Our Story in Stone

 

Our story continues, even on our quietest of days, with absolutely nothing going on. Well, I guess I cannot say nothing, as we are battling fleas on the pups due to the warm weather through the winter and carrying over through spring. It's a beautiful thing yet brings about the battle of the bugs if you are a pet owner. 

Togo, the Siberian husky with a double coat of fur, began scratching. His itchiness was soon followed by the cats and little Jasper the chihuahua digging into their skin as well. Time for the flea meds. 

I made a strong attempt to get our big husky into the bathtub to give him a good scrub before giving him the medications, but alas, he's a husky. All four paws dug into the floor, and he promptly sat on his butt, being the most stubborn pup breed out there. Pushing and pulling and coaxing him into the bath didn't work. He flat out did not give two fleas about taking a bath. So, I gave him the meds, and we called it a day until I can take him into the professionals next week.

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Due to the high cost of gas lately, I have had to end my runs. No deliveries seem to be worthwhile lately and besides that the apps are not sending good runs. I have been asked to go 120 miles outside of Roseburg to deliver to a couple of homes for a whopping $8.92. Yeah, no. But thanks for asking. With gas at almost $5.00 per gallon, that road trip can definitely go into the trash can marked, "Sucky ideas." 

As I sit and basically do the daily chores around me, I watch as Terry goes to work and delivers his talents to the VA. Me? I'm chatting to the animals, talking to plants, and having conversations with myself. I am so bored that I can't even bring myself to do chores around the house to keep me busy. 

I have had my apps on for the past week, but the offers are not viable deliveries, so I decline them. While my car gets decent gas mileage, these trips just do not bring about a lucrative way to make money. I would have to turn around and put the money I make back into my tank. I could stay at home and be more helpful to the family unit than I could putting miles on my car without earning. Meanwhile, my brain is turning into oatmeal. 

When I'm bored, that's when I get into trouble. I have come up with the idea of going back to being a coach or basically, a therapist. I sit and listen to people share their woes with life in general and hopefully help them by giving them advice or researching who they might find in their area to help them out. I enjoy meeting people, even if it is over the phone, but hate the thought of so many being in predicaments that make their lives complicated or painful. I tell myself to endure it all simply because at least I'm helping as much as I can. 

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Since I'm at home, I have taken a few pictures around the homestead and that's about it. Terry, on the other hand, has completed his second book of poems and has it set to publish. His new book will be offered on his birthday, April 25. We will advertise it more when it is published and up for sale. On top of that, he goes to his physical therapy appointments and does still work. 

I have to admit, with him putting effort into keeping us afloat, I feel guilty without the ability to bring in money to help keep the coffers full. We're not broke by any means, but I guess it's just that guilty feeling that tears me up. 

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Meanwhile, back at the ranch, here are the "helpful" photos I took this weekend, and I will end the post here. 

Our climbing rose bush is ready to burst forth with lovely pinkish white roses. The bush is now about eight to 10 feet in height. I can't wait to see all of the blooms open!

As you can see here, there are blooms beginning to open. 

One rose and one bud. 

As Bob Ross the painter claims, "We'll put two happy little buds here." 

One fully bloomed rose. I love when this bush blooms in totality. So gorgeous!

The neighbor's crab apple tree is beautiful this time of year too!

In the 65-to-80-degree temps we are having, even weeds are blooming, perfecting a place for the pups to pee. Loving me some spring!

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My industrious husband, Terry, putting finishing touches on his second book that is about to be published. April 25th is the date it hits the market, the day he turns a respectful 70 years of age. He is such a diligent soul.

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Well, that was our quiet weekend together. Nothing eventful happened. Terry's knee surgery is still healing. We have begun our return to normal from the respiratory illness we both had. Terry had a shot against RSV, and I do believe it helped, somewhat. I didn't have the injection and caught the nasty bug twice. After two weeks, I thought I was healing, then wham! I got it again. While we are not positive we had RSV, it was a respiratory sickness that felt like a mild cold yet kept us coughing so hard I thought it would never end. My stomach muscles and ribs are so sore that it is painful to cough.

 I have been coughing and hacking, trying to hark up a lung now for about a month. It has finally begun to go away. Terry is sounding good or at least better than he has. I was worried his would turn into bronchitis or pneumonia due to his allergies, COPD, and asthma. But he is on the upward movement of getting over it. Be careful out there! Nasty stuff is making its way around. I am back in KN95 masks and using plenty of hand sanitizer when I go into stores where people are joining us in the symphony of coughing and hacking. Most of them are not wearing masks and they do not seem to be worried about covering their mouths when they do cough either. Thanks for that.  

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Well, we are ending this rather plain post here. Until our next post, have a very safe and happy week! We appreciate you reading our blog, even on our dullest of weekends. Take care. 

Terry & Vicki Macrae

Two boring (but happy) old folks