Life's Fleas

 

I have an older German Shepherd Lab mix. She has the thick double coat. Its the time of year when fleas make their presence well known. It doesn't help that she is sensitive to flea bites. So on top of all the shedding she's been doing, she's been biting and tearing her coat out. Checking the cost of flea medications from the vet was frightening and out of reach. I had to find an alternate method. I took a trip down the rabbit hole otherwise known as the internet and found what looked to be a good method.

 After a good, deep scrubbing bath in a flea shampoo that claimed to be veterinarian recommended, I mixed up the ingredients the article gave. 4 ounces of warm water, 6 ounces of organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and 1/4 teaspoon of either pink Himalayan or sea salt. I used the pink. Pour into a spray bottle.  After she was dry,  I spritzed her down well. Avoiding her eyes and mouth I covered her well. The article said to do this weekly. I will admit that I gave her a second spritz a few hours later. I will now wait to see how well this works. I can already tell a difference.

You may be wondering why I am sharing this, other than to assist those who also have dogs battling fleas. Watching my dog and how this has eased her struggles, it had me thinking. We are somewhat like this dog, and the things we face in life are the fleas. We are going along, doing our best to have a good life but find ourselves struggling against life's irritations. Jealousy, envy, gossip, hate, bullies, depression, its a list that could go to near infinity. We want to be satisfied with what we have, thankful for what we have, but oh that new shiny toy. We want to go about our business, but that one that has to make life difficult. We want to be happy, but that feeling of loss, of abandonment, of anything less than happy drags us down. We scratch, we claw, we bite, fighting against the irritations.

The answer, the relief, is but a prayer away. God parted the sea so the Israelite could cross. He gave David the strength to swing the rock, He gave Moses the words to say, and the help of his brother Aaron. God will not take us out of the storms, but will give us the strength to endure and pass through. To have the Holy Spirit indwelling within and guiding our life, is all we need to help us against all the troubles we face.

Safety Net of People

 

My parents have some age on them. Because of that, they do need help with some things from time to time. I was laid off from my job just short of my thirty year anniversary with the company just over four years ago. This was at the beginning of what my son calls the dark time, but others know as Covid. I chose to take early retirement and be here for them. I live right next door so it seemed right. While I am the main caregiver, I am by far not the only one. Everyone else has full time jobs, but there are here ready and willing to help when they are able.

Like this morning.

My nephew was preparing to leave for work, at just before six in the morning, when he noticed a strange truck parked in front of my dad's large storage building. A truck no one had ever seen before. He called me, then the police. I was up and dressed in record time. My parents were not up yet, and their house was secure. The building the truck was left at was secure. Turns out the truck had been borrowed without the owner's consent from a neighboring county. Why they chose to dump it where they did we have no real idea. A lot of guesses but only that, guesses. The police contacted the owner then had the truck towed to where ever they have vehicles towed. One of the officers who was out we've spoken with before. One had been down the road in the past when a former neighbor lived here. Their supervisor was also out, very nice individual, but I wouldn't want to make her angry. She has the appearance of one who could definitely hold her own and then some.

 Thing is, my nephew noticed something out of place. He called me first to let me know. My folks were fine so other than the police no one else needed to be called in, but they would have come. Quickly. I was mildly surprised at how quickly the police arrived, but as mentioned one had been out before and knew my parents to be well into the senior citizen status. We live out in the county, far away from the amenities that city folk have access to more easily. It is important for my parents that there is someone within reach should a need arise. They know, they have a safety net of people around them. Me and my son who live next door, my brother and his family across town but only a phone call way, my niece and her family across the road from them and my sister in law just down the way. Neighbors also help keep a look out, though not as often as some have moved away.

 I do realize that we are blessed in our situation. Not many families live as close to each other as we do. Not all have the good relationship that we do as an extended family. Because of the love shown and the way we were brought up, we are close. We are each other's safety net and are here for each other when needed. I think that if more could have such a life then society as a whole would be better. If we only showed others  respect and love, things would be different. If only, we chose to accept differences among us, and not allow those differences to divide us. For now though, my family is and has a safety net around us, and for that I am grateful.

Throwing Hands

 

Well...that was something.

My son and I sat and watched the NASCAR All Star race last night (May 19th). The cost to go was more than we wished to invest so watch from home we did. For those who do not follow the races, the All Star race is not a points race, it is for those who have won a race in the season, who wins their way in during the shoot out or who is voted in by fans. Twenty drivers take the field in the hopes of winning a cool million dollars.

 Due to events of the weekend, the schedule was altered. Saturday a severe storm went through that had lightening strikes close enough that the race was halted. Then it dumped five inches of rain in less than two hours time. This caused the truck race to be postponed until Sunday morning. Videos show trucks being moved out of the water and cars being covered and moved to safer areas. There is also video of drivers and pit crew members taking advantage of the storm provided pool at one corner of the track.

 During the running of the truck race there was a driver who made a name for himself quickly. I'm thinking this was his inaugural race, but not positive. Either way, he started at or near the back and during the course of the two part race, passed well over 60 trucks, yes, he did pass some more than once but it still counted. He had something to prove and he did just that thing. Determination and ability were his keys to success. He may not have won the race, but I know he won a lot of respect.

