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2 08, 2024

Boomerang Earring

By |2024-08-01T08:52:20-05:00August 2nd, 2024|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|0 Comments

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

I read somewhere that wearing large dangly earrings makes you look 10 lbs. lighter. I have since expanded my collection of large dangly earrings.

The problem is that those that simply hang from a curved wire sometimes fall out. This has happened several times leaving me with random single earrings.

I have a lot of eighth-note dangly earrings that I wear often. I wore them to the children’s symphony last year and discovered one was missing when I got home.

I was very sad.

Then a few weeks later, the missing earring appeared behind the door of our living room.

I was thrilled.

Just recently, the eighth note earring went missing again. I was very sad again. I left the lone earring on the dining table. While vacuuming. the kitchen this week, I discovered……. the missing earring!!!!

I could not believe it! I just knew the earring was gone forever.

I have started putting a small plastic back on the end of the wire to keep the earrings from falling off.

I don’t want to test Judythe Morgan‘s “The Pattern of 3”  blog theory and count on finding the lost earring a third time!

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29 07, 2024

The Pattern of 3

By |2024-07-28T12:25:18-05:00July 29th, 2024|Make Me Think Monday|1 Comment

What is it with the number three?

Why do patterns of three appear in so many ways?

Is it mystical, magical, or coincidental?

According to numerology, the number 3 is a whirlwind of expressiveness, joy, and boundless, childlike imagination.

My grandmother, who was not into numerology, firmly believed in patterns of threes. If there were two accidents, she went on alert waiting for the third. Good things can happen in 3s too according to her.

In a recent blog, James Scott Bell discussed how celebrity deaths seem to come in threes. He cited Shannon Doherty, Richard Simmons, and Shelley Duvall who died within days of each other this year. Ed McMahon (Johnny Carson’s sidekick) died, a couple of days later, Farrah Fawcett (Charlie’s Angels star) then Michael Jackson “moonwalked beyond the veil” in 2009.

Psychologists attribute these connections to “confirmation bias.” When we look for something, we “find” it in questionable details.

My grandmother’s superstition came mostly from her mystical Irish heritage, but when you look, you do find patterns of threes everywhere.

Mind, body, spirit

Born, live, die

Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil

The Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost

Three Wise Men

Ready, set, go

ID, Ego, Superego

Three wishes

Three strikes and you’re out.

Liquid, ice, vapor

3 months in a climate season

What about stories and movies:

3’s Company (TV Show)

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Three Blind Mice

Three Little Pigs (or Kittens)

Three Bears

Three Stooges

Three Billy Goats Gruff

Three Coins in the Fountain (Movie)

Or these well-known three-part quotes:

“Citius, Altius, Fortius” (Olympic motto)

“Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

“wine, women and song”

“truth, justice, and the American way”

“Government of the people, by the people, for the people”

Because Aristotle observed patterns of three, he developed his three-act structure – Beginning, middle, end –  for story plotting.  Writers use it today. As a reader you may or may not be aware of the structure unless that structure is missing then the story won’t flow.

Writers use the Rule of Three. That’s why sentences like the one in the opening of this blog— Is it mystical, magical, or coincidental? (adjective triplets in phrases) are found.

The smallest number of elements needed to create a pattern is three. Those patterns in turn inform, inspire, or amuse. Watch for patterns of 3. You’ll find one I’m sure.

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26 07, 2024

Serendipity

By |2024-07-24T15:01:21-05:00July 26th, 2024|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|0 Comments

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

Our son-in-law is a pilot which is cool. It means we can fly standby at a reduced rate anywhere in the world. It also means he is away from home for several days at a time.

His son Alex’s birthday party was on Saturday. Beekeeper Brian and I drove up to help celebrate and had planned to come right back. Then Caleb had to work, and Catherine was performing in a Basically Beethoven concert so they asked if I could stay and watch the boys.

Of course, I agreed. The plan was for me to catch a flight home on Sunday night or Monday morning, depending on which flight had seats.

