Aloe Vera Flowers and Updates

 

My Aloe Vera plant is in blossom. 

I still think they look like bananas! 

This morning, my son and I had a great time exploring thrift stores. He managed to find a good-quality frying pan for just $5, which was a fantastic deal. After that, we headed to a sporting goods store, where he purchased a river tube and a life jacket for an upcoming tubing adventure with his friends on the Sacramento River.

I also treated myself to a nice pair of sandals and was pleasantly surprised to receive a $10 discount at the checkout. My feet are growing - I used to be a size 5 and now I am a 6. 

Later, I went grocery shopping and spent $138, which is quite a lot considering I didn't buy any meat. I am considering collecting my grocery receipts and mailing them to the White House!

It's the first time I have been blessed to enjoy two of them in bloom. 

Last Thursday, we brought Laydee to the veterinarian for a check-up. Once again, the vet reassured us, especially my husband, that the small dangling skin tag was probably not cancerous. The results of the two biopsies were inconclusive, and the tag is not displaying any typical cancerous features. The vet emphasized that the tag was not causing Laydee any discomfort and that any surgery to remove it would be purely cosmetic and potentially risky.

At some point, you have to trust your veterinarian. We've had her for years and she's wonderful. She's not the kind that will recommend unnecessary treatments just to increase the bill. She always provides us with options, and when we ask for her opinion, she tells us and explains the reasons behind her recommendations.

 

They are definitely unique. 

I've been busy with some writing projects and reading some research books.  I'm anticipating the arrival of a research book that I ordered last month, which is expected to be delivered by mid-June. The book focuses on Scott County and its inhabitants, The Mountain Folk, with mentions of my ancestors throughout its pages. It will provide me with valuable insights into their lives and experiences. 

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Every Thursday, I drive over the river, through the city, and toward the rural part of town to attend this church prayer group and bible study. I have really clicked with these women and when I told them that we were looking for a new church they all were hoping we would end up there. So, the last few evenings, we have watched their church's recent sermons on YouTube.  We enjoyed the Pastor's sermon. So, we're going to that church on Sunday and I'm thrilled. I texted my one friend and told her. She was hoping my husband would come, because her husband doesn't go to church. My husband knows her husband through the VFW, and of course, I know her through that organization as well. I used to be the President of the Ladies Auxiliary and Susan was the chaplain. We used to have some good times back then. 

The church is quite small, but that's something I appreciate. It's easier to know people and I estimate around 100 people attend the service. I've grown tired of the massive informal mega-churches with the loud rock music and people dancing and calling it worship. We actually have one of those here - Bethel Redding, along with their downtown recording studio, Bethel Music. Their leaders are Bill Johnson and Kris Vallotton. 

Finding a reliable, wholesome church that teaches truth can be challenging, as many have strayed from biblical principles, similar to the way Bethel has.

Cold and clearwater on the Sacramento River

On Wednesday, I decided to take a leisurely stroll along the river and ended up with some nice photos. I'll share them the next time I post. 

The weather has been getting hotter, which is pretty typical for summer in this area. The low humidity has been causing me to experience constant static shocks. Just today I got a shock and even heard it spark when I reached into the frozen food section at the grocery store. It's been the same story when opening the car door or turning on the lights at home. My husband doesn't seem to be as affected by it, so maybe it's just my unique chemistry. I always talk about getting a humidifier for the house to alleviate this issue, but I never seem to follow through with it.

Anyway, that's enough from me for now. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Debby