A "Visit" Home

 The middle of August somehow marks the end of summer, with Back To School. Despite temperatures in excess of 100*, Summer is gone. With school starting, American Heritage Girls and Trail Life Boys has geared back up. I brought Nickole back to Oklahoma for our troops' Camporee at New Life Ranch. Sam attended, with Nickole as her adult on premises. A good time and chiggers were had by all.

Sam went back to work Monday feeling like he had not had a weekend at all. He's pretty tired. Mr C and I tried to get back into our long established routines, with errands on Monday. I had attempted to bring the house back up to speed over the weekend. Those who know me, know that "Up to Speed" isn't all that perfect. It's still got quite a way to go, and it's mostly uphill. I AM getting better about ignoring things that need to be done and stopping when I am tired.
This trip, I caught the tomato harvest up again- twelve quarts of  tomato puree, three and a half pints of tomato sauce. (*Caught up* doesn't cover the two gallons picked today)

Since my last post here, my brother Eric (Ricky) was in and out of the hospital several times. He appeared to be losing blood, and the fine Docs at the VA in OKC couldn't figure out why. They decided to test his bone marrow. It was discovered that he has Myelodysplastic Syndrome. He was initially elated that he didn't have Leukemia, because leukemia is cancer. 

I wanted to know what myelodysplastic syndrome was- so I looked it up. It's cancer. There are a lot of treatments available- and even a cure is possible! The cure is a bone marrow transplant- effective about 80% of the time in patients that are 48 and younger, and have no other major health issues. My brother doesn't fall into that 80% effective group. He has at least 5 other major health issues, not counting his age. (Well over 48!) His best chance at a donor is a sibling, followed by his child. The donor must not have any major health issues. Rick, Rob, and I are the siblings. Rob is out due to several major health issues. That leaves me among the siblings. I am willing, if we are a close enough match, and IF they will accept blood from someone out of their target age range. (The national donors list removes donors when they reach 61. I am... older than that.) Donors are ruled out, even if they are a match if they have: Pulmonary disease, Heart disease, Blood Clots, Diabetes... which both my brothers have. I know Eric and I have different blood types, but I am in a group known as "Universal Donor", and was told he is in a group known as a "Universal Recipient".

I got a message from my eldest granddaughter yesterday. So proud of Alana! She was planning how many invitations she needs to order for her COLLEGE GRADUATION! in December. For some families, College Graduation is the norm. In my parents families, it is not. Alana isn't the first to attend college, but she is the first to be a college graduate.

I am not going to be home for long. Nickole and I have eye exams on Sept. 5th, and then we head back to Texas. I'm in the final lap of getting the estates settled. I have to have an appraiser out to give property valuations for future tax purposes. Get property deeds changed. Fill out documents and jump hoops to have stocks sold and added to the estate account. Finally, taxes estimated and paid for next year. Once this year's taxes are filed (Early in 2025), the estate will be settled.

At least one of the pieces of property has been in the family for 111 years. Not long, as history would count. VERY long as family generations go. That is seven generations that I am aware of.

Thank you for continued prayers for my niece Tanya.
For Eric and Robbie and their health issues.
Strength and a sound mind for my Mom (and I!)
that estate finalization goes smoothly.

This is a season!

 Life goes in seasons.

 I remain in Texas, still not finished with the Estate stuff. I went home to Oklahoma at the end of July, for about five days. My flowers were all blooming beautifully. Mr C had been freezing ripe tomatoes, so I got 10 quarts of them canned. I made several kinds of jelly, and finally got to see the neighbors' produce stand. The 3rd of August marked Tom and my 40th anniversary. He came down to East Texas, as did Daniel and Sarrah. It was a nice weekend.
I have had trouble sleeping at times (which also occasionally happens at home). I am still figuring out what to do with insomnia. After tossing and turning for over an hour, I opened my phone and watched funny stories on facebook. I tried again to sleep. Even tried re-doing the bedtime routine. Nope. NOT sleeping. So I got up for a cup of tea. Prayed for various folks. When it became more morning than night, I switched from herbal to caffeinated tea. After that, more facebook scrolling. I decided I could be quietly productive by cooking. I seasoned a package of (on sale!) chicken legs, and have them roasting. Once they cook and cool, the bones will go into a pot for bone broth, and the meat will be turned into something for lunch.

Nickole is friends with the girl next door, who is slightly younger than she is. The young lady and her brother lost their Mom back in December. It's a tough situation. Both kids are very sweet. The family they live with is *sort of* related to us. My step- Mom's cousin was the step-grandmother to the husband of the family. The kids are somehow distantly related to the wife.

In other news: my niece that was diagnosed with breast cancer is undergoing treatment. The diagnosis was not quite as grim as originally thought- she does have a  fighting chance to beat this!

My Mom and I are planning to go visit Christopher this weekend. It's about a two and a half hour drive, and since I live more than 300 miles away, we are allowed a 4 hour visit. I have tried to see him when I can. Sometimes, it's a cluster of visits over  few months... but other times, years have passed between occasions.

Mr C and I still don't know what we are going to do about the property I've inherited. Nothing, for now, is the plan. Several of our kids have ideas on what to do. After the cattle round up for sale... I don't know that cattle ranching is something we ought to pursue. We are getting somewhat old to be out there dodging angry bovine. Maybe plant timber? Bees are a thing, but we need better knowledge of their care, and harvesting honey. Maybe fix up the barn (One of them?) and put a cottage on it, and rent to traveling horse people as an airbnb? Add several cabins and make a little resort? (There are places to hike, creeks, ponds, fishing). Sell the whole place outright? (I found a deed to part of the property. It has been in the family since 1913). Right now, I really don't WANT to sell.

Prayer requests for now:
Health for my Mom, and brothers.
Niece to be cured of cancer.
Various family members to take care of situations that make inheriting difficult.
Mr C to be able to retire.
Healthy baby and safe birth for the family members that need it.
BIL to improve health.
SIL(s) financial situations, and healing.
Wisdom to deal with family members in trying situations.
Thank you !
May your day be blessed with peace, joy, and unexpected treasure.