DETERMINED!

Mr. Dillo does NOT know who he is fooling around with. I was up at 12:30; 2:30; and 4:00 last night. Take the rifle---a flashlight & walk all over these 5 acres. He was a NO show. I go inside--get on the couch and FINALLY doze off from 4:15-5:00. BACK UP for my run. When I leave at 5:10 he had been and gone and left a HUGE mess out in the woods AGAIN.

SO here is what I know---Armadillos are creatures of habit. I have been up and walked around the woods several nights in a row from the 12-4 range. He sometimes skips a night. Tonight I will be up at 4:30---with my brightest light and my 38 revolver. He may not come tonight, but I am starting to figure out his Pig Trail. HE IS SO GOING TO GET IT!

Dillos should know who they are fooling with. Anyone crazy enough to get up at 4:45---in the miserable hot to the freezing cold---is a DETERMINED PERSON! I AM SO GONNA GET HIM!

FEET OF CLAY

My sweet friend sent me an email telling me what a wonderful example of Christ I was. I AM SO CONVICTED! As I replied to her, if you knew the thoughts I had this very morning, you would be SO disappointed! I am flesh and therefore I am sinful---though I strive to seek and serve Him---I falter EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY. And yet----I ALWAYS end up turning my face back to Him. He takes my trials and uses them as a "Refiners Fire" to slowly shape me, but this side of Heaven I will never be a Perfect Vessel. I am Blessed by my dear friends EVERY day of my life. They are His provision to keep me going and remind me of my focus. I endeavor to "Keep my poise" with my eyes upon Him.

ROYAL VISIT

MY CHARIOT

We have our friend, Mr. B come once a quarter and pick up all the sticks and mulch the 5 acres of woods around the house. He came Monday and I was delighted. Tuesday as I am driving to the NH for a visit, a series of thunderstorms with plenty of wind came through. If you live near any tress, you understand what I came home to find. NOT A HAPPY CAMPER! I start yesterday after my 5 mile run and 3 mile walk to pick up the limbs and revisit this job this AM beginning at 7. By mid-morning I have a truck full and I am off to the landfill!

You do remember that I have been declared "Queen of the Landfill"? In honor of keeping up appearances and maintaining my poise and regal statute, I even changed tee shirts. (Plus after LOTS of sweat I had a wet tee shirt---You do understand) They were SO HAPPY to see me. The nice men helped me to clear out the back of the truck & I promised a return visit in a couple of days. They were so delighted and I gave them a "Queenly wave" as I drove off. You know that wave----arm crooked at a 90 degree angle at the elbow, fingers held together, and a slow back and forth wave.--REGAL & POISED TO A FAULT!

POISE

My dear sweet friend told me to "Keep my poise". I have spent the morning thinking that over and chuckling. Thank you God for laughter! Momma would be SO GLAD that there was someone in my life to give me this advice----after all she was a FIRM believer in keeping your poise!

I have this mental picture of a little old lady with a pillbox hat with the net only slightly pulled over the edge of her hair, shirt-waist dress down to mid-calf, umbrella in her hand, back as straight as an arrow, glasses on absolutely straight with low pumps on her feet-striking a no-nonsense pose with a non-telling look of cool on her face. YEP that's me for sure!

I guess the plans I have of taking out a full page ad announcing to the world ALL my grievances will have to be put on hold. AND OH YEAH---the loaded gun by the front door should probably be unloaded and put away. The fantasy of standing on the courthouse square while standing on a large box and announcing to all around my plans for those that have "fooled with me" will also have to wait. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST----the carefully laid plans of Getting Even will have to be thrown in the trash.

WHAT'S THE FUN OF MAINTAINING YOUR POISE????

NAME CALLING

MR. DILLA IS A BIG OLD

HE WAS A NO-SHOW LAST NIGHT. THAT'S ALRIGHT I'VE GOT A BIG SURPRISE FOR HIM WHEN HE DOES SHOW!

SPOILS OF WAR

LOOK AT THOSE CLAWS

Think about those digging indiscriminately in your garden----I AM NOT HAPPY!











This weekend began the Vienna Dilla War. Friday night---even facing a 4:45 alarm clock----we heard the first little monster at 10:30. We both jump out of bed---picture the Keystone Cops & you've got an idea of what we looked like trying to get flashlights, shoes, guns and GET OUT THAT DOOR. When I first saw the dilla in the garden, I ALMOST felt sorry for him--he was probably a teenage dilla. THEN I saw him stick his snout down in the garden and use those claws to begin throwing straw & dirt. FATAL MISTAKE! ONE DOWN!

At 12:30, I hear another one----I go look out to make sure and then wake BC up AGAIN. The rifle had jammed and he would not let me use his pistol. I have one of my own that I plan to get out! He shot--but wasn't sure. We spend the next 30 minutes looking under bushes trying to make sure he isn't bleeding to death in my flower bed.

The next night I don't hear anything until 5 AM ( MY ONE MORNING TO SLEEP A LITTLE LATER). This one must have heard us hitting the door and cocking the guns. HE RUNS OFF.

Last night he came back---I might have heard him about 4 and he might have come after I left to run at 5:10--but the damage is MAJOR. The worst it has been.

I am on a MISSION now! I have a trap set with a chute leading right into it! I plan to sleep on the couch and look out every 30 minutes. AND AFTER VICTORY---I plan to have a nice new handbag-

A BOY AND HIS DOG

When Henry was born, Powers didn't know quite what to think. Power's masters were very cautious when Powers was around Henry. He pretty much ignored Henry during those "Lump Months"-you know when the baby is pretty much "A Lump", except for those few swift sniffs. When Henry became MOBILE--Powers watched him and was cautious. For most of the time, if Henry was curious and wanting Powers, Powers was steering clear---cautious. AHHH--then came the magical discovery as Henry's variety of food grew---that Henry was REALLY entertained by reaching down and feeding Powers----AND POWERS DISCOVERED a true love for his little snack machine. They have become great buddies-----what greater love has a dog than to let a little one less than half his size drag him around by his leash. Powers has discovered a great love for his little protege. Henry loves Powers and Powers love Henry. True love---when you put the wants and desires of your loved one before your own wants and desires. A dog and his master---or in this case A dog and his boy.