We discovered early Sunday afternoon that the evening flight was full, and I was number 5 on the standby list. We checked the Monday morning flight. I would be number 4 on the list. As much as I love our grandkids, I didn’t want to spend all week waiting for an available flight.

Catherine, who has learned out of necessity how to shift plans, suggested we take the boys to a zoo about halfway between their house and ours. Beekeeper Brian could pick me up there and take me the rest of the way home. Great plan!

He was telling Rachel about the plan, and she decided she wanted to see her nephews and go to the zoo also. So, she drove up to meet us at the zoo. Even better, it kept Brian from having to make the partial trip so soon after the birthday celebration.

The weather forecast for that Monday was for rain. We explored indoor options but when we woke up there was no rain, so we loaded up and went to the zoo. Rainy weather would just add to the adventure.

We saw fish, a stingray, an alligator, and an elephant among other things.

 

 

 

 

 

After about an hour, it began to rain. We quickly made our way back to the car and went to have lunch. Catherine had brought dry clothes for the boys, so they slept comfortably on the way back to their house. Rachel drove me back to the house where Beekeeper Brian was glad to see me.

Sometimes when plans change, it turns into an adventure. I’d call that serendipity.

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22 07, 2024

America’s Favorite Dessert – Ice Cream

By |2024-07-19T12:11:40-05:00July 22nd, 2024|Make Me Think Monday|0 Comments

Here in the United States, we celebrate National Ice Cream Month each year in July, and National Ice Cream on the third Sunday.

We can thank President Reagan for the celebration.

In 1984, he signed a proclamation that declared July to be National Ice Cream Month. He adored ice cream along with 90% of Americans who consume over twenty gallons per person annually.

No wonder. Ice cream is rich, creamy, and filled with summer flavors while the chill cools us down from the heat of summer.

Flavors range from Neapolitan to chocolate chip cookie dough to Banana Pudding to Pistachio Almond. Check out all the Texas Blue Bell Creameries flavors.

Plain old vanilla is still the top flavor according to the International Dairy Foods Association.

Our love for ice cream goes way, way back.

Ancient Chinese were the first to discover cold + sweet created a delicious treat that resembles what we enjoy today. Most famous leaders from Roman Emperor Nero to Alexander the Great enjoyed cold treats. By the 1500s ice cream had spread throughout Europe, though only wealthy aristocrats could afford the expensive treat.

No one knows for sure when ice cream made its way to the US, but at least two early presidents were fans. Thomas Jefferson wrote the first known American ice cream recipe and George Washington reportedly spent $200 in a single summer for ice cream.

If you missed National Ice Cream Day, no worries. July’s not over.

Grab a dish or a cone and dig in today.

 

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19 07, 2024

Perspective

By |2024-07-18T17:31:29-05:00July 19th, 2024|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|0 Comments

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

We had a friend visit from Africa recently. His visit has forever changed the way I look at life.

Every time we got into the car, he commented on how nice the roads were. They are smooth and wide and not closed due to fighting.

The state has put a median down the middle of one of our major roads. This has caused unbelievable complaining – letters to the editor, protests, petitions. People here must now plan their routes based on where they can turn left. People in Africa must plan their routes based on which roads are being blocked by militant groups with machine guns.

I think about that when I am tempted to complain about medians.

As we drove to Dallas, we passed fields of cows. Our friend was surprised to see them grazing unattended. In his hometown, all animals must be guarded against theft – 24 hours a day. Unattended animals are stolen.

I think about this as I close the chicken coop at night and climb into bed. The only threat they face is raccoons or hawks.

While we were visiting the grandsons, Alex built an elaborate zoo using all his plastic animals.

When my grandson left the room, our friend got down on the floor and looked closely at the animals. He picked up a rhinoceros and asked what it was called. He mentioned how fortunate Alex was to have these toy animals to help him learn what real animals look like. Children in his town must use their imagination.

I will remember that as I try not to trip on the toys when I am there this weekend.

