Rain and the stressors of life ...

The colorful leaves have filled the lawn and left the trees bare. I cannot rake the lawn so I cut them up with my lawn mower. Sometimes it takes a few trips around to get them all broken into tiny pieces but I enjoy being out there.

I'm having a wiener roast for the neighborhood children tomorrow evening. It's just hot dogs with sauce, cole slaw, and all the other fixin's; marshmallows, chips and cookies. West Virginia has the best hot dogs in the country as far as I'm concerned. Check out this place not far from my home ... if nothing else, it will give you a giggle. Hillbilly Hot Dogs ... just the best they is. hee-hee I like just a regular slaw dog: bun, wiener, mustard, onions, sauce, and cole slaw. The others are okay if you're hankerin' for somethin' different.

I'm making a cookie recipe my cousin gave me when I was a youngster ... probably some 40 years ago. I think I was about 11 years old. Maybe. Who can remember back that far? ha Although there are many days those memories are far more clear than the ones from a few hours ago. :-) Chocolate chip oatmeal raisin walnut cookies. Simply amazing. I use coconut oil now instead of other oils. It really makes the dough lighter and crispier. I'll share the recipe if anyone wants it. I can type it up in a minute or two.

Samson is still with me. He has good days and bad. His good days consist of eating and sleeping and wanting his belly scratched.  :-) I have a vet check-up scheduled for 12 Nov. I'll know more of what he's dealing with then. Sometimes he seems to have a fever. He'll shake and quiver as though he's freezing. I cover him with an afghan and at times he wants me to sit there with him. Soon, he's snuggled up to me ... along with Miss Cleo and Mister. Then we all take a snooze. It's good I live alone, I guess. I let many indoor chores slide to spend time with my babes while knitting or crocheting.

Miss Cleo likes to hang close when Samson isn't feeling well. It's almost like she knows he's feeling poorly. She is 13 years old. I found her as she popped out from under my car one day in July 2002. She was barely 5 weeks, according to the vet, and on the verge of death with a viral infection and terribly high fever. That was the first time I've seen a cat "pant" like a dog. She's healthy now and very much a diva in this house.

I'm off to bake cookies and wash laundry! I'm happy it's nice enough to hang a few items out. I love the fresh smell of the outdoors.

Blessings ...