Do You See the Mystery?

"A seed hidden in the heart of an apple is an orchard invisible."

~ Welsh proverb ~

Lately, meals have been English cheddar cheese, Honey Crisp apple and Pumpkin Seed Cheddar crackers. A pint of Smithwick's or Harp would be wonderful but probably not going to happen in this rural burg. However, if I'm wishing...I'm wishing for Tom Crean's and time for another trip to Ireland, I'm thinking.

Today has been justly spent...laundry, reading a novel, cleaning the humming bird feeders, a Ranger ride or three, Sam, driver's seat, and Sadie, riding shotgun while I'm forced to drive from the middle, during this day of incomparable beauty.

Then again, aren't all days pretty grand when one wakes above ground?

The milkweed is blooming and seeds are ripe for the gathering. I adore milkweed although I'm surrounded by folks who despise it, consider it a weed and spray to rid fields and road sides. It's the Monarch caterpillar's only host plant and this site says Monarch butterfly population has dropped by 90% in the last twenty years. I can certainly see a difference in this valley and it's frightening to think such beauty could be lost. I've yet to identify the variety found on the farm but if you're interested in planting seeds, I'm willing to collect and send them to you. Let me know in the comments so we can get together with addresses, etc. I'll send to as many people as I can while the seeds may be found and gathered.

During WWII children were put to work (gasp!) gathering milk weed pods to be used in life vests which were called "Mae West's". Later, in the 1970's the suggestion was made to change the name to "Dolly Parton's". Today, that's probably not politically correct; as to working the lil' darlin's...that's probably against some child labor law somewhere. God forbid the lil' darlin's actually earn their keep or do something for the good for others...we mustn't damage their frail psyche's. I say teach them the benefit of good, honest work; to love God, family and country then get out of their way so they can become productive members of society.  There are any number of farm kids who, at a tender age, are working cattle, sheep, goats and other livestock (vaccinations, castrations, trimming feet and all the rest) all while learning responsibility, math, training their eyes to recognize potential health problems, etc. Yeah, I'm all about farm kids!

Canada geese are here in droves...must be hundreds and their call of the wild cascade the valley morning and evening. This low tech granny is trying to get video and sound but my skills are less than geeky. Unless, of course, we're talking churning Jersey cream into butter.

One reason for today's ride was to see the highway departments scraping job. They've been scraping both sides of our dead end road and I'm only hoping they don't put those hideous lines on the sides or middle. There's room enough for two vehicles to pass and there are only a handful of folks living on this road...we all know how to drive and visitors come and go...thankfully...lol.

This lovely old building belongs to a neighbor and every time I pass it, lust after it. I can only imagine the beautiful floors or even another building that could be made from those logs.

Just look at those mortise and tenon joints...incredible! Around here, a lot of the older homes were made using those exact joins, notched with Roman numerals.

This lane goes to the house where Lassie was filmed and it still tickles me to say, behind the boy and dog on the DVD/video cover, is my farm and the same poster hangs in my living room.

That's my Saturday, a good portion of it anyway, and where I live never fails to bring contentment and happiness. Yes, we're closing in on winter; yes, it's going to be physically difficult; yes, I'm getting older (thank God!) and yes, with His help it'll be just fine.

One reminder: if you've not read Mag's account of my Belfast visit, click here. After arrival home and talking with Dad, it seemed to me he asked somewhat wistfully, "Would you consider moving to Ireland?" I said, "Dad, if I didn't have family here, I'd move there in a blink of an eye." So, for the foreseeable future, everyone is safe...lol.

Today is bittersweet...another day of rare beauty and the fifth anniversary of Dave's death. I believe the Bible, "absent with the body, present with the Lord" when believers have made their peace with God. Which Dave did; only five days before his death, he made his peace with God which means I also have peace. It's both blessing and gift.

Ponder this ~ "you are entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts."
~ Daniel Patrick Moynihan ~