God is Great and Provides Entertainment Through Pets

Guest writer:  Beth Littlejohn

I thank God that Mother started this blog.  I am finding a grand diversion writing and selecting photos to make the stories more interesting.  I also thank God for the readership who continue even though the namesake is gone.

My daddy has dentures.  Nothing strange for someone 89 years young.  During our time of Mother’s illness he somehow lost a tooth from his lower plate.  Could anything else go wrong?  He struggled along until today.  He had searched for a place to have a single tooth replace for a reasonable amount and located that company near the hospital in Boaz.  The requirement for same day service was to arrive prior to 8:00 A.M.  We planned last night to make that appointment.

We both went to sleep early and I, as usual was the first up.  I let in Jerry…he quickly grabbed a bit and wanted back out.  I was

enjoying the porch and let him out.  Soon Spud came for his morning chow.  He came in as I did.  I sat down, fully intending to take a quick nap before Daddy arose.  Such was not to be.  Spud got his breakfast and came up to me.  I beckoned him into my lap but he was not interested.  I just thought he would go to one of his favorite perches in the front bedroom and sleep.  In just a very few minutes Daddy came padding down the hall toward the family room.  It was 5:30, a whole hour before he usually gets up.  He said that the cat woke him, crying to be let out.  I guess I should have paid better attention.

So, we started our day EARLY!  We had breakfast and fewer tears than on previous mornings.  God is good to us!  We made a quick grocery list for the Walmart and left at somewhere around 6:45.  We wanted to be first at the denture location.  And first we were.  We waited for over 25 minutes before anyone else arrived.  I suppose that we waited 45 minutes before the office opened and were first.  After completing the necessary paperwork and delivering the damaged plate, we left for Walmart.  When our shopping tasks were done we headed for home, thinking that we would go back to pick up the dental appliance between 2:00 and 3:00.

I wanted some field peas and Daddy quickly found some in the freezer.  The peas were almost hot when the phone rang stating that the appliance was ready and we could come get it.  Off we went after making sure the peas were turned off.  Daddy retrieved his lower teeth, all repaired, and we set off for home yet again.

The peas were not done and we had planned to have them for lunch, but settled for a delicious sausage and toast sandwich.  I did not think that one would be enough because mine was so good.  We decided that we would have the same thing again for breakfast.  We set the peas to cooking and began the long day.  Why are some days so long?  I can’t answer that one, but know that by the time we had eaten our “lunch” it was only 11:00!

I studied some; Daddy napped.  I paced the yard.  I watched the hummers battle for feeder time with the bumblebees.  I pulled some grass from the flower bed near the porch.  Dad gathered some weeds he had cut the day before.  It was only 1:00.  The clock was in slow motion!  We were chatting on the porch when I spotted Sister, the big brown dog that is a lover, not a fighter.  She was in front of the car shed, shaking something for all she was worth!  I wondered what in the world and went to investigate.

“Daddy! Come quickly and see what Sister has,” was my astonished cry.  Daddy strolled down the ramp toward me to see and then he chuckled that Sister had caught a mole.  Now if you have ever had moles you know that they are small digging creatures.  Sister despises them.  This is evidenced by the many holes she has dug in the yard.  I think we step in a new hole every day or so.  I don’t know where the hole for this mole is but I can assure you that either Daddy or I will find it soon.  But I digress.  Sister was having a time playing with that mole, but when she saw us she left it to crawl off.  Daddy is a merciful soul but saw that the mole was very injured and ended its pain.  The mole still is in the yard.  But this particular mole will not bother Sister anymore.  What a smile she gave us.

Finally the Braves have started and the supper dishes are done.  We can now settle down for the evening.  It has taken at least a hundred years for the ballgame to start.  Mother, I hope that you can see the ballgame tonight.  Your favorite team is ahead 4-0.

Passing time, enjoying the antics of pets are just a part of today’s country living.