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Thursday, Apr. 25, 2024

7:17pm EDT

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PORCH PONDERINGS

by QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham

Rated: 13+ · Book · Biographical · #2198921

Norma's Wanderings around a small section of Montana

Well, hey there!
Welcome to Roundup, Montana! If it's a nice day, we'll sit a spell on my porch and talk awhile.

"All the resources we need are in the mind.” Theodore Roosevelt, our 26th President of the United States of America.

Another quote I find interesting: "Creativity is intelligence having fun." Albert Einstein

What's on your mind today?

Signature for use by anyone nominated for a Quill Award in 2020

Signature for nominees of the 2019 Quill Awards

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Show Recent Comments

10 Most Recent Blog Comments:

Schnujo is Late to Lannister

4 minutes ago
In response to "Oscar and Tony and Grammy winner !!!"

Wow! You have so much going on!

I'm really sorry all of this is happening at the same time.

But I am super glad the doctor thinks he can fix you, even if you won't be good as new. But new things are too expensive anyway.

I'm certainly glad you'll be in much less (hopefully no) pain in the (hopefully not too distant) future!

I've also had times when a specialist told me I should have seen him sooner. Well, maybe if I hadn't been required to get a referral...

The surgery timing sounds pretty good with a 6-month recovery time. You'll be pushing it for NaNo, but I think you can do it. After all, I need my best cheerleader out there!

In truth, you have a big impact on my success in NaNo, but I could probably do it without you if I had to. Most importantly, I want YOU to be okay -- happy, healthy, and pain-free! If that means you miss a year of NaNo, so be it. YOU are more important.

QPdoll

about 13 hours ago
In response to "Oscar and Tony and Grammy winner !!!"

QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham

and Kåre Enga in Udon Thani

I hope you both can find transportation on Monday! Good luck to you!

Norma, it's good you have your surgery scheduled. I think you'll feel so much better with pain relief. My husband had carpal tunnel surgery and he is happy that his fingers don't go numb anymore.

Safe travels to you both!

1 Like

Kåre Enga in Udon Thani

about 17 hours ago
In response to "Oscar and Tony and Grammy winner !!!"

I don't have to explain my trip back to Montana as you get the picture.

I've been stressed for so long...

I can relax at the hostel and in Seoul airport.

Need to arrange a ride home though...

I assume you'll not be available.

1 Like

QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham

about 17 hours ago
In response to "Drama"

Elycia Lee ☮

Try cutting back your plants. Then try dusting them gently. They breathe through the surface of the leaves.
I found this on Google about rubber plants:
Water when the soil is almost completely dry. ...
Spray with a mister every few days, they like to keep their leaves moist.
Place in a bright room, but keep away from super sunny windows to avoid sunburn Between 15°C to 25°C is their optimum temperature.

Kåre Enga in Udon Thani

Apr 20, 2024 at 11:50am
In response to "Drama"

I should be in Missoula May 1st. Chance of 20° or 70° ... sun, rain, snow, tornadoes, earthquake, Yellowstone blowing up?

Elycia Lee ☮

Apr 20, 2024 at 11:02am
In response to "Drama"

I never overwater them, but I think I'm underwatering them. The leaves are curling. When I put them out, their leaves burn. When I wipe them, lines appear on them... I really wanna start over, but I don't know how to... My rubber plants bottom stem leaves have dropped. Only the top is growing. For one of them, their baby leaf hasn't been growing for over 6 months now... Sounds like you've got quite the green finger there.

QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham

Apr 20, 2024 at 11:00am
In response to "Drama"

QPdoll

It was good to be out and work in the garden. We were both tired after, but that's okay. Digging in dirt always helps. There is always dirt in our lives. We have to dig up through it to get to the shining world on the other side.

1 Like

QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham

Apr 20, 2024 at 10:57am
In response to "Drama"

Elycia Lee ☮

Well, if your rubber plants aren't doing well, try dusting them. Prune them. Don't overwater. I always am cutting back things. Makes people nuts. But sometimes you have to cut back the dead to to get to the living. A metaphor for lots of things in our lives.

1 Like

QPdoll

Apr 20, 2024 at 10:47am
In response to "Drama"

Drama, indeed! Glad you were able to take some stress relief time.

Elycia Lee ☮

Apr 20, 2024 at 10:44am
In response to "Drama"

I'm actually jealous that your fallback plan to stress-relief is gardening.

