Chaos Rains

and chaos reigns.

We were the lucky ones.  Seven total inches of rain with hail and wind.  The garden was under water. Water gates moved down the creek along with a few flower pots from Marcy's yard but we were all safe. Erosion was our worst problem.  The waters receded almost as quickly as it rose.  We are on high ground.  If it had been daylight I would've been rubber booting.

Vilonia and Mayflower Arkansas were not so lucky.  Several states had tornadoes last night.  The season has begun.

Driving out this morning the water had receded along with our road

This was part of our road.

Ponds were over flowing.

There were ponds where no ponds had gone before.

Where was I going? you ask...

Toni helped haul two loads from his storage to go into the family shop to sell.  Soon, we hope, someone will love his old stuff and take it home with them...and then he can get more stuff!

Stopped at the traffic light on Norfork Dam Toni got out to check on me and my full pickup.  The load in the truck was riding very well.

We had followed a semi-truck out of Mountain Home.  He was driving so slow traffic was backed up for a ways.  We had just passed the Dam Bait Shop (I'm not swearing.  That is the name!  I would like to answer their phone, "This is the Dam Bait Shop.  What the hell do you want?").  We were headed up the Dam hill and I knew that truck could not pull it.  Slowing down it stopped completely.  I thought student driver but it was certainly someone who did not know what he/she was doing.  The truck stalled.  We have traffic backed up as far as I can see.  The truck's back up lights came on!!!  I look behind me.  Toni is right there. I can't back up and the truck keeps rolling backwards!

I look up the Dam hill (I enjoy saying that entirely too much) and there is no oncoming traffic.  I cut the wheels sharply and shot out into the opposite lane and flew around the truck.  The whole line followed me. As far as I know the truck may still be there.

We reached the shop safely and unloaded Toni's stuff.  We were good packers.  Every nook and cranny in both vehicles was packed to the gills.

Driving home I noticed the skies were clear and the neighbors cattle were celebrating with new green grass. I wonder what I will do tomorrow?

Grandma's Organ

Grandma Pruett's organ moved today.  It was in my sitting area, now it resides in a more proper place of honor in my huge dining room.  Now many of you may think, this is a strange place for an organ but not for our dining room.

The kitchen/dining room is where we always gather, at least, the woman congregate here, the men leave when their bellies are full.  We gather around the large hand made table of Mom and Dad's and visit.

Today Bev and I did some major rearranging and thinning...yes, thinning!!!  It was time.  Even though we live in an old large farm house, there were too many things...too much past.  We packed some boxes full of things that I could live without, things that no longer made my heart sing, and things we no longer used.  The past two days, we have packed eleven, yes, eleven, wonderful full boxes of THINGS.

Know I am not a hoarder, especially not like those on TV.  My things were organized and artfully displayed...just too many.  How many blue glass canning jars do you really need??  How many cookie jars?  How many cannister sets?  On and on, we sorted.

Simplify, simplify!  I don't want to spend my years dusting things I really don't LOVE.  If it did not bring a smile, a memory or a good feeling, it went into a box, all cleaned, wrapped and packed and taken to the shop.

Beverly asked what theme or direction do you want to go in here?  I thought and thought and believe I came up with a new one...Country Comfortable.  So Grandma's organ holds the place of honor and mother's old quilt cabinet is now the pantry full of home canned goods by Marcy.

Today I am five bar stools lighter.  Today I am one couch and one love seat lighter.  Today I am eleven boxes of treasures lighter.  Today my spirit soars because by letting go, I have grown.