother hen was outside with her baby chicks underneath her. It wasn't raining, so Bob decided to let her stay there. The next morning when Bob checked on them, they were all running around in the fenced in pen.

That evening when Bob went out to gather the eggs, the mother hen was inside in the highest nesting box - just sitting there. Bob looked all around for the little chicks, but he couldn't find them. When he came in he told me that either a snake or the cats must have eaten the chicks because he couldn't find them anywhere. That's when I wanted to say, "See I told you so" but I didn't. It was really sad to hear about those little chicks because they were so cute - and seemed to be quite happy.

Once again in the morning, Bob went out to feed the chickens and out in the chicken yard was the mother hen and all four chicks. They must have been underneath her in that top nesting box. How did they get there? They can't fly yet. I wonder if they got on the mother hen's back and she flew up there with them?

I was so thankful that they were safe. They are so cute.


We also have a strawberry patch this year. Here grandpa and Madeline are picking strawberries for our supper. The strawberries are really good - very sweet. I wish there were enough to freeze or make jam. Bob says next year we should have plenty. We've been sharing this year's crop with the deer. They seem to like them as much as we do. Bob will probably have to fence the strawberry patch.

Our three dogs just can't get enough attention. And, if they see Bob petting one of the other dogs, they become jealous and come running wanting attention too. They are such good dogs. Yesterday, I got a call on my cell phone while I was at work - and I was able to find my phone, in the bottomless pit of a purse I carry before it stopped ringing. It was the county clerk's office telling me that Punkin Doodles - and I was thinking, oh, great, Punkin has gotten out in the road and has been hit by a car - dog license expires the end of the month. I let her know that I had the renewal license and check on my dining room table ready to bring in.

Grandpa and Madeline went to the barn to check on the chickens and play with the cats. That's right, cats. Bootsie had kittens and we had homes for all four and then one of the families didn't want to wait six weeks for them, so they got some elsewhere. So, we couldn't find homes for the two leftovers and Bob has named them so there's no way he's going to give them away. Madeline asked grandpa if she could have the one she is holding and he said sure. Then she said her mom said she could have it, but it had to live at his house. She named it Oreo - grandpa calls it Patches. I hope the cat doesn't get too confused with his names. The other kitten he named big foot because it has seven toes on each foot. We have got to take all three cats and Checotah in to be fixed. I do not want more animals. Enough is enough!!!

Bob wanted a picture of us in front of the barn before he shaved off his beard. I refused to let him catch a chicken to hold for the picture - he wasn't happy about it either.

May Birthday Celebrations

The end of May we had a birthday celebration for Bob, Lisa, and Matthew. Ryan made grilled vegetable kabob's which were a big hit. Matthew is getting the vegetables on the sticks.


Ryan cut the vegetables up the night before and then marinated them in Italian salad dressing.


We must have made over 50 of these and I thought there would be quite a few left-over, but there wasn't one left.


The menu: hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, pickled okra, fresh lemonade, angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream, chocolate cake, fruit pizza, and maple walnut ice cream.


Lisa's parents, James, John, Seth, and his girlfriend came over too. John liked the homemade ice cream Bob made.

Hannah just enjoyed picking at the pizza.

Gracie had an earache so Shannon is holding her with a blanket wrapped around her. It was really cold and windy!

I should have taken more pictures of everyone, but I was busy making sure everyone had enough food to eat.

Celebration Done - Beard Gone!

Last weekend, the Roosevelt SDA Church held it 150th year celebration. Bob has been growing a beard since December in hopes of looking like the pioneers 150 years ago. I certainly think he accomplished his goal. He wore his grandfathers bow-tie, hat, and carried his cane. I purchased an 1800's hat from an antique store and bought fabric and a pattern and made my dress to match the hat.

Just as promised, as soon as the celebration was over, Bob shaved off that beard!!!

One step at a time . . .

Almost there . . .

The members told Bob today that he looks 15 to 20 years younger without that beard.

What do you think?

Sunday Morning Update

Mom is still sleeping (8:05 a.m. central time). Her breakfast is here, but I don't want to wake her up she's sleeping so soundly. Natalie spent the night with her. She said that around 3:00 a.m. her fever broke and her hospital gown was soaked. She had the nurse come in and change her gown. I arrived shortly before 7:30 a.m. and Natalie went back to the motel to clean-up and get packed. I haven't decided for sure if I'll ride back with he girls and catch a flight to Buffalo (where my car is parked) or stay and fly out of OKC. I'll wait to talk with the doctor before making my final decision.

I'll keep you posted.