Can you infect some to me? Currently, all I have is an iron plant and two rubber plants. My rubber plants are not doing well. Your job does sound interesting.

1 Like

July 25, 2023 at 7:01pm

#1053047

Hot and Dry

We're in the midst of a hot spell here. 90's, 100's. Dry and hot. But you know, it's summer. It's supposed to be hot. I survived without A/C growing up in hot and humid NE Ohio. And our bedroom faced West at night. Egads. Many a hot sweaty uncomfortable night. And riding in cars? You just hoped for a fast ride with the windows down.

So get used to being hot in summer, cold in winter. Quit whining about the weather. It could always be worse.

My cousin and her husband visited on Sunday. They have a heck of a pickle. They are traveling in an RV and somehow the towing mechanism for their car has drained their battery. So they are locked out of their car. Because they have one of those fancy-fancy keyless entry thingies. Ha! Stupid is all I can think. Give me a good old fashioned key and lock any day. No computerized gadgets that can go flujey and leave you high and dry and locked out of things. They couldn't even call OnStar - no power - no entry. They did call me a day after they left and tell me they figured out how to get in. And they have an appointment with someone in CO to look at the problem. They live in AZ.

We are still waiting for our vehicle. It's still in VA. Hubby needs to fly or take the train back to pick it up whenever the son-in-law has a fixed it up. It's an older Jeep. So we are still borrowing a truck. But I find myself not wanting to drive it anywhere. So I walk everywhere.

And right now I am walking back and forth to church for our Vacation Bible School program this week. We knew of at least 10 children that would attend. We are now up to 25. Amazing! It is a wonderful program. I think the kids are having a good time. I'm sure all of us will be worn out come Friday, though.

So now I am switching hats and getting ready to attend a Chamber of Commerce meeting. I am the treasurer. Yeah, well. Someone had to do it.

1 Like • Comment • View 1 comment

July 14, 2023 at 9:07pm

#1052617

He is found!

Thanks be to God! My grandson has been found, he is back on base where he belongs. But there are so many unanswered questions. An NCIS agent picked him up in Seattle. He'd been there all along.

Talk about finding a needle in the haystack! And I don't mean the Space Needle.

I thank all of you here on the Writing.com site that prayed for his safe return and sent me kind wishes. I really appreciate each and every one of you.

Now perhaps with this burden off my shoulders, I can cope with the next crisis.

A friend of mine, like a sister from another mister, just had a heart attack and is in the ICU. We need prayers doubled for her now.

Thanks again...

4 Like • Comment • View 3 comments

July 12, 2023 at 12:08pm

#1052518

Still missing...

We made it through another 4th of July. The fireworks were as dreadful as always, 11 days of fireworks, too many in my mind. I was so tied up in knots anyway with my grandson still missing, then to have non-stop assault around me beginning at 9 PM til 11 PM many nights in a row. Well, it made me just the wee bit angry. No, make that a whole bit angry. Still am.

No word on where Justin is, what happened to him, or why. Such a mystery. II only take comfort in the fact I know God is in control. He alone knows the truth. He alone seems to have the answer. And when the time is right, we will have closure.

I haven't been on this site much. I haven't been doing anything much other than helping at the museum and church. Those two places bring me comfort.

But perhaps soon I'll get back into contests and writing. Soon...

1 Like • Comment • View 4 comments

July 1, 2023 at 11:46pm

#1051993

The Bombing has begun...

The bombing of Roundup has been going on for some days now. You can discharge fireworks in the city limits for 11 days ending July 5th.

I'm sorry, but that seems like a very long time to me. Well this year I got a break. It was wet and rainy for 5 of those nights so far. But last night and tonight the crazies are out with the big ones. Not just firecrackers but the big explosive charges.

Good Grief.

But the Sheriff's Department and the 911 operators at least have a sense of humor. Click on the image to have a chuckle.

IMAGE

Fireworks 911

(E)
A little reminder from the Musselshell County Sheriff's Department
#2299017 by QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham

Like • Comment

June 23, 2023 at 12:23pm

#1051488

Cheep! Cheep! Cheep!

So, I went to the Post Office today. I needed to mail some information to Billings. The gentleman in front of me was there to claim a package.

The clerk came back with his package. 'cheep, cheep, cheep' Inside were baby chicks.

Did you know you can get baby chicks through the mail? People here do it all the time. Lots of farms have lots of hens and roosters. In town, you can have up to 3 hens, no roosters.

