"Like a Good Neighbor....Your in Good Hands"

It's funny.  When I was thinking about a good name for this blog, two insurance commercials came into my head.  Did you recognize them...State Farm and Allstate?
The blog is about my neighbor Billy.  The first week I moved into this little house, he came over to meet me.  He was a little older than me.  He is the father of the couple who lives just behind me.  He had moved his 5th wheel in behind them and been living there a year or so.  We had a great first visit and shared about our lives.  He met my pup and they, like us, were friends from the start.  Although he walked with a cane, he offered to come over and help with anything he could or to let my pup out any time if I needed him to.  I told him I would take him up on that for sure.
It wasn't long after that that he did actually come over when I had to be away all day and let Ikey out.  Ikey really loved him.  I did ask him to occasionally let Ikey out for me and sometimes it was after dark when I got home.  He always left the front porch light on for me (Motel 6) and turned on the kitchen sink light for Ikey so he wouldn't be home in the dark.  He is truly a very sweet and thoughtful friend.
Since his family lived right there next to him he didn't really need me to do much for him, however, I would bake and take him cookies,  brownies or gingerbread or and sometimes a to go benefit dinner plate from town.  We were both grateful to each other.
In the winter he tripped in his back yard and broke some ribs.  He also had some other injuries that he didn't find out about until later.  He wasn't getting around too well so I was able to find someone else to help me (thankfully my BFF works just up the road) let Ikey out if I had to be gone.
About the time I broke my arm, he also was having trouble with his arm, the injury he discovered later.  To make a long story short he went to Cibilo to live w/ a friend and closer to a doctor and a rehab facility.  We've talked several times on the phone since then, however, I have not seen him since sometime before I broke my arm.
Today Ikey and I were just relaxing after a fun day of kayaking yesterday and there was a knock at my door.  It was my friend Billy and his friend Pat.  I was so glad to see it and it was so good to see him and meet his friend.  They didn't stay long but a long enough to catch up and find out that he is having surgery in a few weeks.  He is very reluctant which I can certainly understand, however, being in serious pain for the rest of your life is not a good option.  So he is courageously decided to try the surgery in hopes for a good outcome.  He looked really good and it was good to see him up and around but I could tell he did not feel well.  I am prayerful he has a fabulous outcome.  I got his current address and will be in touch.  I also asked Pat to let me know when he was having surgery and to stay in touch. She invited me to come visit...I loved that.  I am so grateful he has someone who is willing to help him in the difficult time and that he is willing to accept that.  Sometimes we are hard headed when it comes to such things.  Sometimes we have to let people help us...God sends us help in mysterious ways.
Their visit made my day.  That you God for sending my friend to lift my heart.

Hebrews 13:1-2 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. ² Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

Encourage One Another, continuing the journey on fresh paths.

Blessings and love to you, oxox!

Cowboy Tom and Cow Dog Jewel

Several weeks ago when Baby Gray was staying with me in the country we had the opportunity to witness some "cattle workin" right outside our window.
We were busy eating breakfast and from the corner of my eye I saw my neighbor, horseback, gathering his calves in the pasture next door.  I said "Look, it's a cowboy!"  Low and behold right in front of him, leading the herd was his rat terrier, Jewel, just running, circling and barking up a storm.  She was jumping and and down and bouncing trying to stay on top of the tall grass so she could see.  It was just this side of hilarious seeing her out there.  Surely the timid, loving little dog I had met next door recently was not out there being all brave with these big ole calves? But, yep, she was.  It's amazing what a dog will do for someone they love!  I had to text the cowboys wife and tell her of the goings on out here in the country.  Her text back was a "lol".  Baby Gray and I left our breakfast on the table and headed out to the porch to watch.  We had to see this up close and personal.
Sure nuff it was Cowboy Tom!  After he got his calves in the pen we gave him a holler!  He loped ole gray over to see us (his pony just happened to look a lot like my horse Mosey).  I introduced him to Baby Gray who was just in awe of the whole thing.  And then here came Jewel.  I said, "Oh my gosh she is out there amongst all those cattle like she knows what she's doing".  Tom said "actually, I'm pretty impressed.  She's staying in all the right places".  Now if you know about cattle, you know they don't like dogs, not even a little bit.  They'll snort at them, kick at them, run at them and run from them. They seemed to have all kinds of respect for this pint sized girl.  Did I mention, she's small.  My goodness, she's not bigger than a minute.  But obviously, she's got the heart of a big brave girl.
She came bounding over to Baby Gray and I and we gave her a big ole pet.  Baby Gray also gave Chama, the new gray horse, a pet and before leaving gave "Cowboy Tom" a knuckle!
It was just truly a sight to see and a great way to start out day.
Later the next day we went to the parade.  Guess who was there?  Cowboy Tom!  Baby Gray recognized him immediately.  Another knuckle!  What an impression he must have made on Baby Gray.  He talked about it the rest of the weekend.
That particular day, with Baby Gray in hand I did not get any photos.  Today I got a second opportunity to see this amazing event happen again.  Cowboy Tom, another cowboy and cow dog Jewel were out in the pasture gathering those same calves.  Jewel was once again bouncing over those same tall weeds doing her job.  They managed to get them into the pens with Jewel as proud as ever.  I rushed to get my camera this time and here are the photos.

 I see Tom and Chama first.

 Oh my, there she is, and in a big hurry.  Legs stretching as far apart as possible!

 Just look at her looking at him!

 "What's next dad?"

"Oh, ok, pushing them into the pen."

 Go Jewel go...she's right there in the middle!

 Almost there.

 Almost.

OK, now, finished, shutting the gate....good girl!

What an amazing little dog.  I don't know for sure, but I suspect Cowboy Tom might be thinking about  loading little Jewel up in the trailer and taking her to the next pasture to work cows.  Truly she measures up to her name!

Miss Jewel, cow dog extraordinaire!

Zechariah 9:16
The LORD their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.

Encourage One Another, continuing the journey on fresh paths.

Blessings and love to you.

You're Not in Mayberry

My daughter and I were shopping last week, early in my first days here.  I said, “well, the neighbors haven't been over yet. I thought they would have come by by now. Maybe even bring something like cookies”. Jo said “Mom. You're not in Mayberry. Your landlord didn't run into the neighbors at the post office and say 'oh, by the way, Robin moved into the house beside you. You remember her? She lived here several years ago.' That didn't happen, mom. They are NOT coming”.

I thought “how sad.”  I believe if I had new neighbors, especially in the country, I would go over and introduce myself. I would take them some cookies. I'd introduce them to Ikey and say “your dog has been over to visit us on occasion already”. I'd say “It is so peaceful out here. I love sitting out on my front porch. Come over in the evenings if you'd like.” I would say “If you need anything, let me know; here's my number”. And then I'd say “It's nice to have you here in the neighborhood.”

Even if it isn't Mayberry.

                                              

“It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood,
A beautiful day for a neighbor.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?...

It's a neighborly day in this beauty wood,
A neighborly day for a beauty.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?...

I've always wanted to have a neighbor just like you.
I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.

So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?

Won't you please,
Won't you please?
Please won't you be my neighbor?” 
― Fred Rogers

“If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.” 
― Fred Rogers

Encourage One Another ... continuing the journey on fresh paths.