Then there was the food he had never had – hot dogs, peaches…

I took him to the library where he asked if people could buy the books there. We think nothing of checking books out regularly.

A trip to the local feed store revealed rows of beds and toys for pet dogs. I couldn’t help but be a little embarrassed at the luxury our pets are afforded.

He never complained about his living situation. He simply said that it was difficult. He has learned dependence on God in a way I will never have to.

I wish I could share more details and pictures. Doing so could put him and his family at risk. If certain people in his country knew he’d been to the US, they might seek him out to rob him or kidnap his wife or children. It is a very difficult life indeed.

I pray these images do not fade from my mind too soon. And I pray every day for my brothers and sisters in Africa.

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15 07, 2024

And Then Came Beryl

By |2024-07-14T16:33:35-05:00July 15th, 2024|Make Me Think Monday|1 Comment

Photo: www.outlookindia.com

 

 

 

 

 

Hurricanes and Tropical Storms are a way of life here on the Texas Gulf Coast. And, there have been some doozies.

  • Hurricane Alicia in 1983 The area hadn’t seen a hurricane in three years and this one packed a wallop – 21 deaths, and NO power for twelve days.
  • Tropical Storm Allison (2001) Another doozy that hung around for four days dumping rain that flooded the Texas Medical Center. Allison was the flood of record for the Houston area before Harvey (2017) which was the worst flood storm in US history.

During hurricane season, weathermen track disturbances from the African coast. When the whirling winds head into the Bay of Campeche, our serious storm preparations begin.

Beryl (2024) looked harmless as it crossed into the Gulf of Mexico. We prepared but didn’t worry. Then the storm picked up steam, became a Category One hurricane, and turned westward toward our part of the coast.

Beryl fooled us when it came ashore at 4 a.m. unleashing powerful wind and intensified over us. Trees swayed and tumbled. Water rushed. Power lines went down. Homes lost electricity. Hospitals ran on backup generators for days. Thankfully, our whole house Generac kept us powered. Sadly, there are still homes without power today.

Seven people died in Texas, and 2.5 million customers were without power.

Beryl was the first storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season to make landfall in the US. Scary to think we have four more months to go.

There have been other Beryls. Beryl in 2012 was a Tropical Storm that hit the Southeastern coast over Memorial Day weekend, ahead of the June 1 official opening date for hurricane season. That storm’s powerful winds knocked out power across the region and dumped 4 to 12 inches of rain.

Beryl in 2018 was the first Atlantic hurricane that year. It intensified quickly from a tropical depression to a Category 1 hurricane. The remnants of Beryl brought gusty winds, rough surf, and dangerous rip currents to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Nice name Beryl, but its reputation is awful and scary. I’d suggest picking a different name for the next Hurricane season.

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12 07, 2024

Simple Things

By |2024-07-09T20:03:38-05:00July 12th, 2024|Friday on the Miller Farm, Make Me Think Monday|1 Comment

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

I have had the privilege of being with our grandsons several times in the past month. Sometimes they were at our house, other times I was at their house. Sometimes Mom and Dad were there, sometimes just Mom, and sometimes just Grandma.

In every situation, there was much laughter and joy.

At our house, our bathroom has a pocket door that pulls out from the wall. Theo was fascinated by the latch.

I turned the knob and it disappeared. I turned it again and it reappeared. We spent about 15 minutes playing “peek-a-boo” with the door latch.

Such simple joy!

 

At his house, Theo has learned to climb on Alex’s lofted bed. When the lamp is on, his shadow appears on the wall. It makes a great playmate. I joined in with my shadow. Simple joy!

Then we went to the park at the end of their street. Alex insisted on going to the “tunnel” to show me what his Daddy taught him. It was a drainage pipe and if you shouted into it, you could hear the echo.

I soon found myself crouching down beside him and shouting into the “tunnel” to experience the simple joy of an echo.

I think growing up is highly overrated. Children know much better how to enjoy simple things.

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