Carson Village, Birmingham, Alabama
When the army (North) is carried off, the king of the South (Ptolemy IV Philopator) will be filled with pride and will slaughter many thousands, yet he will not remain triumphant. ~ Daniel 11:12
- Antiochus (North) lost 10,000 men, 300 horses and 5 elephants
- Philopator (South) lost 1,500 men, 700 horses and 16 elephants
At approximately thirteen hundred hours, the army began its invasion. That’s when we spotted a few scouts, and Blaine set out to make our stand, but within minutes, we were nearly overrun. A persistent army against one. But they did not realize that my knight carried with him a secret weapon meant to lure and destroy.
The battle raged all afternoon and into the evening, Blaine running back and forth between the double assault – one unit invading from the very back of the coach, the other firmly entrenched in the front. As the damsel in distress, I remained in the middle as far from the contest as I could possibly get. I couldn’t leave. I had work to do.
But I did have to go to bed. I nearly caved in to a breakdown as I crawled under my covers, fearing I’d awaken to find myself covered in crawling things like some horror movie, as they try to move me to their den. But I cried out to my Savior Who watches over me and as I did, the unreasonable fear subsided and other than the torrential rain and winds during the night that awakened me a couple of times, I slept well. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
The army? Ants. Teeny, tiny, miniscule sugar ants. Thousands or at the very least, multiple hundreds, of them. We’d hoped this would be another perk of our new site – no ants this year – because for the past few years, they’ve tried their best to take over our home here in Carson Village. Blaine’s always won – eventually – but I was content to believe that we wouldn’t have to encounter them again. Silly me.
The secret weapon? Terro. They absolutely love this poison! So much so, that after they gorge themselves on it, they carry it home to share with others. After a few days relishing in their victory, they find themselves soundly defeated as thousands of them lay dead – somewhere. Blaine’s yet to discover where any of them go once they leave the interior of our home. (nor where they come from, for that matter) For all we know, they could be building up in the walls or something. Certainly their little dead bodies are no place we can see. heavy sigh…….
As we entered into day two, guess what? We got up this morning and all but one or two have vanished! I firmly believe that my Creator God, Ruler over all of heaven and earth banished them because my cry for help! What other god would do such a thing?!?
As the week went on, ant free, I busied myself being crafty for a few days – making ornaments and money origami, and getting things in order to take home for Christmas.
Speaking of money origami. After handling about twenty or so dollar bills multiple times, I came away with pretty dirty hands. I wondered at that, so of course, I researched. According to WebMD,
Researchers found that most dollar bills are covered in 3,000 types of bacteria — everything from the germs that cause acne to microbes from people who lick their fingers when they count out bills.
And scientificamerica said,
U.S. Air Force researchers published findings back in 2002 that concluded most $1 bills—94 percent of 68 tested dollar notes—were harboring bacteria, including some which could cause pneumonia or other serious infections.
And finally (though I could go on), words from Time Magazine’s website,
In a 2017 study published in the journal PLOS ONE, researchers swabbed $1 bills from a bank in New York City to see what was living on paper currency. They found hundreds of species of microorganisms. The most abundant were ones that cause acne, as well as plenty of harmless skin bacteria. They also identified vaginal bacteria, microbes from mouths, DNA from pets and viruses. Cash is also often streaked with drugs. In a study of one-dollar bills from cities across the country, nearly 80% of them had traces of cocaine.
Did I know cash was dirty? Certainly! But did I know it was that dirty? Heavens no! YIKES!!!
Before you go running off to burn all your cash, Time offered a modicum of good news,
U.S. currency is a pretty plush place for germs to land. It’s 75% cotton and 25% linen, which offers a soft environment into which microbes can settle. Yet cash doesn’t typically have the right temperature or moisture conditions to allow microbes to grow and proliferate. Its porous surface actually helps it hold on to most of the germs it’s carrying, so not many microbes wipe off on your hands—meaning money is not very good at transmitting diseases.
Well, that’s a relief!
Son Kyle’s entire family dealt with the flu for an entire week following Thanksgiving!
Sloss Furnaces in the Birmingham area has been named a National Historic Landmark since 1981. David had never been. This is what he does for a living – beginning at the bottom and moving up to supervisor at Acuren Inspection. They inspect all manner of industrial welds at all kinds of places, from the fairly small (like Sloss Furnace was) up to gargantuan paper mills that he told us would dwarf this seemingly giant place to us.
Although Blaine and I visited here before, it was good to have David along to explain various aspects of how things worked. All three of us stand amazed at the engineers (or whomever) design these places and figure out how to make them work!
It operated from not long after the Civil War ended, when Colonel James Withers Sloss built it in 1880, until 1970 when it closed its doors. In 1981 it received its National Historic Landmark status and opened to the public in 1983. Click the link to learn a short history on their website:
When Blaine and I visited previously, there were very few other people milling about, but this time, people were parked on both sides of the facility lanes and the parking lots were filled. God blessed us with someone leaving just as we were circling the parking lot. 😊
Strangely, we didn’t see anyone walking around in the furnace area, so we asked when we checked in. There were two simultaneous events being held! One was a “market” – people selling arts and crafts (nothing like we’re used to in NE Ohio 😊) and I forced my husband and brother to take a picture with Santa. Unfortunately, after all the cajoling I did, I never received the picture the photographer promised via email.
The other event was an opportunity to create your own piece iron artwork. I’m not sure, but we believe that was also free. We didn’t have time to be creative, plus it was surely add a substantial amount of weight to the coach. Not good for gas mileage (sorry, dear, I know – not gas, diesel). But we still had a very interesting time watching the artists work a ‘mini’ furnace as they prepared to fill peoples’ molds.
After our time there, we struggled to find a restaurant in the area that was open on the weekend. So weird how everyone is closed on a Saturday! We eventually settled on Kumo, an Asian place. It was excellent!
Sunday morning, Blaine and I attended the Gardendale First Baptist Church. It’s a very large church that’s set up rather like a theater. They have their own college, so I’m guessing they hold some larger productions here. It was a good, thought-provoking service, but not at all what we were expecting. The lesson was more like Good Friday (even showing an edited clip from “The Passion of the Christ”) prior to communion being served. But there was worship after communion. There was no mention of Christmas whatsoever, except for an announcement that their drive-through nativity would be next weekend.
Early afternoon, we headed to David’s for another scrumptiously smoked meal!
On the right – beef brisket.
Take a gander at that beautiful smoke ring!
Monday the 5th, the ants brought reinforcements. This time, they attacked the center of our home, along the wall with the refrigerator, and also by the front door. So we’re back at war again. Blaine with his subterfuge attack on their gastrointestinal system, me, in prayer.
I’ve also been baking – gingerbread, lemon lassies, and peppermint bark so far. There’s still cranberry orange shortbread, iced sugar and permanders waiting in the wings. Permanders are sort of like rum balls without the rum. I’m choosing to try them with extract instead of real rum for the sole reason that I only need 1/4 cup.
Peter, the elf has been visiting son Kyle’s kids since December 1st. It’s a welcome bit of fun injected into their miserable home. Great job by our daughter-in-law, Shena!
We also received pictures from son Chris’s family!
