Sabbath Keeping

This weekend has been very quiet...too quiet. We miss the happy sounds of family and are, fast and furious, talking ourselves into more house companions. I didn't get to Dr. Bill's office to get kittens last week but, I think, this needs to be done asap. On the way home from church, we saw an older kitten with a younger kitten...mother and child kitten...playing alongside the road. Dave stopped so I could try and catch them but no, they were wild as march hares and streaked away. Needless to say, I didn't get a photo of the cats but did get a photo of my 'up the road' neighbor's sheep; don't they look all wise and mysterious?
Also, on the way home...how many deer do you see?

Yes, I've come to a lowly end...trying to chase cats through the brush while I'm in my Sunday church clothes. I'm sure people passing by had a good laugh. Many, many years ago our truck was parked in the middle of the road, emergency flashers and lights blazing, door left open and I'm crawling on my belly like a reptile, trying to catch two puppies someone had dumped on the side of the road. Mind you, this was about 9 or 10 at night and I was not going home without those puppies!

Another truck came around the curve and slowed down. "Uh oh, dear Lord please protect me, your ejit daughter." I got up, went to the truck and saw two men and a little girl. The driver asked, "what in the world are you doing?" I explained and he said, "okay, I'm helping you 'cause there's no way I'm leaving you here by yourself." He did and between the two of us we managed to catch both puppies and I brought them home and, eventually, found homes for them.

Flash forward a few years and I meet a woman named Esther who invites me to Thursday night quilting group. I go and, eventually, meet one of her sons, Brian, his wife Donna and little girl, Miss K.

Brian takes a good look at me and says, "OH, you're that CRAZY woman picking up dogs by the side of the road!" Yep, those many years ago, it was Brian who stopped to help me catch the puppies. We've had, several, good laughs about it and, for him, it's nice to put a name to the face. For me also, although, I must admit I was so focused on those dratted puppies, I paid little attention to the people in the truck. Miss Hattie Cat, licking her chops, after being fed. She's another rescue from the barn and is about three years old now. She's a thug and best enjoys hiding, then pouncing on whomever happens by, but not all of us appreciate her sense of humor.Sorry this photo of Carly is so terrible but it's difficult to take her photo. When Carly wants corn, any treat for that matter, she'll come up behind me and paw my leg until I pay attention and give her what she wants. She's a persistent little thing with sharp hooves and has taught her sons, Samuel and Simon, her wicked trick. It used to be a lot funnier...those three coming up behind me and pawing me with their sharp little hooves. I've, almost, gotten used to all the little hoof bruises. When I first got animals, people would look at me like I was an abused wife. I tend to bruise very easily and if someone looks at me hard, there's a bruise. Well, it's not quite that bad but I do bruise easily. Now, I think people are used to seeing me black and blue and Miss K., the child mentioned above, will circle around me, counting bruises and laughing hysterically. Trust me, it's always a lot funnier counting than being the one counted but I'm not giving up my animals, I don't care how many bruises I collect.

Full moon earlier this week and I love to roam the pastures, with the dogs, sheep and cats, when it's a full moon. It was also warmish for this time of the year and simply BEEEYOOOUTIFUL! Cold weather is coming and it will be soup and bread later this week, beef bones are roasting in the oven now and tomorrow I'll make beef stock for soup. My to-do list seems to grow, not shrink and this week is full of chores in the house, in the barn and in the studio.

Before I know it, it will be Sheep Shearing Day and we're expecting a big crowd this year. In the past, I've always had hot dogs...which I hate but they are easy, fast and cheap...but this year I'm fixing a huge pot of soup and several loaves of bread. That should hold us and anyone else who shows up.

Time for sleep; are you getting enough rest? Probably not and you really should remedy that situation. Are you overweight? If so, please lose a few pounds. Remember this - the more baggage the shorter the trip so eat nutritious foods, get plenty of sleep, drink lots of water and stay away from people who make you cranky. Life is short, do your best to make it a great trip.

Blessings ~ friends ~ good food ~ restful sleep ~ God's creation ~ my critters, beasts and varmints ~ a full moon ~