 The All Star Race started much later. With that million dollars on the line the name of the game was aggression. Trying to get position, trying to pass through openings, trying to get to the head of the line and stay there. The one who eventually won, did just that leading all but one lap. His victory though was over shadowed by another event. Driver One moved into an area making it three wide, causing driver Two to brush the wall. He didn't wreck, he kept on quite well. However, being unhappy the moment driver Two got the chance, he caused driver One to wreck and took him out of the race. Well, driver One had no way out of the infield so he waited for the end of the race and the chance to have a 'discussion' with driver Two. Yes, fists were thrown by many. Videos of the event are all over the internet.

 Twenty drivers were all on this newly paved short track going for that million dollar pay out. One got angry and took another out deliberately. I really doubt this is over. But, that was a sporting event, what about in every day life? What happens when we want something so badly? When we have a goal or bonus or some reward that we desperately want and are working toward, and someone deliberately takes us out of the running? It wasn't a lack of anything on our part. It wasn't due to a miscommunication or lack of needed materials. We were moving toward that goal but for some reason, real or imagined, another ruins our chances. We are left standing to the side watching the goal we sought go to another. We may not have been the eventual winner, but we would have had a chance that was taken away.

What then? What do we do after the fact? Do we become violent and throw hands or worse? Do we pout and hold a serious grudge that will eventually create an action and response of some form, possibly violent? Do we handle it in a calm, mature fashion? Do we hope that those over the event take action? Do we use it as a catalyst toward betterment and future events? Does it become a personal challenge to set that next goal and seek it with a better determination?

Physical fights, especially those where by no one is injured can be entertaining for those watching. Fights captured can make for good video. In the end though, nothing really good is accomplished. Determination to be better, stronger, more prepared and success oriented, usually creates more success than throwing hands any day.

Lessons Learned

 

What a day this may be. Each moment seemingly a test. Will I remain patient? Will I hold my tongue when I want to speak out so badly? Will I act in mercy and react with compassion? Will I pass each test? Each day brings its own challenges and tests. From the moment we awaken until and at times after we close our eyes for the night.

 I am a forever student. I am learning how to face the challenges on a moment by moment, lesson by test, basis. I am learning that it is a matter of attitude and determination. I am learning that once I pass the one test, another one that is harder will come along.

 I am mastering the patience in shopping. Smiling and remaining calm when the line at check out doesn't go as quickly or smoothly as one would prefer. I'm still learning though how to handle the frustrations of being on the road with drivers who are less than one would hope. We recently had a bad storm system pass through that caused massive power outages which obviously included traffic signals. It was obvious that many people either did not know or ignored the rules of how to handle such an intersection. It becomes an all way stop, taking your turn to pass through when it comes around. Trees were also down and by the time I was out on the road, most ways had one lane open for passage. All this was done on some form of honor system which many did not honor and which caused remaining patient and calm nearly impossible. I will admit to getting a low grade on that test.Sadly, it is not only in the aftermath of storms that bad driving happens. It happens when drivers decide to ignore stop signs or stop lights. It happens when one realizes they are about to miss their turn and anyone in the lanes they must cross need watch out and move for them. Speed limits to them are nothing but suggestions. Distracted driving, driving under the influence nothing new for them. It is the rest of us who must be ever vigilant.

 Some folks who seem to think the best way to acquire things is by stealing. They do not care how difficult they are making life for the rest of the population. They do not consider how difficult their life could become when caught, though I do realize that shoplifting is low on the list of crimes needing to be handled at any given moment. Still, because of them many retail businesses stand at the door needing to check receipts for items not bagged. I have no problem with this and usually have my receipt at the ready. I have however read and heard the comments of those unhappy with the process.

 Now, before anyone reaches the incorrect conclusion that I am fine with indoctrination, I am not.

 What I am, is one who seeks to better my mental health through learning patience in trying times. In learning compassion when I see another hurting. In learning to encourage those who are struggling. In learning that positive thoughts and actions overcome the bad and give strength to make it through the difficult.

 One important thing to remember, is that the lessons are ongoing. Life is a classroom that only ends once we graduate from this life to the next. But with each test we pass, we become all the better for the lessons learned.

Just One Of Those Days

 https://rebeccasrevels.wordpress.com/2021/10/01/day-274-footnotes-of-just-one-of-those-days/

 

It wasn't a disaster of a day, but it had its moments where it came a bit close. Between the collapse of the shelving filling the floor of the room with books of all sort and my son heading out on adventure it could have been one where I found a corner to hide in, but I didn't.

I managed to get most of what needed done or at least staged to be done. I'm still not exactly sure how I'm going to repair or replace the shelving.

I did get my car washed for a Jeep show tomorrow, but I have yet to hang the solar system. Well, the fabric dyed with a solar system design. My Jeep is named Star, what else would I decorate it with?

Tomorrow is the big day. The event. The benefit for Love Like Lauren. The Show and Shine. My first time participating. Star may not be a Wrangler, but I'm betting she'll still look good among them.

October First, Another Day, Questions Without Answers

 https://rebeccasrevels.wordpress.com/2021/10/01/october-first-another-day-questions-without-answers/

 

This was posted moments ago over on the other blog site. I wonder, how often we even notice or recognize the things going on around us? How often do we see or hear the hurting, the lost, the afraid? How often are we simply too busy or too afraid ourselves? So many, too many, around us are in need of one thing or another or even many. When will we stop and reach out? When will we do all we are able, to be the difference for the many, or the few?

 

Out and About With Mom

 https://rebeccasrevels.wordpress.com/2021/09/29/day-272-footnotes-of-out-and-about-with-mom/

 

The link above is to my latest write about helping take care of my parents during this mess of a time period with are in.