It brought a smile to my face. And I needed that because at 5 AM this morning, we were woken by the sound of a large shelf falling to the floor. It jumped off the wall, missed my antique dresser and the items on it. But all the antique mugs and other items were crushed in the fall. Egads.

What a way to start a day...

Like • Comment • View 4 comments

June 21, 2023 at 6:05pm

#1051426

Fire up the Furnace - It's the First Day of Summer!

First day of summer and our rainy spell continues. And we have the heat on. No lie the heat just came on at 4 PM. Well, at least it's not snow.

Things are still dicey here. Still no word on my missing grandson. Such a mystery. Now people say he's been spotted here, there, everywhere. No one is talking about what really happened. Very annoying and disturbing, to say the least.

We did get a new vehicle, but it is back in VA, waiting for hubby's son to work his magic on it. We are getting new tires, new fenders. It's an older Jeep, so we know it will be at least partly made of steel, not plastic and styrofoam. We'll put up with lower gas mileage to gain better odds with animal collisions. So we continue to impinge on the good graces of a friend who is lending us her older pickup.

On a brighter note, the garden is not needing irrigation this year and we have a tomato starting to grow on one of the plants.

1 Like • Comment • View 1 comment

June 18, 2023 at 2:24pm

#1051251

Photo Shoot as 'Senior Models' Ha!

Last week we went on a photo shoot for Southeast Montana Tourism. What a fun excursion that was!

Here's what happened:
Day 1 - we toured the Little Bighorn Battlefield with a native American guide. She gave us a tailed guide to the battles, from the tribes' perspective. Amazing guide she was. I was in awe. Then we went to a little cafe nearby for another shoot, for a burger meal. This was to be for the 'Burger Trail' that we developed for SE Montana. Fun little road trip you can take to eat hamburgers at little restaurants.

After that we went to the Big Horn County museum, which is wonderful by the way. More photo ops. By this time, we were done for the day, and went to our motel to get ready for the next day.

Tuesday we went to the Tongue River reservoir for a day on the water. We took out a pontoon boat, motored on the water for a time, had a picnic on an island, motored around some more. Hubby's goal was to catch a fish, which, providentially, he did! A small sauger was filmed for posterity. After that trip, we booked it down the highway to our next venue, Broadus, MT.

Broadus is a tiny town, 451 population, but a fun little place. We booked a room at a motel. So when we go to check-in, no front desk. Hmm. But there is a phone to call someone. So hubby calls. The person on the other end says "Hello? Hello?" and this happens at least for three times we tried this phone. I remembered another motel a few blocks over, so we go there. Remember, we don't use a cell phone. So this very nice man calls the cell number for our lodging. The woman says to me, "Did you try to the phone?" Mercy me, I was at wits end by this time. We got it straightened out, got the code to the room, push button lock, and room #. Nice enough room but no phone or clock. Is this a current trend? What if we had an emergency? How do you set an alarm to get up?

Any way, the next day we had a few photos taken at an antique store before my board meeting for SE Montana. Then the photographer and hubby went their merry way for more photos. We went after the meeting for a museum visit, fun shot of me in front of a pristine Ford Fairlane convertible whose color just happened to match the boots and top I was wearing. After that, we motored a few blocks to a local clothing store that does a booming business with tourism from SD. The photographer got shots of myself and two other women oohing and ahhing over clothing and shoes. But no, I didn't get to buy anything.

We parted ways for the final time with our now good friend, the photographer, at this point. Our final night was in Miles City, an hour's drive north. Exhausted, we spent the night there before driving home the next day.

So - a photo shoot. Stand here, do this. Wait - don't eat that yet, but pretend to take a bite. Smile - act like this is the most wonderful day of your life! Put that fish in the net, take it out of the net. Hold the fish up. Smile! Walk slowly as I film.

I am still trying to recover.

2 Like • Comment • View 1 comment

June 9, 2023 at 10:31am

#1050852

Rain!

The rain continues. Mercy sakes - it's like God is opening the heavens here. We've had so much precipitation in the last few weeks. You can almost see the grass grow while sitting on the porch. We're mowing every chance we get, in between rain showers and whenever the sun dries the grass.

We did have more sad news. It just keeps on coming. Our neighbor's dog isn't doing well. This dog is my friend, comes to the fence daily several time to say hello. Well, it seems Lil now is sick, either a virus or cancer. They're not sure what is going on. But poor Lil is just not the same. If I have to say goodbye to this dog forever, oh my.

