They're gone. Dennis wouldn't leave until he'd finished rototilling a part of the garden so I could plant the onion sets and he'd shored up the greenhouse to prevent high winds from further destroying it. What a gem! He (although not feeling well) accomplishes more in 3 days what 10 in-good-health men can accomplish in 10 days! Incredible!

What's even better is that they seem to have inspired Dad. Even before they left (around noon yesterday) he was already beginning the sorting process that's needed to clear off his work bench and fixing the garage door! Sure hope that he keeps that up!

But Clara is dead. Jake and Dad killed her. She was a sweet little hen and I am devastated and my heart is sad as I hear Charlie (our only remaining chicken) crow this morning. I wonder if he misses her--do chickens have feelings? She used to snuggle next to him on top of the silver bin at night. Now he will be lonely and I wonder if we can get someone to keep him company?

This after Dennis built them a nice enclosure out of scrap skids. It happened after Dad unthinkingly left both gates to the garden wide open and Jake took advantage of the opportunity to charge in and scoop her up in his powerful jaws to rip her body to shreds. At the moment, it's hard for me to deal with either one of them. I know this is a natural instinct of Jakes and it's another sign of how unthinking and careless Dad is. This has happened before.

So Charlie is alone after at one time having a harem of at least 8 hens. This is the last one. Clara hadn't laid any eggs in a while and in the normal scheme of things she would have been soup some time ago. Still, she was plucky and a companion to Charlie. There are Cochan chickens across the street but they're the full size and Charlie is a banty. But perhaps one or two would get along if they won't pick on poor Charlie.

I did accomplish getting the girls' Christmas dresses and pjs cut out while Millie was here. Now they all have to be marked and I can start sewing. But before that, I need to make desserts for the grattitude dinner we're attending tomorrow in a new place in TX for us to visit. Today will be our usual meetings and I expect Jeff and Benjamin will be here for breakfast. Dad doesn't have school next week so I'm hoping he can keep up the momentum from Dennis' good work.

At least Dad understands more how Millie can smother me and how she always knows best (or thinks she does). She takes marvelous care of her mother who, somewhere deep inside) is still there in the empty shell of her body. What a sad, sad situation. To come to this after a full life. Although Ella always seemed to have something wrong with her--early arthritis in her hip, several hip replacement surgeries one of which left her nearly dead after an anesthesia error. Now she is a big floppy doll for Millie to care for. Makes one realize how fragile life is and how fortunate we are if our bodies are functioning with any kind of normalcy.

My computer is failing. I'm hoping Lloyd will be able to bring it back to life when he gets here. Also, Dennis put in a new phone line and it's very full of static. Not easy to talk on the phone. I think Dennis can do anything!

Need to start my day!

Peace!

Carol