Some Good News

Today started off with a report that was anything but good. Mom refused to eat breakfast and continued on her ornery stage performance. When the physical therapist came in and wanted her to sit up, she fussed and refused - however, with a little encouragement and because she didn't have the strength to do what she wanted, the physical therapist won! However, mom took her hand and patted the therapist until she got to the upper part of the arm and then she pinched her. The therapist was a good sport about it and we had a good laugh. Mom had to dangle her legs over the side of the bed and then she had to raise each one ten times - which mom did with no problem. After the therapist left, mom took a little nap. When she woke up her sweet side came out and she was thanking us for being there and telling us how much she appreciated us. She ate chocolate pudding for lunch and enjoyed it very much. I spent quite some time asking her questions about her dad, mother, grandparents, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren and she knew the answers. We were all amazed. Shortly after lunch, the girls and I went over to Francie's house (my cousin) for lunch and then took a drive past our old house and grandma's old house before heading back for the hospital. While we were gone, Donnie, Velie, and Robert were visiting mom/grandma at the hospital. When we arrived back at the hospital we were surprised to find out she was being moved from ICU to a private room. That's good news! We heard from the nurse that the CT scan that was taken this morning didn't show any significant change. The doctor said that mom is on a roller coaster and if mom doesn't get pneumonia, or an infection, she'll have a good chance of recovery - however a long one.

Mom has just been moved to her new room and is comfortable and waiting for her supper. She has a new telephone number so give us a call on our cell phone for the new number.

Saturday Morning Update

The doctor came in Friday night around 10:00 p.m. I had just left. The doctor had already been in to see her this morning when I arrived around 7:30 a.m. He said she wasn't doing well and had ordered another CT scan. She has just gotten back to her room from the scan. She wouldn't eat any breakfast this morning and is being very ornery telling me that she wants to be in a real hospital and then she told me that she wanted Donnie not me - to call Donnie and tell him to get here NOW! She told the nurses this morning that she wanted a nurse and when they told her they were her nurses, she told them she wanted real nurses not them. She is very demanding telling the nurse that she wants a blanket - lots of them. The doctor did say that her waving her hand around and kicking her feet and telling everyone what to do is a good thing. Better than her just laying in bed doing nothing. She doesn't look good and tells me that she hurts all over. I did mention to the doctor that I was from New York and was planning on going home Sunday night - he said I shouldn't leave for a few days. He doesn't see her improving. The doctor said he would get back with me as soon as he sees the CT scan.

Once again, I can't get on the internet in her room, so I have to go to the waiting room to update. Francie, Natalie, and Kristen are up here now, so I feel I can leave the room to do updates. I'll update again when I have any new news.



I'll wait to make a decision as to when I leave until Sunday evening.

Friday Update

I have been unable to access the internet today until now. All week I have been able to use the internet in mom's room, but today it was unavailable. The nurses checked to find out why I couldn't get online and found out that the service isn't available in ICU. Hum . . . I used it Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Anyway I'm able to use it in the waiting room. I didn't want to leave mom to come out to blog, but all visitors are required to leave ICU from 6:30 to 7:30 am and pm. So here I am.

Francie, Natalie, and Kristen arrived in Oklahoma City early this morning and got a few hours of sleep in the motel before heading over to the hospital. I arrived at 7:30 a.m. and thought mom looked better. The swelling in her face looked better and she was alert and talking a little to me. I fed her breakfast, grits and milk, and she seemed to be having difficulty clearing her throat. The nurse tried to put a suction tube down her throat and mom would have none of that. So a respiratory therapist came and gave her a breathing treatment which helped. The physician assistant came in and changed her bandage and removed the draining tube. Mom's incision is about 4 inches long. The doctor invited us to take a look at the CT scan that was taken yesterday. He said it looked good but once again mentioned his concern about the brusing in the brain. He said that she has about a 50 percent chance of making it, but if he was betting, he would bet on her. Mom ate lunch; tomato soup, milk, and a little cranberry juice. She didn't seem as sleepy today as yesterday. But after lunch she started having tremors on the left side of her face. She is unable to move her left arm or hand and her left hand is quite swollen. The doctor wanted the nurses to help mom get up today and sit in a chair, so shortly after lunch the nurses helped her up and she sat in a chair for a few hours. The tremors seemed to become more severe so the nurse contacted the doctor. They believe it might be seizures and have given her anti-seizure medication. She has been moved back into her bed, but continues having the seizures and is asleep and is not responding to my questions as she did in the past. Because of the seizures she was unable to have supper.

Your continued prayers will be appreciated.