There are flash flood warnings for all the small streams here, and for the Musselshell River that is just a few blocks north of town. We're pretty high on my street. It would take an epic flood to affect us. But there are people living lower, so I pray they will not be affected.

News about my grandson who's been missing just gets more and more curious. Now people are accusing my daughter of making up the entire story. Accusing her of making up this person. ???? I can testify to the fact that Justin is a real person. I saw his mother when she was pregnant at 38 weeks with twins. I saw the birth of those two babies. I saw them as toddlers. I walked with Justin among the redwoods in California. I saw him graduate from basic training in San Diego. Social media is evil sometimes.

But there is now news that Justin was seen at a hotel in Washington. So we can hold onto the fact he is still alive, until it's proven otherwise. We now have to establish the reason(s) this young man chose to leave his duty, his job. What in the world?

I am just heartsick about it all.

But a fun thing is going to happen. Hubby and I were chosen to be part of a photo shoot for SE Montana Tourism. Seems they want some 'Senior models' for their advertising. I had to laugh at that moniker. But we are willing, and its a four day, all expenses paid little vacay. So sure. Road trip! Starting Sunday, we're to travel over to Hardin, MT, south of Billings. Then we'll visit the Little Big Horn Battlefield National Monument. You remember General George M. Custer, I'm sure. After that, the next day over to the Tongue River Reservoir out in the middle of nowhere Montana. Then the next day to Broadus, MT for a SE Montana Tourism board meeting. After the meeting, more photo ops in that little town. That night we'll drive to Miles City, MT instead of trying to drive home in the dark.

Whew, I am tired now just thinking of it all. But I can smile and be polite. Pray for us as we travel. We're in a borrowed vehicle. Please no accidents this time.

3 Like • Comment • View 2 comments

June 2, 2023 at 12:47pm

#1050428

A Big Storm

Holy Cow - 5 years to the day people - what are the chances. We had another big storm last night. But luckily, this one did not destroy the town with hail like that one in 2018.

We got 2 inches of rain at our house. And that has to be a record for rain for us. Usually we get a 1/4 inch or less. We didn't get 2 inches all last summer, I think.

The storm was a good lightning and thunder show. One lightning was I swear right over the museum across the street. Mercy sakes - you see the flash you hear the crash.

So we are in a wet spell. Rain every day or so for the past week. What a blessing. And a curse. Flash flooding here and there. But rain!
Love it.

What I don't love is all the stress lately. We don't have a car, we are borrowing a truck from a friend. My grandson is still missing, A friend's son died of heart problems. A neighbor's wife had a bad car accident and is now having to go to rehab for awhile. She had a fractured pelvis. I had that same injury in my 20's from a car accident. I spent 6 weeks in the hospital. Bad memories come back from that.

So I had an appointment with my doctor. We came to the agreement with the idea of medication, which I already had. So I'm starting some medication to help with my anxiety, and hoping it helps. Having all this stress has overwhelmed me. God is on my side, that I know. And He is still in control, that I know.

Perhaps soon I will feel more settled and get back into writing. Right now, no. This is about all I can manage. This storm will not pass like the one last night. This storm in my life is going to be here for a time yet.

Like • Comment • View 1 comment

May 28, 2023 at 1:29pm

#1050193

Problem Overload...

Still no news about my missing grandson. In case you didn't read my previous posting, my Marine grandson has been missing from his post since April 22nd. Nothing yet about what happened. Truly a mystery. We pray daily for some news. Good or bad. Just to know what happened.

And then we are still dealing with the car accident. The car was declared a total loss. So now we are borrowing a vehicle from a friend. We may get a Jeep. But an older one. We want a vehicle that is sturdy enough to stand up to these animal collisions, not crumple on contact and be unfixable.

Then more bad news it seems every day. The stress just keeps coming. The son of a friend, coincidentally the friend that lent us the vehicle we're now driving, passed away unexpectedly. He had been in the hospital with some heart issues and died on the way home. Jerry was in his late 40's. Such bad news.

Other people I know have been sick or have had other accidents. I am just so exhausted by all the problems.

But then the other day the bank told us someone had changed our bank password. So we travel down to Billings to open a new account, since the compromised account was on hold. By the time we are almost done, we find out the password was changed by someone in their accounting department. Oops. So not only did we waste 3 hours of our time, driving and all; we wasted an hour and more of the bank employees time since she now had to undo all the work she just did. Arrghh.

Right now I really don't feel like writing. Anything. Even writing in this Blog seems onerous. I pray it gets better.

1 Like • Comment • View 3 comments

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