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.